Page 120 of Small Town Sizzle

“You two are wild,” Alex chuckles from where he’s half asleep on a nearby couch.

“This was the craziest day,” Jaz giggles. “I got a new dad and a new sister.”

“I can’t believe you went into labor at your wedding,” Alex laughs.

“What do you guys think of your little sister?” I ask them both.

“I think she’s perfect,” Alex answers.

“Me too,” Jaz adds. “But I’m not sharing a room with her.”

We all laugh at that.

The nurse pops her head in just then, interrupting the moment. “Hey, how are we feeling?” She’s a young woman with dark curly hair and a smile that’s so infectious I can’t help but smile back.

“We’re doing good,” I say, giving her a tired but happy smile. “A little exhausted, but good.”

“I’ll bet,” she says. “How’s Dad holding up?”

“Better than okay,” Garrett says, grinning. “I’m just here to make sure she’s doing okay, but mostly, I’m just in awe.”

She gives him a knowing look, like she’s seen it all before, and leaves the room, telling us she’ll be back in a little while to check on us again.

As soon as the door clicks shut, Garrett stands up, coming over to sit beside me on the bed. He reaches out, brushing the hair away from my face, his eyes soft, his smile gentle. “I meant what I said, Maya. We’re so lucky.”

I blink back the tears threatening to spill, my heart swelling with love for him. “I feel the same way,” I whisper, my voice breaking slightly. “I don’t know how I ended up here, but I’m so glad I did.”

“Me too,” he says, leaning in and kissing me softly. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper, closing my eyes for a moment to soak in the moment. And when I open them again, I see that our daughter has stirred slightly in her bassinet. “Should we wake her up?”

Garrett looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What? Why?”

“She’s been asleep for a while,” I say. “I just want to make sure she’s okay. Besides, I want to hold her again.”

Garrett chuckles, standing up and walking over to the bassinet. “You just want to stare at her some more.”

I shrug, a grin tugging at my lips. “Maybe.”

“Well, I’m not complaining,” he says, gently lifting her out and handing her to me. “She’s perfect, Maya. I think she’s going to take after you.”

I settle her in my arms, staring down at her tiny face. Her little hands are balled into fists, her skin soft as silk. “She’s got your eyes, though,” I say softly, brushing my finger over her cheek.

“I guess that’s a good thing,” Garrett says, smiling. “You’re the one who’swaytoo cute for your own good.”

I laugh. He’s always been good at making me feel special, at making me feel seen. I look down at our daughter again, and this time, it’s a smile that spreads across my face. “I can’t wait to see what she’s going to be like when she grows up.”

“Me neither,” Garrett agrees, sitting back down beside me. “But for now, I’m just going to enjoy this moment. We have all the time in the world.”

We sit in silence for a while, the sound of our daughter’s soft breathing the only noise in the room. Garrett’s hand rests lightly on mine, and I feel the overwhelming sense of peace I’ve been craving. This is my life now, this is my family, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.