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

Chapter 54

They have left Lotus Pier right after all the commotion have died out. Their departure was quiet and attended by only a few selected disciples and of course all their friends and family who wished them a save journey and for the child to be healthy when it would be born. Nie Huisang arranged for them to travel by boat and then, the last part on the mountain trails, by cart. Wei Ying was confident he would have been able to withstand the journey flying, being carried on Lan Zhan's sword, but Wen Qing would not hear it.

She confirmed she would come with them to Cloud Recess to take care of the pregnant Omega, but she refused to take such risks. There was also still enough time before Wei Ying's term, she assured them. There was no need to travel quickly aside for their eagerness to be back home faster which was a no good reason to endanger the baby and its parent in any way.

So they did not hurry and were enjoying their journey leisurely. Resting a lot, sleeping in good established inns that Nie Huisang had selected and fattening the pregnant Omega. It could not have been called otherwise, the Dafan Wen doctor prepared a meal regimen for him and was insistent that he adhered to it. In the beginning, Wei Ying felt like the portions were too big for him but he got used to them during the trip and actually started gaining weight, to everyone's delight.

During this week, Wen Qing was explaining the couple how they should care for a new-born and what they would need to prepare. She also explained to Wei Ying in private what exactly did it mean to give birth; she did not want the younger boy to be completely clueless and panic at the most critical moment.

When they finally arrived to Cloud Recess, The Yunmeng Jiang sect disciple was surprised by the number of people waiting for them. He expected their return to be overlooked, but in the end, it made sense that the clan leader would be welcomed in a grand manner after his long absence.

He was taken aback when the crowd did not disperse after greeting Lan Xichen. He was still hiding inside the cart, preparing to get out. He was no longer scared to be seen with his unmistakably big stomach, he was however not used to having many people look at him. He felt vulnerable not being able to use his spiritual energy to defend himself in case of emergency.

His breathing started to pick up as the beginning panic claimed him. It was not that he did not trust the Gusu Lan sect disciples to do him no harm or Lan Zhan to defend him from anyone and anything, he was just too nervous to embarrass himself or his husband in front of his whole sect. He could no longer move nimbly as he was used to, he was very clumsy now and he did not like others to see it.

Wei Ying turned around to look at Lan Zhan for support, he was sure his soulmate had understood him. The older boy carefully moved him out of his lap and started getting out of the cart. "Wei Ying, do not worry. I will be by your side the whole time; I will not leave you for a second. The disciples have been informed you are coming back and they wanted to greet you and congratulate you." The Gusu Lan sect disciple gave his soulmate a small smile and stepped out of the cart.

Lan Zhan immediately turned around to help the younger boy to safely come out as well. Wei Ying was surprised again when the whole crowd bowed as one. He did not know what to do, his cheeks became bright red and he was searching for a spot where he could land his gaze to not have to face all the expectations he could feel from the crowd. The Second Jade saw how uneasy his husband was and opposing all the rules about proper conduct, he pulled him to his hip and held his arm around the younger boy's waist to calm him down.

Lan Qiren, who was standing in front of the disciples together with other Gusu Lan sect elders stepped closer and addressed Wei Ying: "Wei Wuxian, I am glad you made it back safely, you gave us quite a scare. I hope you are doing better now and both you and the baby are healthy. On behalf of the whole Gusu Lan sect I want to congratulate you on your pregnancy and wish you, my nephew and your child a bright and happy future."

The crowd of disciples bowed again and then dispersed quickly, leaving only Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen, Nie Huisang and the couple; Wen Qing had already left with the disciples who went to show her to her room. Wei Ying wanted to thank the elder, but he found out he was too emotional to get words out of his mouth. Instead, he felt tears starting to sting his eyes and he could only turn his head away in time for Lan Qiren not to see them as he buried his face into his husband's shoulder.

Lan Zhan bowed as best as he could with the younger boy clinging to him: "Thank you, Uncle." As usual, he did not express everything he wanted with just a few words, but Lan Qiren seemed to have understood. He nodded and then walked away rapidly, perhaps embarrassed by the emotional display in front of him.

Nie Huisang stepped closer to his friend and reassuringly patted his shoulder: "Now, now, Brother Wei, there is no need for tears. It is such a joyous occasion for the whole clan to learn about the arrival of an heir. See, everyone is looking forward to it. Let us get you to Jingshi so you can rest a little more, I am sure that the journey had exhausted you quite a bit, you need to be careful now."

Wei Ying nodded into his husband's shoulder but still did not unglue himself from him, he did not want his tears to be seen and the embrace was all too comfortable. It took several more minutes for Lan Zhan to coax his soulmate to let go of him, at least until they arrived into their home.

When he opened the door of their quarters, he stopped abruptly, surprised. The insides have changed from the last time he had been there, they changed so much that he was wondering for a second whether he went into someone else's room. The younger boy, who was just a step behind and still holding onto his hand looked from above his shoulder and laughed delightfully.

Lan Xichen tried to look a little apologetic but it was ruined by his bright smile: "We have taken liberty to prepare for the child's arrival. I have written to uncle ahead of time to inform him about everything and he immediately started with the arrangements. I hope you will be satisfied."

Wei Ying pushed his way around Lan Zhan and went to check everything, clearly excited. The room was rearranged; the furniture was moved to different places to make space for a new big crib with carved decorations that was installed next to a new double-sized bed. There were also two new beautifully but simply decorated chests and when he looked inside, he found soft blankets and baby clothes and other necessities for child care.

The Second Jade still stood frozen, blocking the door, when the younger boy rushed to him and pulled him inside, finally making enough space in the entrance to invite the other two inside.

The younger boy turned to his brother-in-law, tears were again threatening to escape his eyes and his smile was almost too wide for his face: "Brother Xichen, thank you! This is just perfect. Everything is prepared for the arrival of our little one."

He then turned to his husband who was starting to look around, still in a bit of a haze, his eyes unbelieving. "Lan Zhan, say something! This is perfect, it is not? We should go thank your uncle."

There was a long pause before the Second Jade spoke, prompted by a teasing peck on his cheek: "Mn, perfect." Lan Zhan returned the kiss with vigour, picked the younger boy up and headed for their new bed. They did not even notice when Nie Huisang and Lan Xichen took the clue and left the Jingshi.