Archive of Our Own

The sheets were comfortably warm but they could do with some early morning warmth once the golden waves hit. Juntae wiggled her toes and rubbed the bottom of her feet together. Winter was setting in. And the room could get chilly if the sun was blocked out for too long. The morning glow was begging to get in.

Choosing to lay cold in a cosy atmosphere, rather than shivering on her own because someone didn't feel cold no matter how much the chill nipped at her skin, Juntae opted to gently remove the hands tangled around her waist and neck from behind and delicately draped the broad, flimsy, thrifted scarf lying haphazardly on the nightstand around her body. There were other pieces of clothing lying around on the floor but she couldn't be bothered. She let her glasses be on the nightstand. She could do without them occasionaly.

Juntae went towards the balcony door and brought her hand down to the latch, sparing a glance behind her just to make sure Seongje didn't stir in her sleep.

Who am I kidding? It will take banging the door open with a breakable thud to awaken the beast that she is.

Juntae chuckled with that thought and noiselessly undid the latch, swinging the door open. She inhaled the morning air. Unable to get enough of it, she partially opened her mouth to gulp more. The chill pricked the insides of her nose and teeth.

Winter was just setting its roots but the winds betrayed a spring to it. She stepped out on the balcony and immediately recoiled as her foot touched the cold tiles. But the response was momentary and her feet started to adjust to the chill, the slippers long forgotten at the periphery of the balcony. Seongje lovingly reprimanded her whenever she did that, a frown of concern etched on her face, accompanied with a smile of fondness. Juntae kept doing what she knew was her best suit. Annoying Seongje by not paying any heed to her instructions. Doing things her way.

She was supposed to go to bed now. Her work was done. The sunrays were perfectly reaching the bed. But she did not want to miss the morning in its full glory.

Might as well take the full experience.

She turned to look at Seongje again. Her back to her. Sheets on the verge of sliding down her back were she to move in her slumber. But that may not come to fruition knowing her log-like state while sleeping. 

Juntae was admiring her golden skin, illuminated by the sun. Her shoulders standing out more after the tanning from the day before. From a long, arduous session of basketball. Seongje had worn her old, university vest which Juntae would never give the former the pleasure to know, drove her crazy. 

Maybe I will tell her some day... But I want to tease her before that.

All that workout had done a number on Seongje's back muscles. Seongje had always been muscular. Thanks to all those sports training right from her school days. Not to forget, her wife was a gym rat. But her recent diagnosis of PCOS had also driven her to make use of every single drop of excessive surplus testosterone- for those gains, as Seongje would say. The added aspect of hair loss didn't bother either of them. 

There's a perfect outline of a vest on her back because of the Oh so delicious tanning! What made her back stand out even more were the red scratches and blue blotches left behind by Juntae. Seongje's jet-black hair looked mind-blowing even when it was astray, all over the place.

Juntae turned around to face the view on the balcony again. She looked at her babies. She looked at all the plants growing and nurturing under her care. Small and big, herbs and shrubs. All under her care. Her thorax felt heavy, her heart felt full. The iciness of winter would eventually take over her balcony but she hoped that her babies would thrive through it all.

Her heart suddenly felt heavier but not with the burden of melancholy, rather the grounding reassurance. She blinked her eyes rapidly to remove the trace of a stray tear making it's way to the front.

What a stupid reason to get emotional over.

These plants had become her life. No! Babies. It felt sacrilegious to call them plants. To other them. To put a distance between her and their being. They were hers just as much as she was theirs. A literal nursery of babies. The fruits of her and Seongje's love. They were conceived with their love.

The heaviness in her chest had oddly travelled to her bosom now. She was filled with the maternal urge to nurture her babies like a mother would to her human babies. She wanted to lift them individually in her arms and rotate on her heels, round and round and round, until her babies were dizzy and full of joy. She wanted to take them out on a walk, to give them the opportunity to see the outside world. To take them on a vacation overseas that she and Seongje were planning for weeks. To teach them worldly matters. 

She wanted to bring their hungry mouths close to her bosom, to let them inhale her motherly scent. To sooth them. To feed them her milk. It would be the only way to ensure that they were getting the right nutrition. Only when they suckle it right from the source of their life giver, or rather life sustainer, all the same. But that's not possible. Plants were adopted children. You bring them from a home, from a lineage that runs deeper than any human gene. They have their own history, their own traumas, their own set of likes, dislikes and allergies; their own stories to tell. 

And they would go on to outlive her. Luckily for Juntae, a parent always wants their child to outlive them. No parent can bear to bury their own child, dead or dying.

Juntae was pulled out of her thoughts when she realized that her breathing had started to quicken and she may be getting anxious. She shook her head to shed those uneasy thoughts. Taking a step back to get a proper view of all her babies. Their fresh, dewy faces were smiling at her. You don't have to bathe plants to get them out of their slumber. You don't have to give them a bath like they were a petulant child. They will wake up before you and be ready to greet you as soon as you make your presence known early in the morning. It felt like that one day when your children spent the entire previous night planning and plotting to surprise their mother and the next day they end up getting ready by themselves even before the mother comes knocking at their door to wake them up. Something that would be so shocking and surprising yet so delightful for the mother.

Juntae didn't have to wait for one such fateful day in a year, usually mother's day, to experience that. She experienced it everyday. 

Her herbs were standing upright. They were her youngest. Only recently gaining the courage to nurture someone so delicate. They need constant care and support. They do not know their own strengths at times. So the mother has to act as a scaffolding. The mints are really coming through. Suho had asked her if she could borrow some mint to make mint chocolate ice cream. Her reason being, organic mint would just make the chilly dessert taste better. Juntae had shrieked and immediately given her rejection. She would never willingly kill her babies like that. Uproot them to eventually make them a part of that distasteful dessert.

"But then what's their purpose if you won't use them?" Suho had retorted.

"They are my babies", Juntae had replied, "they don't serve me a purpose. I love them because they are my children. And they are my children because I love them. That's it."

"They will rot eventually..." Suho had pouted. "Don't you want a better fate for your children?" Juntae had been grateful that Suho didn't make fun of her attachment to her children and rather asked an honest question.

"They will. And that is their fate, unfortunately. Being a parent is not easy. Sometimes, we have to sink our teeth in our hearts and let our loved ones die because you can't do anything about it."

That is why Juntae had been sceptical about these little fellows before. But now she was confident she would be able to take up this parental challenge. One has to take different journeys for, and with each child. They are all different yet loved the same. Some live longer than others to revel in their parents' affection. Some obliviously spend their short lives being the apple of their parents' eyes, literally!

Similar to Suho, Seongje had asked Juntae if she would ever allow her the fortune to top her pizzas with the freshly sprung basil. Seongje should have known better than to ask Juntae that question. And she had made it clear with the sharp look she had directed towards her wife.

"It was worth a shot." Seongje had smirked, looking back from the pizza dough she was kneading on their kitchen platform. Juntae had dipped her chin on the former's shoulder and tightly wound her arms around her. 

At least she gave the babies the dignity to not say if she could 'use' the Basil. That would be downright disrespectful.

"They are your babies just as much as mine. You know that right?"

Seongje had nodded to that. Bringing her full attention to the pizza. All an act. Because Seongje is a 'pro'. Her hands equipped with a mind of their own. Even absent-mindedly she could dish out food that will get a five star rating. So, imagine if she puts her mind to it? Like she was trying to do back then? The food would be at par with whatever they serve in Michelin Star restaurants. None of that was happening in reality though. Seongje would try to put an act of appearing busy to Juntae to not give away the fact that her mind, her attention was always gravitating towards the latter. Like phototropism in plants. The budding plants will bend backwards just to grow in the direction of the sun. Chasing for even a sliver of that wave of gold.

"They are. I love them. Although, being the helicopter parent comes under your domain. But I must confess darling, they come a close second to you AAH-"

The pinch behind Seongje's ear was something she deserved, according to Juntae's indignant opinion.

"If it makes you feel any better. Our friends and family come a close third to them. Fourth is my work, you know that." Seongje had rubbed her cheek with Juntae. Adding a wink for good measure.

"In the hierarchy of love, I know you are placing video games and gym on top." Juntae's voice had come down to a whisper. She grazed her nails through Seongje's scalp, having the knowledge it brings a calming effect in her wife. Seongje had gently shrugged her head to make her arms drop.

"Not now my violet. Dead cells will fall in the dough. We wouldn't want that." 

Both of them had busted out laughing, with Seongje barely pushing out a warning to keep their faces away from the dough, lest they want moist, saliva infused pizzas.

They come close to a second she said... But Seongje had been much more willing to give up on smoking for their children's health, than for Juntae's constant complaints and warnings all these years. 

The image of Seongje's delicious pizzas made her stomach rumble. She moved to Bergamot and Salvia. The bees won't make their presence known until the start of noon. They prefer a warm climate, just like her. With the onset of winter, the appearance would eventually dwindle. They will stick to their hives instead of turning up for work, collecting nectar and spreading pollen. A long vacation, everyone deserves it. But this is the sad reality of adulthood, one can never really be on a vacation. You have to work. Whether in the workplace or home, does not matter. 

Bees are lovely creatures, demonised by the world, villainised in cartoons.  They are hard working and dedicated. Even on their supposed vacation, they will not be hibernating like bears, instead, they collectively create an active furnace in their hive using their own bodies. They also have to keep their queen bee safe. Seongje had once shared the information that people automatically assume that the worker bees whose job consists of collecting, creating and protecting, are all males. Whereas the male's sole purpose is to help the queen make babies. The male bees then are reduced to their reproductive capacities. Otherwise they are useless. Men must really be projecting on women in the human world. 

Juntae proceeded to take a blade of the Salvia between her thumb and forefinger. She caressed it with a feathery touch. Having a healthy physical relationship with your children is important. She languidly  brushed her other hand over the Bergamot mound. She wanted to name each one of her babies. Seongje, who would accept all her wishes in every other circumstance, had given a vehement shake of head.

"Don't! I respect all your wishes when it comes to the babies-"

"'Our babies"

"-yes... our babies. But my love, I think naming them would make all this too real. And your attachment to them will know no bounds. It's best we call them what they are."

"You want me to keep calling them Bergamot and Salvia and- and Morning Glory!"

Seongje had given her a pleading look. "It's not that they are not their real names." She shrugged.

"It's like calling you homo sapien or human!" Juntae was growing exasperated even though she got her point. She just didn't want to give up so easily.

"People call their cats and dogs just cats and dogs in their native tongue all the time. I think you will be fine. Remember when Suho named her dog Tiger? I think we are doing better as parents." Seongje's eyes crinkled by the end of her words. Surely a laugh waiting to make its way from her chest. Seeing that even Juntae couldn't control. The latter had busted out laughing.

She had started smacking Seongje's shoulder in a fit of laughter, her glasses on the verge of sliding down. Seongje had quickly caught a hold of  her arms.

"No no no no no no. Stop it!"

Juntae did, eventually. Her shaking body halted. "Okay. We will keep calling them by their government names."

Seongje pulled her in her arms, "Sure. Salvia sounds cute uh huh?"

"Yeah"

"Yeah...?" Seongje insisted.

Juntae rolled her eyes, "Yea-"

Her words were gulped by Seongje's deprived lips.

So, there were her sixteen children! Something her mother laughed over every time she mentioned them.

"You never wanted kids. Now look at you. That's more than the players in a football team." Her mother had said over a cup of tea, in amusement.

All her babies were unique. No two were of the same kind  in order to avoid any sibling rivalry or frustration over sharing the same name as their potential sibling of the same species. But it was more of a coincidence than a family planning decision.

Starting with her second oldest, her children were- Daffodils, Matthiola Incana, Camellias, Black-eyed Susan, Daisy, Hyacinth, Alyssums, Bergenia,  Morning Glory, Clematis,  Salvia, Bergamot, Dwarf Apple, Basil and Mint.

The oldest sibling being Violet. Eldest, wisest, occupying more space than any of its siblings, in the garden as well as their mother's heart. Juntae had not told Seongje about her favouritism or she wouldn't hear the end of it. She is sure that Violet is quite cheeky about it. Rightfully so, but she would also never dare to say that out loud in front of her other babies. What they don't know won't hurt them. Parents are fickle beings after all. They do have their favourites. All the fifteen babies came sometime around after her and Seongje's unison. But Violet? She came before the beginning of it all. She had seen her parents reaching every big milestone. Like a child present for their parent's wedding, first house and pet.

Juntae had been oblivious that her friend Suho's college mate was interested in her. Seongje was not Suho's best friend. That title was collectively shared by four people. Juntae had the honour to be one of them. Seongje and Suho shared an elective. But Suho's social butterfly personality and Seongje's charming nature did make them good casual friends. And in one such casual meetup Juntae was invited. Even though Seongje had not minded, Suho felt bad to make her third wheel with her and Sieun. Hence, Juntae entered the picture. And the rest is history.

The history being, Seongje couldn't keep her eyes off Juntae, while the latter thought Seongje had a peculiar habit of staring down the new people she meets. She was quite intimidated, to be honest. Seongje just had that peculiar look on her face. A packet of cigarette kept open on the dining table. Her fingers tapping incessantly beside it, as if they couldn't wait to grab a hold of the death stick as soon as the whole interaction was done. Her ears were turning redder by the minute.

Much to Juntae's surprise, she kept bickering and bantering with Seongje the entire meal, putting Suho at ease. The newly met found a consensus in their shared love for food and nature. They also shared the career laid obligation that restricted them to the concrete jungles of the city.

It was a sunny day when a giddy Seongje had made her way to Juntae who was waiting for her at their favourite butter chicken and garlic naan stall. Without speaking a word she presented a neatly tied bouquet of Violets for Juntae. The latter could only look at her in confusion. She was not a fan of bouquets.

Seongje stood before her, waiting for Juntae to excitedly snatch the bouquet from her and understand what she was trying to convey. Seeing Seongje make no move to provide an explanation, Juntae shook her head, arching her eyebrows she asked "Why did you bring me these?"

It was Seongje's turn to feel confused now. Her gummy smile got smaller but the curve did not disappear fully. Her eyes tried to decipher something that Juntae could not understand. Juntae was becoming even more confused.

"Can't I bring flowers for you? They are sweet looking. Here," she pushed the bouquet right in Juntae's face, "take a whiff." She kept searching for something on Juntae's face. 

Juntae couldn't understand what it was. "Come on Seongje. Tell me! Why did you really bring me flowers?"

Seongje retracted her hands, bringing the bouquet close to her chest. She stared at the flowers intently to avoid the unwavering gaze of Juntae. She seemed to be feeling nervous. An out of place expression for someone like Seongje.

"These are not just any flowers. They are Violets. They have been the earliest symbol of love of a woman for... another woman." She sighed and looked up to meet with Juntae's stare head-on. But she was met with an astonished reaction. Juntae's eyes and mouth were wide open, but her eyes seemed unfocused the way they went when she would zone out. 

Seongje didn't give her a chance to react. "I do not know if I have come to love you yet. But I really like you." She released a shuddering breath to continue. "Would you give me a chance to ensure that this 'like' turns to 'love'?

There was not much change in Juntae's reaction except she was blinking rapidly. Seongje gave her some time to process.

After ten minutes and thirty-seven seconds, there was the sound of a throat clearing. In the meantime, Seongje had made herself comfortable on the chair opposite to Juntae, carefully placing the bouquet in between them, on the table.

Juntae's face didn't look as clouded as before. "So you like me?" She had Seongje's full attention now.

"Yes."

"And you want to date me?"

"Yes..."

"Okay." Juntae shrugged. 

Seongje perked up at the response. Did she hear it wrong?

"You want to date me? Really?" Her ears were starting to redden again. Do they do that when Seongje is flustered? Juntae could work with that.

"Yeah. Is it difficult to digest?" There she was with her teasing!

Seongje shook her head. "No. The way you shut down like that. I thought I would be rejected."

Juntae giggled, hiding her mouth behind her palm. "No silly! I just needed a moment to chronologically replay all our moments together that must have led to this," she pointed between the two of them, "you proposing to me. And a nice Sappho reference there. I just remembered. Sorry for not getting it in the first go."

Seongje stood up from her chair. Her previously lost gummy smile reappeared and she scratched the scruff of her neck in embarrassment due to her abrupt movement. "Not going to lie, that 'moment' was the longest ten minutes of my life." She proceeded to push the bouquet towards Juntae.

Juntae shook her head and pushed the bouquet back towards Seongje. The latter sat down in her chair again, stupified. The day is getting more confusing with every step she is taking. 

"You should not have bothered with a bouquet. I don't see a point in them."

"But why?" Seongje whined. Juntae was technically her girlfriend now so she could add more pitch to her tone. "Flowers are so pretty. They smell nice. And most importantly," Seongje looked at the flowers again, a childlike pout forming in her face, "they symbolise something. They hold a meaning. They may not be as rare or expensive as jewels or pearls, at least not most of them! But this abundance shows the true intensity of what they signify."

Juntae couldn't resist her pout as it is, but now with her confession for the very flowers, she felt like her heart might burst open with adoration. She adjusted her glasses and tucked her chin in the heel of her palm. "If you really admire flowers, why not let them grow?"

Seongje looked at Juntae with a frown. "Yes, flowers are pretty and abundant and symbolic. But they also breathe life. They are the successors of their predecessors. And plucking them to make a fancy bouquet just feels like a disservice." Seongje nodded, slowly trying to understand Juntae.

"The shelf life of these flowers would hardly be a few days. You can't convey a deep, positive message through a dying entity. Do they really deserve this fate?"

Seongje realised that she had taken nature for granted. That twisting and killing its entities for one's own sake and convenience doesn't compare to appreciation. She knew what she had to do now. She looked at Juntae determinedly, a new resolve in her eyes. Juntae liked all the phases of expressions on her face but they weren't betraying Seongje's intentions. 

Seongje cleared the table of the bouquet and shoved it in her bag. "Ready to order the usual, girlfriend?" She smirked.

The shift of dialogue wasn't lost on Juntae, but it was nonetheless welcomed. Her cheeks heated up at the addressal. She gave a toothy smile, her cheeks puffed.

"The usual..."

................

Violet was not the only child who had witnessed the life-changing events of the couple. The other children did too. In fact, every child made its way in their life with a major breakthrough. Once Juntae and Seongje became official, the latter's gift giving tendencies couldn't be curtailed. The very next day of the proposal, she had presented Juntae with a sapling of Violet.

"I want them to grow. I want them to testify to our relationship. To bear witness. A metaphorical replication of them. Its life in measure of years will also tell the story of our fate. I want them to be the bearer of our future love to come."

The Violet had made its way into a small pot at the window sill of Juntae's previous house. Until she promptly moved in with Seongje in a bigger house with a large balcony. They gave Violet ample to space spread and grow stronger everyday, just like their love. The pair looked at the plant for the reassurance of their love and the little fellow in return looked at them for nourishment, of course! That's what these little gremlins want. But they also want their time and affection.

Then one day Seongje had presented Juntae with Daffodils.

"A change of colour for our eyes. They signify good luck and happiness. Which, you already are for 'me'. But I thought a helping hand for you would be good."

Then  it was Matthiola Incana a few days after Juntae had got a fresh haircut which was drastically different from her usual style. Seongje couldn't keep herself from singing songs of praise for her.

"I think you will only love me with this hairstyle now. If I change it, I'll be a stranger to you."

Juntae had remarked playfully. But Seongje had been quick with her reassurance the very evening when she brought her a new sapling.

"Your beauty is eternal. It will not change with something trivial like a hairstyle."

Once, Seongje had to travel overseas for work. It was going to be the first time the couple had a physical distance between them for a prolonged period. The facetimes and daily updates continued but Seongje had been feeling restless about Juntae having to take care of everything back in their apartment. Whereas, Seongje had every facility at the tip of her fingers in the hotel suite she was residing in.  She had felt guilty.

These plaguing thoughts made her buy Camellias. She sat them on the nightstand, signifying the long distance between her and the love of her life. She would stare at them whenever she felt a lack of vitamin Juntae. She even brought the plant back with her. Juntae was taken by surprise by the unexpected guest that was there to stay. 

"Customs were at my ass but I managed to bring them for you."  

That cheeky little idiot! Juntae could never live down that smug look on Seongje's face.

Since then, whenever the other was away for long, they found solace in the Camellias.

When Juntae was in a slump while working on her research project, she would spend days with her head laying flat on her study table. No matter what she did, the results were not adding up. She had shut down the outer world. Only leaving her place for a bathroom break which was scarce, seeing she was hardly having any intake. Even Seongje's scrumptious cooking could only make her eat a few morsels.

Seongje couldn't bear seeing her withered like that. So she had quietly left an earthen pot of Black-eyed Susans when Juntae was napping in the same position she had assumed on her study table for days. 

When Juntae had awakened, she was met with another addition of their family. The note stuck to the pot read-

"These Susans for you, they will continue to encourage you on my behalf."

Later that evening Juntae had joined Seongje for dinner on the dining table, after weeks; and joked whether her girlfriend was finding a colourful way to call her lazy Susan. Seongje had laughed and left a wet, smacking and a much exaggerated kiss on her cheek; biting the meat of her cheek for good measures.

With their hands full of five children, Seongje could see how Juntae's maternal instincts were coming through. They could not afford to move to a remote town or a forest bordering village, for now. But the little forest in their own home was enough for now. It used to be her who had solely taken the responsibility of the children. But by the time they had their third, she saw another facet of Juntae coming through. When she had started calling them 'children', Seongje knew things were about to change for the better.

Juntae had taken more interest in plant anatomy and life cycle rather than just respecting their existence from an arm's length. She started watering and feeding them. She also picked up Seongje's habit of singing to them. At times, she even pushed the latter out of the bedroom to have some alone time with her children. Then she'd nag Seongje to spend some time alone with their children because she was getting caught up in work and neglecting the children. The meals were shifted from the dining table to the balcony on most days. Family time was important. 'A family that eats together, stays together.'

To celebrate that evolution, Seongje had presented Juntae with Daisies.

"We are five- no, now, six children deep. So, it's a little late to say this, but these Daisies are a welcome for us into motherhood. A long, new beginning."

Ever since then, Seongje became mom and Juntae became mama. 

Juntae had a phase where she had saved her girlfriend's contact as Violet, Daffodil, Matthiola Incana, Camellias, Black-eyed Susan and Daisy's mom. Needless to say, it didn't last long. What with their ever-increasing number of children and smartphone company's lack of inclination to provide enough space for contact names.

Six children and no ring? It was not sitting right with Juntae. So, on a Sunday morning when they were enjoying a lazy breakfast or almost lunch with slices of leftover pizzas, Juntae had got on her knee and presented Seongje with Hyacinths that she had hidden under her chair the night before, to showcase her unending commitment to Seongje. Seongje could only look at her dumbfounded, with the pizza slice in her hand mid air. Juntae did not wait before she sneaked a ring out of her pyjama pockets and presented a dainty diamond studded silver band to her. Seongje had quietly placed her slice back on the plate and got up from her seat. She went to the nightstand beside their bed and rummaged through the drawer that only she used.

Juntae waited patiently. No thoughts, head empty. She did not know what was in the drawer to urgently demand Seongje's attention. 

The latter found what she had been looking for and made her way back to Juntae. She also got down on one knee and  waved a ring in front of Juntae. Another diamond studded silver band! 

"I love you Juntae and I want to marry you. But I was supposed to propose to you first. You stole my move!" Seongje was very serious about her rizz game.

Juntae snorted. "I love you too Seongje. I also want to marry you. It's alright.  It takes two to get married. This shows we are on the same page." Juntae looked at her expectantly.

"That's fine. But I also made a ring for myself that would match the one I brought you. Now our rings will clash." Seongje was even more serious about her couple twinning game. 

Juntae sighed exasperatedly. "I too have a matching one made for me, dummy. We could rotate the pair. What say?"

Seongje mulled over it for formality's sake and bobbed his head. "Works. For now though, let's wear this mismatched pair for sentimental value." 

Contrary to the spoken agreement, they continued to wear the mismatched rings.

The wedding was a small affair. They wanted their children to participate and they weren't religious per say. So they held the ceremony in their house. A civil union. Close friends, colleagues and neighbours were invited. The guest list was a lot longer than expected thanks to Suho and Seongje for inviting everyone and their moms. Their parents attended the wedding through facetime and gave their blessings. Good food, good company. They even made sure to keep a tub of mint chocolate ice cream separate for Suho. The ceremony was short and the guests were out before it was four in the evening.

They were sitting on the floor in the balcony. The weather was inviting. Their matching green outfits became one with their children. Juntae had wrapped her fingers around Seongje's, playing with the mismatched ring. Seongje was particular about their wedding outfits seamlessly blending together since the rings were a lost cause. 

They both were looking at the Morning Glory they brought early in the morning before they had to start getting ready for their wedding. The Glories symbolised love, life and death. They didn't prepare any extensive speeches or vows to be exchanged before signing the marriage papers. They have had those talks long before. The only message that they wanted to give each other was 'Till death do us part'. The Morning Glory was enough for that.

It was nice to have children as old as your relationship or marriage. Parents with human children can't always relate.

Months after their marriage, their babies were falling sick one after the other. One's leaves were yellowing and wilting. Others had rot growing steadily on their shoots. Insects were starting to breed on the leaves, leaving them half eaten. The couple did not say it out loud but they had sufficient reasons to believe that some of their plants would not survive. Fortunately, they were saved with relentless effort. But not all of them.

Daffodil had succumbed to her ailment. She was beyond saving. They had to dispose her carefully, as her remains in the soil would not give humus, only more rot.

Juntae had taken the hit better than Seongje. The latter would go on with her days but she had become quiet. Her posture restless. Reminding Juntae of the days when Seongje would have nicotine withdrawals. Their communication had turned minimal and functional. Juntae was by her side, letting her take all the time she needed to deal with their child's loss. 

Three months after her passing, Juntae got Seongje Alyssums on her way back from work. Her wife was faring well now. Juntae was also able to focus on her work better, but the guilt of failing as a parent, failing to save their child from death was gnawing at their hearts. Accepting Alyssum was difficult for Seongje. She had already become hypervigilant about the well-being of her remaining seven children. She didn't think she was ready for another child yet.

Juntae had coaxed Seongje in her lap, grazing her fingers through her scalp. The difference in their frames evident but there was nothing Seongje found more soothing than being cradled in Juntae's lap. No matter how bigger Seongje was in stature, she was the ittiest-bittiest baby in her wife's care. "We are going through a tough time right now Seongje-ah. Losing a child is tearing us apart. But we also have to live for each other and our babies. Alyssums are resilient. And we should strive to be the same." She placed a chaste kiss on the top of her head. With time Seongje will come around eventually.

And she did. The Alyssums were growing bigger. Her siblings were getting better. She provided a much needed change and relief for the elders present in the house. The pair knew that their babies also grieved for their deceased sibling. Their health wasn't picking up even with day and night care. But with Alyssums arrival, they got the push to take active part in their recovery. You can't help those who don't want to be helped. But the elder siblings must have realised that they needed to set a good example for their younger one and soon their little forest was flourishing again.

This time Seongje brought their new baby Bergenia home. To celebrate the full recovery of each and every child of theirs. Juntae knew then that things at home were getting back to normal. As normal as it can get after a child's loss. A picture of Daffodil sits in the balcony amongst her siblings. Their lucky charm, their lamp of happiness. Forever immortalised.

Honestly, Juntae was getting a little sick of her babies. "This is how parents of human kids also feel at times." Seongje had helpfully added. Juntae needed a change. She loved her flowering babies. They brighten their home but she also wanted to move beyond that and have babies that could actively do something for nature. So they brought Clematis, Salvia and Bergamot. They were sisters of the same age and definitely brought about a major change in their family dynamics. And they were the best when it came to propagating bees. Their afternoons were filled now with the rhythmic buzzing of the hardworking arthropods. They say bees can study faces and start to recognise humans. They also have a good sense of time. On days when either Seongje or Juntae are late from work, they wait a little extra to pay their respects and leave for their hives. At least that's what Juntae liked to believe. But bees shouldn't stay out for long before the day ends. So, Juntae tries her best to make it home at least two hours before sunset. Their three youngest were really doing their magic to make their little forest lively.

To not let Bergamot feel left out as the only fruiting baby, they got a Dwarf Apple. Since, they can't grow an entire tree in their apartment. And creating a bonsai just feels cruel. To break and bend it so that it forever remains stunted. It will take some time for the youngest baby to grow to its full capacity before she will fruit. It was still up to debate whether they can consume Bergamot and Apple in future. Or just let the fruits fall and create humus for its own ecosystem.

Lastly, Basil and Mint joined their family. The only ones who added to their dynamic in seed form, so fetuses. They added a mouth watering aroma to the little forest which Juntae warned Seongje was her cannibalistic side coming out. The smallest, in age and size. Basil was a fast grower like those children who look two-year-old at six months. Her sister Mint was slow to catch up. Like a two-year-old looking like she was perpetually a six-month-old. 

................

Today when Juntae looked at her babies, she felt immensely proud of herself and Seongje, giving a mental pat on her back. She could give Seongje pats once she goes back to bed. She was grateful to have her wife in her life. 

No wife, no life.

Her life really wouldn't have turned out in this manner if she had never met Seongje. She didn't fancy flowers all that much. But love makes you change, and change for the better! It multiplies and grows so much that you can't help but share it with more people. Even with their busy lives, they managed to grow such healthy babies. Hopefully, one day they can settle somewhere far from the daily hustle, rising pollution of the city and make a peaceful, quaint home for themselves. The babies would obviously tag along. They will have a new place to stay, a place that they always deserved, solid earth with fertile soil. More room to grow upwards and sideways. All her babies would be replanted around their house. Like strong-willed warriors who shield their parents and home against the world. She could expect at least this must from her little gremlins.

Her phone starts ringing on the nightstand. Breaking her out from her reverie.

Must be Suho. She wanted tips for her colleague who ended up killing the house cactus. How can one kill a cactus! That's the easiest plant to care for. But no use getting irritated over this. Everyone makes mistakes. Surely, she will learn. 

She stepped into the bedroom and marched for the phone, not forgetting to give Seongje her much deserved pats on the back.