Zoysite - I'm very glad to hear you have had no personal experience in this! I don't wish this upon anyone.
Yes, It stays difficult, picturing the pain for Marco and Ace. Ace carried the baby for so long and while Marco, the father, can't directly help with that. They're there too every step of the way, watching their baby grow. It's devastating for both parties. I can't even begin to imagine the loss in the cases where the mother of the child doesn't survive either, due to complications or whatever reason. (But Ace will live! don't worry for that!)
When I did research for this story, I found that it's still so weird that in this day and age, we often still don't know a lot of times why a miscarriage happened. That while everything was perfectly fine days ago and then, without an explanation, something like this happens. It just stops your whole world.

It feels weird to write thank you's on such a heavy/sad story like this, but thank you! thank you for reading and commenting and all the compliments! Even if it pains me, I love making these emotional stories. It hits so different then the happy ones, but aaah saddnessss but nice! Thank you very much for your continued support in all these different genres of stories!

About 4000 words, I'm cutting this chapter off here. I'm a crying mess at the end, I need a little rest. God, why am I writing this! …. I'll continue writing after I've slept a bit.

Breathing – No birth yet, didn't reach there. But I've read all the comments and Marco will stay with Ace! We won't separate them at the birth! They'll have each other! No cruel separation, I promise!

Loud knocking scared Marco awake, he brought a hand up to wipe his eyes, they burned. Though the moment he realised it blue flames were there, instantly washing away all the pain and he could blink his eyes open.

He was still a little confused as too where he was, hearing a sob he looked down, his mate's face pressed into him, wetness obvious on his chest but he knew his mate was still sleeping. His own sight was quickly getting blurry again from tears as he remembered exactly what happened. Their pup. Their little baby boy. Is gone.

About to lean down to bury himself in raven locks he quickly found out what exactly woke him up as banging noises echoed through the room, coming from the doors he barricaded. He glanced towards it and pulled his mate closer to him. He wouldn't let anyone separate the three of them.

"A-alpha."

He heard his mate sniff and looked down to see red puffy eyes looking up, flinching when there was a bang again.

"D-don't let them come. They want- they want to take our pup. He's our pup, our boy. Th-they can't t-take him."

"I won't-yoi" Marco whispered, kissing Ace's lips as he softly wiped a thumb under his eyes, "I won't let them take him. He's ours."

"C'MON! ACE! MARCO! LET US IN! WE JUST WANT TO HELP!"

"They're not going to just open the door," Bay sighed even if she already expected this. "we're breaking in, everyone be prepared, we don't know how quick Marco will be onto us and how much we can reason with them."

Bay watched everyone get ready as she stood next to pops, looking up, "Pops, stay here for now. You're the only one who's single-handedly stronger then them both, I fear you'll be a threat the moment you enter. I want to try talking first, I don't put much hope in it but…"

"I understand, daughter. I hope you can talk to them. Call for me and I'll be there."

Nodding she checked over all the commanders gathered, seeing everyone was ready she gave the approval to start. "Knock it down."

The second the door broke a few commanders rushed in but also flew back out almost instantly. Hitting the wall with groans.

Looking in Bay saw Marco as he took a few steps back to get closer to the bed Ace was in, flames retreating from his clawed hands as dark blue eyes were pinned at the door.

Not good… Carefully she walked in, holding her hands up the second Marco growled. She wasn't even two steps into the room!

"I need to see A-"

"No."

"Marc-"

"No."

"Marco. Be reasonable! I just need to make sure Ace is fine. Your pup i-"

"You won't touch our pup, my mate. They're mine. Mine!"

Goddamn- she wanted to growl at Marco too if she could! He's not even listening. With resolution she took a step closer. Instantly Marco's stance got wider and growling increased. He's not scaring her off that easily.

She kept moving forward even as Marco lowered his stance. "Marco, This is for your mate's wellbeing. Don't you care?" She saw a small shift in his eyes, maybe she could get through? "I know what you're going through is hard, but I just want to make sure your mate is okay, for that I'll need to do some checks on your pup. So just let me-"

"Alpha."

And that one whisper was all that was needed for all hell to break lose and Marco lunged at her.

"BAY!"

The room blurred as she was pushed aside, caught by one of the other commanders behind her as the sound of clashing echoed. She could barely follow the fight but it was serious, the commanders pulling out literal weapons on the first commander within seconds, knowing they had to be serious to even get a chance to be close.

But it was no use, even with three commanders rushing at once, Marco was faster, quicker, more experienced. And with his fruit, he didn't even bother dodging. Just let Thatch's blades slice through him one after the other, much to the chef's horror, as he continued his attack to throw Haruta into the steel cabinets, Namur following not long later before it was Thatch's turn to take the hits. Bullets from Izou the blond didn't even seem to realize hit him, not even blinking his eye when they hit him right in the knee quickly followed by one in his second leg. A shot that should immobilize anyone, rendering legs useless. But not for the Phoenix. There wasn't even a stumble as the legs transformed to talons, grabbing at their chef and throwing him all the way over to knock down Izou from his position in the hallway.

It was useless. They weren't going to get anywhere. It was only a matter of time before there were casualties. She had to-

CRACK!

Her eyes widened and within seconds had she called for Pops who rushed in while she ran to Jozu. "Don't transform your arm back! Keep it diamond whatever it takes!"

"He cracked the diamond! He cracked the freaking diamond!"

"I can see that commander Haruta, now shut up please." With everything going on she really didn't need them yelling in her ear exactly what she could see. Humming Bay carefully looked over the arm and nodded. "If we're lucky the break has just avoided your bone. Go to the infirmary below, tell the nurses to be prepared to suture and prepare blood bags, we don't know how your body will react when transforming back so lay down ready for operation when you get there. But. Please commander, If you can, don't transform back until I'm there."

Nods all around a few commanders accompanied Jozu to their second infirmary, mostly only used if the main one was contaminated, but they were lucky they had it now.

Turning around she was greeted with a sight she really didn't wish to see, but it was the only option.

"L-let go o-of him! Al-pha!" Ace sniffed from his spot on the bed, leaning up on a trembling arm while with his other he was throwing weak small flames at Pops.

His fruit really isn't what it used to be since the pregnancy had been getting further but still… Pops could at least try to defend… She watched how the elder let himself be hit with the tiny spurts of fire, flesh only reddening underneath. Not strong enough for real damage, but it would still blister.
… She guessed Pops was letting himself be hurt as a little form of self punishment for what he was doing to his eldest son.

Speaking of Marco, he was still struggling in Pop's hand that was holding him in the air. Screeching and yelling loudly, not for his release, but to not harm his mate and pup. To just let them leave. Pops tried to talk to him, but nothing worked, she could only watch as Pops needed to strengthen his hold, loud snaps and blue flames accompanying it. And once more while Marco didn't let it stop him, Ace was wailing at the top of his lungs to stop hurting him, desperately trying to summon more and stronger flames.

"Knock him out, Pops."

Sadly Pops looked over to Bay who just gave another nod. "I'm sorry, son." He whispered as he released a strong wave of conqueror's haki, successfully ending the blond's struggle in his grip as eyes rolled back and his body slumped down.

"A-aah W-why! Po-pops!" Ace sobbed loudly, trying to sit up in his bed, cradling his stomach as he hissed.

"Ace!" Bay ran to his side, not caring he tried to swat her away, "Where does it hurt?"

She was fully ignored as Ace kept pleading to Pops to let Marco go, "Enough! Ace! Listen up." She hated being harsh, especially with what they were going through, but at this rate they were getting no where and that hiss of pain Ace let out just now only confirmed they may not even have the luxury of time. "I am going to give you two choices. One. You get back your mate, but in return you'll promise to cooperate and let me run some tests on you right now. Or, option number two. Pops will take Marco away right now and lock him into the brig so he can't go rampage the second he wakes up."

"Y-you can't! H-he's m-my mate! I-I need him!"

"Then you should choose option one."

"… I w-won't- I won't let you tou-touch my pup!"

"… Take him away, Pops"

Ace eyes widened as his own Pops turned around, making to leave the infirmary with his unconscious mate in hand, tears and snot instantly running down his face. "Noooooooo-oooooooo! Don't t-take him! P-please! Pops pops pops-pops! D-don't take him away from me t-too! D-don't make m-me be a-alone!"

"Pops, go." Bay ushered the elder in a mono-tone voice, seeing he had stopped not only hearing Ace's cries but smelling the intense distress. It broke her heart too, but they had no choice. "You know what to say Ace."

Only when Pops was one step away from the broken door did the words come Bay was hoping for.

"One! O-one! I ch-choose one!" Ace sobbed loudly looking to Bay, "D-do the tests, b-but don't h-hurt Marco. G-give him back!"

Holding up a hand she stopped their captain from leaving, taking a moment to look at Ace who was still pleading. "… Return him to his side."

Releasing a breath Pops turned, walking back he crouched next to the bed, opening his hand gently as he held it onto the same height, allowing his still sobbing youngest to pull the limp body from his hand and into the bed. He carefully helped out until he knew Marco wouldn't roll back out before standing up.

Ace was instantly pulling Marco close against him, rubbing his cheek over him, scenting him and calling out, "M-marco- Alpha, w-wake up- please."

Bay sighed and stepped closer, seeing Ace instantly trying to hide Marco against him. But she still got closer, putting two fingers on Marco's neck before pulling back. "He's fine. He'll be out for a bit though. Now Ace, you promised, you better not go back on your word, Pops will stay waiting nearby."

Cradling Marco's head in his chest Ace slowly nodded, following Bay attentively as she walk to his other side.

"I promise not to take your pup during these tests, Ace. I just want to check your health."

"…"

With a sigh at the silence she just started to take off Ace's blanket, only for it to be grabbed. Great. They hadn't even actually started yet and She was already being hindered.

"Ace, You pr-"

"Can Marco keep the blanket?"

She blinked at that, "Ehm, sure? I don't see why not. As long as it's not in the way."

With a small grateful smile Ace pulled the blanket back before throwing it lightly over his Alpha, with a grunt pushing himself up to be able to tug in the blanket all around the unconscious body, leaving just one arm out he could cuddle. Nuzzling the other's cheek when he was done, a tiny purr there.

A fond look found Bay's face as she watched Ace take care of Marco in return now that the blond couldn't himself. While the Omega expected to be taken care of by their Alpha in these times, there were no hard feelings to be detected now the Alpha couldn't. It was so sweet…. She hated she had to be the bad guy throughout this all.

"I'm going to need you to lay on your back, Ace." She said as gently as possible, seeing the frown on the raven she thought she would need to call Pops again, but luckily after a few seconds the raven turned, looking at her with a dewy look that pulled at her heartstrings. She started to explain the tests she wanted to do, but Ace shook his head and turned his head, resting it on Marco's shoulders as he clutched to his arms as best as he could while still staying on his bed.

… So this is how it's going to be. "… I'll be as quick as I can." She whispered and got to work, starting with just raising his shirt and pulling the pants a bit lower to feel his bump, soon she would need to undress the raven fully… though for now this was fine.

As Bay worked, Ace was trying to focus on Marco. He had the arm outside the blanket pulled onto his chest, always having is close, while he was softly weaving his fingers through the blond locks. Every now and then going to stroke thumb over his cheeks.

As he himself let out shuddering breaths as he felt the woman poke and prod his bump, he tried to remain calm as he counted the even breath his mate let out. Find the soothing rhythm. However once he felt tugs at his pants he flinched, ignoring the words coming from bay as je softly started counting the breaths out loud. Listening to Marco's heart also was something he liked but… not right now… his position didn't allow it and now it just r-reminded him of the smaller beat that… that wasn't inside him.

Steady breaths, steady breaths. It will be over soon. His legs already on those weird pole-hook things attached to the bed, making him be spread open and…. accessible. He never liked this. Only his mate should be that close to him down there, especially touching, he hated it! But… it was all… it has all been for his pup. For the safety of their boy.

He couldn't hold back a whimper and clutched Marco's arm close, trying to turn to hide into him as he felt something cold being inserted inside of him, only for his waist to be firmly hold still, the object stopping its intrusion.

"I'm sorry, Ace. This is the last test, I promise. Stay still, I don't want to hurt you."

With a small sob he nodded, clenching his eyes shut only for them to fly right open with a small cry of pain as he felt a stab inside of him and he looked to Bay with betrayal. "Y-you said- you said you wouldn't t-touch my p-pup."

"And I didn't." She said pulling out and safely putting the sample she took in a container, "I've only gathered a piece of tissue from your placenta to run more tests on. This tissue possesses the same genetic material as you pup."

"I-it hurt."

"Possible. It's possible you'll bleed a little too, but don't worry, It has nothing to do with your pup. They don't even notice." Even if the pup was already….

With Ace once again staying silents besides sniffing, she cleaned up the Omega before her and got his legs out of the holder. Gently laying them down and dressing him.

"That's it for now. Before I leave, do you want anything to eat, drink? Another blanket?"

She sighed, of course the raven only turned slowly to burry himself into the first commanders' chest. Making her way towards the hallway she looked to Pops, "Could you Ask Thatch to make a… oh, perfect."

She accepted the small cart Pops pulled out from beside him, "Thach already brought it over a few minutes ago, since lunch already passed they should have some food. He made some light things that both of them can eat and was hoping you could give it to them."

"This is good, thank you. I'm just going to give this to them and get another blanket and I'll be out."

Like she said she walked in with the table, putting it next to the bed at Marco's side. Ace wouldn't eat anyway as long as he wasn't awake and Marco would definitely be the one feeding Ace once he was up.

"Ace, next to Marco is a small table with food and drinks for both of you." She said as she went to grab another blanket and gently placed it over the raven when she was back, surprised she actually got a tiny smile as thanks. "Call me if you need me." And she made her way out, pulling one of the bedside curtains with her and placing it in front of the broken down door as she left. The doors couldn't close properly anymore, but this way they still had some privacy.

"Let's go, Pops. I'm going to do all the test in the other infirmary and call another meeting with the results."

Being left alone, Ace sobbed softly against his mate, everything was already so much, and now he had a constant pain in his bump too. Taking tissue? How could that not hurt him or his pup? He wouldn't even be able to try and move his mind for even a second now.

"M-marco!" he gasped when he felt movement after a while, the hand he was holding clenching, "Marco, Alpha? A-are you okay? Please."

Marco felt his cheeks being squeezed, heard the voice he loved, "O-omega?" He whispered, eyes still shut. His body felt a bit numb but also trapped? Only his arm was free. He carefully moved it to his head. Groaning as he let flames come out, healing the throbbing headache first so he could already blink his eyes open as he slowly let them work their way around his body.

He was quickly greeted by the face of his mate, moving his hand from his head he put in on a freckled cheek. Letting it be grabbed and nuzzled against to, bringing a small smile to his lips.

"-ou okay?"

He blinked a few times at the "… I'm…. okay-yoi? What happened?" he now noticed the worried look and looking down for a second he saw that he was fully tugged under a blanket, Ace's blanket, though the raven somehow had another one that wasn't here before.

Sniffing Ace fully embraced Marco's cocooned body now he was awake, out of reflex Marco too freed his trapped arms to hold his mate close.

"P-Pops grabbed you! I-I tried- I tried to help, b-but it was useless." Ace sobbed out, "A-and then- then he knocked you o-out."

Remembering what happened Marco had an arm around Ace's back and head, holding him against him as he growled loudly looking around.

"They're gone." Ace whispered. And proceeded to tell of the choices he had gotten and had chosen to let tests be done so they didn't take him away, that they didn't lock him up. "A-and then- B-bay put something-something inside me. It- it hurt. She said- said it didn't harm the pup, but it hurt! I'm sorry. I'm s-so-sorry. I can't protect a-anyone. I let them hurt you. I let them hurt our pup. I- I let our pup die!"

Marco had been growing more and more mad the more Ace told him. Mad that the others dared to do all that to him. Mad and betrayed at his Pops that he would keep him from protecting his mate. But most of all mad at himself for once more failing. Failing to keep his mate safe, to keep the others at bay. No, instead it was his mate, his pregnant mate that had to take care of him. Had to go trough all the stress and pain because he couldn't protect him, couldn't shield him. And while growing through everything, made sure he protected his Alpha. Covered him, shielded him, made sure he could stay.

His whole inner turmoil however soon switched completely when he heard those last sobbed sentences and his eyes widened before he was grabbing onto Ace even more tightly. "No! No! You didn't-yoi! You didn't do that!" His eyes strained from how flabbergasted he was that his Omega would even think that! He knew the other would and has always put their pup first! The moment anything was said that wasn't safe for the little one, his Omega would give it up instantly, no matter if it was his favourite food or activity, or hell even using his fruit!

"Omega, please." He pleaded as the raven just shook his head, blaming himself. As gentle as he could he made him look up. "You didn't. Please don't say you did." His own eyes were getting moist and his voice cracked, "You didn't. You didn't kill our pup. You would never. Never-yoi. Y-you're my Omega. My perfect mate." He gave a tiny smile, rubbing of a freckled cheek before bringing his hand down under the blankets, running it over Ace's body until he came to his belly. He felt the body twitch under him but he didn't stop, he instead caressed the stretched skin. "You d-did so well. He was- he was h-healthy-yoi."

"N-not anymore." Two words spoken full of despair

God, the lump in his throat felt so heavy but he couldn't let it be that Ace put any blame on himself. "No… not anymore… but h-he was. All this time. Y-you cared for him. Gave him the energy to g-grow. And he grew!" Marco gave a wet chuckle, squeezing the bump lightly. "He got s-so big. T-that's all you, love. Y-you gave him t-this chance. Even if… even if…"

He started sobbing, he brought his hand up from the belly, not wanting to use the one embracing Ace, and put it over his eyes. Trying to gain back enough control of himself to keep going. "Even if… H-he didn't… he didn't make it-yoi. It d-doesn't make your love, our love, a-any less. I'll love him, our first pup together, I'll love him forever. I-I'll remember him forever."

Once more needing a break, he pulled his crying mate into his chest, buying his own face in the raven locks. "I want to scream at the world. I want to yell all over the oceans. Ask… demand why our little one was taken from us. But not at you-yoi. Never at you, Omega!"

He accentuated his words by kissing the hairs under him, rubbing along the trembling back. "Losing him. It hurt us, both of us. But you more so, having carried him all this time. And-… and I- I'm sure… I'm sure he's grateful, Omega-yoi, Ace…f-for the li-little time he got. O-our pup knows we loved him. That we'll always love him. T-that's what I-I want to believe….. So don't, Ace. Don't say you did this. Our pup, me, We know you didn't. We both know. We both love you, s-so so much."

As he sobbed softly himself, Marco kept holding his mate in silence as the other cried, kissing his head whenever he had a chance. He said was he had to say, hoped he was able to convey what he wanted. Though he would repeat his love for both of them whenever his mate wanted.

It took a while before Ace could speak, so much growing through him, and he didn't get out a lot of words, but he hoped they were enough. "I-I love- I love you- two too! Al-always!" Another strong kiss to his head reassured him for now that it was enough, even if the tears kept flowing from both of them, for now enough words had been spoken.