Chapter 71
CHAPTER 71
PEN
I look down at the bundle in my arms. Tiny eyes blink up at me, and a nose and mouth scrunch as they take in the world. The pressure in my chest grows, and I draw in a ragged breath.
Elijah smooths the damp hair back from my forehead. I look up, his gaze stealing my breath. Who would have thought… it’s taken us sixteen years to get here, but life couldn’t be more perfect.
“You were amazing,” he says, his lips meeting mine.
It’s been a tough couple of hours. By the time Caleb got us to the hospital, I was already in the final stages. No time for pain relief. It was all down to listening to my midwife and pushing. And boy, did I push!
“I was, wasn’t I?” I chuckle, my free hand coming up and cupping his cheek. “I love you, Elijah Frazer.”
“I love you, Penelope Dawson, soon-to-be Frazer.”
I scoot over on the bed, and he drops himself next to me, pulling our daughter and me into his arms.
“Whenever you’re ready, I know there’s someone desperate to see you both,” Elijah says.
“Oh my goodness, Lottie’s outside? Why didn’t you say? Send her in. She needs to meet her baby sister,” I say, wanting to share this moment with her.
Elijah moves to the door and opens it. He says something to whoever is outside.
Lottie appears in the doorway, her movements cautious, her eyes instantly locking on the bundle in my arms before flying to meet mine.
“Come over here,” I say with a grin. “Meet your baby sister.”
Lottie lets out a choked sob as she rushes to my side.
“Are you okay?” she asks, her eyes running over me.
“A little tired, but it was worth every second,” I say, moving my arm to give her a better view of her baby sister.
Her eyes drop to the little bundle snuggled into my chest.
She reaches out a hand, her finger crooked, but she pauses, her eyes going to mine.
“You can touch her. Hold her if you want.”
She stands up, her eyes moving to her dad.
He appears at her side, his arm sliding around her shoulder.
“She’s beautiful,” Lottie whispers.
“I take it the cake is pink?”
Lottie looks up and grins. “I have no idea.”
We both shoot her a surprised glance. Lottie shrugs.
“I simply handed them the envelope you gave me and asked them to make a cake to match whatever was inside.”
“So you didn’t know?” Elijah and I say together.
“How could you resist?” Elijah asks.
Lottie looks up at him and grins.
“I didn’t want to mess up and give it away. It’s been more fun this way,” she says. “Plus, the surprise has been amazing. Waiting with Uncle Caleb and the others, who are all outside in the waiting room, dying to meet my baby sister.”
“They can wait,” Elijah says, giving her shoulder another squeeze. “There will be plenty of time for them. This is our family time.”
He leans down and scoops our tiny daughter into his arms. She almost disappears from sight.
“Take a seat. Your baby sister needs to meet you properly,” he says.
My eyes mist over as I watch him cradle our child against his chest. As if sensing my gaze, he turns and smiles, my heart catching. I never realised it was possible to love someone else this much.
Lottie turns, almost diving into the nearby armchair. Elijah gently lowers the baby into her arms, and I watch as my soon-to-be step-daughter/goddaughter, holds her baby sister for the first time.
“Hey,” she whispers, her voice catching. “I’m Lottie, your big sister and number one fan. We’re going to have so much fun together. I can’t wait to introduce you to the world.”
I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. A tear tracks its way down my cheek. Damn these hormones. I have no doubt Lottie will be the best big sister a girl could ever want. How have I got so lucky?
Lottie looks up at me, her brows creasing as she takes in my tears.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Just loving seeing you together,” I tell her truthfully. “She’s so lucky to have you as her big sister.”
Lottie smiles shyly. “Have you decided on a name?” she asks.
“Amelia Brooke Frazer,” Elijah says.
His eyes never leave his two daughters, although my hand is now tightly clasped in his.
“That was the name I chose,” Lottie says, her eyes wide.
“It is, and we decided it was perfect. Another story you’ll be able to share with her as she gets older,” I say.
Amelia turns her head and starts to nuzzle Lottie.
“Someone’s hungry, I think,” Elijah says, scooping Amelia up and placing her in my arms.
I fumble with my top and watch as our daughter takes a couple of attempts to latch on. My heart melts as I look up and find my new family watching us.
“I love you guys,” I say to them.
“We love you too. Always and forever.”