"You okay, sweetheart?"
I nodded. "I just needed to kiss you."
"Well, then—” She smiled sleepily. "Kiss away."
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I pressed my lips to hers happily, and we moved together effortlessly, our kiss indulgent and loving. I cupped her face, stroking her skin in gentle circles with my thumbs.
Holly abruptly stiffened and pulled away.
"What's wrong?"
Her eyes flew down to her stomach before meeting mine. "I think your daughter is ready to meet you. My-my water just broke."
I was on my feet in a second.
"Now? She’s early and it’s storming! Tell her to wait!"
Holly began to chuckle. "I don't think that’s gonna work, Daddy." She held out her hand, and I helped her sit up. "Call Andrew. He has the truck ready in case." She grimaced. "That damn Tara is always right. She said it would be today."
I was already on the phone. After Andrew assured me he was on the way and Tara would call Carol and Dan, I hurried back to Holly. "He's on his way."
She smiled calmly. "My bag is by the door. I need to change. Can you help, please?"
I fumbled, trying to get her dressed in our bedroom, my hands shaking with nerves. "Evan," she soothed. "Relax. Everything is fine."
I nodded as I tugged on her boots, unable to speak and not sure how she could be so calm right now.
She tilted up my face. "Hey."
I looked up into her warm but worried eyes.
"Evan, I need you right now. You've been so strong my whole pregnancy. Don't lose it now."
I swallowed, unsure how to explain my sudden panic. "What if—"
"What if, what?"
"What if I'm an awful father? I didn't have a good example growing up." Another terrible thought occurred to me. "What if she doesn't like me?"
Holly cupped my face firmly. "You are nothing like your father. You are going to be an amazing daddy. You'll be funny, kind, loving, and affectionate. Your daughter is going to adore you. Just like I do."
I drew in a shaky breath. "Promise?"
"Promise."
"Okay."
"I love you."
The words never failed to make me smile. "I love you, Angel."
My daughter was perfect. Tiny and wiggly, her skin a mottled pink, and her fist jammed into her little rosebud mouth. I couldn't bear to put her down for a second. Angela Carol Brooks had already stolen my heart. I didn't know it was possible for one person to feel this much love.
Holly had worked so hard to bring her into this world. Her labor had been long, but finally, after seventeen hours, my daughter had screamed her way into our life, protesting loudly at being moved from her little nest.
I looked over at Holly, who was watching us wearily, a tired smile on her face. "You need to put her in her bassinet, Evan."