Chapter 9 - The Miraculous ArrivalWithin seconds, the room flooded back to life with doctors and nurses moving in a synchronized flurry of activity.
“We have full dilation! It’s time!” Dr. Montgomery called out, stepping up to the foot of the bed. “Mr. Blackwood, you can stay, but you keep her focused on you. Ready, Celeste? On three. One, two, three—push!”
The world outside vanished. The snowstorm, the billion-dollar empire, the scandal waiting in the wings—all of it ceased to exist.
There was only the sound of the howling wind, the steady hum of medical equipment, and Rhett’s voice whispering fierce, anchoring words into Celeste’s ear.
“Look at me, Celeste. Look at me,” Rhett pleaded, his face inches from hers, sweat mixing with his hair, his eyes locked onto hers with absolute devotion. “You are the strongest woman in this world. Breathe with me. Push with me.”
Celeste squeezed her eyes shut, screamed through the agonizing wave of pain, and pushed with every ounce of strength she had left in her body.
And then—cutting cleanly through the noise of the storm—came a sharp, healthy, beautiful cry.
“It’s a boy!” Dr. Montgomery announced, a wide smile breaking across her face as she lifted a squalling, perfect newborn infant into the air. “A healthy baby boy!”
Celeste collapsed back against the pillows, entirely breathless, tears streaming down her face as she let out a choked, disbelieving laugh.
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Rhett stood frozen for a fraction of a second, staring at the tiny life kicking its legs in the doctor's arms. A tear slipped from the corner of the billionaire's eye—the first time in over thirty years he had cried.
The doctor wrapped the baby in a warm blanket and carefully placed him right into Celeste’s trembling arms.
