Chapter 114 (1/2)
Woozi felt Yeosang's arm leave his waist. "Where are you going?" He asked, looking up at the crow with upset eyes. "We've been chatting with lots of people for three hours while eating and drinking," Yeosang started, "I need to use the bathroom." He said quietly. Woozi chuckled. "Good point," He said, following Yeosang up the stairs, "man am I so annoyed though." He sighed in frustration. Yeosang raised an eyebrow. "How so?" They entered the bathroom. Woozi leaned against the counter, looking at the wall. "Hyungwon.. Ugh, why did he have to go into acting?" He asked, holding the counter angrily. Yeosang flushed the toilet and hummed. "He's good when he's sitting still and shutting up." He said, washing his hands. "I know, but I hate him." He gave mercy to the counter. "He's such a bitch, worse than me." He held his chest. Yeosang smirked while drying his hands. "You're not a bitch, Woozi." He said, walking out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. "You're perfect." He said cheesily. Woozi smirked at Yeosang's cheesy smile. "Ditch the party?" He asked. "Ditch the party." He confirmed, locking the bedroom door.
The party was coming to a close. Jeonghan and Joshua were seeing the guests out. Joshua held Jaemin's hand with a chuckle. "Where do you think you're going?" Joshua asked. "It's not the weekend yet, shouldn't I go back to Seoul?" Jaemin asked. Joshua looked at the clock. "You have five minutes until it's Saturday, so just stay here." He requested, pulling him closer. Jaemin smiled and leaned closer. "I don't have any of my things with me.. You know, pajamas, my toothbrush, socks.." He said while keeping hold of Joshua's hand. "Looks like I know what we'll be sharing then." Joshua gave a teasing wink. Jeonghan smirked and shook his head. "Watching you two flirting makes me wonder if Cheol and I were as cheesy as you two back then." Jeonghan commented. Joshua blushes and looks down. "Sometimes I can't help myself.." He said, leaning closer to the younger and kissing his cheek. Jaemin held the boy closer. "I wanna cuddle.." He muttered cutely.
Jeonghan laughed. "Alright, go on up, you two. Cheol and I will finish cleaning." He waved at them. The young couple goes upstairs while Jeonghan enters the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes and looked at his husband who was already washing off the table.
"I say today was a success." Seungcheol commented, looking up from the table. Jeonghan nodded. "More or less.." He said. "I really enjoyed the night.. aside from Seungkwan being a little depressed." Jeonghan stated as he turned on the water at the sink. "What's up with him?" Seungcheol asked as he cleaned up some scuff marks on the floor. Jeonghan picked up the sponge. "He's a little upset that Jongho isn't as involved in the relationship as Seungkwan wants him to be," He started, "you know, more of an I love you but I don't want anything to do with your family sort of thing." He explained. Seungcheol hummed and picked up the drying towel. "Jongho will come around eventually." He said, drying the dishes Jeonghan hands to him. "Perhaps he's had a relationship in the past that meeting the family didn't go too well." Seungcheol suggested. "Perhaps.. We'll just have to wait, right?" Jeonghan smiled a little. "Anyway, he'll be sleeping with us tonight, most likely." Seungcheol raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He asked. "He's probably asleep on our bed with a bag of chips right now." Jeonghan said as he turned off the water. "I guess we could always sleep in his room." He chuckled. Seungcheol laughed a little. "That's fine.. It's been awhile since I cuddled with a kid.. Dino's been out with Renjun these Sundays." He commented. Jeonghan nodded and cracked his neck. "They're really growing up, aren't they?" He asked, folding his arms as he watched Seungcheol put the last dish away. "Yeah.. But they're happy, Jeonghan. That's what matters." Seungcheol smiled at him. The smile was contagious, as it always is. "And healthy. They're safe, happy, and healthy." He confirmed. "They've found themselves good partners." He nodded. Seungcheol agreed with a bigger smile. "And for Mingyu, Vernon, and Minghao, they have professions that will keep them happy, even without a significant other." He said, keeping the light on for Jun. They walk out of the kitchen together. "I'm sure even they will find someone eventually." Jeonghan commented, walking upstairs with the other parent. They entered their room and saw Seungkwan asleep in the middle of the bed. "He looks comfortable," Seungcheol commented with a chuckle.
Jeonghan smiled and took the chips from Seungkwan's hands. "Let's get cleaned up and then go to bed." He suggested. Seungcheol nodded and went to the bathroom with the younger. After a shower, the parents then went on either side of Seungkwan. They put their arms around the boy and snuggled up to Seungkwan, falling asleep like that.
*** And like that, life went on like it normally would. Joshua and Ren ran the cafe while Jun and Yeji worked in the dojo with Mingi. Hoshi moved up in the company a little while Wonwoo and Nana prepared to be fully certified teachers. As Woozi graduated with his degree in music, he has become a lyricist while helping Yeosang at his mother's store. Meanwhile, the expansion on the house is coming together quite well since their project gets worked on daily all day. Jeonghan sits the eldest three kids in the sitting room this Sunday morning. There are currently six more days until Seungcheol's birthday. "Okay," Jeonghan started, "we need to come up with a special birthday plan for Cheol." He clapped his hands. Jun held his chin. "Why don't we go to grandma Choi's place?" He suggested. Hoshi snapped his finger. "And invite dad's brother to visit too." He included. Joshua hummed. "I think that would be good, but then again, how is that a surprise?" He asked. "Won't he know where we're taking him?" He asked. "We could blindfold him." Jaemin said with a devious smile. Jeonghan smirked and Joshua huffed. "You've been spending way too much time with Jeonghan." He commented. "But I like the idea." He agreed with it nonetheless. Jeonghan nodded. "Then it's settled." He sat back on the couch. "Everyone gets their bags packed for a weekend stay. We'll most likely camp again like we did for our anniversary, the day we made Dino." Jeonghan reminded them. Jun scratched his neck. "Then there's Seungkwan.." He commented. "Blindfold him too." Jaemin said automatically. "Just tell him to pack the day of, that will make it easier." Jeonghan said, ignoring the glare Joshua's giving them. Hoshi looked at the carpet. "I'll ask Dongwan if dad can have off work then." He said, remembering that Seungcheol's work schedule might get in the way. "Don't even worry about that," Jeonghan put his hand up, "I've already spoken to him and Yuta. They'll be taking care of things from Friday to Monday." He mentioned. Joshua nodded. "Then everything is perfect. We just need to ask the grandparents if they'll be alright with it." He said. "Ayy, that woman's been pestering me to bring you guys sometime soon anyway." Jeonghan took his phone out. "She's upset that she only gets to see you guys at New Year's." He continued, pressing on the woman's contact. Jun smirked. "They could always come here." He said. "Two, old people coming from Dalseo-gu? No way." Jaemin said. "You know how painful that will be on their backs?" He asked. Joshua smiled at the boy's concern. "You look handsome when you're in caring-Jae mode." He commented. Jaemin blushed and looked down. "Okay, she said it's alright for us to come." Jeonghan said in a victorious tone. "So let's see.. that's thirteen.. plus Yeosang.. do you want to go?" Jeonghan looked at Jaemin. Jaemin widened his eyes. "Should I go? Shouldn't it only be family?" He asked. "Seungcheol wants everyone to be happy on his birthday," Jeonghan said, "he won't be happy knowing that his son and son-in-law-to-be are missing each other a couple hours away." He continued, looking at the boy seriously. Joshua chuckled. "We'll share a tent." He said. "Nana's not going to want to go," Jun predicted, "so she can definitely stay home and watch the twins." He thought aloud. "Oh the girls," Jeonghan facepalmed, "she's been wanting to see them too.." He sighed. Hoshi crossed his leg. "For that, she's just going to have to wait until New Year's. There's no way Nana's going while being happy." He put his hands up. Jeonghan nodded. "True.. Wonwoo would probably be happier if she stayed too.." He muttered. "So I have school on his birthday," Jaemin started, "but after school's done, I'll drive from Seoul to Dalseo-gu. I'll meet you guys there." He said. "Alright then, Jun, I put you in charge of making sure the other kids are packed and ready to go Friday morning." Jeonghan smiled at the Chinese male.
Jun saluted. "I won't let you down!" Jeonghan smiled proudly and put his hands on his thighs. "Now that's settled.. where are the others?" He asked in wonder.
"Wonwoo has teaching on weekends for students that have jobs during the week." Jun explained the dark child's absence.
Hoshi scratched his chin. "I think Dino said something about going out with Renjun and Jisung." He said before taking out his phone. "And Mingyu is job searching." He read the texts.
Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "Job searching? Doesn't he still have school?" He asked as he signaled for Jaemin to get him more water.
"I think he and Dino are in their last semesters, right?" Joshua said as he watched Jaemin silently go into the kitchen with Jeonghan's cup.
"Oh yeah," Jeonghan remembered.
Jun scratched his eyebrow. "I know that Woozi is with Yeosang at the tailor shop, but I have no idea about Seokmin." He said, putting his knees to his chest as he's sitting on the floor in front of the couch that has Jeonghan, Jaemin, and Joshua on it.
"Oh, those two are on a date. Seokmin and Sungjae." Joshua said. "And Seungkwan is at the theater. Hyungwon came up with a play idea that Sungmin likes." He continued as he searched his memory.