To Byul (Omegaverse)-Chapter 190: You’re not alone, baby

Chin-hwa finally let out the words that were troubling him. "I... I’m pregnant."

Baek-Hyun’s eyes widened in surprise, and his steps paused. It was as if every cell in his body refused to move after hearing the most shocking news yet.

How... How was that possible? He was sure the after pills were potent enough, and they gave it to him early enough, so how?

Did they do it again after that?

Had they been reckless? Surely, Kang-woo shouldn’t be that dumb to make a mistake like that after all their warnings.

He glanced at Kang-woo but knew he couldn’t get the answer just by looking at him, so he took a deep breath and quickly composed himself.

He approached Chin-hwa and hugged him. This allowed the tears in Chin-hwa’s eyes to finally fall.

He gripped his father’s coat and cried his heart out.

"Okay. It’s okay," Baek-Hyun said. "It’s going to be all right, baby. It’s going to be alright." He held him tight, kissing the top of his head.

After Chin-hwa had cried his heart out and calmed down, Baek-Hyun sat him down, holding his hand gently.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. "Are you in pain? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Chin-hwa shook his head. "I’m scared, Dad. I don’t know what to think of this. I... I did think it was possible, but then no one was saying anything about it or even worrying, so I felt it was fine and that the chances were slim, but..." He bit his lip.

He had been relaxed because everyone else was relaxed. But to think...

Baek-Hyun pulled Chin-hwa closer, dropping his head on his shoulder. He looked up, confused by the reality of things, and then shut his eyes.

What would Hae-won do at a time like this? He couldn’t help but imagine how his partner would handle this situation.

Should he just call him?

No, Chin-hwa had called him because he wanted to count on him. If he wanted his mother to take care of this issue, then he would’ve called Hae-won instead.

"You’re not alone, baby." Baek-Hyun said, stroking his head. "I know it might be frightening at the start, but it will get better."

"What should I do?" Chin-hwa asked, his eyes tearing up, but Baek-Hyun rephrased that question.

"It should be, what would you like to do?" He asked him. "The fate of the child growing in your belly rests in your hands." He said and looked up at Kang-woo. "Both your hands. So, what will it be? Do you want to keep it or get rid--?"

"No!" Chin-hwa immediately refused, gripping his sleeves tight.

Even if he was scared, even if the reality was frightening, there was no way the thought of getting rid of the child would cross his mind.

It was his... And Kang-woo’s. There was no way he would get rid of it.

"I’m keeping it."

"Think about it carefully, Hwa." Baek-Hyun said. "Your body isn’t exactly strong."

"I’m not weak!" Chin-hwa declared. "I can do it. I can... I... Have to do it. It’s mine."

There was desperation in Chin-hwa’s eyes. No matter what anyone was going to say, he was going to have that baby. He was scared, yes. There was nothing more frightening than the thought of pushing a baby out of him, but he was more scared of losing the baby.

It was a life he had created with Kang-woo on their first night together, their first heat. It was cruel to even entertain such thoughts.

"I understand." Baek-Hyun said, stroking his hair, and turned to Kang-woo. "Do you stand by Hwa’s decision?"

Kang-woo took a moment. He looked at Chin-hwa, his expression playing a mix of emotions, holding guilt and fear. He didn’t even know what to think anymore. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had caused Chin-hwa unnecessary stress.

"If Hwa wants to keep it," he said. "Then I would like to keep it as well. I... Will be a parent alongside Hwa."

He wanted Hwa to be happy. Plus, he didn’t think of it now because of all the stress, but he had imagined having a baby with Chin-hwa. A cute blonde baby that carried Chin-hwa’s eyes, his nose, and lips. An image similar to the ones they saw on Chin-hwa’s photo album.

Chin-hwa shared those same thoughts.

There was nothing more heartwarming than the thought of having a baby that turned out to be the replica of the one they loved the most.

As they sat there, Baek-Hyun began to make plans.

"We’ll need to get you set up with a doctor, and I’ll talk to Hae-won about the best hospitals. We’ll take care of everything." He said.

Chin-hwa nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. With his family’s support, he felt like he could face whatever came next.

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Then, Baek-Hyun spoke up.

"We’ll get through this together, Hwa. You have your family to back you up." He kissed the top of Chin-hwa’s head. "Nothing will go wrong."

"Thank you, Dad."

Baek-Hyun thought it would be all right since Chin-hwa had agreed to keep the baby. He felt that whatever came next would be easily handled by them, the adults, but as soon as he got home that day and explained things to all parents gathered, including Tae-won and Lee Ga-ram, Woo-bin flipped.

"What did you say?" The mug on his hand fell, crashing to the floor and shattering, but he did not even look down or mind that he might wound himself.

He simply stared at Baek-Hyun in disbelief and rage crawling up his veins as he asked,

"Did you just say Hwa is pregnant? And that he decided to keep the baby?"

Ah, yes. Everyone might seem cool with it after a little assurance, but for Woo-bin, it felt like a volcano had erupted in the house.

It would take more than a little chatter of assurance to get him to calm down.

They had to stop him from meeting Chin-hwa by all means because if he did, he might break Chin-hwa’s heart with his disapproval to keep the baby, not that his own opinion mattered since the only ones who actually had a say in this was Lee Kang-woo and Park Chin-hwa, the parents of the slowly growing unborn child.