I groan and place a hand on the small of my back, the muscles aching.

“Everything in me hurts so bad,” I whine, looking over my shoulder at where Luke is sitting. At seven months pregnant, I’m as big as a house, and no amount of Luke telling me how gorgeous I look can negate the fact my ankles are swollen, I can’t see my feet, and my boobs are like two watermelons strapped to my chest. “Did you hear what I said?” I holler out, wanting him to feel sorry for me. If I have to suffer, I want him to as well. I’m a salty and moody bitch right now.

He sets down the book he’s reading and glances at me. Rosie perks her head up, and I hold in my smile at the fact she’s lying on Luke’s lap. He might act like he hates the dogs but over these past several months he’s become just as attached to them as I am, and I know he’d be lost without them. That’s clear when he suggested, during one fierce thunderstorm, that the dogs sleep in our room.

Yes, our room. I officially moved in with Luke right after New Year’s. There wasn’t any point in not living with him now that we’re engaged and having a baby. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my cabin yet but I kind of like the fact we’ll have both properties to ourselves so the dogs can wander as much as they want.

“What did you say, princess?”

I turn around, placing a hand on my belly when I feel the baby kick. “I said, my back is cramping, my feet ache something fierce, and you’re sitting there making me wash the dishes.” Of course he’s not making me do anything, and I’m just whining for the sake of doing it, but these little jabs that we give to each other, even all these months later, still kind of get me off.

He sets Rosie on the ground and walks over to me. “Oh baby,” he says softly, concern lacing his voice. He could have started in on me being a crybaby, but since becoming pregnant Luke has been so accommodating and sweet toward me that I realize every day how lucky I am to have him in my life. “You know I’d carry our baby for you if I could.” I snort, and he releases a little laugh. “I mean it.”

“Are you kidding me?” I pull back and look at him, knowing my expression is amused. “No way you could handle being pregnant. You bitch and moan when you have to stack the lumber in the shed.”

“Yeah,” he says as if I’ve lost my mind. “You know how big those pieces of wood are?” I can’t help but roll my eyes and shake my head.

“Think about having one of those pieces of lumber jammed in your stomach for nine months and then have to push it out of your body.” I lift my eyebrows and wait for his reply. But the man is smart. He keeps his mouth shut and holds up his hands in surrender.

“Touché.” He puts a lock of my hair that fell from my ponytail behind my ear and smiles. His thumb lingers against my skin, and I can’t help but lean into his touch. Despite the fact I feel very unattractive, my body doesn’t seem to care where my mind is. I want him even more than I ever have, and even if hormones are a big contributor of that, Luke is pretty damn handsome all on his own.

I drag my gaze along his body. He looks especially good in flannel. His jeans hug his ass to the point my mouth waters in anticipation. He’s also very generous in the bedroom, making sure to please me several times before getting off himself. Nope, hormones have nothing to do with me wanting him like a sex fiend.

I take a step closer and press my body to his—as well as I can, given the fact I have a big stomach in the way. I place my hand on my belly again when the baby kicks. “She’s feisty today,” I say and look down and rub my stomach. We found out we’re having a little girl as soon as we could, mainly because I can’t stand surprises.

“Is my little girl ready to come out?” he says before kneeling down. He pushes my shirt up and kisses my belly.

“She better not come out yet, it’s too soon.” He looks up at me and grins. “I can already tell she’s going to be a spitfire like her momma.”

I can’t help but smile after he says that. I lift my hand and run my fingers through his dark wavy hair. He’s been letting it grow out, and even though I was hesitant at first, I like it a little longer. He has naturally wavy hair, and it’s actually really sexy when it falls over his forehead.

Luke rises up and pulls me in, cupping my cheeks and kissing me soundly.” You sure you’re going to be able to handle two of me,” I joke and kiss him softly.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

I’m pacing the hospital room, the tile beneath me probably already showing wear. My heart is thundering, and my palms are sweating. I’m scared as hell and don’t know what to do or how to react.

“Can you calm down?”

I stop pacing and look over at Kylie, who’s currently lying in a hospital bed getting ready to deliver our daughter. I run my hands over my face, the stubble on my cheeks and chin scraping along my palm.

“I’m sorry, princess.” I walk over to her and grab her hand, bringing it up and kissing her knuckles.

“I think you’re more nervous than I am.” She chuckles. She’s hooked up to a machine to monitor the baby’s heart rate and her contractions. She got an epidural a few hours ago, so I’m glad she’s not in pain anymore. I couldn’t stand it when she was, and I had gotten to the point where I wanted to kick someone’s ass just to relieve some of my stress.

“You’re still comfortable?” I ask and lift my hand to move some of her hair away from her face.

“I’m fine,” she says softly and rests her head back on the pillow. “There’s just pressure but no pain.” I exhale and nod.

There’s a knock on the door, and then it’s being pushed open. The doctor comes in, along with two nurses. After they check Kylie’s progress, one of the nurses confirms she’s dilated to ten centimeters and is ready to start pushing. I feel my hands start to shake. Kylie reaches out and curls her fingers between mine, being my rock when I’m the one who should be hers.

Everything is a blur as the doctor tells her to push. As I hold her leg, staring into her face, I feel slightly queasy—my stomach twisting, my knees threatening to buckle.

Gripping the edge of the bed, I tell myself to man up and get control. I sure as hell don’t want to pass out while Kylie is having our baby. I don’t know how much time passes, but before I know what’s happening, the doctor is coaching Kylie and tells her it’ll only be one more push before the baby is here. She looks exhausted, and I know she is because we’ve been here for hours. There’s sweat along her brow, and I hate that I can’t do anything to help her along.

I lean in and kiss her on the forehead, giving her words of encouragement. “Come on, princess. You’ve got this. You’re the strongest person I know,” I say against her skin then pull back and look down, watching as she brings out daughter into this world.

And then she’s born, her little crying ringing in my ears. I take a step back, afraid I’ll be in the way as they clean her off on Kylie’s chest. My woman is crying, big, fat tears and I watch as they stream down her cheeks.

And I realize I am too.

I wipe the wetness away, smiling from ear to ear, so fucking happy I can’t even think straight.

“Dad, want to cut the cord?”

I glance over at the doctor and nod, still grinning as I do as I’m instructed. As the flurry of activity dims and they check the baby out, I lean close to Kylie and kiss her on the lips.

“I love you,” I whisper against her mouth.

“I love you too,” she says, her voice wavering from her emotions.

They bring our baby girl over, and I hold her, marveling at how tiny she is. “I knew she’d look just like you. So damn beautiful,” I whisper, staring at my daughter.

Daughter. I’m a dad. Hell, I can’t even believe it. Even after all these months preparing and planning for her, it still feels so surreal.

“I’ll need to make sure my shotguns are cleaned for when little assholes come knocking on my door to date her.”

Kylie laughs softly, and I glance up at her.

“I’m serious. She’s not dating until I’m dead.” The hospital staff leaves us all alone, this time just for us. I help Kylie put the baby against her chest, skin to skin and watch in awe as our little girl starts nursing.

“Rowan,” Kylie whispers and runs her finger along her head. “She looks like a Rowan to me.” Kylie glances up at me, and I smile in approval. “Rowan Justine.”

“I think it’s perfect.”

And just like that my life is officially complete.