Skye presses her lips together to stop them from trembling, but I catch the gentle quake at the corners. It makes its way to her hands, too. So, I gently offer her help with holding baby girl, moving my arms around the two of them.
She shudders in my arms, breaking down in tears, crying into my shoulder quietly. “I want to do it all with you,” I tell her softly. “I want to wake up with you every morning. Want to hold our girl while she sleeps. Want to be the man you deserve. I want a life—a future—with you. But only if you’ll accept me. The good, the bad, the dirty. I want to have it all—but only with you.”
“I believe you,” she whispers finally, sniffling. “And I want that with you, too. I want all of that. But I want an equal partner. I don’t want any halves. I want to know that we have a real chance—and I think we do. But I can’t hold your hand through this. You’re in? Then you have to be in.”
I close my eyes with a sigh, feeling the tension flee my body. “Don’t worry, baby, I’ve got you.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “Wehave this. I’m a quick learner.”
“Good,” Skye says with another small laugh. “Because I am going to need a lot of help during postpartum.”
“I’ve already been filled in.” And I had. In detail, by Skye’s doctor and colleague, Dr Summers. The woman is a force to be reckoned with, but she drilled into me how important these next few weeks were to her healing. “I’ve already called the volunteer services to let them know I’ll be out for the next few months.”
“Months?” She pulls back to meet my eye.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Months. You are not doing this alone.”
A flush darkens her cheeks as she curls into me again. Baby girl makes a gurgling sound, like she’s reminding us of her presence.
“What are you naming her?” I ask softly, glancing down at her curious little face.
“You know,” Skye whispers, “I never really found one that clicked.” She glances up at me, grinning. “But I’m liking Winter as a possibility.”
My throat tightens again with the threat of tears. “And why’s that?”
“Because if it weren’t for this wonderful time of year, we wouldn’t have been forced together.” She looks down at baby girl and runs a finger over her pink cheek. “And I happen to love the snow.”
“Perfect.” I press a kiss to Skye’s head. “Beautiful.”
My girls, Skye and Winter. Never thought happiness could look so good, but damn it’s a good feeling. One I never want to be without again.
EPILOGUE
SKYE
ONE YEAR LATER
Snow drifts quietly from the sky as I pull out the last of our Christmas decorations. Winter babbles in her play pen on the other side of the room, waving around a plastic set of keys while Christmas music plays in the background.
Tears spring to my eyes as I look around the living room of our home. The three-bedroom house we bought last month is finally coming together. It’s closer to the hospital for my sake, but still a little far out for Sawyer’s. He’s been volunteering with the mountain rescue team more and more while also picking up some work from home to look after Winter.
I never thought this would be my life. The house, the partner, the baby. When Dr Summers told me I was pregnant, I really thought I’d be doing all alone with the occasional help from friends.
And now, here I am, getting ready to surprise my man with his first real Christmas and birthday celebration. Well, it’s kind of early, but hey, December firstisfor decorating.
I bounce around the house to kill time until his shift ends, making sure all the decorations he never knew about are out. Even though he’s told me before he doesn’t care that much about celebrating, I also know this man better than anyone. And he can’t deny our girl her first ever Christmas tree decorating.
When his truck pulls in, I rush to the door, throwing it open before he can cut the engine and close the garage to the snow. Sawyer smiles when he sees me, one of those bright, genuine grins that makes my stomach flutter whenever I see it.
“Hey,” he says, sliding out of the truck. He has a small bag clutched in one hand thatcouldbe a Christmas present, but I force myself not to comment on it.
“Hello,” I reply, sidling up beside him. “I need you to keep an open mind for my surprise.”
His dark eyes find mine, pulling in a frown. “I was about to say the same thing.”
Eyes narrowing, I grab his hand. “Just think about our baby and how she’s going to love this.”
I don’t hear his muttered response as I drag him into our living room. But I do hear the sharp intake of breath, feel him tense behind me. “Skye…”
“Our first Christmas with Winter,” I say, looking back at him, taking in the uncertainty playing across his features. “I figured we could decorate the tree. Just the three of us. And then the rest of the house.”
