Chapter Text
“Do you want to try and come clean now while you can, Neil? Or do you want to watch it unfold before your eyes?” Jade offers as the tables have been turned.
Her heels clack against the tile as she moves closer to the stands and turns to face Neil. Their eyes lock and she can tell that he’s calculating his next move. That he’s trying to see if she’s bluffing or if she really does have proof that could change the tides. Where already it was remarkable that she pinned him with Stacy when there should’ve been no evidence of them being together. Neil had made sure of that but it seemed someone else wasn’t as careful---
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Neil states as he holds his ground.
Jade nods, her hands coming to rest confidently on her arms as she lets out a, “Suit yourself because we have solid proof that you not only know Stacy, you grew up with her.”
Jackson’s expression is like a whip lash as he can only blink from what he just heard. Because he heard correctly right? Did she just say---
Jade moves to take the files from Vector as she goes to place them on the projector so all can see,
“Stacy as we all know from a previous trial with Mr. Lim, her name had been different many years ago. Stacy had changed her name when she became of legal age but back then during her childhood, she was known as Min Tuan.”
“No fucking way...there’s no fucking way…” Yugyeom is being thrown for a loop but sure enough as she presents not only the birth certificate where it states her name was changed to Stacy, there is photo proof from when she was younger.
“Oh my god! She looks like Lilly!” Bam exclaims.
“No wonder Kyo and Lilly looked so similar and why Mark could’ve easily been seen as her mother…” Youngjae lets out in awe.
All of them unable to look away from the photos being shown of Stacy when she was a child.
“It’s her...that’s her birthmark on her inner thigh...just like Lilly’s…” Jaebum is being hit with so many emotions.
As the pieces were coming together, Jaebum realized that he dated Mark’s sister. That Kyo and Lilly are actually cousins. Jaebum had no idea about this. Stacy never uttered a word to him about changing her name or much about her past. It would just piss her off if you asked as she would tell him that she kept her life private for a reason and that if she wanted him to know then the world would know too, wouldn’t they?
“What a small world we live in…” Jinyoung breathed out as he never saw this coming either.
“It’s like Yien said...how he kept saying his past keeps haunting him, how it won’t let him move on,” Jackson whispers to his lover.
“I’m starting to think it's finally come full circle so that he can,” Jinyoung replies.
That fate has been trying to undo the damage done in this cruel world and take what was done to Mark and make it right. For such a pure and loving soul never once tried to get payback. How he didn’t let it destroy his heart with greed and hatred. No Mark deserved to finally heal and have good fortune for all that he’s done.
“As you can see, Mark has gone through a traumatic life. From such files describing how his childhood went up to a certain point, we all can see it was no life for a child. His parents wouldn’t even acknowledge him as a human being. They were upset with the world for taking their eldest son and thought the heavens were bringing him back with the birth of Mark and they soon realized that was not the case and took it out on him. A poor innocent child who wanted nothing but love. Even Mark’s sister went through hell with her eldest brother dying, her parents changing mentally and then being forced into foster care. Who wouldn’t hold a grudge and want to blame someone, right? So if her parents blamed Mark, why not her?”
Jade had shown the files taking from Mark’s past. Of the investigation done and the horrible events that took place in Mark’s childhood. Jackson has to look away for a moment because he knows the extent. He remembers asking his father about it and how he remembers his dad crying while he spoke of it.
Jinyoung places his hand over Jackson’s and finds the alpha clinging to it, intertwining their fingers and squeezing as the others almost can’t bear to look themselves. Just thinking about how sweet and caring Mark still is. How he’s been through so much and yet still tries to keep going. Still putting others above himself...still wanting to love.
“Here, you can see Stacy was moved from one foster home to the next until she landed in a nice adopted home that Neil grew up in as well. And here we have photos of them taking class pictures together with their other classmates that goes on for several years toward their adulthood.”
Jade stops to let it sink in as she glances over to Neil who is boring holes at Stacy in each photo. As you can see the rage growing like a ticking time bomb.
“I think it’s clear to say that you two were well acquainted, no? Or does this make it even clearer?”
The next one, she shows the photos Wonho had taken that captures them kissing and being very intimate. And not one photo, but multiple at different times, different places. And you can see the dates on each one as Jaebum is heard growing upset as he realizes it too,
“She cheated on me with you too?!”
“Yes, these were dated back even before Jaebum suspected Stacy of cheating on him and last I checked, adultery is frowned upon in our society, Mr. Neil.”
People are whispering as things keep unfolding. As they’re learning that Neil had been cheating on Mark for quite some time.
“I have a suspicion she wasn’t the only woman but sadly I don’t have proof of that. But what I do have, is that Stacy was obsessed with you. You not only have her dead brother’s name but she keeps coming back to you over and over again. Not only that, but she tried to settle with a man that looks very similar to you, Neil. Where if you stood side by side with Mr. Lim here, people would think you were related or the same person. But of course you two aren’t the same. Not personality wise, etc. and Stacy realized that and showed she never truly loved Jaebum, but you, Mr. Neil, she came running right back to you the moment you called. Because you called her, didn’t you? When you saw that Jaebum was in the way of keeping you from getting Mark back, you contacted her to intervene so that you could.”
“This is beyond crazy! You can’t suspect Stacy’s love obsession based off of that--” Mr. Walsh stands up as he tries to overrule it.
But the judge says, “Where’s the proof, Jade?”
Jade smirks as she moves back over to Minhyuk as she holds up his phone, “Right here. Recordings of them talking. Photos of them meeting again before Stacy suddenly showed up at the company building and their conversation where Stacy literally speaks of what she did to Mark. Where she calls Neil babe and is lovey dovey with him as she worked together so she could be with the one she truly loved...they do say love can make you do crazy things…”
“Hold up! This should be overruled! This is against my client’s privacy! This driver upheld a contract and things spoken of should not be used against them nor should he have been taking photos---” Mr. Walsh tries again but the Judge hits the mallet on the desk,
“Silence! Jade, please play the recordings.”
Jade moves over to set it up with Minhyuk’s help before looking up proudly and saying,
“With pleasure your honor.”
Beep
Beep
Beep
The heart monitor was steady as you can see Mark’s chest rise and fall as he sleeps in the hospital bed. As the many tubes and wires keep him healthy and helping to heal in hopes of keeping the baby alive. Flowers surround him as little hands help to add another pop of color so when Mark wakes he feels the warmth and love from his loved ones.
“There. Pretty like Mommy,” Kyo says as he claps his hands and steps back to look at the many flowers.
“You two collected quite a bit for him,” Wonho’s gentle voice is heard as he stands in the room with them.
Lilly nods as she comes around to touch Mark’s hands, “Love heals all things. Mommy’s gotta feel our love.”
Wonho smiles as he watches the two get as close as they can be to Mark. As Kyo tries to kiss his Mother’s cheek and Wonho helps him do that before setting him back onto his feet.
“I think he can feel it.”
“Our baby brother too?” Kyo asks as he looks at Mark's small baby bump.
“You think it’s gonna be a boy? What if it’s a girl?”
“I can only be Daddy’s little girl. It’s a boy,” Lilly tells him.
“A baby brother would be cool,” Kyo adds and Wonho chuckles at Lilly’s expression,
“Forgive me, it must be a little brother then. Either way, I’m sure he can feel it too.”
The two smile at that before getting closer to Mark’s baby bump and gently putting their fingers on his belly,
“Hello little guy,” Lilly greets.
“Hewo,” Kyo adds as he leans in to press kisses like he’s seen Jaebum do.
Wonho takes this moment to record as he smiles fondly, knowing Mark and Jaebum would want to see this.
“You gotta hang in there,” Lilly tells the baby.
“Yeah, you can’t miss out on all the love!” Kyo giggles at the end.
“Or the hugs and kisses!”
“Or the strawbebbies!”
“So please…” Lilly says as he starts to get teary eyed, “I want Mommy to wake up soon so please…”
Kyo’s expression starts to become teary eyed as well, though he tries to hold it back by wiping his eyes with his sleeve,
“Miss Mommy,” he sniffles, “And Daddy.”
The two try to remain strong and keep a hand on Mark’s baby bump as they want the baby to feel their love when suddenly Lilly and Kyo jump back,
“Wow!” they exclaim in shock before looking at Mark’s baby bump in awe and then at Wonho,
“Wo wo! It moved!” They say at the same time, “Felt it touch my hand!”
Wonho comes closer as the two put their hands back on it and wait and sure enough, the baby does it again. And as the two giggle in excitement, Wonho is letting out a breath of awe as his expression turns into a warm smile because this was good news. This was very good news…
The photos, the dates, the times, the recordings. All of it was unleashing everything that had been happening in between. All of it was forming the actual picture of what was going on. How two people were trying to tear apart a couple just trying to move on. Of how vile and morbid Stacy and Neil truly were. How Stacy didn’t care about Jaebum or Mark at all and only Neil. How Neil was ready to stoop to whatever length to get Mark back, the two even caught discussing about using the children to get what they wanted---
The doors to the courtroom open and in comes Vivian with Stacy kicking and screaming,
“Unhand me you fucking idiots or I’ll sue you! I’ll get all of you fired!” Stacy shouts as Vivian moves forth with more evidence and the police holding Stacy back.
“Here! Stacy was in possession of Mark’s phone that was left at the restaurant during that time. Further proving their involvement and showing Neil’s abuse toward Mark and Kyo.”
The others perk up, even Jaebum as they’re in awe themselves.
It wasn’t deleted. The evidence wasn’t destroyed!
“What? What are you talking about? What evidence?” Stacy is confused as she’s forced to remain still.
Everyone watches as Vivian comes forth and hands over the phone to Jade. Where more hope starts to rise as they unlock Mark’s phone and she tells them about the file labeled under Kyo’s birthday that held a pass code to unlock before they pull up and it shows multiple photos of Mark being beaten and wounded. Of Mark taking proof and it being dated to each time. Of recordings of Neil during his drunken fits. Of you being able to hear Kyo crying out in the background and begging at the door for Neil to let his Mother go. One after the next, it unveiled the monster within and now there was no going back.
Neil snaps right then and there as he yells at Stacy,
“You told me you destroyed the phone!”
“I was but then I thought we could use it to our advantage! How was I supposed to know there was evidence like that on it?!” Stacy shouts back, “Who would put it under that anyway?! And a pass code?!”
Vivian turns around and smiles at her son, winking as she knew it was him. Because remember, Jaebum originally wanted to be a cop growing up. He had been learning and watching his parents throughout the years and had put a pass code on the evidence files just in case but didn’t tell anyone. And Vivian knew it was from her son because the pass code was Lilly’s birthday.
Mark might’ve wanted to just let things go and move on but Jaebum had found those files a while back, it was why he was so scared of Mark being alone with Neil, why he wanted to deck him into next year. Why he didn’t want Neil anywhere near his mate but he respected Mark’s wishes on wanting to heal. On wanting to move forward and didn’t bring up the evidence. Instead, he put a pass code on it in case Mark tried to delete it or someone got a hold of his phone. It could’ve also just been to act as a diversion. To make one think there was incriminating evidence on there so they might back off and drop things. Seems Neil didn’t heed that warning.
“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you! I expected you to do it right?! Didn’t you love me?!”
“I do! I do!” Stacy cries hysterically as Neil is fed up with her, “It’s why I did what I did! That's why I wanted to take Yien out so we can be together!”
“You bitch! I don’t want you! I never did! I wanted Yien! I only need him!” Neil shouts as things are becoming hostile before his unstable eyes of rage land on Jaebum,
“This is all your fault! You took away my mate!”
Before the cops can move forth, Neil is launching himself over the table and at Jaebum. There’s so much chaos happening as Stacy is hysterical and struggling, people are in shock and watching and now Neil and Jaebum are taking a tumble to the ground as another desk is being moved with chairs screeching along the floor as Neil lands a hit first on Jaebum before the alpha has free right to defend himself and starts fighting back. Jinyoung doesn’t even hold back Jackson as the alpha hops over the wooden railing and into the fight as he’s been waiting for this moment to beat the shit out of Neil for what he did to his brother. Jade remains by Vivian as they make no move to stop the two alphas from tag teaming Neil and Vector might’ve ‘tried’ to get them to break it up as it seems like they were no match for him.
It’s not until Neil is a pumpled mess on the courtroom floor that the cops and Vector manage to get Jackson and Jaebum off of him, both being detained so they can cool down as they go easy on them, Vector even whispering to his son that he did a good job while more cops move in to arrest Neil. With Stacy’s cries being music to the other’s ears as they’re finally getting what they deserved. With the judge hitting the mallet and ending this session,
“Lim Jaebeom is hereby innocent! Shane Neil Lee is hereby guilty on multiple accounts that will be sorted out through further proceedings and Stacy will also be held accountable for her actions. Court is dismissed!”
The others cheer, bright smiles on their faces when Jackson feels his phone vibrate with a call…
It’s hours later, the smell of the hospital strong as eyes start to slowly open. Mark feels groggy, his body a bit weak as he’s unsure of where he is. But it’s quiet with dim lighting except for a steady heartbeat going off on the monitor.
It takes several moments for Mark to fully wake up but when his eyes adjust, they focus in on someone sitting in the chair across from the bed. A dorky smile coming forth on such a handsome face with raven hair and twin moles above his left eye. Those eyes locking with his with such a passionate and warm gaze---
Mark’s heart skips a beat before pumping faster that it has the alpha chuckling while getting up to move closer,
“Hey baby,” Jaebum greets him as his bandaged hand comes to run fingers through the omega’s hair.
“Bummie…” Mark lets out quietly as his voice is a bit hoarse from the tubes that have long since been removed.
“Shh, I’m here, it’s ok…”
Mark tries to move as Jaebum helps him get more comfortable, his other bandaged hand coming down to rest on Mark’s baby bump as he softly strokes along his skin.
“The baby...the kids...wait...the court and Neil---” Mark tries to get out as it’s all coming back to him, as he takes in a dark bruise on Jaebum’s cheek and his bandaged hands.
“The baby is perfectly healthy and the kids are safe. Everything else is taken care of.”
Mark goes quiet as he tries to process this. As his eyes go from Jaebum’s hand on his stomach to his face as he searches for answers,
“Jae--”
Jaebum silences him with a sweet kiss to his lips before the alpha pulls back with a growing smile and eyes holding such love and warmth,
“You’re free now, baby. Free of your past, free of Neil, you’re free to fully heal and move forward and I hope that’s still gonna be with me.”
Mark is left in awe like he must be dreaming for there’s no way it all went so easily.
“And Stacy she--”
“She’s gonna be in prison for a very long time. Not only her, but Neil too. They won’t ever see the light of day again.”
Tears start to well up in Mark’s eyes before falling, his expression turning into happiness as he can’t believe it. As it all seems unreal,
“What did I miss? How long was I out for--”
Jaebum cups Mark’s face and starts planting kisses where he can reach, starting with the omega’s forehead,
“All charges were dropped and Neil was found guilty. You’re free to be with who you want. You have full custody over your son. It’s real baby, you can believe it. You’re really free now.”
It takes a moment but Mark suddenly lets out a sob as it sinks in. As he feels Jaebum’s love and warmth and those words go right to his soul.
He’s free
He’s actually free---
Jaebum moves back and Mark watches confused before he finds the alpha getting down on one knee and now the omega is bursting out into more tears,
“It doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow. It can be months to years from now when you’re ready, but I want you to know right now that I love you more than anything, baby, and my heart will never waver nor my decision as I want you to remain by my side for the rest of our lives. I want to continue being the alpha for you, for our growing family and I hope to one day to not only be your husband, but also your mate. So if you don’t want to see this as an engagement ring then it can be a promise ring to the future as we take it day by day because I’m always gonna choose you, Mark. It’s always gonna be you. Always…”
Mark is speechless as his heart fills with so many emotions. As warmth and love fills him until he feels like he’s in pure heaven---
“Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!” someone can be heard from outside as well as light beating against the window.
This brings Mark’s attention to see not only Youngjae who was the one chanting but all his loved ones as they listen and wait for his answer. It makes Mark sob into a bigger smile before turning back to face Jaebum and nod,
“I love you, Lim Jaebeom...I would love to spend eternity together with you and take it day by day.”
Jaebum goes full eye smile before he’s rushing forth with happy tears and hugging Mark. The two rocking back and forth as Jaebum cries into Mark’s neck and thanks him. Continuing to let out sweet words of love and passion before pulling back just enough so they can kiss.
The two can hear loud cheering before the door opens and they’re piling in. As Lilly and Kyo chant, “Love! Love! Love!” with the others joining in.
It makes the two smile into the next kiss. Cameras snapping photos or recording with them giving their blessings. And soon one kiss turns into two, three, four, and oop, here comes the heavy make out session---
“For crying out loud, son! He just woke up!” Vector lets out with fond laughter toward the end as he can’t remain stern.
“The kids!” Vivian exclaims but Lilly and Kyo just giggle and grow more excited,
“Love! Love!”
The others join in on the laughter as their smiles grow and they let the two love birds do their thing. That is, until Mark is trying to undo his collar right now and get Jaebum to bite him---
“Ok! That’s enough quality time now! Mark and the baby need to take it easy, he just came out of his induced coma,” a nurse barges in after overhearing such chaotic loudness.
“And you, Sir, you promised us you would behave,” the nurse grows stern with Jaebum as the alpha pouts,
“But my baby…I need to love him…”
The nurse starts shooing the others out as she comes back for him, “Mhmm, congrats on him saying yes, so please, put on the ring and get your butt back in that chair where you can show me you two can keep hands to yourself for five minutes.”
“But!”
“Or you’ll have to wait till visiting hours tomorrow,” the nurse throws it out there.
Jaebum gasps before quickly sliding the ring on Mark’s finger, listening to Mark giggle before pressing a kiss to his cheek and the alpha races to sit down in the chair near the bed.
“That’s what I thought. Now I mean it, I’m watching you,” she makes hand gestures before slowly closing the door behind her.
The two can see the others waving and blowing kisses. Bam and Yugyeom even have signs that say, ‘I love you!’ and ‘We’ll be back soon!’. Jackson and Jinyoung hold up Lilly and Kyo who make grabbie hands and Mark air hugs them. The two kids perk up and blow more kisses that Jaebum catches and steals them that have the kids cracking up outside before the nurse is back to shoo them away once more.
Mark can’t stop smiling as he felt so warm and loved. As he keeps looking at the ring on his finger that’s like a weight of reminder of how far he’s come. Of the man he’s always been hoping to be with one day. Of the love he always dreamed of having with a loving family he hoped to have together.
He really was free now.
And when he lifts his head to lock eyes with Jaebum, he knows he’s making the right choice. That he went through so much just so he could be with the love of his life and doesn’t regret any of it.
“So, Mr. Lim to be,” Jaebum starts off all goofily and sappy, “Since you’re no longer just the Nanny, how do you feel about me announcing to the world that you’re mine?”
Mark giggles at the alpha’s dorkiness before getting a look in his eyes,
“I think a picture can say a thousand words, don’t you think?”
Jaebum grows excited like a little kid and is quick to pull out his phone to take several photos to post on his social media. Even more so, is that with each photo, Mark does something new. Like the first one is a bright fangy smile. The next is him giving a seductive look. The one after that beckoning with his finger as the ring shows off perfectly and the the next shows Mark taking off the collar and letting it drop to the bed.
The photos soon become blurry as Jaebum is moving, some taken of the floor, some of the bed and even one of the ceiling. But then it captures the alpha kissing Mark passionately. Of the two so happily and deeply in love. And then it captures the naughty moments of Mark leading Jaebum to his neck. Of Jaebum nosing along it and placing intimate kisses and then one of Mark in pure bliss and moaning as Jaebum bites and breaks skin. Claiming Mark right there in the hospital where they couldn’t even stay apart for a minute.
The nurse didn’t even come back until half an hour later and we all can guess what might’ve taken place between that time. And guess what? You can’t legally remove a newly mated pair from each other so jokes on the system, Jaebum gets to stick by Mark’s side now. Especially when it came time for Mark to give birth months later to a beautiful baby boy that the kids predicted…
Ah, but their story doesn’t end there. Oh no, it was just getting started…