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A year ago, Joong and Dunk had finally got married. They bought a new home, big enough for the two of them, but not too big as to occupy a ton of space. Through laughs, arguments, cuddles and silly dancing in their kitchen, they created something beautiful, a bond so unbreakable, Joong would burn you to keep Dunk warm. Everything was perfect to them. They went out on cute dates, watched movies and baked in their kitchen together. But something was missing. They wanted another soul in the house. They felt that they were ready for more. So they agreed to do exactly that, despite all the difficulties they would have to endure. The comments from strangers, looks from snobby neighbors, and inquiring children wanting to know why this or child has no mother. They called an orphanage nearby, and to their surprise, they had a little girl who no one wanted to take because she seemed too “energetic.” and “disobedient”. In contrast to these assumptions, they both decided to adopt the girl. When they arrived at the orphanage, they saw her. She seemed upset, fragile and scared, unknowing why no one wanted to adopt her. Joong glanced at Dunk, and confidently spoke to the lady.
“Yes, ma’am. We want to take her.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Dunk interjected, “We would love to welcome her as our family.”
“Okay, just sign these documents sir.”
‘Twas the night before christmas..
Inside her bedroom, 7 year old Jaidee glanced back and forth at her alarm clock, anxiously waiting for the time to hit twelve O’ clock. She was dressed in her red-checkered gingerbread pajamas along with her little cute green slippers. Dunk sat alongside her, also excited because.. Joong had actually agreed to be Santa Claus. He held back his laugh at the unimaginable thought of a white-bearded Joong in a red outfit and black boots. Hoho..
“Papaaaa!! It's twelve minutes before twelve!! I can’t wait to see what Santa brought me!!” Dunk quickly snapped out of his hilarious scenario and turned over to Jaidee. He giggled in a soft, gentle voice. “I can’t wait too, sweetie. I told Santa you were an angel this year, so you’ll be getting quite the presents.” Jaidee’s smile widened even more, and pounced onto Dunk. Then, they heard bells ringing nearby. Dunk looked at the Jaidee and they both screamed silently, even though they had two COMPLETELY different images of who was setting off the bells. “Papa! It’s Santa Claus!!” Jaidee nearly screamed, as she hopped around the room. “Yes, sweetie, Santa Claus is probably placing our gifts under the tree.” He replied back, trying not to laugh.
Suddenly, she became a little perplexed. “Wait papa..where’s daddy? ” Dunk blinked rapidly at the out- of-the-blue question. He had to quickly make something up so as to not get Jaidee suspicious. “He’s..doing something right now, actually. I..will you give me just a second, honey? Just stay here, it’ll be quick, okay?” Jaidee, still confused, nodded and watched as her dad nearly sprinted out of the room, shutting the door on his way out. She swung her legs rapidly on the bed, thinking to herself. *..It’s 11:52 pm, eeeeeeee!!!!*
Dunk made his way to the living room, and found Joong bent down, putting gifts beneath and around their tree. He was dressed in the most traditional Santa Claus costume you could possibly find, along with a white, fluffy beard and bright red Santa hat. “Wow,” Dunk silently wheezed, “I didn’t think you would go all out like this.” Joong spun around, startled at the quiet voice. “Well, of course I did, baby..in case she sees ‘Santa Claus’,” He shot back, “ I’m not looking like daddy Joong.” As he dropped the last present next to the others, he leaped towards Dunk, and wrapped his arms around his waist. Joong nuzzled into Dunk’s neck, possessively inhaling his husband’s scent as if he hadn’t seen him for a decade.
“I missed you baby..”
“You saw me like..fifteen minutes ago, Joong.”
“That’s not enough, Dunkkk..,” he cooed.
“Okay, okay. I was kinda anticipating seeing you in a Santa Claus costume. There, I said it.”
“Really?..well in that case..,”
Joong slipped out from his neck, and brought their lips together. He gently pressed into Dunk’s lips as to not make any sound that could send Jaidee flying down the hallway. His eyes fluttered as Dunk sloppily kissed back, his tongue slowly slipping in.
“..I can be your.. ‘gift’ tonight, Dunk. Hmm..” Joong carefully sucked on the sensitive area beneath Dunk’s ear. Dunk held back a moan, exhaling through his mouth to stay as quiet as possible. Joong came out from the crook of his neck,
and cupped Dunk’s face. He looked into his eyes, and his grin grew even wider.
Dunk muffled, “Oh really?..hah…okay, my bro—hmph! hey!..”
Joong smooched him and continued teasing his husband, ignoring everything and anything around them. Dunk, still in Joong’s embrace, stole kisses in between quiet giggles and sweet nothings. However, he had totally forgotten he left a nosy child in a room. A curious child that, at any moment, could pop out, running across the wooden floor . The clock displayed ‘11:56 pm’, and Jaidee was getting more and more indecisive on whether she should sneak in on Santa Claus or not. So, she made a decision. She took off her slippers and slipped out of the room. In careful tip-toeing, she stepped slowly into the hallway and crawled near the living room.
On the other side, Joong came even closer to Dunk, and whispered into Dunk’s ear. “You know, you’re doing a really good job at this. At being..a dad. Actually, according to me, Santa Claus, she’s on the nice list this year.” Dunk nearly snorted at his joke, pressing his lips together to not bust out laughing. “Yes, I knew that. You’re doing a great job too,” he replied, “ ..pft...Santa.”
Boom.
Today, Christmas Eve, almost Christmas, she saw Santa Claus kissing Papa. She saw Santa Claus chuckle in her Papa’s ear. They were talking about her too!
*Oh my god, Santa Claus is kissing papa!! And he’s talking to him..about me??..Wait, is this what he told me to stay put for?!* Jaidee looked around, and spotted a clock displaying exactly twelve. She decided to give them a little “surprise”. After all, she was quite the mischievous child. She sprang out from behind the wall like a grasshopper , yelling “Merry Christmas Papa and Santa Claus!!! Woo!”
Joong and Dunk froze in their tracks, scrambling out of each other. Dunk mouthed “Shit”, as his head rapidly turned to face Jaidee. Speechless, he couldn’t think of a single excuse to tell Jaidee. I mean, she did kinda see them kissing, so what the hell was he supposed to say? That Santa Claus was still hungry after the milk and cookies? These were just one of the many aspects of parenthood. However, this one is an original experience…I think.
Joong, in a last-minute attempt to prevent Jaidee from connecting the dots , muffled through his beard. “Ho-ho..ho!,” he hollered, placing a hand on his belly, “Merry Christmas, er..little one! Santa has to go now, enjoy..the gifts!” Dunk, still flushed pink , wanted to laugh and cry hearing Joong’s cover up . He saw Joong run out the door into their porch, discarding the Santa costume into a box next to the entrance. How did Jaidee not realize it yet??…
Jaidee was completely unaware of what was going on, only focusing on seeing which gifts were hers. Joong hurriedly came back a few minutes later and pulled Jaidee into a tight hug. “Daddy!,” exclaimed Jaidee, “We were waiting for you!!”. “Yes, I know, but I’m here now!! Merry Christmas, dear, let’s open your presents, shall we?” He looked and smiled over at Dunk, catching his breath. They watched as Jaidee cluelessly unwrapped all ten of her presents. They had also opened each other’s presents, labeled “from Santa”. Jaidee had gotten new toys, other gadgets and cute dresses. Dunk then stood up to grab his phone, and brought them together in a hug.
“Guys, let’s take a photo!”
“Okay, on the count of one,two,three-!”
“Merry Christmas!!,” They exclaimed in unison. He snapped a few pictures, capturing beautiful memories. Despite It being only a year since they committed to this family , they enjoyed it to their heart’s content. Dunk leaned over to Joong, and pecked him on the lips. Joong’s heart, even in their 30s, still skipped a beat. He couldn’t believe this man was married to him, yet alone had a child with him.
In between them, Jaidee nearly fell asleep on the spot. Joong and Dunk smiled at the sight of her trying to stay awake. It was hilarious, but so cute. She was their child, and no one could take these precious moments from them. “Papa..I’m tired,” she blurted out, “Can you go tuck me in with my stuffies?..”
“Yes, sweetheart. C'mon Joong, carry her for me, and I’ll tuck her in.” Soon, Jaidee was sleeping away with her fifty different stuffed animals. Joong and Dunk pretty much spoiled her in just a single year. In the other room, the two lovebirds held each other, not quite asleep yet, but simply cuddling the night away. This was their first Christmas as a real family. Their silence was comforting in a way that whispered peace and happiness.
“I love you, Joong.”, He whispered into his chest.
“And I love you, Dunk”
End.