While I want to say Abel's death was rare, he was just one in hundreds that were dying from a sickness the government had created. Not that they'd ever really admit it, because if they did well let's face it, it would mean those assholes would have to be honest with themselves and they were living in a fantasy world. It would be years more until someone finally would open their eyes to the hell but I'm getting off topic.

Abel's passing hurt all of us even Gabi would rest her chin on the couch and whine every so often before I or Ludwig would call her away. She would still look every so often at it and whine until I asked Gilbert to get rid of it, both for her own good and for mine. "It's alright Alfred." Eliza remarked a few days before my pup was due, "He's in a better place." She said with a warm smile as she got out her note book.

"I know it's just hard." I sighed as I leaned back in my kitchen chair. "So what did you want to see me about?" She only wanted to see me when Gilbert was at work, I could feel that the two knew each other but I didn't know exactly how. I didn't think they were lovers or mates but the thought still lingered in the back of my mind.

With a click of her pen she started down her list, she had to make sure I had everything prepared. When she finished she looked up with a smile, "Do you have any questions?"

Before I could stop myself I opened my mouth. "Were you and Gilbert mated?" My eyes went wide as I prepared to see her stand and leave.

But instead she laughed as if I said the funniest thing, "Wow. No honey we were never mated." It actually took her a moment before she wiped away a tear, "We did grow up together but I was never interested in an Alpha like him."

"What do you mean an Alpha like him?" I knew she didn't mean anything nasty by it but my hormones had me on edge.

She shook her head, "Nothing Dear. I mean he's headstrong and he can be rather…unique at times."

At that I nodded and when she asked if I had any more questions I shook my head, "Not really. I know it's gonna hurt like hell."

"Sometimes it does, sometimes it's a little easier." She smiled trying to ease my fear, "But we won't know until you go into labor and I'll help you through it." I was happy to have her. Hospitals weren't cheap and just a night could run us over five hundred dollars so while it would mean cleaning up the mess myself it would only cost me a few dollars in cleaning supplies.

The morning started off like any other except that one Gabi won't leave my side and I had this strange feeling deep in my stomach. It was like a small stomach ache mixed with a little nausea. "You feeling okay?" Gilbert asked me as he finished his eggs and fried potatoes.

I smiled as I cleaned my plate which I had barely touched, "Just tired really."

He stood and wrapped his arms around my chest as he kissed my cheek, "You sure? I could stay home." As he said it his arms went to my stomach and held me close to his chest. "I could use a day off just to spend time with my little Sparrow."

I chuckled as I returned his kiss, "Why don't you come home for lunch? I don't want you to miss a full day." I answered feeling a strong kick that nearly brought me to my knees. "Shit he's active today."

Ludwig stood quickly as Gilbert grabbed my arm, "West, go get Eliza."

"No I'm fine. It was just a kick." Truly I wasn't sure but I didn't want to worry either of them. So I stood up and kissed his jaw, "He's not coming just yet."

He looked me up and down with a look of doubt before he let out a sigh, "Okay I'll be home around two but West is coming home at noon." Ludwig didn't argue as he grabbed his jacket and kissed Gabi's nose good bye.

Alone with my mate he looked me in the eye, "Alfred if you're in labor you can tell me."

"I don't know really…" Slowly I sat down, "It doesn't feel like I am." I said mulling over all I was feeling since I woke up. "It's hard to explain but none of the other Omegas or Eliza said it would feel like this." That much I knew. All I had ever heard about was that it came quickly but I was very wrong. "So go." I said with a brave smile, "I'll be okay." I kissed him again, "Before you're late."

With a smirk he kissed me before he grabbed his jacket and kissed my stomach, "Fine but I'll be home soon Sparrow." He closed the door and I was alone with Gabi who was still clinging to me.

While I knew I should have lain down I couldn't get comfortable so I sat at the table just slowly rubbing my stomach. "Wait until Daddy gets home." I whispered, I didn't have a phone nor did I think I could have made it down to Elizaveta's apartment so it's really all I could do. Finally I went slightly stir crazy since I could only sit still for so long. So I started to stand only to receive a violently painful shock rocket up my body. I gasped as I all but collapsed, at that Gabi started to bark frantically. "Shit, shut up Gabi." I said as I grabbed at her collar as I tried to calm her down.

I held her tightly with one hand as I tried to stand back up using the table for support. "Shh!" I tried again, I don't know why I felt like I had to keep her quiet but it's all I focused on until I felt the pain again a few minutes later, "Ahh!" I screamed feeling a liquid rush down my legs. I still had been wearing just an old long t-shirt so when I looked down I knew exactly what it was. "Fuck…" I let go of Gabi as I tried to steady myself. She continued to bark and race around as the door opened.

I had never seen Ludwig's eyes grow so wide before. I knew it was the last thing he every imaged he would see coming home. "L-Ludwig." I managed before letting out another pained scream, "Get Eliza hurry!"

He was out the door in a flash and by the sound of his boots on the wooden steps he was flying. Meanwhile I braced myself for what I knew by then was a contraction but I was horrified that any moment I'd hear a wet thud on the tile below me. But I didn't want to lay down in the puddle nor was I sure I could get back up again if I did so as another contraction hit me I placed a hand down hoping that I didn't have to be the one to catch my baby.

As I screamed out again Eliza appeared in the door way with a few towels in her hands followed by curious or concerned Omega neighbors that had heard either my screams or Gabi's barks. "Alfred, try to-"

"He's coming right now!" I cut her off as I pushed hard my face soaked in sweat.

She disappeared below me for a moment before she cried out for me to push again. I quickly did what I was told and just as quickly as it started my pain was gone. I was left panting and drained but my only thought was to my baby. "Well," Eliza started as she wrapped a small bloody bundle up in her arms, "It's a little boy."

Slowly I sat back down as I stared in awe, "C-can I hold him?" My arms were already out stretched ready to take the whimpering newborn from her.

"Of course." Gingerly she handed him to me. He was red, wet and crying but he was mine.

I held him close to my chest as I cooed softly to him, "Shh its okay." I hummed as I kissed his forehead, "Mommy's right here." At the sound of my voice he looked up at me with bright blue eyes. Then when we cleaned him I found that he would have blonde hair. Abel was right, he looked just like me.

If you asked Ludwig about it he'd say I wasn't fazed by any of it by the fact that I sat in that chair nursing my son as I waited for Gilbert to come home. When in reality I was too weak to even move and it was all I could do from passing out really. Back in those times the Alphas would still chose the first born child's name and I was determined to know what my baby was going to be named before I fell asleep.

Eliza was admit that his name would be Gilbert Jr. as well as Ludwig was slightly worried but he thought it would be more along the lines of Robin. I on the other hand knew he had been thinking long and hard about it. The moment he saw me after pushing through some of the omegas still at the door he ran to my side. "Sparrow…" He started as he kneeled down to meet my eyes. He touched my cheek with his hand moving away some of the hair matted down with his thumb, "Now what was that about not being in labor?" He smiled looking down at his son like a proud father. "Does he have a name yet?"

"Well now he will." I answered carefully handing over my baby. "So?" I looked over at Eliza who had the birth certificate ready.

Gilbert held him out for a moment looking him up and down before kissing his nose, "Cain Beilschmidt." He said simply before he handed him back to me and signed the certificate.

After a few more minutes he helped me into bed. It was a name none of us where prepared for or expected but as I fell asleep my mind drifted back to a story I had once heard as a child and my heart swelled with joy. Gilbert had always called him a bastard but I knew how much he had cared for Abel so while he'd never admit it he had named our first son, Cain in memory of Abel.