Lexie had barely slept the night before, still buzzing with adrenaline even after submitting her final reports and clearing last-minute approvals. Kyungmin had signed her off with a teasing, "You better disappear until next year," and it felt surreal that she finally could.
Four straight days of uninterrupted work paid off.
During those four intense days of work, unlike her usual afternoons spent picking Ethan up from academy and juggling childcare in her studio, Lexie had the rare gift of uninterrupted time. With Matthew stepping in, she was able to sprint through the bulk of her projects—wrapping up everything for the rest of December and even half of January without pause.
And today marked the start of her holiday break.
December 23.
Also the day her parents were landing in Korea. With all three of her brothers — Xander, Lexter, and even Alexis, who flew in from the Philippines.
It had been over a year since they'd all been under the same roof. And for the first time since she'd made Korea home, her entire family would finally see what she'd built.
Ethan was up early too, bouncing around the kitchen in his pajamas, repeatedly reminding her not to forget the toy keychain he wanted to give to his Tito Lexter. Lexie stuffed it in her bag while sipping lukewarm coffee, double-checking her calendar, and trying to slide Ethan into fleece-lined pants, a sweatshirt, and his favorite navy jacket — all at once.
She dressed quickly, tossing her hair into a loose braid and pulling on a thick beige coat. She didn't need to look polished — just warm enough to wait curbside at Incheon.
By 6:20 a.m., they were out the door, her fingers wrapped around Ethan's as they stepped into the sleepy winter morning. Her breath fogged in front of her face, but her heart felt warm.
Matthew had offered to help — his holiday break started today too — and they agreed to meet directly at the airport, taking separate cars since there were too many of them to squeeze into one.
On the drive, Ethan sat in his child seat, practically vibrating with excitement, his legs kicking lightly against the seat.
"Do you think Tito Lexter still eats five boiled eggs every morning?"
Lexie met his eyes in the rearview mirror. "I don't know. But you can ask him yourself soon."
The terminal buzzed with early travelers, the air inside warmed by reunions already in progress. Lexie bundled Ethan in his scarf and beanie, carried his small backpack over her shoulder, and checked the arrivals board — on time.
They waited by the sliding glass doors past customs. Ethan bounced on his toes beside her, his mittened hand clutching hers.
Then, through the glass, familiar silhouettes emerged. Her father — tall and broad-shouldered, his salt-and-pepper hair unmistakable. Her mother beside him, waving. And behind them, the beautiful chaos of her brothers navigating through the crowd.
"There!" Ethan squealed. "There's Lolo! And Lola!"
Lexie crouched to his level. "Okay, remember the plan. We wait until they—"
Too late.
Ethan tore off in a sprint. "LOLOOOO!"
Her dad opened his arms just in time, catching Ethan like he weighed nothing.
Lexie hurried after him, laughing as she weaved through luggage and flustered tourists. "Mom!"
"Lexie! Anak!" Her mom's arms wrapped tightly around her, the familiar scent of lavender clinging to her travel jacket.
Lexter and Alexis elbowed each other for space to hug her next, while Xander — already yawning — held up a coffee as a peace offering.
"Someone's grown taller," Lexter said, ruffling Ethan's hair after their dad put him down.
"He's been eating all his veggies," Lexie teased.
"Liar!" Ethan declared with a dramatic pout.
Their laughter melted together, overlapping and easy, until a honk echoed from the curb. Lexie turned and spotted Matthew's SUV pulling up, windows slightly fogged from the heater.
"There's your Mattie samchon," she told Ethan.
"MATTIE SAMCHON!" Ethan shouted again.
Matthew stepped out wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, looking half-awake but game.
"I see we're importing the entire Jung clan today."
"You said you missed chaos," Lexie shot back as she started helping load the bags.
Lexie took the wheel. Lexter rode shotgun. Ethan sat nestled in the backseat between their parents. The moment they left the garage, the car was already filled with voices.
"Ate (noona), this little dude never runs out of things to say," Lexter said, grinning over his shoulder at Ethan.
"I made a drawing for Lolo and Lola too," Ethan added, proudly pulling out a folded page of crayon-colored stick figures with exaggerated facial expressions. "This is you, Lolo, when I told you I have a Korean name."
Her dad laughed, pointing to the round face drawn on the page. "Still bilog (round). Some things never change."
Her mom leaned over and tousled Ethan's hair. "You talk more than your mama did when she was younger."
Lexie snorted. "That's debatable."
"You gonna cry, Ate (noona)?" Lexter teased.
"Not unless you make me." She kept her eyes on the road. But she was smiling.
It felt good—driving in the lead, her family finally riding along through the same streets she once navigated alone.
In the rearview mirror, she spotted Matthew's car following them closely. He texted earlier.
Matthew Lee💙👬
Behind you.
Brothers won't shut up.
Be thankful you got the parents and the child.
Lexie smiled to herself.
The two-hour drive to Gapyeong passed in a blur of Ethan's animated storytelling.
"And then Mama said no snacks after 8 p.m. but sometimes when she's busy I eat one. Just one," Ethan said solemnly, holding up a single finger. "And I told Mattie samchon I wanna be an astronaut. But also an architect."
"Multitalented," her mom said warmly.
"I want to design space houses!"
"Just like your mama used to draw dog hotels," Lexter quipped.
Lexie groaned. "I still have that sketchbook. Don't tempt me."
Laughter filled the car.
By the time they arrived, the sky had softened — clouds giving way to a pale winter sun. The air smelled clean and sharp: pine, woodsmoke, December.
Her house sat tucked between frost-touched trees, the wide porch overlooking a riverbend. Beside it, the quiet Lee home stood still.
Lexie parked first. She helped Ethan out, then turned toward her parents. Her mom stepped out slowly, eyes taking everything in.
"This is really the house you gave us?" she asked, voice trembling.
Lexie nodded.
Matthew's car pulled in behind them.
Xander stepped out first, arms spread wide. "Damn, Lex. You didn't say it looked like a magazine cover."
Alexis emerged next, snapping a photo. "Is this your actual house or an Airbnb?"
Lexie laughed. "It's real. And no, this one isn't mine—it's mom's and dad's—mine's back in the city. I gave them this, my christmas present."
Matthew opened his trunk and grabbed the luggages from his trunk. "Help me out, boys. Time to earn your stay."
Inside, the house was already warm. Lexie had prepared it the night before — heat on, beds made, fridge stocked. The air smelled faintly of lavender.
Her mom walked slowly through the living room, fingertips brushing over photo frames: Ethan's academy events, Lexie with her SM team, a dusty photo of her and Matthew at a construction site, plaster in their hair.
"You made a home," her mom said softly.
Lexie smiled. "I had help."
Ethan tugged at her hand. "Can I show them the upstairs now?"
She nodded. "Let's all go."
The morning unfolded in a happy blur: house tours led by Ethan and Lexter, Xander claiming the sunniest guest room, Alexis on the balcony showing off the view to friends over video call.
By lunch, Matthew grilled outside — "tradition," he insisted, even with frozen fingers. Her brothers joined in, flipping burgers, stealing bites, assigning DJ duties.
Lexie sat on the porch beside her mom, a blanket wrapped around their legs, Ethan asleep in her lap.
"He fits here," her mom whispered.
Lexie nodded. "I know."
"You too."
That one took Lexie a moment to process.
"I'm glad you came," Lexie said, voice lower.
"We're proud of you. You raised him well."
The sun slipped lower in the sky, draping gold across the yard.
Inside, the fireplace crackled, shadows dancing on the walls.
By early evening, Ethan stirred, blinked sleepily, and immediately ran to curl up between Xander and Alexis in front of an old Christmas movie.
Lexie stepped into the kitchen to grab mugs when Matthew appeared behind her, casually stealing one.
"I forgot how loud your family is," he said.
"And you missed it?"
"Maybe."
She rolled her eyes and handed him a plate. "You did well today."
"I just drove. You're the one who made this place feel like home."
Lexie leaned back against the counter, eyes drifting to the living room — to Ethan now perched on Alexis's shoulders, laughter spilling out of him.
"I wanted them to see this," she murmured. "Not the company version. Just... the real parts."
"You've always been real," Matthew said. "Just guarded."
She met his gaze, something quiet and knowing passing between them. "Comes with the territory."
Later that night, as the sky deepened into indigo, Lexie stepped out onto the porch again. Behind her, the house glowed — with laughter, with warmth, with people she loved.
Ethan burst outside for one last moment, throwing an imaginary handful of snow into the air.
"Mama, this is the best day!"
She knelt and opened her arms. He flew into her chest.
"You like it here?"
"I love it here," he whispered, sleep already clinging to his words.
She kissed the crown of his head. "Then we'll make more days like this."
From inside, her father's voice called out—asking who was up for one last round of hot cocoa.
Lexie stood, lifting Ethan into her arms, and carried him back in.
Tomorrow, she'd let herself sleep in.
But tonight?
Tonight, her house was full.
And her heart — even fuller.
~~ 끝 ~~