*River* The air is thick with anticipation, a charged energy that seems to pulse around the room, mirroring the rapid thudding of my heart. I pace back and forth, my hands clammy and my mind racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Today is the day, and I can’t shake the feeling that the universe is holding its breath along with me. Aloria is in our bedroom, surrounded by the warmth and love we’ve cultivated together. I can hear her soft gasps, the sounds of her labor echoing in the air, mingling with the sweet scent of lavender that Daphne had insisted would help ease the pain. The walls of our home, usually filled with laughter and joy, now resonate with a different kind of energy… one of creation and new beginnings. Kellan leans against the doorframe, his expression a mix of concern and encouragement. “You okay, man?” he asks, his voice low and steady. I nod, though I can feel the tension coiling tighter in my chest. “I just… I can’t believe it’s actually happening. I’m goi
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