Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 250 -

Весса.

I didn't need to push much longer until the baby was born. I let out a sigh of relief as a lot of pressure was released as the doctor announced the head was out. I was almost done pushing. Out came the shoulders, and then the doctor was able to pull the baby out. She lifted the baby up and smiled, studying the baby for a moment.

"It's a boy!" she said, causing the room to erupt into cheers. I gave a very quiet cheer of my own, my body completely exhausted. I closed my eyes, tears still spilling down my cheeks. I was still worried about how healthy he was, though, since he had come so early.

"The baby is healthy, even if a bit underweight. He'll get meat on his bones in no time," the doctor assured me, reaching over to hand the baby to me. Putting a few clips into place, the doctor handed James a pair of scissors, and he cut the umbilical cord.

Then, she began the process of helping me pass the afterbirth while the nurses prepared to clean our son up while I lay there with my new son in my arms. A huge smile was plastered on my face as I leaned over and left a kiss on the baby's cheek. The baby had screamed at first, but now he was just whimpering softly.

My new son's cries brought tears to my eyes. His lungs were healthy, and he was safe in my arms. I lifted my head, fixing my stare on James. My husband had tears running down his face, too, a touched expression on his face. He walked over and reached out with his hand toward the baby, caressing him with the back of his hand on the cheek. "He's so small, James," I whispered, but kept my smile. "Thank goodness he is healthy. I was worried."

“He is very small, isn't he?" James muttered. I began to stroke the baby's dark hair, unable to help but give another kiss to the screaming newborn. The baby wiggled and squirmed, causing me to hold him close. "We should name him Tallon." I thought for a moment, trying to figure out where that came from. I was tired after labor, and couldn't think completely straight. I wasn't going to get some well-deserved rest, though, until I spent some time with the new baby and my family. Before I could ask, Sophia said softly, "I am going to step out so the family can spend time together. Thank you so much for having me, Becca." I craned my neck to look at her, giving her a huge smile.

"Thank you so much, Sophia. You have been so helpful and wonderful. It means so much to me, and I am so honored to have you here to see this." I gave her a huge smile, which she returned. Thankfully, she was able to hear me over the baby's whimpers.

I looked back down at my new son and sniffled, once again giving a few cries of pure joy. Here he was, beautiful, perfect, a new part of the family that my heart was already bursting with love for. I looked back over to James curiously.

"Tallon?" I asked in a low voice, not opposed to the name at all, but trying to think about the significance. Slowly, however, it clicked, and I blinked. "Oh, after Tally?" I asked quietly, feeling my heart lurch with sadness for a second. James dipped his head, his eyes sparkling sadly for a moment as well. "Yes," he said breathlessly. "She isn't here with us tonight in person, but she is in spirit. She would be very happy for us now."

"I think that is a wonderful gesture," I said, beaming at James. I was so happy he loved his family so deeply. "It will be good for Alessandro, too. You are a wonderful person, James. Let's do it. Baby Tallon."

I looked down at the baby, who was no longer crying. The nurses took him away to clean him up. They promised they'd bring him back soon, but my arms felt empty without him.

Once I was cleaned up myself, they wheeled me into another room. Soon enough, Tallon was back, all clean and dressed in a little onesie with a hat. He looked so cute. I couldn't wait to take him into my arms.

He looked into my eyes, wiggling his arms, and began to whimper again. Though he probably wasn't hungry yet, and my milk wouldn't come in for a while, I thought nursing might soothe him. I put my thumb on the top of my breast, and my other two fingers below. Then, I directed his head to my breast.

Baby Tallon latched on right away and began nursing on colostrum, causing a sensation of relief to wash over me. I felt a warm, tingling sensation in my breast as he fed, relaxing even more at the tugging feeling caused by Tallon's suckling. James looked on, a warm smile on his face. He leaned over and gave me a gentle hug. Then, he turned his head, pressing his lips against mine for a tender kiss. A burst of warmth rushed through me as I reflected upon everything. We had gone through so much since I'd met him. I'd been just a young woman when we'd met, and he'd started flirting with me that summer in Florida. I had no idea the roller coaster that would lead to, but here we were, a growing happy family.

I thought throughout our time together we wouldn't end up like this at all. I doubted him so many times during our interactions, the mafia business turning me colder and meaner. I didn't like how I'd changed but was happy things turned around when we could finally be a family.

Even when I knew it was wrong, back in those first days at his house where I couldn't take my eyes off him, I also knew he was the one. The only one who could complete me, my person in this world.

We had suffered horrible losses along the way, like with what happened to Tally. Tally, who had suffered so much as well. She was the reason James and I had met, and despite the initial awkwardness of our relationship, I would eternally be grateful to her for that. That, and for giving us Alessandro.

I wished she was here tonight, but naming the baby Tallon was a perfect way to honor her memory. I ran my fingers through the baby's hair as James and I kissed.

I had lost him as well. And the heartbreak had been bearable thanks to other people along the way, but I would have never completely recovered from his loss. Thankfully, he came back to me. To us. We got a second chance, and even through the ups and downs, that was more than enough to be thankful for an entire lifetime.

Eventually, he pulled away and cupped my cheek. "I love you, Becca," he said, then smiled down at the baby. He left a kiss on top of Tallon's head, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I snuggled back into the pillows, giving another yawn. "I love you too, James. I am so glad I took a chance with you. I love you so, so much. Our family is beautiful and growing. Thank you for sticking with me too," I said to my husband. James beamed at me, leaning over to steal another kiss before giving me some breathing room.

He took a seat next to my bed as I breastfed Tallon. I looked toward the door curiously, wearing a huge grin. "Are the kids here yet?" I said, and he nodded to confirm that.

"I just got a text from Madeline a little while ago," he said.

"I want them to meet their new baby brother."

Alessandro was now in his 'terrible twos', walking and talking up a storm, but hopefully, he would behave well here. James said, "Madeline is here with them and watching them in the other room. I can have them come in now, love."

I nodded, deciding this was the perfect time. Soon, Madeline brought the kids in, who squealed with delight. Alessandro exclaimed, "Hello! Hello, Mama! Hello, Dada!" Dahlia gave a wave, walking into the room as well with Madeline trailing behind.

"Mama! Dada!" Dahlia said, looking around the room with wide eyes. Her hair was messy, and she had a little horse toy in her hand that she waved. She looked toward the baby with curiosity like her brother Alessandro.

Alessandro rushed over, looking over the side of the bed and saying, "Hello," to the new baby. He gasped, "Wow!" as if noticing something amazing. He wasn't wrong; his little brother was amazing. I chuckled and held out my hand, patting him on the head.

"Hi baby," I said to Alessandro, beaming at him. "Meet your new baby brother, Tallon. Can you say Tallon?" Alessandro giggled, not seeming interested in repeating the word right now. Tallon stopped nursing for a moment to stare at Alessandro and Dahlia.

Dahlia hobbled over. The toddler examined the baby for a moment before placing a little horse toy on my belly, giving me a smile. I wondered if she was trying to give the baby a toy to play with. How sweet, if so! I smiled at her and said, "See your baby brother, Dahlia?"

James looked on with a huge smile as the kids met their new baby brother. They were too young to really understand the significance of what was happening here, but I didn't mind one bit. I bet they would be thrilled to have a new playmate soon enough.

I beamed at the sight of them eyeing their new sibling, curiosity and confusion in their eyes. They were probably wondering why he was so tiny. Alessandro glanced at him and then at me, a smile forming on his face.

They would be all right. All of us would. I would make sure these kids grew up in a home filled with love and safety, with everything they could ever want. Never would they have to fear for their lives or under threat of being removed from everything they knew.

Madeline had brought over one of the blankets, a gift from the shower, along with a little outfit that was grey in color. We didn't do any sort of gender reveal, so all the things given were neutral colors.

I found specific colors for gender silly, anyway. What if his favorite color was pink or red? He didn't have to be a little girl to enjoy that. He would decide on his own later. I held Tallon close, feeling a tear trickle down my face again and letting out a happy sigh.

James swept Alessandro up into his arms, causing the child to let out a series of giggles, especially as his father gave him a raspberry on the belly. I smiled, watching this exchange and letting out a yawn.

Dahlia crawled into bed with me next to the baby, still fascinated by her brother and trying to give him the toy horse. I took it from her and said softly, "Not quite yet, Dahlia. He will love to play with that in a little while when he is older." Dahlia looked up at me, no doubt not understanding entirely. She made grabby hands for the horse again, and I chuckled, giving it to her, but not letting her poke the baby with it. I wanted him to be able to get some rest soon. James held Alessandro on his lap as he sat next to me. He asked the child, "What do you think about your new baby brother, Alessandro?"

All Alessandro could say to that was, "F*ck!"