CHAPTER 19 A NEW DAWN

After getting home from the hospital, Henry and Alex were surprised to find their family and friends gathered at their home. The house was filled with laughter, colorful balloons, and an abundance of baby-themed decorations.

"Surprise!" Nora shouted, popping a confetti cannon that showered the entryway in sparkles. Alex yelped, clutching his chest dramatically, while Henry blinked in stunned silence.

"What the-?" Alex started, then turned to Henry with a grin. "Did you know about this?"

Henry shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. "Not a clue," he replied, squeezing Alex's hand. "But I have a feeling they can be quite... resourceful."

Ellen stepped forward, her trademark presidential smile beaming. "Y'all didn't think we'd let you sneak off to have a baby without a proper send-off, did you? Come on in, we've got cake, presents."

Nora bounced over, waving a magazine in the air. "Guess what I brought?" she sang. "Vogue, with your photoshoot on the cover! You two look absolutely stunning."

"Bloody hell," Henry murmured. "They actually used that shot? I look like I'm about to knight you."

Alex smirked, nudging him. "And I look like I'm about to steal your crown. We're a power couple, babe. Deal with it."

Nora plopped onto the couch, kicking her feet up. "You're welcome, by the way. I pulled every string I had to get this timed with the baby shower. Figured it'd be a nice little keepsake for the kiddo."

Their friends and family were milling around, setting up a cozy baby shower before Henry's scheduled C-section tomorrow. Alex's mother, Ellen, was arranging a table filled with delicious snacks and a towering cake, while Henry's sister, Bea, was handing out party favors to everyone.

"You didn't think we'd let you go through all this without a proper celebration, did you?" Bea teased, giving Henry a warm hug.

Henry smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him. "I'm just glad to have all of you here," he said. "It means the world to us."

As the baby shower went on, the room was filled with stories, laughter, and heartfelt toasts. Friends and family shared their well wishes for Henry and Alex, offering advice and support for their journey into parenthood.

"You two are going to be amazing parents," Nora said, raising her glass. "Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments."

Alex clinked his glass against hers, feeling a sense of contentment settle over him. "We couldn't do it without all of you," he said. "Thank you for being here with us."

As the evening drew to a close, Henry and Alex found a quiet moment together, sitting on the couch and watching their loved ones mingle.

"I'm so glad we have them," Alex whispered, resting his head on Henry's shoulder. "They make everything feel so much more special."

Henry kissed the top of his head. "I couldn't agree more," he said softly. "And tomorrow, our family will grow even bigger."

With that thought, they held each other close, ready to embrace the next chapter of their lives with the love and support of their family and friends.

The next day, with the morning sun peeked through the curtains as Henry and Alex slowly woke up, their hearts filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the d- day that would change their lives forever.

As they got out of bed, they were greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked breakfast wafting through the house. They followed the delicious scent to the dining room, where their family had prepared an impressive spread to start their day.

"Good morning, parents-to-be!" Bea exclaimed, giving them both a warm hug. "We thought we'd make you a special breakfast before heading to the hospital."

The table was adorned with pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and an array of pastries. Alex's mother, Ellen, was busy pouring orange juice and coffee for everyone.

"You both need your strength today," Ellen said with a smile, placing a plate of pancakes in front of Henry. "It's a very special day, after all."

Henry and Alex shared a grateful look, touched by the love and effort their family had put into making the morning perfect.

As they sat down to eat, their friends joined them, adding to the joyous atmosphere. Nora playfully nudged Alex. "Are you ready for the big day?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

Alex took a deep breath, then nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be," he replied with a grin. "We've got an amazing support system, and I know we're going to be just fine."

Henry squeezed Alex's hand, his eyes filled with determination and love. "We've got this," he said softly. "Together."

After breakfast, everyone helped Henry and Alex gather their things for the hospital. With hugs and well wishes, the family and friends bid them farewell, promising to visit as soon as they could.

As Henry and Alex headed out the door, they looked back at their loved ones and felt a surge of gratitude and strength. Today was the day they would meet their baby, and they knew they were ready to face whatever came their way.

With hearts full of love and anticipation, they set off for the hospital, ready to embrace the next chapter of their incredible journey together.

With a final check to make sure they had everything they needed, Henry and Alex headed back to the living room. Their family and friends gathered around, offering hugs and words of encouragement.

"Good luck, you two," Bea said, giving them both a tight hug. "We'll be with you in spirit every step of the way."

Ellen stepped forward, her eyes brimming with pride. "We'll be waiting to meet the little one as soon as you give the word."

Nora grinned and winked at them. "Remember, you've got this. We'll see you at the hospital later."

With heartfelt hugs and well-wishes from everyone, Henry and Alex felt a surge of love and support. They knew they weren't alone in this journey.

As they stepped outside, Henry turned to Alex, giving him a reassuring smile. "Ready?" he asked softly.

"Ready," Alex replied, squeezing his hand. Together, they walked to the car, hearts pounding with anticipation.

With their hearts full of love and support, Henry and Alex left their home, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives. The journey to the hospital was filled with anticipation and excitement, knowing that soon, they would be holding their baby in their arms.

Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz arrived at the hospital, their hearts pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. The anticipation of meeting their baby was almost overwhelming. Henry, who was to give birth via C-section, held Alex's hand tightly as they were escorted to their luxurious modern recovery room.

The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with soft lighting and comfortable furnishings. It felt more like a high-end hotel suite than a hospital room. Henry took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

"How are you feeling?" Alex asked, his voice gentle and reassuring.

"A bit nervous, but mostly excited," Henry replied, squeezing Alex's hand. "I can't believe we're finally going to meet our baby."

Just then, Dr. Zach and Dr. August entered the room, their warm smiles putting Henry and Alex at ease.

"Good morning, Your Highness, Your Grace," Doctor Zach greeted them. "How are we doing today?"

"We're ready," Alex said, his eyes shining with determination. "Henry's a bit nervous, but we're both excited."

"That's completely normal," Doctor August reassured them "Let's go over the plan again, We'll begin with some preliminary checks to ensure everything is in order. Once we're ready, we'll proceed with the C-section. Our team is well-prepared, and we'll be with you every step of the way."

Henry nodded, grateful for the clear and detailed explanation. "It's reassuring to know we're in good hands."

Alex reached out and took Henry's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We've got this," he said, his voice filled with determination and love.

Dr. August continued, "During the procedure, we'll have a dedicated team ensuring both you and your baby are safe and well-cared for. Once the baby is born, we'll bring you back here for recovery, and your family can visit you after."

Henry took a deep breath, feeling a wave of calm wash over him. "Thank you, Dr. August," he said. "We're ready."

Alex nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with the doctors' confidence. "Thank you, both of you. It means a lot to have such a supportive team."

With the plan in place, the medical team began the necessary checks, while Henry and Alex shared a moment of quiet reflection, knowing that soon, their lives would change forever.

Dr. August and his team had just finished their thorough check-up, ensuring that everything was in place for the upcoming C-section. As the medical team left the room to prepare for the procedure, Henry and Alex found a moment of solitude, a bubble of calm before the storm of emotions that was about to wash over them.

Henry rested his head on the pillow, his voice soft. "Can you believe we're here? About to meet our baby?"

Alex smiled, his eyes filled with love and memories. "It feels like a dream. Glad we met doctor Zach and his family to inspired us"

Henry nodded, a look of fondness in his eyes. "We've come a long way since then. From those initial conversations, to planning everything out, to all the ups and downs along the way."

Alex's smile grew wider. "Like that time we thought we had everything figured out, only to realize we had no idea how to assemble the crib. Thank goodness for YouTube tutorials."

They both laughed, the tension easing just a bit. "And all the midnight cravings," Henry added. "Remember when you drove across town just to find that one bakery that had the perfect black forest cake?"

"I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat," Alex said earnestly. "Every late-night run, every parenting book we read, every decision we made together, it's all been worth it."

Just then, they felt a small, gentle kick from Henry's belly. They both looked down in surprise and then burst into laughter.

"Looks like someone wants to join the conversation," Henry said, his face lighting up with joy.

Alex placed his hand on Henry's belly, feeling the tiny movements. "Our little one is already making presence known," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Henry sighed contentedly. "I'm so grateful for everything we've shared, Alex. The journey has been incredible."

Alex leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Henry's forehead. "We'll face it all together," he whispered. "From today, when we meet our baby, to every moment that follows. I love you, Henry."

"I love you too," Henry replied, his eyes shimmering with tears of joy.

They shared a smile, the kind that spoke volumes of their shared journey and the love that had carried them through every challenge. "Oke Last final guess, Do you think it will be Boy or Girl?" Alex asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Henry chuckled softly, resting his hand on his rounded belly. "Honestly, I don't know. But I do know that whatever is it, this baby is going to be so loved by us and our family. And btw we already pick the perfect name right"

Alex nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. "No matter what, we're in this together. Always. And our little one will have the best parents ever."

As they lay there, holding each other close, the door opened, and Dr. August stepped back in, a reassuring smile on his face. "Alright, your Highness, it's time. Are you ready to meet your baby?"

Henry squeezed Alex's hand, feeling a surge of determination. "Yes, I'm ready."

With that, they were wheeled into the operating room, their hearts full of hope and love. The future awaited held, they knew they were ready to embrace it together. As they held each other, the world outside the hospital room seemed to fade away. In that moment, it was just the two of them, ready to welcome their baby into their lives, hearts full of love and anticipation.

- To Be Continued -