NOVEL NEXT Chapter 397: An Early Christmas Miracle
"Oh my god...I think the baby's coming."
In an instance, the silence broke into chaos as everyone jumped to their feet.
"Wait. NOW?" Gregory shouted, half-rising from his seat.
"The baby is coming now?" Henry moved with the speed of light to where the couple was seated.
"Are you sure?" Sarah cried, eyes wide with panic.
"I thought she wasn't due until three days," Stacey said, rushing to her bestie's side.
"Quickly... Someone get Dr Vanessa to set up." Maria's voice snapped like a whip as she squatted beside Amelia.
"Okay, mum." Henry bolted for the door while dialling the doctor's number.
"Princess..."
"Gregory, move aside and let the women handle this." Vera snapped impatiently at him as she took her place beside Maria to examine Amelia.
Gregory and the other men moved aside, catering for the children while all the women hovered around, ready to lend a helping hand.
"Amy, can you try to stand up?" Maria asked softly after observing that Amelia was in her early labour stage.
Amelia nodded wincing every now and then.
When she tried to lift herself off the chair with the help of her husband, she felt something warm flowing out of her body.
"Oh god!" She cried out, thinking the baby was about to come out.
"What is it, my love?" Blaze calm but panicked eyes followed her gaze downward and he almost lost his mind at the sight of the drenched pillow and the liquid flowing down her thigh.
"Is nothing to be panicked about." Maria cajoled softly. "Your water just broke and it is very normal."
"It simply means your baby can't wait to meet you," Vera said calmly, beaming.
Amelia nodded, breathing in and out through her mouth while Blaze stroked her back, soothing her pain with his tender touch and comforting words.
"Can someone, please get some towels?" Vera called out.
"Already ahead of you." Judith arrived with a white towel and gently wiped Amelia's leg and the floor while Blaze guided her gently towards the door.
"Sarah and Annabelle, come with me." Maria led them away to get the baby bag and other items Amelia will be needing.
Just then, Henry arrived in a privately owned ambulance, accompanied by a young doctor and two nurses. They received Amelia at the door and helped carry her into the back of the ambulance.
"Where is Dr Vanessa?" Blaze asked in an urgent voice.
"She's setting up at the maternity wing." The young doctor replied.
As the van left for the private hospital on the island, everyone followed behind, some on foot and others in different cars.
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At the hospital, a team of doctors and nurses received Amelia at the door and wheeled her into the delivery room.
Doctor Vanessa, already on standby in her scrubs, met them at the door.
"Doctor, the baby came early," Blaze said holding onto his wife who was breathing through another contraction.
"It's fine, Mr Anderson. We are ready to receive him." Doctor Vanessa smiled, her voice calm and efficient. "Please come in with her."
"Of course, doctor." Blaze didn't hesitate as he followed them into the room, holding onto Amelia's hand, he's loving gaze locked on hers. "I'm right here, babe. Just keep breathing for us. We are going to be alright." He said, his voice thick with emotion.
Amelia nodded, breathing in and out through her mouth as the doors slowly shut.
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Outside the delivery room, the majority of the family, dressed in warm clothing, gathered, their expression–a mixture of anxiety and bubbling happiness.
"You know you're the one responsible for this right?" Stacy eyed Nicole where she was standing.
"Me!" Nicole raised a brow in confusion. "How?"
"Have you suddenly forgotten your toast?" Kayla rolled her eyes, grinning.
"Oh...that..." Nicole face-palmed her forehead as everyone burst into laughter. "I didn't mean it literally. I was just fooling around. I didn't know Blaze junior would take me seriously."
Another ripple of laughter echoed through the hallway.
"This goes to show that my grandson is a good listener and he would make an excellent psychologist."
Another wave of laughter followed until a sharp cry rang out of the delivery room, piercing through the air–a raw and trembling wail that seemed to split time itself.
WAAH!
Instantly, everyone held their breath as they listened to confirm the good news that was already bubbling in their heart.
There was a split-second pause before the sharp cry rang out again.
This time around it was loud and powerful yet fragile as it echoed with life, urgent need, and the primal shock of entering a world far louder and colder than the womb.
At the sound, thrilled gasps rose in the air, followed by joyous screams and jubilation.
"My grandchild is finally here." Maria threw her open arms around Vera, tears of joy flowing down her cheeks.
"Congratulations, grandpa." Henry shook Gregory's hand, amid joyous laughter and celebration.
"My Amy is officially a mummy." Judith broke down in tears in her husband's arms.
"And I'm officially an aunty." Sarah was all smiles as she locked gaze with Henry, their heart communicating silent wishes.
Time seemed to move at a snail's pace as everyone waited for the door to open. They could hear the shuffling of feet and muffled voices, echoing from within, amid the baby's continuous crying until the wailing gradually ceased.
Moments later, the door finally opened, and a very proud-looking father stepped out of the room with tears glistening in his eyes and his warmly wrapped tiny bundle of joy cradled tenderly in his arms.
"Our prince is finally here." He whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Aww!"
"Let me have him." Maria held back her tears as she tenderly collected the baby from her son.
"He looks so adorable," Judith whispered, gushing over the sleeping child with so much love.
"I wish Fiona were here to see him." Gregory's voice trembled as he gently touched the baby's warmly wrapped feet.
"I'm sure she is proud of you and Amelia wherever she is." Maria patted Gregory on the chin.
Everyone took turns to catch a glimpse of the peacefully napping baby, doing their best not to wake him up.
"What about my daughter..." Maria asked looking over Blaze's shoulder.
"The doctor are cleaning her up. You will see her soon. But in the meantime, I need you and Aunt to take the baby to the nursing room. My wife and I will join you later."
"Okay..." Maria nodded and slowly exited the hospital with the elderly in the midst while others stayed back to celebrate the new father.
"Let the party begin." Henry chanted out loud, popping a bottle of one of the most expensive champagnes amid thunderous cheering.
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Three hours later...
Amelia lay in bed completely exhausted but glowing with her son nestled in her arms. Beside her was her proud husband seated closely to her, one arm draped around her shoulder and the other hand stroking his son's head tenderly.
"Thank you for this gift,my love." Blaze whispered, kissing Amelia tenderly on the cheek.
"And thank you for coming into our lives." Amelia tilted her head sideways to look at him, her teary eyes shimmering with so much emotion.
They both shared a tender kiss before returning their loving gazes to their son.
Minutes later, Maria entered the room, carrying another baby gift.
"Another one?" Amelia raised a brow, eying the heap of baby gifts by the corner. "Isn't that too much?"
"Nothing is too much for my grandson," Maria said proudly. "Wait until you see what I have prepared for him."
"I trust you." Blaze smiled, chuckling as his mother came over and sat beside them.
"Oh...mom, you are so sweet." Amelia took her hand, beaming.
"And you are the sweetest, my darling." Maria shifted her beaming gaze to her sleeping grandson. "Have you both thought of a name yet?"
Amelia and Blaze exchanged excited glances and both nodded.
"Yes "
"What's his name?"
Amelia smiled, looking into her son's sleeping face. "Since he came to us as an early Christmas gift, we had decided his name would be Noel-Blaze Anderson."
"Perfect!" Maria gently collected the sleeping baby from Amelia causing him to stir a little. She lifted him to her face and pressed a soft kiss on his pink cheek.
"Welcome to the family, Neol-Blaze Anderson. You are our little early Christmas miracle."