Eight Months Later

"Ahh!" Grace cried out from her hospital bed. Liam held her hand and squeezed.

He kissed her head. "You're doing great."

She managed a smile before Dr. Rose told her, "Just one more push, sweetie."

Grace nodded before she pushed. Once she heard the baby's cries fill the room, she collapsed against the pillows.

She breathed out: "How's the baby?"

"You two have a beautiful and healthy baby boy," Dr. Rose told them as she offered a bright smile.

Grace snuggled against Liam, clutching his shirt in her hand. "Our son is here. He's finally here."

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her. He rested his head against hers.

Dr. Rose then strolled over to them. "Now, this little one will have to be cleaned up, but I wanted you two to have a few moments with him."

"Thank you," Grace began. She took a deep breath before she continued, "And thank you for everything these past months. You've been so supportive and helpful – we both really appreciate it."

Dr. Rose smiled once more. "I know you two had your share of doubts and fears – but I can promise that you two will be wonderful parents."

She then passed the baby to Grace. She carefully took him and snuggled him close to her chest.

The doctor quietly stepped away as Liam wrapped his arms around his wife and son.

He beamed. "Look at him – we have the cutest kid."

With a giggle, Grace surmised, "He gets it from his daddy."

Liam let out a chuckle of his own. "Hmm, I'm not too sure – that nose and mouth are all you."

She only hummed as her attention fell on their baby boy. She pressed a light kiss to his forehead.

"Hello, my precious boy. You gave Mommy and Daddy quite a scare at first – but now we're so thrilled to hold you in our arms."

The baby cooed and looked up at her with big blue eyes. She smiled and rocked him.

Liam ran the tip of his finger along the baby's arm. "I almost can't believe he's here. It feels like just yesterday I found you on the kitchen floor."

Grace took a deep breath. "And being in your arms made it a bit easier. The way you comforted me – and how you've always supported and loved me – makes me so incredibly happy that I chose to spend my life with you – and build a family with you."

He smiled at her. He then leaned over as she met him for a kiss. The kiss held all of the promises of their love – the love that created their beautiful son.

When they pulled away, a nurse filed into the room. "I'm afraid I have to take him, but I promise he'll be back soon."

Grace nodded before she passed her the baby. He began to fuss.

The nurse soothed, "I know, sweetheart. I'll have you right back to Mommy and Daddy, okay?"

She then left the room as Liam and Grace waved her off. She sank back against the pillows.

She then tilted her head. "You know we'll have to give his name. They'll be asking for it soon."

Liam hummed and squeezed her hand. "And have you decided between the two we had picked out?"

"Me? He's our son."

"But you're better with names than I am."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head while he laughed. He then kissed her cheek. "You know I'm messing with you. But actually seeing him made it all more, I don't know, real."

He ran his fingers through his hair. "That…didn't come out right. What I mean was that meeting him brings our connection to life – and I feel like we can really name him, now."

Grace smiled, her eyes filling up with tears. Liam's eyes widened.

"Oh, no. Did I make you cry? I really, really didn't mean it."

She ran her hand up and down his arm. "I know – but your words were so beautiful."

The corners of his mouth quirked upwards. "I know I'm not always the most eloquent, but you - and our son - mean everything to me."

She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. He encircled her waist and gave it a gentle squeeze.

When they pulled back, she posed, "So, his name? What will it be?"

He couldn't help but scratch behind his ear. "Well, I don't know about you – but I think Oliver Alexander is a good fit."

Grace smiled. "Oliver Alexander Jones. It's perfect - absolutely perfect."

Liam smiled back before he placed a kiss in her hair. She lay her head on his chest.

The nurse then came back into the room. "Here's your precious boy – and I think he's hungry."

Grace pushed herself up using her arms. "Here, I can feed…"

She cut herself off with a yawn. She stretched her arms above her head.

Liam rubbed her back before he supplied, "I'll feed him. You've been in labor for 17 hours."

With a sigh, Grace pointed out, "And you've been by my side this whole time."

He caressed her cheek. "You did all of the work bringing Oliver into the world – you just rest, okay?"

With a grateful smile, she nodded. She then took a deep breath and turned to the nurse, who rocked the baby in her arms.

Grace ran her fingers through her red hair. "Sorry about that – we were just, uh, figuring some things out."

The nurse smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry about it." She then walked over to the couple.

She passed the baby to Liam. "And this little guy is more than ready for Mommy and Daddy."

Liam smiled as he cradled his son. "And we're ready to spoil you and love you, Oliver. I hope you're ready for it, little man."

The baby squealed and cooed as he looked up at him. Liam placed a feather-light kiss on his forehead.

"I know you must be hungry. Let's get you that bottle."

Grace passed it to him. "The nurse left it with me. And she assured me that they have more than enough formula until we get home."

Her gaze fell on the baby. "And I told her his name so his birth certificate could be filled out."

Liam hummed. He then glanced around and furrowed his eyebrows.

"I'm not sure the edge of the bed is the best position for feeding him."

Grace only giggled before she made room for him. He carefully maneuvered beside her before he readjusted Oliver in his arms.

He gave him the bottle and watched as he sucked it down. He smiled.

"Look at you – you have quite the appetite, don't you?"

"Which he also gets from his daddy," Grace teased with a grin. Liam shook his head and rolled his eyes.

She then lay her head on his shoulder as she placed her fingers along her baby's arm, rubbing soothing circles into it.

As she continued to watch them with the way Liam's entire face lit up and how Oliver seemed so content in his father's arms, tears soon formed in her eyes. Before she had a chance to wipe them, they poured down her face.

She then began to sob, earning a worried expression from her husband as he turned to face her.

"Hey, are you alright? I hate seeing you like this."

She waved her hand. "I promise you I'm okay. Really. I just keep thinking about how a few short months ago, we were terrified of becoming parents – but now I can't imagine our lives without little Oliver. He's here, Liam, and he's so beautiful…"

She trailed off as fresh tears flowed. Liam leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"And he is our little guy - our miracle - and we're all a family. I mean, we were already family, but our love created this perfect baby boy that's gonna be the best combination of us."

Grace captured his lips, pressing a soft kiss there. When they pulled away, she rested her head back on his shoulder.

Oliver drank the last of the milk. Liam placed the bottle aside before he adjusted the baby on his shoulder.

As Liam moved his hand to the baby's back, Grace reached out to stop him.

"I don't think you want to do that without a burp cloth."

"Oh, right." He then grabbed one from the diaper bag beside the bed and threw it over his shoulder. Once burped, Liam cradled Oliver back in his arms.

He then started to rock him, humming as he did so. A grin then broke out across his face.

"I'm not much of a singer – I'll leave that to Grandpa and Aunt Anna Elizabeth."

Grace laughed before Liam continued rocking Oliver. His little eyes fell more and more closed.

A yawn then escaped as Grace covered her mouth. She snuggled back against her husband.

He glanced down at her. "You can go to sleep if you want – I'm pretty certain Oliver is about to do the same."

She shook her head. "All the ultrasounds and all of his little kicks – as amazing as they became to me – were only just a preview to actually seeing him and holding him. I just want to watch him."

Liam smiled, his gaze drifting back down to the baby, who had fallen asleep.

He then hummed, chuckling lightly. "I almost don't wanna put him down."

"I think he's perfect where he is," Grace offered with a smile of her own.

She then leaned up and kissed his forehead. "And I can't imagine a better view."

Liam rested his head against hers. Grace wrapped an arm around him before she ran her free hand along Oliver's cheek.

As the couple continued to fawn over their baby boy, their minds wandered to those months filled with doubts and fears. The fear of not being good enough - the fear of not being ready - the doubt of whether or not they could give this child everything he needed.

And yet, as little Oliver Alexander came closer and closer to being in their lives, they knew just how special he was. And they knew he would only make their love stronger.

The two of them then snuggled even closer together as they shared a sweet smile.

As their little boy slept soundly, Liam and Grace knew they were exactly where they were meant to be.

A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you all enjoyed this latest installment of our favorite high school sweethearts as they faced a new chapter in their lives :) Until next time, my lovelies :)