All Chapters of One Night, Two Dads : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Elena's POVElena's POVMy head rested against the stiff hospital pillow, my body heavy with exhaustion. The faint beeping of the monitor filled the room, a constant reminder that I was still here — that our baby was still here. My eyes flickered to the side, and there he was — Ethan — slumped in the chair beside me, his hand wrapped around mine like a lifeline. His fingers were warm, yet trembling, as if he feared I might slip away the moment he let go.I couldn’t blame him. Who could? Seven hours ago, I’d been in excruciating pain — the kind that stole my breath and left me gripping the supermarket shelves for support. One moment, I was arguing with Ethan about Victoria Moore — and the next, I felt my stomach tighten so violently I could barely stand. The fear in his eyes when he realized what was happening... I’d never forget that.“You’re gonna be okay,” he’d whispered back then, his voice breaking as he half-carried me to the car. “Just hold on, Elena. Hold on...”Now, here we we

Elena's POVI leaned back against the pillow, my body still exhausted but my mind surprisingly alert. I was really enjoying this. After everything that had happened today — the pain, the fear, the overwhelming emotions — this lighthearted conversation with Mia was exactly what I needed.“You know,” I said with a grin, “I’ve really missed gisting with you like this.”“Oh, girl,” Mia smirked, “I’m not even done yet.”I laughed. “There’s more?”“Yup!” She grinned proudly. “And guess what? I get the privilege to call him Mr. James now.”I blinked. “Wait... his name’s James?”“Uh, duh,” Mia said, like it was obvious. “James Johnson — Mr. Johnson’s first name is James.”“Wow.” I shook my head. “I don’t know why, but that feels... weird. Like, he’s just been ‘Mr. Johnson’ for so long that I forgot he’s an actual person with a first name.”“Tell me about it,” Mia giggled. “The first time he told me to ‘just call me James,’ I nearly forgot how to speak. Like, I just stood there awkwardly like.

Elena's POVEthan’s fingers were still wrapped around mine, his thumb gently tracing circles on my palm. For a while, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but there was a weight to it — like something heavy was still lingering in the air.“I need to say one more thing,” Ethan said quietly. His voice was softer now, almost shaky.I looked up at him. “Okay...”He exhaled deeply, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite place — something raw and vulnerable.“I love you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I never stopped loving you, Elena.”My breath hitched.“I know... I know I didn’t act like it,” he added quickly. “I know I was angry and stubborn, and I let my pride get in the way, but... God, I never stopped.”“Ethan...” My voice wavered.“I’m scared,” he said suddenly, his grip on my hand tightening. “I’m really scared.”I frowned. “Scared of what?”“Of losing you,” he admitted. His voice broke slightly. “When you went into labor... when I saw y

Ethan's POVThe hospital room was bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp, casting gentle shadows that danced across the walls. Elena lay peacefully, her rhythmic breathing a soothing reminder of the life we had brought into the world just hours earlier. I sat beside her, the aroma of the food I'd brought filling the room, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital environment.My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. It was a message from Mia."I'm fine, Ethan. Why do you ask?"I hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Should I mention my earlier concerns about her health? Deciding against it, I typed back, "Nevermind."Almost immediately, her reply came through. "I'm fine, really. How's Elena doing?"A small smile tugged at my lips. Mia had always been attentive, her concern unwavering. I responded, "Elena's good. Resting now.""Glad to hear. I'll be there soon."I glanced at the assortment of snacks I'd picked up earlier: Lay's Poppables Sweet Potato Sea Salt chips, a

Ethan's POVThe echo of Victoria's retreating footsteps still lingered in the sterile hospital corridor when I turned back to the room, my heart heavy yet resolute. The confrontation had drained us all, leaving a palpable tension in its wake. As I glanced toward the doorway, my breath caught in my throat.There stood Daniel, clutching a gift basket adorned with a bright bow and a congratulatory card nestled among the assorted items. His shoulders sagged, and his eyes, usually so full of confidence, now reflected a deep-seated anguish. A part of me reveled in his visible torment, a vindictive satisfaction bubbling beneath my calm exterior.But as he drew a deep breath and stepped into the room, my attention shifted to Elena. She straightened in her bed, her eyes widening slightly, lips parting as if to speak but hesitating. Her fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket, a subtle sign of her anticipation. The sight twisted something deep within me, a pang of jealousy mingled with betra