The pregnant bride went stiff as a board when she spotted the groom’s dad. She never saw that coming…

I already know who we’re talking about. She’s in the labor and delivery ward. But you’ll still have to wait.

The midwives are doing their best. But it’s not fast. You know that.

Of course it is. Camille exclaimed. It’s not like you’re in a performance arena.

We have other women in labor who need to rest. Really, you can understand the excitement and all that. I’m sorry.

I’m really, really nervous. And you said the midwives are trying. Emily’s having some kind of problem.

No, it’s just that the baby seems to be big. The nurse replied with a smile. And then she adjusted her robe.

Well, this is the news. We will have a rich man in our family. What happiness.

I cannot even convey in words. Save your emotions for future congratulations. When your daughter gives birth, then you’ll jump with happiness.

In the meantime, you have to wait for her first labor. It may not be her last. Thank you, Evelyn.

Evelyn is the nurse’s name. Yes, thank you, Evelyn. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Camille nodded. You’re welcome. But the midwives are to be commended.

They’re the ones who bring babies into the world. It’s their most demanding job. It takes a lot of effort and nerve for moms to give birth safely.

That’s true. I forgot all about it on the way here. Well, you’ll be expecting, won’t you? I have work to do.

As soon as this miraculous event happens, I’ll let you know. Then I’ll sit on the bench in the courtyard. There’s some shade.

The nurse looked at the guard. He nodded and said, You can wait here. It’s not outdoors and sitting in the heat for so many hours is not the best solution.

Thank you. Good health and prosperity to you. Camille thanked them.

And while her daughter was in labor, she sat next to the guard. He entertained her as best he could with funny anecdotes. But they were only soothing for a moment.

And then the troubling thoughts would return. And Camille frowned her eyebrows at the thought of her daughter in the maternity ward. At the same time, she relied on the professionalism of the midwives, because the nurse’s words about their work gave her cautious optimism.

Glancing at her watch every now and then she turned her head toward the corridor. It was from there that the nurse would appear and deliver the long-awaited news. But as time passed, Evelyn did not return.

And Camille became visibly nervous. Her hands shook and her left eye twitched. The guard noticed her nervousness and tried to calm her down.

Everything will be fine. You’ll see our midwives are the best around. It’s been a long time since Evelyn’s been here.

They told you it was a difficult labor. The baby’s big. The guard reminded the nurse.

Daughter, my darling, may you do well. Camille said with tears in her eyes. Waiting was weighing on her nervous system.

And she could hardly sit in one place. From time to time she got up from her chair to walk a little and stretch her legs. The guard shook his head, but did not interfere with her with his advice.

He realized that words could not solve everything, especially the worries of his own mother. So he calmly observed the situation, looking at the crossword puzzle. Meanwhile, Camille went outside again.

She needed a breath of fresh air in her temples. Pulse was vomiting and the back of her head was broken. So she could barely contain the piercing pain and coupled with the worry it was pressing even harder on her brain.

Finally, towards evening, when already patience was at the limit, heard the voice of the nurse, she flew straight down the corridor. And gesticulating joyfully at that. From her look and the smile on her face Camille realized that the labor had ended successfully.

A boy at three nine hundred and fifty two centimeters. A giant. Congratulations, you can see your daughter.

It’s such a blessing. What kind of happiness? I’m the happiest grandmother in the world now. By the way, am I allowed in her room? Through the glass.

Look, but if the doctor says it’s okay, you can hold the baby. We can allow husbands and close relatives in the labor room. Is it your daughter’s husband here? No, he’s on a business trip.

Shook his head Camille. He was sent away unexpectedly just before the birth. Well, he will be even happier when he arrives.

The nurse smiled. Yes, you’re probably right. Camille said, almost in a whisper.

She couldn’t hear a thing. Let’s go and I’ll show you to your daughter. But before they went upstairs, they went into a room and Camille changed her clothes.

She was given a white robe, a bonnet, and booties. And so she went to her daughter’s room. And while she silently followed the nurse, she wrote a message to her son-in-law.

Congratulations on your son. Four kilograms bogged her. But no reply to the message came at the same second.

And that made her a little wary. She naively thought that Michael was just waiting to be excited about the birth of a child. But in fact, he was completely in work and was practically not distracted by anything.

He didn’t even read the message from his mother-in-law right away. Going up to the second floor, they walked down a long corridor and stopped near room number seven. Through the glass, you could see her daughter lying on a special bed.

And most importantly, with her next to her was a child whom she gently pressed to her chest, crying. Camille looked at the nurse. I’m looking at you and I can’t help but let you come into the room.

Besides, the doctor said yes, but not for long. And I understand and thank you for your kindness. Having opened the door, she cautiously peeped in and immediately met her eyes with Emily’s daughter and cried with joy, holding the child with one hand and beckoned them to her with the other.

Mother, how happy I am to have such a son. I only wish Michael could see it. Camille went to the bed and leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head.

At that moment, the baby frowned and began to fuss. Without thinking, she took him in her arms and began to rock him, humming a lullaby. After a couple minutes, he calmed down, and there was silence again.

Emily rose up on one elbow and cocked an eyebrow. Disgruntled, she asked. He still hadn’t made contact.

Not yet, no, I sent him a message. Should respond. I called too, but Michael didn’t even pick up.

Is he so busy he can’t even pick up the phone? Don’t worry about it. He’ll answer or call back. Camille tried to reassure her daughter.

And just as she said these words, a familiar music started playing. It was a message notification coming in. Handing the baby back to Emily, she pulled out her phone and began to read.

It didn’t take her more than a minute to familiarize herself with the contents of the message from her son-in-law. And judging by her facial expressions, she wasn’t too happy about it. But something Mom sent Michael.

Yeah, you guessed it. I just didn’t see much joy. Give it to me.

I’ll read it myself. Emily demanded her phone and she handed it over. For about a minute, too.

She drove her eyes around, studying her husband’s reply. It contained the following words. Thank you.

Wow, I don’t have any heroes in my family. It must be some kind of phenomenon. Tell Emily I’ll be there soon.

That was the end of the message. What did he mean by phenomenon? She never understood it. But it sounded kind of hurtful.

Like Michael didn’t believe it was his son. Emily handed the phone back to her mother and cried. Daughter.

What are you doing? He just texted that he wasn’t expecting such a big guy. I’d be surprised, too, if I were him. To be honest, we don’t have any similar cases in our family.

And neither have you. Mom almost screamed at Emily. You think it’s some kind of phenomenon, too.

And the baby’s not Michael’s. No, I don’t think so. I shook my head.

It’s okay. You can’t be nervous right now. And why did he text me like that? Why didn’t he congratulate me anyway? Why didn’t he call me? Just be patient for a while.

When he has a free moment, he’ll do it. And she was right on the money again. Because Emily’s phone was interrupted, she purposely turned the sound down so that it wouldn’t make noise or scare the baby.

Her husband’s name popped up on the screen and she immediately smiled. Hello, my love. His gentle voice sounded into the receiver.

I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the birth in person. But you know how I react to such events. Yes, of course, we have already discussed it calmly and without nerves, replied Emily.

I want to congratulate you, or rather, us on the birth of our son. And wish him good health. And you and I have enough endurance and patience for the rest of our lives.

Thank you. That was really nice to hear. But I’m still a little hurt that you left on the eve of the birth.

You could have talked to the company and stayed. The director is aware of it, but he just had no other choice. Michael replied with regret in his voice.

And I’ll try to make up for what I missed. Love. Okay, I get it.

Work is work. Emily sounded a little uncertain. And it sounded like veiled resentment.

I’m sorry, I really didn’t have a chance to come. But I’m traveling back tomorrow. So I’ll see you soon.

Ethan and I will be waiting for you very much. Did you decide on that name after all? Michael asked. Yes, those two.

I canceled them. Because they don’t sound like your middle name. What do you think? Do you like it? You bet.

Ethan’s bright and presentable. But kisses. Sweetheart.

I have to go to a meeting. And I kiss you, my love, and wish you good luck. Emily pressed the hang up button.

And placed the phone carelessly on the nightstand. What’s wrong with you? Are you not happy that you talked to your husband? Her mother asked in surprise. Yes and no.

He answered dryly, as if you were recording. It was as if he wasn’t talking to me, but to his colleagues. Maybe you imagined it.

No. I’m not deaf. And my heart can feel everything.

At that moment, the baby stirred again. And she gently put her arm around him, and kissed him gently on the nose. The joy of motherhood restrained Emily from harsh words to her husband.

And it was telling that she was very nervous. Perhaps because of the difficult labor. Or was there some other reason? At the same time to answer clearly and distinctly to herself, what she was worried in the first place…