The Playbook
Page 21
I awkwardly patted her on the back and then entered the room, cautiously approaching the bed where Lucia lay. In her arms was a tiny bundle, wrapped tightly in a striped pink blanket. Our baby girl. Wow. I still couldn’t believe it.
“Come here,” she smiled, looking tired but gorgeous all at the same time. My heart filled with even more love for her then. “Meet your daughter.”
My throat grew thick as I reached her side and took the bundle. My eyes filled with tears as I gazed down at the perfectly rose-colored face of my daughter for the first time. “Hello there, my little lovebug. She’s gorgeous, absolutely perfect,” I whispered. I was a father.
“That she is,” Lucia answered as I carefully sat next to her, our shoulders brushing up against each other. “We did it, Jacob. Can you believe it? She’s finally here, after all that waiting.”
I looked over at her, and she wiped my wet cheeks with her hand, her own eyes shining with tears. “You did it. God, I love you so damn much.”
“I know,” she smiled, resting her head against my shoulder. “I love you too, Jacob.”
I grinned then and looked back down to the wide-eyed baby in my arms, the daughter whom I was going to protect with my very life for as long as I was on this earth. “Do you think they make baby jerseys?”
Lucia laughed and ran her finger over the downy cheek of our beautiful little girl. “I think they do. Heck, I think we got some as gifts at the baby shower. But maybe we could get a championship jersey made?”
I nodded, unable to take my eyes off my daughter. My year had been fucking awesome. We had won the championship, and I was named MVP. Lucia and I had become engaged, then married, and I now was a proud daddy. I couldn’t ask for much more. Leaning over, I pressed a kiss to Lucia’s forehead, breathing in her scent as I did multiple times during the day whenever we were together.
Words couldn’t describe the emotions I was feeling. She made me feel so proud to be by her side, so grateful that she had taken a chance on me—several in fact. And now we had a daughter between us and a future that was going to be so damn perfect that when I was old and crippled, I would still have this feeling in my chest that my life couldn’t be any better. I had gone from a cocky football player who thought he had it all to a man who now knew that this was all he needed. And that was just fine by me.
Lucia
I watched as Jacob drifted off to sleep, his jaw slack and the death grip he had on my hand now a bit lighter. He was so tired, and though he had been a trooper throughout the entire process, I knew he needed his rest. For the last hour we just sat here and enjoyed our little Nora, marveling at the miracle we had made together. It was still hard for me to believe that I was now a mom, that someone depended on me for the rest of my life. I was responsible for her, and the thought scared the shit out of me. And Jacob, as well. Though I could tell he was thrilled about her being here, I could see the worry in his eyes. Heck, I had the same in mine.
With a sigh, I leaned back on the pillow, exhausted. The birthing process had been a marathon of epic proportions. Now that all the excitement was over and she was finally here, I could feel the weariness starting to creep up in my body, urging me to get the rest while I could. My father and Merry couldn’t be any prouder of their granddaughter, promising to have everything ready at the house when we’d come home. Auntie Cara was ecstatic, as well. I was very blessed to have such a good support system around Jacob and me.
Looking down, I noted that my wedding band wasn’t as tight as it had been over the last few days. Thank God. It was a beautiful set, one that I had worn proudly until I couldn’t get the square-cut engagement ring on anymore and was reduced to wearing just the sparkling band. Still, I couldn’t imagine ever forgetting our wedding day.
It had been a small ceremony, taking place outdoors on my father’s estate. The wedding dress was not what I had pictured growing up, but when you’re six months preggo, you don’t get the long, form-fitting gown. But I had still fallen in love with my choice.
I settled on a long and elegant lacy dress with an empire waist. And when my father walked me down the aisle the look of appreciation in Jacob’s eyes was all I needed to reaffirm that the dress was a winner. The ceremony was beautiful and orderly, but the reception was far from quiet. The whole day seemed to echo our different personalities, the joining of two people who loved each other so much but who were quite opposite in so many ways. And I did. I loved Jacob with everything I had. He was my soulmate, my rock, and my best friend—though Cara would tell you otherwise—and I was extremely proud to be his wife.
Nora whimpered, and I laid a hand on her little body, glancing over at Jacob to ensure that he was still asleep. As much as I thought I wanted him in the delivery room, I could see that he was beside himself with worry. We’d made the quick decision to sub in Merry and Cara so he could gather himself. It was sweet of him to try and stay, but he looked like he was going to faint at any moment, and I shooed him away between pushes. Both Merry and Cara had been wonderful replacements.
But now our little family was together, and we had the world to take on. Jacob’s performance was the best that it ever had been, and he was already touted to be the starter next season. And though I’d be on maternity leave, the practice was flourishing. I was now the consultant for a number of pro sports teams in the south, which couldn’t make me happier. There was not one day that I regretted making that move.
“How are you still awake?” Jacob whispered and took my hand.
“Taking it all in, I guess. Planning, too. There’s so much we need to do.”
“Try and sleep, my love. Let me take care of you, of everything, okay? You’ve done enough for one day. Dream about our little girl and our future.”
With a happy sigh and a nod, I closed my eyes, the day’s events starting to catch up with me, comforted by the fact Jacob was taking charge.
“I love you, Mrs. Maddox,” he said, caressing my hand. As I started to fall into a blissful sleep, I wondered if my dreams would show our futures, because I couldn’t wait to see what life had in store for us next.
* * *
♥ The End ♥
Don’t miss the other books in the series:
#2 The Curve Ball (Cara & Luke’s story)
#3 The Love Game (Ginny & Damon’s story)
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Also by Emilia Beaumont
For an up-to-date list please visit:
www.emiliabeaumont.com/books
* * *
Reigning Love Series
Royal Master
Royal Daddy
Royal Beauty ~ coming soon
* * *
Expecting & Loving Series:
Expecting my Billionaire Stepbrother’s Baby
Loving my Billionaire Stepbrother’s Baby
* * *
Forbidden Desires Series:
Snake
Vulture
Shark
* * *
Damaged Bad Boys Series:
The Play Book
The Curve Ball
The Love Game
The Lucky Draw ~ coming soon
* * *
Stand Alones:
Billionaire Stepbrother
Kiss Me Again
Hitman’s Revenge
Dream Daddy (a Dark Daddy’s Best Friend Romance)
Daddy Ever After (a Billionaire Romance)
Royal Bastard
Bad Boy’s Wedding
Five Night Valentine
About the Author
Emilia Beaumont is a full-time writer, originally hailing from England, living in the South of Ireland with her husband and a house full of cats. Surrounded by peaceful emerald fields she always has a pen and notebook to hand ready for when the next saucy idea strikes. Emilia is also an avid comic-book reader, and a wildlife advocate.

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