3 Weeks Later

The spherical lanterns glowed brilliantly in the night and guided the path to the center of the illuminated fire pit. There was a gentle breeze after the sun had finally set and gave omegas a bit of relief to the sweltering heat of the day. Omegas drank around the vicinity as they chattered about the ongoing drama, laughed at each other’s jokes, and poked fun at the many stories they had heard from their clients the past few weeks.

Aster entered the fray as he carried the baby in his arms. He could feel the judgmental eyes from some of them and heard them whisper to each other as he passed by. There had been a plethora of wild speculations, rumors, and pity from so many after he had returned back to the omega dorms. Some that he had a good relationship with had stopped speaking to him altogether. Others would often make off handed comments about the child looking nothing like him. While others talked behind his back and called him names he didn’t wish to repeat. Still, compared to Madam Rose, who had said worse things to him the past eight months, their comments slid right off. He simply did not let their comments get to him so all he had left to do was ignore them. 

He continued down the path where the blazing flames lit brightly into floating embers. Jonah was near the fire, doubled over, holding his stomach and laughing at what their friend, Timothy, had said. Jaylin sat next to Timothy with her head gently on his shoulder and smiling sweetly at Jonah’s wild retelling about how he had received his ankle injury. Apparently, Jonah had tried to trip a rude client but karma was swift and made him trip in the process instead. How it happened was a mystery, but Aster thought only Jonah, of all people, would find himself in such a situation. 

The three of them, like many others, were adorned with golden painted designs on their bodies to celebrate the Summer Harvest. The harvest was one of the few celebrations the omegas were able to have in the year, so they always took the opportunity to make some great spectacle. Their celebrations often took place in the rose garden which was the only garden in DeLaRose they were given as their own. Only omegas under Madam Rose were allowed to enter, and any outsider was prohibited. 

Aster walked towards them until he finally reached the bonfire. Fiona sat idly by on a large log. Her elegance was brilliant in her midnight blue dress adorned with brilliant green and etched with flowers she herself had stitched. All of it contrasted by the wildness of her slick red hair, which seemed to shine brighter with the fire nearby. Her dark skin seemed almost golden against the fire. She was an unreal beauty and when she smiled at his approach her beauty was elevated to one he could never reach. 

Fiona spoke to him once he was in earshot, “Make sure to bundle him up.”

Aster sat next to her and quickly nestled the baby within the green blanket. Upon seeing the baby some of the omegas that passed by flaunted over to coo at him. The baby made sounds in response to their funny faces and expressions of joy which warmed the hearts of those that heard it. 

Jonah sauntered over, “Where’s my lovely nephew! Oh look how cute he is! Yes, he is!”

Aster noticed his flushed face, “How many glasses of wine have you had?”

Jonah smirked and pinched his fingers together, “A few.”

“A few too many,” Fiona added. 

Jonah giggled, “Nothing that won’t hurt me.”

“Not unless you keep putting weight on that ankle,” Fiona replied. 

Jonah gave Aster a wink before turning around and completely ignoring what Fiona had said. Instead his hazel eyes zeroed in on his dancing partner, Amary, passing by, “Amary! Let’s have a dance!”

Jonah did not let her answer as he quickly grabbed her by her arms and pulled her to him. Amary let out a sound of laughter but went along with his whims. The two had been dance partners since the moment they were introduced to each other so they moved effortlessly. She allowed him to lead as he spun and dipped her. Timothy and Jaylin began to clap and sing to the rhythm of their movements. 

After a while, when the omegas had lost interest in the baby and left to have their own fun, Aster found himself alone with Fiona in their own small bubble of silence. Aster didn’t mind and quietly observed the happiness and revelry in front of him. He had longed for this feeling for months and was glad that he was back. 

“It’s been such a long time since we had a festival allowed to us,” Fiona spoke quietly but loud enough for Aster to hear. 

Aster turned towards her. 

Fiona reached out and twirled a loose strand of his hair. Aster had his hair messily clipped up in a bun ever since he had come back from the cells. He barely had any time to look after himself and had been so busy taking care of his child that his looks had taken a decline. Omegas around the DeLaRose had even mentioned that he looked aged and his beauty, which was marvelled at before, had worn away along with his virgin innocence. Aster had only laughed at the harsh and incredulous nature of their words.   

Fiona was careful as she released his messy bun and let his wavy ringlets fall down his shoulders. She lovingly ran her fingers through his silver white hair and began to part it into sections to make a braid that would match his beauty.

Fiona continued, “Madam Rose was so enraged the last few months that she cancelled every celebration allowed to us. She gave everyone hell and the abuse got worse as the due date approached. It’s probably why so many are giving you the cold shoulder or not talking to you so don’t take it to heart.”

Aster let out a sad smile, “It’s okay. They have reason to be mad. Why should they have had to suffer for the actions of one person?”

He heard her sigh, “Still…with the baby here it’s only going to get worse. The guards are also getting hell. Madam Rose has been hounding them hoping she’ll find the father of the child.”

Aster kept quiet. 

Fiona slowly began, “Please stay away from guards. I’m sure they have their own frustrations towards you. Most of all, I don’t think I have to remind you but please stay away from Kendel. He’s been trying to sniff the one who did this-”

“Fiona,” Aster stopped her. 

She pursed her lips. Aster did not blame her. Ever since he came back she’d been trying to poke and prod hoping to find a clue about the father of the child. Kendel, Madam Rose’s eldest son, had also been giving him a hard time the few times he’d been summoned to the Main Estate. Not to mention, the guards who had been soft towards him before now seemed to ignore him with steeled resolve.  

Fiona finished his braids and began to intertwine them using a clip to hold them in place to make a braided crown. She turned away from him and the baby, and stared deeply into the fire. 

Aster felt the silence between them. He knew how much she loved him, but everything had changed ever since he had come back. There was a wall that had suddenly been built between them, and Aster did not know how to scale over it. He did not dare attempt to climb it despite the several conversations he’d run over in his head to confront this awkwardness between them.

Instead he let the seconds pass by and mustered up some courage.

“I’m thinking about several names for him, but I haven’t decided yet,” he spoke warmly while he twirled his fingers in his son’s dark blonde hair. 

Fiona stared at the child. Her expression gave away nothing, “It’s customary to wait a year after birth, so you still have time.”

“Right…” Aster mumbled and then, “Berto said to be vigilant since he was born prematurely, so I guess I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.”

“Oh, so Madam Rose’s kin shows he cares? He sure has gall treating you like nothing happened the last few months. But what can you expect from such a person,” Fiona grimaced as if the very mention of Madam Rose’s sons disgusted her to no end. 

It was known in DeLaRose that of Madam Rose’s two children Berto, her second son, was kinder than his elder brother. He was often seen doing errands and traveling to deal with official business. Additionally, he maintained a small clinic for them and his medicines were their saving grace in their times of need. On the other hand, Kendel was someone everyone avoided due to his wild mood swings and extreme behaviors. Everyone learned quickly to steer clear and avoid him at all costs. Despite this, there were also many omegas that followed the eldest son around trying to find a way to pave status or gain opportunities. 

Aster was well acquainted with them both since he had spent a large amount in the Main Estate as Madam Rose’s favorite. Over the years he had learned that Kendel couldn’t stand the sight of him; however, Berto respected him and kept his distance. Many had their opinions on the two sons, and Fiona was one that showed her distaste as clear as day. 

“He gave me medicine just in case,” Aster added, “He said it’s better to be safer than sorry especially since he’s travelling again in two days.”

“Are you sure he didn’t give you poison?” Fiona responded with a sharpness to her voice.

Aster froze and shut his mouth. He held the child tightly in his arms. It truly was a wall so thick it felt nearly impossible to overcome. 

Then, Aster softly whispered so only she could hear, “You know, Fiona, it was my choice. Sleeping with that man was my choice.” 

Fiona remained quiet. The noises of the fire burning, the laughter, music, and dancing seemed amplified. 

“I did not think I would get pregnant since I took an herbal contraceptive afterwards,” Aster let out a small laugh at his own foolishness, “I have my own body to blame.”

She flinched at his words and shook her head, “No, Aster that’s--”

“I know what you will say,” Aster looked down at the baby and poked his cheeks. His small beautiful golden eyes stared up at his mother curiously and his small arms stretched to wrap his small hand around Aster’s finger.

Aster continued, “You’ll say something along the lines of it’s never my fault or I shouldn’t think like that. Maybe you’ll say that I was crazy to do such a thing. Truth be told, if you really want to know, the father was some nobody. Or perhaps, he was somebody. Either way, all he left behind was a child that looks just like him.”

Aster turned to her and smiled, “But that’s perfectly okay because my baby will be handsome, so there’s no need to worry. I didn’t sleep with just any man, you know. Give me some credit. With our looks combined my baby will be a handsome man unmatched by no other. Don’t you think so?”

He turned expectantly at her and Fiona, who was left without words, could only nod. She bit back all the thoughts she had, and decided that she’d lost this battle. Her emerald eyes gazed down at the baby in her brother’s thin arms. Aster had lost so much weight it was a miracle he was still standing. 

She bit her trembling mouth and smiled instead. She got up and brushed down her dress before speaking, “I will go get a drink. Do you want anything?”

Aster’s smile slowly faded and shook his head. Fiona squeezed his shoulder before walking away from him. Aster watched her until she disappeared within the throngs of omegas celebrating the festival. The child in his arms made a sound grabbing his attention. Aster looked down lovingly and watched as his son’s bright golden eyes stared up into the night sky. He followed the child’s wondrous gaze.