Chapter 211 Matthew and Lillian
The day before deciding on a C-section, Douglas took Regina back to Semona Estate for a meal.
Leo had the family chef whip up all of Regina's favorite dishes.
"Regina, don't sweat it. The doc doing your surgery tomorrow is the best in Oriant City. You and the babies are gonna be just fine!" Leo's hearty laugh filled the dining room, and Regina couldn't help but chuckle along.
Even if she felt different inside, she went along with Leo's words, "Got it, Grandpa. I'm not worried."
Leo's tone was full of pride. "I told you, you are the bravest!"
Regina found the words familiar. Then she realized Leo used the same tone when praising Nancy.
Everyone in the Semona family was super concerned for Regina.
Elizabeth was hitting up church to pray for Regina almost every other day. The usually lively and cheerful Nicole hadn't cracked a smile in ages because of this. Even the elegant and refined Herman looked noticeably more tired.
Nancy also knew Regina was about to have babies. Everyone had prepped gifts for Regina and the babies, and she was no exception.
She handed Regina a drawing with her small hand. "Regina, this is my gift for you!"
When Regina looked at the drawing, she saw it was a family portrait of four.
"The one with the long hair is Regina, the cool and handsome one is Uncle, and the cute ones are the little brother and sister!"
Regina stared at the drawing for a long time. It was super imaginative and abstract, full of childlike innocence. "Thank you, Nancy. I really like it."
Nancy was over the moon to hear this. Her bright eyes sparkled as she said, "Regina, don't be scared. You can totally beat the virus monster!"
Regina lovingly patted the little one's head. "Once I beat the virus monster, I'll set off fireworks with you and take you to the castle, okay?"
"Okay! Regina, you're the best!"
That dinner was full of joy.
The next day, March 15th.
At 10 a.m., Regina was wheeled into the operating room.
As soon as she went in, Douglas stood frozen at the door of the operating room, his eyes glued to the closed door.
Anyone could see he looked like he was about to lose his life.
The Semona family had all come to the hospital today. Seeing Douglas like that, no one dared to approach him for a while.
Nicole watched Douglas from a distance. At that moment, she suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
The unfamiliarity probably came from never having seen Douglas so helpless, confused, vulnerable, and in pain.
Nicole angrily thought to herself, 'After all these years, Douglas finally got what he wanted, but why does fate have to play such a cruel joke, giving him a sweet moment then hurting him so bad?'
Ever since learning about Regina's illness, Nicole didn't dare to imagine what would happen to Douglas if he lost Regina.
"Douglas." After a while, Nicole took a deep breath and finally walked up to Douglas.
Douglas's gaze stayed fixed on the closed operating room door. Nicole didn't mind and lowered her voice to say in his ear, "Douglas, Regina will be fine."
But that comfort felt a bit weak.
Just as Nicole was about to say something else, she heard the silent Douglas speak, "You know, I've actually imagined what I would do if she really forgot me or if she really left me forever."
The scenario that even Nicole didn't dare to imagine had been playing out in Douglas's mind over and over. Death and despair were never his first choices.
He said, "I will become the person she wants me to be."
Regina hoped he would always be positive and forward-looking. She hoped he would become the best person, her pride and joy.
Nicole felt relieved after hearing those words. She finally understood that Regina was his vulnerability, but in truth, she was also his strength.
Two hours later, the operating room doors opened.
Regina had successfully given birth.
The babies came out of the operating room first.
The nurse said, "The boy came out first, weighing about 6 pounds, and the girl weighs about 5.5 pounds."
Douglas anxiously looked past the nurse. "How's my wife? How is she?"
"Mrs. Semona needs to be observed inside for another two hours before she can come out."
"Can I go in?"
"Yes."
As soon as the nurse finished speaking, Douglas had already rushed past her.
The nurse, holding the adorable babies, thought to herself, 'Isn't he going to look at his children?'
When Douglas rushed in, the anesthesia was slowly wearing off for Regina, and the weakness and fatigue made her vision blurry.
She wanted to close her eyes and sleep, but the pain from the incision was intense. Uncontrollably, tears rolled down from her eyes.
At that moment, she felt a warm touch at her eye.
Douglas raised his hand and gently, carefully wiped away her tears, saying, "Congratulations, Mrs. Semona."
Regina managed a weak smile and shook her head. The joy of welcoming new life could overshadow all the hardships and pain.
"Where are the babies?" Regina's voice was very weak, and Douglas was momentarily stunned.
He realized he had rushed in so quickly that he hadn't even taken a moment to look at the babies who were right there. "The babies are with the nurse."
Regina lowered her eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and murmured to him, "The babies are born, but we haven't named them yet."
A fleeting look of surprise crossed Douglas's eyes, but he quickly recovered.
In fact, they had already picked out many names for the babies, but Regina might have forgotten at that moment.
Douglas gently and patiently told her, "The boy is named Matthew Semona, and the girl is named Lillian Semona."
Regina smiled and praised, "What beautiful names!"
Douglas raised his hand to smooth the stray hair by her temples, his fingertips tracing the contours of her face, feeling her presence. He continued, "Matthew's nickname is Matt, and Lillian's nickname is Lily."
Regina smiled and said, "I really like these nicknames."
Seeing the smile on her pale face, Douglas felt a pang of heartache. He quietly stayed by her side.
Outside, a group of people were anxiously talking to the nurse.
It wasn't until they heard the nurse say that the observation period was over and that Regina was safe that they finally sighed in relief.
Later, Regina was wheeled out of the post-op observation room and taken to her hospital room, but she still hadn't seen the babies.
Because of the premature C-section, the babies were kept in sterile incubators.
Regina, too weak to get out of bed, instructed Douglas to go see the babies.
Although Douglas agreed, he stayed by Regina's side all day, not leaving her for a moment. It wasn't until after 11 p.m., when Regina was sound asleep, that he left her room.
He followed the nurse to the sterile room. There, he saw the two little ones.
Newborns didn't have much of a distinct appearance, but Douglas stared at them for a long time.
It wasn't until the third day after giving birth that Regina saw the babies.
At first sight, she widened her eyes in surprise.
Douglas asked her what was wrong.
She hesitated for a long time before saying, "They're a bit wrinkly."
She thought, 'They don't look very good. But no matter what, I love them dearly.'
Douglas was amused by her reaction and laughed, "All newborns look like that. They'll get better with time."
Douglas was right. The babies changed every day. In just a few days, they had transformed dramatically. Their skin became smooth, and their eyes were bright.
Regina couldn't get enough of them every day. But because of the C-section, everyone forbade her from holding the babies for too long. She could only hold them for a minute at most.
