Chapter 458

S31 201. Birthday with Russell

“Oh, look at Russell, Louis. Isn’t he very handsome? He’s clean and smells good.” Emily put her nose closer to Russell’s face. When she managed to kiss that very soft cheek, she giggled holding back her laughter. She didn’t want to disturb Kara who was sleeping in Frank’s

arms.

“Yes, he is very handsome. He looks like me. Isn’t that right, Grandma?

Louis raised his gaze towards the woman holding Russell.

Susan smiled amusedly. “Yes, he looks like you. Only his nose is a little sharper.”

Louis’ lips immediately pursed. His forefinger pointed at his own nose. “How sharp do you want Russell’s nose to be? My nose is already very sharp.”

Susan chuckled at Louis’ answer. “I’m just joking, Louis. It doesn’t matter whose nose is sharper. What’s important is that you’re both healthy.”

Louis nodded in agreement. His hands then rose to touch the baby’s

feet.

“Grandma, is Russell heavy?”

Susan raised her eyebrows. “Do you want to carry him?”

Louis glanced at Emily. “How about you try first? You’re a girl. You’re used to carrying dolls.”

Emily’s lips immediately pursed. “Babies are different from dolls, Louis. You should try first. You’re stronger.”

“You don’t need to worry,” Susan intervened. “I can help you hold Russell. He won’t fall. You just need to hold him gently and carefully.”

+25 BONUS

“Okay then, let me carry Russell.” Louis climbed onto the sofa, sitting next to Susan. “Emily, pay attention to me.”

Emily took a step forward. Her hands guarded as her grandmother moved Russell to Louis’ lap.

“Hold his head with your arm. Another hand is here. Well, that’s right.”

Once Susan let go of Russell completely, Louis didn’t dare move. His smile conveyed millions of meanings. He was proud, moved, and happy. Unknowingly, tears began to gather blurring his vision.

“Louis, are you crying?” Emily leaned in, looking at Louis’ eyes.

Louis quickly bit his lips. “No. I’m not crying.”

“Yeah! You’re crying! Your eyes are watering!” Emily laughed

amusedly. “The first time you saw Russell, you didn’t cry. Why are you crying now?”

Blinking, Louis looked back at the baby’s small face. His shoulders. rose and fell to match his lungs.

“I’m not crying, Emily. I’m just happy because I got a little brother and he’s really cool.”

“Try kissing him, Louis. His cheeks are very soft and smell good.” Emily stroked her own cheek.

Louis moved his head closer very carefully. When he managed to kiss

Russell, his sobs became even more obvious.

“Look, Grandma! Louis is really crying. He must be moved.” Emily shook Susan’s leg. The old woman could only smile.

“Do you want to carry him too?”

Emily nodded. As ordered, she sat on the other side of Susan.

When Russell was moved to her lap, her mouth immediately fell open.

+25 BONUS

“He’s heavy, Grandma! What if he rolls over? I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold him.”

Louis wiped his tears and got off the sofa. From in front of Emily, he helped to support Russell’s weight. “You can carry him safely.”

Emily nodded with teary eyes. “Thank you, Louis.”

A second later, Emily moved her body, imitating the way Susan was cradling Russell earlier. “I’m like a little mother.” She giggled.

Seeing what the twins were doing, Frank secretly smiled in bed. If Kara hadn’t been leaning against his chest, he would have joined

them.

Suddenly, the door opened. Seeing Philip and Barbara, the twins widened their eyes. “Uncle, Aunt, you aren’t home yet?”

The young couple smiled faintly. “Just like you, we also want to play with Russell,” Barbara shrugged.

Emily’s lips pursed. “It’s already late, Auntie. It’s almost midnight. It’s not time to play, but time to sleep.”

“Emily, don’t nag. You’re carrying Russell. He’ll wake up,” Louis whispered emphatically.

Wide-eyed, Emily folded her lips inwards. “Sleep, Russell. Sleep well,” she said then in a thin, squeaky voice.

While the twins were busy watching Russell, Philip and Barbara were focused on the bed. Frank looked so relaxed with Kara in his arms.

“You’re in the hospital, Brother. How could you two be making out?”

Frank held his index finger up to his lips. “Please don’t be loud. My wife is exhausted. She needs to rest. Besides, what’s the big deal if we lie here? Everyone knows that we’re always intimate.”

“Yes, but your children and in-law are here too.” Barbara glanced at

+25 BONUS

the su

Frank also looked over. Seeing Susan smiling, he blinked innocently. ” Mom, you don’t mind seeing us like this, right?”

Susan shook her head lightly. “No, of course I don’t mind. I actually like it when you are close and attentive to Kara.”

Frank looked at Philip and Barbara with pride. “Did you hear that? My mother-in-law doesn’t mind our poses.”

Barbara sighed and nodded in resignation. “Okay, just do what you

want to do.”

Unexpectedly, the door opened again. The presence of Jeremy, Ava, Vivian, Melanie, and Diana made Frank flinch. “What’s going on? Why did you come here at this time? Why not tomorrow?”

“Yeah, why not tomorrow? Mommy and Russell are resting,” Emily nodded slowly.

Instead of answering, the people surrounded Russell.

“Oh, is this my youngest great-grandson? Gosh, he’s so cute.” Diana pinched Russell’s cheek.

Meanwhile, Melanie sighed. “One more person will call me Grandma. For some reason, I suddenly feel older,” she said, patting her bun.

“You should be grateful, Melanie. I can’t wait for Jeremy and Ava’s child to be born. I want someone to call me grandma.” Vivian

elbowed Melanie’s arm.

“What? Who’s complaining? Nobody, right? I’m grateful too. That was just an expression of my heart.”

Hearing the noise, Kara finally opened her eyes. Seeing the people around her, she gasped. “Is it morning already?”

At that moment, Russell’s cries were heard, Emily widened her eyes.

+25 BONUS

Grandma, hurry up and get Russell!”

Instead of feeling guilty, Barbara smiled happily. “What a coincidence, everyone has gathered. Sister-in-law and Russell are also awake. Let’s start now.”

“Start what?” the twins asked in unison.

Right at that time, Abigail entered with cake. Five small candles burned on top of the chocolate layer.

“Happy birthday to you…,” she sang in a whisper.

The others also sang and clapped quietly. The twins’ eyes instantly filled with tears. When the song finished and the cake arrived in front of them, their chins twitched violently.

“Didn’t we celebrate our birthday and blow out the candles earlier?” Louis’ voice was unstable.

“Yeah, but without your parents and little brother. Now that we’re all here, how about we celebrate your birthday one more time?” Ava smiled sweetly.

The twins bit their lips. Their tears almost fell. “Thank you, Auntie. Thank you, Everyone. We were actually sad earlier. We hope to celebrate our birthday with Mommy, Daddy and Russell.”

“And now it’s happening.” Barbara smiled faintly. “Come on! Before midnight, Kids … get into bed. Mrs. Martin, could you take Russell to Kara?”

“Of course.”

Frank and Kara straightened up, welcoming the presence of their children. Kara was holding Russell, while Frank was holding the birthday cake.

“Am I late?” Wela and Rony entered with hasty steps.

+25 BONUS

Everyone smiled at them.

“No, you guys came on time. You didn’t receive reports from other patients, right? We tried to do everything as quietly as possible.”

Philip nodded in support of his wife’s statement.

“Relax. This room has been designed to reduce sound. Now, let’s sing to Louis and Emily. Poor Kara and Russell if we take this long. They need a lot of rest.”

“Yeah, look! Russell yawned again. Let’s take a picture before he goes to sleep.” Emily patted Russell’s butt

“And the candles start melting onto the cake!”

Without waiting for orders, Philip took out his phone and stood in front of the bed. “Look at the camera. Everyone smiles. Three, two,

one!”

On the next day, they displayed the picture of the twins’ first birthday with Russell on a shelf in the living room. There was still a lot of empty space next to it, enough to display the next years’ photos u they grew up.

+25 BONUS