I looked in the mirror as she pushed and barely realized what I saw through my tears.
"I can see the baby's hair! Oh my God, Stella, you are so amazing. You're doing great, baby."
"Shut the fuck up, Gavin!" she screamed.
I didn't even have time to laugh when the doctor yelled, "Just one more push, Stella! You're almost there!"
Tears ran unashamedly down my face as I watched my son leave his mother's womb and enter the world.
He wailed like a banshee when the doctor pulled him out and it was the most beautiful sound I ever heard.
"Well, he's not fully cooked but close enough," the doctor said proudly as he wrapped him up and nurses cleaned off his face before placing him on Stella's breast. "Congratulations, mama. You did very well."
Stella beamed with happiness as she gazed down at the tiny, fragile person she held against her. The person we made and had the responsibility of setting an example for.
"I love you so fucking much. Both of you." I kissed her temple and gently touched my finger to my son's hand.
"What's his name, Dad?" she asked softly. "Should we start a legacy of Gavins?"
I chuckled softly as I stroked my son's head. "No way, he deserves better than that. How about David?"
"David?" she looked at me in surprise. "After my father?"
"Well, he's a man I admire," I explained. “He defied a monarchy for the greater good and took the consequences for it. He raised an amazing woman who I fell in love with and has helped me with the new stage of my life. I can't wait for our son to meet him."
Stella smiled angelically up at me. "David it is, then." Her face turned serious.
"But if we have a girl, we're not naming her after my mother."
I met her gaze right back.
"We sure as shit aren't naming her after mine."
We broke out into hushed laughter at the same time, as little David had fallen asleep looking so peaceful and perfect under his mom’s chin. I looked down and wished I could freeze the snapshot forever.
After growing up abandoned and alone, I realized then I had achieved what I never thought I could or deserved.
My perfect little family.
EPILOGUE
STELLA
THREE YEARS LATER
Gavin and I finally got married when our little Davy was six months old. On the last day of our honeymoon in New York, I started feeling sick.
We kept the apartment I leased when I first went there, and I spent half that day with my head in the toilet.
"Could it be you're pregnant again?" Gavin asked with a smirk as he helped clean my face with cool washcloths.
Sure enough, I was. It seemed I still managed to be pregnant during my wedding, despite my first effort to not be. Our daughter Annabelle was born at full term after a much easier pregnancy than my first, not that I would change a thing about David.
No one believes he was a preemie when they see him running around like a little torpedo and screaming at the top of his lungs. He got his dad's height and strength and even likes to bite people playfully. I still call him my little vampire.
With two rambunctious kids and a third on the way, I almost regretted my decision to say yes when Alex asked if we could host his wedding at our castle.
But when the day finally came it was an honor to host the first royal marriage between two men at our home, Telleshire Castle.
After nearly four years, the grand structure overlooking the ocean was completely restored and modernized. After many consultations and design ideas, my garden in the courtyard became my perfect, green oasis.
When little David started walking, he and I helped the landscapers plant new flowers and trees where Prince Alex and Duke Darryn would stand together, say their vows, and become officially married. I couldn't be happier to have my children witness a such a beautiful, loving moment.
At the reception I met Elsie, a longtime schoolmate of Duke Darryn's who would become their surrogate. She was also an experienced midwife and I considered hiring her for my third delivery.
"You've got this birthing thing down by now," she said kindly. "You're going to go to bed one night and your husband will wake up and see you feeding the baby that you delivered in a flash all by yourself!"
"If only it were that easy!" I laughed. "I do have experience on my side now, at least."
"Mind if we join you, ladies?"
I looked up to see Scarlett approaching our covered canopy with her date, who I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting yet. All I knew was he was American, tall, and very rich.
"Of course, Auntie Scarlett!" I beamed. We became more like sisters in the past few years and the kids loved her like a second mum.
"This is my guest, Jared Hawthorne," she said with a wide grin and in the distinctively high voice of a girl who had a huge crush.
"Please, don't get up," he said in a deep, accented voice. "It's lovely to meet you," he added with a warm smile and looking directly at me with stunning green eyes.
"Likewise," I said, hoping I didn't blush. He was almost as handsome as Gavin.
"Where are the little ones?" Scarlett asked as she and Jared sat down, her slender arm wrapped around his massive bicep like velcro.
"Gavin has Belle. Davy is playing with Oliver," I said. "I swear being a grandpa has made that man feel twenty years younger. He loves chasing after that boy, which is just fine with me," I added, rubbing a hand over my sore, swollen belly.
"You have a beautiful home, Lady Telleshire," Jared said in that deep, low rumbling voice. "Thank you very much for accommodating us."
"It's nothing at all," I told him. "We're happy to have you! Any guest of Scarlett's is welcome in our home."
"I've thought about purchasing some property out here," he continued, looking out across the landscape. "After seeing what you and Lord Gavin have done I feel inspired to remodel an abandoned castle. There seem to be plenty here and in Scotland as well."
"Amberfall has much better weather than Scotland," Scarlett purred while looking at him adoringly.
"Much better views as well," he replied, barely above a whisper and mere inches away from her face.
Elsie and I exchanged a knowing look that said we'd have to pounce on Scarlett as soon as we could for juicy details.
"Aww, here comes the little Lady," Elsie cooed.
I looked up to see Gavin approaching our canopy with a sleeping Annabelle on his shoulder. My heart melted at her angelic sleeping face, with her lips parted and chubby cheek smooshed on her father's lapel.
"There you are," he said softly as he bent down to give me a kiss. "Would you mind taking her, babe? I'm joining the guys for Scotch and cigars."
"Of course. Come here, angel." I held my arms open as Gavin carefully transferred her to me without waking her.
"Jared, you're welcome to join us," Gavin offered. "We're opening a 30-year-old single malt to celebrate the happy couple."
"Don't mind if I do, my Lord. Excuse me, ladies." Jared kissed Scarlett sensually on the neck before he stood and walked with Gavin across the yard.
Scarlett promptly turned a bright shade of her name as Elsie and I took the opportunity to pounce on her.
"Okay, spill it!" I said as loud as I could without waking Annabelle in my arms.
"When the hell did you meet him?" Elsie demanded.
Scar turned even redder as the wide grin broke out on her face.
"It was by accident, really. We met on my trip to Maine. I wanted to spend time alone in a quiet cabin in the woods where nobody knew who I was. I quite literally bumped into him and we've been inseparable ever since."
"What does he do?" I asked.
"He owns all of the lumber and logging companies on the east coast," she replied. "Who knew I'd find American royalty in the middle of nowhere!"
"That's great but we need to know what really matters," Elsie whispered with a suggestive waggle of her eyebrows.
“How big is it and does he know how to use it?”
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I tried so hard to stifle my laughter, Annabelle squirmed in my arms and I had to rock her back to sleep.
Scarlett and Elsie doubled over with laughter until they could barely breathe and Scarlett wiped tears from her eyes.
"Oh my God you two," she breathed as she took a sip of champagne and fanned herself dramatically.
"That good, huh?" I said as I regained my composure, still rocking Annabelle.
"I'll just say he's ruined me for all other men," she answered with a sly wink. "And to be honest, I don't think there will be any other men."
"Whoa now! Princess Scarlett is settling down?" Elsie exclaimed. "Well, call the press because that is a news story."
"Oh stop," Scarlett protested. "Everyone settles down once they meet the right person. Look at Gavin! Before he met Stella, Alex and I never imagined he would become Lord Baby Daddy."
"Occasionally, I swear he's my fourth child," I said with an eye roll but smiled when I looked down at the beautiful daughter we created.
Her head rested on my chest while her small body wrapped around my basketball belly. A flutter of movement pressed against me just under where her tiny hand rested as if her unborn sibling wanted to play patty-cake with its big sister.
I looked up across the field at my husband standing out like a specimen among all the other men, even Jared, who he talked to while sipping his Scotch and puffing on his cigar.
As he pointed out the various upgrades and construction projects to Jared, I sat back watching him and couldn't feel more proud.
Despite our rare arguments and his relentless teasing, he truly was a selfless, dedicated husband and father. He respected and loved me deeply, and allowed me to grow into my own person, instead of treating me like some royal arm candy.
I grew up wishing a prince would come to my rescue and marry me.
Turns out, he did.
The love of my life was a true prince in every way that mattered.
Thank you so much for reading Beauty and the Bastard! I truly hope you enjoyed it.
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