Page 31 of Red Rose Cupcake

“Rosie,” I say softly, my fingers tracing over her belly. “Thank you.”

“For what?” she asks, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“For giving me this life. For giving me you.”

She smiles, that radiant, beautiful smile that always makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world. “I didn’t give you anything, Knox. We made this life together.”

“Still,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the ocean lulling us into a peaceful state. But there’s a fire inside me that never goes out when I’m around her, and I can’t resist pulling her into my lap, cradling her gently as I kiss her.

“You know,” I say between kisses, my hands roaming over her curves, “once Emma’s here, we’re not going to get many quiet moments like this.”

Rosie laughs, a soft, breathless sound. “Are you suggesting we take advantage of the peace and quiet while we can?”

I grin against her lips, my hands slipping under the soft fabric of her dress. “You read my mind, Mrs. O’Malley.”

Chapter 21

ROSIE

The hospital room is a blur of soft lights, beeping machines, and the low hum of nurses quietly moving in and out. I’m lying in the hospital bed, my hands gripping the sides, my breathing coming in shallow gasps as another contraction hits.

“Breathe, Rosie, just breathe,” Knox says, his voice steady and calm as he holds my hand, his green eyes filled with love and encouragement. He’s right by my side, just like he promised he would be.

I squeeze his hand tighter, nodding through the pain. “I’m trying,” I manage to gasp out, my eyes squeezing shut as the contraction peaks.

“You’re doing amazing, babe,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’m so proud of you.”

The contraction passes, and I collapse back against the pillows, breathing hard, but the pain is already fading. I open my eyes, meeting Knox’s gaze. He looks so calm, so strong, but I can see the worry under the surface.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” I whisper, my voice shaky. “It feels like it was just yesterday that we were talking about the baby, and now she’s almost here.”

Knox’s smile is soft, his thumb stroking the back of my hand. “I know. But you’re ready. We’re ready.”

I take a deep breath, nodding as another contraction starts to build. The nurses move around the room, checking the monitors and whispering updates to each other, but I barely register it. All I can focus on is the feel of Knox’s hand in mine, his voice guiding me through the pain, grounding me in this moment.

“You’ve got this, babe,” he says softly, his lips brushing my ear. “Just a little longer.”

* * *

KNOX

Watching Rosie go through labor is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. She’s so strong, but every time she grips my hand and cries out in pain, it feels like a knife twisting in my chest. I’d do anything to take this pain from her, but all I can do is be here, hold her hand, and tell her how incredible she is.

“She’s almost here, Rosie,” the doctor says from the foot of the bed. “One more big push.”

Rosie nods, her face twisted in concentration as she takes a deep breath. I lean closer, pressing my forehead against hers. “You’re amazing, Rosie. Just one more. You’ve got this.”

She lets out a guttural sound, her whole body straining as she pushes with everything she has. And then… the most beautiful sound fills the room.

A baby’s cry.

I can’t breathe. I can’t think. All I can do is stare as the doctor lifts our daughter into the air, her tiny body wiggling and squirming. Tears burn in my eyes, and I glance down at Rosie. She’s crying too, her eyes wide with awe and exhaustion.

“She’s here,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “Our baby girl is here.”

* * *

---