Chapter 341 Becoming a Father for the First Time
When I was about to pop, Madison and Neil dropped by to see me.
Back when we were in the hospital, I had also gone to visit Madison.
Madison was a wreck, both physically and mentally, and her fame meant reporters were always trying to sneak in for a scoop.
Neil set it up for Madison to get treatment abroad, and it just so happened that Francis knew a psychologist over there.
Seeing them made me super happy. I jumped up and walked over, "Mom, Neil, you guys are here!"
Madison looked shocked. "Sweetie, your belly's huge now, why are you still bouncing around?"
Neil glanced at my round belly and nodded. "Looking good, you've put on some weight. Back then, you looked so frail, like a gust of wind could knock you over."
I smiled sheepishly and turned to Madison. "How's the treatment going? I couldn't reach you on the phone, and when I asked Neil, he said you were doing well."
Neil chimed in, "The physical injuries are almost healed, but she still feels guilty for making you stay in bed for so long because of that banquet."
Hearing this, I grabbed Madison's hand and said, "Mom, I used to blame myself for almost losing my baby. I still feel guilty, but holding onto this forever won't bring Claire back. I didn't get much family love growing up, so I cherish these moments with family. Claire is gone, and I hope you can stay with me."
Madison pinched my cheek and replied, "Of course, I care about you more."
The day the baby was born, the weather was surprisingly nice.
But I was still sweating buckets in the delivery room.
Originally, Jerry wanted to be with me during the birth, but I refused because I thought the whole process wouldn't look very pretty. Instead, I had Madison with me, thinking the baby's arrival could bring some happiness and emotional healing. Plus, the special bond between grandparents and grandkids might help Madison work through her feelings.
"Mom, it hurts so much," I yelled.
"I'm here," Madison held my hand and comforted me, "I can see the baby's head. It's almost over. Take another deep breath."
Outside the delivery room.
Jerry couldn't sit still.
He had crammed all the knowledge about childbirth and was ready to be by Hope's side.
He knew giving birth wasn't easy, and not being able to see Hope's condition made him super anxious.
Just like now, Francis wanted to say something, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Jerry's cold stare made him back off.
Francis decided to stay out of it.
Elissa was also restless. Lately, she had been watching a ton of stuff about childbirth—news, videos, books, and especially documentaries, which really tugged at her heart.
Elissa had been anxious for days before Hope's delivery. But she couldn't let this anxiety show to Hope.
It was Hope who noticed and comforted her.
"Have an iced Americano. Calm down," Francis handed her a coffee, trying to comfort her.
Elissa took it; she really needed a coffee at that moment. "Thanks."
Francis slid one hand into his pocket, his voice steady, "No need to be so polite with me."
Lately, Elissa had been keeping her distance from Francis.
In fact, they hadn't seen much of each other.
As Hope's pregnancy progressed, Jerry dumped all the work on Francis.
Francis was so swamped that he was hardly ever around, and even when they did cross paths, they didn't talk.
Elissa didn't make the first move either. She figured it was fine to just be regular friends. If Francis ended up marrying his first love, Elissa could still smile and attend the wedding.
Before, Elissa's constant messages and provocations had made Francis impatient and even a bit annoyed. But since that time at the airport, their interactions had left him feeling uneasy. He just hadn't found the right moment to sit down and have a real talk with her.
Francis thought he needed to find some time to have a good talk with Elissa after Hope gave birth.
"Why isn't she out yet?" Jerry had messed up his own hair.
Steven saw Jerry pull out a lighter and quickly stopped him. "Jerry, you can't smoke in the hospital. Hope hasn't been in there long. Giving birth is a big deal, not something quick and easy like shopping; you need to be patient. Besides, Madison is in there with her, so nothing will happen. Don't freak yourself out. If the baby comes out, the smell of smoke on you might be overwhelming for her."
Jerry didn't catch most of it, but he did hear the last part. He put the lighter back in his pocket and found a reflective surface to tidy his hair and collar. But as time dragged on, he couldn't focus on these things anymore.
Steven's persuasion was no longer working.
Luckily, before Jerry could lose it again, the doctor came out of the delivery room with good news. "Mr. Hammer, congratulations! Mother and daughter are safe!"
Jerry finally breathed a sigh of relief. "How's my wife?"
"She's out," Madison followed the moving hospital bed out and said, "She's exhausted and fell asleep."
Jerry took over the hospital bed.
Madison looked at him. "Did you see the baby?"
Jerry hadn't had the chance. Reminded by Madison, he went to look.
Elissa had already walked up to the nurse holding the baby. "Why does she look a bit ugly?"
Jerry was annoyed, but when he walked over and looked, he had to admit she did look a bit... off. But he naturally wouldn't admit it. "How could my daughter be ugly?"
Elissa didn't argue with him. "Yes, your and Hope's child is the most beautiful in the world."
Jerry was satisfied. He said to Madison, "Mom, you look after the baby, and I'll take Hope to the ward to rest."
Since Madison came back, Jerry had naturally changed how he addressed her.
She asked and found out that Hope had proposed to him.
Madison felt relieved seeing them happy and content.
"Okay," Madison replied.
When I woke up, my first reaction was to touch my belly, a habit formed over this period.
It was also because this child had been through so much with me that I always needed to make sure she was still there.
But today, my belly was flat, and I sat up in shock. "My baby!"
"Here," a familiar deep voice came through. I turned, and Jerry had already brought the baby to me. "Take a look."
I carefully took the baby, a bit flustered.
With Jerry's guidance, I held her properly.
I laughed. "It feels like you're more like the mom."
Jerry took the opportunity to hold me in his arms and kissed my forehead, extremely gentle and sincere. "Hope, thank you for giving birth to our child."
I touched his forehead with mine. "Just saying thank you isn't enough. Let's see how you perform as a dad."
Jerry held both me and the baby in his arms. "I won't let you down."
I originally thought that giving birth was the most painful part. Once that was over, with so many people helping me and professionals teaching me, raising the baby wouldn't be difficult. But I failed at the first hurdle, feeding the baby.
I didn't want the baby to drink formula; I wanted to breastfeed. But I didn't expect that it wouldn't come naturally and that I would need professional help. That pain was even worse than giving birth.
"Is this person professional?" Jerry stood at the door, wanting to come in several times, but Steven held him back.
Seeing that Steven couldn't hold him back anymore, Madison handed the baby to him.
Sure enough, Jerry stopped moving.
"It's normal to feel pain. I know you're worried about Hope, but there's no way around it," Madison said. Jerry tried to hand the baby back to Madison, but she didn't take her. "You walk around with the baby for a bit."
If he kept watching, the professional inside would be nervous.
"Elissa, come with me to buy some things." Madison took Elissa away and called Steven along too.
Francis was busy helping Jerry with a meeting today and didn't come.
At this moment, it was just Jerry and the baby outside the ward, staring at each other.
The baby didn't cry, just blew bubbles at him, making his heart very soft.
Jerry said, "Your mom has suffered a lot, be good and don't make her too tired. If you need anything, come to me."
When I relaxed, even in a comfortably air-conditioned room, I still sweated a lot.
The professional wiped me down and said, "You can feed now. I'll go get Mr. Hammer."
I nodded. "Thank you."
"Just doing my job," the professional replied and went to call Jerry in.
Jerry habitually called Steven to settle the bill, then remembered that Madison had taken him away.
He handed the baby to me first, then went to settle the bill.
When he came back, I was feeding the baby and turned away when I saw him.
Jerry chuckled, "What are you hiding for? There's nothing I haven't seen."
I glared at him. "Don't corrupt our daughter."
Jerry walked over and sat down. Seeing the baby eat happily, he poked her cheek with his finger.
The baby glanced at him and then ate even more joyfully.
Jerry looked at me. "I think she's showing off to me."
I was helpless. "Why don't you go to work?"
Jerry stared at me, his gaze drifting downward, then back at me, clearly heating up.
Holding the baby, I couldn't cover his eyes, so I turned my back to him.
He hugged me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder.
When he spoke, his hot breath was right by my ear. "Hope, I..."
I quickly interrupted him, "Be a decent person."
Jerry replied, "I don't want to be decent."
I was speechless.
During pregnancy, although it was safe after three months, my condition wasn't good.
For someone with Jerry's physique, going nine months without sex was not easy.
He didn't even ask me to help him; he handled it himself occasionally.
Now, after giving birth, I still needed to rest for a while.
It was quite normal for Jerry to have such thoughts while watching me breastfeed.
But! Not in front of the baby!
My ears turned red, and I glared at him. "If you don't want to be decent, then be a good dad, okay?"
Jerry let go of me and stood up. "Alright, I'll be a good dad."
He sat on the couch and picked up a parenting book to read.
I smiled, feeling triumphant.
Madison and Elissa came back with so many things that they almost filled the ward.
Elissa held up baby clothes, showing them off to me. "Look, I picked these. Aren't they cute?"
Baby things were small and adorable.
I chuckled, "Babies grow fast. Buying so much is a waste of money."
"Spending on the baby is not a waste. Besides, Mr. Hammer doesn't lack money." Elissa, as if she had endless wealth, waved her hand. Then she put little shoes on the baby and said, "Mr. Hammer said he'd reimburse me. I'm happy."
"So cute!" Elissa couldn't help but kiss the baby and asked, "Have you named the baby yet?"
I didn't think much of it and thought a simple and easy name would do. But Jerry insisted on a unique name and hadn't come up with one yet.
I said, "You can give her a nickname. I can't decide on the formal name."
I originally thought we could call her baby until Jerry came up with a name. But now, it seemed we should give her a nickname.
Elissa was excited. "Really? Can I really name her?"
I smiled. "She's your goddaughter. Of course, you can name her."
Elissa got serious and even started looking up names online.
I couldn't help but laugh. "A nickname doesn't need to be so particular, right?"
"No, it has to be." Elissa sighed, "Naming a baby is no easy task."
I looked down at my daughter blowing bubbles.
I thought Elissa would come up with a name quickly, but I was wrong. She was even more particular than Jerry, rejecting several names herself.
Seeing her more serious than taking an exam, I couldn't bear to stop her.
Madison suddenly spoke, "How about Elsa?"
Elissa slapped her thigh. "Madison, you're great at naming."
Madison pinched the baby's cheek and called out, "Elsa."
Elsa smiled.
Elissa raised an eyebrow. "Looks like she likes it."
I thought it was good too. I called her several times, and Elsa smiled at me each time.
"What are you all talking about, so lively?" Jerry came in while we were laughing. He walked over. "What did my daughter hear to make her so happy?"
I told Jerry about the naming.
Jerry's smile faded. "Elsa?"
I thought, 'Oops, I forgot he has been racking his brain for a name. Now he will definitely be upset.'
I tugged at Jerry and explained, "It's just a nickname..."
He raised his hand to stop me and turned to think of a name again.
Madison found it amusing and said to me, "Naming a child seems harder for him than signing a multi-billion dollar contract."
I found it a bit funny too, but I understood. "After all, it's his only daughter and his first time being a dad."
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