Feels Like Home

Their trip as a family was what they all hoped for. After the wedding and bidding Jeongyeon and Jihyo goodbye as they hopped on the plane to their honeymoon, Chaeyoung decided to make the rest of their week solely just for the three of them. Her mother would join them when she was free and helped out by taking them to different places in Seoul.

The zoo, the museum, aquariums, even letting Yukiko try on a hanbok for the first time when they went to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was a lovely experience and Chaeyoung wouldn’t trade these memories for anything else in the world.

But all things came to an end, they flew back to Japan. Sana was left behind to spend more time with Tzuyu, Dahyun and Nayeon were already going to start their journey of parenthood, so they weren’t supposed to be bothered, which Chaeyoung had no qualms against.

Momo was the one who picked them up from the airport. She wasn’t able to get any days off to go to Korea, but she planned to go with them on the next trip, which all of them planned again since the last one felt like it wasn’t enough for everyone to fully enjoy. So the best she could do was to take a few days off to visit Mina and at least get the stories of the wedding from her.

Chaeyoung admitted that she missed the house. The familiar scent, the way it felt like her mom’s house, the mornings she had happily waking up to a sleeping Mina or when Mina woke her up with soft kisses and maybe a few intimate ones before they get lost in their own bubble to sheer pleasure. It wasn’t her first home, but it really did feel like it was.

Chaeyoung parked the car at their usual spot. Sometimes it was hard to take away the intrusive thoughts since she tried her best to refresh Mina’s memories of the place with romantic picnics that always led to intimate car sex.

But it was tradition to them. Once a month, they would spend one afternoon, just the both of them at the top of the hill overlooking the seaside and Chaeyoung would prepare them snacks and maybe bring wine or beers, whichever they felt like drinking. Then they talked about their day, ask Mina how her work had been and if Chaeyoung was getting anywhere in her new managerial role.

It was exciting. The past year was eventful for everyone, Mina and Chaeyoung had nothing but the future to look forward to.

But there was only one thing left to do.

“The kids at the studio get sad when I come in late,” Mina said as she took a small sip from her wine glass. She was still bad at taking in alcohol, but she always tried whenever Chaeyoung was around.

That made Chaeyoung break into a smile. “My offer to drive you to work still stands. The studio isn’t that far from the school and from my work.”

Mina threw her hand out. “It’s fine. I just really need to stop being so sucked in with your cuddling,” Mina joked, smiling sweetly at her.

Chaeyoung chuckled again, carding a hand through her hair. “Can’t help it either. Our bed gets warmer every night.”

“Whatever.” Mina rolled her eyes at her but still held a smile.

Sometimes people would tell her that relationships could either go both ways. Either they get tired of each other, go through the same routine over and over again then eventually when one wanted something different, they look for someone else.

Or they take every day as a learning experience. Bad habits and ones that fester inside could be loved in many ways. Mina was still insecure and sometimes overbearing with responsibilities at home. Chaeyoung was still too lax and carefree to understand when things needed to be serious.

Oftentimes Chaeyoung would find herself waking up scared at the thought that Mina might change her heart and say she didn’t want to fight anymore. That she wanted to leave.

On the other side of the spectrum, Mina felt the same way. But luckily, the two managed to talk it out, they had less fights, if they could help it. They had more time to share their love and then they took everything as a lesson to learn.

Chaeyoung loved Mina. More than she imagined herself feeling for anyone ever. She didn’t even know how many times she repeated it over the years they had been together. But sometimes, at the right moment, she needed to say it again.

She grabbed Mina’s hand and pulled them to stand up on the blanket. Mina looked a bit confused and furrowed her brows.

“What’s wrong?”

Chaeyoung didn’t say anything, but she grabbed the small, felt casing from her pocket and fiddled with it. “You know, we’re not entirely a perfect couple. But I do want to spend the rest of my days being imperfect with you,” she said softly then got down on one knee, opening the case in front of Mina.

She smiled as she watched Mina throw her hands over her mouth, eyes already watering up. “I’m glad I got hired in that company, or that no one took me seriously when it came to dating.” Chaeyoung let out a shaky breath. “I’m glad I stayed and worked my ass off and then got the promotion. I'm also glad that they gave me the shittiest apartment ever.” Then she smiled at Mina, trying her best to keep her tears in. “Because that happened, I asked Dahyun and Nayeon for help, Nayeon called you up, you agreed to let me stay and that’s how I met you.”

Chaeyoung felt her knees shake and tried to keep her balance as she still held up the ring. She needed to make this quick and get her answer. “I am madly in love with you. I’m a better person when I’m with you. You have the biggest heart, and I am just so lucky to be a part of your world.” She took a deep breath and sighed but holding a really big smile. “Mina, will you marry me?”

Mina dropped on the blanket and hugged Chaeyoung tightly. She held her tight, allowing Mina to bury her face that was so warm from the crying onto her neck. Mina nodded her head several times.

“Yes.” She nodded again and again. “Yes, I will.”

Years later.

“No,” Chaeyoung deadpanned as she drove along their street and parked the car in front of their house.

Dahyun whined over the phone. “Come on! It’ll be perfect!”

“Dubs, do you not remember what we did on my bachelor's party? The girls swore they would gut us if that happened again and it'll be even worse because you wanna do it in a different country. Again.” Chaeyoung rolled her eyes as she placed the car in park, turning the ignition off and then leaned back on her seat.

“Look, I already apologized for that multiple times, okay? Nayeon wanted to put those GPS bracelets that you put on your ankles after that," Dahyun said, sounding a bit ashamed of herself. As she should. "But I promise it'll be different! Tzuyu told me she wants to see the rest of her relatives before her, and her parents fly out together to Japan before the wedding.” Dahyun tries to explain. “Plus, despite us almost dying that night, I had a lot of fun! I need a break sometimes, okay? It’s not easy being a parent to twins.”

"I swear to God Dubs, if we end up doing the same thing like last time, I'm never trusting you with party planning ever again." Chaeyoung chuckled and then finally exited the car, locking it. “Plus, you can’t blame Nayeon for having those genes. Your kids are angels.”

“Should I talk to your wife?” Dahyun asked as she chuckled back, trying to stick to the conversation. “I’m sure she won’t mind. I mean, you might need to take a break as well.”

Chaeyoung shook her head, walking along the path and then opened the front door. “I’m fine where I am. If anything, take Mina with you. God knows she needs time away for herself.”

Dahyun raspberried. “She’s there for the bachelorette’s party. Momo’s probably whipping something even more extreme than ours.”

"After what happened at my bachelor's party, I don't think anything she can whip up is 'extreme'. Unless they do end up the same way and then I'll be worried for my wife and for yours," Chaeyoung said, trying not to raise her voice as she entered the house. Then she furrowed her brows. “Isn’t Jeongyeon the one planning Tzuyu’s? Why are you taking the initiative all of a sudden?”

She hummed over the phone. “I don’t know. Guess I really want to have fun with you guys again. I haven't seen you nor Tzuyu in so long.” Then she whined again. “Come on, Chaeng, get in on this idea with me. I need people to back me up.”

Chaeyoung sighed, leaving her shoes by the entrance and then dropped her bag on the side. “Fine, you big baby. Just as long as it's safe.” She suddenly heard a familiar sound coming from upstairs, already wanting to check it out. “I gotta go, Dubs. Someone is waiting for me.”

Dahyun laughed again. “Alright. Call me, okay? I’ll talk to Jeongyeon after this.”

“Whatever.” Then they said their goodbyes and she hung up the phone.

Chaeyoung pocketed her phone, looking around at the house to see if she was alone. But the sound was beckoning her again and she climbed the stairs.

It felt weird that this house was finally theirs. Kai ultimately decided to hand over his house to Mina since none of them had plans to move somewhere else and Chaeyoung loved the neighborhood. Kai thought it was the right thing to do since he also didn’t have plans in moving back to Japan, and Yukiko decided to move in with him once she graduated from high school.

Plus, there was something inside of Chaeyoung that couldn’t let go of this place. It held too many memories and leaving it all behind just didn’t feel right. It was a part of her already, so many good and bad things happened and leaving it behind would mean it would take away a part of her soul.

She walked along the hallway, walking towards the door to the room that she used to call her own when she first moved in. She and Mina decided to renovate the house as well since it was already overdue.

The only big fight her and Mina had was about what color the room should be. Ultimately deciding to let Mina have her way, she opened the room and saw the soothing color of mint green envelope her sight and senses. It wasn’t as gloomy as her old one, having the bland beige walls and the brown trimming. But sometimes when she looked around she could imagine herself from years ago, lying down on the spot where her bed was and wishfully thinking of what her and Mina could be if she just made a move.

Good thing she did. Years later, she finally found her answer.

The room was scented with lavender, something that Mina always loved. She said the aroma always helped her fall asleep. It did help them out in the end.

Chaeyoung walked over to the small bed and smiled widely.

“Hi, gorgeous,” she greeted softly, bending over to place a quick kiss on the soft forehead and out of the swelling of her heart, she gently picked up her daughter and cradled her close to her chest. Chaeyoung held her head carefully and placed another soft kiss on her cheek. “Did you miss me?”

“We both did,” Mina said as she leaned her body on the doorway. Chaeyoung turned around carefully and smiled at the sight of her wife, Mina walked over to her and placed a soft, tender kiss on her lips. “How was work today?”