Chapter 16 — Taste of Home

But because finally someone was willing to say what was in their heart. But this peace only lasted two days. On the evening of the third day, the hospital suddenly called. Trieu Minh Vien's voice came from the phone, so urgent that his voice almost broke. “Mr. Luc, Ms. Nam Am.” “Hieu Duong is about to give birth.” “But she's only thirty-five weeks.” 19 When we ran to the hospital, there were several people waiting outside the delivery room. Trieu Minh Vien's mother held the fee receipt, her eyes red. Trieu Minh Vien leaned against the wall, seemingly losing weight overnight. The mother-in-law walked too quickly, and before she could breathe evenly, the first thing she asked was: "How is Hieu Duong?" Trieu Minh Vien raised his head to look at her, his voice hoarse. “The doctor said I was born prematurely but my heart is still fine.” “She's just scared, just call mom.” As soon as that sentence ended, the hallway suddenly became quiet. The mother Chu Xiao Duong called was no longer there. The mother-in-law's eyes immediately turned red. She grabbed the back of the chair and sat down, her fingers tightening the gold bracelet on her wrist. I squatted in front of her. “Mom, don't panic.” The mother-in-law nodded but her lips trembled slightly. “Mom, don't panic.” "Her mother is no longer there, she must replace Chu Lan to maintain her spirit." Luc Canh Hoa stood next to her and gently pressed her shoulder. This time he didn't tell her not to worry about it. Because we all know, there are worries that don't have to be forced. As long as she is no longer carrying the burden alone, then it's not wrong. The nurse came out and asked the family to sign the papers. Trieu Minh Vien's hands were shaking so much that he couldn't hold a pen. Luc Canh Hoa went with him and listened to the doctor explain each thing one by one. The doctor's voice was very calm. "The baby's age is a bit early, but the baby's current condition is still fine." "The pregnant woman is under great mental pressure, her family members try to reassure her." “Don't stand outside crying, your emotions will flow inside.” Trieu Minh Vien's mother immediately dried her tears. The mother-in-law also sat up straight. “We don't cry.” “Everyone must calm down.” But very quickly, inside the door came the suppressed cry of Chu Hieu Duong. She called a mother. The sound was very light but like a string, immediately pulling the mother-in-law to her feet. Just then the nurse came out to get the things. The mother-in-law quickly asked: "Can I go in and say something to her?" The nurse looked at her and then at Trieu Minh Vien. Trieu Minh Vien immediately nodded. “She is my wife's Aunt Luc.” “Also the mother she felt most secure about before she passed away.” The nurse hesitated for a moment then went in to ask the doctor. Not long after, she came out and said: "I can only stand at the door and say a few words." When the mother-in-law walked forward, her steps were very slow. She stood outside the door but her voice was unusually calm. “Hieu Duong, Aunt Luc is here.” The crying inside stopped for a moment. The mother-in-law continued: "We have all kept the small clothes your mother made for the baby." “Don't be afraid.” “You are not alone now.” “Minh Vien is here, my mother-in-law is here, aunt, Canh Hoa and Nam Am are also here.” “You just need to listen to the doctor.” "If you're in pain, call out, if you're afraid, talk." “Don't hold back.” Chu Hieu Duong's voice came from inside the door, carrying the sound of crying. “Aunt Luc, I miss mom.” Tears immediately fell from her mother-in-law's eyes, but she still tried to smile and answer. “If you remember, just remember.” "When the baby is born, let's dress it in small clothes." “My mother saw it.” After saying that, there was silence inside for a few seconds. Then Zhou Xiaotang replied softly. "Yes." The nurse closed the door. The mother-in-law stepped back, her legs were weak, she almost sat on the ground. Luc Canh Hoa supported her. "Mom." His mother-in-law held his hand, tears finally falling. “Canh Hoa, mom didn't cry out loud just now.” Luc Canh Hoa's eyes were also red. “Yes, Mom did very well.” That night, time passed especially slowly. The clock at the end of the hallway went down one notch, our hearts fluttered once again. I went downstairs to buy hot soy milk and dumplings. Trieu Minh Vien couldn't eat it. Mother-in-law stuffed dumplings into his hands. “You have to eat.” "I understand that when going out, I still have to rely on you." Trieu Minh Vien's eyes turned red and he took a bite. His mother also drank half a cup of soy milk. The mother-in-law drank the entire cup herself. After drinking, as if afraid we wouldn't believe her, she even showed me the empty cup. “Nam Am, mom has eaten.” My nose stung, I smiled and nodded. “Score a point.” More than four

o'clock in the morning, the delivery room door finally opened. The nurse walked out holding a small bundle of blankets. “Baby boy.” “My weight is a bit low, I need to go to the neonatal department for monitoring.” “The pregnant woman is safe.” As soon as the words "peace" ended, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Trieu Minh Vien squatted on the ground, covering his face and crying. His mother also cried. The mother-in-law stood still, tears falling drop by drop but still looking at the child in the nurse's arms. The baby is as small as a cloud. The crying is not loud but very powerful. The mother-in-law said softly: "Chu Lan, you are now a grandmother." 20 When Zhou Xiaotang was pushed back to the hospital room, she was so tired that she couldn't open her eyes. Trieu Minh Vien held her hand and kept saying that she had worked hard. Her voice was very light. “Where are you?” The doctor said the baby was just born prematurely so he needed to be monitored, and the family didn't need to stress too much. After listening, Chu Hieu Duong's tears fell again. Her mother-in-law bent down to help her clean. “The baby went to a warm place to stay for two days.”