Chapter 53

" I t's a girl!" the doctor announces proudly at 8:14 a.m.

A wail rips from Kendra's throat as she collapses back on the inclined hospital bed, and a nurse places our daughter on Kendra's bare chest, covering them both with a pink, blue, and white striped blanket. She's exhausted after spending the last ninety-six minutes pushing. I thought I knew Kendra's strength, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. She's a force of nature. Watching her bring life into this world has me falling even more in love with her.

I'm hypnotized as I take in the mother of my child holding our newborn daughter, who calms as soon as she's placed against Kendra's chest. I've never felt more whole. Hockey has nothing on this. With glassy eyes, Kendra takes my hand and pulls me close. I choke down the lump in my throat and wrap my arms around both of them.

"You're incredible, baby." I press my lips to her forehead. "I'm so proud of you."

Her hand squeezes mine.

"She's so beautiful," she whispers. "I can't believe how beautiful she is."

"Of course she's beautiful, have you seen her mom?"

She smiles with shining eyes. "You and I both know that the last 3D ultrasound photo made her look like a lasagna." She laughs through a sob. "It was a fifty-fifty shot whether we were having a baby or a Stouffer's dinner. I had no idea what was going to come out."

Planting a second kiss to her temple, my shoulders tremble with laughter.

"She looks like you," Kendra says, glancing up at me, then back to our precious baby. "You put me through all that nausea and exhaustion and have the audacity to come out looking like your daddy."

"Those eyes are all yours," I say.

Kendra runs the tip of her finger gently down the center of her tiny nose.

"They remind me of my mom's," she says. "I kind of want to keep the name Bo."

"She'll always be Bo to me." Calling her by any other name would feel weird.

She nods. "Bo Shiloh?"

"Bo Shiloh Ames?" I ask.

"Don't be ridiculous, Sully. Bo Shiloh Sullivan."

My heart clenches. "I love it."

Ever since feeling those little kicks, and now seeing her with our child, our relationship has shifted. Kendra is more than just my girl, more than my future wife, she's the mother of my child—someday children—and there's something profoundly soul-stirring about that. It strengthens our relationship and the bond we share. I always wanted a partner, someone who walks at my side, not behind. My equal. I've never known a love like this.

This is an adventure we'll be on for the rest of our lives, and I can't imagine a better person to do that with.