Chapter 1311:
Again and again, he leaned close and whispered gently, “Take a deep breath—that’s it. Just like that. You’re doing so well.”
“You are amazing, sweetheart—truly amazing. I’m right here beside you. I never left,” Brad said gently.
Rylie studied his face. The intensity in his gaze—laced with unmistakable worry and tender affection—made her feel oddly emotional even as it amused her.
When the pain became unbearable and her vision began to blur, his voice still reached her through the haze. “Rylie, stay with me. No matter what happens, I won’t lose you.”
Despite everything, his anxious words drew a weak laugh from her. She forced her eyes open and fixed him with a stubborn look. “Relax. I’m going to come out of this just fine.”
T𝘩𝘦 𝗺o𝗌𝘵 р𝗼𝗉𝗎𝗅𝗮𝗿 no𝘃el𝘴 𝗈𝗻 𝗴𝖺𝗅𝘯о𝗏𝘦𝗹𝘀.𝘤o𝗺
Brad watched her quietly, his eyes slightly red, a faint smile still holding at the corners of his mouth.
Then another fierce wave of pain gripped her. Rylie steadied her breathing, gathered every last bit of strength she had, and pushed—a raw cry tearing from her throat.
Moments later, the sharp cry of a newborn filled the room.
Nurses quickly carried the infant aside to be cleaned, and the midwife announced with a warm smile, “Congratulations—you have a baby boy!”
Brad barely registered the words. He leaned forward until his forehead rested against Rylie’s, gripping her hand with both of his, overwhelmed by what she had just endured.
“I won’t ever let you go through that again.”
The fear still trembling inside him had nothing to do with how tired or disheveled she looked. He had been terrified something might take her from him.
Rylie let out a quiet laugh. “Alright—go meet your son.”
When Brad carefully lifted the small bundle and looked down at the tiny face that already resembled his own, the tears he had been holding back finally slipped free.
“Hey there,” he whispered, his voice hushed and unsteady. “I’m your father.”
The baby shifted slightly, let out a small yawn, and drifted back to sleep.
Brad chuckled. The smile that spread across his face was warmer than the sunlight pouring through the window.
He carried the baby back and laid him gently beside Rylie’s pillow. She turned her head to look at the small infant, her own eyes growing red with emotion.
“He has your face,” she said softly.
Brad shook his head with a smile. “No—he has yours. That’s why he’s handsome.”
Rylie smiled and brushed the baby’s cheek lightly with her fingertips. “So what are we calling him? We talked about names endlessly and never settled on one. Now that he’s here—have you decided?”
Brad was quiet for a moment before answering. “What do you think about Asher Morgan?”
Rylie blinked in mild surprise.
“It symbolizes the promise of a joyful life,” he explained quietly. “I once promised I’d always stay by your side and make you happy—and he is the proof of that.”
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