“She’s beautiful,” Lottie whispers.
“I take it the cake is pink?”
Lottie looks up and grins. “I have no idea.”
We both shoot her a surprised glance. Lottie shrugs.
“I simply handed them the envelope you gave me and asked them to make a cake to match whatever was inside.”
“So you didn’t know?” Elijah and I say together.
“How could you resist?” Elijah asks.
Lottie looks up at him and grins.
“I didn’t want to mess up and give it away. It’s been more fun this way,” she says. “Plus, the surprise has been amazing. Waiting with Uncle Caleb and the others, who are all outside in the waiting room, dying to meet my baby sister.”
“They can wait,” Elijah says, giving her shoulder another squeeze. “There will be plenty of time for them. This is our family time.”
He leans down and scoops our tiny daughter into his arms. She almost disappears from sight.
“Take a seat. Your baby sister needs to meet you properly,” he says.
My eyes mist over as I watch him cradle our child against his chest. As if sensing my gaze, he turns and smiles, my heart catching. I never realised it was possible to love someone else this much.
Lottie turns, almost diving into the nearby armchair. Elijah gently lowers the baby into her arms, and I watch as my soon-to-be step-daughter/goddaughter, holds her baby sister for the first time.
“Hey,” she whispers, her voice catching. “I’m Lottie, your big sister and number one fan. We’re going to have so much fun together. I can’t wait to introduce you to the world.”
I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. A tear tracks its way down my cheek. Damn these hormones. I have no doubt Lottie will be the best big sister a girl could ever want. How have I got so lucky?
Lottie looks up at me, her brows creasing as she takes in my tears.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Just loving seeing you together,” I tell her truthfully. “She’s so lucky to have you as her big sister.”
Lottie smiles shyly. “Have you decided on a name?” she asks.
“Amelia Brooke Frazer,” Elijah says.
His eyes never leave his two daughters, although my hand is now tightly clasped in his.
“That was the name I chose,” Lottie says, her eyes wide.
“It is, and we decided it was perfect. Another story you’ll be able to share with her as she gets older,” I say.
Amelia turns her head and starts to nuzzle Lottie.
“Someone’s hungry, I think,” Elijah says, scooping Amelia up and placing her in my arms.
I fumble with my top and watch as our daughter takes a couple of attempts to latch on. My heart melts as I look up and find my new family watching us.
“I love you guys,” I say to them.
“We love you too. Always and forever.”
EPILOGUE
