First Steps [ON HOLD]

Night of Silence

Recap
Thunder boomed and the child screamed, opening its eyes to meet eights sets staring right back.

+

Nobody blinked. Nobody sighed. Nobody screamed.

Nobody except the tiny human, abruptly awoken by the storm brewing just outside.

Until San spoke up from the back of the crowd, "Hyung, what do we do?"

Seonghwa didn't say a word as he scooped up the baby, stuffed animal, envelope and all. Slowly he cradled the creature, gently rocking as they made their way into the living room, seven boys trailing after them. Finally making it to the couch, he laid down across it, settling the child on his chest and patting its back. "We have to take care of it."

"Are you mad?!" Hongjoong cried. "Hwa, we can't take care of a baby!"

The six other boys glanced left and right, between the two oldest group members. They all knew they should probably stay out of it for their own good. But, yet nobody moved to go back to bed.

"First of all, shhh!" Seonghwa glared at him. "What else do you suggest?" He continued, whispering. "It's midnight and it has nowhere to go. We can think about it more in the morning, but we can't just let it sit outside all night."

Hongjoong didn't say a word, only giving an exasperated sigh.

"Joong-hyung, I think he's right, just give it til morning. I'm going back to bed." Jongho spoke shyly before turning back down the hallway he came from just minutes before.

"Uh, no. You're not going anywhere right now, except maybe the convenience store." That got all the boys attention. "It probably needs food." They all turned back to stare at the child, now peacefully sleeping on Seonghwa's stomach.

They all turned toward Hongjoong once again. "Fine. But I'm not making any promises and I don't think this a great idea. In the morning we'll talk to Manager-nim."

That sent the boys into a flurry. Yunho, San, and Mingi flew out the door, offering to go to the store. Yeosang, Wooyoung, and Jongho retreated to their rooms quietly closing the door, and going to bed.

+

And that left two. Seonghwa and Hongjoong stared at each other for awhile. "We should probably open that letter now, Seonghwa."

Hongjoong reached to snatch it from the other boy and brought it to the coffee table. He tore it open, a few items flew out and a note, neatly folded, tumbled down as well. Spreading everything out, both boys took in what was there: a note, a photo, two cherry blossoms and a delicate platinum ring.

Both silently wondered what it all meant. Seonghwa reached for the picture, Hongjoong the note. As one unfolded, the other turned over, and both sucked in a breath.

Hongjoong read aloud:

This is my baby girl, Haebitna, born two days ago (8/14/18). Please take care of her and tell her that eomma loves her very much. Give her the items from the envelope when she is old enough. It was all I had left.

It wasn't signed. It wasn't postmarked. It was all they had.

+

The sleepy boys came back from their short walk to the store to see their hyungs bending over the coffee table. Curious as to what they were looking at, the group crept over and looked at the items and the baby.

"Hyung we're back with formula, diapers and a bottle for it."

"Her," Seonghwa said, without a glance away from the child. "You brought them for her."

Hongjoong turned to the three. "Haebitna."

They all three nodded and stared at the small girl, unsure what to do next.

++++

so i'm continuing this I guess

let me know what you think
xx babybaby