Page 120 of Beautiful Scar

“I plan on it,” Tigran rumbles, kneeling by my side. “You did so good, baby, so fucking good. Wow, look at her. My god, she’s so small.”

“Perfect,” I whisper, giddy with emotion. High from the release of childbirth. My mind reeling as I hold my baby for the very first time in my arms. My soul joyous knowing this is my family.

I feel so much love in this moment. Tigran leans over me, kissing my forehead, speaking to the baby in Armenian and Russian. He kisses the baby too.

“Amelia,” I whisper, kissing her little nose. Then I look at Tigran for approval.

His eyes are shining as he nods. “Little Amelia,” he agrees. “Not Russian or Armenian. Something all for us.”

“I love you, Amelia,” I whisper to her.

Tigran holds us both, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say there was a tear in his eye.

But no, not Tigran. Can’t be possible.

“Oh my god, she’s perfect.”Lena cradles Amelia in her arms. “I can’t wait to introduce you to Roman. Oh my god, you two are going to be best friends.”

“She really is incredible,” Arsen says and pats Tigran roughly on the shoulder. “You should be proud.”

“Dasha did all the work.”

Arsen laughs and bends down to kiss my cheek. “Your husband’s a smart man.”

“He’s learning fast,” I say, beaming up at him.

“Can I keep her?” Lena asks, cooing at the baby. “I’m serious. I’ll leave right now with her.”

“Get my baby back, please,” I ask Tigran.

“That’s enough now.” Tigran gently takes our daughter away from Lena.

“Well, guess I know what we’re doing when we get home,” she says, leaning against Arsen’s side.

Arsen frowns deeply. “I can’t tell if you’re kidding.”

“Absolutely not. Roman’s old enough, and I forget how hard infants are. Knock me up, big guy.”

I laugh at the look on Arsen’s face, and even Tigran’s grinning. Lena smothers her husband with kisses, and he sighs, but we all know he’s going to give her exactly what she wants.

These Sarkissian men are all brooding anger and violence until there’s a baby in the room. And then they’re like tame lions.

Rub their belly, and they do whatever you want.

“How’s the momma?” Sona comes sweeping through the door and hugs me. “You did great from what I hear.”

“All I did was push.”

“That’s hard work,Dashenka.” She kisses my hair. “We’re proud of you. Now let me hold the kid.”

“Just don’t steal her,” Tigran mutters, handing her over.

From there it’s a parade of friends and family. Sarkissian aunts, uncles, and cousins take their turn congratulating me and lifting the baby up in their arms. I haven’t even met most of them, but suddenly, they’re acting like we’ve known each other forever.

And honestly? I like it. This is the family I’ve always wanted. Big, crazy, dysfunctional, violent, rich as sin, protective as hell, andmine.

The day passes like that. It’s a blur, but it’s a good blur. At the end of visiting hours, only Evan’s left behind in the room.

“How’s it feel to be an uncle?” I ask him when he finally gets a turn holding Amelia.

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