Cherrie Lynn - Take Me On

And finally, as the day advanced into evening, it was time. Ian held her as she pushed, watching in astonishment as his child, their child, came into the world. Cheers went up from the staff. Tiny, pink, wrinkled, perfect…and, after a brief moment during which Ian held his breath, squalling with a strength that made him nearly collapse in relief.

His daughter.

He wasn’t the only one ready to collapse. Gabby’s head rolled onto his shoulder, her chest still heaving from her exertions. She laughed breathlessly, and he wrapped his arms around her. His voice was half strangled with emotion. “You did it, sweetie. I love you so much.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“Can you see her?” he asked, watching as the nurses…did whatever they did to the poor little angel. If he hadn’t been so near tears, he might have laughed at his tiny daughter’s outraged cry.

“I can. She’s beautiful.”

“Like you.”

It seemed forever before the nurse brought her over and laid her on Gabby’s chest. Ian crawled onto the bed as best he could, arms around them both, staring down at their miraculous little creation. Already, she looked so much like her mom, but he could see a resemblance to some of his own baby pictures too. Her eyes opened and peered at the world around her; she grasped their fingers in turn with surprising strength.

Gabby unwrapped her blanket and touched her miniature, almost transparent toes in wonder. “Oh my God,” she said, tears in her voice. “She’s so perfect. So incredibly perfect.”

Ian placed a gentle kiss on the side of his wife’s damp forehead. Besides his daughter, she was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Then he stroked the baby’s forehead, marveling at the softness of her skin.

“Are we still good with the name?” Gabby asked.

“Lia? I think it fits her. I love it.”

“Me too.” She spoke to the baby in a cooing voice. “Hi, Lia, sweetheart. Mommy loves you.” She turned her head and kissed Ian on the lips. “And Mommy loves Daddy.”

Daddy. Wow. He’d contemplated the moment when he could truly consider himself a father, but nothing, nothing had prepared him for it. The absolute awe and wonder and love and mind-numbing terror.

He couldn’t promise he would never let this little girl down, but he could damn sure promise that nothing would ever, ever hurt her while he had breath in his lungs. Her, or the wonderful woman who’d given him the only thing he’d ever truly wanted in his life.

A family.

It was a rare thing, really, for all of the Rosses to be in the same place at the same time. Holidays and births…that was pretty much it. But Gabby was thankful for each and every time. Especially this one.

She was exhausted, sore, still a little woozy, and her epidural hadn’t worn off yet…and she’d never been happier in her life than she was right now. Snuggling her daughter close in her recovery room while Ian snapped picture after picture—yeah, he’d really taken to the photography thing, and he was a natural at it. He’d taken too many pregnancy portraits of her to ever count.

“Ian! That’s enough.” She laughed when it seemed the sound of the shutter would never stop.

He grinned at her and snapped one more of baby Lia’s sleeping little face. “I can’t help it.”

“But you aren’t in any of them,” Gianna said.

“She’s right,” Gabby told him.

“Here, dude, I got it.” Brian stepped forward and took the camera from Ian. “Get over there.”

They posed as a family, and Brian turned out to be quite the photographer himself. Naturally, he thought himself better than Ian, which resulted in a brief, good-natured cut-down contest that had everyone laughing.

“I’ll return the favor when the time comes,” Ian said, gesturing to Candace. She’d long since sat and put her feet up. Poor thing. Her ankles were so swollen. Gabby could sympathize.

“Let’s hope that’s sooner rather than later,” she said wearily.

“Really?” Kelsey asked. “Today didn’t scare you to death?”

“It doesn’t matter much,” Candace replied, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s happening whether I want it to or not. I’m just ready to get it over with.” Brian moved to her side and stroked her hair. She beamed up at him. “I’m sure it’ll be worth it.”

Lia cooed in her arms, and Gabby kissed her forehead. She couldn’t stop kissing her—she just wanted to gobble her up. So precious swaddled in her pink blanket, which matched her tiny pink lips. “Totally worth it,” she said softly.

A knock sounded at the door. Evan, who was standing closest, opened it and peeked around, exchanging brief words with a female voice outside. Gabby expected one of her friends, but as Evan pulled the door the rest of the way open, a petite, unfamiliar gray-haired woman walk timidly into the room, flowers and a pink gift box in her hands.

“Mom?” Ian said.

A gasp left Gabriella’s lips before she could stop it. He’d told her earlier that he’d let his mother know they were at the hospital. Against his expectations, she’d come.

“I hope it’s okay,” she said, looking uneasily around at the Rosses standing around the small room.

“Yeah, it’s great. I’m happy to see you.” Ian moved to her and wrapped his arms around her. He couldn’t see his mother’s face, naturally, but Gabby did. Right there was everything that Ian probably needed to see but most likely never would. Sorrow, regret, immense love. By the time they parted, she’d gotten control. Gabby would be sure and tell him about it later.

“Everyone, this is my mom.” Introductions were made. Gianna even embraced her and welcomed her to their family. By the time Mrs. Rhodes came over to meet Gabby and Lia, there were tears in her eyes.

“Oh…” she said, putting her free hand to her chest. “She’s beautiful.”

“Would you like to hold her?”

The older woman looked back to her son as if seeking his permission. He nodded and took the gift and flowers from her. Mrs. Rhodes sat on the edge of Gabby’s bed, and she carefully handed Lia over, cooing at her to meet her grandmother. Lia opened her eyes, gazing up at Ian’s mom and pouting her little lips, and the floodgates really opened.

And she immediately knew Ian wouldn’t have to worry about his mother not being a part of his life anymore. Never underestimate the power of a baby to bring family together. The woman was in love. They had a lot of years to repair, Gabby knew, but she was ready to take the journey with him if it was what he wanted. From the look on his face as he watched his mom with Lia, she knew it was.

Conversations struck up around the room. Gabby looked around at her family with absolute love and happiness. They got on her nerves. They pissed her off. But damn if they didn’t rally when one of them was threatened or in trouble, even if the one they were defending was perfectly capable of taking care of him or herself. She loved them fiercely.

“So, not to steal Gabby’s thunder or anything tonight, but we have something to tell you guys,” Evan spoke up suddenly. Kelsey, who stood in front of him in the circle of his arms, grinned widely.

Candace, Gabby and Gianna shrieked all at once. “You’re pregnant!”

The happy couple both burst out laughing. “Can’t get anything by you guys,” Evan said.

“How far along?” Candace asked.

“I’m due in late October,” Kelsey said. She turned her excited smile on Gabby. “What can I say? I guess I drank the water.”

Congratulations, hugs and handshakes made the rounds. Candace, with Brian’s help, pushed herself up out of her chair to walk over to them, but she froze and her hands flew to her stomach before she took the first step. “Oh God,” she said, looking up at Brian with wide eyes.