Page 127 of Hidden By His Side

The girl he’d met so long ago, standing on the edge of a bridge, was there in his arms, and they were about to have a baby together.

It didn’t feel real at all.

Breathing through the next contraction together helped to make it feel more real.

Ramiro had timed it correctly. The contractions were only five minutes apart.

Staring at Bridget Wynter Rodriguez resting on Summer’s bare chest changed everything for Ramiro. His mind grew very still as he studied them together. He loved them. He loved them both so much.

Each moment etched itself into his heart. The awe on Summer’s face as she held her baby for the first time. The nervousness that faded to contentment when Bridget fed from her mother for the very first time. Even holding Bridget in his own hands, so very delicate and breakable, but amazingly perfect.

Ramiro leaned over the two of them on the bed, brushing a kiss over Summer’s sweaty and limp hair.

“You’re amazing.” He brushed a finger over Bridget’s soft cheek as she slept. “You both are.”

Summer’s eyes opened, but she looked at the wall, not at him, tears beginning to fall. Her hands shook around the baby, still resting on her chest.

“Oh, baby girl,” Ramiro murmured, reaching for Bridget. He carefully transferred her to the bassinet before turning back, sitting on the edge of Summer’s hospital bed and leaning over to wrap his arms around her. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

“I’m scared!” Summer gasped against his neck. “I don’t know what I’m doing.” Her fingers dug into his arms, the nails leaving crescent shapes behind. “What if I hurt her?”

Ramiro lifted away until he could stare down into her eyes. “You’re not alone. I’m here, too.”

She shook her head, letting it fall back to the pillow. “Why?”

“Because she’s a part of you.” Ramiro wiped his thumb under her eye. “And I love every part of you. Even the parts that might hurt our little girl.”

Her breathing stopped as her face froze.

“You’re going to do your best. You always do your best, Summer, but no parent is perfect. Mistakes happen. Hell, I’ll probably make way more mistakes than you. Do you want me to stay away from Bridget?”

“N-no,” Summer gasped. “I need you.”

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” She often needed to hear the words, and Ramiro liked the way her face softened when he said them. “Neither of us will hurt our daughter on purpose, will we?”

Summer’s gaze moved to the bassinet and the precious bundle inside. “No. Not on purpose. But—”

“Then we’ll do better than a lot of parents out there. Including yours and mine.” He leaned over, kissing her still damp cheek.

The tension seeped out of her expression.

Ramiro took her hand, sinking into the chair he’d pulled close. “I do have a confession, though.”

Summer turned her head on the pillow. “What?”

“I love her. I loved her the moment I saw her in your arms.”

Summer let out a breath. “I thought it was going to be something bad.”

“I’m not done.” Ramiro lifted her hand, kissing the back of it. “I love her, but my love for her doesn’t even compare to my love for you. You’re everything to me, Summer. Everything. I will love her and take care of her, but I can’t love anything more than I love you, even her.”

Summer’s lips parted as she stared at him, and more tears soaked her cheeks. She let out a sob, then another, before biting her lip to hold them back.

“I’m not sorry,” Ramiro admitted, even as his insides twisted at her tears. “I wouldn’t change it, even if I could, but I wish it didn’t hurt you.”

She shook her head, her lips trembling before they parted. “No. I’m not upset. I want that,” she whispered. Her eyes shut, squeezing out more tears. “I’m so selfish, but I want that. I always want to come first with you.”

Ramiro kissed her hand before linking his fingers with hers. “That’s one thing you never have to worry about. You’re mine, and you always will be.”

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