Page 71 of Better as It

Our son has my last name and it’s an honor I can’t get over.

The nurse smiles. “That’s beautiful.”

Dia squeezes my fingers.

I brush the baby’s cheek.

“Benjamin for his dad,” she says softly, more to herself than the nurse. “Ward for the only man who’s ever stood beside me in every kind of storm, my own dad, and Miller because he deserves all of us.”

I don’t cry.

However, I shatter.

But in the best way.

Two Days Later - Home

BW meets us on the front porch, a balloon tied to the railing, a stuffed biker bear tucked in one arm.

“Let me see the kid,” he says, already reaching.

“Wash your hands,” Dia says without looking up from the carrier. “Or I kick you in the balls.”

“God, you’re a mom already.”

“Justin’s teaching me how to threaten people properly.”

I smirk. “Darlin’ I have an appreciation for your love of hitting a man where it hurts. But as a man, the mention of kicking anyone in the balls automatically draws them up. So while sassy you is sexy, could we leave a man’s junk out of the mix.”

“I’ll think about it,” she retorts.

We all laugh.

Once inside, the house feels different.

Like a new soul moved in.

Benjamin’s first wail echoes through the hall and it sounds like home.

Sass and Tank show up an hour later. Tripp and Doll leave a gift on the doorstep—a tiny black leather vest with the Hellions patch stitched on the back because we were sleeping.

BW and Karsci basically move into our spare room. They are determined to help take off some of the work load and allow both Dia and I to get some sleep.

That night, Dia rocks the baby while I clean bottles and try not to burn the rice.

She hums a lullaby I don’t recognize. Benjamin makes a little sound in response.

When she tucks him into the bassinet, she turns to me.

“You ready for this?” she asks.

I walk to her. Wrap my arms around her.

“We’ve already started.”

She leans into me.

And for once, there’s no storm.

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