Chapter 24 — The Light Keeper at the Sea Gate

Three years after the wedding, Hoai An and Khoi's lives have entered a stable rhythm, full of happiness. Hai Yen, now two and a half years old, knows how to run and jump around the station yard, chirping innocent words that make the whole family laugh continuously, her tiny feet constantly exploring every familiar corner. Hoai An continues to act as a consultant for the project to replicate the combined operating model, while Khoi still maintains his job as lightkeeper, now becoming a model for many other lighthouse stations across the country to follow.

One morning, when Hoai An was preparing to take Hai Yen to the village, she felt an unusual nausea, reminiscent of a familiar feeling from three years ago. She sat down on the chair, holding her stomach, a gentle smile gradually blooming on her lips even though the discomfort was still there.

"Are you okay?" Khoi asked, worriedly running to her side immediately. The familiar reflexes from the previous pregnancy immediately returned.

"I think... I think I have good news again," Hoai An replied, her voice both nervous and happy.

Khoi stood still for a moment, his eyes opened wide, then his face lit up with indescribable happiness. "Really? Are we getting another new member?"

After going to the town hospital for confirmation, the doctor informed that Hoai An was about seven weeks pregnant, and all health indicators were normal and healthy. Both husband and wife hugged each other in bursts of happiness, no different from the feelings when they first received this good news, although this time they had more experience and stronger preparation.

"You're about to have a baby," Khoi told Hai Yen when they returned home, holding her up high and spinning her around, making her laugh. "Are you happy?"

"Baby!" Hai Yen shouted and clapped her hands excitedly even though she did not fully understand the meaning of what was about to happen, she simply felt the joy spreading from her parents.

The news quickly spread throughout Ha Trieu village, bringing new joy to the whole community. Mrs. Tu Nhan, upon hearing the news, hastily brought a bag of fresh fruit, showering her blessings endlessly.

"Oh my god, I have another grandchild," she said, hugging Hoai An, tears of happiness rolling down her wrinkled cheeks. "My family is becoming more and more happy and warm."

***

Throughout this pregnancy, Hoai An continued her remote consulting work, although she spent more time resting and taking care of herself and Hai Yen. Khoi, like last time, became extremely attentive, always standing by his wife's side during every routine prenatal check-up.

"Do you think it will be a boy or a girl this time?" Cui asked one evening, when they sat together looking through the latest ultrasound photos.

"I'm not sure, but I have a hunch it's a boy," Hoai An replied, smiling and gently rubbing his belly. "If it's a boy, I want to name him 'Lighthouse' — the light of the sea, as a reminder of the place where we found each other, and of the meaningful work that your father devoted his entire life to preserving."

"Dang Hai," Khoi repeated, nodding emotionally. "I like that name. It has a deep meaning, continues our family's tradition, and is associated with the place where we live."

Hai Yen, sitting nearby playing with puzzle blocks, looked up and asked in a cute, lisping voice: "What... what's your name?"

"It could be Dang Hai, if it's your younger brother," Khoi replied, bending down to pick her up and placing a kiss on her forehead. "Do you like being a big sister?"

"Prefer!" Hai Yen shouted, hugging her father's neck tightly, making both Hoai An and Khoi laugh at that innocent cuteness.

***

In the fourth month of her pregnancy, Hoai An received an invitation to attend a national maritime safety symposium, where she was honored with the "Outstanding Young Professional" award for her contributions to reforming lighthouse maintenance management processes nationwide. Even though her belly had begun to clearly protrude, she still decided to attend the award ceremony, with the company of Khoi and Hai Yen.

"Are you sure you're strong enough to go?" Khoi asked, looking worriedly at his wife as they prepared to leave the house.

"I'm fine," Hoai An replied, smiling to reassure him. "This is an important milestone, not only for my career, but also a testament to the positive changes we have created together. I want our child, even in the womb, to witness this moment."

The award ceremony took place solemnly at a large hall in the city, with the attendance of many experts and maritime industry officials from across the country. When Hoai An's name was announced, she walked onto the stage amid warm applause, her hands trembling as she held the award trophy.

"I dedicate this award to all the unsung lightkeepers across the country who have dedicated their lives to a little-known but incredibly important work," she said into the microphone, her voice ringing with emotion. "In particular, I dedicate this award to my husband's family, to his father and to Khiem, who did not have the opportunity to witness the change that their story brought about, but has inspired so many meaningful reforms."

Applause echoed throughout the hall, many people could not hide their emotions at that sincere speech. Khoi, sitting in the audience, holding Hai Yen in his arms, couldn't hold back tears of pride as he watched his wife stand on stage, shining as her true self — a dedicated professional, a wife, a mother, and soon, the mother of two children.

After the ceremony, when they returned to the hotel to rest, Khoi hugged his wife, his eyes filled with undisguised pride. "I've never been more proud of you," he said, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "You deserve all these honors, and so much more."

"Thank you, for always being by my side, supporting me every step of the way," Hoai An replied, her hand placed on her belly, feeling the gentle kicks of her growing baby inside. "Our child is so lucky to have a wonderful father like you, and a lovely sister waiting to welcome him."

Khoi bent down, placed his hand on his wife's belly, feeling the little life growing inside. "And I'm also very lucky to have a brave, talented mother like you," he said softly, his voice filled with love for his whole little family.

On the way back to Cua Vong the next morning, Hoai An brought the award trophy with him, placing it carefully in his bag like a treasure. When they stopped by Mrs. Tu Nhan's house, she and Mr. Nam Vong were already waiting, eager to hear about the entire ceremony.

"You have to tell me the details," Mrs. Tu Nhan said, her eyes shining with pride when she saw the sparkling trophy. "You have brought fame to this whole village."

Hoai An laughed, recounting every detail of the ceremony, from his speech to the warm congratulations from industry colleagues. Mr. Nam Vong, listening with an emotional expression, finally spoke when she finished telling her story.

“I want to tell you something,” he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "During my many years living in this fishing village, I have witnessed many generations of lightkeepers silently contributing without anyone knowing. But your story, Khoi's story, will forever be a reminder that truth and justice, even if it comes late, are always worth fighting for."

"Thank you," Hoai An replied, her voice choked with emotion. "Your words mean a lot to me."

That afternoon, when Hoai An sat resting in the small living room of the lighthouse station, she took out Khoi's father's old operating diary and read the familiar words again. She placed her hand on her belly and whispered to her unborn child.

"You will hear about your grandfather, about Uncle Khiem, about their courage and silent sacrifice," she said softly, her voice full of love. "And you will grow up in a world where truth is always cherished, where justice always has a place, no matter how difficult the road to get there is."

Khoi walked into the room, saw that warm scene, smiled and sat down next to his wife, sharing this peaceful moment with her, a moment containing all the love, hope, and belief in a bright future waiting for their little family, when Hai Yen ran into the room, climbed into bed next to her mother, one hand placed on her mother's belly as if greeting the baby about to be born.