Page 105 of Adoring Delaney

My eyes drifted closed and I took a moment to let that settle over me. We did it. We made it.

Laney squeezed my hand and I waited a few beats, still enjoying the beauty that had taken root, the joy that was flowing through me, warming me from the inside out.

I finally opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Delaney’s pretty smile. I’d seen it a lot over the years. I could remember all the way back to when I was five and she was two. I could remember when she was ten and I was thirteen. I could remember her middle school graduation, high school, college, and every moment between. We’d been together for every milestone, every celebration, all of the good times, all of the sad. So I’d seen her smiling and happy a ton over the years. But I’d never seen her look like she did now.

This smile was different. Pure joy. Serenity. Full of hope and promise.

Our future.

Delaney and Carter—the way it had always been written. The way it was supposed to be.

“I sent the results to Dr. Butler. You should follow up with her,” the doctor said, cutting through my thoughts. “Congratulations. Do you have any questions?”

“Would it be possible for you to send our parents in?” Laney asked.

“Of course. I’m guessing your family is the very large group all pacing the waiting area?” The doctor smiled.

“Yeah. Lenox and Walker, those are the only two we need,” I told her.

“Again, congratulations.”

The doctor walked out and I looked back at Delaney. With my heart in my throat I said the only thing I could.

“Thank you.”

“I think that’s what I’m supposed to say to you. You’re the one who saved me.”

“Not talking about that.” I sat down in the chair next to her bed and finally did what I’d wanted to do since the doctor confirmed what we’d suspected, and that was place my hand over her stomach.

There was nothing to feel, no bump, no protruding belly, but I felt it all the same. Under my palm was the most precious gift Laney could ever give me. There was a life growing. A life that Delaney and I made. Together.

“The doctor said you wanted to see us?” The trepidation clear in Emily’s voice.

I waited until my dad stepped inside the small ER exam room and looked at all four of them. The best examples of what a parent should be. Two mothers who loved so fiercely, so hard you couldn’t miss their devotion to their children. Two men, who were wise, mentors, examples, humble heroes, and ferocious protectors.

Then I glanced back at Delaney. She’d inherited the best of her parents. A woman I was so damn proud to have stand next to me, I was bursting with pride. I knew I didn’t deserve her loyalty after the shit I pulled, but I’d spend the rest of my life making it up to her. She’d never regret loving me.

“Everything all right?” my dad asked.

“Yeah,” Laney whispered. “You wanna tell them?”

I drew in a deep breath before I announced, “Delaney’s having a baby.”

This time the tears I saw in my mom’s eyes and streaming down Emily’s cheeks didn’t cause my gut to twist. And when the two men cleared their throats, and held their women close, I knew it wasn’t from extreme pain they were feeling for their children.

“It’s still early. A lot can—”

“My baby girl’s having a baby,” Emily whispered, cutting Laney off.

“Mom…”

Emily ignored Delaney and looked at my mom, smiling so huge, so full of happiness that when Laney sniffled, I knew she’d seen it, too.

“We’re happy for you both,” my dad said.

Jasper was suspiciously quiet, yet he was wearing his thoughts clear as day.

“Dad?” Laney called, but it was me Jasper addressed.

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