The Royal Academy

Chapter 29

The pain surged through me like a tide, each wave bringing with it a fresh wave of determination. I gripped Conrad’s hand tightly, my knuckles white, as I fought against the instinct to retreat into myself. The room buzzed with activity, the physician and nurses preparing for the moment that was finally upon us.

“Deep breaths, Rosalie,” Conrad urged, his voice a soothing anchor in the storm. “You’re doing amazing. Just focus on me.”

I nodded, trying to channel my energy into my breaths. With each contraction, I felt the world around me fade, leaving only the connection between Conrad and me. We were a team, and together we would welcome our children into the world.

The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. The physician’s calm demeanor reassured me as he guided me through each phase, his voice steady and encouraging. “You’re almost there, Rosalie. Just a little longer.”

As the final contraction hit, I felt a shift deep within me, a powerful urge to push. I followed the physician’s instructions, summoning every ounce of strength I had.

“Keep going! You’re doing wonderfully!” Conrad’s words washed over me, and I drew on them as I surrendered to the process, pushing with everything I had.

With one last effort, I felt a rush of relief and release. The sound of a baby’s cry pierced the air, breaking through the haze of pain. I looked up at Conrad, who wore a mixture of astonishment and joy on his face.

“It’s a girl!” the physician announced, lifting the tiny bundle into the air.

I could hardly believe it. We had a daughter! The reality of it washed over me, flooding my heart with an overwhelming wave of love. But before I could fully grasp the enormity of it, another contraction hit.

“Just one more, Rosalie! You can do this!” the physician encouraged, and I steeled myself for the next wave.

With another push, the room filled with another cry, this time a little louder, a little more insistent. The physician held up a second baby, a little boy, and my heart soared. “It’s a boy!”

Conrad laughed, tears glistening in his eyes as he turned to look at me, pure joy radiating from his expression. “Twins, Rosalie! We have twins!”

The realization crashed over me like a wave, and I couldn’t help but laugh and cry all at once. We had created life together, not just one but two precious little souls who would forever tie us together.

As the nurses worked to clean the babies and ensure they were healthy, I watched Conrad approach the tiny, swaddled forms, his heart full of pride and love. The moment felt surreal, like a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

Once the bustle of activity settled, Conrad returned to my side, cradling one baby in each arm. He looked down at them with a mixture of awe and adoration. “They’re perfect, Rosalie,” he whispered, as if he were afraid to speak too loudly, fearing he would scare them away.

I nodded, my heart swelling. “What should we name them?” I asked, my voice thick with emotion.

Conrad’s gaze remained fixed on the babies, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” he said slowly, a smile creeping onto his face. “How about Bellamy for our son and Bernadette for our daughter?”

The name struck me like a bolt of lightning, sending tears streaming down my cheeks. “Bernadette?” I echoed, my voice trembling. “You… you remember?”

“Of course I do,” he replied softly, his eyes still locked on the precious girl in his arms. “It’s a beautiful name, and I want her to know where she came from, just like you’ve shared with me.”

I couldn’t contain my emotions any longer; I burst into tears, overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment. “Thank you, Conrad,” I managed to say between sobs. “It means so much to me that you chose that name.”

He reached out to wipe my tears away, his touch gentle and loving. “You’re the heart of our family, Rosalie. I want our children to grow up knowing how incredible their mother is.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world lift from my shoulders. In that moment, all my fears and anxieties melted away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude. We had created a family together, and it was more beautiful than I had ever imagined.

As I looked at our two little ones, I felt a sense of purpose swell within me. I would be the mother they deserved, nurturing them with all the love I had to give. I turned my gaze back to Conrad, who was still gazing down at our daughter with an expression of pure love.

“Bellamy and Bernadette,” I repeated, letting the names roll off my tongue. “I love them already.”

“Me too,” he whispered, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my forehead. “I promise to be the best father I can be. Together, we’ll raise them with all the love in our hearts.”

As we sat together in the quiet of the room, surrounded by our two newborns, I knew we had embarked on a new journey. It would not always be easy, but with Conrad by my side, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

In that moment, I realized that this was not just the beginning of parenthood; it was the beginning of a life filled with love, laughter, and a family that would always support one another. Together, we would create a legacy that would endure for generations, rooted in love and understanding. And as I gazed into Conrad’s eyes, I knew we would face it all together, united as one.