Elodie Thorne felt as if her heart were fluttering with a caged, exuberant bird today.


    There really weren''t words for this feeling.


    Almost without realizing it, she squeezed Jarrod Silverstein''s hand, as if holding onto him could anchor her in this moment.


    Their baby had been ready to leave the hospital for a while now, and she was thriving-no different from any other newborn.


    Jarrod had already arranged for someone toe by and exin all the essential things they needed to know.


    Elodie listened to every word as if engraving it on her heart.


    A nurse stepped forward, cradling the baby and gently cing her in Elodie''s arms. "Congrattions, Ms. Thorne. Your daughter is perfectly healthy."


    Elodie hurried to take the tiny, soft bundle, hugging her close. Suddenly, a wave of emotion hit her, and she felt tears prick at her eyes.


    As Elodie gazed down, wanting to memorize every line of her daughter''s face, the baby opened her eyes. They were deep and dark, framed with longshes and delicate eyelids-eyes that stared up at Elodie, unblinking. Elodie''s breath caught.


    A momentter, the baby''s tiny hand wrapped around her finger.


    It was as if this small person instinctively sensed their unbreakable bond, letting out a soft, contented hum.


    Elodie''s heart felt pierced through with love.


    The baby was thriving, her skin smooth and beautiful-none of that awkwardness some newborns have.


    "Is she smiling at me?" Elodie turned, full of wonder, to Jarrod, catching the warmth in his eyes.


    Jarrod leaned in, his long fingers gently brushing their daughter''s cheek. "I think so. After all, with a mother as beautiful as hers, how could she not?"


    He wiped away the happy tear at the corner of Elodie''s eye. "Have you thought about what we''ll name her?"


    For a moment, Elodie was at a loss. Life had been hectic, and besides, this little one had only spent three months growing inside her there hadn''t been much time to dream or n.


    "Do you have something in mind?" she asked, knowing Jarrod well enough to suspect he''d be prepared.


    He arched an eyebrow, then looked


    down


    at the


    baby, his exp "Nemet


    uncharacteristically gentle. "Nadia. What do you think?"


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    Elodie tried the name out softly: "Nadia. Nadia Silverstein."


    "Nadia—may all her wishese true. Our Nadia deserves a smooth and joyful life," Jarrod said quietly.


    He''d thought long and hard about this. He and Elodie hadn''t had an easy journey-life rarely seemed to go the way they hoped, and eve their rtionship had faced challenge after challenge before finally finding its footing.  s


    He wanted his daughter to have none of those hardships. He wanted her to be healthy, happy, and fulfilled. Nadia-as wished.


    Elodie savored the name, growing fonder by the second. She could see all the care and hope Jarrod had poured into it.


    Especially after all they''d been through to wee this precious child.


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    She bent down, brushing her cheek Nadia''s. "Do you like your name, Nadia? I have to say your dad I<fn0b89> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? FindN0vel</fn0b89>


    has excellent taste."


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    Hearing Elodie call him "dad" sent a jolt through Jarrod''s chest.


    It was as if that long-held anticipation had finally settled, safe and real.


    It was eptance.


    And he loved the role Elodie had given him.


    Elodie simply couldn''t put Nadia down, ying with her and watching every little movement.


    But Nadia was still so tiny, and soon her eyes began to close.


    Reluctantly, Elodie ced her back into the crib, already missing her warmth.


    But now, she knew, it was time to learn how to be the mother her daughter deserved.