'You're coming back early today, right?'
'Yeah... I have to come back early today because it's Nong Moon's birthday.'
'How old is Nong Moon turning today?'
'Exactly one year old.'
'Wow... that's so fast.'
'Really fast.'
'Then tell Nong Moon for me... Uncle Pee says happy birthday.'
'Just a happy birthday? ...And where's your gift for your nephew?'
'I'll owe him for now. Uncle Pee will buy one later.'
The conversation between Panlee and his close business partner from earlier replayed in his head as he stepped out of the car with a smile. Although today was Nong Moon's birthday, Papa had to attend a meeting with his business partner about the new collection of Once in a Blue Moon clothing since morning. However, Panlee tried hard to finish his tasks as quickly as possible so he could return home to celebrate the birthday of his beloved son.
The tall man walked into the house with a bright smile when he saw Nong Moon, which much bigger now, running toward him. But that smile slowly faded when his mischievous son suddenly stopped and ran back to someone who had just coming down the stairs.
So, Papa Lee became 'Papa left waiting.'
"Why are you running back to Mama, Nong Moon?... You should come to Papa too."
Panlee stood there watching as Mama GlaiJai spoke half-laughing to their precious son. Then GlaiJai bent down to lovingly press a kiss on Nong Moon's head. Oncesatisfied with the affection from Mama, Nong Moon ran back to his Papa.
"Woof!"
Nong Moon barked in protest when Papa didn't immediately bend down to hug him as usual. Panlee admitted he felt a little hurt by his son's actions, but he couldn't stay mad for long. His little boy had a way of melting his heart with those pleading eyes.
Panlee crouched down to hug Nong Moon and said, "Isn't this just heartbreaking?"
"..."
"You were going to run straight to Papa, but as soon as you heard Mama coming down the stairs..."
"..."
"You ran back to him as fast as you could to get his attention."
"Woof! Woof!"
"Now you're arguing even though Papa is telling the truth."
Panlee pretended to sulk, but he wasn't really upset with his son. Because Papa, who loves Mama so much, understood all too well how good it felt to receive Mama's love.
It was no surprise that Nong Moon would run back to him first. Besides Papa, who loved Mama GlaiJai so much, Nong Moon also loved Mama GlaiJai just as much. Papa let go of his son and stood to his full height as his lover walked up to him. GlaiJai smiled softly while looking at him and Nong Moon.
"Don't be upset, Papa."
"..."
"No matter how attached Nong Moon is to me... he loves you very much too."
"Yes, Papa knows... but the image from earlier is still fresh in my mind."
GlaiJai chuckled before saying, "You just got back and must be tired. Go sit down and rest first. I'll get you some water."
"Alright..." Panlee nodded and then looked down at Nong Moon, who was sitting there panting. "...Come on, Nong Moon, let's sit on the sofa with Papa."
"Woof!"
My son...
So clever...
Panlee walked to the long sofa and sat down. Nong Moon jumped up to lie besidehim. Panlee's large hand reached out to stroke his son's brown fur fondly. Not long after, GlaiJai returned with a white tray holding a glass of cold water and a plate of snacks, placing it on the coffee table.
"Cold water," GlaiJai said, handing over the glass. Panlee accepted it and drank it immediately before setting it back on the table.
"Cold water doesn't refresh me as much as my wife's cheeks," Panlee said before leaning in to plant a loud kiss on GlaiJai's cheek. "Now this... this is true refreshment."
"Papa, you're something else."
"Woof!"
"Papa is really naughty, isn't he, Nong Moon?"
"Woof!"
"If you talk bad about Papa, no cake for you today," Papa said, raising a finger to pretend to scold his son. Nong Moon seemed to understand he was being scolded and rested his head on Papa's lap. Panlee chuckled and lovingly patted his son's head.
"When scolding him, it's over so quickly... That's why Nong Moon is never afraid of you."
"I don't want our son to be scared anyway..."
"..."
"I just want Nong Moon to listen to me sometimes."
"Does Nong Moon listen to Papa?"
Panlee gave a sheepish smile and said, "Not really... not much at all."
GlaiJai shook his head with a soft laugh before saying, "Then you sit here and play with Nong Moon for now. I'll go make dinner."
"Okay."
The smaller man stood to his full height to prepare the meal for Nong Moon's birthday party. However, as if remembering something, he turned back to look at Panlee.
"Khun Pa..."
"Yes..."
"Glai ordered a dog-friendly cake too. It'll be delivered to the house. Please wait and receive it."
"Alright."
"And don't give in and let Nong Moon eat it early."
Panlee chuckled softly before replying, "Okay."
"Woof!"
"Nong Moon, that includes you. No begging for the cake early."
"Woof!"
Mama GlaiJai smiled a little before heading to the kitchen, leaving Panlee with Nong Moon. Panlee reached for the remote and turned on the TV. Usually, in the afternoon, their free time activity was watching a movie together.
Papa and Mama GlaiJai would sit close, Panlee's arm draped around GlaiJai's small shoulders while GlaiJai rested his head against Panlee's. Meanwhile, Nong Moon would drape his body across their laps, enjoying GlaiJai's soothing head pats until he dozed off.
The atmosphere of this house...
It was like this almost every day...
But today, the sound of the doorbell interrupted the peacefulness. Nong Moon, lying next to Panlee, immediately jumped off the sofa and dashed outside. Panlee quickly followed his son. At the gate, a man holding a semi-transparent white bag stood waiting. Panlee guessed it was the delivery man with Nong Moon's cake.
"Hello, I'm here to deliver the dog-friendly cake."
"Got it."
"Woof!"
"I hear you, Nong Moon."
Panlee opened the gate and accepted the cake bag from the man, then asked, "Do I need to pay anything extra?"
"Oh no, it's all settled."
"Alright, thanks a lot."
"You're welcome."
Panlee nodded slightly before heading back inside. His son followed closely, wagging his tail enthusiastically. Panlee could tell Nong Moon was excited. He stopped by the table on the patio, placing the bag down and opening the cake box. Looking at Nong Moon, who was staring back eagerly, Panlee said..
"Pa knows we shouldn't break Mama's rules."
"..."
"But, as a man...sometimes we have to make exceptions."
"Woof!"
With that, Panlee used his finger to scoop a tiny bit of cake from the side and offered it to his son. Nong Moon licked the cake off Panlee's finger happily. But once the cake was gone, Nong Moon jumped onto Panlee, pleading for more.
"No more..."
"..."
"Rules are meant to be bent a little, but just a little."
"..."
"Because if I spoil you too much, Papa will be the one to get screwed."
"Woof! Woof!"
"Throwing a tantrum, huh?" Panlee laughed as he brought his son back inside. GlaiJai, just stepping out of the kitchen, asked, "The cake arrived?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, I'll put it in the kitchen for now." GlaiJai extended his hand. Panlee handed over the cake bag, swallowing nervously, afraid that GlaiJai might open the box to inspect it. But GlaiJai simply walked back into the kitchen. Panlee sighed in relief and watched Nong Moon who was running after Mama GlaiJai.
Never...
No matter how much time passes...
I never fear my wife any less.
🌙🌙🌙
[Nong Moon ~ looking adorable in a little hat.]
"Woof!"
[P'Rak really wants to kiss Nong Moon's cheeks!]
Panlee smiled as he watched Mama GlaiJai hold the phone, letting Nong Moon video call Saggy Cheek, who was in Hong Kong with P'Fah. This week, P'Fah and Teerak were helping Dad and Mom manage the hotel, so they couldn't attend Nong Moon's birthday party. But Teerak hadn't forgotten and called to celebrate from afar.
[Next week, P'Rak will bring your present, Nong Moon.]
"..."
[P'Fah, say something to your nephew.]
"..."
[Alright... Uncle Fah wishes Nong Moon to be a good boy, behave, and not be naughty...]
"..."
[...and definitely not as mischievous as your Pa!]
GlaiJai burst out laughing at P'Fah's words. Panlee shook his head slightly, leaning into the camera. He pointed his finger at his best friend and said...
"Saggy Cheek, you should train Khun Fah a little. He's not speaking politely to his nephew at all."
[True... P'Fah, give your nephew a proper blessing again.]
"..."
[Just now, Uncle Fah apologizes, okay?]
"..."
[Uncle Fah wishes Nong Moon to be a good boy, obedient, not bumping into things, and healthy.]
"Woof! Woof!"
"P'Fah has accepted being an uncle... Are you still going to be a 'P''?"
[That's right, I'm going to stay a 'P' just like this.]
Panlee chuckled softly while watching P'Fah and his best friend sitting together. Then he turned to look at Mama GlaiJai, who had one arm wrapped around Nong Moon, wearing a colorful cone-shaped party hat. Panlee then wrapped his other arm around his son and Mama GlaiJai.
[Perfect moment! Mama Glai sitting on the left, Nong Moon in the middle, and Pa Lee on the right.]
"..."
[Such a happy family moment... I'll take a screenshot and send it to you after the call, okay, Glai?]
"Okay, thanks, Rak."
[No problem at all.]
"Make sure to help P'Fah with work too, Saggy Cheek. Don't just wander off having fun."
[Oh, come on... I know that already.]
Panlee chuckled softly but didn't respond further. "..."
[Teerak... let's leave the parents and child to have their time together.]
"..."
[Alright. We're heading out, Glai.]
"Okay... see you, Rak."
[Okay~]
"..."
[Nong Moon... P'Rak is leaving now, okay? Give me a kiss.]
"Woof! Woof!"
"And what about me? Aren't you going to say goodbye to your best friend?"
[I'm off... Bye~]
Panlee shook his head with a small smile after his best friend hung up. He planted a kiss on his son's head, then leaned in to kiss Mama GlaiJai's cheek as well.
"Lee loves Mama GlaiJai and Nong Moon so much."
GlaiJai smiled sweetly and said, "Glai loves Pa Lee and Nong Moon too."
🌙🌙🌙
"Nong Moon..."
"..."
"Are you really going to sleep here, son?"
"..."
"Pa hasn't been clingy with Mama for many nights now, you know."
Panlee sighed when he saw his son sleeping in the middle of him and GlaiJai. Nong Moon raised his front paws to cover his eyes as if refusing to acknowledge anything. Looking at the scene, Panlee thought to himself...
If Nong Moon could talk,
He would probably say,
'Don't talk so much, Pa. Moon is sleeping.'
Lately, Nong Moon had been sleeping with the two of them in the bedroom, always positioning himself in the middle. At first, Panlee didn't think much of it. But now, he realized he had hardly shared any intimate moments with Mama GlaiJai because Nong Moon was always there.
His sharp eyes shifted between his mischievous son and Mama GlaiJai, who lay turned away from him. Panlee didn't feel upset at his wife because GlaiJai usually liked to sleep on his side. All Panlee could do was sigh again and close his eyes. But shortly after, he felt movement. When he opened his eyes, he saw Nong Moon moving to the foot of the bed. At the same time, Mama GlaiJai slowly moved closer, wrapping one arm around him and snuggling his face into his chest.
"Pa's feeling sulky, huh?"
"What did you say to Nong Moon to make him move to the foot of the bed?"
GlaiJai chuckled softly and said, "I just told him, 'Nong Moon, can you let Mama hug your sulky Pa for a moment?'"
"Pa wasn't sulking... Pa just wanted to be clingy with Mama GlaiJai."
"Exactly... That's called sulking."
"But Pa still loves Nong Moon just the same, you know."
GlaiJai chuckled softly and said, "Saying that... Are you afraid your son won't love you?"
"Yes..." Panlee admitted honestly. He glanced at Nong Moon, who had now moved to sleep on top of their feet. A soft smile appeared on his face because it reminded him... Nong Moon loves Pa so much too.
Panlee wrapped his arms tightly around his lover, pressing a loving kiss to the top of GlaiJai's head. GlaiJai leaned up and kissed Panlee's chest gently.
"Mama GlaiJai..."
"Yes, Pa..."
"Pa Lee loves Mama GlaiJai so much."
"Mama GlaiJai loves Pa Lee too."
"Woof!"
"Yes... Pa and Mama love Nong Moon too."
GlaiJai chuckled softly and said, "Nong Moon is as sulky as Pa."
Panlee smiled as he hugged GlaiJai even tighter...
Panlee is the crescent moon.
GlaiJai is the crescent moon.
Together, we are 'Nong Moon.'
Nong Moon, which means... family.