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The nurse came in, beaming at us. “Well, I think it’s about time for you to have a baby!”

It took almost an hour of pushing for my daughter to enter the world.

I didn’t know why I’d believed pushing would only take a few minutes. Maybe it was because all the TV shows made it seem so quick.

Agonizing pain, mess, and a lot of stress, but she was out.

The moment the doctor placed her on my chest, my heart almost exploded with emotion. This little creature, who was all wrinkly and screaming, had been inside me for months, wriggling around and kicking me in the ribs.

The first little cry that escaped her chest had me sobbing with overwhelming emotions I couldn’t put my finger on.

The entire delivery, my guys had been there for me—Gideon behind me, Jensen and Cullen on each side, holding back my legs.

“She’s perfect,” I whispered as I handed her to Jensen. The nurses had whisked her away to clean her off and swaddle her, so now she smelled like new baby and had a cap on her head.

It was so cute, I had started to tear up again when the nurse handed her back.

“We are so fucked.” Cullen laughed. When I turned to look at him questioningly, he explained, “Two daughters. Joey is cute as a button, and if this little girl looks anything like her mama…well, just imagine how many boys are going to be sniffing around them when they’re teenagers.”

A grumpy growl emanated from Gideon as I giggled. “We’ll get better security,” he said, dead serious.

“She’s not even three hours old yet!” I exclaimed.

“Better to be prepared.” Jensen nodded.

“Are you hungry? I can get the guys from the restaurant to deliver some food,” Cullen offered.

“I wouldn’t mind some chicken pasta. I’m not sure what the hospital food is like.”

Jensen grimaced, not looking away from our daughter, staring with rapt attention. “It’s healthy, but bland. Take Cullen’s offer. I’ll have a burger.”

There was something about watching my large, domineering alphas hold our tiny baby with such gentle concern that turnedmy brain to mush. How was I supposed to think clearly when Jensen was rocking and saying sweet nothings to our tiny nugget?

They sent us home the next day. The doctor had offered to keep me an extra night, but I was feeling good and wanted to be back in my own nest. I had managed to stand, shower, and even shuffle around the room a bit.

My body felt a special kind of bruised and broken. Everything was swollen, and I did meaneverything. Even my eyes were puffy. My stomach had gone from being heavily pregnant to looking as if I was still four or five months pregnant, even though there was no baby in there anymore.

My ankles were holding so much water, but Cullen had slipped some compression socks on me after I delivered, and they were helping me feel just a little less like a dough ball.

My breasts—holy fuck, my breasts. I’d known breastfeeding was going to hurt, but I hadn’t even started yet, and my boobs felt like they were engorged.

As soon as we got home, the guys settled me and our little girl in the nest. Her bassinet was right on the edge so I could easily reach her.

Gideon crawled onto the nest, pulling me into his arms. “I really don’t want to go, but I should get Joey. You and the nugget okay?”

I smiled lazily into his chest. I was exhausted. “I’ve got two other manservants to attend to my every need. I’ll manage for an hour.”

He smirked. “But I’m thebestmanservant.”

I pecked him on the lips, resisting the urge to pull him closer. “Go get our daughter.”

“Mom!” Joey squealed as she ran into the nest. “I washed my hands!” she declared, crawling onto the nest. She had scampered straight into her bedroom to change out of her uniform and into a soft T-shirt and leggings.

Gideon must have told her she needed to keep her hands clean when touching her little sister. He followed her into the room. He had dark circles under his eyes—we all did.

“You want to hold her?” I asked.

“Yes!” Joey squealed softly, crawling next to me so she could get a better look. The dads were all on the edges of the nest, content with watching.