My stress levels were rising by the second, but I was so excited. I’d dreamed of this moment so many times.
We bypassed Willow Lake quickly, heading straight for the hospital. Thank God it was only a thirty-minute drive.
I prayed with everything in me that I’d make it there in time. There was no way I was going to have my baby on the side of the road if I could help it.
Traffic and the gods were on our side today. Corvin made it there in record time, Apollo and Ezra holding my hand in the backseat while Phoenix offered words of encouragement from the passenger seat.
Apollo called when we were a few minutes away, and the hospital staff was waiting out front when we pulled up.
A few nurses and my guys helped me out of the car, then I was whisked away. I worried about Phoenix being alone, but a car sped into the lot behind us and I couldn’t help but let out a relieved breath. I should’ve known my besties would never stay behind.
“We’ve got her,” they promised. “You go have that baby.”
My pack stuck by me every step of the way, knowing what I needed before I did. They even offered hands for me to squeeze through every single contraction.
I should have known that they’d be the best birthing partners. They never let me see how stressed they were and kept calm faces so I didn’t freak out.
Two agonizing hours of pushing later, and I finally heard my daughter’s first cries. She had a set of strong lungs on her, and when they wiped her off and put her in my arms, I fell in love.
She settled against me, her little body warm against mine.
This right here was exactly why I fought so hard, the reason I went to therapy and escaped the hold Cameron had over me.
“You did so good, siren. I’m so proud of you,” Corvin said as he kissed my forehead, brushing my sweaty hair out of my face.
“She’s perfect, too,” Apollo said, kissing me, then our daughter.
Corvin stepped back so Ezra could have his turn at my side, brushing a kiss over my temple before resting his cheek againstmine. He ran gentle fingers down our daughter’s cheek. She was eating now, and they were right, she was absolutely perfect.
Once the doctor had finally left us alone, I asked them to bring Phoenix in.
“She’s here?” Phoenix asked as she burst in the door, Corvin walking slower behind her. Tears were already streaming down her face as she came to my side.
Even though I was still in a bit of pain, I scooted over, making room for her now that we were in the recovery room.
She crawled into the bed with me without hesitation, her head resting on my shoulder as we both stared at the little girl sleeping in my arms.
“What did you name her?” she finally asked after brushing her fingers over her hair, tracing her little nose, and holding her little hand. A small noise escaped her as our daughter gripped Phoenix’s finger.
“Scarlett.”
“You chose mine?” she asked in a hushed whisper before letting out a choked sob.
“Look at that face. How could we name her anything else?” Corvin asked. He pressed a kiss on her head, then our daughter’s, and then finally mine.
“My girls,” he said, his voice as choked up as ours.
After we’d been quiet for a few moments, Phoenix sat up, chewing on her bottom lip. A telltale sign she had something to say but was nervous.
“I think Mom left again. I watched her car head for the highway as we drove away. She texted you and said she was sorry.”
My eyes drifted closed for a second, chest aching sharply for Phoenix. Another departure without a goodbye. More promises broken.
“I’m sorry that she didn’t stay,” I said.
“My real family did. She was always too busy being in and out of my life that I’m no longer surprised,” Phoenix admitted. “I’m honestly kind of relieved that we won’t have to fight her, and I get to stay with you.”
“You’re ours forever,” I promised. “No matter what.”
