Page 30 of Red Rose Cupcake

“Morning,” I smile, walking back over to him. “Sleep well?”

He grins, pulling me into his arms. “Better than ever. How about you?”

“I’m still recovering from last night,” I tease, running my fingers through his hair. “You’re insatiable.”

“And you love it,” he says, echoing his favorite line, kissing me softly. “Come on. Let’s go grab breakfast.”

As we head downstairs to the beachside restaurant, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Knox is everything I’ve ever wanted and more, and now, with a baby on the way, our life is only just beginning.

Chapter 20

ROSIE

The sun is setting over the ocean, casting a soft, golden glow across the water. I’m sitting on the porch of our home, watching as the waves crash gently against the shore. The air smells like salt and summer, and there’s a sense of peace that settles deep in my bones.

I smile, resting my hand on my belly. It’s not just a slight bump anymore—it’s full and round, reminding me with every movement that our little one is almost here. Every kick makes my heart swell with love and anticipation. In just a few weeks, we’ll be holding our baby, the final piece to the life Knox and I have built together.

“Babe, you okay out here?” Knox’s deep voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see him standing in the doorway, a tray of snacks in one hand and that familiar, boyish grin on his face.

“I’m perfect,” I say, patting the space next to me. “Come sit with me.”

He joins me, placing the tray on the small table beside us. His hand immediately goes to my belly, his fingers spreading wide as he leans down to press a kiss against the top of my bump. “How’s our little one doing?”

“Kicking up a storm,” I laugh, resting my hand over his. “She’s going to be a handful, just like her daddy.”

Knox chuckles, pulling me closer until I’m snuggled up against his chest. “I can handle her. I’ve been handling you, haven’t I?”

“Barely,” I tease, tilting my head back to look up at him. “You’ve got your hands full with me, O’Malley.”

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine in a soft kiss.

As we sit there, the warm breeze wrapping around us, I can’t help but feel like everything is finally falling into place. This house, this view, this life with Knox… it’s everything I ever dreamed of, and more.

“I was thinking,” I say, tracing my fingers along the tattooed veins of his forearm. “What do you think about the name Emma?”

Knox looks down at me, his green eyes softening. “Emma?”

“Yeah,” I nod, smiling at the sound of it. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. Emma O’Malley. It feels right.”

He grins, his hand slipping to the back of my neck as he pulls me in for a kiss. “Emma it is.”

I laugh softly, resting my head against his shoulder, my heart full. “You know, I used to think happiness like this wasn’t possible for me.”

Knox’s hand tightens around mine, his voice low and serious. “Why?”

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “I guess I never believed in fairytales. I didn’t think this kind of love was real.”

“Well, it’s real, Rosie,” he says, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “It’s real, and it’s forever. You, me, and our baby girl.”

I look up at him, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Forever.”

* * *

KNOX

As the sun dips lower, casting the world in shades of orange and pink, I hold Rosie tighter, savoring this moment. She’s everything to me. I never thought I’d be the type of man to settle down, to find someone who could make me want forever. But then she came into my life, and everything changed.

I glance down at her, my heart swelling with pride and love as I watch her. She’s glowing, even more than usual, and I know it’s not just because of the baby. It’s because she’s happy. She’s at peace. And I’d move mountains to keep it that way.

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