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With April coming to an end and the warmth of summer beginning to seep into the heart of Seoul, the weather turned just right – clear skies, a soft breeze, and sun warm enough to tempt people into the neighborhood parks with blankets and picnic baskets.
Jimin rummaged through the closet, pulling out a blue and white checkered sundress for Jiwoo. Minjeong on the other hand, was in the kitchen, preparing a simple picnic basket.
The soft murmur of Jiwoo’s laughter filled the house as she ran in circles, her tiny feet pattering against the floor.
"Jiwoo, come on, let’s get you dressed for the picnic!" Jimin called, her voice filled with excitement.
Jiwoo skidded to a stop in front of her mother, a big smile on her face. "Go picnic, Mama?" she asked, her little hands clapping together.
"Yeah, we're going on a picnic, so you have to listen and wear your clothes now, okay?" As Jimin sat on the floor, trying to dress the toddler in her favorite sundress, Jiwoo preferred bouncing around the spot, full of energy, making it even harder for her.
"Baby, come here! We can't go to the park if you're walking around butt naked!" Jimin laughed, trying to wrangle the tiny wriggling body, but to no avail.
Jiwoo giggled as she dodged Jimin’s attempts, running in circles around the living room. "Jiwoo don't wanna wear clothes!" she exclaimed, her little face scrunching up as she squealed, like teasing Jimin was the funniest thing ever.
"Is that so?" Jimin raised her eyebrows, "Well, I guess I'll have no choice but to call... the tickle monster!" she said, wiggling her fingers mischievously while advancing towards her daughter.
Jiwoo's eyes widened but before she could react, Jimin had already captured her into her strong arms and started tickling her sides and tummy, making the baby squeal as she squirmed around trying to escape.
"Mama! N- no tickles!" Jiwoo giggled breathlessly, finally calming down from her laughter when Jimin's fingers slowed down from digging into her sides.
"Okay, okay, no more tickles.. but is Jiwoo gonna be a good girl and wear her clothes now?"
She nods furiously, "Yes!" then she paused, her big boba eyes peering up at Jimin's, "Mama help, please?"
And who was Jimin to reject her precious baby girl when she was looking at her like she was her whole world?
"Of course, sweetheart."
Minjeong, in the kitchen, smiled fondly as she packed the picnic basket. She was cutting up fresh juicy strawberries, apple slices, and watermelon, and setting everything out for their day at the nearby park.
"I think I’m ready to go, Jimin. Just need a moment to get everything packed up. How’s the dress looking?" she asked, peeking around the counter to see Jimin putting Jiwoo's arm through the armholes of the sundress.
"Oh would you look at that," Jimin cooed, smoothing out the fabric after she was done. "You look so cute today, my little sunshine. Let's show Mommy."
Then with a small flair, Jimin lifted Jiwoo into her arms and spun the toddler around. "Our princess is all set!" Jiwoo giggled at Jimin's words, nuzzling into her mother's embrace as she was smushed with repeated kisses.
After some quick adjustments (and a slight struggle to get the little sandals on Jiwoo’s tiny feet), they were out the door and headed to the park.
The sky was clear, and the air had that crisp, fresh feeling that made every step feel lighter. Jiwoo held onto both her parents’ hands, skipping ahead, her tiny pigtails bouncing with each step.
When they arrived, they were greeted by the vibrant green of the park, with trees swaying gently in the breeze and a few families scattered around on picnic blankets.
They picked a spot under a large oak tree and Minjeong set out the fruits, while Jimin arranged a few snacks, all the while keeping a watchful eye on their daughter – who seemed distracted with tracing the patterns on the picnic mat and giggling to herself.
Just then, a middle aged couple who were having their afternoon walk nearby noticed Jiwoo’s bright, sparkling, curious eyes and waved at her gently.
“Oh honey, look at the cute little one with pigtails.. Isn't she adorable?” the lady smiled, leaning over to her husband who waved kindly at Jiwoo. "Are you enjoying your picnic with your mommies, dear?" she asked Jiwoo.
Realizing the lady was talking to her, Jiwoo, who had been happily babbling on the picnic mat, stopped in her tracks before quickly crawling into Minjeong's lap and shyly hiding her face into her mother's chest.
“Sorry, she’s a little shy around strangers,” Minjeong explained, her voice soft with affection as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind Jiwoo’s ear. "But she's very friendly once she gets to know people. Can you say hi to Uncle and Auntie, baby?"
The strangers smiled kindly and waved, and Jiwoo cautiously peeked from her mom’s chest, her tiny face still half-hidden but her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
She gave the smallest hesitant wave, before tucking her head back into Minjeong, signaling that she was done interacting. The couple then continued with their walk.
By then, Minjeong had finished unpacking the rest of their food. She cut up some fresh fruit and gently offered a piece to Jiwoo. "Here you go, darling. Mommy brought you your favorite watermelon and strawberries."
Jiwoo eagerly took the fruit and began munching happily. But her attention quickly shifted as a few pigeons fluttered near the ground, pecking at crumbs from another picnic nearby. The moment Jiwoo spotted them, her eyes grew wide.
"Bird!" she squealed, pointing her messy chubby fingers toward the pigeons, her voice filled with wonder. "Bird! Mommy!"
Jimin and Minjeong both glanced over at the pigeons, and Jiwoo pushed herself up on her little feet and took a few excited steps forward, with Minjeong getting up too, just to make sure she doesn't get too close.
But as the pigeons came closer, flapping their wings, Jiwoo froze. Her face scrunched in fear as she glanced back at Minjeong, immediately running back to her and clinging to her leg.
"No, Mommy help!" she whimpered, her tiny hands grabbing onto Minjeong’s pants, tears already welling up in her big brown eyes. "Is scary.. birdie scary.."
Minjeong gently crouched down to Jiwoo’s level, her tone soothing as she caressed her back, “It’s okay, Jiwoo. The pigeons won’t hurt you. They just want to be friends, baby.”
Jiwoo hesitated, eyes wide, as the pigeons strutted closer. “Birdie... friends?” she whispered.
"Uhuh, they’re harmless," Minjeong reassured, smiling warmly as she reached out a hand and held a small piece of bread. "Watch, Mommy will show you."
She slowly extended her hand and threw the bread to a spot near one of the pigeons. At first, the bird took a cautious step back, but then it hopped toward the bread, pecking it up gently.
Watching the bird take the piece of bread, Jiwoo’s eyes lit up, her initial fear fading away. She cautiously reached for a small piece of bread and threw it gently, copying Minjeong. To the two year old's delight, one of the pigeons waddled over and gently pecked the bread from the ground.
"Mommy! Did you see?" Jiwoo giggled excitedly, her fear long forgotten as she fed the bird again.
Minjeong nodded, "I saw, sweetheart, you're so brave!"
As the pigeons grew bolder and closer, Jiwoo’s enthusiasm grew. It wasn't long before she was practically tossing all of their bread in their direction, laughing and clapping her hands happily as more and more pigeons swarmed around them.
"Gosh, Jimin.. your daughter is going feed all of our sandwich bread to the pigeons if we don't stop her.." Minjeong chuckles, expecting a reply from Jimin, only to be greeted with–
Silence..?
Minjeong turned her head around, and Jimin was gone. Vanished into thin air.
She frowned, scanning around the vicinity of their picnic mat. "Jimin? Babe, where are you?"
Minjeong was about to freak out over her wife literally disappearing into thin air, when she heard some leaves ruffling, and a soft shaky voice mumble from somewhere behind a tree.
"O- over here, Jeongie..."
Oh my God.
Minjeong had completely forgotten about Jimin's phobia of birds.
The older girl must've panicked and ran away to hide after the pigeons started gathering near them, clearly attracted by the bread in Jiwoo's hands.
"Minjeong, they’re too close," Jimin muttered, her voice trembling slightly. She took a cautious peek outwards, her eyes fixed on the pigeons with dread. "Oh holy macaroni— I can't do this, babe!" Jimin whisper-shouted.
Minjeong, amused but sympathetic, chuckled. "Jimin, it's fine, I'm right here. And look, even Jiwoo isn't afraid of them." she motioned to their daughter who was bouncing on the spot while watching the pigeons, "Do you wanna come join us?"
But Jimin wasn’t listening. She was about to pee her pants if she was being honest. "No thank you! I’m staying here, don't mind me," she declared, retreating back to hide behind the thick bark of a nearby oak.
But Jiwoo, who had been so focused on feeding the pigeons, noticed her mama standing behind a tree. Her little brows furrowed in concern as she waddled over to where Jimin was hiding.
“Mama, no be scared!” Jiwoo said, her voice filled with determination. Then she raised her tiny hand, pointing dramatically at the approaching pigeons. “I protect you."
Jimin’s heart melted into a pile of goop right then and there. She crouched down, pulling her daughter into a tight hug, kissing her round rosie cheeks repeatedly. "Oh thank you, sweetheart... You're so kind for wanting to protect Mama, hm?" Jimin whispered, her voice so gentle and full of love.
But just as they were sharing the sweet moment, Jimin glanced down and— froze.
Jiwoo had unknowingly been clutching a piece of bread in her hand, which she had brought with her. And now, the pigeons had sensed the food and already started flocking toward them.
"Oh no," Jimin groaned, her heart racing as she saw the birds getting closer and closer. "Jiwoo, you’ve got bread, baby!"
Before she could react, the pigeons began fluttering even closer. With the panic beginning to set in (again), Jimin scrambled to her feet, trying to escape the growing crowd of birds.
"Minjeong-ahhhhh!"
“Mama..?” Jiwoo called out in confusion, chasing after her, still holding the bread in her hand. "Mama, why running? Wait for me!"
And all Minjeong could do was fall to the ground in a heap of laughter, clutching her stomach as she watched Jimin try to escape with Jiwoo chasing after her, both of them frantically running in circles. The fact that the birds were following them round and round made the whole situation even more ridiculous.
"Love, stop laughing and help me?! Ugh.. I'm gonna get my revenge for this!" Jimin muttered between laughs and heavy breathing, her fear of the pigeons momentarily forgotten as she was chased by her two-year-old.
Still, Jiwoo kept following after her, oblivious to the chaos she was causing. "Mama, wait!" she called, giggling as she waddled behind Jimin.
It wasn't long before their incessant screams – Jimin trying to escape, Jiwoo chasing her with the bread, and Minjeong laughing so hard she nearly fell off the blanket – gained several looks from several strangers in the park, making them chuckle at the whole scene that was playing out right in front of their eyes too.
Yeah, Jimin is never going to leave the house again after this. Ever.