The morning sun peeked gently through the curtains, casting golden light across the wooden floors. The apartment felt warmer than usual — not because of the weather, but because today felt different.
YoungBok yawned as he shuffled into the living room, rubbing sleep from his eyes, Sherri trailing behind him with a groggy Youngjin cradled in her arms. HyunBok was already bouncing around in his little dinosaur pajamas, talking to his stuffed animals about "Appa Hyunjin's return plan."
Then—ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Sherri paused, brows knitting in confusion. "It's Sunday… we weren't expecting anyone, right?"
YoungBok shook his head, already heading to the door. He opened it to find a uniformed delivery man holding a large cardboard box — rectangular, taped tightly, and marked with a clear stamp on the corner: "Military Base Parcel – Hwang Hyunjin."
YoungBok's heart skipped.
He took the box carefully, signing quickly with shaky hands, then closed the door. HyunBok's eyes widened as he darted to YoungBok's side.
"Is it from Appa?! Is it from Appa?!"
Sherri set Youngjin down gently in his baby seat, now fully awake and cooing softly, then hurried over.
The three of them gathered on the floor. YoungBok ran his fingers over the handwriting on the label — Hyunjin's handwriting. Every curve, every letter was familiar.
With a deep breath, YoungBok sliced the tape open and folded the flaps back.
Inside were carefully wrapped packages, letters, polaroids… and the scent of Hyunjin's cologne, faint but comforting, as if a part of him was there in the room.
HyunBok dove into the box with gleeful urgency.
"Ooooh!!"
There was a small superhero cape — stitched with care, clearly handmade, and a note:
> "For HyunBok, the bravest boy I know. So you can fly until I'm back to hold you."
HyunBok immediately put it on and began running around the room, screaming, "I'M FLYING! APPA SAYS I CAN FLY!"
Sherri pulled out a little cloth pouch and unzipped it slowly. Inside were matching necklaces — one with a moon charm, the other with a sun. A folded note was tucked inside:
> "Sherri, my moon. You light up our darkest nights. Lixie, my sun. You burn gently and warm my soul. Keep these close. I carry you both in every step."
YoungBok's throat tightened. He glanced at Sherri, who was already tearing up.
"Don't," she whispered. "You'll make me cry harder."
He laughed through a sniffle, pulling her into a one-armed hug.
There were polaroid photos next — some Hyunjin had taken on base. One of him smiling with two thumbs up. One where he was saluting but had a silly pout. One in front of a tree with a sign that read "Counting down to my home." Behind each was a small note:
> "Guess who I dreamt about last night? Your sleepy voice, Lix."
"Sherri, I saw a stray cat today that looked like you when you're mad. Still adorable."
"Youngjin, stop growing without me!"
"Bokiee, wait for our next dance-off!"
Then at the very bottom of the box was something heavier. YoungBok pulled it out with curiosity — a black box tied with a red ribbon.
Inside were two letters… sealed.
> One marked "For the day before I come home."
The other: "If you ever feel like giving up."
YoungBok stared at them silently, then placed them carefully on the table without opening them. They weren't ready for those yet. But it comforted him to know Hyunjin had thought that far ahead — always protecting their hearts, even from afar.
HyunBok finally collapsed on the floor in his cape, exhausted from flying, giggling. "Appa sent his hug in the box!"
YoungBok chuckled and leaned back, head resting against the couch, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
Sherri crawled over to him and gently rested her head on his shoulder.
"This…" she whispered. "This is what holding on feels like."
He nodded, eyes closed. "He's not even here… and yet… it feels like he never left."
Youngjin squealed from his seat and blew a loud raspberry, causing all three of them to laugh — loud and unfiltered.
That day, they made brownies together. Sherri wore the moon necklace, YoungBok the sun. HyunBok insisted on keeping his superhero cape on, even while eating. And the box stayed open on the coffee table, like a small shrine to the love that built their family.
They ended the night with a movie — one Hyunjin loved, so it felt like watching it with him. YoungBok sat in the middle this time, Sherri curled on one side, HyunBok on the other, and Youngjin asleep on his chest.
The world outside might still doubts them, question them, throw shadows their way.
But inside these four walls…
There was only love.