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"Momma." A toddler no more than the age of 4, with golden eyes and jet black hair called out to her mother.
"Hmm?" The woman with the same hue of irises, clearly the subject of her call, responded.
"Where do babies come from?"
Stelle could hear her husband splutter his tea at the question, some of it making him choke. A neat spray of fresh brewed tea stained the newspaper he was reading.
She, on the other hand, was expecting this question for sometime now, lately seeing her daughter being fully engrossed in TV shows with babies playing around. She smiled at Dan Heng's reaction, proud of the fact that this was one of those rare situations where she was the calmer one out of the couple.
"Well," She thought of an answer as the child glance behind her in concern as her father recovered from his initial shock, until she answered, "When two people love each other very much-"
"Stelle." Dan Heng chided her, "I hope its not what I think it is you're going to say, especially in front of our daughter."
His wife giggled, "Not at all. Trust me a little, honey."
It was a rhetorical comment because Dan Heng did, more than just a little, and she knew that. Trusted her enough to place his heart in her hands for their remaining lives. But her silly pranks and clownery could erupt any time during there daily livelihood, even making her daughter a well-worthy accomplice, and her husband was well aware of it. So, a little caution wasn't in bad faith.
"Maa?" Changrong, their daughter tried to bring back her attention.
"Oh, yes. So as I was saying, when two people love each other very much, a Dragon comes flying from the sky and gift some candies for mama and papa to have. When mama eats it, the dragon breathes fire to cook it! The baby grows in mama's belly, exactly like a bun in the oven~"
The little one's mouth was shaped in an 'O' as it dawned upon her, "I grow in Mama too?"
Too cute.
Stelle gathered her in her arms, kissing her baby all over her face, "Yes! A-rong was Mama's little bun!"
The little girl giggled from the bombardment of affection, "Then what did Baba do?"
"Hmm," Stelle had a small smile, "Baba made sure that when little bun gets too big, Mama could still carry her around."
Dan Heng huffed a little laugh behind them, "Baba also read little bun bedtime stories so she would stop doing zoomies inside Mama."
Stelle guffawed at the memory, while little Changrong was surprised, big golden eyes shining like a floodlight.
"A-rong was a kitty? Why was I zooming, Baba?"
Now fully engaged in the silly conversation, Dan Heng set aside his ruined newspaper, pushing up his glasses a bit and made his way to the play-mat. "Because baby Rongrong watched too much Tom and Jerry."
"Yes," Stelle agreed, booping her daughter's nose, "A-rong does zoomies even now, when Baba makes her favourite dishes, or when Mama takes her to the park."
Changrong squealed as her boops turned into a tickle attack by her mother, while her father held her head to prevent it from hitting on the ground as she wiggled around.
Suddenly, the timer went off in the kitchen, telling the family that the Christmas cake was done.
"Mama! Plum Cake!"
The sweet aroma of the dessert wafted in their cosy home, as Stelle pulled out the fragrant treat from the microwave, the toddler taking leaps at having her share as soon as possible.
"Calm down, Changrong," Stelle cooed at her, "We have to wait for it to cool down. And you know we have to wait to cut it until Auntie March arrives."
The child whined but understood, going to her father and clinging at his pants, asking for uppies in compensation of a delayed chance at tasting her once-in-a-year delicacy, and Dan Heng gladly took it upon himself.
"Baba, is A-rong a cake too? If A-rong's birthday is the day she become baby, then I am my birthday cake?"
Too many questions for a four year old to have.
It was simply too endearing.
"Indeed, baby Changrong was the sweetest treat for mama and baba."
Her chortles rang across the house in delight, the festive mood elevated a hundredfold with the breath of young ones. Stelle felt warm inside, seeing her husband and child in the comfort of their own home.
Home.
8 years ago, she wouldn't have thought that a beach trip gone wrong would lead her to the love of her life, and 4 years later she would give birth to her own daughter, while Dan Heng held her hand through every thick and thin of it.
Her almost drowning in the sea, him being her saviour as their first meet. Her falling in love, his arms holding her down. Her in the hospital room, putting her life on the line to bring their child into the world, him fighting the doctors to save her at any cost.
It was not easy, but they made it through, the proof of their love included.
Their little 'bun' turned out to be their greatest joy.
Soon after she was born, Dan Heng got his promotion as an associate professor at the university he taught, and Stelle even gained more than twice the audience she had on her gaming channel, 3 weeks after she returned from her maternity break.
The universe worked in mysterious ways, and it worked out quite well for them.
When the doorbell rang, their guest of honour had arrived with her plus one (Changrong squeaked shyly when she looked at the stranger— with light blue hair and stoic amber eyes— as she, unfortunately, had the same level of asocial awkwardness as her father despite the hyperactivity of her mother, hiding her face behind her dad's collar in his embrace), who March introduced as Sunday from her orchestra group.
Of course, the toddler took no time in warming up to the new 'Uncle' when they bonded over their mutual interest in hatred for Mondays, love for Christmas cakes and carols, for who could say 'no' to such an enthusiastic cute face?
After dinner, the five of them made their way outside to play with snowmen and engage in snowball fights, and eventually witness the countless fireworks in the neighbourhood.
"Baba?" Changrong murmured.
"Yes?"
"Can Mama grow another bun?"
Dan Heng choked on his spit.
"W-Why?" He spluttered.
"I wanna show little buns pretty sparkles too."
Stelle, who was hearing their conversation, giggled, "Maybe, we can try."
Dan Heng's blush was obvious on his pale winter cheeks, tips of his ears pink as strawberries.
"When do you say we invite the dragon again, A-rong's Baba?" His wife teased, not missing her cue.
With a sigh, he yielded.
"I'd say whenever is perfect to make sure there is a little bun and their big sister watching Christmas fireworks next year."
Stelle laughed, her mirth so similar to their daughter, he could never refuse.
"March, would you be alright to babysit Changrong next week?" Asked Dan Heng.
Their friend looked over them in surprise, but nodded cheerfully.
"Of course!! Changrong and I would have tons of fun together, Sunday can also join, what do you say, A-rong?" March asked.
"Yes! Fun time with Auntie and Uncle!"
With a knowing glance, the family retired for the night after bidding their friends farewell. Putting the toddler to bed, and a kiss on both of her cheeks by both of her parents, a little gift was left under her pillow.
Tomorrow would be even more joyous than yesterday.