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Chapter 104: Twins
🕑 Added 2024-12-21 16:17:19 +0000 UTCThe next day, Josh began his journey back home.
However, unlike his trip to Europe, his escort was much smaller this time, consisting only of Vito, a few newly recruited subordinates from Vienna, and Jiaying.
One of his main bodyguards, Brook, stayed behind with part of the group to oversee the work at the castle. The puppies were also left at the castle for the time being.
The group first arrived in Paris, where Josh left Jiaying in the care of Linden, who was stationed there. After replenishing their supplies, they continued their journey through the United Kingdom, eventually returning to the United States.
It took them three days of travel before they finally arrived in New York on the morning of the fourth day. Without stopping, they boarded another flight and arrived in Chicago that afternoon.
When Josh arrived home, he found Margaret pregnant, walking in the backyard with Francesca's support, enjoying the sunshine.
Seeing Josh suddenly arrive home, Margaret was overjoyed.
Had her condition allowed it, she might have run right into his arms.
"Careful, careful, take it easy," Josh hurried forward to support her.
"Haha, I'm fine! I'm not that fragile!" Margaret laughed, clinging happily to Josh's arm.
It had been half a year since Josh had left. Margaret had longed for his return, and now that he was here, her joy was boundless.
Had the circumstances been different, passion might have taken over immediately.
"You seem to be doing well—you haven't lost any weight. You've been through a lot this time," Josh said softly, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Leaving a pregnant woman alone for such a long time was undeniably irresponsible, but the unique circumstances of the post-war era made his absence somewhat necessary.
"Hehe, not really. I've been eating well, sleeping well—nothing to worry about!" Margaret laughed shyly at Josh's tender attitude.
"Let me take a walk with you. I'll tell you about my time in Europe," Josh said, supporting Margaret, then turned to Francesca. "You can leave this to me. Vito's in the front yard if you want to see him."
Hearing her brother's name, Francesca's eyes lit up. She thanked Josh and left the yard.
Not long after, two maids arrived and stood quietly nearby without interrupting the couple. Obviously, Francesca had arranged for them to be there.
Seeing this, Josh nodded in agreement. Francesca was indeed thorough in her work.
Relaxed, Josh walked with Margaret and told her about his experiences in Europe. Of course, the stories were filtered—there was no mention of Hydra, war zones, or the devastation of post-war nations. Pregnant women were emotionally sensitive, and Josh didn't want to upset Margaret.
Instead, he focused on the positive: the military's successful operations and the wealth he had accumulated.
As she listened to Josh's stories, Margaret teased, "Maybe I should have encouraged you to join the Army. Who knows? You could have become a general!"
"Haha, you're overthinking it. If I had joined the army, I'd probably struggle to become even a low-ranking officer. My words wouldn't have reached the higher-ups," Josh laughed heartily.
That was a harsh reality in capitalist countries. A low-ranking officer, let alone a soldier, could not match the influence of a wealthy businessman.
"True," Margaret admitted with a smile before changing the subject. "Is Neuschwanstein really as beautiful as they say?"
Before Josh left for Europe, Margaret hadn't taken his claim to buy Neuschwanstein Castle seriously. Such a world-famous historical landmark wasn't something that money alone could buy.
But Josh had done it.
"It is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views that change with the seasons. But it's still under construction. The engineers estimate it will take another year to complete. By then, our child will be a year old and we can vacation there as a family," Josh said, painting a vivid picture of the castle's beauty.
With advances in technology, construction tools, and a large number of free laborers, the timeline was much shorter than in the days of King Ludwig II. Josh made sure that even the war prisoners working on the castle were motivated—adequate food, good living conditions, and the promise of early release kept them productive.
"Sounds like a dream!" Margaret's eyes twinkled with anticipation.
Josh smiled warmly at the sight of her radiant face in the setting sun. In this new world he had entered, meeting Margaret was perhaps his greatest good fortune.
In the weeks that followed, Josh stayed by Margaret's side, leaving only to communicate with Dix and the European team by phone or telegram.
Two weeks later, in the maternity ward of Prentice Women's Hospital, part of Northwestern University in downtown Chicago, Josh paced anxiously.
Vito and the other bodyguards stood silently in the distance, careful not to disturb him.
Finally, a nurse came out to tell him that the mother and baby were safe. Josh sighed with relief.
But before he could relax, another nurse rushed out and pulled the first one back inside.
It turned out that Margaret was carrying twins!
Her first pregnancy had resulted in twins—a boy and a girl.
Fortunately, Margaret's good health ensured a smooth delivery, and both babies were born safely.
"Josh, Mike and Carol are so ugly..." Margaret's first words to Josh after he was wheeled into the recovery room nearly made him burst out laughing.
The babies' names were decided before they were born, the son was name Mike Kelly Kahn while the daughter was named Carol Kelly Kahn.
Kelly, Margaret's maiden name, served as their middle name. With twins, both names were used perfectly.
"All newborns look like this. Give them time and they'll be as handsome and beautiful as their parents," Josh reassured her, holding back his laughter.
