Reincarnated

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Haltfield," announced an elderly woman, her nurturing presence gentle voice carrying a sense of joy and warmth. As she cradled the healthy newborn boy in her arms, her eyes sparkled with tenderness. With utmost care, she passed the fragile newborn into the awaiting embrace of his mother.

As the nurse gently placed the baby against Mrs. Haltfield's chest, a surge of overwhelming emotions coursed through her. She could feel the weight of her child, so small and vulnerable, nestled in her embrace. The softness of the baby's skin against her own evoked a sense of disbelief.

"My baby..."

Tears of joy welled up in Mrs. Hartfield's eyes as she gazed down at her newborn son, his delicate features unfolding before her. She marveled at his tiny fingers, his button nose, and the innocence reflected in his innocent, searching eyes.

As Mr. Hartfield stood by his wife's side, his gaze fixed at his wife's eyes filled with tears of joy, her radiant smile filling the dimly lit room with a soft glow. Yet, it was the sight of his child, his own flesh and blood, nestled securely within his wife's loving embrace that truly moved him.

Respecting the sacred bond forming between mother and newborn, Mr. Hartfield positioned himself slightly to the side allowing his wife to fully immerse herself into this joys moment, and before long, he approached his beloved wife placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead, a silent reassurance of his unwavering support.

Mr. Hartfield redirected his gaze towards his newborn, delicately cradling the tiny hands that held the promise of a lifetime. In this exchange of touch, the immense responsibility of fatherhood settled upon Mr. Hartfield's shoulders, a sense of extreme doubt filled his mind. 'Will I be able to provide him the life he deserve, in this damned world? Was it the correct decision...Was it-'

Doubts about his ability to provide the life his child deserved, doubts about the challenges that awaited them in an uncertain world. His thoughts swirled, questioning the decisions made and the path ahead.

"Honey..." Mrs. Haltfield's voice broke through his internal struggle, her eyes filled with concern.

Startled, Mr. Haltfield turned his attention to his wife, her presence a comforting anchor amidst his uncertainty.

"What is it?" he replied, his voice filled with a gentle softness.

She hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words before finally speaking, "What should we name him?"

"Honey, we already decided on his name a long time ago," he responded, a trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Remember? We agreed to name him after your late father if we were blessed with a boy." With a gentle squeeze of his wife's hand and a whispered affirmation of their shared decision came to be Ethan Hartfield.

The nanny stood still, respectfully allowing the couple to embrace the profound moment that unfolded before them. Sensing an opportune moment, she gently interjected, understanding the need to express her departure.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hartfield, as my duties here are complete, I must take my leave. I have other responsibilities to attend to," she conveyed with a warm yet professional tone.

Mr. Hartfield quickly responded, a touch of gratitude evident in his voice, "Of course! Thank you so much for being here, especially at such a late hour. We apologize for any inconvenience and our inability to provide you with the proper respect and hospitality you deserve."

The nanny smiled kindly, her words carrying a sense of understanding and wisdom. "Please, Mr. Hartfield. We live in a time of uncertainty and looming dangers. Such luxuries and privileges are not something I would ever dream of."

Moved by her humble perspective, Mr. Hartfield nodded gratefully. "Thank you for your understanding."

The nanny's expression softened as she continued, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "Now, may you and your newborn be blessed with countless joyous moments and a future filled with happiness."

As the nanny said her goodbyes and left the room, the air was filled with excitement and happiness, but there was one person who felt completely different. It was John, or rather, Ethan Hartfield, now stuck in the body of a newborn baby. He couldn't move or make sense of anything around him. His tiny eyes and ears were still getting used to the world, but deep down, he knew what had happened.

"I died and somehow I've been reincarnated as a little baby," Ethan thought, trying to wrap his tiny baby brain around the situation. Even though he couldn't express himself or understand everything that was happening, he was fully aware of what was going on.

'I can't believe reincarnation is actually real. It seemed like nothing more than a popular trope in novels, manga, and video games. I always thought it was just an entertaining illusion. But here I am, facing the harsh reality of it all...'

Yet, deep inside, Ethan felt a surge of relief. His past life had been an endless struggle, a constant uphill battle in a world consumed by financial strife and cutthroat competition for success. Now, as a newborn with a clean slate, he saw it as a golden opportunity for a fresh beginning. The worries and burdens he had carried were lifted in an instant, replaced by the promise of a new beginning.

'I'll make it big this time! I'm gonna have the time of my life, traveling the globe, soaking up different cultures, trying out all those video games I've been dying to play. And you know what? I'm gonna find that special someone who'll make every day feel like a dream. We'll build a life together that's totally fulfilling, with all the riches and early retirement to boot. Ha! Haha! HAHAHA!'

Ethan's dreamlike life, the epitome of what most people longed to achieve, had been his new goal. It ignited a level of excitement within him that he had never experienced before.

This was what he felt but just a few months ago, all for it to crumble away in an instant.

"FUCK!"