✔️ Unconditionally [Book 2] | Jeon Jungkook

• 17 • (18+)

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"Mommy and daddy will be back in a few hours, ok?"

Bambi eyes looked up at Hyun-Ji as she nursed Hyori before they had to leave. Her brow knit in the center as she stroked her plump cheek, already feeling the anxiety of separation.

Being away from her for a day was one thing. As guilty as it made Hyun-Ji feel, it honestly felt nice to have a little break from parenting when her mother or Jungkook's parents would care for Hyori. Now that she would be away at school most days of the week, she wished the summer would last just a little longer.

"Hey," he said softly, leaning against the doorway of the nursery. "You ok?"

Hyun-Ji pouted and answered honestly. "I really wanted to start school, but now that it's here, I don't want to leave her. We're always together. I've gotten so used to talking to a baby that I have to learn how to talk to adults again. What if she cries all day because she misses us?"

Jungkook smiled empathetically. He understood how Hyun-Ji felt completely. Once he went back to work after she was born, he was gone almost the entire summer and thought about what he could be missing the entire time. But unlike Hyun-Ji, he had time to adjust to the change already.

He walked over to her and kissed her forehead before kneeling beside the rocking chair. "Hyori will be fine. She's in good hands with your mother. And like you said, it's only for a few hours a day. We can call between classes, I'm sure she won't mind sending you pictures... Everything will be ok, Princess."

Hyun-Ji smiled sadly. He was right in everything he said, but she still missed her baby even though she was still in her arms.

The doorbell rang and Jungkook stood up. "That should be her now," he said.

He bounded down the stairs and opened the door. Sure enough, Areum was right on time and beaming with an identical smile as Hyun-Ji's.

"Hi, mom." Jungkook was greeted with a kiss on his cheek as Areum entered.

"Hi, dear! Where is my little angel?"

"Hyun-Ji is nursing her one more time. They're in the nursery."

Before he closed the door, a delivery truck stopped in front of the house. His blood ran cold as he watched a courier exit the white van, whose side was emblazoned with a bouquet of roses.

"And how are you dear?" She smiled. "I hope you're not losing too much sleep anymore."

"I'm fine. Mom, why don't you see if Hyun-Ji needs anything. She's kind of stressing about leaving Hyori alone."

His words were spoken quickly, and he made a conscious effort to keep his breathing steady. He peeked back at the van to see the courier removing a large bouquet from the back of it.

"That girl was always a worrier..." Areum sighed. "I've been telling her not to stress herself about this for over a week. You would think she was moving across the country or something."

Jungkook laughed nervously, not wanting to be rude but wishing Areum would just go upstairs before she saw the purple flowers being walked up the driveway at this very moment.

"I'll try my best to ease her fears," Areum said, finally beginning to ascend the stairs. "We won't be too long. I'll make sure she doesn't take all morning saying goodbye."

Jungkook opened the door just as the delivery woman had her finger poised over the doorbell. Startled, she heaved a shaky sigh before calming and smiling professionally.