1 Corvus Inkwell: The Birth

## A Stormy Night and A New Beginning

A cold rain splattered against the hospital window, mirroring the icy dread gripping Alex's heart. Inside the operating room, his wife Sarah's screams cut through the sterile silence, each cry an agonizing plea for relief. He paced the hallway like a caged lion, his phone clutched tight in a clammy hand, repeatedly dialing numbers that offered no solace.

Suddenly, Sarah's brother Harry and his wife Natasha materialized in the hallway, their faces etched with a mixture of concern and forced optimism. "Everything will be fine, Alex," Sarah's sister, the ever-calming Natasha, assured him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Sarah is a strong woman. She'll be alright."

Alex nodded, but his voice betrayed his anxieties as he spoke. "Yeah, Sarah is… she's a fighter. Both of them will be alright, right?"

Harry, the elder brother, offered a gruff but reassuring pat on Alex's shoulder. "Of course, you fool. Now stop worrying and focus on becoming a father."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden dimming of the overhead lights, followed by the hushed clicks and footsteps of the medical team emerging from the operating room. The tension in the air thickened like molasses.

"Congratulations, Mr. Inkwell," the doctor announced, his voice a welcome break from the agonizing silence. "You are now the proud father of a healthy baby boy. Both mother and child are doing well and are eager to meet you."

Relief washed over Alex like a tidal wave. He could barely contain his excitement as he embraced his brother and sister-in-law, their faces beaming with joy.

He hurried into the room, his heart pounding like a hummingbird's wings. Sarah lay there, a radiant smile gracing her tired face, cradling a tiny bundle swaddled in a soft blue blanket.

"Hey, you two," Sarah whispered weakly, her voice trembling with love and exhaustion. "Let's name him… Corvus Inkwell."

"Hmm... Corvus Inkwell? It's a good name, but why that name?" Alex chuckled, intrigued by his wife's choice. Sarah responded with a mischievous smile, leaving him in a playful puzzle. Seeing Sarah's relaxed demeanor, his worries subsided, and he settled down beside her, gently inquiring about her comfort. As Sarah drifted off to sleep, the room was filled with the soft murmur of Alex's brother and sister-in-law discussing the future of their soon-to-be family.

Their conversation was interrupted by a nurse, requesting details for paperwork. Days later, Sarah found herself discharged, and walking along side Alex.