Chapter 8 - The Birth in the Spring
Spring arrived in Jing City with the blooming of white cherry blossoms along the river banks.
Inside the private delivery suite at St. Jude’s Hospital, the room was filled with the soft, warm glow of the morning sun.
"Push, Mabel! One more time!" Dr. Elizabeth Avery instructed warmly, holding her hands ready.
I held my mother's hand tightly on one side, while Vance Zhao stood on the other, holding a cool damp cloth to my forehead.
I took a deep, powerful breath—a breath filled with the strength of every woman who had ever survived the dark—and pushed with all my heart.
A sharp, loud, magnificent cry echoed through the room.
"It’s a boy!" Dr. Avery announced with a bright, triumphant smile, placing the warm, pink bundle directly onto my chest.
The baby’s loud, furious cries softened the moment his tiny cheek pressed against my skin. He had a mop of soft dark hair, tiny delicate fingers, and a heart that beat as strong as a lion.
Tears of pure, unadulterated joy poured down my face as I kissed his tiny forehead.
"He's healthy, Mabel," Dr. Avery whispered, wiping her eyes. "Eight pounds, two ounces. Perfect bone density. Perfect lung capacity."
My mother leaned over, weeping softly as she touched the baby’s tiny hand. "What will you name him, Lin-lin?"
I looked down at my son, feeling the deep, unbreakable bond that had survived mountains, poison, and fire.
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"His name is Leo," I whispered softly. "Leo Chen. Because he was born from a mother who refused to break."
Vance Zhao smiled, reaching down to gently stroke the baby’s head. "Welcome to the world, Leo. You have the strongest mother on earth."
