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“She’s going to cut off my balls, but other than that, I think this is normal?” I give the nurse a chagrinned smile.

“If that’s all she’s threatened so far, you’re doing better than most men.” The nurse laughs before snapping on a pair of gloves. “Can I take a look?”

“Fine.” Julia lays back on the bed. Part of me wants to look, but part of me is afraid of what I’ll see. I may also be a badass, but I know my limits.

“You’re doing great, sweetie. Can I get you anything?” the nurse asks after completing the exam.

“A castration kit!”

“Oh, we’re fresh out of those,” the nurse says, grinning. “How about you, dad? Are you doing all right? Feeling faint at all? Lightheaded? Blurry vision?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, if you need anything, let me know. That’s what I’m here for,” she says before leaving the room.

My phone chimes, letting me know the guys are in the waiting room. They’re planning on staying there until the baby comes. Hopefully, someone brought a six-pack just for me because I’m going to need it by the time this is over.

The next several hours pass slowly. Then everything seems to happen at once. The nurse comes back to check on her, and when she finishes the exam, she gives me a look.

“Julia, your baby’s almost here. I’m going to get a doctor,” the nurse says.

“I’m not ready,” Julia says tearfully as soon as we’re alone.

“Honey, you’re an amazing, powerful, awesome, badass woman. You’re going to be a great mother. You’ve got this. It’s going to fucking suck for a few minutes, but after that, you’ll get to hold our baby.” My eyes well up, and I have to stop so I can get my emotions under control. “I love you, babe. Just hold my hand. I’m here for you. Squeeze as hard as you want.” I stand near her head and hold onto her hand.

“I love you, toooooo,” she ends with a scream.

The door opens, and a doctor rushes in. “Let’s see what we’re working with.” She takes a look at my woman, then glances at me. “Help her breathe through this.”

“Yep.” All the training we went through comes rushing back. Julia’s in a hell of a lot of pain, so it’s up to me to support her. “Come on, babe. Pursed lips. Deep breaths.”

“Fuck!”

“Okay, we’re ready to push,” the doctor says. “Push. Push. Push.”

Julia’s grip crushes my hand, but I don’t say a fucking word. I can’t do anything but stand in awe as my woman brings our baby into the world. Julia’s the most magical, amazing creature on this planet, and she’s all mine. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be married to this woman.

A baby’s cry fills the room, snapping me out of my thoughts. I lean forward to get my first look at our child.

“Congratulations. It’s a boy,” the doctor says. “Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?”

“Fuck yeah, I would.”

Julia laugh-sobs as she releases my hands. I walk around the bed and take the sterile scissors from the nurse. She shows me where to cut. I make the snip and set the scissors aside. The nurse takes my boy to get him cleaned up, then brings him back wrapped in a blue blanket. I can’t stop staring as she hands him to me. He’s got my eyes but Julia’s smile.

“He’s perfect,” I whisper as I lean down to give him to Julia.

“His name’s Eli, after your mom, Elizabeth,” Julia says, cradling our son to her chest.

“Eli,” I repeat, instantly falling in love with the name. “Babe, it’s perfect. You’re perfect. I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you, too.”

She looks up at me with so much love I think my heart’s going to burst. When she first walked into my life, I was a broken, scarred shell of a man. She’s changed me in so many ways and gave me so much more to live for. I don’t live for vengeance anymore; I live for her, for us, for our son.

The nurse returns a few minutes later to show Julia how to breastfeed. As much as I want to stay and watch, I’ve got to tell my guys.

“Go,” Julia says with a chuckle. “Tell them Eli’s here.”