Mistaken Love And Hate

15. The Child of Second Chances

The day of the birth was both terrifying and miraculous. The early morning light streamed in through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room as Wei Wuxian lay in a bed surrounded by a flurry of activity. His breath came in shallow gasps, his body trembling with the effort of labor. The contractions had started hours ago, the pain sharp and relentless, but despite the overwhelming sensation, he had never felt more alive.

Lan Wangji was there beside him, never leaving his side, his hand gripping Wei Wuxian's tightly as if he could absorb the pain himself. His usually stoic expression was softened with concern, his brows furrowed as he whispered soft words of encouragement, his voice steady and calm, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions that raged inside Wei Wuxian.

"You're doing great," Wangji murmured, his thumb gently stroking the back of Wei Wuxian's hand, as if trying to soothe the tumultuous waves of pain that threatened to drown him. "Just a little longer."

Wei Wuxian squeezed his hand, letting out a shaky breath. "I didn't think it would be this hard," he admitted, his voice strained. "I thought I'd be more prepared."

"You are," Wangji replied, his gaze unwavering, his confidence in Wei Wuxian clear. "You're strong."

Despite the pain, Wei Wuxian managed a weak smile, his heart swelling with a quiet warmth at Wangji's words. The bitterness between them, the uncertainty, the distance—all of it seemed to have vanished in the face of this shared moment. The only thing that mattered now was the life they were about to bring into the world.

The pain came in waves again, more intense this time, and Wei Wuxian bit back a cry, his fingers clutching the sheets. It felt as though his body might break apart, but he could feel the warmth of Wangji's presence beside him, a constant anchor through the storm. And then, with one final push, the pain peaked, and suddenly there was silence.

The air was thick with anticipation. Wei Wuxian's chest heaved as he gasped for air, his body exhausted, his mind spinning. He heard the cry—the sharp, demanding wail of a newborn—and his heart soared.

The baby was placed on his chest, small and warm, his tiny hands grasping at the air. Wei Wuxian's hands trembled as he looked down at the little bundle in his arms, his breath catching in his throat. The child—his child—was here.

"He's perfect," Wei Wuxian whispered, his voice raw with emotion as he cradled the baby against his chest, his heart swelling with love.

Lan Wangji's eyes glistened, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch their son's tiny fingers. His usual calm demeanor was broken, his face softer than Wei Wuxian had ever seen it. "Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for giving me this."

Wei Wuxian looked up at him, his face a mixture of exhaustion and hope. Despite the pain, despite the long months of uncertainty, despite everything they had been through, he could see it now—the future that could be. "Maybe this is our chance," he said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Our chance to do things right."

Lan Wangji nodded, his gaze steady, filled with a quiet resolve. "I won't waste it."

There was a long moment of silence between them, both men lost in the gravity of the moment. Their son, small and fragile, nestled between them, his soft breath warm against Wei Wuxian's chest. For the first time in a long while, Wei Wuxian felt like he could breathe, like he wasn't carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. They were a family, and the world—though still uncertain—seemed a little less daunting now.

Lan Wangji sat beside him, still holding his hand, and after a moment, he reached into the drawer beside the bed. He pulled out a small, delicate box and handed it to Wei Wuxian.

"Open it," Wangji said softly, his voice almost shy.

Wei Wuxian blinked in confusion but took the box, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface. He carefully opened it, revealing the contents inside. There were a thousand paper cranes, each one carefully folded, each one perfect in its simplicity. The cranes shimmered softly in the dim light of the room, a symbol of hope, of change, of the future.

Wei Wuxian's breath caught in his throat. He looked up at Wangji, the question in his eyes. "You... made these?"

Wangji nodded, his expression serious but warm. "For you," he said simply. "For us. A promise that I'll always be here. No matter what."

Wei Wuxian's heart ached, his chest tight with emotion as he looked down at the cranes, their fragile beauty reminding him of how far they had come—and how much further they still had to go.

"I don't know what to say," Wei Wuxian whispered, his voice thick with unshed tears. He had always been so used to being alone, to carrying burdens no one could understand. But now, here in this quiet room, surrounded by the warmth of the man beside him and the fragile life they had created together, he felt as if he had finally found a place to belong.

"You don't have to say anything," Wangji replied gently, his hand still holding Wei Wuxian's. "Just... be here. With me. With our son."

Wei Wuxian nodded, the weight of the moment settling over him like a blanket, warm and comforting. He could feel the tears welling up, but he let them fall freely, without shame, as the overwhelming flood of emotion spilled out of him. He had spent so long pushing away what he needed most—love, connection, understanding—but now, surrounded by Wangji and their son, he realized he had finally found what he had been searching for all along.

The door to the room opened gently, and in walked Jiang Yanli, her eyes bright with excitement and tenderness. She smiled softly when she saw them, her gaze immediately drawn to the tiny bundle in Wei Wuxian's arms. Behind her stood Jiang Cheng, his usual stern expression softened as he watched his sister and Wei Wuxian, his eyes lingering on the child.

"You did it," Jiang Yanli said, her voice full of joy. She approached, her hands reaching out to gently touch the baby's small feet. "He's beautiful, Wei Wuxian."

Jiang Cheng grunted but stepped closer as well, his eyes softening as he gazed at the baby. "I still don't like that you didn't tell us you were going into labor," he muttered, though there was no heat in his words.

Wei Wuxian chuckled weakly, looking up at him. "I couldn't have made it without you two," he admitted. "I was so scared."

"You should have told us," Jiang Cheng replied, his voice gentle but firm. "We're family."

Before Wei Wuxian could respond, the door opened once more, this time admitting Xue Yang, his usual mischievous grin softened by the weight of the moment. He carried with him a basket filled with tanghalulus, the sweet treats that had become Wei Wuxian's craving throughout the pregnancy. He placed the basket on the table and smiled, his eyes warm with a strange fondness.

"I figured you'd be hungry," Xue Yang said with a wink. "And, well, it's a big moment. Can't let you starve on such a day, can we?"

Wei Wuxian laughed, the sound light and genuine, as he accepted the basket. "You've been a strange sort of friend, Xue Yang, but I'm glad you were here."

Xue Yang simply nodded, his eyes softening as he turned to leave. "Just don't make me come back to babysit too soon. I have my limits."

As the room filled with laughter and warmth, Lan Xichen entered quietly, his presence like a calm breeze. He smiled at the sight before him, his eyes taking in the family gathered together. He approached the bed, his gaze lingering on the tiny baby in Wei Wuxian's arms.

"You've made it through," Xichen said, his voice full of admiration. "And in doing so, you've given our family something we never expected—hope."

Lan Qiren stood silently at the back of the room, his stern features softened by the moment, his usual reprimanding words absent. He watched his nephews and the family they had become, and for the first time, he felt a sense of peace. He had been hard on Wei Wuxian for so long, but now, in the quiet of this moment, he understood.

"Take care of them," Lan Qiren said quietly to Lan Wangji, his voice almost unrecognizable. "It's your turn now."

Lan Wangji nodded, his hand gently resting on Wei Wuxian's, their son cradled between them, and in that moment, amidst the laughter and love, he knew that this—this was where he belonged. They had come a long way, but together, they would find their way forward, one step at a time.