She tilted her head back to stare at him with wide eyes.
"Really?"
His grin widened. "Irene discovered it just a week ago. We're in negotiations with the owner and the place is going for a very reasonable price." He kissed the tip of her nose in an automatic gesture. "You inspired us with the comment about the area badly in need of a shelter for neglected children." He nudged her around.
"It will be a playground as well as a home for these children, a multifunctional place where they will learn, play, and call it home. There will be a basketball court as well as an area for swimming. There's a lake further back. There will also be a chapel and several workshops where they can learn while they grow."
She turned to stare at him and the look she gave him made him feel as if he was ten feet tall and had conquered world hunger. His heart swelled inside his chest, and he felt funny all over.
"Oh, Dean." She was so proud of the man he had become that no words could describe how she felt. "You make me so happy."
"That's my aim in life." He turned her to face him, hands framing her face, his eyes darkening. "I never dreamed I'd meet someone like you. Never dared hope that my life would feel so complete." He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip gently. "I would do anything to see that look on your beautiful face. Anything."
Tears glistened in her eyes.
"Hormones?" he teased.
"Oh, absolutely." Going on her toes, she took his lips in a kiss that melted his bones.
*******************
"The baby is breech. Nothing to worry about," the doctor hastened to add when Dean paled. Switching his gaze toCatherine, he smiled reassuringly. "I'm going to ask you to stop pushing now."
Dean winced as she dug her fingers into his palm. The labor had been going on for six hours and he knew she must be exhausted.
"How much longer?" He was trying to keep the anxiety from his tone, but doubted he pulled it off.
"Not long now. We just have to go in and reposition the little guy." He nodded to the medical team around the bed, before smiling at Catherine. "Okay, my dear. We've been going through this without a hitch..." he laughed as she raised tapered brows. "Well, mostly. Now we're at the finishing line. Ready to take the last plunge?"
"More than," she told him feelingly.
"All right, let's do this."
He had warned her that she would feel more than a twinge, but there was no helping it.
Several minutes later, he sat back and swiveled the chair so that he could get rid of his soiled gloves and put on another pair.
"All right, Catherine. Push only when I tell you."
She nodded. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her husband's hands and waited for the signal.
"Now!"
Taking another deep breath, she bore down with all her might, flopping back on Dean's chest limply.
"Is he out?" she asked weakly.
"And squirming with all his might."
A smile curved her lips when she heard the indignant wail from her son. Turning her head, she gave her husband a beautiful smile.
"Our son's here."
Wiping the moisture off her face with a damp cloth, he nodded, the lump in his throat thick. "He is. You did it, darling."
Several minutes later, the nurse brought Nathaniel over to the eager parents, a smile wreathing her face. "He's adorable," she remarked, placing the baby carefully into the mother's arms.
"He's beautiful," she whispered. "Hi there, sweetheart. It's so good to see you. This is mama and dada. And we love you more than words can say."