Chapter Text
After a long day and night of bonding, mixed with new parent learning curves and frequent visits from the doctor and nurse, Rumi, Jinu, and Eun-Jae headed home.
As predicted, Derpy and Sussie were in love with their new baby sister.
“Ok, ok,” Jinu said to the approaching animals as Rumi sat on the couch with the baby. “You can meet her, but super gentle, right?”
Sussie rolled her eyes as if to say, “Duh, we know that.”
Derpy merely frog-blinked slowly and smiled brightly.
Rumi waved them over and tilted the baby up. “C’mere, guys. Meet Eun-Jae.”
Sussie landed on the back of the couch and stared down. Derpy walked to Rumi and placed his head on her lap, much like he did when she was pregnant. He softly sniffed and then sat, never moving his head, just smiling.
“I think they like her,” Jinu said with a grin.
Derpy nudged her tiny feet and purred low. Eun-Jae wiggled and Derpy seemed to smile even bigger.
“Oh my God, could this be cuter?” Rumi said, scratching Derpy’s head.
Jinu sat on her other side (that wasn’t taken up by a tiger). “What do you think, Suss?”
The bird just kept staring at the infant, but eventually gave a low chirp that definitely voiced her approval.
Rumi booped the tiger’s nose. “How about you, Derps?”
He looked up at her and kept smiling and then returned his focus to the baby.
Jinu nudged Derpy with his knee. “Oh yeah, they love her.”
Rumi reached to give the magpie a rub under her beak. “We are definitely going to need to take a family photo with these two. I need to hang it up somewhere!”
“We certainly are an unconventional family,” he said with a chuckle. “Might as well photograph it!”
He looked at Derpy, still staring at Eun-Jae with total love in his eyes. “You guys know that you have to share her with the others.”
Suddenly both animals were looking at him with such indignation.
“I’m serious! They’ll be here later this afternoon and you’re going to have to let them hold her.”
Derpy huffed and Sussie’s eyebrows furrowed.
Rumi shook her head. “You’ll be able to protect her after that. Though, to be fair, she does still have us as parents that will also be protecting her.”
Derpy nudged her hand with affection. She smiled. “You know we still love you guys too. We’re just an expanding family now.”
The tiger decided that was an acceptable response and lay down at her feet.
“That’s a good boy.” She looked back at Jinu. “So, I’m thinking we put Jae down for a nap, maybe take one too, then I’ll get her fed and the rest can visit then. Hopefully she’ll be full and happy then.”
“That sounds good. I’ll text them to at least be ready in 2-3 hours.”
“Ok, let’s try out that bassinette,” Rumi said as she stood. “You guys can come too.”
Derpy and Sussie happily followed.
A few hours later, the rest of the family was at the door of the elevator. Rumi was waiting for them.
“Ok, is everyone feeling well? No sniffles, sneezes, coughing?”
Everyone said they were fine.
“Then, line up at the sink and wash those hands.”
“I washed mine before we came,” Baby said.
“That’s actually very considerate. But. Do. It. Again.”
He rushed at her tone. “Yes, ma’am!”
After everyone was thoroughly cleaned up, Rumi asked, “Ok, who won the coin toss to hold her first?”
Zoey happily raised her hand. “Me! Wait, how did you know?”
Rumi tilted her head. “I know you both. You needed a way to decide without pulling weapons.”
Mira chuckled. “Damn. She’s good.”
Rumi winked. “Been leading this group for a while. You guys aren’t the only ones who are experts! Now go sit on the couch.” She turned towards the bedroom. “Bring out the princess!”
Jinu came out then, cuddling the baby who was wearing a little onesie that said, “Newest star!” and tiny pink pants. Her bow with a star in the middle completed the outfit. Derpy and Sussie followed him out and stared relentlessly throughout the visit.
He handed her to Zoey who instantly melted. “Hi Eun-Jae! I’m Aunt Zoey! Oh my God, guys! She is the perfect combination of you both!”
Mystery leaned over and smiled. “She really is. Just look at her hair. It’s purple, but so dark it appears black, as if it was meant to be a seamless blend of her parents.”
The baby tilted her head as she stared at her aunt and uncle.
“She’s certainly got Rumi’s need to know everything,” Zoey said with a laugh.
Mystery laughed as well. “She’s definitely a curious one.”
“She’s been like that since the second she arrived,” Jinu said, obviously still overflowing with fatherly pride.
A few minutes later, Zoey begrudgingly passed her to Mystery.
“Hello there, Eunni. I’m Uncle Mystery. Your aunt and I will watch all the nature documentaries with you and I’ll happily discuss philosophy with you.”
He only held her for a bit before handing her to Mira.
Jinu sat on the arm of the chair and wrapped his arm around Rumi’s shoulders. She nudged him slightly as they watched Mira’s face.
“Hi there. I’m Aunt Mira and this is Uncle Romance. Wow, you’re really tiny, aren’t you?” Mira whispered shakily.
“She’s so adorable,” Romance replied almost as quietly.
“You really think we can handle one of these?” she asked with a slight smile.
“I don’t think we really have a choice now, but yes. I completely think we can.”
Mira merely nodded. “What do you think, Eunni? Can Aunt Mira and Uncle Romance handle your cousin?”
The baby cooed and everyone laughed.
Romance let her grab his finger. “Well, I guess that’s our answer. Eunni approved.”
He took Eun-Jae for a moment and then handed her to Abby.
“Wow, you definitely are a cute little baby. But you will never get a cousin from Uncle Abby. Nope. I’ll spoil you and the ones that come from everyone else. No worries there, little miss. But you and I will probably get into the most trouble. Fist bump?” He pressed his fist against hers. “It’s a deal. Ok, Uncle Baby… damn that sounds stupid. Your turn.”
Baby cradled her and smiled. “Yeah, no cousins here either, but I will sneak you so many snacks. And I don’t mind if you call me Uncle Baby. Uncle Abby will say dumb things and we’ll ignore him.”
Rumi sighed. “Guys, can we not teach her things like that on her second day of life?”
Jinu leaned over and whispered loudly. “To be fair, we knew this would happen with Abby and Baby.”
“You’re lucky I’m holding your kid or I’d throw something at you,” Baby replied.
“You’d miss anyway,” Jinu taunted.
Rumi rolled her eyes. How strange that 5 demons who banded together to steal souls ended up becoming stereotypical brothers.
“Alright, boys! That’s enough!” Rumi threatened through her teeth.
Abby’s eyebrows rose. “Aw, damn, guys! You activated boss level mom Rumi! She’s using the mom voice as an actual mom!”
Rumi subtly flipped him off.
“Ah! But classic Rumi is still here too!” Abby said with a laugh.
Just then, Eun-Jae began to fuss.
“I didn’t do it!” Baby said quickly.
Jinu stood and took the infant from him. “No, she just might be a little overwhelmed. There’s a lot happening here.” He bounced with her for a moment and she settled. “There, all good.”
Zoey leaned over to Mystery. “If you can do that, I won’t be responsible for the amount of kids we have.”
He smirked. “Noted.”
Rumi giggled. “For real though, that was hot, jagiya.” (honey)
He merely waggled his eyebrows at her.
Romance stood then. “Well, we should probably let you guys get some more rest or alone time. We definitely don’t want to be too much for our newest idol.”
“If you guys are sure,” Rumi said with an appreciative tone.
Abby stood as well. “No, we don’t want to be a problem. And it’s not like we won’t see you guys again really soon. I’d hate for my first niece to be scared of us.”
As Mira got up, she smiled. “Besides, I think appa has her almost asleep anyway. J, you’ll teach that to Romance, right?”
“I’ll be honest, I don’t really know what I’m doing. But by the time yours gets here, I might have a few lessons to impart.”
Mystery laughed as he helped Zoey up. “Perhaps there can be a seminar for Romance and myself.”
Jinu shook his head. “You’ll have plenty of uncle experience. You’ll probably learn it all then anyway. No worries.”
Finally, everyone excused themselves to their own apartments. Jinu flopped onto the couch.
Rumi put Eun-Jae in her swing and Sussie flew over, perching on the back of the seat. Both quickly fell asleep. Derpy sat in front of it, his eyes watching it go back and forth.
Jinu laughed. “He looks like one of those cat clocks.”
She joined him on the couch. “He’ll wear himself out soon. Wanna watch something?”
“Sure. Anything but ‘Business Proposal.’”
“Fair. You choose. I’ll probably fall asleep anyway.”
In the end, all 5 were asleep in just a few minues.