Two days ago, Jake surprised Remi with the fact he bought the two horses she's been attached to the moment we arrived out here weeks ago.
I take another sip of my coffee. The light breeze carries the smell of rain of the distant storm clouds and I can see Remi bounding up the porch steps. "I'm going to go pack my overnight bag," she stops long enough to give me a quick hug before disappearing inside. She and Kat have become the best of friends since meeting at the clubhouse during the threat and have been inseparable since. So, on our way to Bella's house today we'll be stopping at Victoria and Quentin's house.
When Jake makes it to the porch, he leans down kissing me. "Hey, beautiful."
"You spoil her too much," I jest, with a hint of seriousness. Setting my mug down, I throw the blanket across the back of the swing and stand.
Tucking me into his side, we make our way indoors just as thunder rumbles in the distance. "Get used to it, Little Bird. I plan on giving you, Remi," Jake places his hand protectively over my stomach, "and our baby in your belly everything I can give."
"All we need is you, and your love, Jake," I admit.
A couple of hours later we've dropped Remi off, and Jake has just dropped me off at Bella's house while he and the guys meet with the insurance adjuster in town about the garage. All the ladies are here today minus Glory. She decided to fly home for the weekend and spend some much need time with her parents. Since it's wet outside from the storm, we are all gathered in the living room. Lisa has even joined in on today's visit and true to her nature has been busy cooking alongside Bella. Once the kids have been fed and put down for naps, we gather in the kitchen again.
"How's the pregnancy going so far, Grace?" Lisa inquiries as I stand with my hand hovering over a large bowl of chips.
"Good so far," I pop a corn chip covered in cheese in my mouth. "Because of my age I'm considered high risk, but everything is looking good," I tell her.
"Kids are asleep, so besides the pregnant ladies, who here wants wine?" Alba announces as she enters the kitchen and begins taking glasses down from the cabinet. After pouring one for herself, Lisa, and Emerson she hands a drink over to Mila.
"Um, I think I'll pass," Mila tells Alba.
"Wait. What?" Bella says. "At dinner the other night you passed up wine and now again today? You never pass up wine, Mila." Bella eyes her suspiciously. The rest of the ladies have their full attention on Mila, and her eyes dart around the room. She bites her bottom lip for a moment. Caving she explains, "There's a possibility I could be pregnant."
A round of gasps and 'oh my god, that's great' are repeated around the room.
"You haven’t taken a test yet?" Emerson immediately questions her.
"No, I'm a week late, though. For some reason I'm nervous. Reid and I talked about giving it a go about two months ago, but what if it's a false alarm. My heart wants it so much. I don’t want to be disappointed."
"Mila, I understand how you feel," Bella looks at her, "We all do," she smiles and rubs her swollen belly. "But I say let's find out. Today." Bella turns and holds her hand out towards her sister. "Come on," she wiggles her fingers, "you carry pregnancy test around like currency."
Rolling her eyes, Alba crosses the kitchen into the foyer only to return to the kitchen with not one but two different at home pregnancy tests causing all of us to laugh out loud including herself as she shrugs her shoulders.
Mila briefly excuses herself to the bathroom. Upon returning she sets the tests carefully on a napkin and onto the counter. Anxiously, we wait for five minutes to pass.
As soon as enough time has passed, Mila walks back to the counter and looks down. Her hand instantly goes to her lower abdomen, and a smile overtakes the nervous look she had on her face. "I'm pregnant."
We surround her with congratulations and hugs. After discussing with Jake just before getting here, I decided to make my announcement on the heels of the new baby news. "Mila, I have something I need to give you before Jake picks me up," I tell her. Retrieving my bag from the kitchen table, I pull out a white envelope and walk back towards my friends; my family. "I came into some money. Money for reasons I'm sure you all would understand I don’t want any part of. That being said, I believe it would help others." She opens the envelope containing the check made out to New Hope House, The Charlotte Scott Foundation. A halfway home her and Sofia have recently started operating out of her late grandmother's home.
Tears pool in her eyes, "Grace," she whispers. "I was fortunate to find my happily ever after and I hope this can be a good start at helping others find theirs," I too start to tear up. Damn hormones.
Mila doesn’t try to give the check back. She doesn’t ask questions. She hands the check to over to Alba and hugs me and says, "Thank you."
After promising to keep the news of Mila's pregnancy under wraps until she and Reid see a doctor and choose to share it with the rest of the family, we sit around for the next hour laughing and planning another baby shower. Mine.
Later that evening with the house to ourselves Jake and I spend our time together on the back porch watching the sunset and listen to the soothing sounds of the river's current rush downstream. The weather is turning a little cooler, so Jake goes inside and returns with a blanket large enough to wrap around the both of us. Snuggling as close as I can, I warm myself with the heat of his body. Completely content doing nothing, we sit like this until the darkness of nightfall engulfs us and the stars become our only source of light.
"Look," I point to the sky at a falling star. "Hurry, make a wish," I quickly say as it skirts across the midnight sky.
"Marry me," Jake whispers in my ear.
I turn, connecting my eyes with his. "Is that your wish?" I smile warmly at him.
He pushes my curls from my face and nods. "Marry me, Little Bird."
On a breath, I answer, "Okay."
Epilogue
JAKE
"How's my baby girl doing?" I ask Grace who is currently sittin' on my lap with my hand rubbin' circles on her belly.
"You know it could be a boy." She argues back.
The gender of our baby is somethin' we have been debating back and forth over for weeks. Grace insists the baby is a boy and I say it's a girl. I don't care either way, but I like messing with my woman. That and my gut says we will have another daughter and usually, my gut feelings are never wrong. Bringing her hand to rest on top of mine, I intertwine our fingers and stare down at our matching gold bands. Grace and I got married today. Once she agreed to be my wife we didn't waste much time sealing the deal. Neither one of us wanted a big show. When Grace suggested a simple ceremony followed by a party at the clubhouse that was more proof she was the woman for me. So, with our family and close friends, we stood in front of Quinn, me in my jeans and cut, and Grace in a simple pale-yellow dress with her fiery red curls blowin' in the breeze, as we said I do.
"Are you happy, Little Bird?" I murmur into her ear causing her skin to prickle.
Nuzzling further into my embrace, she lets out a sigh of contentment. "I'm the happiest I've ever been. I don't know where I'd be if you had given up on me."
"Never gonna happen, babe. Now kiss your husband."
"Look at you, Prez. You're actin' just like them three." Quinn plops his ass down in a chair next to mine and points across from us to where Logan, Gabriel, and Reid are sittin' with their women on their laps.
"Jealous," Reid jabs back.
"Fuck yeah I'm jealous. I can't wait to be married. It's just takin' a little longer than I expected to seal the deal."
The funny thing is, Quinn is one hundred percent serious. That boy is so hard up over a certain little doctor he can't see straight. The thing about my brother is that he is tenacious. Too bad for him his goofy behavior gets in his way. People don't tend to take him seriously. Those of us who know Quinn know he means business when he's decided he wants something and knows he will stop at nothing to get it. The question is, how long will his Dr. Pretty hold out? Either way, I have no
doubt things between the two will come full circle. Hell, if it can happen for me, Logan, Gabriel, and Reid, then it can happen for anyone. We all have overcome so much. Now Logan and Bella are about to have their baby, Reid fought his demons and found happiness with Mila and her daughter, who happens to be Noah's, and even Gabriel found a woman to put up with his grumpy ass.
For a moment, we all fall silent, and I take a moment to gaze around at my surroundings and a smile tugs at my lips at the sight of all the children playing. This time next year mine and Grace's child will be out there.
For the most part, everything with the Kings have gone back to normal. Bennett has made a full recovery and back to doing what he does for the community and Lisa is back to being herself and fussing over everyone in typical momma bear style.
As for the shop, it should be up and running in about a month or so. Reid and Nikolai of course are overseeing the construction. We decided to double the size of the previous building because why the hell not. It was actually Quinn's idea. He suggested since we were all popping kids out left and right, then why not add a playroom or some shit. His words not mine. Logan had mentioned in the past Bella missed work but didn't want to give up being a full-time mom. Grace mentioned she would take the baby with her to the bakery a couple of days out of the week and then find a sitter for the other days. But when Quinn came up with the idea for the garage we all jumped on board. This way kid watching duties could be swapped back and forth between the woman and us. Nobody has to miss out.
The club is also going to build a playroom at the bakery. Grace said she wanted to make the playroom public and possibly hire someone to look after the children. She said that way women or men could come in with their children, let them play while they relaxed with their donuts and coffee. When she questioned a few of her customers about the idea, they were quick to say they thought it was a fantastic concept.
"Holy shit!" Logan's voice booms, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Did you just pee on him?" Quinn asks Bella.
"Seriously Quinn! No, I did not just pee all over my husband -- you ass. My water broke!"
Suddenly Bella is scooped up into Logan's arms, and he's haulin' ass across the yard towards his truck. "I can walk you know." Bella smarts off, but Logan ignores her and deposits her in the cab of his truck. Meanwhile, the rest of us fly into action hot on their heels. Six hours later, the waiting room of the maternity ward at the hospital is standing room only. Alba has made an appearance every hour to give us updates. On her last update, Bella was fully dilated and ready to push. That was forty-five minutes ago. The double doors open at the end of the hall with a smiling Logan brings us all to our feet.
"Well?" I ask when he steps into the room.
"We have a boy!" he shouts, and the room erupts into chaos. I'm the first to pull him in for a hug. "Congratulations, son."
"Thanks, Jake."
Next, it's Demetri and Nikolai who congratulate him.
"What's his name? How much does he weight?" Lisa asks.
Looking at both his father and me, Logan announces his son's name. "He weighs 8lbs 5oz, and we named him Jake Demetri Kane."
I place my hand on his shoulder, "I'm honored, Logan. Thank you."
"I wouldn't have the life I have if it wasn't for you, Prez. It is me who is honored to name my son after you."
"You know what?" Quinn pipes up after Logan has left to go back to his woman and son. "I'm telling you all right now; I better be the next person to announce they're having a baby."
Emerson who is sitting across the room chokes on her coffee after Quinn's declaration. I notice Reid shifting from foot to foot while Mila shoots a few strange looks towards Lisa, Emerson, Leah, and Grace. Oh shit!
"Actually…" Reid cuts in.
"Oh, hell no, brother!" Quinn shoots daggers at Reid.
Pulling Mila into his side, Reid continues. "Mila and I are having a baby."
Quinn walks up to Reid and congratulates his brother, and for the second time in less than thirty minutes, the waiting room erupts into cheers.
* * *
A few months later
"I am beyond ready for this baby to be born," Grace moans as she paces the floor in the living room of our home as she holds her lower back. She's scheduled to have a c-section tomorrow morning because our daughter has not turned to allow for a natural birth.
"Come here. Sit down and let me rub your feet," I pat the couch cushion beside me. Grace shuffles across the wood floor in one of my cotton shirts and a thick pair of wool sock covering her feet. "These aren't feet anymore. They are cankles with toes," she pouts. Slowly, with my help, she lowers her very pregnant body to the sofa and places her tired feet in my lap. "They stay swollen because you refuse to rest. You stay on your feet all day." I begin to rub her swollen feet.
"Oh god, yes," she moans.
"Come on; let's get you to bed," I tell her trying to suppress a chuckle.
After making it up the stairs, we briefly stop by Remi's room and Grace knocks on her door. The door swings open. "Mom, are you okay?" She asks with worry.
"Nothing is wrong, Peanut. I'm fine. I only stopped to get a hug. I'll be gone before you wake up in the morning. Glory will bring you to the hospital before they start surgery." Grace embraces her.
"I can't wait to meet my sister," Remi states.
Pulling away, Grace kisses her forehead, and I lean in doing the same. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
Once in bed with my wife, I rest my hand on her very swollen belly. After several months, tomorrow I get to meet our baby girl.
"You ready for all this? After tonight there will be sleepless nights, dirty diapers, spit up; all these will become our new normal." Grace sighs as she finally adjust in a position she finds comfort in and settles there for the night.
Our baby girl kicks against my hand. "I've always been ready."
Ellie Kate Delane was born two weeks ago at 7:45 am on a beautiful Sunday morning weighing in at 7 lbs and 6 oz. Everything went smooth and according to plan. Our entire Family sat in the waiting room on the edge of their seats, and that day I was the one walking through those heavy double doors to announce the birth of my child to all the people in this world who matter the most to me.
It's a big day today. It's Remi's birthday and this time everyone is out here at our home celebrating with us.
"Can I go for a ride, just down by the river?" Remi begs. Those horses and riding have become everything to her. We even signed her up for riding classes several months back right after things got back to normal. She's a natural born rider. Remi's riding instructor has encouraged her to practice jumping horses so she can enter next year's equestrian show sponsored by the local 4-H club. For her birthday all she wanted was a new saddle for her horse she calls Spirit, so that’s what we bought her. "Sure, just as long as it's okay with your momma, and we can see you from here," I tell her.
She wraps her arms around my waist hugging me. "I will. Thanks, Dad."
Yes, you heard her right. She calls me dad, and every time she does my heart melts. On the day her baby sister was born, while she had her turn holding her, Remi started to tear up. The words that followed choked me up so much I lost my shit in front of everyone who was in the room, and that was damn near our entire family. Remi asked if she could call me Dad. She said she wanted to have a daddy like her sister. Remi became mine the moment I found out about her, and there has never been any question in my heart I was forever going to be her father.
I'm standing outside on the back porch enjoying a beer with my men as I look in through the window of the kitchen. Grace has just placed our daughter into the arms of her awaiting grandma—my mom, as my pop sits beside them wearing a prideful smile; Pop-Pop to his granddaughters.
"Fuckin' fantastic feeling," Logan stands beside me and remarks as he watches through the window with me.
"Not a better fuckin' feelin' in the world than what I'm feelin' right now, son." I continue to watch my family. Grace turns,
catching me watching and smiles brightly. The woman's loving look back at me is the center of my entire existence—my world—my wife—the mother of my children. She doesn't realize she holds so much of my happiness in the palm of her hands.
A higher power granted us a second chance at life. We both found each other – found love when we needed it the most. She would tell you I saved her, but that is far from the truth. Grace saved me. Everything that has ever happened in my life; every person that has touched my life prepared me for this moment in time.
My life is rich, but wealth does not define my worth. I am defined by the people in it who surround me. The beautiful red-haired woman I hold in my arms every night—my Little Bird. My two daughters whom I love. The men I call my brothers. My family.
I turn and face my boys and raise the beer in my hand. "To Family."
All of them lift their drinks in the air. "To Family."
THE END
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