Everything Happens For a Reason, Chapter 19
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Chapter 19: Birthdays, New Bonding and a Request
Monday is never a good day for a get together, but somehow Changmin managed to hold a party for his birthday, on a Monday night and only 2 days after the screwed up dinner at the EMILIE. He kept giving him, Jaejoong & Yoochun a cold shoulder since that fateful night, ‘I thought that you guys had enough decency to order something nice instead of super expensive! Oh, JiHye’s going to be furious with my credit card bill!’
Yunho felt sorry right after but had no intentions at all to share the expense, served him right… and so did the other two for whatever excuses they’re having. Somehow he had a suspicion that a certain pediatrician will show up at the Jung mansion’s door step tonight to join the family dinner. And he wished he could just get away. But no… Dear Little Sister was joining forces in making every possibility happen with, ‘We didn’t celebrate Jaejoong Oppa’s & your birthday at all last month! So let’s make this a joined birthday party… Jaejoong Oppa and Binnie also miss each other so much that Binnie cried when he found out you guys were meeting for dinner without him! He thought you both forgot about him already! You should thank me for being nice and told him that it’s a grown-up meeting and they could get together tonight!’
His parents were delighted to see Jaejoong again… but if it’s possible he hoped that his boss wouldn’t be able to make it tonight. No… he’s already loosing sleep for imagining his ex’s life without him, he’s just not in the mood to watch his intimacy with Yoochun so soon again. And at his house nonetheless, with his children present! It’s not related at all? Hell yes, it ‘s related! Jaejoong is like a second father to his son, he surely doesn’t want him to think that he’s getting a third if Yoochun keep presenting himself around the man and in his Son!
He looked at the wall’s clock, 4pm. Time to wake the children up and bath them. Min Young is not hard to wake up, just a little nudge on her cheeks or a gentle rub on her back, she would all wide eyed and giggling happily. In all her weakness, nothing seemed to cease to amuse her when she’s feeling good of herself. Different case with Moonbin, it seemed that Jaejoong spoilt him rotten during his short stay with him. He literally kicked and smacked you before he even open his eyes! Yunho was thinking of getting a helmet or an armor just to wake him up! He dragged his feet to Min Young’s room, the closest to his.
The door was slightly ajar and just when he was about to push it he heard his Son’s voice talking to his little sister. He listened quietly as the little child spoke gently to the little bundle on the crib… even though he knew that she wouldn’t understand whatever he was saying right now. The more he talks, the more Yunho felt like intruding an intimate sibling moment between his Prince and Princess. And the longer he listened, the more painful he felt toward both children… and at the same time, thankful for his Son’s maturity and wisdom. He may have lived for 39 months only, but he child is as strong as the little guy. Tears fell from his eyes as he closed the door in front of him and returned to his room.
He’ll let them share their moments, he had no rights to interrupt… As miraculous as it may seem, Min Young’s health had been better since Moonbin returned home. The boy really loved his baby sister and always played in her room whenever she’s not fit enough to be out. Showing her his drawings of their mother… persuading her to finish her milk so she can grow up like him… telling her that she is prettier than the girls living in Jejussi’s dorms (mind you they’re all idols trainees!)… but the most if asking her if she’s feels okay, cause Binnie Oppa will be adults soon to take care of her. He must be blessed as a father. If only Soon Mi is still around so that she could see what kind of child that she had abandoned grew up to be. Sensitive and kind hearted… nothing like the sort of her at all.
He didn’t hate her or regretted his life with her anymore… she had left him the greatest legacy of all, their children. And he would do anything to protect them and give them a life they would be proud of, even if it costs him everything.
* * * * *
Again, Yoochun had showed him an unreadable expression when he told him that he’s ending the day early for a joined birthday party the Jung mansion. He said fine, and though he wouldn’t be able to come as well he wished him an enjoyable party. He didn’t say yes too when Jaejoong asked him whether he’d come to his place after work. He just said he’d let him know. He knew he was to blame.
He was so confused with himself. So manythings were running on his mind. Though Moonbin still occupied the most of it, another Jung also kept intruding his peaceful nights. Just one embrace and kiss could make his world turned upside down once again. To make things worse, he didn’t even know what he’s feeling… there hasn’t been anything intimate or even decent enough before that. He thought he got over the other guy, after all those years, all that they’re both been through… nothing ever confused him so bad like now. He knew that Yoochun sensed it too. Though he didn’t see the kiss, he must’ve seen his flustered face when he joined the table that night. And the way he kept avoiding Yunho’s gaze at dinner 2 nights ago. Still… as he always had been, he didn’t say or ask him anything. He would wait until he’s ready to talk. He’s fortunate to have Yoochun in his life… he should sort out his feelings soon.
The company’s driver just dropped him off, he didn’t feel like driving at all tonight. He’d just call a taxi home later or ask Changmin to drive him back to the apartment. He’s the one who arranged tonight’s dinner and made a big deal about the whole birthday celebration thing. Deep inside he’s elated to see his baby boy again! He’s not sure whether he’s going to cry or laugh when he meets him in just another minute. And Min Young… he can’t wait to see Min Young either. The little boy always told him stuff about her when they’re talking on the phone… at one point, he was so eager to show him her face through a video call but she was sleeping and her nurse wouldn’t let him, afraid that his excitement would wake her up.
He rang the bell and hoping from one foot to another in waiting for someone to open the door. It wasn’t like him at all… to have (and show) so much emotions at the same time but he could care less about it right now. He missed his boy and he knew the feeling was mutual. Just how right he was, the moment Kibum opened the door a little creature flew right into his arms, hand and feet all over himself that thanks to the butler’s quick reflect to catch his right hand, he was saved from falling onto the ground.
“Jejussi!!!” He screamed in delight, laughing and strangling him at the same time while they’re both showering each other with kisses. Yeah, Jaejoong always kissed him every now and then and seemed like the habit rubbed off on him. He felt his face was covered in milk flavored saliva… well, it’s a little change after Burberry, so he didn’t mind.
“Oh baby! Look at you! You have grown up so much in just a couple of months!” He told him and they continued the kissing and hugging and whatnot until…
“Hey hey hey, quit it boys! You gross me out here!” JiHye’s showed up with a disgusted face at them. “And Oppa, you may want to wash both your faces now! They’re shining… and not in a good way!” she told him as she shooed them towards the sink. Both boys just grinned madly at each other like a pair of new lovers.
Both Jung parents waved their hands in glee watching them walking (or precisely, Jaejoong walking and carrying the baby octopus) to the guest bathroom to wash their faces and hands.
Looks like Moonbin couldn’t wait to show off his Princess to him that as soon they’re done, he dragged him with all his might to the second floor, “Come one Jejussi, meet Min Young! Min Young wants to meet Jejussi too! It’s not fair that Min Young doesn’t know Jejussi and only Binnie can get presents from or sleep with you!”
The last words came out naturally but Jaejoong wondered if he expected him to take care of her too?
As they were nearing a door with a pink name plate that says, ‘JUNG MIN-YOUNG’, the door to the next room opened and Yunho came out with a surprised expression in seeing him upstairs.
He didn’t know what came to him but he felt the need for an explanation to the other man, “Well, you see, Moonbin wants me to meet Min Young… and I- well, I haven’t seen her at all since she was born so I and it’s almost her first birthday and-“ he’s rambling, he’s aware of that but Yunho just chuckled.
“He’d been wanting to show you off to her too, you know. Go on, I’ll see you downstairs later.”
“Jejussi, come in!” Moonbin’s voice was heard from inside, since when he stepped in Jaejoong didn’t see it. So he just smiled nervously at Yunho as he opened the door and got in.
* * * * *
The nurse who was standing by Min Young’s crib smiled at him while Moonbin was already standing inside the large crib. Sitting not too close to his baby sister but he could still reach her. He waved his hand excitedly, “Jejussi, here, here!” impatient that he didn’t come closer right away.
When he started to see the beautiful Princess inside the crib, there was something about the fragile tiny body that made him hold his breath. To say that the baby is beautiful is not enough to describe what’s in front of him. She’s angelic. The pale skin, black hair and the eyes that he couldn’t see the depth of… he wasn’t sure that it’s the sickly baby that he’d been heard all the time… with failing lungs, heart and a prediction of no future to hold. He unconsciously reached out his hand and in a second his finger was grabbed by the tiny hand that was so eager to put it into her mouth.
But the voice of her brother brought him back into reality. Moonbin’s firm grip in trying to pry his finger away from his little sister’s mouth and the gentle adult-like voice that follows stunned him, “No Min Young, don’t put things in your mouth. Appa said it’s not healthy… You should drink more milk to be healthy so you can play with Oppa…”
The maturity in Moonbin’s voice was something that he never heard of, not even in those times months ago when he was forced to live without his father and grandparents and the environment that he’s familiar with all his life. It was strange to his ear… it feels like he’s become an adult overnight.
“Min Young, this is Jejussi… Oppa loves Jejussi so much and Min Young can love him too like Oppa…” he kept looking at her while holding one of her hand in his. “Jejussi is very good to Oppa when Oppa lived with him so Appa can make Min Young healthy…”
Jaejoong felt like in a trance… like he’s living in a fairy land where only angels dwell… Somehow he felt something something different, so special in the touch of the two siblings… is he the only one who felt that way? He turned his gaze to the nurse who left them and sat by the window, still watching them. When he met her eyes, he saw the same wonder and amazement. He walked closer to the older nurse.
He hasn’t said anything but he knew that she understood.
“Do you know Jaejoong-ssi, that the little missy never had breathing trouble at all since little master Moonbin return to the house?” she asked him.
“You know me?” he’s curious, though he’s more interested in hearing more about the sibling bonding between his baby and his sister.
She laughed, showing a row of white teeth and more wrinkles of wisdom on her forehead, “Of course I know most things about you… the little missy over there knew too as her brother wouldn’t stop talking and telling her about Jejussi this and Jejussi that…” she smiled at him mischievously. “and how he woke up crying many times, running to the young master’s room calling your name.”
He swallowed the lump on his throat, “He did?”
“Yes he did. I slept here with little missy, so I could hear the ruckus in the middle of the night. He never cried loud enough as to wake up little missy, but this old pair of ears were trained. And young master always looked tired the next morning everytime it happened.”
“He- he never told me.” How strange it was to hold this kind of conversation to a stranger. And yet he felt at ease looking into those wise eyes.
“If you were him, would you tell yourself?”
He shook his head, “No of course not.”
“Well, you know the answer already.”
“When did you start working as Min Young’s personal caretaker, Mrs…”
“Just call me Hee Joon, Jaejoong-ssi. I’ve been here since little missy’s 3rd month. You didn’t notice me at all on Moonbin’s birthday?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, “ he felt a little ashamed.
“No need to be sorry, it was a special night… everyone wasn’t in their right mind… who would in such situation. Anyway, how did you feel when you see little missy and little master together? I noticed that look in your eyes, the same look that I had when I first saw them together. They’re special don’t you think?”
They both looked at the two children on the crib… Moonbin’s still talking gibberish at her who looked at him in full attention as if she understood every single word that her big brother uttered.
“It seemed like little master was trying to be the replacement of their mother. Whenever young master wasn’t not around he would surely be in watch with me here, never tired in talking to her… or when she was asleep, he would draw for her. You see the paper box over there?” she motioned her chin to one corner where 3 paper boxes were stacked upon one another. “He had been drawing for her that much… from their mother to your house and the swimming pool… the sand box, the koi pond by the gate, the park, the dog, the kitten… practically everything that she hadn’t been able to see in her 1 year of life.”
Jaejoong could see amazement and wonder in her tone. Just what he felt right now.
“You know what, ever since little master returned I never doubt for a second that little missy will live for a very long time and will be a happy girl when she grew up. Little master would make sure of that and little missy would fight for her life in exchange for the future that her brother promised her.” She looked back at him, “and you, Jaejoong-ssi… would be the one that complete their journey into adulthood.”
He was taken aback by the bold statement from a woman that he just met. And he didn’t like it. He felt like that woman could see through his façade of emotions… he felt like an open book in front of her.
“And what made you come up with the conclusion of a future that even I couldn’t see?” he frowned when he asked her.
Her smile didn’t falter on him, “A mother’s instinct? I know you love little master deeply… if nor surpassed of young master’s. But young master doesn’t have a strong foundation like you do… you will be the anchor that little master hold when he’s swayed by the current… but young master would be the home that he would return to, for where the young master is, there would little missy be. They would be inseparable… and you would be the one that helped him watching over her… he would want you to.”
Jaejoong was lost for words… he began to wonder if that woman is more than just a nurse. For a moment, there was only Moonbin’s humming, singing Barney’s theme song to his baby sister...
The door was opened once again and JiHye peeked his head inside the room, “Oppa, Binnie, let’s get down. Hee Joon-ahjumma, would you please carry Min Young downstairs too? I think she could join the party today and nothing’s going to happen again… God forbid!”
She replied to her, “Sure, young miss. Little master will also make sure that they’re having a good time tonight.”
JiHye laughed and turned on her heels to come down again. Jaejoong helped Moonbin got out from the crib and down to the floor.
As the Hee Joon lifted up the baby up, something tugged on his heartstring as he hesitantly asked her, “Hee Joon-ssi… may… I?”
She understood as handed the baby carefully into Jaejoong’s arms… and Jaejoong held an angel right at that moment.
Moonbin’s voice broke his reverie, “See Min Young, Jejussi loves you too… just like Oppa…”
A new phase in Jaejoong life began with those simple words… a new bonding formed between the three of them… a precious thing that no other can fathom.
* * * * *
Mr. Jung felt a bit anxious. It’s hard not to be in awe seeing Jaejoong holding Min Young with Moonbin beside them and Yunho was looking at them adoringly. Like a picture perfect family that they should belong to but they hadn’t had the right to create. Not since 4.5 years ago.
He had a long talk with his wife last night. Pondering over so many thoughts and considering so many angles. What they’re going to ask from Jaejoong tonight was not something small nor decent, if they’re looking back at those long 4.5 years since Jaejoong walked out of the mansion. The Pavilion that was once a warm and homey place when he was still there was now empty and cold. And he’s all to blame as the head of the family. But tonight, he’d speak with him as his so-called foster father. Bringing the concern and the welfare of his who family, including Jaejoong himself. Seeing the sparkle in his eyes as he’s kissing and holding Moonbin, he knew he had to take that chance to bring changes and happiness once again in the Jung household.
He took a deep breath and braced himself, “Jaejoong, would you mind to walk with me outside for some fresh air?”
Jaejoong looked confused but he nodded, “Sure Appa…”
And they walked out together under the curious gaze of the whole family.
* * * * *
Though it’s still cold and nearing the peak of winter, but the rows of lamp that light up the whole garden made it feel warmer as they walked slowly and stopped just right before the pavilion that he used to live with Yunho. Jaejoong felt a pang of nostalgia when he saw the kitchen window where he could see over the main house and vice versa.
“No one has entered the place since Yunho and the children moved back to the main house.” Appa Jung told him. “Let’s still at the bench. You feel cold?” He asked him genuinely.
He shook his head, “No, Appa, I’m fine. Yeah, let’s sti over there.” They moved and sat side by side, gazing at the beautifully maintained lawn.
“You know, though Umma and I don’t say it to you, we love you very much like our own son. It broke our hearts to when you moved out 5 years ago. Umma cried when we didn’t hear from you for a few months... we blamed ourselves for not being a good pair of parents for you.” He told him calmly and Jaejoong’s heart was pounding heavily.
“You can’t imagine our happiness to see that you could accept Moonbin like your own… and now I can see that you get to know Min Young well too.” He smiled at him. “For the first time in 5 years, allow me to ask for your apology. Not as a father of Yunho, but as a father who abandoned his son for the happiness of other people’s child.” He bowed his head deeply towards Jaejoong who was now sitting open mouthed in shock.
“Appa…”
“I’m saying this to you for your Umma too. We knew how hard it must be for you and there was nothing we could to make up for all that you’ve been going through.”
Jaejoong’s mind was blank. The man that others held up high as one of the richest man in South Korea, one of the most respectable out there now bowing down his head, asking for his apology. He quickly returned to his sense and told, “Appa, no, don’t bow down to me like that! It’s over now! Come on, don’t make me feel bad now… Appa, please…” he took the old man’s hand in his.
“I never regret anything that I’ve been going through… and I’m always grateful that you also took me in as your own son… it’s the same between us. We owed each other that much! Don’t you and Umma ever felt like that you’d done me wrong. If not for what had happened, there wouldn’t be Moonbin and Min Young today.” He told him sincerely.
“Thank you… thank you Jaejoong. But I’m not asking for your forgiveness just for that… Call me a selfish old man, but this selfish old man also wants you to live a happy life.”
Jaejoong sensed there something bigger the tone of his voice. “Tell me…”
“Seeing that Min Young had now become stronger and healthier, they had insisted to move out of the house and live on their own. I couldn’t blame them though… they haven’t even lived as real family on their own since their wedding. But then Moonbin… do you know what many night he would wake up and cried calling your name?”
“Hee Joon-ssi told me upstairs,” Jaejood replied to him.
“Actually at one point of time, he was sock for a couple of days, but since we knew you’re busy Yunho strictly told us not to call you and disrupt your new started activities again. Dr. Kim helped a lot through his acquaintances with Changmin. He recovered soon after, but during those 2 days your name never left his lips…”
Now the younger man couldn’t help but felt painful as well, he suddenly remembered the days last month when he had 2 restless nights of sleeping that Yoochun had to insisted him to take a sleeping pill. Could it be… those nights when Moonbin was sick too?
“After so many thoughts… seeing that you also so attached with Moonbin and how much we cared about you… this old man would like to make another selfish request.”
He sat up and looked straight into Jaejoong’s eyes before he bowed down once again and said, “would you consider to return to live with us once again at his house?”
There were so many things that left Jaejoong speechless tonight… but this one surely was the most overwhelming and made him lost the power of speech too… as he could only weakly utter, “Appa….”
* * * * *
Side Story 1