Jean was sitting on the same chair, humming to the baby and cradling her gently in her lap.
Many patients came and went, and some even asked if she was okay. Seeing a young woman alone with a baby in a hospital lobby was enough to make people curious.
The difference was, today, she was actually waiting for someone to return.
Thud.
The bench slightly shook as someone sat beside her. His hand held a large document with the name of the hospital on the front, and there was a smile of relief on his face.
The first thing Jean heard was a question.
"How did you know?"
She exhaled a sigh and gave him an honest response.
"Kai... you were my first and last."
He was taken aback by those words.
"Wait, really?"
She nodded.
"That’s why I knew there was no room for doubt. She is your child."
He just stared at her for a few moments before his shoulders sagged.
"I’m sorry for doubting you."
"I don’t blame you. Anyone would have." Jean assured him. "Truthfully, I was expecting far worse, but you proved that not every person changes with time."
She faintly smiled at him.
"You’re still the same."
She saw him awkwardly scratching the back of his neck before muttering, "Same goes for you. That smile is still charming as ever."
"!!"
She was taken aback.
How could someone compliment others so casually?
She coughed before saying, "Well, then. Since it has been proven that she is yours too, should we name her?"
Jean had always wanted to give her child a name, but she felt she had already stolen too many moments from her father. The least she could do was let him be a part of naming her.
However, Kai shook his head.
"Not here. I need to be calmer to think about it. A name has to be taken seriously. I mean, look at my name. Kai... I just got done with it."
Jean hummed.
"I feel your name is quite unique and easy to remember."
Kai shrugged.
"Well, I’m not complaining, but I want our daughter’s name to be something more beautiful."
"..."
Somehow, hearing him say our daughter caught her off guard.
But then she inwardly shook off her thoughts and focused on the present.
"Then... should we go back and decide?" she suggested, sounding a bit uncertain.
Kai nodded.
"Yep, that seems appropriate. Now, let me hold her. You must be tired."
He took the baby so naturally that it didn’t feel like they had only met last night.
Jean felt relieved seeing how the baby never made a fuss being in the arms of someone other than her mother.
A few people had carried her before, and the reactions they got... ahh, her heart trembled just remembering the baby crying.
They soon stood up and started moving toward the staircase.
Just then, Jean finally asked something that had been weighing on her heart ever since she woke up that morning.
"Um, Kai."
He hummed in response.
"...Can I stay a few more days with you? I swear, not longer than three days. I just need to find a job and withdraw some savings. After that, I promise I will leave."
She had been worried about asking.
Of course, she would be.
In her mind, she was nothing to Kai except the mother of his child. He had no obligation toward her.
She had come to bring the baby to her father, hoping Kai could help care for her while Jean found a way to rebuild her life.
She had lost contact with her friends and mentors, so it would take some time to find a job. But once she did, she could discuss with Kai how long they could keep the baby.
’Why isn’t he saying anything?’
Just then, she noticed that he had turned completely silent.
That made her wonder if he might be uncomfortable having her over.
Wait!
"Are you perhaps dating someone?"
If that was the case, it would be a disaster for her to stay with him under the same roof.
However, Kai shook his head.
"No, Jean. I’m not dating anyone."
He assured her before continuing.
"And if I clean the place where I live and arrange a mattress so that you don’t feel guilty, would you mind staying with me a little longer?"
Jean was surprised.
"What? You... want me to live with you?"
He paused and turned to look at her.
"If only you don’t mind. Trust me, I have no ill intentions, but I feel you need some time to get back on your feet."
He smiled faintly.
"I won’t stop you once you find yourself a job and earn enough without having to withdraw your savings. But until then..."
He looked into her eyes and asked sincerely,
"...would you mind allowing our daughter to live with both her mother and father?"
Ba.
Dum.
There was no denying it. Her heart just skipped a beat.
She lowered her head and bit her lower lip. Her ears turned red before she muttered in a quieter voice, "Quite slick of you to use the child."
Shamelessly, he chuckled.
"Then should I consider myself lucky to have Miss Jean as my roommate for the time being?"
She huffed.
"Yes. Rejoice, if you want."
He nudged her with his shoulder before telling her, "I sure am. Now, let’s go, baby. We have some shopping to do."
Jean was flustered, thinking he had called her "baby"... only to realize he had already moved away, talking to the child.
She faintly laughed to herself and, with a shake of her head, followed the two.