Lol I just changed the profile picture and the name of the story. Hope that you guys don't get too confused 😂😂
And the latest manhwa chapter?? Finally AshLyle boyfriend era !!
*****
All that you are,
is all that I'll ever need
(Ash POV)
The studio is a total mess. Glittering paper is sprinkled all over Ash's head. Instead of laptops and work, food and alcohol are placed on the spacious desk. This is the surprise farewell party that Mackenzie threw for him. Since they are partiers, they are jamming to music even though it's only lunchtime.
As he pulls on the string of the cone hat that Mackenzie put on his head, Ash looks at his watch. This watch is the gift Karlyle gave him on their wedding day. The diamond on its blue crystal is shining elegantly. This isn't a design he would normally go for, but whenever he looks at this watch, he can't help but smile. This brand is not affordable to the general public so his taste is often a little more concise. But it doesn't matter. Karlyle gave this to him, how can he not love it?
A lot of the things he wears come from Karlyle. Karlyle looks so cute when he tries to find gifts that suit his taste as best as he can. And Ash doesn't want to refuse his gifts. Moreover, now that Karlyle is officially his husband, there's no reason to turn him down. As he remembers Karlyle's reaction when he gave him this watch, his smile grows deeper.
I miss you.
They have only been apart for a few hours but he misses his husband already. Lowering his wrist, he picks up a glass of drink. He chooses a non-alcohol mojito since he has decided not to drink alcohol when Karlyle isn't around (he is such a green flag damn). It tastes of carbonic acid with the scent of mint. But his longing for Karlyle isn't relieved one bit. He ponders whether he should leave, but he suddenly remembers that he has only been here for less than an hour.
Ash looks ahead with only his eyes smiling. He is the main character of this party, maybe he shouldn't go so early. Karlyle is now the most important thing in his life, but his senior Mackenzie, together with his colleagues, has led him and supported him for so long. He guesses he'll have to wait a little longer to see Karlyle then. Besides, if he didn't get married, they would be in business together for a few more years. He feels sorry for leaving them so early.
"What is that uninterested look on your face?"
Speak of the devil. Mackenzie walks to his place. A neatly trimmed brown blonde hair, an elegant white suit. This is Mackenzie's favorite outfit. Her sleeves are rolled up above her wrists, and in her hand is a bottle of wine.
"Can you see it?"
Ash doesn't deny it. It's medium in terms of fun, but he finds more joy in watching Karlyle breathing peacefully. It is a pleasure of his to guess what Karlyle's thinking under his expressionless yet handsome face. His longing soars again. He wants to see Karlyle right away. Looking at his pictures on his phone is not enough. Karlyle's appearance can't be captured with a frame, no matter how great of a photographer you are.
His thick eyebrows that seem to have been delicately drawn by the most talented artist in the world, and his dark gray hair, those are the features that only Karlyle possesses. He has a pale skin yet it doesn't look lifeless. Rather, it makes him look like a living sculpture. His gray eyes are calm yet sharp, his lips are thin and not too red. When those features that seem to be depicted with sharp lines are put together, they give off a sad feeling. If you don't look at them closely, you might miss Karlyle as if you are simply passing by a cold and lonely winter. All of that becomes Karlyle.
In other words, Karlyle is perfectly handsome.
Those words aren't enough. It's only natural that each person has someone who they don't want to show off since people will definitely fall in love with them. Karlyle said Ash was the one who people fell for, but Karlyle just doesn't know himself. The only difference Kyle Frost has from Karlyle is the dominant Alpha trait. Karlyle has lost confidence in himself for so long so he doesn't know his own charms. If he had grown up in a normal family, he would have had countless lovers.
Hmm. I hate that.
Karlyle's cute jealousy crosses his mind again. He always feels like this whenever he remembers the Omega who hurt him deeply in the past. He used to not be able to imagine what it would be like to have someone who truly gave him their hearts. Fortunately, Karlyle only has eyes for him.
As his thoughts naturally drip back to his husband, Mackenzie taps him.
"Wow, you are so cruel. You completely ignore the hard work of the person who threw this surprise party for you."
"I'm married. Go easy on me."
Mackenzie slyly compliments his wedding ring.
"Pink diamond, it suits you."
"It's a color that suits Lyle."
"Do you want to make me, an unmarried person, live in sorrow?"
Mackenzie laughs while grumbling. Sitting next to him, she also looks straight ahead.
"Time really flies. It feels like yesterday when we were on our own."
Ash nods in agreement. Looking back, time goes by so fast. There's longing, but no regrets. He wants to settle down in his new life with Karlyle as soon as possible.
"Thanks for everything. I'm sorry for leaving first." Ash says.
"Don't mind it. Everyone will leave someday. I'm just amazed that the "famous" Mr. Alpha Universe is married now."
Ash frowns in embarrassment at the unfamiliar title. He doesn't know who came up with it, and it's such a childish and embarrassing nickname. He was embarrassed by it the first time he heard it.
"I thought the fate you talked about didn't exist."
Mackenzie says and drinks the wine. Ash quietly looks at her. There's no other way to express it than to say that everything with Karlyle is fate. As he feels the emotions that only Karlyle can give him everyday, Ash often thinks of that word. "Fate". The word that his mother loved.
Perhaps his mother would have been very happy if she had been able to meet Karlyle.
"But seeing Mr. Frost and Mr. Frost Jones here, you guys really seem to be fate. Congratulations."
And she would definitely agree with what Mackenzie said. As he recalls his mother who always holds a special place in his heart, he feels happy, but there’s also sadness. He politely thanks Mackenzie.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t throw away the gift I gave you.”
“Lyle really loves it. I’ll carry it with me until I die.”
Originally talented in crafts, Mackenzie has made their wedding gift herself. She worked with her friend, a famous furniture designer, to make an outdoor table for them. She also crafted several birdhouses that were so much cuter than the ones that Ash had made temporarily. Karlyle didn’t show it much, but he was quite pleased with their new house. Karlyle is even more adorable than a baby bird.
When he remembers the day they built the garden in their new house together, it becomes harder for him to endure the time he’s away from Karlyle. He picks up his phone to see how much longer he should stay here.
The moment the LCD screen lights up, he sees Kyle Frost’s name. His eyes narrow in wonder. He and Kyle Frost saved each other’s number out of courtesy, but they have never been in touch in private.
The moment he unlocks his phone, the content of the text appears.
[What have you done to my brother, Mr. Jones?]
What have I done?
The honeymoon flashes through his mind. From the moment he got on the private jet to the whole time he was on the island, many things he did replay in his head. Hm, maybe not that kind of thing.
[What’s wrong, Kyle?]
He contemplates whether he should call Kyle Mr. Frost, but he doesn't really want to since it’s also his and Karlyle’s last name now. As he stares at the text, the reply comes in an instant.
And the reply, too, is something he could never have imagined.
[Come to the hospital in Whitechapel right now. My brother may be pregnant.]
….Pregnant?
PREGNANT?
Ash blinks. After staring blankly at the phone in his large hand for a few seconds, he jumps to his feet. His phone crashes down on the floor. Mackenzie chokes in surprise as she’s drinking the wine from the bottle.
“What's wrong with you??”
But he’s no longer in the mood to answer. For the first time in his life, he’s experiencing such a terrifying shock that his mind turns completely empty. Surprise and shock strikes him at the same time, as if he’s just been hit in the back of his head. He looks around blankly and manages to find his car key on the desk. Taking it in a hurry, he storms out of the door. He doesn’t even think about picking up the phone he dropped.
“Hey! Ash Jones!!”
Mackenzie calls him from behind, but Ash lends her no ears. He doesn’t even see people stopping him and asking what happened. After barely balancing on his long legs and saving himself from falling a few times, he reaches the parking lot. His heart is beating so fast that it might explode any time.
****
“From what I understand, Young Master’s symptoms are very similar to Mrs. Alice when she was pregnant.”
Karlyle is now sitting in the middle of the crowd surrounding him. Each of them has a different expression. His mother looks so full of concern that she’s showing all the expressions he has ever seen from her in his life. Luther has a look of interest, and Mariam is radiant with joy.
That’s not all. When his mother called his father, he had rushed to the hospital in the middle of a meeting. Karlyle has never seen his father like this, even when he was ill.
“I remember it well, too. My Lady suddenly ate a box of figs. She didn’t really like figs, but she ate them all. That was when she knew she had you, Young Master! Oh my, you didn’t know how many pies I made for her back then.”
His father Jonathan is standing beside him with a puzzled look on his face, as if Karlyle is already pregnant. He can feel the tension in his father’s hand on his shoulder.
“Since Lisa gave birth to Karlyle at that time, can this be something related to heredity?”
Jonathan asks curiously. Karlyle raises his head slightly to look at his father. His father is calling his mother by a nickname he has never heard before. On the outside, his expression still seems to be stoic and calm, but Karlyle is actually quite surprised right now. It must have been the effect of seeing too many surprised faces from his parents today. He doesn’t remember them reacting like this to the news of Nicholas being pregnant before.
No, before that, it’s not sure whether he’s pregnant. He almost falls for it due to the flow of the atmosphere, but it doesn’t make sense for a male Alpha to get pregnant. His mother’s case was also very rare. Come to think of it, there have been several rare cases in his family. Nicholas’s trait change itself was a special case in the world.
But Karlyle is pretty sure that he is not pregnant. Richard used to say that a dominant Alpha’s pheromones might be able to cause other Alpha to change. But even so, it’s very unlikely.
While thinking so, Karlyle briefly recalls what he has done recently. He always, always does it with Ash everyday. But during the recent rut period, they did it so much that it wouldn’t be strange if he’s really pregnant. Semen flowed to the point of overflowing, and later…..
When he remembers that far, he unconsciously puts his hand on his stomach. Not missing that, Luther asks him.
"What do you think, Young Master? Do you also think the same?"
"It's something you need to find out, Luther."
Karlyle says the obvious. Because that's what he came here for. Seeing him being silent, Luther smiles as always. Looking at the chart, he nods.
"All right. Then, I need to ask you some personal questions, so if it's okay, can the others leave the room…."
Before he can finish his sentence, the door to the office bursts open. Kyle comes in first. He's holding all sorts of shopping bags in his hands. Karlyle frowns the moment he sees the logos of famous maternity brands.
"Kyle?"
But Kyle isn't able to answer. Because someone else pushes him out of his way, making Kyle stagger back. A familiar face appears. Ah, it's Ash. Karlyle's face brightens up at the appearance of the person that he can recognize right away just by his pheromones. But unlike usual, Ash has disheveled hair and flushed cheeks. Ash gasps, he walks in and stops in front of him. It's the first time he has seen Ash gasping like that.
"Ash, are you okay?"
His flushed face gradually calms down at Karlyle's voice.
"Lyle."
Ash takes a deep breath and collapses to his feet. He flops down, wraps his arms tightly around Karlyle's waist and rubs his cheeks against his thighs.
"I'm so sorry for being late. As soon as I heard the news, I ran here right away."
That takes Karlyle aback. It's just a test, and he's sure that he's not pregnant. But somehow, everyone seems to be convinced that there's a baby in his stomach. What should he do? He can't say he isn't pregnant when the test results haven't come out. Karlyle quietly brushes Ash's disheveled hair. Hesitantly, he gives Ash a standard answer.
"I'm glad you came."
However, a corner of his happy heart slowly becomes stained with anxiety. It seems like the thought that has been bugging him even before their wedding is turning into reality. What if Ash is looking forward to the child? Ash has said before that he doesn't want children, but many people change their minds after getting married. Above all, apart from everything else….
"Good things may happen. How can I leave you alone without me by your side?"
How can Karlyle say anything when Ash says so?
Everyone except Karlyle and Ash leaves the room. When there are only the two of them left, Luther brings them tea. When milk and sugar are placed on the table, Karlyle naturally takes Ash's black tea first. He skillfully takes the spoon and puts a sugar cube in Ash's cup. Luther smiles as he sees it and says.
"You two are really a married couple now. You both look great."
"Thank you."
Ash and him say thanks at the same time. Our eyes meet. Ash holds his hand tightly and smiles softly. His stomach calms down for a moment. Luther looks at Karlyle with loving eyes as if he's looking at his own son. Then he gets to the point.
"As you know, male Alphas getting pregnant is virtually impossible. In the case of female Alphas, the uterus remains in shape, but male Alphas don't have this organ. However, the world has many wonders, we can't know everything. So I'll ask you a few simple questions and then we'll do a blood test."
Ash holds his hand tighter. Ash is still smiling, but there's a hint of nervousness in it. It's the first time he has seen Ash like this. The fact that he's gradually getting to see new aspects of Ash makes him happy. Although he doesn't mean to in this situation.
"Hmm, this is the first time I've ever had to do questions like this, so what I'll ask might seem ambiguous. First of all, since you are married now…."
Luther writes down the questions in the chart. "Married". That word makes Karlyle feel a little better. He has never hoped for a child or expected to have one, but this situation itself makes his heart flutter as it hits him that they are truly husband and husband now.
"Have you ever been like this before, Young Master?"
"What exactly are you asking, Luther?"
"I'm asking if you have ever wanted to eat figs. The question sounds a bit funny, doesn't it?"
"Never." Karlyle shakes his head.
"In addition, I heard that you had nausea that was similar to morning sickness… but this is not certain, since it can be your gastritis."
At that, Ash asks anxiously.
"Didn't you say he was fine at the regular checkup last month?"
"That's right. But preparing for the wedding could be stressful, no matter how fun it was."
Ever since Ash knew that he has stress gastritis, he takes care of him even more excessively. Ash doesn't go easy on him in bed at all, but apart from that, Ash tries to get him to do a checkup every month and makes him a diet that suits his physical condition.
He feels fine after connecting with Ash. Karlyle thinks to himself. The reason he was sick earlier must be because he ate too many figs. Regardless of his thoughts, however, Luther's questions continue.
"When was the last time you had sex? I'm sorry for asking about personal matters, but it's better to know this first."
Karlyle shuts his mouth. The nape of his neck flushes. As he remains silent, Ash replies with a sly smile.
"This morning."
Luther raises his eyebrows. He asks again.
"How often do you usually do it?"
Karlyle can no longer raise his head. He unconsciously raises his hand and covers his eyes. Meanwhile, Ash answers again. His voice is calm, as if he has decided to throw his shame away.
"At least two or three times a day."
They do it more on average, but it's roughly so. Luther passionately writes something on the chart.
"Oh wow, then there might be a possibility. But the most certain thing would be….ruts. Oh, and if the number of times is like this, you will have to undergo other tests periodically in the future."
Luther continues to ask questions. He seems to be having fun.
"When was your last rut? Young Master's ruts have become irregular so I don't know for sure."
At his question, Ash looks at Karlyle. He thought Luther would ask this, too. Coincidentally, their ruts both happened at the same time.
".....Both were 2 weeks ago. During our honeymoon."
Karlyle quietly says. Luther raises his eyebrows and exclaims.
"Then there might really be a possibility. Unlike other Alphas, Mr. Jones's ruts have a very long cycle. So the pheromones during the ruts have quite an effect. Did you use contraception?"
Ash's smile turns awkward. He covers his mouth slightly and makes a troubled voice.
"....No."
Then he turns his eyes to Karlyle. He looks like a puppy who just made a mistake.
"I'm sorry, Lyle. I should have used it somehow…."
"It's not your fault. You weren't in the right state to manage it, right? Besides, I…."
Karlyle shuts his mouth midway. Luther is listening, he can't say anything more. Seeing him stop, Luther lets out a sigh of regret.
"I wish I could have heard more. What a shame. Anyway, it means that you have enjoyed a proper honeymoon without contraceptives."
"....Yes. That's right." Ash says, furrowing his eyebrows.
"It would be impossible with the usual number of times, but…."
Luther speaks to himself. Karlyle closes his mouth and lowers his gaze while Ash smiles embarrassedly.
"If you really are pregnant, I will ask for more details later. But we don't need to do that today. However, just in case, you should go back and rest. It'll take quite a while since the Young Master's case is special. I need to look into it carefully."
"I understand."
"Then, I look forward to your kind cooperation."
Luther says to Ash. Ash gets up from his seat, supports Karlyle to get up, then shakes hands with Luther. They come out of the doctor's office. He can walk alone, but Ash hugs him tightly, insisting that he shouldn't walk alone. His whole family is waiting outside. Everyone, except his grandfather.
"How is it, Karlyle?"
As soon as he comes out, Alice immediately stands up. She has the same serious look as before. She still looks very much expressionless, but she certainly seems to be concerned more than happy.
….Mother, are you not happy?
Karlyle doesn't know what to feel. How should he react to this situation? Should he look forward to it? Should he hate it? Should he be ashamed? An Alpha dates an Alpha and then gets pregnant? What's more, the one getting pregnant is him? If his grandfather were here, it would have been so shameful.
"He said that it was not very likely. The test results will come out tomorrow, so I should go home for today."
Karlyle calmly answers. His voice is no different from when he's doing business.
"Right, you should do that."
After that, Alice is silent. Hesitantly, she comes to Karlyle and awkwardly touches his shoulder. Everything was fine until earlier when they were having tea together, but now, he doesn't know anymore. He bows his head politely to say goodbye to his mother. Alice then leaves first. Having been watching carefully, Mariam approaches him along with his father Jonathan.
"Young Master, have a good rest today. Okay?"
"I will. Thank you."
Perhaps she has calmed down, Mariam only says briefly. With a careful smile, she leaves with Jonathan. His father looks at him as if wanting to say something, but he doesn't. Then he says goodbye to him and leaves.
When his parents leave, the atmosphere lightens a little. Karlyle unconsciously swallows a sigh, and Ash relaxes his grip. Then, it's Nicholas who completely changes the atmosphere.
"Kyle, why did you buy all these when the results haven't even been out yet??"
Kyle wasn't there just now. He only came here a few minutes ago with Gideon and Kara in his arms. Only then does Karlyle feel the eyes of the twins on him. Gideon is squirming as he wants to get down to come to Karlyle, while Kara is looking at Ash with wary eyes. Such a dominant Alpha, she is cautious with other Alphas even from a young age.
"Because mother sounded so sure…."
Being scolded by Nicholas, Kyle answers cautiously. Karlyle glares at Nicholas. How could he talk to his younger brother Kyle, who is as tender as a rabbit, like that? But Nicholas doesn't care.
"But you can't just buy so many!"
"Uhm….." Kyle shyly replies.
"You already ordered more than this, didn't you? You made your secretary prepare all this, am I right?"
Kyle's eyes bulge wide as he's caught by Nicholas. Having been witnessing the scene, Ash finally lets out a low laugh. "Hah", he sighs and hugs Karlyle tightly.
"I thought I was about to die of nervousness, Lyle. It's so unexpected…."
Karlyle quickly hugs Ash. He's also confused. While he's busy finding out what to say, Ash apologizes.
"I'm sorry. I'm not saying that I don't like it. I just didn't expect this since it's the last thing I thought to happen."
Ash says carefully. Having been acting like a docile sheep in front of Nicholas, Kyle immediately speaks bluntly to Ash.
"How much have you tormented my brother for such a result?"
"Kyle."
'I told you to be nice', Karlyle strictly scolds him. Signs of unfairness appear on Kyle's handsome face. Nicholas, who has been teasing Kyle from earlier, sides with him this time.
"Don't be like that, he was just complimenting that you two had great energy. Anyway, when the results are out tomorrow….I'll officially congratulate you two. Your child will definitely be a beauty."
Nicholas says something unexpectedly nice. Karlyle silently nods. Gideon finally gets down after squirming in Nicholas's arms. He runs straight to Karlyle and clings to his legs, calling him "Lyle! Lyle!". Together, he and Ash picks him up and hugs him in their arms.
"We will also help you with childcare, so don't worry." Nicholas says.
Unlike that brazen Nicholas, Gideon is very adorable. His lovely golden eyelashes flutter. His small hands touch Ash and his face. He smiles and asks them to give him a shoulder ride. As Gideon favors Karlyle over Ash, he carefully lifts him up. Ash smiles and stares at Gideon, who is stamping his feet excitedly. When Karlyle sees his smile, he feels a sense of deja vu. It's the same feeling he has had before.
What if Ash wants a child?
That thought, once again pops up in his head, brings him anxiety more than joy.