Page 98 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“Hey, Briar Olivia.” He rubs her back. “It’s about time you showed up and gave your momma a breather.”

I choke on a laugh and a cry, nuzzling her soft cheek. “She’s perfect.”

“I mean, you made her so…” Archer chuckles. “You did good, Rosebud.”

“Wedid good, Arrow.” Our temples touch as the doctor and nurses leave the room, giving us some time with our new baby girl.

“Let’s make one of these again. I want two or three more.” He’s completely enthralled, his finger tracing the shell of Briar’s ear.

I stifle a yawn, completely exhausted since someone decided she wanted to be born in the middle of the night. “You don’t ask a woman for two or three more babies when she finished delivering the last less than thirty minutes ago.”

“Can’t help it. I loved seeing you pregnant, and I loved getting you pregnant.” He winks.

I shake my head at his caveman sentiments, but admittedly, I’ll miss being pregnant. The intimacy carrying our child brought is unparalleled. With Clem’s pregnancy and birth I was always alone. Before, during, and after I was terrified. Even with Mom and Devin here, I remember laying in the hospital bed feeling confused and disconnected, not recognizing the human that’d come out of my body. As I hold Briar and Archer strokes the side of my face, all I feel is grateful and complete.

“You realize we’re never going to be able to get Clem to give her up.”

I giggle. “She’s going to be one protective big sister, learning from those big brothers of hers.”

“When are they coming?” Archer doesn’t take his eyes off of our new daughter.

“Mom said she’d bring her and the boys tomorrow after lunch to meet Briar. She wanted to let us have some time with just the three of us. I’m so glad we convinced her to move to Burlington last year.”

Archer chuckles. “Well, good luck in getting them to wait that long.”

“Honestly, I can’t wait for them to arrive. I want our whole family together. Maybe we can call her in the morning and tell her to come on.”

“You need to sleep, Rosebud. We’ll see.”

Laying my head back, I close my eyes, Briar’s bitty heartbeat syncing with mine as she sleeps.

“You ever wonder what would’ve happened if Eli and Nolan never woke Clem and you never came storming over to my apartment?”

“All the time.” I chuckle quietly. “But I don’t have to wonder for long because I know at some point we’d have run into each other, and you’d have had love at first sight with Clem. You were always meant to be her dad.”

“You have it half right.”

“Oh yeah?” Opening my eyes, I roll my head on the pillow. “And what am I missing?”

“I’d have seen you first, loved you first. You were always meant to be my wife.”

I lift my mouth, and he kisses me. “I love you, Mr. Thomas.”

Against my lips, he says, “I love you, Mrs. Thomas.”

THE END

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