The room fell quiet before Mew opened his mouth. He didn't know how to start now that he really had to explain everything. The last weeks had been hell for him, he wanted to beat himself up for what he had put Gulf and their unborn child trough. He knew he couldn't just leave everything and be with Gulf because things still had to be taken care of. His child. He felt giddy just thinking about it but right now he needed Gulf the most to trust him again. He knew over the past weeks he couldn't live without him. He needed him in his life.

"I'm sorry for what I have put you through the last weeks. That I've put you in danger." Mew started. He couldn't put in words how sorry he was. How could he ever get his trust back? Mew pulled Gulf closer against him as he felt his throat tighten. He put his head on top of Gulfs and continued.

"The last weeks have been for me to clean up the mess I've gotten involved in. As you have heard I'm a bad guy, and, well... since I've met you, I didn't feel so bad anymore. You have brightened my life. My days. My mood, and since that time I have more trouble being the boss I needed to be. And what happened had really opened my eyes that if I wanted to stay with you, I would have to leave this life behind. I couldn't get it over my heart to always have to fear for your life. When you were laying there in my arms, bruised and unconscious I knew what I needed to do. I should have cleared this up way earlier but I was stupid. My mistakes have caused you so much pain." Mew stopped as he choked on his tears. He was trying to hold in the tears that were bringing in his eyes and he buried his face in Gulfs hair to calm down. Gulf reached up and stroked his stubbled jaw and whispered sweet nothings to him.

"it's okay, you don't have to be mad anymore. I'm here. I'm okay now..." Gulf mumbled to reassure him. He felt his pain and his sorrow and it made him tear up too. They had been through something like this together and he couldn't imagen how Mew must have felt. He wanted nothing more than to start over again. Although what had happened was not something to be forgotten just like that, Gulf knew Mew didn't do this on purpose.

"After I had dropped you off at the hospital Kaownah had me checked in a private clinic for the shot wound on my leg." Mew started again.

"I was in a bad shape and before I was discharged a week had passed already. In the meantime, I had to deal with my coverups and with the things that had happened. I needed to take care of my men. I wanted to go to you so badly but work kept me away. I had decided to resign from my position as a boss and give Kaownah all the responsibilities. I couldn't keep working like this when I have you to protect now. Since young, I've been in this organization. I came from a poor family and one thing led to another and brought me on this dark path. I worked my way up and before I knew it, I was too deep in. When I became the boss myself, I changed the purpose of the organization. You can guess this brought up a little bit of anger and conflicts around because I didn't cooperate in the smuggling of illegal stuff anymore. While doing all this I also started my own business from the ground up so I would always have something to fall back on. I didn't lie to you about that part... Now was the time to leave it all behind. I gave Kaownah the reigns of the organization but it took longer than a wanted. I regret not making that decision sooner. I hurt you. I missed you so much but I didn't want to see you and still be this kind of man. I wanted to be able to look you in the eyes and be able to protect you. I want to be a better man for you and our baby." Mew sobbed as he stroked Gulfs back.

"I'm sorry for the things I've caused you. Please forgive me. Please..." Mew whispered as he took Gulfs face in his hands and looked him in the eyes. Both men had tears in their eyes and Gulf choked back a sob as he saw the genuine regret in Mew's eyes.

"I'm sorry for not answering your calls. I'm sorry for not responding to your texts. I-I wanted too. Really. But guilt kept me away. How could you still want me after what I have done to you." Mew cried. Gulf swallowed hard. The tough alpha was crying in his arms and he was trying to keep himself sane before he would also break down. He needed to be strong now for his man. Gulf leaned his head against Mew's and closed his eyes. Mew was still caressing his cheeks as they were laying close together on the bed. Gulf felt Mews breath fan over his face as he was soothing the big alpha in his arms.

"I'm here now, you're here now. We will figure this out together." Gulf whispered.

"I forgive you... as long as we promise each other that we won't lie again. We can overcome anything. I also apologize for keeping something like this." Gulf said and reached down to his swollen belly. "a secret from you for so long."

They both opened their eyes and Gulf smiled softly as he watched Mew's handsome face. He felt the sparks run up and down his body at every little caress of Mew's fingers. Did he feel this too? Was this love? What else could it be? How could someone care about another person this much? Every trouble seemed to fade away when he was with him. He felt safe with him.

"I was scared." Gulf said hoarsely as his throat clogged up. "I was scared that you would not accept the baby. I was afraid that I would have to choose between you too. And I don't want to lose you or the baby. I wanted to tell you. So much. But... I wasn't certain of what you would do. I was still trying to accept that I was an omega and I panicked." Gulf whispered as the ends of his words ended in a sob. "I'm so sorry you had to find out this way. I-I wanted to tell you that day. But--"

"shhh" Mew said as he pushed a finger against his lips. "it's alright. I'm here now. I won't ever let you go again. This is the best news I've ever heard in my life and it helped me make the decisions I had to make. This makes it all even more worth it. You, me. This..." Mew reached down and cupped the small belly and looked down lovely. Gulf felt his heart swell with love as he saw how much Mew cared for him and their child already. How did he think Mew wouldn't want it? Gulf suddenly laughed lightly. Mew looked up at him in confusion.

"Look at us. Were an odd couple." Gulf said and Mew smiled at that.

"that sure we are." Mew whispered as he kept caressing Gulfs belly. The tension in the room eased and Gulfs heart felt lighter now that he didn't have to keep secrets anymore. The only thing he wanted now was Mew besides him. Because of him, his world had changed for the best. Maybe not the way it usually goes but they had each other now to overcome it. Gulf suddenly remembered the photo.

"The letter you wrote... on the photograph, did you mean it," he said softly. Mew stopped his movement and looked up. He slipped his arms around Gulf and hugged him against his chest. He leaned in closer and looked into Gulfs eyes again and smiled. Gulf arms were trapped between their bodies as he was crushed against mew's chest.

"I meant every word." Mew whispered. Gulfs heartbeat quickened and a smile pulled on his face. "you are my everything right now. I'm so lucky to have found you. I never thought a soulmate was real until I saw you. You make my heart speed up. You make my world brighter and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you... I'm so deeply, madly in love with you." Mew ended and his eyes brimmed with tears. Happy tears.

Gulf held his breath as he heard those words. He felt the tears coming and he smiled as he tried to keep the tears in for the umpteenth time that night. They were a mess together. Red eyes from all the crying and now even from happiness.

"I-I--... I love you too." Gulf stuttered out with a deep sigh as his lips wobbled. He said it, finally. He knew this was love. He knew he also wanted to be with Mew for the rest of his life. He swallowed hard as he saw the bright smile pull on Mew's face, Mew leaned in and pecked Gulf lips softly. A bright smile pulled on Gulfs lips as he giggled nervously. It all felt so surreal. He had never been this in love with someone and he just wanted to scream it from the rooftop. The past weeks seemed to fade as he was held in the tight embrace of Mew.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" Mew asked suddenly after a moment of silence. "I suddenly remember that we had never made it official... will you?" Mew asked nervously as he kissed Gulfs head.

Gulf laughed. They really were a hot mess. Nothing was in order at all but he loved it. He loved Mew.

"yes, of course" Gulf giggled. "you think that after all this, and me here in your arms, I wouldn't want too? I waited for you all these weeks. We've been through so much. You better protect me for the rest of your life and even after that."

"yes, yes, always baby. I won't ever leave you alone again..." Mew whispered against his hair. Gulf was still smiling and softly laughing against Mew's chest.

"what is it" mew asked as he touched his nose with Gulfs.

"nothing, just happy, happy that you're here." Gulf sighed and pried his arms from between their bodies to tightly wrap them around Mew. He leaned his head against his shoulder and smelled the addicting sandalwood scent he had missed so much. He felt his heart flutter with love and he closed his eyes.

"you know... I have an ultrasound appointment tomorrow. You want to go with me?" Gulf mumbled against Mew's chest. He was suddenly pulled away from the warm chest and looked up in surprise.

"can I? Of Course, I want to!" Mew beamed at him. Gulf laughed at the enthusiastic response.

"I want you too. Were in this together now." Gulf joked. Mew pulled Gulf back in his arms. "I'm so happy right now." Mew mumbled as he kissed his scent gland. "You are perfect. I'm happy you waited for me... I'll never let anything happen to you ever again."

Their breathing slowed down as they both felt their eyelids grow heavy.

They fell asleep like that. Cozied up together as they drifted off, it was late already before they were done talking and they both were exhausted after weeks of barely sleeping. Gulf could finally sleep again; no nightmare woke him up that night as he was securely wrapped in Mew's arms. The soft breathing of both men was the only thing heard that night, as outside the rain was falling.

The next morning Mew was greeted with the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Gulf was sprawled out on top of his chest and his cheek was squished as he lightly snored out of his parted lips. Mew stroked that plump lip softly before he kissed it. He sighed in content and yawned as he looked around. He looked at the clock by the door. It was 9.30 am already! He slowly moved and felt Gulf stir next to him.

"wake up baby..." mew whispered as he leaned in closer to his ear. He kissed his jaw and moved his lips further over his cheek to his chin and neck.

Gulf slowly woke up to the feeling of Mew's kisses and he groaned. "hmm... what are you doing." Gulf mumbled with his sleepy voice and Mew's heartbeat quickened from the delicious sound. He could definitely get used to waking up to that. He kissed his neck again and got a soft moan from Gulf. He smiled against his skin and pulled back to see those beautiful eyes open slowly.

"good morning baby..."

"hmm... good morning." Gulf mumbled and sat up "what time is it." he asked and stretched out his muscles.

"It's half-past nine." Mew said as he sat next to him. He slipped his arms around him and put his chin on Gulfs shoulder.

Gulfs felt the warmth radiating from Mew and he smiled. He could get used to waking up like this. It felt so good and so right he didn't want to leave the bed at all. But they had an appointment at 10 at the clinic so they had to hurry.

He slowly climbed out of the bed with Mew right behind him.

"We have to leave soon. The appointment is at 10. We should have woken up sooner."

"you were sleeping so soundly next to me, and I think we both needed it."

Gulf remembered the night before; they finally had resolved all the problems. He blushed remembering that Mew had asked him to be his boyfriend finally.

"hmm. Why are you blushing so adorably? Spill it." Mew asked and pulled him back against his chest. He slipped his fingers under Gulfs shirt and caressed his belly.

"just, us... now, official boyfriends." Gulf mumbled and looked back at Mew with a shy smile. It felt weird to be in Mew's arms as a real couple now. Was this how it was going to be? He wouldn't mind... he put his hand on Mew's as they both looked down at the growing belly. It felt intimate and they almost forgot the time as they were in their own world.

They rushed out after a quick breakfast. Gulf had washed Mew's clothes and he had bit his lip as he saw Mew in the dark navy suit. He really was a piece of art. He shook it off before they would never make it to that appointment. He just blamed it on the hormones that he was feeling hot from just looked at his man.

He felt a bit nervous as he was laying on the examination bed, thingy. This time he wasn't alone as he held Mew's hand as the usual cold yell was squirted on his belly. He looked over at mew whose eyes were focused at the screen, waiting for any sight of his baby. How things had changed since the last time. Even this past day. If mew hasn't shown up, he would have been here all alone again but now he had all the support from the one he loved. He felt so happy his heart almost beat out of his chest. Could anyone be this happy without exploding? He watched Mew as the beta woman pushed the ultrasound device on his stomach and after some time, he saw mew's eyes lit up. A huge smile plastered on his face as he watched the screen. Gulf only had eyes for Mew, his reaction was everything and Gulf felt new tears gather in his eyes. Mew looked over at him with so much love and squeezed his hand as he intertwined their fingers.

"baby... look! It's a miracle! So tiny!" Mew said in an exciting voice. He looked back at the screen and was focused on every word the woman said. Gulf watched as Mew's expression with fascination. He was smiling brightly as suddenly the heartbeat echoed through the room. Mew held his breath as he sat still and listened. He leaned in closer to Gulf and kissed his forehead. Gulf saw the tears brimming in Mew's eyes as he pulled back and pecked his lips.

"This is the most beautiful thing you could ever give me, baby. I love you so much. Thank you..." Mew said with a tear-stained voice. They listened and watched as the baby was moving around. Everything was healthy and he was now 14 weeks pregnant. Gulf breathed out a sigh of relief, he was scared anything was wrong after the past weeks neglecting his health and the stress he had been in. He got some new vitamin prescriptions from the Beta as she printed out new ultrasounds. Mew all to eagerly took them from her. He watched every single photo carefully and tracing his fingers over the little bean. Gulf laughed watching him. He cleaned himself before pulling his shirt down. Mew helped him get off the bed and held his hand all the way out. He led him back to the car and opened the door for him as he helped him in. He really hadn't lied when he said he would take care of him. Gulf felt happy. He watched Mew round the car and slip in on the other side. He put on both their seatbelts and as he pulled back over Gulf, he kissed his lips tenderly.

"thank you for taking me with you. This was the most beautiful moment of my life. I can't wait to meet the little bean" Mew whispered as he pecked his lips a few times. Gulf basked in Mew's close presence as he smiled and kissed him back.

"I want us to enjoy this time to the fullest. Let leave for a few weeks. Let's go somewhere where we can be alone." Mew said suddenly. Gulf looked at him with wide eyes but the idea did intrigue him. He wanted alone time with Mew, he wanted them to work on what had happened and be with just the three of them. He wasn't ready to face the hard world just yet again.

"okay. I want that too. But? What do you have in mind?" Gulf said as he saw looked at Mew who sat back in his seat and started the car.

"Leave that to me, baby." Mew grinned and winked at Gulf as he drove off.

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@ painonthedaily