Chapter 29 — Bridge Yard Beats

Two years after their wedding, Vy and Long continued to compete at the highest level, successfully defending their position at the top of the world rankings, while simultaneously maintaining the role of running the ever-growing Beat Academy. Both of their lives became busier than ever, but also full of meaning and complete happiness.

One morning, while practicing to prepare for the upcoming world championship, Vy felt a bit strange in her body and had slight dizziness in the middle of the training session, making Long worried.

"Are you okay?" he asked, hastily stopping his homework, his eyes full of concern.

"Maybe I'm just a little tired," Vy replied, even though she also felt like there was something unusual that she couldn't clearly explain.

Following Coach Kiet's advice, Vy decided to go to the hospital for a general health check before continuing her training schedule. The test results brought surprising news, making both husband and wife unable to hide their extreme emotions.

"Congratulations you two," the doctor said, a warm smile on his lips. "I'm about six weeks pregnant."

Vy stood still for a moment, unable to believe what she had just heard, before tears of happiness began to flow. Long could not hide his shock mixed with extreme joy. He held his wife's hand tightly and both looked at each other in that sacred moment.

"We're about to become parents," Long whispered, his voice choked with emotion, leaning down to gently kiss his wife's belly affectionately.

"I'm still in shock," Vy replied, her hand trembling on her stomach. "This is the best thing we could have received, right in the middle of our careers."

On the way home, the two seriously discussed the necessary adjustments in their playing careers. "We will need to inform Mr. Kiet soon," Long said, his voice still a bit confused at this big turning point. "You will need to take a break from competing at least until you give birth."

"I know," Vy nodded, although she couldn't help but feel a little regretful at the thought of having to temporarily put aside her top competition career. "But I have no regrets. This is a new chapter, just as important as what we achieved on the field."

When he heard the news, coach Kiet could not hide his joy mixed with gentle regret. "This is the best news I've received this year," he said, his eyes with a rare warmth. "You can rest assured, rest and take good care of yourself. The team will always welcome you back whenever you are ready."

Vy's mother, when she heard the news over the phone, could not hide her tears of happiness. "Mom is about to become a grandmother!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. "Remember to take care of your health and don't overwork yourself."

"I'll be careful, mom," Vy replied, smiling through happy tears. "I promise to take good care of myself so the baby will be healthy."

Mr. Trinh Bao Son could not hide his extreme happiness when he learned that he was about to have a grandchild. "This is what I look forward to the most," he said, hugging both husband and wife in indescribable joy. "Dad promises to be a great grandfather and will teach you how to play badminton as soon as he's old enough."

"Dad, don't be too hasty," Long laughed, shaking his head at his father's eagerness. "Let the baby be born safely first, Dad."

In the following months, Vy temporarily stopped competing professionally, taking time to rest and take care of her pregnancy while still actively participating in running the Pulse Academy remotely. Long, although he continues to compete in some important tournaments, also tries to arrange as much time as possible with his wife during this important period.

"Are you scared, thinking about becoming a father?" Vy asked on a peaceful evening, when they were both lying in bed, Long's hand gently placed on his wife's belly to feel the baby's first movements.

"Yes," Long replied honestly, a warm smile clearly visible. "But I'm also more excited than anything else. I believe, with the love we both have for each other, we'll be great parents."

"I believe so too," Vy replied, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, her heart filled with peace and happiness before the meaningful new chapter awaiting their whole little family.

Throughout her pregnancy, Vy continued to visit Beat Academy regularly. Even though she was no longer directly involved in training, she still spent time talking and encouraging the young students. She is especially attached to the boy who asked her out during the inauguration ceremony, who has now become one of the academy's most outstanding students.

"Sister Vy, when will you give birth to the baby?" the boy asked during one of Vy's visits, his eyes full of pure curiosity.

"Only about three months left," Vy smiled, gently rubbing her belly. "What's wrong, do you want to do something for my baby?"

"I want to give the baby a small badminton racket," the boy replied, his voice filled with innocent seriousness. "So that in the future the baby can also become a champion like you and Mr. Long."

That innocent statement made Vy unable to hold back her warm smile, feeling more clearly than ever the meaning of what she and Long had built together - not only an academy that trains athletes, but also a community full of love, where children learn to care and share with each other.

In the seventh month of her pregnancy, Tram and the academy's coaching team held a small party to welcome the new baby, with the participation of all current students. Children make small gifts, draw pictures, and write lovely wishes to send to the unborn baby.

"I never thought I would receive so much warm affection from children I have only known for a short time," Vy shared with Tram, unable to hide her emotions at the students' hearts.

"That's because I gave them more than one sport to pursue," Tram replied, her eyes filled with appreciation. "You gave them faith, and they are responding with their sincere love."

The last months of pregnancy passed with attentive care from both families. Vy's mother moved to live with her daughter and her husband to take care of her daughter, while Mr. Trinh Bao Son also frequently visited, bringing with him all kinds of books on parenting that he had diligently researched.

"Dad, you're so prepared," Long smiled when he saw his dad bring a thick stack of books. "I thought Dad just needed the experience of raising children to be enough."

"Each generation has different methods of raising children," Mr. Son replied, seriously. "I want to make sure I'll be a truly useful grandfather, not just a pampering grandpa."

The whole family laughed at that lovely thoughtfulness. A warm atmosphere, full of love, enveloped the small house, preparing to welcome the new member about to be born with the complete love of the whole family.

At the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy, on a light rainy night, Vy began to show signs of labor. Long, even though he had mentally prepared himself many weeks ago, still couldn't avoid panic as he rushed his wife to the hospital, his hands shaking while driving.

"Calm down," Vy said, even though she herself was having to breathe deeply to overcome each pain, her voice still tried to keep humor to reassure her husband. "I need you to stay awake to take me to the hospital safely, not to get into an accident in the middle of the road."

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous," Long replied, trying to regain his composure, holding his wife's hand tightly whenever possible while still focusing on driving.

At the hospital, both families quickly arrived and waited together in suspense for many hours. Vy's mother kept walking in the hallway, while Mr. Trinh Bao Son tried to stay calm even though his eyes could not hide his worry.

After nearly eight hours of arduous labor, the cry of a baby girl was born, erasing all worries, giving way to a burst of happiness that cannot be expressed in words. Long, who was allowed into the delivery room immediately afterward, couldn't hold back her tears as she held her baby daughter in her arms for the first time.

"You're born, Vy," he said, his voice choked with extreme emotion, carefully placing the baby in his exhausted but happy wife's arms.

Vy hugged her little daughter tightly, tears of happiness rolling down endlessly. "Hello, my daughter," she whispered, her voice full of love. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

Both families rushed into the room immediately afterward, unable to hide their extreme happiness when seeing the new member of the family for the first time. Vy's mother hugged her grandson, tears constantly falling from emotion, while Mr. Trinh Bao Son could not hide the radiant smile that rarely appeared on his usually serious face.

"What did you name your child?" Vy's mother asked, her voice still shaking with emotion.

Vy and Long exchanged meaningful looks before Long spoke up, his voice full of pride. "We named my child Trinh Dang Minh Chau, mother — Minh Chau, the bright pearl, combining both family lines, marking the beginning of a new generation in our family."