Begin Again

iii. bonus scene

because i miss evie & miles so much, and i want to thank you all for 10k reads. that's insane, i never thought this story would reach so many people in the way it has. you guys are amazing, i love you. so, without further ado, here's a fun lil scene of my favorite couple right after evie gives birth :)

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IT SEEMS AS if every waking moment of my day is now consumed with shrill screams and foul-smelling diapers.

Motherhood is a job that unfortunately doesn't come with a training week or an in-depth handbook. The entire nine months of my pregnancy were filled with me spending hours upon hours researching what I was supposed to be doing. It was nights falling asleep at my computer, desperately trying to understand how my life was about to change.

But, in that hospital room, Miles gripping onto my hand as we heard the first cries of our baby, all of my nerves seemed to dissipate. Sage Lively was born in the wee hours of the morning after six hours of intense labor and thirty minutes of pushing. He has tufts of midnight hair that curl around his head and eyes the shade of freshly melted chocolate.

He's perfect.

All I have to do is love him, and in that hospital room, I knew that wouldn't be a problem.

He's only been in this world for two days and has already consumed every space in my heart. As I stare down at his sleeping face, rocking him back and forth as I pace the small interior of the kitchen, I wonder if there is a love more significant than this.

"You want me to take him?" I turn to see Miles leaning against the wall, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he stares at Sage and me. His hair has grown considerably, and he's even sporting a slight five o'clock shadow, courtesy of the sleepless lifestyle we are now living, which leaves us no time to cater to our needs.

I shake my head. "You should sleep; you look exhausted."

Miles pushes himself off of the wall, walking towards me. "I could say the same for you." I snort. I'm sure my hair looks like a rat is sleeping soundly in it. My clothes have been the same as the day before, and I'm sure I'll be out like a light if my head hits the pillow now.

I feel Miles move to stand behind me, his lips coasting over my shoulder blade as he rests his head on the nape of my neck. We are both just staring at our son. The miracle of life that somehow we've created and managed to not mess up.

"He has your nose," Miles mumbles, reaching his finger down and tracing over the small button nose on Sage's face.

I can't help the fond smile that tugs on my lips as I peek at Miles from over my shoulder. "He has your lips."

Miles hums, his dimples deepening as he tries to conceal the large grin that threatens to come through. "You know I'm proud of you, right? That entire labor–you're as strong as ever for that."

I shake my head, a few stray curls falling from my lackluster bun. I lean against Miles' chest as he rubs small circles on my shoulders, careful not to disturb Sage. It hadn't been easy. The contractions hurt like hell, and at one point, I was sure I'd have to give up. But Miles was right by my side, holding my hand with so much fervor and intensity, giving me the strength to continue. It wasn't just the birth but the whole nine months.

Miles was there for the mood swings and the periods of intense anxiety that crippled me to the confines of our bed. He was there when I would scream and shout that we weren't ready for this, when I would cry in the middle of the night because I felt like everything was moving too fast. He was there when I'd turn bitter and wish I was still in New York instead of Los Angeles when I'd wish I was living the full extent of my life with Veronica and Talia, with no restrictions.