Page 114 of Worth the Fall

CHAPTER 24

Miguel

The soft evening light filters through our living room windows as I lean against the doorframe, taking in the sight before me. Mia's fast asleep on the couch, her swollen belly supported by the pregnancy pillow she swears by, with an open bag of sour gummy worms precariously balanced on her chest. Even in sleep, one hand rests protectively over our growing child.

My phone buzzes insistently in my pocket—probably Taylor with another urgent question about tomorrow's merger meeting—but I silence it without a second glance. Some things matter more than work, and right now, my entire focus is here in this room with the incredible woman I love and the precious new life we've created together.

"Mmm," Mia stirs slightly, muttering something unintelligible as she shifts position. A stray gummy worm tumbles to the floor and I move quietly to pick it up, my chest tightening with a rush of affection. Pregnancy has been one hell of a journey for both of us, but watching Mia handle it all with her signature mix of determination and dry humor just makes me fall more in love with her every day.

"You planning to stand there watching me sleep all night?" Mia's sleepy voice catches me off guard. She blinks up at me with a drowsy smile, and I can't help but grin back.

"Maybe." I cross the room and perch on the edge of the couch beside her. "You're pretty cute when you're passed out surrounded by candy."

She tries to sit up, struggling a bit with her belly in the way. I reach out to help, and she shoots me a grateful look. "Your daughter has been doing somersaults all afternoon. The sugar helps."

"Oh, so when she's keeping you up, she's my daughter?"

"Exactly." Mia stretches, wincing slightly. "Though I suppose I can't complain too much. At least she has good taste in snacks."

I settle onto the couch beside her, and she immediately curls into my side, her head finding that perfect spot against my shoulder. These quiet moments have become my favorite part of each day—just us, together, feeling our daughter move and dream up scenarios for the life ahead.

"Remember when you rushed into my office last week?" I ask, running my fingers through her hair. "Poor Johnson probably thought the building was on fire."

Mia groans, burying her face against my chest. "Don't remind me. I was convinced something was wrong because she hadn't moved in hours. Thank God for Felicity and Princess Waddles coming to the rescue."

The memory makes me smile. Our daughter had appeared in the doorway of my office, clutching her beloved stuffed penguin with that solemn expression she gets when she's on an important mission.

"Here, Mommy Mia," she'd said, pressing the well-loved toy into Mia's trembling hands. "Princess Waddles always makes me feel better when I'm scared. Maybe she can help the baby feel better too."

"That kid," Mia says now, shaking her head with a soft laugh. "She's going to be the best big sister."

"She already is. Did you see the list she made of all the things she wants to teach the baby? Including, and I quote, 'proper princess protocol' and 'how to negotiate extra dessert with Daddy.'"

"Smart girl." Mia shifts, trying to find a comfortable position. "Though I'm not sure how I feel about her teaching our daughter the art of manipulation before she can even walk."

"Better get used to it. Between Felicity's creativity and your negotiation skills, I don't stand a chance against either of them."

Mia's about to respond when she suddenly tenses, her hand flying to her belly. My heart skips a beat until I see her smile.

"Speaking of our little gymnast," she says, grabbing my hand and placing it where the baby is kicking. "I think someone heard us talking about her."

The solid thump against my palm never gets old. Every time I feel our daughter move, it hits me all over again—we're really doing this. Creating a life together, building on the family we've already made with Felicity.

"Should I put on some NSYNC?" I tease. "Get her really going?"

"Don't you dare." Mia pokes me in the ribs. "I still maintain she only dances to nineties boy bands because you played them constantly during my first trimester."

"Hey, 'Bye Bye Bye' is a classic. I was simply ensuring our child has good taste in music."

"You're impossible." But she's smiling as she says it, her eyes soft with affection.

The moment is interrupted by my phone buzzing again. This time it's Tarryn, my assistant, with a reminder about tomorrow's early meeting.

"I should probably review those briefs." I sigh, though I make no move to get up. "The Morrison case isn't going to prep itself."

Mia hums in agreement but tightens her grip on my shirt. "Five more minutes?"

"Ten," I counter, dropping a kiss to her temple. "The briefs can wait."

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