5 October 1881, San Luis, Colorado

Isabella’s cries ripped through the house as she toiled in the bedroom, fighting to bring their baby into the world. Patrick clutched his hands in front of them as his leg bounced worriedly. He took a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair. 

“This is the worst part, isn’t it?” Diego asked, holding his daughter, Rose, to his chest. 

Rose was only four months old, and was sleeping soundly. Her little mouth was pursed as she dreamed about whatever babies saw when they were asleep. The door opened and Emily hurried out, holding a large bucket of cloths. 

“How is she doing?” Patrick asked, getting to his feet. 

“She’s doing wonderfully,” Emily promised, waving her hand at him. “Don’t worry, the baby should be here soon!” 

Patrick groaned as he sat down. Grace hurried into the room accompanied by Miguel and Luisa. 

“Is there any news yet?” Grace asked eagerly. 

She’d grown a lot taller and her hair was longer. There was no sign of the timid little girl who had first arrived in San Luis, too afraid to talk. 

“Not yet.” Patrick sighed, shaking his head. 

“This is taking forever!” Luisa groaned, crossing her arms over her chest. “We just want to meet the baby now.” 

“I’m sure Isabella is doing the best she can,” Beatriz said, raising her eyebrows. “And the last thing she’s thinking about is whether or not you’re getting impatient.” She tickled her daughter’s side and Luisa giggled as she danced out of the way. 

“Everything’s going to be all right,” Joaquin said, squeezing his shoulder. “I was a bundle of nerves every time Beatriz gave birth.” 

Patrick mustered a smile. “I thought I was prepared because I’d already experienced it with Clara, but I’d forgotten just how nerve-wracking it is! And does it always taking this long? Perhaps she needs my help. What if something’s going wrong? Why won’t they tell me anything?” 

Joaquin winced as his hand remained on Patrick’s shoulder. 

“Don’t think like that,” Diego warned. “She’s doing just fine. They would tell you the minute something went wrong. You don’t want to rush in there and make her more anxious than she already is. Isabella needs to focus on what she’s doing, not on making you feel better.” 

Patrick groaned and leaned further back in his seat. “Why must you always speak sense?” 

After Diego and Emily got married, Emily moved into Diego’s cabin while Dona Maria moved into the cabin that Patrick and Grace had lived in when they first arrived at the ranch. Isabella had also given Diego a little more land so that he could have a small farm of his own. 

Diego still helped them a few days a week, but he made a good living off his farm, especially since Emily grew herbs that she then dried and turned into herb mixes that people loved to buy. Their food had gotten a lot better since Emily started living with them, which was an amazing feat since Dona Maria’s good was already incredible to begin with. 

“I’m just a wise man, what can I say?” Diego joked as he shrugged. 

The door opened and Levi and Daisy walked in. Daisy carried a basket full of baked goods. 

“Thank you for coming,” Patrick said, nodding at them. “Dona Maria made coffee in the kitchen if you’d like some.” 

“That’s kind, but we didn’t come for coffee, we came to see how you’re doing. Oh, and Isabella too,” Levi said. 

“And I’m here to keep the children busy,” Daisy said, winking at them. “Come on, let’s leave the adults for now. I want you all to start making cards for Isabella!” 

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Luisa gasped. “Let’s go.” 

“Do I have to?” Miguel groaned. 

“You’re welcome to stay here, but then you have to start cleaning so that Isabella can have a nice, neat home when she’s done,” Beatriz said, raising her eyebrows. 

Miguel grimaced and hurried after Luisa and Daisy, causing the adults to chuckle. Grace hesitated but Patrick nodded at her to continue. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek before she went to join her friends. 

“I got news about the trial today,” Levi said, sitting beside Patrick. 

“Oh?” Patrick raised his eyebrows as he looked over at Levi. 

“Yes, Seth, Ramon, and the others got life in prison,” Levi explained. “I’m surprised that Seth didn’t get the death penalty, but I understand that they took other factors into consideration. Either way, he won’t ever be a free man again.” 

Patrick sighed as he looked down at his hands. It was interesting that he got news that Clara’s killer had been convicted on the day that he was about to welcome a his new child. It was bittersweet. While he still missed Clara some days, he was completely content and happy with his new life. 

It was as if he could finally close that painful chapter in his life and completely moved on. He was certain that Clara would have been happy for him if she had known how things would have turned out. Patrick would have been happy for her if their roles had been reversed. 

“Thank you for telling me,” Patrick said. “I’m glad I never have to think about them again. They caused enough hurt and took enough of my time.” 

“I agree,” Levi said. “Although I still feel guilty when I think about how easy it was for Seth to trick me. I genuinely thought he had come to help us.” 

“He tricked us all,” Patrick reminded him. “Besides, I’m glad he came out of hiding. That was his downfall in the end. He was arrogant enough to think he would get away with it!” 

“I never thought about it that way,” Levi said, rubbing his chin. “Thank you, that made me feel a lot better.” 

“Looks like you’ve got some wisdom of your own,” Diego said, elbowing Patrick in the side. 

At that moment, Isabella’s cries stopped and the piercing wail of a newborn reached his ears. Patrick jumped to his feet and ran to the bedroom. When he opened the door, Isabela was sitting up in the bed, her hair plastered to her face with sweat. Her skin was red and puffy, and there were dark circles under her eyes. 

She looked radiant to him. 

“You did it…” he said, approaching her cautiously. “Well done, my love. We have a new baby!” 

“A son,” Isabella said tiredly. “Pedro.” 

Patrick paused, his lips pausing in surprise. Emily approached him with a squirming bundle. She handed Pedro to him. Patrick took the baby gingerly, staring at the child’s face in wonder. 

He’d known he would be filled with love when he held his child, but the depth of his feelings knocked him off his feet and made him see the world in a new light. He had a son. 

“Pedro,” he murmured, rocking the baby from side to side. 

A soft knock came at the door and Emily looked at Isabella questioningly. Isabella nodded. Emily opened the door and their friends and family poured into the room. 

“Oh, my sweetheart!” Dona Maria exclaimed, hurrying over to Isabella. “You did so well. Congratulations! I can’t believe that I’m here to witness you give birth… I was there when you were born!” 

“You have two grandchildren now,” Isabella said with a proud smile. 

“A granddaughter and a grandson,” Dona Maria said, placing a hand over her heart. “I never thought I would be so privileged.” She reached out and squeezed Emily’s hand lovingly. 

Emily smiled and kissed her mother-in-law’s cheek. 

Grace approached Patrick, and Patrick carefully handed her Pedro. 

“I have a little brother,” Grace said in wonder, staring at Pedro with an awed expression. “I’m a big sister! Don’t worry, Pedro… I’m going to take good care of you. I’ll show you how to read and write. And I’ll never stop talking to you. Sometimes, you’re going to get sick of me. Don’t worry, I’ll love you then too!” 

Patrick sank down to Isabella’s side and put an arm around her. “Look at our family. Can you believe it?” 

Isabella smiled as she snuggled closer to his side. “I just wish my parents and the real Nic were there to see it!” 

“They would be incredibly proud of you, my love,” he said, kissing her forehead. “You’re the best woman I know. I’m so grateful that you’ll be raising our children.” 

Isabella chuckled as she leaned her head back. “Are you already thinking about more?” 

“As soon as you’re ready,” he promised. “What do you think? One or two more?” 

“I thought I’d want a whole lot of children, but after this I think you’d be lucky if you got one more,” Isabella admitted wryly. 

He laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “You can decide. I’m just happy you choose to stay with me every day.” 

“Where else would I go?” Isabella asked, looking up at him lovingly. “You own my heart, along with Grace and Pedro.” 

“Hello everyone,” Father Francisco said, walking slowly into the room. “Oh no, I missed it.” 

“You’re here for the best part, Father,” Isabella said sardonically. 

“I was hoping to provide you with some support, but it looks like you did fine all on your own,” he said, raising his eyebrows. 

He took Pedro from Grace and stared at the child in amazement. “No matter how many times I see this, I never get used to it. This is a true miracle. Can you imagine that? Every family on earth gets to be part of something so incredible?” 

“I can’t believe it myself,” Isabella admitted. 

“Did you ever think this would be the result when you married us?” Patrick asked curiously. 

Father Francisco shot him a wry look. “Well, the two of you were so determined to have a practical arrangement that I didn’t know what to think. Although when I saw the two of you handle your challenges with such devotion and loyalty, I saw that I’d done the right thing by agreeing to marry you.” 

“I’m very grateful that you did,” Patrick said as Father Francisco handed the baby to Beatriz as Celia bustled into the room. 

Father Francisco smiled at them as he approached Isabella. 

“Remember when you said you thought of me as a daughter?” Isabella asked. “Well, this means that you’re a grandfather now.” 

Father Francisco blinked in surprise as his eyes misted with tears. 

“Would you look at that?” Isabella asked, glancing at Patrick. “I told you that I missed my parents, but look… Dona Maria is like his grandmother and Father Francisco is like his grandfather.” 

“You’re right,” Patrick said. “And Diego is like Pedro’s uncle. Our family is complete.” 

“We’re not replacing what we lost, we’re just rebuilding,” Isabella mused. “Our children may not grow up rich, but they will have everything they need and more.” 

“And someday, they’ll take care of our ranch,” Patrick said, looking over at his daughter. 

Isabella smiled and squeezed his hand. Their family surrounded them on all sides, congratulating them and wishing them well. Patrick couldn’t help but think about how far he and Grace had come. Not only had they found a home worth fighting for, but they also had a family that would stick with them no matter what. 

It was everything he could ever have asked for and more. 

THE END