Ch.282282. Meeting Ua

When people get too nervous, they unconsciously do strange things. Like biting their nails or grinding their teeth. In severe cases, they might even clench their teeth or blink so rapidly that tears form… In my case, it wasn’t that bad.

I was just repeatedly clenching and unclenching my right hand, though I did it so many times that my palm was cramping? The aftereffects resembled what happens when you repeatedly squeeze a grip strengthener at high intensity.

“…Sigh.”

I sighed and took a deep breath. Maybe I was too nervous, but useless thoughts kept flooding my mind. I didn’t want to think about them, but I couldn’t help it. If I didn’t distract myself, I’d end up focusing on Hwa Nabi’s moans coming from beyond the delivery room door.

—Ma’am, you can do it! Keep pushing!

A long, loud moan echoed through the corridor, drowning out even the nurse’s encouragement. This voice was definitely Hwa Nabi’s—a single cry of pain as she endured the contractions.

“…Ah, please.”

It was a moan that made even me, just overhearing it, feel my heart sink. Listening to the sounds of someone you love in pain with just a wall between you—it’s such an agonizing experience. Until this moment arrived, I couldn’t have imagined it, hadn’t thought it would be like this, so my stomach churned with anxiety.

If only I’d known beforehand, I could have prepared myself mentally. Being suddenly thrust into this situation was like… how should I put it? Like someone stabbing my unsuspecting heart repeatedly with an awl.

“…”

But at this moment, the one suffering more than anyone else must be Hwa Nabi. I wanted nothing more than to burst through that door and hold her tight, but guardians were strictly prohibited during the final stages of delivery.

I couldn’t speak to her, couldn’t even observe—all I was allowed to do was pray. Sitting in the chair with my hands clasped, I prayed to every deity I’d ever heard of.

‘Please. I’ll do anything you ask, just help Hwa Nabi deliver Ua quickly.’

I’ve never believed in any god throughout my life, never even believed in the existence of deities… but if someone claiming to be a god appeared right now and offered to ease Hwa Nabi’s pain in exchange for my belief, I’d kneel and worship them without hesitation.

“Please, please.”

With my eyes tightly shut, head bowed, and fists pressed against my forehead, I muttered for a long time. Please help Hwa Nabi find relief soon.

…Then, as if my prayers had been answered, the delivery room that had been filled with moans and shouts suddenly went quiet. Sensing something unusual, I quickly raised my head. I knew I shouldn’t think this way, but I suddenly felt anxious.

The delivery room was quiet, but why wasn’t anyone coming out? Could something have gone wrong? Were they discussing among themselves how to explain it to me, the guardian?

I know it’s an absurd thought. But in my irrational state, I couldn’t dismiss such paranoid speculations.

I jumped to my feet. As if possessed, I approached the delivery room door. Then suddenly, as if on cue, the door swung open.

“…!”

My heart pounded violently. I couldn’t help it—the doctor who emerged was covered in blood. Even their mask had blood splattered on it, and their gown was completely soaked.

Having never seen so much blood in my life, I couldn’t help but be shocked by the sight.

My lips trembled momentarily, but I forced myself to meet the doctor’s eyes. Even if something had happened, I would face it with dignity. With that resolve, I stood straight as the doctor removed their mask. They looked tired and exhausted. But as soon as our eyes met, they broke into a wide smile.

And from behind them came the sound of a baby crying.

“Father, congratulations. It’s a beautiful princess.”

“…Ah.”

I felt all my strength drain away. My legs nearly gave out, but the doctor caught my arm, preventing me from falling. Some blood got on my shirt sleeve, but… that was trivial.

Blood wasn’t important right now. Coming back to my senses, I asked with trembling lips.

“C-can I go in and see them?”

“Yes. Of course. Let’s go in and see.”

The doctor moved aside to let me pass. Not even aware of how I was walking, I entered the delivery room as if in a trance.

“…Nabi?”

“Yes… darling?”

Under the bright lights, I could see Hwa Nabi, exhausted, struggling to lift her eyelids.

And in her arms…

“…Ua.”

Ua, who couldn’t even open her eyes yet, was wrapped in a soft blanket.

“Yes, Ua. Daddy’s here.”

Though she must not have recovered fully, Hwa Nabi forced a smile and spoke to Ua when I arrived. I quickly went to her side and stroked her hair, whispering:

“Nabi. You did well. Really, really well done.”

“…Huh, really? Did I do well?”

“Yes, you worked so hard.”

Though I couldn’t be with her through the entire process for safety reasons, I could tell just from the sounds I heard outside. Hwa Nabi had endured tremendous pain to give birth to Ua, and she definitely deserved this praise.

“Yes, just with words?”

“Hmm… is there somewhere you want to go? Or something you want to receive or do? Tell me anything. I’ll make it happen.”

I kissed her forehead to show my appreciation for her hard work. After thinking for a moment, Hwa Nabi patted Ua’s swaddling cloth and said:

“I’ll think about that later. For now, hold her. Ua wants to see her daddy’s face up close.”

I glanced to the side and met the doctor’s eyes, silently asking if it was okay for me to hold Ua.

I was worried they might refuse, but fortunately, the doctor nodded with a gentle smile. Reassured, I picked up Ua. She was incredibly light.

Yes, this featherlight weight of just over 4 kilograms is the fruit of my and Hwa Nabi’s love… and a precious life we must now take responsibility for.

Although I couldn’t hold her directly because of the swaddling cloth, I could still feel Ua’s warm presence throughout my body.

“She’s cute like her mom.”

“And spirited like her dad.”

“Is it okay to call a baby girl ‘spirited’?”

“Of course. Didn’t you hear her powerful cry? Ua will grow up to be strong and brave.”

“Well, I think Ua might have different ideas.”

Having regained some energy, Hwa Nabi exchanged jokes with me and smiled beautifully.

I smiled back, kissed Ua’s forehead, and then returned her to Hwa Nabi’s arms.

“Doctor, is it all over now?”

“The umbilical cord has been cut and follow-up procedures completed, so the delivery is over. But this isn’t the end.”

“Oh, is there something else?”

The doctor spoke as if something important remained, which made me curious. What more could there be after the follow-up procedures?

“It’s not the end—it means the real beginning starts now.”

“…Pardon?”

“Ah, the doctor’s starting again.”

“Wow, it’s Dr. Sung-hyun’s wisdom time.”

“What? This is our maternity ward’s essential course—it wouldn’t feel right without Dr. Sung-hyun’s words of wisdom.”

I was momentarily confused, but the three nurses smiled and shook their heads as if this situation was familiar to them.

Regardless, the doctor neatly removed his blood-stained gown, came over to me, placed a hand on my shoulder, and looked me straight in the eye.

“Having a baby doesn’t mean it’s over. Rather, that’s when it really begins. During the day, they cry for food, they cry because they can’t burp. And at night? It’s no better. They cry for diaper changes, they cry because they’re hungry at 3 AM. Yes, babies cry whenever something displeases them. It’s their only form of communication. Do you understand this much?”

“Ah, yes…”

I nodded reflexively as he stared at me, demanding a response.

“Yes. But it’s not just about feeding and changing diapers. Babies are vulnerable to illness and constantly exposed to all kinds of threats. Things adults consider harmless can harm them, and serious accidents can happen from the most unexpected sources. So households with babies should never let their guard down. Both father and mother will probably not get proper sleep at night. One hundred percent guaranteed. It happened to me, to other parents, and even to your own parents. You might not fully grasp this yet…”

“Ah, y-yes.”

The speech continued for quite some time. It will be painful and difficult, but you must endure. That’s a parent’s duty and responsibility. That’s the weight of life…

I stood there listening to this lecture for over five minutes, as if being punished. I was getting tired, but the three nurses watching and Hwa Nabi lying down seemed to find the situation amusing.

“Mother? You must be tired, so feel free to cover your ears.”

“Heh, no. The doctor is giving good advice, so I should listen too. Right, darling?”

“…Oh, yes.”

“That’s right. By the way, I noticed you call your husband ‘darling’—when did you start doing that?”

“Hmm, I started calling him that after our wedding, so about half a year ago. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, so you’re newlyweds. I was just curious because you two seem so sweet together. Father barely left your side, staying right by you the whole time. And when you call him ‘darling,’ it makes you look even more lovey-dovey from the sidelines. It makes me envious.”

“Heh, but it’s nothing compared to what my darling does for me. You wouldn’t believe how good he is to me…”

While useless chatter continued behind me, the serious-faced doctor held me captive with his dissertation on childcare. Better to be overly cautious about safety than careless. Safety devices are essential. It’s best to avoid long-distance travel for the first six months…

Since a doctor was giving this advice, it was all scientifically grounded and helpful, but the issue was the location.

This conversation could have easily taken place in a consultation room rather than the delivery room, which made the situation somewhat awkward…

“Oh my! Really? He went out in the rain to buy porridge for you? Goodness, my husband wouldn’t even help with housework when I was pregnant, saying it was too much trouble.”

“Yes. And that’s not all. The other day, I called him while half-asleep and said something strange. But my darling thought it was some kind of signal and rushed home from meeting his friends. His hair was all wet with sweat from running so hard, and though I didn’t say it, I found it so sexy…”

“Oh my, oh my! Then what? What happened next?”

“Father, do you understand? The important thing is to never let your guard down, anytime, anywhere. People often describe childcare as a job with no breaks all year round. Once you experience it yourself, you’ll understand that childcare is truly a battle of endurance…”

“…”

I don’t care about any of this—I just want to hold Ua one more time…