Chapter 6: 3 Years Later — Return to Normalcy

“Felicity means ‘intense happiness’ in the dictionary,” Ansel added, ever the one to share trivia.

Morning at the Argente Residence

“Aaaaahhh!!!” Ellie screamed in pain, clutching her swollen belly as her water broke, soaking the hem of her long maternity dress. Her legs were drenched in streams of fluid.

“I’m here, my love,” Ansel said urgently, rushing to her side. “The car’s ready. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Ansel gently held Ellie in his arms, guiding her out of the house. He opened the car door and carefully helped her into the backseat. Ellie, gripped by the intense pain, tried to find a more comfortable position as Ansel hurried back into the house to grab the essentials.

After locking the door, Ansel returned to the car, pausing briefly to check on Ellie through the window. He then climbed into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and they sped off onto the road.

“Vroom, vroom, vroom!” The loud engine roared—then came a sputter and a puff of smoke as a trail of exhaust followed the car.

In the operating room, Dr. Galves, the OB-GYN, took charge of her team as Ellie lay on the operating table.

“Ellie, I need you to follow my lead, alright?” Dr. Galves instructed firmly.

“Okay, Doc,” Ellie replied weakly.

“Now, I need you to push—PUSH, Ellie!” Dr. Galves urged, her voice commanding.

“Eeeeehhh!!!” Ellie cried out, her face contorted in pain.

“PUUUSH!” Dr. Galves repeated, her voice filled with conviction.

Ellie gripped Ansel’s hand tightly, summoning every ounce of strength she had.

“You can do this, Mahal,” Ansel whispered softly, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “I’m right here with you.”

“Aaaaahhh!!!” Ellie screamed again, her voice echoing through the room.

Suddenly, the tension broke as Dr. Galves beamed. “You did it, Ellie!” she said brightly, holding up the newborn baby girl in her arms.

The operating team cheered quietly in relief and joy. Ellie managed a brief, exhausted glance at her baby before her consciousness faded. Ansel’s face lit up with a proud grin as he gazed at their newborn daughter.

In the quiet, softly lit hospital ward, Grandpa Al, Grandma Emily, and Uncle Ronald visited the Argentes. Ellie and Ansel couldn’t stop admiring their newborn baby girl. Al and Emily sat comfortably on the couch, their eyes filled with joy as they watched the young family. Ellie, nestled in the hospital bed, cradled her baby daughter in her arms, while Ansel sat beside her, his gaze fixed tenderly on his wife and child. Across from the grandparents, Ronald stood by the window, his hands in his pockets as he quietly observed the scene.

“My granddaughter is so beautiful,” Emily said with a voice full of warmth.

“When she grows up, she could join Miss Universe,” Al added with a proud grin.

Ellie looked down at her baby, still in disbelief. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” she murmured, her voice soft and filled with wonder. After battling PCOS, the arrival of her daughter seemed nothing short of a miracle.

“Mahal, our daughter is as real as she can get,” Ansel reassured her gently.

Ronald, leaning casually against the window frame, chimed in. “Have you folks decided on a name for her?”

Ansel met Ellie’s gaze, silently giving her the cue. Ellie smiled down at their baby before speaking. “Felicity Lilibeth Pangilinan Argente,” she announced softly, her voice full of emotion.

“Felicity means ‘intense happiness’ in the dictionary,” Ansel added, ever the one to share trivia.

Ellie glanced lovingly at him, her smile growing. “Yes, you’re right, Pa. Because that’s what you’ve brought me and your Papa Ansel—immense joy, Baby Lily.” She looked around at the gathered family, her eyes glistening with tears of gratitude and happiness.