Chapter 25 — The Light Keeper at the Sea Gate

In the eighth month of pregnancy, Hoai An's belly was noticeably rounder, making each step she took slower and heavier than before. Khoi, like his previous pregnancy, has become such a cautious man that sometimes makes Hoai An laugh at his excesses — he checks the temperature of the bath water before she enters the bathroom, always reminds her to sit and rest whenever he sees her standing for a long time, and never lets her carry Hai Yen herself when she asks to be carried.

"Honey, I'm pregnant, not sick," Hoai An said, laughing and gently pushing Khoi's hand away when he tried to grab Hai Yen's toy basket. "I can still do a lot of things on my own."

"I know," Khoi replied, but still firmly held the basket. "But I want to make sure you and the baby are as safe as possible. It's the least I can do for the most important people in my life."

That weekend morning, while the two of them were having breakfast with Hai Yen at Ms. Tu Nhan's house, a surprise guest arrived - Mr. Nghia, who was directly in charge of the project to replicate the combined operating model from the early days, has now been promoted to a higher position in the Maritime Administration after a successful reform record throughout the system.

"Hello Ms. Hoai An, hello Mr. Khoi," he said, sitting down at the table at Ms. Tu Nhan's invitation. "I stopped by to tell you two important news. Yesterday, the Department's leadership officially passed a decision to recognize the combined operating model as a mandatory standard for all twenty-three lighthouse stations across the country, completely ending the previous intention of full automation."

Khoi felt a surge of emotion. "That's great news," he said. "Thank you for always trusting and supporting us throughout this journey."

"It is you who deserve to be thanked," Mr. Nghia replied, his eyes filled with sincere appreciation. "Your family's story has changed the way an entire industry views the value of people in operations. It's a legacy that not everyone has the opportunity to leave behind."

He also shared another good news - the Maritime Administration is planning to build an official training center for lightkeepers nationwide, located right in Cua Vong, which is considered the most successful model of the new model, and invited Khoi to become the main instructor, sharing practical experiences with future generations of lightkeepers.

"This is a great honor," Khoi said, his voice moved by the unexpected proposal. "But I need to think carefully, because direct work at the station is always my top priority."

"I understand," Mr. Nghia replied. "We can arrange a flexible teaching schedule, without affecting your main job at Cua Vong. This will be an opportunity for you to pass on valuable experiences to the next generation, ensuring the sense of responsibility and dedication that your father passed on to you will continue to spread."

After Mr. Nghia left, Khoi sat back, his hand unconsciously rubbing his wife's shoulder, his eyes far away in thought. "Do you think I should accept?" he asked, his voice somewhat uncertain.

"I think you should accept," Hoai An replied without hesitation. "This is exactly what my father wanted — not only to preserve the lightkeeping profession for himself, but to pass it on to future generations. He has the experience, the story, and most importantly, he has the heart to do it in the most meaningful way."

Khoi nodded, his eyes gradually brightening with determination. "Okay, I'll accept," he said. "But I want to make sure that the teaching will not just be theoretical, but must be linked to reality, with real stories, so that students understand the deep meaning of this work."

Mrs. Tu Nhan, sitting and listening to the conversation, could not hide her satisfied smile. "Your father would certainly be very proud," she said, looking at Khoi affectionately. "Seeing you grow up like that, it warms my heart."

***

A few weeks later, when her pregnancy entered the final stage, one evening Hoai An suddenly felt an unusual sharp pain in her lower abdomen, different from the false contractions she had experienced. She frowned, placed her hand on her stomach, trying to breathe evenly to ease the pain.

"Are you okay?" He asked immediately, his eyes filled with worry when he noticed the unusual expression on his wife's face.

"This pain is a little different from last time," Hoai An replied, her voice a bit worried. "Maybe we should go to the hospital to get checked to be sure."

Without hesitation, Khoi immediately took her to the town hospital and asked Mrs. Tu Nhan to take care of Hai Yen. After a thorough examination, the doctor reassured her that this was just a normal sign of the late stages of pregnancy, the uterus is gradually preparing for labor, but advised Hoai An to limit strenuous activities and spend more time resting in the final weeks.

"See, the doctor also said you need to rest more," Khoi said, his voice both relieved and serious, as they left the hospital. "From now on, I will take on all the heavy work, and you just need to focus on resting and waiting for your second child to be born."

"Do you really think I'm going to sit still for the last few weeks?" Hoai An asked, laughing at her husband's excessive but adorable worry.

"I know it's not easy," Khoi replied, smiling helplessly. "But I still hope you will defer to me, at least during this important period."

That evening, when they returned to the lighthouse station, they sat together in the small room that had been prepared for the baby, looking at the small wooden crib placed next to Hai Yen's old crib, the newborn wardrobe neatly arranged.

"Only a few more weeks," Khoi said softly, his arm around his wife's shoulder. "I'm so nervous and excited that I can't express it in words, just like the first time."

"My baby is the same," Hoai An replied, placing his hand on his belly, feeling his baby's familiar gentle kicks. "But I believe, no matter what happens, we will overcome it together, just like how we overcame all the challenges together during the past journey."

Hai Yen, who had been brought home by Mrs. Tu Nhan after watching over the whole afternoon, rushed into the room, climbed onto the bed, and looked curiously at the new crib. "Is this the baby's bed, Mom?" she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"That's right," Hoai An replied, pulling her daughter into his arms affectionately. "Do you want to help mom arrange a few more things for you?"

Hai Yen nodded vigorously, excitedly rummaged through her toy bag, and took out a small stuffed animal that she loved the most. "I'm giving this to you," she said, placing the stuffed animal carefully in the crib. "So you won't be afraid to sleep alone."

Khoi and Hoai An looked at each other, both touched by the warm, loving gesture of their little daughter. "You're such a wonderful sister," Khoi said, leaning down to kiss Hai Yen's forehead. "Your sister will definitely love you very much."

"I will teach her to swim, teach her to play with friends in the village," Hai Yen continued to say, her voice filled with seriousness like a big sister planning for the future. "I will take good care of you."

Hoai An hugged both father and son in his arms, feeling a complete happiness spreading throughout his body. "I'm sure you can do it," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "And I also believe, your sister will grow up in a family full of love, just like you."

That night, when Hai Yen fell asleep in her private room, Hoai An and Khoi still lay awake, hand in hand, listening to the sound of ocean waves coming in from afar, the lighthouse light still steadily scanning through the window frame every few seconds.

"I feel so lucky," Hoai An said softly, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder. "Living in a family full of love like this, watching my daughter grow up with a kind heart, knowing how to love and share."

"That's thanks to you," Khoi replied, gently kissing his wife's hair. "You taught my whole family how to love completely, not keeping anything for ourselves."

They fell asleep in each other's arms, amidst the gentle sound of the ocean waves and the steadfastly shining light of the lighthouse, preparing for the final days before a new member of the family was officially born, bringing with it so much hope and love waiting to be received in the coming weeks.