Hooked by Love Page 146


And a head full of dark hair.

Ashlyn Joy is here.

As my arms hold her tight, with Avery’s chin on my shoulder, I’m pretty sure I’m going to drown in the love I have for this child. For nine months, I watched her grow in my wife, I felt her kick, I prayed for her to be healthy. But nothing prepared me for this overwhelming feeling of love.

“I love her.”

Avery nods, her eyes watery as she looks down at Ashlyn’s beautiful little red face. “She’s perfect.”

I look at my wife, and I can’t believe what she endured. Hours of labor that ended in a C-section, and still, she’s smiling. I’ve never been so scared in my life, and I threw up way more than I’d like to admit. I also almost passed out but Avery, man, she was ready. To this day, she still blows me away. The tables were turned during the birth of this angel, and I was the one freaking out while she held me together. That’s how we work, though. We take turns holding up the other.

My love.

My girls.

Leaning toward Avery, I kiss her nose before leaning my head to hers. “I don’t think you realize how happy I am,” I whisper and she grins.

“Sure, I do.”

“Yeah?”

With a nod, she moves her finger along Ashlyn’s face and smiles. “I’ve felt that way every day since I met you. It’s just a million times better now.”

“That we are complete?” I supply, and a tear rolls down her face.

“Exactly.”

Sucking in a breath, I whisper, “I love you, Avery.”

Kissing my jaw, she pulls back. “I love you.”

As she looks down at our baby, her fingers moving along her sweet cheeks, she starts to sing Ashlyn’s song. A lump forms in my throat as I watch her sing so sweetly to our baby. Looking down at our bundle of joy, I can’t believe the whirlwind we’ve been through, our lows and our highs, but I wouldn’t change anything. None of it, because the end game—me holding my daughter and telling my wife I love her—is completely perfect.

Everything I ever wanted.

And we aren’t even done.

Nope, our love song is just starting.

And I can’t wait to listen to it over and over again.

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