A few weeks after my intense fight with Lee Know, things are finally starting to calm down... Just in time for Lee Know's birthday! I start the day scrambling eggs as the twins gush with excitement over their dad's birthday.
"Do old people still like video games?" Mickey asks.
"We could get Dad a chemistry set!" Mason suggests.
"Both great ideas... But if we want to find the perfect gift, we need to think about what he likes. Starting with what kind of person he is..."
"Old!" Mickey shouts playfully.
"And...nice?" Mason adds
"Yes. Old and nice. But your dad is also down-to-earth and hardworking. He likes simple, practical solutions and has a lot of common sense, so maybe a home-cooked meal made by his kids?"
"I hope you're not making a big deal out of another trip around the sun." I look up just as Lee Know enters the room, buttoning up his shirt. For just a moment, I catch a glimpse of his chest and swallow. "Good morning, everyone."
"Happy birthday, birthday boy!"
"Oh no, please, it's--"
"The anniversary of the birth of Lee Min-ho! a momentous occasion! Huzzah!"
Half-teasing, I wrap Lee Know in a tight embrace, but as soon as I feel his body pressed against mine, I pull away.
"Thank you."
"Happy birthday, Dad!"
"You don't look a day over a hundred!"
Lee Know slips onto the stool next to Mickey and ruffles his hair.
"Well, that's a relief."
"Yeah, what's your secret? For someone so ancient, you look incredible."
"Drinking lots of water...and steering clear of beautiful women."
His eyes linger on me for a moment too long before he gathers his things for work.
"I'll see you all this evening. Mickey, don't burn the house down. Mason...watch your brother."
"What? But I'm older!"
"Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on him, Dad!"
Lee Know briskly heads out the door for work, and I try to shake off the suspicion that he didn't say goodbye to me because he's trying to keep his distance.
Later that day, I walk down through a local farmer's market with Carter and the boys, looking for inspiration for Lee Know's birthday dinner. "Alright, what should we make your dad for his birthday dinner?"
"Chicken nuggets! With a side of quesadillas!"
"And mozzarella sticks!"
"I'm not sure we'll be able to find those here...Carter, you know Lee Know better than I do. You have any suggestions?"
"Mr. Lee is a man with sophisticated palate. You can't go wrong with a gourmet meal made from fresh ingredients..."
"We are surrounded by fresh ingredients."
"But he's also a man who appreciates the simple things in life. I've been through my share of drive-thrus with him. You can't go wrong either way."
"In that case, let's keep it simple, but delicious. A basic appetizer with yummy homemade burgers. What do you think, boys? Can you help me with all that?"
"Burgers? I'm an expert on burgers!" Mickey says with a heroic pose.
"Then let's get started." I start pulling ingredients in my basket as the boys follow close behind. Before I know it, We're back in the bar, heading to the penthouse.
"Dad is gonna be so surprised when he sees what we've made!"
"Especially if we don't set fire to the kitchen this time!"
"Yeah, let's avoid that..." I giggle.
"We'll be home in about an hour, Miss. (YLN). There's some congestion on our normal route."
"An hour? That's basically forever!" Mickey whines.
"That's just enough time to teach you all sorts of car games. There's always 'I Spy' and 'Alphabet' and 'Guess the Song' and--"
"Okay, okay, I get it! We won't be bored!"
"But (Y/N), what about the food? Won't it spoil in the back?" Mason asks.
"It should be fine. We won't be stuck in traffic for that long..." Outside the window, a shopping complex catches my eye. "Although, maybe we should stop to get an ice chest or something, just in case--"
"Ooo, can we go to the mall? We could get a birthday present for Dad too!" Mason suggests.
"I was just gonna draw him a picture or something, but it'd be way better to get him a real gift." Mickey adds.
I look up at Carter, and he shrugs. "No harm in waiting out the traffic at the mall."
"Yeah! And Dad deserves a present. He buys us stuff all the time!"
"Please, will you let us stop, (Y/N)? Pleeeease?" Mickey begs, giving puppy eyes.
"Carter...let's go to the mall."
Soon, I'm strolling through the mall with the twins, scanning the storefronts for inspiration.
"This place is huge! How're we suppose to find anything?" Mickey asks.
"I know! Follow me!" Mason takes off around the corner.
"Mason! Wait for us!" I finally catch up to him inside a make-your-own toy store. "Mason, this place is perfect. Lee Know will love a homemade stuffed animal made by his boys. The only question is...which one?"
"Oh, I know! I know!" Mickey holds up the teal lining of a stuffed dragon.
"That could work--"
"Or what about this one?" I turn to find Mason holding up a stuffed lion.
"That's cute too--"
"But mine is better right?" Mickey asks holding up his dragon.
"Well, it's not about whose is better, but which one your did will like..."
"Which is definitely mine, right (Y/N)?" Mason asks holding his lion in front of the dragon.
I look at both boys trying not to pick a favorite to insure I don't upset the other when an idea pops into my head. "Let's splurge and get both!"
Both boys' face light up with such joy when they hear what I have suggested. "Really?"
"Why not? It's a special occasion."
"Dad's the luckiest guy in the world to get two presents!" Mickey says.
"You just have to promise to stuff them with love."
"Gross."
"We will."
I smile as one of the workers helps the boys stuff their toys, then wraps the gifts for them. After finishing up, I find myself strolling through the mall again.
"We should find Carter. Hopefully the traffic's all cleared up and--"
"But what about you? Aren't you going to get Dad something for his birthday?" Mason questions.
"Me? I wouldn't know where to start. What do you get a man who has everything?" I ask the boys.
"A hug?"
"Somehow, I don't think I could get away with that."
"It's like you said before. You have to put yourself in Dad's shoes and really think about what he really wants." Mickey repeats my advice.
"Boys, I know you want to be in a rock band and that's awesome, but Dad needs to focus, so let's put the pots and pans away." Mason mocks playfully."
"Boys, this is the first chance I've had to take a bath in years, so please, please, please tell me what you just exploded in my bathwater. ...It was a bottle of Alka-Seltzer." Mickey joins in.
My eyes widen as an idea pops into my head. "That's it!"
"Alka-Seltzer?" Mickey asks in confusion.
"Seems a little boring to me..."
"No, I figured out what I should get your dad."
A few minutes later, I'm perusing the shelves at a spa center.
"What is all this stuff?" Mason picks up a seashell bath bomb and sniffs it.
"Stuff to make you smell and feel good. Now, let's get your dad a bottle of massage oil."
All he needs now is someone to rub it all over him.
"Well, I still don't get it, but if you think Dad will like it..." Mickey says.
"I do. Come on."
I purchase the gift, then call Carter to take me and the boys home, no traffic in sight. That evening...the kitchen is a war zone of sauces, flours, and ingredients I didn't even know where in the house.
"Is the sauce suppose to be boiling that high?"
Mason skims over the recipe and makes a face before looking up at me. "First, don't freak out. Second...I think we doubled the garlic."
"That's okay. We'll just double other ingredients too. Easy peasy. Plus, you get to practice your math."
"Aw, man." Mickey groans.
I continue slicing and dicing as the boys garnish the plates. Soon, there's nothing to do but wait for the entree to cook.
"Whew! I'm exhausted!"
"Yeah, I don't know how you do this all day ever day, (Y/N)!"
Mickey and Mason plop down on the sofa, and I join them after setting the timer.
"Well, I don't always make a three-course meal...but it is hard work."
"What time is Dad getting home? Do we still have time to get ready?"
"Get ready...?"
"Yeah, we always dress up fancy for Dad's birthday! Clip-on tie and all!"
"That's sweet. I'll keep an eye on the food while you two go change."
"What? No! If I have to wear something fancy, so do you!" Mickey tells me.
"Right. I'll just, um...go look in my closet."
I take the timer with me as I enter my room and start searching through my closet.
What the hell is a girl suppose to wear for her bosses birthday dinner?
I grab my phone and start furiously typing...
ME:
-!! FASHION EMERGENCY !!
-What should I wear tonight for dinner?
-M&M are insisting we all have to be 'fancy'.
JENNY:
-I've been waiting for this moment MY ENTIRE LIFE.
-SUPER JENNY TO THE RESCUE!
ME:
-Jen! Focus please! I have about two minutes to change.
JENNY:
-I got you! Just look in your closet ;).
-And I expect deets later!
"'Look in my closet'? Jenny, what did you do?"
There, in the back, is a garment bag I don't recognize. I unzip it and find a gorgeous short, blue, sequins, backless dress with long sleeves.
"Oh! She did good. It's beautiful... Hopefully this is 'fancy' enough for the boys...and Lee Know."
The timer dings, and I rush out to the kitchen to check on dinner. I find Mickey and Mason peeking in the oven, trying to get a closer look.
"Beep, beep, coming through!" I slip on the oven mitts and pull the dish out.
"(Y/N), you look beautiful!" Mason compliments.
"Almost as fancy as us!"
I chuckle and straighten Mickey's clip-on tie.
"I tried. Okay, looks like we just have to plate the dishes and set the table..."
"And put the finishing touches on dessert!" Mickey cheers.
"And put the finishing touches on dessert--" The sound of the elevator dinging interrupts me. "Is that your dad? He's not suppose to be home yet!"
"You have to stall him! Or else the surprise is going to be completely ruined!" Mason panics
"Go, go, go!" Mickey pushes me out into the hallway before I can protest.
"Oh!"
"Coming to greet me at the door now, (Y/N)?" Lee Know turns to smile at me, but stops short as he takes in my dress. "You look..." Lee Know visibly gulps. He shakes his head and refocuses his attention on me.
"Lee Know! I wasn't expecting you home so soon...and you brought company."
"Sorry about that. My employees practically pushed me out the door. Something about enjoying my birthday..."
"Apparently he was coming home to a present none of us even know about." his employee states.
"(Y/N), this is Robin Flores, my assistant."
"Come on, Lee Know. We're practically brothers. Just because that's my title at work doesn't mean you have to introduce me to beautiful women like that. I mean, look at her gorgeous outfit. She's already out of my league, you don't have to rub it in."
"Robin, this is (Y/N), the boys' new nanny and a woman of impeccable virtue."
"That's a strange way to introduce someone."
"Oh, Lee Know knows my virtues are Ironclad."
"In my experience, even ironclad agreements have loopholes."
"Maybe that's because you haven't experienced me yet."
"Oh, I like her. Where've you been hiding her all this time, Lee Know?"
It looks like Robin is going to say something else...but Lee Know shoots him a glare.
"Ah. I'll take that as my cue to leave."
"Yes, I believe we have a family dinner to get to, so..."
Lee Know has already started down the hall toward the kitchen.
"Wait!" If he goes in now, it'll ruin Mason and Mickey's surprise! I have to do something... "I, uh, have something I need to discuss with you! In...private?"
"Oh. Of course. My office okay?"
"I'll see myself out. Happy birthday, Lee Know. (Y/N), it was a pleasure."
"It was...something alright."
Robin leaves with a little wave. I follow Lee Know down the hall to his office. "So, what did you want to talk about? Nothing serious, I hope."
"Actually...that was just an excuse. You looked like you needed to relax, and Robin seems like the type to overstay his welcome."
Lee Know chuckles as he pours the two of us some bourbon.
"Yeah, sorry about him. We were practically raised together, but I know he can be a bit much. I hope he didn't make you feel too awkward."
"Oh, well...I can handle him. I've become a master of the art of polite rejection."
"Cheers to that."
We chuckle and clink our glasses together
"So how's this birthday stack up so far?"
"It's hard to judge, since it isn't over yet. But it'll be pretty hard to beat the one a few years back when the twins tried to make me a birthday banner. It said 'Heepy Bertdai!' under a big doodle of what I think was suppose to be me. Not the most flattering portrait, but they tried."
"Please tell me you still have it."
"Of course. It's in the hall closet. What about you, (Y/N)? Tell me about your favorite birthday."
"That would have to be the one where my friends kidnapped me. My first year of grad school, I was stressing over midterms, and my friends literally carried me out of the library. They practically forced me to relax. We went skinny dipping, played spin the bottle..."
"Skinny dipping, huh?"
"I may have been a little tipsy by that portion of the evening..."
Lee Know chuckles.
"I almost wish I had been there..."
"Maybe Lee Enterprises should look into inventing a time machine."
"I'm not sure my board would approve, especially with such personal motivations. But also, we'll just have to be content with being ships passing in the night."
Lee Know finishes his drink in a swift gulp before moving to stand.
I have to buy more time!
I pretend to stumble and send myself splaying across Lee Know's lap!
"Oh!"
"(Y/N)! Are you okay?" He pulls me to my feet, and I forget all about my act as I gaze up into his eyes.
"I'm fine. Just...a little weak in the knees."
Lee Know reaches out and brushes a stray hair back from my forehead. My lips part slightly...moving ever closer to him...
"(Y/N)..."
Just then, Mickey throws open the office door. "Dinner is served!"
"We'll be right there."
I take a step back, trying to calm my pounding heartbeat.
What was that?
"You ready, (Y/N)?"
I take a deep breath and nod. "After you." I follow Lee Know to the dining room, where the twins present their special birthday dinner to their dad.
"Tada!" Mickey shouts.
"Start with the appetizer!" Mason suggests.
"This is delicious. Thanks, boys."
"We did it ourselves... Well, mostly." Mickey smiles.
"(Y/N) helped!"
"Then thank you too, (Y/N)."
"It was crazy, but worth it. Even if the boys did play an impromptu game of football with a loaf of bread at the farmer's market."
Soon, we finish the appetizers, then help the twins bring out the entrees. "Dig in." Lee Know all but moans as he takes his first bite.
"Oh my God...I can't think of a single thing that would make this birthday more perfect." Lee Know says while shoving more food in his mouth.
"We can!" Mickey yells.
"Right! Don't move, Dad!" Mason instructs him. The boys bolt from the table, leaving Lee Know and I alone. "They get their subtlety from their mom."
"Sure."
Lee Know smiles softly. "Thank you again, (Y/N). I know you downplay what a big role you play here, but I appreciate it."
"It's my pleasure, especially when it makes the boys so happy. You should've seen their faces while we were shopping."
"Let me guess, they had on their mischievous grins?"
"That's just what their smiles look like!" The tow of us laugh together for a moment. "I actually got you something too, if that's okay."
"You did?" I quickly grab the gift and pass it to him still wrapped in tissue paper. Lee Know gently opens the tissue paper and examines the bottle of massage oil with a cocked eyebrow and a scandalized little smile. "Does it sound weird if I say that this is exactly what I need?"
"Not at all. Everybody needs a comforting touch from time to time."
"It's perfect. How did you know, (Y/N)?"
"When it comes to you, I pay attention to the details. You're on your feet all day, working, chasing after the kids, running the household... And I couldn't help but notice the way you groan when you finally have a chance to sit."
"I'll have you know that couch is really comfortable."
"You'll have to show me some time..."
I lock eyes with Lee Know, and my breath catches in my throat as I take in his intensity. "SURPRISE!!" The twins bound into the room with a wildly over-wrapped box. Lee Know opens it to reveal a stuffed dragon. "It's you, Dad!" Mickey laughs. "But there's more!" Mason tells his dad while jumping.
"More? I'm getting spoiled tonight." Lee Know digs through the tissue paper to find a stuffed lion. "It's a lion! 'Cause your our fierce protector!" Mason says with a huge smile.
"And sometimes you breathe fire like a dragon when you're really mad." Mickey adds.
"I love them both. Thank you."
"Just wait to see what we planned for dessert!"
I raise my wine glass. "But first, I'd like to toast to family. When I moved in here, I thought I was just getting a job...but I've gotten so much more than that."
"(Y/N), I--" The sound of the elevator dinging interrupts Lee Know before he can say anything else. He frowns. "I wonder who that could be..."
"I'll check. It's your birthday. Stay and enjoy your dinner."
I cautiously enter the hallway to see a stranger standing by the elevator. "Oh, you must be the new maid. We'll talk about your uniform later. Here, take this." The woman tosses her coat at my head. The fur trim blocks my view for a moment, but you'd recognize that face anywhere.
Sofia...Lee Know's fiancée?