Ch- 16

The morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, lighting up the living room where Sora sat with one hand on her belly and the other cradling a cup of warm herbal tea. Her bump had grown, full and round beneath the soft fabric of her maternity dress.

She was about to enter her sixth month.

"Still uncomfortable when you sleep?"

Yeji asked, sitting beside her with a small frown on her face, while Sora smiled, brushing her thumb across her belly.

"Only sometimes, nothing really serious though"

Yeji nodded. They'd gotten used to these kind of conversations. Over the last few months, Yeji had become more than just a caretaker or cousin-in-law, she’d become one of Sora’s closest friends.

The kind that showed up with healthy snacks, pregnancy pillows, foot massage oils, and no tolerance for stress.

Yeji had even helped reorganize their entire kitchen last month to make things more accessible for Sora as her belly grew heavier.

"Did you take your supplements today?"

Yeji asked, raising a brow knowingly, as she takes the empty cup from Sora's hand and sets it on the coffee table.

"I did.. I think"

"Sora"

Yeji gave her a look, as if in disbelief of how Sora doesn't yet seem to take things a lot seriously.

"Okay maybe I didn't, but I was going to after this tea."

Sora pouted, and Yeji sighed but smiled, pulling out a small case and tossing her the right pills.

"You're lucky I love you"

They both laughed, as Sora leaned her head against Yeji’s shoulder.

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd still be glowing and strong and handling this like a champ, but I'm glad you're stuck with me anyway."

Yeji laughed and looked down at her squeezing her hand gently as they get comfortable on the couch.

________

Later that afternoon, they sat around the dining table together, Sora, Jungwon and Yeji, sharing a light lunch.

Yeji had brought over her infamous tuna-avocado rice bowls, carefully balanced for pregnancy nutrition. Jungwon helped set the table and made fresh lemonade, his eyes flicking to Sora every few minutes, checking if she was too tired, too quiet, too anything.

"You hover like a howk"

"She's literally growing a person, I'm allowed"

Yeji and Sora laughed at Jungwon's quick response to defend himself.

"He even follows me into the bathroom sometimes just to make sure I don't fall."

Sora spoke and Yeji raised her eyebrows in surprise, looking at Jungwon, who was dead serious about it.

"What? The floor's slippery"

They both laughed harder, earning an annoyed huff from Jungwon before he sat down with them.

Then eventually as they finish, Yeji stood to leave, tugging on her jacket.

"I'll be back next week, and we'll go over your third trimester prep. You're doing great, Sora. And Jungwon, keep being obnoxiously attentive, it suits you."

He nodded with a chuckle, and Yeji exchanged a hug from Sora before she finally walked out.

After Yeji left, the house quieted down. Sora waddled over to the couch with a little sigh with the help of Jungwon, both hands under her belly.

"I feel like a watermelon"

She huffed, earning a low laugh from Jungwon as he joined her on the couch, placing a small cushion behind her back.

"A precious one"

Jungwon adds, as they sat together, surrounded with each other's warmth.

________

Later at evening, after a short nap, Sora woke to the smell of something sweet. She stretched and slowly padded into the kitchen, where Jungwon stood by the counter in a loose tee and apron, mixing something in a bowl.

"Are you baking?"

She blinked, as he glanced back at her, giving her a nod.

"Wanna help?"

He asked as she nodded. He guided her hands and they measured out the flour, stirred the batter, and laughed when she accidentally flicked chocolate chips onto the floor.

Jungwon moved slower, matching her pace, occasionally resting a hand on her back to support her when she leaned forward.

When the cookies were in the oven, they leaned against the counter, breathing in the sweet scent filling the kitchen.

"I still remember how you turned down my offer when i first baked"

"I've changed now"

She smiled widely at his response, hands reaching out to intertwined with his.

They ate warm cookies on the couch while watching a comfort movie, her legs stretched across his lap, and he gently massaged her ankles with his thumbs, drawing soft circles.

Between bites and glances, Jungwon watched her admire her ring again, the way she did when she thought he wasn’t paying attention.

"You really like that ring, hmm?"

"I do. It makes me feel married."

She nods and Jungwon chuckles at her wording.

"You're married"

He said quietly, pulling her to lay on the couch against him, her back on his chest, as she smiled.

"To you. Hmm lucky me"

"Lucky us"

_________