“No one touches that cake,” Lottie says, “Now we wait and see.”
I run back and pull her in for a hug.
“We’ll see you later,” I tell her.
“Dad, go! Get Aunty Pen and my baby… whatever… to the hospital.”
“Still no hints?”
She grins.
“Go!”
I sprint back to the car and buckle up. It’s going to be a nerve-wracking drive with the hospital fifty minutes away.
CHAPTER 71
PEN
Ilook down at the bundle in my arms. Tiny eyes blink up at me, and a nose and mouth scrunch as they take in the world. The pressure in my chest grows, and I draw in a ragged breath.
Elijah smooths the damp hair back from my forehead. I look up, his gaze stealing my breath. Who would have thought… it’s taken us sixteen years to get here, but life couldn’t be more perfect.
“You were amazing,” he says, his lips meeting mine.
It’s been a tough couple of hours. By the time Caleb got us to the hospital, I was already in the final stages. No time for pain relief. It was all down to listening to my midwife and pushing. And boy, did I push!
“I was, wasn’t I?” I chuckle, my free hand coming up and cupping his cheek. “I love you, Elijah Frazer.”
“I love you, Penelope Dawson, soon-to-be Frazer.”
I scoot over on the bed, and he drops himself next to me, pulling our daughter and me into his arms.
“Whenever you’re ready, I know there’s someone desperate to see you both,” Elijah says.
“Oh my goodness, Lottie’s outside? Why didn’t you say? Send her in. She needs to meet her baby sister,” I say, wanting to share this moment with her.
Elijah moves to the door and opens it. He says something to whoever is outside.
Lottie appears in the doorway, her movements cautious, her eyes instantly locking on the bundle in my arms before flying to meet mine.
“Come over here,” I say with a grin. “Meet your baby sister.”
Lottie lets out a choked sob as she rushes to my side.
“Are you okay?” she asks, her eyes running over me.
“A little tired, but it was worth every second,” I say, moving my arm to give her a better view of her baby sister.
Her eyes drop to the little bundle snuggled into my chest.
She reaches out a hand, her finger crooked, but she pauses, her eyes going to mine.
“You can touch her. Hold her if you want.”
She stands up, her eyes moving to her dad.
He appears at her side, his arm sliding around her shoulder.
