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“It’s time to go.” She looks up with panic in her eyes.

“Hey, I got you. We got this. Let’s get you in the front seat and get moving.” I lean in to kiss her and wrap my arms around her.

Her hands grip my shirt, and she nods into my chest. “Okay, I guess we’re going to have a baby.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

EMMA

Archie is sittingin the chair next to my bed, holding the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen. Ten perfect little fingers. Ten perfect little toes.

When we arrived at the hospital, I was already dilated to four centimeters. However … they wouldn’t give me the epidural until I was seven centimeters. Then my labor lasted for thirteen hours, and I pushed for one hour. But I had an incredibly supportive cowboy by my side. He was so calm and attentive.

“Well, Mama, I think we should decide on a name for our perfect angel here before our families offer their input. We probably should have thought about it a little more before she was born.”

Archie called his family and Liam on the way to the hospital to let everyone know, and his mom called my parents. They’re all waiting to meet her. Archie and I wanted to have some time with her before everyone descends on the room. Plus, she’s been having some tests done on her heart to get a better idea about how large the hole is and if there are any other mechanical issues. So far, they don’t see any sign ofpulmonary atresia, but they want to keep her here for a few extra days just to make sure she isn’t having any trouble breathing.

“Yeah, we should have, but there’s been so much going on, and we didn’t know the gender.”

“I think the next time, I’d like to know.”

“Next time?”

He gives me that sexy smirk of his. “I mean, whenever you’re ready, of course.”

“Let’s let it rest a bit before we start making plans for another baby. It’s only been three hours.”

“You got it.” He leans down and kisses the baby’s head. “Darlin’, I just want to say thank you for giving me this gift. I knew I wanted to be a dad someday, but this is more than I could have imagined. This is a true gift right here, and I will forever be grateful to you.” He reaches over and takes my hand. “I love you so much.”

A few tears run free, and I wipe them away with the back of my hand. “I love you too, Archie. She’s a gift of life for both of us. Unexpected, but the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

“What would you think about honoring your sister? We could use her name as a middle name or something.”

“I think … that would be perfect.”

Archie stands and brings her over to me. When he places her in my arms, a peace comes over me, and I know without a doubt that this little girl was meant to be mine.

“Doesn’t it feel like she’s really looking at us? I mean, I read somewhere that they can’t really see or something, but I think she’s looking at us.”

“Yeah, I think so too. She’s just so perfect.” I trace her little nose and lips, which makes her mouth open, and she starts rooting. So, I bring my gown down and nurse her. I can’t say it’s a pleasant experience, but I think we’ll get the hang of it.

“Baby, you’re both perfect.” He kisses the top of my head.

“What do you think about Lainey for her first name andSunny for her middle name? I love the idea of using my sister’s name, but I want the baby to have her own identity too.”

“Lainey Sunny Griffith. I like it.” He leans down and kisses her head. “What do you think, Little Sunshine? You like that name?”

“I like it too. Okay, so we’ll go with that. Should we introduce everyone to her now that we have a name?”

He nods. “I just want to sit here with my girls for one more minute.”

“Hey, come here.” I tilt my head up and pucker my lips, and he leans down to kiss me. “You’re already the best daddy. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, darlin’. I’ll be right back. Do you need anything before I bring everyone in?”

I shake my head. “Nope, I think we’re ready.”