#dad!jeno

Your eyes widen a little, ‘oh, of course not, I’m sorry.’

Mark chuckles, ‘it’s okay, it’s important he gets to know his mama. I’ll keep an eye on him while you nap, okay? I’ll wake you if he needs anything.’

‘Okay,’ you sit up slightly. The handover is awkward, it being the first time you’d done it, but eventually Mark has the tiny baby in his arms, kissing your forehead before murmuring a ‘goodnight, I love you,’ and settling into the armchair beside your bed.

‘Love you. Please keep him here,’ you mumble, turning onto your side and closing your eyes.

‘I will, don’t worry sweetheart.’

Mark is quiet for a few minutes, gently yet stiffly rocking the baby back and forth, examining his face and all the details. The baby looked so much like him, and he knew it, feeling an enormous sense of pride at the boy’s identical nose and eyes, that he’d seen in baby photos of his own over the years. Once he’s sure you’re asleep, he begins to talk to his son, wishing the infant to get used to his voice.

‘Hey, baby boy,’ Mark begins, lightly shushing the baby when he fusses, ‘it’s okay, everything is just fine.’

You were just on the verge of falling asleep when you hear Mark’s voice, heart warming at the sound of the love of your life talking to your firstborn.

‘I didn’t even know you existed a few hours ago, but God, I love you. More than anything. You’re so perfect, such a beautiful baby, all from your mama. She did so well, didn’t she? Carried you for all that time… I promise I’ll be here for you, always. Everything I do from now on is for you and your mummy/mommy.’

You still lay awake, eyes filled with hot tears at the pure love that overcomes you. 

Mark is silent for a few moments, staring back into his son’s deep brown eyes, ‘I promise I won’t let you down. I love you, son.’

renjun

This was the moment Renjun had been anticipating since the moment you found out you were pregnant. He’d been terrified at the time, the pregnancy was unexpected and Renjun wasn’t sure he was ready or capable of being a father. At the same time, Renjun’s thoughts were filled with questions and worries about your baby. What would the baby look like? How big would the baby be? Would they come during the day or the night? But his biggest fear of all, was that your baby wouldn’t like him. He didn’t have the best luck with other member’s babies; generally they would cry and protest in his arms. He tried to prevent this, doing any and every bonding exercise with your bump that he could think or read about, hoping that when your son arrived he would feel comfortable and safe with him.

‘Jun?’ You’d been holding the baby for over an hour, having some skin to skin and your first feed. Renjun froze a little at the expectant look on your face, like he knew what you were about to ask.

‘You should hold him.’

Renjun blinks, ‘are you sure? you’re bonding with hi-‘

‘Jun,’ you repeat, softly, ‘he’s your son. He’s not going to hate you. Besides, I want to see my boys together.’

‘Okay,’ Renjun reaches down for the baby on your chest, cringing when the baby whines and fusses, ‘hey, don’t cry, please don’t cry.’

Renjun rocks and bounces him awkwardly but to no avail, and he sends you a look screaming for help.

‘It’s ok, Jun,’ you smile, ‘keep talking to him.’

‘He doesn’t like me,’ Renjun begins to panic, ‘he was happy with you, maybe you should-‘

‘Junie,’ you retort softly, ‘he just doesn’t like that he’s been moved. Keep talking to him, he’ll know your voice.’

Renjun gives himself a mental pep talk, slightly relaxing when he looks at the face of his baby boy.

‘It’s okay, it’s just me, I’m your daddy.’

You give Renjun an encouraging smile, and so he continues, ‘I really hope you like me from now on. Most babies don’t.’

The baby is gradually calming down at his father’s voice, so Renjun keeps talking.

‘Good boy, do you know my voice? I tried to talk to you as much as possible while you were in there so I hope you recognise it.’

The baby is now settled, staring up at his father with big brown eyes. Your heart melts at Renjun’s wide, toothy grin.

‘He likes me,’ he says to you, before turning back to the baby, ‘I think you look like a Tengfei.’

‘I like that name,’ you hum, ‘Huang Tengfei it is.’

Renjun’s smile gets impossibly wider, pride filling his chest knowing he’d just named his firstborn baby boy.

‘I love you so much, Huang Tengfei.’

jeno

You had never felt so at peace. You had just given birth to your first child, a daughter Moonbyeol in your bedroom at home a few hours earlier. Already, Moonbyeol was a very chilled baby, rarely fussing or crying. She was perfectly happy just laying on your chest, staring back at you. Jeno had been laying beside you for several hours now, engaging in hushed conversation with you about your newborn, all while unable to take his eyes off her. It hadn’t even crossed his mind that he hadn’t properly held his daughter, as you’d been snuggled together so close. As time passed, you grew more and more exhausted, the energy you had spent during the birth beginning to weigh you down. 

‘How long has it been since she fed?’ you wonder aloud, ‘the midwife said every three hours..’

‘I think it was at six,’ Jeno says, ’so three and a bit hours ago.’

‘She needs more,’ you mumble, sighing deeply, already pulling your top down to give Moonbyeol access. Jeno helps you guide her head to your chest.

‘Agh,’ the pain is sharp when she latches, and Jeno kisses and rubs your hair in encouragement.

‘You’re doing so well, look at how well she eats.’

‘It hurts so much Jen,’ Jeno’s heart hurts at the look on your face.

‘I know, I know,’ Jeno frowns, ‘it’ll get better, with time.’

‘I hope so,’ you say, ‘I feel sore all over.’

‘You’ve been so incredible,’ Jeno praises, ‘we did so well with her.’

‘Yeah, we did,’ you grin, the and the two of you settle into small talk while Moonbyeol eats. After some time, she pulls away, ready to be burped.

‘I don’t want to move,’ you admit, ‘too tired.’

‘Hey, I’ll take her,’ Jeno offers, ‘you can stay in bed. Plus, I.. I haven’t got to hold her yet.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry.’

‘It’s okay, don’t be silly,’ Jeno presses a kiss to your cheek, ‘I’ve been so close this whole time. You should get some rest.’

You suddenly realise how drained and exhausted you truly were, eyes and body heavy with fatigue.

‘I think I probably should,’ you mumble tiredly, ‘Moonie, daddy’s going to get all that horrible air up for you.’

It takes perhaps a little longer than it should have, but eventually the baby is successfully passed into Jeno’s arms.

‘Hey, Moonie,’ Jeno rests her on his shoulder, gently patting her back, ‘you’re so tiny.’

You move to lay down on your side and rest your eyes as Jeno talks to your daughter in a hushed voice.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ Jeno meets his daughters eyes, seeing his own staring back at him, ‘look at those brown eyes! So pretty. No boy will ever be good enough for such a beautiful girl.’

Jeno slowly wanders out of your room and into Moonbyeol’s nursery, wanting to give you some peace to sleep.

‘This is your room,’ Jeno turns the baby in his arms so that she’s facing the majority of the room, ‘this is where you’ll sleep, where you’ll play… I hope you like the way we decorated. If you don’t, we can change it later.’

Moonbyeol’s eyes flicker around the room, although her expression is blank.

‘Look, Moonie,’ he walks towards her unused crib, looking at the silver mobile that hangs over it, white and yellow moon and stars hanging down, ‘it’s like you! You’re our little moon star.’

Moonbyeol burps at that exact moment, and Jeno chuckles, not sure whether he should be offended or not.

‘Well, that says what you think of that.’

haechan

Donghyuck naturally comes across as a conceited and cocky person, you know that’s just his humour. He’s cheeky and bold, but at the same time down to earth and a total sweetheart. He acted quite similarly when it came to his impending fatherhood, on the outside appearing as though he was completely confident, that he would take being a father in his stride. But on the inside, he was terrified. Sometimes he would catch sight of you, his pregnant wife, and would feel a deep sense of dread alongside the rush of love that would bubble up in his chest. When you went into labour while eating dinner together, he thought he was going to be sick, the crashing realisation that this was it. You’d done so well, going through hours of contractions before your son began to struggle, and you were taken into an emergency c-section. You were crying softly as they prepared you for the surgery. Donghyuck emerged from the bathroom in his scrubs to see you laying there, and you immediately you’d reached out for him. In that moment, he knew how much you needed him, how much both of you needed him. In that moment he knew he’d do anything to be the best father and husband.

Your son Dalgun was eventually delivered through the C-section, laying on your chest for quite some time as you were stitched up and wheeled back to your hospital room. Donghyuck hates the look of discomfort on your face as you try to move around on the bed and feed. You’re exhausted, in pain and in need of a good rest, but you had to stay awake for your son.

Donghyuck tries to make himself useful, keeping the hospital room tidy and making sure your water cup was filled and you hadn’t bled too heavily onto the pad beneath you.

Part of him aches to hold his baby boy. He so desperately wants to just reach out and take the baby into his arms, shower him in all of the love he had to give. But at the same time, he didn’t want to. He was frightened that his son would be unsettled with him, that he would do something astronomically wrong like drop him. After some time, the nurse knocks softly on the door, coming to check on your surgery site.

‘Donghyuck,’ you croak, his heart hurting when he sees you laying there, exhausted and in pain with your son on your chest, ‘will you take him?’

‘I-‘ 

‘Hyuck,’ you notice the way he freezes, but he melts and relaxes at your tone, ‘its okay. You’re his daddy. You did so well at the classes.’

Donghyuck shakes himself. You’re vulnerable, you’ve just had invasive surgery and you need him. And he’s terrified of holding his own baby.

‘Okay.’

The nurse helps with the handover as it pains you to lean too far, and suddenly there’s a seven pound baby wriggling around in his arms. Dalgun cries shrilly at being moved, Donghyuck cringing as he wails.

‘Dalgun-ah,’ he clumsily rocks the baby, ‘won’t you be a good boy while mummy/mommy gets looked after? I’m not a stranger, I’m your daddy.’

Donghyuck sways on his feet, soothing Dalgun, ‘your mummy/mommy is so so brave. She is so incredible, Dalgun-ah, she’ll be the best mummy/mommy in the whole world to you, I just know it. And I’ll try my absolute hardest to be the best daddy. I love you.’

jaemin

Jaemin thinks that his daughter’s birth was nothing short of perfect. You had given birth to Chaeyeon in a birthing centre, early in the morning in a birthing pool.

Jaemin had sat right behind you, in his swim shorts, with you between his legs, not even wincing when you near crushed his hands while you pushed. Jaemin had been the one to cut the cord, before the baby was taken away to be weighed and given her first injection.

Jaemin had felt new foreign feeling of resentment towards the nurse, who he knows deep down is just doing her job and ultimately protecting your daughter from disease, but at the same time, she made his baby girl cry.

Chaeyeon is bought back to you, now with a band-aid covering her injection site. Jaemin holds you in his arms, resting his chin on your shoulder and just soaking in your daughters face. For some time, the two of you get used to Chaeyeon, taking in her appearance and mannerisms and sounds. Jaemin doesn’t even really care how dirty the water is.

‘Y/N? Why don’t we get you cleaned up a little?’ the nurse suggests, and you’re more than happy to be helped out of the pool and herded into the shower in the conjoining bathroom. Another nurse had held Chaeyeon as Jaemin carried you bridal style into the bathroom and gently setting you down on the shower seat. He hangs around for a few minutes, eyes darting between you and Chaeyeon’s general direction, clearly conflicted as to who to stay with.

‘Go and be with her Jaem,’ you hum.

’Do you need me?’

‘I’m all good here,’ you answer honestly, ‘I think this may be quite gross, anyway.’

‘Okay,’ Jaemin leans over to kiss your cheek, ‘I’ll look after her.’

‘Oh!’ The nurse left in the delivery room is holding the little bundle in her arms, ‘lets go to daddy, shall we?’

Jaemin beams as his baby girl is handed to him for the very first time. His heart feels like it may burst out of his chest as she gurgles, tiny fists waving around above the pink blankets.

‘Oh, angel,’ Jaemin coos, ‘you’re killing me.’

Jaemin knew that this baby in his arms officially completely owned his heart. He knew it was over for him, that there was nothing he would not do for his little girl.

‘You’re such a pretty girl, Chaeyeon,’ his heart aches at her glistening eyes and nose that mirrors his own.

‘You’ll have so much love in your life. You already do. You have so many uncles who are just dying to meet you, you have a godfather who would do anything for you. I.. I would die for you, I love you more than anything in this world.’

Chaeyeon waves her arm around, peeling back the blanket slightly.

‘Oh, you don’t have any clothes on,’ Jaemin brings her over to the changing table, lowering her down as slowly as he possibly can.

‘Which should be your first ever outfit?’ Jaemin sifts through the folded up baby-grows in the small suitcase you’d brought along. He picks out a white one, patterned with little brown teddy bears.

‘Uncle Mark bought you this one,’ Jaemin buttons up the onesie, ‘like I told you, everyone loves you Chae. But not as much as I do!’

Jaemin nuzzles their noses together, before cradling Chaeyeon in his chest, pressing a kiss on top of her head.

‘I love you, angel. I’ll be here for you always.’

chenle

Chenle was the best partner throughout your entire pregnancy. He did absolutely everything for you and your baby’s comfort, fulfilling your every need and wish, whether monetary, physical or emotional. 

It seemed everything had to be perfect, the quality of your care, your baby’s nursery, your birth plans, everything. If you showed any slight indication of discomfort at any point in your pregnancy, Chenle was instantly at your side, going out of his way to somehow alleviate your pain. He was almost jumpy in that sense.

He was strangely calmer than you thought he would be when you went into labour. You had been taken to the hospital where Chenle and his family had naturally made sure you would receive the best treatment, with a spacious private room and a dedicated team of familiar doctors and nurses. You laboured for hours on end. For nearly twenty hours, you’d suffered through some of the most immense pain imaginable, completely supported by Chenle who fusses over you and holds your hand through it all. Frustratingly, you had been dilating excruciatingly slowly, and eventually the doctors decide a c-section would be best for both you and your baby. 

Your beautiful baby girl joined you in the early evening. Chenle was so overcome with love for his daughter. You both knew that she would be his little princess, that he would spoil her rotten and that nobody would ever lay a hand on her. He came up with the name Caihong, meaning rainbow. She was the rainbow that brightened up his life.

When Caihong came out, they had taken her away briefly to be weighed and checked over, before returning her to you.

‘You did so so well,’ Chenle stands as close to you as he can get, still in his scrubs as they stitch you back up, ’she’s beautiful. I can’t believe it.’

‘I’m so tired,’ you laugh, having been awake for the entirety of your labour, ‘she’s ruined me.’

Chenle chuckles, ‘they’re going to wheel you back into the room once they’re done. We’ll turn the lights down. You can nap soon.’

‘M’kay,’ you roll your head back down to look at your baby, ‘she’s perfect.’

’She is,’ Chenle nods, leaning down and pressing kisses into your hair, ‘I love you both so much.’

The first hour with your daughter is so precious. You are taken back to your private room in your bed, Caihong resting on your chest the whole time. You’d done your first feed, burping her while sitting up in your bed. Once you’d finished, the nurses left, and the three of you were alone together for the first time.

‘Are you tired?’ Chenle asks, running a hand through your hair, fussing over you.

‘I’m exhausted,’ you murmur, ‘never been so tired.’

‘Why don’t I take her?’ he suggests, ‘you can lay down and have a nap.’

‘Are you sure?’ the offer is so unbelievably tempting, ‘I don’t want to just leave you on your own.’

‘I’ll be just fine,’ Chenle reassures you, ‘you just fed her. I can change her myself, if she needs you I’ll wake you.’

‘Okay,’ you nod, moving your arms so that Chenle can easily take Caihong from you.

He grunts dramatically as he raises her up, as though he was lifting some massive weight, ‘hi baby girl.’

Chenle holds Caihong in one arm as he helps you lay down comfortably, reclining your bed back down with the remote so you were laying down.

‘Comfortable?’ Chenle checks, rubbing your upper arm with his spare hand.

‘Yes,’ your eyes are already closed, ‘love you, Lele.’

Chenle grins, ‘I love you too.’

As you fall asleep, Chenle slowly does a few laps of the hospital room, rocking Caihong in his arms. Once he’s sure you’re mostly asleep, and that talking won’t disturb you, he speaks to Caihong in a hushed voice.

‘Hi my little angel,’ he stares into her shining brown eyes, absolutely entranced by her, ‘we’ve waited for so long for you. Ever since your uncle had your cousins, I’ve wanted a baby of my own. And now you’re finally here. You’re already so loved, Caihong. I’ll do anything for you.’

Caihong looks at him almost as if she’s listening and understands what he’s saying. Chenle’s heart seizes and threatens to break out of his chest, he loves her so much. 

‘You own my heart, Caihong. Daddy loves you so much.’

jisung

Jisung was the first to hold his baby girl, and although it wasn’t for long, it was a fact he took great pride in. Jisung had completely frozen up when your midwife had asked him if he wanted to deliver the baby. His mouth had dried up, completely unsure of what to say, until he caught your gaze, face slightly screwed up in discomfort, but still encouraging him to say yes. He had taken the midwife’s offer, and under her guidance, caught your baby girl as she came out. Jisung had worried that he would drop her, due to the baby being covered in blood and various bodily fluids, but thankfully he manages to keep her in his grip, holding her up for a few moments before placing her on your chest.

Jisung didn’t get her back for another hour or so, not that he minded. You handled your first hour of motherhood expertly, Chunae was an extremely calm baby who fed easily. She was so intrigued by the both of you, as you both were with her, her brown eyes studying your faces. Jisung had never felt so many overpowering emotions at once. Firstly the feeling of pride that he’d been the one to bring Chunae into the world, and the fact he had a part in creating what he believed to be the most beautiful baby in the whole world. And of course, he felt such an overwhelming and intense love for both you and your baby, after watching you go through hours and hours of labour and delivery in his family home. You had been giving skin to skin for over an hour before you offered the baby to Jisung.

‘Hey, Jisungie,’ he is immediately by your side.

‘Do you need something? Water? Another pillow? The pad changed? Are you in a lot of pain?’

You smile at how flustered and caring he is, shaking your head, ‘no, I’m alright. I just thought you might want to hold her.’

Jisung softens, heart suddenly hammering in his chest, ‘oh, y-yeah. Yeah, of course I’d love to.’

Jisung leans down and gently picks Chunae from your chest, taking a few moments to get her into a good position.

‘Hi baby girl,’ he murmurs, strangely nervous, as though it was somebody else’s child.

‘Ah, good timing,’ Jisung’s mother suddenly enters the room, ‘I made soup for you Y/N.’

‘Oh, amazing, I’m starving,’ you welcome the bowl of hot soup with both hands.

Jisung wanders the room, rocking the slightly gurgling Chunae in his arms as he approaches the bedroom window. He doesn’t really notice you watching him, his thoughts all consumed by Chunae. His mother even points it out, catching your eyes and nodding towards him. 

‘Hi,’ Jisung shakily removes a hand from underneath her to play with her own tiny hand, melting when she curls her hand around his finger.

‘You’re so small,’ he whispered, ‘like a doll. And so well behaved too, you didn’t cry one bit when I picked you up.’

Chunae just looks back up at him, and Jisung gently wipes at the spit collecting at her mouth with a cloth.

‘I promise I’ll look after you angel,’ he nuzzles his nose against hers, ‘no one will ever hurt you. They’ll have to go through me first.’

Jisung suddenly can’t get the image of his baby girl as a teenager out of his head, his getting her heart broken by some worthless teenage boy. He imagines comforting her, giving her encouraging talks and building her confidence back up, utilising the skills he would have learned as a father to his little girl over the years. But for now, he knows nothing, only what he has read in pregnancy and parenting books.

‘I don’t know much,’ Jisung rubs his thumb up and down on her face, ‘but I promise I’ll be the best father I can possibly be for you. I’ll try so hard to do everything that’s right for you. I already love you more than anything in this world.’

Chunae yawns, tiny fists flailing weakly as she does.

‘Am I boring you?’ Jisung chuckles, ’you can’t be tired, not when I’ve just got you.’

‘You should sit down with her,’ you suggest, taking a short break from your soup, ’she’ll fall asleep on you.’

‘I think I may fall asleep also,’ Jisung chuckles, although settling into the armchair near your bed. 

‘Group nap?’ You suggest, your own eyes feeling heavy.

‘What should we do today?’ you ask, ‘I don’t know if I can handle another day holed up in the house.’

‘What should we do today?’ you ask, ‘I don’t know if I can handle another day holed up in the house.’

‘What should we do today?’ you ask, ‘I don’t know if I can handle another day holed up in the house.’

Jeno smiles, ‘I’ll take Moonbyeol to school, then we can see if this little one’s up to maybe going on a walk? We can go for coffee or lunch.’

‘How about both?’

He laughs softly, ‘both it is.’

After around half an hour of feeding, Sanghoon finally pulls away, indicating he’s finished eating. Jeno, as per your usual routine, takes Sanghoon from you, laying him over his shoulder and patting his back. You pull your shirt back up, settling back down under the covers, and beginning to doze.

Jeno finishes burping Sanghoon, giving your shoulder a comforting squeeze and taking him back into his nursery.

‘Have a little more of a nap,’ he murmurs, ‘your sister will be up soon.’

Jeno goes back to bed himself, getting just over an hours sleep before his alarm goes off. He set it to be a mild-sounding one, as well as to play relatively quietly as to not disturb anyone else. He quickly scrolls through his notifications, answering a couple of messages, before hauling himself out of bed, making his way down the corridor to Moonbyeol’s bedroom. It’s still very dark in her bedroom, curtains drawn closed. He makes his way over to Moonbyeol’s bed, where she’s still fast asleep, deep under her star patterned duvet covers. Jeno sits on the edge of her bed, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder, and shaking her body softly.

‘Moonie,’ he sings, ‘wake up angel. Time to get ready for school.’

‘Daddy,’ she mumbles, small hands coming up to rub her eyes.

‘Good morning,’ Jeno strokes her hair gently.

‘Morning,’ she sighs.

‘What would you like for breakfast?’

‘Kimchi toast.’

‘Good choice. That’s what I want too.’

Jeno grins, kissing her cheek before flicking her lamp on and leaving the room.

The toast doesn’t take very long, you already had kimchi ready in the fridge, so he just mixes it with the cream cheese to make it a spread.

‘Where’s mummy/mommy?’ Moonbyeol has wandered down to the kitchen at the smell of ready toast.

’She’s catching up on some sleep baby,’ Jeno explains, putting down the plate in front of Moonbyeol, ‘baby brother kept her awake a lot of the night.’

‘Oh,’ she takes a bite of her toast.

The two dig in, crunching sounds echoing around the room.

Once they both finish, Jeno loads the dishes into the dishwasher, before following Moonbyeol back upstairs to her bedroom to start getting her ready to go to school. 

Half an hour later, Moonbyeol’s face is washed, teeth are brushed, and school uniform is on. Jeno ties the small bow on her shirt with ease, he’s had a years practice now.

‘Ready?’ 

Moonbyeol nods, picking up her little backpack, the sun and moon keychains clanging together.

‘Let’s go baby.’

Moonbyeol’s school isn’t that far away from the house. Jeno purposely picked an area where his children would have access to the best schools. Moonbyeol requests her favourite songs during the drive.

‘Alright, we’re here sweetheart,’ Jeno parks the car, getting out and walking around to help Moonbyeol out. He holds her little hand, ignoring the pain of leaning down, escorting his little one into the playground.

‘Have a good day Moonie,’ he kisses her, waving goodbye as she runs off to stand with her class.

When Jeno gets home, he’s greeted by the sound of your soft singing, along with the noise of the kettle boiling.

‘Hey,’ Jeno smiles fondly at the sight of you, stood in the middle of the kitchen rocking your baby boy.

‘Oh, hi,’ you grin back, ‘Hoonie woke up, but he didn’t want to feed so I’m making some tea- do you want some coffee?’

‘Would love some,’ Jeno nods through a yawn, lack of sleep suddenly catching up to him, ‘want me to take him?’

‘Can do,’ he takes the baby from you, ‘good morning Hoonie.’

Sanghoon gurgles a little at the change, but settles quite quickly.

The caffeine wakes you both up.

‘I’ll try feeding him again,’ you sink down into the sofa cushions. Thankfully this time, he feeds. You watch TV and make small talk (mostly about Sanghoon) for around twenty minutes before he finishes eating, Jeno taking him to be burped.

‘God, I need to clean up a bit before we go out,’ you sigh, taking in your appearance through your phone camera.

‘Go take a shower, I got him,’ Jeno insists, ‘I’ll get him ready to go.’

’Thanks,’ you sigh in relief at the thought of taking a shower, you can’t even think of the last time you got the luxury.

Jeno dresses Sanghoon, it’s relatively cold outside, the weather beginning to take a dip in the mid-september. He double checks the diaper bag, making sure you have enough supplies; diapers, wipes, extra clothes, breastfeeding cover, a blanket, and all other possible necessities.

While you’re drying your hair, he plays with Sanghoon, who’s laying on his baby rocker, by lightly tickling the bottom of his feet. 

You emerge from the bathroom a few minutes later, dressed and hair done, no makeup on, ready to go.

Jeno holds the heavy bag and you pop open the pram, placing Sanghoon inside and covering him with a blanket.

‘Ready to go?’ Jeno kisses your cheek.

‘Yeah, all set.’

The two of you walk along your street and towards the park, you pushing Sanghoon.

‘Are you alright? Are you sore anywhere?’ Jeno asks, being mindful of how this is the most physical activity you’d done after giving birth not even three weeks earlier.

‘A little, but it’s tolerable.’

‘Are you sure? We can sit down if you’re in pain and-‘

‘Jeno,’ you stop, resting a hand on his chest, ‘I’m fine. It’s been a couple of weeks and I’m not bleeding very much. And you know what all the midwives say, going on walks are great for recovery.’

‘If you say so,’ Jeno lifts a hand to squeeze yours, ‘let’s get to the cafe.’

The cafe is within the park, a cute little quaint building. You sit down, Jeno going to the counter and ordering your drinks and food while you push Sanghoon’s pram back and forth, keeping him settled.

Jeno places your drink down, laughing when you start sipping your drink before he’s even sat back down. Your food comes not long later, and you happily munch away on your toasted sandwich, well, as happily as you could while keeping an eye on your son. The hormones had you feeling quite anxious at times. 

‘Please don’t start fussing,’ you murmur as you lift him out of the pram, patting his bottom a couple of times.

‘Does he need changed?’ Jeno asks.

‘Yeah, he’s a little wet,’ you stand up, grabbing the bag from underneath the pram and heading into the bathroom.

‘There you go Hoon, all clean,’ you button up his baby-grow, securing his little mittens and hat, ‘you’re being such a good boy today.’

Jeno grins when you come back to the table, holding Sanghoon in your arms.

‘Can I hold him?’ he asks, ‘I brought the wrap.’

‘You don’t have to ask,; you lean down, allowing Jeno to take Sanghoon from you.

‘Hi baby boy,’ Jeno smiles, kissing his little hand when he stretches, ‘want to walk with daddy?’

Sanghoon looks so warm and cosy laying against Jeno’s chest in the baby wrap, and Jeno loves having his son so close. He savours the moment, knowing all too well that he will soon grow up, and will be far too big for this. 

You leave the cafe, you pushing the now empty pram while Jeno walks beside you holding Sanghoon in his arms, the rhythm of walking lulling him to sleep.

‘I’ll have to wake him when we get back,’ you sigh, ‘he’ll need to be fed again.’

‘He’s a little milk monster isn’t he,’ Jeno remarks, ‘your poor boobs.’

‘Tell me about it,’ you shake your head, ‘as much as I love feeding, it’ll be such a weight off when I can start pumping as well as normal feeding.’

‘I’ll be able to help you too,’ Jeno adds, ‘and I loved feeding Moonie.’

Jeno does the hard part for you once you get home. He gently massages Sanghoon’s tummy, which quickly rouses him from sleep. He naturally begins to cry, upset at the intrusion on his nap.

‘You can go back down once you’ve had some milk Hoonie,’ Jeno murmurs, ‘you need to eat.’

Sanghoon thankfully doesn’t refuse when he’s placed on your chest. Jeno cleans in the kitchen while Sanghoon feeds.

‘Jeno,’ you call softly when Sanghoon pulls away and stops trying to drink anymore.

Jeno burps Sanghoon, laughing at the volume. You follow him into the nursery, where you draw the blinds, Jeno silently rocking Sanghoon side to side, eventually lowering him down into his crib slowly. You brace yourself for the protesting cry, but it doesn’t come. 

‘Good boy,’ Jeno whispers, the two of you quietly leaving the room and pulling the door half-closed.

‘Wanna help me with ironing?’ Jeno asks you softly, ‘you can sit on the sofa.’

His heart seizes as you look back at him with tired, sunken eyes. You look exhausted, but beautiful to him.

You nod just as he reaches his hand out, resting it on your cheek, before leaning in for a firm but gentle kiss.

‘What?’ you giggle, confused at his sudden affection.

‘I just love you.’

‘Love you too.’

You fold clothes as Jeno irons, and before you know it, it’s time to pick Moonbyeol up from school. 

‘You gotta be quiet when you go inside Moonie,’ Jeno warns as the two approach the front door of your home, ‘baby brother might still be asleep.’

‘It’s only four o clock!’

‘Babies need lots of sleep Moonie,’ Jeno explains, opening the door as quietly as he could.

‘Mummy/mommy!’ Moonbyeol runs towards where you’re sitting on the sofa, coming to a stop when she notices the bundle in your arms.

‘Hi sweetheart, how was school?’ you ask her.

‘Good, I had fun,’ Moonbyeol mumbles, ‘what’s Hoonie doing?’

‘He’s drinking some milk Moonbyeol,’ you explain, ‘he needs milk to grow bigger, so he can grow up to be as big as you!’

‘Grandma says milk is good for my bones,’ Moonbyeol adds, referring to Jeno’s mother.

‘She’s right, makes them much stronger.’

Moonbyeol thinks for a moment, before pointing at your chest, ‘but why does he drink milk from there?’

‘Hey Moonie,’ Jeno sings, ‘speaking of milk, I think there may be some strawberry milk with our names on it in the fridge.’

‘Really?’ Moonbyeol gasps, bouncing on her feet before racing into the kitchen with her dad. 

You just smile, ‘your daddy is getting good at distractions Hoonie.’

Once the excitement from the strawberry milk dies down, Moonbyeol joins you in the living room, curling up on the sofa beside you, full attention on the episodes of Pororo and Robocar Poli playing on the television. Sanghoon stays in his newborn swing, the repetitive rotation eventually lulling him back to sleep, after which Jeno moves him into a moses basket nearby. You’re so tired that you unintentionally also fall asleep against the arm of the sofa.

‘Daddy,’ Moonbyeol chirps up after an episode finishes.

‘Yeah Moonie?’ Jeno looks up from the now ironed washing he’s sorting into piles. 

‘Can we go and play in my room?’

Jeno gives Moonbyeol a dejected smile, ‘we can’t Moonie, I have to stay here and watch Sanghoon.’

‘You always watch Sanghoon,’ Moonbyeol huffs, ‘why?’

‘Come here,’ Jeno holds his hands out, which Moonbyeol walks over to take, ‘you’re a big girl, you know that, right?’

Moonbyeol nods.

‘Well Sanghoon’s only little, he’s not as clever or strong like you, so he needs mummy/mommy and daddy around him all the time. It’s not because we don’t want to play with you or we love Hoonie more, Hoonie just needs us to do most things for him.’

‘But mummy/mommy’s here with Hoonie.’

‘Mummy/mommy’s asleep too, and mummy/mommy works really hard to look after Sanghoon, so she deserves the sleep she’s getting now.’

‘Okay,’ Moonbyeol nods, ‘it’s because I’m a big girl.’

‘Exactly!’ Jeno smiles, his eye-smile coming out, ‘come here.’

He hugs Moonbyeol tightly, ‘don’t forget that I love you, Moonie.’

‘Love you too Daddy.’

‘Now, do you want to help daddy make dinner?’ 

Thankfully due to the layout of your house, Jeno can see you and Sanghoon from the kitchen as he prepares the Japchae for dinner. Jeno keeps Moonbyeol busy by supervising her washing carrots and peppers, away from the heat of the hob. When the food is a few minutes away from being ready, Jeno suggests that Moonbyeol goes to wake you up.

‘Mummy/mommy,’ she shakes you gently, ‘dinner’s nearly finished.’

‘Oh,’ you murmur, eventually getting up and moving Sanghoon into the crib in his nursery where you can watch him from the monitor.

‘Smells so good,’ you mumble into Jeno’s back as you give him a back-hug, ‘thanks for letting me sleep a little.’

‘Hm, you deserved some rest,’ he nods, beginning to dish out the japchae into separate bowls for you all.

You and Jeno listen to Moonbyeol as she tells you all about the games she played at breaktime and the entire plot of the book that was read at story time.

The dishes thankfully can be put straight in the dishwasher. 

‘Bath time, Moonie,’ Jeno announces, much to Moonbyeol’s delight. Jeno was always thankful to have a child who loved  being bathed. She didn’t love the actual act of having her hair washed, but loved the play. Jeno quite enjoyed it too, he found it to be a great form of bonding with both of the children.

Sanghoon begins crying again while the bath is running, so you go and tend to him. 

‘Mama,’ Moonbyeol drawls as she runs into your bedroom, hair slightly damp from being towel dried by Jeno.

‘Careful of mummy/mommy!’ Jeno runs in behind her, clearly struggling to keep up.

Moonbyeol doesn’t even need to be told, already coming to a stop next to your bed and peering over in curiosity.

‘You can sit next to me,’ you tell her, patting the empty space beside you. She crawls onto the bed, sidling up beside you as close as she could get. Jeno gets on the bed beside her, so that she’s sandwiched between you. 

‘Is he hungry again?’ Moonbyeol asks, squirming a little when Jeno wraps an arm around her and pinches her sides lightly.

‘Yes, Sanghoon gets hungry a lot,’ you explain, ‘he eats maybe eight times a day.’

‘That’s a lot.’

‘Yeah, so he takes up a lot of mummy/mommy’s time, huh?’

‘Yeah…’ Moonbyeol pouts, ‘but daddy says its because he needs to grow up.’

‘Daddy’s right,’ you nod, sending a smile to Jeno, who is affectionately scratching Moonbyeol’s head, ‘it’s not because I don’t want to be with you, it’s just Hoonie needs me more, since you’re such a big girl.’

‘I know.’

‘We’ll do something nice this weekend when we go out with grandma and grandad,’ you promise, knowing there would likely be a prolonged period of time where Jeno’s mother would want the baby and you could give Moonbyeol some attention.

‘Okay,’ she smiles.

‘Hey Moonie, wanna hear Sanghoon burp?’ Jeno says as he notices Sanghoon pulling away.

‘Yeah,’ she grins as Jeno takes the baby from you.

Moonbyeol giggles maniacally when Sanghoon loudly burps. 

‘I think it’s your bedtime, princess,’ Jeno announces as she calms down, prompting her to whine loudly.

‘Say goodnight to mama.’

Moonbyeol slumps her shoulders, but trudges over to you, throwing her arms around you and kissing your cheek.

‘Goodnight mummy/mommy, love you.’

‘I love you too Moonie. Goodnight.’

Jeno gives Sanghoon back to you before leading Moonbyeol out of your bedroom and to the bathroom so she can brush her teeth.

‘What colour do you want tonight?’ Jeno asks, referring to her nightlight that creates stars of various colours.

‘Pink,’ Moonbyeol mumbles, and so Jeno presses the button for pink stars, that instantly project onto the ceiling above.

‘Goodnight Moonie,’ Jeno leans down to kiss her forehead, ‘see you in the morning.’

‘Night daddy.’

When Jeno returns to your bedroom, you’re still laying with Sanghoon, who’s resting on your chest on his stomach, happily dozing through a milk coma.

Jeno returns to his side of the bed, eyes never leaving Sanghoon.

‘He’s so chilled,’ you lay a hand on his back, rubbing up and down gently.

‘He’s perfect,’ Jeno sighs, allowing himself to relax and settle into the mattress.

‘Mmh,’ you hum, using a spare hand to run a hand through his long black hair, ‘so are you.’

Jeno becomes shy, burying his face into the mattress, ‘that was cringey.’

‘Maybe, but it’s true,’ you smile, ‘you helped me so much with Moonie today. Just want you to know how much I appreciate you.’

‘Sometimes I feel a bit helpless when it comes to Sanghoon, I mean he’s a newborn, you’re his mother, you need each other. So I’m just trying to help you ease that burden a bit.’

‘I’ll… we’ll be okay.’

‘Always,’ he smiles, lifting his head and kissing your bare shoulder. 

You yawn, stretching your legs and shoulders a little, trying to keep yourself awake. Jeno rolls over onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow.

‘Can I cuddle him?’

You grin at his innocent request, nodding and helping him with the handover.

The television plays quietly in the background as you watch them. Seeing Jeno like this always made your heart race, how attractive he looked in his white t-shirt and sweatpants, tiny baby on his chest. The sight always reminded you of how much you loved him, how much he does for your family, and how much you love what you’ve created together.

You wordlessly snuggle into his side, and Jeno throws his free arm around you, kissing your forehead. 

You watch television together for around an hour or two, you falling asleep not long before Sanghoon fills his diaper (typical, Jeno thinks), and when Jeno returns, he places Sanghoon in his bed-side crib. Although he’s tired, he still deems it too early to sleep, so he scrolls through his phone, answering various work related messages and texts from members expressing their jealousy over his paternity leave. He slips out of the room after a while, taking the fastest shower he possibly can before brushing his teeth, as well as grabbing two glasses of water from the kitchen (you often wake up thirsty) and returning to bed, where you and the baby are thankfully still peacefully asleep.