RIVAL: An Enemies to Lovers Why Choose Country Romance

Chapter 56

Ican’t stop staring at her.

Running my fingers over her puckered mouth, I giggle when she purses and smacks her lips, then I touch her wrinkled forehead. She’s so grumpy already and is getting annoyed by my constant poking, but I can’t help it.

“She’s got all ten though? Ten fingers and ten toes?” Griffin asks from his position to my right. He’s leaning his arms on the bed, a hand resting on my knee as he watches us together.

Smiling at him, I can only keep my eyes away from her for a moment before I’m back to her gorgeous little face. “I counted them like eight times. They’re all there.” My fingers reach to her hands, and I touch the soft skin to count them one more time.

Catching Jaxon’s eyes, he’s grinning at me as I count softly. One of the nurses already came in and took an extra tiny sample of her blood for a DNA test, which I had expressed to them I wanted done immediately after she was born.

Nodding his head, he seems serious as he asks, “How are you feeling?”

“I don’t feel anything right now,” I admit. It’s true, too. Even if I had some aches, I’m too absorbed with this baby that it doesn’t matter. “Do you want to hold her?”

I feel bad when his eyes bulge with surprise, but he hurries to my side and carefully takes her from my arms. Cradling her to his chest, he holds her gently as he turns to walk toward his chair. My eyes water with the way he’s whispering loving words, and I just know this little girl is going to be loved no matter what.

Mason is sitting to my left, grabbing my hand once my arms are free. He hasn’t let go for more than a few moments, and I let my head roll toward him with an easy smile. “You okay over there?”

“Mhmm. I’m doin’ great. Can I get you anythin’, girl?”

My eyes are watering from the tears watching Jaxon with my daughter, and I shake my head gently. “No, I’m perfect. She’s perfect.”

Kissing the back of my hand over the spot the IV was placed, he asks, “What’s her name?”

I hold my hands out for her when she starts fussing, and Jaxon brings her back to me. Hoping she’s hungry, I lower my gown and bring her to my breast, Griffin watching like a hawk as I help her latch on.

The moment she does, I sigh with happiness, whispering, “Blakely Ruth.”

“Why Blakely?” Jaxon asks, resting his elbows on the edge of the bed, watching as she does her best to earn some milk. He’s already got a chair next to Griffin. Having the three of them around us just feels right, and I push away the anxiety that someone might leave once we find out who her father is.

It’s silly to feel embarrassed, but I share my reason with them, anyway. They should know where her name came from. “It’s the only thing I know about my mom. Her name was Blakely. I’m pretty sure she’s not alive anymore, and maybe hasn’t been for a long time. But I like the idea of her having a do over.”

Jaxon’s head dips in understanding, but the other two are grinning as they watch her feed from me.

Mason reaches out, brushing her short hair to the side. “I think Blakely is perfect. And ol’ Ruth is gonna lose her mind over it.”

Giggling, I nod and sigh, closing my eyes, enjoying the feel of her mouth tenderly moving against my breast. I’m absolutely exhausted, but I don’t think I’ll be able to fall asleep for a long time.

My mind begins to wander, and I keep my eyes closed when I whisper, “We should have paternity within the next day or two.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Jaxon says. I peek an eye open to see him staring hard at me. Reiterating what he just said, he lowers his voice. “I don’t care, and I don’t think these two do either. She’s got all of us as her daddy, even if you wanted nothing to do with us.”

Pressing my lips together, I choose not to respond. I believe him, but I don’t want to be swayed by my hormones and, thankfully, he doesn’t push me.

I’m not sure who removes her from my arms and closes my gown, but one of them does as soon as little Blakely releases her mouth from my nipple. I fall into a deep sleep to whispered promises of love and learning how to ride horses as my guys talk to her.

I wake a few hours later and blink the sleep from my eyes when I hear a soft cry from my baby. Reaching my arms out, Griffin hands her to me. Cradling her against my chest, she nuzzles until she finds my nipple, then feeds frantically.

As soon as she latches, I let my head fall back to the pillow and I focus on the room around me, then snort out a laugh when I see all of them standing around the bed. “You guys should probably take turns sleeping or something. We’re both fine.” I tighten my hold on her, solidifying my words in my head.

“Can’t stop lookin’ at her, darlin’. I’m pretty sure we’ll all be awake for the next eighteen years.” Griffin is grinning, but it’s clear he’s tired.

Lifting my chin toward the couch in the corner, I tell him, “There’s a pull out in that sofa and the recliner also lays all the way back. Why don’t at least two of you try to get a few hours? There’s nothing to do that requires all of you.”

Begrudgingly, Jaxon and Mason both kick their shoes off to sleep after Griffin volunteers to take first watch. Blakely’s feeding takes a solid twenty minutes, but as soon as she’s finished, I hand her over.

The way he holds her against his chest absolutely melts me. Swaying from side to side as he pats her swaddled back to burp, he meets my eyes and smiles happily.

“You know she’s perfect, right? I don’t think you could have given us a more beautiful little girl in the world.” I know his words should make me happy, but my lower lip trembles, and I cover my mouth to hold back a sob.

A flash of panic crosses his face and he’s sitting carefully down, still holding her as he reaches a hand out to take mine.

“What’s goin’ on, darlin’?”

“What if she’s… I’m so afraid of you being upset if she’s not yours.”

Tightening his fingers over mine, he winks, then releases me to lean back and continue patting her softly. “She’s mine. Don’t matter if her DNA says she’s not. I was here while you pushed her out and I’m gonna to remind her of that when she’s headin’ out on her first date with a boy we’re all gonna hate.” Studying me, he seems to understand my worry. “All of us feel the same way, Edith. I know you’re worried, but I’m tellin’ you, this little girl already has us sunk for her. It doesn’t matter. You could tell them to cancel the test and we’d all be here every day helpin’ you to raise Blakely. Which, by the way, I fucking love.”

I do my best to trust his words and watch as he whispers his love and silly little facts in her ear until she falls asleep against his chest. Finally, he pulls out our book and lays it on my bed and begins to read from where we’ve left off.

Trying my best to stay awake, I only make it a few pages before I’m dozing off again to the sound of his voice, my daughter doing the same. Just before I’m out, I whisper, “I love you so much, Griffin. You make me smile.”

“I know, darlin’. Sleep now. I’ve got our girl until you wake.”

That’s the last thing I hear before the sun wakes me.

Two nurses are bustling around the room as Mason hovers over one of their shoulders as they check on Blakely, and Jaxon is sitting by my side. Tilting my head to look at him, I blow out a breath when I catch Griffin passed out on the pull out, finally getting some sleep after spending the late hours with the two of us.

“How are you doin’, baby girl?” Jaxon asks, drawing my attention back to him.

Snickering softly, I smile. “I thought Blakely was the baby?”

“You’re mine, but I’ll probably use the term interchangeably. Seriously, how are you feeling?”

Pushing myself up, I wince at the ache in my lower my body. “Sore, but it’s tolerable. Nothing like yesterday, so I’m fine.” My eyes shoot over to her when she fusses. “How is she?”

“Perfect. Just like her momma. I filled out the menu and ordered you some breakfast. I might have checked all the boxes because I wasn’t sure what you were in the mood for.”

Biting my lip, I reach out and grip his hand, which he turns over to weave our fingers together. “You can help me finish it off. I’m starving, honestly.”

Mason walks over, holding Blakely in his arms. He looks so natural, and I watch them as he sways with her side to side. I feed her for a bit until breakfast comes. As soon as she’s finished, he takes her back to change her diaper like a well-practiced father, then sits in the rocking chair to snuggle her.

Another staff member walks in with paperwork, and Jaxon helps me sit up. By this point, Griffin has woken up and finished off the food I couldn’t, laying a syrupy kiss to my lips.

The staff member talks me through the papers, which are Blakely’s forms for getting a birth certificate issued, and again, I start to worry. Not wanting to upset anyone, I fill it out as best I can until I’m finished. The only thing left is her name. Glancing up at him, I ask, “Can I leave off a last name until we know who her father is? They’re testing her now.”

“Don’t need to wait, she’s mine.”

Everyone turns to stare at Mason holding Blakely, rocking her slowly in the chair, eyes locked on her face.

“You don’t know for sure,” I tell him gently. I knew this was going to be the worst part of the day. Someone is going to be crushed and I’ve been dreading it.

Mason slowly lifts his head to face me. “I know we’re waitin’ for a test, but I’m tellin’ you, she’s mine. Look.” He lifts her arm and, ever so carefully, turns her to us to show a tiny, light brown mark near her armpit. “I’ve got the same one. So does my mom.”

“Lemme see,” Griffin says, moving next to them. He reaches out and strokes a finger over her cheek, then peeks at the mark Mason was trying to show us. “Take off your shirt.”

“Fu—” Mason’s eyes drop to his little bundle, then mouths, “Fuck off,” so she doesn’t hear him curse. I cover my mouth to stifle a laugh, but I’m curious, too.

Chuckling, Griffin pokes at his arm. “Then just lift up. I want to see what you’re talkin’ about.”

With a sigh, Mason holds his arm up straight. Griffin pulls the sleeve away, humming as he inspects his skin. Then, standing up straight, he stares at us with his mouth hanging open.

“The damn thing is there!”

I chew on my lip, worried he’s upset. But when he laughs and smacks Mason on the shoulder, who growls about being careful while he’s holding the baby, I let myself relax just a touch. “Congrats daddy Mason! Why am I not surprised that you’d be the one with all the lady swimmers?”

Glancing at Jaxon, I catch him watching Mason and Blakely longingly. I fear this is the moment where he’ll turn to me and tell me he was just waiting to hear for sure, but he drops his gaze to me with a grin. “I suppose no one deserved to get a little girl more than him. Next time, I want it to be mine and we’re going to have a little boy to watch over his older sister.”

My eyes well with tears, and I can’t hold back the sudden rush of sobs that pour out of me. A look of alarm crosses his face, and he climbs on to the bed next to me, gathering me in his arms.

“We can have a girl, if that’s what you want. Although, I can’t promise gender. It’s sort of up in the air, honestly.” His voice is hurried in an attempt to soothe me, but I can only shake my head.

“What the hell did you do, you dick?” Griffin asks, storming over and attempts to pull me from Jaxon’s arms.

Hiccupping around another sob, I shake my head. “H-He didn’t say anything wrong. I promise.”

Griffin lets out a low rumble but backs off while I cling to Jaxon.

Pressing my head against his chest, Jaxon understands I need a moment, so he holds me until I’m ready to let go. Over my head, he gives his congratulations to Mason.

“I’m happy for you, man. But I’m gonna teach her how to ride a horse. I can guarantee I know more than you do, and we need her to be an expert before she starts competing in shows.”

Another wail escapes me, but they all just let me fall apart as they make plans for my Blakely, and I’m dying a little inside, wishing she could be each and every one of theirs.

“What the heck are you doing to her? I swear, I leave you all alone for fifteen minutes and you’ve got that girl howling like a banshee. Give me the baby.”

Jerking upright at the sound of Mrs. Danielson’s voice, I quickly wipe away my tears and check my gown to make sure I’m not hanging out everywhere.

“Mrs. Danielson! Are you alone?” Before she’s able to answer, her husband shoves his way through the door with a handful of balloons and a vase of carnations. “Pastor Danielson,” I cry out, moving to get up, but Jaxon keeps me in place.

“Don’t even think about moving from that bed, Edith. As much as I love you, I’m here to see this little girl. Now, hand her over Mr. Cooper.” Ruth is already slathering her hands with sanitizer, then holding her arms out expectantly.

With a disgruntled sigh, Mason stands to give Ruth his seat, who takes it quickly, then hands our daughter over.

The moment she’s got her in her arms, she’s already rocking the chair and cooing soft words and God’s blessings. Mason moves to my side, and I peer up at him, whispering, “Do you two really have the same birthmark? I didn’t even see it before.”

Flashing me a smile, he lifts the side of his shirt to show me the mark high up under his arm. Peering back at Blakely, I feel awed that she’s got a stamp of her father literally written all over her. We may have the DNA test coming back to us soon, but the way all three of them are confidently accepting that Mason is her father, and are okay with it, eases something in me.

I lay back against the pillow and watch as Ruth lavishes her love all over my little girl. “What’s her name?” she asks, only glancing at me for a moment.

“Blakely Ruth Cooper.”

Both hers and Mason’s eyes grow wet, and I smile to myself as I drift off back to sleep, feeling content with my whole family surrounding me.