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Why is it so cold?
Seungcheol woke up shivering. It was unusual because he woke up at 10 am in the middle of summertime. His head was so heavy, it felt like he was going to pass out.
No, this can't be happening.
He has been waiting for this day. He shouldn't be in bed lying down & resting. He has a very important appointment.
He will be picking up his husband, Jeonghan, from his 2-month trip.
This is the worst.
Seungcheol tried to stand up even if his legs were wobbling & shaking. He needs to fetch his husband whom he has been patiently waiting to come home.
Seungcheol isn't the type of person who'd tie down his partner just because they're together. He would be the very last person to do that. He wants his partner to enjoy life & do whatever they love to do as long as it makes them happy.
That's why Jeonghan's career was never a burden. Jeonghan loves his work, being an author of children's books, and he supports it wholeheartedly. In fact, it was through writing that they got to know each other. He owns a publishing house & Jeonghan was one of the aspiring writers who went to their office years ago, hoping that his work would be known to the public.
And that's how their love story started. He became Jeonghan's number one fan and in return, Jeonghan became his home & peace.
Seungcheol smilingly recalled all of these as he drank his medicine after eating breakfast. He snapped out of his reverie when their daughter got out of her room.
"Daddy…"
Angel Summer. His & Jeonghan's daughter. They adopted her a day after Jeonghan's first book signing event. She was left outside Seungcheol's publishing house. It's a good thing that he & Jeonghan decided to stay late that night because if not, who knows where this beautiful angel would be.
"Hey, love. Here, eat your breakfast. I cooked your favorite–egg & pancakes.", Seungcheol said as he smiled at his daughter.
Summer looked at him worryingly. "Daddy, are you okay? You don't look like one."
Of course Seungcheol doesn't want his daughter to notice. "Yes baby, I'm fine. Look, daddy's got big muscles. You want to test it out? Come here little princess." Seungcheol tried his best to show Summer that he's okay & chased her around the kitchen. Laughter filled the entire house as he carried Summer with his two arms.
"Finish your breakfast, okay? Then take a bath & dress up. We don't want to be late, right? We don't want daddy Hannie to wait."
"Yes daddy!" Summer exclaimed as she kissed Seungcheol's cheeks.
Seungcheol then fixed the table & washed the dishes. He glanced at their daughter from time to time, never getting enough of Summer's warm smile. She's very excited to be with his daddy Jeonghan again. RR
That's why everything should be perfect.
Seungcheol tried his best to act normal. He took a bath & put on his best clothes.
"Are you ready?", Seungcheol asked his daughter as he grabbed his car keys.
"I am, daddy. I also brought my paper flowers for daddy Hannie."
His daughter really is the sweetest, just like him & Jeonghan.
As they approached the car, Seungcheol suddenly felt cold & dizzy. It was worse compared to when he woke up. His vision became blurry, his ears started ringing. The last thing he heard was his daughter shouting his name.
_____
White ceiling greeted Seungcheol as he opened his eyes.
This is not the color of their ceiling.
He was about to search for answers when he suddenly heard his husband's voice.
"Love! Oh god! Finally, you're awake."
Seungcheol turned to where the voice was.
There he saw his husband, Jeonghan, sitting beside him & clasping his hand.
"What happened? Where am I?"
Jeonghan wiped his tears. "I was so worried! Good thing our daughter knew what to do. She called Seokmin & Joshua and they rushed you to the hospital. I immediately went here as soon as the plane landed. Thank God you're okay."
"Hey… don't cry. It pains me to see you crying. What did the doctors say?"
"They said that you were over fatigued. You skipped a lot of meals & you were stressed lately that's why you collapsed."
Seungcheol pursed his lips. How could he let this happen? He's feeling so guilty, especially seeing his husband panicking & worried.
"I'm so sorry, Love.", Seungcheol whispered as he squeezed Jeonghan's hand. "I'm sorry if I made you worry. I'm so sorr–"
"No, it's my fault. If only I was here… if only I took care of you, if I only was with you then none of these would have happ–"
Seungcheol pulled Jeonghan & hugged him tight.
"Sshhh. Let's stop this. Let's stop blaming ourselves. Nobody wanted this to happen."
Jeonghan sighed. He nuzzled Seungcheol's neck & nodded. "Okay. Okay love."
_____
Seungcheol got discharged the same day. He just needed an IV drip and he was good to go. He wasn't allowed to do any strenuous activities for a week, that's why he's now being spoiled by Jeonghan & Summer.
He would wake up every morning with breakfast in bed prepared by his husband & daughter, with flowers & letters. Then, they would all go to the living room to watch movies while snuggling with each other. He would watch Jeonghan cook lunch & dinner while Summer was helping his daddy. They would take strolls during afternoons, have picnics in their garden, and enjoy the basking of the sun. Jeonghan also makes sure that he's really pampered–his warm bath & clothes are always well prepared, he's been receiving massages every night, and he's being showered with hugs & kisses at random times of the day.
Oh, how he loves to live like this.
One day, Seungcheol found himself staring at Jeonghan & Summer while they're playing blocks. They were both giggling & teasing each other, competing on who would make the highest tower. He took his phone & captured that precious moment.
This is the life he has always wanted.
"Daddy Cheollie! Join me & daddy Hannie! Let's play!"
Seungcheol smiled tenderly. "Okay, baby."
_____
Living like this is what Jeonghan really signed up for. He never wanted to be the parent or partner who's always out at work. He loves writing, it's his passion. But when he, Seungcheol & Summer became a family, he wanted to make a change.
What happened to Seungcheol recently became his turning point. He has been contemplating about making this big decision that would change his life forever and seeing Seungcheol suffer while he was away at that time broke his heart into pieces.
It shouldn't be that. He should be with Seungcheol through thick & thin, in sickness & in health.
And it might be painful to admit but he's now seeing his job, his passion becoming a burden. He already has a new life. He should and he will focus on his family. He wanted to make a change now.
That's why a week after Seungcheol's discharge, he planned something. He contacted Seokmin & Joshua and asked them if Summer could stay the night with them. He explained why & the couple agreed. Good thing they were very supportive. The couple is their best friend after all.
"Don't worry, Han. We'll take care of Summer. Just focus on what you're planning for Cheol."
He woke up early that day, drove Summer to Joshua's & Seokmin's house, went back and prepared everything he needed. He cooked breakfast first and went out to buy some groceries. When he came back, Seungcheol was still asleep. He then packed some fresh clothes for him & his husband.
"Hannie? Love?"
Seungcheol woke up confused when he saw Jeonghan packing some bags.
"Hey, love. Good morning Your breakfast is ready.", He said as he approached his husband and leaned for a kiss.
"Why are you packing things? Where's Summer?"
"Well, I planned a short trip for both of us. I left Summer at Seokmin's house and they'll take care of her until we get back. Hurry up. We wouldn't want to miss our reservation."
_____
The weather was fine, much to Jeonghan's liking. He drove their car to a beach, quite a remote place compared to where they were living.
Seungcheol noticed a tiny house near the shore.
"Are we going to stay there, love?"
Jeonghan smiled. "Yes. I had that reserved for us. It's been so long since we've been together alone and I really missed you."
Oh god. He's so adorable.
Seungcheol pulled his husband into a kiss–a slow & warm one.
"Then let's make the most out of it."
_____
The gentle breeze kissed Jeonghan's cheeks as he waited for Seungcheol to come out for their early dinner. He's nervous, he can feel his heart pumping out of his chest.
This is it.
He is going to confess his big decision to Seungcheol that will change their lives forever but he isn't quite sure how his husband would react. He's trying his best not to overthink but it was really hard.
Especially since this will involve his career & their family.
Nevertheless, he believes that this is for the best. He's been longing for this kind of life and it's now or never.
"Wow. You look dashing."
Jeonghan commented when he saw his husband emerging from the door. True enough, with his white polo & shorts, he can clearly see and tell why he fell for this man.
"And you're gorgeous as ever.", Seungcheol quipped and planted a kiss on his husband's cheek before sitting down.
Dinner was served. It was all cooked by Jeonghan. Of course, he wanted this moment to be perfect. He made sure that it would all be.
"It's so good, love. I can never get enough of this. I really missed your cooking."
"What if I told you that you will never miss this again?", Jeonghan said with a tiny smile.
Seungcheol looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Jeonghan tried to compose himself before answering. He took a deep breath.
It's now or never.
"Love, the recent incident… you being sick… made me rethink about life… Everything. I never want to experience that pain & anxiousness again. I want to stay by your side in each and every day of my life."
Jeonghan held Seungcheol's hand before continuing.
"That's why I am going to retire. My life now is you & Summer, nothing else."
Seungcheol was surprised. "What? But Han, you love writing so much–"
"Yes, yes love.", Jeonghan answered before Cheol could finish his sentence. "I love writing but not the same as how I love you & our daughter. Even before this incident happened, I was already planning to do it. I was just busy doing something. And now that it's complete, I'm now ready to retire."
Jeonghan took out a book. It was a children's book entitled "Your Love Paints A Thousand Words" with their family illustrated on the cover.
"This is going to be my last book. I want to share our story to the world & tell everyone how amazing my husband and daughter are, how I would be willing to give up everything just to be with them. You and Summer are my life, Cheol. Nothing else."
Seungcheol teared up. He squeezed Jeonghan's hand. "Are you sure about this?"
"Hundred percent. I have also saved enough money for Summer's future and perhaps a new business for us? Something that won't require any of us to leave for too long."
The heavens must have smiled sweetly at Seungcheol for him to be this lucky to have Jeonghan as his husband. He stood up from his seat, hugged Jeonghan tight, and whispered, "I am always with you, Hannie. Whatever decision you will make, I'll support you. I always got your back."
Jeonghan hugged Cheol tighter. "I know, love. And I'm always the same to you & Summer. You have me. All of me. Completely."
The two shared a kiss as the sun went down. That marked the start of a new chapter, a new journey waiting to be written in their book of forever.