The pair left the hospital room, heading for the stairs to walk down two floors.

Eyeing the steps, Xavier Foster still looked worried. “Can you manage? We could just walk around downstairs instead.”

“It’s fine, just hold onto me.”

She wanted the baby to come out soon, and walking made her feel the baby shifting lower.

There was hardly anyone else on this floor—just them, the doctors, and a few nurses—so it didn’t matter much.

Step by step, they moved slowly down the stairs. Cecilia supported her belly with one hand and gripped the railing with the other, while Xavier Foster hovered protectively at her waist.

Whenever a contraction struck, she’d bend over and rest against the railing, gripping it and enduring the pain. The hospital gown was loose, but after just one round on the stairs, she was already drenched with sweat, given the warm weather.

“Ugh...” Another contraction hit. Cecilia couldn’t help but double over, resting her head on her forearm and gripping the rail.

Her petite body trembled; Xavier Foster could only steady her by supporting her belly, easing the strain on her waist.

The hardness of her belly in his palm made his heart ache. His large hand gently rubbed her back. “Hang in there, baby. It’ll be over soon.”

Aside from comforting her, there was nothing else he could do.

After the contraction eased up, he helped her slowly stand. Her stomach hurt so badly it barely felt like part of her, a buzzing in her head making every step heavier than the last.

They walked for a bit more, but the contractions were coming closer together now. The baby seemed very low, her lower abdomen aching intensely. Not wanting to burn through all her strength, Cecilia tugged Xavier Foster’s sleeve.

“Let’s head back... I don’t think I can keep going.”

Her face was pale and shiny with sweat. Xavier Foster kissed her cheek without a second thought. “Okay, let’s go back.”

There were just a few steps left. She pushed herself to go down them.

“Ah...” Only two steps down, another sharp pain hit. She couldn’t grab the railing in time and instinctively squatted down, clutching her belly.

Xavier Foster caught her immediately, letting her lean against him.

“Mmm...” Her pained whimpers were muffled, her fingers digging into his arm. “It hurts so much...”

The urge to push was getting stronger, and suddenly she felt warm liquid trickling down her thighs.

Cecilia took a few deep breaths, brow furrowed, before finally catching herself and whispering with some embarrassment, “Zhiye, my water just broke.”

Xavier Foster glanced down. Sure enough, amniotic fluid was dripping to the floor. “It’s okay, I’ll carry you back. You’re almost there—soon you’ll see your little sister.”

“Mm.” Cecilia nodded, and Xavier Foster gently scooped her into his arms.

It wasn’t comfortable being carried—her belly pressed tight—but she couldn’t walk anymore once her water had broken.

Thankfully, their hospital room was nearby. Xavier Foster called for a doctor and carefully laid Cecilia back on the hospital bed.

The stairs had worked their magic. The doctor said she could head straight to the delivery room: the baby was coming soon.

There wasn’t even time for an epidural, but Cecilia felt relieved.

From the first contractions to arriving at the hospital, it had only taken six or seven hours. Unlike slow, steady Little Rice Cake, this baby was clearly in a hurry.

Let’s get this over with—sooner is better.

Of course, Xavier Foster stayed with her. The delivery went smoothly.

Aside from the severe pain, it was quick: soon, the baby was crowning.

Cecilia took a deep breath, following the doctor’s instructions to push.

The urge to bear down reached its breaking point—and then: “The baby’s head is out!”

Gritting her teeth through the pain, Cecilia summoned her strength for another push, neck arched.

She felt a deep sense of fulfillment—after all, Little Rice Cake had always wanted a sister, so they’d known the baby’s gender for months.

Now, with her arrival, their family had both a son and a daughter.

“Ah!” The petite Cecilia sent every bit of strength out from her small frame, pushing again and again.

“One more big push. That’s it, the baby’s coming!” The doctor’s gentle voice guided her; Xavier Foster wiped the sweat from her brow.

With one final effort, her delicate hand pressed to her aching side, trembling legs secured and unable to close. Instinct took over, forcing her through the last moment.

Suddenly, all the pressure vanished. The tiny baby left her body.

The doctor quickly clamped and cut the cord, cleared the newborn’s nose and mouth, weighed her, then bundled her up and placed her on Cecilia’s chest.

The baby let out a loud cry, her warm, soft body snuggling against Cecilia’s skin.

Xavier Foster leaned in and kissed Cecilia on the forehead. “I love you, honey.”

The baby was a good size—over six pounds—and immediately loud and demanding.

In the few minutes since birth, she’d already cried twice. By now, it was past 1 a.m. The doctor finished tending to Cecilia and checked her over, then sent them back to the room to rest.

The baby was healthy, so they let her rest next to Cecilia. Xavier Foster helped wipe Cecilia’s face and coaxed her to sleep.

“Try to get some rest. Little Rice Cake will be here tomorrow. He’ll be so excited to see his new sister.”

“Mm...”

With his precious daughter finally here, Xavier Foster gazed at her for a long time, unable to contain his emotions.

A daughter—a father’s little sweetheart. She’d definitely be just as beautiful and sweet as Cecilia.

Of course, what Xavier Foster didn’t know was that, years later, their daughter would be teaming up with Little Tangyuan at school, raising a ruckus, and getting called to the principal’s office for scolding the troublemakers. Nor could he guess that Little Rice Cake would soon be driven to distraction by the little sister he’d wanted so badly.

...

The next morning, Cecilia finally woke up. Xavier Foster helped her sip some warm water.

A familiar voice rang from outside the door: “Mommy! Mommy! Daddy! Is my sister here yet?”

Little Rice Cake barreled into the hospital room, his cheeks red and sweaty from running all the way there.

Xavier Foster scooped him up and carried him over to meet his new sister.

“Wow! Mommy, you’re amazing! You had a baby sister for me—she’s so cute!”

His big eyes sparkled with excitement, but as soon as he spoke loudly, the sleeping baby girl woke up.

Her tiny hand twitched, and suddenly she began to wail.

The instant she started crying, Little Rice Cake panicked. “No, no, no, don’t cry, little sister, don’t cry!”

Ye Jing hurried in from the doorway, out of breath—she couldn’t keep up with Little Rice Cake’s mad dash.

“Oh dear, how come she’s crying as soon as we arrive?”

Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh, then motioned for the baby to be handed to her.

With her sister in her arms, she gently rocked her. Surrounded by her mother’s scent, the baby finally calmed down.

“Mommy, your tummy hurt a lot yesterday,” Little Rice Cake said, his brow still furrowed with worry.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. Now that your sister’s here, Mommy’s all better.”

“Why is my sister so tiny? Can she talk yet?”

“Not yet, but when she gets a bit bigger, you can teach her to talk. How about that?”

“Okay!”

Ye Jing smiled as she took the baby in her arms. “It’s wonderful—now you have both a son and a daughter. Zhiye, let’s get you and Cecilia something to eat.”

On the table, she’d left a thermos. “Here’s some chicken soup and veggies for you two. Cecilia, you can have some fish congee. Let me know if you want anything else.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Xavier Foster set the food by the crib and shared a meal with Cecilia.

Even though carrying the second baby had been tough on Cecilia, the delivery itself went smoothly.

After a few days’ rest in the hospital, Cecilia was brought home.

As for a nickname, the family deliberated for a long time and finally decided: Little Flower Roll.

Yes, now all the kids in the family have food-based nicknames—perfect for a full table!

Little Rice Cake was glued to his sister every day, trailing after her wherever she went.

How wonderful, Little Rice Cake thought. I have the cutest sister in the whole world~