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Every day in Dr. Jimmy's life follows almost exactly the same routine.
Well, that's not entirely true. There are nights when he's on call and doesn't make it home until the following morning. Still, most days begin the same way—with the blaring alarm clock on the nightstand across the room going off at six o'clock sharp.
Half-asleep, Jimmy pulls the person sleeping beside him a little closer into his arms, as if that can keep the noise from reaching him.
Then he stretches over and turns off the alarm, along with the next five scheduled at ten-minute intervals.
Like a tradition destined never to be broken, waking up because of the six alarms Sea sets for himself is simply impossible.
Sea always complains that his husband keeps turning off his alarms, which is exactly why he never manages to wake up early enough to make breakfast. Whenever that happens, Jimmy only smiles indulgently and repeats the same line Sea has never been able to prove wrong.
“You always sleep better when you are hugging me. There's no way you'd be able to wake up."
And Sea knows it's true. That's why he has six alarms lined up ten minutes apart.
Normally, Sea can fall asleep within a minute or two, no matter where he is or what time it is. But his sleep has never been particularly deep. Most people only need to call his name a few times before he wakes up.
But ever since the very first night he slept beside Jimmy, he couldn't even remember dreaming. He would simply sleep straight through for eight uninterrupted hours.
Jimmy doesn't know when he became Sea's personal sleeping pill. These days, all it takes is a short conversation before bed, and Sea is already snoring beside him.
Trying to wake up before Jimmy has remained an impossible mission for Sea throughout two years of dating and five years of marriage.
Honestly, Sea stopped wanting to set alarms a long time ago.
But somehow, his doctor husband still insists on hearing that rooster-crow alarm from Sea's phone every morning, only to painstakingly turn off the remaining five alarms afterward.
"Doesn't it annoy you?" Sea once asked. "Most people get irritated just hearing an alarm go off every morning. Doctors barely get enough sleep as it is, so why do you still want to wake up early?"
At the time, Jimmy was reading through some paperwork. He didn't even bother looking up.
"For no reason," he replied. "I just like hearing it. Your rooster alarm has become part of my life. I can't give it up."
Sea only pouted and let the matter go. Once his older husband decided something belonged to him, not even heaven could change his mind. And so, after seven years together, the rooster's crow still echoes through their home every morning, faithfully waking Jimmy up.
Like anyone else, Jimmy spends the first few moments of every morning slightly dazed.
He opens his eyes and watches the man sleeping beside him for a long while. For no particular reason. Without any particular thoughts. It's simply part of his morning ritual. The faint snoring coming from Sea never bothers him. If anything, the longer Jimmy watches him, the more awake he becomes, until eventually he's ready to get out of bed.
Seven o'clock is Jimmy's official time to leave the bed. Sea, meanwhile, curls deeper beneath the blankets and continues sleeping.
After finishing his morning routine, Jimmy heads outside to water the collection of potted plants scattered throughout their yard. Every single one of them was brought home by Sea over the past year after he accidentally stumbled into an online plant-lover community.
Now Jimmy's little boy can proudly tell his friends that their house contains more than a dozen different kinds of plants.
It's impressive.
Cool, even.
None of Cean's friends have anything like it.
The funny thing is that although Sea keeps bringing the plants home, Jimmy understands how to care for them far better than Sea ever does.
That's how they ended up with the incident where Cean's kindergarten teacher asked what his father did for a living, and the boy confidently answered that his father was an actor.
"Sometimes Papa Jim is a doctor. Sometimes he's a gardener. He can play the trumpet and race cars too. Papa Sea says Papa Jim is an actor because every day he turns into a different profession."
The young kindergarten teacher, barely out of college, developed a headache listening to the smartest child in her class ramble endlessly about his father. In the end, she gave up and opened the parent contact book instead, calling Jimmy directly to ask about his occupation so she could fill out the student information form.
Avocean is Jimmy and Sea's four-year-old son. Still very much a kindergarten student.
Possessing a face seemingly copied and pasted from Jimmy's, the boy appears to have inherited intelligence well beyond that of children his age. Both academically and physically gifted, Cean is fully aware that he's far more capable than most of the kids at school.
His teachers have repeatedly suggested that his parents let him skip a grade.
But whenever Sea asks for his opinion, Cean immediately shakes his head.
First, he has two best friends in class—Tomafox and Jummo. Even if they're much slower than he is, they're still fun to play with.
Second, Cean knows perfectly well that skipping a grade means more homework. And four-year-old Cean is still very attached to his baba. He has no intention of spending time doing extra assignments when he could be out having fun with Papa Sea instead.
So the child who probably should have advanced to a higher grade continues attending class every day, carrying around a head full of knowledge while mostly going to school just to play with his friends.
Besides, Papa Sea is strict enough about studying at home that no one worries about Cean neglecting his education.
Having been taught independence by Papa Jim since he was little, Cean is already awake when Jimmy opens his bedroom door at seven-thirty.
The boy is sitting on his bed, his hair sticking up in every direction like a freshly bathed puppy. A favorite comic book rests open in his hands. He isn't running around looking for his parents.
Jimmy has carefully explained that Papa Sea is still asleep and absolutely must not be woken up. Instead, Papa Jim will come open his door every morning and wish him good morning.
"Good morning, Cean."
The moment he sees his father appear in the doorway, Cean—dressed in avocado-print pajamas—immediately tosses his comic book aside.
He stretches both arms toward Jimmy, silently asking to be picked up.
At four years old, Cean is still very much a child who loves cuddles and affection.
The instant Jimmy lifts him into his arms, the little boy wraps both arms tightly around his neck and lets out a series of whiny complaints that sound exactly like Sea.
"Papa Jim came home so late yesterday. Cean was already asleep before you got back."
Last night, an emergency case at the hospital kept Jimmy from getting off work at his usual time. Papa Sea was strict about bedtime. He refused to let Cean stay up waiting for Papa Jim to come home.
"I'm sorry, buddy. Papa had work at the hospital. Did Papa Sea read you a story last night?"
"He did. We played Just Dance too."
Jimmy ruffles Cean's hair and smiles at the miniature version of himself. Cean loves dancing even more than studying, especially when he gets to dance with Papa Sea.
Today is still a school day, but Cean has been in a particularly good mood since morning. His papas have promised to take him to an amusement park over the weekend.
Sea is the one who usually cooks for the family. Simply put, he has more time and far more talent in the kitchen than his doctor husband. By the time Jimmy finishes getting himself ready and helps Cean get dressed, Sea has just walked into the kitchen. He starts taking out the ingredients he prepared the night before.
"Good morning, Sea."
"Good morning, Papa."
Father and son speak at the same time.
Sea smiles as one large version and one small version of Jimmy walk over and kiss each of his cheeks.
"Good morning, two of you."
His voice is slightly hoarse from a good night's sleep.
Cean quickly climbs into his usual seat and opens his comic book. As he reads, he chats away with Sea in a voice that still sounds like a baby chick.
"Papa, our school is having a sports day for parents soon. I told everyone Papa Sea is really good and will win first place..."
"Did you?" Sea cracks an egg into the pan. "Then Papa will win first place."
When Sea turns his head, he finds a glass of warm honey lemon water already waiting beside him. Jimmy has prepared it without him noticing. He places the glass into Sea's hand and leans down to press a soft kiss against his lips.
"I want that finished before I'm done getting dressed."
Then he heads straight back to the bedroom.
Sea can't help laughing as he watches him leave.
Jimmy’s words are always so cool and calm, but his actions are the complete opposite. Having a doctor for a husband means being taken care of a little too well.
Breakfast today is steamed buns and wonton soup, Cean's favorite. The boy eats happily enough, but he keeps ignoring the star-shaped vegetables floating in his bowl.
They are cute to look at. Eating them is another story.
However, Sea notices immediately.
"You're not leaving any vegetables behind today, Cean."
The four-year-old's face instantly droops like a wilted cabbage.
He looks toward Jimmy for help.
Jimmy looks down at his little chick. As usual, he almost gives in the moment he sees those pleading eyes. Unfortunately, Sea has learned every trick the two of them use by now. His eyes never leave Cean.
"If you don't finish your vegetables today, Papa won't take you to the amusement park this weekend."
"Yes, Papa..." Cean's imaginary puppy ears seem to flop down immediately.
After seeing Jimmy give a tiny shake of his head, Cean knows there will be no rescue today.
He quietly scoops up one vegetable star after another. He stares at each one for a long moment before gathering enough courage to eat it. Sea watches with satisfaction as his picky eater finally surrenders. Then he turns to Jimmy. Not only does he give him a warning glare, but he also lightly kicks him under the table.
"You were about to help him again, weren't you?"
Jimmy shakes his head quickly.
"Of course not. I want Cean to eat properly too."
As he speaks, he places a sesame bun—Sea's favorite—onto his plate.
It is strange. The parent who spoils Cean the most is Jimmy. To outsiders, he is the serious doctor with a cold face, a calm voice, and an impressive career. At home, he can never resist his son.
Sea glares at his child, and then he glares at his husband. At this point, he has completely given up trying to understand Jimmy's habit of spoiling Cean. Maybe it is because the boy looks so much like him.
Sea honestly doesn't know anymore.
After breakfast, Jimmy is in charge of taking Cean to school. The baby boy wears his favorite blue overalls and carries a backpack stuffed with comic books and gummy candy.
"Papa Sea! Bend down!"
Cean waves excitedly while Jimmy helps him put on his shoes. When Sea crouches to his level, the little boy immediately plants a kiss on his cheek. Sea knows exactly what he is trying to do. Smiling, he pinches Cean's cheek.
"Papa is still making you eat vegetables, even if you kiss me."
"Papa Nong Sea!"
Cean yelps.
His attempt to bribe Papa Sea has failed.
Jimmy is already waiting by the front door. He watches the scene with a smile. This is one of his favorite parts of every morning. Watching Sea and Cean go back and forth like this never gets old.
No one outside the family would understand.
"I'm off to work, Sea!"
No sooner has the mini Jimmy finished acting cute than the big Jimmy starts doing the same.
Five years of marriage have somehow turned Sea into an experienced kindergarten teacher.
"Have a good day at work, Hia."
Sea leans up and kisses him on the lips for good luck. Only then do father and son finally leave the house.
Sea's workplace is farther away and starts later in the day. He has time to clean up the kitchen, load the dishwasher, and get dressed before leaving. Sea works as an instructor at a sports academy in the city. He was once a national badminton player, but for more than four years now, he has been a teacher and coach.
"Teacher Sea, is Cean coming today?"
One of his twelve-year-old students asks the moment Sea announces a break. Everyone at the academy knows Teacher Sea has an adorable four-year-old son. His husband is a doctor too, which makes him seem even cooler.
The children love it whenever Cean comes to wait for Sea after class. But it has been a long time since they have seen him. They miss their little avocado. Cean is energetic, clever, and friendly. He smiles at everyone and loves acting cute.
The older girls absolutely adore him.
Whenever they see him, they give him candy and wonder why their own younger brothers aren't nearly as lovable. Life is unfair.
"No, Cean won't be leaving school early today."
The children immediately look disappointed.
Sea laughs: "But I'll be picking him up after school today."
The students perk up at once.
"So you'll all get to leave fifteen minutes early."
The sadness disappears instantly. Some of them even jump up and cheer. That is why Sea has no idea how the plan can suddenly change.
About an hour before his class ends, he receives a phone call from Cean's kindergarten.
"Are you Avocean's parent?"
"Yes, I am."
A bad feeling immediately settles in his stomach.
"This is the kindergarten calling. Avocean had a disagreement with another student. The children became physical with one another, and we need a parent to come to the school right away."
.tbc