Chapter 27: The Heir's Arrival

Author's Note:

Hey guys! How are you all doing? Hope you're having a great day (or night, depending on where you are) ☀️🌙

Okay, so drumroll please 🥁 this is the chapter where things get super wholesome. Alex and Max are finally welcoming their daughter into the world! 🎀✨

Now, I know, I know—everyone usually goes for sons in stories like these, and trust me, I had that thought too. But then I was like, "Wait a minute... we need some female representation here!" 💁‍♀️ So here we are, and honestly? I think it’s perfect. Alex and Max are going to be the cutest dads ever, and their daughter is about to steal everyone's hearts.

Now, if you're wondering, "Is this the end??"—well, technically, almost. The official end of the main plot is probably two chapters away 📚. BUT (and it’s a big but) 🍑 we’re diving straight into the fluff-filled, serotonin-boosting world of epilogues!

Yes, friends, I plan on writing somewhere between five to ten epilogue chapters. Could be five, could be seven, could be eight… honestly, I’ll probably just vibe my way through it. 🎨

And what will these chapters be about? Nothing groundbreaking, no plot twists, no heartbreak—just pure, fluffy, cutesy, harmless fun. Think baby giggles, family moments, and Alex and Max being adorable dads. 🍼💖

So buckle up and get ready for this final stretch! Thank you for sticking with me through this journey—you guys are the best! 🫶✨

Now, go on, enjoy the chapter! 💌

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The hallway outside the chamber was suffocatingly quiet, broken only by muffled cries and the frantic footsteps of attendants scurrying back and forth. Alex stood frozen near the heavy wooden doors, his back rigid, hands clenched so tightly behind him that his knuckles turned white. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, the weight of helplessness pressing down on him like a stone slab.

Beside him, Max’s brother fidgeted anxiously, his brows furrowed with concern. Alex’s mother stood close, her hand gently resting on Alex’s shoulder, her grip steady but tender.

“Breathe, Alex,” she said softly. “You must stay calm for him.”

But how could he? Nothing could have prepared him for this—the sounds of Max’s ragged cries slicing through the heavy wooden door, each one sharper than the last.

Inside the chamber, Max’s voice broke through again, raw and trembling with exhaustion.

“I can’t… I can’t anymore!” Max’s sobs followed, trembling and desperate.

Alex flinched as though struck. His jaw tightened, and he closed his eyes, fighting the instinct to rush inside.

“You can, Your Majesty,” came the firm yet soothing voice of the midwife. “You’ve made it so far already. Just a little more, and it’ll all be over. You’ll meet your child soon.”

But Max’s next cry was a sound Alex would never forget—a scream so raw, so filled with anguish, that it left Alex’s knees trembling.

His mother’s grip on his shoulder tightened. “Stay here, Alex. You’ll only distract him if you go in now.”

“I can’t listen to him like this,” Alex choked out, his voice trembling. “It’s… it’s too much.”

She turned him slightly to face her, her expression soft yet resolute. “Max is stronger than you think. He’s fighting with everything he has right now—for you, for your child. Trust him.”

But trust wasn’t enough to silence the chaos in Alex’s mind. Another broken cry from Max shattered whatever fragile composure Alex had managed to gather.

“Alex!” Max’s voice rang out, hoarse and desperate. “Alex, I can’t do this—please!”

Hearing his name called out in such agony made Alex’s entire body tense. He pressed his forehead against the wooden door, his voice low and trembling as he spoke.

“You can, Max. You’re the strongest person I know. Just hold on a little longer. Please, love… I’m right here.”

Inside, the midwife’s voice cut through the frantic breaths and cries. “One more push, Your Majesty. Just one. You’re almost there. Just one more, and you’ll have your child in your arms.”

Max whimpered, his sobs breaking between uneven gasps. “I can’t—I can’t—”

“You can,” the midwife said firmly. “Focus on your child, Max. On Alex. They’re both waiting for you.”

Alex closed his eyes tightly, pressing a trembling hand against the doorframe. “You’ve got this, Max. I’m here. I’m waiting for you… please…”

Time crawled painfully slow. The air was thick with tension, each second dragging longer than the last. Alex barely registered his mother’s comforting words or Max’s brother’s shallow breaths beside him.

And then—

Silence.

The sudden quiet hit Alex like a thunderclap. He froze, his breath caught in his throat as he leaned closer to the door. His heart pounded in his ears, drowning out every other sound.

And then, it came.

A tiny, sharp wail pierced through the silence—a newborn’s cry, fragile yet powerful.

The hallway seemed to exhale all at once. Alex’s chest heaved as the weight of the moment settled over him. His mother let out a shaky breath, her lips trembling into a relieved smile.

The heavy doors creaked open, and one of the attendants emerged, holding a small, swaddled bundle in their arms. The child’s cries filled the corridor, raw and new, yet undeniably alive.

“Your Majesty,” the attendant began softly, cradling the tiny child with practiced care. “You have a—”

But Alex didn’t wait to hear the rest. His focus was singular, his feet already moving before the attendant could finish. He pushed past them, stepping into the room with frantic urgency.

The air inside was warm, heavy with the scent of sweat and faint traces of lavender. The midwives were bustling quietly, cleaning linens and clearing the space. But Alex’s eyes found only one thing—Max.

Max lay in the large bed, his body slack with exhaustion, his face pale and damp with sweat. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths. His hair stuck to his forehead, and his lips trembled faintly as he fought to keep his heavy eyes open.

Alex was by his side in an instant, dropping to his knees next to the bed, his trembling hands reaching out to cup Max’s face.

“Max,” Alex whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of emotion. “You’re okay. You’re here.”

Max’s lips curled into the faintest, tired smile. His voice was raspy, barely more than a whisper. “I told you I’d survive… didn’t I?”

Alex let out a broken laugh, tears spilling freely down his face as he pressed his forehead against Max’s. “You scared me half to death,” he choked out. “I thought… I thought I’d lose you.”

Max’s hand twitched weakly, searching for Alex’s. Alex grasped it instantly, pressing their joined hands to his lips.

“The baby?” Max rasped, his eyes fluttering as exhaustion threatened to pull him under.

Alex turned briefly, nodding toward the attendant still holding the child. The tiny figure squirmed in the swaddle, letting out another soft cry.

“They’re perfect,” Alex said softly, his voice trembling. “Healthy and strong. Just like you.”

Max’s tired smile widened slightly, his eyes softening as a tear slipped down his cheek. “Perfect…”

The attendant stepped closer, their voice gentle. “Would you like to hold your child, Your Majesty?”

Alex glanced briefly at the tiny bundle but shook his head. His gaze returned to Max, brushing a damp strand of hair from his forehead. “Not yet. Not until Max can hold them too.”

Max let out a faint, tired chuckle. “You’re ridiculous…”

“And you’re incredible,” Alex replied, pressing a kiss to Max’s trembling hand. “Rest now, love. I’ll stay right here. Always.”

The attendant carefully placed the baby in a bassinet nearby, their cries now soft and rhythmic, as though comforted by the presence of their parents.

Max’s eyes fluttered closed, his hand still tightly held in Alex’s grasp. His breathing steadied, and for the first time in hours, peace settled over the room.

Alex stayed by his side, his head resting gently against Max’s hand. His chest still ached with the aftermath of fear and relief, but as their child’s soft cries filled the air, Alex knew one thing with absolute certainty.

His family—his love, his world—was right here, and they were safe.

The room was quiet now, save for the soft crackle of the fireplace and the occasional faint whimper from the newborn baby in Alex’s arms. Max was propped up on a mountain of pillows, still pale but with a faint flush returning to his cheeks. His exhausted eyes were fixed on Alex and the tiny bundle cradled so delicately in his arms.

Alex’s mother, the Queen Mother, stood nearby, her hands clasped together, her face softened by a mixture of relief and adoration. Beside her, King Julian—Max’s older brother—stood with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his usually composed expression cracked open, revealing worry and tenderness.

For a moment, none of them spoke. The world outside might as well have ceased to exist.

Alex shifted slightly in his seat, holding the baby closer as he turned to Max. “She’s perfect,” he said, his voice trembling with raw emotion. “Absolutely perfect, Max.”

Max’s lips curved into a weak but genuine smile. “She…?” he asked softly, his eyes flickering briefly to the baby.

Alex nodded, his tears threatening to spill again as he leaned slightly forward, giving Max a clearer view. “It’s a girl, love. We have a daughter.”

Max’s breath hitched, his hand flying to his mouth as his eyes welled with tears. A choked sound escaped him—a mixture of relief, joy, and sheer disbelief. “A girl… Alex, we… we have a daughter.”

The Queen Mother let out a soft gasp, pressing her hand to her heart as her eyes glistened with tears. “Oh, my beautiful boys… a daughter. A little princess.”

King Julian, usually so stoic, let out a soft sigh as a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “She’ll have an entire kingdom wrapped around her little finger before she can even walk.”

Alex let out a watery laugh, shifting slightly as he stood and moved closer to Max. With the utmost care, he lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed, carefully maneuvering the tiny baby into Max’s waiting arms.

Max stared down at their daughter, his hands trembling as he cradled her against his chest. She was so small, her face soft and delicate, her little mouth forming faint shapes as she squirmed slightly in her swaddle.

“She’s…” Max started, but his voice broke, and he couldn’t finish the sentence.

Alex leaned closer, resting his forehead gently against Max’s temple as he gazed down at their daughter. “She looks just like you, Max,” he said softly, his voice cracking with emotion. “Her face… her little lips. That’s all you.”

Max let out a breathless laugh, his tears dripping down onto their daughter’s swaddle. “But her nose… that’s you, Alex. And her brows… those are definitely yours.”

The Queen Mother stepped closer, her voice a soft murmur as she peered down at the child. “She’s the perfect blend of both of you. Oh, what a blessing she is… what a gift.”

Max’s grip tightened slightly on the baby as his tears fell freely now. “I was so scared… so scared that I wouldn’t make it… that I’d never get to see her.”

Alex immediately cupped Max’s face with one hand, tilting it slightly so their eyes met. His own face was streaked with tears, his expression raw and unguarded. “But you did, Max. You made it. And she’s here… because of you.”

King Julian cleared his throat softly, stepping forward with hesitant steps. His usual regal demeanor was replaced with something softer, something almost vulnerable. “May I…?”

Max looked up at his brother, nodding weakly. “Come here, Julian.”

The king moved closer and knelt down beside the bed, his eyes fixed on the baby girl in Max’s arms. For a long moment, he simply stared, his mouth opening slightly as if to speak, but no words came.

“She’s beautiful,” Julian finally whispered, his voice tight with emotion. “She’s… she’s perfect.”

Max’s voice wavered as he spoke. “You’ll… you’ll protect her, won’t you, Julian? If anything ever happens to Alex or me… you’ll look after her?”

Julian’s jaw tightened as he reached out with one hand, his large fingers brushing against the edge of the swaddle. “You have my word, Max. Nothing will ever harm her. Not as long as I live.”

The weight of that promise settled over the room, unspoken but deeply felt.

The Queen Mother gently placed a hand on Julian’s shoulder before turning her gaze back to the baby. “Have you thought of a name yet?” she asked softly.

Alex and Max exchanged a glance. The question hung in the air for a moment before Alex spoke. “We… we’ve thought about a few names, but… seeing her now, holding her… it feels like we should choose together, here, with her.”

Max nodded weakly. “Something that suits her.”

The Queen Mother smiled warmly. “Take your time. Names carry power, but love carries more.”

The baby let out a faint whimper, her little face scrunching up briefly before settling back into soft calmness. Max smiled down at her through his tears. “She’s going to be so loved.”

Alex leaned closer again, pressing a soft kiss to Max’s temple before brushing a feather-light kiss against their daughter’s tiny forehead. “More than anything in this world.”

For a while, none of them spoke. The weight of the moment, the sheer magnitude of it, settled over them like a warm blanket. Alex stayed pressed close to Max, one arm wrapped protectively around his shoulders, while the Queen Mother and King Julian lingered nearby, their eyes filled with pride and reverence.

Their little family, fragile yet unbreakable, had taken its first breath in that room. And as their daughter lay peacefully in Max’s arms, the four of them—bound by love, sacrifice, and hope—shared in the quiet, overwhelming joy of her arrival.

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