Mingi tapped his foot impatiently as he stared out the window. Maria was late. He didn't care if it was practically blizzarding out and that there was already almost two feet of snow on the ground.

Seonghwa was due any day now and he was at his wits end...

The past few months had passed peacefully for the pack. They had started to stockpile a savings account from the hunting they were doing, San had fully healed and only had a few pale scars from the bigger wounds. They were thankful he hadn't lost complete use of his arm.

Yunho still suffered from morning sickness until just recently. Being almost six months along he was starting to slow down a little bit, complaining of back pain. He still had his bubbly personality, but his pregnancy was definitely a lot rougher on him. Jongho hardly ever left his side, and neither did Wooyoung.

Although when he did disappear San seemed to be the only one who could ever find him.

Like now.

As Mingi waited for Maria, San was heading to one of the corners of the house in search of his mate, a worried expression on his face. Yunho needed some help and Jongho and San needed to go hunting for food for the pack.

Hongjoong always insisted on being present whenever Kenneth and Maria came over. Even though the couple had proven themselves as trustworthy so far, the head alpha didn't want to leave anyone alone with them.

Mingi respected him for that. San and Jongho were more than capable of hunting, even though the young alpha hated leaving his mate. But Yeosang was needed to help Maria.

"Should we go look for them?" Hongjoong asked, coming to stand next to Mingi. "I feel bad making them come out here in this weather..."

"We have rooms for them to stay in." Mingi growled. He knew he was being selfish, but Seonghwa was constantly complaining about how much he wanted their baby out of him. And his omega being cranky made Mingi crankier.

Hongjoong just smiled next to him.

They both craned their necks when they heard the sound of an engine in the distance. Mingi burst through the front door as soon as he recognized the car and opened the door for Maria before her mate had even turned the engine off.

"I am so sorry it took us so long, the roads are just horrible right now!" Maria shivered in her coat and Mingi wrapped protective arms around her as he led her inside.

Kenneth followed behind carrying a few bags. "I hope you don't mind, but..."

"Let me take those." Hongjoong said, immediately taking the bags. "We wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so sorry you had to drive out here in the middle of this horrible storm."

"Oh don't apologize! Maria wouldn't have it any other way. If you hadn't called us she probably would have demanded that we drive out here anyway." The older beta chuckled.

Mingi found himself smiling down at the midwife. Her eyes sparkled as he helped her through the front door. "Thanks handsome. Now," She clapped and rubbed her hand together. "Where is he?"

"MINGI! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"

Maria let out a bright laugh and shuffled down the hall, carrying a bag in each hand. "I'm coming honey, I'm coming!"

The alpha rubbed the back of his head and sent a silent plea to Hongjoong before trotting after their midwife.

When he got into the room he shared with Seonghwa, Maria was already fussing over him. "It's ok, this stage is called Braxton Hicks. Your body is getting you ready for labor."

His omega had one hand pressed firmly against his back while the other one cradled the bottom of his very large belly. He looked very uncomfortable as he whined, his face scrunching up a little. "Oh it hurts... I don't think I can do this."

"It's too late now. Just breathe through it. I'm going to mix up some calming herbs for you and a little something you can try to help with the pain. Mingi!" Maria snapped her fingers and pointed at Seonghwa. "Come rub his lower back; that should help relieve some of the pressure. I'll be back shortly."

Mingi stepped forward and took his place behind his mate. He pressed his thumbs into Seonghwa's back and he immediately groaned, tilting his head back to rest against Mingi's shoulders. "That feels good baby..."

"Can I get you anything?"

"No... I'm just ready for her to be out of me..." Seonghwa sighed, relaxing into Mingi's hands. "A little higher."

Mingi obliged and placed gentle kisses against his mating mark. "Soon my love."

Seonghwa hummed, then turned his head when the door opened. Maria smiled and handed him a cup of tea. "Drink this. It's got a numbing herb in it so we can start slowly getting it into your system. It should help with some of the pain."

"Thank you." The omega said, taking it and drinking it quickly. He shivered and leaned into Mingi's hands. "Oh, I feel better already, thank you."

Then he winced as one of the fake contractions hit again. Mingi breathed with him through it, then continued to rub his back.

"What happens now?" The alpha asked, turning to Maria.

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Now we wait. Baby will tell us when she is ready to come. We can't force it." Then she smiled. "You know, if your baby is born tomorrow, she would be born on a special holiday the humans celebrate." The pair looked at her curiously. "It's called Valentine's Day. It's a day they exchange words of love to each other. Usually it's accompanied by gifts of chocolates and flowers. But people go out of their way to try and do something extra special for their loved ones, whether it's their lover, family, or friend."

Mingi felt the corner of his mouth tilt up in a grin. He liked the sound of that. Their baby girl being born on a day to celebrate love. "How do you know about this?"

"Oh, Kenneth and I used to live in a human city. We used to like to travel around. I can tell you a lot about humans. That's also how I knew what an ultrasound machine is." Marie winked at him as she walked by.

Later that evening, Seonghwa's water broke while he was walking back from the bathroom. The house exploded in a whirlwind of commotion.

Maria and Kenneth helped get him situated on the bed while Mingi and Yeosang got towels and a table to set things situation on.

The rest of the pack gathered in the living room, all of them too anxious and excited to sleep now that they knew the baby was coming.

"Alright honey, you are dilating nicely. It's going to be a few more hours, so just keep breathing." Maria brushed Seonghwa's bangs away from his sweaty forehead and placed a kiss there.

Mingi cringed as his mate cried out in pain, his head falling back into the pile of pillows they had set up for him to lean against. "FUCK! It hurts so much..." He squeezed Mingi's hand, hard... But the alpha just gritted his teeth together and exhaled harshly.

"Mingi, why don't you go and get some more towels." Maria said quickly. "You need to let go of him, honey." She bent over Seonghwa and rubbed his head again.

The omega released his grip on Mingi and he practically ran from the room shaking his hand. He ran into Jongho in the hallway as he turned to go get more towels from the dryer. "How's it going?" He asked, glancing at the door.

"It's going to be a long night... I don't know that she's coming anytime soon. You guys should probably try to get some sleep. Especially Yunho."

Jongho rubbed the back of his neck. "He's already sleeping on the couch." He let out a little chuckle. "With poor Wooyoung pinned to his side." Then he sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not even really sure. It's just this feeling in the pit of my stomach."

"About Wooyoung?" Mingi chewed on his tongue and glanced down the hallway.

"Yeah. I can tell San is a little worried too. I think this is all a little too much for him. He's really good at putting on a good face, but I can see the hesitation. I don't know." Jongho groaned and ran his hand over his face.

Mingi patted his shoulder a couple of times before grabbing more towels. "I think he'll be ok. He's stronger than we give him credit for sometimes. Just keep an eye on him."

Seonghwa cried out from the bedroom and both alpha's flinched before the taller hurried back.

He was greeted by a glare from his omega. "Oh, I fucking hate you right now!" Seonghwa hissed through his contraction. "Where the fuck have you been?"

"G-Getting more t-towels." Mingi sputtered, putting them in the pile and soaking on in the basin they had brought in.

He stepped forward to start dabbing at Seonghwa's skin, but his hands were swatted away. "Don't you fucking touch me!" Seonghwa panted through the end of the contraction. "You are never touching me again, you hear me?!"

Mingi faltered at took a step back. He couldn't be serious, right?

"He doesn't mean it, love." Maria patted his shoulder and pushed him forward.

Seonghwa whimpered and reached for him, pulling him closer. Mingi leaned forward and connected their foreheads, but his omega shifted to bury his face in his alpha's neck.

"It hurts so much..." He said softly, squeezing Mingi's hand again.

"I know, precious. I know. But you are doing so well. It will be over soon." Mingi placed his hand on the back of Seonghwa's head and rubbed it a little.

When the contractions started getting closer together, Maria started preparing them for what was to come. Yeosang positioned himself to help with the actual birth while Mingi stayed by Seonghwa's side.

"Alright honey, it's time. I need you to start pushing."

Seonghwa cried out and squeezed Mingi's hand again as he started to push. He scrunched his eyes and Mingi could feel his pain through their link. He would never take his omega for granted again, not after this.

"That's it! You can do this! Just breathe through it." Maria encouraged.

"Come one baby, breathe with me." Mingi said softly. Seonghwa's eyes met his and flashed between deep brown and gold. They both inhaled and exhaled together.

"M-Mingi..." Seonghwa whimpered as he continued to focus on his mate.

"Keep pushing honey! I can see her head. Push honey!"

Seonghwa tucked his chin to his chest and scrunched his face as he pushed again. Mingi bit his lip and rubbed his head. "You've got this baby, you're almost done."

He glanced at where Maria was watching anxiously.

After several minutes, she cried out and cheered Seonghwa. "Yes, you're doing great! The head is almost out, the shoulders are the hardest part. Keep pushing honey!"

Seonghwa gasped and his head fell back. "I c-can't!" Tears rolled down his cheeks and he gripped the side of the bed with his free hand.

"Yes you can, Hwa. You can do this." Mingi cupped the side of his face. "You're almost there."

His omega whimpered but nodded. He cried out as he pushed again.

Mingi turned his head when he heard his baby crying and he watched as Maria held his little girl close to her and began to clean her off while Yeosang helped Seonghwa through the afterbirth. All sound was muffled as he tried to register what was happening.

There she was. And she was so tiny! Mingi wanted nothing for than to hold her close to him, but Maria took her to Seonghwa first.

His heart pounded as he saw Seonghwa stroke their baby's head. "Hello my baby girl." The omega whispered. "You're so beautiful."

"You did it, Hwa. Look at her." Mingi gasped, kneeling next to the bed. "She looks like you."

It was true. He seemed to have Seonghwa's face shape and lips, while it appeared she had inherited Mingi's nose and eye shape. She was absolutely perfect.

"Have you picked out a name?" Yeosang asked. He was beaming.

Seonghwa looked up at Mingi and smiled. "Avayla. We like the name Avayla."

At the mention of her name, Avayla cooed and nuzzled into Seonghwa's chest. The omega let out a little sob and bit his lip.

"Come on, let's give them some time." Maria said to Yeosang, ushering him out of the room.

Mingi stood and helped scoot Seonghwa over so he could cuddle with his family in bed. Seonghwa held their little girl close to him but tilted his head to rest against Mingi's shoulder. Neither none spoke as they just gazed at the new life they had created.

Eventually, Seonghwa ended up falling asleep, still leaning into Mingi. The alpha turned and kissed the top of his head while letting his hand drag lazily across Seonghwa's arm. His other hand was resting against Seonghwa's chest because his pointer finger was trapped in Avayla's tiny hand.

Maria came back in at some point, smiling when Mingi lifted his head to look at her. "How are they doing?" She whispered.

"Good. Thank you for everything." Mingi whispered back.

The beta's lower lip trembled and she shook her head. "It was my honor. It has been so long since I've been able to deliver a baby. You've helped me just as much as I've helped you."

"Why has it been so long?" The alpha asked, watching as she quietly gathered towels and supplies.

She gave him a sad look. "In my old pack... I got sick at one point. But I was the only midwife for hundreds of miles, so they needed me to help with delivering the lead alpha's pups." Tears came to her eyes. "I tried to tell them I couldn't do it but that I'd walk them through it, but he ordered me..."

The door opened and Kenneth marched into the room and went straight for her side, kissing her temple and shushing her.

Mingi felt his heart breaking as he watched her. It was obvious that whatever happened caused her a lot of pain. He waited for her to calm down, not saying anything out of respect.

"I'm sorry..." She said, leaning into her mate's embrace. "It was a long time ago, but it still feels so fresh sometimes..." Maria closed her eyes for a moment, then turned to look at Mingi. "I lost the baby."

He felt his mouth open a little in shock.

"I know. Not what you want to hear after I just delivered yours." She looked ashamed.

"It was only the one time." Kenneth said, coming to her defense. "But the head alpha banished us as punishment. We've been traveling ever since, only settling down recently."

Mingi watched them for a long moment. "Well you will always have work as our midwife, if you want it. We all have a past we may not be proud of, I know I do, so I have no right to judge. But we wouldn't have been able to do this without you."

Maria sobbed again and gave him a wide, watery smile. "Thank you."

"Come on love." Kenneth gazed at her fondly. He moved to lead her out of the room, but not before he nodded gratefully to Mingi.

After the door closed, he turned back to his family and laid his head on top of Seonghwa's, content to sit there and listen to his family sleep.