Page 141 of Pinch

After all this time, all this dreaming, she’s here, and she’s as feisty as her mother. She’s dark and purple and wrinkly and covered in white goo, and she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen… Next to Haddy, of course.

The next several seconds are spent weighing, cleaning, and wrapping baby girl in a blanket. She’s quickly returned to Haddy, where she takes a moment to check us both out. Her dark eyes are round and curious, and I’m officially in love. Big time.

Haddy drops the hospital gown off her shoulder, pulling our baby to her breast, and it takes a minute. The nurse steps over, reaching in to squeeze Haddy’s nipple in a flat shape. It takes a bit of teamwork, but Lucy finally latches. After that, she’s eating like a champ and keeping her eye on these giants surrounding her, smiling like love-struck fools.

“She’s perfect.” My voice is quiet, and I trace my finger lightly over her black hair.

I’m leaning close, and Haddy kisses the top of my head. “She looks just like her daddy.”

Sitting straighter, I kiss Haddy full on the lips. “With your dark hair.” My arms are around her, and while this wasn’t how we planned it, it couldn’t get much better.

Two days later, we’re at our home. Haddy is in bed with Lucy happily having her dinner. I climb onto the bed beside them, holding out the long, light-blue Tiffany’s box for Haddy.

“What’s this?” Her brow furrows, and I kiss the top of our baby girl’s head.

“Just a little something for all your hard work.”

“Gavin Knight, did you get me a push present?”

“It can also be a ‘Congratulations on earning your Master’s degree’ present.” I arch an eyebrow, and she shakes her head.

Lucy finishes, and I take her from her mom, placing her topless little body against my bare chest as I lean back against the pillows and gently pat her tiny back. “Time for some skin to skin with Daddy.”

Haddy’s shoulders drop, and for a second, she only looks at us. “You know how swoony you are right now, right?”

Shaking my head, I kiss my baby girl’s head. “I’m just bonding with my baby.”

Haddy finally opens her present, cooing as she lifts out a silver chain with a floating axolotl on it. “I love it.” She leans toward me, planting a kiss on my lips.

“I love you.”

She holds the necklace in her fingers, turning it side to side. “Gavin Knight. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You said you’d never let me fall, but I’ve been falling since the day you showed up.”

“Except that one time in the bush.” I can’t resist teasing her. “You were pushed.”

She pokes my ribs. “Spanky has always been on your side.”

“He did give me a nice view of your naked body.”

“That dog.” She snuggles down at my side, and I lift my arm to wrap it around her. I’ve got my little princess snoozing on my chest, my queen at my side. How could life be any better than this?

“It’s okay, love. That red string was thrown around my neck the moment you looked at me.”

It’ll stretch and tangle, twist and turn. Regardless of time or place, it will never break.