The baby’s babbling took a sudden turn as her curious eyes locked onto Heeseung’s shirt. Her tiny hands grabbed the fabric, pulling it toward her as she leaned forward.
“What are you doing, squishy?” Heeseung chuckled, his tone light with amusement.
Before he could react further, she opened her little mouth wide and attempted to gnaw on his shirt, her gums working determinedly against the fabric. Her face scrunched up in concentration as if this was the most serious task she’d ever undertaken.
“Ah, so my shirt’s food now?” Heeseung said, raising an eyebrow as he gently pried the fabric from her grasp. “Sorry, sweetheart, but this isn’t on the menu.”
You burst out laughing, covering your mouth to muffle the sound as she frowned, clearly displeased with her dad’s interference. She let out a series of loud, disgruntled babbles, her tiny fists clinging stubbornly to his shirt.
“Looks like she’s not taking no for an answer,” you teased, watching as she tried again to bring the shirt to her mouth.
“She’s relentless,” Heeseung said, shaking his head with a soft laugh. “She gets that from you, too.”
“Oh, please,” you retorted, leaning closer. “That determination? That’s all you.”
Heeseung smirked, though his focus remained on the baby. “Alright, baby. Let’s negotiate.”
He reached over to the bedside table, grabbing the bottle you’d prepped last night. “How about this instead?”
The moment she saw the bottle, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. Her little hands released his shirt immediately, reaching for the bottle as she squealed with delight.
“Thought so,” Heeseung said, his voice filled with mock triumph as he handed her the bottle and helped guide it to her mouth.
You watched her tiny body relax, her hands gripping the bottle tightly while she drank with contented little gulps. Heeseung’s gaze softened as he adjusted her in his arms, his fingers lightly brushing over her chubby cheeks.
“Saved your shirt this time,” you joked, leaning against his shoulder.
He smiled, tilting his head to press a kiss to your temple. “She can have the shirt if she wants it. She’s already got my heart, anyway.”
The tender moment stretched between you as she drank her fill, her little legs kicking lazily in her dada’s lap. The world outside remained a distant blur, replaced by the pure, uncomplicated joy of family.