The Parks
It had been five years since the world learned about me and Jia. Five years since the twins were born. Or at least, that’s what we thought. I remember that day like it was yesterday.
Doctor: Alright, Mrs. Park. One more big push.
Me: AHHHHH!
I screamed as our first son entered the world. Jay never let go of my hand.
Jay: You got this, Mama.
The doctor handed our son to a nurse before looking back at me.
Doctor: Wonderful. Let’s get baby number two.
I took another deep breath and pushed.
Me: AHHHHHH!
A second cry filled the room.
Doctor: Congratulations. Another healthy baby boy.
Jay leaned down and kissed my forehead.
Jay: You did it, mama.
I collapsed against the pillow, completely exhausted. Then the doctor frowned. She pressed on my stomach. Her smile disappeared.
Doctor: Hold on...
The room suddenly became much busier. Another nurse stepped over. An ultrasound machine was rolled closer.
Jay: What’s going on?
The doctor looked at the screen before looking back at us. Her eyes widened.
Doctor: Mrs. Park... I need you to push again.
Jay’s head snapped toward her.
Jay: Again? What do you mean again?
Doctor: There’s another baby.
Silence. I blinked. Jay blinked.
Me: What?
Doctor: Push!
Me: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!
One final cry echoed through the room. The doctor laughed in disbelief.
Doctor: Well... that’s a surprise.
She lifted the tiny baby into the air.
Doctor: Congratulations.
She smiled.
Doctor: It’s a girl.
Jay looked from the baby... to the doctor... then back to me.
Jay: We are done.
Doctor: You literally just had three children.
Jay: Exactly!
I stared at Jay. Jay stared at me.
Me: ...Triplets?
Jay: We came in here expecting twins.
Three babies under the age of one wasn’t something either of us had prepared for. Jay took an entire year off from touring so we could figure out how to survive our new normal. Even then, it was too much for just the two of us, so we finally admitted we needed help and asked his parents to move in for a while. Jia was a big help when it came to helping out. She was just as exhausted as we were. We would find her sleeping in the weirdest places or positions. We caught her one-day halfway in the tub holding a rubber duck we asked her to grab for their bath time. He picked her up, shaking his head.
Jay: You can’t fall asleep on the job, Superstar.
One afternoon I found her slowly swaying in the middle of the living room. I called out to her and she didn't respond. When I walked up to her, she was dancing but her eyes were closed, and then just dropped to the floor. Thank God we had carpet. None of were prepared for this.
A few months after the triplets were born, we were in the middle of a massive diaper crisis. The room smelled like rotten eggs. I don't know why he felt the need to talk at this time.
Jay: I think we should introduce the triplets.
Me: Now?
Jay: The world already knows about you and Jia. Might as well with the triplets.
Me: How? At home? Another show?
Jay: At home. In our element.
Me: Ok.
We get them cleaned up and dressed up in matching outfits. He sets up his laptop to live stream. I sit down on the couch holding two of the triplets. He picks up the last one and Jia sits between us. He grabs the remote and starts.
Jay: Ya boy Jay Park her a.k.a Mr. McNasty and I wanted to share my news with all my fans. So, last year for those that are new this is my wife Shay Park and my daughter--.
Jia: Jia Celestia Park!
We both laugh.
Jay: My little superstar. Well at my last show My wife announced to me she was pregnant. And these are the newest additions to the park family.
I'm watching the comments flood in about how cute the babies are and all the congratulations.
Jay: Shay want to introduce the little lady?
Me: This is Sky Jiyeon Park.
Jia: The nugget is Junwoo Orion Park. My first-born little brother.
Jay: And this little guy here is Taehyung Kai Park.
Tae starts sucking on his fingers and Jay gently grabs his tiny hand. He smiles down at him and kisses his forehead. I decided to mess with Jay.
Me: Jay said when they're old enough, he'll manage them.
Jay: Absolutely.
I turned to stare at him.
Me: Excuse me?
Jay: Six.
Me: Six?!
Jay: That’s old enough.
The comments are coming in too fast to read. Jay looks at me. I expected him to shake his head and say they weren't performing until they were teenagers with ruined me messing with him.
Jay: Six years.
Me: What?
Jay: When they turn six, I'll manage them.
Me: I heard you the first time. Jay!
Jay: What?
Me: They’re four months old!
Jay: I’m planning ahead.
Me: They can’t even hold their own bottles!
Jay: Doesn’t mean they can’t have a business plan.
I shake my head. Jia starts dancing. Sky starts crying. Tae falls asleep and Jun just ruined his diaper again. The whole time Jay is finding this all hilarious.
Me: Your future artist just pooped himself.
Jay: Happens to the best of us.
Jay looks at me and his eyes light up. I had a bad feeling about this what that look meant. He turns back to the camera.
Jay: Stay tuned. Park Family show coming Soon!
I slowly turned my head toward him. He refused to look at me.
Me: Jay!
He smiled at the camera.
Jay: Bye, everybody!
He ends the live stream. I glare at him. I shake my head no while he shakes his head yes.
Me: We are absolutely not doing a reality show.
Jay: It’s too late.
Me: What do you mean too late?
Jay: They already heard it.
Me: Jay!
Jay: The announcement has been announced.
let out an exasperated sigh as Jia continued dancing, Sky cried, Tae slept peacefully through it all, and Jun needed yet another diaper change. Just another normal day in the Park household.
