Baby Bear (1/1)

A New LifeTaemin was in Busan doing a show when he found out that little Jaemin was coming early. He was in the middle of rehearsals when his manager frantically ran up to him on stage and handed him the phone. The music was cut and his Hyungs surrounded him, asking him to put the call on speaker. It must have been important since emergency calls were the only ones accepted during rehearsals and performances.The caller ID showed that it was Eunji calling. Key lightly punched Taemin on his shoulder.“Yah! Why is my wife calling you?”“Mwolla…”“Palli! Just answer it.”Taemin did as he was told and put the call on speaker.“Yeoboseyo?”“Taemin-ah! Palli! You need to come back to Seoul.”“Wae?”“Naeun’s gone into labour!”“Jinjja? But she’s not due for another two weeks!”“Well, you can’t stop it now. We’re on the way to the hospital. Palli!”“Ahrasso. Is Naeun with you right now? Can I talk to her?”“Ani. She’s in the ambulance. I took my car so that in case she needs anything I could just go get it.”“Gomawo. I’ll try to be there soon. Please take care of her.”“Ahrasso. Just get off the phone and come here!”They hung up and the members started to hit Taemin.“Yah! Maknae’s going to be dad!”“I’m going to be an uncle!”“What are we doing here? We should go!”They were all running off the stage when Minho manager held up his hand to stop them.“You guys are going to stay and perform. Only Taemin can leave.”“But that’s our nephew…”“You can visit him after the performance. You guys still have a commitment here.”The Hyungs bowed their heads and then sent Taemin off.“Taemin-ah! Congratulations! There’s a car waiting for you outside. Just go and change clothes and leave the microphone in the dressing room and then go quickly.”“Thanks, Hyung! When the performance is over, come back to Seoul, okay?”“Okay. Just go.”Taemin rushed into the dressing room. In almost lightning speed he had taken off his costume and got into a simple ensemble of jeans and a t-shirt. He made sure to leave his microphone, got his bag and his phone, greeted the event organisers and apologised for his leave and then got into the awaiting car to go back to Seoul. He was fidgeting in the car and his stomach was doing somersaults. He felt like he had never been this nervous before. Not when he debuted, not when got married to Naeun, not even when he had to audition. This was the first time he was experiencing this kind of unrest. When the driver offered him some food, he declined. He didn’t think he could keep it down. Every few minutes he would get a brand new text from Eunji, detailing what was currently happening. Eunji said she would text when Naeun was settled and he could call her. He smiled at Eunji’s efforts. Her texts made it seem like she was a sports announcer; very short, concise and direct.She’s being wheeled into the hospitalShe’s just been checked inThey put her in a private roomThere’s some news articles coming out that you’ve left the concertThey’re checking on hers and the baby’s vitalsThe doctor said she’s doing fineYou can callWith the last text, he called Eunji.“Taemin-ah!”“Can I talk to her?”“Sure.”Taemin heard some shuffling on the other line and then he heard that sweet voice he wanted to hear.“Oppa?”“I’m here, Naeun-ah…”“Where are you?”“I’m in a car. I’m on my way back to Seoul.”“Okay…come quickly…”“Ahrasso. Does it hurt a lot?”He heard her whimper on the other line and was silent for a few moments.“Ani.”She was trying to be strong and he knew it. He felt like he couldn’t do anything so he apologised.“Mianhae.”“It’s okay, Oppa. Because it’s our baby…”“I’ll be there soon. Fighting!”“Figh…ting…”She ended the call, and then Taemin sat back on his seat once again. He said a silent prayer that the delivery would go smoothly and that there would be no traffic so he could get to the hospital quickly. Two hours later, he received an urgent text from Eunji.Doctors said it can’t wait. Naeun is being prepped for delivery.Taemin called Eunji straight away.“Yeoboseyo?”“Eunji-yah…it’s only been an hour.”“I know, but, apparently she’s fully dilated. They’re taking her into the delivery room now.”“Ahrasso. Can you go in there with her, please? I still have about half an hour to go before I get there.”“Okay. I have to go now.”She ended the call, and Taemin hit the window in frustration. His wife was in pain and he would miss the birth of his first child.“Sir, are you alright?”“I’m sorry. I’m just a bit impatient right now…”“It’s alright. It’s perfectly understandable.”The driver turned his attention back to driving and Taemin started praying. Luckily, even though it was peak hour, Taemin managed to get through the KTX in under half an hour and got to the hospital fifteen minutes later. He rushed in and asked where his wife, but was greeted with the doctor that delivered the baby.“Taemin-ssi…you’re finally here.”“Ne. How was the delivery?”“It went smoothly. Naeun-ssi is a very strong girl. You have a healthy baby boy.”“Gamsahamnida, doctor. She’s in room 104. Go in quickly.”Taemin bowed and went to locate the room. However, he passed a gift shop on his way to the elevator and saw a really cute teddy bear. He purchased it and then went to find Naeun’s room. The sight he saw melted his heart. Eunji was passed out on the sofa in the room and Naeun was holding a little bundle in her arms.“Naeun-ah…”“Oppa…”Taemin walked over carefully and sat the bear down on the bed side table. He bent down to give Naeun a kiss on the lips and sat down next to her on the bed, cradling his family in his arms. He stuck out his pinky to the baby and he latched on.“He’s so pretty… and small…and cute…”“He is…”“I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you…”“Gwaenchanha. As long as you’re here now…”“Don’t worry…I’ll definitely be there for the next one.”“Aish…this one just came out but you’re already planning for the second one?”“Sometime…in the future. Let’s just focus on this one for now.”The baby yawned and Taemin and Naeun cooed at him.“Do we have a name?”“Eung…Lee Jaemin…”“I think it suits him…”“Oppa…let’s take a photo…”Taemin took out his phone and then snapped a picture.“Our first family photo with Jaemin…”Naeun noticed the little bear.“Oppa…what’s that?”“Oh…it’s to match with our bears. It’s for Jaemin.”"So...the bear has a family too?""The bears represent us, so Jaemin should also have a bear..."“The bear family?”“Mmmm…”"You’re the best Appa in the whole world...""Thank you...""You don't need to thank me...""I love you.""And I love you too...""And we love you too Jaemin-ah"Taemin and Naeun each gave the sleeping baby a kiss on his forehead. The family fell asleep together. Naeun was holding Jaemin while Taemin had his arms wrapped around Naeun. When Eunji woke up she saw the happy family and couldn't resist in taking a photograph. She sent it to the rest of the APINK and SHINee members with the caption "cute family photo", and almost all of them replied that they were coming over to the hospital.Eunji suppressed a laugh and whispered.“Be prepared, guys, the quiet won’t last long…”And she too, went back to sleep on the sofa.