D&B5

47

Once they learned that Phim had safely given birth, Day and Brick quickly took care of the paperwork and hurried back to Phim's recovery room.

"Papa," little Ob ran over to hug Brick's legs as Day and Brick entered Phim's recovery room, making a sulky face.

"Oh, are you upset with Papa and Daddy?" Brick asked. Day picked up Ob, as the little boy often pouted and furrowed his brows at both of them when he was upset.

"He couldn't find Day and Brick," Brick's mother said with a smile.

"I'm sorry. Daddy and Papa went to see the baby," Day explained before carrying Ob to Phim's recovery bed, with Brick following closely behind.

"Where's my little brother?" Ob asked as he turned his head left and right, looking around.

"He'll be here shortly," Day replied.

"How are you doing, P'Phim?" Brick asked with concern, knowing that this time Phim had it tougher than with Ob, as she experienced more severe morning sickness and the labor took longer.

"It's tough, but I've made it through," Phim replied softly, her face slightly pale.

"This little one must be quite the handful to take so long to arrive," Phim joked.

"I'm sorry, P'Phim," Brick responded, holding her hand.

"It's okay," Phim replied, her voice a bit weaker.

"If you want anything or need our help with anything, just let us know," Brick said, unsure how to repay Phim for giving him and Day their two sons.

"As long as you and Day take care of Salmon, I'll be happy," Phim responded.

"Daddy, where's my brother?" Ob continued to ask.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock on the recovery room door, followed by the nurse wheeling in a baby crib. Day and Brick felt a rush of excitement, even though it wasn't their first time experiencing this.

"Here he comes!" the nurse announced as she placed the crib next to Phim's bed. Day and Brick quickly approached to look.

"Look at this! He looks just like Brick did when he was a baby," Brick's mother exclaimed with joy at seeing her second grandchild.

"We'll have to wait and see how much he looks like you as he grows," Brick's father chimed in with a smile.

"Brick, pick up the baby," Phim urged as the little one was peacefully sleeping.

"Maybe Day should hold him first. When Ob was born, Day let me be the first to hold him, so it’s only fair to let Day do it now," Brick suggested, taking Ob and holding him. Day looked at their second son, then gently lifted him, smiling tenderly as the baby yawned but kept his eyes closed.

"When he was born, he cried loudly—so different from Ob who was so quiet," Phim said lightheartedly.

"He really does look like Brick as a baby," Brick's mother remarked truthfully.

"Ob, meet your little brother," Brick said, bringing Ob close to Day. Everyone watched to see Ob's reaction. Ob looked intently at the baby in Day's arms with curiosity.

"Right now, he's still tiny, Ob. You have to hold him gently, okay? We don't want to hurt him," Brick advised.

"Really?" Ob asked Brick.

"Yes, gently! Let’s get you to touch him," Brick said, guiding one of Ob's hands to softly touch the baby's cheek. Ob immediately pulled his hand back, shivering as if startled.