Alex, Chapter 10
Title: Alex, Chapter 10
Pairing: Nichkhun/Wooyoung
Rating: R
Summary: Nichkhun and Wooyoung love the same boy.
A/N: This is it. The last chapter in Alex's story. I have planned to do some epilogues - to give you all an insight of what it was like for Alex growing up. I will do it sporadically so you guys won't miss the little guy too much. I know I will. I loved writing this fic. Thanks for reading and your comments. Enjoy! xoxo, MIYA :)
Although Wooyoung’s heart couldn’t settle on what had happened earlier in the day, his body was screaming for rest so as he reached home, he had settled into his bed and he easily fell asleep. Near midnight, his phone rang and Wooyoung had wished that he could just tune out the world for that night, however knowing it was rare that anyone would call him at this hour there must have been a good reason and sure enough it was, Nichkhun.
“Youngie, I need you.” Nichkhun’s voice came over the phone.
“What’s wrong?” Wooyoung asked worriedly.
“It’s Alex, he has a really high fever, I don’t know what to do.” Nichkhun’s voice was panicked.
“Relax Khun, did you try a warm washcloth on his forehead?” Wooyoung asked.
“Yes, I tried everything - even medicine, but it seems to get worse, please come.” Nichkhun asked.
“I’m on my way.” Wooyoung got up and grabbed his coat. Wooyoung had been through so many nights like these with Alex, having a child and him being sick had been a regular for Wooyoung so he wasn’t so worried but could imagine the panic Nichkhun was in. He reached Nichkhun’s apartment and Nichkhun was so relieved to see him.
“Thanks, I’m sorry for waking you. It’s just I don’t know what to do…and he keeps crying for you.” Nichkhun said.
“It’s okay, it’ll be fine.” Wooyoung said walking toward the room. Alex was laying on his side, curled up in a ball. “Alex, you okay?” He whispered as he brought his face close to the boy’s.
“Dad?” Alex looked up.
“Yeah buddy, I’m here.” Wooyoung smiled.
“Dad, I don’t feel good.” Alex complained.
“I know baby, I’m sorry.” Wooyoung scooped the boy into his arms. Wooyoung immediately felt how hot the boy’s body was and this was even abnormally hot for a fever. “Did he eat anything today?”
“Yeah, I made him a sandwich.” Nichkhun answered.
“What kind of sandwich? Did it have nuts?” Wooyoung asked.
“Peanuts.” Nichkhun said.
“Khun, Alex is allergic to peanuts.” Wooyoung replied.
“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry!” Nichkhun jumped to Alex’s side. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry Lex, I didn’t know. Daddy didn’t know.” Nichkhun seemed to take it hard.
“It’s okay, but we should take him to the hospital.” Wooyoung calmed Nichkhun.
“Hospital?” Nichkhun asked.
“Yes, he needs some medical attention.” Wooyoung advised. Wooyoung picked up the boy and Nichkhun led them out to his car driving them to the nearest hospital. The nurses took Alex into an examination room and asked the two men to wait outside while the nurses and doctors examined Alex.
They sat in the waiting area, a chair in between them left empty. “I didn’t know Alex was allergic to peanuts till he was 2. He accidently picked it up and ate it from the kitchen counter while I wasn’t looking. He went red in the face and immediately started to gag. I was so lost, I thought he was going to die. I panicked so fast, I was so scared I was going to lose him. I must have ran for my life down to the neighborhood clinic screaming like a madman.” Wooyoung suddenly broke the silence. “Your life changes when you have a kid, you forget about everything else even yourself, because now someone else needs you more than you need yourself.”
“I feel like I’m so unfit to take care of him, how did you do it for four years without any help?” Nichkhun looked up.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know how I did it, I just did it because never in my life did I feel so attached to anyone…except for you.” Wooyoung said. “You know when you get that feeling that even though you feel like you aren’t strong enough to handle you do it because you know it’s embedded in your soul to do it. That’s how I felt about Alex. He was so small, but he had pierced my heart as soon as his eyes opened.” Wooyoung smiled. “I never imagined that I would have to be a father at such a young age, and despite the hardships I went through to take care of him - I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Wooyoung looked up, his eyes meeting Nichkhun’s.
“It isn’t because I love you that I say this, it’s truly how I feel - you’ve done such a good job with Alex, I almost feel like it’s unfair that I would come into his life when you’ve already began raising him.” Nichkhun replied.
“It was unfair that I didn’t tell you. I keep thinking maybe if I had just waited for you to come back that maybe I wouldn’t have been in this alone, that maybe this wouldn’t be as complicated as it is now. There’s so much to tell you about why I did what I did.” Wooyoung began.
“Why did you just run? Why didn’t you wait for me? Did you really think I wouldn’t understand?” Nichkhun asked.
“No, I knew you would. After Suzy had died, I contacted Suzy’s family to let them know of her passing. I had spent nearly two days straight at the hospital and was in need of rest, when I returned to our dorm your father was waiting outside the door. He said he had come to see you. I told him that you were out of town for a job interview and he seemed pretty upset. He asked me a million questions about you and I could barely think. I told him that I needed to get back to the hospital - and he insisted on knowing why - maybe he thought it was you. I don’t know what came over me, I told him about Suzy, about Alex and he immediately ordered that I give the baby over to him. I asked him what he intended to do with the baby, and he said he’d secure that nothing would stop you from fulfilling your purpose. I didn’t know what that meant, just that he might hurt Alex. I immediately ran away, wanting to get to Alex to assure that nothing as going to happen that’s when the nurses told me that since I wasn’t the father I had no claim to him. But my heart said different - he belonged to me in some way because you belonged to me. I wasn’t thinking, so I took him. I hid him for days, hoping no one would find us, retreating to my grandfather’s old house. I stayed there for the next few months - until I thought things had cleared. I didn’t know what to do with him, I had never taken care of a baby before - I was scared out of my mind - I thought I was going to fail miserably but who knew?” Wooyoung chuckled thinking back.
“I should have known my father had something to do with you running away. I had the hardest time trying to think of why you would ever leave. Alex made a lot of sense, but now I understand it better.” Nichkhun said. “You know I regretted that night with Suzy for years - I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life sleeping with her. I felt like I betrayed you, my heart had been yours for so long and then I went and gave my body to someone else. But how could I regret it, now that I know that I would not have Alex without her, and possibly this chance with you.” Nichkhun said. “I was so upset that you went on that date with Taec… then the news of my mom’s death - I was so weak, and I let all of that get the best of my judgment. I did it cause I was hurt and I went to the first person I thought who could comfort me - I wanted it to be you but I was so stupid to think that you actually liked Taec… did you?” Nichkhun asked.
“You’re so dumb Khun. Of course not. Sure, he was a good friend but you know and you knew I liked you. I wanted to tell him no, but you insisted - god, I would have done anything for you.” Wooyoung laughed.
“I was so young and stupid.” Nichkuhn laughed.
“Nothing changes you more than a kid.” Wooyoung agreed.
“But somethings don’t have to change do they?” Nichkhun lifted Wooyoung’s chin so their eyes met.
Wooyoung turned away. “Maybe they do.” Wooyoung said. “We keep on hurting each other Khun, maybe… it’s better if we just didn’t try.”
“What do you mean? What about Alex?” Nichkhun asked.
“Of course I want to be a part of Alex’s life… as much as you’ll let me.” Wooyoung began to say.
“As much you want to be.” Nichkhun replied. “He thinks of you as his father - how could I tell him differently?”
“Then how would we explain to him when he gets older? He’ll realize that he must have a mother? How will we explain to him about his mother? About the kind of relationship we have?” Wooyoung argued.
“You can’t shield him forever, he’ll grow up - we’ll have to tell him the truth one day.” Nichkhun smiled.
“I want protect him forever. He’s my little boy.” Wooyoung pouted.
“He is.” Nichkhun took Wooyoung’s hands. “I am so grateful you’ve raised him so far, everything good about him is because of you - you are shaping him into an extraordinary human being just by showing him the example through yourself. It’s so easy to fall in love with him because he is so much like you.” Nichkhun said.
Wooyoung blushed. “But he’s also so much of you… his smile, his laugh, his eyes… even that natural charm he has… it’s all you.” Wooyoung replied.
“Then don’t you see… me and you are great together, Alex is proof of that. Why can’t we try to make this work? If not for us, at least for Alex.” Nichkhun begged.
“Khun…” Wooyoung said. “I love you. “
“I love you too Woo. Please, stay with me.” Nichkhun said.
“Excuse me, which one of you is Alex Jang’s father?” The doctor stepped out.
Nichkhun and Wooyoung looked up, not knowing what the right answer to the question was.
“He is.” Wooyoung said first pushing Nichkhun forward.
Nichkhun looked at Wooyoung and took his hand. “We are.” Nichkhun corrected him and looked at the doctor.
“That makes more sense, Alex asked for a Daddy Woo and a Daddy Khun. He’s awake and the fever has gone down substantially, he’s asking for you…both.” The doctor smiled and let them in. Wooyoung walked in first and as he did Alex seemed to sit up with a smile.
“How’s my baby?” Wooyoung sat next to him and felt his forehead.
“I’m okay Daddy.” Alex smiled. Nichkhun walked around and sat on the other side.
“I’m so glad you’re okay bud.” Nichkhun smiled and kissed the boy atop his head. “Whoever heard of a Thai being allergic to peanuts?” Nichkhun joked.
“Daddy, can we go home? Not your home, but our home?” Alex looked up at Nichkhun with his puppy dog eyes.
Nichkhun looked at Wooyoung who looked down for a minute. “I don’t know buddy, Daddy Woo might need more time to rest.” Nichkhun said.
“Awww, but I want to sleep in my bed - and play with my toys… and I want Daddy Woo to share his bed with you again.” Alex said.
Nichkhun’s eyes went large at that last addition. “Why?” He asked.
“Because… Daddy Woo cries when you’re not home, I know he thinks I’m not looking but I hear him.” Alex said and Wooyoung blushes in embarrassment. “And you cried last night too when Daddy Woo wasn’t with you. I don’t want you or Daddy Woo to cry anymore because… because… it makes me cry.” Alex pouted as his eyes started to tear.
Nichkhun picked up the boy onto his lap. “I’m sorry we made you cry but Alex, you don’t have to cry when we cry - you don’t ever have to cry.” Nichkhun said.
“But I do… because… I love my daddy’s so much. I don’t want my daddy’s to cry.” Alex buried his face into Nichkhun’s chest.
“Well how do we make you stop crying?” Wooyoung asked.
Alex looked up and looked at Wooyoung. “Don’t make each other cry, then I won’t cry.” Alex said.
“Alex, you know it’s okay to cry sometimes right?” Nichkhun asked. “Sometimes, people make you cry - but that means they don’t love you or you don’t love them. It’s okay to get hurt but you always have to say sorry, especially if you love them.” Nichkhun said.
“Did you say sorry to Daddy Woo?” Alex asked.
Nichkhun looked at Wooyoung. “No, I didn’t.” He realized that through everything he had said, he had omitted a proper apology. “Daddy Woo, I’m sorry for making you cry - I’m sorry that I didn’t understand you, but I do now. Please forgive me.” Nichkhun said. Wooyoung almost cried at the simple apology, he knew there could have been more words that could have been said but those words were enough for him.
Wooyoung nodded. “I forgive you Daddy Khun, if you can forgive me for all that I’ve done.” Wooyoung replied.
Nichkhun smiled and scooted over on the bed so Wooyoung could sit down. “Of course I forgive you Daddy Woo.” Nichkhun answered and Alex looked up at him and smiled.
“So that does mean we can go home?” Alex asked.
“Yes, baby we can go home.” Nichkhun smiled and kissed the boy on the cheek, then Wooyoung followed kissing the boy on the other cheek.
“Daddy Woo? Why are you crying? Daddy Khun apologized.” Alex pointed out.
“It’s nothing Lex, I’m…I’m…just happy.” Wooyoung wiped his eyes.
“You’re happy?” Alex asked and Wooyoung nodded.
“Are you happy Daddy Khun?” Alex asked the other.
“Very happy.” Nichkhun answered and slid his free arm around Wooyoung’s waist and the other around Alex.
“Then I’m happy.” Alex smiled. “Thank you Daddy Khun, Daddy Woo.”
“For what?” Wooyoung asked.
“For… everything.” Alex couldn’t really say what he was feeling other than gratitude for his two dads.
“Thank you Alex.” Wooyoung said.
“For what Dad?” Alex asked.
“For changing our lives for the better.” Nichkhun said. “For bringing your two dads together.” He continued. Alex got up slightly and wrapped his small arms around both men, bringing them in closely.
“I love you Daddy Woo. I love you Daddy Khun.” He said.
“We love you Alex.” Nichkhun and Wooyoung said simultaneously.
There was a bit of silence, Nichkhun looked over at Wooyoung thinking maybe the boy had fallen asleep. Nichkhun tried to escape his hug but Alex held him close.
“Now say you love Daddy Woo.” Alex said with a smile.
“I love you Woo.” Nichkhun said.
“Now you say it to Daddy Khun, Daddy Woo.” Alex turned his head.
“I love you Khun.” Wooyoung did as he told. Alex smiled and sat back down resting his head on Nichkhun’s chest. It wasn’t long before the boy had fallen asleep, wrapped in his father’s arms, as his Daddy Khun and his Daddy Woo shared a soft kiss, careful not to wake the boy.
~~~
Alex H. Jang has become the youngest President and CEO of the Universal Airways Group, the company that owns nearly twenty five percent of the world’s airline carriers. At age 32, this young professional climbed the corporate ladder from engineer to developer and now to Executive. But Jang attributes his successes to a happy home life, growing up as a child he was showered by love and support and that has been the biggest asset to his name.
“I didn’t grow up in a conventional home, I didn’t have the traditional parents - in fact a lot of peers made fun of my family, that instead of a mother and a father, I had two fathers. Early on I battled with this realization that my family was different however no matter how different my family looked on the outside, I could at least say that my home was filled with love. You see my father’s had a special connection , before I was even in the equation, they had known each other and loved each other - that’s why I think it was so easy for them to love me as their child because they already had so much love for each other.”
“Most little boys are fortunate enough to have one father figure in their lifetime, I have two. They have shaped me into the man I have become, and their hearts and their minds carve everything that is definitive in me. They say that inside each man is a struggle between two men, their fathers and themselves - for me it’s more like a harmonious blend of three men: my fathers and myself. In instances of high emotion - I am impulsive like my Daddy Woo, calm like my Daddy Khun and yet I am also responsive for myself. In times of war I can be combative like Daddy Woo, defensive like Daddy Khun but I’m also strategic in myself. In times of joy I am high-spirited like Daddy Woo, carefree like Daddy Khun and appreciative as myself. When it comes to love I am committed like Daddy Woo, passionate like Daddy Khun and assertive in myself. I am a mixture of good and bad, but they are mixed together and woven in me to make myself the best version I can be of myself and my fathers.”
“People would think growing up without a mother would cause someone to grow up too hard and rough, but my father’s did everything they could to give everything I needed. I think back and yes, there is regret that I could have never met my mother - yet when I look at the challenges that my father’s had to endure to raise me - it hadn’t been widely accepted that two men could raise a child together. There were times were people would stare, make comments, even ridicule them but it was never a choice for them - it had nothing to do about their own happiness and everything to do with mine. They made me their world, made sacrifices for me and stared adversity and prejudices in the eye because they had a son to raise. Before people know that I am the son of two men, they always have bountiful compliments to make but once they find out the truth about my parents, they always seem to take it back - but what really changes about me if I was raised by two men instead of a man and a woman? We are shaped not by condition or circumstance but rather the hearts of the people who are in my life, and everything that my fathers could give me they gave - and that is the reason why I am who I am today.”
“If any good can be seen in me now, it is because two men gave me their hearts, their love and their lives. My greatest accomplishment yet, is that I could be their pride.”
Nichkhun settled the magazine on the table after reading it aloud to his husband. Wooyoung looked up and smiled. “So I guess we did a good job raising him?” Wooyoung joked.
Just then the phone rang and Wooyoung got up to answer it.
“Yes, your father just read it now. It’s a good article.” Wooyoung said looking at Khun to signal it was their son on the line. “How’s the weather in Tokyo?”
“It’s nice today, Dad. How’s Daddy Khun?” Alex asked.
“Oh you know, the same.” Wooyoung rested his hand on his husband’s shoulder and Nichkhun covered the top of his hand with his own before taking it to his lips to kiss it softly. “Are you eating well? You aren’t over-working yourself are you?” Wooyoung asked worriedly.
“Yes Dad and no Dad… I’m fine. I just miss you and Daddy Khun a lot.” Alex sighed.
“We miss you too, son.” Wooyoung replied.
“Okay, I should go. Tell Daddy Khun, I love him. I love you too Daddy Woo.” Alex said.
And the images of the little boy ran through Wooyoung’s mind as he fondly smiled.
“Love you too Lex.”
Pairing: Nichkhun/Wooyoung
Rating: R
Summary: Nichkhun and Wooyoung love the same boy.
A/N: This is it. The last chapter in Alex's story. I have planned to do some epilogues - to give you all an insight of what it was like for Alex growing up. I will do it sporadically so you guys won't miss the little guy too much. I know I will. I loved writing this fic. Thanks for reading and your comments. Enjoy! xoxo, MIYA :)
Although Wooyoung’s heart couldn’t settle on what had happened earlier in the day, his body was screaming for rest so as he reached home, he had settled into his bed and he easily fell asleep. Near midnight, his phone rang and Wooyoung had wished that he could just tune out the world for that night, however knowing it was rare that anyone would call him at this hour there must have been a good reason and sure enough it was, Nichkhun.
“Youngie, I need you.” Nichkhun’s voice came over the phone.
“What’s wrong?” Wooyoung asked worriedly.
“It’s Alex, he has a really high fever, I don’t know what to do.” Nichkhun’s voice was panicked.
“Relax Khun, did you try a warm washcloth on his forehead?” Wooyoung asked.
“Yes, I tried everything - even medicine, but it seems to get worse, please come.” Nichkhun asked.
“I’m on my way.” Wooyoung got up and grabbed his coat. Wooyoung had been through so many nights like these with Alex, having a child and him being sick had been a regular for Wooyoung so he wasn’t so worried but could imagine the panic Nichkhun was in. He reached Nichkhun’s apartment and Nichkhun was so relieved to see him.
“Thanks, I’m sorry for waking you. It’s just I don’t know what to do…and he keeps crying for you.” Nichkhun said.
“It’s okay, it’ll be fine.” Wooyoung said walking toward the room. Alex was laying on his side, curled up in a ball. “Alex, you okay?” He whispered as he brought his face close to the boy’s.
“Dad?” Alex looked up.
“Yeah buddy, I’m here.” Wooyoung smiled.
“Dad, I don’t feel good.” Alex complained.
“I know baby, I’m sorry.” Wooyoung scooped the boy into his arms. Wooyoung immediately felt how hot the boy’s body was and this was even abnormally hot for a fever. “Did he eat anything today?”
“Yeah, I made him a sandwich.” Nichkhun answered.
“What kind of sandwich? Did it have nuts?” Wooyoung asked.
“Peanuts.” Nichkhun said.
“Khun, Alex is allergic to peanuts.” Wooyoung replied.
“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry!” Nichkhun jumped to Alex’s side. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry Lex, I didn’t know. Daddy didn’t know.” Nichkhun seemed to take it hard.
“It’s okay, but we should take him to the hospital.” Wooyoung calmed Nichkhun.
“Hospital?” Nichkhun asked.
“Yes, he needs some medical attention.” Wooyoung advised. Wooyoung picked up the boy and Nichkhun led them out to his car driving them to the nearest hospital. The nurses took Alex into an examination room and asked the two men to wait outside while the nurses and doctors examined Alex.
They sat in the waiting area, a chair in between them left empty. “I didn’t know Alex was allergic to peanuts till he was 2. He accidently picked it up and ate it from the kitchen counter while I wasn’t looking. He went red in the face and immediately started to gag. I was so lost, I thought he was going to die. I panicked so fast, I was so scared I was going to lose him. I must have ran for my life down to the neighborhood clinic screaming like a madman.” Wooyoung suddenly broke the silence. “Your life changes when you have a kid, you forget about everything else even yourself, because now someone else needs you more than you need yourself.”
“I feel like I’m so unfit to take care of him, how did you do it for four years without any help?” Nichkhun looked up.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know how I did it, I just did it because never in my life did I feel so attached to anyone…except for you.” Wooyoung said. “You know when you get that feeling that even though you feel like you aren’t strong enough to handle you do it because you know it’s embedded in your soul to do it. That’s how I felt about Alex. He was so small, but he had pierced my heart as soon as his eyes opened.” Wooyoung smiled. “I never imagined that I would have to be a father at such a young age, and despite the hardships I went through to take care of him - I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Wooyoung looked up, his eyes meeting Nichkhun’s.
“It isn’t because I love you that I say this, it’s truly how I feel - you’ve done such a good job with Alex, I almost feel like it’s unfair that I would come into his life when you’ve already began raising him.” Nichkhun replied.
“It was unfair that I didn’t tell you. I keep thinking maybe if I had just waited for you to come back that maybe I wouldn’t have been in this alone, that maybe this wouldn’t be as complicated as it is now. There’s so much to tell you about why I did what I did.” Wooyoung began.
“Why did you just run? Why didn’t you wait for me? Did you really think I wouldn’t understand?” Nichkhun asked.
“No, I knew you would. After Suzy had died, I contacted Suzy’s family to let them know of her passing. I had spent nearly two days straight at the hospital and was in need of rest, when I returned to our dorm your father was waiting outside the door. He said he had come to see you. I told him that you were out of town for a job interview and he seemed pretty upset. He asked me a million questions about you and I could barely think. I told him that I needed to get back to the hospital - and he insisted on knowing why - maybe he thought it was you. I don’t know what came over me, I told him about Suzy, about Alex and he immediately ordered that I give the baby over to him. I asked him what he intended to do with the baby, and he said he’d secure that nothing would stop you from fulfilling your purpose. I didn’t know what that meant, just that he might hurt Alex. I immediately ran away, wanting to get to Alex to assure that nothing as going to happen that’s when the nurses told me that since I wasn’t the father I had no claim to him. But my heart said different - he belonged to me in some way because you belonged to me. I wasn’t thinking, so I took him. I hid him for days, hoping no one would find us, retreating to my grandfather’s old house. I stayed there for the next few months - until I thought things had cleared. I didn’t know what to do with him, I had never taken care of a baby before - I was scared out of my mind - I thought I was going to fail miserably but who knew?” Wooyoung chuckled thinking back.
“I should have known my father had something to do with you running away. I had the hardest time trying to think of why you would ever leave. Alex made a lot of sense, but now I understand it better.” Nichkhun said. “You know I regretted that night with Suzy for years - I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life sleeping with her. I felt like I betrayed you, my heart had been yours for so long and then I went and gave my body to someone else. But how could I regret it, now that I know that I would not have Alex without her, and possibly this chance with you.” Nichkhun said. “I was so upset that you went on that date with Taec… then the news of my mom’s death - I was so weak, and I let all of that get the best of my judgment. I did it cause I was hurt and I went to the first person I thought who could comfort me - I wanted it to be you but I was so stupid to think that you actually liked Taec… did you?” Nichkhun asked.
“You’re so dumb Khun. Of course not. Sure, he was a good friend but you know and you knew I liked you. I wanted to tell him no, but you insisted - god, I would have done anything for you.” Wooyoung laughed.
“I was so young and stupid.” Nichkuhn laughed.
“Nothing changes you more than a kid.” Wooyoung agreed.
“But somethings don’t have to change do they?” Nichkhun lifted Wooyoung’s chin so their eyes met.
Wooyoung turned away. “Maybe they do.” Wooyoung said. “We keep on hurting each other Khun, maybe… it’s better if we just didn’t try.”
“What do you mean? What about Alex?” Nichkhun asked.
“Of course I want to be a part of Alex’s life… as much as you’ll let me.” Wooyoung began to say.
“As much you want to be.” Nichkhun replied. “He thinks of you as his father - how could I tell him differently?”
“Then how would we explain to him when he gets older? He’ll realize that he must have a mother? How will we explain to him about his mother? About the kind of relationship we have?” Wooyoung argued.
“You can’t shield him forever, he’ll grow up - we’ll have to tell him the truth one day.” Nichkhun smiled.
“I want protect him forever. He’s my little boy.” Wooyoung pouted.
“He is.” Nichkhun took Wooyoung’s hands. “I am so grateful you’ve raised him so far, everything good about him is because of you - you are shaping him into an extraordinary human being just by showing him the example through yourself. It’s so easy to fall in love with him because he is so much like you.” Nichkhun said.
Wooyoung blushed. “But he’s also so much of you… his smile, his laugh, his eyes… even that natural charm he has… it’s all you.” Wooyoung replied.
“Then don’t you see… me and you are great together, Alex is proof of that. Why can’t we try to make this work? If not for us, at least for Alex.” Nichkhun begged.
“Khun…” Wooyoung said. “I love you. “
“I love you too Woo. Please, stay with me.” Nichkhun said.
“Excuse me, which one of you is Alex Jang’s father?” The doctor stepped out.
Nichkhun and Wooyoung looked up, not knowing what the right answer to the question was.
“He is.” Wooyoung said first pushing Nichkhun forward.
Nichkhun looked at Wooyoung and took his hand. “We are.” Nichkhun corrected him and looked at the doctor.
“That makes more sense, Alex asked for a Daddy Woo and a Daddy Khun. He’s awake and the fever has gone down substantially, he’s asking for you…both.” The doctor smiled and let them in. Wooyoung walked in first and as he did Alex seemed to sit up with a smile.
“How’s my baby?” Wooyoung sat next to him and felt his forehead.
“I’m okay Daddy.” Alex smiled. Nichkhun walked around and sat on the other side.
“I’m so glad you’re okay bud.” Nichkhun smiled and kissed the boy atop his head. “Whoever heard of a Thai being allergic to peanuts?” Nichkhun joked.
“Daddy, can we go home? Not your home, but our home?” Alex looked up at Nichkhun with his puppy dog eyes.
Nichkhun looked at Wooyoung who looked down for a minute. “I don’t know buddy, Daddy Woo might need more time to rest.” Nichkhun said.
“Awww, but I want to sleep in my bed - and play with my toys… and I want Daddy Woo to share his bed with you again.” Alex said.
Nichkhun’s eyes went large at that last addition. “Why?” He asked.
“Because… Daddy Woo cries when you’re not home, I know he thinks I’m not looking but I hear him.” Alex said and Wooyoung blushes in embarrassment. “And you cried last night too when Daddy Woo wasn’t with you. I don’t want you or Daddy Woo to cry anymore because… because… it makes me cry.” Alex pouted as his eyes started to tear.
Nichkhun picked up the boy onto his lap. “I’m sorry we made you cry but Alex, you don’t have to cry when we cry - you don’t ever have to cry.” Nichkhun said.
“But I do… because… I love my daddy’s so much. I don’t want my daddy’s to cry.” Alex buried his face into Nichkhun’s chest.
“Well how do we make you stop crying?” Wooyoung asked.
Alex looked up and looked at Wooyoung. “Don’t make each other cry, then I won’t cry.” Alex said.
“Alex, you know it’s okay to cry sometimes right?” Nichkhun asked. “Sometimes, people make you cry - but that means they don’t love you or you don’t love them. It’s okay to get hurt but you always have to say sorry, especially if you love them.” Nichkhun said.
“Did you say sorry to Daddy Woo?” Alex asked.
Nichkhun looked at Wooyoung. “No, I didn’t.” He realized that through everything he had said, he had omitted a proper apology. “Daddy Woo, I’m sorry for making you cry - I’m sorry that I didn’t understand you, but I do now. Please forgive me.” Nichkhun said. Wooyoung almost cried at the simple apology, he knew there could have been more words that could have been said but those words were enough for him.
Wooyoung nodded. “I forgive you Daddy Khun, if you can forgive me for all that I’ve done.” Wooyoung replied.
Nichkhun smiled and scooted over on the bed so Wooyoung could sit down. “Of course I forgive you Daddy Woo.” Nichkhun answered and Alex looked up at him and smiled.
“So that does mean we can go home?” Alex asked.
“Yes, baby we can go home.” Nichkhun smiled and kissed the boy on the cheek, then Wooyoung followed kissing the boy on the other cheek.
“Daddy Woo? Why are you crying? Daddy Khun apologized.” Alex pointed out.
“It’s nothing Lex, I’m…I’m…just happy.” Wooyoung wiped his eyes.
“You’re happy?” Alex asked and Wooyoung nodded.
“Are you happy Daddy Khun?” Alex asked the other.
“Very happy.” Nichkhun answered and slid his free arm around Wooyoung’s waist and the other around Alex.
“Then I’m happy.” Alex smiled. “Thank you Daddy Khun, Daddy Woo.”
“For what?” Wooyoung asked.
“For… everything.” Alex couldn’t really say what he was feeling other than gratitude for his two dads.
“Thank you Alex.” Wooyoung said.
“For what Dad?” Alex asked.
“For changing our lives for the better.” Nichkhun said. “For bringing your two dads together.” He continued. Alex got up slightly and wrapped his small arms around both men, bringing them in closely.
“I love you Daddy Woo. I love you Daddy Khun.” He said.
“We love you Alex.” Nichkhun and Wooyoung said simultaneously.
There was a bit of silence, Nichkhun looked over at Wooyoung thinking maybe the boy had fallen asleep. Nichkhun tried to escape his hug but Alex held him close.
“Now say you love Daddy Woo.” Alex said with a smile.
“I love you Woo.” Nichkhun said.
“Now you say it to Daddy Khun, Daddy Woo.” Alex turned his head.
“I love you Khun.” Wooyoung did as he told. Alex smiled and sat back down resting his head on Nichkhun’s chest. It wasn’t long before the boy had fallen asleep, wrapped in his father’s arms, as his Daddy Khun and his Daddy Woo shared a soft kiss, careful not to wake the boy.
~~~
Alex H. Jang has become the youngest President and CEO of the Universal Airways Group, the company that owns nearly twenty five percent of the world’s airline carriers. At age 32, this young professional climbed the corporate ladder from engineer to developer and now to Executive. But Jang attributes his successes to a happy home life, growing up as a child he was showered by love and support and that has been the biggest asset to his name.
“I didn’t grow up in a conventional home, I didn’t have the traditional parents - in fact a lot of peers made fun of my family, that instead of a mother and a father, I had two fathers. Early on I battled with this realization that my family was different however no matter how different my family looked on the outside, I could at least say that my home was filled with love. You see my father’s had a special connection , before I was even in the equation, they had known each other and loved each other - that’s why I think it was so easy for them to love me as their child because they already had so much love for each other.”
“Most little boys are fortunate enough to have one father figure in their lifetime, I have two. They have shaped me into the man I have become, and their hearts and their minds carve everything that is definitive in me. They say that inside each man is a struggle between two men, their fathers and themselves - for me it’s more like a harmonious blend of three men: my fathers and myself. In instances of high emotion - I am impulsive like my Daddy Woo, calm like my Daddy Khun and yet I am also responsive for myself. In times of war I can be combative like Daddy Woo, defensive like Daddy Khun but I’m also strategic in myself. In times of joy I am high-spirited like Daddy Woo, carefree like Daddy Khun and appreciative as myself. When it comes to love I am committed like Daddy Woo, passionate like Daddy Khun and assertive in myself. I am a mixture of good and bad, but they are mixed together and woven in me to make myself the best version I can be of myself and my fathers.”
“People would think growing up without a mother would cause someone to grow up too hard and rough, but my father’s did everything they could to give everything I needed. I think back and yes, there is regret that I could have never met my mother - yet when I look at the challenges that my father’s had to endure to raise me - it hadn’t been widely accepted that two men could raise a child together. There were times were people would stare, make comments, even ridicule them but it was never a choice for them - it had nothing to do about their own happiness and everything to do with mine. They made me their world, made sacrifices for me and stared adversity and prejudices in the eye because they had a son to raise. Before people know that I am the son of two men, they always have bountiful compliments to make but once they find out the truth about my parents, they always seem to take it back - but what really changes about me if I was raised by two men instead of a man and a woman? We are shaped not by condition or circumstance but rather the hearts of the people who are in my life, and everything that my fathers could give me they gave - and that is the reason why I am who I am today.”
“If any good can be seen in me now, it is because two men gave me their hearts, their love and their lives. My greatest accomplishment yet, is that I could be their pride.”
Nichkhun settled the magazine on the table after reading it aloud to his husband. Wooyoung looked up and smiled. “So I guess we did a good job raising him?” Wooyoung joked.
Just then the phone rang and Wooyoung got up to answer it.
“Yes, your father just read it now. It’s a good article.” Wooyoung said looking at Khun to signal it was their son on the line. “How’s the weather in Tokyo?”
“It’s nice today, Dad. How’s Daddy Khun?” Alex asked.
“Oh you know, the same.” Wooyoung rested his hand on his husband’s shoulder and Nichkhun covered the top of his hand with his own before taking it to his lips to kiss it softly. “Are you eating well? You aren’t over-working yourself are you?” Wooyoung asked worriedly.
“Yes Dad and no Dad… I’m fine. I just miss you and Daddy Khun a lot.” Alex sighed.
“We miss you too, son.” Wooyoung replied.
“Okay, I should go. Tell Daddy Khun, I love him. I love you too Daddy Woo.” Alex said.
And the images of the little boy ran through Wooyoung’s mind as he fondly smiled.
“Love you too Lex.”