Chapter 161: Parenting (1)

Three months have passed since Eunbyul was born.

Now, she can hold her head up and even sucks on her fingers occasionally.

Watching her do these little things, I couldn’t help but find her utterly adorable.

But… parenting was far from easy.

“Waaahhhhh-!! Waaaahhhhh-!”

Hearing Eunbyul’s powerful cries, my husband and I rushed straight to her.

“Our little princess, what’s bothering you to bring out those tears?”

“We just changed her diaper a little while ago, and she’s been properly fed…”

Both Han-gyeol and I were first-time parents, so we were clumsy in more ways than one.

There were countless things we had to learn:

How to change diapers, how to breastfeed properly—

From A to Z, we studied everything without missing a beat.

“Maybe she just wants to be held! Oh, come here, Eunbyul. Daddy’s got you~”

The moment my husband held Eunbyul in his arms, her cries began to subside.

It seems like she takes after me because she absolutely adores her dad.

Even when she cries loudly, she stops as soon as she’s in his arms.

Honestly, when she grows up and people ask her, ‘Do you like Mom or Dad better?’ she’s going to answer ‘Dad’ without a second of hesitation.

“Our Eunbyul really loves her daddy~”

“Looks like it. Must’ve taken after you. Wow, she’s gotten a bit heavier.”

“She’s three months old now. They say babies double in size compared to when they’re born.”

“Watching her grow so quickly makes me so happy~ I wonder when our Eunbyul will call me ‘Dad’ for the first time.”

Since it was the weekend, even though my husband must’ve wanted to relax, he enthusiastically helped take care of Eunbyul with me.

“It’s too soon for that~ Here, give Eunbyul to me. You should get some rest since it’s the weekend.”

“No, no, you take a break. I’ll calm her down and put her to sleep.”

“Oh, come on~ I can’t let you do all the work by yourself.”

“It’s fine… let’s switch later. We’ll do shifts. You should conserve your energy.”

Looking at my husband’s haggard face, I felt sorry for him, but I wasn’t exactly in great shape either.

Getting up multiple times throughout the night had left me utterly exhausted.

Maybe taking turns to care for Eunbyul in shifts would be more efficient…?

“Should we do that?”

“Yeah, I think that’s the best way.”

“Alright then, I’ll rest for just a little bit!”

“Okay, go ahead and rest.”

“Hold Eunbyul on the bed with you. I want to sleep next to you too.”

“Sure~”

We lay down on the bed, with my husband holding Eunbyul in his arms.

Leaning against the headboard, he looked so happy as he rested.

Our beautiful daughter, nestled against her dad, gazed intently at me.

“Our little girl~”

When I spoke lovingly to her, Eunbyul giggled and smiled brightly.

She’s so beautiful and precious.

When I gently offered her one of my fingers, her tiny hand wrapped around it.

So small yet warm, our little Eunbyul was growing up strong and healthy.

“Honey.”

“Yeah?”

“Our Eunbyul is just so lovable.”

“Of course~ She’s our daughter, after all.”

My husband said that as he gently brushed my hair back with one hand.

Feeling his warm touch, I smiled and looked up at him.

“Are you pampering me too?”

“Of course. Both Eunbyul and you are so precious to me.”

“I love it when you do that.”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Did you miss it?”

At his question, I shook my head with a smile.

“Not at all. I can always feel your love for me.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Our little princess should feel that love too~”

“Waaah-!”

As if understanding our conversation, Eunbyul let out a happy squeal and smiled.

“Aww~ Do you understand what Mom and Dad are saying, Eunbyul~?”

“Ah-goo~!”

Hearing Eunbyul’s laughter, my husband smiled like he was the happiest man in the world.

“Honey, do you think our Eunbyul might be a genius?”

“Maybe~ What do you think she’ll grab at her first birthday? What do you want her to pick?”

“Anything is fine as long as she grows up healthy. That’s all I could ever ask for.”

“What if she brings home a boyfriend?”

At my playful question, my husband’s face stiffened slightly as he pulled Eunbyul closer to him.

“I hope that tragic day never comes…”

“Really? But look at us, happily married.”

“Still no. Eunbyul, promise me we’ll live together forever, okay?”

At his question, our precious daughter suddenly turned her head and looked at me instead.

“Hey, hey?! Look at Dad! Sweetie? This isn’t the time to look at Mom~”

“Seems like she doesn’t agree to living with you forever~”

“Oh no… That’s troubling! Sweetie? Look at Dad. Daddy’s here.”

My husband’s flustered expression was so endearing.

I have no idea how he’ll handle things when Eunbyul grows up and brings home a boyfriend.

“Looks like our little daddy’s girl is going to be tough to handle~”

“I already feel heartbroken…!”

And so, the three of us spent our days filled with happiness.

Of course… parenting was still incredibly challenging.

****

I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep.

It was as if someone had cut the film of my consciousness, and I was out.

It had been such a long time since I woke up on my own, not to Eunbyul’s cries.

I sat up, my hair still disheveled, and next to me lay my husband, who had also passed out like me.

I got up and went to Eunbyul’s crib. She was sound asleep, her tiny breaths steady and peaceful.

There was now another person in my life whose very presence brought an uncontainable smile to my face.

Our precious and beautiful daughter.

My parents say Eunbyul’s eyes and mouth resemble mine, while her nose takes after my husband.

But if you ask me, she’s the spitting image of her dad. Or maybe that’s just my imagination.

“Huh?”

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Eunbyul’s eyes slowly fluttered open.

I instinctively checked her diaper, wondering if she was uncomfortable, but the moment our eyes met, she smiled brightly.

Her giggles and radiant smile filled me with happiness.

“Eunbyul~ Come to Mommy~”

I lifted her gently and held her close.

Rocking her softly in my arms, she gave me the most innocent, joyful smile.

“Eunbyul~ Should we go see Daddy?”

“Ahhh-!”

“Alright, let’s go see Daddy~”

I sat on the bed, placing Eunbyul on my lap. Together, we looked at my husband, who was still sleeping.

Eunbyul seemed to enjoy watching her dad sleep, smiling brightly at the sight.

Without crying or fussing, she simply watched him for a good ten minutes.

Finally, feeling the gaze of his daughter and wife, my husband’s eyes slowly opened.

His sleepy eyes scanned us before a soft smile spread across his face.

“Is this heaven…?”

“What are you talking about, waking up like that? Did you have a dream?”

At my question, he replied cheerfully.

“When I woke up, I saw not one but two angels in front of me. I must’ve been mistaken.”

At his compliment, both Eunbyul and I smiled brightly at him.

Seeing us, my husband’s eyes widened slightly, and he added,

“Wow, you two smile exactly the same.”

“Really? But she looks more like you~”

“No way. That smile just now—the angle and the way the corners of your mouths lifted—it’s exactly like yours. Right, Eunbyul?”

“Whhh-!”

“See? Even Eunbyul agrees with me! How is our little one already so smart? Say, ‘Daddy.’ Come on, say ‘Daddy.’”

“Whhhh-!”

Eunbyul let out a spirited sound, but at just three months old, it was still a bit early for actual words.

“She’ll need at least nine months for that~”

“That’s way too long! I can’t wait to hear her call me ‘Daddy.’ I’ll be so happy, don’t you think?”

“Definitely. If she calls me ‘Mommy,’ I might just float away from happiness.”

“Trying to become an actual angel? No way. You’re staying by my side forever.”

My husband’s sweet words always made my heart flutter, no matter how many times I heard them.

“Of course~ Once the kids are grown, let’s spend our golden years just the two of us.”

“Isn’t that thinking way too far ahead? Eunbyul is only three months old~”

“Raising kids will fly by before you know it!”

“Will it? Alright, once the kids are grown, we’ll enjoy our time together again.”

“Absolutely! Let’s make that happen!”

As I answered confidently, Eunbyul chimed in with her own sound.

“Ahhh-!”

“Oh dear, is our little one upset about us talking about being alone together?”

“Aww~ Were you feeling left out, princess? Then will you live with Daddy forever~?”

This time, I thought she might respond, but Eunbyul simply turned her head slightly away.

“Our little one… You’re quite decisive, aren’t you?”

“Must’ve taken after you~ She’s going to grow up to be bold and independent.”

“Honestly, I’d prefer if she takes after you. It’d be better, don’t you think?”

“What’s wrong with you? You’re responsible and amazing. Lately, you’ve been even more impressive.”

Hearing my praise, my husband broke into a wide smile.

He’s surprisingly weak to compliments, isn’t he?

“Really? Hearing that from you gives me so much energy.”

“Are you hungry? Should we eat soon?”

“Let’s order in today since we’re so tired. What do you feel like eating?”

Grateful for his consideration, I replied confidently.

“Pork bulgogi”

“No, tell me what you want, not what I’d like~”

“No, really! I’m craving pork bulgogi!”

“Alright, then pork bulgogi it is.”

“Whhhh-!”

Before I could finish, Eunbyul chimed in, stealing the spotlight.

“Our little one doesn’t have teeth yet, so no pork bulgogi for you~”

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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