DELANEY
The children’s section of the library buzzed with soft chatter and excited little voices as story time began.
I sat on the colorful rug with Lila nestled in my lap, her curls tickling my chin.
At eighteen months old, our daughter was a perfect blend of the two of us with my soft features and Soren’s pale eyes.
She clutched her favorite stuffed rabbit in one chubby fist while sucking on the other, completely captivated by my mother’s animated reading. Watching Lila lean forward with wonder at every page turn filled my chest with contentment.
Motherhood had become the most natural thing in the world to me now. The fear that once gripped me so tightly never would’ve stood a chance when I found out we were pregnant with her.
My mom glanced over at us during a pause in the story, her eyes shining with grandmotherly pride. She gave me a soft, knowing smile that made my heart swell.
“She’s perfect,” Mom whispered when she was done and the other children scrambled away. “You both look so happy, sweetheart. I’ve never seen you this settled.”
I pressed a kiss to the top of Lila’s head. “I’m happier than I ever thought I could be.”
Sitting here in the same library where I’d spent so many childhood hours “helping” my mother repair old books, I marveled at how beautifully my two worlds had come together. The quiet love of stories and preservation I’d grown up with, and the fierce, protective family I had chosen with Soren.
Mom reached out to gently brush a curl from Lila’s forehead. My daughter gave her a happy grin before turning in my lap to pat my cheek with a sticky hand, babbling away. I laughed softly and hugged her closer, breathing in her sweet baby scent.
The library door opened, and my heart gave a familiar flutter. Soren walked in still wearing his cut, fresh from a run with some of his club brothers. Even in this quiet, wholesome space, he looked every inch the dangerous man who had once saved me on a dark road.
His alert gaze found me immediately, and he crossed the room to help me up from the rug. With our squirming daughter cradled between us, he kissed me.
“Da, da, da,” Lila demanded his attention.
When he finally released my mouth, he scooped Lila into his arms. She squealed happily and buried her face in his neck.
“Hey, baby girl.” He pressed a kiss to her curls. “You being good for Mama?”
“Uh-huh.” Lila babbled excitedly and patted his cheek, her little fingers tracing the scruff on his jaw.
Soren’s expression softened in the beautiful way it only did for her. He bounced her gently in his arms, speaking to her in a patient tone that always melted my heart.
“You gonna be a book lover like your mama?”
Lila nodded solemnly and offered him her stuffed rabbit, which he accepted like it was the most important thing in the world.
Watching my lethal man holding our tiny daughter with such care made my eyes sting with happy tears. He was so naturally protective and completely devoted to her already.
This was everything I had once been too afraid to want. And it was perfect.
Soren glanced over at me, his eyes softening when he caught my expression. I stepped closer and slipped my arm around his waist, leaning my head against his shoulder. Lila reached out and patted my cheek with a happy little sound.
“I’m so grateful,” I whispered to him, my voice thick with emotion. “Choosing us was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Soren pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his arm tightening around me. “Best decision I ever made too, angel. You gave me everything.”
I rested my hand over my still-flat stomach, smiling softly to myself.
I was pregnant again, only a few weeks along this time.
Unlike my first pregnancy, I wouldn’t be juggling morning sickness with final exams and late-night study sessions.
I had graduated with my bachelor’s degree last semester, and now I could fully enjoy this new chapter.
“And it just keeps getting better.”
“Damn straight,” he murmured with a smirk. “I told you I wasn’t done filling you up.”
I laughed softly and leaned into him, completely at peace with the beautiful chaos we were building together.