“I brought an ironing board out to sea and ironed a towel while windsurfing off a wave onto the railing of a boat,” Duke muttered. “It’s really nothing to write home about.”
“But that’s... amazing!” Nat cried. “And incredible. It would never have occurred to me.”
“You haven’t even told him about the crazy one,” Hubrie said.
Duke looked like his teeth were being pulled. “I climbed a rock wall while bent backward ironing a pair of pants. In the rain. With two birds sitting on my knees and a radio hanging from the ironing board playing the national anthem.”
“That doesn’t even sound possible,” Nat whispered.
“That’s why they call it extreme.” Duke grimaced. “I stopped after a while, but I can’t bear to throw those trophies away. But I also can’t bear to tell anyone about the crazy, pointless things I’ve done.”
“You can tell me; I won’t laugh,” Nat said. “I’m glad I found out about this. It’s amazing.”
Duke stared at him in disbelief. Then he gave a helpless laugh, and gathered Nat against himself. “You’re so perfect for me, Nat.”
Nat grew warm all over.
Another contraction struck. Nat gasped and clutched at Duke, his body pushing hard.
Except this time his body released the baby.
Completely.
Their baby shot out like a ball in a professional sporting game, hurtling toward the end of the bed.
“Duke!” Nat yelped, pointing past his feet. “Catch!”
Somehow, he had wriggled too close to the mattress’ edge.
“Fuck!” Duke dove for their child like a footballer saving the ball. Their baby flew off the mattress.
Nat’s heart stopped.
Duke threw himself off the bed, his arms outstretched.
For a split second, all Nat could see was Duke’s hunched back beyond the bed. Then Duke lifted his hands, cradling their baby.
Nat breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Fuck, that was close.”
Duke chuckled and bit off the umbilical cord. “You just birthed a child, and those are your very first words.”
“My heart almost stopped!” Nat flopped against the sheets, reaching for their squirming, wailing child. She was so tiny in his arms, bedraggled and flushed pink. “But that’s behind us now.” Nat cradled his little girl close. When she heard his voice, her wailing quieted. “So glad you’re all right. Welcome to the family, Amelie.”
Duke rumbled and wrapped himself around Nat. When he peered over Nat’s shoulder at their daughter, his breath hitched. “She’s beautiful.”
“She’s ours.”
“You did so good, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.” Duke showered Nat with kisses. Then he carefully kissed their baby on the side of her head—she had Nat’s nose, and when her eyes opened by a slit, Nat realized that her irises were a pale gold, like Duke’s. “Amelie. You’re dearly loved by all of us. I can’t wait to introduce you to your siblings.”
“And What Cart, and Hubrie. Oh, gods, I’m not ready for her to meet Hubrie.”
Duke laughed. “Fuck, I love you, sweetheart.”
Nat blushed all over, his heart swelling. “I love you too.”
It had been a crazy journey, getting to this point in their lives. But as he settled back into Duke’s arms, Amelie nuzzling into him sleepily, all Nat felt was a sense of peace, and great happiness. Duke had shown him that amazing things could happen to him. He had shown Nat that he could be accepted completely, loved completely.
And Nat loved his little family very much in return.
