The day after my wedding didn't feel like the beginning of a new life. It felt more like a sleepover with too many people, too many expectations, and not enough space to breathe. I hadn't even finished processing what had happened the night before, and already, my house was full.
Amber and Roy had arrived early, bright smiles and arms loaded with gifts and warmth. My parents followed close behind. My mother, Jung Lillian, practically floated in with her homemade kimchi and a basket of side dishes she had prepared the day before yesterday. My father, Jung Marcus, offered a polite nod as he stepped in, his usual serious demeanor softening only slightly in the presence of Kael's parents.
"What a lovely house!" my mother beamed, giving Amber a quick hug. "You truly gave them something wonderful."
"We only did what was right," Amber replied graciously, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Our children deserve the best."
While the mothers slipped into the kitchen to prepare breakfast—bonding over gochugaru levels and the best way to julienne radish—the men gravitated toward the living room, already knee-deep in some business talk Kael seemed perfectly tuned into.
I, on the other hand, felt like background noise. Forgotten wallpaper in my own home.
So I did what any self-respecting, emotionally overwhelmed newlywed would do: I curled up on the couch and opened my tablet.
There, in high definition, was Abyss Live in Canada. It had streamed the evening before, right in the middle of my wedding chaos. As a proud Nova, and a devoted Infinity-biased fangirl, I had been mourning the missed opportunity like a lost limb.
Now was my time to heal.
With one earbud in and my heart thudding to the bass of "Moonlight Eclipse," I let their harmonies drown out the grown-up chatter. Infinity winked into the camera, and I nearly squealed out loud. This. This was happiness.
But the scent of freshly cooked breakfast eventually pulled me back into reality. The table was set, and the men finally strolled over, laughing at something my father had said. I paused the concert with great reluctance, ready to plate my food and run back to my concert sanctuary.
"Michelle, come eat at the table," my mother called out, in that tone that didn't accept negotiation.
I blinked at her. "I can eat while watching—"
"We are family now. No more skipping tradition for your pretty singing boys."
"But it's Abyss..." I mumbled, but even I knew it was a weak protest.
I sat at the table like a good daughter-slash-wife, nose still tilted in longing toward the living room.
And then came the cake.
"Happy Birthday, Kael!" everyone chimed together, as the mothers appeared from the kitchen with a frosted sponge cake topped with blueberries. Candles flickered in front of his startled face.
Kael looked genuinely surprised. "You remembered? I thought the wedding drama kept everyone busy"
"Of course," my mother said warmly. "Your birthday is a blessing to this family. Plus we had to rush the wedding to save your life, so there is no way we would forget"
I sang too, though quietly. He looked at me once while blowing out the candles. I smiled, but my mind was still halfway through Abyss's encore. Besides I celebrated him, in the middle of the night at the club where we did our mini reception, that was enough, wasn't it? Already being married to me is a gift he wants to reject.
Just as we began to eat, the air shifted. It started with an innocent enough question—but it felt like a trap.
"So," my mother began, setting down her chopsticks. "When do you two plan to have children?"
The table went silent.
I forgot all about Abyss. I forgot about Infinity's wink, about the setlist, even about my untouched piece of birthday cake.
Children? Now?
That was impossible. My husband—the man sitting beside me—was gay. He had told me that himself. I couldn't... I wouldn't force him into another corner. He had already given up enough marrying me.
Before I could say anything, Kael cleared his throat.
"Anytime Michelle and I feel ready," he answered with practiced ease, as if he'd been preparing for that exact question.
"That's my son!" Amber grinned proudly.
My hand slid under the table and found his thigh. I pinched.
He didn't flinch. Just stared back at me with a cool, unreadable expression. I tilted my head.
Since when? my eyes said.
Just go along with it, his replied.
"Look at them," my father said to Roy. "They get along so well. We were worried for nothing."
"True," Roy agreed, chuckling. "We thought they'd be at each other's throats."
We are. Right now!
I smiled. It was either that or scream.
Then Amber clapped her hands like she had just remembered something wonderful. "Don't forget to have your honeymoon! Maybe we'll even have a honeymoon grandchild."
God help me.
She reached into her purse and pulled out two glossy tickets. "Montenegro. It's not ideal—everywhere else was booked—but still romantic. You fly in two weeks."
I stared at the tickets like they were death sentences. There was nothing they could say that would shock me anymore.
But they weren't done.
As they left, after what felt like an eternity of small talk and photo-taking, Amber and my mother both hugged me tightly. Just before stepping out, Amber turned with a smile.
"We took the keys to the spare rooms. One bedroom is more than enough for newlyweds."
I almost choked.
One room?
I had only shared a bed with Kael last night because I didn't want to start a war on our wedding night. And now, I had no escape route.
I wanted to scream into a pillow.
But instead, I watched the door close behind our well-meaning parents.
I waited three full seconds.
Then ran for the living room.
I hit play on the paused concert and curled back onto the couch like it was the only place in the world that still made sense.
My boys were singing again.
Infinity smiled into the mic. The crowd screamed. The music soared.
And for one fleeting moment, I let the sound wash over me like armor.
Marriage could wait. Real life could wait.
Right now, Abyss was priority.
And that was enough.