Chapter Text
"Why can't we celebrate Christmas like a normal family?" Seungmin whines, walking into the dining room with her arms crossed.
Hyunjin looks up from her book to send a playful glare at her little sister. "I think it would be pretty great if we could, Seungminnie."
Seungmin rolls her eyes but doesn’t respond as she stubbornly walks over to join Hyunjin on the couch while her mother cooks dinner in the kitchen.
Her oldest sister, Changbin, walks into the dining room with a mountain of plates and places them on the table for everyone else to eat from while Jeongin decorates the house together with Jisung and Felix.
"We're not exactly normal," Changbin points out from behind her.
"How so?" Seungmin asks.
Changbin chuckles as she moves past her, reaching out to grab a handful of cutleries. "Nothing you need to worry about. Besides, this is what families normally do on Christmas."
"Hey now," Hyunjin teases with a smile, reaching out to ruffle Seungmin's hair. "Don't listen to Changbin. This is far from normal—even we—are far from normal."
"She's right - there's nothing normal about us women," Jeongin cuts in, walking over to sit near Seungmin. She has finished decorating the living room and to be honest, no one could’ve done it better than she, Jisung and Felix had.
"But we're not just ordinary women, Yennie. We're a family of women - the classy type." Jisung replies. She’s been eavesdropping. No one’s surprised. It’s her second nature.
Seungmin snorts. "Yeah right, the ‘classy’ type doesn’t have to spend Christmas in a month other than December every year," she says, turning to face Jisung completely.
Changbin places the chopsticks and spoons down gently on the table. "Seungmin…” she trails off. “You know how hard it is for mom to even celebrate anything during December. Can’t you at least appreciate the late treat?”
Seungmin looks around the large dining area. She can’t say that they all didn’t do their best today, especially their mom - judging by how good the food smells. She was always there for them, no matter how difficult things got.
"You’re right, I’m sorry," Seungmin mumbles quietly, looking down at her feet.
Changbin sighs softly and takes hold of Seungmin's hand, pulling her into a hug. "It's okay. We understand. If anything, we are thankful too; thankful that we’re finally celebrating Christmas—even if it’s in March."
Seungmin hugs back, hugging Hyunjin back tightly and burying her face in her shoulder. "I'll never complain again." Seungmin whispers.
Soon enough, they all gather around the dining table, sitting in their respective chairs and chatting about everything and nothing at the same time when a soft knock came.
"Can any of you get the door, please?” Minho says from the kitchen. "It must be our guest."
"Guest? Is it Aunty Jihyo? I hope it is!" Felix whispers excitedly, receiving a ray of me too's from everyone else around the table.
"I'll get it, mom," Hyunjin replies before getting up from her seat and looking through the peephole. Once she sees who's there, her face twists in confusion.
Standing outside of the house was a shorter male with curly, black hair and a leather jacket. Hyunjin’s face scrunches up into a small frown as she spots the items in his hands; a bouquet of orange marigolds - Minho’s favourite flowers - and a champagne bottle covered in green wrapping paper - Minho’s favourite colour.
Hyunjin slowly steps away from the door and runs into the kitchen as her heart rate intensifies. "Mom?" she says, sounding terrified, "That is not Aunty Jihyo."
Minho puts the ladle in her hand down and frowns, saying, "Who said anything about Aunty Jihyo being our guest?"
"Mom, is he your boyfriend? What about—"
Minho sighs loudly, interrupting her. "Door open now. Ask questions later. Okay?" she commands, placing the ladle back into the pot. "And be nice to him—both you and your sisters."
Hyunjin shuts her mouth and walks silently out of the kitchen. She passes the dining table and looks at the seat near her mom's that has been empty for years now before sighing. Changbin notices but doesn't say anything.
Hyunjin opens the door and is met with a sigh of relief. "Hi, is this the Lee residence?" He asks and Hyunjin nods her head, unamusingly.
"Oh, thank God! I thought I went to the wrong house," he says, laughing to himself.
"Yeah… and you are?" Hyunjin asks, nonchalantly.
He briefly places the champagne bottle in the hand with the bouquet before smiling and stretching his now empty hand out, saying, "Nice to meet you! I'm Chan!"
"I'm Hyunjin," she replies, ignoring his stretched out hand.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Hyunjin."
"Same here," she lies, gritting her teeth.
"Anyway, can I come in? This bottle is kinda heavy…" Chan chuckles awkwardly, putting his hand down.
Hyunjin moves aside so he can pass and leads him to the dining room where her sisters are after shutting the door. She can hear the loose chatter all the way from here, unconsciously smiling at how easy it is to distinguish their distinct voices.
When Hyunjin arrives with Chan, the table quiets down and multiple confused looks replace their once bright smiles. Felix turns to look at the others and they all seem to get the memo - that man is definitely not Aunty Jihyo.
"You're not Aunty Jihyo," Jeongin comments, pouting, "Who are you?"
Chan laughs and places the bottle on the table. "Hi little one, I'm Chan - definitely not Aunty Jihyo," he says, chuckling.
Jeongin looks at him, examining the objects in his hand. "Why do you have mommy's favourite flowers in your hand?" she asks.
"I bought it for her," Chan says brightly, "Do you mind holding onto it until she comes in? It's a surprise gift."
"Mommy said I shouldn't accept gifts from strangers," Jeongin says, "Sorry Mr Chan."
"No, don't be sorry! Your mommy's right!" Chan smiles, looking at her in awe. "You're a very clever kid. I'll hold onto the flowers."
Changbin observes the situation carefully, seeming to understand exactly what's happening here. She stands to shake his hand. Not because she wants to, but because she has to.
"Hi, I'm Changbin, the oldest one. You can put them in the vase on the table. It's empty anyway."
"Thank you, Changbin," Chan chirps, shaking her hand. He then places the flowers into the vase half filled with water and turns around to ask Changbin, "May I have permission to speak to the woman of the house?"
"I'm right here," Minho says, smiling at him from the kitchen entrance, "And dinner's ready too!"
"Ouu, let me help you set the table," Chan says, smiling back. He walks into the kitchen, completely oblivious to the very audible gasp from Hyunjin.
Everyone settles back into their seats and Hyunjin can't help but roll her eyes. "She moved on quickly," she mumbles quietly.
"It's been twelve years, Hyunjin," Jisung scolds, "Do you expect her to stay grieving for another century?"
"No, but-"
"Enough," Changbin cuts them both off, looking between them. "Stop it. Let's just enjoy dinner, okay? And don't talk about mom when she’s within hearing distance."
Hyunjin huffs and sits back, glaring at both of them.
Seungmin picks up her fork. "So are we going to be like, a family again or...?"
Felix grins. "Probably! Is this Chan guy mom's boyfriend? I like him already!"
Hyunjin groans. "Don't say that."
Just then, Chan comes out of the kitchen carrying a large tray with a few dishes on it. The savoury aroma travels through the air, passing through each and everyone's nostrils, making their mouths water.
"Sorry everyone, it was so hard trying not to eat your mom's delicious food before bringing it to the table," he jokes, placing the tray next to the main plate in the centre of the table.
Jeongin tries to identify each one of the dishes. She sees kimchi, bulgogi, japchae, as well as a large turkey. "Mommy's a chef!" she shouts, "I can't wait to dig in!"
"Me too!" Chan giggles, finding himself sitting on one of two empty chairs at the dining table.
"You can't sit there," Hyunjin growls.
"Why not?" Jisung says, glaring at Hyunjin. "Why can't he sit there, Hyunjin?"
"Because it does not belong to him."
"It belongs to no one, Hyunjin."
The table goes silent as Chan glances between the two; a clearly uncomfortable look on his face. "Should I just sit on the other chair instead?" he nervously asks as he moves to place himself on the other chair.
"No, Mr Chan!" Jeongin shouts out. "That's mommy's chair!"
Chan stands up immediately and looks even more uncomfortable than before. Finally he sees Minho as she enters the dining room with a three layer chocolate cake in a rectangular pan.
"What's wrong, Chan?" Minho asks, placing the cake on the table. "Have a seat, we're about to start eating."
"Are you sure I can sit here?" Chan asks, pointing to the seat Hyunjin and Jisung argued over.
Minho hums. "Yeah, of course you can. It's just a chair."
Hyunjin's face contorts in pain and disbelief. "What do you mean it's just a chair?!"
"Not now, Hyunjin," Changbin comments. "We're at the table, have some decency."
Minho sighs, sitting next to Chan. "Dig in everyone..."
They all dig in and it's quiet, peaceful even. Felix hears Chan tell Minho about the orange marigolds he bought her and the champagne bottle that's going to be unwrapped in a moment.
"It's non-alcoholic," Felix hears Chan whisper gaily, "No drinking when the girls are around."
She also hears her mom laugh wholeheartedly, "Thank you Chan… for everything."
Felix discreetly taps both Jisung and Seungmin and points to the two adults holding their own conversation at the end of the table. They all can't help but feel happy for their mother.
Chan claps his hands together, leaning back into his seat. "I've never had a Christmas dinner with this many people before. Thank you guys so much for welcoming me." He says to everyone.
"It was really no problem," Jisung says. "I'm glad you like it."
"I love it, thank you," Chan repeats.
"Are you staying for dessert, Mr Chan?" Jeongin asks.
Chan looks at Minho. There's a question in his eyes—a question that asks "am I allowed to?" and she nods—she nods her head, smiling brightly at him.
Jeongin jumps for joy. "Good!" she shouts, "My bedtime is at eight and I'd hate to go to bed without wishing you goodbye first!"
Hyunjin rolls her eyes. "You've been doing it every night for the past twelve years."
"Well, I want to start doing it every night from now on," Jeongin pouts, folding her arms. "Mr Chan seems nice."
"Looks can be deceiving, Jeongin."
"The same goes to you too! You might be pretty on the outside but you are not fertile on the inside!" Jeongin shouts.
The table goes silent. "Do you even know what that means?" Seungmin asks, looking at Jeongin.
"It means she has an ugly personality,” Jeongin answers bravely.
"Baby, that's not what it means," Minho says, sighing.
"Well, why can't she be nice to me like big sis Changbin! She's always so mean to me!" Jeongin admits, "And she never wants to play with me!"
Hyunjin stands up from her seat. "Well, I don't like you! You killed my—"
"Hyunjin!" Minho interrupts, glaring at her. "Do not finish that sentence."
Hyunjin glares back. "Why? What are you going to do if I do?"
Minho raises an eyebrow and starts to get up from her seat. Hyunjin sits down and immediately apologies. "Fine, I'm sorry."
"I'm the last person you should be apologising to…" Minho whispers.
Changbin clears her throat. “Anyway, how about we dig into this cake? I've been dying to try it out."
Seungmin grins. "Yeah, mom makes the best chocolate cake. Do you want some, Mr Chan?" she asks, looking at Chan expectantly and he smiles, saying, "Sure."
Changbin goes ahead and cuts the cake into eight even slices. She places one on everyone's plate and as soon as she's done, she yells, "Dig in!" The table is surrounded by noisy chatter as everyone participates in different conversations as if they're in their own world.
Jeongin is seated on Minho's lap, giggling as she's being fed small pieces of cake by Chan while Seungmin and Felix are arguing over whether Changbin actually cut the cake evenly as Changbin genuinely laughs at being accused of such crimes.
Meanwhile, Hyunjin and Jisung are in their own corner, digging into their cakes silently.
"She's your mother too, you know," Jisung says, turning to face her.
Hyunjin sighs, putting the plate down. "I know, Jisungie. I know."
"...and she's allowed to move on too," Jisung whispers.
Hyunjin doesn't respond.