Chapter Text
“Do we have to do this?”
Lan Wangji shrugged. “You do not have to do anything but this is the one time I’m offering.”
Jiang Cheng glared at him for a moment longer then sighed. “Fine, give me the damn baby doll.”
Five months changes a lot. We’re Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji friends? No. Family? Yes. Willing to be there for each other? Also yes. His heart had softened for the other alpha, especially seeing how much he doted on Huaisang.
Lan Wangji was about to close the front door when he saw his brother's car swing into the driveway. “Am I late?” Xichen said, stumbling out of the car.
“No. Drive safer or your mate will get angry.” He handed the last doll to his brother and shut the door.
The living room was crowded but it would do. Thankfully their furniture had arrived but there were still boxes in the way.
“They are doing okay?” Jiang Cheng asked.
Jin Zixuan was the first to reply. “Yep. Yanli just texted me that they are starting massages now.”
With that, all eyes turned to Lan Wangji. If you had told him, even a few weeks ago, he’d be doing a ‘class’ on how to take care of infants to his family he would have scoffed.
Yet here they were.
Room of alphas and his brother a beta, all trying to ask questions. It hadn’t been his plan. Wei Ying had gotten frustrated one night when Lan Wangji’s phone wouldn’t stop notifying him of text messages. The alpha’s brain had been turned off, focused solely on his mate grinding on top of him, apparently Wei Ying had not been the same.
The next evening, his fiancé had informed him that Lan Wangji would host everyone at the house while their omegas did a spa day together. As annoyed as he had felt, Wei Ying’s smile and joyous comments about their independent endeavors was enough to have Lan Wangji relax. Their son was with Lan Qiren, equally getting in bonding time as the only grandchild before the literal hoard of children that were to come.
“To start off, does anyone have questions.”
Nearly every hand went up and Lan Wangji should have seen that coming.
“Let’s save questions for when this is all over.” Wen Qing offered, which Lan Wangji was thankful for. The doctor had volunteered to assist Lan Wangji though her and her mate already knew how to take care of babies.
“Good idea. First, we’ll work on changing diapers and swaddling. Food, sleeping habits, general care of baby and omega. Hopefully by then I would have answered all of your questions but if not ask then.”
Lan Wangji looked around the room. Faces of confusion and equal determination reflected back at him. It was going to be a long day.
The prediction came true the second they got started.
“Maybe don’t have the blanket that tight around the neck.” He said assessing Jiang Cheng’s ‘swaddling’ attempt.
Surprisingly, Nie Mingjue got it on the first try. Xichen, not so much.
“And that’s why our mate was blessed with both of us.” The alpha kissed Xichen for his effort.
“It’s fine. I’m better at other things.”
It quickly became a competition between the two of them of who could do better. Lan Wangji didn’t interfere. There would be no ‘winner’ except their children being cared for. His nieces or nephews were in for quite the ride of overbearing parents.
To help with changing diapers, Wen Qing had suggested melting candy bars so they’d actually have something to clean. Initially Lan Wangji had been on board but it became obvious this was not the reasoning behind the doctor's actions.
Her phone out, snapping pictures of each doll that were now covered in more chocolate than Lan Wangji had even melted. How did they even manage that?
“There!” Jiang Cheng wiped his forehead and proudly held up the now diapered toy to Lan Wangji. Sure the diaper was on but one wrong blow out away from further disaster. The chocolate had managed to get in the alphas hair as well and Lan Wangji tried not to think of what it represented because - gross.
Making bottles was next and rather than waste formula, Lan Wangji opted to use a powdered flour mixture that would dissolve similarly. Nie Mingjue shook his.
“That’s going to make it harder to burp the baby later. Swishing or stirring is best.” Lan Xichen’s voice sounded over the aggressive bottle shaking.
When Lan Wangji had asked Jin Zixuan why he hadn’t made one, he proceeded to pull out his phone. “It’s like the baby version of a coffee maker and you just put the bottle there and press the button.”
The group had circled around the phone interested in the contraption. It was helpful, Lan Wangji could see how it would help someone who needed assistance with parts of the task but Jin Zixuan did not.
“And your family travels a lot.”
“So?”
Lan Wangji shrugged his shoulders. “That will not fit in your carryon luggage. There will not always be a power outlet for you to plug it into. Even then, in the video you heard how loud it is. Do you know how horrible it is to finally get your baby to sleep only to even accidentally make too loud of a noise and they wake up screaming?”
Was Lan Wangji pushing his own ‘not so joyous’ parts of being a dad? Yes.
Would he have changed any of them? Truthfully, no. Looking back now, it was funny. Lan Yuan eventually learned to stay asleep and the stories and scenarios helped the others prepare for their own babies.
“Fine. You’ve made your point. Give me the bottle.” After a couple of tries, everyone had mostly gotten the hang of it.
After that, Lan Wangji shared what he knew of taking care of omegas post delivery but Wen Qing sort of took over from there. It was something Lan Wangji hadn’t been able to experience the first go around. This time, he was doing everything in his power to make sure they remained safe. Therapy had helped him accept what had happened, the initial accident, was out of his control. Had they stayed home that night, who is to say Wei Ying wouldn’t have slipped and hurt himself? The thought pulled his mind and before he knew it, his phone was in his hand, half listening to Wen Qing, he typed out.
Husband 💍:
Walk slowly please.
Also I love you.
Love of my life 💍:
Oye. Lan Zhan did you worry
yourself again? Bad alpha brain.
I am safe, I promise. I love you!
{image.00130}
The picture coming in of Wei Ying reclined with his feet up drinking some sort of smoothie. His mate was so pretty. Even with his feet swollen.
Husband 💍:
Beautiful☺️
“So any questions?”
Lan Wangji snapped back to the living room at Wen Qing’s voice.
“What if my kid hates me? My dad didn’t like me and I don’t-“ Jiang Cheng had spoken. Lan Wangji would have brushed it off but the raw honesty in the man’s voice gave him pause.
Out of everyone expecting children in the room, the only one who had a positive father in their life had been Nie Mingjue. Lan Wangji only barely remembers the alpha that had seemed almost larger than life coming to pick up his son from the Lan estate. His death had been noted as a heart attack coming from a lifelong heart condition but the man had survived losing two wives. Even years apart that takes a toll.
Lan Wangji knew for damn sure him and Xichen didn’t have a true father. Their uncle was the closest but Lan Qiren had always had a sense of distance from the brothers. A barrier that really only seemed to be mended once Lan Yuan was born and his uncle had softened.
Jin Zixuan’s father was… the typical definition of an asshole alpha. He slept around, rarely saw his children except if he needed something from them, and was overall a dick. He threw money at his offspring as if that could buy their affections. All in all, Jin Zixuan turned out much better than he should have. But Lan Wangji also thinks that might have something to do with his mate. Jiang Yanli the voice of reason but never shy in speaking her mind when it comes to her brothers or spouse. Someone had to be the logical one in their relationship and that person would have never been Jin Zixuan. The alpha had only recently learned to let go of trying to get approval from his father and cousins. Apparently, having found he had another younger brother who had been abandoned by their father had been a turning point. Xichen knew more about it but nonetheless it had impressed Lan Wangji.
“All of us have some sort of trauma when it comes to the people who raised us. For most it is neglect, for Mingjue it is death, and for Xichen and I it’s our father slowly killing our mother.” Lan Wangji swallowed against the emotions that started to come to the surface. It had been a while since he’d actually thought about both of his parents.
He used the same words he’d given Xichen. “The fact that you are already conscious enough to ask means you will be a better father than he ever was. To fully answer your question, babies are fickle. Lan Yuan in particular was a very cuddly infant. Most likely due to Wei Ying not being present but there were times when he would refuse for me to hold him. Rather screaming until Uncle came to take him or when he was a bit older, crawling to Xichen. There are ups and downs but when they are that young-“
Lan Wangji smiled looking down at his hands, the memories of that time in his life. The years, the worry, the first time his son was sick, the first time A-Yuan said ‘baba’. All of it was so precious to him. He would be honest with the other men. “When they are that young you are basically a food and comfort source. You make them feel safe. As long as you do that, everything will be fine.”
When Lan Wangji glanced up and everyone had tears in their eyes or Jin Zixuan who was just freely crying. He hadn’t meant to do that. Before he could say anything else, Jiang Cheng had stood up, crossed the room to Lan Wangji, and pulled him into a hug so quick he didn’t have time to refuse.
Neither of them spoke. Lan Wangji recognized the embrace for what it was. A white flag. A truce. A second in which all of them understood how the others felt. As soon as it happened, Jiang Cheng had released him. A single head nod confirmed that was something neither of them would ever speak on.
Just in time as the front door unlocked. “Lan Zhan! We’re back! Why are there so many cars in the driveway? Lazy alphas you could have walked here.”
Wei Ying had made it to the living room, arms crossed and eyebrows raised at his alpha. There was no other explanation Lan Wangji could give. He was devoted to the man who looked at him with faux irritation. In a minute or so Wei Ying would laugh or make a joke. In a few hours their new house will be clear of their family and they will share some time together before their son gets home.
“Holy shit Lan Zhan. I said teach them how to take care of a baby. How did you manage to make them all cry?”
With that Wen Qing burst out laughing. Followed by everyone else. Jiang Yanli had made a bee line straight for her mate and was wiping away at his face. When Meng Yao had walked from the kitchen, Xichen and Mingjue had jumped up from the couch and engulfed their omega. Lan Wangji heard murmuring but couldn’t fully make out what was being said. An intimate moment not meant for him.
“I’m going. I’ll make sure to add these pictures to the shared family album.” Wen Qing said, patting his shoulder.
As she left, Wei Ying approached and kissed Lan Wangji. “Well I hope you had a good time torturing everyone.”
“Mm.” Lan Wangji would explain later. He peered around his mate. They were missing an omega.
Jiang Cheng beat him to it. “Where is Huaisang?”
A small voice called from the front of the house. “Uh. My water broke.”
Lan Wangji froze at the same moment his mate shouted back. “On my rug?!”
Jiang Cheng either didn’t hear Wei Ying or care, having taken off to his mate. Nie Mingjue not far behind him. There was a faint sound of arguing, whatever it was Lan Wangji couldn’t imagine this was the time for it.
He kissed Wei Ying's forehead and settled his mate on the couch. Getting closer the voices picked up.
“What do you mean you didn’t want to inconvenience anyone?” Nie Mingjue sounded moments away from shouting.
“I don’t know! Well, I mean they are having twins so if I complain about my back hurting then it’s not fair right? Cause it’s only one so I convinced myself it was fine.”
“Doesn’t feel fine anymore.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was a mix of fondness and worry.
Lan Wangji internally groaned. He immediately dialed his phone. “Did you leave yet?”
“No, someone's car is blocking me in. I was just about to call you.”
“Come back inside. Huaisang’s water broke.”
Wen Qing groaned. “It was back labor wasn’t it? Damnit when they left earlier I saw him walking slow but I didn’t - ugh ok. Call an ambulance just in case and get everyone to move their cars. I’m coming back inside.”
Lan Wangji hung up and did just that.
***
Wei Wuxian clicked the button to lock the car door. The truck was still open, his mate gathering the last of their bags.
“Lan Yuan, make sure to hold their hands tight.”
His son nodded, in each hand his cousins held on. The, now, ten year old had become the most popular person in their family overnight. The eldest cousin therefore everything he did, all the babies wanted to follow. Not so much babies now though if Wei Wuxian was being honest.
Two sets of twins, a serious little boy who was so much like Jin Zixuan it was scary, along with a little girl that was grumpier than Jiang Cheng. All of them turn five, give or take a few weeks between them. Wei Wuxian did another headcount to make sure no one was left behind. Thankfully this part of the airport was never overly crowded.
Years ago, at the insistence of Lan Qiren, it had been established that instead of everyone having a birthday party, the family would take a vacation together. It helped that most of the children were born around a similar time of year and was weirdly more cost effective. Wei Wuxian had run the numbers twice but couldn’t deny it. They would split up who traveled with who and shifted babysitters during the vacation. Anyone outside of their family had thought it was strange but Wei Wuxian would just shrug. “When you have a family tree as impressive as ours, this is by far the least weird thing that happens.”
This year had been voted on by the now (nearly) five year olds. All of them had become obsessed with the beach or the ocean. Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure which movie did it, but apparently all of them were in agreement. Like every year before, the kids are split up to make traveling easier.
Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang, along with their daughter, were already out of the country, having arrived a week earlier than everyone else. Lan Qiren’s plane landed a few hours ago, having taken Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan’s twin girls with him. Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan, and their son should fly in tomorrow.
The peacock got stuck with some work. Ever since his father stepped down as hospital director he’d been busier but still an attentive spouse and father. Wei Wuxian had never asked what exactly happened there but the fact that Lan Xichen had bought out the hospital made it now a part of GusuLan.
Nie Mingjue, Lan Xichen, and Meng Yao would arrive at the airport in a few hours but they hadn’t been able to book the same flight. They had more than enough on their plate. They’d taken in Meng Yao and Jin Zixuan youngest brother after the boy had been orphaned. His mother’s family had not been kind to the boy. He had assumed when he arrived he would be a maid or caretaker for the family. Lan Xichen had cried, Meng Yao had been stunned silent along with Jin Zixuan. It had been left to Nie Mingjue. The alpha had calmly explained he was a person and their family. No one expected him to work for a place to be safe and cared for. It had been difficult but worth it. Now, Mo Xuanyu was a thriving eighteen year old who (with tutoring from Lan Qiren) was on course to graduate in a few months.
On top of that, Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure how the trio had managed to do it again but they had another set of twins. Wei Wuxian had cried with Meng Yao over that. Neither of them were actually upset, just emotional. Looking back it was silly but at the moment of the tiny omega screaming ‘what the fuck’ on a loop had been distressing. Seriously because what the hell was in the water that Meng Yao drank for it to happen twice? Wei Wuxian hadn’t allowed Lan Zhan near him for a while after that revelation.
Two boys that were so much like their beta father, if it wasn’t for genetic testing Wei Wuxian would have been sure both were Xichen’s. Thankfully, the heart defect that everyone had been worried about was not present in the boy fathered by Nie Mingjue. That too had been an emotional day for the family.
The older set of twins Wei Wuxian had offered to take. Along with Lan Yuan. The truck to their SUV slammed shut and Lan Zhan appeared. Two suit cases, a car set strapped on top of one and a booster seat on the other. In a carrier on his chest sleeping, their youngest daughter.
“Ready?” His husband asked.
It was hot. An alpha carrying a tiny baby was hot Wei Wuxian wasn’t going to deny his thirst for his mate. For now, they had a 6 hour plane ride but once they got to their hotel and everyone sorted the baby sitting schedule- he was climbing that man like a damn tree.
“Of course I’m ready to go, baby.” He looked up at his first born and nephews. “Are you guys ready?”
Screams of ‘yes’ pierced his ear. Wei Wuxian winced but then laughed. He really wouldn't have his life any other way.
That longing. That desperate sense that something was missing? This was it. He wouldn’t trade it for the world. His crazy chaotic family was perfect and he loved each of them. They were together and no matter the frustration and fights because of course there are arguments, Wei Wuxian knew he could rely on all of them.
It didn’t matter who was ‘blood’ related to who. Everyone was cousins and uncles and aunts and siblings. They just were.
After moving GusuLan headquarters to the same country as Jiang Enterprises, Wei Wuxian had made it his mission that everyone lived close to each other. Now, he was at most a six minute from annoying his brother or a ten minute drive to his sister's delicious cooking. Lan Qiren was at their house more times than not, the old man ever had his own room. The kids were welcome and loved and cared for and doted on in any of their houses.
The way it should always be.
***
“Join me?” Wei Ying said standing in front of the bathroom door.
Lan Wangji spared no expense on their suite, still admiring the room three days into their trip. He had just gotten back from dropping their children into, what Mo Xuanyu had explained as, a ‘cuddle puddle’. It was a mess of feet and hands and hidden candy that the children thought the adults didn’t know about but it was hard to miss the distinct sound of foil wrappers opening and tiny giggles.
Because they had arrived earlier than everyone else, first on babysitting duty was Jinag Cheng and Nie Huaisang. Last year, when his children had arrived at breakfast, Lan Wangji had been stunned silent at the obscene amount of glitter in their hair. Jiang Cheng assured him this trip Huaisang had not brought any craft supplies.
He’d passed his brother and his spouses in the pool. He knew his uncle had already retired for the evening. Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan had made reservations at a restaurant earlier in the evening. Mo Xuanyu brought a friend with him this year. By how close they stood, Lan Wangji would guess they were more than friends. It didn’t matter who the actual ‘parent’ was, in their family they raised all of them the same as a group. ‘It takes a village’ made very literal.
Lan Wangji didn’t reply to Wei Ying. Join him? Hot soapy water with Wei Ying? It was a literal wet dream.
He stripped off his clothes quickly and followed behind his mate. Lan Wangji had no hesitation grabbing Wei Ying’s ass.
“You’re so handsy.”
“What am I supposed to do? My mate is so attractive.”
Wei Ying kissed him and Lan Wangji could have lived in that moment forever. Eventually they separated and settled into the bath together. Wei Ying in his lap, leaning back against Lan Wangji’s chest. The alpha’s hands fell naturally to Wei Ying’s hips.
“Stop moving.” He said in the omega’s ear.
“You want me to stop when you’re that hard?” As if to make his point, Wei Ying circled his hips and the way his ass pressed against his cock. Lan Wangji’s head fell back and his eyes shut.
Their youngest daughter was only two, getting moments to themselves where they wouldn’t be interrupted were rare. Lan Wangji enjoyed the feeling of his mate against him and groaned as Wei Ying’s hand wrapped around him.
When the omega turned around and straddled him again, Lan Wangji’s eyes flew open.
“What are you doing?”
Wei Ying blinked at him then looked down. “Trying to ride my husband's cock.” The omega glanced back up at him. “Did you think this was a magic trick? Alright, watch your dick disappear.” His voice was smug and both of them groaned as Lan Wangji entered.
“I thought you did not want to.” Lan Wangji panted ignoring Wei Ying’s terrible ‘joke’.
The omega laughed. The noise almost a whisper from the effort of opening himself on the alpha’s cock.
“I mean, it’s not like you can get me more pregnant.” Lan Wangji’s hand rested on Wei Ying’s stomach. The barely there bump proof of their last heat. “Unlike your brother or his mates. Twins were a fluke for us.”
“What have I told you about mentioning other men while we are having sex.” Lan Wangji nipped at Wei Ying’s jaw.
“I didn’t say names this time!” Wei Ying squeaked as Lan Wangji stood up. He made no attempt to dislodge himself from his mate. Carefully, he left the tub and walked towards the bed. Wei Ying sinking further and further on his cock.
“You’re awful at loopholes, Wei Ying.” With his mate’s back cradled in the sheets, Lan Wangji eased out slowly then pushed back into Wei Ying with the same tempo.
His omega gripped his arms. “Harder Lan Zhan!”
He didn’t move faster or harder. Their kids were safe. Their family together and happy. He’d waited his whole life for moments just like this with the love of his life in his arms, scenting and desperate to give as much as they get. The intimacy . The need .
Lan Wangji would never take it for granted. Never. It was not necessary to rush.
No one knows how much time they are given with those that they love. Lan Wangji was just lucky enough to get a second chance. He’d make every second count. The alpha would no longer let others take control, his life was his to live. Whatever was ahead of them in life would be decided together.
Lan Wangji’s existence had forever changed by looking into the silver eyes of an omega that was destined to be his. He’d sworn to always protect the then boy. Vowed to love his now husband till his dying breath. Events in their lives had torn them apart but, even unknowingly, their son had put them back together.
The proof of their promise.
The End.