Chapter 8

Marley POV

Tae automatically grabbed all our bags while I unbuckled Sophia and tucked her sleeping form against my body. Once we reached the front door, I grabbed the keys from my pocket and he took them, unlocking the door as we stepped inside. The hallway lit up as the automatic lights came on with a soft glow.

"That's the lounge if you want to grab a seat?" I indicated with my head as I started towards Sophia's bedroom. He dropped the bags just inside the lounge doorway and followed behind.

"Do you need me to do anything to help?" he asked, pausing at her bedroom door and leaning on the door frame. I had already turned the covers down and laid her out, exhaustion from the long day causing her to stir only slightly before she curled up, out to the world. It wasn't worth changing her into pyjamas as she was already dressed comfortably so I just carefully removed her shoes and jacket, replying as I did.

"It's OK, it won't take long." He stayed, watching me as I tucked her in, kissing her forehead and turning on her night light before heading out of the room.

Tae took my hand as I reached him, linking our fingers as we walked towards the lounge. The way it felt so natural made my heart flutter, the contact between us feeling perfect.

"Ah, cute," he exclaimed as we entered the lounge, pointing at the big picture of Sophia on the bookshelf. Dropping my hand, he walked around looking at the books and photos as I went to the kitchen, switching the jug on so I could make us a hot drink.

"What would you like to drink?" I asked as he stood, scanning the books and pulling one out. Holding it up with a smirk, he commented. "This one seems out of place with the others?"

Blushing as I looked at the cover of 50 Shades, I gritted my teeth as I replied. "My sisters idea of a joke. I couldn't throw it away because she asks if it's given me any ideas whenever she comes over. As you can see from the rest of the books, it's not more normal style."

"You have a lot of different styles though. I see lots of this author, it looks like horror?"

"He is an amazing writer with over 100 books to his name. Kind of thriller with a bit of horror in there too. But, I mostly read the classics, I'm a big Austen fan and I don't usually read many books where I have to think too hard, I'm too busy for that. I just need to sink into a book and get lost."

He nodded putting the book back on the shelf. "I've read this one, just for research, and I have to agree, a tie can be very useful."

I spluttered which turned into a cough and he smirked again as he answered my question. "Do you have hot chocolate?"

"Of course," I answered, reaching for the mugs and making us both one as he sprawled on the couch.

When they were made and we were sitting on the couch together, mugs tucked on side tables, he reached for my hand. "Thank you for saying I could come see you here. I know it is your private space."

"I'm glad you asked. I would've thought it was too forward of me to think you'd want to."

"I didn't have a choice. How else could I find more out about you. We only have a few days, it doesn't seem like long enough to find out all I want to know."

"I have to ask, do I talk too fast? I know you have the translator app running but you seem to do very well with not having to use it."

"I understand most of what you're saying. Sometimes when you're excited you talk fast. It's cute, then I just watch you and hear what I can. I don't mind just watching you though, it's one of my new favourite things to do."

"You'll need to teach me some Korean then," I replied, flattered. "I would like to be able to talk to you so you don't always have to speak in English."

"That's very sweet of you jagiya," he replied and I tilted my head, asking him to translate with my smile. "It means baby. Is it OK to say to you?"

My eyes grew large but I nodded. "You constantly surprise me. In a good way."

"I've been trying to decide what colour your eyes are," he said, staring intensely. "They're not just green or brown. I was describing them to Jimin and all I could say is that they were beautiful."

I swallowed, embarrassed by his many compliments and the way he was looking at me not to mention the fact he was discussing me with his friends. "The word we use is hazel," I answered, cheeks flushed, "and thank you. You definitely make my heart race with your words."

"I never say things I don't want to say anymore. I've had to over the years, hide things, but I choose to be real with those I want to let into my world."

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, leaning towards me and said, "Thank you for coming to the concert today Marley."

"Thank you for inviting me. And for the picnic. I can't believe we only met a few days ago, it seems like so much longer."

"That can't have been an accident, we were meant to meet," he answered. "And it feels like I've needed this for a long time."

There was lots floating in the air between us and I felt like I was suffocating slightly from all the emotions. He leaned back a little, perfectly reading the moment and giving me space to breathe. "Too much?" he asked.

"Not in a bad way, I'm just overwhelmed," I answered, squeezing his hand. He squeezed it back.

"I said I'd move at your pace and I meant it," he replied. "So, what do you normally do after Sophia goes to bed?" The subject change gave me a chance to refocus and I reached for my mug, taking a sip before answering.

"The dishes, some design work if I'm behind. Sometimes I have a spa as we have one out the back. That's if I've had a hard day. Usually I have Netflix on in the background while I relax. Before Sophia it was a different kind of Netflix and chill," I said with a laugh. He understood what I meant, his lip moving ever so slightly at one corner. But his face was schooled not to betray his feelings.

"I like Netflix," he replied calmly.

"We can watch some to unwind if you'd like," I said, reaching for the remote.

"Sure, as much as I'd like to pretend I'm not tired, relaxing and watching Netflix with you would actually be perfect."

"How about you introduce me to your favourite K-Drama then? I haven't ever watched any."

"Really? I'd love to show you something."

"As long as we can put English subtitles on, I'm up for something new. And a warning, I may fall asleep."

He laughed, scrolling through the selection and finding one, settling back with his arm slung behind me on the couch. I curled up against him, my feet tucked up, feeling more relaxed than I thought possible. I didn't really think I'd last through a whole show, my eyes drifting shut for longer and longer blinks and...

KTH POV

20 minutes into the show, she was asleep, curled against me, head resting against my shoulder. I turned slightly to not disturb her but to be able to watch for a moment. Her eyelashes rested against her cheeks, hiding away her gorgeous eyes, chest rising and falling steadily with her breathing. I was caught between waking her so she could go to bed and just waiting here with her like this as I didn't want to leave yet.

Stretching with my fingertips, I pulled 2 light blankets that were draped over a nearby chair, tucking one over her and then the other over us both. For now, I was happy to rest with her and let her sleep. Pulling out my phone I sent a text to my team, letting them know I was safe but staying. They had a tracker on my phone anyway for safety but they needed to know not to wait up for me. I continued to watch the show, turning it down slightly so she wouldn't wake, content to just be close.

I didn't realise I'd also fallen asleep until she stirred a little and my eyes popped open. There was something about being around her that meant I rested. She felt like a safe place to just be me. But when I glanced at Marley moving in her sleep, I was surprised to see a tear falling down her face. She was definitely still asleep but dreaming, the sadness drifting down her cheek. 'Does she even know she cries while she's sleeping,' I wondered, carefully wiping the tear away. She leaned into my touch, making herself smaller under the blankets and all I wanted to do was protect her, shifting as close as I could without disturbing her.

Sleep didn't come again after that while I thought hard about what was happening, the K-drama rolling over multiple episodes but ignored in the background. The reality was we were worlds apart most of the time, literally. But I didn't want to let that be a barrier for things moving forward. She was exactly what I needed and maybe I could start to become exactly what she needed.

I was startled out of my thoughts by a crackling sound in the room. I looked around trying to work out what it was when I realised it was Sophia coming through the monitor. She was whimpering very quietly but Marley hadn't woken yet. Unsure whether it was overstepping completely, I carefully extricated myself from Marley and the blankets, tucking her back in before quickly but quietly moving down the hallway to Sophia's bedroom. The door was ajar and I opened it slowly, walking over to where she was stirring in her bed. She wasn't fully awake but she had thrown her blankets off and her eyelids fluttered opened and closed a few times.

"Sssshhhh, sweet girl, sssshhhh," I said, crouching down next to her and placing my hand on her head, smoothing down her hair.

"Taetae?" she said and I thrilled to hear her use my name that way.

"Yes Sophia, Mummy is sleeping, can you sleep too?"

Her thumb went back to her mouth and she reached out to grip my thumb with her other hand, my heart beating fast at her sweetness. "Mummy sings to me," she murmured and straight away I started softly singing a Korean lullaby as I didn't know any English children's music. It didn't seem to bother her that she didn't understand the words, she drifted back to sleep as I continued to stroke her head. Once she had been breathing heavily for a few minutes, I gingerly released her hand from my thumb and quietly stood up, turning to find Marley leaning on the door frame.

We locked eyes and she held out her hand to me. I took it as she walked me through the house to her bedroom. I startled as she opened the door, attempting to keep a control on my reactions as I knew it was too soon for anything to happen. "Thank you, I heard you singing through the monitor, that was beautiful. And Sophia was so comfortable with you, that's amazing."

"I think she was still mostly asleep," I replied swallowing as she peeled the blankets back.

"Tae, I'm so tired but are you staying?"

"If you want me to Marley, I'd like to. I am ready to sleep."

She nodded and climbed into bed, without bothering changing. I stood for a moment watching, unsure what exactly were the rules. "I can sleep on the top of the blankets if you'd like?"

"No Tae, it's OK. I know you respect I'm not ready for anything right now and I trust you. You've shown me very clearly that you want to honour that. If you're OK with it, you're welcome to stay here," and she patted the space next to her.

I took off my sweatshirt and climbed in, discarded my socks and pulling the blankets over us both. She grabbed my hand and linked our fingers, drawing us close. My body couldn't help react to where we were and I was drawn back with her voice speaking as she drifted off to sleep again. "Right now, in this moment, I'm really happy Tae."

The slight sound of her even breathing showed she was already asleep, curled up against me. I let out my breath slowly, adjusting to her curves, keeping our fingers linked as I hooked my leg over hers. I was more than happy to be her big spoon for tonight and I was beginning to think, for as long as she would let me.

Marley POV

I'd heard the voices coming through the monitor and woke with a start, surprised that I didn't wake up as soon as she stirred like I normally do. The soft murmur of Tae singing to Sophia drifted through the room and I stood up to go help before it escalated but when I got there I could see he had it well in hand as Sophia was almost back into a deep sleep. I stood there watching this beautiful man, practically a stranger but somehow he didn't feel like that to me. Sophia was friendly with almost everyone but since Matty had gone, very few people could get her to go back to sleep when she woke in the night. Another thing to find attractive about him, his calming voice a balm to Sophia as well as myself.

He turned and looked surprised to see me there but I held out my hand for his and guided him to my room. I was so, so tired and as much as I wished I was in the place to take things to another level with him, I still wasn't ready. But when I asked if he wanted to stay, he was happy to climb into bed next to me, more than respecting my boundaries. I reached for his hand and pulled him closer, hoping that wasn't teasing but needing to be near him.

"Right now, in this moment, I'm really happy Tae." I said, my voice low as I drifted back towards sleep, feeling him tighten his grip on my hand. And for the first time in a very long time, I fell asleep with the heat of a man against my back, invading my body and my dreams.