Chapter 100: The sweetest chapter in the book: Listening to the first cry
With Su Wanqing's gentle yet resolute countermeasures, Huo Tingxiao's "militarized" pregnancy management plan gradually shifted from a suffocatingly overprotective regime to a more normal, yet still meticulous, one. He still studied various guidelines and kept track of her diet and sleep schedule, but he no longer forced her to eat excessive amounts of food or observed her every movement with such trepidation. He began to trust her feelings and the doctor's judgment, and he also tried to... relax his own overly tense nerves.
As the weeks of pregnancy increased, Su Wanqing's belly gradually swelled, and the changes in her body became more and more obvious. Morning sickness, back pain, swelling...all kinds of discomfort followed one after another, but she never complained. Instead, she always responded to the changes in her body with a gentle and tenacious glow. Huo Tingxiao saw all this, and besides feeling distressed, he felt more of an indescribable pride and an increasingly deepening, wonderful sense of connection. He still didn't talk much, but when she had a leg cramp in the middle of the night, he would wake up the first time and use his hands, which were used to holding guns, to clumsily but patiently massage her to relieve it; when her taste changed, he would silently ask the kitchen to try various new dishes; when she looked at her changing body shape in the mirror and frowned slightly, he would gently put his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head, and whispered, "You look very beautiful."
Their home was filled with anticipation and a new lease of life. The baby's room had already been prepared, designed by Su Wanqing herself. It was soft and inviting, every detail shone with love and care. Huo Tingxiao even allowed her, for the first time, to hang a playful, childlike sketch of their family portrait on one wall of his study—a stern-faced leader holding a baby, with her, a beaming girl, beside him. Every time he saw the picture, the corners of his hardened lips would soften for a subtle moment.
The days flowed slowly in peaceful and blissful anticipation, and in the blink of an eye, the due date was approaching. Huo Tingxiao's nervousness seemed to creep back in as the date approached, but he tried hard to control himself, not letting himself affect Su Wanqing. He turned down all unnecessary official duties and spent as much time as possible with her. Even when they were just quietly doing their own things, a sense of comfort and tranquility permeated the air.
That night, the moonlight was beautiful. Su Wanqing leaned against the sofa in the living room, covered with a soft blanket. Huo Tingxiao sat on the carpet beside her, his back against the sofa, reading a thick copy of "Newborn Care Guide" in his hand. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his profile under the desk lamp looked particularly focused. Su Wanqing couldn't help but chuckle at his serious expression. She reached out and gently smoothed the wrinkles between his brows. "Captain, you look more nervous right now than when you're studying a battle map."
Huo Tingxiao raised his head, grabbed her hand, and wrapped it in his palm. His eyes fell on her round belly, his eyes deep and soft. "It's different. This... is more complicated." His voice was low, with a hint of imperceptible tension.
Su Wanqing felt a warm feeling in her heart and was about to say something when she suddenly felt an unusual, intense and strong tightening sensation in her abdomen, which made her unable to help but take a deep breath.
Huo Tingxiao instantly noticed her abnormality, his body suddenly straightened, and he looked at her sharply: "What's wrong?"
"It seems... the contractions are getting a bit frequent..." Su Wanqing frowned slightly, calculating the time intervals, "Maybe... it's almost time."
As soon as he finished speaking, a stream of warm liquid gushed out uncontrollably, soaking the blanket.
My water broke!
Huo Tingxiao's pupils suddenly constricted! Although he had rehearsed this scenario countless times in his mind, when the moment finally arrived, the overwhelming mixture of excitement and panic instantly overwhelmed him like a tsunami! He practically leaped to his feet, but his movements were stiff and flustered due to nervousness!
"Assistant Chen! Prepare the car! Go to the hospital! Quick!" He growled into the air, as if Assistant Chen was right beside him. Then he remembered that he wanted to make a phone call. He fumbled for his cell phone in a hurry, and his fingers were shaking as he dialed the number!
Su Wanqing looked at his completely bewildered expression, wanting to laugh and feeling touched at the same time. She quickly grabbed his arm, trying to keep her voice steady, "Tingxiao, don't be anxious. Calm down. We still have plenty of time. Help me get the delivery bag. It's in the cloakroom..."
Huo Tingxiao snapped back to his senses as if he'd been paused. He took a deep breath, forcing down his surging emotions. His eyes instantly regained their usual calm and decisiveness, though his tense jawline and slightly rapid breathing betrayed his nervousness. He quickly and methodically made arrangements, calling the hospital and the driver. Then, he strode to the cloakroom and accurately retrieved the long-prepared, overflowing delivery bag, his movements smooth and efficient, as if he were simply carrying out a routine task.
On the way to the hospital, Huo Tingxiao held Su Wanqing's hand tightly, his palms damp with sweat. He pursed his lips, saying nothing, only occasionally checking her condition with his gaze, his eyes filled with worry and a kind of almost devout guardianship. Su Wanqing leaned on his shoulder, feeling his pounding heartbeat beneath his forced composure. Instead, she strangely calmed down and whispered to him, "I'm fine, don't worry."
The VIP floor of the Military Region General Hospital's obstetrics department was already fully prepared. The chief physician personally led the team to see Su Wanqing, quickly examining her and confirming her cervix was dilated. She was then admitted to the pre-prepared delivery room. As a direct relative and a special person, Huo Tingxiao was allowed into the delivery room to accompany her.
Inside the delivery room, the lights were soft, and the instruments ticked rhythmically. The contractions came in waves, each stronger than the last. Beads of sweat formed on Su Wanqing's forehead. She bit her lip tightly, trying to follow the doctor's instructions on breathing and pushing. Huo Tingxiao stood by the delivery bed, never leaving. Clad in sterile clothing, his towering figure seemed a bit out of place in the delivery room, yet he was like a solid mountain, shielding her from all the storms.
He couldn't bear the pain for her, so he could only hold her hand tightly, wipe the sweat off her face, and repeat the harsh but firm encouragement in her ear over and over again in his low and steady voice:
"Wanqing, I'm here."
“Breathe, follow the rhythm.”
"You're great. Very great."
"Hold on, it will be fine soon."
"Look at me, look at me..."
His voice seemed to hold a kind of magical power, piercing the intense pain and giving her boundless strength. In between bursts of pain, Su Wanqing opened her eyes and saw his face so close. His eyes, always sharp and cold, were now filled with undisguised heartache, nervousness, and a bottomless tenderness. He even leaned down and kissed her sweat-soaked forehead with an extremely gentle, clumsy touch, as if he were touching fragile foam.
This subtle action made Su Wanqing burst into tears instantly, not because of pain, but because of great happiness and touching.
Time passes slowly in pain and anticipation, yet it seems to pass quickly.
Finally, after a scream with all his might—
"Wow--!"
A clear, loud, and life-filled cry, like the sound of nature, suddenly broke the tense and stagnant air in the delivery room!
At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
Su Wanqing collapsed exhausted on the delivery bed, gasping for breath, tears mixed with sweat streaming down her face, but a very weak yet extremely happy smile blossomed.
Huo Tingxiao, who was standing beside the delivery bed, froze completely the moment he heard the loud cry, as if he had been cast under a spell!
His tall body swayed almost imperceptibly, his deep eyes fixed on the tiny, red newborn baby in the nurse's arms, who was waving his little fists and crying loudly. His pupils contracted and dilated violently, as if he had seen the most incredible miracle in the world!
His usually cold and expressionless face was now filled with huge, overwhelming shock, confusion, disbelief... as well as a rapidly spreading, almost shattering ecstasy and... indescribable tenderness!
He seemed to have lost all ability to speak, staring blankly at the little life, his Adam's apple rolling violently, his lips trembling slightly, but no sound emanated. Those hands, accustomed to gripping guns and signing countless life and death orders, now trembled uncontrollably, their fingertips icy cold.
The nurse gently placed the cleaned and wrapped baby on Su Wanqing's chest and congratulated with a smile: "Congratulations, Chief, congratulations, Madam! It's a very healthy boy, weighing 6.82 catties!"
Su Wanqing reached out her hand, trembling, and carefully touched the baby's delicate cheek. Feeling the real, warm touch, her heart was filled with an unprecedented, surging love. She raised her head, tearfully looking at Huo Tingxiao, who still stood frozen beside her. Her voice was hoarse but filled with joy: "Tingxiao... look... our child..."
Hearing her voice, Huo Tingxiao seemed to recover from the huge shock. He slowly, extremely slowly, walked to the side of the delivery bed, leaned over, and stared at the tiny baby, eyes closed, lips pursed, nestled in its mother's arms.
The expression in his eyes was extremely complicated, showing the helplessness of being a new father, the awe of the miracle of life, the immense heartache for his wife's hardships, and a deep and passionate love that overwhelmed him like a tide.
He stretched out his trembling fingers and touched the baby's fist very gently and carefully. The soft, tiny touch was like an electric current, instantly hitting the softest part of his heart.
He raised his head and looked at Su Wanqing, whose face was covered in tears but whose smile was bright. His eyes suddenly reddened. This iron-blooded man who had never been moved by the hail of bullets and the test of life and death, now had a clear layer of tears in his eyes.
He leaned over and held Su Wanqing and the baby tightly, yet with great care, in his arms. His arms were strong and firm, and his embrace was warm and secure. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice hoarse and broken, with a heavy nasal tone and a barely perceptible sob:
"Wanqing...thank you..."
"Thanks for your hard work……"
"I love you all."
The simplest words carry the heaviest emotions.
Su Wanqing's tears burst out again. She hugged him back, feeling the heartbeat of this new little life closely connected with theirs. She felt that her life was complete and she had no regrets.
The delivery room was filled with the smell of blood and disinfectant, but more importantly, it was filled with the hope brought by new life and the deep and inextricable love.
Huo Tingxiao held his wife and son for a long time, unwilling to let go. He lowered his head, looking at the wrinkled, yet in his eyes, perfect little guy in his arms. His heart was filled with an unprecedented, heavy sense of responsibility and a tenderness that could not be described in words.
At this moment, the baby, who had been quiet, suddenly opened his mouth again and let out an even louder cry, as if announcing his arrival to the world.
Huo Tingxiao's body froze, and he was suddenly at a loss. He looked at the nurse nervously.
The nurse smiled and explained: "It's okay, the baby is hungry or wants to be held."
Huo Tingxiao hesitated for a moment after hearing this, and then, as if he had made up his mind, he clumsily and carefully took the incredibly soft little ball from Su Wanqing's arms.
He held the baby's head and buttocks stiffly, his movements as awkward as if he were holding the most delicate explosive, his muscles tensed, afraid of any mishap. The moment that small, warm weight landed in his arms, a strange, blood-connected feeling surged over him, making his heart race, almost jumping out of his chest.
The baby twisted in his arms and his crying gradually subsided, as if he felt the security of his father's arms.
Huo Tingxiao lowered his head, looking at the little life in his arms that was connected to him by blood, watching his slightly rising and falling chest, listening to his weak breathing, and his cold heart was completely filled and melted by an unprecedented, huge and soft warm current.
He raised his head and met Su Wanqing's eyes on the bed. Her smile was tired but happy, while his eyes were shocked but gentle.
Outside the window, the morning light is breaking and a new day is about to begin.
And with this loud first cry, their new life opened a new chapter full of infinite possibilities and love.
(End of the book)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
