It had been weeks since the fight, and life had settled back into its regular programming. Rosé had returned home from her tour, Jennie no longer had to worry about the ice cream shop, and the looming stress of their argument had faded into the background. Now, their only concern was moving into their new apartment—a spacious place that offered the privacy they desperately needed. No one else lived on their floor, so it was perfect for them to live in peace, away from prying eyes.
Boxes were scattered across the living room as they unboxed their belongings. Hayoon, as always, was full of curiosity, darting between Jennie and Rosé, asking endless questions about their new home.
“Mommy, why did we have to move?” Hayoon asked, tugging at Jennie’s shirt. “The new house is so pretty, but why do we live with Auntie Rosie now?”
Jennie exchanged a quick glance with Rosé. They had dodged this question for weeks now, coming up with vague answers that satisfied Hayoon—at least for the moment. But they knew this was becoming harder to avoid.
“Well, baby, we just thought it would be nice to live closer to Auntie Rosie,” Jennie said, forcing a smile as she gently patted Hayoon’s head.
“Yeah,” Rosé added, her voice overly cheerful as she unpacked a box. “Auntie Rosie missed you so much, so now we can spend more time together!”
Hayoon seemed to accept the answer, but there was something more on her mind. She looked up at Jennie, eyes wide with the kind of innocence only a four-year-old could have, and whispered, “But Mommy… why were you and Auntie Rosie fighting so much the other day?”
Jennie froze. The question she had been dreading, the one she had no idea how to answer, was now staring her in the face. She looked at Rosé, who had also paused mid-unpacking, their eyes locking in an unspoken exchange. Was it time to tell her? After all, they were living together now, and soon Hayoon would notice even more things, like them sharing a room.
Rosé raised an eyebrow, asking silently, “Are you sure?”
Jennie took a deep breath, her heart racing. Hayoon didn’t understand what was happening—she looked between her mom and her auntie, her small hands fiddling nervously with the hem of her dress. She was scared that her question had gotten her into trouble.
Jennie knelt down to her daughter’s level and pulled her close. “Come here, baby. Let’s talk.”
Rosé joined them, sitting on the floor next to Jennie as they positioned themselves to face Hayoon. This was it—the moment they had been avoiding for so long, and now there was no turning back.
“Hayoon,” Jennie began, her voice soft but steady. “You know how Auntie Rosie is very special to Mommy, right?”
Hayoon nodded, still looking a bit unsure.
“Well,” Jennie continued, glancing at Rosé for reassurance. “Auntie Rosie isn’t just my friend. We’re… we’re girlfriends. That means we love each other the way that some people love their husband or wife. Do you understand what that means?”
Hayoon blinked, her young mind working to process the information. “Girlfriends? Like how you and Daddy used to be?”
Rosé smiled gently. “Kind of, yeah. But it’s different. Your mommy and I love each other very much, and that’s why we live together now. We want to be a family with you.”
Jennie nodded, reaching out to take Rosé’s hand. “It’s something we’re telling you because we trust you, okay? It’s a secret between the three of us. No one else needs to know.”
Hayoon’s face scrunched up as she thought about it. “Not even Grandma and Grandpa?”
“No,” Jennie said softly. “Not even them. This is something that stays between us.”
“But what if they come over to the house?” Hayoon asked, her voice small and worried.
Rosé smiled, leaning in to give Hayoon a reassuring hug. “Don’t worry about that, sweetie. Mommy and I have a plan if that happens. You don’t need to worry about those things.”
Jennie nodded, stroking Hayoon’s hair. “What’s important is that you know this secret is just for our family.”
Hayoon looked from her mom to Rosé, her wide eyes filled with curiosity. “So… you’re not mad anymore? Like before?”
Jennie smiled sadly, shaking her head. “No, baby. Mommy and Auntie Rosie were just upset with each other, but we made up. Sometimes grown-ups fight, but it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. We love each other very much.”
Jennie and Rosé waited in silence as Hayoon processed everything they had just explained. Her little brow furrowed, clearly trying to understand what it all meant. Rosé gently placed her hand on Hayoon’s back, offering a soft smile.
“How are you feeling about this, Hayoon?” Rosé asked, her voice warm and patient. “Are you okay with what we just told you?”
Hayoon looked up, her big eyes filled with curiosity but not fear. She shrugged slightly, still unsure. “Why do you have to be girlfriends? Can’t you just be best friends?”
Jennie chuckled softly, squeezing Hayoon’s tiny hand. “Well, baby, being girlfriends is a little different from being best friends. It’s like… how you love your favorite toy or your favorite food, but even more. It’s a kind of love where we want to live together and take care of each other.”
Rosé nodded, gently brushing a strand of Hayoon’s hair behind her ear. “And it’s okay if you don’t fully understand it right now. You’re still little, and there’s plenty of time to ask questions. If you’re ever confused or want to know more, you can always ask us. You don’t have to figure it all out today.”
Hayoon hesitated for a moment, then asked in a small voice, “Does that mean you’ll stay with Mommy forever, Auntie Rosie?”
Rosé smiled warmly, her heart swelling at the thought. “That’s the plan, sweetie. As long as Mommy wants me to, and as long as you’re happy with it, I’ll be here.”
Hayoon seemed to think about it for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. “Okay. I’m okay with it… But I can ask more questions later, right?”
“Of course,” Jennie said, relief evident in her voice. “Anytime, Hayoon. We’ll always be here to talk to you.”
Hayoon seemed to accept the answer for now. She shifted slightly, her small face lighting up with a big smile. “I love Auntie Rosie so much, too. She’s my favorite!”
Jennie and Rosé exchanged a look of surprise, both of them laughing softly at her comment. Jennie leaned in to kiss Hayoon’s forehead. “I’m glad you think so, baby.”
Rosé, still smiling, added, “We love you, Hayoon. So much.”
Hayoon beamed up at them. “I love you too. Can we go to the playground?”
Jennie and Rosé couldn’t help but laugh, the heavy conversation now a little lighter. “Sure, sweetie,” Jennie said, standing up and pulling Hayoon with her.
As they left the boxes behind for the moment, Jennie felt a sense of relief wash over her. The conversation she had dreaded for so long had gone better than she had ever expected. They had made it through, and now, they were one step closer to being the family they wanted to be—together.
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