Page 84 of Blackout: Book Two

I feel my father drop his lips to my ear.

“Open your eyes and look, Lace. Look at our girl, see what you did,” he rasps. “I’m so fucking proud of you…so fucking proud.”

I do as I’m told, and my eyes find her once again.

Her arms flail as she kicks her legs and continues to cry at the top of her lungs. It’s such an indescribable moment that leaves me in awe and I wonder if it’s possible for her to ever know how much I love her.

“Who is going to cut the cord?”

Her father isn’t here to do the honor, but I imagine there is only one person he trusts to take his place.

Touching my dad’s hand, I lift my eye to his.

“Dad, you should do it,” I murmur. “Blackie would want you to.”

Thumbing away a tear with his free hand, he nods and lifts my hand to his lips. Giving it a quick kiss, he releases it and makes his way to my daughter. I always held my father in high regard, but I never thought it was possible to love him more than I already did. As he takes the scissors from the doctor and smiles at my daughter, I’m proven wrong. Jack Parrish has had many roles, but I think grandpa will be his best yet. With Reina on one side and my mom on the other, he cuts the umbilical cord and the three of them gush over my daughter.

A smile plays on my lips as I lay my head back against the bed and close my eyes.

I did it.

Despite the chaos and confusion that threatened to ruin me, I brought our daughter into the world and she’s healthy.

It was worth all the tears.

Every sacrifice.

All the pain.

“Welcome to the world, Jacqueline Christine Petra,” I whisper. “Mommy loves you.”

My job is done.

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