Chapter 1

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the bedroom. Alex stirred, the faint rustle of the sheets pulling her from the haze of sleep. Her lashes fluttered open, and for a moment, she simply lay there, letting the quiet of the morning settle around her.

The events of the previous night came rushing back like a tidal wave. She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the man lying next to her. Chan was still sound asleep, his features soft and relaxed in the morning light. His dark lashes fanned against his cheeks, his lips parted slightly as he breathed evenly. Alex's heart clenched at the sight of him, so peaceful and unguarded.

Carefully, so as not to wake him, she shifted onto her back. The soft weight of the duvet brushed against her skin, and that's when she felt it—a subtle, cool sensation on her finger. Her breath caught as she raised her hand, her eyes immediately locking onto the ring that now adorned her left hand.

The teardrop diamond caught the light, its facets sparkling brilliantly against the gold bands that cradled it. Her fingers brushed over the intricate design, tracing the infinity band and the slim gold ring stacked together. It felt surreal, like she was staring at a piece of someone else's story, not her own.

She blinked, her vision blurring as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. It wasn't just the beauty of the ring that moved her—it was everything it represented. Love. Commitment. A future. The melding of her past and present, all wrapped up in this delicate piece of jewelry that Chan had so thoughtfully created.

Her thumb brushed over the diamond again as she recalled his words from the night before, the way he had explained how he'd used the gold from her wedding bands with David. The thought was almost too much to bear, a bittersweet ache blooming in her chest. David had been her past, her first love, and now, Chan was her present—and her future. The way he had honored both left her feeling raw and vulnerable in the best possible way.

Alex exhaled shakily, her gaze lingering on the ring as she turned her hand this way and that, watching how the light played across the surface. She didn't realize she was crying until a tear slid down her temple, warm against her skin. She wiped it away quickly, not wanting to wake Chan with her quiet sobs.

But the motion must have stirred him, because a soft hum reached her ears. She froze, glancing over to see Chan shifting beside her, his brow furrowing slightly as he stirred from sleep. His hand reached out instinctively, searching for her, and when his fingers brushed against her arm, his eyes cracked open.

"Good morning , beautiful." he murmured, his voice thick with sleep, his dark eyes blinking as they focused on her. A small, lopsided smile tugged at his lips as he took her in. "You're so sexy in the morning."

Alex's cheeks flushed at his words, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she swatted lightly at his shoulder. "You're ridiculous," she said, though her voice carried a teasing lilt. "I probably look like I've been dragged through a hedge backward."

Chan chuckled, his voice still rough with sleep as he propped himself up on one elbow. His tousled hair and rumpled appearance only made him more endearing, and Alex couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly handsome he was, even first thing in the morning. "If this is you looking like a hedge victim," he said, his tone playful but sincere, "then I need to find more hedges to toss you into."

Alex rolled her eyes, though her smile betrayed her amusement. She turned slightly to face him, the duvet slipping off her shoulder as she did. Chan's gaze immediately dropped to the exposed skin, his smile softening as his fingers reached out to brush against her collarbone.

"I mean it," he said quietly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "You're stunning, Alex. Always."

Her laughter faded, replaced by a warmth that spread through her chest at the sincerity in his tone. She glanced down, her hand instinctively moving to cover his where it rested on her shoulder. The ring caught the light again, drawing both their gazes.

Alex stared at the ring for a moment longer, her emotions bubbling to the surface like an unstoppable tide. Suddenly, without warning, she let out a soft giggle that quickly grew into a full laugh. Her arms shot out, wrapping tightly around Chan's neck as she threw herself into him, her excitement impossible to contain.

"I can't believe it!" she squealed, her voice tinged with joy as she buried her face in his shoulder. Her legs kicked under the duvet, her bare feet brushing against his legs as she giggled uncontrollably. "We're engaged, Chan! Engaged! I'm going to marry you!"

Chan let out a surprised laugh, his arms coming up instinctively to hold her as she practically tackled him back onto the bed. "Whoa, easy there, tiger," he teased, his grin widening as her infectious joy seeped into him. "You're going to knock me out before I can fully wake up."

"I don't care!" Alex replied, her words muffled against his shoulder as she clung to him tightly. She pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes shining with tears and uncontainable excitement. "I just—Chris, I'm so happy. I feel like I'm going to burst!"

Chan's chest swelled at the sight of her, her pure, unfiltered happiness lighting up the room more than the sunlight ever could. He cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the happy tears that streaked her cheeks. "You're going to make me cry if you keep this up," he said, his voice soft and filled with emotion. "And you know I'm an ugly crier."

Alex let out another laugh, this one filled with love as she shook her head. "You're not an ugly anything," she countered, her hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders as she gazed at him. Her fingers traced the lines of his collarbone, the warmth of his skin grounding her even as her excitement threatened to send her soaring. "You couldn't be ugly even if you tried."

Chan chuckled, his dimples making a brief appearance as he leaned forward, brushing his lips against her forehead. "You're biased," he murmured, his voice low and full of affection. "But I'll take it."

Alex opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of her mother's voice calling from downstairs interrupted her. "Alexandra! Christopher! If you two don't get out of bed soon, you're going to miss your flight! Paris won't wait for you!"

Alex groaned, burying her face in Chan's chest as he laughed softly, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Well, I guess the honeymoon phase is already over," she mumbled against him, her voice muffled.

Chan's laughter deepened, the vibration traveling through his chest as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Come on, princess," he said, his tone teasing but gentle as he pulled back slightly to look at her. "We've got an entire festival waiting for us. And," he added, his grin turning mischievous, "I've heard Paris is pretty romantic this time of year."

Alex groaned again, though a small smile tugged at her lips as she reluctantly rolled off him and sat up. "Fine, fine," she said, her tone playful as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Just as Alex was about to stand, Chan's phone buzzed on the nightstand, its vibrations cutting through the morning quiet. Both of them glanced at it, and Alex couldn't suppress the small laugh that bubbled up when she saw Hyunjin's name flashing across the screen, accompanied by a FaceTime icon.

Chan reached for the phone, his grin widening. "Ah, our third wheel is punctual this morning," he teased, swiping to answer the call as he settled back against the headboard. He angled the phone so Alex could see as well.

"Aww don't call him that. He just misses us."

Hyunjin's face appeared on the screen, his expression instantly lighting up when he saw them. His hair was slightly mussed, and he looked like he'd just woken up, but his radiant smile was as captivating as ever. "Finally! I was starting to think you two had forgotten about me," he teased, his voice playful but tinged with genuine warmth. His eyes flicked between Alex and Chan before narrowing slightly, though his grin didn't waver. "Well? Did she say yes, or am I going to have to fly to Seattle and knock some sense into her?"

Alex couldn't help but laugh, her cheeks flushing as she glanced at Chan. "What do you think?" she said, lifting her hand to show the ring glinting in the morning light. "Does this answer your question?"

Hyunjin's jaw dropped theatrically, his hand flying to his chest as he gasped. "No way! You actually said yes?" he exclaimed, his tone dripping with mock shock. "I was so sure Chan would mess it up somehow."

"Hey!" Chan protested, his brows knitting together as he shot Hyunjin a playful glare. "I planned this perfectly, thank you very much."

Hyunjin's laughter filled the screen, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he leaned closer, as if trying to get a better look at the ring. "Okay, okay, I'm kidding," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "But seriously, Alex, let me see it properly! I need to know if he did you justice."

Alex held her hand closer to the camera, tilting it slightly so the light caught the teardrop diamond and intricate bands. Hyunjin's expression shifted from playful to genuine awe as he took it in, his lips parting slightly.

"Wow," he murmured, his tone softening. "That's... that's perfect. Just like you deserve." His gaze flicked back to Alex, his dark eyes warm and filled with sincerity. "I'm so happy for you, Alex. For both of you."

Alex's heart swelled at his words, her smile softening. "Thank you, Hyunjin," she said quietly, her voice tinged with emotion. "It wouldn't feel right without you knowing. You're such a big part of this—of us."

Hyunjin's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "You're going to make me cry, and you know I hate crying on camera," he muttered, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his attempt at nonchalance.

Chan chuckled, his arm slipping around Alex's waist as he held the phone steady. "Well, get ready to cry, because we're not done with you yet," he said, his tone playful but laced with meaning. He glanced at Alex, his smile softening as he added, "Alex and I are moving forward with the IVF implantation when we get back to Korea."

Hyunjin's expression froze for a moment, his dark eyes widening as he stared at the screen. His hand, still resting at the back of his neck, dropped slowly to his lap as his mouth opened and closed, struggling to form a response. "Wait... what?" he finally managed, his voice a mixture of shock and disbelief. "IVF? You're... you're trying for a baby?"

Alex's cheeks flushed as she nodded, her hand instinctively moving to rest over her lower abdomen. "We are," she said softly, glancing at Chan before looking back at the screen. "We didn't want to tell everyone until we could do it in person, but we wanted you to know. You're... you're family, Hyunjin. This is as much your journey as it is ours."

Hyunjin blinked, clearly processing her words as his gaze flicked between Alex and Chan. Slowly, a wide grin spread across his face, his shock melting into pure, unfiltered excitement. "You're going to have a baby?" he exclaimed, his voice rising an octave as his hands shot up to cover his mouth. "Oh my god, you're going to have a baby!"

Chan chuckled at Hyunjin's reaction, his dimples deepening as he tightened his arm around Alex. "We're going to try," he clarified gently, though the warmth in his tone made it clear how hopeful he was. "It's going to be a process, but we're ready. We've been talking about it for a while now, and... well, we both feel like the timing is right."

Hyunjin let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob, his hands dropping as he leaned closer to the screen. "You didn't even tell me you were considering this!" he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "How could you keep something like this from me? I'm supposed to be your third wheel, your honorary uncle!"

Alex laughed, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle the sound. "Hyunjin, you're the first person we've told outside of family," she said, her tone warm and teasing. "We didn't keep it from you, we just... wanted to make sure it was the right time to tell you. And now felt perfect."

Hyunjin's expression softened, his eyes shimmering with emotion as he let out a deep, shaky breath. "Perfect?" he repeated, his voice quieter now. "You're right... it does feel perfect." He paused, running a hand through his slightly mussed hair before looking directly at the camera again. "I don't even know what to say. I mean, other than... I'm so damn proud of you both. This is huge. And you're going to be incredible parents."

Alex felt a lump form in her throat at his words, her eyes welling up with tears once again. She reached out, placing a hand on the phone screen as if she could touch Hyunjin through it. "Thank you, Hyunjin," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It means so much to hear you say that."

Hyunjin's grin returned, wider and more radiant than before. "Of course, Alex. You've got all of me rooting for you, always. And I want to be there for everything—baby showers, ultrasounds, midnight cravings. Don't even think about leaving me out of a single moment."

Chan chuckled, his dimples deepening as he glanced at Alex. "You hear that, princess? Looks like we've got a very enthusiastic honorary uncle on our hands."

Hyunjin scoffed, leaning back slightly as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Honorary uncle? Try favorite uncle. I'm staking my claim now. No one else stands a chance."

"You'll be the favorite for sure. But Mac has you beat for God Father. He called dibs months ago, before we were even talking about it."

Hyunjin groaned theatrically, throwing his head back as though the betrayal was too much to bear. "Mac? Of course, he did. The man always gets in there first," he said, shaking his head with exaggerated disappointment. "Fine, fine. He can have Godfather, but that just means I'll have to work even harder to be the favorite. Spoiling the kid rotten starts day one, mark my words."

Alex laughed, the sound light and full of joy. "Oh no," she teased, raising a brow. "You're not going to turn our child into a little diva, Hyunjin."

"Too late," Hyunjin shot back with a grin. "That's my job. Someone has to balance out all the discipline and structure you two will bring."

Chan laughed, his chest shaking against Alex as he pulled her closer. "We'll keep you in check," he said, his tone playful but affectionate. "But, honestly, I think our kid is going to be pretty lucky to have you in their life. Spoiling and all."

Hyunjin's expression softened at Chan's words, the teasing glint in his eyes giving way to something more genuine. "Lucky?" he repeated, his voice quieter now. "I think I'm the lucky one, being part of all of this. Thank you—for including me. For trusting me enough to share this with me."

Alex felt her heart swell at the sincerity in his tone. "Of course, Hyunjin," she said softly, her hand resting against Chan's chest as she looked at the screen. "You're family. We wouldn't have it any other way."

Hyunjin's smile widened, though his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Well, you're stuck with me now," he said, his voice gaining its usual playful edge. "Just wait until I start designing matching outfits for me and the baby. It's going to be iconic."

Alex groaned, though her laughter betrayed her amusement. "You're already planning matching outfits? Hyunjin, the baby isn't even conceived yet!"

"Details, details," Hyunjin replied with a dismissive wave. "You'll thank me when we're the talk of every park and playdate. Trust me, I've got this."

Chan chuckled, shaking his head as he glanced at Alex. "We've created a monster," he said, though the warmth in his eyes made it clear he wouldn't have it any other way.

Alex smiled, leaning her head against Chan's shoulder as she looked back at the screen. "A lovable monster," she corrected, her voice filled with affection. "And we wouldn't trade him for anything."

Hyunjin pressed a hand to his chest, feigning a dramatic swoon. "Stop, you're going to make me cry again," he said, though the glint in his eyes was unmistakably one of joy. "Seriously, though, thank you. For letting me be part of this. It means more than I can say."

Chan nodded, his expression softening as he squeezed Alex's hand. "We wouldn't have it any other way," he said quietly, his voice steady and filled with sincerity.

For a moment, the three of them sat in comfortable silence, the weight of their bond settling over them like a warm blanket. It wasn't just about the baby or the engagement—it was about the connection they shared, the unshakable foundation they had built together.

Eventually, Hyunjin cleared his throat, his playful energy returning as he clapped his hands together. "Alright, lovebirds," he said, his grin widening. "You'd better get going, or you'll miss your flight. I'll see you guys as Lollapalooza"

Alex nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she glanced at Chan. "We'd better finish packing," she said, though her voice carried a teasing lilt. "You know how you always forget something last minute."

Chan scoffed, his eyebrows raising in mock offense as he handed the phone back to Alex. "Me? Forget something? You're the one who once left an entire suitcase at home."

Alex laughed, rolling her eyes as she pressed the phone closer to her ear. "We'll call you when we land, Hyunjin. Thanks for waking us up with your sunshine energy."

"Anytime," Hyunjin replied with a wink. "Safe travels, you two. And don't let Chan eat all the airplane snacks before takeoff."

"I make no promises," Chan called out with a grin, earning another laugh from Hyunjin before the call ended.

Alex set the phone on the nightstand and turned to Chan, who was already out of bed and stretching lazily. She let herself admire him for a moment—the way the sunlight caught the contours of his toned arms, the relaxed smile on his face as he glanced back at her. He caught her looking, and his grin widened.

"What?" he asked, his tone teasing but soft.

"Nothing," Alex said, shaking her head as she slid out of bed and padded over to him. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she rested her head against his chest. "Just... appreciating my sexy fiance."

Chan rolled his eyes dramatically, though the affectionate grin tugging at his lips betrayed his true feelings. He wrapped his arms around Alex, pulling her closer as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. "If you keep calling me that, we're never going to make it downstairs," he teased, his voice warm with amusement.

Alex tilted her head back to look up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Is that a challenge?" she asked, her voice lilting with playful defiance.

Chan groaned, shaking his head as he gently nudged her toward the bathroom. "Go get ready before I lose all my willpower," he said, his hands lingering on her waist as he guided her forward. "We still have to pack, say goodbye to your parents, and somehow make it to the airport without causing a scene."

Alex laughed, the sound light and carefree as she stepped into the bathroom, throwing him a teasing glance over her shoulder. "Fine, but you owe me a real kiss when I'm dressed."