GYEOMIE POV:

MJ hyung steps through to the living room, face drained and worn but glowing with pride and happiness, elation making the red of his eyes light up. Stepping through to where the rest of us had been waiting what had felt like forever, legs jogging up and down, faces creased with concern.

Eunwoo had been plastered to my side since MJ hyung had left, hand worming to slide into mine, clutching on tightly with a warmth a tad bit hotter than vampire temperature, freshly fed and frantic, body jittery with nerves.

I hadn't seen her at all. Hadn't known anything until MJ hyung had told us that they were heading in, that (Y/N) was going into labour, that it was difficult and complicated. That he wouldn't know how long it would last.

And when he enters through the living room doorway I bolt upright, disentangling myself from both Eunwoo and Jackson hyung, tugging myself free from their curled up tight embraces, body too fidgety and restless to feel any of that tactile comfort that hyung had been trying to give.

His own nervousness seeping through the bond, a restlessness from the whole coven that couldn't quite be disguised despite the smiles and reassuring touches and squeezes. Because the mating bond couldn't hide that sheer fear that was rolling through every body, trembling in the hidden tightness to their postures even as the others compelled themselves to soften.

I stumble forward, legs stiff from all the jittering, from all that unease being forcefully stilled, dragged back by Mark hyung because all the pacing was making him fret.

"(Y/N)....how is she?" I ask. Wrist crawling and prickly with the constant flux of distress, hurt and pain that had been flickering in and out. Right now it was numb, void of feeling and I didn't know what that meant, the sudden snap of connection, silence through the blood bond had my heart twisting and clenching.

I needed to know she was okay.

Needed to know that everything was okay.

And watch as MJ hyung, immediately curls around Eunwoo who'd plastered against his side, leaning into his mate for some support- body drained. It made me wonder how much healing and support (Y/N) had needed through the birth.

But his lips curve up. A tired, wide smile as he looks at the room at large, squeezing Eunwoo's waist.

"Both (Y/N) and her baby are fine. She's brought us our newest addition. A beautiful girl." He says.

His voice is so soft and gentle, so low that it should've been swallowed up by the silence of the room, should've melted away and vanished.

But it rings in my ears.

They're both safe. Fine.

Baby girl.

A baby girl.

I don't realise my knees have buckled with relief, a startled sound as an arm slides around me and draws me against firm solid warmth.

Jinyoung hyung.

"She's okay Gyeom-ah. Mother and daughter. Our baby and her baby!" he soothes, voice light with elation and giddy with love and warmth.

There's the sounds of relieved sighs, of excited exuberance seeping into everyone as they cluster close, bodies radiating with a frantic eagerness now.

Now that everyone knew (Y/N) was okay.

That we had a baby girl in our lives.

"(Y/N)'s got a little girl." JB hyung adds, voice amazed and full of wonder.

His youngest nestling had a baby all of her own.

The very girl they'd spent years fussing and doting over, of taking her under their wing, of being smitten and overcome with that constant need to protect, protect was going to extend further.

Was going to be for the new baby of the coven.

I wanted to see her, eyes stinging traitorously of having been unable to see her since we'd arrived, of not being able to have hugged her close and soothed her that I would be waiting on the other side of this all.

I'd always be waiting on the other side for her.

"Can I see her?" I ask, hating the way my voice wobbled in that moment, trembling with emotion and a deep longing, an ache to be close to her.

But the face MJ hyung gives is sympathetic, has my heart sinking and face crumpling. Unable to stare at the silent rejection in his face.

A hand comes to cup my face, drawing my gaze up towards red eyes.

Unable to smile even as Bambam clucks, drawing me to look up, lips chaste as they peck mine quickly.

"I'm sure you'll be able to Yugyeomie, just give her and her mates time. Let it sink in for them too." He says softly.

And a new voice echoes him, warm soft and lilting.

"They're understandably emotional. Babies are a beautiful gift. (Y/N) and the others are a bit overwhelmed. But don't fret, you'll be able to see her in a little while." The slender figure steps forward, the others dipping their heads in respect.

Namjoon hyung's mother.

The resemblance was uncanny. But there was also this warmth she radiated unconsciously, bright and soothing. Her expression warm and gentle.

Loving as she looked around the room, taking in everyone's expressions.

"How's our baby?" Mark hyung asks.

See her lips quirk.

"My baby daughter or her baby?" teasing. Diffusing the slight tension that thrummed, that would remain until we got to see her.

It makes Mark hyung laugh, a huff as his eyes soften, lips curved wider.

"Both."

"They're both fine. (Y/N) hasn't been let go of since we cleaned up. The others can't quite bring themselves to move away. And the boys...are so, so in love. I've never seen such beautiful tears and smiles as they hold their baby." She says.

Traitorously my soul longs. The bond between us yearns for me to close the distance and get to her.

There's a proud gleam in her eyes, filled with nostalgia and tenderness.

And nothing but compassion when she looks at me. Knowing just well what (Y/N) means to me.

What I don't expect is for her to move close, stepping to stand in front of me and hands gentle as they brush against my cheek, a trail of warmth seeping into skin. Boosting me.

Nor do I expect the soft press of lips to my temple.

"Thank you dear for being (Y/N)'s blood bonded. You helped her a lot. More than you'll know." She whispers, stepping away, maternal love seeping out of her, winding around me.

I feel a new sort of energy buzz through me, brushing across my heart and soul before coming to settle.

And at my confused look she smiles.

"A blessing. For my daughter's blood bound." 

And that was what that new warmth was. Curling around me, cocooning me. Protecting me.

A blessing was rare, was coveted and so preciously given. And she'd given one to me.

A blessing that would keep me safe, would keep me in good health. A droplet of her ability coming to settle in my bones, in my very veins.

"Thank you Mrs Kim." I whisper.

"You're always welcome."

------

"(Y/N)'s asking for you all." Is the first and only words out of Namjoon hyung's mouth as he steps into the living room. There's a glow from within, golden as if sunlight pools inside and bursts out. As if the part of nature that thrums through his body, making that golden warmth of his skin shine as he looks at us.

He smiles when his mother flits to him to press a kiss to his cheeks, whispering something before she steps back, eyes warm as she gestures for us to go.

"Meet your nestling. Meet your babies." She encourages.

And that's all I need.

All I need is Namjoon hyung's words and I'm already tugging myself free from the others, rushing towards the stairs, allowing the house to guide me, feeling a pull towards the upper levels. Wrist flaring and the bond between us strong and concrete, a tug between us until I'm standing in front of a door.

Chest tight as I stare at it, hand reaching for it, startling when a hand presses to the base of my back.

"Go on sweetheart. No more waiting." Youngjae hyung whispers, nudging me forward.

And then I'm stepping through, body unconsciously relaxing at how normal it feels.

Nothing that could suggest that (Y/N) had gone through such a difficult birth. Nothing that has my heart catching with panic and fear.

(Y/N)'s propped up against the headboard, cushions around her, leaning against them. Exhaustion tugs at her features, body slumped against the support but her eyes are radiant. Bright and burning with fierce pride and love despite the tug at the corners of them, fatigue clinging to her.

And in her arms is a swaddled  bundle, both Jin hyung and Hobi hyung curled beside her, the others sitting on the bed near her.

"Gyeomie..." her voice a soft call when our eyes meet, connected and draws me close, feet hastening to get to the bed.

Hands curved around her cheeks to lean in, heads touching.

"I'm okay Gyeomie. Really I am." She whispers, voice wavery and shaky.

"You don't sound it. It doesn't feel like it." I whisper back, bond aching and sore and hurting.

Her hand rests against mine.

"Really I'm fine. Better than that." She promises.

And then I'm leaning back, having leant past Hobi hyung to clamber onto the bed carefully. I peer at the small bundle in her arms.

See the way her eyes glow with contentment and elation.

"She's beautiful." I whisper, finger so careful and light as it drifts across the bundle. Brushing against warm cheeks, a soft tiny nose and face smoothened out in sleep.

Curled up in a blanket and sleeping.

"She is." I hear (Y/N) echo as I marvel over her.

"Can I?" I ask.

Hands reaching out for the small pastel bundle, smiling when she carefully puts her down into my arms, so gentle and careful, so painstakingly aware of the tiny life I cradle.

Lips brushing across her forehead, lingering there.

"Hello baby. I'm your uncle." I whisper.

Tears warm as they spill over my cheeks as I hold her, unable to tear my eyes away from her even as the others move close.

"Not quite." (Y/N) corrects.

And when I tear my eyes away it's to see her smile as she leans back.

Hand intertwined with Jin hyung and the other reaching out beyond the bed.

Smiling when Eunwoo slides his hand in hers, rushing to get to her, perching on the bed and smiling at her.

Teary red eyes.

"I want you to be her godfather. Both of you." she says.

My heart clenches.

And the tears trickle down heavier.

Eunwoo makes a sniffling sound, tugging her hand even as he moves closer to press a teary peck to her cheek.

"You can't just say things like that. I'm going to be the best godfather ever!" he insists, curling close to lean in to hug her, her body going to sink against the cushions.

Smiling with sparkling teary eyes as she melts into the hug, eyes meeting mine.

"My two partners in crime being our girl's godfathers." She whispers.

My hands cradle her closer, drawing the bundle towards my chest, breath slipping out and hitching at the sight of her full cheeks, pink with heat and warmth.

See the tiny wriggles as she moves in her sleep.

"Hi baby. I'm your godfather." I whisper, amending my earlier words.

And let out a sniffly, shaky laugh when Eunwoo leans over.

"I want to hold her too! She's my goddaughter too."

(Y/N) POV:

I smile at the way the Ims gather close, lips pressing kisses to my cheeks and forehead as they lean in close, relief palpable in their postures and eyes lit up with radiance and joy. Not for my happiness or for their own, but our shared happiness for this moment, of our circle growing, of our lives widening and hearts expanding to slot in the smallest member of three covens, of the baby of our families.

A room for one more.

A room that she'd carved out and settled into long before she even arrived, made her way in our hearts in the nine months it took for her to reach us.

And when I see how carefully they handle her, precious and fragile is the bundle in their arms, tender are the lips that press kisses to her sleeping figure I know that she's already wound every single one of us around her tiniest finger that's curled up in a fist at the moment.

"Sweetheart you okay?" Hobi oppa whispers, hand reaching to draw my chin to him, to look at him, his eyes flickering red as he takes in my way my body has steadily sunk against the pillows, eyes fluttering as I take in the way our girl has every single one of the boys in here fussing over her, mates and Ims both.

"Mhm...." Even as I lean towards him, body twinging with pain, head curving close.

Relishing the safety and security his hold gives me.

My eyes slip shut, briefly seeking respite in the warmth of the darkness for a few moments but it's clear it's been longer when his hand draws my face up, eyes searching.

When it looks like he'd been saying something and I hadn't been able to focus.

But his gaze is fond and knowing as he pecks my lips.

"You need rest. Why don't you sleep?" he soothes, drawing my head back.

But I can't let my eyes rest, still searching.

"Ryan hyung and Deok-Mi noona will be here soon. They wanted you to rest." Jinnie oppa adds, hands drawing blankets around me as he ushers me to lie down.

I fiddle with the hem.

"What if I'm sleeping?" I ask.

I wanted to see them, wanted to see their expressions too when they met our baby.

His expression is fond but his hands are assured even as he curls beside me, wriggling under the sheets. The bed had changed and shifted when I'd been carefully lifted off it, cleaned up.

The bed was now a large stretch, expanded and wide.

And when Jinnie oppa curls beside me, it's to rest his head on his hand, propped up as he looks at me.

"I'll make sure you don't miss anything. Now rest little one. My sweet, sweet mate. We're here to look after everything." He urges.

His voice is gentle, lulling and calming.

Promising.

My eyes flutter when he leans close, lips pressing to my temple.

"I can look after this baby whilst the others fuss over our girl." He insists.

And it's to his voice that I let my body relax.

Feeling his settle beside me.

Arm curved gently over my waist as he sets himself close to me.

Murmuring softly until that too fades away, only the feeling of being safe and protected remaining. Until only his arm settled carefully remains, head pressed to the side of mine.

Until his body, an anchor, is the thing that keeps me adrift, floating on the cusp of sleep and finally giving in. Body drained and exhausted.

Knowing I was safe. Knowing I was being taken care of.

Knowing that in the walls of this room and house our girl was safe.

Our baby was in good hands.

Just as I was, body pressed close to my eldest mate's and husband.

Safe.

Whole.

A family of eight now.

(WHOO! THERE WE GO! I WAS ACTUALLY GONNA DO THE TEENSIEST TIME SKIP JUST TO WHERE THEY'RE SETTLED A BIT BUT GYEOMIE WASN'T HAVING IT. HE IS HER BLOOD MATE AND HOW COULD HIS PERSPECTIVE BE AVOIDED OR MISSED!! ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE WAS SO MUCH GROWTH AND EXPLORATION OF WHO THEY ARE TO EACH OTHER!! AND!! EUNWOO AND GYEOMIE FOR GODFATHERS!! I CAN'T THINK OF ANY ONE BETTER FOR THE NEWEST BABIE THEN THE TWO OF THEM! AND YOU CAN BET THAT THEY'LL BE TRYING TO OUTDO EACH OTHER TO BE THE BEST! IT ISN'T THE UNCLE TITLE WITH ALL THE OTHERS- EUNWOO HAS A DUEL WITH GYEOMIE FROM NOW TILL FOREVER TO BE THE BEST GODFATHER EVER!! AHHHHH! LOTS AND LOTS OF FAMILY MOMENTS TO COME! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT BABY GIRL BRINGS TO THE FAMILY DYNAMICS AND JUST HOW MUCH STUFF THERE IS TO EXPLORE. LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! AND I HAVE CHOSEN THE GIRL'S NAME...JUST WANT IT TO BE A SURPRISE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER! TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE LOVES!)

When we meet new people, when they grow close and hold bonds and relationships dear to our heart, it doesn't mean that the ones already occupying it vanish or suddenly matter no longer. It just means that our heart grows to make space for more love, for more people and that alongside people who have always been there, that more will join. And that the net of people that form your life will just become an even stronger support for you when you fall. All of them ready to catch you and help you get back up.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3