Twenty minutes later, I’m holding a precious baby boy in my arms. He was 7 pounds and 11 ounces, with dark peach fuzz covering his head and his daddy’s pouty lips.

Luke insists he has my gray eyes.

I’m both physically and mentally exhausted, but I’ve never been happier or more at peace in my entire life.

Bree had apparently left to help get Luke past security, and had assumed I’d want to be alone with her brother. She wasn’t wrong.

We haven’t had much time to talk yet, although there’s a lot that still needs to be said. For now, however, I’m just enjoying the comfortable silence encompassing the quiet room. Who knows how long it will last with all the nurses coming in to check on everything.

Luke somehow managed to squeeze his large frame into the tiny hospital bed with me and the baby, and is gazing affectionately at my Little Man while softly rubbing his fingers through my sweaty hair.

I swallow thickly, overwhelmed by the gratitude I’m feeling for my baby, Luke, and Adam for giving me this one final gift before he left. Without him, I wouldn’t have anything.

A tear silently slides down my cheek before Luke gently tilts my head toward him.

“Hey, Sweetheart,” he whispers, his husky voice causing goosebumps to break across my skin.

“Hi,” I whisper shyly.

He chuckles under his breath before placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Why so shy now, Liv?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I dunno? I’m embarrassed, I guess. I’m so sorry I left. I just needed some time to wrap my head around everything, but I’m afraid I ruined things with you. Please tell me I haven’t.”

He shakes his head slowly, his gaze penetrating my own. “Sweetheart, I’m afraid you can’t get rid of me, no matter how hard you try. The only reason I left was to give you space. Bree convinced me it was what was best for you, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I almost missed this little guy’s birth. I would’ve never forgiven myself.” He runs his finger along my baby’s cheek softly, before turning his bright green eyes toward me.

“And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Adam. I know I should’ve, and I know you think it was me choosing him over you, but it wasn’t. I was an idiot and didn’t know what to do. I didn’t handle the situation well, but please don’t let my mistake all those years ago affect our future together,” he pleads.

“Can you ever forgive me?” he asks, sincerely. “I promise I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you’ll let me. I love you Liv. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you in that stupid classroom. I loved you on prom night when I kicked myself for not fighting with Adam and letting him ask you instead. I loved you when I sat outside that chapel on your wedding day, begging you to say ‘no’, but wanting your happiness more than I wanted my own. I love you more than anything in the world, and I love this little guy as if he were my own, too.”

I smile softly, my eyes glassy as I take in this handsome man beside me. He has no idea that I’ve already forgiven him, that I can’t live without him, that I need him as much as he needs me.

“I love you, too,” I say, simply. Honestly.

I grab the collar of his white t-shirt and pull him down for a kiss, pressing my lips to his. He pulls away slightly, a giant grin on his face, and asks, “So is that a yes?”

I nod my head and laugh before kissing him again, this time forcing all my frustration from being away from him for the past few weeks, and all my pent-up passion, into the kiss. He groans into my mouth before pulling away, and brushing my hair behind my ear, trying to calm his breathing.

Apparently, I’m not the only one with raging hormones.

“We should probably keep things G-rated for the next six weeks,” he teases, bouncing his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

I laugh good-naturedly before nodding in agreement. “You’re probably right.”

“Besides, we have much more important things to discuss,” Luke states, becoming serious.

“Like what?”

“Like this little guy’s middle name, of course! Did you think I’d forget our bet?” he smirks, mischievously. “Time to pay up, Buttercup!”

Dammit. I mean, dang it! Shit this is hard. Shoot!

I had hoped he’d forgotten.

Groaning, I squeeze my eyes shut and ask the question I don’t want the answer to. “And what’s his middle name going to be?”

I peek at Luke, waiting for him to victoriously shout, “Danger,” but am only greeted with silence.

His grin widens as he shakes his head. “Nope. Not until you tell me his first name, Sweetheart. I want to make sure it has a nice ring to it.” He winks.

I glance down at my baby boy, taking in all his tiny, handsome features.

Naming kids is hard as hell. Heck! They’re stuck with the name you choose forever, and I want to make sure it suits him perfectly.

Clearing my throat, I consider my options. “I think I’ve decided on….”

Luke interrupts me. “May I make a suggestion?” he asks, hesitantly.

I furrow my brows before answering, “I’ll allow it.”

“Well, I had been saving this for his middle name, but after seeing Little Man, I kind of think it might fit him as a first name.” He looks at me a little sheepishly.

“We are not naming him Danger!” I shriek.

He chuckles before continuing, “That’s not what I meant, Liv. I won’t be offended if you say no, because I know he’s not mine or anything,” he rushes on, “but I was kind of thinking Leo, after Adam. I know he hated his middle name, Leonard, and who could blame him, that’s a horrible name, but he kind of reminds me of a Leo.” Luke gazes down at Little Man.

“You know, like a lion. Strong. Brave. Ready to take on the world. Plus, let’s be honest, he’s pretty much going to rule the house like a little king, right?” he jokes affectionately, while rubbing Little Man’s peach fuzz.

I consider his suggestion before smiling broadly. “I think that’s a brilliant idea. Especially since I was going to go with Graham, after a man that I hope is going to play a pretty big part in his life.” I peek up at him from beneath my eyelashes, my cheeks tinged pink, praying I didn’t just make a really wrong assumption.

Luke looks at me questioningly. “Lucas Graham Jensen, and Adam Leonard Thorne?” He pauses, absorbing Little Man’s name fully. “So this little guy will be Leo Graham Thorne?” He taps his chin thoughtfully. “I like it! What do you think, Liv?”

I nod my head enthusiastically, loving my decision, and ridiculously grateful Leo’s middle name won’t be Danger.

Hallelujah!