Chapter 543: A new light...

7 Months Later

The grand bedroom was filled with excitement and anticipation.

Soft lanterns cast a warm, golden glow across the room, while the large windows were opened slightly to let in the cool night breeze.

Freya was lying on the large bed, her body glistening with sweat.

Her long blonde hair was damp, sticking to her forehead and neck.

She gripped the sheets tightly with one hand while her other hand was held firmly by Brandon.

"Ahh...!" Freya screamed as another powerful contraction ripped through her body.

Her back arched slightly off the bed as she endured the intense pain.

Brandon was kneeling right beside her on the bed and held her hand tightly, his thumb gently stroking the back of her palm.

With his free hand, he softly patted her forehead with a damp cloth, wiping away the sweat.

"Gently, dear..." he whispered in a steady voice despite the anxiety in his eyes.

"You’re doing so well. Just breathe. I’m right here."

Freya turned her head toward him as tears of pain and effort shimmered in her eyes.

"It hurts... Husband..." she gasped between contractions.

Three experienced female doctors surrounded the lower end of the bed, working with calm professionalism.

"Push, Lady Freya," the head doctor said firmly. "The head is almost out. One more big push!"

Freya let out another strained cry as she pushed with everything she had left.

"Ahhhhhhhhh-!!"

Brandon leaned closer, "Just a little more, darling. Our child is almost here."

Amelia stood nervously near the head of the bed, biting her lip with worry while occasionally wiping Freya’s face with a fresh cloth.

One of the doctors was monitoring Freya’s condition, another doctor was gently guiding the baby, and the third doctor was preparing warm towels and tools.

"Very good! I can see the head!" one doctor exclaimed in joy. "Keep pushing, just like that!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Freya screamed again and her grip on Brandon’s hand tightened so hard her nails dug into his skin.

Brandon simply held her tighter, "You’re almost there. I’m so proud of you."

With one final, powerful push and a long, exhausted cry, Freya delivered the baby.

The sound of a newborn’s healthy cry suddenly filled the room.

Waaaaah-! Waaaaah-!

The head doctor carefully lifted the baby, wrapped it in a warm, soft towel, and smiled brightly.

"It’s a girl!" she announced joyfully. "A healthy, beautiful baby girl!"

Tears immediately streamed down Freya’s face as she heard her daughter’s cry.

She let out an exhausted but overjoyed sob, collapsing back onto the pillows.

Brandon’s eyes also glistened with tears as he looked at her.

He leaned down and kissed Freya’s forehead, then her lips, "You did it, Freya... She’s here. Our daughter is here."

Freya could only nod weakly with tears flowing down her face as she reached out with trembling hands toward the sound of her baby’s cries.

The doctors worked quickly.

One of them carefully clamped the umbilical cord with two sterile clips while another doctor prepared a small pair of surgical scissors.

Brandon was surprised as the head doctor offered him the scissors.

"Would you like to do the honors, Lord Kael?" she asked respectfully.

He nodded without hesitation.

He took the scissors with steady hands, even though his heart was pounding excitedly against his ribs.

Leaning over, he carefully cut the umbilical cord between the two clamps.

The final physical connection between mother and child was severed.

The doctors then quickly cleaned the baby girl with warm cloths, removing the remaining fluids and gently drying her delicate skin.

They wrapped her in a soft, pre-warmed white blanket.

Finally, they placed the newborn gently onto Freya’s chest.

The moment the baby felt her mother’s warmth, her loud cries began to soften.

She let out a few more whimpers before quieting down, nuzzling instinctively against Freya’s chest.

Freya’s arms wrapped around her daughter protectively "She’s so small. Look at her, Kael... our little girl."

Brandon leaned over both of them with one arm supporting Freya’s shoulders while his other hand gently touched his daughter’s tiny head.

The baby had a soft tuft of blonde hair, just like her mother’s.

Amelia, who had been standing nearby with tears in her eyes the entire time, stepped closer.

She covered her mouth with both hands, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Welcome to the world, little one..." Brandon whispered, gently touching his daughter’s tiny hand.

The baby girl let out a soft sound, as if responding to her father’s voice.

The doctors quietly stepped back, giving the family this precious private moment.

One of them softly spoke, "Everything went perfectly. Mother and child are both healthy. Congratulations."

"Waahhhh..."

Meanwhile, Rheanne, who was standing outside the room, let out a soft breath of relief when she heard the baby’s cry.

The tension she had been carrying for the past several hours finally melted away.

She closed her eyes for a moment and listened to the cry of the baby.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she quickly raised her hand and gently rubbed them away.

Her lips curved into a soft, genuine smile "Congratulations, Kael..." she whispered under her breath, as if speaking directly to him through the closed door.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened quietly.

Brandon stepped out with a tiny bundle wrapped in a soft white blanket in his hands.

The newborn baby girl was sleeping peacefully now and a few strands of soft blonde hair peeked out from under the blanket.

"Rheanne..."

He walked over to her and Rheanne’s gaze immediately dropped to the baby in his arms.

Brandon carefully adjusted the blanket so Rheanne could see the baby’s face better.

"This is Selene," he said softly. "Our daughter."

Rheanne’s hand moved almost instinctively, gently brushing a finger against the baby’s soft cheek.

"She’s... beautiful," Rheanne whispered in awe.

A single tear finally slipped down her cheek despite her efforts to hold it back. "She looks just like Freya..."

Brandon smiled and shifted slightly closer, allowing Rheanne to get a better look.

The baby stirred a little in his arms but remained asleep, comforted by her father’s warmth.

She leaned in slightly and placed a gentle kiss on the baby’s forehead.

"Welcome to this world, little Selene," she whispered. "May you grow up surrounded by love and strength... just like your father."