𝑬 𝑷 𝑰 𝑳 𝑶 𝑮 𝑼 𝑬

TAEHYUNG LET OUT A MUFFLED GROAN into the soft pillow beneath him as the harsh rays of the sun managed to peek through the curtains of their bedroom and on his face. It irritated him, forcing him to roll over and face away from the window. He cracked his eyes open, fluttering softly as a form came into view beside him.

Venus, sleeping on her side peacefully with loose strands of curly, black hair falling out of her bonnet to fall over her face. His wife of 6 years, the mother of his children. She gave him 4 beautiful, healthy daughters with a son on the way. Taehyung fell in love with her all over again every time he woke up beside her.

Today just happened to be the day of their anniversary. One of the two the celebrated. The day they met and the day they got married. On this day, 7 years ago, they met in the Red Room. Today, 7 years ago, Venus became his muse. And now, she has given him 5 more reasons why he should keep doing what he loves. Though he doesn't paint sexual paintings anymore, he still spends his time painting images of his girls playing in the field behind the new house he bought outside of the city or Venus in pretty sundresses, reading in her rocking chair while Yeontan sits in her lap asleep.

Taehyung places his hand on her stomach, large and round as she enters her 8th month of pregnancy. In just a month, Taehyung will be able to meet his son who Venus decided to name after their godfather, Jimin. Jimin almost drowned in his own tears when Venus told him they were naming their son after him. "An honor" he called it. He loved their children as if they were his very own, always up to babysit if they ever wanted some time to themselves.

Taehyung pressed his lips to the top of her head. "Happy 6th anniversary, princess." He whispered to her gently rubbing her stomach before dipping under the blankets to talk to his son. "Be nice to mommy today, okay?" He was the kicker. Always seemingly in a fistfight with the rest of her internal organs.

With that, he carefully slipped out of bed so as to not disturb his sleeping wife. He rummaged around for a shirt to wear, simply finding the first one in his sight and throwing it on before leaving the room.

Taehyung first made a stop in Circe and Cecilia's shared room, the closest to theirs since they're the youngest (so far, the nursery has always been the room right beside theirs. The three-year-old twins were tucked away into their beds on either side of the room.

"CC, Lia." Taehyung came into the room like a gentle ghost, wanting to wake them softly so they wouldn't start crying. They were the cry babies, always crying over every little thing, mostly because of something the other twin did. Usually, Venus would hand one, and Taehyung would take the other to have them explain what happened and why they were crying. They were three so their communication skills weren't the greatest on top of that they were crying with snotty noses and incoherent babbles. They learned to decipher their blubbering as parents do.

"Daddy?" Cecilia rolled over in bed, rubbing her eyes of the bleary sleepiness that plagues them. Taehyung knelt beside her, looking over as Circe rolled over in bed and pouted. "You guys wanna make breakfast for mommy with me?" They immediately perked up, always ready to go do something with their dad. They'll come barging into his new studio wanting to paint with him.

"Go wake up your sisters, okay?" Taehyung told them and immediately the two jumped out of bed and went rushing into Hyunjae and Jiyoo's rooms to wake them up so they could help him make anniversary breakfast for Venus.

The four girls came running downstairs just a few moments after. Hyunjae, the oldest, led along Jiyoo, the second oldest, and their two little sisters. They were a rambunctious group, far too loud for their own good, especially when they're supposed to be quiet.

"Quiet down," Taehyung told them, placing his finger over his lips. "We're gonna surprise mommy, okay? But we have to be quiet so we don't wake her up." They all stood before him, lips zipped so they didn't wake up their mother. At least they took orders well. They knew today was important just...not exactly why.

"Is it mommy's birthday?" Jiyoo asked with the same wide, doe-ish eyes her mother has. Taehyung smiled, kneeling in front of them to speak with their eye to eye. "No, it isn't, but it's still a very important day. Today is the day I met your mom, long before any of you were born."

"Did you know you loved mommy when you met her?" Hyunjae spoke up with an optimistic smile. Taehyung could be honest and say no, but looking back at it now, all those years ago he still remembers so vividly, it does feel like he loved her all that time. But maybe his memory is biased. After all, he's been in love with her far longer than he's not been. He knew within months that she was the one and he would do anything to be with her.

So he lied, he gave them hope that one day they'll find a guy who will fall in love with them upon first meeting and that they will be just as happy. "Yes. I loved mommy from the very first moment I saw her, but I love her even more now than I did before because my love for her and all of you grow every single day." He loves them all more than he did yesterday and less than he will tomorrow.

"Now, let's make mommy's favorite. And when she gets down here, I want you all to give her hugs and kisses and tell her you love her, okay? This is her day." This is their day, but Taehyung would rather give her all the attention. He's taking her out to dinner tonight for a date night long-awaited. He also got her a charm bracelet, dangling with the names and birthdates of all their children. He'd get her a new charm for Jimin once he's born.

"Jae, make sure you put food in Yeontan's bowl, okay?" Taehyung reminded her upon seeing the empty dog bowl beside the entrance to the kitchen. He was attempting to teach her responsibility, having her make sure Yeontan was fed throughout the day. Of course, if she missed a meal, Taehyung or Venus would feed him, but the point was that she was the one responsible for him.

Hyunjae's eyes widened as the sudden realization came to mind. She quickly went to go put food in the dog's bowl before returning to help.

They really cooked up the buffet for her. Bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes with white chocolate, and slices of strawberries, all her favorite breakfast foods. It seems as though the smell of it all, freshly made food, embedded with the love of her family, awoke her enough to notice Taehyung wasn't in bed with her and that he hasn't been for a while. His side was cold.

She managed to shuffle out of bed, sitting upright. The inconvenience that was a stomach more than twice the size of what it usually is made it rather hard to be mobile. But after being pregnant 4 times, Venus has learned ways to get around it. For the most part, she just had Taehyung do things for her.

Taehyung perked as he heard the creaking of the stairs. "Okay girls, remember, all the kisses, okay?" They all nodded, readying themselves to give as many kisses to Venus as they could.

The moment Venus came into view, waddling her way downstairs with her hand on her belly, the four girls came rushing over, hugging her legs and attempting to kiss her. Venus smiled, placing her hand on Circe's head. "What's going on down here?"

"We made breakfast for you, mommy!" Jiyoo grinned, tugging at her hand to bring her into the kitchen. "Daddy says it's the day you met and he fell in love with you," Hyunjae adds on.

Venus can't help but laugh. "It is." She looked up as they rounded the corner into the kitchen and found Taehyung standing there in front of the mountain of food they made for breakfast. He smiled at her, in the same lovestruck way he always does. "Happy Anniversary, baby." Today marks the day of 7 years. The best 7 years of their lives.

He took her into his arms and kissed her deeply. He made the conscious effort not to get too greedy, they're in front of their children. Their lips parted slightly. "Happy Anniversary, Tae."

Breakfast made quite a pleasant morning. The girls stuffed their mouths with as much as they could possibly swallow, telling Taehyung and Venus all about the wonderful dreams they had while sleeping peacefully in bed.

And once breakfast was done and everyone had eaten their fair share. Hyunjae, Jiyoo, Circe, and Cecilia all went into the living room to watch TV while Venus got up to go wash the dishes. Immediately, Taehyung stopped her. "Nope, today is break day from being a mother." He collected all the dishes.

"I can never take a break from being a mother." Venus sighed carefully moving away from the table so she wouldn't accidentally hit her stomach on the table while getting up. "It's a full-time job and I'm about to be a mother of 5." She doesn't even know how Taehyung managed to convince her to have 5 children. At first, it was only supposed to be 1, then they figured that their baby Hyunjae would be lonely so two it was. But then 2 suddenly jumped to 4 as Venus suddenly became pregnant with twins. After they were born, Venus swore off having any more children. Two years went by and everything was swell.

And then Taehyung had baby fever and begged Venus for just one more. "Just one more baby, that's it, okay?" She caved, mostly because she missed having a baby as well.

So when Taehyung looked into the living room, at the creations of their love, and turned to Venus, she immediately shook her head. "This is the last one. My uterus can't take another child. The fact that we're having a boy is a sign that we need to stop here." 5 children are more than enough. Hell, it's the number of players allowed to be on a court for one team in basketball.

Taehyung can't ask for much more. Venus has given him so much already. The best few years he's ever lived and many more to come, 5 beautiful children who he would protect with his life, and an unconditional amount of love. He sat there, right beside her while she gave life to his children. And in those moments, he was the most amazed, grateful, and in love he has ever been. Watching her feed them and hold them in her loving arms was something so... beautiful.

"Okay, no more babies. I'll get another vasectomy." There was no way he was going to have her get her tubes tied on top of giving birth to 5 children. It was his turn for the probing into his intimate parts. Plus, he's already had one once, he can always get another.

"We're going to visit Jimin today, right?" Today also happened to be the day she and Jimin first met so she always tried to go and visit him if she could. It was always a joy to see him around the kids. He adored them.

"Yeah, I actually called and asked if he could watch the girls for tonight." Of course, he said yes, but that was a tamer way of saying, "yes, absolutely, when have I ever said no to watching my favorite girls?" And they all equally love staying with him. The last time Venus and Taehyung went out, they came back to find that Jimin had done all their makeup and allowed them to do his, Hoseok's, Yoongi's, and Jungkook's. Every girl got their own test dummies.

Venus turned back to call to their daughters, "who wants to go see Uncle Jimin?" There was something parallel to the collective shrill screaming of demons as they all Hollar in different pitches, volumes, and tones, "I do!" The couples winced and then giggled.

"I'll get them ready, you relax, okay?" Taehyung kissed her head and then her lips. Such a small action holds all the love and care in the world.

────────

"My favorite girls!" Jimin knelt down and opened his arms as all four girls came rushing towards him, essentially burying him beneath them while they all fought to get a hug from Uncle Jimin first. The first hugs were always the greatest, they insisted.

Jimin hugged them all with equal tightness, kissing their cheeks and making them giggle. And once it was all said and done, Jimin came to greet his long-time best friend and her husband. "Happy Anniversary, babe." He hugged Venus, not too tight but tight enough. He kissed her cheek and grinned. "I'm taking you out tomorrow after he's had his turn because I guess he's more of a priority even though I technically met you first." Jimin playfully rolled his eyes before offering a hug to Taehyung who accepted it.

Jimin then focused on Venus once more, more specifically her bump. "Can I?" He always asked before touching her. She wasn't an incubator. If he wouldn't touch her without her permission without her pregnancy, then he wouldn't touch her without her permission while she is pregnant.

Venus nodded and just as quickly, Jimin bent down and placed his hands on her belly. "Hi baby boy, it's your favorite uncle. You're almost there buddy, just another month." He couldn't wait to meet baby Jimin. They really shouldn't have named him that, it was only feeding adult Jimin's ego.

"Have fun on your date. Taehyung, I'm trusting you to treat her right, tonight."

"I treat her right every night, don't underestimate me, hyung."

Jimin offered one last charming smile, running his fingers through his now brown hair. "Alright, well I got some children to wrangle. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"You've done everything, Chim." Venus told him which prompted him to add, "a second time. Don't do anything I wouldn't do a second time." He quickly made his way back to the energetic girls, leading them towards the elevator while he tells them about how Jungkook, Yoongi, and Hoseok are excited to see them.

There's always this feeling of 'they're in safe hands' when it comes to leaving them with Jimin. Despite his young recklessness while in his 30s, he was overcome with a sense of parental responsibility when they were in his care. He would do anything to keep them safe. Maybe because he couldn't have children of his own. Same-sex marriage still hasn't been recognized in Korea and no one would ever allow him, a gay, polyamorous man to adopt a child of his own. He had baby fever too. He wanted a family just like everyone else with his husbands and children. So taking care of Venus and Taehyung's children was the next best option. The joy never lasts for long as they always have to return home, but the little moments he does spend with him is able to satiate his need. He did have a family, in Hoseok, Yoongi, Jungkook, Venus, Taehyung, and all their beautiful babies.

Taehyung took Venus' hand. "We have the whole day to ourselves and then we're having dinner. Whatever should we do?" He feigned innocence, gently rubbing his chin. Venus grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him in close with a mischievous smile crossing her lips. "I have a few ideas."

────────

Venus brushed her hair over her shoulders, attempting to tame the untamable. Her hair was always so...large and she could do nothing to make it sit just the way she wanted it. But Taehyung liked it and embraced it just as much as she wanted to herself. That's why he wore bonnets with her (that and the fact that everyone in the house except him needs to wear a bonnet he just didn't want to feel left out.).

He had told her to get dressed up, nice and fancy, and to talk her time while doing it. Venus didn't know what he was planning, but the sheer surprise of it was enough to get her excited. Not that her life had become boring or anything, but with 4 children and a 5th one on the way, it was hard to spice things up like they used to when they were younger.

Venus' heart nearly leaped out of her chest when she heard the knock on the door before Taehyung came in, dresses up in a sleek, navy blue, three-piece suit. His hair was pushed back out of his face, revealing how distractingly handsome he still was after all these years. It seems as though he hasn't aged much at all beyond a few faint smile wrinkles abound his mouth and at the corners of his eyes.

His eyes trail over Venus, wearing a pretty maroon dress that allowed for a lot of space for her to love. He had just seen her, naked and moaning while he fingered her and then made love to her. It was important that Taehyung reminds her that he still found her sexy. She was getting older, she had given birth to 4 children and was currently pregnant. Her body had changed a lot and insecurity grew. It wasn't uncommon for husbands to cheat because of their lack of attraction after having children.

Taehyung despised the idea of being with anyone other than Venus. She was his soulmate, his one and only. And there was nothing sexier than her being such an amazing mother.

God, he really needed to get that vasectomy or he'd get her pregnant again.

"You look gorgeous, princess." Taehyung walks over to her and tilts her head upwards to face him. He kisses her gently, but passionately enough to send a shiver down her spine. His hand settles on her hip, pulling her close. Venus smiles against his lips, that excited, giddy feeling of youth finding home in her heart as she kissed him. "You look handsome." The way he looks at her makes her feel like they just met, still strangers but with a promising future ahead of them. The future was very promising.

Taehyung took her hand. "Come on, you'll love this." He began to guide her out of the room, through the hall, and downstairs where the light was dimmed. It all felt so...familiar. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, lit candles settled the sensual mood of the room, and on the table was Tuscan Chicken.

Their first date.

Venus didn't even notice she was crying until Taehyung began wiping away the tears from her cheeks. "Why are you crying, princess." He chuckled softly watching as she sobbed before him. She shook her head. "You're too romantic. Stop it."

That wasn't the end of it. Taehyung went and grabbed a box from off the table. He offered it to Venus. "Open it," he encouraged her with twinkling eyes, waiting to see her reaction to her gift.

Venus opened the top and took out the bracelet. It took her a moment to realize it had their children's names and birthdays on it. The moment she did, Venus found herself crying once more with her arms wrapped around Taehyung's neck, sobbing into the crook of his neck. He placed his arms around her and whispered softly in her ear.

"Happy Anniversary, baby."

*.✧ Kᴀʏs Eɴᴅɪɴɢ Nᴏᴛᴇs

Super long Epilogue, but this marks the end of Saints & Sinners. I adore this new version of the book and can look at it with pride knowing I did a good job. I'm so happy with this and feel peace knowing I can complete this book once and for all. I know a lot of you we're here for the original version and I thank you for sticking around and giving this a chance.

Thank you all for reading. I hope to see you in another one of my books.

~Kay ♡