“You know, she’s probably waiting out there too. And half the store. They’ve likely invaded the waiting room.”
“We’ll be moved soon and then the procession can start.” Teela smiled. “I just need to catch my breath before the horde comes in to shower us with love.” She was smiling though, even though she really did look exhausted. There was so much love in her eyes when she looked at her daughter, and then up at him, that his heart did that whole crazy stretch and burst thing again.
“This is just the beginning of all the love. I’m pretty darn excited to spend the rest of our lives like this.”
“When do you think we should tell them?”
“We’ll wait until we’re out of the hospital. If we work my parents up anymore, they’d be in danger of having a heart attack or something.”
“They’ll be so excited.”
“Next to another grandchild, a wedding is the next best thing.”
“Oh my goodness! Our daughter has been out for like half an hour and you’re already planning the next one. How do you know I ever want to go through that again?”
“It’s easier if you take the epidural,” Ross deadpanned.
Teela muttered something under her breath. She lifted her hand out from below the sheet and flipped him the bird. Her left hand. He’d asked her to marry him a month ago, but they’d decided to save the news until after the baby was born. She couldn’t wear her engagement ring with her hands so swollen anyway.
“Some things never change,” Ross whispered down to his daughter. “Your mama is a spitfire. Heaven save us if you have the same spirit.”
“I hope she does.”
“I hope she does too.”
Ross lifted his eyes and found Teela studying him. He held her gaze and they didn’t need a single word for everything that passed between them. It wasn’t always easy. Second chances never were. Relationships never were. But it was perfect. All of it. It was totally worth every single second. He wouldn’t change a thing. They might not have the most conventional story, but they were a family. Teela and Amberina were the best part of his life. They were always going to be the best parts of his life. He’d never seen himself doing the forever thing, but Teela came into his life and turned everything inside out and now- now, forever looked pretty darn good.