Another

Ian brushed her soft cheek with his thumb. “We should probably come up with a name. If you don’t have one already picked out,” he quickly backtracked.

I appreciated him trying to not step on my toes, but he was part of this, and I wanted his input. “I have a few in mind.”

“Hit me.”

“Serena, Elizabeth, or Emery, but none of them feel right.”

“Audrey,” he whispered. “What about Audrey?”

“Is that some ex-love I should know about?”

“Hardly. It was my grandma’s name. When I was with her, it was the closest I felt to a real family.”

He watched Peanut while I watched him. Ian was a complex man. He was light-hearted and always the life of the party. But he also had more depth than maybe I’d given him credit for. Watching him reveal the layers that made him was fascinating and alluring and created an energy that pulled me into his orbit. The thing was, the more time I spent with him, the more I didn’t mind giving in.

“Audrey it is.”

He flashed me a beautiful smile that had my heart skipping a beat before leaning in slowly to press a soft kiss to my lips.

“Audrey it is,” he whispered against my lips.

It was the next day before I started letting people know they could visit. Surprisingly, my aunts weren’t the first people to push through the door. Ian had just stepped out to grab some lunch for us when my dad came in.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“Dad,” I breathed.

My aunts had filled the place for my missing mother, but my dad had always been my rock. He’d been hard on me, knowing I wouldn’t be satisfied with being anything but the best—all while protecting me as much as he could. So, seeing him walk in, his eyes wide with wonder taking in Audrey, filled me with pride. I was strong because of this man.

“Look at her,” he breathed. “May I?”

“Of course.”

I passed Audrey off to her grandpa, and he cuddled the sleeping baby close to his chest.

“She’s got your nose,” he said, smiling.

“You think?”

“I know. I remember holding you in the hospital thinking how perfect your nose was.” He bounced a little, using his thumb to stroke her plump cheek. “How are you feeling?” he asked, as I laid back and let my eyes slide closed.

“Tired.”

“It’s just the beginning, baby girl.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“But if anyone can do it, it’s you.”

His easy compliment had my eyes sliding open to find him staring at me now.

“You are the strongest woman I’ve ever known, Carina. I’m so damn proud of you. I don’t say it enough. I know I’m hard on you and shelter you, but it’s because I love you and I want to keep you from any pain or disappointment.”

“I know, Dad.” I barely choked the words out. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not. I never wanted you to doubt yourself, and I know I’ve been the one to make you do it more than anyone. Sometimes I get caught up and still see you as my little girl.”

I swallowed the lump climbing its way up my throat. “I’ll always be your little girl.”

“I know, but it’s time I see you as the strong woman you are too. I mean, look at you—my baby having a baby. I’m so proud of you.”

A few tears managed to break free, but I quickly swiped them away. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“Everything okay?” Ian asked, walking through the door.

“Yeah, yeah. Just my hormones being crazy.”

His eyes flicked between my dad and me before finally greeting my dad. “Hello, David.”

“Ian. Good to see you. Congratulations on this beautiful little girl.”

“She’s pretty perfect, isn’t she?”

“Absolute perfection,” my dad answered, his eyes on me.

My dad stayed for a little while longer, holding Audrey while Ian and I ate.

“I’ll leave you two to it,” Dad said when the nurse came in to examine me. He leaned over the bed and pressed a kiss to Audrey’s head before repeating the process with mine. “Take care of you and my grandbaby, but when you’re ready, we’ll talk about your business plan and get the ball rolling.”

He always told me that actions speak louder than words and while his words meant everything to me, the fact that he was taking my idea for our company seriously was the greatest gift he could’ve ever given me.

“Thank you, Dad.”

13 Ian

Only the dim light peeking around the curtains shined in Carina’s room when I walked in. We’d been in the hospital for a total of three days, and I knew she was ready to head home.

I gently set the car seat in the corner of the room, doing my best not to wake her and Audrey. Carina was curled up on her side with one arm reaching out to our beautiful baby girl resting in her hospital cot. I didn’t know who to look at first, both girls capturing my attention. Audrey made a small grunt and shifted, making her little cap fall off, baring that ridiculous amount of dark hair. She took after her daddy with all those luscious locks.