the tips of two fingers and touched his heart, then held out his hand when she stood.
She was his one, and he would move mountains for her. The person who completed him.
If giving up the single life meant changing it for this, he was willing to accept it as his ultimate sacrifice.
Epilogue
Parker tossed his rucksack over his shoulder as he flat out ran across the parking lot toward his vehicle. They’d been on the way home from an unpleasant jaunt in some hot and sweltering jungle doing his job when news reached him his wife had gone into labor.
A black SUV screeched to a halt before him and the back door flew open. “Get in!”
He obeyed Ioan. They were moving toward the gate at speeds that weren’t to be hit on base. The vehicle shuddered and shook as he took a corner before straightening out. They blew past the gate guard, who didn’t look at all surprised that they’d used one of the exits that was typically closed off.
“Who called ahead?”
“I did,” Gibson said as he looked back and grinned. “She’s still in labor, so hopefully we get you there in time.”
Fuck, he hoped so.
His heart pounded harder than it did before he jumped from a plane or engaged in a firefight with the enemy. This was Skylar, his wife, and their baby. What if she needed him there and he wasn’t?
“Focus, man, we’re pulling up. You’re hopping out at the ER. We’ll park and come up.”
He dropped his bag and jumped even before Ioan came screeching to a complete stop. He ran inside, heavy boots squeaking on the floor.
He found the signs for maternity and bolted for the elevator. On the floor, he slammed his hands on the desk, startling the nurse. He got it—he looked like he had just walked out of the jungle, his beard thick and full, and he quite probably still had black paint on his face. “Skylar Radford?”
“I’m sorry sir, you can’t just—”
“If you don’t want me pushing open every fucking door in this place, tell me where my wife is right now. She’s having my baby, and I’m not going to let her do this without me. Skylar!” he hollered. “Skylar! Where are you?”
“Christ, you’re a pain in the ass.” Ryliee’s voice came from behind him, and he whipped around.
Ioan and Gibson got off the elevator and looked between them.
“What’s going on? Where is she?” Ioan questioned.
“What he said.” Gibson.
“Let’s go,” Ryliee said to Parker. “You two stay.”
Thankfully, her best friend didn’t move slowly, and he followed her to a room.
She paused him with a light touch on his arm. He cocked an eyebrow and looked down at her.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” He knocked once on the door and stepped inside.
“We’re going to move you now,” the doctor was saying.
“No,” she said. “It’s too early. He’s not home. I promised him I’d wait.”
“A noble sentiment, but the babies tell us when it’s time, not the other way around.” He lifted the side of the bed. “Let’s get moving.”
“No.” Her protest was morphed into a whimper as another contraction rocked her.
Parker stepped up, pushing through the nurses, and took her hand.
“I’m right here, baby. Right here.”
“Parker?”
“Right here,” he rumbled, kissing her cheek. “I love you. Let’s go have a baby.”
“Someone get him ready to go in to the delivery room and bring him. We need to go, now.”
He was there the entire time, holding her, allowing her to rail at him, crush the fuck out of his hand, whatever she needed as she brought their child into the world. Six hours later, he sat beside her as she slept. He’d taken his daughter out to meet her aunt, uncles, and grandmother. Cullen was staying with his dad, but his mom had come in.
They’d all left and it was him, Skylar, and their daughter, who snuggled against him wrapped in a soft pink-and-white blanket.
“You came.” Her voice was so soft he almost missed it, except this woman was his soul and he always heard her.
She turned toward him, the light glowing off her skin. “How is she?”
“Absolutely fucking perfect. Just like her mama.” He inched closer so she could see her daughter. “Look what you did, baby. She’s perfect. She’s ours. Ours.” Holding the newborn, he used his free hand and sank it in Skylar’s hair, putting their heads together. “I love you so fucking much. So fucking much.” His voice broke.
Her hand settled upon his cheek. “We did this, Parker. You were there for at least two minutes of the conception.”
His chuckle couldn’t be contained. He loved her more and more with every breath he took.
“Parker, I want Cullen in here tomorrow. He needs to know we’re not forgetting him. Are you staying?”
“They’re not getting me out of here. Sleep, baby. I got this.”
Skylar succumbed to exhaustion, and he remained holding his daughter. “I love you, too, my little girl. Welcome to the family, Silver Michelle.” He put her back in the bassinet that was in there and crawled into the bed with Skylar, wrapping her up in his arms. He stared at her wedding ring that bore the inscription You Are My Always & Forever, before lacing the fingers of their hands and tucking her closer still. She was his. He was hers. There was no other way for him to view this other than perfection.
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About the Author
Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here, or feel free to apply to join her yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aliyah_burke. She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi, and a DSH cat. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training, showing, and racing.
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