Afterlife ✔️

Chapter 39: Blossom

Jungkook softly smiles as he watches his adorable mate snuggle in the nest that surrounds both of them. He gently reaches out and sets his hand on his mate's large stomach and begins singing to their pup. Taehyung lovingly smiles as he listens to his mate's soft voice.

"Little pup, you better be well-behaved. You have been making life difficult for your precious Eomma." Jungkook softly whispers against Taehyung's pregnancy bump and then presses a tender kiss on the baby bump.

Taehyung sleepily hums as his mate leaves tender kisses on his stomach. Because his body was not made for pregnancy, the last month has been beyond exhausting for him.

"I am beyond lucky that you are my mate." Taehyung sleepily murmurs as he brushes his fingers through his mate's hair and looks into his mate's loving eyes.

"I am the lucky one." Jungkook smiles and leans up to kiss his mate.

"Let me explain why I am lucky." Taehyung softly laughs and gently brushes his thumb across his mate's cheek. "I have been fussy and hormonal, but you have tenderly and patiently cared for me. You are a busy emperor who has much to handle, but you make sure to be with me. I am your empress, so I should be helping you shoulder the weight of Voreion, but you have had to shoulder it without me, and never once have you gotten upset or frustrated with me. Thank you, Darling. I am beyond lucky to be able to love you and to be loved by you." 

"My Dear, I am still the lucky one. I love you so much." Jungkook whispers with teary eyes and wraps his pregnant mate in his arms as he lies down. "I am so incredibly lucky."

"Nesting is nice. I do believe that I will still nest even after our pup is born." Taehyung hums as he gently presses his hand against his stomach.

"I also enjoy nesting." Jungkook smiles and snuggles his face in his mate's soft hair and breathes in his mate's comforting sea breeze scent.

"Jungkook!" Taehyung suddenly cries out and jerks in pain when he feels a sharp pain in his stomach.

"The pup is coming!" Jungkook shouts as he lifts his mate in his arms and carries him to the room that the healers have set up for Taehyung.

"The prince is being born!" The castle fills with excited and worried shouts.

When Jungkook runs into the birthing room, he carries Taehyung to the birthing bed that is right next to the large bath that is being filled with fresh seawater from Thalassia. Once Jungkook sets Taehyung on the bed, the healers instantly begin preparing Taehyung for the surgery.

"This will help numb the pain." The head birthing healer hands Taehyung an herb to eat as other herbs are slathered on his stomach to numb the pain.

"You will still feel pain since the stronger herbs will harm your pup, but the pain will be dulled." Another healer explains as she sanitizes everything.

"You will be okay. I am here." Jungkook softly tells his mate as he holds his hand.

"I have to admit that I am grateful that we can only have one pup." Taehyung grunts in pain as another wave of pain rushes through his body.

"Honestly, me too." Jungkook softly chuckles and kisses Taehyung's forehead.

When the healers begin the delivery surgery, the two mates continuously look each other in the eyes without ever looking away. A tear trickles down Taehyung's face as pain fills his body, but his mate's presence comforts him greatly. "I will take your pain," Jungkook whispers to his mate as he absorbs Taehyung's pain.

"Thank you." Taehyung sniffles in relief.

"Always, Dear." Jungkook lovingly hums as he rubs circles on his mate's hand.