Midnight

Midnight

By Jaewon

Summary:

Irene is eight months pregnant and her cravings have been wild lately. When she wakes me up in the middle of the night demanding snacks, her dramatic, bratty side comes out full force in this fluffy, romantic comedy moment that reminds me why I love her so much.

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The bedroom was dark and peaceful, the only sound being the soft hum of the air purifier in the corner and Irene’s steady breathing beside me. At least, it was peaceful until a small but insistent poke landed on my shoulder.

“Baby…” she whispered, voice sweet but already carrying that familiar edge. “Are you awake?”

I groaned softly, cracking one eye open. The clock on the nightstand glowed 2:17 AM. I had only been asleep for a couple of hours after a long day. Irene was lying on her side facing me, one hand resting on her very round eight-month belly. Even in the dim light from the city glow outside the windows, she looked beautiful — messy hair, oversized sleep shirt stretched over her bump, and those big eyes that always got me in trouble.

“Yeah… what’s wrong? Is the baby kicking again?” I mumbled, reaching out to rub her belly gently.

She shook her head, scooting closer until her bump pressed against my side. “No… well, yes, but that’s not it. I’m hungry.”

I smiled sleepily and pulled her closer, kissing her forehead. “There’s fruit on the counter and some yogurt in the fridge. I can get it for you.”

Irene pouted. That full, dramatic pout she had perfected over the years. “Not that kind of hungry. I want something specific.”

I already knew where this was going. Her cravings had been getting more creative — and chaotic — as the pregnancy progressed. Last week it was kimchi jjigae at 3 AM. The week before that, it was peanut butter on rice cakes with pickles. I braced myself.

“What do you want, love?”

She bit her lip, looking almost guilty for a second before the demand came out. “Samgyeopsal. And those spicy tteokbokki chips. And… ice cream. The mint chocolate one. But not just any — the one from that convenience store two blocks away because the supermarket kind tastes weird now.”

I stared at her in the dark. “Irene… it’s two in the morning.”

She sat up slowly, one hand supporting her lower back the way the doctor taught her. Her expression shifted from cute to dramatically tragic in record time. “I know what time it is! But the baby wants it. I can feel it. He’s kicking like he’s protesting right now because his dad won’t get his mom the food she needs.”

The baby wasn’t even kicking that hard. I could tell from the way her belly moved. But Irene had entered full bratty pregnant wife mode.

“Baby, we have snacks in the pantry,” I tried reasoning. “Can’t it wait until morning? I’ll make you a big breakfast with all your favorites. Promise.”

Her eyes widened like I had suggested something horrible. She gasped dramatically, hand flying to her chest. “Tomorrow morning? You want me to suffer until morning? With your child kicking my ribs because he’s craving samgyeopsal? I’m carrying him for nine months and you can’t even go get me snacks?”

She was really laying it on thick now, scooting away from me on the bed and crossing her arms over her bump. The bratty side was in full swing.

“Irene…” I said, trying not to laugh because I knew it would make it worse.

“No, it’s fine,” she continued, voice dripping with theatrical sadness. “I’ll just sit here hungry and uncomfortable while you sleep peacefully. Don’t mind me. I’m only growing a whole human inside me.”

I sat up, rubbing my face. She was impossible when she got like this, but I loved her for it. The way her lower lip jutted out, the little huffs she made, how she rubbed her belly like she was comforting our son from his mean father. It was equal parts adorable and exhausting.

“Fine,” I sighed, swinging my legs out of bed. “I’ll go. But you’re staying here.”

Her face lit up instantly, the drama disappearing like it had never existed. “Really? You’re the best husband ever.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek, then my lips, then my cheek again. “But… can you bring me back here so I can eat while you watch? I like eating in front of you. It makes the food taste better.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You want me to watch you eat at 2 AM?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding seriously. “It’s part of the craving. I need moral support. And maybe you can rub my feet while I eat.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I pulled on a hoodie and sweats. “You’re really something, Bae Joohyun.”

She grinned, looking far too pleased with herself. “That’s why you married me.”

I made the quick run to the 24-hour convenience store, grabbing everything on her list plus some extra fruits and her favorite yogurt just in case. When I got back, Irene had propped herself up against a mountain of pillows, looking like a queen waiting for her feast. The bedside lamp was on, casting a warm glow over the room.

I set everything out on a tray and climbed back into bed beside her. She immediately grabbed the samgyeopsal package, tearing it open with surprising speed for someone who claimed to be exhausted earlier.

For the next twenty minutes, I sat there rubbing her swollen feet while she happily ate. She made little satisfied sounds with every bite, occasionally holding a piece up to my mouth so I could share. The spicy chips came next, followed by big spoonfuls of mint chocolate ice cream.

“You know this combination is weird, right?” I teased, watching her dip a chip into the ice cream.

Irene shrugged, licking her spoon. “The baby likes it. And I like it. Therefore it’s perfect.” She suddenly gasped. “Oh! The baby is kicking a lot now. Feel.”

She grabbed my hand and placed it on her belly. Sure enough, there were strong little thumps. I smiled, leaning down to kiss her bump.

“Hey, little guy. Let your mom eat in peace, okay?”

Irene watched me with soft eyes, the bratty energy from earlier completely gone. She fed me another spoonful of ice cream, then leaned her head on my shoulder.

“Thank you for getting up,” she said quietly. “I know I’m dramatic sometimes. But these cravings hit so hard and I feel like I’m going crazy if I don’t eat exactly what I want.”

I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her as close as her belly would allow. “I don’t mind. Really. I love taking care of you. Both of you.”

She hummed happily, finishing the last of the ice cream before setting the empty container aside. “You’re going to be such a good dad. I already know it.”

We stayed like that for a while, her eating the last few chips while I rubbed her back. The dramatic demands had turned into soft cuddles and quiet conversation about baby names, nursery colors, and how her members kept sending her baby clothes.

Eventually, her energy started fading. She yawned widely, rubbing her eyes. “I think I can sleep now. The baby is satisfied.”

I cleaned up the wrappers and helped her lie down comfortably, adjusting the pregnancy pillow behind her back. She reached for my hand once I was back in bed, interlacing our fingers.

“Stay close,” she murmured, already half asleep. “I might have another craving in an hour.”

I chuckled softly and kissed her temple. “I’ll be right here. Always.”

As her breathing evened out and she drifted off with a content little smile, I lay there watching her. Eight months pregnant, dramatic, bratty when the cravings hit, but still the most beautiful and loving woman I had ever known. These midnight adventures were tiring, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Our son was going to be one lucky kid with a mom like her.

The End.

( Happy Family. - Jaewon)