Oliver woke up and slowly opened his eyes when he felt a warm hand caressing his cheeks affectionately. Even with his eyes closed, he knows who it is. A huge grin slipped from his lips and when his eyes finally adjusted to the light, those sparkling sets of green orbs welcomed him.

"Daddy bear. Hello." Oliver covered his mouth to stifle a yawn and Stefan chuckled, pressing his lips on Oliver's forehead.

"Hey, my love. How are you feeling? Do you need or crave something? Do you feel nauseated?" Stefan asked coolly, even if he wanted to let his baby know the results of Trevor's medical check-up.

The result came out an hour ago, and it further confirmed Oliver's pregnancy. Stefan screamed and Trevor was the recipient of his friend's overwhelming excitement. Stefan gave Trevor a bone-crushing hug and some hard pats on the back, which Trevor endured for his friend.

Oliver pushed himself to sit up but before he could do that, Stefan's arms were ready to support him. "Careful, baby. You could get hurt," Stefan reminded him, chuckling at his daddy's exaggeration.

"Daddy bear, I'm not sick or paralyzed. I can take care of myself," Oliver added in an amused tone but still let his daddy bear do his thing. Stefan helped him sit up, and put pillows on his back for comfort.

Oliver's smile widened even more when he noticed how Stefan grinned in satisfaction after making sure that Oliver was comfortable. "Better. Now that my baby is comfy and warm, do you want me to make a strawberry smoothie? I also cooked chicken mushroom soup and waffle chicken fingers. Your favorites."

Stefan wiggled his brows and he can see how Oliver's expression lit up and heard his stomach rumble. "Daddy bear, my tummy loved all the food you mentioned."

They both chuckled and Stefan lifted his baby and carried him downstairs. It's nearing lunch, and it's a good thing that Oliver woke up in time. Stefan doesn't want to wake his baby up especially when he's asleep.

Stefan deposited Oliver on the kitchen stool and began preparing his baby's meals. He also needs to start cooking a healthier meal for his husband and their small bean. The thought of mini-Olivers makes him giddy, excited, and thrilled. He can't wait to see their little beans. Plural, because he wants a big family.

However, it would still depend on Oliver's safety. They have to consider how delicate the situation would be for his love. According to Trevor, a carrier's life is at risk during pregnancy and delivery. Nevertheless, Trevor assured him that those are rare cases. Still, Stefan can't be too careful. When it comes to his baby's safety, he will go all out.

Oliver wiped the side of his mouth to check for drools when he saw all of the dishes prepared. Stefan walked to their fridge and he had to keep his squeals when Stefan brought out a slice of chocolate cake. Oliver's mouth watered and glanced at Stefan who was staring at him in amusement.

"Daddy bear, they all look so good, I don't know where to start," he whined with a pout and Stefan chuckled.

Stefan pulled a chair next to him and picked the bowl of soup. "Let's try the soup first, baby. To warm your stomach." Oliver nodded and gave his daddy a peck on the lips.

"Thank you, daddy bear. I love everything. They look delicious, and for sure, taste delicious," he added and Stefan gave him a soft and pleased expression.

The two fed each other, with occasional chats and laughter especially when they reminisce about their childhood. Stefan let Lisa tidy everything up and he carried his baby to the garden room on the rooftop. It is one of his birthday gifts for Oliver a year ago, including the art studio beside the garden room and the nursery room on the second floor.

Now that Stefan is sure that they're expecting, he will need to construct another nursery room beside the master's bedroom. Oliver's nursery is for himself only. It's a safe space for his baby whenever he feels the need to become little.

Stefan sat down on the plush sofa with Oliver nuzzling on his neck. Stefan smiled and soothingly rubbed his baby's back. The garden room got its inspiration from The Rose Garden.

It has glass walls, the huge space is littered with ornamental plants and flowers, there's a retractable roof for stargazing at night, and in the middle of the room is a plush sofa with a coffee table. A bookshelf was also installed for Oliver's consumption.

Oliver decided to pull away from Stefan's comfort and warmth and placed a soft kiss on his daddy's lips before giggling.

Stefan hummed and his green eyes danced in amusement. His daddy brushed his cheeks and stroked his curls, giving Oliver a warm and soft feeling.

"My baby's in a good mood. How are you feeling? Still nauseated?" Oliver shook his head and smiled.

"Daddy bear, is the result out? What did Trevor say? Am I sick?" Oliver frowned when Stefan swallowed and darted his eyes everywhere. His daddy's body tensed and sweat broke out on his forehead, despite the cool weather.

Stefan took a deep breath. Excitement and fear took over his senses. Excitement because they already have a small bean in his baby's belly, and fear because his husband's life could be at stake.

Well, there's a slight chance that Oliver would not take the news happily. What if he doesn't want a baby?

Stefan knew that those were nonsensical thoughts. Oliver and Stefan had already talked about this a few months ago that they have plans on adopting children, or maybe a surrogacy.

"Baby... what I'm about to say may seem impossible at first, but I want you to listen, okay?" Oliver's expression turned serious and he grabbed his hand to calm him down. Stefan's heart filled with warmth.

He can't believe that even at this time, his baby was the one comforting him. He should be the one doing it since Oliver will receive a huge revelation, but his baby is as calm as he can be, while here he is, about to pee his pants.

Oliver smiled at his nervous daddy and massaged Stefan's nape to calm his nerves. "Deep breaths, daddy bear. One step at a time, okay? No need to get anxious. We have all the time in the world." Stefan's expression slacked and his tense shoulders relaxed.

"Kiss me to make me feel better," Stefan requested, which made Oliver chuckle. He happily obliged and dropped several kisses on his daddy's jutted lips. Stefan grinned wide and his emerald eyes sparkled against the sunlight.

"Do you feel better now, daddy bear?" Stefan nodded and squeezed Oliver's soft hands.

"Okay. Here it is. I just had the greatest revelation of my life earlier, baby."

Oliver nodded and his right hand thumbed his daddy's cheeks. "Go on. I'm listening."

"The vitamins that you were taking from L.H. Pharmaceuticals? Those were not vitamins. Those pills served as a contraceptive and suppressant."

Oliver wrinkled his brows and tightened his grip on Stefan's hands. Stefan rubbed his arms and thigh to calm him down and peppered his face with butterfly kisses until his heart rate became steady.

Contraceptive and suppressant? What the hell, mom? Is there something with me that you and dad forgot to tell me? This was Oliver's thought as he threw a glare heavenwards.

Stefan found it amusing how his baby pouted and glared at the heavens. Stefan bets Oliver's scolding his parents for keeping him in the dark. With a huff and a pout, Oliver fixed attention on him and smiled. "Go on, daddy bear. I'm still mad at my parents but I'll deal with it later."

Stefan lifted his brows and tried his hardest to contain his smile. "Baby, you're taking this in a stride. Aren't you surprised? Did you hear what I said earlier? The pill was a contraceptive and a suppressant."

Oliver furrowed his brows and Stefan observed how his baby's eyes slowly widened. If not for his arms around Oliver, his baby would have already collapsed on the floor.

Oliver looked at Stefan in confusion. What could this mean? Why does he need to take a contraceptive? It's not as if he's a woman who can get pregnant. What about the pill being a suppressant? What is it about him that should be suppressed?

Only one thought came to mind. He's sick.

He looked at Stefan with teary eyes and tried to climb down from his daddy's lap. "Let me go, daddy bear. If I'm truly sick, then I should stay away from you, as far as I can. I can't have you infected." He rambled frantically but Stefan shook his head and pulled him for a hug.

At first, Oliver struggled and resisted, but Stefan trapped his baby in his arms until he calmed down. "Shh, my love. You're not sick. Calm down. Don't stress yourself or our small bean will get sad."

Oliver flinched and slowly lifted his head, only to be met by Stefan's wide grin. "Huh? Small bean?"

Stefan chuckled and dried Oliver's tears away. "Baby, do you want to hear a story?"

Oliver blinked in confusion but still nodded. He thinks he needs to listen to Stefan's story to shed some light on his medical condition.

Stefan smiled. Despite being perplexed, his baby was obedient enough to hear his story. He wiped the tear stains away and stroked his baby's soft curls.

"This is a story I heard from my grandfather. He was always telling me this story because if ever I met someone with the same condition, I should treat them with extreme care and make sure that they are protected. These delicate beings are called carriers. They only consist of 1% of the population. The carriers are male species who were blessed with a womb despite being biologically male, thus making them capable of pregnancy."

Oliver gasped and his heart started to pound nervously. Indescribable emotion started to build up. If he tried to piece everything from the limited information Stefan has provided, the conclusion was already formulated. Oliver felt his throat tighten and his heart rate picked up.

Stefan was alarmed when Oliver's face scrunched and started to gasp in shallow breaths. Tears started to form in his eyes and looked at him for help. Stefan reached for the drawer under the table and grabbed Oliver's POC and put on his sanitized mask. Stefan always makes sure that there are POCs in every corner of the mansion for emergencies.

Oliver's expression began to relax and shook his head slowly. "I'm okay, daddy bear. Let me calm down, then you can continue with your story."

Stefan was about to protest but he saw the determination in Oliver's hazel orbs. He nodded in defeat and just rubbed Oliver's back and massaged his scalp. Stefan did that for a few minutes and he observed that Oliver was finally relaxed.

"My baby is so stubborn," Stefan breathed out and wiped Oliver's unshed tears. Oliver chuckled and removed his mask. Stefan turned off his POC and set it aside. "Are you sure that I should continue? We can do it tomorrow and--"

Stefan was cut off when Oliver dropped quick kisses on his lips. "I was just overwhelmed, daddy bear, but I'm fine now. It's just that... I already have an idea of what you're about to say, but I don't want to assume."

Stefan smiled warmly at the love of his life and pressed his lips on Oliver's forehead. "I still get surprised by my baby's bravery from time to time. I am so amazed by you, my love."

Oliver giggled softly and the sides of his eyes crinkled beautifully. "Continue with the story, daddy bear. Please?" Stefan noticed the excitement in his baby's eyes and his heart filled with happiness.

This is a good sign of how Oliver will react when he finally finishes his story.

"The carriers are also different in terms of the physical changes happening in their body caused by hormones. They emit an excessive amount of pheromones and an addicting scent that will lure the person they're attracted to breed them. They also can produce slick that can make their lover crazy and sexually active. Thus, to prevent early pregnancy, L.H. Pharmaceuticals formulated a pill that can suppress the carrier's pheromones. They also recognized that preventing sexual contact will be next to impossible because there's something about the carrier's scent that can make their lovers addicted to them."

Stefan stared at Oliver who was trying to process the information. Now that he thinks of it, when he bumped with Oliver a year ago, he caught a faint scent of something sweet and mouthwatering. He just dismissed it as Oliver's natural scent, but the scent gets stronger whenever they have sex. This is one of the reasons for their wild lovemaking.

Oliver glanced at him and blushed. Stefan narrowed his eyes and smirked. "Oh-ho. I wonder what's on your mind, my love, that got you red and shy? Hmm?"

Oliver bit his lips and shook his head. It's too embarrassing to admit. Did he seduce Stefan with his scent? Oh my goodness! When will the ground open up and swallow him?

Oliver looked at Stefan's eyes and his heart swelled with so many emotions when he received Stefan's affectionate gaze. "Baby, nothing is embarrassing about the day we met. With or without the scent, you got me hooked. I know it's too cheesy, but I fell in love with you at first sight. I won't let you out of my sight and I will use The Phantom to search for you. I will exhaust my resources to find the person who became my light and sunshine in my darkest hour."

Oliver felt that familiar giddiness, as he imagined Paramore's song, Still Into You. Yup, the butterflies should be gone by now but they just multiplied each passing day. Stefan never failed to make his heart flutter like a lovesick teen.

"I love you so much, daddy bear." Oliver breathed out and did not wait for Stefan's reply. He captured his daddy's lips and that electrifying sensation awakened his senses. It was Stefan who deepened the kiss and made Oliver feel his daddy's overflowing love and affection.

They broke the kiss gasping for air, but both of them chuckled and embraced each other. Kisses and cuddles always have this freeing effect. It makes them happy, content, and free. Just being by each other's arms gives them enough satisfaction.

After reveling in his daddy's strong and calming heartbeat, Oliver broke the silence. "Daddy bear, I just want to confirm." He sat straight and looked straight into Stefan's eyes.

"Am I a carrier?"

Stefan nodded and caught Oliver's trembling fingers. "Yes, baby. You are a carrier. I think you already have an idea of what I'm going to say next."

Oliver bit his lips and nodded. He took a deep breath and gripped Stefan's hands. He could hear the deafening beat of his heart and felt his chest tighten, but when Stefan smiled, all the tension in his body vanished.

"Everything will be alright, my love. We're in this together. Don't overthink, and look at my eyes. Look at me, and breathe." Oliver nodded and followed Stefan's instructions. "Are you ready?"

Oliver nodded and Stefan could feel his heart about to burst from excitement and adrenaline. With a shaky breath, he held Oliver's hands to cup his cheeks and his eyes burned with unshed tears.

"Y-You're pregnant, my love. We're pregnant. We have a small bean in your tummy." He tearfully whispered and Oliver burst into tears.

Oliver withdrew his right hand and slowly put it on top of his belly, rubbing it softly. "Oh my god. I'm pregnant." With his vision blurry from tears, he smiled and sobbed at the same time.

"I'm pregnant, daddy bear! We're going to become daddies to our small bean! Oh my god!" Oliver pounced on Stefan, laughing and sobbing simultaneously. Even Stefan was bawling from overwhelming emotions.

Who would have thought that God would grace them with such a wonderful gift? After all that they have been through, everything was worth it. The tears, the pain, and the suffering.

"Yes, we are, my love. We will love our small bean to death," Stefan promised, full of affection, and rubbed Oliver's belly. Welcome to the family, small bean.

*****

Stefan called for an emergency meeting to announce the pregnancy and also to know which side of the family Oliver inherited the carrier gene. The entire family was rowdy because all of them were pretty excited to learn what Oliver was expecting.

Stefan had to protect his husband from his parents and the oldies, who were eager to hug Oliver, but Stefan knows that it was not a simple hug. They could crush Oliver and their baby, so that was out of the question instantly.

"Come on, Stefan. Olive's my grandchild, and I have a right to rub his belly," Roman whined and all of them groaned.

"That sounds so wrong on so many levels, old man," Stefan said in repulsion and gathered Oliver closer on his lap, while his baby just giggled.

Roman widened his eyes when he realized how he sounded and received a smack in the head from Elizabeth. "Stupid old man," Elizabeth gritted out and Roman glared at Trevor and Don Felipe when he heard them snicker.

Before Roman and Don Felipe start bickering again, Stefan catches their attention. "Everyone, behave. My baby is in a delicate situation because of his pregnancy. If one of you insofar causes my baby distress, believe me when I say this; I won't hesitate to kick your asses out and have you blacklisted from our estate."

Stefan's atmosphere went dark and intense, instilling fear in each of the guests. Oliver felt the tension so he turned around to face his husband and caressed his cheek.

Stefan's expression softened when he gazed at his husband and Oliver smiled. "Calm down, daddy bear. They're our family. They won't hurt me, okay?" He assured his daddy and Stefan sighed and nodded.

Everybody sighed in relief when Oliver tamed his husband successfully.

The entire family was gathered in the living area of Stefan's mansion. The seats and couches were arranged in a circular formation, with Oliver and Stefan in the upper middle.

Lucan and Anna were present, but Chris and Reeve were not able to attend because of business. Trevor and Devon were also in attendance, with Jesse and Elijah seated near Oliver. They were the only ones allowed to come near Oliver, as per Stefan's order.

Don Felipe came with Drake and Adrian, and of course, Roman with Elizabeth. In the middle of a circle was a medium-sized coffee table where Lisa and the staff placed several treats and snacks for the guests' consumption.

As for Oliver, Stefan made his baby a healthy all-berries smoothie, with a bowl of sliced fruits and sugar-free granola cookies. With everyone settled, Stefan gave the floor to Trevor to explain Oliver's condition.

Everyone except Don Felipe was astonished. Stefan had noticed this earlier. When they announced that Oliver was pregnant, Don Felipe just grinned and nodded, as if he was expecting it. There was a hint of surprise at the Don's expression, but it went away as fast as it flashed in his stoic features.

"I think Don Felipe has something to say, right, Don?" Everyone's attention immediately trained on the Don because of Stefan's words.

Don Felipe looked at them and nodded. "I think I have an idea where Oliver inherited the carrier gene. This is a family secret... but one of my parents is a carrier."

Gasps and thick silence blanketed the space, but it was Oliver who dispelled it. "That's amazing, Grandfather. This means that one of my great grandfathers was a carrier?" Don Roman smiled and nodded.

"Then why was it a secret? Are carriers so repulsive that they need to be hidden? Am I abnormal?" Oliver's voice became weak and somber. When he began to sob, everyone was in a panic, except Stefan.