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Nine months is a fairly long time, when you’re waiting anxiously for something. For Wenlang it felt like forever, even if for the whole nine months he got to experience the pregnancy with his mate for the first time. He saw the growth of Gao Tu’s bump, the increasing volume in movement inside him, the way his first born was blossoming as a soon to be big brother. There were, of course, instances where Lele had shown signs of jealousy towards his sister, but Gao Tu and Wenlang had made sure to remind him that he was also their baobao, now and always. Usually the episodes of jealousy weren’t very long, dissipated with hugs, play time and Wenlang’s stellar impression of a dragon hoarding Sir Lele’s toys.
During the nine months Wenlang had also really, really gotten into decorating and getting ready for the arrival of their child. One of the three spare rooms left in their apartment was made into a room for their daughter - even if her crib would be in their bedroom for the first months, she also needed her own nursery. The alpha painted the walls a light pink himself, Gao Tu standing at the doorway and trying not to retch at the stench of paint. After the paint had dried they also fixed little decals of sunflowers on the walls, as well as set up the changing station next to the wall. There was also a little dresser that they slowly filled with muslin cloths, diapers, onesies and other clothes they gradually collected. Wenlang himself went just a tiny bit crazy with buying things for his first daughter, emerging from baby stores with several little bags of cutesy things. Little dresses with bows, tiny socks, adorable patterned pants and onesies that said ’Daddy’s little girl’. Gao Tu laughed at him, said that they were probably set with clothes for the first couple of years, but still kissed him with a smile.
He couldn’t help it - this was the first pregnancy and birth that he would be able to experience himself, not to mention the delicate first months. He had seen all of the pictures his mate had collected into albums of his first pregnancy, meticulously documented by him and Gao Qing, but it wasn’t the same. He hadn’t been able to help with purchases or planning for Lele, so he was determined to give his all for this pregnancy. And that he did, to such an extent that his omega had told him to relax a little, that their baby would not be able to tell the difference between the more expensive baby bath soap and the generic brand. Wenlang still bought the more expensive one.
Wenlang had to admit, though, that as time marched on, he was more and more nervous of the birth itself. He had read pretty much all the books available on omega births, insisting that he had to know what his mate was about to go through. Maybe it was a little crazy, but it was who he was - he wanted all the facts, to be able to make informed decisions. Like in business.
”Please don’t compare the birth of our daughter to business”, Gao Tu had sighed while packing his hospital bag, when he had told him his reasoning for reading all those books.
He also got more impatient as time marched on. Gao Tu had more aches and pains with the extra weight he had to carry with him, posture more hunched and hands usually supporting himself on his lower back. Wenlang didn’t enjoy seeing his mate in pain, so as usual he made sure to give frequent massages, as well as from time to time just holding the omega’s belly gently. For him the weight wasn’t significant, but even as he held Gao Tu’s stomach he could only look at him in amazement - his mate was so strong, carrying their daughter with him and protecting her. Beautiful.
Of course he already yearned to meet his daughter, but he refrained from complaining about that too much. After all, he had the easy part of the pregnancy, and he knew his weary partner would’ve probably swatted him on some part of his body if he went on to complain about how long it took.
Not to mention how at the end part of the pregnancy Gao Tu was worn out, upset and completely done with being pregnant. ”Your daughter needs to get out of me”, he moaned, lying on their bed as their son rolled toy cars on his belly. ”Soon, baobei”, he promised, smiling to himself as he watched his family. He had resorted to only working a few days of the week and even those he worked from home, just to make sure he would be around if the little princess decided to arrive early. There had been nightmares about not being there when it happened, and it still made him shudder.
”Why wasn’t my first pregnancy like this”, Gao Tu grumbled, ”carrying Lele was easy, no aches or anything…”
Wenlang wanted to comment that it was probably due to his hormones being shot from all the suppressants, but instead he just hummed compassionately. His son only flicked his eyes to his parents for a moment at the mention of his name, going back to his playing after deciding his input wasn’t needed. At five, almost six years old Lele was adorable, very calm and easy for his age, which boded well for their future as the parents of two. ”It won’t take long now, your due date is only days away”, he comforted, sitting down next to his mate. ”Soon we’ll get to meet her.”
”Yeah, right after I have to push a melon out of me”, the omega scoffed, hand finding his own and squeezing lightly. Wenlang kissed the soft, manicured hand, gently nuzzling the scent gland on Gao Tu’s wrist. ”I’ll be with you, you can do it”, he murmured, smiling softly at his mate.
They had planned extensively for the birth, mostly out of Wenlang’s initiative - in his opinion it was necessary, for the most part because they already had one child, who couldn’t be just left alone when it was time. So they had arranged for Gao Qing to be on call to pick Lele up from day care, or to be able to take him in on their way to the hospital. She would also be able to bring him to the hospital when it was time to meet their baby girl, which was always convenient and didn’t make Lele feel like he was left behind.
There were of course details like when to resort to a c-section, as well as when to ask for inducing, and other medically relevant matters they had discussed. The omega had, however, insisted that such planning wasn’t needed, and the baby would come as it wanted to, and everything else could be decided when needed. He didn’t oppose, though, when Wenlang asked to plan it anyway.
Most nights Gao Tu was uncomfortable, unable to find a good sleeping position with his tummy. And during each of those nights the alpha held him, rubbed his aching muscles and joints, and sometimes just sat awake with him. Even if he was tired himself he did all of it, for he loved making his mate feel better and comforting him in any way possible. Some people probably made fun of him and the way Gao Tu was his whole world, but he didn’t care. He was unapologetically and desperately in love with his mate.
One night he was once again nudged awake, sleepy brain already firing synapses to make him find the massage oil. ”What aches, my love”, he yawned, sitting up with his eyes closed, furrowing his brow at the unusual grunts and quiet whines from Gao Tu’s mouth. ”Are you cramping? Should I get a heating pad, or pain killers?” He rattled off with ease, already moving to get up from bed, when his mate grabbed his hand. ”No, Wenlang”, he breathed heavily, ”I think your daughter’s finally on his way.”
It took a few beats for Wenlang’s brain to register the words, and when he did he moved quicker than ever. ”You go ahead and put on your coat and shoes, I’ll grab Lele and the bags, and call Gao Qing”, he rambled on, immediately making checks in his head for everything they needed. He moved with the same efficiency as he did when working, pulling their hospital bag from the closet and grabbing a separate bag for Lele. His son was groggy and barely woke up when he went to get him, and in the end he just let him go back to sleep against his shoulder. He called Gao Qing as he quickly packed Lele’s things, the other alpha sounding grumpy and sleepy, but waking up immediately as he told her it was time.
By the time he had their son and the bags with him, Gao Tu had waddled into the entry way and slipped on some shoes and a warm coat, other hand holding his stomach in discomfort. ”Fuck”, he hissed quietly, ”I forgot how much I hate contractions…”
”Just breathe, I’ll get us to the hospital”, Wenlang promised, helping him make his way to the elevator. It took all of his self control to not speed, eyes flicking to his omega again and again. For now everything was fine, but he did still have the slight nagging fear in the back of his head, that reminded him something could go wrong. Still he did as they had planned, dropping off Lele to the arms of his aunt, then returning to the car after kissing his sleepy son’s temple and promising Gao Qing that he would take care of her brother and niece.
”Wenlang”, his mate breathed as they drove towards the hospital, grabbing his hand softly. ”I’m glad you’re with me this time…”
His efficient, calculated shell cracked a little, and he smiled softly while squeezing Gao Tu’s hand. ”I’m happy to be here”, he murmured, ”I can’t wait to meet our baby girl.”
His omega smiled brightly, only dulled by the apparent pain of contractions making its way back to his face. ”I can’t wait to not feel like someone is crushing my uterus”, he groaned, and Wenlang couldn’t help but go a little faster out of sympathy.
It didn’t take long to arrive at their hospital and then get directed to a private room, Gao Tu now dressed in a hospital gown and laying on a bed with discomfort visible on his face. ”You’re the CEO of HS Group, make them give me the good drugs”, his omega grumbled, and Wenlang stifled a laugh. ”They are giving you the good drugs”, he assured, sitting down on a chair next to the bed. ”They’ve given you everything you need. Soon you won’t feel the pain anymore.”
Gao Tu scoffed, but still held his hand tightly. ”Remind me to never let you knock me up again”, the omega muttered, and Wenlang hid his smile. They had never been good at keeping resolutions like that.
Despite all his nervousness Wenlang stayed calm, held his mate’s hand and listened to everything the doctors said. When it was time to start pushing he swallowed his fears, instead just whispering quiet reassurance to Gao Tu’s ear. He squeezed his hand and kept saying how well he was doing, didn’t even mind the probable nerve damage the tight squeeze was doing to his hand. He wiped the sweat beading on the omega’s brow, smoothed the furrow with gentle touches, did everything he could to make labour easier. At the same time he was amazed - the strength of his omega always managed to surprise him, even now when he was actively bringing their child to the world he kept wondering how strong he was. There was pain, blood, sweat and tears, and still Gao Tu did it all - for the second time, nonetheless. The groans and painful moans squeezed his heart and made him want to take all the pain away, alpha instincts reeling, but he controlled himself. He only relished the love and affection he felt towards his strong, resilient and loyal mate. Perfect.
He was only roused from his thoughts when a shrill screech sounded in the room. His head snapped towards the noise, eyes landing on the doctor and the small, red and wrinkly bundle they were holding. His daughter.
”Congratulations, a very healthy little girl”, the doctor said, smiling behind their mask. Wenlang couldn’t even answer, just stare - follow with his eyes as the nurses washed and wrapped their child, his mouth agape and hand still squeezing Gao Tu’s hand. ”Wenlang, breathe”, his omega reminded with a tired voice, thumb stroking the back of his hand. He snapped his eyes back on him, his worn and tired form, then leaned forward to embrace him gently. ”Gao Tu”, he breathed, ”thank you. For being the strong omega you are. For bringing our children to the world, for everything…”
His mate only hummed in content, almost a small purr escaping from him.
”Here she comes”, a gentle nurse said, carrying their daughter in her arms and moving to the side of the bed. Immediately Wenlang moved to give space, watching carefully how their daughter was laid on Gao Tu’s chest, his face filling with soft affection. ”Hello, little princess”, he heard him murmur, fingertip gently touching a soft, round cheek. The alpha let the two have their first moment patiently, hands still itching to be able to hold his daughter. ”Come on”, Gao Tu encouraged after a while, other hand reaching for his and pulling him closer. Wenlang swallowed thickly, leaning close despite all of his nervousness, and looking at his daughter properly for the first time. She was all soft cheeks and heart shaped pink lips, short dark hair and eyes scrunched tight. He had never seen anything so beautiful, and he didn’t even notice the tears slipping from his eyes before his mate gently wiped them away. ”She’s healthy and all ours”, Gao Tu murmured, ”our daughter, Wenlang.”
He could only nod, touching a soft cheek with care, scared that the child would break from his strong hands. There wasn’t anything like that, only quiet coos from their daughter, happily bundled in a soft pink blanket and held against the chest of his mate. She was here, he was witnessing it all, and nothing would take her away from him. She was here.
”Why is she so wrinkly?”
”Babies are wrinkly at first, Lele.”
”Was I wrinkly too?”
”Yes, baobao. Very wrinkly.”
”Oh. Was I that pink too?”
”Yes.”
”Oh. Will her head look more normal later?”
”It will, my love. Wenlang, stop laughing.”