The Prince's Gift

Chapter 91.

Zane's POV

Watching Ana delivering our child was a memory that I will never be able to forget or be able to compare to any other moment in my very long life. I'd thought I'd known true joy with her, but the moment our child came into the world was unlike any other feeling I could have ever known. This tiny creation that was a miracle and who would become a unique combination of the two of us, and yet completely her own, was now sitting at the very center of our little universe.

The healer placed her in Ana's arms and I circled my own around her in support as we sat back together against the bed. I could feel so much love and bliss pushing between us and into this child that I thought it would explode from us all together into the rest of the room.

"Do you know what she will be called yet Your Majesties?" The elder healer asked with a wistful smile as she looked at us.

Without ever looking up, Ana answered, "She will be called Amirah." Her voice was soft and her words were slow, as if she was moving within a different plane than everyone else. It was just us.

The healer nodded and they all made sure mom and baby were taken care of before quietly clearing the room. I brushed my fingers across Amirah's soft skin and felt the strength and peace overflowing from her. My fingertip gently touched the top of her cheek, noticing a small pink line. It was a healing scar.

My heart stung as the vision of the knife piercing into Ana's stomach flashed into my mind. I felt Ana tense and she finally tore her eyes away from our child to look up at me.

"I'm so sorry Zane." She said, her words catching tightly as she choked back emotion.

I shook my head and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "Don't be sorry baby. This is not your fault. Do you understand?" I looked down at her with a firm look, but my gaze remained soft.

She took in a calming breath before slowly nodding. We both looked down at the beautiful miracle we'd been fated to create and I found myself reaching for Amirah again. "Should we try and heal her scar? Between the both of us we..."

"No." Ana interrupted softly. "It's part of her story, just like my own became a part of mine. If she wants it removed later, I promise we will try. But for now, it's part of the story of how she came into this world, pretty or not. And she is destined for great things in spite of that."

I hummed in agreement as I watched her sleep in Ana's arms, allowing the joy from the moment wash over me at last.

"Do you want to hold her?" She asked, smiling up at me.

I nodded and shifted to open my arms for her as Ana gently placed her in my hold. I let out a slow breath as I felt the weight of the new part of our journey that we were beginning settle in. I was this child's father. I was responsible for her; her happiness, her well being, her safety. This tiny, perfect creature was solely dependent on myself and Ana to take care of her and protect with our lives. All of these things were as obvious and true while she was growing in Ana's womb, but something about holding her, and seeing her real and present in front of my eyes shifted something inside of me. I felt like I could tear the world down just to see her safe and happy.

"It's nice to finally meet you little one." I whispered as I placed a soft kiss on top of her head. "I hope you know how loved you are and you've only just arrived."