Page 20 of Happily Huxley
His eyes are shining now, tears threatening to spill over as he leans in closer, his forehead resting against mine. “You can, Shiloh. You are strong enough. You’re the strongest fucking woman I know.”
I shake my head, but I don’t let go of his hand. I hold on tighter, clinging to him as another wave of pain crashes over me.
“You b-better not know any other women, Logan Huxley,” I cry out. My body is on fire, every nerve ending screaming, but his presence keeps me grounded, keeps me from drowning in it.
“I don’t. No other women but you,” he promises, kissing my cheek. I barely resist the urge to bite him.
I suck in a harsh breath as the contraction ends. I know it’ll only be a few seconds before the next one hits, and it takes everything in me to push again when all I want to do is curl in a ball and sob.
“I’m here,” Logan whispers, his lips brushing against my temple. “I’m right here with you. We’re in this together.”
I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me, trying to find some semblance of comfort in them. I hate him for putting me through this, for making me hurt so goddamned badly, but I love him, too.
I love him so much it hurts.
“Just breathe, baby,” he murmurs, his voice soft and soothing. “We’re almost there.”
Another agonizing contraction hits and I give him a panicked look. “I can’t!” A choked sob wracks my body as I shake my head. “I can’t! I—”
“I choose you,” he whispers, cutting off my protest. Grabbing my face, he forces my eyes to meet his as he vehemently makes the declaration that started this so long ago. The one he reiterated at our wedding, and again when the boys were born. The vow he tells me when my heart breaks, when my world shatters, when everything falls apart.
And just like always, it never fails to stitch me back together.
“I choose you, Shiloh Huxley,” he promises. “I choose you as my friend, my partner, my wife. You are the mother of my children, my future. I choose you now, and I’ll choose you again and again, every day for the rest of our lives.” With a soft kiss, he braces my neck and knee. “Now choose our daughter, baby doll. It’s time to meet her.”
I nod weakly, focusing on his voice, on the warmth of his hand in mine. I can do this. I have to do this. For him, for us, for the little life we’re about to bring into the world.
With a deep breath, I push through the pain, clinging to Logan like the anchor he is. I’m terrified, exhausted, but with him by my side, I know I can make it through.
Together, we can face anything—even the unknown.
Even forever.
