“You know the reason you thought I’d never sign that contract?” I raged. “Because you have the miserable condition of believing the rest of the world is as money-grubbing and selfish as you are. It’s called projection.”

“That’s more like it,” she said. “Cutting and all too true. I think you’ll make a pretty good psychiatrist after all.”

“Psychologist!”

“Whatever,” she shrugged. “You can put it in whatever fancy college terms you want, but you haven’t got anything I haven’t heard before.”

“Sam’s in love with you, you dumbass undeserving bitch,” I growled.

Her face blanked. “What?”

“If you weren’t so clueless and self-obsessed you’d have noticed it years ago.”

“Push,” said Anne, fingers tightening on my hand.

“C’mon, sweetheart,” said Ben. “You can do it.”

Dr. Peer and Amy waited between my spread legs for any development. Everyone in the fucking room singing the same tune: push.

But it was Martha that did her best to get in my face, having apparently recovered from her surprise. “Enough dicking around, Liz. Get that kid out of you. Now.”

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“I’m trying!”

“Try harder, you slacker! Push!” she screamed right back at me. “Come on!”

“Argh!” My poor innocent vulva opened dreadfully, horribly, unnaturally wide. And then plop, the rest of my baby’s body slid out into the waiting arms of Dr. Peer. A moment later, a truly annoyed little cry filled the air, tiny baby fists flailing.

My baby. Oh wow.

I sagged back in relief, just trying to catch my breath. Anne was crying. Ben was watching our newborn child with open wonder. Martha was giving me a smug smile. Cow.

“Knew you just needed the right motivation,” she said, inspecting her perfect manicure. “Hate-fueled anger has its place, you know.”

“Clue-less,” I singsonged back at her, as much as my complete lack of energy would allow. We both smiled. I don’t really know why.

The pediatrician did a quick check of our baby while the after-birth was swiftly delivered and everything dealt with. Oh wow yeah. Never again. Never ever. Probably.

“Ladies, I present to you Gibson Thunderbird Rollins-Nicholson.” Ben carefully handed my swaddled, screaming baby into my arms.

“Hey, baby. It’s okay.” Oh my god. The warmth inside of me, the pure love filling me up to overflowing. He quieted down, the shrill noise turning into tiny I’m-quite-put-out whimpers. A tiny nose and mouth, and two china blue eyes staring back at me. A shock of dark blond hair. “Look at you. You’re wonderful.”

“Isn’t he?” said Ben, letting Gibson wrap a tiny finger around one of his sizably larger ones.

“He’s a he,” I stated, somewhat startled. “Wow.”

“Wondered when you were going to clue in to that.”

“And I was so sure you’d be a girl.” I shook my head.

“He’s perfect.” Anne gazed at him with absolute adoration.

Strangely enough, so did Martha. I’d never even imagined seeing her face so soft and smitten.

“We’re naming him after your favorite bass?” I asked.

“If you don’t mind.” Ben leaned forward, placing a kiss on my forehead. “Good work, sweetheart. You kicked ass.”

“Sorry I was so hellacious.”

He laughed. “Never mind.”

“Gibson Thunderbird Rollins-Nicholson.” I stroked a finger across his soft, sweet little cheek. “You are loved.”

“Truer words were never spoken,” said Anne, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “We’ll give you two guys some time alone.”

“Right. Later. Nice baby.” Martha followed my sister, brows drawn down and a thoughtful look on her face.

The good doctor and nurse had likewise made themselves scarce. Thank goodness for the quiet. To think, after all those months of being careful with my language, all he’d heard upon entering the world was profanity. Oh well. Win some, lose some.

“I love you,” said Ben, nuzzling my face.

“I love you too.” I turned, kissing the tip of his nose. “We’re a family now.”

He smiled. “Lizzy, you’ve been my family since the day I met you. My best friend. My lover. You going to make it official now and be my wife too?”

Gibson started to cry, little head trying to turn this way and that—seeking out something to suck, most likely. God, he was amazing. So beautiful.

“Here.” Ben helped me rearrange him, opening the neckline on my gown to give my bubba access. “Guess I’m going to have to share those for a while.”

“A noble sacrifice.”

One hand rubbing his son’s back, and the other smoothing back my messy hair, Ben stared down at me. “You didn’t answer my question. Will you marry me?”

I smiled through the happy tears. “Oh yeah. I’d really like that.”



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