* * *
"Hmmm, thank goodness," Daniel whispered in relief, caressing Lan's face and then Luangmin's.
"Daniel," Ian called worriedly before he approached him. When Daniel saw him, his eyes went wide before tears started building up. The moment Daniel uttered Ian's name and then seeing Hanlu as well at the back, his tears started streaming down.
"I-Ian…" Daniel squeaked between his bawls. He just woke up but he was already crying like crazy, like he did yesterday when he found out Lan was safe.
"Shhh, don't cry. Why are you crying?" Ian cooed quickly, also about to cry. He held Daniel's cheeks, wiping the tears that never seemed to end.
"I-I wasn't *sobs* a-able *sobs* t-to *sobs* protect Lan," Daniel sniffled, holding on to Ian's hand. Even though it wasn't his fault, even though he didn't require rescuing Lan himself, he couldn't help but feel guilty. He couldn't help from feeling so much despair when he realized he couldn't do anything for Lan and Luangmin. He was helpless. He tried but he was useless, instead, he had to be protected.
"No, that's not true. Please don't say that, you've done enough for Lan. Luu and I are very thankful to you," Ian cooed, holding Daniel's cheeks. However, hearing what the older Omega had said made him cry even more. Aside from the fact he was regretful that he couldn't protect Lan when the little boy needed it the most, he was also afraid that Ian and Hanlu would hate him because their son had been harmed while he was the one responsible for him at that time. He was feeling guilty all this time, added to the fact that this had happened because the kidnapper wanted to get his revenge on Laotian.
"Y-You don't hate me?" Daniel asked between his sobs, making Ian chuckle this time before once again wiping away Daniel's streaming tears.
"Of course not, silly. We will never hate you, okay? Please stop crying now or else Minmin will do the same," Ian said, finally making Daniel calm down a little.
"Stop worrying about trivial things. Everybody is worried about you. Plus your babies are hurting. You should take care of yourself from now on, okay?" Ian encouraged, which Daniel replied to with a slow nod, wiping his tears that hasn't stopped flowing yet.
"Mommy, don't crwy," Luangmin said from the side with his teary eyes. Daniel looked at him, and as soon as he did, he realized he made a huge mistake. He already promised himself that he was going to be stronger this time. That he would learn to fight to protect the people he loves, especially Luangmin, and now the twins that are soon to be born.
Extending his hand to caress his son's soft and silky hair, Daniel finally smiled. Up until now, he was very anxious. Thankfully, Ian and Hanlu were here now to comfort and assure him of his worries. Honestly, he wouldn't know what to do if the couple turns out hating him because of this. He didn't want another family of his to start hating him. He grew up being hated by the blood closest to him, but now Ian and Hanlu are part of his newfound family. He didn't want to make mistakes and be hated by them.
"Mommy's not crying anymore. Sorry for worrying you, my baby," Daniel whispered, pulling Luangmin closer to kiss him on his forehead before he pulled away and looked at everyone. When he did, he was surprised there were so many people in the room, even Joshua was there. There were also people that were missing, but Daniel already knew what the reason was so he didn't feel sad that they weren't there with him now.
Wiping his eyes and cheeks dry, Daniel looked at everyone before he apologized. "I'm so sorry everyone for worrying you. I know this might take some time, but next time I promise to be stronger than I am today. I also promise I wouldn't put the twins in danger the third time," Daniel said with sincerity, his nose and cheeks a little bit red and lashes still damp. Of course, seeing his adorable droopy eyes while apologizing, everyone smiled at him as if saying everything was fine and that he didn't need to apologize at all since nobody wanted this to happen.
"Please don't push yourself and don't put yourself in danger like this again. It's okay to be weak too if it means you'll be safe," Ian said, which Laura agreed with, and Diane as well, who was also a little bit emotional at the side. After that short talk, Daniel hugged Ian.
"Now that that's out, how about we eat lunch?" Hanlu said from the side in an attempt to make the atmosphere a little lighter but it only made Laura glared at him seeing it as being inconsiderate of the current situation.
"Luu, why don't we just order take-out and eat the food here? Daniel just woke up, we can't leave now," Ian suggested, turning around to look at Hanlu, who was now carrying Lan in his arms. Daniel's emotions are still a mess. They needed to assure the Omega that everything was fine now. That he didn't need to worry anymore.
"Oh no, it's okay. Please go ahead and have your lunch," Daniel said after hearing what Ian had said. He finished his lunch already, he wanted to eat dessert next but then since it's still on its way, he decided to take a little rest. He was planning to just close his eyes a little, but then he fell asleep and had a nightmare. When he woke up, everyone was already there.
"No, I insist. Besides, it's traffic outside. I think it's best for us to stay," Ian insisted with a smile. Daniel had no choice but to agree. While Daniel said okay to Ian, Joshua and April came over to his bedside to say 'hi'. They weren't here earlier but April texted him that she was coming, but she didn't mention Joshua was coming as well.
"Sorry, he insisted that he wanted to come," April apologized, seeing Daniel's questioning look.
"Hi. Sorry for not telling you. I wanted to see you as soon as I heard," Joshua added after April.
"It's okay. No need to apologize. I'm happy that you two came. Actually, I should be the one to apologize for worrying you two, especially you Joshua, since I can't continue our collaboration anymore. I was only able to finish one painting." Daniel said to the two, still sniffling. Actually, this one painting was a trio artwork but Daniel considered it as only one artwork since the main thought of the painting won't be delivered with only one displayed, the other two canvases should be with it.
"Oh no, no need to worry. Your health is more important. But if you want, collaboration is still possible. We'll only have to feature one painting from you. I'm sure it'll be a success." Joshua said. His voice was soft as if cooing, very different from his usual tone that anyone who had heard him talk would immediately know that the Alpha treats Daniel differently from the others.
"Really? Then I would be happy to do so, thank you so much, Joshua," Daniel smiled in relief. He thought for a moment that he had caused trouble again. That's the last thing that he wanted to do to anyone. If possible he wanted to endure anything just to not cause trouble.
"No problem at all. Anything for you," Joshua said, flashing his most charming smile. Hanlu, who had been looking all this time, raised his eyebrows. He couldn't take seeing the scene anymore so he quickly interrupted.
"Anyway, Older Brother might arrive tomorrow. He told me he was going to fly back today," Hanlu said, mentioning Laotian. He wasn't accusing Daniel of flirting with Joshua or anything, because he knew that wasn't the case, but he didn't like the idea of Daniel even talking to the man, especially when it's an Alpha who seems to have an interest in him.
Hearing Hanlu speaking Laotian's name, Daniel suddenly froze. Honestly, right now he was not ready to see Laotian yet. He was not ready to know the whole truth about his real identity if there was any. He was hoping that he had made a mistake, but right now, he doesn't want to see him, or else he would just be hurt. At first, he was so eager for the month to pass quickly so he could see Laotian as soon as possible, but now, he was thankful that Laotian was away and won't be back for another two weeks, because he knew when the Alpha arrives, he won't be able to look at him like before without wanting to know the whole truth.
Laotian said before there was something he needed to tell him, but he wouldn't for now because the Alpha was sure that it would hurt him. Right now, Daniel had a rough idea of what the Alpha was going to say based on what he said that day, but he would be lying if he said that it will not affect him if the Alpha said it himself. Until now, Daniel was still holding on to their promise that there will be no lies between them. And although he slightly understood why Laotian chose to keep this from him, he felt more pain when he realized Laotian didn't trust him enough to tell him.
Ignoring what Hanlu just said, Daniel shifted his eyes to Ian. "Ian, this is April. She was the one who saved Lan and Luangmin when I couldn't," Daniel said. His lips formed into a smile but his eyes were saying he was about to cry again and was just keeping it in. Ian quickly noticed it. He didn't understand why but he humored him anyway. Ian looked at April, he heard about a top mercenary saving his son but he didn't expect it was this little girl who did it.
"I might be small but I can take you anytime without a problem," April said confidently, seeing how Ian was looking at her.
"S-Sorry, uhmm… thank you so much for saving Lan. I am very grateful to you. We owe you Lan's life, so if you have anything that you want, just tell us. Luu and I will do our best to give it to you," Ian said, this time with his awkward smile being found out that he was looking at her small size. Meanwhile, as Hanlu heard his name, he has pulled away from his earlier shock when Daniel ignored him talking about his older brother, the Omega's dear husband. He slowly put Lan down. He opened his mouth but later closed it, unable to say anything due to the shock.
All this time, Daniel and Laotian had been very affectionate with each other. He had never seen the two fight or simply had a misunderstanding but seeing Daniel acting like this now truly stunned Hanlu.
"Right, Luu?" Ian said, earning a dazed hum from Hanlu. Laura, who had been listening all this time, sighed as she figured this would happen. After all, Daniel talked to the kidnapper. Daniel might be dense for the most part but he was not stupid. Surely, Daniel knew the rumor behind the Mo Family's involvement in the black market, but since he trusted Laotian, maybe he thought all of that was really just a rumor. However, now that this happened, he might have started doubting Laotian.
Additionally, Daniel might have already noticed the signs but chose to ignore it because Laotian didn't say anything. But now that trust is slowly crumbling. Daniel might not want to see Laotian at this moment. Maybe he was not ready to know the whole truth.
'Urg, this is why I told him to tell Daniel sooner,' Laura thought as she massaged her temples.
Walking towards Hanlu, Laura quickly pulled her son aside. "Refrain from talking about your Older Brother for now. Daniel needs time to let everything sink in. I think he might have realized what your Older Brother does," Laura whispered to Hanlu. Hanlu nodded in understanding. When he first decided to come clean to Ian, he was expecting it would cause them to fight since Ian's line of work is in line with the law. He was sure that Ian would hate him at some point. Thankfully, he didn't, and it turns out that the Omega already knew long before he told him.
Daniel on the other hand is different. This might actually cause them to separate.
"What do we do?" Hanlu whispered back. He absolutely didn't like the sound of Daniel breaking up with his Older Brother. Even now as he imagined it, his body shivered at what might happen.
"When Xiao Lao arrives, tell him to wait. I'll explain the situation to him," Laura replied, earning a nod from Hanlu. Meanwhile, as the two were doing this, Diane sat to the side looking at the two curiously, wondering why they were whispering at each other so suspiciously.