“Brooke, what’s happening?” I practically scream through the phone at her.

“Belle’s in labor, and we’re at the hospital. You need to get here as soon as you can, Paxton.”

“I’m in a cab now! We’ll see you in a few,” I say, only to realize that Brooke doesn’t know that we just arrived back.

“Are you here? Wait, I’m confused.”

“We just landed, I was going to surprise Belle but I guess the surprise is on me.”

“No, I’m pretty sure when you walk through that door, she’s going to be shocked. Just get here.”

“Brooke… Is she… Are they okay?”

“They’re both doing great. Oh, and I won’t tell her you’re on the way.”

“Thanks, Brooke,” I say before disconnecting the call. I fill Julie in on everything before leaning my head back to take it all in.

I have to thank the skies above as this was just by accident that we’d already landed. If we’d taken another day to wrap up on location, I’d be missing the birth of our child. I’d have to spend the rest of my time making this up to Belle. She wouldn’t voice her disappointment with it, but I’d know. Because I’d be just as upset for missing it. This changes my plans for the evening, but it’s okay; I have another trick up my sleeve.

Walking through the doors, I locate the waiting room where I spot her family, my dad, and Jace. We do the quick hellos and early congrats before I go search for Belle.

Tap… Tap… Tap…

“Come in,” I hear Brooke’s voice filter toward me as I open the door the rest of the way. My eyes land on a sleeping Belle. My feet skid to a stop as I take her in. Her blonde hair’s fanned out on the pillow, an IV in her arm, blood pressure cuff on the other, and I notice all the wires coming out from underneath her blanket.

“She’s just resting.” Brooke must notice my hesitation. I’ve never seen anyone lying in a hospital bed before. Not to mention, someone I love more than the air I breathe. She looks comfortable and not in any pain.

“How’s she doing?” I ask, stepping closer.

“Great, she did give in and got the epidural. Ever since that she’s been asleep.”

I can’t help but let out a low laugh at the fact that my Belle gave in to the pain medicine. I’ll ask about that later. Right now, I need for her to know that I’m here.

“I’m going to step out and give you two some time together. Glad you made it, Paxton,” Brooke says as she pats me on the back. I give a quick nod in her direction.

Leaning down, I place a kiss on top of Belle’s forehead, whispering, “Hey, beautiful, I made it.” She mumbles something that I can’t make out. I don’t let go of her hand as I slide the chair over toward the edge of the bed. Sitting, I lean my head down on her leg and listen to the sounds coming from the monitors. I watch the massive one next to me as it prints out spikes on a paper. The little heart flashes to the left of the screen, and I take it that’s our child getting ready to meet us. Belle moves a little with a grunt, causing me to stand abruptly.

“Belle, you okay?”

“Paxton?”

“It’s me, I’m here.”

“How long have I been asleep? What’s going on?”

“Not long I think, and I just got here. See, funny thing is I was going to surprise you, but I guess you win this round.”

“I never win when it comes to you,” she says with a smile.

“Yes, you do, you have no idea how many times you’ve won.”

“I was so worried you’d miss this.”

“Nothing to worry about now, I’m here and we’re doing this together.”

“Paxton.”

“Yes, Belle?”

“I need to push, it’s time.”

Those words don’t even have time to register with me before I’m out the door looking for a nurse.

I stand off to the side as they push machines, scales, carts and more nurses pile into the room. Once the doctor appears, we all get in our positions to support Belle and help her get through this. As I stand here with her hand in mine, I can’t believe that there was a time in my life that I tried to walk away from her. Run from the one person who sees me as me and nothing else. She loves me in a way that I can only pray never fades away.

“Give me one more big push, Annabelle,” her doctor says.

I lean down a little closer and locking our eyes together, I whisper, “You can do this, Belle. Let’s meet our baby.”

Before I can finish, she focuses on my face and lets out a gust of air with a push.

The sounds of a crying baby fill the room.

“Congratulations, you have a beautiful baby girl.”

With tears filling both of our eyes, I lean down and kiss Belle hard.

“You did it, Belle.”

“No, we did it.”

We stare at each other a little longer before the nurse hands Belle our daughter.

“What shall we name her?” Belle asks as I can’t keep my eyes off her.

“She looks just like you, you know that?” I say with amusement.

“I see you in her, and she’s going to give you a run for your money,” Belle states. I should go out and let our family know the good news, but I can’t yet. There’s something I have to do first.

I slide out a piece of paper, unwrapping the already premade lines that I worked on while in the air.

“Belle, we have one last game that has to be played. One last win for me, but this time you won’t lose—you’ll gain my last name and love forever. I challenge you, Annabelle Quinn, to a game of tic-tac-toe. If I win, we marry as soon as we can. If you win I give you the wedding of your dreams. All you have to do is say yes. Yes, to making me the happiest man in the world. To agree to always be the O to my X’s.”

She’s staring up at me. Our daughter gazing at our faces as she’s the one to witness this moment between her mother and father.

“You’re scaring me, Belle. Usually, a girl answers when the guy proposes,” I say.

“Yes, I’ll be your O, and I’ll play.”

I hold the paper out for her to make her mark on the bottom like always. Next, I pull the paper away and mark mine, and we continue down this path until I place the final x that wins the game.

“So I guess we’re getting married,” she says.

“Yes, we are. It’s about time I make you Annabelle West.”

“Kiss me, Paxton,” she says as she looks up. As my lips hover over hers, our daughter lets out a loud cry, alerting us that she wants all the attention.

“How about Layla Belle West?”

“I like that, but where did you come up with Layla?” Belle questions.

“You once said if you ever had a daughter, you wanted to name her Layla. I always knew that would be our daughter’s name.”

“I forgot about that. I can’t believe you remembered.”

“I always remember things that you tell me, Belle.”

“Seems that way. So when are you going to marry me?”

“Right now if I could, but let’s get you home and settled first. Oh, I almost forgot the ring.”

“You have a ring?”

“I do, I’ve had it with me for months. Just waiting for the right moment. I refused to wait another second today,” I say and slide the ring on her finger. It’s a simple princess cut that fits Belle perfectly.

I kiss her and Layla before walking out to get our family and friends. I can’t help but think about the future. One where I’ll be next to my best friend and daughter. For the first time in my life, I feel content. The weight to run is no longer on the heel of my shoes. The weight of the world is no longer on my shoulders. All I’m carrying down the hall with me is love. I finally got the girl of my dreams, and I’m not wasting another day hiding it. Our family and friends knew a long time ago that this is where we’d end up. We just had to fight through the middle parts to get to it. Each of us thought the other deserved better, but it wasn’t until now that I realize my better is Annabelle and now Layla. They're my home and the reason I was put here. It doesn’t matter where I might travel to in this world—Belle is home and where my bags will always land.

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The End