December 24, 20XX
Friday

Today is Christmas Eve.

My favorite time of year.

The time when Mr. Jolly sprinkles some wonderland magic that makes everyone so warm, so friendly, so happy.

This year, I have even more reason to be happy.

I hug my growing belly as I watch the twins run around the living room in their candy cane pajamas.

"Tomorrow is Christmas already!" Taehee throws herself onto her brother as they hug each other so tight.

"It is!" I tell them.

Taesuk pushes himself away from his sister to come over to me. "Will the baby be here tomorrow? I've been wishing for it every every every day."

I giggle as I clasp his hands into mine. "Aw, that's so cute. Just a little bit longer, Taesuk."

He pouts at me. "Brother said Santa makes any wish come true."

Taehyung, who was walking behind the couch, pops over. "Almost any wish."

Giggling, Taesuk runs away.

Taehyung turns his head to look at me, his face just centimeters away.

"Hi," he whispers and starts to lean in.

I smile and close my eyes, waiting for his lips to reach mine.

"Taehyung, phone!" His dad calls from the kitchen.

I pout and with a peck, he's gone.

Who would be calling his house phone?

Before I think too much, the twins pull me over to the presents.

"Jennie-unnie, can we open just one?" Taehee places her hand against the side of her mouth as she whispers to me. I look over at Taesuk who nods eagerly.

I bite my lip.

One wouldn't hurt.

"Okay, but only the one I gave you guys."

They cheer and search for my gift under the tree.

Curious to what was taking Taehyung so long, I head over to the hallway.

When I get there, Taehyung's already hanging up the call.

With a grin, he looks my way.

"Who was that?" I ask him.

His grin slightly falls, but with a shake of his head, he replaces it.

"No one, come on." He stretches out his hand for me to take.

I try not to let the fact that he wouldn't answer my question bother me and place my hand in his.

He probably has a good reason for not telling me, right?

We walk into the living room where the twins are sneakily opening my present.

"Hey!" Taehyung rushes over to scoop them into his arms, where they burst into a fit of giggles.

"Jennie-noona said we can open them!" Taesuk squirms.

"Did she really?" He asks as he smothers them in kisses.

"Yes!" They squeal.

With a tilt of my head, I admire the way he interacts with his siblings.

He's going to be a great father.

He puts them down and says, "Oh, alright! Finish opening them."

As they make their way over to the presents, he makes his way over to me.

With a hint of a smirk on his face, he leans in close to whisper, "Now, where were we?"

Gosh, is there ever a time I can't smile around him?

"Taehyung! Can you help me real quick?!" His mother calls from the kitchen.

Taehyung's eyes roll and he releases a groan.

With a gentle smack on his shoulder, I push him towards the kitchen.

The whole way there, Taehyung drags his feet.

I just take a seat back on the couch.

I scroll through my social media feed to catch a glimpse of what everyone is doing.

Rose was on my timeline flirting with Jimin. Interesting.

Jisoo and Jin were eating out at a restaurant. Where's Lisa? I mean that's the only reason they're together, right?

Scrolling further down, I see that Lisa had just passed a major dance audition. Ah, there she is.

Taehyung passes by with a couple of garbage bags to throw out outside.

As he passes by, he smacks his lips against my cheek.

I turn my head over to watch him make his way outside. 

Taehyung throws the bags into the outdoor waste bin then tilts his head up towards the sky, where he watches it for a while.

I get up from the couch and follow Taehyung outside.

Hearing my footsteps, he turns to look at me briefly before looking back up, putting his hands in his pocket.

"My grandma always told me 'may you never be too grown-up to search the skies on Christmas Eve."

My heart grows warm.

"Do you miss her?"

Taehyung's head drops down to the ground. "More than you could ever know."

I wrap my arms around him.

His grandmother had passed two weeks ago.

"It's just...she didn't even get to see my child or what I could accomplish. I thought we had more time..." His voice cracks and I feel my heart ache.

Blinking away the tears, I try to stay strong for him.

"I know."

We're quiet for a while, but he lifts his head up and wipes his tears. "That phone call...it was Scenery Studio. They saw my photographs in the cafe."

Scenery Studio? Korea's top company?

"Tae...that's fantastic-"

"They want me to take their course the second half of the semester... in Japan."

My smile drops.

Second half? Japan?

The baby is due in March...

Taehyung studies my face before saying, "I won't take it."

My eyes flicker towards his.

He smiles and places a kiss on my cheek before making his way back into the house.

I just stay outside.

He won't take it?

But it's such a big opportunity.

It can change everything for him.

But it could also change everything for us...

I look at him through the window where he's cleaning his camera.

Is it okay if I just am a little selfish...

and not let him take it?