Page 20 of Unexpected Delivery

The most incredible gift I’ve ever been given, and she’s so tiny and completely dependent on me. It’s hard to stay focused on the positives when all I can think about is how badly tonight could have gone.

It’s complicated.

I truly believe I made the right call getting us away from Adam. But I still feel like a failure when I compare the house I moved out of in Arizona to the run-down cabin I’ll be bringing Gracie home to.

Adam comes from the type of money that I had never been exposed to until we started dating.

I didn’t grow up in a pack.

My dads adopted me when I was three months old, and they gave me an amazing childhood. They loved me so damn much, and I never doubted that. When I presented as a teenager, they were right there, searching facts about omegas and doing everything they could to make my transition easier.

They would have loved Gracie. I know for a fact they would have held my hands while I delivered, and I miss them so much it hurts.

My freshman year in college, they were supposed to come visit me for Christmas, but they never made it. There was a carbon monoxide leak, and they died peacefully in their sleep.

My eyes ache as my head shakes.

My grades tanked. I had no interest in school, and I knew I couldn’t afford my next tuition payment without their help. I couldn’t even manage to finish paying off the mortgage on their house, so the bank took it back.

Gracie starts to nibble again, and I run my finger over her chubby cheek. Her eyes open lazily, and I try to determine what color they are. It’s hard to tell, but I think they’re deep blue. The baby books said that could change when she’s older, though.

“I know we had a rough start, but I promise I’m going to take care of you,” I whisper, and fat tears drip from my eyes.

I’m happy and incredibly relieved she’s okay. I think it’s a combination of everything hitting me all at once. Sniffling, I bring a hand up to wipe my cheeks. Tonight could have gone really badly, but God or some higher power was looking out for us.

The sound of the door opening catches my attention, and my eyes fly up as Hayes closes it behind him. He has something tucked under his arm that I can’t make out.

He spins around, giving a tight smile, and I focus on repositioning my hospital gown to cover as much as possible without cutting off Gracie’s air flow.

“Can I come in?” He frowns, shaking his head. “I’m already in the room. Can I come sit with you?”

My face heats.

This man was all up in my vagina when it was in the most questionable state it’s ever been.

At the same time, he was an absolute gift from God. He knew exactly what to do to ensure Gracie and I were safe, and it feels like I’ll never be able to repay him for what he did for us.

My hair falls around my face as I nod. “Yeah, of course. I’m feeding Gracie, but I don’t mind if you don’t.”

Hayes rocks on the heels of his boots as his eyes widen.

He and Hael look so similar, but their energy is completely different.

Hayes is intense and serious, though it feels like that’s because he’s always assessing and analyzing. I don’t know him well enough to make the assumption, but that’s how I interpret it. It’s almost like he’s waiting for the next emergency to pop up so he can tackle fixing that too.

The gratitude I feel toward all three of them is immense. I couldn’t explain my emotions if I tried, but I know I owe him an extra special, heartfelt thank you. I’m a little surprised they haven’t left yet. It’s coming though, and I need to handle that before they go.

Hayes’s curly brown hair falls over his forehead as he cuts his eyes at me. There’s something predatory about his gaze as he strides forward with a box in his hand.That must have been what was tucked under his arm.

He makes it about a foot away from the end of the hospital bed, spins around, strides to the sink, and drops the box.

One by one, he shoves up the sleeves of his long sleeve T-shirt and grabs several pumps of soap before washing his hands.

Okay, he does have tattoos.

They’re just not in visible places like Hael’s.

The strong muscles of his back move and flex as he continues scrubbing.

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