Day 112

It felt like during this month, Jimin and I had spent more time away from the palace than we'd spent at home. Even though the Seed Bearer's celebrations had ended 10 days ago, my boyfriend and I decided to take a slight detour on our way back to Seoul. He wanted to show me some different sights other than his home city. I had to admit, it was nice being with Jimin, especially on his birthday.

Instead of the five days it took to get to Daejeon, the trip home had lasted eight. It was nice seeing the Hanbat Arboretum (where we had a picnic on his 28th birthday and spent the day like the loved-up couple we were), Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park and exploring some of the smaller towns that dotted our journey back to the city. By the end, though, I found myself growing more and more weary of carriage travel. The two days we had back at the palace were amazing, neither of us wanted to leave the bed.

I had hoped to stay snuggled up in Jimin's arms in bed for two reasons. The first was that the weather had turned; an unseasonal cold snap had come through two days ago. Instead of the warm autumnal days we'd been having, the air was filled with a chill that let us know winter was on its way. October in Australia was usually hot and sometimes humid. It didn't feel normal for me to be rugged up in layers the day before my birthday.

The other reason was that I'd become homesick again. It was hard knowing that this would be the first year in our lives that Esther and I were not together on our birthday. It felt weird being without my sister and celebrating solo. There was an unwritten rule between us both that we could be apart any of the other 364 days, but October 22 was the one day when Esther and I would always be together.

'Except for tomorrow.'

As much as I would have liked to have wallowed in sadness, curled up in my loving man's arms, it was not to be. Jimin and I had been invited on a weekend stay-over at Seokjin's palace, where we were gathering as a group to celebrate his and Soon-Bok's pregnancy. I looked at Jimin in confusion when he'd told me this because I thought we had already had a party. He told me that the other one was for the couple's closest friends and family, whereas this one was for the Seoul Seed Bearers group.

I had to admit, I was excited to meet Soon-Bok's sister, who I was told would also be there. I'd learned while we were in Daejeon that even though they were not blood-related, Soon-Bok and her sister were as close as Esther and me. The two had relied on each other when their parents had passed away several years ago, which had brought the diblings even closer.

Each time I came to Seokjin's palace, my breath was taken away by how extravagant the house was. The two-storey monstrosity of a house was equally luxurious as it was homely—most likely because of the perfectly landscaped gardens. Because it felt so welcoming, I loved coming here. It was handy that Seokjin lived not far from the Parks' palace.

"You're finally here," Soon-Bok's excited voice rang out as she brought me in for a tight embrace.

"Soon-Bok," I exclaimed, moisture gathering at my waterline, "You've got a tiny bump." I could feel a slight protrusion of her belly as she hugged me, something that I had not felt when I saw her nine days ago. "When did that happen?"

"Yesterday. Right on four and a half months, too," she said with a proud smile before she turned to hug Jimin too. Since meeting me, Soon-Bok has adopted my form of greeting friends and family with a hug. However, only Seokjin, Yoongi, Ari, Jimin and I were bestowed that greeting; everyone else received the more traditional—and socially acceptable—bow. She had also done away with many of the social formalities whenever she was around me, something which made me feel a bit more comfortable.

Some movement behind Seokjin caught my eye. I assumed the petite woman standing there was Soon-Bok's sister, even though she didn't look like my friend. I had to remind myself that having blood relatives as siblings was rare in this universe, and it was even rarer for a couple to be gifted two children.

"Binnie, come meet my friends." Soon-Bok urged the other girl over with exuberant excitement. "Nell. Jimin. this is Ahn Binna, my dibling but we're practically blood sisters. Binna, please meet Park Jimin and his assigned female, Bennett Elenor."

I bowed low out of respect. Even though I was older, I wanted to be polite, especially towards the family of my closest friend here.

"Come on, let's head inside where it's warmer." Seokjin ushered us inside, already acting like a protective parent. The butler took away our coats, which were not needed any more thanks to the roaring fire that warmed the sitting room.

As I sat beside Jimin with my hand entwined with his, I was taken away by Binna's natural beauty. She had a lovely heart-shaped face with a slender chin. Her lips were full and pouty, painted in a soft pink shade that looked like her lips but better. Her elongated cat eyes were emphasised by a small line of black eyeliner, which made her look youthful. But what I learned about her in the short time I'd been here was that Ahn Binna was as sweet and kind as she was beautiful.

Soon-Bok, Binna and I got the chance to hang out after lunch. When Seokjin and Jimin decided to practice their martial arts moves together, none of us girls felt like watching them in the cold. Instead, we stayed in the warm room with cups of tea in hand as we picked at some of the sweet treats I had brought along.

It felt nice to add another friend to my growing circle of female friends in this universe. I had made friends with some of the other women assigned to Seed Bearers from different cities. Realistically, when would I be able to see them? It would take over nine days to get to Gwangju or 11 days to reach Busan. Having another friend close by was something I needed—especially one who was not in my circle of assigned female friends. It didn't matter to me that tomorrow I would be nine years older than Binna's age. She was a mature 24-year-old woman and it felt like we were closer in age than we were.

⊱ ───ஓ๑💜๑ஓ ─── ⊰

Day 113

"Good morning, My Love," Jimin cooed after waking me with kisses planted all over my face. "Happy birthday."

I moaned as his lips locked with mine in a long, slow and passionate dance. It was the type of kiss I could feel down to my toes. Out of all the kisses Jimin and I shared, I loved ones like this. We were in no hurry to do anything but share our love through our lips.

"Mmm, thank you, Bubba." I was breathless and semi-coherent. His fingers distracted my attention by relieving me from my pyjamas. It felt weird wearing clothes to bed, but neither of us wanted to sleep in our usual nude getup in Seokjin's house. "What you doing, Jiminie?"

My heart thumped wildly at the sexy grin I received from my handsome blonde man. "I'm giving you the first of your presents."

"Presents? As in plural?"

Jimin nodded his head as he gazed down at my now naked body laid out before him. I never felt sexier or more beautiful when he looked at me the way he was—like I was the most exquisite thing he'd ever seen in his life. And to be honest, he looked so fucking sexy with how he sat on his haunches, eager to please me. His hands spread my legs wide, and I watched him licking his lips as his eyes racked up and down my body.

"Yes, plural. Now, be a good girl and don't make too much noise, Baby. I don't know how soundproof the room is and there's no way I want anyone else to hear your beautiful noises."

I tried to stifle a loud moan by biting my lip the moment his tongue licked a long stripe through my folds. As much as I tried to muffle it, the noise was still loud. I resorted to pulling a pillow over my face to conceal my moans, whimpers and panting breaths.

It was unfair how well Jimin knew my body and what to do to make me scream. Within minutes of his mouth on my pussy, I was riding out my climax and moaning into the pillow. As he kissed me deeply so I could taste myself on his lips and tongue, Jimin sunk his hard length into my waiting heat. Each stroke of his cock through my walls was slow. His movements were calculated and blissful.

Words of praise, admiration and love fell from Jimin's lips as we made love. Each one made me soar; my heart, body, mind and soul all loved his words.

"I love you so much, Baby."

"You're so perfect, so beautiful."

"This is where I want to be for the rest of my life."

"You are my good girl, Nell. Always nice and wet for me."

"You feel so tight and perfect. I love how you ripple and pulsate around me."

When Jimin looked into my eyes and commanded that I cum, my body responded immediately. I pulled his mouth down to mine, so the sound of my moan of pleasure was absorbed through him. With a loud grunt, Jimin found his release, spurred on by the way I was clenching and pulsating around him.

"Happy birthday, My Love," he whispered once he pulled out and rolled me to snuggle into his chest. "I do have to apologise to you though." My brain had no idea what he meant by that, which I'm sure he could read across my face as his silent giggles jostled my body. "I had planned on making you cum three times, but you are too good that I'm not sure I could go again just yet."

I kissed his chest and chuckled at the way he shuddered as my lips brushed against a nipple. I conveyed to him that it was more about quality than quantity and that this had been top-tier sex. Instead of round three, we basked in our afterglow. Kissing naked Jimin after he'd given me amazing orgasms would always be my birthday wish from here on out.

୧‿︵‿๑︵‿୨💜୧‿︵‿୨💜୧‿︵๑‿︵‿୨

"Park Jimin! What part of 'I don't want a party' did you not understand?" I teasingly chastised my boyfriend as the last Seed Bearer couple walked into the room.

When Jimin and I had come downstairs this morning after showering and getting dressed, I had expected to have breakfast with Seokjin and the two Ahn girls. I was not expecting to see Yoongi and Ari, as well as the red-haired Seed Bearer and his female. Da-Eun and Ari both came to give me hugs, while Yoongi and Jungkook offered me nods of the head while they wished me a happy birthday.

Throughout the day, each of the Seed Bearers and his female had come—Bong-Cha and her Seed Bearer were the last to arrive. While I was touched by the gesture, I hated surprises, which made surprise parties an absolute hell for me.

"This is it, Baby. Since your family is so far away, I wanted you to be surrounded by friends," Jimin whispered. He graced me with his dazzling eye smile and a soft kiss on my cheek. It was impossible to be cranky with him when he was too cute and sexy.

"Thank you, Bubba. I love you even more than I usually do for thinking of this."

Seokjin and Soon-Bok had organised a large luncheon in my honour. Their chefs had prepared a spread fit for a king... or queen in my case. Jimin kept placing foods that he knew I'd like on my plate, which I had to admit were all delicious. With Soon-Bok on the other side of me and Binna sitting across the table, I spent the meal surrounded by friends and the man I loved.

Although, there was a constant feeling that something—or someone—was missing. As much as the others had made my birthday wonderful and special, I was missing my other half. I wondered what Esther was doing. Was she celebrating our birthday? Or did she feel lonely amongst other people like I did? I hoped that she wasn't sad but that nasty voice in the back of my head reminded me that she probably thought I was dead.

I didn't realise I had zoned out until Jimin softly swiped his thumb across my cheek. He wiped the tears that had unknowingly fallen as I thought of the missing part of me. I looked around the table and spied worried or curious looks on everyone's faces. I didn't have to be a mind reader to know they were wondering what had caused me to go from smiling and laughing to silently crying in a matter of minutes.

Jimin gave me a look that I comprehended immediately. My head nodded, signalling that I wanted him to explain. I listened whilst softly crying as he told the others some of my story— the part that did not include my time-travelling or infertility.

"Today is a hard day for Nell," he said while taking one of my hands in his and pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "You see, she was one of two babies born at the same time by her mother, so it's also her sister's birthday today too. I'm sure you can imagine how hard it would be for Nell. She was separated from her sister, who she was very close to, as well as the rest of her family."

Shocked gasps filled the air as Jimin explained that I was a twin. My other hand was quickly clasped by Soon-Bok as Da-Eun, Ma-Ri and Bong-Cha all rushed over to give me comforting hugs. The love and support that was coming my way was both wonderful and overwhelming. I couldn't cope with everything, so I turned into Jimin's chest and broke down. Tears streamed down my face—those of longing for my family, some of happiness from being with friends like this. Most of all, I cried because of the love I held for the blonde man. He had captured my heart. The love, longing, fear and frustration I felt all blended in a hodgepodge of emotions that couldn't be contained any longer.

The rest of the afternoon flew by in a blur. Presents were handed out. Laughter was shared as we watched Hoseok and Taehyung fight over who gave the best one. Yoongi's smug smile stole the show when he claimed his was my favourite as my eyes lit up at the delicate hand-blown glass vase that he'd gifted me.

But in reality, there was no competition for the best gift; no one could beat what Jimin had gifted me this morning in bed. Before we had gotten out to get ready for the day, he had slipped something around my neck—a stunning pendant. Before she died, Jimin's grandmother told him to give her favourite piece only to the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It felt like fate. The heart's centre was a big emerald surrounded by small diamonds. Of all the gemstones that could have been used in the piece, it had to be an emerald—the gem that represented me in my matching necklace with Esther.

The rest of the afternoon had been spent with my unconventional 'family'. We played games, laughed at Seokjin's puns, and joined in other harmless tomfoolery. As much as I loved my little surprise party, I was ready to head back home. My social battery had depleted, and all I wanted to do was curl up in bed and look at the photos of my family with Jimin.

The trip home in the carriage was quiet. Having drunk too much soju, Jimin was sleeping off his intoxication while I receded into my head. A million thoughts ran through my mind but three were the loudest.

Had Esther's birthday been filled with happiness and love like mine, or had she not allowed herself or others to celebrate because I was 'missing'?

Would I ever see my family and friends again, and if I do, does that mean I'll never see my Jiminie again?

Would Jimin and I be able to pull off faking a pregnancy so we could save my life?

"You're thinking too loud, Sweetheart," Jimin mumbled with his eyes closed. His head rested on my lap, which had become his go-to pillow since it was comfortable.

"Sorry, Jiminie. I was thinking of my family and also wondering whether we can pull this off." Jimin rolled over so he could face me. He gave me a look that told me to explain what I meant. "The plan to have someone carry our baby, I mean. We need to figure out the who, how, where of it all."

"Well, in regards to the 'who' logistic, I have a suggestion," he said, moving to sit up beside me. As he slid closer and wrapped his arm around me, I basked in his strength and warmth. "What do you think about Binna? It looked like you two were getting along well."

I thought about his question for a moment. There were a couple of times that the idea of having Soon-Bok's dibling as our surrogate had crossed my mind. There were some definite positives (her kind and warm personality were the biggest) but also some negatives (she was very close to Soon-Bok so could we hide this from my friend?).

"There's a lot for the two of us to think and talk about before we officially ask someone," I said slowly while trying to choose the right words. "But I do like the idea of knowing the person that will carry our baby, and I did like Binna."

Jimin smiled brightly. "I like hearing you say, 'our baby'. And I also liked Binna. Plus, when Seokjin and I were talking last night, he kept singing her praises."

"He is a good judge of character. How about I invite Binna over to the house for a girl's day and we can see how we both feel after spending more time with her?" I suggested, happy when Jimin agreed to my idea. "And, Bubba, it doesn't matter to me that the baby will not be mine in a biological sense. I will love it unconditionally because it will have the most incredible—and handsome—father in all the universes."