They arrived at the venue for the party in a little over thirty minutes. It seemed his friends had rented out a small banquet hall for the baby shower. Jungkook got out of the car first and then opened the door for Jimin and helped him out. Jungkook then closed the door and locked the car before wrapping his arm around Jimin's waist lightly and gently leading him towards the building. Jimin bit his lip nervously as they got closer, the dread in his stomach from earlier getting just a little worse with every step.
"Remember to act surprised," Jungkook reminded one last time and almost as an afterthought added, "also behave."
Jimin nodded and pressed his lips together before making a quick decision and pulling Jungkook to a stop before they could go inside. Jungkook gave him a questioning look as Jimin just looked up at him for a second. Then Jimin leaned up and planted a quick kiss on Jungkook's lips. When he pulled away he said, "Thank you for letting me see them."
Jungkook looked stunned for a moment but then smiled and pulled Jimin into a hug while whispering a "you're welcome." Jungkook looked happier now about the whole thing and Jimin felt better. He'd managed to please Jungkook so even if he made some mistakes while with his friends, Jungkook was likely to forgive him easier now.
Pulling the door open, Jungkook held it open for Jimin smiling at him softly while motioning for him to go in. Jimin returned the smile and then walked inside. The moment he stepped inside he was greeted by Taehyung rushing at him and hugging him which actually did surprise him and so he didn't have to pretend to be surprised to see him there.
"Careful of the baby!" Jungkook yelled at them as he too entered the building.
"Taehyung?" Jimin said in surprise and Taehyung laughed as he released Jimin and smiled his boxy smile.
"The one and only. Surprised to see us?" Taehyung asked and Jimin nodded.
Taehyung smiled brightly and then his eyes wandered down to Jimin's stomach. "Wow, you look really pregnant."
"That's because he is, idiot," Jimin heard Yoongi say from somewhere behind Taehyung. Jimin moved to the side and was greeted by the sight of all his friends. Jin and Namjoon were sitting by a table full of presents while grinning happily at Jimin. Yoongi was standing about a foot away from the food table analyzing Jimin. Hoseok was beside Yoongi and he was waving at Jimin with a huge grin plastered to his face. Taemin and Joohyun were also there sitting at one of the tables. Jimin recognized a few others from his dance team at college. He looked around at everyone and he suddenly felt overwhelmed. Tears began gathering in his eyes and his site was becoming blurry.
Just as a tear was slipping down his face Jin walked up to him and pulled him in for a hug. "There, there, Jimin-ah... Are you that happy to see us that you're crying?" he asked softly when he pulled away and looked at younger's teary eyes. Jimin just nodded in answer.
"Well, then you should have come visited us before this silly," Jin said poking his nose gently and giggling which made Jimin giggle as well while nodding his head though he wished he could tell Jin he had wanted to and just hadn't been allowed too.
"Now that our guest of honor has arrived, let's get this baby shower started!" Hoseok said as he turned on the music and a bunch of little kids songs began playing causing everyone at the party to laugh. Jimin smiled, happy to see everyone. One by one they all greeted him and Jungkook, congratulating them on having a baby.
After the greetings, everyone gathered around the food table to have lunch as it was already one. Taehyung and Jin stayed beside Jimin the whole time. They piled his plate high with food and insisted on feeding him. Jimin felt nervous about the attention at first, thinking Jungkook might get mad over it. But Jungkook didn't look mad, he just watched from across the table and even smiled when Jimin looked at him which eased Jimin's nerves and he relaxed a bit more. Maybe that kiss they'd shared before entering had done more than allow him a few mistakes.
"I can't believe it's already been almost a year since we last saw each other! And then all of a sudden you call and tell us you're only two weeks from giving birth!" Jin said as he fed Jimin some cake and eyed Jimin's stomach with an excited look.
"Same. I can't wait to meet your kid, though! I'm sure she's going to be a little angel! Have you thought of a name for her?" Taehyung asked.
"We've discussed it some but Jimin hasn't settled on one yet," Jungkook answered for Jimin.
"Ah, I see, well I'm sure you'll settle on one once you see her!" Taehyung said as he smiled at Jimin reassuringly.
"Can I touch your stomach, Jimin?" Jin asked looking a little apprehensive.
Jimin nodded and moved his body so he was facing Jin. Jin carefully placed his hands on Jimin's stomach and tentatively moved them around, lightly caressing it. He gasped when he suddenly felt a kick against his hand and Jimin giggled.
"She doesn't kick as much anymore so you're lucky she did just now," Jimin said smiling softly. Jin smiled back looking at Jimin's stomach in awe.
"Ok enough! My turn!" Hoseok said as he bounded over to them and lightly shoved Jin aside. Jimin giggled as Jin made an indignant noise. Apparently, his baby was being active right now since she kicked yet again. Maybe she was energetic because Jimin was so happy at the moment and enjoying himself.
"I can't believe you'll be giving birth in less than a week. You have to call us the moment Jimin goes into labor, got it, Kookie?" Hoseok demanded from the youngest who widened his eyes in surprise.
"You guys are staying until then?" Jungkook asked.
"Yea, we rented out rooms at a nearby hotel for a week so we could stay until the baby is born," Taehyung answered for Hoseok. "You don't mind right?"
Jungkook shook his head. "We kind of wanted it to be a private thing but since you've already rented hotel rooms, there's not much I can say now," Jungkook responded laughing lightly though Jimin could hear the edge in his voice. Jungkook didn't like it.
"You're right about that, kid! Oh my gosh you're having a kid! This is so weird!" Taemin said as he made a weird face at the realization he shouldn't call Jungkook a kid anymore.
"Alright, that's enough chit-chat! Let's play some games!" Taehyung said loudly as he bounded over to another table and brought a bunch of baby items back.
Jimin eyed the items curiously as Taehyung explained the rules of the game and then passed out the items. The game began and once Jimin began to understand how to play he ended up enjoying himself. The first few rounds ended with Jungkook winning. But by the third round everyone had gotten the hang of the game and so it became very competitive and each round saw a new winner. What made the whole thing even better was Taehyung had actually brought prizes for the winners. They weren't extraordinary prizes but weren't stupid things like candy or little figurines. Rather he'd brought prizes like $10 gift cards, large stuffed animals, and vouchers for meals at pricey restaurants. After playing round after round for a while, Hoseok said it was time to open presents.
Eyeing the table full of presents Jimin wondered what his friends had bought him. Jin made him sit in a rocking chair by the presents table as he handed him one present at a time so Jimin could open it and show everyone what he'd gotten and from who. After he'd opened up most of the presents and was on the last one, he saw Jungkook leaving the room and heading towards the restroom. It was then that Taehyung pulled him aside to talk while telling everyone else to get more food.
"I finally get to talk to you without him hovering," Taehyung said his voice irritated and expression a little mad.
Jin came over to them and he looked at Jimin worriedly as he hugged him again, this time tighter than when he'd first arrived and he didn't let go as he said, "I'm so sorry for not trying harder to get in touch with you. Sorry for naively believing what Jungkook told me. I should have been there to protect you from him."
Jimin gasped realizing that Jin knew. Taehyung must have told him and one glance at Taehyung confirmed it. "W-who else knows?" Jimin asked worriedly.
"No one. Taehyung only told me since he needed help to get you away from that monster," Jin responded as he released Jimin, looking at him with a guilty look.
"It's not your fault hyung. You couldn't have known," Jimin whispered.
"Still... I'm sorry," Jin responded.
"I am too, Jiminie. But as much as I want to comfort you and tell you everything will be ok, we need to hurry right now. We have a plan to help you but we're going to need you to do something for it to work," Taehyung said, a sense of urgency in his voice.
"What?" Jimin asked apprehensively.
"You're going to need to pretend to go into labor preferably when he says it's time for you guys to leave," Jin said.
"O-ok... What do you have planned?" Jimin asked.
"We can't explain everything right now. Who knows when Jungkook will be out of the restroom. Just remember to pretend to have contractions when he tries to get you to leave, we'll handle the rest ok?" Taehyung responded and Jimin nodded indicating he understood.
"He's coming back out! Change the topic quick," Jin said and Taehyung immediately began pretending to talk about baby names with Jimin.
"What about Arah?" Taehyung began, "Or maybe Areum? Oh, what about an Americanized name like Lily or something? That sounds nice don't you think?"
Jungkook slipped in beside Jimin, wrapping his arm around the elder's waist as he gave Taehyung a pointed look. "I think we'd both prefer a Korean name. It would be weird for her to always have to explain that she isn't part American if we gave her an American name," Jungkook said.
"Hmm I guess, it was just a thought," Taehyung responded shrugging.
"Hmm hmm... It's getting kinda late, you ready to go home baby?" Jungkook asked Jimin.
"Already?" Jimin asked with a small pout.
"We've been here for five hours baby. You need to rest, so much movement and activity in one day is gonna drain you," Jungkook responded.
"Ok... I guess we can go, I am a little tired," Jimin replied realizing Jungkook wasn't really asking him so much as telling him they were gonna leave now.
"Aww, you sure you got to go now?" Jin asked.
"You heard him hyung. Jiminie's tired and he should rest," Jungkook answered with an apologetic smile.
"Well alright then. We'll see you guys soon I'm hoping," Taehyung said and Jungkook nodded as he began leading Jimin away.
"It was nice seeing you all again," Jimin said as Jungkook began to pull him away.
"You too, Jimin!" Taehyung called after them.
As the two made their way to the door, Jimin began to do his part so that whatever plan Taehyung and Jin had come up with could be executed. He let out a strangled cry and bent forward, hands on his stomach. Jungkook let go of Jimin as he was surprised by the sudden action. Jimin let out another pained cry and Jungkook immediately asked him what's wrong.
"I-it hu-hurts!" Jimin cried pretending to be in pain. To make it more believable he began crying.
"What hurts? Your stomach?! Do you think you're going into labor?" Jungkook asked as he bent down to look at Jimin's face. It was clear Jungkook was panicking and worried.
Jimin nodded and gasped before letting out another anguished cry, but this time he wasn't pretending. All of sudden he really was feeling pain in his stomach and it was increasing with each passing second. He screamed as another wave of pain coursed through his body. This scream garnered everyone's attention. They all rushed over to Jimin to ask if he was ok.
"Move!" Jungkook yelled at them as he pulled Taehyung who was the closest to Jimin's side.
"Stay with him, I think he's gone into labor. I'm going to go start my car, help him to it!" Jungkook demanded as he placed a quick kiss on Jimin's temple and told him to be strong and ran out of the building to start the car.
"Good acting Jimin, I almost believed it was real," Taehyung whispered as Jimin heaved taking in large gulps of air as he'd suddenly began to found it hard to breathe.
"I-I'm not a-acting!" Jimin whisper yelled as he whimpered and then screamed in pain again.
"W-wait... you're really going into labor?!" Taehyung exclaimed surprised and panicking himself as he looked up at Jin hyung who looked just as surprised as Taehyung.
"What do we do now hyung?" Taehyung asked looking distressed but Jimin couldn't focus on either of them as the pain was too much.
~A/N: Thoughts? We're near the end at this point, hope you're ready.