?Chapter 1861:


    Peyton chimed in, nodding. “We all have our ways of coping. My girlfriend, for example, bites her nails when anxious.”


    Overhearing her name, Aileen looked up, startled. “I’m not nervous. I’m not the one giving birth, so why should I be?”


    Peyton pointed to her twitching leg. “If you’re not nervous, then why is your leg shaking?”


    Aileen nced down, attempting to still her right leg, only to find her left leg beginning to tremble.


    Jennie scanned the room, noting the palpable tension. She turned to Brook, struck by his calm demeanor—she couldn’t recall ever seeing him anxious.


    Brook caught her gaze and turned toward her. “Why are you looking at me?” he asked.


    Jennie, her hand to her chin in thought, responded, “Everyone’s so tense. Why aren’t you nervous?”


    Brook, feeling her gaze, looked back at her. “Everyone else is tense, so someone needs to stay calm. Jayden is overwhelmed because his wife is giving birth. As his family, I need to be the steady one.”


    Jennie, moved by his rationale, remarked, “I’ve heard you and Jayden have your differences, but today you’ve really impressed me.”


    Brook simply smiled. After a pause, he added softly, “But I know when you are about to give birth, I’ll be as anxious as Jayden.”


    Touched by his words, Jennie’s voice wavered slightly. “Let’s keep our emotions in check for now; I might not be able to stop my tears.”


    Brook wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I mean it. Just thinking about the person I love going through childbirth, how could I remain calm?”


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    Jennie nced toward the delivery room. The doctors had allowed Jayden to don sterile surgical attire to join Elyse during the delivery. However, Elyse had firmly declined.


    Jennie didn’t know Elyse’s reasons, but she felt she would have made the same decision. She wouldn’t want Brook to see her in such a vulnerable state during childbirth. Even if Brook wouldn’t mind, she would.


    With this thought, she leaned closer to Brook, findingfort and peace in his presence.


    Four hourster, the doors of the delivery room swung open.


    A nurse stepped out and inquired, “Who’s the father?”<fn0c53> Readplete version only at FindN0vel</fn0c53>


    Jayden quickly stepped forward. “I am. How is Elyse?”


    “The mother is stable for now,” the nurse replied. “The first baby, a girl, has been born. We’re still waiting for the second. The baby girl will soon be moved to the ward. Please be ready.”


    Peyton grasped Aileen’s hand. “Let’s go to the ward and stay with the baby girl.”


    As he spoke, the nurse emerged, cradling the newborn.


    Jayden walked over and, seeing the baby’s wrinkled face smeared with vernix, blurted out, “Why does she look so strange? She doesn’t look like Elyse or me.”


    Peyton gave him a nudge. “Are you kidding? Babies change a lot after birth. Give it time.”


    Grinning, he took the baby. “Sweetheart, I’m Uncle Peyton. I will take you to the ward, away from your silly dad.”


    Aileen peered eagerly at the newborn, then followed Peyton to the ward, filled with excitement.


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