~ Guards Down

Wonwoo

“Yes I'm such a bad Dadda, but I promise I'll do anything to make you forgive me, princess but please talk to me...” I mumbled, leaning my head on Eva's back.

I felt like my composed and cool demeanor was slipping, I couldn't hold it anymore because it was the first time I ever yelled at Eva, I'm such a jerk. I let out a shuddering breath when I felt Haneul's fingers running through my hair.

“Please.... Princess forgive your Dadda just this once.” I shattered, tightening my arms around both of them, I couldn't think of any second thoughts now, about what Haneul would think. Or what next. My focus was on getting my little princess, to forgive me. I clunged onto them, when Haneul started to caress my hair, i couldn't hold it in anymore.

It's been so long that I have sought comfort from anyone or let anyone in, ever since Aerin left us. So now that Haneul was offering comfort, I couldn't hold my cold facade on any longer.

“Sweetheart... Has, ever Dadda scolded you before?” Haneul whispered softly, directing her question to Eva. I felt her shaking her head still buried in the crook of Haneul's neck. “Then it's the first time right? So can't our big girl forgive Dadda for this once, Dadda would promise not to repeat this mistake again, right Dadda?” Haneul patted my head, urging me to answer.

“Of course princess, I promise I'll never ever scold you ever again... No matter how stressed I would be.” I said, letting out silent tears on Eva's back. Haneul's fingers continued to rank through my hair.

Finally Eva pulled away, her one arm still on Haneul's shoulder. Her other arm reached out, wiping off my cheeks, with her small palms.

“You promise Dadda?” She asked me, I still didn't remove my arms from both of their waists. I nodded, quickly. “Yes I promise I won't ever yell at you.” I quickly said, nodding my head. Glancing between them. Haneul smiled at me, causing me to feel a giddy flutter in my stomach. It felt like she smiled at me genuinely for the first time ever after our marriage.

“Okay then but you still have to make it up to me.” Eva's little voice broke the chain of my thoughts.

I looked at her, “Whatever you say, your highness.” I added softly, my hand reached up to her cheek from her back. While my other arm, couldn't move away from the small of Haneul's back. Eva giggled with her tear stained face. Haneul reached out wiping her tears from one cheek while I wiped the one I was cupping.

It looked like a perfect family picture. Only if me and Haneul were in love with each other.

“Alright, for now let Dadda do his work, 'till you eat your snacks I made.” Haneul said, kissing Eva's cheek. But Eva pulled both of us close to her little form, hugging us both together. I let out a chuckle. “I love you Mumma and Dadda!” She chirped excitedly.

We both chuckled in sync, “Mumma loves you too, princess.” Haneul whispered, adoringly kissing her side of Eva's head. “Dadda as well.” I added mirroring her gesture.

“Now, let me go bring your snacks okay?” Haneul asked, when Eva let her grip loosen. But Haneul didn't move, she looked at me. I frowned, she sighed and reached behind her back, to remove my arm from her back. I felt embarrassed, and I quickly pulled my hand away, when I realised I was still holding onto her. Eva giggled, “Dadda, you want to cuddle Mumma as well?” I snapped my head to the little trouble maker we had, making my eyes go wide, Haneul didn't wait further and hurriedly over to the kitchen.

“Who taught you that, little princess?” When Haneul was out of my sight, I turned towards Eva asking her.

She smiled at me innocently, “There is my friend in the school, she told us that she sleeps in the different room because she is a big girl now, and that whenever she goes to her Mom and Dad's bedroom, they are always sleeping hugging each other, means cuddling.”

I gulped, sitting down fully on the carpet. “Princess, you shouldn't listen to these kinds of stories okay?” I said, softly as if trying to erase those things away from her head. However at the back of my mind, I was wondering how it would feel to cuddle Haneul, but i quickly shook those thoughts away.

Just then Haneul came out with a tray of snacks, and two cups in it. “Here's a coffee for you.” She handed me a cup of coffee and turned towards Eva placing her snacks, “And here's Eva's snacks, and hot chocolate!” she added, excitedly.

“Aren't you going to have coffee?” I asked, looking up at her as she placed the tray down. She looked at me, as if she was faced with someone else.

“No, I mean I would like it but it's late and I still have to make dinner.” She said, I nodded, thoughtfully.

“Would you like a sip?” The words left my mouth even before I could stop myself and my hand which was holding the cup, extended towards her. She looked really surprised, but didn't say anything. Just hummed, reaching out to take my cup.

She quickly took a sip and handed the cup back to me, I bit the inside of my cheek to restrain myself from smiling like a fool. ‘You are in love idiot!’ A voice in my head, made my heart skip a beat. I shook my head, ‘No I'm not!’ I tried to shake those thoughts away. While Haneul went back in the kitchen. And i continued my work.

After some time I went to the kitchen, placing the empty coffee mug in the sink, I leaned on the kitchen counter, crossing my arms I examined her movements, clearing my throat to get her attention I said, “You are so, kissy and cuddly towards Eva.” She glanced at me, then nodded.

“That's usually how Moms are, little girls like their Mom to be affectionate, my Mom was like that as well, I still like it when my Mom showers me with affection. And moreover, if we as parents kept everything friendly around us, the child wouldn't feel burdened to share their secrets with us.” She stopped stirring the curry and turned her head towards me.

“You know, I always had this in my mind, that no matter what happens, I will be a best friend to my child, if she made any mistake or she got some into trouble, instead of going to her friends, saying ‘I don't know what to do, Mumma and Dadda are going to scold me.’ she should come to us saying, ‘I don't know what to do, Mumma and Dadda help me out’ so I always want to be like a best friend to her.” She added, I was in awe the way she thought. She is gonna be the best mother. I nodded, acknowledging.

“Btw, I'm...” I paused, gulping nervously, then looked at her. “I'm sorry about last night... I mean you take care of Eva just like your own child and I just said those things without thinking. I'm sorry...” I said, looking down.

Not hearing any response I looked up at her, she was just looking at me as if she saw some ghosts. I chuckled, taking a few steps towards her.

“I promise that, yesterday's and today's incident won't happen again, and...” I looked at her, unsure if I should say that. “Can... Can we be friends?” I said, trying to keep my cool. “You sure? I mean...” She trailed off, looking at my extended hand.

“I know what you are thinking but friendship doesn't hurt, we can't possibly stay as only Eva's parents, she also like it when the three of us have fun together... So can we?” I explained, waiting for her reply. She looked at me for a moment then smiled, extending her hand as well, to shake mine. “Okay! Friends.”

I wouldn't lie but when we shook hands a current ran through my body. I smiled, “I hope I won't need to see that cold face only?” She said, most like questioning. A chuckle rumbled through my chest, “Yea, you won't most probably.” I added, still holding her hand. ..I

t's caratland today and I can't find any stable link 🥺😭