Pregnancy Is Too Muc Chapter 172

A pleasant breeze brushed against his skin.

As it passed, Valentin's hair swayed gently, and the green grass tickled his bare ankles. He stood still, watching the slender blades of grass ripple under the breeze, lost in the simple beauty of nature’s strength—so fragile yet so enduring.

The sweet scent of May roses filled the air, evoking mories of the rose garden in his mother’s estate. The fragrance, carrying the fresh scent of nature, lingered at the tip of his nose.

"Daddy!"

A small, high-pitched voice broke the quiet. Valentin, who had been staring down at the grass at his feet, lifted his gaze and looked around.

"Daddy! Over here!"

Ah, of course. It must be the rose garden.

A young girl with black hair, dressed in an adorable lace dress that reached just above her knees, stood among the blooming white roses of spring, waving enthusiastically at him.

"Sharon...?"

"Yes! Co over here!"

Without realizing it, Valentin’s legs started moving on their own.

He pushed his way through the rose bushes until he reached a small checkered picnic blanket spread out on the ground. Tiny wooden dishes and plates were neatly arranged, with delicate porcelain teacups clustered together as if the little girl had spent a great deal of effort setting it all up.

"Daddy, sit here."

The little girl, who barely reached Valentin’s waist, with her dark hair tied into two braids, tugged at his coat, directing him to his seat.

"Daddy and the baby are my guests today."

"Guests...

and the baby?"

"Yes! You and my little sibling, both of you."

Only then did Valentin notice the baby sitting quietly in the corner, plucking at rose petals. The girl, with a great deal of effort, carried the baby over and placed the child in Valentin’s arms. The baby, warm and solid, squird slightly as Valentin held him, still unsure what was happening.

"It’s tea ti, so we need to drink tea."

The little girl, having seated both her father and the baby, opened the lid of a toy teapot and, with a bright voice, asked, "What kind of tea would you like?"

"Hmm… Daddy will have this one today."

He pointed to a tea that slled faintly of chocolate. The girl, with her small, delicate hands, mimicked the act of scooping tea leaves into the teapot. Valentin played along, pretending to sip tea with her, enjoying their pretend afternoon tea ti together.

Ah, sothing stirred inside him.

He felt as if he might cry, yet a laugh bubbled up at the sa ti. What was this feeling? This sweet, overwhelming warmth in his chest?

He hugged the baby in his arms a little tighter. The child’s warmth and weight grounded him, comforting him with a simple sense of joy. A boy with short black hair… I’ll never let you go, he thought.

As they enjoyed the tender mont, the little girl suddenly clapped her hands.

"Oh! It’s ti for

to go!"

"Go? Where are you going, Sharon?"

"Over there! You know, where they’re calling ."

The direction she pointed to was so bright, Valentin had to squint, unable to see clearly.

"Well, Daddy, it was fun! Let’s et again soon!"

Her bright, smiling face was more beautiful than any shining apple. Valentin’s heart sank, but for so reason, he knew he couldn’t stop her from leaving. He instinctively understood. Ah… my sweet daughter had co to visit, if only for a short while.

His throat tightened, and with a voice choked with emotion, he managed to ask, "Will you co visit

again, Sharon?"

"Of course! I’ll co again later, Daddy. Please take care of the baby."

The little girl patted the baby in Valentin’s arms on the head with her small hand.

"Be safe, Sharon. Daddy loves you very much."

"I love you the most in the whole world! Please send my love to my other Daddy too!"

With that, the three of them—one adult and two children—held each other tightly for a mont before the little girl turned and ran toward the bright light, her small figure disappearing into the distance.

Valentin kept his eyes on her, even though the brightness hurt, until her silhouette completely vanished. He held the baby in his arms close.

How long had he watched her go? The light eventually faded, and he looked down at the baby cradled against him. The baby smiled brightly at him, and Valentin smiled back, tears flowing down his cheeks.

Yes... you’re here.

Until we et again, Sharon. I’ll live well with your little brother until that day.

Just for now, goodbye.

"Valentin?"

"...?"

"Valentin, wake up. Did you have a nightmare?"

A gentle voice accompanied a soft shake of his shoulder. It was Reynard—his husband’s voice.

Valentin blinked his groggy eyes open, taking in the sight of Reynard’s concerned face.

"Reynard…"

"Did you have a bad dream?"

The bedroom was still dark, the early morning shadows clinging to the room.

Valentin quickly realized what had happened—it had all been a dream.

"No…"

His voice was rough from sleep as he clung to Reynard’s neck. The Alpha kissed away the tears still lingering at the corners of Valentin’s eyes and cheeks, holding his Oga close. Valentin’s body was warm, almost hot, thanks to the pregnancy, and Reynard gently stroked his back to soothe him.

"It wasn’t a nightmare. It was a very good dream."

"...Really?"

"Yes. Our children were there, Reynard."

Reynard’s lips pressed together. He still didn’t know how to respond whenever the subject of children ca up. So much had happened—the sorrow of losing their first child, the unexpected arrival of their second during such a difficult ti, and the guilt of not being able to properly care for the baby early on. So he remained silent, simply listening to Valentin’s soft voice.

"Sharon brought her little brother to

and handed him to ."

"Did she? It sounds like it was a lovely dream."

"Yes… I was so happy."

"......"

"I think the baby in my belly is a boy. An Alpha, just like you."

Valentin whispered what he had seen in his dream into Reynard’s ear. He felt certain about it.

"It doesn’t matter to

what our child’s traits or gender are. Any child of yours will be as wonderful and precious as you are."

Reynard tenderly stroked Valentin’s rounded belly, now in the middle of pregnancy, and he thought he felt a faint kick from within.

"Go back to sleep. It’s still early."

"Okay…"

Valentin’s voice grew faint as he drifted off again. Soon, only the soft sound of his breathing filled the room.

Reynard closed his eyes, too, still holding his husband close. The reality of having Valentin in his arms again was overwhelming, a warm, tangible happiness he never wanted to let go.

Valentin spent his days waiting for Reynard in the sunlit room filled with his favorite flowers.

Reynard, who had taken extended leave from the navy after everything they had gone through, had chosen to stay with Valentin even now, rather than returning to his duties. It was partly due to his own decision, but their doctor, Sir McClain, had also strongly advised it.

"His health has suffered from being separated from his bonded Oga for so long."

One morning, when Reynard had risen from bed only to cough up blood, a panicked Valentin had called for the doctor. Sir McClain had recomnded that the couple stay close together, rest as much as possible, and exchange pheromones to aid in Reynard’s recovery.

"Given ti, his health will improve naturally. He’s always been a robust man," the doctor had reassured Valentin, who had been unable to hide his worry.

"To think he hid the effects of the bond…"

Valentin thought back to his conversation with Sir McClain, adjusting the curtains to let in just the right amount of sunlight.

At that mont, Dawson entered the room, pushing a tray with afternoon tea.

"Shall I start setting up over here?"

"Yes, please. I’ll handle the small details myself, Dawson. You can go once the tea is ready."

"Understood, I’ll just bring in the hot water, then."

Dawson carefully poured the steaming water into the teapot where Valentin had already placed the tea leaves. As they worked together, Dawson, always observant, quietly spoke.

"It seems like you’ve finally returned to your true self, sir."

"Do you think so?"

Valentin smiled as he watched Dawson address him so fondly, just like in the days of his youth.

"You look the happiest here, as if this is where you truly belong."

"Thank you. I think you’re right."

He ant it.

Valentin finally felt like this was where he truly belonged.

And he wanted to show Reynard—who still worried for him—a sense of peace and contentnt. He hoped that the lingering uncertainties between them would disappear completely.

After sending Dawson away, Valentin began to set the silver teaspoons neatly on the lace napkin, preparing for a peaceful afternoon tea just for the two of them.

The tea had steeped long enough.

He removed the tea cozy and poured the rich, red liquid into the delicate white porcelain teacup.

"Reynard likes his tea strong," he thought to himself, letting his husband’s cup steep a little longer than his own.

"And I should add so honey since he must be tired from exercising this morning."

Valentin carefully scooped so high-quality honey

into Reynard’s cup, stirring it gently.

At that mont, an inexplicable sensation gripped Valentin’s chest.

"Oh…?"

It felt like sothing sharp and raw was squeezing his heart, as if a strong wire were pulling him from the outside, like the sky itself had turned upside down.

And then, the door opened.

It was as if he could see the invisible wire connecting him to the source of the tugging.

Ah… Reynard.

It was him, the only love of his life.

Before Valentin could even see him, he knew it was Reynard by the familiar, sharp scent of his Alpha’s pheromones that filled the room.

"Valentin."

"Welco ho. Your tea is ready."

Valentin’s eyes took in the sight of his husband as he approached.

As always, Reynard stood tall and imposing, with his neatly grood black hair, a broad, handso forehead, and sharp, straight eyes. His gray irises were like the sky at dawn, and his face was perfectly chiseled, his lips the most beautiful and fiery in the world. Everything about him was Valentin’s perfect husband.

Without realizing it, Valentin spoke aloud the realization that had just dawned on him.

"I just bonded with you."

"What?"

Reynard’s eyes widened in surprise, and Valentin’s bright laughter bubbled up at the sight.

Their mutual bond had finally been completed.

Valentin had always known it would happen one day. When you love soone this deeply, how could it not? It had only been a matter of ti.

But he never expected the bond to happen during such an ordinary, everyday mont.

And that was what his love was.

It wasn’t the mont he fell in love at first sight, or the passionate monts when Reynard held him close. It wasn’t the tearful farewell, or the emotional reunion that felt like a resurrection.

It was in these quiet, mundane monts…

In making Reynard’s tea a little stronger, adding a spoonful of honey out of concern for his health. In seeing a hat in a shop window and thinking it would suit him. In every small mont of care, in the little ways he imagined Reynard’s smile. All these small acts of love had built up, day by day, growing into sothing unshakable. His love for Reynard was woven into the fabric of his life, filling his every thought.

That was the love that completed their bond.

Reynard imdiately stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Valentin with a careful, tender strength. Valentin embraced him back.

"Even if you had never bonded with , I would have been happy."

"I know."

That was who Reynard was—a man who gave without expectation.

"Thank you, Valentin."

"I love you, Reynard."

"I love you with all my heart. Thank you so much."

Valentin lifted his head from where it rested against Reynard’s shoulder, eting his husband’s gaze, and asked, "Shall we go on another honeymoon?"

"A honeymoon?"

"Yes, let’s go back to that beautiful island in Blanche, where we had our first one. Let’s have a second honeymoon."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. We’ll do whatever you want."

"We’re now bound together by our bond, a perfect destiny. Let’s take a trip and celebrate becoming a complete couple again."

"Yes, let’s do that."

They stayed in each other’s embrace until the tea grew cold.

They rejoiced and celebrated the fact that they had beco the most complete, perfect partners for each other.

Through the lace curtains, hope could be seen outside the window.

New shoots were sprouting, flower buds were blossoming, and a fresh breeze blew through the branches, lighting the path ahead. A path they would walk together.

*The End*