𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

EPILOGUE

The hospital room buzzed with anticipation as the Morganthe family gathered in the waiting area. I sat rigidly on one of the chairs, my head in my hands, my usual confidence replaced with a knot of nerves. Eros, my older brother, stood nearby, his presence a calming influence.

“Relax, Ezekiel,” Eros teased, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. “You’ve faced battles more intense than this.”

“This is the battle,” I muttered, my voice barely a whisper.

My father, a man of quiet strength and unwavering support, chuckled as he patted my shoulder. “Your mother went through the same thing with you, and look how you turned out. She’ll be fine, Ezekiel.”

Then, a scream pierced the air, a sound that sent a jolt of adrenaline through my veins. Akira's scream, a raw expression of pain and exertion, echoed from inside the delivery room.

"Damn where is that man?" her voice, laced with a mixture of pain and annoyance, cut through the tension.

I wasn't sure if I should laugh, hearing her voice, so full of life and spirit, even in the midst of pain.

"I think you should go in, son," my father said, his voice a gentle nudge. One of the nurses, sensing my anxiety, let me inside. The moment Akira saw me, she angrily shouted, her eyes blazing with a mixture of pain and frustration.

"I hate you Morganthe! Where have you been? Ahh, it's so damn painful, you jerk."

My mother, sitting at the side, shook her head in amusement, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of concern and amusement. She went out to let me take her place beside Akira.

I held my wife's hand, kissing her forehead, brushing her hair from her face, trying to offer some comfort.

"Just breathe, my Akira."

"Damn you! Try giving birth here so you will know."

I kissed her again, my love for her a silent promise of support.

The doctor, a woman with a warm smile and reassuring eyes, smiled reassuringly. “You’re doing great, Mrs. Morganthe. Just one more push.”

With a final cry of effort, the room was filled with the sound of a newborn’s wail, a sound that filled my heart with a mixture of awe and wonder. Tears streamed down Akira’s face as the doctor lifted the baby and placed him on her chest.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor announced with a warm smile, her voice filled with joy.

Akira’s breath caught as she looked down at our son, his tiny face scrunching as he cried. “Hi, my baby,” she whispered, tears of joy spilling freely. “You’re finally here.”

Akira looked up at me, her face radiant despite her exhaustion. “Ezekiel,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Meet our son.”

I froze for a moment, overwhelmed by a wave of emotions. I stared at the tiny bundle in Akira’s arms, my heart swelling with a love I had never felt before.

“He’s… perfect,” I said, my voice breaking with emotion.

The nurse gently handed the baby to me, and I held him for the first time, my large hands cradling the newborn with the utmost care. The baby’s tiny fingers curled around my thumb, and my heart melted.

"Ezeil Ashton,” I whispered, looking at Akira. “Let’s name him Ezeil Ashton.”

Akira smiled through her tears. "Ezeil Ashton Morganthe. I love it.”

🤍🤍🤍

We gathered in the room, a celebration of new life and family. Uncle Max was present too, his presence a source of strength and wisdom. Xavier, holding his two-month-old son, Xaiden Jared Morganthe, in his arms, beamed with pride. Otousan, Akira's father, stood beside us, his eyes filled with love and joy. Jade, holding my son, Ezeil, in her arms, radiated a warmth that filled the room.

“To the newest Morganthe, a future prince and a blessing to our family!” Uncle Max said, raising his glass in a toast.

Later that evening, the room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the monitors. Akira sat up in bed, holding Ezeil as I sat beside her, my arm wrapped around her shoulders.

“You did amazing,” I said softly, kissing her temple.

Akira leaned into me, her touch a source of comfort. “We did this together. He’s ours, Ezekiel.”

Ezeil let out a soft coo, his tiny face nestled against Akira’s chest.

I reached out, gently stroking my son’s cheek. “He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me—besides you.”

Outside, the world continued as usual, but inside that hospital room, time seemed to stand still. Our little family had begun, and it was the start of a future filled with love, hope, and endless possibilities.