You had always wanted a daughter, and so when you and your wife Kang Sae-byeok saved up enough money, you decided to have one through IVF.

You both debated over who should take one for the team and carry the child, but in the end you decided you wanted to. Sae-byeok worried about your well-being, overprotective as always, but she agreed that if you wanted to be pregnant, she wasn’t going to stop you.

Before the pregnancy, Sae-byeok always helped you through the hormone injections and every procedure in the IVF process. She always held your hand and squeezed it tight when you had to press the needle into your thigh.

When the embryo was finally ready to be implanted, her eyes sparkled with dual emotions. She was scared of the procedure, and for the long pregnancy you would have to endure afterwards… but she was also so incredibly excited to finally start a family with you.

She’s incredibly family-oriented, after all.

You were officially pregnant after your body took the embryo, and when your doctor announced the good news, both you and Sae-byeok couldn’t help but break down in tears.

Sae pretends to be stoic, but when the miracle of life was confirmed to be safe inside you? She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

You didn’t show signs of pregnancy right away, but that didn’t stop Sae-byeok from immediately becoming the most protective partner on the planet. She was like a machine- cooking and cleaning for you constantly, and practically refusing to let you do your own chores

When you actually started to show- the baby bump small but round with your shared future- she somehow got even more protective.

Sae-byeok would drop everything if you were uncomfortable. Your shoulders/back/feet hurt? She would give you a gentle but thorough massage. Feeling ill in the morning? She would rub your back and let you cling to her through the nausea, helping you clean up if you got sick.

When you found out the baby was a girl, Sae-byeok celebrated with you.

She had been the only daughter in her family, so being able to raise a little girl made her feel even more connected to your soon-to-be baby.

Sae-byeok let you think of baby names, always looking over your lists and listening intently to all your thoughts. She would frequently look up the meaning of names you suggested, wanting something special and unique for your daughter. 

When prompted, she didn’t have many names she came up with herself- she was more focused on picking something you both liked from your lists rather than making her own. 

YOU were the one carrying her child, after all. It made more sense to her to let you lead the way in deciding a name for her.

When the bump grew, Sae-byeok would often come home from work and just cuddle with you, leaning her head against your stomach to listen to the faint heartbeat of your daughter. It was incredibly soothing to her, knowing that both of you were safe and healthy under her care.

Because of this daily habit, she was the first one to detect flutters of your daughter practically before you felt them. 

The first time she kicked against Sae-byeok’s cheek, she couldn’t resist covering your tummy with loving kisses.

“She likes when you lay on me, she can feel your warmth,” You convince her. 

After being told this, Sae-byeok lays against you even more frequently, occasionally being snarky by poking your tummy when your daughter kicks too hard, just to get back at her for making you uncomfortable.

Once your third trimester hit, Sae-byeok helped you set up the nursery in your home in preparation for your daughter. 

She did all the heavy duty tasks- using the ladder to mount artwork and mini shelves, bringing in all the furniture and putting them together piece by piece. Sae-byeok practically refused to let you help, unless you insisted very hard. She just didn’t want you to strain yourself in any way.

To balance it out, Sae-byeok gave you most of the creative freedom over planning how the nursery should look. You were more aesthetically inclined then her, anyways- and she knew whatever you came up with would turn out great.

And she was right, once the nursery was done.

Sometimes, after work, she would sit in the chair she’d lugged inside the cozy room, admiring the emptiness before your daughter inevitably took up her new space.

Sae-byeok was always a good partner, but she became even more loving throughout your pregnancy. 

Affection is a guarantee. 

Affirmations, although nothing too flowery, were another surprise Sae-byeok brought you every evening when you were tired after a long day of existing during pregnancy.

“You are doing so good, jagiya.”

“My sweet girl is handling everything so well.”

“At work, all I thought about was my girl carrying my baby and I felt so loving and proud of you. I missed you today, pretty girl.”

“Our daughter is going to be the most beautiful little girl in the whole world, because YOU are carrying her, my love.”

It was almost strange at first, since Sae-byeok was usually not the most verbally affectionate partner… but the support was very much appreciated as you drew closer to your due date.

When you go into labor, contractions small but terrifying, Sae-byeok reacts calmly- her emotions and thoughts cooly collected.

She gets the bag you both packed in case of emergency, helping you to the car and heading to the hospital as quickly as she can. The whole drive, her hand is on your thigh, rubbing your leg softly with her thumb.

“We will get through this together, jagi. I’m going to be by your side the entire time, understand?”

"Thank you, Sae..."

"No need to thank me, love. It's a guarantee. And I'm going to make sure you remain completely and utterly safe, okay?"

"Okay."

She talks to all the nurses for you, vouching for your comfort and safety throughout the entire process. She listens to your every word, every suggestion, every breath- never straying far from your side- just as promised.

When contractions get stronger and close together, she keeps your hand safe in hers, allowing you to squeeze as tightly as you need.

Your cries pain her heart, but she’s strong for you. Sae-byeok is a comforting but confident, still and gentle guiding force as you fight for your daughter to enter the world.

When your daughter is born, she can’t help but spill tears as you hold her for the first time. She was right- your daughter is the most beautiful girl in the entire world to her.

Other than her beautiful partner, of course.

"She has your nose, jagiya... and your eyes. She's the most gorgeous little girl, I can't even believe how lucky I am."

After the birth, Sae-byeok remains diligently focused on YOU. Holding the baby when you’re tired and need to nap. Helping you clean your skin with washcloths and brush your sweaty hair out of your face.

When you both return home from the hospital with your baby girl, a deep feeling of contentment settles in your chest. Sae-byeok is cradling the small bundle of love in her freckled arms, cooing softly at the girl like she loves her more than anything in the world (besides you, obviously!).

Sae-byeok made a wonderful partner throughout your pregnancy, but she makes an even more caring and loving mother to your daughter.

You couldn’t be prouder.

And you couldn’t love your daughter, and Sae-byeok, any more. They were your whole entire world. And every time Sae’s coffee eyes light up at a giggle from your baby girl, your heart grows with love.