grace 🦇

Yunjae stood in front of you, his pink bottom lip jutted out as he watched you patiently pull out a beanie to complete his look. The toddler had woken you up before the sun had even risen, mumbling about playing in the snow with Layla.

So here you were, dressing your four year old son for the cold winter weather. You gently placed the beanie over his head, making sure it covered even his little ears. Yunjae only stared at you before shifting his gaze over your shoulder, landing on the figure still buried beneath the thick blankets.

"Will dada come with?" he asked softly, biting his bottom lip the same way Jake did whenever he wasn't sure if what he was saying was right.

You glanced back at your still sleeping husband, who had come home late last night due to his packed schedule. Turning back to your son, you gently brushed the bangs peeking out from his beanie.

"When he wakes up, darling," you said softly. "Dad's very tired."

Yunjae merely nodded, solemn, as if having fun in the snow was somehow wrong without his father. You stood up with a soft grunt, extending your hand toward your toddler.

"Let's go, buddy."

Yunjae hesitated for a second before slipping his tiny hand into yours, his fingers curling around yours like he was anchoring himself. His grip was warm despite the cold creeping in from the windows.

"Okay.." he murmured, though his eyes flickered back to the bed one last time.

You noticed it, of course you did. Yunjae adored his father—everything felt a little less exciting if Jake wasn't there to witness it.

-

Outside, in front of the house, Yunjae ran around in the snow with Layla, his soft giggles echoing through the quiet neighborhood, accompanied only by the occasional whisper of the wind and the dog's panting.

You sat on the porch steps, a mug of hot chocolate clutched in your freezing hands as you watched your son fondly. When Layla suddenly tackled the toddler into the snow, you felt a presence settle beside you—your husband, dressed in nothing but a shirt and sweatpants, curling up next to you.

"It's snowing, Jake. What the hell are you wearing?" you muttered, setting your mug down before taking his hand in yours. He stayed silent, only leaning closer, curling further into you for warmth.

Jake's eyes remained on Yunjae, who was laughing as he tried to push Layla away, the dog jumped back and barked in glee. Yunjae sat up, snow dusting his beanie, his nose—identical to Jake's—red from the cold.

"Dada!"

Yunjae shot up, running straight toward his father and throwing his snow covered arms around him. Jake let out a soft groan, laughing sleepily as he hugged his son back despite the cold seeping through his clothes.

You tutted softly, brushing the snow off Yunjae's eyelashes.

"I'll make a snowman, watch me!" Yunjae beamed, pulling away before either of you could respond, already rolling a small mound of snow across the ground.

Taking the chance, Jake scooted closer, slipping his arms beneath your blanket before burying his face into the crook of your neck. You let out a small flinch at the cold but quickly relaxed, welcoming him into your warmth.

"You'll catch a cold," you whispered, your voice gentle as the two of you watched your son fondly, now focused on rolling the snow for his snowman's torso.

"'M lazy," he drawled, a quiet laugh escaping him when Layla suddenly jumped onto the snow Yunjae was rolling, the toddler squealing in surprise before bursting into giggles.

"You know," you began, gently rubbing circles over Jake's arm wrapped around you.

He hummed softly.

"I have the prettiest son, thanks to you."

Jake huffed out a quiet laugh against your skin, his breath still cold as it brushed your neck.

"Yeah?" he murmured, voice low and still a little rough from sleep. His arm tightened slightly around you, pulling you closer beneath the blanket.

"I think he gets that from you."

He shifted just enough to glance at Yunjae, a soft smile forming.

"Sure, he's got my genes," he added, voice quieter now, "but he's all you." His thumb brushed absentmindedly against your arm. "Carried him for nine months, raised him.. that's you."

He pressed a lazy kiss to your neck, lingering.

"Pretty things usually come from you anyway."

"Dada! Mama! Look!" Yunjae's voice rang out through the cold air as he waved, bouncing in place beside his snowman like he could barely contain himself. His cheeks were flushed pink, beanie slightly crooked, and his little gloved hands dusted with snow. All while Layla sat beside the snowman like she had contributed to it as well.

You and Jake both looked up at the same time.

Jake let out a soft chuckle, tightening his arms around you. "He's loud," he murmured, though there was nothing but fondness in his voice.

"He gets that from you," you whispered back.

"Yeah?" Jake hummed sleepily, nuzzling closer into your shoulder. "Is that a compliment, baby?"

Yunjae didn't wait any longer—he was already running toward you both, nearly slipping in the snow before catching himself with a proud little gasp.

"I made it all by myself!" he announced, pointing dramatically at the lopsided snowman like it was the greatest thing in the world.

You leaned forward slightly from the porch step, brushing snow off his sleeve. "It's really good, baby."

Jake stayed seated beside you, still half-curled in his shirt and sweatpants, eyes squinting slightly at the snowman like he was critically inspecting it. "Hmm," he murmured after a beat. "Pretty solid construction. Might survive the winter."

Yunjae gasped. "Really?!"

Jake nodded once, a soft smile on his face. "Very impressive work, buddy. Good job."

That was all it took for Yunjae to light up, bouncing on on his heels in glee before suddenly freezing mid-celebration. He placed his hands over his covered stomach.

Then he looked at you with the most serious expression a four year old could muster.

"I'm hungry," he declared.

You blinked, stunned at the sudden switch. "Already?"

"I want breakfast," he added matter-of-factly, already trudging back toward the porch like the snowman had been completed and emotionally filed away.

Jake stared after him for a second, then let out a quiet laugh against your neck.

"He just abandoned his life's work."

"He's four," you said, trying not to laugh.

"Mama, I want pancakes," he added, like it was the most urgent matter in the world, sending a longing look towards your way.

You laughed softly, standing up to follow your son inside, but before Yunjae could even reach the door, Jake shifted.

In one smooth motion, he stood from the porch, stepped forward, and scooped Yunjae up under his arms.

"Dada!" Yunjae squealed instantly, legs kicking mid-air as he was lifted like it was nothing.

Jake adjusted him easily onto his hip, holding him snug against his side despite still being in his shirt and sweatpants. "No walking away mid-ceremony," he muttered, pressing a clumsy peck on his son's red cheek.

Yunjae giggled wildly, clinging to him. "Put me down!"

"Nope."

You watched them both, shaking your head with a smile as Jake carried him toward the door anyway.

"Pancakes first," Jake said, glancing at you over his shoulder.

Yunjae nodded quickly, still laughing. "Pancakes first!"

And just like that, the snowman was forgotten—standing alone in front of the house—while your little family headed inside, warm laughter trailing behind them.

You really couldn't ask for anything more.