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When he glanced at the door, as if he wanted to make a break for it, she clutched onto his hand.
“Don’t you dare leave me,” she ordered, and then chuckled.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Your face... you look so squeamish.”
“No, I don’t. I look annoyed that I’m stuck in a delivery room while my brother gets to do fun stuff like catching bullets and ward off stalkers, possibly maiming them.”
Obviously providing comfort to a woman in labor wasn’t his forte. “That’s the worst kind of motivational speech.”
“I agree. Let me get you someone else. Like Jazzy, or that blue guy, or anyone else that isn’t me.”
“Jazzy’s out of town and Tommie already has Zoe to take care of. So, it’s just you and me.” She chuckled. “You’re going to be a godfather. Don’t you think that’s funny? A real-life Russian godfather to become my daughter’s godfather.”
“You’re hysterical and don’t know what you’re saying.”
Maybe she was. But who cares? She was exactly where she wanted to be. Okay, maybe notexactly. She could do without the pain wracking from her spine to her lower body.
All was well in her world, though. After the ordeal with Decker, things had gotten back to normal. No, better than back to normal. Hector had explained everything, and she had graciously accepted his apology.
Another contraction followed, a fierce one, as if calling her out on her lie. So, maybe she hadn’t been too gracious about it. There was still the part regarding the boobylicious redhead she’d caught him with, after all. There had been some yelling on her part.
Then, the next morning, he showed up with a puppy. Mary knew exactly what Hector was trying to pull. And it totally worked. All was forgiven. They were in love, they had officially adopted Zoe, and were ready to welcome the next installment to their expanding family. She was blessed.
So, right now, she didn’t mind being called hysterical. Apparently, she was also delusional, because she imagined Hector rushing into the room.
“Mary!”
Nope, all her marbles were intact. It was really him. He was out of breath, looking a bit panicked. He was perfect.
“Bratan. Finally.” Kristoff slowly pried her fingers off his wrist. “She’s all yours.” He gave her a pat on the shoulder and fled the room.
Exactly two hours later—two torturous hours, in which Mary screamed her lungs out—Christina Jocelyn Diaz came into the world.
Just like her mom, for the first few hours of her life, she screamed her lungs out.
Welcome into our world, peanut. You are loved.
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