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Talia smiles, her eyes glistening. "Hope Grace Morgan."
I choke back a sob, nodding. The name sounds poetic, lyrical. Fitting for the tiniest princess.
Hope lets out a small cry and I cradle her closer, smoothing back the fine hair on her head. She is so tiny, so fragile. I will move mountains to protect this child.
"Shh," I whisper. "I'm here. I will always be here for you, Hope. Always."
Talia reaches out and squeezes my arm, her skin warm and soft. Our eyes meet in a transcendent moment. No matter what storms we've weathered, this miracle lying in my arms makes everything worth it.
I lean down and press a feather-light kiss to Hope's forehead, breathing in that sweet newborn scent. The scent of innocence. Of hope.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself before I speak.
"Do you want me to call Burn?" I ask Talia tentatively. "Let him know that the baby has arrived?"
Talia's face clouds over at the mention of my twin.
"Burn doesn't need to meet Hope yet, Dare," Talia says softly. "Burn may be mending fences with you, but he's definitely not welcome at my bedside. He'll forever be the man who tried to keep us apart. That, and our baby's uncle. But Burn is nothing more than that. You know that, right?"
I nod, exhaling in relief. I think a small part of me has always wondered what Talia's reaction would be at this moment. And I have to say, my wife certainly doesn't disappoint.
"I know," I say. "I'm trying to be flexible."
"You've been here for me, for our daughter," Talia continues, her eyes boring into mine. "You're the one who read to Hope in my belly, who held my hair when I had morning sickness."
I clutch her hand, blinking back tears. She's right. This pregnancy deepened our bond in ways I never dreamed possible.
"Hope is your daughter," Talia finishes firmly. "Our daughter. Burn can know when we're ready."
"I agree completely," I reply. My love for this woman swells in my chest. No matter what the future brings, we have each other. Hope is the living embodiment of that love.
I lean in and kiss Talia's forehead, then Hope's, breathing in the scent of the two people I cherish most in this world.
I gaze down at the swaddled newborn in my arms, her pink face scrunched in sleep. Overwhelmed, I sink into the chair beside Talia's hospital bed.
"Let me take her for a minute," Talia says gently. She eases Hope into her own embrace.
I drop my head into my hands, choking back tears. The tidal wave of emotions threatens to pull me under. Joy, excitement, fear, protectiveness, and gratitude all war within me to be the emotion I express. I stifle a sound deep in the center of my chest.
Talia's hand rests on my knee. "I know," she murmurs. "I know. Just let it all out. You don't have to be strong right now."
I look up, meeting her understanding eyes. She knows me better than anyone. My weaknesses, my wounds, my dreams.
"I fucking love you so damn much," I grit out.
"Come here," Talia says, shifting over on the bed.
I climb up carefully, wrapping my arms around her and Hope. I smell the baby's head, breathing deeply, feeling a sense of calm settle over me. Talia leans her head on my shoulder.
"We're in this together," she reminds me.
"Together," I echo, finding peace in her presence. I kiss Talia's hair, then Hope's downy head. My family, my heart.
A soft knock interrupts us. The door cracks open to reveal the nurse.
"Special delivery," she announces with a smile. Aunt Minnie, Olivia, and little Solana file in behind her.
Their joyful exclamations wash over me as they crowd around the bed to meet the newest member of our family. Hope yawns, blinking up at the beaming faces surrounding her, and I try to keep my emotions in check.
