Page 160 of Bastian

Tyranny runs in this baby’s blood.

“I am in awe of you, my love.” Sebastian’s eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles wide, looking down at me with adoration. I must look like a mess, but I honestly could care less.

It is the only time I will allow myself to look like I most likely do.

Dripping in sweat, my hair a mess, and my makeup smeared.

I must look as if I’ve gone to war and survived.

And I would do it a thousand times more if it led me here.

To this perfect moment with this perfect creature lying on my chest.

“Ellaiza won’t be pleased…” I murmur, looking down at the tiny human.

My tiny human.

So, so perfect, my mini tyrant.

A boy.

My son.

He has a whitish mixture of goo all over him, which is now all over my chest and hospital gown. There’s even blood on my chin, but I could care less.

The nurse steps closer and starts scrubbing my son’s back vigorously.

While the other two nurses assist Dr. Ellis because I tore, of course.

My baby, who is a perfect blend of Sebastian and me, was worth it, though. Worth every single tear. Every single drop of blood. Every single painful tremor.

Worth the painful burn in my vagina.

He was worth everything.

Even the long road of hurt and heartbreak that led me to him.

“She will understand and fall in love with him as soon as she sees him. You’ll see.” Sebastian kisses my sweaty forehead and brushes my hair back, which I appreciate. “She’s a big sister now.”

“She’ll have him wearing a pink tutu in no time.” I joke. My poor baby boy.

Sebastian chuckles as we both watch a nurse approach us with a small smile on her face. “You did so well! Congratulations!”

Although her stare lingers a little too long on my baby daddy for my liking, I regard her with a small smile of my own. “Thank you.”

After that, my baby was taken from my chest, and Sebastian followed him to the corner of the room, where they weighed him and took his footprints. I can’t help but smile when I see Sebastian towering over our son, looking so enamored that I am left breathless just at the sight of them.

“Let’s get you changed into something clean. Sounds good to you?” The nurse’s assistant asked me once I was free and clear.

We do just that, and when we’re done, I find myself lying back on the hospital bed, smiling wide and snuggled into Sebastian’s chest. Our son nestled in the bed between us. His perfect 9-pound body fit into the small crevice between us like he was made to be there. He was perfect, albeit a smaller replica of his father. I was so beyond overjoyed that I could barely contain the happiness in my heart. The joy. The feeling of pure bliss. I lovingly counted his ten fingers. I kissed his ten perfect toes. I knew then and there that my once broken heart was capable of expanding and of loving more and that I would do anything for him. The moment I saw him, I knew I had met the third love of my life, and I would do everything in my power to protect and love him unconditionally.

Bending down, I kiss his warm cheek and smile when gives me a small smile, showing a dimple just like the one that appears on Sebastian’s cheek every time he smiles. “I love you, little tyrant, with all that I am and all that I have.” My chest tightens when I watch my baby lift his small arm in the air. Taking his hand, I kiss it tenderly. “Royal.”

“What’s that, darling?” Sebastian asks as he plays with a tendril of my hair.

Looking away from my baby’s face, my eyes clash with Sebastian’s blue gaze. “His name. Royal Amaury Kenton.”

“Royal…” My baby’s father breathes out before he lovingly runs a thick finger down our baby boy’s face. “Welcome to the world, son. It’s yours. I can’t wait to witness what you do with it.”

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