I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 268

She had been through childbirth before, so she knew firsthand the harrowing dangers and the visceral, tearing agony of bringing a life into the world.

That was precisely why, when Gavin first insisted on being in the delivery room with Sophie, and Sophie had been too shy and reluctant, begging her mother to be there instead, Sarah had firmly advised Sophie to let Gavin stay.

He needed to witness the grueling reality of labor. By seeing exactly what Sophie had to endure, he would cherish and protect her all the more.

Two hours later, Sophie was wheeled out of the delivery room.

Sarah immediately stood up and rushed over, with Harold carrying Ethan close behind.

"It's a girl. Six pounds." Gavin gently placed the swaddled newborn into Sarah's arms, then turned to take Ethan from Harold. "Look, buddy, it's your baby sister, Coco. Can you say hi?"

"She looks exactly like Sophie did when she was a baby." Sarah's eyes welled with tears once more.

Harold stared intently at the tiny, delicate face. So this was what his Sophie looked like when she was born.

He desperately wanted to reach out and stroke Coco's soft cheek, but he held himself back.

His palms were entirely slick with sweat. For the past two hours, he had been telling Sarah to stay calm, but he had been just as terrified.

The baby was only a pound lighter than Ethan had been at birth, but her face looked noticeably smaller. A pound didn't mean much on a full-grown adult, but on a newborn, the difference was striking.

His Sophie had only weighed five pounds at birth, a whole pound less than Coco. She must have been so incredibly fragile and tiny. He couldn't fathom how Sarah had managed to raise her all by herself.

After a three-day stay at the hospital, Sophie was transferred to a luxurious postpartum retreat center.

Coco's one-month milestone party was deliberately pushed back three days so it could double as Ethan's second birthday celebration.

Gillian stayed behind in Boston to care for Rosemary, so Graham flew in to represent the family.

Gwen was practically green with envy. She had desperately wanted a daughter but ended up with a son, while Gavin wanted a daughter and hit the jackpot on his first try. "The universe totally plays favorites! How the hell are you this lucky, Gavin? It's downright infuriating."

Gavin flashed a highly punchable 'I can't help it if I'm blessed' shrug. Without missing a beat, Gwen grabbed her glass of milk and demanded he clink his drink with hers.

Gavin took a microscopic sip and immediately waved a white flag. "You know I can't hold my liquor. My father-in-law isn't here to take the bullet for me this time, so take it easy on me."

Gwen let him off the hook, but his colleagues weren't nearly as merciful.

"There were only two spots for the top research award at the institute, and you bagged one of them. Now you've got a million-dollar family with a boy and a girl? You're chugging this."

After making the rounds, even though he had popped hangover pills beforehand, Gavin was completely obliterated. Sophie practically dragged him into the lounge and shoved a yogurt drink into his hands, leaving the two grandfathers to entertain the remaining guests.

Graham just shook his head. His own tolerance was worse than his wife's, and his son's was worse than Sophie's. At this point, Harold was their only line of defense.

Graham literally had to carry his son up the stairs. The moment Gavin hit the mattress, he slurred, "Where's Sophie?"

When Sophie walked in holding a bowl of hangover soup, Graham made a swift exit.

"Drink this," Sophie said, stepping up to the bed.

"Feed me," Gavin demanded, refusing to lift a finger.

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