Linger

Eliana Dimitria

The sound of crying from a tiny baby has managed to shed the anxious hopes that had enveloped the people who were standing guard in front of the delivery room. Jonathan and his wife embrace each other, together giving thanks for the birth of their first grandchild that has been awaited by all members of the family.

Not much different from Gavin's parents, Kalea's parents did the same. Mom and Dad embraced each other too. Papa's hand rubbed Mama's back while continuously whispering endless sentences of gratitude.

In addition to the parents, there was also Karel who was faithful to guard there since last night when Kalea was rushed to this hospital after complaining of extreme heartburn. The young man who usually always acts silly is suddenly a serious figure, and absolutely does not stop making prayers so that the baby in the womb of Kalea can be born healthy and safe.

A few minutes later, a doctor who had helped the delivery process emerged from the delivery room. Even his face was covered in a mask, but everyone there could see that the doctor was smiling. It was clearly visible through her wrinkled eyes.

"The baby is a girl, born safe and healthy. Her mother is also in good condition, so it only takes time for postpartum recovery." Said the female doctor.

Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Hugs are increasingly being held even until the doctor resigned to take care of Kalea and the tiny baby who has officially joined the big family.

Among the waiting family members, Karel may be the most eager person to meet the baby soon. He wanted to immediately see the form of Choco, which he had been guarding like his own son.

"When can we meet Choco?" ask her to Mama.

Mama pulled away from Papa's embrace, looked at him Karel then chuckled in amusement at the sight of how radiant the young man's face was. "Patience, Honey. The baby needs to be cleaned first. Let's just look at it later, the baby is already fragrant." Say Mama.

"I'm not patient. Want to come in now, can't you?" whining the young man while jerking his feet like a boy.

"Patience." Papa Tegur. For a moment, the look on the man's face looked so serious that it made Karel who acted suddenly just silent. But, shortly after, the man even hit Karel's arm while chuckling softly. "Let's make sure he watches the ball, okay?" the old man's chirps, making Karel stupefied with a fallen jaw.

"Father, uh! Girls, where can I watch a ball?" Mama instead hit Papa's arm, but the man chuckled even more.

The originally lingering tension slowly melted away with more laughter arising from the strange jokes that Papa and Karel were throwing at each other.

...****************...

The time everyone was waiting for finally arrived as well. The little baby they wanted to see what she looked like, now lives in a herd in a sling of Kalea. The baby is very similar to the mother. Breaking the stigma that girls are born are usually more like the father.

"You're a sling." Pinta Carrel. He extended both hands towards Kalea. From the moment he was allowed to enter the Kalea nursery, the young man did not take his eyes off the tiny baby who was not yet known what his name was.

Instead of Kalea, an infuriating reply came out of Gavin's lips, making Karel snort bitterly. "No. I was. I'm the only one whose father is not fat, the time you want to go first."

"I'm also his father! Karel's Dad!" firmly Karel with the face of abis tengil.

Gavin won't lose. After recovering from a coma, the man also became no less detailed with Karel. Perhaps the effect of the hard impact on his head, which made his brain become aglek. Coupled with the presence of Karel who always and at all times came just to cause a commotion.

"I was!"

"Gue first!"

"I!"

"Gue!"

"I, Karel." Gavin growling. It is almost out of patience to face this Karelino Gautama.

"Came, Gapin. G a Ga p i n Pin. Gapins."

"My name is Gavin!"

Eits. but it's not that easy to defeat him. With all the cunning she had, Karel came up with an idea to determine who could hold their tiny baby first.

Whatisit?

Yup! The rancid boy took Gavin suit. He said, whoever it is, he has the right to hold the baby. About the parents who also showed faces hoping to get a turn to hold the baby anyway, he did not care. That's their business. Most importantly, she wanted to be the first person to hold the baby after Kalea.

"Come, hunt!" Gavin sewot's. Knowing that this debate was not going to end, he finally agreed with Karel's proposal. Although at the edges they look more childish in the eyes of everyone in the room.

Disappointed moans came from one side when the suit process was completed. Kalea was unable to hold back the laughter when the whirlwind turned out to be from Gavin, while Karel had jumped up and down in excitement for winning the lottery.

"Soide you." He said as he pulled Gavin's body away from the bed. Once again his hands were stretched out, and this time, he pulled back his hands with a baby who was in a hug.

"Uuuuhhhhh .. funny son Dad." He said to the cute, fast-asleep baby. The baby wriggled, making Karel even more anxious to devour her petite nose like upil. Uh, wrong. Not upil, too ugly. It's like ... What's it like, huh? Ah, I don't know! To be sure, this little baby is really adorable!

While Karel was enjoying her time with the baby and Gavin was waiting for her turn while pouting, Mommy covered Kalea. "Is that name ready?" tanyakanya.

Kalea smiled faintly, then nodded her head. "Gavin is ready."

"Oh, huh? Who?"

Everyone practically turned their heads towards Gavin, as well as Karel who was originally engrossed himself.

"Buruan, um. Choco wants you to give me whose name?" tagih Karel, sewot himself like he's the only one who wants to know.

Gavin muttered without a sound as a form of protest as Karel continued to act annoyingly. But then, knowing that everyone was waiting for her answer, she cleared her throat before saying, "Eliana Dimitria."

The name that sounds beautiful makes the whole family rejoice. Now, they no longer have to call their new family members baby.

"Eliana Dimitria." Karel muttered softly, repeating the baby's name six times before finally bringing his face closer to Elianan's red face. "Hello, El, Daddy's beautiful son." His greeting, which was then greeted with laughter from all family members, including Gavin who was originally still pouting waiting for his turn.

Seeing her daughter loved by so many people, obviously made Kalea happy. It felt that the pain he had been through all this time paid off completely just by seeing these people he loved receiving the presence of Eliana joyfully.

While the people were busy crowding Eliana, Kalea silently looked at Gavin. He just felt, his decision to defend the household with the man was the right decision. It is not imagined by him that at that time he still insisted on divorce. Perhaps the birth of Eliana will not be welcomed this much.

Amidst the euphoria, Kalea felt her heart full again.

*Yuhuuuu

Is there anyone who doesn't want to see Karel as Gavin gelut?

None?

Okay, alright. Cuz I write this chapter based on my sense of longing in the struggle of the two of them.

Well, that's exactly who it is.

Yea! Stay healthy and happy everyone*!!!