Chapter 641: The Parturition (1)

Oscar called Theodore to prepare him for the news. He wasn't expecting Theodore's breathless response: "Oscar, I'm... I'm going to be a dad..."

Oscar's eyes widened. "Little Bunny's having a baby?"

"She hasn't delivered yet, but we're on our way to the hospital. I'm a little nervous," Theodore admitted, his excitement tinged with anxiety. Oscar sensed his urgency.

"Can you come? I'm panicking," Theodore said.

Oscar checked his watch. "Right, I'll be there."

"I'll wait," Theodore replied, before the call abruptly ended.

Oscar was about to ask Jimmy to turn the car around when he called Hannah. "Hannah," he began.

"Are you coming back?" she asked, her voice still tinged with the night's upset.

"Little Bunny's having her baby and is at the hospital. I'm going to be there for Theodore; he's losing it."

"I'll be there too," Hannah replied instantly, a nervous edge to her voice at the news.

Oscar hesitated. "Okay, I'll pick you up." He knew Hannah wouldn't want to miss this; otherwise, he would have simply told Jimmy to turn around.

Jimmy sped to the villa, then drove cautiously to the hospital. Hannah felt every second drag. Theodore called several times to urge them, but Oscar didn't pressure Jimmy to increase their speed.

Finally, they arrived. Oscar took Hannah's hand and they walked slowly to the delivery room. Outside, Laird sat calmly in the hallway, joined by Manuel. Theodore paced anxiously.

Seeing Oscar, Theodore didn't improve his mood. "Are you a snail? What took you so long?"

"I can't do anything even if I'm here," Oscar responded bluntly.

Hannah glared at Oscar before approaching Theodore. "How's it going? Is everything alright?"

"I don't know. After dinner, she went for a walk, then we heard her scream. The servant found her water had broken. We rushed her here. She's been in labor for over an hour, and we have no idea what's happening except for her occasional screams..."

A scream pierced the air from the delivery room. Theodore flinched. Rarely had he seemed so unnerved. "That's her," he whispered to Hannah.

Hannah, also startled, offered comfort. "It's okay, that's normal."

"I know! But... how am I suddenly having a baby?" Theodore seemed bewildered, grappling with the unexpected reality. He didn't understand why he was facing this unexpected parenthood.

Hannah found his bewilderment amusing. He was so clueless, it was endearing. "Let's wait quietly. The baby will be here soon."

Theodore nodded, but Little Bunny screamed again, her cries escalating. Hannah's calming influence waned, and Theodore resumed his pacing.

Laird, usually tolerant of his son's antics, snapped, "Quiet! You're about to be a father. Act like one!"

Theodore felt aggrieved. He'd been scolded for indifference before, and now for his concern.

Hannah chuckled. "Don't worry, your wife and child will be fine."

Theodore tried to quiet himself. Manuel attempted to lighten the mood. "How do you know it's a son, not a daughter?"

Hannah gave Manuel a knowing look. He was one of the few who knew everything about her.

"What if it's a daughter?" Theodore asked immediately. He hadn't even considered the child's gender; he hadn't anticipated this child at all.

Hannah smiled. "I'm guessing. He'll be handsome." She’d glimpsed Theodore's son in a past life. Little Bunny's celebrity status had once led to paparazzi photos of her son. The fleeting glimpse revealed his inheritance of both parents' best features, causing a sensation and mitigating the negative press surrounding her unconventional pregnancy.

"Thanks," Theodore's mood improved. Everyone wanted a handsome son.

Silence fell. They waited. Oscar asked Hannah to sit, then subtly signaled Manuel and Theodore to follow him. Hannah and Laird watched them go.

Little Bunny's screams continued, growing more frequent. Hannah, though confident in a safe outcome, remained apprehensive.

Half an hour later, the three men returned. Theodore's first words: "Why isn't the baby here yet?!" Laird silenced him with a single look.

The delivery room door opened; a nurse rushed out.

"Is the baby here?" Theodore asked urgently.

The nurse shook her head. "No. She's been in labor for three hours, only three centimeters dilated. The broken water puts the baby at risk, so we recommend a C-section."

"Will it hurt her?" Theodore's conscience pricked him.

"No. Anesthetic will make it easier than a natural delivery," the nurse explained.

"C-section," Theodore decided swiftly.

The nurse returned to the delivery room. Silence stretched. Theodore's anxiety returned. "I chose a C-section! Why is she still screaming?"

The others were puzzled; they assumed Little Bunny would have been moved to an operating room.

The door opened again. The nurse reappeared, breathless. "She refused the C-section, wants a natural delivery. We have to respect her wishes."

"Is the baby safe?" Theodore pressed, his voice tight with worry.

"Safe for now. We're monitoring closely and will perform a C-section if necessary. Please rest assured."