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It was clear that Zoey was not a morning person. Sometimes, Mira and Rumi let her sleep in and today was one of those days since they had a day off. However, it was nearing 1 o’clock and she was still asleep. Mira had gone out to get snacks since it was her turn to go which left Rumi alone while Zoey was still sleeping.
She was then determined to wake up her maknae because she knew she shouldn’t be sleeping all day even though they had nothing going on. It just wasn’t a good idea.
Rumi entered Zoey’s messy room. Stuffed turtles and papers full lyrics everywhere. Some crumpled and ripped, some neat and haven’t been touched. Uggghhh Zoeeyyyyy.
She tip toed her way to Zoey’s bed, kneeling down so they can meet at eye level and gently rubbed her shoulder.
“Hey Zo, I think it’s time to wake up now. You’ve slept the whole day away,” Rumi whispered.
In response, Zoey let out a whine and a huff as way of telling Rumi she refused to get out of bed.
Rumi knew it wasn’t going to work on the first try so she tired again. This time, transitioning her voice to a higher pitch. That caregiver pitch that usually caused her babies to drop. She let out a chuckle, as that didn’t stop her.
“Please baby girl? Wakey wakey, my sweet.”
Zoey let out another whine. Just then, Rumi had an idea.
“Hey Zozo, if you wake up I have something waiting for you in our living room,” Rumi reinforced and this was in fact true. The leader had bought them some toys and items she’d knew they’d like when regressed. What was waiting for the maknae in the living room right now was a turtle bubble machine sitting at their coffee table.
Zoey loved playing with bubbles when she was little, but the last time she did with a bubble wand, she poked her eye out and it hurt so bad. Big Zoey could brush off the pain and maybe even laugh about it but little Zoey cried her poor heart out.
While hearing that, the maknae did nothing else other than actually wake up and slowly sit up before making grabby hands.
“Of course, uppies served for my little girl,” Rumi chuckled, lifting up Zoey into her arms and taking her to the living room. “Look,” she whispered in her ear.
Zoey turned around, confused until she saw the bubble machine. “Unnie, ih dat-? Her eyes widened even more, as she thought she was dreaming at first.
“Yes it is.”
The little squealed with excitement and tightly hugged Rumi. “Tank you, mommy!”
“Anything for my baby. Let’s check it out,” the singer suggested, taking them to their couch. She let Zoey sit on her lap and picked up the bubble machine.
As they’re sat, Rumi picks up the small machine only for Zoey to try and grab it while letting out a whine.
“No grabbing, please” Rumi ordered calmly, but firmly. “Remember if we want something, we use our words or sign language if you’re nonverbal and I know you’re verbal.” More so, minimally verbal.
When regressed, Zoey was usually verbal (fully or minimally) and talked a lot just like her big self. The only times Zoey ever remained nonverbal is if she had a negative regression or if she did something she wasn’t supposed to.
Yes, Rumi had her and Mira use simple KSL (Korean Sign Language) whenever they were little and nonverbal. It was very rare for either of them to go nonverbal when regressing and it only ever happened during very terrible events that could cause such trauma such as their massive hate train right after the Idol Awards.
“P’eeaaseeee,” Zoey begged, while also using the KSL she knew.
“Good girl,” Rumi praised her, before turning on the machine and handing it to Zoey for her to play with.
After a while of happily playing and stimming with the bubbles, the machine ran out of bubbles which not only confused her but upset her a little too.
“Uh oh, why not working?”
Rumi was confused until she noticed Zoey handing the machine to her. She took it and observed it, only to see that it ran out of bubbles.
“Silly goose, it’s all done! We need some more!” she chuckled, filling up the machine and turning it back on.
“P’eeaasseee!!” the little one begged, reaching her arms out as she noticed the bubbles coming out of the machine again.
Rumi kept her smile and gave the bubble machine back. “Thank you for using your words. I didn’t even have to tell you!” she praised.
The rapper didn’t even pay attention to what the singer was saying as she was hyper-focused on the bubbles. Popping them and clapping, squealing with excitement.
Rumi did nothing else other than watch her maknae play with the bubbles with her heart feeling so full. She loved seeing her babies being happy and cheerful while also letting themselves go in an environment they felt safe.
“Mommy!! Mommy!” Zoey exclaimed, tapping Rumi’s shoulder to get her attention which got the older woman out of a daze.
“Yes sweetheart? What does my turtledove need?” she asked, tucking one of Zoey’s hair strains behind her ear.
“Pop!”
Rumi nodded. “Yeah I see, you pop the bubbles!”
Zoey shook her head, as her caregiver didn’t quite get what she was trying to tell her.
“No? What is it?” Rumi asked in a higher pitch voice, the way anyone speaks to a baby.
Zoey grabbed Rumi’s arm, to get her to pop the bubbles.
“Remember Zo, we use our words,” Rumi reminded her in a gentle, but firm manner.
“Mommy pop!” she maknae tried to explain at her little age of four, using a finger to pop one of the bubbles.
Her intention was to include Rumi which was very sweet. Even at a small age, she had high emotional intelligence and never wanted Rumi to feel left out.
“Ohhhhhhh,” Rumi nodded in understanding now. So course she popped a bubble, making Zoey laugh. “Was that funny? Want mommy to do it again?”
Zoey nodded.
“Okay, here we go! Pop!” Rumi explained, as Zoey clapped. “Yayyyyy!” and Rumi clapped with her before pressing a kiss against the little’s temple.
“Mommy happy?”
“Mommy is so happy!”
Zoey squealed with excitement once again and Rumi spread kisses all over her little one’s face. “And mommy is so proud of you for playing nicely and using your words,” she added, poking Zoey’s cheeks to make her laugh.
It made Rumi feel great that Zoey was already pretty comfortable with her regression. Now, she was going to give it her all to make sure Zoey knew she was safe in the comfort of their penthouse. So far, she knew she was doing a good job.