Second Chances

~Twenty Nine~

The next few month flew by. Aeri celebrated her fifth birthday with a small quiet party. She said she didn't want to have a party without her Appa and Zuho couldn't get a break to be there. So it was just her and Y/n, Hobi, Jimin, Jungkook, the other members of SF9, Sorin and Minhyuk came, and Y/n and Zuho's parents. There was nothing fancy or extravagant like the other birthdays, just cake and ice cream, and gifts for the princess of course, everyone crammed into Zuho's apartment because it was bigger than Y/n's and Zuho had allowed them to use it. He FaceTimed Aeri and that made her smile, them waiting to sing to her until he called. Aeri was now anxious to start school but Y/n said one more year. She's trying to grow up too fast. TXT was getting ready to start their first world tour which meant Hobi and Jimin would be traveling with them. Aeri was very upset, saying they were leaving her too like Zuho and now she'd have no one. Y/n thought it was funny how it was like Y/n being there didn't matter. She didn't feel hurt though, knowing how important everyone is in her life. And with Zuho in the military, Hobi and Jimin especially, have become like surrogate dads to her. She's a little girl but she still needs male role models too. It was now about a week before Hobi and Jimin were set to leave for Canada for the first leg of the tour.

"How's Ri holding up?" Jimin asks as Y/n, Hobi and him had lunch together at the company's cafeteria. Y/n sighs and takes a bite of her rice. "She's good. Pouting and then fine and then pouting again. She'll have a tough time I know, but she'll be fine. This is the life of a child in this industry. She knows about touring from Zuho. But you guys know how stubborn she is so she'll sulk for sure." Both men chuckle. "She's such a spit fire like you sis. Can I keep her overnight tonight to have some Ri and uncle Hobi time?" She smiles and nods. "I think she'd like that. But don't be taking her out and spending a fortune on her, I know how she works you." Hobi smiles wide knowing he can't argue. "She's my only niece, I'm allowed to spoil her. Especially when I'm leaving for a couple months. But I'll bring her back all kinds of goodies from abroad." Y/n rolls her eyes, knowing it's pointless to argue with him. "What are you going to do with your free night then Y/n?" Jimin asks as he takes a bite of his food. "Absolutely nothing!" She laughs. "Take a long hot bath, then curl up and watch some adult tv in silence. I can't even remember when the last time I had a night to myself was. I'll enjoy it" she laughs again. Jimin laughs and says, "You deserve a quiet night Y/n." They finish lunch and head back up to get back at the grind. Y/n has to hunt down the two straggling Enhypen members, as per usual, to get the group started on their workout. "I swear to god, I don't know why you two can't just show up like the rest of your members. I shouldn't have to come hunt you down every day!" She scolds Sunoo and Ni-ki as the three walk into the gym. The two look at her and try to give her their cute pouty faces but she's over those. They've long worn those out. "We're sorry noona. We'll do better." She scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Those faces don't work anymore and don't SAY you'll do better, just do better. All you have to do is follow the others here. I'm going to start giving you a punishment session of you can't be here on time without me having to hunt you both down." They both flinch, knowing how brutal her punishment workouts can be. They both bow and she waves them off. "Just go to the treadmills and start your runs" she sighs, having to turn away to stifle her laugh as they almost trip over each other running to the machines.

The rest of the day goes smoothly, TXT coming in after Enhypen leaves to get a workout in. They have to build their stamina for their tour. The energy they exert on stage is killer. Guiding TXT is always a breath of fresh air, they're all so diligent and work hard. She reminds herself that Sunoo and Ni-ki are still really young and not to be too hard on them almost daily. Once the day is done Y/n heads down and picks up Aeri from daycare, and they head home to pack her bag for her sleepover with uncle Hobi. "I can't wait until uncle Hobi gets here! I bet he'll get me a squishmallow" Aeri grins. Y/n furrows her brows and points to her five year old. "Uncle Hobi is not keeping you to spend a bunch of money on you, he wants to spend time with you before he has to go on tour. So don't be asking him for stuff. Just play with him and have fun." Aeri looks a little embarrassed, her smile falling, but she nods at her mom. "I won't ask for anything Eomma. I'm sorry." Y/n feels a bit of guilt for scolding Aeri, even though she needs to be reminded, so she smiles at her and hugs her. "It's ok angel, we all know how uncle Hobi loves to buy you stuff. I just don't want you going with him expecting him to do that. He leaves next week and will be gone for two months before his visit back home, so just spend time with him." She watches her daughter grow sad and it breaks her heart. "And, if uncle Hobi buys you a present then ok. Just don't ask." Aeri starts to smile again and nods. "I promise Eomma" she says. Y/n stands and fluffs the little girls hair. "Good. Now let's go get you packed." Aeri runs to her room with Y/n following behind giggling. Hobi shows up about an hour and half later to pick her up. She's bouncing with excitement and Hobi loves it. His bond with his niece is so special. "I never in a million years would have thought that my niece would be the kid of an idol" Hobi chuckles as Aeri is dancing around the living room in excitement. Y/n laughs and shakes her head, eyes trained on her daughter that looks more and more like Zuho every day. "Me neither Hobi. But....there she is! And I'm lucky Zuho is such a great dad despite being an idol. And he's done so well keeping hers and my privacy." Hobi smiles and pecks Y/n's cheek. "He has. And I swear, if Ri didn't have your eyes and nose I would have sworn FNC cloned her to be a Zuho lookalike because DAMN! She looks like he shit her out!" Y/n full belly laughs. "Shut up! I can see me in there......somewhere." Hobi rolls his eyes and nods, not agreeing. "Ok, sure sis. Her eyes and nose
Y/n, that's it." Y/n laughs again and grabs Aeri's bag, handing it to her brother. "Well, I think Zuho is very attractive so I'm glad she looks like him." Hobi laughs as he grabs the bag and throws it over his shoulder. "You ready to go Ri? Ready to start our super awesome fun Hobi and Ri sleepover?" Aeri screams and throws her hands in the air as she runs to them. "YES!!!! Let's go uncle Hobi!" She grabs his hand and starts to drag him to the door. He's laughing as he lets her drag him. "Have fun and don't be buying her stuff Hobi, I mean it!" Y/n warns him but he smirks and winks before shutting the door. Y/n knows it's a losing battle but she still tries.