Several months had passed, and the time had come to celebrate the christening of Lisbeth and Raines' baby boy with a quaint garden party.
After Elfreda's confinement, her mental health took a hit, and her depression worsened. She spent her days recovering in a peaceful sanitarium.
Raines wasn't quite ready to forgive Lisbeth's betrayal, but the sight of his son's cherubic face in the cradle melted his heart. He yearned to give his boy a stable home, not wanting his son to grow up rootless, barely seeing his father as he had.
Finally, William dropped his facade, revealing a face identical to Kane's, leaving everyone in the room agape.
Now, Mira and Nina's favourite way to pass the time was guessing who was who.
"The one on the left is William; the right is Kane."
"No way, the right one's William, and Kane's on the left."
Their playful bickering was a joy to witness.
Skyler strolled over, a smile hidden behind his hand. He could tell William from Kane in a heartbeat, but he kept mum, the very picture of a gentleman.
Aurelia was also expecting, her belly as round as a watermelon.
Leopold was extremely attentive to Aurelia, guiding her with gentle hands. "Take it easy, darling." he said.
Aurelia had upped her exercise regime slightly, hoping to ease the delivery. She was determined to avoid a C-section if possible.
After the christening bash, she checked into the hospital to await the birth.
One morning after breakfast, a sharp pain gripped her, and she whimpered, Leopold instantly wrapped his arms around her, "What's wrong?"
"I think it's time." Her voice was calm, seasoned with the experience of a second-time mother.
Leopold, however, couldn't keep his cool and was immediately tense, having been abroad for the birth of their first child.
Seeing her husband's face tight with worry, Aurelia patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"It's alright. Childbirth is painful, but I'm doing well. We'll be fine."
"I'm staying with you," he insisted, determined to be by her side this time.
When the doctor arrived, they wheeled Aurelia into the delivery room.
Hours later, she gave birth to healthy twins, a boy, and a girl, finally fulfilling her wish for a daughter.
Exhausted, she fell into a deep sleep, only waking the next day with Leopold faithfully by her side.
"You've done wonderfully, my love."
The children all came to visit the newborns. Nova, peering into the crib with wide eyes, glanced at herself and grinned, "I'm a big sister now."
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