A/N:  So, someone pointed out a joke I made in Chapter 105 that hits differently now because of Butter.  

My brain is saying mmm before my taste buds have even tried it. "Smart thinking. I have never made syrup myself, but when I do get strawberries on pancakes or waffles at restaurants I tend to use strawberry syrup instead of maple." I smile up at Jin. "Knock knock."

He grins back and humors me. "Who's there?"

"Waffle!"

"Waffle who?"

"Would you stop waffling around already and open up the door? I've been waiting around so long you might have to do something to butter me up." Truthfully I heard the joke before, but I added the butter line from the top of my head.

I honestly forgot about that.   

3510 words

At some point I grow aware of the fact that Jin wakes up and gets out of bed. I know I stir because he says something like, "Shh, go back to sleep, Princess." I must have done exactly as he asked because it feels like a lot of time has passed before I am waking up to two bodies crawling in bed with me.

I blink my eyes open and find a smirking Jimin in my face. "This is the second time I woke up before you. I think I prefer this change of pace."

I roll my eyes at him, which doesn't feel the greatest when you have just opened your eyes for the first time in the morning. I have to blink them in a spaztic fashion to keep them from watering. "Then perhaps you should start waking up earlier."

His disgusted face has both me and the other individual behind me cracking up. Due to the husky laugh I don't have to turn around to know that it's my Taeger behind me. Like his nickname he wraps around me in a way that has his whole body involved in the cuddle.

"So, breakfast?" I find myself asking.

The two 95s look at each other and burst into laughter. "Love, it's 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I think that would make it lunchtime, not breakfast time."

I groan because I don't think I have ever slept this late unless I was sick. I know the only reason I slept this late this time is because of my sleep schedule being completely off, but there is only one way to rectify that. Shit, I should have set that alarm after all.

"We actually woke you up for lunch. Korain brought over chicken." Taeger shares.

"Korain is here?" I ask.

"Yeah, he is covering for the security gate for a few hours. He'll be back later tonight though." Jimin responds.

Tae gasps, and I am not really sure what surprised him so much. Then I find myself asking. "Oh, is he covering security tonight? Honestly, I thought he might be done with the charade since we know his true role now."

The two 95s shrug at each other. "He hasn't said anything about giving up his security position." Jimin replies.

So, they drag me downstairs where everyone else is waiting. I don't know which of them left the note for Jin to find, but I turn to Namjoon assuming it might have been him. "So, we have plans tonight?"

He looks panicked for a split second, but tries his best to cover it up. "Yes, we are having guests over."

I'm honestly surprised we are having guests so soon after just getting back yesterday. I don't say anything however, and instead focus on the meal in front of me.

My phone goes off as I get a text notification.

Jiwoo: Hey sis! Sorry, that I didn't text you when I heard you were kidnapped, but I thought it would be pointless. I mean you wouldn't have seen it after all. Oh, and I wasn't about to text you while you were on vacation. You deserved that time with your soulmates, even if one of them is my annoying younger brother. Anyway, I'm texting you to let you know that you should probably wear something casual but dressy tonight. Be ready by 4pm.

I furrow my eyebrows together in slight confusion.

Me: So, you know what is going on tonight?

Jiwoo: Mmhm. I know all about it. But, that is all I am saying.

I know better than to think that she is going to spill the beans about whatever is going on tonight. I could probably torture her with tickles, and she still wouldn't share.

If I am going to have to wear something somewhat dressy, then after I get done eating I should probably sort out what to choose. I promptly thereafter take my shower and start getting ready. Because my soulmates are keeping hush hush about it though I am able to work out that it's probably some sort of surprise. I just haven't worked out the reason for the surprise yet.

About two hours later I am dressed in a simple white eyelet dress with a sweetheart neckline that hits a couple of inches above my knees. I decided to wear a pair of crystal bow drop earrings with it. They are small and dainty with two little rows of crystals that drop from a small hoop below the bow that acts as the front of the earring. They are probably one of my only pieces of jewelry with a gold base instead of silver. They are also a pair that Skai designed himself, and while he was quite proud of them, he was also quite colorful with his vocabulary when he described how difficult they were to make. I don't overly concern myself about my shoes and just put on my white Vans.

I can't help but frown as I come downstairs. I hear voices, and a few of them are most definitely female, but I didn't hear the bell go off to alert us that we had guests. I don't understand why that would happen.

I continue climbing down the stairs and when I don't see anyone yet I can't help but frown. I start heading toward the kitchen when all of the sudden I hear multiple voices shouting all at once. "Surprise!" And people rapidly were jumping out of their hiding places, most of them were tucked in the living area across the kitchen; since I wouldn't have been able to see that spot from my point of view.

All of the faces that surround me in some way shape or form I consider family. My soulmates of course, their siblings, their siblings' soulmates, and Skai. 

 Yoongi drags me over to his brother, and I am pleased to see a beautiful Korean woman beside him sporting a slightly pronounced baby bump. "You must be Aecha!" I choose to speak Korean since I no longer have to keep it secret anymore.

She surprises me by pulling me into a hug. It's not a tight one as there is space left between our bodies, but it is welcoming all the same. "Yes, I am so glad to finally meet you. I'm exceptionally happy to be done with all the morning sickness. It was brutal!"

"I can't even imagine. I mean for it to have been bad enough that you were dehydrated. You poor dear. I hope everything is working out well now."

"Yes, baby and I are more than fine." She points to Gemjae, Yoongi's brother. "Although this one is having a hard time letting me out of his sight now."

I chuckle. "I bet!"

After I get done with that conversation I am tackled from behind with an exuberant hug. "Yes, hello my dear sister!" I giggle at Jiwoo's excited antics.

"I'm so glad you are okay! You wouldn't believe how worried I was!"

"Uh, yeah, she was so worried that she moved up our move-in-date. That way we could all be together, and she could get cuddles whenever she wanted." Jihyun, Jimin's brother and one of Jiwoo's soulmates, shares with me.

"Move-in-date?" I honestly don't know what he is referring to.

"She didn't tell you?" Jeon Gyu, Tae's little brother and another of Jiwoo's soulmates, asks. "That surprises me."

Jung Hyun, Jk's older brother and Jiwoo's final soulmate, sighs at the other two. "Cut her some slack. She probably wanted to wait until she saw her in person before sharing that we bought a house together."

I turn around to face Jiwoo properly and hug her fiercely. "Oh my god, congratulations!"

She blushes but thanks me regardless.

Suddenly Skai is scooping me out of the center of Jiwoo and her harem and throwing his arms around me. "Girl, I wanted to text you everyday but Jiwoo and Jasmine both promised me not to."

As if she had sonic hearing Jasmine is suddenly at his side. "The news gave us both a fright." Jasmine is Seokjung's soulmate, Jin's elder brother. She was the one that made me aware of the database's existence in the first place. "By the way have you heard the news?"

"You mean about the serum and database entry being free to women in the United States? Yes, I most definitely did."

"Oh, I mean there is that too, and what in tarnation is up with all that jazz? But, no I meant there is some American, from D.C. if I recall correctly, that is supposedly tryin' ta put a team tagether in an effort to make some magic potion that is sposed ta... Hmm. Now how did she phrase it? Drop the language barrier between soulmates that had different native tongues. Or, well, somethin' like that anyhow."

"What? That sounds like something straight out of a Science Fiction novel or movie!" I can't help but be exceptionally pleased that my soulmates spoke more English than I thought they had originally. Imagine if I hadn't been able to communicate with most of them like I was initially worried about.

"I know, right?"

Skai points at my ears. "Aw, you're wearing that dainty set I made! How cute!"

"Yeah, you definitely got me addicted to your designs. I might have to visit the boutique again soon to see if you got anything new."

"Girl, from here on out when I make something new that isn't a commission I will make sure you have first dibs. After all, having the soulmate of the members' of BTS wearing my designs is easy advertisement."

I roll my eyes at him.

I walk away to see if there is anyone I missed and Geong Min, Namjoon's sister rushes in my arms. We aren't that close really compared to my other new sisters and brothers, but I hope we can change that. "I can't believe you were kidnapped! That's simply crazy! I'm so glad you are okay."

I nod, "me too." I might want to become closer to her, but this doesn't feel like the right time to me. So, I excuse myself and stumble across Sang Hee and Korain standing on the sidelines.

"Did they hire you two to work the party? I didn't think they would be worried when it's just family."

Sang Hee smiles at me. Now that he knows I can speak Korean he is utterly thrilled that we can converse more easily with each other. "No, we are here for you."

Okay, I get Sang Hee, after all we have been becoming close ever since that one time Jimin was sick, and I had to take care of him. Even though we did struggle with the fact that he only spoke a little English himself. I don't completely understand why Korain is here though. Before I can ask him about it, Hobi comes up beside me. "I have another surprise for you."

I let him guide me away to one of the couches. He has his laptop closed on the top of it and once he lifts it I gasp in surprise. "Candace?!?! What? Isn't it super early over there?"

"Yeah, 3am, but I wasn't about to miss your birthday party."

"Birthday Party?" Just after I ask that the lights in the room are dimmed, and while the sun is still out it provides just enough dimness for the candles on the large cake Jimin ushers in. Everyone starts singing Happy Birthday, and even though I try my best not to, I can't keep the tears from welling up and streaming down my face.

I can't believe it didn't even remotely occur to me that my soulmates would insist upon celebrating my birthday, even though they had to wait a week to do so. I smile at each of them in turn as the song progresses along. Once they finish off the final note I respond to everyone in the room. "Oh my goodness! Thank you! Kamsahamnida!" I say before blowing out the candles.

My family gives me a bit more breathing room so I can talk to Candace some more. She is still working on the court case and such, but it is going rather smoothly having Asher in her corner. Skai makes me jump when he bounces into the cushion beside me. Candace is equally shocked for some reason. "Okay, girl, you need to tell me who that handsome man is over there holding up the wall." He points in Sang Hee and Korain's direction.

"Both are Big Hit security guards." Well, technically that's not the case with Korain, but that's not really my story to tell. "Which one do you mean?"

"A security guard? Damn, I bet he is hiding some luscious muscle tone underneath those clothes." He eyes them both from here before he finally answers my question. "I meant the one on the left."

"That's Korain." I offer, and while it is obvious that Skai is most definitely interested I am honestly not sure that Korain is gay. It's only because I don't know that fact for certain that I don't choose to voice my concerns out loud.

Candace interrupts. "Now you have me curious. Can you try to covertly angle the laptop that way so I can see for myself?" I frown at her request. Not just because I am not sure how to manage such a feat. It's also because for some reason the request simply strikes me as odd.

Skai picks up the laptop without question. "Oh Candace, have you seen their mansion? Let me show you around!"

Well, that's certainly one way to do it.

The party lasts for only a couple hours, and while part of me wishes that my soulmates had suggested they all bring their swimsuits I am also a bit thankful they hadn't either. After all, we can plan that for another day when I am not so rung out.

I honestly think that all my birthday celebrations are over. My soulmates have scattered off to their rooms after we said goodbye to the last guest. I crashed on the couch downstairs for a moment since I was completely tuckered out. I just let my eyes drift closed when I hear someone coming down the stairs. Parading in a line my soulmates all head toward me each of them holding a gift box in their hands.

Namjoon heads over to me first. "Now before you open them I want you to understand that we all had an agreement. We promised not to spend more than 55,000 ₩ (about $50). We figured that since we spend so much on you every other day that we should cut back today."

"However, I do not promise to keep this as a trend." Hobi grumbles.

Jin laughs. "He's just sore because he won the opportunity to hand you his gift first, and he is totally rethinking it now."

His gift comes in a narrow gift box, and if it weren't for the height I would think it was probably a necklace. He hands it over to me hesitantly. "I think the fact I had a monetary limit threw me for a loop. After all, if I could I would give you the world."

I smile warmly up at him. "I'll cherish any gift you give me." I open it and find a yellow monogrammed rolled up piece of leather. I arch an eyebrow at the monogram, DMK. "How did you know the initial of my middle name?"

"I'll never tell." He smirked. I figure it's something as simple as he read it on my driver's license, which means he doesn't know the M stands for Marie.

I uncoil the piece of leather and try to sort out what it is. I arch an eyebrow in confusion at Hobi and he sighs. "It's supposed to hold your charging cables and headphones in it. I actually ordered it from the place you purchased your yellow bag while we were in Amalfi."

My eyebrows involuntarily rise in astonishment at this piece of information. "How did you get it back so fast?"

He grumbles. "I paid a bit more to have it expedited. I promise that I did not go over the budget though."

Namjoon hands over his next. Due to the shape of the box, I really have no clue what it could be. Once I open the box, inside I find a pot, eucalyptus seeds, soaking salts, and a scrubby. "I bought myself a plant too, but your set also has the added bonus of a mini spa treatment. I thought before I planted mine that perhaps we could challenge each other to see who grows theirs first."

Jk comes up next. "Actually, Tae, Jimin, and I volunteered to go together since our presents sort of go together." He hands me a tall box. I open it and find a rotating makeup organizer. Honestly, I kind of needed it. I have been mostly just keeping my makeup in a carryon this entire time.

Tae's gift box isn't quite as tall as Jk's but it is definitely a bit wider. I open it and find an acrylic jewelry storage box. "I mostly purchased it because of the sliding earring storage to the right. I figured with Skai making such artistic jewelry that you would need a place to keep them. Hopefully you can space them out enough so they won't get tangled up in this."

Jimin's box is probably about as wide as Tae's but not nearly as tall. I open it and find a set of three pretty silver and glass boxes all the same size. I frown up at him. "They're really pretty. But, what exactly are they for?"

He smiles widely. "I thought you could use it to keep the letters I wrote to you safe." He frowns for a second. "I'm really sorry that I haven't had the opportunity to write to you lately. I wanted to write to you while you were kidnapped. I thought it would be cathartic in a way, but every time I sat down to do so I became too emotional to focus."

I hold his hand for a second and smile up at him. "It's okay. I understand." After that I realize the similarity in their gifts is that they all act as storage, and while in some ways that might seem like a simplistic concept every last one of them is exceptionally pretty and each will look perfect in their new homes on my bathroom counter and bedside table.

Yoong comes up next. "Jin-hyung's and mine kind of go together also." His box is a perfect square and probably, at a guess, 24 inches (almost 61cm) on each side. It has a little bit of weight to it so once it is on my lap he carefully lifts up the lid. Inside I find a wooden cutting board with a daisy to the left corner. It says Daisy's Kitchen on it, and the i's in the words have hearts for dots.

"I really think we share the kitchen though." I tease him.

He offers his trademark gummy smile before Jin shyly comes up to me. The box he hands me looks like it could hold a large text book. So, of course that is what I am convinced I will find. It is a bit weighty, but not as heavy as some of my textbooks were in school. So I can only guess that it isn't the standard 350-400 pages long. If it is a book at all, that is. I lift off the box lid, and I have to fight hard not to gasp. All of the gifts were thoughtful, and while I am not about to pick a favorite. I can't help but be in awe of this gift in particular. Inside is a wooden custom made recipe book. The front has my name on it with several etched daisies. He had previously made me a three ring binder, since I had my recipes and website notes completely and utterly disorganized everywhere in the kitchen. This must have been his plan all along.

The others all smile at me, and Namjoon smirks. "We honestly all knew you would love this gift the most. It's why we insisted he go last."

"But, all your gifts are great. I promise!"

Hobi doesn't comment but he does grumble underneath his breath a little bit.

After, I've put away my presents, tucking them away in their new homes. I realize how sore my body is. I take a moment to think about what I want to do about that. In the end, it's my jacuzzi tub that is calling my name instead of the pool. I've been in the tub for a few minutes, and I definitely don't expect any company but when he peaks his head in the door with that trademark smile of his I immediately make some room for him to get in behind me.

A/N:  Per normal I will have links to her outfit and the presents via the comments section attached to the pictures.