“I can’t believe my mother went through this three times,” she said finally, as her contraction eased. “All for us to be little shits to her at one point or another. She must’ve wanted to slap the crap out of us. Especially Brian.”

“My mom always said there’s a reason I’m an only child. Apparently, I nearly killed her.”

“Great. You’ve probably put some kind of monster baby in me or something.”

“Nah.” He stroked her belly as best he could around her monitor belt. “He or she will be perfect.”

“Do you have any regrets that we didn’t find out the sex?”

“Nope.” It didn’t matter to him in the least. Boy or girl—his only hope was for health and happiness. Besides, the anticipation, the not knowing, was exciting.

The anesthesiologist came shortly after, and Ian helped her through getting a needle in her spine—one of the hardest things he’d ever had to watch in his life. But as she lay back afterward and sighed in absolute relief even when her next contraction was damn near off the chart, he was glad for it. Gabby still didn’t feel well, so her family was gracious enough to retreat to the waiting room.

And finally, as the day advanced into evening, it was time. Ian held her as she pushed, watching in astonishment as his child, their child, came into the world. Cheers went up from the staff. Tiny, pink, wrinkled, perfect…and, after a brief moment during which Ian held his breath, squalling with a strength that made him nearly collapse in relief.

His daughter.

He wasn’t the only one ready to collapse. Gabby’s head rolled onto his shoulder, her chest still heaving from her exertions. She laughed breathlessly, and he wrapped his arms around her. His voice was half strangled with emotion. “You did it, sweetie. I love you so much.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“Can you see her?” he asked, watching as the nurses…did whatever they did to the poor little angel. If he hadn’t been so near tears, he might have laughed at his tiny daughter’s outraged cry.

“I can. She’s beautiful.”

“Like you.”

It seemed forever before the nurse brought her over and laid her on Gabby’s chest. Ian crawled onto the bed as best he could, arms around them both, staring down at their miraculous little creation. Already, she looked so much like her mom, but he could see a resemblance to some of his own baby pictures too. Her eyes opened and peered at the world around her; she grasped their fingers in turn with surprising strength.

Gabby unwrapped her blanket and touched her miniature, almost transparent toes in wonder. “Oh my God,” she said, tears in her voice. “She’s so perfect. So incredibly perfect.”

Ian placed a gentle kiss on the side of his wife’s damp forehead. Besides his daughter, she was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Then he stroked the baby’s forehead, marveling at the softness of her skin.

“Are we still good with the name?” Gabby asked.

“Lia? I think it fits her. I love it.”

“Me too.” She spoke to the baby in a cooing voice. “Hi, Lia, sweetheart. Mommy loves you.” She turned her head and kissed Ian on the lips. “And Mommy loves Daddy.”

Daddy. Wow. He’d contemplated the moment when he could truly consider himself a father, but nothing, nothing had prepared him for it. The absolute awe and wonder and love and mind-numbing terror.

He couldn’t promise he would never let this little girl down, but he could damn sure promise that nothing would ever, ever hurt her while he had breath in his lungs. Her, or the wonderful woman who’d given him the only thing he’d ever truly wanted in his life.

A family.

It was a rare thing, really, for all of the Rosses to be in the same place at the same time. Holidays and births…that was pretty much it. But Gabby was thankful for each and every time. Especially this one.

She was exhausted, sore, still a little woozy, and her epidural hadn’t worn off yet…and she’d never been happier in her life than she was right now. Snuggling her daughter close in her recovery room while Ian snapped picture after picture—yeah, he’d really taken to the photography thing, and he was a natural at it. He’d taken too many pregnancy portraits of her to ever count.

“Ian! That’s enough.” She laughed when it seemed the sound of the shutter would never stop.

He grinned at her and snapped one more of baby Lia’s sleeping little face. “I can’t help it.”

“But you aren’t in any of them,” Gianna said.

“She’s right,” Gabby told him.

“Here, dude, I got it.” Brian stepped forward and took the camera from Ian. “Get over there.”

They posed as a family, and Brian turned out to be quite the photographer himself. Naturally, he thought himself better than Ian, which resulted in a brief, good-natured cut-down contest that had everyone laughing.

“I’ll return the favor when the time comes,” Ian said, gesturing to Candace. She’d long since sat and put her feet up. Poor thing. Her ankles were so swollen. Gabby could sympathize.

“Let’s hope that’s sooner rather than later,” she said wearily.

“Really?” Kelsey asked. “Today didn’t scare you to death?”

“It doesn’t matter much,” Candace replied, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s happening whether I want it to or not. I’m just ready to get it over with.” Brian moved to her side and stroked her hair. She beamed up at him. “I’m sure it’ll be worth it.”

Lia cooed in her arms, and Gabby kissed her forehead. She couldn’t stop kissing her—she just wanted to gobble her up. So precious swaddled in her pink blanket, which matched her tiny pink lips. “Totally worth it,” she said softly.

A knock sounded at the door. Evan, who was standing closest, opened it and peeked around, exchanging brief words with a female voice outside. Gabby expected one of her friends, but as Evan pulled the door the rest of the way open, a petite, unfamiliar gray-haired woman walk timidly into the room, flowers and a pink gift box in her hands.

“Mom?” Ian said.

A gasp left Gabriella’s lips before she could stop it. He’d told her earlier that he’d let his mother know they were at the hospital. Against his expectations, she’d come.

“I hope it’s okay,” she said, looking uneasily around at the Rosses standing around the small room.

“Yeah, it’s great. I’m happy to see you.” Ian moved to her and wrapped his arms around her. He couldn’t see his mother’s face, naturally, but Gabby did. Right there was everything that Ian probably needed to see but most likely never would. Sorrow, regret, immense love. By the time they parted, she’d gotten control. Gabby would be sure and tell him about it later.

“Everyone, this is my mom.” Introductions were made. Gianna even embraced her and welcomed her to their family. By the time Mrs. Rhodes came over to meet Gabby and Lia, there were tears in her eyes.

“Oh…” she said, putting her free hand to her chest. “She’s beautiful.”

“Would you like to hold her?”

The older woman looked back to her son as if seeking his permission. He nodded and took the gift and flowers from her. Mrs. Rhodes sat on the edge of Gabby’s bed, and she carefully handed Lia over, cooing at her to meet her grandmother. Lia opened her eyes, gazing up at Ian’s mom and pouting her little lips, and the floodgates really opened.