FLASH FORWARD*** This scene takes place during the next book in the series, Hot Honey Kisses (3:AM Kisses 17)***

The living room in our apartment, the one that once belonged to just Seth, is laden with boxes and gift bags from the shower Lex and Serena threw us. Seth and I have been scratching our heads at the amount of merch a newborn baby seems to require. I mean, I totally get the diapers and wipes, and I more than get the ultra-cute clothing I’ve thankfully been gifted en mass, but the bouncers and the plethora of plastic whirly twirly toys that have taken over make it feel as if we’ve stepped into a psychedelic dream—and it is a dream. It’s mid-September, and my due date is exactly one week away. I was wrong in my prediction that I’d be larger than a house. I’m larger than all of Cutler Tower. I’m a mega mansion as far as baby abodes go. It’s safe to say I haven’t denied myself one culinary pleasure this entire time, and neither Seth nor I are complaining. Whatever Little Fish’s appetite demands is what I give in to. I’m pretty sure this pushover attitude will continue once our tiny bundle of joy arrives. I can’t help but shower my little peanut with whatever its heart desires. I’ve never been so in love in my life, with the exception of Seth, and I haven’t exactly been denying him much either.

“How’s this?” Seth helps set up my phone on the sofa table, a good height considering I’m no longer shooting my vlogs cross-legged and on the floor. In fact, I’m not even shooting my traditional beauty vlog today. Over the summer, I’ve basically rebranded myself from exclusively all beauty all the time to all things expectant mother, and in doing so I’ve double my viewership overnight. Who knew branching out into all things baby would do wonders for my vlogging career?

“That’s perfect. Now, how about you sit next to me? That way you can hand me the gifts as I share them with my viewers?”

“Only if I’m out of range.” His brows do that hot up and down thing as he focuses in on the camera angle one last time. I can’t believe that Seth and I are finally together, and not one of my brothers has committed a felony over the fact. We actually go out on double dates with Rush and Trixie. And Nolan and Misty have had us over for dinner at their place more than I can count. Misty makes a mean chicken saltimbocca, and I’m forever grateful for it.

Seth strides his way over, and my heart thumps just for him. Regardless of the fact my hormones have been jumping like a cat on a hot tin roof, I’ve always found Seth Baker to be wildly attractive, and now he’s all mine, forever, in spirit and in law. I glance down at my wedding ring.

I still can’t believe we did it.

At first, I wanted a simple courthouse wedding, but Serena quickly stomped that idea out like a kitchen fire. It was Lex who convinced me that we should do something simple at the overlook, and that’s exactly what we did—only Lex had a bit more up her sleeve than I bargained for, and it was far from simple. A live band? Check. A throng of thousands showing up for said live band? Double check. And the fact we held our special day on the Fourth of July ensured we had premium seats for the fireworks that took flight over the city. It was truly magical, and I will never forget it as long as I live. And for the first time since I lost my mother, it was as if I could feel her there with me. Serena may have had something to do with that.

I brush back the memory as I blink the tears away.

“Hey, bellas!” I shout over to my phone. “Today I’m doing a little unpacking in reverse. I’ve already seen the fabulous goodies gifted to me with friends and family, but I had to share these amazing treasures with you too because, face it, they’re too cute not to.”

Seth hands me a gift bag with a glittery giraffe embossed over it. “Up first is the most adorable little jumpsuit.” I pull out a mint green sleeper that seemingly is made for a doll rather than a baby. It’s that tiny. “Can you believe soon I’ll be holding a tiny being that will actually swim in this outfit?” I shake my head at the thought. “And as soon as I laid eyes on this precious piece, I knew it was the exact outfit I’d be bringing Little Fish home in.” My viewers have been long since apprised of the cute little nickname Seth and I gifted our baby bundle, and they more than approve. In fact, over a dozen viewers have sent in gifts with Little Fish customized on them, blankets, bottles, onesies. In addition to that, big corporations have been sending boxes daily of brand new baby products they’re eager for me to try to upsell on my vlog. I have a feeling Little Fish won’t want for much.

Seth rubs my knee in approval before handing me the next gift bag, and from the sound of it, I already know it’s one of the many gag gifts Trixie gave us.

“And this—” I pluck an oversized rattle from the bag. It’s clear with red and black beads that swim around the inside and drum up a cacophony of noise loud enough to give a 747 a run for its money. “Isn’t what you think it is. It’s designed especially for the man-child in your life for those moments when he starts acting like an infant himself.” I make a face as I look to Seth. “But you won’t be needing this, will you?”

“No, ma’am. I’m there for you and the baby twenty-four seven.”

“Aww!” I curl my finger at him and pucker, just begging to give him an on-air kiss, but Seth catches my hand and kisses it instead. Seth has been stealth in avoiding the camera, and I think it’s adorable. My viewers have come to reference him as The Voice in the comments. And it’s been duly noted by all that it is indeed a damn sexy voice, too. “You really are going to make a great daddy.” I forget all about the camera for a second and lose myself in those deep marine-colored eyes. “I can’t wait to make you a—”

A horrible pain shoots through my abdomen, like a belt tightening at the speed of light, and my cheeks burn with heat as a fire rips through my body.

“Sunday?” That sexy grin Seth was sporting a moment ago has morphed into a wild look of concern. “Your face is bright pink. What’s going on? Talk to me.”

And just like that, the feeling subsides, and I take a quick breath, fanning myself with my fingers. “I’m fine. Just lost track of what I was about to say, that’s all.” I glance back at the camera and clear my throat. “So you see”—I give the rattle in my hand a good shake—“you don’t have to wait until you’re nine months pregnant to purchase one of these. I’m sure many of you have a man that could use one today. And, if not, you might want to pick one up for yourself because it’s a great way to get some serious aggression out.” I give the rattle a few good shakes, and the distinct feeling of something loosening goes off deep inside me. My pants flood with liquid, and my mouth falls open as my maternity jeans stain dark all the way to my knees—the only part of my nether regions I can see past this beach ball of a belly I’ve acquired.

Shit! Did I just piss myself on air? Honest to God, I should have listened to Serena when she said I should sign off until after the baby was born, but I didn’t have the heart to leave my peeps in the dark. I’ve worked hard to cultivate a personal relationship—albeit one-sided—with my viewers. I can’t just go dark during the most important event of my life.

“Sunday.” Seth’s voice is low and caustic as it becomes painfully clear I didn’t piss anything.

“Oh my God, my water just broke.” I look to Seth in a panic before glancing back to the camera. “Did you hear that? My water just broke!”

Seth jumps to his feet, bolts to the bedroom and emerges within seconds with the bag I packed months ago for this very moment.

“We can’t leave yet!” I shout over at him as a ripe panic swells within me. “We don’t have the car seat installed. Grab the car seat!” I shout as I waddle over to my phone and hold it out at an arm’s length. “It’s happening, bellas! I’m off to the maternity ward to—to”—the world stops for a moment as the reality of what’s about to happen hits me. “To shoot a watermelon out of my lady parts. Oh shit.” I look to my phone in a panic. “There’s no way out of this, is there? I’m trapped in this body, and I can’t get out. I have to do this. I have to squeeze a live human being from a part of my body that normally doesn’t even care for a tampon!”

“TMI,” Seth shouts as he proceeds to wade his way through the countless boxes cluttering our tiny living space. “Quick, which one is the car seat?” he roars as boxes fall in every direction, making a virtual maze to get to the door.

“I don’t know. It’s a seat of some kind. It’s probably small like the baby. Check the gift bags.” I stare back into my phone. “I’m so dizzy with grief over the fact I’m going to have to spread ’em and hope for the best that I couldn’t identify a giraffe if one strode into the living room.” Another pang hits me as that phantom belt tightens around my belly as if a giant were cinching it with all his might, and this time I let out a hearty howl that sends Seth to my side in a blind panic. Boxes fly as he kicks us a path to the door, and before I know it, we’re in his truck and in the parking lot of Hollow Brook General.

“This is it, bellas,” I pant into the phone as Seth garners a wheelchair and whisks me to the maternity ward. “I’m going to have a baby. Oh my God, I have to call my brothers! I have to call Lex, Serena, and Trixie! Somebody help me!” I scream into the screen as if I were being kidnapped.

And just like that, my phone lights up, giving off one ping after another as an entire barrage of texts go off, but before I can respond to any of them, Seth is helping me into a room, out of my clothes, and into a bed. It’s happening. It’s all becoming a harsh reality now. Up until this moment, Little Fish was more of a cool concept than anything tangible, and soon enough he or she will be exactly that, tangible, in my arms, my lips pressed to its tiny cheek as Seth and I welcome our first baby into the world.

The next several hours blink by in a blur of pain and meds, needles, and nurses, friends and family come in and out of the room as I struggle to keep from beating myself senseless until I mercifully pass out. Seth does his best to help me breathe through the brutal contractions, and eventually, I chew everyone out around me until it’s just Seth in the room with me and the cussing, screaming, roaring beast I’ve become. Soon, my worst nightmare is realized, and it’s time to push. The room converts into what looks like a movie set—what with all the lights, camera, action—and much to my relief, I only have to push twice before our beautiful Little Fish is brought into the world.

Seth leans over with wonder on his gorgeous face. “It’s a girl!”

“A girl!” I give his hand a hard squeeze as the warm little red-faced babe is set screaming over my chest. “Oh, she’s beautiful!” I cry as I take in the capful of dark hair she’s wearing, just like her daddy. Her cries are no louder than the bleating of a lamb, and I pull her in close and kiss her downy soft cheek just the way I had envisioned.

Seth blesses us both with a kiss in turn. “My two favorite girls. Welcome to the world, Little Fish.”

And just like that, our family expands by one.

After the hustle and bustle, the cleanup that ensues around my thighs, the cleanup of the baby, our precious princess is back in our arms, and I hold our precious angel with Seth by my side as our loved ones stream into the room.

Rush is ever the proud uncle and is the first to hold her, followed by Trixie. Nolan and Misty are beside themselves with joy, not to mention the tears in their eyes knowing they’ll be parents before long.

Serena and Lex burst into the room with an entire bouquet of pink Mylar balloons, the first of many pink explosions, I’m sure. I can hardly wait to dress my tiny tot in all things fabulous. I’m pretty sure my little princess will have far more followers eager to see what she’s donned for the day than I ever did.

“I can’t believe you did it. Congratulations to the both of you.” Rush blesses her with a kiss to her forehead as he lands her safe in my arms. “So, what’s her name?”

“Yes!” Serena pipes up. “I can’t call her Little Fish for another second.”

I glance up at Seth, biting down on my lip as I try to contain the answer.

“Go ahead,” he whispers, his thumb brushing up over my cheek with love.

I look down at the peach little angel with a nose no bigger than a button on a dress shirt, her beautiful dark brows framing those curious eyes. “We decided to name her after Mom.” I look to Nolan and Rush. “Her name is Priscilla Rose Baker. We’re going to call her Rissy for short.”

Nolan bucks with emotion before offering a tearful nod of approval. I look to Rush as big alligator tears glide down his face.

“I love it,” he says as he bends over and kisses the top of my head, his hot tears baptizing me with a blessing. “And I love you and Rissy, too. I promise I’ll protect you both as long as I have breath in my body.”

Seth lands the palm of his hand over Rissy’s precious head. “And I’ll be doing the same.”

Nolan chuckles. “Count me in on that.”

Lex leans in and brushes her finger over the baby’s tiny brow. “You will be the most loved and protected baby ever. You already know I’ve got your back.”

“Ditto.” Serena gives a teary wink.

“You hear that, Rissy?” I land a kiss to the tip of her perfect nose. “We already have it all. We’re loved by all the important people.”

Seth and I hold our precious bundle long after the crowd goes home, and we can’t seem to stop marveling at her.

This angel God has gifted us will be forever cherished.

Seth brushes the hair from my forehead and offers a smile that melts me to my core. “We did it.”

“With you by my side, I never doubted we could.”

Seth leans in and offers a kiss that says I love you far more proficiently than any verbal proclamation—on this, the night we’ve officially expanded our family.

Deep down, I’ve always known our love couldn’t be tempered. I’ve known it from the beginning, whether or not I was willing to admit it back then. I’d like to think that destiny has always had us on the trajectory toward our forever, and here, in this moment, I can honestly say we’ve arrived.

Rissy gives a little kick between us, and we share a warm, tear-filled laugh.

We have most definitely arrived in hot pink style.