LeavesofMyself: Well, here we are at part four. I hope you enjoy it. I think my next chapter is going to be something far darker… That's if I finish it in time.
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Pairing: Kevin x Eddy
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Mpreg, A/B/O dynamics, dark themes, potty mouths, omegan sexism, slight child neglect, and a birthing scene.
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35 weeks
Eddy suffered silently at the small table tucked in the corner. He hadn't expected so many of Kevin's relatives to show up, each one charmingly introducing themselves to Eddy as they congratulated the couple on their child. It was overwhelming to say the least, especially considering almost no one from his own family had come to support him. It stung, knowing that he was viewed so lowly by people he thought to be closest to him.
Eddy tried to find small comfort in having his best friends present, Double D keeping close to Eddy due to his own social anxiety. Both were overly amused as Ed joined in most of the baby shower games, particularly how he almost stabbed one of Kevin's aunts during Pin the Pacifier. Luckily, Sarah had a prior engagement, which meant the fiery red head was pleasantly absent.
Kevin mingled with almost everyone at some point, doing his best to play the good host to his family. Rolf had met him with an eager shake of his hand, slapping the red head on the back loudly as he shouted praise in his mother tongue before presenting Kevin with an actual chicken, much to the red head's chagrin.
Eddy had wanted to try and partake more, but he was utterly exhausted, his feet swollen and his hips and back aching something terrible. He would wince every now and then, his hand rubbing soothingly at his gentle swell as the discomfort continued to plague him.
Finally, Kevin made his way over to his omega, his athletic body slipping into the chair beside the quiet teen.
"You okay?" Kevin questioned, eyes scanning the omega's frame, looking for what was causing the obvious distress.
"I'm fine." Eddy said, another wince passing over his face as he felt a Braxton Hick flare up.
"You sure? Hate to say it Eddy, but you look like shit." Kevin said as he gently rubbed a hand up and down the younger teen's back, feeling the stiffness of the muscles underneath.
"Oh, gee, thanks." Eddy said somewhat annoyed, his voice taking a sarcastic note as he glared over at the red head.
"I didn't mean it like that. You just… look…" Kevin started, watching as Eddy's scowl deepened with each word.
"Miserable." Double D finished for him, taking his shot in the firing range. Eddy scoffed, muttered a quiet 'fuck you' before he popped a grape into his mouth, vehemently chewing it to release some of his pent up aggression.
"We're worried." Double D said a little more gently, getting an obnoxious eye roll from the pregnant teen.
"You have a funny way of showing it." Eddy grumbled, popping another grape into his mouth, pausing in his chewing to wince again, the heel of his hand digging into the spot where the painful discomfort seemed to flare from.
"Eddy, babe," the Alpha started to say but was quickly silenced when the omega abruptly stood up and walked away. The older teen shot a questioning glance over to Double D, only to receive a helpless shrug in return. With a gruff of his own, Kevin quickly followed after the younger teen, catching him in a few large strides.
"Eddy, what's wrong?" Kevin questioned as he caught up to Eddy, catching him by the arm. The young teen said nothing as he quietly led his lover outside into the chilly air.
"Eddy?" Kevin tried again, this time getting a huff of irritation.
"I'm just exhausted. I hardly slept last night." Eddy hissed, tears of frustration popping up in his eyes, a hand pressed against the pain in his back and the one shooting through his abdomen.
"I'm sorry, baby. Why didn't you wake me?" the Alpha questioned as he gently pulled the omega teen to him, his strong arms wrapping securely around Eddy.
"No point in both of us being tired assholes." Eddy mumbled, getting a light chuckle from the Alpha. The omega left a few tears fall as a few sniffles left him, Kevin gently pulling back to better look at the upset teen.
"What else is bothering you?" Kevin coaxed, one hand gently resting under Eddy's chin as the other slowly rubbed his arm.
"I just… All of this." Eddy sobbed, his hands wildly gesturing at all of himself, "I'm tired of being fat!"
"Babe, look at me, you're pregnant, not fat." Kevin soothed, but Eddy only pulled away, a grimace on his face as he paced slowly.
"No, I'm fat! I'm hideous!" Eddy said in-between sobs, his hand brushing harshly through his locks in his distress, "You don't see how people look at me! Like I'm fucking trash or something. It wasn't like I wanted to get pregnant."
Eddy continued to cry, his breaths coming in shuddering gasps, his voice growing more distorted with his anguish. Kevin tried to calm the tormented omega, but the teen just kept pulling away.
"Eddy, fuck all those people; okay. Fuck. Them. You are beautiful, and I'm happy to call you my mate." Kevin said, his voice taking a slight edge to it.
"Stop! Okay! You don't have to pretend for me; I know I'm not your mate!" Eddy screamed catching the attention of some of the patrons inside, including Eddy's mother.
"Eddy…"
"No! You marked me but that's where it stops… You're no more mine than when you were with Nazz." Eddy sobbed, his thoughts scattering and that damn pain fraying his nerves.
"That's not true, Eddy." Kevin said as Eddy's mother made her way out, anger masked on her face as she stormed over, "I am yours."
"Liar… You're unmarked… And I was just a casual mistake." Eddy cried, tears pouring down his cheeks as he turned away from the Alpha, sobs escaping him as he walked a few paces away.
"That's enough Kevin; clearly your presence is only upsetting Eddy." Nancy interrupted, her cold voice quickly snapping the jock's attention to her.
"Stay out of this," his own voice was just as cold, harsh even, as he glared at the woman standing between them.
"I will not! You have done enough! You need to leave!" Eddy's mother argued, her hand violently pointing in a direction away from the small event center.
"Stay outta of it Nancy!" Kevin growled, a deep rolling rumble vibrating through him as he bared his canines in warning.
"I will not! Don't you fucking flash your teeth-"
"Stay out!" the command was sudden, like a cold snap on a summer's day; it came so quick and sudden that it left Eddy's mother grasping for words. The Alpha had shown himself, and he wasn't about to back down, not while his omega was troubled and certainly not because of this woman.
Kevin sidestepped Nancy as she struggled to calm herself after the Alpha's outburst, her cheeks flushed though her mouth trembled. Kevin reached his distraught omega, turning the petite teen to face him softly.
"Eddy, I don't know how to make you believe me… But I want this bond between us; I want you to complete the link." Kevin said as he placed fluttering kisses to Eddy's shocked face.
"Wha?" Eddy said, lips trembling as a fresh wave of tears began to fall.
"Eddy, I want you as my mate for life." The Alpha whispered, lips lingering over Eddy's, "I love you."
Their lips connected, briefly the first time and then more intimately the second time reconnecting their lips, tongues engaging in a slow duel that sent tingles through both teens, a soft, gradual show of affection on full display. When Kevin pulled back, Eddy followed, lips trying to lock with Alpha's once more, chasing that warm desire from the older teen.
Finally, Eddy broke the kiss, a few tears still falling, but a watery smile pulled at his lips, "I… lo-Holy Shit! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Eddy began but immediately cut away into a groan as a shot of pain twisted his abdomen.
"Eddy?" both Kevin and his mother questioned at the same time, concern flooding both of their voice. Eddy said nothing, face scrunching as his torment dragged on, gasps of pain on lips as his knees threatened to buckle underneath him.
Almost a full minute later and the omega was gasping, his hands automatically cupping his pregnant belly as he caught his breath.
"I'm okay… just another Braxton Hick." Eddy uttered as his body loosened tensed muscles. Nancy walked over to her son, gently taking him by the arm.
"They're not supposed to hurt," she whispered lowly, concern flooding her eyes as she held onto Eddy, "Be uncomfortable, yes… But not hurt."
"That's a load! These damn things are just getting worse!" Eddy cried, hands still trying to desperately rub the pain away.
"Eddy," she started, her face twisted with worry, "How long have you been having them?"
Eddy looked at his mother confused before he thought back to when he first felt the flash of pain pull through his abdomen, "I dunno; since 3 AM, or somewhere around there."
"Eddy!" his mother cried, her concern growing as she looked to the Alpha, who muttered about getting the car and disappearing, "Eddy, I think you're having contractions."
The omega shook his head softly, still panting from his ordeal, "No. It's just those fake ones."
"Do you know if your water broke?" his mother asked as she gently lead him toward the side walk where Kevin was quickly pulling his car up to.
"What? How would I know?" Eddy hissed softly as he was ushered toward the car.
"You may have felt a popping sensation and then a gush of fluid. Or it could have been a slow leak." Nancy said hurriedly, opening the door to Kevin's passenger seat and helping her son to be seated.
"Umm…. I had to change at some point because my bottoms were wet." Eddy said as he tensed again, that rolling pain tugging tightly at his abdominal muscles as they contracted harshly. Eddy let out a cry, his teeth sinking into his lower lip as his hands clutched onto his mother's person harshly.
"He's in labor!" she wasn't speaking to him anymore, that much he could ascertain through his haze. He was pushed fully into the car, the door slamming closed next to him as the window was rolled down at the same time.
"I'll take care of things here and then meet you at the hospital. You take care of my baby!" Nancy quickly spewed before turning and quickly entering the event center. Kevin saw her frantic movements briefly before he peeled out of the parking lot, doing his best to quickly get to the hospital without killing anyone.
Eddy gasped in his seat, one hand gripping the door handle in a death grip as the other rubbed his pregnant swell. Eddy's hand quickly switched to grabbing onto Kevin's wrist before the Alpha maneuvered his hand so the omega was holding it tightly.
"I can't…" Eddy gasped, his sentence tapering off into a moan as he felt another contraction twist his insides, "I can't…. Too soon."
Kevin understood Eddy's fear; it was his own, and he had nothing to say to comfort the agonized teen.
--
"Ow! Fuck!" Eddy cried as another contraction ripped through him, his hand clutching tightly to Kevin's as he gasped and moaned his way through the pain, "Ow! Ow! Ow!"
Kevin did his best to soothe the omega, but clearly there wasn't much he could do. They had arrived at the hospital almost two hours ago, Eddy immediately being whisked away to the Labor and Delivery unit. There, they met with one of the specialists, who informed the teens, after some time, that Eddy wasn't responding to the meds.
Eddy was going to deliver their child at 35 weeks preterm. They were immediately warned of the risks that could develop, and that their daughter will most likely need to be held in the NICU for a while; a thought that sent the omega nearly hyperventilating in fear.
This was supposed to be a happy occasion, welcoming their daughter into the world… Instead, they were twisted with grief and anxiety of what could come.
Kevin had solemnly informed Eddy's mother of this information, which sent the woman into desperate overdrive as she called for Eddy's father and brother… just in case. At the moment, she was still out of the room, Terry having arrived only minutes ago. There still hadn't been a response from Eddy's father.
Pain tore through Eddy again, the young teen whining as he rode his contraction. His Alpha held his hand as he whispered softly into his ears, words of encouragement and praise dancing softly through his flurried thoughts. He tried doing as the nurse had suggested, breathing through the contraction… at the moment, he was convinced that had been a load of bullshit.
"Ow! God damn it! Fuck!" Eddy gasped as the last of the contraction finally passed, a whimper leaving him as the pain in his lower back continued to linger.
A nurse walked in, a gentle smile on her face as she took in the young teens, "How are we doing in here?"
"Shitty!" Eddy whined, a wince still contorting his face as he panted lightly, "This sucks… why can't I have the epidural?"
"Babe," it was Kevin trying to reason with him, lips pressing gentle kisses to his forehead, "You know you can't. It's to dangerous in your condition."
"This is bullshit!" Eddy whined, chest panting slightly.
The nurse nodded sympathetically, gently rubbing one of Eddy's folded thighs as he shifted uncomfortably, "Let's go ahead and do a cervical exam, check your dilation."
Eddy groaned, loudly vocalizing his distaste for the exams; they were incredibly uncomfortable and sometimes painful. This time proved to be no different. Eddy's face scrunched at the unpleasantness, a grunt of discomfort leaving him before the nurse finally pulled away.
"You're at 8 centimeters. You're almost there." The nurse said gently before asking if either of the teens needed anything before leaving.
"You're doing good, Eddy." Kevin spoke up, only to receive a nasty glare from the omega.
"Shut up; don't talk to me." Eddy hissed, teeth clenching as he began to feel that familiar tightening, "This is all your fault!"
The Alpha had wanted to say that they both had been at fault, neither one of them considering contraceptives. He wisely chose to remain silent.
Only a few seconds later, Eddy's mother walked into the room, immediately assuming a position at the omega's side as he labored. Terry followed through the door shortly, quickly catching Eddy's attention, though he was too preoccupied with his current contraction to say anything.
"You… say anything… remotely… assholery… and I will… kick you out… so fucking fast…" Eddy said in-between his panting, his face flushed from the pain as Kevin dabbed at the sweat collecting on his forehead.
"You won't have too, babe; I'll fucking kill him." Kevin growled, a low, dangerous drawl to his words as his eyes alit with murderous rage, his inner beast primed and ready to protect his omega.
Eddy's elder brother starred down the red head, a spark of challenge in his own eyes for a moment, before he held his hands up in surrender, slowly walking over to the others. Eddy's mother kissed Eddy several times on his cheek, before she excused herself once more to once again reach out to the missing father.
"How are you holding up?" it was that smooth, sleek tone he was familiar with, but without the edge of malice that usually lurked beneath.
"Oh! Fucking peachy!" Eddy snorted, a roll of his eyes showing he was in no mood for play. That got a chuckle out of his brother, which made Eddy's eye twitch in irritation.
"Yeah, I get it. Dumb fucking question." Terry said as he sat down in the vacant seat his mother had previously occupied.
"Just a little… Ow! FUCK!" Eddy cried as another contraction pulled his muscles taunt, the pain washing over almost his entire lower body. A large, rough hand was held out for him, causing Eddy to turn a dubious expression to his Big Bro.
"You're trying not to hurt lover boy over there." Terry said, getting a warning snarl from said Alpha, which the young adult shrugged off, "But you can squeeze the shit outta my hand. No need to hold back."
Eddy took that as a challenge, his hand clamping down onto Terry's much larger one, squeezing with all of his strength, twisting his hand slightly to grind the bones together.
Huh… that did make him feel better. Who knew?
"I just want this to be over!" Eddy whined as his muscles began to relax slightly.
"You're almost there, babe." Kevin said as he planted several kisses to the one smothering his own, "Just a little longer."
"How far…" the elder siblings started but forgot the words he needed, so he simply gestured towards Eddy's protruding belly.
"Couple more centimeters and then he can push." Kevin answered, his hand bringing an ice chip to Eddy's mouth to suck on.
"Yay…" Eddy said sarcastically, munching down on the ice rather than savoring it, "Swear to god, I'm gonna punch you in the dick!"
And there was that nasty threat the omega had been spewing at him for almost an hour now. He wanted to point out that that would help nothing, but again, he valued his life, so he kept quiet physically.
Terry gave a boisterous laugh, "Damn, bro; you're brutal."
Eddy huffed, blue eyes glaring at the Alpha next to him, "It's his fault!"
Kevin sighed, accepting the verbal abuse, considering it a small price to pay.
Nancy came back into the room, tears evident in her eyes as she walked over to the trio, a shaky smile her lips as she tried to play pretend. Kevin could guess why she was so upset, and it made his violent temper flare but he quickly reigned it in, not wanting to cause more stress than there already was.
The woman walked over to the chair her eldest sat in, quickly placing herself in that seat when Terry vacated it. She reached out, a hand grasping Eddy's, her smile pulled taunt as a few tears fell.
Eddy hadn't been all too aware of his mother's own pain and stress as he rode the waves of another contraction, a mewl leaving him as he clamped down on his Alpha's hand.
"You're doing so good, Eddy." She whispered to him, her tone breaking every so often with a muffled cry. She felt her elder son's hands grasp her shoulders in solace, her eyes briefly glancing back at him as he held out his hand. Defeated, she silently handed over her cellphone, the older brother excusing himself moments later. Duel blue eyes watched him leave, a sliver of light in each of them.
--
He stalked down the corridors, a dark glower on his face as dead eyes glared at anything moving. He quickly made it to the waiting room before he strolled over to the elevators, riding the machine down to the lobby where he exited the building. Standing off the main path, under a slim tree, he lit a cigarette, inhaling the crisp flavor before pushing out the fumes.
Hard eyes looked down, his large thumb quickly pressing a button, listening to the line dial out. Once. Twice.
Seven times before a rough voice came over the line, hissed words sneered on repeat from earlier conversations. He let the other ramble, listening to the tantrum the grown man was throwing as he puffed on his cancer stick. When that raging voice fell silent, he struck.
"The fuck do you think you're doing?" he didn't need to raise his voice, didn't need to incite it with his anger; his cold, clipped tone expressed everything for him. Silence filled the other end, the only thing breaking through is the casual spurt of static and the sound of lungs breathing.
"Terry?" the other male was confused; it had been his wife's number that called him, was it not?
"That's right." He said emotionless, lips still sucking the life out of his cigarette.
"What the hell do you want?" it came as a biting remark, meant to intimidate; but it did no such thing.
"You forget yourself, old man." The last part was spoken with a dangerous threat, tone low and dark… the voice of a killer.
"You watch yourself!" he could hear the other rage, the man's anger pulling out the unstable beast dwelling deep within his core, "I'm not putting up with your shit!"
"Oh, but I think you are." Terry said, almost casually, his free hand flicking his lighter to life, "See, I think you're going to do exactly what I say."
A boisterous laugh had him holding the phone away from his ear, free hand still flicking his lighter as he gazed into the bright flame. As the other male collected himself, his father sneered at him,
"How the fuck do you think you're gonna do that?" more laughing before that laughed caught in the man's throat as he choked on it, a ragged cough filling the line.
"Because we both know who the real Alpha of this family is." So cold, biting words slipping from his mouth as a unsteady beast awoke in his eyes. A raging stumble of words over the phone had him giving his own hollow laugh, thumb flicking his lighter once more.
"I did as you requested; I left so you could keep your throne of delusion," the elder child spoke, tone flat but crawling with dark intentions, "Now, I'm taking my rightful place."
"Have you lost your god damn-"
"Silence." His beast growled, feral energy soaking the words in venom. It left the other man on the other end sputtering, syllables of words forming only to die into strangled words.
"Now, be a good boy and listen," he paused, lungs filling with that bittersweet smoke before exhaling it, watching as dissipated on the wind, "You have a choice, show up here and support Eddy..."
"And if I don't?" he was challenging him, trying desperately to cling to his title as Alpha of the family. It made him chuckle in amusement.
"I'll show you why you're no longer head Alpha." His threat cold, voice hollow as he manically watched the small flame flare up as he flicked the lighter once more.
"I'd like to see you fucking try!" came growled response, igniting the beast within him further as his thoughts filled with nasty fantasies.
"Oh?" Terry said, a deep, vicious rumble forming in his chest as he basked in the challenge, "We both know I'm more than capable."
A hiss filled the phone, Terry merely allowing a glowing smirk to fill his lips as he listened to the fuming Alpha. All too easy.
"We both know you were an absolute shit of a father." Terry said, finishing the last of his cigarette before snuffing out the flame beneath his heavy boot, "Now's your chance to make it right, so to speak."
"You little shit! Who the hell do you think you are?" his father screamed from the other end. Terry felt his inner beast pull its way to the forefront of his mind, all snarling teeth and dripping canines.
"If something happens, and you aren't here, I will personally drag you to hell myself." His beast uttered, gravely tone scrapping against ear drums as the threat was issued. Silence reigned for a moment, a smothered whimper whispering through before the line went dead.
--
Terry hummed slightly, reaching into his pants to pull out another cigarette and light it. His veins coursed with his pumping adrenaline, Alpha pheromones blanketing the air around him with malice. As the saccharine sweet taste kissed his tongue, the Alpha looked up to the dark sky, a deadly smile twisting his lips.
He groaned loudly, the pain lacing through him as he pushed with his contraction, lungs gasping as the doctor finished her count, Eddy's frame limply falling into the thin mattress beneath. There were so many faces now, eyes all staring at him as he struggled; it was uncomfortable, exposing.
A hand ran through his hair, causing pained eyes to look over at his Alpha, a whimper leaving him as he was commanded to push again.
"I can't…" he gasped, a loud moan of pain pulling from his diaphragm as the contraction hit, "I can't…"
Yet he did, his weight bearing down in a choppy effort to rid his body of the pain, of the immense pressure. Seconds ticked, his body automatically collapsing at the count of ten.
His lungs burned for air, dark spots dancing in front of his vision. A stark command, shuffling of a body near his, and his oxygen mask was over his face, pumping air into his tired lungs.
The demand came again, his body far too exhausted to follow, bold tears slipping down his cheeks as he cried out at the pain washing through him. He couldn't breath, body far too taunt with pain as he contracted again, a loud cry leaving him as he laid there.
"Eddy, you can do this; you need to push." The doctor stated, seated between his spread thighs, eyes carefully watching the most intimate parts of him.
A sob left the omega as he shook his head, "I can't… I can't … Hurts."
"Yes you can Eddy, you're almost there. Give us a big push, okay." They encouraged him, tone stern, leaving zero room for argument.
The hand of pain came again and he bared down with it, feeling his body bend and stretch to pass his child through. Again, he was left gasping, his hand a death grip on his Alpha. Kevin soothed him as best he could, blanketing the omega in a cloud of calm and comfort as the young teen struggled to give birth. He gently placed kisses to Eddy's sweaty brow, mumbling words of praise and encouragement into his ears.
Eddy groaned once more, his body tensing up for the umpteenth time that hour. Another long pause to push and then he was left weak and breathless. Small sounds of anguish continuously fell from his lips as he felt the immense pressure in his pelvis.
"Okay, Eddy. Your baby's head is out. On your next contraction, push as hard as you can." The doctor instructed, nurses moving to and fro in a readiness of the life about to enter the world.
A deep breath, and he bared every ounce of strength into his last push, a loud cry leaving his lips as the pressure blossomed, deepening until he thought he would be consumed by it. A quick gasp of breath as a mid break and he was back at it, mouth falling open in a silent scream as pressure built to impossible levels. A brief second and it was gone, his body collapsing into the bed as he tried to pull air into his lungs.
He heard those sweet cries, like music to his ears; he felt the weight on his chest, but all he saw was blackness. His heart felt like it was thudding impossibly hard behind his ribcage, the sound of his own heartbeat in his head. He felt the sluggish movement of his own blood through his choked veins as air came to him less and less.
He could hear the machines whirling, a stampede of feet moving as nurses and doctors rushed around him… He heard the awful cry his Alpha gave before a deafening tone played in his ears, unseeing eyes slipping closed, lungs ceasing to breathe.
--
He struggled all the way to the waiting room, pulling and twisting to break free, to get back to his omega. He almost got away, twice, but more and more hands held him, dragged his unwilling frame from the room until he was shielded by locked doors. His fist hit the door once, twice, would have a third time if he hadn't been pulled into an embrace.
He knew this scent, grew up with it, always by his side. He let himself fall apart in those arms, soul ripping to pieces as he continued to hear that shuddering gasp from dying lips. Those glazed eyes haunting his memories.
He felt another set of arms around him, pulling him, moving him into a vacated seat. Once there he curled in on himself, wracking sobs breaking him as he pulled at his hair from the stress of it all.
It felt like forever before he could breathe properly, red-stained green eyes opening to look brokenly at those surrounding him. A nauseating blend of faces had him dry heaving, body stressed beyond its limits. Several minutes passed before he could open his eyes again, blurry focus sharpening on the people around him. He should have felt ashamed, to appear so weak in front of everyone, but all he could think about… all he could see… was a fading Eddy slipping through his fingers.
His breakdown had triggered others; Eddy's mother clinging tightly to her eldest son, her own body racked with sobs. Terry's eyes looked watery, but his face was kept at a perfect neutral.
At some point, Eddy's friends had shown up, obviously there to support him during his labor. Now, they leaned against one another, limbs tangled as they cried, one loudly and the other silently allowing tears to track down his face.
Kevin's mother held him in her arms, her own eyes red from crying, while his father sat next to her, silently comforting the distraught woman, a solemn look on his face.
He tried to speak, to say something, anything really, but grief swallowed his voice. Green eyes looked down at the cold floor, more tears misting his eyes as he was forced to think about a life without his omega, without Eddy.
Eddy was the sun he basked in, the stars in his eyes, the moon that lent him its soft glow. Eddy was everything to him, a piece of his soul. What would he do without him?
Who would mother their child?
His mind lost itself to his dark thoughts, his soul conjuring up a lifetime worth of scenarios, each one bleaker than the last. Was this to be his life? Given a blessing but at the cost of his world. It seemed cruel, far too cruel for one teen to face.
His leg tapped an unknown rhythm into the floor as his hands grasped at his hair, pulling enough that a few strands broke lose. Tears still fell, though his cries of anguish have turned inward, no one hearing the devastation eating his soul.
Faces changed periodically, others in the waiting room as their own joys were brought to life. Endless cries of happiness that seared into his brain; he was supposed to be doing that. Today was supposed to be filled with celebration of a new life, not the haunting shadow of caskets and funerals.
Shadows passed along the corridor walls as time slipped by, their party frozen in a moment of complete despair as everything around them moved forward. They were stuck, waiting with baited breath for news of the fallen omega.
Forever passed before a doctor appeared, her voice calling for them as hazel eyes darted around. Like a tsunami, they sprang at once, hording around the woman as questions poured out of their lips. The doctor gave a sigh, one hand being held up to put an end to the chaos.
"I want to inform you that Eddy did experience cardiac arrest, and his heart stopped." She calmly spoke, mask of professionalism in place as the tears came once more, "However, we were able to revive him and he is now stable and receiving further care."
Wails of relief flooded the quiet room as they took in the news. Kevin's lungs still ached, as if he couldn't breath, the words tumbling out before he could stop them, "What about long-term damage? Is he going to be his normal self?"
The medical professional gave a charmingly sympathetic smile, "There could be long terms effects, such as mobility issues or memory loss. We'll know more after a bit of testing."
Just like that, she was gone again, form secured by badge-powered doors. Kevin slumped down into his seat, eyes gazing unseeingly as the world passed them by once more.
--
He made camp by the omega's bedside for a second time, body only moving to relieve himself. He scarcely ate, drank only when forced too. He was falling apart at the seams and it seemed everyone was trying their best to keep his pieces together.
He had crumbled when first seeing his omega; gone was the snarky attitude and teasing lips. Instead, he was met with a dilapidated form, Eddy's frame seeming so small and lifeless with tube's jutting here or there. A machine took every breath for him, his heartbeat keeping a steady rhythm in the aching silence. It made his knees weak and the pleas to spew forth as he tried to keep himself sane.
The view of his loved one laying so brokenly on the hospital bed did nothing but abuse his mind. He saw it all day, everyday… he even saw it in his sleep. He had wondered, at one point, if this would be the only memory seared into his brain of the omega. Would he forget all of those beautiful memories, only to be left with this?
Others kept him company some days, their soft cries haunting his dreams as that ever-faithful beeping supplied the morbid melody. They would talk to Eddy, tell him wonderful things, beg him to return to them. Some told the silent omega tidbits about their daughter, how strong she was, how beautiful. Those stories hurt more than anything, as Kevin had yet to visit his daughter, conscious terrified that if he left, that would be the last time he saw Eddy… above ground.
Nancy and his mother had tried to coax him to the NICU, saying that seeing his daughter would help. He wanted to see her, wanted so badly to be with her; but who would watch over Eddy? Who would be here in case he woke up?
He was torn between his two loves; he could only be with one at a time. He chose to stay with Eddy, his soul screaming that their child could be replaced; Eddy could not be, however. It made Kevin sick to himself that he had allowed that thought to occur, vicious self hatred keeping him awake.
He was given news though, from Nancy, who has shown great pity towards him lately. His daughter was being released from the NICU, she being deemed strong enough to be discharged. That brought some comfort to his aching heart, his own mother and Nancy making plans so the newborn could be setup in Eddy's room… to be closer to both mother and father.
His dulled green eyes stared off into space, gaze not really seeing as his teeth chewed his already raw finger in his distraction. He briefly glanced over the omega, soul burning for the touch of its better half, his inner Alpha howling in grief for its lover.
Eddy looked better than when he first saw him, those invasive tube's removed as the young teen breathed on his own. Eddy had awoken briefly, conscious barely there before he slipped back under. Kevin held the hope that their child's cries would pull Eddy permanently from his endless slumber.
Hours slipped by, dutiful green eyes watching the rise and fall of his mate's chest. He would smother his omega in kisses, spell sweet everythings into his ears; a wayward hand would slip through those thick, disheveled locks. He must have told Eddy that he loved him every minute, and the longer silence met those words, the deeper the scar ran.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a knock on the door caught his attention. He mumbled a low welcome, the large, wooden door opening to reveal his mother and Nancy. His eyes immediately locked onto the pink blanket in his mother's arms, soft little coos dancing in the air as the infant moved.
His mother walked over to him, his eyes following her every move. Nancy stood in the doorway, a tired smile on her face as father met daughter for the first time. The infant was delicately placed into the Alpha's thick arms, his mother instructing him like a child on how to properly hold her.
She was gorgeous, an absolute picture of perfection. Kevin felt his throat choke up as he held his daughter, eyes finally seeing her after so long. She had Eddy's dark hair, cute little dimples on rosy colored cheeks. Kevin maneuvered his hand, allowing his child to cling onto one of this fingers with her tiny fist.
Kevin had tears in his eyes for a different reason, hand tenderly trailing a feather light touch across his child's face. She squirmed a little, a yawn exhaling from her as she settled back into sleep.
"She's beautiful." Kevin said, his smile bright as he carefully held his child, an unknown warmth filling the void in him.
"Prettiest baby I've ever seen." Nancy agreed from her place next to Eddy, her lips pressing kisses to his face as she mumbled words only he could hear.
"Do you have a name for her?" his mother asked gently, her heart full with the image of her baby holding his baby.
"Eddy liked the name Brigitte." He answered softly, receiving a pleased hum from both women in the room.
"I think that's beautiful." His own mother said as she watched her son try to soothe the now fussing baby. The Alpha gently rocked the infant in his arms, hushing her beginning whimpers as she tossed about.
All too soon, the peace was broken by her powerful wails, Kevin softly rocking her as Nancy reached for the pre-made formula bottle, handing it off to the red head. The jock listened closely to how he was to feed his child, delicately shifting her so he could burp her per the women's instructions.
Despite his still unconscious omega, Kevin felt his soul lighten, his daughter's cries beautiful music to his ears. He couldn't stop the gigawatt smile if he tried.
--
He had felt this, once before, not so long ago. Stuck, weightless, in a sea of black. This time, he knew he had to prepare, save his strength entirely for when the time was right. He would hold onto that light in a never-ending death grip, ensuring he could not fall back under.
It took some time, far too much time. The longer he spent in that black void, the more he felt that this was truly it, that there was no waking up. But he could hear voices, calling out to him as they once did before. He hung onto every syllable uttered, some of the sounds an incoherent jumble, but he found strength in them nonetheless.
It wasn't the sweet words of a lover, or the pleas of a mother that finally drew him from his eternal slumber, but the soft noises of a tiny being, one who did not yet know words. He had never met the being that produced those sounds, but every part of his being yearned for it.
When his eyes opened, he had to blink them several times, forcing the blurry images to focus. Tired eyes looked around, trying to find the source of those noises, the ones that deeply pulled at his omegan instincts. His eyes roamed over the room, over to the body near his bed, to his Alpha.
It was what was in the Alpha's arms that had Eddy nearly crying out. What escaped him was a whispered whimper, quiet in nature, but thundering loud in the near silent room. Green eyes shifted from the bundle in his arms, to the omega struggling to pull himself up, desperate eyes locked onto their child.
Kevin forgot to breathe for a moment, his heart bursting with joy as he glanced into the pools he knew so well. Quickly he stood, his body taking the few steps over to the small bassinet, gently placing their alert daughter down before he quickly made his way over to Eddy.
Eddy, eyes still focused on the bassinet, swallowed back a shocked cry as his Alpha practically collapsed onto him, strong arms pulling him tightly to the other as loose sobs and falling tears overtook the trembling jock. Wide blue eyes blinked slowly, before a hand came up to touch his Alpha, the red head immediately grabbing his hand and smothering it in kisses.
"Fuck, Eddy; I'm so happy your awake." Kiss. "I missed you so much." Kiss. "Thought I lost you." Kiss. "Love you." Kiss. "So much." Kiss.
Eddy made a noise of concern as Kevin continuously poured rambling thoughts in between the kisses he would place on Eddy's face. His Alpha was frantic, like this was a possibility that didn't exist.
"Kev?" his voice was rough, scratchy to his own ears; it made him wonder how long had been out this time, "It's… okay."
Kevin hugged him tightly, nearly squeezing the air out of him, "Fuck, baby. Thought you were gone… Scared me to death… Fuck, I love you, so god damn much."
Eddy consciously pushed out a wave of comfort through his scent, waiting patiently until Kevin pulled himself together, climbing off the omega to sit beside him on the bed. Eddy wanted to ask what happened, wanted to know why his Alpha was so upset, but the small whimper from his left had his head quickly turning to the bassinet.
"Kev." His Alpha understood, gently setting the bed into a seated position with one hand, the other pressing the call button to alert the staff.
Eddy made an annoyed nose as a few medical personnel swarmed him, poking and prodding, asking him to do this and that, what he remembered. He was getting extremely frustrated, soft little growls warning he was reaching his limit. The only thing keeping him from lashing out was his Alpha by his side, gently caressing him to mend his ire.
After what seemed like eternity, the medical personnel left after putting out a call to the specialist in charge of his case. Eddy was left alone with his Alpha, the omega relaxing in the other's sturdy presence.
Kevin pressed a sweet kiss to the omega's lips, lingering for a few moments before pulling away. The jock stood from the bed, making his way over to his daughter, gently lifting the alert child in his arms before he slowly made his way back to Eddy.
A shared kiss and then the omega's arms were full, his daughter delicately placed in them. Eddy could feel himself choke up, tears gathering in his eyes as he stared down at tiny infant.
"She's so pretty." Eddy said, voice cracking from his overwhelmed emotions, "She has your eyes."
The omega gave a happy chuckle, completely smitten with the tiny green eyes that stared up at him. He brought his daughter up higher, lips placing a gentle kiss to her forehead. A sweet coo and then she gave a smile, which had Eddy choking on his emotions.
"Her name is Brigitte." Kevin said softly as he sat by his omega's side, a warm smile on his face as he swelled with pride at his small family.
"Brigitte?" Eddy questioned, eyes pulling away from their infant to look deeply at his Alpha, "I like that."
"You're the one who picked it." Kevin chuckled lightly, twisting his body until his mate and child were pressed against him, their warm presence heavy in his arms.
"Well, it is me after all." Eddy joked, his arm lifting Brigitte once more to place a kiss to her cheek. All too soon their peace was broken when their tiny infant daughter began to whimper before letting out a healthy cry. Kevin immediately moved into action, his form walking over to a table where the formula mixture sat.
Minutes later he was handing over a bottle to the unsure omega. Eddy looked over the bottle in his hands, a frown on his face, "I don't want to feed her formula."
"I understand that," Kevin started as he helped Eddy shift into a more comfortable position before showing him how to feed the small girl, "Just do this until we get clearance from the specialist, okay?"
Eddy grumbled under his breath, but did as instructed, heart swelling as he watched the tiny being drink her fill. Kevin had resumed his position next to the omega, arms holding the pair.
Eddy looked up from their feeding daughter, a dreamy smile on his lips. The Alpha noticed this, leaning down to rest his forehead against Eddy's, lips almost close enough to touch.
"I love you." The omega whispered, causing tears to shine in Kevin's eyes. The red head smile brightly, lips encasing the omega's in a romantic kiss.
"I love you too."
--
LeavesofMyself: I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for sticking with me.