Work Text:
On this planet called earth, there was something that its denizens refer to as Gender and depending on one’s gender that person’s life is set in stone. Males being dominant and females being submissive. But that was until the discovery of the thing called sub genders which was divided into three. And being one of these three will decide what course a person’s life must ultimately go through.
The first sub gender is Alpha, they are the pack leaders, the ones destined to be famous, rich and successful thus making up 12% of the world’s population. The second are called Betas, they are the normies, the ones destined to live ordinary lives, always working under those with power but despite their inferiority to alphas they make up 80% of the world’s population. Now as for the final sub gender, the Omega, they are the ones even lower than the betas making up the final 8% of the population. The omegas are destined for one thing and one thing alone, childbirth. And in some other instances, pleasure.
But according to a certain bonded pair, this is all just archaic bullshit to unfairly divide the denizens of this world. Nowadays, everyone is fighting for equality and rights they truly deserve as fellow human beings. But it is a long and stressful road to traverse as many still stick to those archaic views.
But for now, even if this dream of equality is a sham. Everyone is currently happy with the little niches they’ve carved for themselves.
Betas can become anything they please, alphas can willingly chose to live normal lives and omegas have gained all of the above.
But there is one thing that still restricts the sub genders to this day, and that thing is, Estrus.
.
.
.
3 weeks
“And that’s all for today! Make sure to hand up your assignments before you leave!” Yang Jinghua shouted to his unruly class.
His brats all let out a prolonged ‘ok~’ as they began gathering their things.
The biology teacher watched in mild dismay as the booklets piled high onto his desk with a face full of black lines.
Jinghua sighed with relief the moment the last of his brats left.
“Urgh…. This sucks. I have to carry these home to grade cuz those morons invited me out to go drinking.” He grumbled restlessly.
Normally Jinghua would be ecstatic to have stress relief with his buddies at the bar but for a while now…
Just one sip of alcohol has him puking his guts out. Not to mention him having to randomly excuse himself to upchuck in the nearest bathroom at any given moment.
Jinghua has been hugging the white porcelain god for weeks now.
He’s almost tempted to beg his lover to take him to the doctors. But seriously…
What a waste. He can’t even have an actual drink!
And smoking the stress away isn’t really his scene.
His lover enjoys it though, but thanks to his horrified nagging and endless persistence, his lover wisely decided to cut down on the smoking. Well, the poor guy is trying to quit, but it’s hard not to rebound when the stress from work gets to be too much.
His lover isn’t much of a social butterfly despite always being in the spotlight.
Jinghua suddenly frowned, “I hope he’s coming home tonight…”
Jinghua sighed in despair.
.
.
.
7 weeks
Jinghua sat at his desk, flipping through sheets of paper in the teacher’s office with a hemarexin clenched between his teeth as he growled in annoyance.
He had to arrange with several professors and laboratory supervisors for a last minute field trip for his class.
And dealing with those fuckers was pissing him the fuck off!
“Stupid bosses. Fucking assholes. The lot of them!” he growled louder and louder till he was scaring his fellow teachers.
Li Fei Fei, the brave soul, walked up to the pissed off man and spoke soothingly, “Calm down Jinghua. Your pheromones are scaring everyone in the room. Rein it in please.”
Jinghua’s annoyance was directed to Fei Fei in an instant, “Hah?! My pheromones are not scaring anyone! What the hell are you?! The pheromone police! Leave me the hell alone already!”
Fei Fei was instantly taken aback. Jinghua never yells at her.
Ni Feng’s inner alpha was rubbed the wrong way when he saw his little omega backing away from her co-worker in fear.
“Hey Yang Jinghua! Don’t you fucking dare raise your voice to my future mate like that! Do you want a beating you beta bastard?!” he bellowed.
Jinghua instantly slammed his desk, his eyes glowing a faint silver as his pheromones sharpened to a blade like intensity.
His rage instantly cowing all of his co-workers as he shrieked, “I can raise my fucking voice all I fucking want! What are you gonna do about it?!”
Fei Fei whimpered, “You shouldn’t be so angry Jinghua. I can help you if you want…”
Jinghua scoffed, “Help? I don’t need it. What I want is--!” his cell phone cut him off sharply and his rage was then directed to the poor phone.
Not even checking to see who it was, Jinghua roared into the device like an angered devil.
“WhAt ThE FUcK Do yOu WAnT!” he started with rage but to the shock of the cowering teachers, Jinghua’s pheromones quickly calmed down and the man’s tensed form slowly began to relax.
“Mn… Sorry. I was just pissed off by some bastards. Mn. Mhm… Okay. Yes. I know. I love you too. Bye.”
He hung up with a dazed look on his face before he noticed the odd defensive postures of his fellow colleagues.
He rose an eyebrow at them and questioned, “The heck is up with you guys?”
Fei Fei and the others could only stare at him with disbelief.
.
.
.
11 weeks
Ever since that incident with Jinghua, Ni Feng and the others knew not harass the beta in any way, shape or form because his pheromones would spike dangerously and the man’s temper would flare to the point he would almost resort to violence. Strangely enough, whenever the man would snap, or almost snap, his phone would ring right then and the situation would be resolved in an instant.
Ni Feng was shocked silly every time because if his ears were not deceiving him, the person who would always call the other man was none other than the man’s lover!
And from the sounds of it, it was an alpha lover to boot if she can control the temperamental beta like that.
An Alpha’s Voice was an alpha’s most powerful weapon against other genders, just hearing the Alpha Voice can bring anyone to their knees and leave them helpless to the alpha’s whims. It works especially on weaker alphas like himself.
Really though, how did that beta bastard end up in an actual relationship before him? He was still in the middle of courting Fei Fei and if that golden band on Jinghua’s ring finger wasn’t an optical illusion, Ni Feng was dead certain that Yang Jinghua was already married to the alpha girlfriend in general.
Well, whatever…
As long as the beta bastard wasn’t aiming for Fei Fei anymore, Ni Feng would wish him all the happiness in the world.
Just as the Economics teacher exited his classroom his ears were assaulted with the sounds of crying teenagers. Ni Feng speechlessly stared at the classroom next door when he heard Jinghua’s angry scolding. Ni Feng calmly about-faces, and dashes to the teacher’s lounge.
The faint scent of milk eluded his sense of smell.
.
.
.
15 weeks
Jinghua was out drinking with his co-workers again. Apparently they think he’s under way too much stress and was in dire need of a pick me up. Which translates for them to go to the bar and drink themselves silly.
But Jinghua doesn’t need that at all.
All he wants is to hunker down in his nest with his mate and have a nice long nap, but that’s impossible because his mate was on a trip to London to shoot a scene for the action movie he is starring in.
Jinghua bitterly groans as he plays with his ring.
Sometimes he wonders why he decided to marry to his alpha since Jinghua always end up feeling alone and abandoned because his lover is never there long enough for their relationship to matter.
His lover does make the effort to call and go on dates with him but it’s never going to be enough. Jinghua can even count on one hand the amount of times they’d had sex and that’s just sad and depressing in his book.
But he supposes this is the kind of life he signed up for when he decided to flip life ‘the bird’ and marry a celebrity.
Jinghua clutched at his glass of orange juice and sobs, “I want my fucking alpha! Uwah!!!”
Fei Fei pats his shoulder and says comfortingly, “Don’t worry Jinghua. Your alpha will be back soon right?”
Ni Feng and a few others quiet down to eavesdrop.
“Even if my alpha is back. Who knows if they’ll come home! Are they cheating on me…?” Jinghua bites at his nails in anxiety.
Fei Fei giggles, “Xiao Jinghua, your omega is showing.”
Ni Feng abruptly spits out his whiskey.
Omega?!
.
.
.
At home, silver eyes narrow in suspicion as a handsome young alpha took a cautious sniff.
He’d just gotten back from his overseas trip and was suddenly punched in the nose by an alluring scent. A tangy scent. The scent of tangerines and juniper berries mixed with an almost imperceptible whiff of milk.
Tugging down his mask, he inhaled deeply before turning to face his butler.
“Is my wife pregnant?” he questioned suddenly.
Lightning struck from clear skies!
The servants all looked as though their young master had suddenly imparted them with the wisdom of the world.
Finally they realised the meaning behind the oddly aggressive actions of the young Duanmu wife!
The old beta butler looked down in shame, “Now that young master mentions it. I believe that it must be true.”
Furrowing his brows, the young master shed his suspicious looking coat, along with the black face mask and clunky shades he had been wearing. The man sighed as he rose an elegant hand to tug off the ebony coloured wig, revealing the silky white mess underneath.
Duanmu Xi was the first young master to his family and also the black sheep to the family dominated by businessmen. But despite this, he was an A-Listed celebrity revered by both domestic and international fans. Ever since young, he was at the center of attention, not just due to his looks and lineage but because of his status as a top tier alpha.
Xi was naturally at the top of the food chain, alongside many other alphas, but that was something he could care less about. Other than praise and recognition from his fans, Xi has only ever desired one other thing, and that was a family of his own unfettered to his bloodline.
“Jinghua’s scent is faint. Is my wife not home?” he casually asks.
The butler stiffened slightly as he was placing the young master’s coat onto the hanger.
“Duanmu Jinghua left a message saying that he would be out with his co-workers at ‘the usual place’.” The old butler responds fluidly.
Tapping his lips in thought, Xi smirked attractively as he turned to speak to a nearby maid.
.
.
.
After explaining to his co-workers that he was indeed an omega and not a beta. Everyone gave the man awkward looks to which Jinghua openly rolled his eyes at.
Omegas are mostly born females, not that there aren’t any male ones, there are!
It’s just that even though male omegas can give birth as well, their male functions are technically unusable. The chances of a male omega being able to impregnate a female beta or even a female omega are at least up to 4%, don’t even mention them impregnating female alphas, the chances of them being impregnated by a male omega are in the negatives!
On the other hand, the chances of a male omega being impregnated by a female alpha is 100% possible. Because omegas are, after all, the Queens of Fertility.
Male omegas though fewer than the females, absolutely do not lose out to them in terms of reproduction. The only downside is that they are extremely fragile when pregnant.
And if the noses of the alphas in the bar aren’t mistaken, this male omega was giving off the distinct smell of milk, though hidden under the scent of his usual pheromones.
Ni Feng was shocked into speechlessness. This person is not only married to an alpha but is also carrying that alpha’s child!
Ni Feng tugged at his hair trying to think of when Jinghua’s moods started going out of control and roughly calculated that Jinghua might still be in the middle of his first trimester. He may or may not be right but that’s not the point!
His co-worker, the stupid biology teacher whom he always thought was a beta was actually an omega!
They’ve being working together for seven years and he’s never once noticed. Only Fei Fei who was an omega as well was bound to realise and now Ni Feng was left wondering if his hostile behaviour towards Jinghua was really warranted in the end.
Fei Fei and Jinghua were both omegas, technically girlfriends in a harmless relationship!
Ni Feng’s poor soul quickly departed.
Jinghua and the other beta co-workers watched with dog eyes as Fei Fei fussed and cuddled up to the fainted Ni Feng.
Jinghua quickly looked away and begun fidgeting with his ring again.
Suddenly a familiar scent of peppery cedar wood wrapped around his body and a loud purr escaped his throat.
His co-workers’ dog eyes nearly went blind at the sight of a tall and muscular man embracing Jinghua, but that was until they took a good look at the person, and all of their red flags simultaneously rose.
Danger!
Jinghua’s eyes were glowing with a sliver light and from the behind the suspicious shades of the new person there was a faint golden light. This sight shocked Jinghua’s co-workers even more because such a reaction can only meant one thing!
Fated pair!
.
.
.
After meeting Jinghua’s mate for the first time… All of Jinghua’s colleagues were worried for him!
The man they met was a suspicious fellow. Covered from head to toe in pure black and oozing a sense of mystery and treachery!
Their silly resident biology teacher couldn’t have married an underworld boss right? Right?!
It was one normal evening. The teachers had all just returned from their lunch break and had dispersed to attend their classes when a certain alpha philosophy teacher who had a joint class session with Jinghua noticed at terrifying sight through the glass of the windows.
A suspiciously dressed man was perched outside on the tree, with a top quality camera in his gloved hands. The lenses trained only on the frame of his fellow teacher.
This philosophy teacher shuddered, he wanted to call the cops ah!
.
.
.
18 weeks
Jinghua who had calmed down significantly in the pass few weeks was currently on cloud nine from hearing that his husband would be home for the foreseeable future. The entire time that stone faced lover was in his presence, it was like the room would light up with the purity of his alpha’s deadly smiles!
It was bad for his fragile heart to see a man that good looking, giving him a look like that!
Duanmu Xi’s looks alone could steal hearts but that smile, his smile could topple nations!
Jinghua’s inner omega preened at the fact that such an alpha belonged to him but it also whined and hissed in contempt at the way his alpha attracted both bees and butterflies.
Jinghua would often worry if some hussy would plot to take his husband away but at his core, he knew that Xi would never let some random person get between them.
Ever since the two of them had randomly met and went into a sudden Estrus which lead to a permanent bond. Xi had never once looked at anyone else the way he looked at Jinghua. The other party would have to pull some really underhanded tricks in order to get his husband jump into their beds.
Just as Jinghua was pissing himself off from the mere thought, Xi’s fingers lightly rubbed his temples and just a bit into his hairline. Massaging away his anger while his husband’s pheromones made Jinghua’s thoughts fly far, far away.
Jinghua was the more touchy feely of the two and did not waste a moment in dragging his alpha down to cuddle and scent him thoroughly.
He heard Xi’s pleased chuckles and continued to shamelessly stake his claim until he suddenly stopped with an odd look on his face.
Xi watched Jinghua with a raised eyebrow, curiously watching as his mate sniffed at their mixed scent with confusion etched deeply into his visage.
Jinghua, who’d been hovering over Xi, suddenly plopped his ass onto Xi’s lap with a deep look of shock on his face.
Jinghua’s cherry pink lips trembled as he made eye contact with his husband, “Hubby dearest… Baby thinks that he’s pregnant…”
Xi’s lips hooked up with a helpless smile, “Did you really only just figure it out?”
Jinghua’s face looked horrified, “Ohmygod! Xi! XI!!! Get the fucking car! I need to go to the hospital ah!”
.
.
.
One hard day after work, Jinghua sat depressed next to his childhood friend only giving her a picture of the sonogram that was hidden in his pocket. Ni Feng who was nosy, sat next to his future mate and stared in shock at the vague baby shape in the black and white image.
“I’m almost four months pregnant and I never fucking knew. The scent of milk develops into a strong scent and mixes with the pregnant person’s scent almost two to three months in. My scent is pretty freaking mild compared to the average omega so of course I never noticed anything. Any other alpha, and omega without a broken nose could tell that I was pregnant.” He glared at the couple next to him, “Why on earth did you two idiots never say anything?!”
Fei Fei only smiled, “We thought you didn’t want us make a big deal out of it so we didn’t say anything in consideration of you.”
“I’m not your average omega! Say something next time god damn you!” Jinghua shrieked caused the couple to back up a few inches.
They say that the thing worse than an alpha’s wrath is a pregnant omega on their mood swings. Those people definitely knew what they were talking about! Ni Feng takes mental note of Jinghua’s state and tries to prepare himself mentally for when he has to go through this with Fei Fei.
Wuwu… Is it really like this?!
Jinghua cries, “Damn it all. I had to talk to the chairman about taking maternity leave. Now I have to find time and sit down with my alpha to freak out with him about getting baby things and telling the family! Ugh! Kill me now! Ahhh!”
Ni Feng and Fei Fei immediately go on guard when he mentions ‘family’. Jinghua is an orphan so when he says ‘family’ he’s definitely talking about his alpha’s family!
Jinghua’s face had went pale as paper when he mentioned it and now the couple theorises that in addition to marrying an underworld boss, he is on unfriendly terms with the alpha’s family members!
The couple discreetly stared at an innocent looking bush where a certain suspiciously dressed alpha was hiding.
The couple turn to look at each other and gave a decisive nod.
.
.
.
23 weeks
Although the couple had unanimously agreed to check up for their colleague/friend, they were still chickens who did not want to get shot down by a pissed off underworld boss, so they brought in the cavalry. A female alpha who was the Chinese language and literature teacher and another omega who had recently had a child of her own and taught the students mathematics.
The four had made an excuse to meet up at Jinghua’s house to help him discuss about baby things and give him prep session to man up and speak to his in laws.
But really, all they wanted was to see where he was living and if he was being treated well.
Fei Fei had found out when she was helping administration that Jinghua’s last name had changed, and that he had moved but the information on where wasn’t updated. So Fei Fei had to ask the person himself where he lived now.
It was shocking when he first told her, and shocking when she finally stood in front of the hulking mansion waiting for the gates to open up.
Jinghua married into money, the lucky bastard!
As the frightened group of four were lead into the mansion by an old butler who was polite and friendly, they slightly relaxed.
Once they were lead to the living room, they were graced with sight of a wailing Jinghua who was clutching a bin with one hand while the other was wrapped around his stomach that was only now starting to protrude. The man’s hair was out of it usual low ponytail and was messily about in kinks and curls, he was even wearing a loose black shirt that accommodated his baby bump and white leggings that came up to his calves. If they was ever a picture that symbolized the misery of pregnancy, Jinghua would definitely fit the image to a T.
The new omega mother felt extreme sympathy for the man and did not hesitate to walk up to the distressed omega. Slowly she managed to coax Jinghua away from the bin so the maids could dispose of it.
The math teacher Hui Yin softly asked, “Have you been drinking ginger tea? It helps with morning sickness.”
Seeing his horrifying face, Hui Yin’s motherly instincts kicked in and she cleaned up his face, gently dabbing at his wet cheeks.
Jinghua hoarsely replied, “I didn’t know about that one. My husband has been giving me rooibos tea since it has no caffeine.”
Hui Yin cooed at him, “That one is good too. Do you think you can sip it?”
Jinghua gave a weak nod and the other maids immediately bowed and gracefully exited the room.
Fei Fei, Ni Feng and the lit teacher, Wang Shu stared in awe and mild bewilderment.
Were these really the servants of an underworld boss? They all thought.
The tea was quickly brought in and the maids even brought in snacks and drinks for the guests. Jinghua spent a few seconds just breathing in the tea before cautiously taking a sip. His face immediately scrunched and he suppressed a cough but he continued to sip at the tea with Fei Fei and Hui Yin’s soft encouragements.
Ni Feng’s nose twitched at the familiar scent of Jinghua’s alpha as a chuckle resonated in their ears.
All heads turned to look at the door way and despite the dropped jaws of Jinghua’s colleagues, Jinghua managed to grin slightly at his husband.
“Duanmu Xi, just in time. My friends wanted to help me talk about things to plan for our baby. You come too.” Jinghua called hoarsely.
Xi’s perfect eyebrows wrinkled slightly in distress as he complied with his mate’s request. Jinghua immediately pulled away from the now flustered Hui Yin and cuddled up to Xi with a relieved sigh.
Meanwhile, the four college teachers all had a mental destruction, their theories crumbling away at the sight of the most popular alpha dominating the entertainment industry cuddling with their silly cute colleague.
Fei Fei was vibrating in both shock and admiration, “You-you-you are! Duanmu Xi right…? The real thing?!”
Xi reluctantly looked away from Jinghua and pulled on the mask for when he is talking to fans, his tone was neither hot nor cold but it held warmth that made people feel excited.
“Yes, I am the real deal. Thank you for always being friends with my wife.” He says softly.
Fei Fei and Wang Shu took in a startled breath as they stared at Jinghua and then into the distance as if recalling something. Suddenly Wang Shu gasped, “Is this why you suddenly decided to take a vacation from work. Your mate’s pregnancy?”
Xi nodded stoically, “I cannot leave my wife to face this alone in good conscience. I love Jinghua and I want to be there every step of way, even when he is crushing my hands in the hospital cursing my name to the heavens.”
Jinghua grinned weakly, “Aw~ There’s no way I’d curse your name. But make sure to bring earplugs cuz I’m one hundred percent certain my screams will make your ears bleed.”
Xi frowned slightly, “Don’t need it.”
Jinghua snorted as he wrapped his arms around Xi’s waist, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Hui Yin stifled her giggles at their interaction but couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Duanmu if I may be so bold. Why would you wear such suspicious clothing when you are with our Jinghua in public?”
Xi showed a hint of surprise, “Was it really that suspicious?”
Jinghua snorted hard, “You make it sound like you didn’t know. Hubby, you looked like some kind of serial killer or something even more sinister. I’m actually surprised my friends never called the cops on you when they caught you stalking me.”
Everyone stared at Jinhua in surprise, even Xi who was sporting an embarrassed blush.
“What? I’m thick headed at times but I’m not blind. I can see him in his ‘hiding spots’.” Jinghua says grumpily.
Hui Yin smiled helplessly at the flustered celebrity and said, “Next time, wear less suspicious clothes. You can even visit him on campus during lunch hours, or pick him up after his classes. Less misunderstandings that way.”
Xi, “O-okay...”
.
.
.
27 weeks
Xi and Jinghua bid farewell to the staff in the hospital and made their way to the car with smiles on their faces. Jinghua was nearing the end of his second trimester and their baby was developing smoothly and healthily. So it only stood to reason that his baby bump would get bigger and bigger with their baby’s growth. Sometimes Jinghua felt ugly and fat but Xi would nip that thought in the bud and spoil him rotten with all of his pampering.
Jinghua especially likes when Xi rubs his swollen ankles while they cuddle in his nest. Usually Jinghua won’t anyone into his safe place but Xi was always the exception.
Especially since he is carrying the man’s child and wants to be comforted because of pre-parental jitters.
Most of the time he’s worrying to death about being a bad mother and if both him and Xi can actually handle the strain of parenthood. Of course the servants are there to help them look after the child, but Jinghua wants to coddle and care for his child himself. But he’s also worrying about his job!
He knows that Xi can properly care and provide for both him and their child but he doesn’t want to be some thoroughly pampered wife. He grew up living a rather harsh life and it was ingrained into his psyche that good things don’t last, that he must work for everything that he has and make back up plans in advance.
Xi sometimes doesn’t get why Jinghua does what he does, but he does understand it’s important for Jinghua to be independent. But with a child on the way… And one that they didn’t even plan for. Jinghua is honestly more surprised at how well Xi is handling everything considering he is so young.
Jinghua is currently in his late twenties with Xi only now stepping into his early twenties. For god’s sake Xi was practically married to his job before he ended up married to Jinghua, and that only happened because Xi had gone against his family’s wishes and took responsibility for claiming him!
Speaking of…
“Xi?” Jinghua called softly.
Xi, who is driving. “Mn?”
“I- uhm. I think. Maybe, we should. Tell your family members. About my pregnancy. About the newest member to the Duanmu family…” he says, voice getting softer and softer till it ends in a whisper.
Xi reaches a free hand out to hold one of Jinghua’s hand that isn’t holding the sonogram.
He laces their fingers together and Jinghua draws strength from it.
“It’ll be okay. Our marriage and our falling in love was… A little unconventional but. It doesn’t change the fact that I love you. That I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” His alpha’s voice is filled with rare genuine emotion. “They’ve had more than enough time to accept everything.”
Jinghua eyes begin to water slightly.
“So now it’s time for them to decide. Whether they will finally accept us… Or whether they will not.” Xi says resolutely.
Jinghua tightens his hold and murmurs, “…I hope they accept us.”
Xi takes a slow breath, “I hope so too.”
A single tear slid down his cheek just as Jinghua felt the first kick.
.
.
.
33 weeks
Jinghua had made certain that everything Xi and him would do, would be done after he had gone on maternity leave. Jinghua’s morning sickness had eased up greatly that he finally said farewell to the great porcelain god.
But he still kept drinking the teas just to be safe.
Xi knew Jinghua was stalling from meeting his family by keeping himself busy. He also knew that Jinghua was too worried about the confrontation causing their baby to showing its grievances by rearranging Jinghua’s internal organs. The doctor had told him privately that he should not let Jinghua think of any stressful things. That he should keep Jinghua happy because if he doesn’t, Jinghua could go into early labour resulting in a disabled child being born or their child being born only to die from underdeveloped organs.
And what’s worse, Jinghua is a male omega.
He can definitely get pregnant and give birth but the birthing process is too painful and risky. Pregnancies with male omegas must be watched over and treated with the utmost care for there is a very real chance that Jinghua would not survive the birthing process.
Jinghua was browsing through a catalogue for cribs and toys when Xi rubbed Jinghua’s huge tummy without warning and kissed the omega soundly on the lips.
Jinghua’s face turned scarlet red!
“What was that for?” Jinghua squeaked in embarrassment.
Xi, “Just wanted to kiss you.”
Jinghua’s cheeks were still red and hot but he still managed to pout at Xi.
“Really? Just wanted to kiss?”
Xi gave Jinghua another kiss but on the cheek this time, “Mmhm. Do you want to have sex again?”
Jinghua snickered softly and rose a hand to grasp Xi’s chin, “Of course I do. Our baby is constantly grinding on my prostate. That I’m getting horny to the point of torture…”
Jinghua licks at Xi’s red lips and says, “Make it better hubby?”
Xi’s eyebrow twitched in amusement, “Whatever you wish.”
With that Jinghua wrapped Xi into his embrace and moaned loudly.
.
.
.
35 weeks
After a while of procrastination Jinghua finally worked up the nerve to visit the Duanmu ancestral home. Even though Jinghua had taken on the family name he was not allowed to live with the rest of the family which worked out just fine since Xi lives away from them in the first place.
When Xi called to announce their visit, they were told that family home would hold a feast for their arrival and that the honourable grandmother would happily arrange it. This shocked Jinghua greatly since he half expected to be snubbed by them.
But from this the husband and wife duo could glean that they were actually accepted by the family..?
Jinghua was so relieved by the realization he fainted.
This caused much troubles for Xi who had instantly panicked and taken his wife to the hospital.
On the way there, Jinghua had eventually woken up and spent the entire time trying calm Xi down and talk him into going back home.
He succeeded in calming Xi down but the alpha was too high strung from the scare, insisting that Jinghua go in for a check-up just in case.
Luckily, Jinghua was just fine and they were able to make it to the feast that very evening.
Xi and Jinghua had arrived fashionably late dressed to the nines. While Xi wore a grey semi-formal ensemble highlighted only by his royal blue stock tie, Jinghua was decked out with a stylish baby blue maternity top with a cream coloured blazer and demi panel boot pants. Jinghua decided to leave his shoulder length hair free with a plain blue clip pulling back the right side of his hair.
Xi was extremely deadpan throughout their entire visit to the family home and he basically left Jinghua on his own when dealing with his relatives after the dinner!
At first Jinghua was resentful but now that he’s talking with Xi’s relatives, his feels almost relieved that Xi decided to leave him be.
While he considered Xi’s half siblings to be very welcoming, his stepmother, not so much.
His only consolation had been that she didn’t say a single bad word to him that entire evening just giving him one little warning.
Situ Lan, “Don’t shame the Duanmu family name! Take better care yourself and get through this pregnancy, or there’ll be hell to pay!”
Despite the defensive tone she’d spoken to him with, he realised belatedly that she had only wanted tell him to be careful. Xi’s stepmother and Jinghua had a lot in common where, despite the two were the lawfully wedded wives of a Duanmu, they were looked down upon. Especially by the old coots in the family.
A few minutes later and he was approached by Xi’s female cousin who, much like his husband’s step mother, was an omega who gave him the hot and cold attitude. But after she threatens him and shoots him with scathing remarks, she quickly cools down and discreetly slipped a small wrapped present into Jinghua’s hands, leaving him dumbfounded with her next words.
Duanmu Siyun, “Hey, keep looking after my cousin will you. He never trusts us anymore whenever we meet. We don’t even know how to approach him so… If us being by his side is impossible. Just keep being by his side in place of us. Please. Take care of him.”
Jinghua was both surprised and happy to know that even though Xi’s relationship with his family was rocky at best, there were still family members who cared for him.
Even if it was behind the scenes.
Jinghua stared at the gift in his hands and quirked his lips as he crinkled the gift wrapping to guess at what the present was.
It was definitely a fabric of some sort and though it pained him to restrain himself, Jinghua would wait patiently until he got home to open the present.
From the corner of his eye he noticed Xi eyeing the gift from the moment Jinghua received it.
.
.
.
After the cousin it was some self-righteous old guys who Jinghua knew to be the Duanmu family elders. They were the ones who’d been the most against his sudden marriage to their family’s heir.
They had breached his right to privacy and investigated his background completely, finding fault with Jinghua left, right and center.
Of course Xi being the oppressive tyrant that he was at times, absolutely refused to allow Jinghua to be supressed and discarded by his manipulative family members. He made quick work off of the elders and swept Jinghua away like a prince on horseback.
Their last words to them after the first visit had been, ‘We won’t accept such a low born wretch into our family! Duanmu Xi you will regret ever meeting him!’
It had been the single most horrid moment of his life. Being rejected by his husband’s family so thoroughly even though he knew they had every right to suspect him. And this was considering they were one of the most powerful families in Beijing.
One of the old bastards grumped at him when they’d approached him.
Giving Jinghua a disdainful once-over, an old alpha sneered, “Well, well… At least you’re good for something. That’s what you omegas are most talented in after all.”
Before Jinghua could get angry his mate snapped first from his spot across the room. Xi’s pheromones swarmed the older alphas, subduing them selectively. Jinghua cold sweated as he watched Xi give the elder a nasty side glare. One that promised a fate worse than death.
The old men attempted to keep up their arrogance even as they hurriedly left Jinghua alone.
Jinghua’s anger became amusement as the old fuckers ran away with their tails tucked between their legs. In a far corner of his mind, Jinghua was immensely grateful that Xi had never directed his rage at him. One of Jinghua’s deepest fears was having to deal with an angered alpha. And with Xi being his mate that fear was amplified.
Xi looked at him once and turned away.
After talking some more to other members of Xi’s family Jinghua had become exhausted. With all of the standing around, Jinghua was certain his ankles had become horribly swollen. He wanted to go home.
Just as he was about to go to his husband, Jinghua was approached by Xi’s paternal grandmother.
“Hello dear” she greeted warmly, immediately causing all the small hairs on Jinghua’s body to rise. “I’m really am so glad that you married this stubborn boy of ours and have even granted us a great honour in giving us another member to our family.”
Jinghua felt oddly sick after hearing her words and slowly crept back with a strained smile.
“Marrying Xi wasn’t exactly my dream decision you know. But regardless, he is still the man I have bonded with and eventually the one learned to love with all of my heart. Giving him a child is only natural as I am his wife.” Jinghua quipped with unease.
The old woman chuckled, “Such a dedicated omega. I do hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us for our cold welcome in the beginning. As a member of our family don’t you think it would be much more suitable to live at the ancestral home to birth the child?”
Jinghua’s eyes glowed sharply, “I’m afraid I have no say in wanting to live here. I trust and only obey my husband’s words, so do ask him about such matters in the future. Now that I have become tired it’s time for me to leave. I graciously thank honourable grandmother for your hospitality. The meal was delicious. Until next time.” Jinghua says so smoothly the old alpha woman had no room to utter a word.
Jinghua spun on his heel and calmly strode over to his alpha and linked arms with Xi.
Xi was still expressionless but his eyes held hint of pride as he possessively wrapped and arm around Jinghua’s waist to rest lightly on his belly.
Jinghua immediately let out a contented purr as Xi gave a casual nod to his grandmother and proceeded to lead Jinghua out the door and to their parked car in the driveway.
Once the duo was in seated in the car, both alpha and omega let out a groaning sigh.
“Way to ditch your wife to trouble.” Jinghua spoke moodily.
Xi casually remarked, “I knew that nothing serious would happen since my siblings promised me.”
Xi’s rose a hand to the side of Jinghua’s face, fingers delicately slipping through his bangs.
“By the way, you’re getting better at talking with the more obnoxious members of my family. You’ve done well.” Xi praised as he kissed a lock of Jinghua’s long hair.
Jinghua snorted softly as grinned at his alpha, “Well, I did agree to stay with you for better or for worse. And honestly Xi… I think I can count today as one of the better moments in our married life.”
Xi seemed slightly surprised, “Even though you were angered so much?”
Jinghua scoffed, “I count today as them being on their best behaviour. That’s progress if I’ve ever seen it!”
Jinghua gazed tiredly at Xi, “It was much better than the first few times at least.”
Xi reached over to hug him, “Please Jinghua. Believe me when I say that I will do everything in my power to protect and care for you. We’ll always be together. Forever and always…”
Jinghua smiled sleepily and returned Xi’s hug.
“Forever and always.” He repeated as his hand laid over his bulging stomach.
.
.
.
38 weeks
Today Jinghua sat hyperventilating on the hospital bed while Xi whimpered in dismay at his omega’s distress.
The doctor spoke as gently as he could, “I’m telling you Mr. Duanmu Jinghua, this is just a fake contraction. Your body is only preparing itself to birth your daughter.”
‘Daughter’? Yes, Xi and Jinghua were having a baby girl.
At first they didn’t really care much for knowing the gender of their child but while the couple had been out shopping for baby clothes they were struck completely by surprise and had absolutely no idea what type of clothes to buy for their baby! And you know what was worse, they still hadn’t chosen a worthy name for their child!
It was a lucky thing that Jinghua had an appointment the following day so they were able to ask for the primary gender of their baby.
Jinghua keened sharply and wailed, “If this is fake, then is the real thing going to be a thousand times worse?!”
Xi did not know what to do with himself as he looked pleadingly in the doctor’s direction.
The beta doctor could only helplessly shake his head and ask his nurse to lead the hysterical omega to childbirth instructor for practices exercises.
When the doctor had first checked Jinghua he had asked a series of questions to narrow down the cause of the painful contractions, and had determined that since their daughter was becoming quite active it triggered the false labours.
But that also meant that it was nearing Jinghua’s time to give birth.
This had frightened the parents to be since Jinghua was scheduled to have their daughter around mid-April but because of the level of activity coming from their little girl, it looks like she wants to come out sooner rather than later.
.
.
.
Two days later Jinghua found himself clinging to co-worker Hui Yin as he voiced his fears in one breath.
“Oh god… Xiao Yin, I thought I prepared myself. I thought that I could do this but I’m scared.” Jinghua ended with a sob.
Hui Yin hummed lightly, “And that’s okay. This feeling is normal for us. You’re going to be undertaking the most pivotal moment in all of your life. It’s okay to feel scared. But you do want your baby born don’t you?”
Jinghua nodded fiercely, “I do. I want to see my baby girl so badly!”
Hui Yin smiled, “Then you must persevere! Only when you are holding your baby in your in arms will you feel that all this suffering would have been worth it!”
Jinghua took a shuddering breath and wiped his cheeks dry.
Hand over his belly, Jinghua spoke. “I’ll try.”
.
.
.
40 weeks
One random morning while Xi and Jinghua had hunkered down in the omega’s nest. Xi felt all of his internal alarms blaring at him.
He lifted one eyelid open and stared to the side, his silver irises flashing a dangerous gold as he casually tilted his chin.
With his enhanced hearing due to his pregnant omega, everything felt like a danger that needed to be dealt with for his omega and pup’s safety. But from what he was hearing, his servants were in a disarray, running here and running there while a familiar voice ordered them around.
Xi’s eyes narrowed dangerously as his lip rose into a silent snarl. Unwilling to make a single sound to wake up his exhausted omega.
Carefully extricating himself from his mate, Xi snuck out of the master bedroom and made his way downstairs.
The sight he came upon when arriving made both him and his inner alpha do a double take. Xi blinked once and then bent over the banister of the stairs to peer into the hallway. Coming to the realization that the entire ground floor his mansion had been beautified, Xi silently went back up the stairs and decided to take a shower.
It’s best to deal with his parents while refreshed and decently dressed.
Talking them out of throwing a baby shower (that will stress out Jinghua) and inviting the press to publicize his marital status (that will stress out both Xi and Jinghua) while also bringing a bunch of two faced snakes into his home (that will stress the parents to be and their poor servants)… Well Xi considers this his top priority!
His home is having a baby on the way. Can’t they all have some peace before the birth?!
They can throw a party afterwards!
.
.
.
The following morning, Jinghua found himself buttering up his alpha for a job well done!
Well… Xi managed to save his household from undue stress by skin of his teeth, rage filled pheromones and force from the command of his Alpha Voice.
Seriously! Does that family enjoy taking away his rights?!
Jinghua had indeed agreed to marry a celebrity but only under the condition of not being targeted by any of Xi’s rather rabid fans should his identity as the spouse of China’s greatest entertainer be exposed. That could only mean that Jinghua’s identity was to remain a closely guarded secret!
And now they wanted to expose him!
Well too fucking bad. You messed with the wife of the wrong alpha!
HAHAHA!
…ah. My poor alpha…
Jinghua feels his little girl indignantly kicking at his ribs.
His does his damndest to stifle the loud yelp building in his throat and swallow it back down with little tears stubbornly clinging to his lashes.
.
.
.
It was well into the afternoon and Xi still felt drained of all vitality but since his pregnant mate wanted to go with the maid to the supermarket then he would too. With his trusty sun glasses and mask to hide his identity that is.
After being driven to the supermarket, his maid tore the shopping list into two and gave Jinghua the smaller sheet of paper. His wife didn’t even complain about the babying, he just took the paper grabbed a shopping basket and marched right into the busy store leaving him to chase after the older man.
Both Xi and his inner alpha have been agitated for a while now and it wasn’t because of yesterday’s incident. He couldn’t help but keep glancing in his wife’s direction every three seconds to check on him. For other than the false labour pains and the constant movements and kicking from their daughter, Jinghua hadn’t really complained of anything else.
But his sixth sense reserved only for Jinghua and Jinghua alone had been niggling at him, trying to tell him something.
He only looked away for less than a second when Jinghua suddenly froze mid-stride, the basket falling from his grasp. Before Xi could utter a single word, his mate swung around to face him with a look extreme horror.
His hand trembled as it grasped Xi’s shoulder, “Fuck. Xi, bring the car around. My water just broke!”
At first, Jinghua’s words did not register in his mind but when it did along with the scent of the liquid, all the fine hairs on his body stood on end while his scalp went numb in terror.
Xi pulled out his phone and dialled his maid’s number, “Bao Chen! Come to isle four. My mate’s water just broke. I need to get to the car, come quickly!”
No sooner had he finished his sentence his household’s servant skidded the corner and rushed to the pale faced omega whose pants were soaked in fluids. Knowing that his wife would be okay for the moment, Xi ran out of the supermarket barked at his startled driver to bring the car around.
“We’re going to the hospital! The baby’s coming!” Xi tensely informed the poor quivering beta.
.
.
.
Birth
Gliding into the early hours of the following morning Xi found himself in a crowded hallway dealing with worried friends and family while his omega screamed and cussed like a sailor from behind closed doors.
He should’ve been in there with his omega but Xi was kicked out to deal with these people.
His step mother and Jinghua’s omega friends were freaking out more than Xi was. Clutching each other with endless worry and doing breathing exercises similar to what Jinghua was taught in the childbirth classes. Honestly, Xi almost thought they were giving birth along with Jinghua with how they were acting.
Suddenly Xi heard Jinghua’s lack of cussing and even louder screams. The screams were so horrifying all the alphas, betas and omegas in that wing of the hospital went mute.
Xi and the group swivelled to look at the doors Jinghua was behind with evident concern until his mate’s screaming came to an abrupt halt. And a tiny wailing picked up where Jinghua had left off.
April 4th - 5:20 AM
Xi’s knees went soft and if it hadn’t been for his father supporting him, he would have tumbled to the floor.
His red lips trembled, “I… I’m a…”
His father chuckled, “You’re a father now. Congrats and good luck.”
Xi nodded absently as pulled away from his father to approach a beaming nurse.
.
.
.
Jinghua smiled as followed the nurse’s instructions on how to breastfeed his little girl named Duanmu Li Ling. Her name described her well for she like the most beautiful of jades, her little laughter when Jinghua kisses her tiny face would sound like tinkling in his ears. Both Jinghua and Xi were star struck by their baby girl. And when Jinghua had finished feeding the sleepy baby and gently gestured for Xi to hold her, Jinghua’s heart felt full of happiness at the image his husband and child made.
“Where’s the camera when you need it ah?!” Jinghua lightly complained.
Such a heart-warming and tender moment could never be recaptured now!
Xi gave him a partly exasperated and mostly loving smile as he sat beside Jinghua on the hospital bed. Their daughter cradled in his arms.
Jinghua laid his head on Xi’s shoulder and grinned down at his Li Ling, “Hui Yin was right. Everything, all the suffering I endured. It was all worth it.”
Xi hummed in agreement before he pressed a kiss to Jinghua’s forehead, “Marrying you. It was definitely worth it. Jinghua, I love you.”
Jinghua craned his neck slightly and kissed that pair of tantalizing lips, “Forever and always.”
END.