Forever Yours

Chapter 9

Jackson pushed Luna in her stroller as they walked around their neighborhood. He wanted to spend as much time with her before he left for Seoul, South Korea tonight.
It was a business trip that hopefully wouldn't last no longer than a week, but then again you never know what could go wrong.
As Jackson was with Luna, Vanessa was making more designs for her collaboration clothing line with Puma/Fenty. The clothes was supposed to bring a vibe for all ages and Vanessa was struggling because her main audience for her own clothing line was targeted at teenagers and young adults.
She sat in the middle of the living room floor, sketching things she thought could work, but then she'll look at it again and throw it away.
She crumbled up another sheet of paper for the hundredth time and groaned, "Why is this so hard?" She spoke to herself.
Vanessa decided that she need a break and went to go make herself a cup of coffee.
Jackson and Luna made a stop at a local park. Even though Luna was sleeping because it was a ten minute walk and Luna falls asleep fast when she's bored, just like her mother.
Jackson sat at a bench and pulled Luna's stroller closer as he watched the few other kids play around. It was a semi nice day out today. The sun was out, but the wind was blowing, and it gave a nice chilly breeze every now and again.
One of the kids who was playing around had fell and started crying instantly. She looked about six years old and her dad had ran over to comfort her. He picked her up in her arms and she her crying at suddenly stopped.
This made Jackson look at Luna and just imagine the future. His babygirl was turning one soon and that was just the first milestone of many. He was still in shock that he almost had another child, but it just wasn't the right time.
When he found out Vanessa was pregnant with Luna, it was a shocker. Before him and Vanessa got married and before they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend, their relationship was something out of a movie.
There were more smiles than frowns, more kisses than tears, but then they got married and everything changed. Things started to get worse. And then when Vanessa got pregnant, it was good, things were starting to get back to normal until Vanessa found out about him and her sister and things got cold again.
Their relationship really was like a roller coaster, but neither of them would dare to leave the other. Yea they may fight and they may need some time part for a couple of days, but a divorce was not in question.
It wouldn't be healthy for their sake or Luna's.
Jackson and Luna headed back home, so Jackson could finish getting ready for his flight. When he walked through the front door and into the living room, papers were scattered everywhere and Vanessa sat with her head in her hands, in the middle of it.
Jackson took Luna out her stroller who was wide awake as soon as they got home. Vanessa still didn't notice them and Jackson could have swore he heard a sob escape her lips.
"Vanessa."
She jumped and turned to face him, her face covered in tears and her eyes are bloodshot red.
"Hey." Her voice was little above a whisper.
"Why are you crying?" He walked over to her with Luna in his hands, and his chain his hers, before sitting in the floor next to his wife.
"I'm just frustrated because I can't get any of this stuff right." She said as more tears fell down her face.
"Here," he handed Luna to her, "make mommy feel better, baby."
When Luna got into her mother's arm, she wrapped her arms around her neck, giving her a hug.
Vanessa laughed and sighed as she rubbed Luna's back, "thank you baby. Mommy loves your hugs."
"Mommy, I wuv you."
Jackson and Vanessa stopped their movements and Vanessa pulled Luna back to look at her, "Did you..."
"She just just talked. OH MY GOD! SHE JUST TALKED!" Jackson got up and danced around cheerfully.
"Oh baby, you just said your first words and they were great." Vanessa kissed all over Luna's face and Jackson pulled both of them up, smothering them with hugs and kisses.
"Fuck." Jackson mumbled.
"What?"
"I gotta finish getting ready for my trip."
Vanessa slightly pouted and Jackson could see the disappointment in her eyes, but she tried to cover it up.
"We'll help you, right Lulu?"
"No."
Jackson chuckled and shook his head, "we're already in the no phase."
"Come on."
Vanessa straightened Luna on her waist and grabbed Jackson's hand, leading them all upstairs.
"I have an idea." Jackson said as he closed up his suitcase.
Vanessa and Luna were sitting in the bed, watching tv.
"What is it?"
"Why don't you guys come with me?"
"No, Jackson. This is a business trip, you'll be working, you don't need us there to be a distraction."
"I feel like I would focus better if I was in the same place as you whether than being miles and miles apart."
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely."
"Alright."
"Okay, now hurry and pack. I'll get Luna's stuff ready and you do you. We leave in thirty minutes because you know Jinyoung hates it when we're late."
Vanessa just nodded as she gathered her things. She was excited that Jackson invited them along, but she wasn't going to admit it.
Thirty minutes later they were leaving the house and on their to Jinyoung's house to meet everyone else.
When they made it to Jinyoung's house, Everyone was packing their things in the airport shuttle.
"Finally! You're really cutting it close, Jackson Wang." Jinyoung spoke when Jackson got out the car.
Vanessa soon followed after receiving looks from the guys.
"Vanessa? What are you doing here?" Jinyoung asked causing Mark and Youngjae to peek their heads out the car.
"Jackson invited Luna and I along. I hope that's okay?" She chuckled nervously.
Jackson gave Jinyoung a look.
"Of course." He politely smiled.
Everyone piled up in the car with all their luggage in the trunk. Jackson and Vanessa sat in the third row with Luna's car seat in between them. Youngjae had the middle section to himself while Mark and Jinyoung sat in the first row, behind the driver.
"Baby, I really don't think I should have came." Vanessa whispered.
"What do you mean?" He matched her tone.
"Like I said before, this is a business trip, and I don't think Jinyoung is exactly excited that I tagged along."
"Well, I don't care. I'm glad you came, you and Luna."
He reached crossed Luna and grabbed her hand, placing a kiss on it.
When they made it to the airport, Jackson had to go and buy a ticket for Vanessa, but luckily, since they got there early, they had time to spare.
"I'll be back, I'm gonna go get a coffee. Jackson join me." Jinyoung phased it as a demand as he got up and Jackson followed behind after telling Vanessa he'll be back.
"Hi, I'll get a iced coffee with lots of cream and sugar." Jinyoung ordered.
"And I'll have an americano and a vanilla latte."
"A vanilla latte?" Jinyoung questioned as they headed to a table.
"For Vanessa."
"Speaking of Vanessa-."
"Don't say anything Jinyoung."
"But I just don't understand. Wasn't you just telling the guys and I that you wanted to divorce her?" He said in a hushed tone.
"Yes, but things change. We're working on things, Jinyoungie and we're trying to get to a good place."
"Okay." He said emotionless, just trying to end the conversation.
"And plus, we have Luna. She doesn't need to grow up with divorce parents who hate each other."
"Ah, that's it." He said as the puzzle pieces connected in his mind.
"What?"
"You're in this for Luna, it makes sense."
"It's not just for Luna, I love Vanessa." He defended.
"Maybe, but you're not in love with her."
They both grabbed their coffees and headed back to the rest of the group. The words kept ringing in Jackson's head, "you're not in love with her."
Was Jinyoung right? Was Jackson not in love with Vanessa, his wife, the mother of his child. He was second-guessing himself. He knew how he felt about Vanessa and he knew how Vanessa felt about him. Whatever Jinyoung or anybody else says doesn't matter.
A voice came through the intercom saying that they can now board their flight. Everyone was in first class, for obvious reasons. On their flight, most of them slept just to pass time by.
When they touchdown in Seoul, they were greeted by Youngjae's parents who drove to see them and pick all of them up. They were staying at a hotel, but for one night they were gonna stay with Youngjae's parents.
"Listen guys, we have to get up early to meet up with Jaebum and his crew." Jackson explained as they entered the house.
Jaebum's company was based in Korea while Jackson's was based in the states. Jackson needed this business trip to work out for the sake of his company. They were gonna meet up with other companies as well, to bring more money into everyone's pockets.
They next morning came quickly than anyone would have liked. Jackson and the boys left early to go handle their business while Vanessa and Luna stayed with Youngjae's parents. They understood some English and made the best conversation they could. They took Vanessa and Luna around town to give them a little taste of Korea.
"Wow, this is beautiful." Vanessa cooed at a necklace. They were at a farmer's market because Youngjae's mom had to pick up some groceries.
"You should buy it. It says "happy" in korean." Mr. Choi said.
Vanessa stared at the necklace, it really was beautiful. It was a gold necklace with diamonds that spelled out happy, but in korean. Vanessa's thought was interrupted by her phone ringing. She answered without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Hey what are you doing? We're on our way back to the house." The voice belonged to Jackson.
"We're at a farmer's market with the parents. You guys should come."
"Okay, I'll run it over with the guys. Send me the location."
"Okay, bye, love you."
"I love you too."
They ended the call and Vanessa sent Jackson the location instantly.
"Was that Jackson?" Mama Choi asked as they continued walking.
"Yes, the boys may join us soon."
She nodded.
It wasn't long after their phone call that Jackson and the rest of the gang arrived.
Jackson greeted Vanessa with a quick peck before greeting the parents. Youngjae, Mark, and Jinyoung gave Vanessa a hug before they all continued to look around.
"Oh, baby, I saw this cute necklace before you got here and went I say it's so beautiful and you should buy it for me and then by another for Luna, so we can be matching, I really mean it."
Jackson chuckled and wrapped an arm around her as she pushed Luna's stroller, accidentally bumping into Mark who threw her a playful scowl.
"Blame the baby." Vanessa chuckled.
Mark shook his head, "shameful. How you gonna throw your own daughter under the bus like that?"
"Hey She Maybe small, but she is feisty." Jackson chimed in.
After spending another or so at the market they all headed back, but not before Jackson bought the necklaces for his favorite people in the world.
"Tomorrow there is a dinner we all have to go to." Jackson mentioned as he got into bed.
"Aw, Jackson. I didn't bring any fancy dinner clothes." Vanessa whined.
"It's not fancy. In fact, it's so casual that Jinyoungie is wearing jeans."
"Okay." She pouted.
Vanessa never wanted to miss the opportunity to dress up and go above and beyond, but she would have to miss out this time.