Chapter 2 - CHAPTER 2

[Notice! The babies wanted to get out! It was time for labor.]

[System: Labor Processing initiated…]

As the moment of giving birth approached, he found himself relying solely on the system to assist him in delivering his two children. He lay there, unable to gauge the trouble of the process unfolding within him. His head was lifted slightly, but his mouth was stuffed with a piece of fabric, muffling any sounds he might have made in response to the waves of pain.

With a firm grip, his two hands clutched the edges of the table he was positioned on, knuckles white with tension. His breathing was shallow and quick, each contraction sending ripples of discomfort through his body. Despite a desperate urge to witness the miracle of life happening inside him, he could only blink against the overwhelming sensations.

Every so often, a strange pressure built in his stomach, accompanied by a faint, warm light that flickered at the edge of his vision, causing a sharp sting in his eyes.

The world around him faded, and though he yearned to glimpse at what happening, the pain and the mystery of the system's interventions kept him from seeing anything at all. All he could do was endure and hope.

Alrich took a deep breath, trying to steady the turmoil swirling within him. His mind raced as he focused on the urgent task at hand: getting the two children to safety without any complications. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, and he felt as if the world around him would close in if he didn't act swiftly.

As he closed his eyes, he whispered a plea into the silence, a raw and heartfelt request that echoed in his mind.

"Please... please save my babies..."

The words stumbled out in a choked whisper, tinged with desperation. His heart ached, and tears spilled from his tightly shut eyelids, trailing down his cheeks. Each drop was a testament to the pain he was experiencing—an ache that was more profound than the betrayal he felt from his husband over two long years.

These children were his lifeline, the shining lights that sparked hope in a life filled with uncertainty. The system grounded him in a world that sometimes felt more like a blur, where he often questioned his place—whether he belonged or was merely a visitor passing through.

[System: Labor's Completed.]

The system inside him said.

His head throbbed, a relentless ache pulsating through his temples. While there was no discomfort stirring in his stomach after that sudden light, the severity of the pain in his head was enough to make him curse.

He longed for the solace of sleep. Yet, even as he battled with exhaustion, he thought of his newly born children.

What if he were to return to the world he belong to? What if, against all odds, his mission here had reached its end? Then what about his precious twins?

The fervent questions spun around in his mind, igniting a hollow dread within him. Who would be there to care for them in his absence?

With every shallow breath he took, he felt the desperation grow. Alrich tried to reach out for his children, but an impenetrable wall seemed to stand between them.

"Where are my babies?" he spoke with palpable words escaping his lips like a prayer tinged with fear and longing.

In his heart, he harbored a wish—hoping that at least one of them would let out a wail, that the sound would chase away the heavy weight pressing down on him.

"Please..." he pleaded weakly, his voice barely above a whisper as the darkness continued to encroach around him.

He was trapped in a state of immobility; his body felt rigid, as though bound by invisible chains. He couldn't rise, nor could he gaze in any direction. It was as if he were frozen, helpless to shift.

Then, like a beacon breaking through the storm, the miracle cries of his children reached his ears.

"Wahhhh! Wahhh! Wahhh!!"

They pierced the silence, a chorus that resonated with pure, unfiltered need. With each wail, the thorn that had lodged itself in his chest began to ease, pulling back, suffusing him with relief.

A smile blossomed on his face, wide and genuine, even as tears streamed down his cheeks—tears of joy mingled with lingering sorrow. He felt a warmth swell within him, a spark of happiness ignited by the sound of his children. Yet, even amidst that joy, a shadow loomed—who would be there for them if he couldn't?

"N-no..." The thought clawed at him, filled with a palpable sense of dread as he struggled against the encroaching darkness.

[Alert! Alert! Severe Blood Loss. Sleep Mode Activating… Sleep Mode Activated.]

[Turning on Babies' Nanny… Activated]

[Activating Security Procedure. Activated]

[System: Character Alrich Zane Falco sleep mode on. You can sleep in 7 days prior.]

Words he hears in his mind. Because of so much of it, he couldn't understand anymore. All he could think about was his children.

"Please let my babies live. Help me…" He weakly responded to the system inside him before he slowly closed his eyes but until now his children were still on his mind.

'My children…'

~~~~

[7 days of Sleep Mode Completed. Character Alrich Zane Falco has been awakened]

"Hmm..." Alrich slowly opened his eyes.

As Alrich lay there, the first thing that struck him was the stark, plain ceiling above him. It felt like a blank canvas, devoid of any vibrant colors or patterns, reflecting the weight of his emotions. Slowly, he turned his head to the left and his gaze fell upon two tiny figures snuggle beneath a soft carpet.

The sight was heartwarming yet poignant; the babies, swaddled in their simple fabric, had no other clothes to shield them from the rest of the cold.

Alrich summoned all of his remaining strength to rise from his prone position. Each movement was a gentle, deliberate act as he made his way to the two babies, drawn in by an inexplicable force.

As he observed them for the first time, an overwhelming wave of emotion washed over him, as if a healing touch had brushed against his fractured heart. They were so small and vulnerable, yet there was an undeniable resemblance.

Alrich noted with a bittersweet ache that they bore no traits of their father; instead, they were perfect reflections of him.

In that moment, it was as if all the anguish and suffering he had endured throughout the difficult months melted away, replaced by a profound sense of purpose. Alrich could feel the love and determination surging within him, igniting a fierce resolve to protect these two precious souls.

They were not just the dawn of a new chapter in his life; they were the embodiment of his strength and inspiration. Alrich promised himself then and there that he would do everything in his power to ensure their lives were filled with joy, love, and happiness, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

Even if he is the only one who will support them. It's fine.

But he didn't stop texting the two numbers on his contacts.

[ It's worth it. After 9 months of being pregnant, I can finally see my two angels]

[ Doubts about whether I can raise them will not go away. But I can handle it. They are the only ones left with me]

[Whoever you are, can you just say 'congratulations'? At least someone still listens to me]

But no one answered his silent plea. Not a single soul reached out to congratulate him for his newfound responsibility and unexpected success.

Yet, he refused to let that deter him. Alrich resolved to work tirelessly to raise the two babies, whom he cherished deeply.

The journey was challenging from the beginning. With no prior experience in parenting and no parents of his own to guide him—having aged out of the orphanage before he turned away to do what he wanted, become an artist in the Entertainment Industry.

Now, six months into his journey, the babies had begun to grow and develop their personalities. As they thrived, it became increasingly evident just how much they resembled him—his deep-set eyes, the shape of his chin, and even his unruly hair.

In his heart, a growing confidence solidified: even if he were to run away and keep them from their biological father, he felt empowered and justified in his decision.

They were his children under the love and care he poured into their lives every day. He had faced difficulties, and it was he who had nurtured them during their formative months. Why would he hand them over to someone who had no idea what he had sacrificed?

Alrich was ready to fight for his rights as a father.

"Babies, don't ever leave your daddy, okay?" he whispered, his voice breaking under the weight of his emotions. "Don't abandon me like others did. I can't bear that pain…" He spoke to the two innocent faces gazing up at him with wide, curious eyes.

Lying on the bed beside him, their tiny bodies wriggled with delight as they reached out, their little hands tangling playfully in his long hair that fluttered softly over his forehead as he leaned down. It was a moment of pure, innocent joy that brought a smile to his lips, brushing aside the tears that threatened to spill.

He felt the warmth of their laughter wash over him, a sound that seemed to resonate with understanding, even if they couldn't grasp the weight of his words. In that instant, they mirrored his emotions—giggling, cooing, and filling the room with their infectious joy.

With a gentle sigh, Alrich wrapped his arms around the two babies, pulling them close to his chest.

"I'll protect you, my sweet babies," he vowed, his voice steady and strong.

And he added, almost as an afterthought, "So please, protect me too. If they ever come here looking for you, stand by me." His heart swelled with the understanding that they were now a family, forged in the crucible of love and unwavering dedication, against all odds.