In the end, Ashley still did not get to eat the hot and sour rice noodles that she had been craving.
When Andrew came back, she had already dozed off. Of course, he couldn't wake her up to eat because she was sleeping soundly.
The next morning, Andrew was already gone by the time she woke up. However, a bowl of hot and sour rice noodles was placed on her desk, teasing her with its mouthwatering aroma.
March was Ashley's ninth month of pregnancy, and the baby was due any time. Andrew had already had everything arranged with the hospital in advance.
As the delivery date edged closer, Ashley felt increasingly uncomfortable.
The baby in her belly had been kicking most of the time now.
At times, she couldn't even sleep at night.
"Honey."
Ashley suddenly reached out to clutch her husband's arm.
Beads of cold sweat dotted her forehead.
Andrew sat up immediately. He turned on the night light and looked at her worriedly. "What's wrong? Ash, are you feeling uncomfortable again?"
"My belly hurts!" Ashley gripped his hand so tightly that her nails formed half-moons and nearly broke into his skin.
Andrew did not pay attention to the slight pain—he was too preoccupied with Ashley's discomfort.
"It's going to be all right, Ash. I'll take you to the hospital now!" Andrew swept her up in his arms and ran downstairs quickly.
As to be expected, the ruckus alerted Chant. Fortunately, the children were still asleep and were not waken up.
"What happened?"
Chant came out with an overcoat and saw Andrew, with Ashley in his arms, rushing out of the house.
"I think Mrs. Lu is about to give birth," Linda spoke up from behind him.
"What are you waiting for? Let's hurry up and follow Andrew!"
Chant could not stand still any longer. He hurriedly changed clothes and left soon after.
At the hospital...
Ashley was quickly wheeled into the delivery room. Andrew wanted to go in with her, but several nurses outside kept him from barging in. "Sir, you can't go in."
"Let me in!" Andrew coldly demanded. Just now, he saw Ashley lying on the stretcher as her face contorted in pain. How could he leave her alone in there?
"No, you can't. Men are not allowed to come in," one of the nurses said, trying to force the door of the delivery room closed.
Andrew still broke into the room at once.
Anxiously, the nurse alerted the doctor. "Doctor Lin, he..."
"Get him into a sterile suit. Mrs. Lu's amniotic sac has ruptured. Come over here and help." The doctor in charge of Ashley's surgery was a man. After sending a cursory glance at Andrew's direction, he started getting the room ready for delivery in an orderly manner.
"Okay."
The nurse quickly gave Andrew a set of sterile clothes.
"Ah!"
Lying on the bed, Ashley couldn't help screaming as her belly contracted with a sharp pain.
"Ash." Hearing her agonized voice, Andrew rushed over to her side and held her hand tightly.
Chant arrived soon after and saw Andrew and Ashley entering the delivery room together.
"Why did he go in with the nurses?"
Chant asked in an anxious tone as he paced outside in the hall.
"Please don't fret too much," Porter replied to comfort the old man. "Maybe Mr. Lu is too worried to leave Mrs. Lu alone. Isn't that a good thing? They love each other very much."
"Hurry up! Call someone from the Gu family and tell them that Ashley's in labor...
Never mind, I'll call them myself."
Chant grabbed the phone from Porter's hand and dialed a number.
All of the members of the Gu family, who were still sleeping at the time, were awakened by the news.
After some time, several people rushed toward the delivery room.
The newcomers were Martin, Belinda, and Jeremy.
Jeremy stopped beside Chant and tried to catch his breath after running. He asked, "Grandpa, where is Ash?"
"She is inside with Andrew. They've been in there for a while." Chant looked up at the light indicating that a delivery was in progress.
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