Ch.367367. I Really Got It, Third Child…!

“Congratulations. You’re ten weeks pregnant.”

“…Ah, thank you.”

After automatically responding to the obstetrician’s congratulatory words, I looked at Hwa Nabi.

As if she had known things would turn out this way, she smiled quietly and met my eyes.

‘Darling, see? What did I tell you? Today was a dangerous day, and I said if we did it this much, we’d have a third child.’

‘…You’re right.’

I don’t know why I did it so much back then. Looking back now after so much time has passed, I probably heard it in one ear and let it out the other because I was excited.

Hmm, this is why people shouldn’t get carelessly excited at any time. I regretted it belatedly, but it was already too late. The baby was conceived, and it was already 10 weeks along. All I could do was prepare to welcome our third child.

That aside, I really didn’t think she would actually get pregnant. Things had been quiet for the past four years, so I had half given up, thinking a third child might be difficult… but then suddenly, unexpectedly, a baby.

“The baby is growing healthily, and as for the mother… you seem to be in better condition now than during your first examination. Is it because this is already your third? Since both mother and baby are healthy, you shouldn’t have any worries until delivery.”

“Heh, yes. Thank you.”

“…”

No worries until delivery… is that so?

To be honest, I’m half happy and half conflicted right now. The happiness naturally comes from the fact that our family will grow, and the complicated feelings come from worrying whether I can be a good father to our third child.

With increasingly frequent overtime work and less time to focus on family… it’s a natural concern, I suppose.

I try to listen to the precautions the doctor is explaining, but I can barely hear them. Eventually, half-listening, I take Hwa Nabi’s hand and leave the examination room.

Balancing work and family isn’t as easy as it sounds. When I was younger, I didn’t understand why married men worried about such things, but now that I’m older, I think I understand their feelings.

No, what do I mean “I think”? I fully understand it now.

“Sigh…”

After completing the payment, I approached Hwa Nabi.

Unlike me with my complicated feelings, she had a bright smile on her face. Looking at her makes me feel like I’m some kind of criminal for worrying unnecessarily.

“Darling, is something wrong?”

“Huh? What?”

“Your face looks gloomier than usual. Did someone give you trouble at the payment counter?”

Hwa Nabi asked as we passed through the lobby and headed toward the stairs to the underground parking lot. I hesitated to answer.

“No, it’s not that. Just…”

“Yes, just?”

“…Just, hearing that we’re having a third child makes me feel a bit complicated. Nabi, don’t you feel the same?”

There seemed to be no point in hiding my true feelings, so I just honestly shared them and waited for her answer.

Hwa Nabi quietly looked at me as I mumbled, then soon waved her right hand. Based on my experience, this hand gesture means she wants me to come closer and bend down.

I slightly lowered my upper body as instructed.

Then, smooch. Something soft touched my cheek. This familiar sensation was definitely Hwa Nabi kissing my cheek.

“Oh…”

Fortunately, no one was passing by, but is this really okay? Feeling a bit dazed, I rubbed the spot where her lips had touched and glanced at Hwa Nabi.

Unlike my timid reaction, she very confidently reached out and stroked my head.

“Of course I feel complicated.”

“…Of course?”

“Yes, of course. Think about it—finding out you’re having a baby… who wouldn’t feel complicated? Starting with whether I can be a good parent, wouldn’t there be countless worries? Of course, I feel the same.”

“…”

So it’s normal to have such thoughts.

After hearing Hwa Nabi’s words, I felt like I’d been hit on the head with a hammer.

“That’s right. It’s natural to have such concerns. So, darling.”

“Oh, yes?”

“When that happens, don’t suffer alone—share it quickly with the person beside you like this. That way, I can comfort you or whatever… understand?”

As I quietly enjoyed Hwa Nabi’s gentle hand stroking my head, I slowly nodded.

“…Yes, I understand.”

“Heh… good, that’s my good darling.”

“…”

I thought it was heartfelt comfort… but was I actually being treated like a pet? Should I like this or not? Now my feelings are complicated in a different way.

We’ve been married for 8 years now, but even after all this time, the way she treats me hasn’t changed. Suddenly finding myself amusing, I quietly laughed.

“Oh, seeing you laugh, you must be feeling better. Darling, how was my comfort?”

“…It was so good I could cry.”

“That’s too much flattery? No matter what, my comfort wasn’t that—eek! Oh my, oh my…!”

Since no one was watching anyway, I listened quietly to Hwa Nabi and then suddenly lifted her by the waist, raising her high.

Surprised by her body suddenly being lifted into the air, she opened her eyes wide and placed her hands on top of my head, pressing down firmly.

“Baby, are you happy?”

When I whispered against Hwa Nabi’s stomach, she giggled as if ticklish and hugged my head tightly. Because of that, my vision was blocked and I couldn’t see anything, but I still managed to add one more thing.

“Our baby, Mommy’s breasts belong to Daddy, and I’m just lending them to you for a while. Don’t use them too much, okay?”

“Ah! Really…! Darling…! What are you saying in a corridor where people might pass by…!”

I wanted to squeeze her all over, but since there were CCTVs in the stairwell and someone could pass by at any moment, I put Hwa Nabi down.

With her clothes slightly disheveled because of me, Hwa Nabi fixed her collar with a reddened face and muttered.

“My breasts belong to me, not you! Why are you arbitrarily claiming ownership of someone else’s property…!”

“Nabi, we’re not strangers, are we? And you know, they say husband and wife are one body. So Nabi is mine, and I am Nabi’s, right?”

“…You’ve been coming home late because you’re busy lately, but you say things like this only when it suits you, don’t you?”

She hit a sore spot, so I have nothing to say. With no way to refute, I gently embraced Hwa Nabi.

“Sorry, you know I love you, right?”

“Hmph, I don’t know…? You always just say you love me.”

It seems like I’ve shown it through actions a lot, not just words, but I guess it has become less frequent lately due to circumstances?

Since we need to be careful during early pregnancy, I should carefully show her that I love her. With that in mind, I whispered in Hwa Nabi’s ear.

“Then, shall I show you with actions?”

“…What are you planning to do?”

Smooch, I brought my lips close and kissed her cheek. Hwa Nabi’s left cheek, where my lips touched, gradually turned red.

“How about it, do you understand now?”

“No, I still don’t quite get it…?”

If a kiss on the cheek isn’t enough, then I should kiss her lips next. After making sure once more that no one was around, I quickly pressed my lips against hers and pulled back.

Just barely touching and pulling away seems to make her impatient, as Hwa Nabi looks at me with eyes that say it’s far from enough.

“You’re not planning to just tease me and run away, are you?”

“If you want more, ask for it. Say, ‘Darling, please kiss me.'”

“Darling, please kiss me…”

“…”

As much as you want.

After muttering inwardly, I gently pressed my lips against hers.

We kissed on the landing of the staircase, and then, without either of us initiating it, we embraced each other tightly.

“…Darling.”

“Yes, Nabi?”

“Aren’t you a little tired? I think it would be nice to rest a bit before going home…”

“Well, is there a place to rest around here…?”

When I pretended not to understand Hwa Nabi’s subtle signal, she narrowed her eyes and glared at me. I found her expression incredibly cute, so I gently caressed her waist and smiled.

“I was just joking, why are you looking at me so fiercely?”

“…I don’t know, dummy. Go home by yourself.”

“Didn’t you say we should rest? Are you going straight home now?”

“Darling, if you keep teasing me, I’m going to get angry…?”

Her reactions are so cute when I tease her just a little, which is why I can’t help but keep playing around.

If I said these inner thoughts out loud, she’d get angry, so I swallowed them and just gently stroked her head.

“Sorry, shall we really go rest then?”

“…Don’t ask such things.”

“Okay, I got it. Then…”

As I was caressing Hwa Nabi’s flushed cheeks, buzz. Suddenly, my phone in my pocket vibrated.

Ah, who could it be at this important moment? I tried to check the name, and what do you know.

[Caller – Father]

“…”

It wasn’t just anyone, but my parent. And not my mother, but my father who rarely calls unless something important happens.

What is it, did something happen? As my face turned sour, Hwa Nabi seemed to notice something too, as she was about to pout her lips but stopped and glanced at my phone.

Then, upon discovering the three characters spelling “Father,” she was startled almost as much as I was. I almost laughed at her reaction.

“Darling, isn’t that your father calling…?”

“Yes, it’s my father. Sorry, but can I take this for a moment?”

“Yes, answer it quickly. It might be something urgent.”

As I touched the green icon, there was a moment of quiet silence.

It seems I should speak first.

“Hello, Father?”

[“…Yes, Siwoo?”]

“Yes, it’s me. Is something wrong? It’s unusual for you to call.”

[“Hmm, nothing special. I called because the date for the meeting with the in-laws has been set. Keep next Saturday completely free.”]

“Ah, meeting with the in-laws. Yes, I under—”

I was about to say “understand,” but I was startled.

What? Meeting with in-laws? Did I just hear something wrong?

For a moment I thought my ears were playing tricks on me, but it seemed that wasn’t the case as Hwa Nabi beside me was also surprised.

“M-meeting with in-laws…?”

“No, Father. Meeting with in-laws? This is the first I’m hearing of this—whose meeting are we talking about?”

[“Whose? Well, obviously.”]