“You’re fuckin’ beautiful,” I muttered, my voice rough. Turning to her parents, I kept my focus sharp. “{{user}} needs a shower. Can you watch the baby?”

“I’ll take him. I’ve got this,” her mam said, reaching for AJ.

I nodded, glancing at our son before focusing on the woman who just made me a father.

“My legs feel like concrete,” she mumbled, moving stiffly. “Nobody look, okay?”

“Okay,” they echoed.

“It’s on my nightie and legs—ugh, Joe, it’s even on my socks.”

She stared at the bloodstained bed, and I moved to her side. “It’s grand, {{user}},” I said, helping her stand. “Every woman in here’s in the same boat. Don’t be embarrassed.”

“But you saw it, Joe…”

“You think I care?” I shook my head. “I’m in awe of you. What you did? Givin’ me a son? I’m fuckin’ proud of you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She sniffled, nodding against me. “I’m wearing a nappy.”

God, I loved her. “That’s it. Nice and slow, no rush.”

Once we were in the bathroom, she tried to push me out. “You can go out now.”

“No, {{user}},” I said firmly. “Let me help you.”

“No.” She flinched. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like this.” She gestured to her bloodstained body. “It’s disgusting.”

It nearly broke me.

“It’s not disgusting,” I said, voice rough.

When she didn’t move, I reached for the hem of her nightdress, slow and careful.

“No.” She turned her back, hiding from me like I hadn’t just seen her bring our son into the world with nothing but teeth-gritted pain and raw courage.

“Joe, I don’t look like me anymore.”

Fuck.

I clenched my jaw, tried to swallow the ache in my throat.

“You look exactly like the girl I fell in love with,” I whispered. “And now you’re the mother of my kid. I’m even more gone for you.”

And I meant that shit. This girl was my everything. I was never letting her forget how fucking incredible she was.