“I can’t believe she’s finally here,” I say and stroke our daughter’s tiny, one-week-old delicate hand.

“I know, me either.” Zane grins up at me with as much beaming fatherly love as a man can provide.

Jasmine Isabel Tanner breathes fresh, new life into me that I didn’t even know I needed, until the first time I laid eyes on her beautiful, porcelain doll face.

“I’m going to miss your baby bump though.” Zane laughs and places his hand warmly on my tummy.

“Don’t you think the term ‘boulder’ is better describes it than the word ‘bump?’” I joke. I’m just happy to hold her in my arms instead of in my stomach. Both feel amazing, but I think I prefer having my gifts unwrapped.

“No way,” Zane says. “You were still fucking sexy even when pregnant.”

I beam at his compliment.

“My heart lives outside my body now,” I admit and swoon over her adorable baby scent and sweet little yawn.

“I’m so happy that I get to enjoy our little family,” Zane looks up at me and smiles.

“She’s so perfect,” I say and continue to stare at my beautiful bundle of joy.

“Just like her mama,” Zane says and my heart flutters.

I smile at him and bite my lip.

“This new and improved Zane Tanner is going to take some getting used to.”

He holds onto his heart.

“Ouch, that one stings, baby.” He grins playfully.

“Oh, come off it.” I playfully slap his arm. “You know you were a prick back then.”

“I still have my moments,” he admits.

“That may be true, but I can’t think of anyone else on this planet I’d rather do life with, than you,” I say.

“I will take what I can get,” he laughs.

I snuggle into the crook of his arm, burrowing myself into his cozy nook. My life is perfect now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You’re probably wondering what’s been going on with us the past nine months, right? Well now is the time to hear the scoop…

No, Zane and I are not married…yet.

We set a date, next spring. I want to wait until the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and get married in the park.

Zane is fully on board with everything I want, and tells me that I can pick everything. I tell him that all he has to do is show up on the date, and that’s his one and only job.

Ideally, if we can wait until precious little Jasmine is walking, then she can be our flower girl.

I’m already starting on the designing process for my lingerie and I’m working closely with one of my designer friends who tells me she’s willing to exchange the wedding dress for free if I provide her with three months’ worth of lingerie for free.

Obviously, it’s a great deal. The exchange is too good to pass up, and I trust my friend immensely to do a fabulous job at pulling together my gown.

In the end, Zane and I just want what’s best for Jasmine, and I know that begins with our combined effort as a family.

Zane is a changed man, and throughout my pregnancy he always did everything I wanted him to do, even the little things like going out to get me a milkshake at midnight or rubbing my feet after work each night.

Oh yeah, and about work.

Our companies are merged now and work as one giant conglomerate that does the designing and manufacturing all in one.

The name is now Lacy Desirable’s and Tanner Manufacturing.

If you’re guessing that neither one of us wanted to give up our own portion of the name, then you’re absolutely one hundred percent accurate on that front.

“Are we going to go for a walk now?” Zane sits up and looks at me.

“No, I think I’m content just to stay right here on the couch cuddling her.” I smile down at her beautiful little face and she wraps her tiny hand around my index finger.

“She’s so little,” he says and leans back.

“I know, and adorable,” I add.

“Okay, then let’s stay here.” Zane runs a hand through his hair then pats my knee. “We can order in.”

“Pizza?” I look at him, hopeful.

“I can do pizza,” he laughs. “Only if it’s the meat lovers.”

“You macho man, you never know when to quit.” I roll my eyes.

“Hey, it’s in my DNA to always keep my tough guy exterior at the front stage.”

“That is until you come home to us,” I say and kiss his nose. “Then you turn into Mr. Softy.”

“Hey,” he grins and points a finger at me, “I will never go by the name Mr. Softy. I mean, fuck. It just goes against my image, and I don’t want people thinking I have a limp cock.”

I roar with laughter, nearly waking Jasmine.

“Relax, no one on earth thinks you have any trouble in the bedroom, but it doesn’t matter anyway,” I remind him.

“Why is that, peaches?” he says, trying out an annoying pet name that I veto immediately.

“Um, peaches?”

“Yeah, it’s cute just like you.”

“I hate that just as much as you hate Mr. Softy,” I laugh.

“Fine, we’ll just call each other ‘hot as shit’ from now on.” He chuckles and kisses my cheek.

“Will you please stop swearing in front of the baby?” I ask.

“Oh come on.” He rolls his eyes. “She can’t understand us yet.”

“Well eventually she will, so you might as well cut back on it now for practice,” I tease him.

“Fine,” he says and picks up his phone. “Do you want me to order the pizza now?”

“Sure.” I nod.

I’m enjoying our quality time together and I never want to go back to work. I’m having such a great time at home with Jasmine.

Maybe I can hire an assistant who can run the business in the corporate office while I work behind the scenes from home.

It’s an option I’ll weigh when the time gets closer for me to go back to work. For now, I’m going to continue to focus on living in the present moment, and appreciating the simple things in life.

I know. Cliché, right? Well, when you become a parent, you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about.

I mean, fuck, Jasmine is already a week old and I want to stop the clock. There are so many moments now that I want to pause and rewind, and I can’t wait for each of her fantastic milestones to approach.

“Hey, Zane?” I call to him as he walks away to order the food.

“Yeah?” He looks back at me.

“I love you, baby.” I grin.

“Baby, I love you more.” He winks at me.

I hit the jackpot in every way possible.