The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1868

Morrison watched intently, his initial surprise soon giving way to a furrowed brow. He couldn't shake the feeling that the little guy was acting against him.

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed likely. Was this little rascal doing it on purpose?!

But then he dismissed the thought. This was just a baby that couldn't even open his eyes yet, whose brain might not even be fully developed. There was no way that the baby was plotting against him now.

He turned his gaze back to Rose's belly. Everything would have to wait until the little one decided to make an appearance. He didn't believe for a second that this kid, as stubborn as he might be, would stay in there forever.b2

The baby's little feet pushed against the belly a couple of times before finally calming down, retreating as if deciding to behave.

Rose rubbed her fingers together, recalling how when she poked at the little one's feet, he had responded with a wiggle. The pressure against her fingertips was unmistakable. Now more than ever, she couldn't wait for the baby to be born. She wanted to hold him, and to kiss him.

As she looked at her now calm belly, feeling like the little baby inside had found a comfortable position to settle down, she smiled, her face naturally expressing the tenderness and love unique to a mother.

Megan and Molly were thrilled too.

The little guy was healthy and lively!

--

On the due date, it was another day of anxious waiting, but Rose felt nothing out of the ordinary. She ate, drank, and slept as usual.

Meanwhile, she had to soothe an increasingly restless Morrison. Unperturbed, Morrison was all wound up, completely missing the fact that he was being comforted by an expectant mother.

On the first day after the due date passed, Rose still pulled Morrison to take a walk in the hospital park. At this point, he genuinely admired Rose's strength of mind.

Compared to her, wasn't he just a bit lame?

The second morning after her due date, after lunch, Rose watched a haggard Morrison disappear into the bathroom and sighed. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, she gently patted her belly.

"Kiddo, not to nag, but haven't you had your fun? Look at your dad - you're wearing him out. I'm warning you, he's my husband, and if you cause him any harm, I won't forgive you. Do you know how much time and effort it took to win him over? And now you're putting me through this worry?

"Think about it, what's so great about staying in there? The outside world is beautiful - tasty food, cool drinks, and you'll get to meet your loving parents. It's a kaleidoscope of wonders. Isn't that better than just eating and sleeping in that tiny space? Isn't it boring?

"Come on, son. No more mischief. It's time to come out. Staying in too long isn't good."

As Rose employed a mix of soft and hard tactics, Chloe's daily video call came through. Picking up the phone, Rose smiled and shook the phone in front of her belly, "Look, your future mother-in-law is also eager to meet you."

As she answered the call and began to pace the room, Chloe let out a sigh of relief, "Still no signs?"

"Nope. I'm just working on convincing this little one. He's got it too easy and forgot about his big debut."

Chloe chuckled, "And what arguments are you using?"

Rose exhaled, "I'm telling him not to get too cozy in his little world."

With that, she moved the phone back and angled the camera at her belly. "Son, see who this is? Recognize your future mother-in-law? Isn't she lovely? Think about it, if she's this pretty, how gorgeous must her daughter be? And let me tell you, Little Moon is still in your mother-in-law's belly. If you don't come out soon, she might be born before you. Then what? You might miss out on a childhood sweetheart or someone else might sweep her off her feet, and you'll be left crying."

Chloe smiled helplessly, "That would be an arranged marriage, but in the end, it's all about fate. Maybe Moon will like someone else, and maybe he will too."

"Chloe... Chloe..." Rose suddenly interrupted, and Chloe paused, seeing the camera shake violently.

"Rose?" Chloe's brow furrowed with concern.

"Chloe. My water broke."

Chloe's mind went blank for a moment, "Where's Morrison?"

"In the bathroom."

"Morrison! Morrison!" Chloe shouted, and he emerged from the bathroom at the sound of her voice.

He found Rose clutching her belly and leaning against the couch, her face etched with pain and panic.

He rushed to her side to offer support. "Rose!"

Rose clung to him tightly, "Morrison, I think it's starting."

Her pants were damp, sticking to her legs. Just as Morrison was about to carry her to find a doctor, the door burst open.

Danny, flanked by a team of doctors, rushed in. A gurney was waiting at the door. Danny's face was stern as he looked at Morrison. "Get her out. Now."

Morrison snapped into action, lifting Rose onto the gurney. Rose was pale and in pain but held onto Morrison's wrist tightly.

"Morrison..."

"I'm here! Right here!" Morrison gripped her hand back, reassuring her.

Rose nodded, "If anything happens, save the baby, please."

Morrison's anxious expression darkened at her words.

"Did you hear me?"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Megan and Molly, hearing the commotion, came out from next door in time to hear Rose's words. Megan scolded her sharply. "There will be no such thing! Stop jinxing your self."

Rose bit her lip, "Sorry, Grandma. I was wrong."

"Let's move, now!" Megan waved her hand, urging them on as the medical team sprang into action.

Rose was a contorted figure of discomfort, her legs uncomfortably bent, her lip bitten fiercely without her control, and a sheen of sweat breaking through the pallor of her face. Her expression was nothing less than agony.

"Get her to the delivery room!"

At Danny's command, Rose was swiftly wheeled away. Morrison followed closely behind.

Despite the pain, Rose fought to keep her eyes open, her gaze flitting to a woman beside her with a camcorder, documenting every moment. Turning to Morrison, she uttered weakly,

"Morrison..."

"I'm here!"

"I don't think I hung up on Chloe."

Morrison was speechless for a long moment before finally saying, "She'll hang up herself."

Rose managed a faint "Hmm" in response. Her pain deepened, and she furrowed her brow even more. "Morrison, it hurts so much."

Molly nodded without disagreement, "You're right. After all, Rose is beautiful."

She gently touched the baby's cheek and looked up at the nurse, "How's the mother?"

The nurse beamed, "She's doing well. She just needs some rest."

Molly nodded in relief and turned to Megan, "I'll have the housekeeper prepare some nourishing soup."

Megan agreed, her gaze never leaving her great-grandson. Eventually, the doctor suggested placing the baby in the observation room, and only then did Megan reluctantly let go.

Morrison, gripping Rose's hand tightly, followed the medical staff as they wheeled her out.

Megan hurried to meet them.

Rose, utterly drained of energy and unable to even open her eyes, was a pale shadow drenched in sweat, her vitality seemingly washed away. Morrison caressed her face from time to time, his heart aching for her, his face a mask of solemn worry.

Having witnessed the ordeal of childbirth, he was still shaken. He had known childbirth was painful, but he hadn't comprehended the full extent until now.

Megan stroked Rose's hair and whispered, "Rose, I've seen the baby. He's healthy and looks just like Morrison. Rest now, you'll see your baby soon."

Megan's words caused Rose's eyelashes to flutter, and she forced her eyes open, though they were dull. "My baby..."

"Your baby is perfect. Don't worry, just rest."

Rose blinked to show she understood, and Megan smiled contentedly. She glanced at Morrison, her expression turning stern, "Did you see that? Do you know that she almost died giving birth to your child? If you don't take better care of her from now on, I swear..."

Her words trailed off as she lifted her cane, not to strike, but as a warning.

Morrison pursed his lips, offering no further response, but his silence spoke volumes.

Rose returned to her hospital room, feeling a bit weak but relieved. Molly, her mother-in-law, handed her a glass of sweet lemonade and gently insisted she get some more rest.

As soon as Rose's eyes fluttered open again, Morrison was there, leaning close with a tender kiss on her forehead. "You're awake," he murmured.

Rose's eyelashes quivered, and she allowed the soft peck before speaking, her voice faint, "The baby..."

"Mom's got him," Morrison assured her.

In no time at all, Molly was back, cradling the tiny bundle in her arms and beaming. With a surge of maternal instinct, Rose sat up, eager to hold her child. She reached out, and Molly hurried forward, gently transferring the swaddled newborn into Rose's waiting arms.

The sight of that little baby, peacefully asleep in the cocoon of blankets, brought a tear to Rose's eye, but her face radiated pure joy. She kissed the baby's forehead tenderly, her gaze fixed, unwilling to blink and miss a single moment of her child's serene face.

Only then did she look up at Morrison, her eyes red but sparkling with tears and happiness.

"He looks so much like you," she said, her voice filled with wonder.

Morrison bent closer, his gaze lingering on the baby cradled in her arms, his brow quirking slightly.

"Are you sure?"

There was a brief pause before the room erupted with soft reprimands from Megan and Molly, who were standing nearby. "That's your son, who else would he look like? You rascal, you're really asking for it!" they chided, half in jest.

Morrison's frown deepened as he leaned in for another look at the little baby. With a mock grimace, he said, "Just like in the ultrasound, he really is ugly."