Chapter 216

Alyssa POV

Mason gently clamps the cord, waiting a full thirty seconds until it turns thin and white—just like we originally planned.

“Go ahead,” he tells Niko, nodding toward the scissors.

With trembling hands, Niko cuts it.

There’s not a dry eye in the room as they wrap her in a soft towel, her tiny arms flailing, her cries full of life.

“Aww,” Ashey coos behind the camera.

“She’s so beautiful,” Chelsea breathes.

“You did so good, Aly,” Nina adds, wiping furiously at the tears on her face.

But I don’t look at them.

I only have eyes for her.

My baby.

Our daughter.

She’s pink and screaming and covered in all the things that should make me vomit—but instead, all I feel is awe.

Relief.

Overwhelming love.

Niko brings her over, cradling her like she’s a porcelain doll. “Ready to hold her?”

I nod, tears slipping down my cheeks as he gently places her on my chest.

The moment her ti