Page 153 of Puck Princess

I hold her hand, not caring if she breaks every bone in it as she crosses this finish line. Never have I ever seen a stronger woman. And never have I ever wanted to step up more as a man.

Seeing everything Callie has been through—everything she is going through right now—and knowing we will have a beautiful daughter as a result of all of it makes me want to be better than I’ve ever been.

Callie grits her teeth, squeezes the life out of my hand, and after one more big push, the OB lifts a perfectly pink, screaming baby girl into the air. “Here she is!”

The nurses wipe her off and wrap her in a yellow blanket. Between one blink and the next, they lay her on Callie’s chest. And like the adoring mother I always knew she’d be, Callie leans forward instinctively and kisses her on the head.

“Hello, baby girl,” she whispers, kissing her again.

I lean down and kiss Callie. “You did so good. I love you so much.”

She closes her eyes and leans against me. “I love you both.”

“Oh my God, I just can’t with all of this,” Kennedy weeps, blowing her nose loudly on one of the paisley-printed burp rags from our overnight bag.

“Those are for the baby.” Not that I care right now. Shit, she could’ve blown her nose on my shirt sleeve, and I’d still be smiling right now.

“Fuck off, I’m the auntie.”

“Not the only auntie!” Summer pokes her head in, waiting until I nod before she comes into the room to see my baby. Kennedy and Summer hug, weeping softly together.

Callie turns to me, and I press a kiss to her forehead. Then we just look at each other. Victoria is whimpering softly as she suckles on her hand.

I love you.I mouth the words.

It’s the only thing I can think to say. It’s the only thing that feels worth saying right now.

My life has been a long series of obstacles I had to overcome. But looking down at my future wife and daughter, I see a reason for every struggle. I understand what I’ve been fighting for all these years—to get to this moment.

I see hope and brighter days ahead, and I can’t wait.

She smiles and mouths back.I love you, too.