She’s not my blood. Not my DNA.

But she’s mine in every single way that matters.

I shift her gently in my arms, pressing my lips to her soft, warm forehead.

“Hey, baby girl,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “You have no idea how much I love you.”

She makes a tiny sound—half a sigh, half a contented little noise that absolutely destroys me.

I exhale shakily, resting my forehead against hers for half a second, closing my eyes.

She’s mine.

Everly Louette Timberbridge is my daughter.

And I will burn this world to the fucking ground to keep her safe.

I glance up, finding Blythe watching me. Her expression is so full of love, so full of something deep and certain it steals the last breath from my lungs.

“She’s our little girl,” I say, my voice raw.

Blythe smiles, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Yeah, Atlas. She’s ours to love and protect.”

I look down at Everly, cupping her tiny head, holding her like she’s my entire universe.

“I’ll never let anything happen to you, baby girl,” I whisper. A vow. A promise. A fucking truth carved into my bones. “You’re mine. And I’m yours. Forever.”

Her tiny fist curls around my finger.

And just like that—I’m gone.

Fucking wrecked.

And I’ve never been happier in my entire life.

It’s been a week since Everly came to us. Tonight, I stand in the nursery, rocking my daughter in my arms, staring at the stars on the wall.

The mural I painted for her—the lake where Blythe and I decided to build a foundation of our forever. The night sky stretching across it, endless and full of promise. The future I never thought I’d have.

Blythe is curled up in the lounge chair, watching us, exhaustion and love warring in her eyes.

“You’re staring,” she murmurs, her voice soft, sleepy.

I don’t look away from Everly. “She’s beautiful.”

Blythe smiles, that sleepy, love-drunk look stealing the last of my breath.

“She has you wrapped around her tiny little finger already.”

I smirk, brushing my lips over Everly’s dark hair. “Of course she does.”

My daughter is so small. So fucking perfect.

And then I look at Blythe. My wife. My love. The woman who changed everything.

I walk over to her, leaning down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips.

“You gave me everything,” I murmur against her mouth. “A home. A family. A place to belong. You gave me her.”

Blythe touches my cheek, her love written all over her face.

“You gave me the same thing, Atlas.”

My heart slams against my ribs, too much, too full.

I sit beside her, cradling Everly between us, pressing my forehead to Blythe’s.

I never thought this would be my life.