by Katee Robert
Several seconds passed.
Dr. Oakes took a careful breath. “Looks like your little fellow’s been busy. It’s time.” He jerked his chin at Galen. “Consort, if you would help brace her knee while she pushes. Nurse Lecanter, if you could take the other knee.” He met Meg’s gaze. “When the next contraction comes, I need you to bear down and push. You’re going to meet your son soon.”
“Okay.” Meg panted, each breath tearing at Theo’s control. “Okay, I can do this.”
“You can do this,” he murmured in her ear. “You are strong and powerful and our child is lucky to have you as a mother. You’re almost there, princess. We’ve got you.”
Just like that, it was time. Theo breathed with her, Galen held her leg, his expression at once panicked and rapturous. It was happening. She was having their baby. Holy fuck, Theo hadn’t expected this level of emotion curdling in his chest. Fear and joy and hope. And he could do nothing but wait for the conclusion, whispering an endless string of comforting words to ground Meg as she fought to bring their son into the world.
“Good, good.” Dr. Oakes smiled. “He’s crowned. Another couple of pushes and he’ll be here.”
So it went. Time lost meaning. There were only contractions and brief respites. All color had leeched from Galen’s face, and Theo imagined he looked just as terrified. Should it be taking this long? He couldn’t voice the question, couldn’t do anything to bring fear into this room. Dr. Oakes had things well in hand. He had to.
“There we go.”
A shrill scream sounded through the room and Theo’s heart actually stopped when he realized it hadn’t come from any of them. No, it was… the baby. Dr. Oakes let loose a little laugh. “Well, apparently your son isn’t a son at all.” He lifted the tiny baby. “Congratulations on your daughter.”
Things happened quickly after that. Galen cut the cord, the doctor dealt with the afterbirth, their daughter was delivered to Meg’s bare chest, and both were wrapped in comfortable blankets. He and Galen ended up on either side of her, staring down at this tiny person that they’d made. She looked much like an angry old woman, but she was still the most beautiful thing Theo had ever seen. He stroked the side of her sleeping face with a single finger.
“Louise,” Meg whispered. “I want to name her Louise.”
Theo would have given her the world in that moment if she’d asked, but he hesitated. “Are you sure?” Louise had been his mother’s middle name and while he loved the idea of honoring her this way, he’d been serious when he promised Meg that she could pick any name she wanted for their child.
“It’s a good name,” Galen said, his voice hoarse. He smoothed a careful hand over Louise’s head. “Fuck, she’s perfect.”
“She really is.” Theo turned his head and kissed Meg’s temple. “I love you. Both of you.”
“Love you, too.” She sounded half asleep. “Would you like to hold her?”
“Yes.” He carefully took Louise and arranged her against his bare chest like the nurse had shown them. Theo covered her back with a careful hand, delighting in the slow and steady rise and fall of her breathing. A baby. They had a baby.
His life had been full of major highs and devastating lows, and this moment, right here, was the worth the entire ride. He pressed a soft kiss to Louise’s crown of dark hair. She had a full head of it, which delighted him to no end. “Your life comes with great privilege, little girl, and great responsibility. You are our jewel and our treasure and we will protect you to our dying breath. Our family is a little unconventional, but you will want for nothing. You will spend your life surrounded by an abundance of love.”
“Forever,” Meg said.
Galen gave a shaky grin, his dark eyes shining in the low light. “Always.”
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading THEIRS EVER AFTER! I hope you enjoyed the conclusion of Theo, Galen, and Meg’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. They really are something special!
* * *
If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review.
* * *
Want to stay up to date on my new releases and get exclusive content? Sign up for my newsletter!
Coming Soon!
Isaac and Noemi’s story, THEIR SECOND CHANCE, will be released on audiobook through the Read Me Romance podcast from December 10th-14th. You can listen for FREE!
* * *
If audiobooks aren’t your thing, you can find THEIR SECOND CHANCE on all retailers in Spring 2019! The ebook will also feature exclusive bonus content.
The Marriage Contract
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert begins a smoking-hot new series about the O’Malley family—wealthy, powerful, dangerous, and seething with scandal.
* * *
The Marriage Contract
* * *
Teague O’Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family’s name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a “business” alliance, Teague’s ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and he decides he will do everything in his power to protect her.
* * *
Everyone knows the O’Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn’t aware of just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. The closer they get, though, the more trouble they’re in. Because Callie’s keeping a dark secret—and what Teague doesn’t know could get him killed.
* * *
Find out more in The Marriage Contract. Out Now!
To stay up to date on new releases and for exclusive new content, make sure to join Katee’s newsletter HERE
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever Katee Robert publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-ISWD-WZVU
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
