Zuko forced back a laugh. "Uh, dad… Actually, mom isn't entirely wrong..."
"Hmm?"
Zuko began a serious explanation. "You really can't breathe directly before a newborn. She's still so tiny, and what you breathe out is carbon dioxide, while she needs fresh oxygen, so..."
"You ungrateful brat!" Zephyr finally used his mother's words against his son.
From then on, though, Zephyr developed a talent for holding his breath. When facing his granddaughter, he could not only stop breathing but also maintain a loving and radiant smile simultaneously.
The most wonderful part was that he could hold his breath while he cradled his granddaughter until she fell asleep. Afterward, he'd gently put her in her crib and release a long breath.
Toph watched in amazement and whispered to Zuko, "Dad's skills are good enough for him to enter an ancient tomb! He doesn't even need to breathe!"
Before Zuko could laugh, they saw Zephyr glare at them.
No living creature was allowed to make any noise while the little princess was asleep! Not even the cat they kept at home!
Toph tiptoed out stealthily.
-
Another major issue was choosing the little princess' name. Zuko could not find one that sounded right, and while Lina suggested several, she felt they were too soft and lacked a certain vigor. She hoped her daughter would be confident and assertive, just like Cordelia and Janine.
Nicholas chuckled with a pat on his head. "What are you all worrying about? I've already thought of my granddaughter's name!"
"What is it?"
"Peach!"
Lina couldn't help but giggle. When she stayed silent, Nicholas believed he had connected with his daughter and didn't notice the growing intensity of Linda's disapproving gaze.
"Your name is Pammy, and your daughter's Peach! How wonderful! When you have more children in the future, they can be Clementine, Apple, Cherry— Ow!"
He received a swat from Linda!
Zephyr smiled nonchalantly. "I see… You stayed uneducated!"
One generation followed another—it was all like this. Parents would grow old, children would grow up, but the loving partner by one's side would never leave.
Thinking of this, Zuko went back. The others had already left, leaving Lina to rest. He gently sat beside her and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
Lina opened her eyes and smiled.
"Honey..."
"Yes?"
"I..." Zuko held her hand. He rarely said the three words to her because he found them cheesy. Moreover, the Hamerton men were not known for their verbal expressions of affection—they preferred to show it through actions.
Today, however, he whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Lina blushed. Even though she had already given birth to his child, she still felt like she had just fallen in love.
"My wife, I love you."
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