our nurse wasn’t. And neither was his mother. Margaret and Robert, his parents, walked in mid-chaos. With just one sharp look and the calm tone of a seasoned school principal, Margaret took charge. She ushered Michael out for a serious conversation while his father quietly began packing up the gaming gear. When Michael returned,

something had shifted. He apologized, took my hand, and stayed by my side for the rest of the labor. No screens. No jokes. Just quiet support, unwavering presence, and tearful joy when our daughter, Lily, arrived. Since then, he’s been a different man — a present, loving father. Sometimes it takes a wake-up call to grow up. For Michael, it came in the form of labor, a disappointed mother, and the sight of his wife doing the hardest thing she’s ever done — alone. Until he finally showed up.