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Taehyung and Jungkook got married in the early 2000s. They had been high school sweethearts from the same neighborhood. When they were around 25 and 27, it “made sense” to get married for ease of chores and paperwork as Jungkook said while proposing.
Taehyung was as free spirited as they come. But he never batted an eyelid before nodding a yes and saying, “For lesser paperwork and greener world”.
They adopted Jaey, a 2 year old bubbly spunky girl, in the 3rd year of her their marriage. It was a tumultuous ride like for any parent especially during her teenage years. She was struggling with her orientation, because it wasn't like her dads. Taehyung for the first time in his life, sat her down and told Jaey it's completely fine to like a person from the opposite gender . The laugh he shared with Jungkook in the night was infectious. “Who would have thought we would be here today? '' Jungkook smiled at Taehyung warmly who was straddling the other one at that point.
This was one of the rare (and most important) occasions when both of them agreed on the parenting styles. However on most of the other issues (teeniest ones which occur daily) the views heard by Jaey were contradictions.
“Take care of your body, always. That is the only one you get in lifetime” her gym loving Jungkook appa used to tell her.
“Its fine, you are young, and blessed with great metabolism. Don't stress too much” Taehyung used to whisper quietly in her ears.
Jungkook be like, “No you cannot go for a sleepover, 50 miles away”
Then she has the other one saying, “I will help you sneak out, but be responsible”
“You are young and like a sponge. Try as many new things and never give up a learning opportunity”
“Chill, you are great at chess, just keep practicing that skill. No pressure to learning everything available”
No marks for guessing who said what. Needless to say, Teenage years were quite all over for Jaey.
She loved both her fathers, and both would not bat an eyelid to kill for her if need be, she knew. She grew up loving their differences but also went into her 18th year wondering how 2 people so different be so madly in love with each other. Soon she went off to college and she was worried that her fathers would find reasons to be around her, like all other parents of her friends and classmates did. It came as a pleasant surprise to see that Both Taehyung and Jungkook seemed like they were busy falling in love with each other, all over again.
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“I don't approve. I do not like this Chad guy” Jungkook was huffing and puffing around the room when 21 year old Jaey broke the news that she is bringing this one guy home for the vacations. He will meet the fathers before heading over to his “trekking” plans while road tripping.
A 49 year old, nearing 50 as reminded Jungkook again and again, Taehyung was lazily spread on the couch with a bowl of popcorn balanced on his torso. He was controlling his laughter for the sake of the bowl but anyone could tell he was struggling. Jungkook of course topped that list. In fact first 100 names was Jungkook on that list.
“What is so funny, Kim?” He had a semi aggressive stance and staggered breath. “Whoa, we are last naming. Serious business for you then” Taehyung wiped his hands clean against the pajamas, a habit which angered Jungkook even after 22 years of marriage.
“You are telling me this isn't serious for you, Tae '' Jungkook said while sitting next to his husband.
“It is serious Kookie, that is why she is bringing him home. We should be glad that we have that trust and communication as a family” Taehyung said coolly while offering the bowl to Jungkook.
“He seems like a reckless guy. Trekking, road tripping?” Jungkook’s tone was very sad now.
“Says a guy who used to bully me to ride pillions and has Tattoos all over.” Taehyung smiled very warmly at Jungkook and kissed his Tattooed shoulder.
“Let him come Kookie. And have faith in your daughter. She's is both of us combined thrice brilliant. Moreover, no one will be good enough for her, lets be clear on that. If someone wants 3rd position, lets give them a fair chance” Taehyung said while climbing over Jungkook to face him, kisses on shoulder became bites soon and the it was lights out for both of them.
Jungkook also knew this was Taehyung’s weapon of choice to calm him down. He used to be a bundle of nerves when he met Taehyung. But Taehyung was his safe place and the wind beneath his wings.
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The 2 days Chad stayed with them, he didn't fail to impress the fathers. Chad came prepared. He knew impressing father of the ride is tough, here doubly tough. But he didnt put up a face. He was just what he was, which was loveable. Taehyung made sure both Jaey and Chad knew this, but Jungkook never said it. Chad impressed Jungkook with his earring habits and exercise routine, but Jungkook would never admit is loudly.
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It was a little after 24th birthday of Jaey Kim-Jeon, that the Save the Date was circulated. Their little girl was getting married. And Taehyung made a bawling display of sudden spurts during the day about the fact. Jungkook wanted to park this information away somewhere and do what was needed for wedding preps. But, Taehyung never let him do that, but needed to sit and cry 5 times a day minimum.
Wherever he found an old cloth of Jaey, or a doll, or the first Laptop, he would sit on the floor, legs crossed and bawled. Jungkook at this point didn't know how he was going to manage it all.. 10 days before the wedding, Taehyung woke up in the middle of night scared. He just had a very bad dream where Jungkook was crying. Inconsolably. He turned to admire his husband’s face but he wasn't there. Taehyung got up to see the bathroom light on and went to see the exact same scene.
“So, it wasn't the dream. It was you” He walked to his husband who was sitting on a closed lit pot and crying like a baby.
“How will she manage Tae? We have not prepared her how to do that. We could hardly teach her anything.” Jungkook hugged Taehyung from the waist.
Taehyung was carding his fingers through the other’s hair. “She knows. And she can manage, you know why?” Taehyung said, tapping Jungkook’s shoulder.
“Why?” Jungkook asked. “Because she has lived and seen it herself for 23 years. In Us” He smiled warmly.
The smile Jungkook fell in love with at maybe 13 or 14, he doesn't remember. And It has been a sound 35 years and he has yet to see a more beautiful smile.
“But, knowing you, if you don't get to process it, we won't get over this. So let's sit and write it. Just the way you like it. She is coming in 3 days and she can read it and still have a week for clearing up any donuts” Taehyung joked and poked a finger, taking a literal jibe at Jungkook.
“Just don't seal the packet honey. And don't finish the letter pad.” Taehyung said while climbing into the sheets again and snoring off pretty soon. And writing is what they did. Jungkook sat the entire night and wrote his heart out. Taehyung decided he will definitely do it sometime in the next 3 days.
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Jaey was also emotional, a lot, when she came in a week before her wedding. The warmth was so clearly visible to even a stranger. All 3 wanted to savor each moment of this one week, clearly. Also, as expected, Taehyung didn't finish his ‘assignment’ as he called it while talking to Jaey. So a night before the wedding, both the men entered their daughters room, she was sleeping. Both air kissed her and said a million silent prayers. They left the room leaving the packet next to her on the side table.
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Jungkook's Letter
Dear J,
Your appa loves you so much, my warrior princess. Heart of hearts we tried all our lives that no other person will ever be good enough for you.
However, today, there is nothing more I can ask for. I hope Chad will love you more than both of your appas combined. But we realize that we didn't have a "sit-down" kind of marriage talks with our girl. Now I suddenly feel the uncontrollable urge to do that.
So allow us to share our secrets, J.
I have penned down some and some are from your "cooler Appa".
We haven't discussed it together and If I know my husband, there might be some contradictory views here, I am sure.
- Be careful choosing pet names : There is only so much that can be done with ' My-Snoogly-whooksie-pookie-bear's' tattooed across your lower back one drunk evening.
- Never build furniture together if you want this marriage to last. One will start it enthusiastically, but the other will be finishing it for day alone.
- Most important 4 words in any marriage. "I will do the dishes". Trust me no partner wants to fight while one is doing the dishes.
- Marriage will always be a partnership between one person who forgets all important dates and the other who just doesn't.
- I hope you both always make each other feel that you have got the better deal.
- Sometimes, it pays to play a little deaf. Or invest into that expensive noise cancelling headphones like you other father. (gamers can get annoying)
- Keep dating - each other, that is.
- Everyone and me included will say, Till death do us part. But, Never forget, this will always be YOUR home.
- You told me I am your first love. I hope you always remember that.
- Its time that I will officially welcome Chad to the family. But honestly, he has been part of this family since the day I met him. (Please don't tell him that.)
All said and done, my warrior Princess,
Most important one is
Never go to bed angry.. Never, ever.
I love you to the moon and back,
Your Boring Appa
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Now lets move to the "cooler Appa" and see what did he have to say.
Dearest Daughter,
Let me be brief. (also because I am doing this last minute)
- If you are at mistake, admit it. If you are right, Zip it..
- Husbands are like Wine. They take a long time to mature.
- I hope you have made him go through the use-slow-internet test. If not, there is still time. ;)
- For better or for Worse, you will say I do today. It gets to second half pretty fast. But keep DOing
- It doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be Smile Worthy
- Don't cry over anything broken - if duct tape cant fix it, banana milk can (or whatever your man drinks ;) )
- Never take chores to your bedroom activities (the other appa might kill me if he sees this)
- When things don't go your way, Turn TO each other, not ON each other.
- Learn differences between personal bathroom needs. Apparently athlete muscle sprays is as important as Face cream, though honestly I don't understand why, but it is.
- Décor, oh very imp. Say yes to that neon red 'Harley Davidson sign', if you need that classic white leather 7 seater.
Not Numbered, because this needs to be remembered. Not an option at all.
NEVER SLEEP ANGRY. Stay up all night .
Love,
Your Cooler Appa
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It was only during the Toast next day after the wedding that Jaey stopped Jungkook and Taehyung when they took the mic. She walked up to them with 2 glasses of champagne in one hand and one in the other. She handed both Taehyung and Jungkook the two glasses, took the mic and said,
“To the love of my life, to the man who will never have an equal in my eyes, Sorry Chad - not you - To the best dad and best husband anyone could ever have - To Jeon Jungkook.” And all 3 of them raised their glasses to clink and take a sip. Emotions were too much for the tattooed nearly 50 year old man. He refused to speak, just hugged Jaey and left a kiss on the forehead.
After what was a very long hug, she turned to face her other dad.
“To the baby of the house. Thank you for always keeping our house smiling. Any other husband, sorry again chad, any other husband might age like wine, but you aged like freaking Dom Perignon. To the coolest dad and an-even-better partner ever, Kim Taehyung”
And needless to say, we had a bowling Taehyung and it took a whole amount of time and attention, mostly Jungkook’s to calm him down.
=== Fin ====