A Big Happy Extended Family Celebrate's Ryewook's Birthday Part 2
Four hours later did indeed find a sleepy, but freshly showered, dressed and make-uped, Heechul making his way to the kitchen to see what he could find for breakfast.
Han Geng and Zhoumi were busily chopping this, and stirring that. A host of delicious smells filled the room and wafted through the apartment. Heechul was just reaching for a plate of delicious looking sweet potatoes when Han Geng said, without turning around. “Don’t Heechul. Those are for the party later.”
Zhoumi glanced up from his chopping board to steal a look at his umma. Heechul pouted. “Yah! I’m hungry!” Heechul stated glaring at his husband for ruining his planned breakfast.
“So have some cereal.” Han Geng gestured towards the cupboard where he knew Heechul knew the cereal was kept. Heechul’s frown deepened. Wasn’t Hannie going to cook for him? Heechul looked hopefully at his son.
Zhoumi shook his head and said “Sorry Umma. We’ve got so much cooking to do before the party. If you would have gotten up earlier there was rice and soup.”
“YAH! Why didn’t you wake me up?” Heechul demanded. What good was it having a husband and a son who could cook if they wouldn’t make you breakfast!
Zhoumi looked helplessly over to Han Geng, silently urging his father to come up with a suitable answer.“As I recall you needed your ‘beauty sleep’” Han Geng said without looking up from his cooking.
Heechul fumed inwardly. Fine. He would show them. He would eat the cereal and it would be the most delicious bowl of cereal ever created. He cackled to himself and reached for the box.
Not ten minutes later Donghae entered the room followed closely by a sleepy Ryewook who kept rubbing his eyes.
“Aigoo There’s the birthday boy!” Zhoumi said putting down his knife to come over and pick up Ryewook.
“How’s it feel to be four?” Han Geng asked still at his place by the stove.
Ryewook yawned hugely, still tired out from his early morning adventure. Zhoumi beamed down at him. “Actually Appa he won’t be four until 2:11 this afternoon.”
“I remember what it was like to be four!” Donghae said enthusiastically. He was slightly jealous that Ryewook was getting so much attention, but he was glad that Hyukjae would be there later too.
“Do you?” Han Geng asked kindly. Donghae nodded. “Yep! When I was four Umma’s stomach got real big and then right before I turned five Henry popped out!” He grinned proudly then turned to stare at Zhoumi. With wide eyes he asked seriously “Umma. You’re not going to have another Henry are you?”
Heechul snorted into his cereal. Zhoumi turned red. “No Donghae I’m not.” He answered calmly.
“Oh. Ok” Donghae pulled out a chair from the table with great difficulty and sat down. Swinging his legs he added, “I just thought it was a present everyone got for their fourth birthday!”
At this Heechul laughed outright and even Han Geng couldn’t hide his grin.
“No Donghae” Zhoumi said setting Ryewook down in a chair. “There won’t be any more baby brothers. Trust me.” Then to himself he added “You three are about as much as I can handle as it is.” He chuckled.
“Anyways Ryewook. What would you like for breakfast? Umma can make you waffles if you like!”
Heechul blinked incredulously. He couldn’t believe what his ears were hearing. “Yah! Why does he get to have waffles?”
“He’s the birthday boy!” Zhoumi answered fondly patting Ryewook’s head.
Ryewook thought for a moment. “Is it alright if I have cereal?” He asked. Zhoumi paused. “Well I suppose. But wouldn’t you rather have waffles? Or pancakes? Han Geng could make you an omelet if you like.”
Ryewook shook his head. “No I want cereal” He said firmly, mind made up. “Ok then. Donghae? Waffles?” Zhoumi looked at his oldest son. Donghae shook his head as well. “Cereal please” He answered. Zhoumi was surprised; usually his kids would jump at the chance to have waffles. He got down two bowls from the cupboard and poured out cereal and milk for the two boys.
Heechul stared at his grandsons. Had he understood correctly? Here was Zhoumi practically begging for the chance to make waffles but they wanted cold cereal! What was wrong with them? Clearly they were not being raised correctly. Heechul blamed Kyuhyun.
“Can I have waffles then? If they’re not going to eat?” He looked expectantly at Zhoumi. It was Han Geng who answered “No. Eat your cereal.”
Heechul glared at his husband, grumbled and complied.
Just then the doorbell rang.
“Oh that must be Leeteuk and Kangin.” Zhoumi said wiping his hands on his apron. He went to go open the door but Donghae and Ryewook jumped out of their seats and raced ahead of him.
“Leeteuk Halmuni! Kangin Harabuji!” Shrieked Ryewook flinging open the door to reveal Kyuhyun’s parents and older brother.
“Welcome! Come on in!” Zhoumi said gesturing them all to come in. He hugged and kissed Leeteuk on both cheeks taking the packages and containers of food out of the older man’s hands. Kangin had already dropped his package in favor of Donghae and Ryewook who were giggling happily as he swung them around, one in each arm.
Zhoumi smiled. “Oh Kibum!” He noticed Kyuhyun’s brother for the first time. “I’m so glad you could come! Come in Come in!” He embraced the other and pulled them all inside.
“Kyuhyun’s in the living room setting up with Henry.” Zhoumi explained “and Han Geng’s cooking in the kitchen. Heechul’s eating.”
“Ah Heechul’s here is he? How is the old biddy? I haven’t seen him for ages!” Leeteuk cackled. An indignant “I HEARD THAT. You’re no Spring Chicken yourself!” was heard from the kitchen. Zhoumi hid a smile. Leeteuk and Heechul were constantly teasing each other.
“What can we do to help?” Kangin asked setting down his grandsons, who immediately begged to be picked up again. “Well, to be honest we could use some help in the kitchen and I’m not sure how far Kyuhyun has got with the decorations.”
“I’m your man for kitchen duty!” Kangin said proudly. Leeteuk sighed. “I’m definitely NOT your man for that. I’ll help Kyu set up then.”
He headed for the living room, Kibum in tow, while Kangin, Zhoumi and the boys went to the kitchen.
~
Kyuhyun was found cursing to himself as he tried to hang a Piñata from the ceiling. It wasn’t working out too well. Henry sat watching, playing with some curling ribbon in the corner.
“Kyuhyun! What are you doing letting Henry play with that?!” was the first thing out of Leeteuk’s mouth.
Kyuhyun spared a glance at the toddler. “He’s fine Umma.”
“He might CHOKE!” Leeteuk was appalled at the very thought. “Umma” Kyuhyun sighed, massaging his temples with one hand. He had enough to deal with right now with the damn piñata; he really didn’t need his mother’s useless fussing.
“He’s fine.”
“But he might CHOKE!” Leeteuk repeated. “Or strangle himself or suffocate or-“
“But he hasn’t. So he’s fine!” Kyuhyun retorted.
“But he might-“ Leeteuk began. Kibum decided to take matters into his own hands and went to pick up his nephew, removing the strings of ribbon Henry had managed to wrap around himself, effectively removing him from danger and effectively ending the argument.
Leeteuk glared at Kyuhyun’s turned back, but his gaze softened when he looked at Henry in Kibum’s arms.
“Well hello there sir.” He cooed. “You get cuter every time I see you if that’s possible” Henry smiled in recognition. He knew Leeteuk’s voice.
“Aww Bummie look he’s smiling!” Leeteuk practically purred.
“You should have one!”
Kibum nearly dropped the baby.
“W-w-what?” He stuttered. Leeteuk reached over to take Henry. “A baby. You should have one.” He repeated.
“A BABY!” Kibum squeaked. “Me?!”
“Yes you! It’s about time you settled down and had a family.” Leeteuk bounced Henry on one hip. “Isn’t that right Henry? Uncle Kibummie should have a baby so you can have a little cousin to play with!” Henry giggled.
“Umma we’ve been over this. I don’t want to settle down. I’m not ready yet!” Kibum said.
“But Kibummie!” Leeteuk whined. “I’ve always had a dream to have 5 grandbabies so I can start a band!”
Yeah well thought Kyuhyun. I want one of my kids to grow up and be a famous basketball player and that’s probably never going to happen. Ryewook hadn’t inherited either of his parent’s height and Donghae was too into soccer to care much for basketball. Kyuhyun’s only hope was Henry, but with his pudgy cheeks and rolls of baby fat Kyuhyun doubted it was going to happen.
“It isn’t fair to ask Kyuhyun and Zhoumi to have more. They’ve already done their part with three.”
Kyuhyun silently thanked god (siwon) for that. He couldn’t handle another kid.
“Kibumie! Kyuhyun is younger than you and he’s managed to start a family already! Why can’t you?!”
Kyuhyun thought back to the moment of panic that had occurred when it was discovered Zhoumi was pregnant with Donghae. He wasn’t sure if he had had much of a choice in the “starting a family” business.
“Umma that’s insane. To ask me to give up my freedom just so you can realize your dream…” Kibum protested.
Leeteuk frowned. “I’m not asking you to give up your freedom, I’m sure Kyuhyun doesn’t think it was much of a sacrifice. Right Kyu-baby?” He looked at Kyuhyun.
“Oh no. I’m staying out of this one.” Kyuhyun said and busied himself with the piñata again; maybe he could just tape it to the ceiling.
“But Umma” Protested Kibum. “I’m happy with the way my life is right now.”
“Nonesense!” Leeteuk interrupted. “Who would be happy bringing home a different girl every night and staying out late and partying all weekend?” He glared at his son as if to say ‘that’s right I know what you do with your life’. KIbum was about to point out that he didn’t bring a girl home every night but Leeteuk continued.
“And that’s the other thing. All these Girls Kibummie! Girls! I don’t know where I went wrong with you! Why can’t you just find a nice boy huh?”
Kibum paled. “Um, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’m STRAIGHT!”
Kyuhyun was impressed with his older brother’s bravery. He himself would never dare to raise his voice to his umma.
“Nonsense.” Leeteuk said again. “You’re just going through a phase. I refuse to accept that one of my sons might be heterosexual.”
Kyuhyun coughed to cover a laugh. He wondered if this conversation would make any sense whatsoever to an outsider.
“Yeah.” Kibum said. “A phase that has lasted 30 years. Accept it or not it’s true Umma. I’m not gay.”
Wait thought Kyuhyun. Did he say 30 years? Fuck that makes me how old? 27? Sheesh I’m practically middle aged. Kyuhyun clutched his chest. He was getting so OLD!
“You know.” He remarked casually interrupting the silent staring contest that was going on. “Siwon’s coming to the party today.”
Leeteuk beamed instantly. “Is he? Excellent! He’s such a nice boy Kibum! Why don’t you give him a chance?”
Kibum stared at his mother in shock. Had he not heard a word that was just said? Why wouldn’t Leeteuk accept the fact that Kibum was different?
And Siwon, god, Siwon, at Ryewook’s last birthday party, the one with the infamous cricket incident, Kyuhyun’s boss had practically felt Kibum up, after drinking an entire 12 pack of diet coke. Kibum shuddered at the unpleasant memory.
Leeteuk was blind to the man’s faults however. He just enjoyed having a nice looking young man around who was helpful. It didn’t hurt either that Siwon was incredibly available. His wife had left him with a young son, Yesung, and surely the boy needed a mother? Who better to step in than Kibum? This was Leeteuk’s reasoning in any case.
Kyuhyun laughed at the pained expression that crosses his brother’s face at the mention of Siwon. Kyuhyun could guess the direction of his thoughts. Siwon was overly friendly and always heavy on the skinship, plus he had it bad for Kibum.
Kyuhyun shrugged his shoulders. Not his problem. Kibum would have to come to terms with it on his own; meanwhile, Kyuhyun had a piñata to hang.
“Birdie! Bow!!” cried out Henry lifting his arms up out of Leeteuk’s embrace.
Leeteuk shifted the boy in his arms and balanced him on his hip. “Do you want to play Henry?”
Henry just kept babbling and waving his arms around. Leeteuk delved deep into the recesses of his brain to come up with an idea on how to handle his grandchild’s fascination with who knows what.
Ever so smart and resourceful, Kibum had picked up the fluffy bird plush from under the coffee table. He held it out to Henry who raised his little hands out to grab it. “Is this what you want Henry?”
Henry grabbed the toy and stuck it in his mouth. He giggled happily.
Leeteuk chuckled, and pried the toy out of Henry’s mouth. “Henry you don’t eat birdie!”
Zhoumi came out from the kitchen where they were finishing setting up the food. “Hey everyone, I guess everyone is going to be coming over in about an hour for lunch.” He looked over at Kyuhyun. “You still haven’t got all the decorations up yet? What’s taking you so long?”
Kyuhyun spit the roll of tape he was holding in his mouth out, “It’s a little hard trying to hang this thing by myself.”
Kibum went over to his younger brother, “Here I’ll help.”
“It’s about time!”
Zhoumi shook his head and went back into the kitchen where there was a sort of organized chaos going on. Or, Heechul was helping Donghae and Ryewook get the supplies out.
“Okay, Donghae you take this.” Heechul handed the boy the tray of chopsticks, “And Ryewook can get the napkins.”
All in the midst of Han Geng and Kangin putting the separate dishes in bowls. Heechul kept stealing small pieces of meat that Kangin was frying and he kept getting hit on the head.
“Yah! I told you no more stealing! I swear you haven’t changed at all since high school.” admonished Kangin.
Heechul put his hand on his heart, “I beg your pardon. I’d have you know I have changed a lot since high school.”
Kangin laughed, “Yeah you grew a pair of boobs. Small ones.”
Heechu’s cheeks flushed red, “It was a side effect of having Zhoumi!”
Zhoumi had shooed Donghae and Ryewook out of the kitchen the second he realized where this conversation was going.
Han Geng was trying to stifle his laughter over in the corner as he stirred the traditional seaweed soup for later on.
Heechul’s face was pretty red. “Han Geng! You promised you wouldn’t laugh at them! I didn’t hear you complain all the times we had - mmph” Zhoumi had clamped his hand over his umma’s mouth.
“Umma we do have young children in the house. Let’s keep this G rated please okay thanks.”
Donghae walked back into the kitchen apprehensively, “Umma? What are Ryewook and I supposed to do exactly?”
Zhoumi followed the boy back into the living room. He had figured they would put all the food out on the long coffee table because there was more space there than in the kitchen.
On the couch Leeteuk and Kyuhyun were sitting trying to make Henry laugh. Kyuhyun was making goofy faces while Leeteuk was waving around his arms and making weird animals with his hands.
Kibum saw Zhoumi come in and was overjoyed that someone would finally give him something to do so he didn’t have to watch his brother and mother go all crazy over his nephew.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
Zhoumi put his hand on top of Ryewook head while thinking. “Hmm, yes!” He pointed to the closet, “We keep all the floor pillows in there. If you could just place them around the table, I’ll help these two set up.”
Donghae tugged at his umma’s sleeve, “Do we get food now?”
“Yeah we can get the food out. By the time we finish up I suspect everyone will be here.”
“Yay!” Ryewook said, “I’m hungry!”
Zhoumi and the boys went into the kitchen to get the dishes. By the time they came out Kibum had finished putting the pillows down.
“Oh you have the food. I’ll go get what’s left.”
Zhoumi set the plates down and looked at Kyuhyun. “Kyu could you help Ryewook and Donghae set the table? I want to call Shindong and make sure he’s coming at the right time.”
“Okay, I’ll handle these two.”
“Great!” Zhoumi went off the use the phone.
Donghae was a table setter pro after doing this for many parties already. Ryewook was a little wobbly though. Kyuhyun guided Ryewook where to put the cups and the chopsticks.
“I think this is all of what is ready.” Kibum came in carrying a tray with four different bowls.
“Wow did they make enough food to feed the army?” said Kyuhyun surprised at all the dishes.
“Yeah.” Kibum said distributing the dishes around the table. “I have a feeling you are going to press this food on to me before I leave.”
Kyuhyun gave his brother his ‘innocent eyes.’
Kibum just gave him one of those ‘do you think I don’t see behind that’ look. Kyuhyun chuckled nervously.
“Appa I’m hungry!” said Ryewook asking for a small treat to tide him over. Kyuhyun looked at all the tinfoil covered dishes. “Well…I don’t think anyone will know if you have just one little bite.” He uncovered one and picked up a dumpling. “Here try this.”
Ryewook stuffed it in his mouth. “MM! Delicious!”
“Well, there’s more where that came from, but we have to wait for about,” he checked his watch, “twenty more minutes or so and then we can eat.”
Ryewook pouted at him. It was so hard for Kyuhyun to deny Ryewook another dumpling. Kyuhyun just picked the boy up in his arms before he got any bright ideas about stealing on his own.
Leeteuk was holding Henry who had decided to take a short nap. “Maybe we should watch some TV while we wait. What do you like to watch Ryewook?”
Ryewook thought for a minute. “Donghae and I like to watch the cartoon channel.”
Kyuhyun looked around for Donghae. “Where is Donghae anyway? Donghae!”
Hearing his name Donghae came out of the kitchen where he was snacking on some fruit. “Yea Appa?”
“Come watch some TV while we wait for everyone to get here.”
Donghae shrugged, why not? He went and snuggled against his appa.
~*
End of Part 2
Part 3 Here