Ellis smiles. “It makes sense,” she says. “You’ll need to ask him first, but I think he’d like that.”

I silently hope he will. It would kill me if he doesn’t feel like a part of this family just because of blood. As I wonder about Jack, now a big brother, we’re interrupted by a nurse with a clipboard coming to check Ellis’s vitals.

“So Mom and Dad, do we have a name?” she asks.

“Charlotte Ruinsky,” we answer together.

A united front.

Chapter Thirty-One

Ellis

Deciding not to breastfeed was an easy choice for me. It not only meant I can start taking my medication again, but it also means Liam can feed the baby while I sleep. And sleep I do. Not long after Charlotte was born the adrenalin wore off and I knocked out. Liam paid extra for us to have a fully private room for my recovery; it’s nice to be alone with my family and it will also mean we can have more visitors than we probably should. I tried to protest, to tell him not to throw his money around, but I know our friends – there is no way any of them would be willing to miss this.

Selfishly, I’ve been awake for ten minutes but I’m lying incredibly still with my eyes closed while listening to Liam talk to Charlotte. I know Jack will be coming by soon, so I will wake up for him, but right now I’m enjoying lounging. As soon as the thought materialises there is a light knock and Edge’s head peeps through a crack in the door.

The room is lit up by one of his rare smiles as he meets my eyes, I nod to let him know we’re ready. He has barely cracked the door open before Jack flies into the room from behind him.

“Hi buddy!” I smile at my son as he climbs onto the hospital bed carefully before snuggling into my side.

“You okay, Mum?” he asks, his big bright eyes looking between me and the pink bundle of blankets in Liam’s arms.

“I’m great Jack, you ready to meet your sister?” I watch as he shakes out his little arms and sits higher on the bed so he is rested against the pillows before he nods seriously at Liam holding his arms in a clearly practised position.

Liam smiles full of contentment as he lays Charlotte in her brother’s arms and we watch as Jack tries to bite back a wave of emotions as he looks at her.

“She’s so little,” he whispers reverently, eyes locked in with hers. They share a moment, their gaze connected before Jack whispers again, “I love you, baby.” My heart turns into a puddle.