The soft hum of the aircraft filled the cabin as the plane descended smoothly, wheels kissing the runway with a gentle thud.
"Welcome to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. We will have a two-hour layover."
The announcement echoed through the cabin.
Maggie's eyes lit up instantly, as if someone had just handed her a golden opportunity on a silver platter.
"Two hours?" she repeated, already unbuckling her seatbelt. "Ah-rin, this is destiny."
Ah-rin didn't even open her eyes. "No."
Maggie gasped dramatically. "I didn't even say anything yet!"
"You don't have to," Ah-rin replied calmly. "Your face already said 'trouble' itself."
A pout appeared on Maggie's lips upon hearing Ah-rin's remark.
The twins leaned forward at the same time, their identical eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Mommy," Naomi said softly, tugging at Ah-rin's sleeve, "is Taiwan different from our New York?"
Noah nodded eagerly. "Do they have different shops? Different toys and foods?"
Ah-rin finally opened her eyes after a long sigh. She knew once something gets twin's attention, no one can stop them until they feel satisfied.
Maggie seized the moment like a professional negotiator. "See? Educational trip. Cultural exposure. Life experience. We can't just sit inside an airport for two hours like statues and do nothing."
Ah-rin sighed. "It's crowded. And we have limited time. What if we become late and miss our flight?"
Butterflies appeared in Maggie's voice. "Pleaseee. We'll just visit the local market and then any nearby restaurant for lunch. Quick walk, quick food, quick happiness and experience while enjoying. If you don't use this chance, Seo Ah-rin, then God will punish you for being an ice-cold mother to the twins. Look at your twins' puppy eyes."
The twins clasped their hands together, their puppy eyes activated at full power.
"Please, Mommy," Noah whispered.
"We'll behave," Naomi added quickly. "Promise."
Ah-rin looked at them—at the excitement shining in their eyes, at the way their small hands held onto hope.
And she knew she had lost.
"Fine," she said at last. "But we leave on time. No arguments."
The twins cheered softly. Maggie grinned like she had just won a war.
The local market buzzed with life.
Colorful lanterns hung overhead, stalls overflowing with trinkets, handmade accessories, and small souvenirs. The air smelled of spices, sugar, and something fried—comforting and unfamiliar at the same time.
Naomi stared at everything as if the world had just expanded ten times. Noah tugged Maggie's hand, pointing at wooden toys and cartoon keychains.
"Look, Mommy!" Naomi gasped. "That cat is waving at me!"
Ah-rin smiled without realizing it.
She watched her children move from stall to stall, their laughter light and free. For once, there was no fear in their steps, no shadows behind their smiles.
This—this was enough.
Maggie bought small souvenirs: matching bracelets for the twins, a tiny panda keychain, and a hairpin Naomi insisted was "magical."
When hunger finally caught up to them, they entered a cozy local restaurant tucked between two narrow streets.
They ordered Taiwanese specialties—beef noodle soup, lu rou fan (braised pork rice), xiao long bao, and a plate of crispy scallion pancakes. For the twins, sweet bubble tea without caffeine and a small serving of pineapple cake.
As they waited, Naomi tugged Noah's hand. "I need to use the washroom."
"I'll take her," Noah said confidently.
Ah-rin stood up immediately. "I'll come with you."
"We can manage, Mommy!" Noah said, puffing his chest a little.
"What if you both get lost? I am coming, and that's final. No argument on this," Ah-rin said from her motherly instinct.
"Don't worry, Mommy. She will stand outside the ladies' washroom after she is done. I will go, use the washroom quickly enough, and come back with her together from the ladies' washroom. Simple."
Ah-rin hesitated, her instincts screaming no—but the twins' pleading eyes softened her resolve.
"Alright," she said firmly. "Straight there and straight back."
Noah nodded enthusiastically and took Naomi's hand in his, then left for the washroom.
Inside the washroom corridor, Noah waited while Naomi went in. After a moment, he entered the gents' washroom.
After doing his business, he reached for tissues. Another hand reached at the same time.
Noah froze—and looked up.
The man standing beside him was tall, well-dressed, with kind eyes and a gentle smile.
"Here," the man said, handing Noah a few tissues.
"Thank you," Noah replied politely.
The man crouched slightly. "Are you here with your family?"
"Yes," Noah nodded. "My mom, my aunty, and my sister."
The man paused. "And your dad?"
Noah's smile faded. The man knew he shouldn't have bothered with this little boy's matter. His dad was his personal life; he shouldn't interfere. But looking at those hazel eyes of the boy made him remember someone else, someone very dear to him. That's why he couldn't help but ask the little boy more about his family.
"He didn't want us," Noah said quietly. "So he left. He is a bad man."
Something softened in the man's expression.
"Your mother must be very strong," he said gently. "Raising two angels all by herself."
Noah looked proud. "She is. She is the best mommy in this world."
Then Noah tilted his head. "Are you alone?"
The man smiled faintly. "I am not alone. I am here with my friend, for some work."
"Your mommy let you come here alone, with your friend?" Noah asked with his curious eyes, making the man chuckle.
"Yes, because I am a big man now. So she isn't worried that I will get lost."
Noah nodded his head like an adult, as if he understood everything.
"Noah also wants to be a big man as soon as possible," Noah exclaimed, making the man laugh unknowingly.
"Do you want to travel alone that much that you want to grow up as soon as possible? Do you know how much responsibility a grown up man should take on their shoulder?" he couldn't help but ask Noah with curiosity.
"No, no. I want to be a big man and earn for my mommy. Then I will take Mommy and Naomi to travel. Now Mommy always works, always busy. But when I become a big man and earn, Mommy won't have to think about money and work hard for us."
The man looked at him with amusement, as if he was looking at his own reflection when he was this little boy's age.
"Uncle, don't you have angels like us? They must be happy having you as their daddy," Noah asked curiously.
The smile on the man's lips vanished upon hearing him.
"I... I don't know. I was married. But my wife left."
Noah squinted his eyes and asked, "Why? Why did she leave? Did you guys fight?"
The man gave Noah a small, almost forced laugh and said, "Yeah, we had a fight."
Noah smiled upon hearing him.
"My mommy and aunty also always fight, but then they hug each other again and bring cakes as an apology. Don't worry, Uncle, your wife will also come back to you. You just have to take a cake with you."
Hearing him, the man couldn't help but smile with pain.
"It's not the same, kiddo. Adults' fights are complicated."
"But Mommy and Aunty are also adults!" Noah murmured, not understanding the difference.
He thought for a moment, then spoke with innocent sincerity.
"Then you can marry my mom if you want. She won't leave you. She's a very good person. You will also have two angels, me and my sister, Naomi."
The man chuckled awkwardly, then shook his head.
"That's not something you should say to a stranger, kiddo," he said kindly. "It might hurt your mother's feelings. And not everyone in the world is good. Understand?"
Noah nodded. "I understand. Thank you for telling me, Uncle."
They walked out together, parting ways in different corridors after bidding their goodbyes.
Back at the table, Ah-rin exhaled in relief when she saw her twins coming back safely.
After taking their seats, Noah mentioned the "nice uncle" briefly.
Naomi added, laughing, "I saw a lady with red lipstick. It didn't suit her. Only Mommy and Aunty look good with red lips."
"That's not polite," Ah-rin said gently. "We don't judge others, okay?"
Naomi nodded seriously.
Their food arrived soon after, steam rising, warmth filling the table.
They ate together—laughing, sharing bites, stealing dumplings from each other's plates.
Fifteen minutes before boarding, they returned to the airport.
Ah-rin looked at her children—sleepy, content, smiling.
Between New York and Korea, between two skies, they had found a moment of warmth.
And for now, that was enough.
To Be Continued ...