Charles Chase returned to the bedroom to find Mia Moore bracing herself on the thin summer quilt, leaning back and struggling to bear the pain.
Even through her light pajamas, her round belly was visibly tightening and rising with each contraction.
He quickly moved to her side, helping her sit against him.
"Mmm..."
Her pearly white teeth bit down hard as soft cries of pain slipped uncontrollably from her lips. Only when the contraction subsided did she finally loosen her grip.
"Baby, let's get you changed first."
With some effort, he helped her into a simple dress and supported her as she carefully got off the bed. Mia Moore refused to be carried, so he could only help her walk.
Her full belly hung heavily in front, her slender waist seeming almost too fragile to bear the weight. Taking advantage of the lull between contractions, the two of them slowly made their way downstairs.
Sarah Chase had just been about to come up when she saw them at the stair landing.
"Yaoyao, how are you feeling? Is the pain getting worse?"
Concern filled her face. Normally meticulous about her appearance, she was now dressed quite simply.
"It's all right, mom. It's not too bad right now."
"No one gives birth without pain. Come on, take it slow, step by step," Sarah Chase said with a practiced air. "Walking helps the labor go more smoothly."
"Okay," Mia Moore nodded, moving carefully down the stairs.
The curved wooden staircase was broad and had already been fitted with non-slip strips by Charles Chase, making it safe enough.
Mia Moore held the handrail tightly as she descended, while Charles Chase stayed close, as tense as if facing a formidable enemy, afraid she might fall.
"Baby, are you okay?"
"Mm," she replied. The pain wasn't always there—just a relentless sense of heaviness.
Getting down the staircase took five or six minutes. The summer morning was already warm, and her new dress quickly became damp with sweat.
"Ugh—"
Just as she stepped off the last stair, another wave of pain flared up. Mia Moore clutched her belly with one hand, the other still gripping the rail as she bent over, her forehead pressed to the handrail in agony.
Sarah Chase hurried to support her, gently rubbing Mia Moore’s back and soothing her.
"Breathe, Yaoyao. The pain will be over soon," she said softly. In her eyes, Mia Moore was still just a little girl.
Giving birth—who wouldn’t be scared?
After a long while, Mia Moore finally straightened up, leaning tiredly into Charles Chase’s chest.
"Wu... Charles Chase, it hurts so much."
"There, there, baby. We'll go to the hospital now. Once the baby’s here, the pain will be over."
The car was already waiting outside. June mornings were bright early, and the sky was filled with a soft glow.
Half-carried by Charles Chase, Mia Moore got into the back seat. Sarah Chase instructed Xiao Mu to send over some chicken soup later to the hospital.
Grabbing the prepared hospital bag, Sarah Chase climbed into the car as well.
They arrived at the hospital quickly. Song Ying had already prepared everything, and Julian Jarvis was waiting inside.
Mia Moore was wheeled into the ward, where a nurse helped her change.
"Don’t worry, you all wait here. I'll check on Yaoyao first," Song Ying said, entering the room.
Seeing her, Mia Moore called out pitifully, "Sister Song Ying..."
"It’s okay, Yaoyao. Don’t worry. Let me check on the baby," Song Ying replied gently, slipping on medical gloves. She lifted Mia Moore’s gown a little, revealing the smooth, round belly, and pressed lightly in a few places.
Mia Moore’s baby had been in the right position all along, so natural delivery was recommended. Song Ying chatted with her as she examined her, trying to distract the girl.
"The baby’s being good—not moving at all. Here’s the little bottom," she said, checking the fetal position and then bending Mia Moore’s legs for a further exam.
The internal exam was worse than the belly pain—Mia Moore instinctively tried to shrink back.
But with her knees held firm, there was nowhere to hide; she could only grip the blanket tightly.
It hurt so much. So this is what real labor pain was like.
"You're already two centimeters dilated," Song Ying said at last, lowering Mia Moore’s legs. "Once you’re at three, we can get you an epidural—after that, it won’t hurt as much. Just hang in there a little longer."
Her voice was soothing. Mia Moore nodded, and Song Ying took off her gloves, gently wiping away the tears that had leaked out from the pain.
"This is faster than Cecilia was. It's just past six; you’ll likely meet your baby this afternoon or evening."
"Sister Song Ying, can Charles Chase stay with me?" Mia Moore asked.
"Of course. I’ll go get him."
Charles Chase soon entered.
He had waited outside the whole time, each muffled cry of pain from Mia Moore twisting his heart.
"I'm here, sweetheart."
"Charles Chase, wuu, it hurts so much. It's all your fault..." Mia Moore’s voice faltered with grievance as she saw him.
"You’re doing wonderful, baby. This is the only time you’ll have to go through this—we’re only having one, and I’ll be with you every step of the way."
He sat by the bed, gazing at her with heartache.
"Yeah," she nodded, then remembered, "Oh, didn't Cecilia say they’d be back today? Will they get here soon?"
Charles Chase hesitated, then decided not to hide the truth.
"They’ll be back a few days later; there was a bit of an incident, but they’re all fine now."
"What?" Mia Moore tried to sit up, anxious. "What happened?"
He pulled her closer. "Take it slow, don’t move around. Some companies tried to make trouble for them, but it’s all sorted out."
"Then why the delay?"
"Fu Zhiyie hurt his leg. He just needs a few days to recover."
"..."
Mia Moore relaxed. "Oh, as long as Cecilia isn't hurt, that’s all right then."
"Can you rub my back? Sister Song Ying said I might have the baby ahead of Cecilia—she was in labor for ages."
Seeing her still thinking of Cecilia even now, Charles Chase felt his heart melt. "Stop worrying about everything. I’ve got it all arranged. Once our baby is born, they’ll see the baby as soon as they’re back."
"Right! When they come back, I’ll just leave the baby with them for a bit—hee hee, we’ll be parents now, too."
Though she had just been crying in pain, Mia Moore beamed.
"By the way, where's my brother?"
"Outside. He was talking to Song Ying just now."
"Oh. Whatever, let’s not worry about him," Mia Moore said, not wanting her brother to see her like this and fuss over her.
"Haha, I’m going to be a parent before my brother. He really needs to catch up!"
"Yes, yes, you’re the best," Charles Chase chuckled, massaging her lower back.
"Hiss... wuuu... It’s starting again," she cried as another contraction hit.
So they endured, minute by minute. After about an hour, Song Ying came in to check again—Mia Moore was already three centimeters dilated.
The epidural was administered; finally freed from pain, Mia Moore could relax.
Julian Jarvis brought breakfast for the two, frowning as he looked at his exhausted little sister.
"Eat something, or you’ll have no energy later."
He had bought all of Mia Moore’s favorites. She leaned against the headboard and ate a little.
"Don’t worry, I’m fine—it’s just having a baby. The little one will be here by tonight."
"Yeah, you’re tough," Julian Jarvis ruffled her hair. "Just use the same strength you used to beat me up as a kid—you’ll have this baby in no time."