Chapter Text
“Lan Zhan, they're here!” Wei Wuxian shouted as he scrambled off the window ledge he’d been sitting vigilantly in for the past two hours. He waddled as fast as he could to the door, yanking it open and giving a large wave to the SUV that was pulling up to their drive.
“A-Ying!” Jiang Yanli beamed, climbing out of the car before it had the chance to even come to a complete stop.
“I thought you weren’t supposed to be here for another few hours!” Wei Wuxian wrapped his sister in a hug. The only thing keeping him from swinging her up and around was the bulge of his stomach.
“We managed to get away early,” Jiang Yanli said as she pulled back. Her attention and her hands fell to Wei Wuxian’s stomach. “Look at you! You’re so big!”
“Don’t remind me,” Wei Wuxian pouted. He’d gotten to fifteen weeks before his bump could no longer be taken as a few extra pounds, or a good meal. Now at twenty eight weeks it looked like he’d shoved a watermelon and a few pillows up his shirt. He felt like he hadn’t seen his own feet for weeks. He couldn’t believe he was going to get bigger!
“Wen Qing says because I was so skinny to start with, the babies will show twice as much,” He explained. A hand coming to affectionately rub his stomach.
“Twins!” Jiang Yanli beamed as she rubbed his stomach. “I still can’t believe it! Oh!” She broke off just as one of them kicked. “Someone is very active.” She admired as the kicks continued.
“His poor brother is going to come out purple with bruises from the way he’s been kicking him around,” Wei Wuxian snorted. He saw Jiang Yanli’s smile grow even bigger.
“You look like you shoved a watermelon up your shirt,” Jiang Wanyin’s voice announced his emergence from the car.
“Very astute of you,” Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes at him. “You look like shit,” He added, noticing the dark bags under his brother’s eyes.
“The Wen lawsuit has kept us all very busy,” Jin Zixuan sighed as he appeared to wrap an arm around Jiang Yanli’s waist. The bags were less noticeable under his eyes, he was probably using makeup the vain bastard.
“Where’s that mate of yours?” Jiang Wanyin huffed. “I want to greet my nephews already.”
As if summoned, Lan Wangji’s arms wrapped around Wei Wuxian’s waist. Wei Wuxian grinned up at him, earning a kiss to his forehead. He felt Lan Wangji’s hands shift, a hum of approval at the feeling of the babies moving.
“Yanli, Wanyin, Zixuan,” Lan Wangji finally greeted. “Welcome to our home.”
“Oh! Have you two met?” Jiang Yanli’s eyes widened as she looked up to her husband.
“We’ve bumped into each other at conferences,” Jin Zixuan explained as he nodded back in greeting to Lan Wangji.
“Perfect!” Jiang Yanli smiled. “I was worried we might have a stand off and have to go stay at a hotel.”
“We’re putting you two in the room farthest from the nursery just in case,” Wei Wuxian smiled.
With the stress from all the trials, both of them had noticed a rise in territorial actions. Wei Wuxian had almost bitten off a woman’s head in the grocery store for trying to touch them, Lan Wangji close behind. Granted, she definitely should have asked, but it put a storm cloud over his family’s visit. Both of them had realized having Jiang Wanyin, an unbonded alpha not related by blood, might make Lan Wangji snap or go defensive with all the stress they’d been under. Thankfully, his siblings understood. Going as far to book a hotel room in case it was needed.
“Come on in, I can give you the five stars tour.”
“First things first,” Jiang Wanyin huffed as he crossed his arms.
Wei Wuxian watched him look at Lan Wangji, the two almost glaring at each other. After a very tense moment, Lan Wangji nodded, shifting his hands from where they were resting on Wei Wuxian’s stomach. Wei Wuxian recognized it for what it was, Lan Wangji’s allowance.
More than their biology, a motto they were finding harder and harder to live by as his pregnancy progressed. Wei Wuxian pressed a kiss to Lan Wangji’s shoulder, as they’d both learned rewards helped make it easier to keep their hormones in check. He turned back to Jiang Wanyin, giving him a nod. He couldn’t help but smile as his brother’s hands reached out, settling on the curve of Wei Wuxian’s stomach.
“You’re going to have a little athlete on your hands,” Jiang Wanyin smiled as he felt the kicks.
“He’s very strong,” Lan Wangji practically purred. Wei Wuxian could feel the pride radiating off him.
“I think his brother gets a few good ones now and again too,” Wei Wuxian felt obligated to step up in his defense. Almost to punctuate his statement, he felt a pair of twin kicks. “There he is,” He chuckled as he rubbed his stomach.
“So weird,” Jiang Wanyin breathed. Still, his hands didn’t move from Wei Wuxian’s stomach. His eyes were open wide in awe, his hands shifted to follow the kicks.
“You’re telling me,” Wei Wuxian snorted. “Come on! Let me give you guys the tour. Where do you want to start?”
“The kitchen, of course,” Jiang Yanli smiled.
“That has been Lan Zhan’s baby,” Wei Wuxian grinned as he waddled back towards the house.
“Should I move the car?” Jin Zixuan questioned.
“If you want to, it’s a private drive.” Wei Wuxian shrugged looking back at it. “You can park it in the garage next to Lan Zhan’s if you want to. Door should be open, just hit the switch.”
“Help me bring in the suitcases?” Jin Zixuan looked at Jiang Wanyin. He nodded as they back tracked to the car.
“We’ll meet you in the kitchen,” Wei Wuxian called after them. “Just try doors until you get to one that leads into the house!”
“No shit!” Jiang Wanyin called back. Wei Wuxian chuckled as the car doors slammed.
“You get to come through the front door,” He beamed at Jiang Yanli.
“It’s much bigger than I expected,” Jiang Yanli noted as they crossed the threshold.
“We were worried about it being too big,” Wei Wuxian laughed. “But Lan Zhan wanted room to grow, and it’s a good thing we did. Otherwise we’d be moving the moment we have more kids.”
“More?” Jiang Yanli raised her eyebrow. Wei Wuxian felt himself flush, his steps stuttering as he felt a swell of affection, and attraction, crash over him from Lan Wangji.
“Well, I mean,” He stammered. He felt like his face was as red as a tomato as he looked at Lan Wangji. “I know we haven’t discussed it, but if this works out I could possibly see us having more.”
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji breathed, every syllable of his name dripping with affection. The next minute he was swept up in a hug, the flurry of emotions and love bouncing over their bond saying what Lan Wangji couldn’t voice.
“I mean, these two might be terrors and put us off the idea.” Wei Wuxian muttered into Lan Wangji’s shoulder. All he got was a tighter squeeze. “And I still want my company.” He added as he felt Lan Wangji begin to press kisses to his head. “Lan Zhan, family is here!” He wiggled under the affection.
“Mn,” Lan Wangji hummed, delivering one last solid kiss to his lips.
“You're incorrigible,” Wei Wuxian huffed, though he knew Lan Wangji could feel the love radiating over their bond. “Come on, let’s show Yanli your masterpiece.” He took his hand and tugged him towards the kitchen. His blush only worsened as he saw the beaming smile on Jiang Yanli’s face.
“As you can tell this is our library,” He waved to the bookcases lining the front hall. “Dining room is through there, but we’re starting with this!” He spread his hands in presentation as they entered the kitchen. “We decided it was a must have,” He explained as he waddled over to the counter top that was his. Lan Wangji was a beat behind him, easily hoisting him up to sit on the counter. Wei Wuxian gave him a kiss for his trouble. He beamed as Jiang Yanli looked around the room, his feet bouncing softly against the counter as he swung them.
“This is quite the set up,” Jiang Yanli admired. “It’s almost as good as mine.”
“Being home, I plan to cook often,” Lan Wangji explained as he moved through the kitching, opening cabinets and drawers for Jiang Yanli’s approval. “We’ve been experimenting with recipes.”
“He has made some vegetarian versions of your dishes, and they’re amazing!” Wei Wuxian agreed. “You have to try some of them while you're here.”
“I do regret that I don’t have more vegetarian and vegan dishes in my book,” Jiang Yanli sighed as she was peering into Lan Wangji’s pantry. “My publisher doesn’t want to add more recipes, in fact they’re telling me to remove some. How can I remove them? It's like making a mother pick a child.”
“We could always self publish,” Jin Zixuan announced his arrival. His arms ladened down with suitcases.
“No, I want to do it like everyone else.” Jiang Yanli shot back. “There’s no fun in it if I just buy my publication.”
“It would be easier,” Jin Zixuan replied without missing a beat. It gave Wei Wuxian the idea that this was a long running argument.
“I like the challenge,” Jiang Yanli replied.
“Seems to be a family trait,” Lan Wangji noted. Wei Wuxian laughed.
“Your family trait now,” Wei Wuxian grinned at him. “Are you ready for stubborn children? Arguing over bedtimes and asking us to ‘just let them do it themselves’?”
“I can promise you it’ll be a welcome change after months of crying,” Jin Zixuan piped up. “Or so I’m told, we haven’t gotten past the crying part yet.”
“You should have brought A-Ling,” Wei Wuxian pouted. “I don’t get to see my nephew often.”
“Well, A-Xuan’s mother had already planned on taking him.” Jiang Yanli smiled. “And we could use the break. He’s teething.” She lowered her voice for the second part.
“I feel like we should be taking notes,” Wei Wuxian laughed as he finished his sandwich.
“Don’t worry, I’m already making you a handbook.” Jiang Yanli laughed. “Which brands not to buy, tips and tricks.” She winked. “Lan Zhan’s got some of it already.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow at Lan Wangji.
“I like being prepared.” Lan Wangji replied.
“You, being prepared?” Wei Wuxian gasped. “I never,” He finished with a teasing wink. “You should have seen his clipboard for the move. We could have moved in our sleep.”
“Thanks for all the help,” Jiang Wanyin huffed as he trudged in, his arms filled with even more suitcases than Jin Zixuan had brought in.
“I was coming back,” Jin Zixuan shot back, despite the fact he’d made himself quite at home at his wife’s side.
“I thought you were just here for the weekend,” Wei Wuxian eyed the number of suitcases now piled in the kitchen.
“We are!” Jiang Yanli smiled. “Half of that is stuff for your baby shower. Then there’s the wedding planning options, I picked up samples from all the local dealers. Thank heavens we didn’t fly.”
“A-Li! I told you not to do anything big!” Wei Wuxian protested.
“Trust me, this is small,” Jin Zixuan remarked.
“I know you’ve both been busy with work and legal cases, I mean you haven’t even had time to go shopping!” Jiang Yanli smiled. Wei Wuxian winced at the reminder, both Jin Zixun and Su Minshan were doing their best to make processing the cases hell. Wei Wuxian was pretty sure he was spending more time dealing with their bullshit than his own patents and inventions. “This is just our way of helping out.”
“A-Li, you already planned my baby shower! And planning our wedding! Not to mention you’re planning on being here for their birth,” Wei Wuxian sighed.
“Mom and Dad are too,” Jiang Wanyin offered as he set down the mountain of luggage.
“So is Uncle,” Lan Wangji reminded Wei Wuxian. His hands offered a snack bag of flamin hot cheetos just as Wei Wuxian’s stomach growled. Before he could even ask, the sour cream was on the counter next to him.
“Love you,” Wei Wuxian beamed as he popped the container and bag open. “What is it about babies that makes everyone think they need to be around to help?”
“Trust me, when you're wearing what is basically an adult diaper cause stuff is falling out, another one but for your boobs cause those are leaking,” Jiang Yanli sighed. “The last thing you want to do is get up and change a diaper, that’s where we come in.” She added, patting Wei Wuxian on the cheek.
“Should I go get the rest, or are we doing the tour?” Jiang Wanyin cut in. His face wrinkled at Jiang Yanli’s description. If Wei Wuxian hadn’t been reading up on pregnancies, he’d probably be close behind.
“I can snack and waddle,” Wei Wuxian hummed as he reached over to get a spoon. He scooped a large dollop of sour cream into his flamin hot cheeto bag. Once he had, he held out his arms so Lan Wangji could help him down. He stuck out his tongue as Jiang Wanyin snorted.
“Alright, stick with me,” He gestured. “The glorious house you see before you was built in 1972 inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. The copycat was particularly intrigued by natural light, as shown by the impressive amount of natural light. Bet you didn’t see that coming.” He jokingly put on a fake tour guide voice. It was enough to make Jiang Yanli laugh and Jiang Wanyin roll his eyes.
“Our dining room,” Wei Wuxian gestured. “You’ll have to forgive the state of our bar, it’s been a low priority since I can’t actually drink any of it. You can see our glorious pool,” He gestured through the glass doors leading off the dining room and onto their deck. “Which, before you ask, is heated. In here is the living room,” He proceeded.
“Oh, this will be lovely for the baby shower!” Jiang Yanli noted. Wei Wuxian looked to Lan Wangji, who nodded.
“I thought so too, although a poolside one did cross my mind.” He nodded, throwing out the second location in for consideration. Most of Wei Wuxian’s friends were alpha and betas, Nie Huaisang being the only omega he could think of. He’d been doubtful that any of them would actually want to attend, instead he had RSVP’s filling his inbox the day they sent out the invites. Even Nie Mingjue was quite excited, granted the betting pool he’d started for the day and time of the twin’s arrival might have had something to do with it.
The tour through the house was uneventful, but Wei Wuxian slowed as they approached the nursery. He glanced at Lan Wangji, trying to gauge how he was feeling. He slowed, his mouth doing what it did best - babble.
“Got to love the view from here!” Wei Wuxian gestured out the window. “We’ve got a few acres, a fence around all of it. It’s all just woods, but we’re considering making some space for a small garden. Lan Zhan says it would be a good way to build some responsibility with the kids. I’m just hoping the climate here can support lotus roots.”
“The nursery is through here,” Lan Wangji surprised Wei Wuxian by interrupting. Wei Wuxian gave him a smile, reaching out to squeeze his hand as he passed to lead the way.
“As you can see we’ve gotten the murals done,” Wei Wuxian grinned as he flicked on the light.
The nursery was slowly coming along, although their lack of time had meant it was usually done by bursts of energy at three in the morning. The walls were painted to look like a wooded forest, various creatures poking their heads and tails out from behind trees and bushes. Of course, a majority of them were rabbits. One wall had a large curving trunk of a tree installed, a cabinet hidden inside to hold anything they needed but wanted out of sight. The crib, which Lan Wangji did finally successfully build after two and a half weeks, took up a large corner. Stuffed animals and blankets were piled around it, all carrying a ginger and sandalwood scent. The nest for when the twins were old enough to be on their own for the night. Another two trunks were waiting to go up, both of which would fold out into changing tables.
“Oh A-Ying it’s lovely!” Jiang Yanli gasped as she moved into the room. “How did you even find these?” She approached the tree trunk cabinet.
“An engineering friend does wood working,” Wei Wuxian explained. “So we got together and drew up the plans, that tree trunk is a cabinet set and those will be changing tables. We actually designed them so they can be changing tables now, but when the boys are older they can be desks. We figured they’re just going to stay folded down a lot, so everything is designed to look like a tree. I wish I had these up to show you! We even did some laser etchings of little tree inhabitants.”
“Well maybe we can help you get them up this weekend,” Jiang Yanli smiled. “It could be a contest. Whoever puts up the most furniture wins!”
“Is that what goes on at baby showers?” Jiang Wanyin questioned from where he and Jin Zixuan were lingering in the doorway. Wei Wuxian grinned at him, the only baby showers he and his brother had attended was Jiang Yanli’s. They’d spent most of it drinking.
“You act like you haven’t been helping me plan,” Jiang Yanli rolled her eyes at him. “He’s very excited.” She added in a lower voice to Wei Wuxian.
“ A-Li !” Jiang Wanyin hissed, pulling a giggle from his sister.
“Xichen is very excited as well,” Wei Wuxian laughed as he wrapped an arm around Lan Wangji’s waist. “Lan Qiren was planning on being here as well, but he got called to be a replacement for a bridge tournament.”
“He was highly disappointed,” Lan Wangji noted. Wei Wuxian hummed, Lan Qiren was a force to reckon with when it came to his future grandbabies, from the planned photoshoots to a four hundred page plan of education to be completed with the boys before they enrolled in preschool.
“Well, I can show you guys where you’ll be staying.” Wei Wuxian smiled as he led the way on. “Down there is the master bedroom,” He stepped back into the hall. The unspoken warning not to intrude on it unless they had to hung in the air. “So you’ll all be down here.”
They strategically picked the rooms the farthest away from their own room, only partially due to their rise in territorial actions. In reality it was because Wei Wuxian was still horny. He was blaming it on the pregnancy, but in truth he was pretty sure it was just him. He’d managed to convince Lan Wangji to run a sound check, setting up recording devices in every bedroom to see in which ones the least amount of sounds could be heard.
“Oh these are lovely!” Jiang Yanli smiled as she peered into them. “Who did the interior design work?”
“Lan Zhan did most of it,” Wei Wuxian smiled. “I just told him what I liked. If you guys want some time to settle, feel free! Lan Zhan was planning on cooking tonight. Lan Xichen mentioned dropping by, maybe bringing a few games to play.”
“Sounds great!” Jiang Yanli smiled. “Let’s get the bags up stairs, wouldn’t want A-Ying poking around in his surprises.” She winked at him.
“I would never!” Wei Wuxian mock gasped as they started towards the stairs. The sound of a doorbell sounded through the house. “That must be Xichen,” He hummed, stepping aside so Lan Wangji could slip past him. “Go ahead,” He gestured to the rest of them. “It takes me a while to do stairs now.”
“I’m surprised Wangji isn’t just carrying you,” Jiang Yanli winked as she let Jiang Wanyin and Jin Zixuan head down first. Her hands came up to support Wei Wuxian for his descent down the stairs.
“He usually does,” Wei Wuxian winked. “But we have a habit of getting carried away.” He lowered his voice for the second part, despite Jiang Wanyin and Jin Zixuan being out of earshot.
“I told both of the boys to bring ear plugs,” Jiang Yanli winked. Wei Wuxian felt himself blush.
“I might have sound tested the rooms,” He admitted. He watched a wide grin grow on Jiang Yanli’s face.
“Smart boy,” She winked.
“Wuxian!” Lan Xichen’s voice called in greeting as he came to the foot of the stairs. “I hear the twins are active today!”
“They are,” Wei Wuxian nodded with a smile.
“Xichen, it’s so good to see you again!” Jiang Yanli greeted.
“As it is to see you Yanli,” Lan Xichen nodded in greeting. “Your shared links have been invaluable.”
“Are you getting baby tips from her too?” Wei Wuxian questioned with wide eyes.
“As the nearest living relative, I will uphold my duty as default babysitter.” Lan Xichen replied, holding up his hand in oath. “Wangji forwarded me most of them.”
“I swear, everyone is going to be more informed than I am by the time they get here.” Wei Wuxian laughed, his hand subconsciously rubbing his stomach.
“Don’t worry, you’re going to be a great dad.” Jiang Yanli smiled, dropping a kiss to the top of his head as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Only then did she join him on the main floor.
“So far it seems the only skills I’ve developed are vomiting and how to get to a bathroom in ten seconds,” Wei Wuxian snorted. “Not to mention putting more food away than an entire small army.”
“Speaking of which,” Lan Xichen held up a small bag. “Wangji said you were getting dangerously low.”
“You’re a saint,” Wei Wuxian praised as he tore open the bag to see his favorite hot sauce. He’d been burning through it with all his odd cravings.
“The owner also wishes you well,” Lan Xichen continued, a smile playing on his face. “Also, he wants to know when the due date is. He needs to know if he needs to make another batch of sauce, as apparently you’ve managed to go through one complete bottling by yourself.”
“Eleven weeks,” Wei Wuxian sighed. “Or longer.”
“It’s all so exciting,” Jiang Yanli squealed as she hugged Wei Wuxian. “I’m going to be an aunt!”
Wei Wuxian smiled at his sister’s enthusiasm, one that was quickly matched by Lan Xichen. He waddled past Jin Zixuan and Jiang Wanyin as they appeared lugging suitcases, bickering the whole way. He followed his nose to the scents that were already drifting out of the kitchen, a happy sigh as he wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji’s waist. Well, as well as he could with a bump the size of a watermelon.
“Do you hear that?” Wei Wuxian questioned as he heard doors open and shutting upstairs. The excited tones of Jiang Yanli and Lan Xichen chatting in the hallway. Even the sound of the stirfry sizzling in the pan wove it’s way into his mind.
“Mn,” Lan Wangji hummed.
“That’s what our family is going to sound like,” Wei Wuxian beamed. It was enough for Lan Wangji to turn, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“Our family,” Lan Wangji purred, a hand coming to rub Wei Wuxian’s stomach.
“Wuxian! Tell this peacock that I’m going to get to hold the twins before he does!” Jiang Wanyin’s voice interrupted their moment. “He already got to hold A-Ling before me!’
“A-Ling is my son!” Jin Zixuan protested. “Of course I got to hold him first! And I’m not saying I get to hold the twins before you, I’m saying that you need to make sure you don’t mix them up!”
“I’m not going to mix them up!” Jiang Wanyin snapped back. “They’ll have different colored beanies or something.”
“I’m just saying babies can all look very similar.” Jin Zixuan replied.
“Oh god,” Wei Wuxian rocked forward to hold onto Lan Wangji. “I didn’t even think of that! What if we mix them up?!”
“We will not,” Lan Wangji rebutted before glaring at Jin Zixuan and Jiang Wanyin. “Only fools can confuse a baby for another.”
“I’m doomed,” Wei Wuxian blinked. “What if we just tagged them, a little chip under the skin? Just to make sure.”
“We are not chipping our children,” Lan Wangji’s jaw set.
“Think about the benefits, we could even track them!” Wei Wuxian pressed. “I wonder if we could even get something that would track their vitals, maybe even their micronutrients!”
“Sounds useful,” Jiang Wanyin hummed.
“Out,” Lan Wangji’s jaw set as he looked at the other two alphas in the room. Both of them seemed to be seriously considering Wei Wuxian’s proposal. The two scrambled for the rest of the luggage and darted out.
“What did you say to them?” Jiang Yanli laughed as she made her way in after the two scurried out.
“We’re going to chip the twins!” Wei Wuxian grinned. He saw his sister's face go blank. He barely managed to keep a straight face for more than a minute before he broke out laughing.
“Come on Lan Zhan,” He prodded his mate. “You know I’d never put untested tech in our children.” He slapped him lightly on the arm. “I was promised games and entertainment!” He changed the subject, turning back to the rest of the room.
“Shall we set up in the dining room?” Lan Xichen smiled.
Α-Ω-Α-Ω-Α-Ω-Α-Ω
“Ugh, who thought a baby shower would make such a mess,” Wei Wuxian sighed as he peered out from his nest in the living room.
“You know, you complain a lot for someone who isn’t cleaning up,” Jiang Wanyin rolled his eyes at him.
“I’m pregnant,” Wei Wuxian pouted, his hands going to his stomach.
“How is it that’s only your response when it's to your advantage,” Jiang Wanyin huffed as he shoved some more paper plates into a trash bag. “Shouldn’t you be cooing with Lan Wangji and the rest as they put together the nursery?”
“I’m comfy,” Wei Wuxian shot back. In truth, it was the first time he’d found a comfortable way to sit in the past four days. “And the babies are sleeping.”
“You can actually tell that?” Jiang Wanyin looked at him, his eyes wide in amazement.
“I like to think so,” Wei Wuxian started rubbing his stomach. “The monkey is pretty active, but he gets quiet around this time every day. I like to think of it as his nap time,” He smiled down at his bump. “And a sign he’ll be a night owl like me and not his father.”
“At least you two won’t fight over who has to get up,” Jiang Wanyin moved, starting on a new trash pile.
“I doubt Lan Zhan would even let me,” Wei Wuxian snorted. “He’s so excited.”
“He’s still planning on staying home?” Jiang Wanyin seemed to prod.
“Mn,” Wei Wuxian nodded. “He’s officially on the books at Cultivated Tech until the end of our maternity leave. Which will start next week, and go for about four months. Lan Zhan says he’ll work until the week of the due date, but I don’t believe him.” He continued to explain with a chuckle. “He’ll probably come up with some excuse to come home sooner.”
“You are planning on going back,” Jiang Wanyin said. “To work.”
“Well yeah,” Wei Wuxian snorted. “I love my babies but I want to have my own company someday. I can’t do that staying home with them.” He cocked his head as he looked at his brother. “What’s bringing this on? You’re not trying to lure me back to Lotus Pier again are you?”
“I just didn’t know if you’d changed your mind,” Jiang Wanyin shrugged. “A-Li said that can happen.”
“Well, not for me.” Wei Wuxian shook his head. “I want it all. Lan Zhan’s been spoiling me too much. Making me think I can have it all.”
“I,” Jiang Wanyin paused. “I wanted to wait until I could talk to him.” Wei Wuxian watched Jiang Wanyin take an uncharacteristic pause of hesitation. “Make sure he wasn’t going to weasel out of his promise.”
“He isn’t,” Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. Leave it to his brother to still doubt Lan Wangji. “Even if he was unhappy with the arrangement, he’d keep his word. I wouldn’t have let him mark me if I didn’t trust him.”
Wei Wuxian paused as Jiang Wanyin shifted one of the armchairs in the room. His spine straightened as he saw his brother produce a file box. How long had that been there? His eyes worriedly scanned the rest of the room for anything that he might have missed. Years of prank wars flashed through his mind.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t hide anything else,” Jiang Wanyin picked up on his nervousness. “I just couldn’t find a moment between the baby monitors and the diapers to give this to you.” He stepped over, setting the box at the edge of Wei Wuxian’s nest.
“What is it?” Wei Wuxian rubbed his nose as he looked at it.
“You’re supposed to open it stupid,” Jiang Wanyin shot back as he sat in the arm chair nearest Wei Wuxian’s nest.
“And let fifty thousand of snake explode in my face?” Wei Wuxian arched his eyebrow at him. Jiang Wanyin huffed, leaning over and yanking off the lid.
“See?” He noted. Wei Wuxian stuck his tongue out as he pulled the box closer. His brow furrowed as he saw manila file folders, all tightly shoved into the box. “Files?”
“Generally what goes in file boxes,” Jiang Wanyin shot back. “I’ll let you plead pregnant on that one.”
“Haha,” Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes as he moved to pull a file out. He grunted as he had to work it out, the file finally coming free. “If I find out that all of these files are useless-” He broke off as he flipped open the file he’d pulled out.
Within it was one of his designs.
A design Nightless Tech had taken in the lawsuit.
“A-Cheng?” He looked up.
“Since Nightless Tech stole a lot of their patents, and since a majority of the persecutors are people they stole from, we managed to procure the return of the stolen patents to their owners.” Jiang Wanyin explained. “So, once you sign this,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “All the patents you were lead on while at Nightless Tech, and the patents they stole from you in the lawsuit, will have been returned to their rightful owner.”
“What?” Wei Wuxian breathed. He leaned forward to take the paper. His eyes scanned over what was written on it. “For real?”
“As real as babies growing in your stomach.” Jiang Wanyin held out a pen.
“I just sign?” Wei Wuxian looked back at the page.
“Yup.”
Wei Wuxian let out a breathless laugh as he took the pen. He propped it up on his knee, quickly signing his name. He dotted the last ‘i’ before staring at the paper. Was that it? Just sign his name and suddenly he had two years of his life back.
“That’s it?”
“Well, I have to turn this in to the lawyers who will file it.” Jiang Wanyin smiled as he tugged the paper out of Wei Wuxian’s hand. “Once it’s been processed, everything in that box will be in your name.”
“God, I must have worked on dozens of projects while I was at Nightless Tech.” Wei Wuxian looked at the box.
“Lead on 37 projects,” Jiang Wanyin replied with a bit of a smirk. “While they nabbed 28 from you in court.”
“It’s a miracle I got any sleep when I worked there,” Wei Wuxian laughed. “Naive and fresh out of college, racing to prove myself.”
“What are you going to do with them?” Jiang Wanyin questioned.
“I don’t know,” Wei Wuxian sighed, peering into the box. “See which ones are active, figure out how to keep them in production. See if any of the inactive ones are worth producing.”
“Sounds like a lot of work,” Jiang Wanyin snorted.
“Coincidentally, I’m going to have plenty of free time for the next eleven weeks.” Wei Wuxian grinned. “Give or take.”
“What’s that bring your total patents up to now?”
“Uh,” Wei Wuxian paused, tallying it up. “I think I’ve got like twenty leased out? Maybe a few more? I really need to sit down and review them, they’ve been piling up with the court cases and the babies.”
“Sounds like you almost need to hire someone to keep track of all of them for you.”
“Right? Would make my life easier.” Wei Wuxian snorted as he pulled a few more files out to flip through.
“Wuxian,” Jiang Wanyin called. Wei Wuxian looked up, meeting his brother’s gaze. “I’m saying you’ve got enough patents to start your own company.”
“It’s not the patents I’m worried about,” Wei Wuxian shot back. “A lot goes into running a company. You need connections, business no-how.”
“You’re mated to a Vice President of a major company, or has a President of a major company and heirs-to-be as siblings and sibling-in-laws.” Jiang Wanyin stood, crossing back to his trash bag. “Not to mention you’ve been managing your own patents for years now.”
“I told you, I’m not relying on family connections!” Wei Wuxian shot back. “I want to do it myself.”
“Right,” Jiang Wanyin hummed. “Because making over 70 patents on which you start a company doesn’t count. 70 patents, mind you, that could probably provide the start up capital. Which doesn’t connect back to those ‘family connections’. But of course, picking up some business tips from your pillow talk would totally prove you didn’t do it by yourself.”
“It’s not like that A-Cheng,” Wei Wuxian shot back as he pulled out more files. His hands already idly sorting them into active and inactive piles.“Everyone-”
“Will see you differently as an omega,” Jiang Wanyin finished with him. “So why not just do it?” He questioned. “I mean if they’re going to judge you anyway, you might as well be judged and have a company. I mean you aren’t getting any younger.”
“Cheerful reminder there,” Wei Wuxian snorted back. Still he couldn’t help but mull the idea over as he flipped through more of the files. These were some major products, it was going to take a lot of time to find someone willing to build them. Maybe he could just piece them out? Find another party to put the pieces together. If he couldn’t find someone to do it he’d have to get a space to put the parts together, not to mention the manpower to do it.
“I mean on top of it,” Jiang Wanyin spoke several minutes later, as if he’d been thinking about it while cleaning. “You’ve got a great trophy husband, so you’ll fit right in with all the other presidents.”
“Trophy husband?” Wei Wuxian laughed, rolling his eyes. “Is that all I needed? I must have been sick during those days of my business classes, or maybe on my heat.”
“Should have taken better notes,” Jiang Wanyin tried to mock, but his laughter broke through it. “Oo, I found some cake!” He held up a half eaten piece. “Want some?”
“You’re disgusting,” Wei Wuxian wrinkled his nose.
“You and A-Li had a forty minute discussion on placenta.” Jiang Wanyin fired back as he lifted the piece and took a large bite. “How is that any worse than finishing off someone's cake?”
“It’s called a baby shower,” Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. “We’re supposed to cover stuff like that.”
“So boring,” Jiang Wanyin huffed.
“Boring?” Wei Wuxian looked at him. “Boring! I’ll show you boring,” He moved to get out of his nest. Only to have the weight of his stomach throw him off. He tried to roll, only to be hindered by the files he had started to spread out around him. He glared as Jiang Wanyin started to laugh. “Stop laughing and help me up!”
“Oh, and miss this prime opportunity?” Jiang Wanyin questioned. Wei Wuxian glared as he saw his brother go for his phone.
“Don’t you dare!” He warned. It was followed by the sound of the camera shutter. “Jiang Wanyin! You ass!”
“I’m sorry? The man who took photos of me puking after my twenty-first birthday, because we needed to ‘document my baby brother’s first hangover’, is commenting on my picture taking?” Jiang Wanyin shot back. “Or the photos of when you made a dick out of sunscreen on my back so I had a dick tan for weeks!”
Wei Wuxian chuckled at the memory, which only succeeded in making him more stuck. Why did he decide to make a nest on the floor anyway? He could have just used the one on the couch. After a few more attempts of struggling he gave in.
“Lan Zhan!”
“How the mighty have fallen,” Jiang Wanyin teased, followed by another photo click.
“A-Li! A-Cheng is being mean!” Wei Wuxian wailed, throwing a grin at his brother. Two could play that game.
“Low blow,” Jiang Wanyin hissed as he darted forward.
“A-Ying? A-Cheng? Is everything alright?” Jiang Yanli’s voice sounded, followed by the sound of her footsteps on the stairs. The heavier sound of Lan Wangji’s behind them.
“Everything’s fine!” Jiang Wanyin called back, his hand moving to cover Wei Wuxian’s mouth before he could call back. Wei Wuxian licked his hand in retaliation. “Seriously!” He hissed as his hand flew back.
“I’m stuck and A-Cheng is just taking photos!” Wei Wuxian called out with a smirk.
“You!” Jiang Wanyin hissed.
“I leave you two alone for five minutes!” Jiang Yanli sighed as she came into the room. Lan Wangji’s entrance was marked by the way he darted to Wei Wuxian’s side. “You better pray your twins aren’t as much of a handful as you two.”
“They’d never,” Wei Wuxian pouted as Lan Wangji helped him to his feet. “Besides, they have half of Lan Wangji’s genes. It would be, like, illegal for them to be troublemakers.”
The whole room turned at the sound of a snorting laughter. All eyes moving to look at Lan Xichen. Lan Xichen tried to wave their looks off, a hand covering his mouth.
“What’s so funny?” Wei Wuxian questioned.
“Well behaved does not exclude you from being a troublemaker,” Lan Xichen replied. Wei Wuxian looked over as he heard a huff from Lan Wangji.
“I was not a troublemaker,” Lan Wangji objected.
“Just as stubborn as a mule,” Lan Xichen rolled his eyes. “He went on two hunger strikes before Uncle had to ban them.”
“I was protesting unjust treatment,” Lan Wangji protested.
“Unjust?” Wei Wuxian questioned.
“Uncle wouldn’t let him have a rabbit.” Lan Xichen replied.
“Lans are dedicated to helping those less fortunate,” Lan Wangji’s eyes flashed. “They had no home nor a roof over their head.”
“He moved on to a ‘peaceful sit-in’ when his hunger strike didn’t work,” Lan Xichen’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Wei Wuxian laughed, wrapping his arms around his mate as he huffed with annoyance.
“Why does that peaceful description seem doubting?” Wei Wuxian prodded.
“It was peaceful,” Lan Wangji’s jaw tensed as he glared at his brother.
“You bit Uncle!”
“Not on purpose.”
“Oh, and you can just accidently bite someone.” Lan Xichen rolled his eyes. “I’m warning you now, he’ll probably arm the twins with the same tactics to get pets.”
“Suddenly your proposal to add pets to Uncle Lan’s education manifesto makes so much more sense! What did you say it would do?” Wei Wuxian laughed at Lan Wangji. He saw his mate’s ears flush red. “Build responsibility?”
“Children with the combined stubbornness of the Jiangs and Lans,” Jin Zixuan snorted. “Heavens help us all.”