Page 26 of Dark Reunion

Dean kissed her forehead and then leaned close to her ear. “You’re fiercer than I ever could wish to be. My warrior, you hold everyone together. You’re my everything, my beautiful wife. I know you can do this.”

“Dean…I don’t know…” Her voice broke.

“Squeeze my hand, break my fingers if you need to, and give it one more push.”

The doctor nodded. “Here we go. Push, give it all you have.”

Yasmine screamed as she pushed. Then, life’s first cry split the air.

Dean’s throat closed.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor announced as he placed the baby on Yasmine’s chest. The nurses cleaned him and did a quick assessment before covering mom and baby with a blanket.

A boy. He had another son. Isabella was still his little princess. She was going to like that. Dean stared down at the tiny bundle snuggled into Yasmine’s chest.

“He’s perfect,” Dean whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m your Daddy, and this is your Mommy.”

Dean bent, pressing his lips to Yasmine’s damp temple. “You did it, I knew you could. He’s here and look how perfect.”

He took a step back and stared at Yasmine and the newest member of the family. Fuck he was blessed. Why the universe had chosen to be so kind to him when he didn’t deserve any of it, he would never understand.

Yasmine leaned back against the pillows, tears streaming as she held their baby to her chest. Her trembling hands traced the child’s face.

Their boy. Their miracle.

Yasmine smiled weakly, eyes closing as exhaustion overtook her. Dean gently took the baby from her arms and sat in the recliner beside the bed, stripping off his shirt.

Dean couldn’t have said how much time had passed and didn’t notice the nurses and doctor leaving, but it was suddenly just the three of them. Warmth spread through him, as the baby nuzzled him like he already knew who Dean was.

A couple hours passed. Yasmine slept. Ricco took Ava and the children to get food. The baby breathed against Dean, tiny chest rising and falling in perfect rhythm with his own. Dean held on as if the world could vanish, but this moment would remain untouched.

This was what he fought for. This was what he would burn down empires to protect.

The door creaked open. Dean’s eyes snapped up.

Carlos stepped inside, his shadow falling long across the floor. His suit was immaculate, his cologne annoying in the scent free environment, his smile wicked. Carlos moved with unhurried grace to the edge of the bed, gazing down at Yasmine as she slept with mock admiration before his eyes landed on the baby Dean held in his arms.

“Precious,” Carlos murmured. “New blood. The continuation of the Ramírez line.”

Dean said nothing. His hand curved protectively across his son’s back.

Carlos’s smile deepened. “He should be named after me as a sign of respect.”

Dean scoffed, not bothering to disguise his disgust.

Carlos’s eyes flicked to him, glittering with that old violence that Dean knew so well.

“You think me a monster, hijo, but monsters are remembered. Show the respect due, or perhaps I will force the claim myself.” He purposely looked back at Yasmine, and Dean’s blood turned molten in his veins. “Perhaps the next child your redhead bears will be mine, not yours, as penance for your arrogance.”

The words struck like acid. Dean’s rage roared, every muscle screaming to lunge across the room and rip his father apart. But the baby against his chest stopped him. Yasmine shifted in her sleep, and Dean forced the rage down.

He met Carlos’s gaze with flat, unblinking eyes. “Get out.”

Carlos smirked. “I see I’ve struck a nerve.” He straightened, adjusting his cufflinks. “Think about what I said. Respect, Mercurio. It costs nothing yet buys everything.”

He turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

Silence returned and felt suffocating.

Dean looked down at his son, tiny fingers curling against his skin. He bent close, whispering so softly only the child heard.

“I’ll never let him hurt you,” Dean vowed. “Not one hair on your head. Not while I breathe.”

The baby shifted and nestled against his chest.

Dean closed his eyes, rage and love braided tight inside him. And for the first time in years, he prayed. Not for himself, but for the chance to keep this promise.