Chapter 19 - The New Dawn
The ride back to the coastal estate was quiet, the silence broken only by the steady rhythm of the pouring rain.
Gabriel walked through the front doors of his damaged home, covered in dirt, blood, and dark bruises.
Leah was waiting for him in the foyer, her face pale with overwhelming anxiety and fear.
When she saw him standing there alive, she let out a choked sob and ran as fast as her pregnant body would allow.
Gabriel caught her gently, burying his face into her soft neck and breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.
"You came back to me," Leah cried softly, wrapping her arms carefully around his battered shoulders.
"I will always come back to you, my love," Gabriel promised fiercely, kissing away her salty tears.
Suddenly, Leah gasped sharply, her hands flying to her heavily rounded stomach as a powerful contraction hit her.
The extreme stress and adrenaline of the terrifying night had finally pushed her body over the edge.
"Gabriel, the baby is coming right now," Leah breathed heavily, gripping his muscular forearm for support.
Ethan immediately sprang into action, rushing them outside to an armored SUV waiting in the driveway.
Gabriel held her hand tightly in the backseat as the vehicle sped dangerously fast toward the private hospital.
Hours later, the sterile hospital room was filled with the most beautiful sound Gabriel had ever heard in his life.
It was the strong, healthy cry of his newborn baby girl.
The exhausted doctor handed the small, pink bundle wrapped in a warm blanket over to Leah.
Gabriel sat gently on the edge of the hospital bed, weeping silent tears of pure, unadulterated joy.
May you like
He reached out his scarred finger, and the tiny baby instantly wrapped her impossibly small hand firmly around it.
The darkness of the night was completely gone, entirely replaced by the brilliant light of their new dawn.
