Chapter 767: Name For The Baby
Seren and Grandma reached inside the home and were guided towards Edith's chamber by Clara. Edith was resting in bed while holding her baby in her arms after feeding him.
"Why are you not sleeping, huh? Are you still hungry, or are you waiting for someone?" Edith continued to talk to him in her sweet voice. "Umm, let me guess. Are you waiting for your father perhaps?"
"What about he is waiting for his aunt?"
A familiar voice caught Edith's attention as she looked at the door of her chamber. A smile on her lips widened to see Seren standing there, but then she noticed an old lady in simple white clothes. Though she wore simple clothes, her presence didn't feel ordinary. Despite the wrinkles, her face looked gracefully aged and impressive.
Seren walked ahead with Theodora and spoke, "Edith, this is my grandma, Theodora. We visited the temple nearby, so I thought of bringing her here for some rest."
"You did well," Edith said and bowed slightly to the lady. "Greetings, Grandma. You are Seren's grandma, so I will call you the same."
"That surely sounds good," Theodora offered her a light smile that felt full of affection and warmth. "Seren told me that you two are good friends. I am glad Seren now has a friend that she made herself."
Edith smiled at the old lady, "Seren is sweet. Anyone would want to be her friend."
"That is true as well," Theodora replied as she walked towards the bed with Seren.
Clara offered them chairs to sit in, which she placed by the bed.
"I was wondering where you had gone today and didn't come to visit us," Edith complained to Seren, "but I forgive you as you were taking care of your grandma."
Seren chuckled softly and went to get the baby from Edith. "Give him to his aunt."
"Can I even say no to you?" Edith commented as she handed over the baby to Seren, who held him with ease, as if she was used to it.
Theodora observed the two talking like true friends and smiled as well. She noticed how Seren's smile widened the moment she looked at the baby in her arms. She inhaled his scent first and then spoke, "You were definitely waiting for your aunt, weren't you? Today, let me introduce you to my grandma, hmm?" She carried the baby to Theodora, and the old lady held him with much warmth and care.
"Such a beautiful baby," Theodora spoke, her eyes brimming with happiness.
Seren caressed the baby's tiny palm with her finger, "She is my grandma, so she is your great-grandma, okay?"
The baby snuggled in Theodora's arms and cooed.
"Grandma, it seems like he accepted you as his great-grandma," Seren said happily while Edith watched with amusement.
Theodora chuckled softly, "Seems like it. Who wouldn't like a beautiful old lady like me as their great-grandma?"
"True," Seren said happily.
Edith felt like all of a sudden the air turned blissful, having family members around.
"What's the name of my great-grandson?" Theodora asked, as she looked at Edith.
"I am yet to decide," she replied, looking back at the old lady. She felt as if she was really her family. "Why don't you suggest a name for him, Grandma?"
"Me?" Theodora asked in surprise and then laughed softly. "An old lady like me can only have some old names that won't even sound good in this generation."
"It's alright," Edith spoke. "I do not have an elder in the family, so I would accept it as your blessing for my son."
Theodora looked at Seren, to which Seren nodded immediately. "Grandma, whatever name you choose, it will be the best one."
"Hmm, let me think." The old woman looked at the smiling face of the baby. "How about Thaddeus? It means courageous and blessed by gods."
Seren immediately felt that there was no other name that would suit the firstborn of this generation of Ivanovs. It felt closer to the names of Lady Theodora and King Theron. But she remained quiet and looked at Edith. "What do you think?"
Edith's smile widened, "I love the name. I will call him by the nickname Thad. It sounds sweet."
"That's fixed then," Seren cheered and turned to the baby. "From now on, your name will be Thaddeus." Then she looked at Theodora, whose attention was entirely on the baby. "Grandma, you sure have a good choice of names."
The old lady looked at her, "Does that mean I get to decide the names for your kids as well?"
Seren blushed lightly but said, "Of course, Grandma."
"When will I get to see them?" Grandma asked, turning Seren shy.
"Umm, soon, maybe."
"I can't wait to see Seren's child as well," Edith commented. "I hope she has a daughter so Thad can have a sweet little sister."
"That would be great," Seren replied, as her daughter would be Thaddeus' sister anyway.
Theodora pulled out a jade ring from her finger and showed it to the baby. "I am giving this most favorite ring of mine, my treasure, to you as you are the first great-grandchild of mine."
"Grandma," Edith spoke, "there is no need for the gift."
"I am his great-grandma. Can't I give anything to him? It's my blessing," the old lady spoke.
Edith looked at Seren, who nodded, "It's for the baby."
Edith could only agree, and Theodora passed the ring to Clara, who gave it to Edith. "Thank you for the blessings, Grandma."
After spending some time with them and having some tea and snacks, Seren and Theodora set off to leave.
"Grandma, make sure to visit us again," Edith spoke.
"Of course," the great lady agreed.
Clara came to see them off at the carriage. Just as Seren was helping the great lady to climb the carriage, another carriage entered the gate of the residence, catching Seren's attention.
Seren felt worried that due to her, what Keiren didn't want would happen today. She wished Grandma would climb the carriage before Keiren stepped out, or he would wait a while to get down.
To her surprise, the man stepped down from the carriage and walked towards them.
"Grandma," he called.
Hearing the familiar voice, the old lady turned her face, only to find Keiren walking towards them.