Page 86 of The Alpha's Sold Pregnant Mate

She thought about how close she'd come to giving up; how, if she had, she would not have had the opportunity to hear him cry out. Weakly, she watched as the midwives cleaned him up with expert hands.

She realized that her mother must have been going through hell when pushing all by herself without help from anywhere or anyone.

Esme wished the woman was still alive to witness this hale and hearty huge boy that she'd just pushed out. She would have been a grandmother, but she passed on too soon.

Nothing could be compared to the pain of childbirth, and that was why even some of the strongest women passed on during or after the battle to push.

It was ironic how Esme's mother gave her life only to have hers taken from her by the same process that brought Esme into the world.

“You're strong, Esme.” Asher's voice caught her attention. “You're officially the strongest woman that I know.”

She blushed, bursting out into a chuckle as he kissed her forehead and, eventually, her lips.

“I love you, Esme.” He caressed her wet hair.

She shaped her mouth, about to reply to him when he placed a finger over her lips.

“Shh…” he shushed her. “Remember your words,” he said as a gentle reminder, and her mind drifted back to what she had said to him.

She'd said that she wouldn't reply to those three little words until he marked her. And now, he was subtly asking her to keep to her words.

Esme's eyes widened as her childwas brought to her. The midwife gently slipped the infant into her welcoming arms as she accepted him with a broad grin.

“Hey, baby boy,” she cooed, looking into its cute green eyes.

The baby was huge, a bit bigger than a regular baby, but hewas so beautiful, so tender,and hadvery soft skin.

“He has your eyes,” Asher said to her as he cast his gaze on the product of their love.

“Yes,” she responded. “And he has your nose. Look.” She smiled.

Asher peered closely at the lively baby, who had stopped crying and seemed to be asleep.

“Nahh…I think that's yours, too.” He smiled at his wife. Asher gently held the tightly balled fist of his sonand wiggled it back and forth with much carefulness. “Hey, buddy,” he greeted the boy, flashing his charming grin at him, “Welcome to the family.”

The two midwives stood there with uncontrollable smiles as they watched the adorable scene unfold before them.

“What should we call him?” Esme asked her husband.

He stared lovingly at her and said, “You do the honors. You deserve it.”

She smiled.

“Let's call him…” She turned back to face the infant. “Harry.”

“Harry Grey,” Asher proudly said. “It has a nice ring to it.” He subtly nodded.

Esme had named her sonHarry after the fictional character Harry Potter. She did that because the book was what gave her the hope to continue living. She believed that she had a lot in common with the character and that her life would turn out well, too.

She wasn't wrong.

Despite everything that she had been since she was little, she still turned out fine. She had discovered her purpose in life, embraced her calling, and was now officially a mother.

A few months ago, she never would have thought any of thiswould be possible aftersuch a short period of time. It was amazing how her life had changed within a twinkle of an eye when she least expected it, and it happened in the most awkward of ways.

Her mind flashed back to the day she met Asher, the day she thought that he had bought her from old man Job. She recalled how quickly the transaction had happened and how he had asked her never to return.

It was funny how that transaction was her ticket to fulfilling her destiny. She was a bit skeptical about going with Asher at first, but she never regretted her actions after she did.

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