Letting go of self-restraint 2 - All that is missing is a little one

Chapter 48

As they approached his childhood home, Lan Zhan could feel that Wei Ying was growing more and more restless, literally bouncing up and down in his sitting position. The older boy smiled to himself at the strange mix of emotions that was coming through the mental bond: impatience, excitement, anticipation, curiosity.

There was only a little speck of guilt and he was happy for that, he did not want the Yunmeng Jiang disciple to keep blaming himself for his past actions. The most important thing was that they were together again and that his husband and their baby were safe and sound.

The younger boy felt like he could not sit still for one more second. He was too excited to finally see his sister again, and then perhaps his nephew or niece. He had never see a new-born baby in his life up close. He knew babies were really small, fragile and precious, and this would be Jiang Yanli's child no less. He was already excited at the mere prospect of being allowed to have a look.

He did not yet consider how his and Lan Zhan's child would look like after being born nor how he would care for it. He had only a vague idea that babies required constant attention, he had never learned anything more specific. He decided that he would do that the moment they were back in Cloud Recess.

For the good of his child, he would try to overcome his fear of being revealed as an Omega and go ask for advice to the Omega building. He would not be able to hide his true second gender any longer, seeing as his belly was a sure tell-tale of it. He did not want to mislead anyone into thinking that the child was not his own. In his mind, he had already accepted that fact that revealing his secret was necessary and he thought he was ready; part of him also wanted to proudly show his child to the world. He wanted everyone to know just how happy he was having his own family.

He looked out of the cart once again and saw to his delight that they were already entering one of the small court yards of the Yunmeng Jiang clan compound. His eyes grew wide and brightened as he spotted Jiang Yanli and Wen Qing waiting for them.

As soon as the cart stopped, he jumped outside, all but forgetting that his body was now not balanced the same way as it used to and he should refrain from such acrobatics. Lan Zhan stretched his hand to catch him but he was just a fraction of second too slow, not expecting his husband to basically fall head first out of the cart. Wei Ying would have fallen down be it not for Jiang Cheng catching him and steadying him.

"You idiot..." the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader started, making his brother flinch and curl into himself protectively. He was already getting ready for a scolding.

Wen Ning saved the situation when he stepped up and supported Wei Ying from the other side, patting the other boy's shoulder reassuringly while smiling. "Now, now, Jiang Cheng," he reprimanded his husband softly, "you should not be so strict with your brother. It was just an accident." Then he turned to the Yunmeng Jiang sect head disciple: "Young Master Wei, you should however try to be more careful in the future."

Before their conversation could go on any longer, Jiang Yanli was already approaching, more carefully then her brother just did, but with no less enthusiasm. Wei Ying was now steady enough to go meet her halfway, his arms already outstretched to hug her. All too late did he realized that, both of them being pregnant, they would not be able to reach each other without being awkward.

His sister saved him by grabbing his hands, determinedly squeezing them in her own. The Yunmeng Jiang sect disciple only managed to whisper: "Shijie..." Then he burst out crying and let himself be led inside by his sister and Lan Zhan.

It took him a long while to calm down and stop apologizing for worrying everyone. The ever forgiving and benevolent Jiang Yanli assured him repeatedly that nothing was his fault and that he was only doing what he thought was best. The Second Jade supported her claims.

In the end, Wei Ying believe them and let himself be pampered by his husband feeding him the soup his Shijie made especially for him. After the meal, he was ushered back to his room and had Wen Qing examine him only to confirm that aside for a need of a good rest and more food, he and the baby were perfectly healthy.

***

As a perfect host, Wen Ning made sure everyone was comfortably settled in their room before retiring into his and Jiang Cheng's quarters. Once Nie Huisang and Lan Xichen had their rooms assigned, they decided that they would go to lunch together. After a few days of companionship, they grew closer. On the First Jade's side, it was almost fondness what he was feeling for the younger boy.

The Qinghe Nie disciple was slowly growing on him. He truly admired how the younger boy was able to hide his overwhelming intellect behind a mask of a pampered and weak Omega. He was nothing like his brother, the violent and strict Qinghe Nie sect leader. His gifts and charms were not lesser but in a totally different area.

Nie Huisang, on his part, also seemed to enjoy their conversations about classics, fine art or strategy, there were many topics to discuss that both of them were interested in. Lan Xichen found out that the time they spent together was greatly appreciated by both sides.

When the First Jade made himself at home in his room after the lunch, he decided that he would go and take a look at Lotus Pier's lakes which were rumoured to be beautiful in the setting sun. He could not yet fully appreciate the sigh as he was previously too occupied by taking care of his brother. He made his way to one of the piers and stood on the very end watching the sun go down.

He heard quiet, unhurried footsteps behind him. He could not feel any malice coming from the approaching person so he stayed still, waiting for the newcomer to either join him or call out to him. The person stopped only a few steps behind him, hesitating. Then came a tentative question: "Sect Leader Lan, would you mind if I joined you?"

Lan Xichen smiled to himself as he turned around to meet Nie Huisang eyes, the younger boy's cheeks seemed to be flushed, but it could have very well been a trick of the setting sun illuminating the waters of the lake. The surface was being steered by gentle breeze, resulting in a faint and calming sound of waves.

"Young Master Nie, I would be very pleased if you joined me. The setting sun is beautiful." Lan Xichen invited the Qinghe Nie disciple to the edge of the pier. Nie Huisang came to stand beside him, maybe a little closer than common courtesy would advise but the First Jade did not complain. He smiled to himself again when he realized he was actually glad; he came to really like the company of the younger disciple.

They stood side by side and enjoyed the sight in silence; knowing the other could appreciate it in the same way they could, they had no need for words. The sun set and they stayed on the pier for a while longer, unwilling to part with each other for the evening just yet.

After a while, the moon rose onto the sky and there was a new beautiful and breath-taking sight to admire. When they finally decided to go back to their assigned rooms, they were both shivering slightly from the cold; the night breeze, although gentle, was not warm anymore. As soon as Lan Xichen made it to his quarters, his body became heavy and his eyes started closing on their own accord, it was already long after the usual Gusu Lan sect curfew.