Trevor sat on the edge of the bed beside her, completely undone. His entire focus was on Natalia and the tiny bundle in her arms, wrapped in soft white and pink.
We stepped in slowly, instinctively lowering our voices, smiles spreading without effort.
“Hey,” Natalia whispered, her voice hoarse but happy.
Maria’s eyes filled instantly. Kali pressed a hand to her mouth. I felt tears sting mine before I even realized I was crying.
We gathered around the bed, careful and reverent. One by one, the girls leaned in. Maria kissed Natalia’s cheek first, murmuring something only she could hear. Kali followed, then me – I brushed a kiss against Natalia’s temple, giving her a hug.
“How do you feel?” I whispered. “You’re okay?”
Natalia nodded, smiling. “I’m perfect.”
Only then did we turn our attention fully to the baby girl.
She slept peacefully, lashes dark against flushed cheeks, lips pursed in a tiny, serious pout. A whole person. My heart clenched at the sight.
For a moment, nothing else existed – just love.
Natalia’s smile widened as she looked around at all of us, eyes shining despite the exhaustion. She adjusted the blanket in her arms, careful and reverent, and spoke softly, like she was introducing us to something sacred.
“Everyone,” she said, voice warm and proud, “Meet Amaya Rose Moretti-Su.”
Zach smiled down at Maria, gentle in a way that still surprised me, rubbing slow circles over her lower back as if anchoring her. I watched Maria for a moment – her mascara smudged, tears streaking through her makeup – and then I looked back at the baby.
My chest tightened.
“She is beautiful, Natalia,” I said quietly, my own eyes burning. “Absolutely perfect.”
Trevor leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the top of Natalia’s head, his voice thick with emotion. “You did so good, my love.”
Everyone spoke at once then – soft praise, whispered congratulations, checking in on Natalia, asking how she felt, if she needed anything. She nodded, smiling through it all, basking in the warmth like she deserved.
“Okay,” Kali said, already beaming, “My turn!”
Natalia laughed softly and passed Amaya to her. Kali cradled the baby with surprising gentleness, her tough edges melting instantly. She looked down at Amaya with a grin.
“Hi, little warrior,” she murmured. “I’m your favorite aunt. I’m gonna teach you how to fight.”
Trevor snorted. “You better.”
Kali ignored him, already pacing carefully around the bed, bringing Amaya to each of us like a precious offering. When she reached me, I leaned in, heart fluttering, takingin the tiny fingers, the soft baby smell, the quiet, steady breaths.
Maria stayed by Natalia’s side, brushing damp hair away from her face, fingers tender and familiar. The noise of the room faded around them as they talked softly – catching up, laughing quietly, tears and smiles blending together. Sisters.
I watched them, warmth blooming in my chest, knowing we were witnessing the start of something new. Not just a life – but a family reshaping itself, softer and stronger all at once.
Matteo drifted toward Trevor with Zach and Zane, their voices low and warm, the kind of conversation men only have when something in them has shifted permanently. Trevor looked wrecked in the best way – soft-eyed, smiling too much, nodding like life had finally made sense.
I sat down carefully on the edge of the bed, and Kali immediately passed Amaya into my arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The moment Amaya settled against my chest, something in me stilled. She was warm and impossibly light, her tiny body curled in trust, one small hand fisted into the fabric of my sleeve. Love hit me fast and clean – sharp enough to steal my breath.
I looked at Kali, and she looked back at me, both of us softened, undone.
“Oh,” I breathed. “Hi, Amaya.”
She sighed in her sleep, lashes fluttering, and my heart cracked wide open.
