Page 54 of Roman

“I do. Are you having second thoughts?”

Was I? Maybe, but I just wanted Roman to have everything he deserved. “I’m not if you aren’t,” I said. “I like the name a lot, and I think it fits him well. But if you want to name him something else, we can.”

Roman shook his head. “No. I love the name Cooper Daniel. Did you want to use Nelson or Thorne?”

I…was that even a question? I suddenly remembered a conversation that Roman and I had last month after Roman’s first visit to the university. “We’re getting married, right? So why wouldn’t we use your last name? I had assumed I would be taking your name as well. Isn’t that how it works sometimes?”

I really didn’t need to get married, nor did I need to start using Roman’s last name. But I had found it funny when he had first told me about his conversation at the university. Then, a few weeks later when we had been hanging out with Calum and Asher, I’d learned that they actually had gotten married, and Asher had taken Calum’s last name. So there were couples that actually took another step beyond claiming one another, but did I need that with Roman?

Roman’s lips parted. “You want to get married?”

My poor alpha. He seemed so lost for words, really. “Why wouldn’t I? I mean, I don’t need to. We’re already claimed. Nothing can break that except death. But of course I would marry you. Why not?”

Cooper became squirmy, but he was easy enough to calm by simply moving him from my arm to my chest. He gave a littlewiggle when I placed his head over my heart, and then his little body settled.

“You want to get married?” Roman asked again.

I looked at my mate and snorted. “No, Roman. It’s truly not necessary. I would if you asked and wanted to. I was only kidding around, though, because you mentioned the last name, and it made me think about the conversation you had at the university.”

Roman nodded slowly. He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but instead, he shook his head. If I hadn’t been staring at him so intently, I would have missed it.

“Would you like to let everyone know the newest member of our family has arrived?”

My eyes widened. “Oh. I was texting Phineas earlier. He kept saying I was going to go into labor today because of how my back was aching. We really should let him know that the baby is here. Everyone else too. Maybe in the family group chat?”

Roman smiled. “Perfect,” he said as he got up from the chair. I didn’t quite understand what he was doing until he rounded the bed and then crawled onto it with me. I smiled up at Roman as he got settled beside me. He carefully slid an arm behind me. “Did you want to look at the camera? Or maybe down at Cooper? Or up at me?”

I just stared up at Roman while holding our son. “I love you,” I said. Roman looked at me, and then I heard the sound of the picture being taken. It was unusual for Roman to have the ringer turned on, but it definitely helped to let me know when he’d taken the picture.

“What do you think?” Roman asked as he showed me the phone. “And I love you too. So much.” He kissed my temple, and I closed my eyes. My life couldn’t be more perfect. I had an amazing mate and a healthy baby boy. What more could I possibly need?

“I think it’s perfect,” I whispered after I looked at the image.

Roman moved his arm. “I agree.”

Roman: We regret that we need to skip this week’s family dinner. Beau and I are going to be a bit occupied with this not so little bundle that decided that today was the day he would finally make an appearance. We look forward to seeing everyone soon, but for now, we’re just enjoying cuddling with Cooper. Love, Roman & Beau

“What do you think?” Roman asked. I quickly read the message.

“It’s perfect. Who do you think will reply first?” I asked.

I watched as Roman attached the photo and then hit Send.

“I’m not sure. Probably Phineas since he’s on his phone more than anyone I know.”

Seconds later, Roman’s phone pinged. Then again, and again. He turned the ringer off before he tossed the phone off to the side of the bed.

“I’m not sure who was first, but we can check later. Right now, I think we need to spend some time getting to know this guy better,” Roman said. He slid his arm behind me again and gently placed his hand on top of mine that was on Cooper’s back.

I sighed and leaned into my mate’s embrace. He was right. Everything else could wait. This right here was all we needed.