Both Brandon and Stella held their breaths, waiting for something, anything, to ease their concerns.
Doctors had been rushed into the room and in the midst of all the chaos, they found that they were being pushed aside as the professionals did their jobs.
Their worries went unattended as their unease had heightened. Would everything be okay?
Stella gripped onto Brandon's hand tightly as her fingernails dug deep into his flesh. This should have been a moment of joy for the couple but they found that fear had taken hold of them.
The silence was overwhelming in the room. It was far too overwhelming.
A sudden wail erupted in the room as they both finally gasped, tears falling from their eyes at the sound of their breathing baby.
Brandon leaned down and took Stella's face in his shaky palm, kissing her gently, expressing all his love for her. He didn't know what he'd do with Stella if their baby hadn't survived.
They had already been through too much together.
He was so grateful for her; his wife, his love. And he was so grateful for their newest addition in their tiny family.
His daughter.
After assessing her, the midwife placed the bundle into Stella's opened arms before leaving the new parents be.
Once the door was shut and they were all alone, Stella let another great sob free as she ran her finger down her baby's soft face.
She was the prettiest baby she'd ever laid her eyes on.
"Welcome to the world, Amelia Stone. You sure did give us a scare."
She whispered out as she watched her daughter slowly blinking awake. The baby was no longer crying, now settled in her mother's arms, as her eyes moved between her parents.
With parted lips, Stella realised that her baby had her eyes. Gold reflected against her own and she felt the overwhelming need to cry out once more at that realisation.
Brandon cupped the back of his daughter's head, a tuft of dark hair—the same shade as his—touching his skin, as he felt the weight of her in his palm.
His heart grew double in size at the realisation of his new title.
A Dad.
He'd make sure that he'd be the best Dad there ever could be. He was the luckiest man to exist, knowing that he held the title of being not only Stella Stone's husband, but also Amelia Stone's father.
"Hi, my sweet girl. We're so happy to finally have you."
His baby girl cooed at those words and Brandon found himself falling in love all over again. This was the greatest gift he could have ever had after his wife.
Stella made a sound at the back of her throat and when Brandon turned to face her, he found that she was staring straight at him with tears rolling down her face.
His heart ached as he turned his full attention to her.
"Sunshine, what's wrong?"
Brandon asked her in a soft voice.
He kept one hand against his daughter's head and the other around his wife, pulling her closer into his side.
Stella shook her head as a little sob left her.
"Nothing is wrong, Brandon. I'm just so happy about everything."
A soft smile greeted Brandon's lips.
How many days did he wake up, so grateful he'd finally realised his feelings for his sunshine and had made a move? How many days did he wake up, so damn grateful that Stella had given him a chance?
He never took anything for granted so he knew just how happy Stella was. Stella continued speaking so Brandon sat back and listened to her words.
"This, longing for you, I waited so long, Brandon. So long. I'm so happy that it's all finally worked out for us."
His heart skipped a beat. She shouldn't have had to wait, she should have continued with living her life, but he was so damn grateful that she'd waited.
She gave him the chance to be a husband and a father. It was the best thing anyone has ever done for him.
"It has worked out, hasn't it, sunshine?"
He asked with a hoarse voice.
She nodded at her husband as tears filled her eyes once more.
He leaned forward as he pressed a soft kiss against her lips. Pulling away, he tipped his forehead against hers as he spoke.
"I love you."
He told her in a tone so sweet she could have sworn he'd made her fall all over again for him.
"I love you."
She said, gently pulling away from him.
And together, they held their daughter between their arms as they stared down at her, affection shining through their gazes.
They were the perfect family.
The perfect love story.
