Rain tapped gently on the hospital window as Ethan stood pacing, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, heart pounding in his chest.
Liana was in labor.
After nine months of preparing, nursery painting, lullaby testing, late-night name debates, it happened. Right here. Right now.
Cassie sat calmly in the corner of the waiting room, sipping herbal tea from a thermos, her eyes never leaving her son.
“She’s okay,” she said softly.
Ethan paused, exhaled, then nodded.
“I know. I just… I didn’t know my heart could beat this loud.”
She stood and walked towards him, resting her hand on his cheek.
“Neither did I, the night you were born.”
Inside the delivery room, Liana breathed through another contraction, Ayden at her side while Hope offered soft, grounding words.
“You’re doin
