Chapter 26 — Directions to Cloud Valley

On an early spring morning, when the wild peach trees around Ta Chai village began to bloom with their first pink petals, Thao Vy felt the first contractions signaling that the important moment was approaching.

"Dang Khoi," she called, her voice trembling slightly as she felt the pain gradually become more pronounced. "I think maybe it's time."

Dang Khoi, even though he had prepared himself many weeks ago, still couldn't help but feel a little panicked when the real moment approached. "Okay, let's go to the district hospital now," he said, trying to keep his voice calm even though his hand was hastily reaching for the bag he had prepared in advance.

Because the distance from Ta Chai to the district hospital is quite far, they planned in advance to travel by ambulance from the medical station, fully equipped with necessary equipment for emergencies. Minh Trang, now with extensive experience in medical work, comes along to support throughout the journey.

"Just breathe steadily according to the rhythm I instruct," Minh Trang said, holding Thao Vy's hand to reassure her while the car moved on the bumpy road. "Everything is going normally."

Dang Khoi sat next to his wife, one hand holding her hand tightly, the other hand continuously checking vital indicators with the anxiety mixed with the professional experience of a doctor. "You did very well," he encouraged, although inside he could not hide the nervousness of a person about to become a father for the first time.

***

At the district hospital, Thao Vy's labor took place for many stressful but also hopeful hours. Dang Khoi stayed by his wife's side throughout the process, holding her hand tightly through each pain, whispering words of encouragement non-stop.

"You did it," he said when the doctor announced that everything was going well. "Just a little more left."

After nearly eight arduous hours, finally, the first cry of a little creature rang out in the delivery room, marking the birth of a new member of the family.

"It's a girl," the doctor announced, placing the tiny, red baby on Thao Vy's chest, the cry of birth echoing throughout the room. "A perfectly healthy little girl."

Thao Vy looked down at her daughter's small face, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks, mixed with drops of sweat after a difficult but meaningful labor. "You're born," she whispered, her voice choked with extreme emotion.

Dang Khoi stood next to him, his hand trembling when he first touched his daughter's tiny hand, feeling each tiny finger tightly grasping his finger. He couldn't hold back his tears of happiness, an intense emotion he had never experienced in his entire life.

"The baby is born," he repeated Thao Vy's words, his voice trembling. "Our daughter has been born."

"Have you thought of a name for your baby yet?" Thao Vy asked, looking up at her husband with eyes full of love.

Dang Khoi thought for a moment, then smiled, a name had appeared in his mind for a long time, waiting for this moment to be said. "Vu Dang Vy," he said. "Combining both of our names, as a symbol of the blending of two people, two families, two cultures that together created you."

Thao Vy smiled and nodded in agreement immediately, feeling the deep meaning in that name. "Dang Vy," she repeated, looking down at the little face sleeping in her arms. "Welcome to this world, baby."

***

News of baby Dang Vy's birth quickly spread to all loved ones. Mrs. Hanh, who stayed in Ta Chai to provide support during the final stages of her pregnancy, was the first person at the hospital, her hands shaking as she held her grandson for the first time.

"My grandchild is so beautiful," she whispered, tears of happiness flowing endlessly as she looked down at her little sleeping face. "You look like your mother in your eyes, but this mouth is truly your father's."

Chua village chief, along with Sinh and many villagers, also traveled long distances to congratulate the family, bringing traditional gifts for newborns according to H'Mong customs.

"This child will be the pride of our entire Ta Chai village," Chua village chief said, his eyes filled with happiness when he saw the most beautiful fruit of love that he had witnessed from the very beginning.

As the whole family gathered around the hospital bed, looking at the newly born little angel, Thao Vy and Dang Khoi exchanged a meaningful look - the eyes of two people who had overcome many ups and downs together to reach this moment of perfect happiness, now doubled by the presence of a tiny creature, the crystallization of love that has been forged through trials to become immortal.

***

Three days later, when Thao Vy and little Dang Vy were discharged from the hospital, the whole family returned to Ta Chai together in a familiar ambulance, this time carrying a most special passenger. The whole village has prepared a small welcoming ceremony according to traditional customs for newborns.

"According to H'Mong custom, we will hold an official naming ceremony for the child on the third day after birth, accompanied by wishes from the ancestors and the mountains," Chua village chief explained to Dang Khoi and Mrs. Hanh, who were unfamiliar with this ritual.

The ceremony was simple but meaningful, with the participation of the entire village community. Sincere blessings were given to baby Dang Vy, praying that the baby would grow up healthy and happy, carrying within him both the resilient spirit of the mountains and the wisdom of his parents.

"She will grow up amidst the love of both families and both cultures," Mrs. Hanh said, emotionally watching this meaningful traditional ceremony. "This is truly a beautiful start to her life."

Close friends of Thao Vy and Dang Khoi from Seo Chai and other villages in the cooperation network also came to congratulate, bringing small gifts full of affection for new members of the large community they have built together.

Sinh, now taking on the role of a close aunt, could not hide her excitement when she held baby Dang Vy in her arms for the first time. "Hello, my niece," she whispered, her eyes filled with tender affection. "I promise to always be there to protect and love you."

Minh Trang, who accompanied Thao Vy throughout the labor process, also visited after the shift to congratulate the little family. "I never thought I would have the opportunity to witness the birth of Ms. Vy and Mr. Khoi's daughter," she said, emotionally looking at baby Dang Vy sleeping. "This is truly a great honor in my career."

***

In the first weeks of parenthood, Thao Vy and Dang Khoi had to learn to adapt to a completely new rhythm of life — sleepless nights because their baby was crying, confusing moments before breastfeeding or bathing their newborn for the first time, but mixed in with it were simple moments of happiness that neither of them had ever experienced.

"I never thought I could love such a small person so much," Dang Khoi confessed late one night, when he was rocking his daughter to sleep while Thao Vy rested after a long tiring day. "Every time I look at my child, I become more determined to build a better world for my child to grow up in."

Mrs. Hanh, decided to stay in Ta Chai for a few more weeks to support her daughter-in-law during the confinement period, sharing the valuable experiences of an experienced mother. "Don't worry too much if everything isn't perfect," she advised Thao Vy one morning, when she saw her daughter-in-law seemed stressed because baby Dang Vy was crying for an unknown reason. "Parenting is a constant learning journey, no one is born perfect in this role."

Those sincere words of encouragement, along with the dedicated support from both family and the Ta Chai village community, helped Thao Vy and Dang Khoi gradually find their own confidence and rhythm in their journey of parenthood, a new chapter filled with challenges but also filled with happiness in their married life.

Every night, when baby Dang Vy fell asleep, Thao Vy and Dang Khoi spent a few minutes sitting together, watching their daughter sleep in the wooden cradle that Dang Khoi himself had built, reviewing the memorable moments of the day, and together building a small home that is increasingly filled with laughter and love, in the heart of Cloud Valley where all their stories began.