In the end, Shintaro did come. He would have died if he couldn't come to visit his daughter on her childbirth time. The first thing that he said after seeing her was, "Don't you think that your stomach is way bigger than an average pregnant lady? You look as if you are pregnant for a hundred month. You look so ugl- cough!"
He couldn't finish his word before Pedro hit him on his head. "Don't make her upset."
Osiris was taking a nap. He woke up after hearing the commotion. He yawned and said, "Shin isn't wrong though. My baby must be carrying more than one child. Maybe it's a twin. Oh! I can't wait to see the children."
Mark asked Pedro, "Didn't you do an ultrasonography? What's the result? You have never told us."
Shintaro looked at Mark. He asked in puzzlement, "Huh? You are asking now? Why didn't you ask seven months ago?"
"Her stomach didn't stand out that time. But two months ago, it was obvious that she was carrying more than one child. However, she tried her best to keep it a secret, that's why we didn't bother asking her." Mark glanced at Pedro.
"It's already time. Why don't you spill the beans?"
Pedro said nothing. He silently read the newspaper.
Mu Lan mischievously said, "You don't have to ask him. He won't answer you. You have to wait for the surprise."
Mu Liang was feeding her strawberry tart. He asked, "Even if the father of our children asks, won't you tell me?"
Mu Lan shook her head. "Liang Liang, wait for the right time. The person I want to surprise the most is you. I want you to feel proud of me."
If Mu Liang's fathers-in-law weren't present at that time, he would have pounced on his darling wife and kissed her hard. But now he had to control his desire to kiss her. He didn't wish to show her inviting expression to anyone, even though they were her foster fathers.
After she was done eating, he wiped her mouth and stood up with plates. He went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
That's when Antonio and Ru Xin came into the living room. Antonio sat down and stretched his hands. "I'm so hungry. Carl, what did you cook for me?"
"I bake some sweet potatoes." Carlo gave him a bowl of sweet potatoes.
Antonio's eyes sparkled. "I love baked sweet potatoes. Carl, you are the best."
Mark added, "Carl baked them specially for you."
Antonio looked at Carlo. "Carl, my offer still stands, you know. Let's go to America and get married."
Pft!
Mark, Shintaro and Altan sprayed the tea they were drinking. Osiris snickered. Mu Lan coughed. She didn't want to embarrass Carlo. Carlo's face turned red and then blue in anger. "Shut up and eat your food!"
Ru Xin butted in and saved Carlo. He told Pedro, "We cleaned the clinic. We did the way you instructed us."
Pedro stood up and went out with Ru Xin. He wanted to check Ru Xin and Antonio's work. In the past seven months, Ru Xin was very puzzled by the incoming of these father figures. He thought that the one who raised her was the doctor who came from South America. However, the way other men except of Mu Liang behaved around Mu Lan, it seemed like to him that they all raised her. The part that surprised him the most was that Mu Lan called everyone by their name. Since they looked so young, Ru Xin thought that they were her friends. If he knew that those men were all above forty, he would have died of a heart attack.
Meanwhile, Mark asked, "What will we have for lunch?"
Mu Lan answered, "We are going to have Italian cuisine. My most favorite."
Mark scratched his cheek. "You know, you won't like it if you can't taste a fine quality red wine after having Italian cuisine."
Mu Lan's face darkened. She knew very well that due to her pregnancy, she couldn't drink alcohol. "I know but I still want to eat Italian cuisine." She looked outside the window and saw the seagulls were flying. They were Ru Xin's pet birds, she found it after she saw him giving them food. She wanted to go outside and enjoy the sunlight. She slowly stood up with great difficulty. She took only two steps before clutching her stomach. Her expression changed suddenly and she curled up.
The one who noticed it first was Carlo. He was sitting right beside her. He stood up and caught her in his arms. He worriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
Mu Lan squeezed out a few words. "My water broke."
Everything happened just in two seconds and they didn't know what to do. Carlo carried her in his arms and took her to the clinic. Pedro was arranging the medicine and Ru Xin was helping him. Just then, Carlo came inside with Mu Lan in his arms. She was curled up and a twisted expression as though she was trying to suppress the pain. She was having a hard time breathing.
Pedro asked immediately, "What's wrong?"
Carlo put her down in the operation bed and said, "She said that her water broke."
Pedro quickly came forward and checked her pulse. "It's about time. Call the Mu boy."
Shintaro already went to call for Mu Liang who was washing the dishes. When he heard the news, he ran to the clinic. After going inside, he saw Pedro, Mark, Carlo and Osiris were wearing surgical gowns. Seeing him, Pedro said, "There is a one set for you on the table." Mu Liang quickly wore the gown, the mask and the gloves.
Pedro instructed, "You stay with her. Mark, you will hand me the equipment. Osiris stay close and do what I tell you. Carl, try to make her stay relaxed if she goes out of control."
Mu Liang already went beside Mu Lan who was breathing irregularly. Her face turned red as she tried her best to bear the pain. He grabbed her hands and bent down. He kissed her sweaty forehead and said, "It will be okay. Breathe, slowly and deeply."