Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I chuckled. “I don’t need anything.”
“You’re gonna want this.” She looked up. “My water just broke. I think your daughter decided it was time to meet you.” Her eyes went wide as a contraction hit her. “Now.”
“Holy shit.”
Two hours later, I held my daughter. Tiny fuzzy red curls were all over her head. I swore I already saw freckles on her skin. She’d entered the world screaming loudly, demanding attention, and angry at leaving the warm nest she’d been encased in for so long. She didn’t stop crying until they placed her in my arms.
I fell as hard and as fast for her as I did her mother. All our children inspired a protectiveness that I never knew I had in me. But what I felt for our daughter was ten times that fierceness. I glanced over at my wife, who was watching us with sleepy eyes. We’d barely made it to the hospital this time. I had hardly gotten a gown and cap on and she was crowning. Moments later, Daphne appeared, and I hadn’t stopped smiling.
I stood, sliding her into her mother’s waiting arms. “Wait until the boys wake up and find out they have a sister for Christmas.” I tucked a curl behind Rosie’s ear. “Are you certain you want to go home later today?”
She smiled. “There is nothing they can do for me here, and I hate hospitals. Besides, I don’t want to miss dinner.”
I chuckled. “We could do it tomorrow.”
“No. Today is Christmas. I want to be with my family.”
“Highly unusual, the doc says.”
“I don’t care. Even he agreed I’d be fine at home. So, I’m going.”
“I’m going to overstep and spoil you. Make you stay in bed and be catered to.”
“Whatever. Just take me home.”
I bent and kissed her. “Okay, my love. I’ll take you home this afternoon. As long as you sleep now. Suzy has the boys, and James will bring the girls over once they wake up.”
I took Daphne from her and sat down. “We’ll be right here.”
“Are you going to let anyone else hold her?”
“Of course,” I scoffed. “In a month or so.”
Rosie smiled. “I love you.”
I stood and kissed her again. “Thank you for my daughter, Rosie Hart. Merry Christmas, baby.”
“Merry Christmas, Asher.”
She fell asleep, and I stared down in fascination at my little girl.
Our daughter.
I had Rosie. A great, full life. Three sons. The girl I’d longed for. My little alphabet, as Rosie called our kids. I now had ABC and D. I was good with that.
“Merry Christmas, little one. Welcome to the world. I’ve been waiting for you, and I can’t wait to show you everything.”
A tear splashed on my hand, and I realized I was crying.
My final wish had come true.
And life was perfect.