Dr. Parel stood by the bed in the private executive maternity suite of his clinic. Rachel Goldberg, her face flushed and radiant with pride, cradled her newborn twins—one nestled against each side of her now fully maternal form. Beside her, Stan Goldberg hovered, his eyes lit with pride as he gazed down at his new children.

  Adam swung his legs from a nearby chair, his feet not quite touching the floor, watching the scene with a mix of curiosity and unease.

  A nurse moved silently around the room, checked the charts at the foot of the bed, and slipped out, leaving behind an atmosphere of hushed euphoria. Even Adam, who had once harboured fears of losing his parents' attention, seemed—if only for now—content in the warmth of this new family moment.

  "Both babies are perfectly healthy," Dr. Parel announced, his voice professional but warm. "And the genetic traits you selected all appear to be present and active." His tone was calm but careful—laced with the kind of subtle caveat that years of practice had taught him to deliver.

  The quiet smile on Stan’s face at the mention of activated genes did not go unnoticed.

  “Any names yet?” Parel asked lightly.

  Stan reached across the bed—bypassing the girl—to gently lift the male twin from Rachel’s arms. He held the boy with visible admiration, lost in the vision of what this child might become. Adam’s eyes flickered at the sight, the pang of jealousy unmistakable.

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  Sensing it, Rachel stepped in, her voice gentle and inclusive.

  "Adam, would you like to hold the girl?" she asked, turning to her eldest with tenderness.

  Dr. Parel walked around to lift the baby girl with care. “Stay in the chair, Adam, and hold out your arms.” He placed the infant gently into Adam’s waiting lap. Adam drew her close, unexpectedly moved by the soft weight of her in his arms—a bond forming in that moment, stronger and more immediate than he’d imagined.

  "We haven’t actually decided on names yet," Rachel said, glancing from her husband to her son. "We wanted to make sure they were both healthy first."

  "The boy’s name will be Alex," Stan declared with a grin, cradling the infant. "Short for Alexander... as in, the Great." He laughed, half-joking. Rachel rolled her eyes.

  Dr. Parel smiled politely at the exchange but kept his gaze on Adam, whose expression had shifted to something quieter, more thoughtful.

  Rachel looked at him. “Would you like to choose her name?”

  The honour was not lost on Adam, even at seven. He was often called an old soul in a young body. As he looked down at the baby girl in his arms, rocking her gently, he thought for a moment. Then, with a calm certainty, he looked up at his mother.

  “Daisy,” he said softly. “Like the flower.”

  The adults exchanged smiles, touched by the sweetness and simplicity of it. Only Stan remained absorbed in the infant in his arms, his vision narrowed, already charting futures.