dear lord this took a long time... I've been battling some pretty bad writers block, some depression, and a tonne of life hitting all at once. But, you know, I follow stories that I've seen update twice in one year so... XD
Anyway! I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!
Stepping out of the heat room at the end of the week felt like re-entering the real world. He'd been lost in such a cloud of desire, fantasy and haziness he'd almost forgotten that the real world didn't all smell like Alfred. It's probably the reason he'd been made to go to the bed and lay down right away. stumbling and looking like he was in a complete mental fog. Matthew had even been content to lay with Alfred curled around him. The Alpha was clinging to him more than usual. Legs tangled together, a tight hold around his middle. It felt possessive, but in Matthew's current state it wasn't unwelcome.
"Alfred?" He said quietly eight hours of drifting in and out of consciousness later, earning a hum of question. "Can we go see Arthur?" The arms tightened and Matthew squeaked at the sudden aggression hitting the air. It was followed almost instantly by calming, though Alfred's arms felt tense still,
"Why would you want to see him?" Alfred questioned, nosing against the possession mark and causing Matthew to go a little limp with relaxation in his state.
"I just… I wanted to ask if I could see Georgia…" He explained quietly. The past four hours he'd been working it out in his head. If he was pregnant, they'd be able to tell in four weeks… four more weeks. He was probably pregnant, so if he could just… get her back now? He could give the condition that he'd give her back if he wasn't, but he needed her for at least that amount of time! Alfred relaxed a bit at that,
"We can ask…" He said nuzzling in. "Do you want to go now?" Matthew held his arms tighter as a reassurance of sorts and nodded. Alfred gave a smile in return, "Alright, let's get dressed."
They stood in the library not long after. It was early in the morning, the sun still throwing orange after it's rise. Matthew kept picking at and readjusting his clothing, It felt weird to be dress after his week of being covered only by sheets and Alfred. Or maybe he was just nervous. He'd done what was asked of him, he'd pushed Alfred into it in the end… would that be enough for Arthur? would manipulating his son be seen as bad, or would the fact that Matthew had pushed beyond himself to do as he was told help him?
He dealt with a moment of shock as he found himself wishing he had never landed himself on Arthur's bad side in the first place. That thought had a lot of strings attached to it after all. A lot of things he would have had to take back and do differently that he would have sworn to never want to do a year ago... But would it have even changed anything? If Matthew had been a perfect little Omega like he had been when he was younger, what would have happened? Arthur might not had threatened to send him away, leaving Alfred guilt free and Matthew would have- He was interrupted from his train of speculation abruptly, and thankfully, by Alfred's arms around him,
"Hey it's gonna be okay. Deep breathing aright? I'm right here with you this time" Alfred soothed. The thought both comforted and worried Matthew. He had the support, but with Arthur's view on their relationship and Alfred's knack for losing his cool...
"And what would you all like this time?" Arthur asked almost exhaustively as he walked into the library. Matthew could feel Alfred tense, but his voice was thankfully friendly,
"We wanted to discuss a few things father" he said with a smile, holding Matthew closer.
"Oh?" Arthur said dryly as he unlocked his office, opening the door "Hurry it up then, I have to drive down to the city" Matthew unattached from Alfred, though gave in to hand holding as they followed Arthur in. Alfred seemed a little on edge after heat, so he'd play the middle ground.
The head Alpha moved around his desk, sitting and taking up the black chair there effortlessly. "Well?" He asked raising an eyebrow as he leaned forwards on the desk. Alfred was about to speak, but Matthew panicked as what might come out, speaking first in rushed nervousness,
"Please , could I see Georgia? I d-did everything I was suppose to, so… please?" his eyes went to the carpet, trying to look small. Arthur hummed in an oh so familiar way and Matthew felt a shiver under his skin. His mind wandering back to the Haven, to the hands checking to see how thin he was that quarter, Trying to stop the thoughts from going to that last 'check'. He needed to not be pissed at Arthur right now... not when he needed something.
"We don't know if you're pregnant yet. I believe the deal was, you got pregnant you got her back" Arthur noted and Matthew peeked up,
"He did-" Alfred started and was cut off by the blushing Omega, who had looked up fully now,
"You can take her back if I'm not, but I-I'm sure I am…" he flushed further as Arthur smirked and raised an eyebrow. Alfred's hand tightened it's grip and Matthew dropped his head hunching his shoulders forward, still so affected by the end of his heat. Even the possibility of disappointing Alfred was almost painful and he was bracing for the snapping that could result.
"Georgia needs her mother." Alfred started, another squeeze keeping Matthew quiet before pulling his hand away, moving to lean against Arthur's desk with his arms crossed, speaking in a matter-or-fact tone, "You've seen the statistics right? Offspring are healthier and happier when they've been raised by their mother. The studies in the latest journals have even suggested higher breeding rates and turn out for Omega's and Beta's in that respect, and Alpha's turn out stronger with an easier dominance. Between the Kirkland line and that edge, Georgia should be top in whichever class she takes." He shrugged "I always thought you were interested in the best breeding."
Matthew blinked, peaking up. He hadn't anticipated facts or reason… But there was Alfred, looking startlingly like his father with the barely interested eyebrow raise. Matthew's eyes turned back to Arthur, digging for that deep Omega he'd been once upon a time, looking pleadingly and quivering slightly under the senior Alpha's gaze.
Arthur merely rolled his eyes. "For today you can take Matthew down to the nursery house. I'll consider moving her back up with you and I will call to let you know my decision tomorrow." He said cooly.
Matthew looked hopeful "S-So I can go see her?" He could feel fear building next to hope. Ready to shatter if he had misunderstood.
"Yes, You may Matthew" Arthur answered, looking him in the eye, a familiar feeling of approval causing him to shrink on himself and confirming he'd landed himself firmly back under Arthur's control. A subtlety Alfred might not pick up on, but one he was going to need to get use to apparently...
"Can we go right now?" Matthew asked, turning from the feeling to Alfred, looking hopeful.
The Alpha smiled "Course Mattie, Let's go get you a jacket and we'll head down."
Matthew beamed. "Thank you!" He exclaimed, darting out of the room by himself and down to his room looking beyond happy. He would deal with the fact that he'd played into Arthur's hands again later. For now he was going to get his jacket and see his daughter!
He wasn't paying attention when rounding a corner, winding up toppling over someone, crashing to the floor with a yelp and landing on them. "Matthew!" Alfred cried, either hearing the yelp or smelling the shot of fear from falling. He swung around the corner just as Matthew looking who he'd bumped into, eyes wide.
Alfred was helping him up. "Are you okay?! Did you get hurt, a bruise? A cut? Rug burn?" Alfred was checking over him as Matthew looked down, trying to hang onto the weaker smell of Alpha coming off the person who was staring right back at him with a pale face.
"Matthew! What happened?!" Alfred turned his face and Matthew jumped to.
"I-I wasn't looking where I was going," he forced his head to turn "I'm sorry…" he trailed off.
"Why are you still on the floor?" Alfred barked, and Matthew felt fear at the tone "You should be watching, it's not like you can't smell him. He's fresh out of heat-"
"Alfred, shush." Matthew moved his hand to cover Alfred's mouth, earning a completely disgruntled look. The Omega wasn't paying attention to that. He was shaking. He opened his mouth but the lesser Alpha beat him too it.
"I'm sorry sir." she said, suddenly hardening. Pulling herself to stand she brushed herself off, "I should have paid more attention. I will next time" She nodded to him, and moved to continue on her way, not giving Matthew another glance. Matthew just moved, not sure how to speak as he watched his not so little sister walk down the hall with purpose.
He was still shaken when he reached Georgia. spending the day with his baby made him a little calmer, but it was like he'd seen a ghost. He'd been through all the therapy, read all the books. It was like you're family died. Pretend your family died, or pretend you died because you were never going to see them again. Even in desperate situations it was considered cruel rather than kind. Yet she had been right there. It had been her right? Same bright green eyes, long auburn hair tied in the same pigtails, sun kissed skin, even a french lilt to her voice... But… there were a lot of people like that right? It could have been someone different. It had to have been. She was in uniform, working security. She'd only be… sixteen? No… Michelle would still be with their dad, in school. She had a much brighter future than working at the Kirkland manner.
Georgia burbled, and Matthew was torn away from it again, looking down at his baby, "what a sweet little voice~" he cooed softly, rocking the chair. He looked over at Alfred, who was watching them, and returned his soft smile. Georgia mattered right now, not a girl who looked like a ghost from his past, and frankly he was a little upset he'd let his mind wander there so many times already that day. Now he was pouring over his daughter, taking in every part of her and committing it to memory, "Do you think Arthur will let us take her home?" Matthew asked as he watched the little girl fall asleep in his arms, holding tight to his finger.
"If he doesn't, we can come up everyday." Alfred said quietly, moving to stand behind them, looking over Matthew's shoulder. Matthew turned back and smiled brightly. Then looked down on the bundle
"Hear that Peaches, Daddy and I are gonna be up here everyday if we have too." he whispered softly, leaning down to nuzzle against the child, smiling a little bitter sweetly as he picked up the slight change in scent. With the switch to formula in her diet, Georgia was already moving into a scent of her own. She'd retain a certain amount of his and Alfred's scents until she hit puberty, but it would mostly be her once she hit a year. He'd missed out on weeks of her pure scent.
"We do have to go back soon…" Alfred said sadly, looking at the clock on the wall. Matthew followed his eyes and frowned. It was close to dinner… How had he spent a whole day here already? It had gone by so fast. He would have argued to stay till later, but he knew nutrition was important to keep him in top shape for the pregnancy to take.
"Can I have five more minutes?" He asked, voice thick as he worked to keep his emotions under control. If he got too sad, they might not let him come back tomorrow…
"Alright Mattie" Alfred said, kissing the top of his head. "I'll go get the car ready and come back for you"
Matthew nodded as his Alpha left, only the not so tiny baby in his arms. He rocked the chair and sang softly to her, enjoying the last bit of his time for the day.
Saying goodbye had been difficult. Handing her off to a nanny who she cuddled into like it was nothing had been particularly heart breaking, but luckily Alfred had anticipated a bit of crying. At least, the fact that a box of tissues hit Matthew's lap as they got in the car would suggest so. All that was left for the day was to eat and hope Arthur's call came early in the morning.
Matthew sat at the table, poking at his food between bites. On top of the stress of not having his daughter with him, Matthew was also battling a sinking feeling that wasn't helping his appetite . Since leaving his daughter, he had no distraction, if anything he was looking for something to distract him from that! Sadly the most pressing thing in his mind to help get through it was thoughts of the security Alpha he'd run into…
"Alfred?" The Alpha hummed, mouth full as he looked up. "Is there a way to get a list of names? People employed here?" he asked, spiking piece of chicken and bringing it up to eat.
"Yeah… I could do that. Why?" Alfred asked after swallowing the large mouth full of food.
Matthew frowned "I just thought I recognized someone," He said shrugging. "Not remembering the name is bothering me, but if i see it I'll know it." He flat out lied. He wasn't sure what would happen if that was her… but he wasn't about to risk getting her in trouble.
"Alright, I'll print it off tonight, but only if you actually eat Matthew" Alfred said raising an eyebrow.
Matthew blushed, "Thanks Alfred" he said sweetly before purposefully putting a bite in his mouth. Tomorrow his distraction would be disproved, and with any luck, Arthur would call and he'd get Georgia back. Yes, all he had to do was get through tonight.
