Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

FIFTY

"Khun Earn, Khun Lada... are you ready?" Dr. June asked gently, squeezing the cool gel onto Earn's belly. The room was softly lit, the quiet hum of the ultrasound machine the only sound.

Earn glanced at Lada, their hands intertwined, fingers gripping just a little tighter. Her heart pounded in anticipation, a mixture of excitement and nerves coursing through her. She gave Lada's hand a reassuring squeeze before turning her attention back to the doctor.

"We're ready," Earn replied with a soft smile. Then, with a playful spark in her eyes, she added, "But we've decided that Narin will be the one to reveal the gender to us."

Dr. June raised her eyebrows, clearly amused. "Ah, I see! A special reveal then."

Lada's thumb gently stroked the back of Earn's hand as she chuckled. "Yes, our daughter's really excited. She's been practicing how she'll tell us. It's adorable."

Earn's heart swelled at the mention of Narin. The thought of their little girl being part of this moment made it even more magical, and she could feel her emotions bubbling just beneath the surface. "I can't wait to see her face," she whispered, her eyes misting over.

Dr. June positioned the wand gently on Earn's belly, and the soft hum of the machine filled the room. A moment later, the sound of a heartbeat—steady, strong, and rhythmic—echoed through the space, wrapping them in its warmth.

"There it is," Dr. June said, turning the screen so that both Lada and Earn could see the tiny, flickering pulse. "Your baby's heartbeat. Nice and strong."

Earn's breath caught in her throat. The sound—their baby's heart—filled her with an overwhelming sense of wonder. Lada's hand tightened around hers, and Earn glanced up, tears brimming in her eyes.

Lada's lips pressed against Earn's temple, her voice a gentle whisper. "That's our baby," she said, awe-struck. "Can you believe it?"

The tears Earn had been holding back spilled over. "It's really happening," she whispered, barely able to speak as she looked between the screen and Lada. "That's our baby."

Dr. June smiled, giving them a moment to take it all in. "It's a special sound, isn't it? That heartbeat is as strong as they come."

Lada leaned in closer, "No matter what, girl or boy, they're going to have so much love from all of us."

Earn turned to meet Lada's gaze, her heart tightening with emotion. "I'm more ready than I've ever been for anything in my life," she said, her voice firm but tender. "This is our little family, baby. I can't imagine doing this with anyone else."

The tension in the room shifted—no longer nerves, but the weight of something beautiful and life-changing. The air felt heavy with love, with hope.

Dr. June glanced between them, sensing the deep connection and affection they shared. "Well," she said, her voice breaking the intimate moment with a smile, "you'll have to wait a little longer for Narin to reveal the big surprise. But everything looks perfect so far."

Earn exhaled softly, her heart full. "Perfect," she echoed, feeling Lada's fingers lace with hers once more, grounding her in the moment. "Just perfect."

•••

It is a special evening at the penthouse, a soft glow from the lights giving the space a cozy, intimate feel. Atid had just returned from Singapore, and Paew is there too, her warmth filling the room as everyone gathered around the dinner table. The meal was a feast, lovingly prepared by Paew and Aunty Sum, with every dish meticulously arranged. But the centerpiece of it all is the gender reveal cake sitting quietly on the table—a simple, elegant touch to what was already a perfect family moment.