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"I can," I agree weakly with a nod

"I know you can So let’s do this"

The contraction coer this time, and the baby’s heart rate increases I focus on the sound of ht The doctor says the head is out and Drew lets go of o look, his eyes wide and his face pale as he stares I start to laugh because the entiresurreal, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s ever going to look atthought

But yeah, I can’t focus on that now I’ birth to a baby, for the love of the God

"One more push and she’s here," the doctor advises with a sripping my hand, his sole focus on me "Ready to meet her?"

I nod, so overcoether to hold back the sob I’m beyond ready to meet her And she’s beyond ready to meet us if the next contraction is any indication, because it’s a doozy

"Push!" the doctor yells, and I do I push so hard I can feel the baby slithering out of me "She’s here!"

Within seconds she starts to wail and so do I, relief and love and exhaustion flooding me all at once Drew kisseshi nervous as he takes the surgical scissors and snips it The nurse hands him the baby and he holds her like a football She looks so tiny, his big hand sprawled around the back of her head, and he brings her to hter to me for the first ti the hospital gon so my chest is exposed and Drew settles her there, her little face sainst me Her hair is black, her body red, and shenoises as she noses aroundher head, ser

"Yeah, she is" He stares down at the two of us in wonder "I can’t believe she’s here"

"I can’t believe youher fingers They’re so tiny, so perfectly for inin his eyes, too "I love you," I whisper,

"I love you, too This is ahis hand on our daughter’s back "She’s beautiful"

"She is," I agree, gazing at her I readjust her and try to bring her to my breast and she latches on just like she’s supposed to, her eager littleMy heart fills with love and joy and I trailthe tears fall

"Are we still going to na at her I’ly little body She feels good, nestled in ainst my bare skin I don’t even know her, we only just ht it’s overwhel to protect this little person Anything "Welcome to the world, Autulad you’re here"

She lets go ofup at me I see it all in her face at that exact nizes my voice; she knows I’ to be wise beyond her years She’ll probably give us endless grief Stubborn like her mama and too quiet with her proble and fearless That’s what I want most for her That she’ll be fearless and unafraid to face anything Autu she sets her et in her way

That’s what I wish for hter

It’s the least that she deserves

Chapter Eleven

Drew

I exit the bathroo only a towel, the stea out of the open door, surrounding rab soht beforein my chest

Fable is on the bed, her shirt yanked above her full breasts She’s fast asleep, lying on her side, cuddling Autu of her arm, who’s also asleep Rosebud lips pursed, chubby cheeks pink,on her mama and slipped into slumber

Just like my poor, exhausted wife did

I stare at them because I can, completely overwhelmed at the love I have for these two beautiful fe at it full force since we brought Autuhter’s every need while I’ve been a selfish jackass off playing football

It’s your job, Fable tells uilty

But I do I offered to hire a nanny but Fable refused I offered to take the crazy, but she refused that, too

Maybe next season, Fable toldby then

I don’t know if I can wait that long I miss them and the season has barely started I want the out on all sorts of first times Hoill I feel a year fro all of those s no parent ever wants toher say her first word, seeing her take her first step

Turning away fro out a pair of boxer briefs and putting the every moment of it with Fable and Auturoan h my veins "What did you say?"

She’s awake, propped on one elbow, her hair in co past her shoulders She tugs the T-shirt down over her chest, a griusting"