"He's amazing," Roger says, beaming as he raises his head to look at me in wonder. "I didn't—damn it, Cora, I didn't know I could love someone this much—"

"What about me!?"

"Someone besides you," Roger says, rolling his eyes. "You're my mate, Cora; obviously, that's different."

"Damn well better be," I murmur, bending over the baby and stroking his perfect, tiny face with my fingertip. Roger leans close, kissing my cheek.

"Thank you," he whispers, his voice so quiet I barely hear him. "You're amazing, Cora. I'm so grateful for you, for him, and for everything you did to bring him into this world." I smile, raise my eyes to meet my mate's, and kiss him properly, sharing those sentiments through our bond. Because this little baby—he truly is ours, equal parts both of us, the perfect embodiment of everything we mean to each other.

And quite suddenly, he's our entire world.

"So, what do you think?" I say a moment later, breaking the kiss and looking back at the baby. "Does the name still fit?"

"Yeah, I think the name still fits," Roger says, his lips curving into a smile as he looks the baby over. "I think it's perfect."

"All right," I say, beaming down at our son. "Then welcome to the world, little J—" But then the door opens, and Ella peeks in.

"I gave you a full five minutes," she squeaks, "but I don't think I can bear it any longer—"

I laugh, reaching for her. "Come in!" The door opens wider, revealing Sinclair and Henry peering curiously behind her, eager to see the baby. Only Rafe isn't excited; he's curled up asleep in Sinclair's arms. My smile widens as my family begins to enter.

"Wow," Sinclair murmurs, bending to look at the baby. "He's beautiful, Cora. Congratulations."

"Roger!" I say, laughing and giving him a gentle shove. "Let them hold the baby!"

"I would," Roger says, looking at his family with a big smile. "But I'm afraid to move. I don't want to drop him."

I laugh, taking the baby from Roger and placing him in Ella's waiting arms, practically vibrating with excitement to hold her new nephew.

"Oh!" Ella squeaks, covering her mouth. "Oh, he's so perfect! And so little! And so cute—oh, I didn't think he'd be this cute!"

"Excuse me," Roger says, leaning back against the pillows and crossing his arms. "You didn't think my baby would be cute!?"

Ella laughs, shaking her head and ignoring him. "No, not like that, Roger, don't be ridiculous—I just—I expected him to be dark, like Rafe—like you and Dominic—" She grins, studying her nephew. "But his hair is lighter," she murmurs, touching his soft fuzz, "like Cora's. It's beautiful."

I beam as I watch my sister fall in love with her nephew, and Sinclair look over her shoulder with pride.

"What did you—" Ella says, lifting her head in surprise and looking between Roger and me. "What did you name him? Do we finally get to know?"

"Well," I say, sitting up straight, feeling suddenly formal. "Ella, Dominic, Henry—Roger and I are very pleased to introduce you to your nephew and grandson Jesse. Jesse Sinclair."

Ella squeaks again, covering her mouth. "Oh my god," she whispers, closing her eyes against her tears. "It's so perfect—oh, I can't handle it, Dominic, you have to take him—"

Sinclair quickly passes the sleeping Rafe to a laughing Henry and then takes Jesse into his arms, beaming down at the newest member of the Sinclair tribe as Ella wipes her tears.

"What a little tiger," Sinclair murmurs, grinning at Jesse and stroking his head.

"May I?" Henry asks, eager to meet his grandson. Sinclair smiles, patiently waiting as Ella lifts Rafe from Henry's arms so Jesse can take his place.

"Well, well, little grandson," Henry says, smiling softly at the baby who fusses in his arms. "Don't worry, I'll send you back to your mother soon—I know she's the one you want. I just want a good look at you. Do you know who I am? Grandpa?" Henry smiles, lowering his face to kiss the baby's head. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you, little Jesse," he murmurs. "We're all very glad you're here."

The next few minutes are a blur of happiness, everyone marveling at the newest member of our family, each of us wondering a little about his future, about how much we'll love him. Inevitably, he ends up back in my arms, and though I'm glad his family got to say hello, I'm relieved to have him back.

"Right here, where you belong, little baby," I murmur, staring into my son's face as he drifts off to sleep, frowning slightly and making me laugh. "Here with your family that loves you."

The doctors and nurses arrive shortly after, and the room gets busy, though I don't pay much attention, distracted by my sleeping baby and my exhaustion. Roger gets up to fill out paperwork while I stay in bed with the baby. Eventually, a familiar hand rests on my shoulder.

"Congratulations, Cora," Hank says when I look up, and my face breaks into a grin. "He's really beautiful."

"Thanks, Hank," I say, smiling and covering his hand with mine. Then I blink, seeing a familiar face behind him. "Oh, Sarah!" I say, smiling. "Did you come to see the baby?"

"Actually," she says, biting her lip and then, surprisingly, wrapping her arm around Hank's. "I came with him. He said it would be all right—is it all right?"

"Of course, it's all right," I say, laughing and looking between them. "I just—I didn't know—"

"Wait, what!?" Ella gasps, rushing to my side. "What's all this!?"

Hank blushes and waves his hand dismissively. "It's not important right now; we don't want to take away from the baby—"

"Hank!" Ella says, laughing and smacking his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell us!? Sarah!" She steps forward to hug our friend. "I'm so happy for you two!"

"Thanks," Sarah says, laughing and blushing. "But really—I don't want to distract—" Ella hugs her again as Hank turns back to me, smiling quietly and putting his hands in his pockets.

"I'm glad I was here," Hank says. "Your doctor said everything went beautifully."

"It did," I say, grinning at him. "Thank you for coming, Hank."

"Anything for you, Cora," he replies, smiling quietly. "And for this family. I'll miss you all when I'm gone."

"What?" I ask, my eyes widening. "Where where are you going?"