＜Episode 135＞ Mom and Dad
“honey!”
Long weekend afternoons.
As I was watering flowerpots on the veranda, Si-eun, who came by out of nowhere, called me with an urgent voice.
“yes? why?”
“It’s okay, wait a minute. Come quickly.”
Looking back at the question, Si-eun gestured as if there was no time to delay.
It is rare that Si-eun has lost her gentleness so far. Something must have happened to Phil.
“What’s going on?”
Confused, I asked the question again.
Then Si-eun put on a bright smile on her face.
“Just, Hana told me she was my mom!”
It was definitely what he said.
“Mom!”
As soon as we headed to the living room together, Hana, who was sitting on the cushion, looked up at Si-eun and shouted:
Although the pronunciation was a bit inaccurate, I called her ‘Mom’ smartly. Even when he reached out his hands to Si-eun. It was as if he knew what the word meant.
Si-eun grabbed my sleeve and shook it violently as she was so happy to hear her calling.
“look. what should we do. One of us, you can call me Mom now.”
He seems to be deeply moved. what to do what to do I can’t be happy like I am now.
It wasn’t the first time I’d said that I was a mother. Hana, who started spitting out voices a while ago, sometimes shed ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad’.
Just pointing at a cup or picture book and talking.
But this time, it was clearly a voice uttered by referring to her mother. It means that you are slowly learning the meaning of the word.
It’s thrilling that Hana has grown one step further, and it’s cute that Si-eun is so happy. I also had to laugh out loud.
In the meantime, a thought crossed my mind.
Wait a minute.
If you were to call your mom mom… … . Maybe daddy calls him daddy too?
The anticipation that had suddenly blossomed was inflated at once. Will I finally be able to hear my father’s voice from Hana? A smirk, a smile was built.
“One.”
Hearing my hopeful voice, Hana turned and looked at me.
In that state, I asked, pointing at myself with one thumb.
“It’s one. who?”
“… … .”
“I get it.”
I turned my back and tried to go give water to the flowerpot again, but Si-eun caught me.
“What if my baby pouts?”
Si-eun snorted and asked.
what the hell are you talking about He shook his head and protested.
“I’m not pissed. Because Hana only likes her mother, I was just trying to get away from her in the sense that I was really surprised with her.”
“That’s crazy. Idiot.”
“… … .”
“After all, we really have two kids.”
I didn’t have anything to say, so I just shut my mouth, but Si-eun kicked her tongue and scolded me.
I swear I didn’t freak out. One is now 9 months old. The movements of the brain, mouth, and tongue are all still in the growth stage.
It’s easier to pronounce ‘mom’ than ‘dad’ with double consonants. Even if I know how to call my mom and can’t call my dad, there’s no way I’ll ever get upset. … … I was a little nauseous though.
He turned back his steps towards the veranda and said.
“Well, I really can’t help it. On weekdays, I only hang out with my mom. Even on weekends, the two of us take care of each other, or when my sweetheart takes care of me, I watch and assist. A mother would be more familiar than a father.”
“Um, right?”
Si-eun, who expressed agreement, glanced at Hana.
After that, I also looked at Hana. One on the cushion was sitting still, fiddling with the toy cup in front of him.
“Well then.”
As I watched the scene silently, Si-eun said as if tossing it.
“yes.”
After answering, Si-eun looked up at me.
“Would you like to take care of everything today?”
“What?”
Through this process, I became the one in charge of today.
While I was taking full care of Hana, Si-eun planned to watch quietly from her side. It’s like the role has been reversed from the past.
Parenting studies were all done before Hana was even born. At the postpartum care center, I took a class for my father, and while Si-eun took care of Hana, I observed it all the time.
So it won’t be a problem, but… … . It seems unavoidable to be a little nervous. My shoulders shrugged a lot.
“Come on, here’s the baby food.”
Si-eun, returning from the sink, put the plastic bowl down on the table and said.
One uses breast milk and baby food at the same time, but the fortress started reducing breast milk and increasing baby food. You will feel that you are growing in many ways.
The bowl was filled with porridge with various vegetables. It looked delicious even if I pretended to, so I wanted to bring a spoon again.
Si-eun’s cooking skills seem to be always demonstrated when making baby food.
Si-eun wrapped the apron around Hana and talked.
“This time, the honey will feed you herself. Actually, these days, I’m training myself to eat by giving them a spoon… … .”
“by the way?”
Si-eun smiled bitterly as she rushed to the blurred behind-the-scenes words.
“I thought it would be a mess if I left it to the honey.”
“Uh-huh.”
I can’t deny I gratefully accepted Si-eun’s broad heart and decided to feed her for today.
Gradually, I will start to be a proper father. Recalling my promise, I sat down next to Hana.
On the other hand, Si-eun sits behind one. It looked like they were waiting to take over the baton in case of emergency. I wish that never happened.
At best, at most recent mealtimes, it was all about wiping away food-stained lips. I wonder if I can feed them straight.
With firm gestures, he copied Si-eun’s usual behavior.
“Come on, one. Oh~”
“… … .”
didn’t even budge.
“Ugh. is one? Oh, do it.”
“… … .”
don’t pretend to hear
“One, ah.”
“… … .”
Now I’ve even lost interest. One didn’t even look at the spoon with baby food, and just looked around for interesting things.
How can this be? From the first step, it was tightly twisted. Unable to overcome the frustration, she shook her head, and Si-eun said, “Ahaha,” and smiled a little.
“I drank milk a lot earlier. Aren’t you hungry yet?”
It was nice to hear.
“Oh, is that so? Is it because you’re full? Isn’t that why you don’t eat it because your dad gave it to you?”
“Well. Give me a spoon, please.”
Si-eun, who was watching us from a little distance, immediately stood next to Hana.
Eventually I got to touch the baton. He stretched out his arm and handed the spoon to Si-eun.
Soon, Si-eun spoke in a fresh voice.
“It’s one. Oh, try it.”
“ah.”
“uh… … .”
Hana opens her mouth as if waiting.
Seeing that, I also opened my mouth and mochi.
When Si-eun put a spoon in her mouth, Hana mumbled and savored the taste. As expected, the taste was excellent, and Hana widened her mouth and showed a smile.
On the other hand, I couldn’t laugh at all.
“Well… … .”
With a bitter smile, Si-eun chose a word for a moment.
“I guess it’s because Hana isn’t used to it. Because these days, you’ve always eaten with me.”
“Yes. yes.”
There was a lot of bitterness in the voices that returned to my ears.
While comforting me, Si-eun continued to feed Hana baby food.
One accepted Si-eun’s spoon without hesitation.
After eating, Hana returned to the living room. He was smiling brightly as he ate his stomach and felt good.
In that state, sit on your favorite cushion and look around Hwihwi. Presumably, they seemed to be exploring new entertainment.
As I was looking down at such one, Si-eun offered me something.
“ruler.”
“yes?”
He tilted his head at the sudden action, and looked at what Si-eun held out. What Si-eun held in her hand was a remote control for play, one of which was often fidgeting. It is a toy that plays a song when the button is pressed.
After accepting it with a bewildered expression, Si-eun smiled with a shudder.
“Because one likes to play. If you hold a toy, you will unconditionally be interested in him. Shake this and ask Hana to play with you.”
“Five.”
That’s a plausible idea.
It failed desperately to feed baby food, but it’s not difficult to play with Hana. Usually, when Si-eun does housework, she plays with toys.
“thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Si-eun shook her head and headed to the sofa.
Sitting there, he rests his elbows on his legs and looks at us with his chin resting. This time, too, he took a seat behind one’s back, out of sight.
This is something I do every weekend. You can just do it as usual.
Alleviating the tension, he squatted down in front of Hana. One eye was fixed on me.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he waved the remote control in one view.
“It’s one. Shall we play with this?”
“… … mind!”
One cried out without even looking at it. This is common. When I’m sleepy or want to sit still, I often refuse to play.
Are you saying you don’t want to play now? asked with a smirk.
“It’s one. what?”
“Mom!”
“Uh, Mom?”
Are you looking for mom after leaving dad with toys?
Hesitating in embarrassment, one put his hands on the floor and turned around in place. Then, he found Si-eun on the sofa and crawled and grabbed her mother’s leg.
“Mom!”
“Uh huh. one.”
While answering Hana, Si-eun’s eyes turned to me.
There was a look of regret in those eyes. There is absolutely no need to be sorry. Si-eun seemed to be terrified of monopolizing one’s attention.
He smiled slightly at Si-eun.
“it’s okay. I think my father was a little lacking.”
“Oh, no. It’s not like that… … .”
Si-eun looked at me with sad eyes.
even if it’s okay He waved his hand to signal not to worry and then walked over to Hana.
Now that even one of them noticed my presence, he showed interest in the toy.
The last time was nap time.
He grabbed one and laid it on the bed in the nursery. Even so, there was no refusal to even hug him. After all, they say that they really like the arms of their mothers and fathers these days.
“When you take a nap, just pat it on me. If I can’t sleep, I don’t even sleep. Then we can sleep again later.”
“Well.”
This is also something I’ve done a lot. One has to take a nap in order to spend time alone.
There were dozens of experiences that made Hana fall asleep while watching together.
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Maybe this time I can make up for it. It hasn’t been very difficult from what I’ve done so far. It was enough to just pat my body lightly to help me fall asleep.In the dark room, reflected in the light of the lampstand, Hana had her eyes wide open. It seemed that sleep had not yet arrived.
“It’s one. Are you okay?”
“Ugh.”
… … I guess I just don’t want to hear an answer.
In any case, he lightly tapped one body. After a few minutes like this, one of them will let out a hard breath. If you remove your hand around that time, the nap will return to success.
“It’s one. Lullaby, my baby.”
He even sang a lullaby as if muttering. Just like the one time I sang to Si-eun, the lyrics I knew were all there. He repeated only one phrase as if it were a mantra asking him to go to sleep quickly if he was sleepy.
Quite a long time passed like this.
And finally one.
“right!”
He was still awake, only making these noises.
There was still no sign of falling asleep. Her big eyes, resembling her mother, were open as before.
In the end, Si-eun gently grabbed my arm.
“I guess one can’t sleep. Let’s sleep again later.”
“… … yes.”
After answering weakly, he removed his hand from Hana.
Perhaps it was thanks to the disappearance of the interfering palms, Hana started to play on her own, lying on the crib.
As I was watching one such thing, my sigh came out without me knowing.
As soon as the sigh stopped, Si-eun, who was holding my arm, cling to me.
“it’s okay. honey.”
It was a soothing fight.
“There were many times when I couldn’t sleep and took a nap late. Even if I put it to sleep, it’s like this once every two days. Don’t be too disappointed.”
“yes. I know.”
I’ve seen a lot of scenes where naps fail. There are times when Si-eun gave up while sleeping, and there were times when I succeeded because I put her to sleep. So, there was no reason to worry.
But well.
Today, I decided to take care of Hana on behalf of Si-eun. Neither one of them was able to do it right. Besides, I got the feeling that she likes Si-eun much more than I do.
I went out to work and training at a time when I was forming an attachment with my parents, so it might not be a big deal.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Si-eun whispered again in a timid voice. His voice seemed to tremble a little.
When I glanced at him for something, Si-eun had an expression on her face that looked like she was about to cry.
uh, uh Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Surprised, he stroked Si-eun’s back.
“No, why is Honey trying to cry?”
“that is… … .”
Si-eun wandered her gaze for a moment.
“You, too, have worked very hard. I work outside on weekdays. On weekends, I do childcare, and I drive when I go out. I’ve been working hard for one… … . I must have been disappointed.”
“Ugh.”
It’s nice to be recognized for your efforts. But there is something else that makes you cry.
After all, she was a wife who did not miss out on cute things.
I gently tap Si-eun’s back.
“thank you. Don’t cry because I’m fine.”
“Yes.”
For comfort rather than my comfort, Si-eun bit her lips as if swallowing tears.
Seeing this poem, my heart gradually calmed down.
A positive mind settled in the calm head and chest.
okay. What do you like more about your mother? I also like Si-eun more than me. Are you living well without any problems?
I tried to laugh like this.
Si-eun raised her claws and whispered into my ear.
“Then instead.”
Then, along with the sound of laughter.
“Thanks for your work. Dad.”
… … Dad?
“What father?”
When one of the corners of her mouth was raised and asked, Si-eun chuckled playfully.
“Instead of Hana, I’m also trying to call you my father.”
“Uh, okay?”
I am very grateful for your kind heart for me. Wouldn’t it be of much use if one didn’t do it? Because I don’t want to hear the word dad from anyone.
For example, if you ask me.
“I want to hear my brother rather than my father.”
“What?”
Si-eun looked at the request as a joke. Seeing you frown and look into me, it seems like you really hate it.
Well, I don’t like it, but I don’t intend to force it.
With this in mind, I quietly stroked Si-eun’s head, and Si-eun took a deep breath.
“okay.”
Then.
“It’s only today. … … brother.”
He said this in a crawling voice.
It is a tone full of disappointment. The light on the stand wasn’t very bright, so I’m not sure, but Si-eun’s cheeks seemed to have a bright red rosy color.
After laughing for a while, he finally opened his mouth.
“Oh, yes. I think it’s full of power. little brother.”
“annoying.”
Si-eun grumbled with a sound of pain. Even that was just too cute for me.
The smile that formed on his face could not be swallowed.
“Dad.”
As I was doing this, I suddenly heard a sound like this.
“no. Even if you ask me to call you brother instead of dad.”
He looked at Si-eun and said.
However, Si-eun tilted her head broadly.
“Did I not say anything?”
“What?”
then… … .
No matter who came first, Si-eun and I threw our eyes at Hana in the bed.
Hana, who met our eyes, shouted with arms outstretched toward me.
“Dad!”
“uh… … .”
Surprised, no voice came out.
It felt like his breathing was choked, let alone his voice.
That was natural.
Because Hana finally called me daddy.
For a moment, the whole world seemed to radiate a bright light.
Si-eun, who was smiling much brighter than that color, waved my arms vigorously.
“honey! Daddy, Daddy!”
“yes. I heard it too.”
You tried to cry for me earlier. This time, he makes me happy several times more than I am. This was a very grateful wife.
“Now it seems that you have recognized me as a father.”
As I said with a giggle, Si-eun stabbed me in the side.
“Is that so? I acknowledged it in the first place, but maybe I just couldn’t pronounce it.”
“I wish I did.”
“I will. clearly.”
Si-eun encouraged her with a soft tone.
As if to give me energy, holding my arm tightly.
Really?
I don’t know about one thing. There’s no way to tell them to ask. You won’t even remember the questions you asked later when you grow up.
If there is one thing for sure though.
Now, it’s probably just that we’ve become full-fledged mothers and fathers.
Embracing happiness, we started patting one body again.
This time, one fell asleep quickly.
Looking down at Hana, who left for a picnic in dreamland, we shared a smile.
Si-eun who became a mother, me who became a father, and Hana who became our daughter.
Our family’s daily life continued to be warm like this.