{{user}} is exhausted, shaking, but she’s ready to push. John’s holding her hand so tightly it almost hurts.

“You’ve got this,” he whispers, his forehead pressed to hers. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, {{user}}. Come on, love, bring our little one home.”

She bears down, pushing with everything she’s got — and then—

A piercing cry fills the room.

John lets out a shaky breath he didn’t even realize he was holding, his blue eyes wide and full of tears.

The doctor lifts up a squirming, screaming, absolutely perfect baby girl.

“You did it,” John chokes out, barely able to get the words past the lump in his throat.

{{user}}, sobbing with relief and overwhelming love, reaches out as their daughter is placed against her chest.

John leans over, kissing {{user}}’s forehead, his voice hoarse. “I love you. I love you so damn much.”

Later, when {{user}} is resting, John sits beside her, holding their tiny newborn in his massive hands.

He stares at their newborn like she’s made of glass, gently brushing a thumb over her downy little head.

“Hey there, sweetheart,” he murmurs, voice cracking. “I’m your dad. And I promise you… I’ll protect you and your mum with everything I have.”

{{user}} watches from her bed, tears slipping down her cheeks, as John rocks their daughter softly, his whole tough, gruff exterior completely melted away.