La Familià (Lim X Vergara Family) Au

XXII

Loyden and Charles carefully stepped through the front door of their home, the soft sound of their newborn, Silas, cooing in his blanket cradled in Loyden’s arms. The warm, familiar scent of the house welcomed them, making the long days at the hospital feel like a distant memory.

Their yaya, Celia, greeted them at the entrance, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "Welcome home, Ma'am Loyden, Ma'am Charles," she said warmly, reaching out to take some of the bags Charles was carrying. Her eyes immediately softened as she caught sight of the tiny bundle in Loyden’s arms. "And welcome to little Silas."

"Thank you, Celia," Loyden said, her voice filled with both exhaustion and joy. She gently swayed as she looked down at her sleeping son, the love for her new baby overwhelming her.

Behind Celia, their firstborn, Selah, stood at the top of the staircase. The 18-year-old smiled softly at the sight of her parents, though there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes as she gazed at the new addition to the family. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders as she slowly descended the stairs.

" Selah," Charles called warmly, setting the bags down and opening her arms to welcome her daughter into a hug. "Come meet your little brother."

Selah approached with cautious steps, her gaze shifting from her dada to her mother, then to baby Silas. Loyden smiled, sensing the mix of emotions in her daughter. "Come on, sweetheart," she said gently. "Silas has been waiting to meet his big sister."

Selah stepped closer, her eyes focused on the tiny baby wrapped in the soft blue blanket. She leaned in slightly, her expression softening as she watched Silas' tiny hands twitch in his sleep. "Hi, Silas," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but filled with curiosity and warmth.

Loyden smiled, feeling a sense of completeness as her family stood together. "You’ll be a great big sister, Selah," she said, reaching out to gently touch her daughter's arm.

Selah looked up, meeting her mother’s eyes, and smiled. "I hope so," she said softly, her initial hesitation melting away as she felt the bond between her and her new baby brother start to grow.

Just as Loyden and Charles settled into the living room, with Silas resting peacefully in Loyden’s arms, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She glanced at the screen and smiled her parents were calling, undoubtedly eager to check on their new grandson.

Loyden picked up the phone, holding it to her ear. "Hi, Mom, Dad," she greeted warmly.

"Loyden!" her mother, Lizette Ricalde, exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "How are you? And how’s our little Silas?"

"We’re doing well, Mom. Just got home from the hospital. Silas is resting now," Loyden said, glancing down at her baby, who was peacefully asleep.

"Let me see him!" Lizette’s voice came through eagerly. "Put the camera on him."

With a chuckle, Loyden switched to a video call, holding the phone up so that her parents could see Silas wrapped up snugly in her arms. Lizette and Loyden’s father, who stood beside her, both cooed at the sight of their grandson.

"Oh, look at him! He’s beautiful," Lizette gushed, her face lighting up as she saw the tiny baby. "He looks just like you did when you were born, Loyden."

Charles leaned over, smiling as he waved at the screen. "Hey, Mom, Dad."

Lizette smiled at Charles. "Charles! How are you holding up? You’ve got your hands full now with two kids!"

"We’re doing great," Charles replied, though her tired smile hinted at the long hours ahead. "Selah’s already stepping up as a big sister."

"Good," Lizette said approvingly. "And how is she adjusting? It’s a big change for her too."

Loyden nodded, glancing over at Selah, who was sitting nearby, watching them quietly. "She’s still processing it, but I think she’ll be a wonderful big sister."

Her father, who had been mostly quiet, finally spoke up. "Take care of yourself, Loyden. You’ve got a lot on your plate now, but you and Charles will handle it. We’ll come by soon to see Silas again."

"We’ll be waiting for that," Loyden said with a smile. "I’m sure Silas will love to meet his grandparents."

After a few more moments of chatting and exchanging love, the call ended, and Loyden put down the phone. She looked at Charles, a tired but content expression on her face. "I think we’re all set for now."

Charles wrapped an arm around her, both of them looking down at their newborn, ready to embrace the new chapter of their lives.

As the atmosphere in the house settled into a warm, peaceful buzz around baby Silas, Sari stood quietly near the doorway, her presence going almost unnoticed. She had just come by to see the family and maybe catch up, but as she watched everyone fawning over Silas, a knot of jealousy formed in her chest.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the newborn their coos, smiles, and soft words all directed toward him. Even Selah, who had initially seemed hesitant, was starting to embrace her role as a big sister. Sari felt an unexpected pang, as if she were somehow on the outside of this joyous moment, watching from a distance.

Her gaze flickered between Loyden, Charles, and her parents on the phone, all wrapped up in Silas’s arrival. For a second, she felt invisible, and the familiar twinge of jealousy crept up on her. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy for her new sibling she was but seeing everyone so wrapped up in the baby made her feel like she no longer held the same place in their hearts.

Taking a breath, Sari tried to shake the feeling off, but it lingered. She stepped back a little, unsure of how to fit into this new family dynamic now that Silas had arrived.