"Aurora won't calm down unless her husband is here," the nurse said, hurrying out of the delivery ward.
The doctors exchanged worried glances. Despite the pain, the exhaustion, and the long hours she had just endured, Aurora was wide awake, eyes blazing with purpose. "Get Mark," she insisted. "I don't care who said he should leave. I need him here with me."
A few minutes later, Mark stepped into the ward with the nurse. He was breathless, eyes bloodshot, his shirt still damp with sweat and panic. The moment his gaze fell on her propped up on pillows, pale but alive he almost fell to his knees.
"Aurora," he whispered.
She weakly extended her hand. "Come here."
He rushed to her side, cupping her cheeks and pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "You're so strong. You did so well. I'm right here now. I'll always be here."
A nurse gently tapped Aurora's arm. "Ma'am, it's time." Mark stepped back a little as they finished the final checks. A piercing cry filled the room. The baby. Their baby.
Mark's eyes widened as one of the nurses cleaned and wrapped the tiny newborn before handing her to Aurora. The second she laid eyes on her daughter, Aurora's lips trembled.
"She's… perfect," she murmured. Mark leaned down beside her, staring in awe. "She's here… she's really here…"
The doctor smiled at them. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. It's a healthy baby girl."
Mark's knees buckled. "A girl?" he whispered, overcome. "I always wanted a girl…"
"Sir, we'll transfer mother and baby to a different ward in a few minutes," the nurse said. "Please step out, and we'll call you in once everything is settled." Mark nodded slowly, still dazed. He bent to kiss Aurora's forehead again. "You're amazing. Thank you. Thank you for this little miracle."
Outside, he barely made it into the hallway before being ambushed by their families. Kim, Gianna, William, Angel, Maxwell, and Zayn were waiting anxiously. Well?" William asked, eyes fixed on him. Mark beamed, tears in his eyes. "She did it. Aurora gave birth to a beautiful baby girl." Cheers erupted. Kim hugged Gianna tightly. Maxwell slapped Mark's back.
"She's a fighter, just like her mother," Angel grinned.
The white hospital room was calm now. The sound of machines beeping rhythmically was the only thing accompanying Aurora's soft, tired breaths. But her eyes remained stubbornly open, shifting from the ceiling to the door. She looked restless—despite the new life in her arms.
"Where's Mark?" she asked weakly.
A nurse looked up from her clipboard. "He's in the waiting area, ma'am. I want him here," Aurora said firmly, her voice a little cracked, but resolute.
The nurse blinked, nodded, and went off. A few minutes later, the door creaked open.
Mark stepped in, tentative at first, until he saw her until he saw them.
There, bathed in the golden light coming through the window, Aurora sat propped against pillows, her hair slightly messy, a sheen of sweat still on her forehead… but she was glowing. And in her arms… the tiniest little bundle wrapped in pastel pink. Mark's legs buckled for a moment. Aurora…" he breathed.
Aurora gave him a weak smile. "Come here."
He was at her bedside in two strides, his hand immediately cupping her cheek as he kissed her forehead gently.
"You did it, baby," he whispered against her skin. "You did so well. I'm so proud of you."
Aurora's eyes welled up. "We did it." Mark looked down, and his eyes finally met hers.
His daughter. His little girl.
She was sleeping peacefully in her mother's arms, her face so tiny, yet so perfect. A small tuft of dark hair peeked from under her cap, and her cheeks were plump and pink.
"She's beautiful," Mark said, almost in disbelief. "She's really mine?" Aurora chuckled faintly. "Of course she is. Look at her nose. That's your exact nose. She's got your lips too."
He leaned closer and stared at the baby with awe. "She's so small… I feel like if I breathe too hard, I'll wake her." Aurora giggled softly and looked at him with those loving eyes again. "You can carry her, you know."
Mark shook his head. "What if I mess it up? She's… she's so tiny." She's yours. You won't drop her," she reassured him gently. "Come on." With trembling hands, he reached out, letting Aurora guide him. And then he was holding her. Their daughter. His baby girl.
She squirmed slightly, but stayed asleep in his arms, her tiny hand curling near her cheek. Mark's eyes welled with tears.
She looks like you," she said, swallowing. "But her eyes—" They're blue," Aurora whispered. "She inherited my eyes."
Mark nodded, his throat too tight for words. "She's perfect."
*********
Zayn stepped closer, a genuine look of happiness on his face. "Congratulations, man." Mark paused. "Hey… can I ask you something?" Zayn nodded. "For a long time, I thought something was going on between you and Aurora. I was wrong, wasn't I?"
Zayn smiled. "She's my sister. Chosen, not by blood. But still my sister." Mark shook his head, chuckling at himself. "I was jealous over nothing." Just then, the nurse returned. "Sir, you can go in now."
Mark didn't wait. He practically ran back, and when he opened the door, Kim looked up from where she was seated beside the bed. "Come in."
He stepped inside again, and the sight waiting for him took his breath away.
Aurora was sitting up now, the baby asleep on her chest. She looked up and smiled.
"Come, Daddy," she teased. "Your daughter wants your arms again." Mark walked over and kissed both their foreheads. "I never knew I could love two people this much."
He sat beside her, took his baby again this time more confidently and whispered, "You're going to be the most spoiled little girl on this earth." Aurora laughed. "She already is."
And in that soft moment, surrounded by love, Mark knew no matter how many storms had passed, the sun was finally rising on their forever.