Everything stops.

I knew I loved her. Of course I did, from the moment I knew Ellis was pregnant I have loved the life we were bringing into the world – but this is beyond anything I could imagine. Every strand of my DNA changes to make room for the love this little girl is bringing into my world. Knowing this baby is part of me tears part of my soul. And I give it to her willingly, it is hers to keep.

My baby, my daughter, my little girl.

I don’t notice the tears until one drops onto the blanket wrapped around her and I let them fall. We cry together as she gets adjusted to the world and I get used to how much my world has grown.

Ellis lies in bed watching us with a smile as I slide onto the bed placing our daughter into her waiting arms. She must sense her mom’s presence because once she settles into Ellis’s arms she calms for the first time since she burst into our world. The pink bundle in her arms looks even smaller than in the nurse’s somehow, each one of her features are tiny and perfect and I can’t wait to show her off.

The three of us sit together basking in the light of our daughter as she falls asleep in her mother’s arms. Ellis shuffles closer to me until we are fully pressed together before she rests her head on my chest, her eyes still glued to the sleeping bundle.

“I meant it, you know?” she whispers, so quietly I’m not sure if she is talking to me or the baby until she nudges my side.

“Meant what?” I ask.

“That I love you.” She looks up at me, skin still shining from sweat looking radiant as ever.

“I love you, too, Ellis Ainsley.” I bring my head down to kiss her lightly, my lips barely skimming hers.

“I think I love her a little bit more though,” she laughs, looking back down again.

“I’m okay with being third on your list,” I tell her honestly, our kids always come first.

“You’re second, Jack and baby are joint first.” She nudges me again harder this time, clearly putting me in my place.

“Second sounds good to me.” And it really does, as long as Ellis loves me, I am on top of the world. “I’m going to ask you to marry me one day.”

“I’m going to say yes.” She winks. I was expecting to see shock at my words, but there isn’t any. She seems settled to know she is a part of my future.

“The Ruinskys, that has a nice ring to it. I want Jack to be one, too,” I tell her. He feels like mine as much as this little girl. Just because he doesn’t share my DNA that does not make him any less my son.