"Cortez," I whisper, tears welling in my eyes.
Dr. Bridges and Dena step away from the bed, giving us space.
"We may have lost track of one another for a little while, but that won't ever happen again, Piper," Cortez whispers to me, reaching up to thumb away my tears. "Starting here and now, I'll be by your side, holding your hand through every important moment in your life. You won't ever go to another appointment alone. You won't ever be afraid alone or be sick alone. You'll never cry alone. I'll be right beside you because that's where I belong. Taking care of you and this baby, and as many more as you'll give me is my priority. It's my honor, pretty baby. Marry me."
"Yes," I sob, nodding my head. "Yes, I'll marry you."
"Fuck," he breathes. Emotion wells in his eyes, turning the piercing blue dark and stormy. He leans down, pressing his lips to mine in a reverent, worshipful kiss. "I love you."
"Well," Dr. Bridges chuckles when Cortez finally pulls back. "I can't say that's ever happened in here before. Congratulations, Ms. Daniels. Mr. Blake."
"Congratulations, Piper," Dena says, beaming at us.
"Thank you," I whisper.
Cortez carefully dries my tears and then presses his lips to my forehead. "Now we're ready to find out what we're having," he says.
"This might be cold," Dena warns before squirting the ultrasound gel on my belly.
I don't even really notice it. I'm too busy staring at Cortez. He's so damn perfect. God, how did I ever think for even a second that he'd just leave me there? The way he feels about me is written all over his face. It blazes from his eyes every time he looks at me. It's in every touch and every smile. This man is mine, all the way down to his soul.
"Holy shit," he whispers, awe overtaking his face as our baby's heartbeat sounds over the ultrasound machine a few minutes later, filling the room with the gentle thrumming sound. His eyes grow damp, his hand tightening around mine. "That's our baby."
"It is," I whisper, crying quietly.
"Fuck," he breathes, leaning down to rest his forehead against mine. His breath shakes on his lips. "I love you so goddamn much, pretty baby. So much."
"I love you too."
He stays right there for a long moment, trying to compose himself. I don't even bother trying to compose myself. I'm a crying mess. I probably will be for the rest of the day. Having him here for this is everything.
Eventually, he gathers himself enough to lift his head. He watches the monitor intently, one emotion after the other playing chase across his gorgeous face as he sees our baby for the first time. Seeing him or her through his eyes is beautiful. I watch him for a moment, memorizing the look on his face, before turning to see our baby too. As soon as I do, love overwhelms me, and I start crying again.
"Your daughter is perfect," Dr. Bridges says, smiling at us.
"Daughter?" Cortez says. "We're having a girl?"
"You are." Dr. Bridges grins. "Welcome to the girl dad club, Mr. Blake."
I sob, unable to help myself.
"Fuck me," Cortez whispers. I know he isn't mad though. He's smiling like he just won the lottery. He stares at the screen for a long moment and then his gaze comes to mine. "We're having a baby girl."
I nod, crying too hard to speak.
"Thank you," he says, raining kisses across my face. "Thank you."
I sob his name, clinging to him as Dr. Bridges chuckles, trying to keep me from getting the gel all over Cortez. I know he doesn't mind though. All he cares about is me and our baby girl. Nothing else matters to him. It doesn't matter to me either.
This man is my heart and soul. I'm going to spend the rest of my life believing in him, in us, and in love. This is my fairytale. It started out so cliché. But it ended exactly how it was meant to end anyway. Happily ever after.