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It had been a long few months for Chan, one filled with challenges and uncertainty, but as the date drew closer, there was one thing that could always bring him peace: his little baby, Jeongin. The clock was ticking, and in just two weeks, Jeongin would be turning three. Three years old. Chan couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and gratitude, especially after everything they'd been through. This birthday would be extra special, not just for Jeongin, but for their entire family.
"Let's make this one unforgettable," Chan said to Seungmin one night as they sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by birthday planning materials. Minho was beside them, scribbling down a list of things they'd need for the big day. There was so much to do, but all Chan could think about was how happy his butterfly would be.
Jeongin loved so many things—bunnies, butterflies, Legos, and just about anything colorful and whimsical. Chan was determined to incorporate it all.
"We should start with the cake," Seungmin suggested, grinning at the thought of their homemade creation. "We have to make it perfect."
Chan nodded, already imagining the scene. A three-layer cake, strawberry and vanilla, two of the toddlers current favorite flavors. A bunny, hopping after a butterfly, delicately drawn on the top by Hyunjin, as none of Jeongin’s parents wanted to risk messing up the cake with their drawing skills. It was going to be something Jeongin would remember forever.
"We’ll make it together," Minho added. "I know it’s going to be amazing. And we’ll make sure to get the decorations, too. We can use butterflies and bunnies and legos everywhere—on the walls, on the cake stand, even on the party hats!"
The idea of bringing all of Jeongin’s favorite things to life filled Chan with joy. This birthday wasn’t just about celebrating Jeongin—it was a celebration of the love and family they had built, especially after the tough moments they had faced.
As the days passed, they worked together on all the little details. They called Changbin, Hyunjin, and Jisung to come stay and help them out and they were excited to help in any way they could, whilst Felix played and kept the almost birthday boy distracted.
Changbin was especially looking forward to the party, already planning a game for the kids to play. Hyunjin was on decoration duty—including the cake, making sure everything was colorful and bright. Jisung helped Chan cook up all of Jeongin’s favorite dishes, both determined to do their very best in the kitchen.
Chan made sure to also invite Yunho and San, as well as their twins, Yeosang and Wooyoung, who were already preparing their gifts for Jeongin, excited to be part of his special day, despite not knowing the small toddler all that well. It wasn’t just a birthday party—it was a gathering of love and friendship.
The week before the party, they all pitched in to get the place ready. The living room was covered in butterfly garlands, with bunnies popping up in every corner. Legos were scattered in neat piles for Jeongin and his friends to play with. It looked like a dreamland—a place made just for him.
On the big day, Jeongin woke up early, his bright eyes wide with wonder, knowing that today was his special day as his mama made sure to remind him every day. As he walked downstairs holding onto the railing like his papa taught him, his little feet padding softly on the hardwood floors, he froze in awe at the sight of the decorations. His face lit up with a huge smile. "Bunnies! Butterflies! Legos!" he squealed, running to each one, his tiny hands trying to touch them all.
Chan, Seungmin, and Minho shared a look, having already been awake to make Jeongin’s birthday breakfast and make sure everything was prepared properly, their hearts swelling with happiness. They knew they had done it. This was Jeongin's day, and they had made it as magical as they possibly could.
♡♡♡♡♡♡
The party started with laughter and cheers as Jeongin’s friends began to arrive. Felix, now four—having celebrated his birthday back in September, was (obviously) the first to show up, holding a plush red bunny that he insisted was Jeongin’s new best friend. Yeosang and Wooyoung, with their wide eyes and big smiles, couldn’t wait to join in the fun. The whole house buzzed with the excitement of little voices.
Eventually, the moment arrived to bring out the cake. The three-layered masterpiece, carefully decorated by Seungmin, Hyunjin, and Chan, was placed in front of Jeongin. There, on top, was the little bunny hopping after the butterfly, a perfect representation of everything Jeongin loved.
Jeongin’s eyes sparkled as he stared at it. "Bunny! Butterfly!" he giggled, clapping his hands together.
With a grin, Chan helped him blow out the candles, and everyone cheered. "Happy birthday, Innie!" they all shouted in unison, their voices full of warmth and love as the now three-year-old stared at them in pure adoration.
It wasn’t just a party—it was a moment frozen in time, a celebration of the strength of family, and the joy of watching their little one grow. As the day went on, they played, laughed, and shared stories, making memories that would last a lifetime. For Jeongin, it was the perfect birthday. For Chan, it was a reminder of how much love they had in their lives, and how far they'd come.
♡♡♡♡♡♡
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the backyard where the children ran and played, their laughter filling the air. Chan sat on the porch, his gaze fixed on the scene before him. Jeongin, now three years old, was racing around with Felix, Yeosang, and Wooyoung, each of them holding a new toy, their giggles echoing as they chased each other around the colorful butterfly decorations that adorned the yard.
Felix and Jeongin were building a Lego tower, their tiny hands carefully stacking the blocks, while Yeosang and Wooyoung darted between them, their energy endless. It was beautiful. It was perfect.
But as Chan watched them, something in his chest tightened, his eyes softening as his mind drifted back to a time not too long ago—when Jeongin was just a baby.
The memory hit him like a wave: the days spent holding Jeongin in his arms, cradling him close against his chest, whispering sweet nothings as he felt the weight of his son’s tiny body melt into him. Back then, Jeongin’s eyes had shone with pure wonder every time he looked up at Chan, as though he was the center of Jeongin’s whole universe.
"Ma," little Jeongin used to call him, his voice soft and trusting, his baby eyes wide with affection.
It had always made Chan’s heart swell, the simple sound of that word, so full of love and dependency. How could a tiny baby who had only been with them for a short time already make such an impact on their world?
And now, here was Jeongin, running around in the yard, laughing, playing, the same bright eyes sparkling with joy. He’d grown so much, overcome so much, and yet still, every single day, he managed to flash that adorable, dimpled smile that could melt anyone’s heart.
The thought of how far Jeongin had come, how strong he’d been through everything, made Chan’s chest ache with pride. His little butterfly, so full of life and joy, despite all the challenges he’d faced in his short years. He was a survivor, a fighter, and Chan couldn’t be prouder.
A tear slipped down his cheek, catching him off guard. He wiped it away quickly, a soft smile curling on his lips as he sniffled, blinking away the emotion.
"Are you okay?" Seungmin’s voice came from beside him, and Chan turned to find his boyfriend standing just behind him, a gentle smile on his face. Minho stood beside Seungmin, his arm around his waist, also watching their son with soft expressions.
“I’m fine,” Chan said, his voice a little shaky as he looked back out at the kids. “Just… I can’t believe how much he’s grown. I still remember when he was so tiny. When he would call me ‘ma’ and just want to be held all the time, constantly under my skin. He was so small back then…”
Minho squeezed his shoulder affectionately, a comforting presence beside him. “He’s still your baby,” Minho said softly. “But he’s not that little one anymore. He’s growing up so fast, and that’s okay, love.”
Seungmin leaned in, kissing Chan’s temple, the love between the three of them palpable. “And we’ve all been here for him every step of the way. Watching him grow, watching him thrive. He’s so lucky to have us.”
Chan’s heart swelled as he looked at his boyfriends, feeling the weight of their shared journey as parents. “I’m so thankful for you both. Thank you for making today special for Jeongin. You’re the best fathers I could ever ask for. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
Seungmin smiled warmly and wrapped his arms around Chan from behind. “Don’t thank us, love, we’re in this together,” he murmured.
Just then, Jeongin turned his head and spotted his parents sitting on the porch. His eyes lit up instantly, and he stopped in his tracks, his little legs carrying him towards them with a burst of energy. The smile on his face was so bright and full of love that Chan couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
Jeongin’s arms shot up in the air as he ran, his voice calling out excitedly, “Mama! Papa! Daddy!”
Without hesitation, Chan stood up, his heart full as Jeongin barreled into him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He lifted him effortlessly, feeling the warmth of his little body nestled against him.
Jeongin nuzzled his cheek against Chan’s neck, making soft, contented sounds as he curled into his mama’s embrace. “I love you, mama,” he whispered, his voice small but full of trust.
“I love you too, baby,” Chan replied, kissing the top of his head, his heart swelling with so much emotion he thought it might burst.
Minho and Seungmin stood by, watching the moment with nothing but love in their eyes. The sight of their son in Chan’s arms, the way he clung to his mama, so safe and happy—it was everything they’d worked for. Everything they’d fought for.
Jeongin pulled away slightly, his little face a mix of happiness and shyness as he glanced at his fathers. He smiled at them, his dimpled grin the same one that had captured their hearts from the very beginning.
Seungmin crouched down to Jeongin’s level and held out his arms. “Hey, buddy. Can we get a hug too?”
Jeongin giggled and reached for Seungmin, snuggling into him, before doing the same for Minho. The three of them held him close, all feeling a quiet sense of peace as they stood together.
For a moment, everything was still, the world outside of their little bubble seeming to fade away. It was just them—together, as a family.
And for Chan, that was all that mattered. This was his dream come true. A family built on love, laughter, and the joy of watching their son grow into a remarkable little person.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the yard, the laughter of children continued to echo around them, and the warmth of their little family surrounded them all.
Everything was perfect. And in that moment, Chan knew that no matter what came next, they would face it together, as a family. Forever.
♡♡♡♡♡♡
Later on that night when everyone was gone and Chan finished giving his newly turned three-year-old a bath, he tucked the toddler in his new “big boy” bed Minho and Seungmin had picked out for him and smiled as the child cuddled his new stuffed butterfly given to him by his Uncle Sannie and Uncle Yunho.
Jeongin nuzzles against his mother’s hand caressing his face and stares up at the adult with adoring wide brown eyes. Chan coos softly and leans down to brush their noses together in an eskimo kiss.
“I love you so much, baby boy.” Chan says softly, unwilling to break the soft atmosphere between him and the toddler. Jeongin giggles quietly and places a small palm on his mothers face. “I love you too, Mama. Times like 3000!”
Chan laughs and presses kisses all over the toddler's face. Chan pulls the toddler closer in his arms and they cuddle in silence, enjoying one another's presence.
It had been about 20 minutes of silence before Chan, who was starting to doze off, heard the door creak open. He opened his eyes and looked over at the door to see Seungmin and Minho peeking in.
He lets out a small huff of amusement and gestures for them to come in all the way.
Seungmin and Minho tiptoed into the room, careful not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Minho grinned widely as he glanced at the scene before them—Chan, still cradling Jeongin in his arms, their little one looking all cozy in his new bed with his stuffed butterfly tucked securely under his arm.
"He's so cute when he's like this," Seungmin whispered, his eyes softening as he watched the toddler's slow rise and fall of breathing, already on the edge of sleep. Minho nodded in agreement, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, I wish we could freeze moments like this. He's growing up too fast."
Chan, hearing the murmurs, smiled gently and turned his head toward the couple. He shifted slightly to make room for them to come closer. “Come in. He’s still awake, but I think he’s about to drift off.”
Seungmin and Minho made their way to the side of the bed, both kneeling beside it. Jeongin’s eyes fluttered open for a moment as he noticed them.
“Papa… Daddy…” he murmured sleepily, his small hand reaching out for them. Minho smiled warmly, leaning in to brush Jeongin's soft hair back, and Seungmin leaned in for a kiss on his cheek.
"Hey, birthday boy," Seungmin whispered, his voice filled with warmth. "Did you have a good day?"
Jeongin nodded, his eyelids drooping heavily, but his smile was wide. "Best birthday ever, Daddy... I got cake and presents... and lots of love from everyone."
Minho chuckled and rubbed his sons back gently. “And you deserve it, my little sunshine. You’re the best.”
Jeongin’s sleepy giggles echoed through the room, and Chan’s heart swelled with affection.
“Time for bed now, baby,” Chan murmured, brushing Jeongin's cheek with his thumb. “Papa and Daddy are here. You’re so loved, you know that?”
Jeongin yawned, his tiny body curling in closer to Chan, then to Seungmin and Minho, as if he couldn’t decide between them all.
“I love you, Mama. I love you, Papa. I love you, Daddy… all the way to the stars!”
The three adults laughed, exchanging a loving glance. Chan pressed a kiss to Jeongin's forehead before looking up at Minho and Seungmin.
“I think it’s time for us to let him sleep.”
Minho nodded, but not before leaning down to whisper, “We’ll be right here, baby. Sleep tight.”
Seungmin tucked the blankets around Jeongin one last time, then kissed the top of his head. “Sweet dreams, little one. We’re all so proud of you.”
With that, the three of them stood up slowly, careful not to make any noise. As they stepped back toward the door, Chan’s heart swelled with love for the family they had created together.
"Goodnight, my love," he whispered, before quietly closing the door behind them.
Outside the room, Seungmin leaned into Minho, resting his head on his shoulder. "I still can't believe he's ours."
Minho smiled, wrapping an arm around Seungmin’s waist. “We’re so lucky. And he’s lucky too. He’s got us.”
Chan stood silently in the hallway for a moment, leaning against the door, his heart full as he stares at his boyfriends across from him. He was right—this was his family, and it was everything he had ever dreamed of, and maybe..just maybe it might be time to expand it.
He walked the short distance towards them and pulled them both into soft, but love filled, individual kisses. They didn’t say anything to each other, but the adoring looks in their eyes at they stared at each other told of many future promises to be fulfilled as time goes on to one another as a family.
And with that and a final glance at the sleeping toddler's door, they all went to bed hand in hand, content in the love that filled their home, ready for another day of memories and laughter.