Chapter 30, Milo

Rita's baby is on the way, and Esmeralda is scared shitless.

Rita's water broke a few hours ago, while we were all having dinner at the Hernandez family mansion.

It's an understatement to say that everyone's been freaking out since. She's only eight months along, so her baby's premature, and that's like the worst thing that could've happened, because her baby girl is the first infant in the family since Esmeralda.

Hunter's also freaking out, and hasn't left his fiancé's side since the labour started. I have mad respect for the guy, because he's been the calmest of the whole family when Rita came back from the kitchen with a tears stricken face. But now, I know his patience has worn off, especially when there are chances she'll have a C-section.

Well that's understandable, Rita's about to bring a freaking baby into the world. That's a big ass deal.

It now is 3 AM, and Esmeralda's refusing to sleep, even if I can feel how tired she is. Her head is resting in the crook of my neck, and her hands are clasped with mine.

I pass my hand through her brown hair, and she sighs of satisfaction.

"Rest for a bit, baby. I'll wake you up if anything changes."

She shakes her head categorical, "No. I'm not going to sleep while my sister is having a risky birth, and won't be asleep when my niece is born."

"I'll wake you up in forty minutes. The doctors said it'll take more time, so forty minutes will not change anything." I offer, gently kissing her forehead. "You need to rest, Esmeralda."

She sighs again, but this time from abandoning her fight, the tiredness taking over. "You wake me up in forty minutes, okay ? No more."

I nod, and she finally lets her head fall against my shoulder again, and closes her eyes.

When she's dozed off, and I am scrolling through my phone, a styrofoam cup enters my line of vision. I look up, only to find Esteban Hernandez, standing beside Esme's mother, Chloe Hernandez. I loosen a gratitude laced breath, and take it from his outstretched hand.

"Thank you, you're a life savior." I immediately drink from the dark, steaming coffee.

He dips his chin in acknowledgment, and his wife leans down to caress Esmeralda's cheek with tenderness. With a love-filled glance towards his daughter, Esteban takes a sit beside me, and takes a sip from his own coffee.

"How is Rita holding up ?" I ask, when Chloe is seated as well. She shakes her head grimly.

"We just came back from the delivery room. She's in a lot of pain, and isn't even close to giving birth. The doctors think it's preferable to avoid a C-section, but it'll be necessary if it lasts longer."

Goddamn, women are literal super-heroes. I can't even start to imagine how painful pushing a human out of you must be.

"God, that's horrible."

Esteban only nods in agreement, then point at my girl, who's sleeping soundly with her head on my lap, and my fingers in her hair.

"How is she ?" He asks tightly. I instantly understand that he's referring to the trial being in not so long. To be honest, Esmeralda's been anxious. Like extra-anxious. She tries to hide it, but I see her fidgeting with everything she gets her hand on. She's also back on anxiety pills.

I pay close attention to that, though. And always make sure she doesn't take more than one per day.

I try to be there for her, as much as I can and remind her of how much I love her every fucking day. I spent so long hiding it, that now I want to scream it on every rooftop.

I zone back in, realizing I still haven't answered her father's question, "She's fine. Anxious, but fine."

"You take care of my baby girl, okay ? I know I haven't been exactly easy on you, but I know you two are meant to be together, so hold on to that, would you ?"

I feel my throat tighten in emotion. Esteban hasn't been easy on me, but I know it's only because of how much love he holds for his daughter, and he is scared of her being heartbroken again. I get that, and I respect him for it.

"I love your daughter, Esteban. I'll never let her go." I answer honestly, because that's the fucking truth.

"I know you won't." Is the only thing he says, before looking ahead.

I don't miss the way Chloe has a secretive smile on her face. She definitely made him be nice to me, did she ?

Hernandez women sure know how to wrap their men around their fingers.

When the promised forty minutes pass, I gently shake Esme until she wakes up, yawning. I go grab coffee and snacks for her, but when I come back to the waiting room, there isn't anyone there.

My heart skips a beat. This is either very bad, or very good news.

I call her, and she picks up a few seconds later.

"I'm in the delivery room. Rita's baby is here !" She squeaks at the phone, and I quickly make my way to the said room, relieved.

I open the door, and the first thing I see is Esme's sister on the hospital bed, looking as tired as ever, Hunter massaging her shoulders, and kissing her head, Esteban and Chloe are both smiling down at the baby, who Esmeralda is holding, beaming. My heart literally melts when I lay my eyes on her. She's looking down at the small bundle in her arm, a wide smile on her face.

She glances up at me and ushers at me to advance towards them. My heart melts even more when I look at the baby.

She's still crinkly and red, but she has big blue eyes, and brown hair. Lord, that's cute as fuck.

I then turn to Rita and Hunter, watching us with the same smiles on their face.

"She's so precious. Congratulations."

They both thank me, Rita's voice hoarse from screaming.

"What's her name ?" My girl asks, when she hands the baby back to her sister.

"Abigail Esmeralda Grey." The breath knocks out of me. I know Hunter's deceased mother's name was Abigail, but her middle name...

Esmeralda is the most shocked person in the room. She slaps a hand over her mouth, eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Wh- What ?"

"This baby was just born, and I already know she's going to be a fighter. So she might as well have her aunt's name, who's the bravest fighter I know." Rita's voice is thick with emotion, and I watch her hug her younger sister, when she jumps in her arms.

Even Esteban looks like he's tearing up.

Fuck if my eyes aren't failing me right now as well.

When they finally pull back, exchanging whispered words, and everyone's focus is now on the baby, I step beside Esmeralda, who's retreated to the corner of the room.

"You good ?"

She clears her voice, "Yeah, I'm just emotional, I mean- Can you believe-" She trails of, clearly speechless.

"I know, baby." I put my arms around her, and she snuggles against my chest.

We both look over at the whole family, then at the baby again, and I glance down at Esme, who's already looking up at me. Silent understatement passes between the two of us.

"Let's make one of those," I say, referring to the baby. "When everything is over, let's have a family of our own."

"You- You're ready to have children ?" She asks, surprised.

"I am if you are." I answer, determined and serious as fuck.

She looks at me with a strange intensity in her stormy eyes, then goes up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips, that I intensify by running my fingers through her head, not caring that we have an audience.

"I love you. And I want to have a family with you, but not until the trial is done with, and we're older." She breathes when we pull out.

I frown, mockingly negotiating, "Older ? Like twenty-two ?"

"Twenty-five. And that's my last answer." She frowns back, playfully.

I smirk, then grow serious again. "Whenever you're ready, my love."

Who says devils can't get happy ever afters too ?