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Tony scrunches his nose up when he feels a wet nose nudge into his stomach, then a little lick sweep over his belly button. His breath hitches inside his throat, causing a little titter to escape his parted lips. “Bats..! W-What are you doing, boy?” he snorts out, gently nudging the six month old basset hound’s head away from his ticklish belly.
Bats let out a little ‘Arf!’, pushing at the Alpha’s hand, trying to get to his stomach.
Tony started to get worried at the pup’s odd behavior, he’s been acting like this for three weeks already. Bats started following the Alpha wherever he went inside the brownstone home, the laundry room, the den, kitchen, bathroom, and even in the shower.
Bats loathed bathtime, just like any other dog.
But he insisted on being in the shower with Tony, he started barking and whining till Tony opened the glass door then scattered in, getting between his legs.
The hovering and following around wasn’t the only thing Bats started to do.
Now the pup adored Stephen and Tony equally.
Though he knew he had the other Alpha wrapped around his cute chubby paw.
Stephen would deny it and say bullshit while dumping a bag of dog toys or treats he bought before coming home from work.
Then Stephen would accuse Tony of spoiling the pup too.
Tony would of course deny it even though he knew damn well he took the pup to the cafe early in the morning to get him a pup cup.
It was an old losing loving argument.
Bats followed Stephen everywhere too, he was hyper, and always wanting to play with both of the Alphas.
That changed three weeks ago.
Bats snapped at Stephen whenever he got close to Tony, started yelping and howling whenever he embraced or kissed Tony.
One time he bit Stephen when the two started to get intimate, it had been a busy week for both of them at work. They missed and longed for each other's touches after such a stressful week, Stephen had just pinned the smaller Alpha to the wall in the foyer. Growling and leaving his marks on the slope of Tony’s neck, rasping his lips over the bond mark on his scent gland he made two years ago.
Bats came prowling and took multiple bites at Stephen’s ankles, tearing his teeth into the pant legs.
That’s when both of the Alpha’s started to grow distressed.
The basset hound was always so peaceful, loving, and playful.
Thankfully his mate is a veterinarian, checked him over and took him to the clinic he owned and worked at.
Stephen found nothing, nothing but a completely healthy puppy.
They were relieved but Bats behavior still hadn’t changed.
It didn’t help that Tony wasn’t feeling so well himself, every evening and morning he woke up nauseated. He would have random spells of dizziness, feel lightheaded, or be exhausted more than usual. He couldn’t hold down his favorite foods, snacks, or even water. He also noticed his clothes started to feel a little tight, especially around his hips and torso.
The Alpha figured it was the bloatedness he has been feeling lately, so he cut back on dairy and carbonated drinks.
His chest also started to itch, it was an intense, irritating sensation.
Stephen commented that his scent had changed a bit, that it smelled sweeter and much more potent.
And the Alpha didn’t want to say anything but when Stephen and him were getting intimate before Bats interrupted. He felt slick in between his thighs…
Tony is an Alpha.
Alpha’s can’t procreate slick.
Only Omegas.
Tony started to feel inklings of his old insecurities that he thought he buried deep down, crawling up his throat, squeezing at his lungs.
Tony wasn’t what society considered an average Alpha.
When he went into ruts he didn’t have sexual urges or ached for releasion.
The need to knot.
His knots never last as long as they should have.
They only last for three minutes, rare times would be four.
Usually an Alpha’s knot can last for ten to fifteen minutes, thirty minutes when an Omega is in heat and ovulating.
He didn’t get aggressive or have the ache to be dominant.
When Tony experienced his ruts, he craved affection, a need to scent, urges to provide and service his mate.
Tony was already an affectionate person.
But when he was in rut, it was ten times heightened. Maybe a hundred.
The scent glands on his neck and wrists grew extra sensitive, sore, and puff up a bit during his ruts.
He also had urges to drown himself in Stephen’s scent, he took his turtlenecks, cardigans, and hoodies.
Or bury his nose against his Alpha’s scent glands, inhaling his mint eucalyptus scent with a sharp hint of lavender.
Tony always had to touch his Alpha and not in sexual way.
He yearned to hold his hand, run his fingers through Stephen’s hair, place a hand on the small of his back, hold him, and smatter him with light hearted kisses.
And those urges to provide or service his mate?
Tony would run a bath for Stephen, wash his hair, make him his favorite meal, buy and stock his comfort foods. Buy extra of his favorite brand of coffee and teas. Surprise him with the books that his Alpha wanted and had on his wishlist for months on Amazon. Using the fabric softener that Stephen preferred, saying the scent reminded him of Tony. Tony would fold his clothes, put them away in their respective places. He goes to the clinic, dropping off lunch from his Alpha’s favorite fast food joints.
Smelling his mate’s pleased, happy scent made him purr in satisfaction.
So yeah.
His ruts weren’t exactly like any other Alpha’s.
But Stephen would always reassure him, and that he loved these things about him.
When Stephen went into his ruts, he grew more possessive and territorial. Wanting to bite down on Tony’s bonding gland, reclaiming him over and over again. Knotting him over and over again. That lasted the fifthteen minutes each time. Tony couldn’t leave their room for a week till his scent smelled like his Alpha’s scent and he was covered with his marks. Wearing Stephen’s cardigans, hoodies, or turtlenecks that reached to his hickey covered thighs.
Lathered in his Alpha’s scent.
Which was normal for Alphas.
Tony was also shorter than most Alpha males.
His childhood best friend, Steve, was the only other Alpha male he knew who was shorter than him but by puberty he stretched and filled out into his body.
Ha!
Puberty gave Tony the middle finger.
Tony had to work hard on his body, go to the gym, take kickboxing, and do some yoga. He didn’t get all jacked up and muscley, but his arms and thighs filled out nicely after the kickboxing and working with engines at the lab in the University.
It still wasn’t enough, according to Howard.
You look and act nothing like an Alpha should, boy! How pathetic!
Boy, he’s probably rolling in his grave now..
Not that it should matter now, his parents and Stephen's parents disowned the two of them after they found out the two Alphas were in a relationship together.
Putting that aside, Tony was able to produce slick, something no Alpha should be able to do.
Oh but that’s nothing compared to what happened the other night.
The Alpha was showering after a late night grading session in the den, Stephen was still at the clinic. The temperature of the water was piping hot. Melting away the tension and stress in his muscles-
When he got out of the shower and started drying off, he noticed some white, thick substances around his areolas..
He barely touched his nipple when more white liquid came out.
Did Tony screech? No. Of course not.
Yeah, yeah he did screech a little.
After that he made an appointment with a friend of his, Dr. Jane Foster.
Which he was supposed to head to this morning.
But Bats kept nudging and licking his stomach.
Tony started to feel anxious.
What the hell is going on?
Tony started to feel that familiar bile crawl up his throat.
Fuck.
“You’re pregnant.”
Tony clenches his eyes shut for a moment, his hand instinctively going to his stomach.
Bats makes a soft whine, he was laying in his carrier, chewing on his favorite chew toy.
Jane pulls out a treat from her lab coat that she always carried with her when she knew Bats was coming to her private office. Unzipping the carrier a bit to give it to him, ruffling his fur a bit. “And this little guy probably knew-”
“That's why he keeps following me and bit Stephen.” Tony finishes with a weary chuckle.
The Beta smiles, “Exactly. Animals sense these sorts of things before us mere humans do.”
“So…I’m an Alpha carrier? I..I haven’t heard of that for a long time.” Tony shakes his head, “I didn't even think they were real.”
Jane’s expression softens, “It's extremely rare.. you see, you have a unisex womb. You would've found it out after puberty. Didn’t you experience some symptoms? Make an appointment for a physical with a doctor after you presented?”
Tony feels the inside of his chest take an icy twist.
“My father was just grateful I presented as an Alpha. He didn’t see it as necessary to see the doctor. Besides, I spent most of my youth in boarding school till college.”
The spark in the pretty Beta’s sky blue eyes dulls into a heavy filled gaze. “I see. That must have been hard on you, Tony.”
Tony shrugs, avoiding her scrutiny. “Eh, yeah I experienced some symptoms that other Alpha’s didn’t. But it wasn’t really all that bad.” he snorts a little huff of air, trying to be nonchalant about it.
Even though in school it was terrible.
He thought something was wrong with him.
Others made him feel like something was wrong with him.
There was only one Alpha Carrier known to exist in society, back in the nineteen thirties, Eddie Brock. The first Alpha known to carry and birth a child. The man was scorned by many people back then, referring to him as defective.
Abnormal.
There were only a few tests he did before he disappeared from public with his family, one of them showing that Eddie had a unisex womb. And was far more fertile than most Omegas and Betas.
Normal age to present was at nine, you were either Alpha, Omega, or Beta.
Omegas experienced heats, swelling in their chest areas for the first few months, they nest, procreate slick, and they were able to carry children.
Alphas experienced ruts, their knots lasted between ten to fifteen minutes (longer when they’re going to bond or when their Omega is in heat.) Their testerone hormones ran higher, their voices were able to take a deeper edge, using the Alpha voice. Their nails shifted into claws when they were in distress or when their mate was, though an Omega’s were much sharper and defined.
Betas scent glands were much more sensitive, sometimes puffing up when they were stressed or irritated. Their scents were always calming and comforting. Only the female Betas were able to menstruate and bear the children.
When Alpha, Omega, or Beta’s find their true mate, they imprint.
The Alpha’s eyes shaded a crimson red.
Omega's shaded amber gold.
While Beta's shaded a silvery blue.
Or when they express heavy or heart full emotions.
Also when Alphas or Omegas mated with their mate during heats and ruts, fangs would emerge in their mouths so they could claim.
Back then, it was seen as the Omegas and Beta females were the ones who bore the childeren.
Alphas should be with Omegas or Beta females.
Omegas with Alphas or Beta males.
If they wanted to bear children.
Alpha/Alpha and Omega/Omega relationships were treated with scorn and outright hatred in society, seen as wrong and unholy.
Hell broke loose when they found out about Eddie, an Alpha carrier.
And that he was in a relationship with another Alpha.
Eddie was threatened to be taken from his home and experimented on by the government.
It was heard that he had to disguise himself as an Omega or Beta by taking a bunch of hormone suppressants and scent blockers before disappearing from New York City.
No one heard from him after that.
Eddie Brock was the last known Alpha to carry a child and have a unisex womb.
It's why Tony is having trouble believing he's an Alpha carrier.
When Tony presented, he was late. At the time, his parents just assumed he was a late bloomer.
He presented at the age of thirteen, he experienced painful cramps, his chest would hurt, his scent glands would burn, his knot didn’t last long or barely inflate, he had migraines because everyone’s scent was overwhelming, his scent was much sweeter, even sweeter than an Omega’s scent.
He couldn't even use his Alpha voice.
Tony was mortified to go get checked out by the boarding school infirmary nurse.
He also hated his body while growing up.
Even his behavior was seen as odd, not very ‘Alpha’ of him.
Tony didn’t fit in with the Alphas or Omegas.
Even some Betas gave him some scorn or pitying glares.
Thankfully nowadays, Alpha Carrier’s lives were remembered and rights fought for. Even though Eddie Brock was the last and only Alpha carrier known. There are a lot of foundations and charities named after him as remembrance. Two of his kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren would speak up about him.
Along with Alpha/Alpha and Omega/Omega relationships.
Yes there were still some ignorant assholes who cried about it but their whispers were drowned out by today’s generation of voices speaking up.
“I’m pregnant.. I’m an Alpha carrier. All my life I thought something was wrong with me..” Tony rubs his face with a heavy hand, sinking into it.
Jane squeezes his shoulder, releasing some soothing pheromones. “There is nothing wrong with you, Tony. There never was.”
“Why am I lactating already..? I thought that wasn’t till later on-”
“Well, for Alpha carrier’s in pregnancy their symptoms are much stronger, so are your hormones, and your bodies prepare much quicker than most Omegas and Beta females.”
“And the slick? I’ve never had slick before.”
Jane grins a little, “That’s due to the pregnancy.”
Tony swallows slowly, drumming his fingers against his thighs. “Do you know how long I am..?”
“Almost three months.” Jane looks down at her clipboard.
“And I’m barely experiencing symptoms?” Tony almost shrieks out.
Jane pats his back in soothing circles, “And that’s completely fine, some don’t experience the symptoms till later on.”
Tony couldn’t help but lean into her comforting touch before burying his face into his hands, his shoulders slumping.
What am I even supposed to tell Stephen?
Does he even want kids?
Tony couldn't help but recall the late hours of the night where sometimes he heard his Alpha's harshed whispers in his deep slumber. The way his face was vulnerable to the eye while he slept, it contorted into a grimace of pain while tears streak down his smooth cheekbones.
Donna..
He would always hear.
It was a whisper. But it felt like a scream.
"Tony..?"
The Alpha blinks, answering too quickly. "Ye-Yeah?"
Jane looks at him with concern in her azure eyes, "Are you okay? Do you have anyone to drive you home…? You look pale-"
Tony shakes his head, waving his hand around in dismissal. "No, no, no- I'm good. I got Bats with me."
The Alpha averts his honey amber eyes towards the pup, who was staring at him with big eyes.
Bats whines.
Me too, buddy.
Me too.
“Tony…do you want to see the baby..?” Jane asks, her tone soft and her scent gentle. Her solacing essence reminded him of summer storms in late July in the morning.
The Alpha could hear his heart accelerating in his ears, feel it practically lunge itself through his throat.
“I..” It aches to even talk, felt like someone had a tight grip around his throat.
All he could do was nod.
Tony stares down at the ultrasound in his trembling hands through bleary eyes.
“At this stage, you can see some facial features…like the lips, the eyebrows, and oh! Looks like the baby is squinting!”
Tony chokes down a sob, his finger brushing over the small head of his baby in the ultrasound.
The color of his eyes shifted to a mixture of crimson and amber with flecks of silvery blue.
His baby.
“Oh, God.. you’re beautiful. Look at you..” He sniffs, letting out a breathy laugh.
Bats barks, jumping from the passenger seat, scattering onto his lap before sitting up on his hind legs to lick at Tony’s tear stained face while paws rest upon his chest.
Tony feels another watery laugh bubble up from his throat, “Bats..you sap, take a look at the baby.” he reveals the ultrasound photo to the pup.
Who licked it before trying to nudge at Tony’s stomach, whining.
Tony rubs between his big floppy ears, “Not yet, little guy..soon.”
The compact sized Alpha felt an overwhelming emotion seize him when he thought about his Alpha.
Soon.
“Oh god..what am I going to tell Stephen?” He tried to bite back the sob fighting its way up his throat, the back of his eyes burning.
Fuck.
Bats whines.
Tony couldn’t stop the hysterical laugh that left his quivering parted lips while tears streamed down his face.
He just held Bats tighter.
Looking at the ultrasound through blurry eyes, his breathing ragged and shallow.
As soon Tony walked into the foyer of the brownstone home, making sure Bats was inside before shutting the hard wooden, sangria colored double doors. When he noticed the street lights flashing outside through the tinted windows on the doors as he shuffled out of his shoes to place on the rack.
‘God, what time is it?’
After his 'little break down' in the car, he ended up falling asleep from all the overwhelming emotions. Thankfully he only fell asleep for an hour and was parked safely in the parking lot in the downtown's park.
Pulling out his phone in his pocket he was struck from the savory aroma wavering throughout the layout of the brownstone.
Bats barks running down the hall, dragging the petite Alpha along with his leash.
“Holy Tesla-! Bats!” For being only a six month old puppy he sure was strong. Tony cut his losses and let go of the leash before he tripped or pulled a muscle.
Right when he let go, he slammed face first into a hard chest and familiar strong arms circling around him in a tight grip.
His nostrils inhale that enticing redolent of mint eucalyptus and lavender incense, that always brought memories of their imprintment.
Alpha.
"Your eyes… well, I've never seen something like them before.."
The seventeen year old Alpha flinches, feeling the urge to attack the other young Alpha while his instincts scream to bury his face into the smooth slope of his neck where one of his scent glands were or bare his neck for the Alpha to bite down on his bonding gland.
Tony bites out a growl, his fingers twitching in agitation. "Bite me, Strange."
Stephen barks out a laugh, his own eyes glowing a bright red. He couldn't tear his gaze from Tony's own pair of glowing eyes, almost drowning in their intertwining scents. "Oh, I planned to." Leaning forward to grip the petite Alpha's bruised chin where he was hit by a football, hence his reason for even being in the medical infirmity in the first place. "But first, I'm going to take care of you."
Stephen raises a tissue to Tony's bloody nose.
"Asshole."
"Douchebag."
Tony instinctively bares his neck, trying not to purr or whine at him.
“You’re home early.”
Stephen chuckles, cupping at his mate’s neck, his thumb swiping over the crimson bond mark. Tony could smell the happiness radiating off him for easily barring his neck to his mate, showing Stephen that he had Tony's complete trust into him. It took a whole year into their relationship to get that far. “You haven’t been feeling well, I was worried. I knew you were going to the doctor’s today, I figured I could at least make dinner and take care of you." There was a shimmer of guilt inflicted in his tone, a wrinkle in between his furrowed eyebrows while his hands examined Tony's body with intense focus.
Tony clutches at Stephen’s hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I’m fine, honey.”
Tony leans up to brush a kiss against his husband’s chin. “I know you've been tied up at work. Everything went fine, I’m going to feed Bats and jump in the shower-”
“No, no. I’ll feed him. What did Dr. Foster say? Are you ill? Maybe you should eat something first?” Stephen trails after his mate down the hallway to the staircase.
Tony pauses in his trek, “I..sure, yeah. I’m sorry, it was a long day.” he rubs the back of neck, feeling all the tension built up there.
Stephen was about to ask what happened but Bats came running in, barking at both of them.
“I know, I know. Let's go eat!” Tony snorts, a laugh bubbles out of him when the pup yaps and nudges at his ankles. “I’m going! Geez..”
Stephen contemplates for a second, taking a gander at Tony’s retreating back.
His insides twisting in unease.
“Stephen, you didn’t need to cook all this.” Tony sat at the table in the dining room where the table was covered with appetizing dishes of vegetable beef stew, fresh baked buttered rolls, and peach cobbler.
Bats was happily chowing down on his food on the mat.
“It was no trouble, you haven’t been able to hold anything down. So I figured soup and bread wouldn’t be too heavy for your stomach.” Stephen pulls out the chair for his husband, placing a kiss on the crown of his head, ruffling up his curls of hair. “I took the day off tomorrow, we can relax and take it easy. Stay in our pj’s and watch The Proposal. You know?”
The other Alpha stares up at him for a moment.
Before taking off his glasses, rubbing a hand over his eyes.
“Tony- are you crying?” Panic etches in Stephen’s voice.
Tony shakes his head, stubborn, even when a whimper escapes his mouth. ‘Hormones, damn it.‘ And more tears streak down his flushed cheeks, “I..” then nods, laughing a little. “Yep..maybe just a little.” His usual sandalwood amber scent that is infused with peaches and a hint of coconut dampening to a sour odor.
“You just make me so happy, Stephen..” The Alpha’s voice hitches through his words.
Stephen tugs him out of the chair and into his arms, “Your scent tells me otherwise, dear.” He aims Tony’s face into the junction of his neck and collarbone where his scent gland was.
Tony grips the back of his mate’s turtleneck, fear pumping through his veins. “Stephen..”
“Shhh..it’s alright, I got you..” Stephen kisses the beauty mark on the cartilage of Tony’s ear.
Tony shook his head, “It’s not alright..I’m..”
“Tony.. what did the doctor say?” There was a strain in Stephen’s voice, Tony could feel a tremor going through Stephen’s body.
Tony squeezes his eyes shut, feeling more tears build up behind his eyelids.
“Anthony..” There was a grip on the nape of his neck, a thumb pressing into the bump of his marked bonding gland.
“I’m an Alpha Carrier.”
Tony feels his Alpha freeze.
All that could be heard in their home was the traffic outside.
“And you never knew..? Tony..there’s nothing wrong with that. Are you okay though..? Hell, the only Alpha Carrier known is Eddie Brock” Stephen tries to tug at Tony’s hair so he can see his face but his movements seem to seize when the realization of his own words dawned on him. “Sweetheart..”
“And I’m pregnant.”
Stephen’s lips parted in bewilderment.
Tony could see a fleeting of emotions cross his mate’s face in a matter of seconds when he pulled back, making the pit of nerves in Tony’s belly sink deeper, which made the smaller Alpha grip his stomach to steady himself. Which seems to be the wrong move since Stephen’s eyes flicker to his stomach and all the color drained from Stephen’s face. Stephen swallows so hard that Tony can see his adam's apple bob against his throat. “Three months. And God.. I want this. I know you never wanted kids, and if this is a deal breaker- Stephen- Stephen, wait!”
Bats barks after the other Alpha, who’s whole demeanor was cold.
His scent was so much harsher that it made Tony physically flinch.
Stephen shakes his head, covering his face with a shaky hand. “I can’t- not right now.” he makes a hasty retreat to the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
Bats whines, his long nose nudging at Tony’s calf.
Who sunk to the floor at a slow pace, his hand clutching more at his stomach now.
Now that he knew, he could feel the barely there pouch of his stomach.
“It’s going to be fine.. It’s fine..” Tony heaves out, trying to make himself small. Bats crawls into his lap, standing up on his hind legs to lick away his tears.
It’s fine.
Tony feels like hell.
It was almost two in the morning and here he was leaning over the toilet, emptying out what was left of the contents he ate this morning.
Well yesterday morning, if we’re going to be technical about it.
After Stephen locked himself in the den, Tony couldn’t even bring himself to eat dinner. So he put everything in containers and placed it in the fridge. He tried to talk to Stephen when he was done but the Alpha started playing music, Pink Floyd rang throughout the brownstone for a couple hours. Drowning out Tony’s voice and knocking.
Tony gave up after two hours when he started to feel nauseous and ran to the bathroom.
He fell asleep curled up around the toilet, it was around twelve already. And each time Tony tried to get up he was hit with a dizzy spell and nausea.
He decided to grab some throw blankets, pillows from the living room and place them into the undermount bathtub, at least he would be cooler and closer to the toilet.
Also he didn’t want to go to an empty bed. Or couch, Or any other furniture he usually slept or snuggled with Stephen in.
Bats slept with him at least. Tony gave most of the blankets to the pup, who snuggled near his chest.
Tony felt so empty. He fell asleep, and woke up empty. His bondmark aching.
He curls up into a tight ball, holding Bats closer.
Inhaling his mate’s and his mixed scent from the blankets and pillows. Not being able to get Stephen’s closed up look and harsh stench out his head and heart.
Tony had to shut his eyes tight, trying to drown out the nausea.
Tony woke up to the sound of Bats’s growling and a hand up his shirt.
“Mmh..Bats, buddy, what’s wrong?” He groans out but freezes when he realizes he can’t move because of a heavy weight pinning him down.
There was a hand on his stomach, fingers dragging a feathery touch of patterns against his skin.
“I’m sorry..I’m so sorry, Tony..”
That’s when recognizes his Alpha’s mint eucalyptus and lavender incense fragrance.
Tony tries to push away Stephen to look at his face but the Alpha just holds on tighter, nudging his face against Tony's stomach, feeling around the pouch.
“I’m scared..”
Tony feels a pang inside his chest, biting down on his lip. “I know, honey…” he runs his fingers through the soft strands of his husband’s hair.
Stephen kisses his stomach. “I saw the ultrasound.. God, they look magnificent.” his voice trembles.
Tony wraps his arms around Stephen’s head, holding him closer. Swallowing back all the overwhelming emotion building up inside him. He wanted to be pissed at Stephen for pushing him away and locking him out but a part of understood why he did it and glad he took the time to process it all in his own time. “I thought so too..”
His Alpha trembles in his arms, “What if I can’t protect them..? What if..” Stephen’s breath hitches.
“That wasn’t your fault, Stephen.. You both were kids. Your father never shouldn’t have put that grief and guilt on your shoulders.” Tony pulls at Stephen’s shoulders, so he can press his mate’s face into his scent gland. Rocking his body back in and forth in the tight space of the bathtub, while Bats was squeezing his way in between them.
Stephen splays his fingers over his mate’s stomach, while nuzzling into the scent gland and bondmark. Getting a wift of his sandalwood amber mixed with peaches..
And coconut milk.
Milk.
Tony’s pregnant. With his child.
Tears prickle at Stephen’s eyes and an overwhelming warmth ignited throughout the inside of his chest.
“God, I love you..” Stephen gasps out, kissing at his bondmark, clutching at his husband’s compact frame against his own body.
Tony buries his face in between Stephen’s shoulder and neck, clinging to him.
“Oh, Stephen… I love you too, you freaking asshole.”
Bats let out a little bark at that in agreement.
Tony snickers when Bats licks at his swollen stomach of seven months, his cool wet snout nuzzling against his tummy. “I know, you’re excited to meet her too.” Both of them curled up on the couch, a persian blue blanket thrown over his legs and the basset hound while they watched The Proposal.
Stephen takes a seat on the couch with his mate, handing him his vitamin filled smoothie. For the last seven months the Alpha has been more dotting and his overprotective nature increased since Tony has been with child. Wouldn’t even let him walk up the stairs, he would carry him instead or even when Tony grew tired, Stephen would lift him in his arms and carry him. Afraid that the pregnant Alpha would have a dizzy spell and fall.
Tony makes a sour face, “Sweetie, I just had one of these an hour ago.”
“But it’s nutritions is good for you and the baby.” Stephen places his hand over his husband’s bulging stomach.
Tony rolls his eyes, leaning over to kiss his mate’s forehead. “You’re so overbearing.” he says in a fond tone.
“I’m a doctor, trust me.”
“For animals, babe.”
Stephen lays his head down and presses a raspberry kiss against his pregnant belly as a retort.
Tony bonks his head with a pillow, laughing. “Oh, up yours. You smartass.”
His Alpha only chuckles in reply, “So…thought of any names?” as he nuzzles his face into the curve of his husband's belly, pressing kisses and humming a little tune for his daughter. Knowing his unborn child was listening when he felt her kick.
Tony’s expression softens, “Actually yeah…I was thinking..” he pauses for a second, his gaze looking up towards the skyline window. “Donna. Donna Mariposa Strange.”
Stephen closes his eyes for a minute, to hold back the heat burning behind his eyes while a little smile touches his lips. Laying his head against the swell of Tony's stomach, listening to the heartbeat. Wrapping his arms around his mate's waist. “Our little butterfly, huh?”
A sunflower colored butterfly flew across the skyline from outside, fluttering around in the bright blues, orange, and lilac sky.
“Hey, butterfly.. Are you awake?” Stephen whispers against the soft skin of his husband’s bulging belly, brushing a finger across some of the stretch marks that he peppered with kisses any chance he got to. It was almost four in the morning and Tony was passed out, deep into his slumber. Stephen had to stop himself from kissing his mate awake, churning down on the possessiveness he felt in his breast as he watches his husband sleep in his oversized t-shirt, that slipped down a shoulder. And his grey sweats that clung to his hips and dip down bit in the front for his swollen tummy. His auburn hair also grew quite a bit, probably from all the vitamins and prenatal he was taking now. Wavy bangs falling across the side of his face, his lips parted as soft puffs of air escaped through them. The moon’s light giving a lovely glow to Tony’s brown skin..
‘Beautiful..’
Stephen froze when he felt some movement against his hand.
‘She is awake.’
Stephen couldn’t help but smile, pressing his face against his mate’s belly some more. “Can you hear me..?” In the beginning Stephen felt foolish trying to talk to the growing baby inside Tony’s stomach. But then he caught Tony a few times humming or whispering Italian or Spanish to their daughter when he thought he was alone, caressing his belly with a smitten look in those expressive doe-like eyes.
‘God, I hope she has your eyes..’
Stephen still got goosebumps when he felt his daughter’s kick against his hand, he could not even quiet the chuckle that escaped from his mouth when she kicked more. “Shh..it’s okay, you’re going to wake your papa.. I hear you.”
She kicked one more time.
Stephen rolls his eyes, bestowing a kiss against his husband’s belly button. “You’re definitely Tony’s daughter, always have to have the last word.”
“Hey, pot? Kiss kettle’s ass.” Tony grumbles, gently swatting the top of his Alpha’s head.
Stephen crawls up next to him, dumping his body against Tony’s. “Did I wake you..?” He throws an arm over the petite man’s swollen belly, nuzzling into the crook of his neck where his scent was most potent. Sleep was still possessing Tony’s mind since he barely could compose another sentence without sounding sluggish. “Mmph.. so much kicking..” Tony licks his lips to chase away the dryness of them, his nose scrunching up in displeasure. “So hot..”
“The air conditioner is on, ceiling fan is on, you have a cooling blanket on, and the window is open..” Stephen blinks, his hands reach to cup his mate’s face.
“Yep..“ Tony mumbles before his head falls back against Stephen’s shoulder, sleep overtaking him.
Warmth overfilled the core of Stephen’s chest “God, I love you,” there was a crack tethering in the edge of his voice. “So damn much.” He leans over to press a harsh kiss against Tony’s forehead while his hand slides down over his pregnant belly.
Tony lets out a soft little snore the same time when their daughter kicks once more.
“Fuck! Fuck! FUCK!” Tony throws his head back against the prompt up pillows, a bead of sweat trickling down the side of his face. “I am never letting your fucking knot near me again, Strange! You can kiss my bubbly ass goodbye!” He whimpers out, his chest heaving up and down from his quick breathing.
Stephen takes hold of his husband’s hand, letting him squeeze all his pain and frustration into his hand. Trying to bite back his grin, “I know, honey. I got you.”
“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, ASSHOLE!” Tony cries, squeezing his eyes shut in a grimace as tears streak down his flushed sweaty face. “Don’t you fucking look at me!! I'm gross!”
Stephen cradles Tony’s sweaty palm, kissing his knuckles. “God, no you’re not. You’re magnificent.”
Tears spring to Tony’s eyes, his lips quivering. “Y-You’re so sweet..” he heaves out before another contraction hits him hard. “¡Dios te maldiga, gilipollas! Fuck these hormones!”
Christine was trying so hard not to laugh and remain professional, “You’re almost there, sweetie. One more push. And as a reward I’ll let you squeeze his testicles real hard.”
“Whoa, hey now! I probably still want to have more kids!” Stephen protests, wincing at the thought of the imaginary of his balls being squeezed like a stress ball.
Tony’s eyes widened in shock, “R-Really? You would want to have more kids with me?” his breath hitching when the pain of the contraction overwhelmed him.
The expression on Stephen’s face softened, a glimmer glassing over his eyes. “Of course I do.. You’re my future.”
“Tony, push!” Christine gently squeezes his thigh.
Tony let out an agonizing scream while squeezing Stephen’s hand three times as he pushed.
I. Love. You.
Stephen squeezes his husband’s hand four times in response.
I. Love. You. Too.
Then there was a loud cry.
The most beautiful sound the couple ever heard.
“Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna…” Tony hums a very tired tune while running his fingers through the dark soft tuft of hair on their baby’s head. While she made soft cooing sounds against his chest, her mouth latched on one of his nipples. “I had a girl..
Donna was her name...” The exhausted Alpha hums the rest of the lyrics, almost dozing off to the feeling of her heartbeat against his own chest. “Cause I love my girl..”
Stephen leans over to kiss Tony’s forehead and the top of Donna’s head. “Donna by Ritchie Valens, nineteen-fifty nine.”
Tony chuckles, “You got it.” his eyes tilt down to look at their daughter while his Alpha slides into the bed next him, curling up by his side so he can get a good look of their child. “Hello, my little butterfly..”
Donna opens her mouth as if she was releasing a yawn, blinking her eyes at him.
“She’s gorgeous..” Stephen breathes out, curling a finger over her cheek.
Tony heaves out a content sigh, inhaling a mixture of their shared scent on her. Laying his head against his mate’s. “Our butterfly.” he smiles, “I think she’ll need one or two siblings someday..”
Stephen feels his heart throb, memories of him, Donna, and Victor spiraling throughout his head.
“Yeah?”
Tony shares an adoring look with him, “Yeah.”
Stephen takes hold of his hand, squeezing around it three times.
I love you.
Both the Alphas gaze down at the miracle in their arms, not being able to stop the tender smiles stretching across their lips. Their foreheads pressing against each other, “Our little butterfly.”