Chapter 315: Celebration (2)
The moment the triplets arrived at the hall, everyone paused whatever they were doing and quickly gathered around them, too excited to greet the babies.
Voices immediately filled the surroundings as everyone chimed in, talking about how adorable the triplets looked in their tiny animal outfits.
However, seeing so many people crowding around them, the babies soon became uncomfortable.
Their tiny brows slowly frowned as they grew overwhelmed by the number of people around them.
"Stop! Everyone, spare my great-grandsons from your enthusiasm and let them breathe a little," Grandpa Caldwell lamented after noticing the babies were on the verge of crying.
Earlier, he had simply watched from afar as the babies happily cooed and giggled while being entertained by the children.
But the moment the stroller stopped in front of the crowded hall, the triplets immediately became frightened by the overwhelming attention.
So he quickly stopped everyone.
Otherwise, if the babies started crying, strange things might end up happening throughout the venue of celebration.
Elena also noticed the change in her sons’ moods, so she quickly carried the nearest baby beside her, Baby Max, while Ethan picked up Baby Finn and Grandpa Caldwell took Baby Leo into his arms.
Even though the triplets had already met everyone here during their occasional visits to their house, having so many people gather around them all at once was still intimidating for the babies.
"Now, let my great-grandsons get used to everyone first. And... no overcrowding," Grandpa Caldwell continued as he proudly carried Baby Leo toward the center of the hall.
Elena could only chuckle softly as she soothed the babies one by one whenever they looked at her with pleading little eyes.
Everyone immediately quieted down, not wanting to trouble the adorable triplets any further.
Not long after, the babies gradually calmed down and began waving their tiny hands unintentionally, as if greeting their uncles and aunts.
"They seem to be growing much faster," Aunt Joana commented as she looked at the babies, who were now far more alert and responsive.
"The last time I saw them, they were still tiny little bundles who only drank milk and slept all day."
"Yes, look at their pink cheeks and sturdy little legs. The babies are growing very well," Grandma Ford added happily while admiring the triplets.
Before everyone could continue chatting, Elena stepped toward the center and finally began introducing the babies.
She first took her eldest, Leo, from Grandpa Caldwell’s arms and cuddled him gently before speaking with a teasing smile.
"I know the past few days have been very busy for all of us as we prepare to move to a safer place. And for certain reasons, I’ve been a little passive lately."
She paused briefly and glanced lovingly at the triplets.
"But you don’t need to worry. I’ve always been planning our path forward. For now, though, let me enjoy spending time with my babies first."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Of course, none of them would dare to complain.
After all, they were only able to live this comfortable life amidst the apocalypse because of Elena’s protection and generosity.
Besides, she had just given birth. It was only natural for her to spend more time with her babies.
Seeing that everyone understood, Elena quickly changed the topic.
"As promised, today I’ll formally introduce my triplets. Please take good care of them in the future."
A gentle smile appeared on her face before she continued.
"Here... this is my eldest, Leoniel Caldwell. You can call him Leo."
She paused for a moment before repositioning Leo in her arms so he could properly see the people around him.
"Baby, it’s time to say hello."
Elena gently held his tiny hands and waved them toward everyone.
However, Baby Leo only frowned slightly and stared at the crowd, as if trying to understand why so many people had gathered around him.
Naturally, his adorable reaction instantly melted everyone’s hearts.
On the other hand, General Kaiser could not help but mutter under his breath as he stared at the adorable baby in amazement.
"He looks exactly like his father. Even his eyes are a perfect copy."
In his mind, another little Ethan had officially appeared—someone he could tease every day in the future.
Fortunately, unlike Ethan, this one was a cute baby instead of a sharp-tongued man who always found a way to retaliate whenever he was teased.
Naturally, the thought pleased him greatly.
Meanwhile, Grandma Ford quickly took Baby Leo the moment she saw Elena preparing to place him back in the stroller so she could introduce the second-born.
And the aunties immediately gathered around, eager to get a closer look at the baby in his little whale suit.
Smiling, Elena turned toward Ethan and gently took Finn from his arms.
"This is my second-born, Finnigan Caldwell. You can call him Finn."
The adorable baby immediately flashed a bright smile, his green eyes widening with happiness as he looked around.
"Ahhh... this little guy still looks exactly like his father, but with his mother’s eyes," General Kaiser chuckled.
Another little Ethan had appeared.
Fortunately, this one came with an adorable smile that easily charmed everyone around him.
And his cute panda suit only made him even more irresistible.
Before anyone else could snatch Baby Finn away, Lydia quickly stepped forward and eagerly stretched out her arms.
"Yay! Finn! Aunt Lydia got to hold you first. Are you happy?" she exclaimed as she carefully cradled the smiling baby.
Unfortunately for her, the moment she received him, Mrs. Bennette immediately reached out.
"Give him here."
She was worried her daughter might get too excited and accidentally mishandle the baby.
Seeing this, Oslo could only chuckle softly, hoping Lydia would one day take him seriously.
He could already imagine the day when they would have babies of their own.
Just thinking about it filled him with anticipation.
’If only that day would come,’ Oslo thought with a quiet sigh, truly hoping for it.
Now in Mrs. Bennette’s arms, Baby Finn happily wiggled with his little hands and feet as Mrs. Bennette and her husband gently played with him.
The baby seemed to recognize them, as they were among the people who often helped take care of him, aside from Grandma Ford.
His cheerful coos and bright smile quickly won everyone’s hearts.
Soon, everyone stepped forward one by one, silently offering their blessings to the cheerful little infant.
Afterward, Elena picked up the energetic Baby Max and gently soothed him before introducing him as the youngest of the triplets.
"This one is my youngest, Maximilian Caldwell. You can call him Max."
She could only smile helplessly as she spoke, since the baby was completely focused on staring at Brother Elias.
"Oh, and a friendly reminder," Elena added. "Please don’t bring any spiritual items near them. Otherwise, you’ll see their wrath."
At first, Brother Elias felt a little overwhelmed, thinking the baby was staring at him specifically.
However, after hearing Elena’s warning, he glanced at the spiritual bead bracelet on his wrist and then back at Baby Max.
Only then did he realize that the baby was not interested in him at all.
The baby was staring at his spiritual beads.
Brother Elias quickly hid the bracelet inside his [Inventory].
It was not that he was unwilling to give it away.
The problem was that there were three babies. Who was he supposed to give it to?
Afraid of causing trouble for Elena, he silently decided to find a way to split the beads into three bracelets later so each baby could have one.
The moment the spiritual beads disappeared, Baby Max immediately lost interest in him and began curiously observing the crowd instead.
With that, the introduction of the triplets was finally complete.
One by one, everyone stepped forward and presented small gifts for the babies to commemorate the occasion.
None of the gifts were particularly expensive, but that did not matter.
It was the thought behind them that counted.
Seeing the sincerity and affection everyone showed toward her children, Elena thanked them and quietly cherished the wonderful day.
When it was General Kaiser’s turn, he simply handed over a small pistol-shaped trinket, hoping the babies would grow up brave and strong.
"Now that I finally see them up close, I feel like your husband took all the babies’ features," General Kaiser commented, genuinely fascinated by the triplets.
Elena could only chuckle at the remark. However, Ethan clearly heard it as a provocation.
"Then they’ll definitely grow up as handsome as their father," he replied proudly without hesitation.
General Kaiser smirked in disapproval and chose not to continue the argument.
Instead, he turned his attention back to the youngest.
After teasing Baby Max for a bit, Elena carried him back to Grandpa Caldwell, allowing the others to greet and admire the baby up close.
Not long after, the conversation gradually shifted toward the situation outside.
"The military is currently modifying several vehicles for the elderly, the sick, and the young. We’re almost done with the preparations, and if everything goes smoothly, we should proceed with the evacuation in two days," General Kaiser informed everyone.
In truth, General Kaiser was not the type of hero who would save just anyone.
However, humanity’s population had already dwindled to an alarming level, and Elena’s warnings about the powerful enemies that would appear in the future changed everything.
The military center desperately needed as many survivors as possible.
For humanity to endure, people had to unite.
That was why they intended to secure as many evacuees as they could and safely escort them to the main base, where they could contribute to humanity’s future.
Of course, criminals were a different matter. General Kaiser showed them no mercy.
Anyone who posed a threat to others was dealt with before they could become a greater danger in the future.