Page 68 of Dante

"Hey sweetie." His throat constricted as he stared into the beautiful face that was the tiny version of her mother. "Welcome to the world." He looked over at his wife and felt his heart twisting. "How's the new mother?"

"Tired, but happy." She patted the edge of the bed and Caleb took the cue that it was time to give them some privacy.

"My work here is done. I'll swing by when you are home."

"Thanks." Dante shifted the baby to his left arm and clasped Caleb's hand. "You saved the day."

"Anything for my sis." Blowing her a kiss, he touched his niece's fist again, before leaving the room.

Dante settled on the bed next to his wife and wrapped his arm around her neck. She certainly did not look like a woman who went through four hours of excruciating labor.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispered in her hair.

"Does that mean you're not mad at me anymore?" she asked softly.

"There might still be some mad left in me, but I cannot seem to find it." Turning his head, he stared at the miracle she hadbrought into the world. The baby was fast asleep, lashes making shadows on her coffee and cream complexion, her little rosebud lips pursed. "She's the most beautiful baby in the world," he whispered huskily.

"You're biased."

"Absolutely. I don't want to put her down."

"She's sleeping, and the nurse is... ah here she comes now."

The matron bustled in with a smile. "Mrs. Livingston, I'm going to take this bundle of beauty from your husband and insist on you getting some rest. Your blood pressure is a little elevated and we want you to sleep."

Dante handed over his daughter reluctantly.

"I'll be by to see her in a few minutes."

As soon as the woman had left with the baby, he turned to his wife and found her in tears. "Darling, are you hurting? Should I get the doctor?"

"No." She shook her head and tried to stem the tears. "It's just that, I love you so much. You love her."

"Of course I do. Was there any doubt?" He wiped the moisture from her cheeks.

"I wondered several times if you really did." She gripped his wrist. "You fell in love with me, but you accepted the fact that I was carrying another man's baby. I wondered to myself if you could really accept her. I never expected you to love her. To make her yours."

"She's mine in everything except blood." He framed her face with his hands. "Her name is Chloe Amber Livingston. No matter how many children we have after her, she will be our first child and will always hold a special place in my heart. I love her to pieces and warn you right now that she's going to be incredibly spoiled. I also know that no man alive will ever be good enough for her."

"Dante." Burying her face on his chest, she allowed the tears free rein. Words failed her as she clung to the man who had inadvertently changed her life. Lifting her face to his, she crushed her mouth to his and let him transport her to paradise.

The end…