Chapter 40

Marley POV

The car arrived at 630am to pick us up and as we'd woken at just before 6am, it gave us enough time to pack a small backpack for Sophia. We weren't planning on being there very long, they didn't have many rides she could go on and once the crowds hit, it was likely the amount of photos taken there would become a disaster for us.

As the four of us entered, we were greeted by a man in his 40s, who bowed to us, explaining he was our guide and we had an hour in the park, asking where we'd like to go. "We're really just here for the small children's rides," Tae explained in what sounded like great Japanese to me, another language I had only minimal words in. I was only pleased the guide was an older male and not younger female, there was less of a chance he'd know who Tae was although we all wore masks again anyway.

The area for kids was ours alone. If there were any other people in the park as VIPs, they were in different areas, on the big rides and weren't interested in the kids ones. "Mama, this a playground," Sophia asked, looking around at all the bright colours around her.

"Kind of baby girl, do you want to go play?"

She clapped her hands in excitement, skipping on the spot and we started to explore. Tae was almost more excited than she was to be strapped into the rides and on ones that only fit two next to each other, they were a little team as I took photos of them from the ground. They never went high, all designed for preschoolers but, since she was fearless anyway, it wouldn't have mattered if they did go high as she would've loved it.

Her shrieks of joy were contagious and we were having so much fun. The small kids rollercoaster was her favourite and she asked to go on it over and over. Each of us took a turn sitting next to her and she really liked Choi Ji-ho who knew how to handle her as he had kids of his own. That boded well for having a date night while we were here in Japan and I was continually surprised at how well she adapted to the new places and people that sprung up in her little world.

"Mama, can go on dat again?" she asked, pointing at a helicopter that went up and down on the spot. We'd stopped to hydrate and had about 20 minutes left before the park officially opened.

"Sure, who is going on it with you?" I asked and she pointed at Ji-ho who had made her laugh on the last few rides we'd been on.

"Taehyungie, do you and Miss Marley want to go on a bigger rollercoaster while Miss Sophia and I finish up here?" he asked as he followed her to get buckled in. We looked at each other and then at the guide and he nodded.

"I can come with you there and I'll radio another staff to come here to assist." It all happened very quickly, going out of their way to accommodate our requests and Tae and I set off with our guide.

"Shall we just go to the closest one that looks exciting so we save time?" I asked.

"Do you want a water ride or a roller coaster," the guide queried.

"Roller coaster," we both answered at the same time, holding hands as we walked to a giant one in front of us.

"Do you like roller coasters?" I asked as we were led to the front of the coaster and strapped in. On this one, your legs dangled and it added an extra element of fear.

"Sometimes," he answered, double and triple checking that we were locked firmly in place. "I don't really like high places. What about you?"

"I've always loved theme parks and roller coasters," I answered. "This one looks a little scary though."

"I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling scared," he said as it began to lurch forward, clicking us up and up and as we crested the top to soar down, we both screamed as the fear turned into excitement and we flipped upside down and spun round and round, up and over before quickly heading towards the finish.

"They're always over too quickly," I said, reaching for his hand as we came off the ride to walk back to Sophia. He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips then slipping his arm around my waist to hold me close.

"I'd love to kiss you while we were on a ride, make out until you were breathless from us and not the roller coaster."

I was thankful he'd leaned in close to say that so the guide didn't hear, my answer coming out in a small stutter. "I, hmmm, I would like to raincheck that."

He smirked as we arrived back to watch Sophia and Ji-ho, spinning around and around on teacups. As they came off, Ji-ho carrying her comfortably, she greeted us.

"Mama, dis fun!" He set her down on her feet and she came over to grab my hand.

"You are so brave," I said, giving her hand a squeeze as she let go.

The guide was looking at his watch. "The park opens in about 5 minutes so maybe one more quick ride and then I'll take you to an exit that is away from all the people coming in."

I nodded. "Thank you, yes, Sophia, which would you like to...," and then I turned, spinning on the spot, heartbeat escalating as she was nowhere in sight.

It had only taken a second, not one of the four adults had seen her walk away but when we realised she wasn't there, we instantly set off in different directions, calling her name as panic began to set it.

"Sophia! Sophia!" I yelled.

"BugBug, Sophia," Tae was yelling as he moved away, our guide calling in a description over his radio to the rest of the staff park, explaining what she was wearing. My hands were starting to shake. I could hear the one minute countdown beginning at the front of the park as they prepared to open the gates. Once all those people flooded in, it would be much harder to find her.

I started to run, calling her name, my voice changing as the fear overcame me. She was so small, there would be so many people and we were in another country where she didn't understand the language.

"Sophia!" I yelled again as I rounded the corner and gasped as she came skipping towards me. Dropping to my knees and sweeping her into my arms, I held her tight. "Where did you go sweetheart?"

"Bathwoom," she answered against my body. "Mama, too tight!"

I flagged a staff member going past, letting them know she had been found and they radioed across the park, letting everyone know. As I stood up, Sophia in my arms, Tae jogged up, throwing his arms around me, relief on his face as he held the both of us close.

"Did you have an adventure by yourself BugBug," he asked, rubbing my back as he could feel me shaking against him, my heartbeat still not back to normal.

"She went to the bathroom, why did I not see her go, why was I not watching?"

"Marley, there were four of us and not one of us saw her go. She's safe now, it's OK."

We could hear the horn sound, the signal the gates were opening and had arrived back at our bags, Ji-ho and the guide looking relieved as we all met up again.

"I'm glad the little one is safe, we need to leave before this part starts to get busy," the guide said and we nodded, following. Sophia wriggled to get down but I didn't let her go until we got back to the car, much to her annoyance. As I buckled her in, my legs felt like they would give out on me, the relief of sitting and being contained in the bubble of the car giving me permission to close my eyes for a moment and let it all flood over me.

"Are you OK jagiya," Tae asked as we pulled away from the theme park.

"I think so. I can't help but think about what would've happened if we hadn't found her so quickly. And I should've been watching her, at all times."

He tried, unsuccessfully, to reach for my knee across her carseat so rested his arm over the back again, massaging my neck. "No-one blames you for what happened Marley."

"I blame me. It was just a few minutes and felt like forever. In that time I had already assumed I'd never see her again," I choked out the last sentence. "I'm not sure if that makes sense to you but as her parent, that was the worst feeling in the world."

"She's not mine but my heart dropped into my shoes when I saw she was gone so I can only understand a little of that for you. But baby, she's safe and next time we're out, I'm sure she'll never leave our sight. That was a wake up for me."

I put my hand to my eyes and breathed a few times. "Mama, you crying?" Sophia asked, turning in her seat to look at me.

"No baby, I'm not crying but mummy was sad that you walked away to go to the bathroom. You must tell mummy when you're going somewhere. I don't want you to get lost again."

"I not lost, I here," she answered and I felt a little calmer at her matter of fact tone.

"Yes, now you are but when you went to the bathroom at the park, you needed to take me with you."

"I a big girl, I go by myself."

"You are a big girl but mummy likes to come with you to keep you safe so you have to tell Mummy when you want to go somewhere OK ?"

"I tell TaeTae and Ji-ho?"

"Yes, you can tell Tae and Ji-ho too if mummy isn't there and Nan back home."

"Aunty Abby?"

"Yes, Aunty Abby too. You need to have someone we know with you and not go places by yourself. Promise mummy you won't go by yourself again."

"I pwomise," she said, adding on, "I hungry."

Tae had been listening to our talk and looked at me over her seat, blowing me a kiss with his lips and rubbing Sophia's head gently.

"Shall we go back to the hotel and have some more snacks BugBug? Maybe we can go swimming again?"

"Schwimming," she yelled and while I was thankful that it hadn't effected her at all, it would take me a while to calm down from those few long minutes.

The good thing about the early morning theme park excitement and another swim session was that, after lunch, Sophia was asleep within a few minutes of being in bed for her nap. She was now confidently swimming between us and had proven it multiple times today, fully giving into exhaustion at naptime from all her efforts.

As I walked out of her bedroom, pulling the door closed behind me, the doorbell rang and Tae called "I'll get it," as he met Ji-ho at the door. Tae took a bag from his hands, his tongue going into his cheek at the twitch in the corner of Ji-ho's mouth as he suppressed a smile.

"Have a nice afternoon Taehyungie," he said with a bow and an eyebrow raise.

"Hmmm, yes, thank you hyung," Tae replied, closing the door behind him with a rueful smile.

Tae walked over, putting the bag on the table next to the couch and I looked between it and Tae, waiting. "Ah, hyung picked up something for us," Tae answered, drawing his lips together to hold back a smile.

"I gathered there was something going on by your expression," I replied, curious.

"Ah yes, hyung couldn't keep his looks to himself, it's not that funny."

"Ok?" I asked, waiting still as he settled on the couch next to me.

"There's something I've been thinking about since you mentioned it," Tae said, sliding his hand down my side, the trail of sensations left behind causing a reaction in my body.

"Mmmmm, what's that," I replied, feeling a little drowsy with his touch.

"Do you remember when we were painting in Australia?"

"Yes, clearly," starting to imagine where this could be leading.

He blushed a little as he went to reply, looking at me underneath his eyelashes and I was momentarily captivated by his expression. "Well, I ah, I have some cream and chocolate," he said and everything clicked into place, a matching blush hitting my cheeks as I burst into giggles. I quickly covered my mouth, not wanting Sophia to wake early from her nap. Definitely not now.

"That sounds delicious. Should I get some bowls and spoons?" I said, teasingly.

"Oh, ah, I wasn't, I mean, we wouldn't be, I was thinking we would," he said tripping over his words and then he stopped, realising I was joking and rolled his eyes.

"It's OK oppa, I understand. And are you wanting to have this 'dessert' now or tonight?"

"Oh, now for sure," he said, his eyes lighting up as he fell backwards on the couch, tugging me on top of him. Lips claiming mine as things heated up.

As we broke for a moment, fighting for breath, I gazed down at his eyes. "Shall we take this to the bedroom Taehyung, in case Sophia wakes and comes out here?"

He nodded then did the opposite, raking his eyes over my face before sitting up, guiding me onto his lap as he did. His hands held my back, pulling me close, our hips lined up as he pressed against me. "I can't wait to taste your skin again, the cream will just be a bonus," he whispered as he lightly bucked against me.

My mouth fell open at his words and movement, head involuntarily moving to drift backwards and he attached his lips to my neck, tracing a trail down to my heart. Pausing to enjoy the juncture below my throat, my eyes drifting closed, heartrate increasing. He finally pulled away, standing up, keeping me attached to him as he did, clutching under my butt to hold me in place.

"Grab the bag jagiya, my hands are busy," he said as we walked past and I reached out, pulling it into my grasp as he carried me into the bedroom, lowering me onto the bed before letting go long enough to pull the door closed behind us.

Then he jumped onto the bed with a grin on his face, sitting up on his knees as he reached for the bag, pulling out the contents. Rolling onto my stomach I was amused to see the can of whipped cream and spreadable chocolate put carefully onto the bed. That would've been an interesting conversation for Tae to have had with Ji-ho when he asked him to pick it up.

"This looks like fun," I said, smirking at him as he crawled his way over, lying down next to me.

"We don't have to if you don't want to," he replied, resting his hand on my hip. I reached for the can of cream, shaking it while he followed my movements with his eyes. Squirting a little on my finger, I painted it across his collarbone and leaned forward to trail my tongue along the sweetness. "Say that again," I said quietly, in between tastes.

"Um, ah, we don't have to if you don't want to," he stuttered out, his eyes scrunched closed.

"Oh baby, I don't think you mean that," I said against his skin and he cleared his throat when I pulled away. He shook his head with a very slow and cute expression, eyes open now and not leaving mine.

Peeling back the cover on the chocolate, he dipped his thumb inside, twisting it to stop it from dripping. He leaned towards me, thumb painting along my lip and then his mouth was on mine, spreading the chocolate with his movements, the sweetness covering both our mouths, flowing down the back of my throat as our lips engaged.

My hands came to the edge of his shirt, lifting it up a little to slip them under and across his skin and he shivered before detaching our mouths long enough to peel the shirt up and over his head, doing the same to mine. Reaching for the cream, he pressed the nozzle and drizzled it down from my neck to my navel, grabbing my sides to hold me still as I wriggled against his mouth following the sweet trail.

"I probably shouldn't be having this much dairy," he said with a grin as he came up for air.

"We can fix that if I'm the one doing the eating," I answered reaching for the chocolate and his body reacted against me. I smirked. "I haven't even really done anything yet."

"It doesn't matter, your words get into my mind and my body responds. I can't help it."

I painted a smiley face on his chest, the eyes getting a special work out over his nipples as he clutched at the sheets. I didn't get to finish removing the mouth from his stomach with my tongue before it was all smeared between us, the sweets pushed to the side and forgotten as we slid against each other. And for the next little while, it was just us, in our own little cocoon, showing each other with more than just words, that we were made to fit together.