e-booksonline Chapter 342: Happiest man alive
Chapter 342: Happiest man alive
Chapter 342: Happiest man aliveShe grabbed a handful of his hair and groaned, "The baby is coming!"
It was then that Lucian noticed the water gathering below her gown. His eyes widened in panic and alarm. Since the day she entered the last month of her pregnancy, Lucian had summoned four midwives to stay in the palace in case the moment came.
He had even made arrangements for the labor room and made sure things were set according to how Ave wanted. With her medical education now, she was more specific about what needed to be done or not. She even gave the midwives a few more lessons on childbirth so that when her time came, they wouldn’t mess things up or give up when she could no longer push.
Lucian had watched her give the lesson with pride and also took note of a few important things about childbirth. He had practiced this moment a few too many times. He had thought he was ready for it and well-prepared, but now he realized he wasn’t. He didn’t know what to do, but then he carried her and began to hurry into the hall.
"The baby is coming! Get the midwives immediately!" He yelled out to anyone who would listen and obey and began to run with his wife in his arms. He had almost passed the delivery room they had prepared beforehand for her when Alden and Orion came forward to block and navigate him towards the room.
When he put her down on the bed, the midwives were already there, and Ave was screaming and moaning. Lucian’s knees buckled at the sound she made, and he would have wanted to be in the room and stay by her side, but he was shoved out of the room by his brothers, and the door was slammed in his face before he could fight them to go back to his wife.
"Let me in, damn it! My wife needs me in there!" He punched the hard wooden door angrily, but Alden came forward and pulled him back.
"No, she doesn’t. Let the women do their thing and wait out here. You need to get a hold of yourself!" Alden shook him by grabbing his shoulders.
"But—"
"Let us wait out here and pray she makes it safely," his elder brother said with a pat on his shoulder. Lucian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then he began to pace, his eyes never leaving the door. With each scream that came from his wife, he was tempted to rip off the door.
He wasn’t the only one worried; the entire Pendragon family was out there. Lady Seraphina had gone into the room with the midwives, and Thalia, who was also heavy with pregnancy, paced around with them despite the fact that her husband tried to make her sit down.
"You should not move around this much, my princess. It’s not good for the baby," Zane murmured, gently grasping Thalia’s wrist to stop her from pacing.
Thalia huffed, clearly restless from the screams coming from behind the door of the room. It was terrifying, especially knowing she would also be in that place two months from now. "How can I sit still when Her Majesty is in there screaming? She’s my sister-in-law, and...!" She winced, pressing a hand to her belly.
Zane immediately knelt in front of her, his hands settling protectively over hers. "Does it hurt?" His brows furrowed, his usually sharp features softening with concern. "Should I carry you back to our chambers? Or better yet, maybe we should summon the midwives for you too."
Thalia rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "I am not in labor, Zane. Your child is just being dramatic, like his father."
Zane smirked, rubbing slow, soothing circles over her belly. "Dramatic? You wound me, my dear." Then, lowering his voice, he leaned in closer to her stomach. "You hear that, little one? Your mother says you take after me. That means you’ll be devastatingly beautiful and utterly irresistible."
Thalia scoffed but giggled as he pressed a soft kiss to her belly. "Stop being dramatic, Zane. Brother Lucian is restless, and you are making me laugh in such a tense situation," she said, glaring down at him playfully. If there was one thing, she would never get over the feeling of being the luckiest woman to live.
She had seen herself living alone, never getting married again after her life with the minister, but things had turned out for the better, making every day feel like a wonderful dream. She had the most caring husband, who, even before their marriage, had taken on the role of a husband to her.
Zane grinned, standing up to wrap an arm securely around her waist, pulling her into him. "Then sit down and stop pacing around like a mother hen. Her Majesty will be just fine," he assured.
Thalia sighed, melting against him as she rested her forehead against his chest. "I wish her a safe delivery. You should go and calm your friend down; he looks like he would rip off the door at any time," she said, looking towards Lucian, who was fretting and yanking his hair roughly.
Zane smiled, kissing the top of his wife’s head and helping her into the chair he’d ordered to be brought for her before he went to meet the restless Emperor.
Lucian, however, could see or hear nothing but his wife’s hoarse voice. It had only been a few minutes now, but it seemed like forever to him. And when he thought it would never end, they all heard the loud wailing of a child that filled the entire hallway.
The relief that washed over Lucian was so much that he lost his footing and almost fell, but Zane grabbed him and supported him to stand. His relief was short-lived, however, when he realized he wasn’t certain if his wife was fine. He had only heard his child wailing.
Without hesitation, Lucian used his power to unlock the locked door and went into the room. One of the midwives was attending to the child, but Lucian did not even look towards the wailing infant and
Lucian watched his wife, his heart swelling with a pride so deep it left him breathless. She looked radiant even in exhaustion, her face glowing with the softest warmth as she cradled their son against her chest. His little fists had stilled, his tiny body relaxed in the comfort of her arms.
Gently, Lucian reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear before pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "You did beautifully, my love," he murmured. "You gave life to our son again."
Ave looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, and leaned into his embrace. Lucian wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as their child suckled peacefully between them. At that moment, the world outside this room ceased to exist. It was just the three of them—their little family, whole at last.
As the evening deepened and everyone in the family had come to congratulate them and everything had been cleaned, Ave drifted into slumber, their son nestled securely at her side.
However, Lucian did not sleep. He couldn’t sleep, he was too happy to fall asleep. He remained awake, sitting beside them, his gaze tracing the soft rise and fall of their breathing. He had never known peace like this. Never believed he would be granted something so precious.
His wife had given birth to a cursed child with no small complications. Everyone had talked about how fast her delivery was. She was the Rosa, after all, and any little injury or pain would be soothed by her powers. She was wonderful, and he was proud of her.
Reaching out, he brushed his fingers against his son’s tiny hand, feeling the faint pulse of energy within him. Not as strong as his, but undeniable. Ian had taken after him. His blood. His power. His curse. It explained his one eye being amber.
Lucian stared at the little boy. He would not let his son walk the same lonely, tormented path he had. He would teach Ian to accept what he was, to embrace it rather than fight it. He would be a good father. He would give his son the love and guidance he himself had never known growing up.
His late mother had done her best to be there for him and give him everything, but his own father had never been there nor helped him understand himself. Instead, he had made him hate himself and despise everything about his curse. Now that he had a son, he would be the father he never had growing up. Ian would grow up embracing who he was and what he had because Lucian would make sure of it.
Looking at Ave, her beautiful face serene in sleep, he smiled faintly. He was the luckiest man alive. And he would spend the rest of his days proving himself worthy of this family.