The Perfect Intern

Chapter 62.

Ariella Acosta

He squeezed my hand tightly seemingly more nervous than I was when it was my legs that were uncomfortably spread wide and my lower abdomen tightening against my wishes.

A year ago, I would have never thought I could actually date a CEO. Never once believed I could marry one. And having his baby as I stared into his warm hazel-green eyes was the absolute last on my "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" dream board.

I couldn't help but cry at how my life had changed so quickly it seemed. Well, that and the fact that I was expected to push an entire human being from inside my vagina.

I breathed deeply, promising myself I wouldn't hurt Dante as the women in the movies did their husbands. But Donatello pacing outside the glass wall really wasn't helping. Looking away from him, I could spot Maddie giving me a look of sympathy as she bit her nails.

Once she noticed my eyes were on her, she sent me a shaky thumbs up and a forced smile, signaling I was about to go through hell. I wanted to smile at her and inform the panicked mad men around me that I was stronger than they thought, but before I could, I couldn't help the scream that escaped my lips.

Squeezing Dante's hand tighter, he encouraged me to breathe, but the more he said it, the more pissed off I became.

Sure, Dante. Why didn't I think of that?

"Breathe, Ariella. It's okay. Just keep breathing."

"I am breathing!" I snapped, unintentiontionally.

I tried to think of my happy place, dancing with Dante in the midst of a fairytale. Just him and I there as his hand supported my back in a way that made me feel like I could fly. He was my possesive angel, there to save me from all of the pain and frustration. He was my only grounding. The sunlight to my entire world, so beautiful and masculine and --

A stabbing pain shot up my back and eyes snapped open to be greeted once again by my painful reality.

Oh, fuck.

In that moment, I made a solemn promise to myself. My beautiful baby girl would be my entire world. Everyday I breathe would be to protect her. She will be my one and only because never again would I be having another.

I couldn't tell how much time had passed but it felt like I had been suffering for hours.

Suddenly, the curtain to Donatello and Maddie was closed as a few doctors rushed in. I looked to Dante in panic and he returned the most calm smile he could muster.

In that moment, I simply prayed it would all be over soon.

-

She was here. My little princess. Her tiny face held striking green eyes and the most adorable pink, pouty lips. She had a small head of dark, brown hair which accounted for the earlier heartburn and as I laid with Dante standing over me and her in my eyes, I knew then and there, she was my entire world.

"She looks like a potato," Dante whispered and I gazed up to reprimand him, but the way he looked at her stopped me. His eyes had a glassy overcoat and they were filled with love and unshed tears, obviously trying to joke his way out of crying.

My heart smiled along with my lips and I found my eyes falling upon hers again. She was beautiful. Everything I could ever hope for, graciously bundled in a soft, pink blanket.

"You have a name?" The female doctor questioned, clipboard in hand.

Dante and I had contemplated a name for about a week now and I was admittedly happy with the one we'd agreed on.

"Leila," I whispered softly as her eyes stared; wonderfilled. I could almost hear Dante's smile. It was his mother's middle name. We'd decided between that or Angel, and Angel had lost due to protectiveness of my own nickname. The little one could have my looks, but she couldn't take that, too, I laughed at my own thoughts.

This was the happiest day of my life and nothing could take me away from this moment.

Maddie soon entered the room with Donatello following slightly behind. She stares down at us with a look of awe in her hazel as Leila stared at her, too.

She had so much to learn and take in and I would take pride in guiding her every step of the way. "You're my sunshine, my only sunshine," I begin singing the song that my mother had once sung to me, instinctively. "You make me happy when skies are grey."

My words caught in my throat as I chocked back a sob of happiness. I tried to swallow the emotions that now ran wild inside of me. There was no feeling that could compare. It was as though the only place in the entire world was in this room, although I did miss home. And once we stepped out of here, I'd fight to protect her from the cruelties of the real world. To show her the more gentle and loveable side instead.

I looked up at Dante again and his eyes begged me to let him hold her. I couldn't help but smile. I resisted letting her go, but I asked him anyways. "Do you want to hold her?"

With a word or second thought, he reached for her and then cradled her close to his chest once his arms were around her. Protectively, he slightly bounced on his feet, speaking softly to her. "Hello Leila, it's your daddy."

I felt the tears coming on. I had cried many times before, but no amount of emotion could rival the wave I felt now. Everything I had been through lead to this moment, making every second more than worth it.

For the first time, I was happy with my life, my relationship, my family. And although, I didn't have the slightest idea of what the future had instore for Dante and I, I felt at peace the minute I saw her.

This must be what love at first sight feels like, I thought.

She would be my little butterfly, and I; her coccoon.

You're my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You're my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please, don't take my sunshine away.

***
I hope I've finally made you all proud by updating after so long. For not doing so, I am very sorry and I will try to keep the momentum going for the next (and last chapter) of The Perfect Intern and the next chapter of The Perfect Target.

Much love, A. ❤