“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”
She lifted up and with his and the doctor’s encouragement, she pushed. This time, she screamed even louder. But the moment she stopped to take a breath, a brand-new scream filled the air. They both stopped.
He couldn’t believe the baby sound. One loud scream, then a whimper.
“Is my baby okay?” Laura asked.
“Your baby is fine. Perfectly healthy with a nice set of lungs on her,” the doctor said. Seconds later, the nurse came over carrying their daughter.
“A girl,” Gabe said.
He and Laura had decided they didn’t need to know the sex, but as he stared down at his little girl, love rushed through him. There was a time during the pregnancy where he didn’t think he was ever going to know love or feel it for his child. Looking down at their little girl, he felt it.
With her in Laura’s arm, he stared over his wife’s shoulder. Their little girl had gone silent and looked at them.
“Hey, sweetheart. I’m your mother, and this big guy is your father. If you heard me telling him I didn’t love him, ignore me. I love him so much.” Laura grabbed his hand and he kissed her head.
“I love you too.”
Laura tilted her head back. “Thank you.”
“I hope you want to be an only child, honey. I’m not going through that again. There is no way I can be hated so often in a short amount of time.”
His wife chuckled. “Ignore him.”
“We did something so beautiful,” she said.
“Yes, we did.” His wife might think he was kidding, but he really wasn’t. There was no way he could go through that again. It was far too stressful.
Epilogue Two
Twenty-five years later
Not only did Gabe and Laura have a daughter, but she also went on to give birth to five more children. Two boys and a set of twin girls. When it came to his wife, there was nothing he wouldn’t give her.
Their family was a big one.
He glanced across his dining room table as their family argued, talked, and were the pains in the ass he had come to love more than anything.
Five children. One beautiful wife, and a life that was stressful and relaxing.
He was still the king of his city and his sons had grown up strong, and were ready to take over, but their firstborn daughter had also proven to be strong. She wanted to stand by his side. He had a feeling she’d make a damn good queen.
Laura excused herself from the table, carrying in her plate.
Their kids didn’t notice their disappearance.
He snuck into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Why did we have so many kids?”
“Because we love having them around us, even if they are a pain.” She spun in his arms.
Her body had filled out in the past few years with five children. For a short time after their twins, she’d been embarrassed to be naked in front of him. Annoyed with her withdrawal from him, he’d made Felipe and the man’s wife take his kids for the night. Once they were alone, he’d spread his wife out and kissed every inch, every stretch mark, showing her that he loved her body now just as much as he did back then. In fact, he loved her body more now than ever. She’d given him five children and a life he didn’t think he was even capable of having.
“I love my kids, baby. I love my life, and I love my family. It’s all you.”
“You know, when I first saw you all those years ago, displaying your power, instilling fear, I hated you. I was so angry that you could do that, and what was more, no one seemed to care. Then when you made me go on a date with you, I was so angry. I was determined not to enjoy it.”
“But you did?”
She nodded. “You were as egotistical as I believed you to be. A giant pain in the ass. When you sent me those gifts, I was angry. I couldn’t easily be bought. Then when you took my jobs, I thought I was going to kill you.” She cupped his face. “I’m so happy you didn’t give up on me. I would have never found out the truth about my life. Never known the love of my life, or the joy of having children.” She went onto her tiptoes and kissed him. “I love you, Gabe Moore. You did more than make me fall in love with you. You gave me a life that I’m so happy with, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
Gabe pulled her in close, taking possession of her lips and running his hands down to cup her ass.
He was about to lift her up on the counter when the sound of screaming and Mom and Dad came from the other room.