Chapter 25: Beginnings and Beyond
The day I went into labor, fear gripped me as Ozaire was at work on a new movie. Fortunately, Yasha was there to assist me. She remained calm and supportive, helping me through the contractions and keeping me focused.
Despite the anxiety, Yasha's presence provided some comfort. She made sure I was as comfortable as possible and coordinated with the hospital to ensure everything was ready for my arrival.
When we arrived at the hospital, Yasha was by my side every step of the way. She managed the paperwork, guided me through the process, and kept me calm as we waited. Her support was invaluable, especially since Ozaire was still tied up with work.
As the labor progressed, the pain intensified, but Yasha's steady presence helped me stay focused. She held my hand, encouraged me, and reassured me that everything would be okay.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the baby was born. The moment I heard his first cry, a wave of relief and joy washed over me. Yasha was there to support me through those first few moments, and though I missed Ozaire dearly, I was grateful for Yasha's unwavering support.
When Ozaire finally arrived at the hospital, his face was etched with worry and exhaustion. He rushed to my side, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. He gently took my hand, his touch warm and comforting.
"I'm so sorry, Ophira," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I should have been here earlier. I got your message and left the set as quickly as I could. I didn't even get to tell the director I was leaving until I was halfway here."
I squeezed his hand, trying to offer a reassuring smile despite my tiredness. "It's okay, Ozaire. You're here now, and that's what matters."
As we looked down at our newborn son, all the stress and worry seemed to fade away. The moment was overwhelming, but having Ozaire there, even if he had missed the labor, brought a sense of completeness to the experience. We were finally together as a family, and that made everything worth it.
"Why don't we just make it official?" Ozaire asked, his voice gentle but certain.
I blinked at him, my tired mind slow to catch up. "What do you mean?"
He gestured vaguely around the hospital room, then smiled down at me and our newborn son. "You've basically been living with me for months now. The nursery's already set up at my place, half your stuff is there, and I don't want you going back and forth between your dorm and mine—especially not with a newborn."
He leaned closer, brushing a thumb along the back of my hand. "Let's stop pretending it's temporary. Move in. Properly. I want us together, always. I want to be a real family."
I let out a breathy laugh, remembering the countless nights I spent curled beside him, stealing his hoodies, crying over commercials, and raiding his kitchen for pickles at 2 a.m. "Yeah," I whispered, smiling at the memory. "You were basically my biggest craving."
His eyes sparkled. "I didn't mind being the craving."
I looked at our son, snug in my arms, then back at Ozaire. "Alright, Daddy," I murmured with a teasing grin. "We'll live with you."
He blinked in surprise at the nickname, but the way his face lit up told me he loved it.
I leaned in closer to the baby, gently brushing his cheek. "Isn't that right, little guy? We're officially moving in with Daddy."
Ozaire chuckled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. "Welcome home," he whispered. I can tell he was smirking.
"What should we name him?" I asked.
Ozaire's smirk was replaced by a wide, soft smile. "I've been thinking," he said, "how about we use the first letters of our names for our son? My name starts with 'O' and yours with 'O,' so his name could start with an 'O' as well."
I considered the idea and smiled. "That's a lovely idea. It would be meaningful for us."
Ozaire nodded, clearly pleased. "So, how about we go with Oliver?" he suggested. "It's a strong name and it has a nice ring to it."
I looked at the baby and nodded. "Oliver it is. I love it."
When we decided on the name, the door opened, and twelve people walked in. To my surprise, it was my six sisters and their significant others, each holding a cake, gifts and balloons that read "Welcome to the World, Baby."
Their cheerful presence filled the room with warmth and joy, their excitement palpable as they gathered around the baby and us.
My sisters and their partners eagerly approached, their faces lit up with joy. Reese was the first to speak, her voice filled with excitement. "We couldn't wait to meet the little one!"
Yasha gently handed me a bouquet of flowers, while Gaia, Bailey, Valerie, and Paicey each presented a gift wrapped in colorful paper. Their smiles were wide and their eyes sparkled with happiness.
As the room buzzed with energy, I could see how deeply they cared. They chatted animatedly, their words a mix of congratulations and well-wishes. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of love and unity, making the moment even more special.
Ozaire stood by my side, his arm around me, his eyes reflecting the same pride and joy. "This is perfect," he said quietly, his gaze moving from the baby to my sisters. "I'm glad we're all together for this."
The evening turned into a heartfelt celebration, marking the beginning of our new life as a family. "I suppose the next time..." Reese suddenly said, which got all of our attention, Raiden was beside her putting his arms around her shoulder looking at her in confusion also.
"Reese, what are you getting at?" Raiden asks
"Maybe, the next time we're all gathered like this welcoming a new member of the family would be..." She put her hands in her pocket and brought out a pregnancy test "us" she shifted her weight on Raiden's.
The room Immediately fell silent as Reese pulled out the pregnancy test, holding it up for everyone to see. Raiden's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Reese, a mix of confusion and disbelief on his face.
Raiden, still processing, asked, "Are you saying...?"
Reese nodded, her smile growing. "Yes, we are expecting. I wanted to share the news with all of you now, at the same time with Raiden's."
The room erupted in cheers and congratulations. Raiden embraced Reese tightly even picking her up and spinning her around, their happiness was palpable. Ozaire squeezed my hand, his smile mirroring mine. My sisters rushed over to hug Reese, their excitement and support evident. The joy of the evening was amplified by this new, unexpected news, making the celebration even more memorable.
"Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it—welcoming new hearts, expanding our family, and reminding us that every ending is just another beginning."