3 Paths to Love

Chapter 5

"For omegas, nesting can start as early as the first month, or start as last as the third trimester. Nesting during pregnancy is more intense than any other time. It is important to keep a ready supply of pheromone soaked items of loved ones for the expecting mother's ease and to familiarise the baby with the family," Taeyong put down the brochure. "Isn't that interesting?"

"Sure," Daehyun said as he massaged his temple in the seat beside him.

Pouting, Taeyong reached over, cupping his cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, it's just the smell." Or lack thereof. "It's giving me a headache."

Taeyong nodded and looked around the sterile doctor's office. Scent neutralizers were pumped through the vents for safety measures, though it left behind a sickly sterilized smell.

He held his wrist up to Daehyun's nose. "Does this work?"

Daehyun held his hand, taking in a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing. A shiver went down Taeyong's back as Daehyun sighed and nodded. "Yes. Thank you," he said and thumbed Taeyong's sleeve down and kissed his bare skin, tingles fluttering up his arm.

The door pushed open and Taeyong jerked back, blushing as Dr. Seojin stood in the doorway and raised her eyebrow at them.

Unaffected by almost getting caught, Daehyun nonchalantly took Taeyong's hand back. Biting his lip, Taeyong leaned into him. Dr. Seojin was an OB, wouldn't she be pleased seeing a happy couple in her office? Right? Ignoring his train of thought, he sat up and turned to her. "Well?"

"Congratulations, you are, in fact, pregnant."

Taeyong held back a squeal. He looked over at Daehyun and melted at his warm gaze.

Dr. Seojin cleared her throat and Taeyong came back to the present and blushed, averting his eyes. "Thank you, doctor," he said and sat up. "So, what's next?"

"Now, we will track your pregnancy since the last day of your heat. And that was one month ago, correct?"

Taeyong nodded. "One month, exactly," he said and the keyboard clacked as she typed it up. She stared at the screen.

"Your vitals seem to be good," she trailed off. "But you have a history of depression."

Taeyong tensed up and chuckled awkwardly. "Yes, but I am taking medication for it."

Dr. Seojin hummed. "And diet?"

"Yup. Only the normal foods though."

The comment went over Dr. Seojin's head, but Taeyong nudged Daehyun. He grinned at his alpha's avoidant gaze. Daehyun's life in high society New York made him surprisingly squeamish to 'unusual' foods. And Taeyong loved teasing him for it.

Dr. Seojin cleared her throat and Taeyong turned away. "Sorry, but, am I reading this right? Are both your parents betas?"

Taeyong nodded. "Yes. But my father's adopted so we assume one of his parents was an omega," he explained. Dr. Seojin nodded but continued to be perplexed. Taeyong fought the urge to laugh. He wondered how she'd react if he told her his beta parents have three omegas.

"Will that cause any problems, doctor?" Daehyun asked.

"I'm not sure," she said and turned to them, resting her folded hands on her crossed legs. "But, you're healthy and young. I can't imagine it'd be a problem."

Taeyong and Daehyun nodded.

Daehyun cleared his throat. "I wanted to ask—"

"Yes, sex during pregnancy is completely safe. And is recommended to keep life normal," Dr. Seojin explained.

Daehyun nodded as if someone handed him a boring report and sat back. "Thank you."

Taeyong gawked at him, pinching his arm. "Seriously?" he asked, quietly.

"Of course," Daehyun said. His face was neutral, but Taeyong sensed the smugness underneath.

"So, doctor. I wanted to ask about some pregnancy diets," Taeyong asked. "I have a few friends who tried the 'red to green' diet. What do you think?"

Dr. Seojin pressed her lips into a thin line. "My only recommendation is to get a specialized plan. Fad diets aren't made for everyone."

Taeyong nodded, pursing his lips. He could ask Cho Hwa to recommend her dietitian. "When do you think I can tell people, doctor?"

"Preferably, we recommend you hold off telling people until the end of your first trimester. But your scent is already beginning to change. So people may notice before."

"I see," Taeyong said. "Oh. I wanted to ask about—"

"Right," Dr. Seojin slapped her hands against her knees and stood up. "I will bring some booklets and resources for you two and we can go through them together."

"Oh, okay," Taeyong said, deflating as the door swung behind her, frowning when Daehyun chuckled at him.

Taeyong and Daehyun stepped into the waiting room, filing through the various booklets and brochures in his hand. He managed to get every pregnancy-related one from Dr. Seojin. He flipped through one, scanning the pages.

Daehyun wrapped his arm around his shoulder and pulled him close, kissing his temple. "Don't overexert yourself. Read these leisurely at home."

"You know that's impossible," Taeyong said and nuzzled his shoulder, taking in his scent. "Are you going back to the office after this?" he asked as they walked out of the OB ward towards the parking lot.

"I was thinking we could get lunch first. Your favourite?"

Taeyong grinned brightly, the thought of the food stall by the river made his mouth water. "I don't know. I should get back to the cafe," he said, frowning.

Shuffling around, Taeyong pulled out his phone from his pocket and stared at the screen. Furrowing his brow, he tapped the six texts from Seunghyeon.

Taeyong pursed his lips and tucked his phone away. He took Daehyun's hand and squeezed. "Actually, lunch sounds great."