Chapter 225

Four months later, Evelyn was seated in a grand hall as she watched Samantha and Ella walk down the aisle ahead of Rayna, decorating her path with flowers.

The grand hall was a vision of elegance, its high ceilings adorned with cascading floral arrangements and chandeliers that sparkled like a thousand stars. Rows of elegantly dressed guests filled the space, their murmurs of excitement creating a melody that mingled with the soft strains of the string quartet playing in the corner.

Seated at the same table with Evelyn were her parents, Derek's parents, and Liam, whose gaze was fixed on Maya, who stood poised in front of the hall as Rayna's maid of honor, dressed in a peach-colored gown flowing gracefully around her.

Evelyn sighed softly as she placed her hands on her well-rounded belly. She was nearly nine months pregnant, and her bump was impossible to miss beneath the flowing dress she wore. She was due any day now, and her glowing face was tinged with weariness. All morning, she had been having a mild case of running stomach, and even now, she felt like going to the toilet.

She was glad that she had turned down Rayna's request to be maid of honor; otherwise, how could she have managed it?

Rayna had wanted Evelyn to be her maid of honor despite her pregnancy, but Evelyn had been unable to work up the energy for it.

The last thing she wanted was to keep dozing off in front of the guests or, worse, to keep going to the ladies' room to empty her bladder every couple of minutes.

Evelyn smiled as her gaze met Derek, who stood tall and handsome behind Ethan at the front of the hall as his best man.

Ethan stood tall and proud in a sharp black tuxedo, his face a mixture of nerves and joy. Beside him, Derek adjusted his tie, a teasing grin on his lips as he whispered something that made Ethan chuckle, easing the tension.

Evelyn rose along with everyone, and every head turned as Rayna appeared, arm in arm with her father. She was radiant in her lace wedding gown, the fabric hugging her frame before flowing out into a delicate train. Her veil framed her glowing face, and her eyes were fixed on Ethan as though no one else existed in the room.

For most of the ceremony, Liam's gaze didn't leave Maya, whose eyes shone with happiness as she stood behind Rayna, holding Rayna's bouquet during the ceremony.

The ceremony was heartfelt and moving. Vows were exchanged, promises made, and Derek, dapper in his tailored suit, grinned at Ethan as he handed over the rings. He stood tall as Ethan's best man, a role he performed with pride and an occasional teasing comment. When the officiant declared them husband and wife, Ethan kissed Rayna with a passion that made the crowd cheer and clap loudly.

As the newlyweds descended the aisle, Evelyn dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "That was beautiful," she whispered to her mom, who smiled in agreement.

The reception began shortly after, with the hall now filled with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses.

As the party progressed, Liam watched with concern as Evelyn shifted uncomfortably in her chair. He had noticed her discomfort all morning, and he didn't miss that she was becoming increasingly restless.

"You doing okay?" Liam asked concern etched on his face.

Evelyn offered him a tight smile, though her discomfort was clear.

"I'm fine," she said. "Just can't wait to be free from this."

Liam chuckled softly. "Well, you let me know if anything changes.

We will get you to the hospital in no time."

Derek's Mom chimed in with warm encouragement, and Claire gave her a reassuring squeeze on the hand.

Evelyn smiled, "I don't think it's going to be anytime soon," she said confidently and turned to Samantha.

"Mommy, I'm thirsty," Samantha said, and just as Evelyn reached into her handbag for Samantha's water bottle, a sharp gasp escaped her lips, and her hand flew to her stomach.

"Mommy?" Samantha called with wide eyes.

Evelyn stopped, her face pale as her water broke in a sudden

she froze, her hand flying to her

said, her voice tinged

an OB/GYN instantly taking over. "It's time, he said firmly. "We need

head whipped around, his expression transforming from calm to laser-focused in an instant. "Alright, Evelyn, stay calm," he said,

just started a toast at the head table, paused mid-sentence as he noticed the commotion. His eyes found Evelyn's, and in an instant,

going on?" he asked,

out to Derek to hold her, and

eyes filled with worry as she started

gently took Rayna's arm. "No, you stay.

wedding day. Enjoy

Rayna hesitated, looking between

watching with a torn expression as Derek carried Evelyn out with their parents behind them while Liam hurried ahead to get the car. Rayna looked hesitant but then nodded. "Okay. We will stay for now and go after the first dance. Let's wrap things up here quickly,

gripping her with a

Liam observed as he got behind the wheels of his car while Derek and Evelyn got into the backseat and Claire got into the front seat. Evelyn's Dad joined Derek's parents in

contorted with pain as contractions hit her like waves. "It's happening so fast," she

We'll get you there soon," Derek assured her, though his own nerves were evident in the way his

in the driver's seat, Liam glanced back in the rearview mirror. "We're

breathing!" Evelyn snapped, her voice sharp with pain.

contraction hit, and Evelyn's head fell back against the seat. "I

he looked

"If she's crowning, we'll have to pull

cry as another contraction gripped her. "I'm telling you, it's

worry that he didn't want Liam or any other male to attend to Evelyn. "With my

yelled impatiently, glaring at Derek for wasting their time asking Liam such a stupid question when he

passenger seat, turned around. "Her maternity bag

the road. Derek's parents joined them, and while Rebecca got out of the car to

making sure Evelyn was as comfortable as

it turned his knuckles white. "I can't do

firmly, his voice steady and

going to do it again. Just focus

moments, the car

makeshift delivery room. Liam

seat, his hands steady as Evelyn pushed with all her

murmuring encouragement through

her cries.

moments were a blur of pain and effort. Evelyn pushed, her cries filling the air, and Liam guided the baby into

You've got this."

loud, healthy cry

announced, carefully swaddling the tiny

Evelyn gasped again, her body tensing when another contraction seized her. Her eyes widened in shock. "I think

but he quickly composed himself as he handed the first to Claire, who was standing behind him. "Alright, Evelyn,

of her second baby. With a final, exhausted cry,

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