“He’s really fine?” After all we’d been through, I needed to hear him say it.
“He’s perfect. I can’t find a thing wrong with him. The only hint that something happened is the little indentation in his belly, where the needle went in to drain the fluid.”
It was all so hard to believe and very fitting really.
“That’s his badge of honour I guess. His trophy for winning his chance at life.”
The doctor nodded in agreement, “he really is a miracle but it’s his mother he needs right now.”
My miracle. Sophia and my miracle.
And the doc was right, our son needed his mother just as I needed to see my wife and let her know the good news.
Nancy was waiting for me in the corridor outside the neonatal ward. The pediatrician gave her the file and instructions to get our son feeding as soon as possible.
“All good then?” she asked as the doctor retreated back into the ward.
“Better than all good.”
“Knew it,” she boasted. “Right, I know a beautiful lady that is very keen to see her husband and son.”
I looked down at my son in my arms. “Well, let’s not keep her waiting any longer.”
We were walking back through the maze of hospital corridors to the fancy private maternity suites. It was a far cry from the rooms I’d had. These rooms were more like high-end hotel suites. They’d want to be for what they cost. Only the best for my wife and child.
There was something I needed to do. Something I needed to say.
I cleared my throat to get her attention.
When she looked across at me in question, I raced out with it.
“Thank you, Nancy. You were right from the beginning. You said one day I’d thank you and, well, today’s it. I’ve got it all now. Sophia and a perfectly healthy son. You knew all along, didn’t you?”
Her lips pulled together as if she was about to say something, then stopped. A glassiness shone in her eyes.
“I just had a feeling this would all come out right for you. The love of a good woman will do that you know.”
I did know that.
She nodded, neither of us needed to say anymore.
“Here you go.” Nancy gestured to the open door of a room at the end of the corridor.
Sophia.
She was sitting up in bed, looking weary but beautiful. Our eyes met and I didn’t need to say a word, I could tell she knew. I needed to give her the words anyway.
“He’s perfect, Sophia, just like you.”
I hiked my hip onto the double bed beside her and passed her our son.
He let out a little grunt and started to nudge at her breast with his nose.
“I think he’s hungry. The pediatrician was keen to get him nursing.”
“I’m sure I’ve seen and felt that move before.” She giggled and unlaced the ribbon on the night gown before moving our son to her breast. And just like a champ, he latched straight on.
“What can I say, perfect technique…he takes after his old man,” I said proudly.
She gave me a pained look. “God, help me…it’s a good thing I love you both here more than life itself.”
That would do me just fine. I could more than live with that.
Epilogue Encore
An Hour Later—Xander
“Congratulations, both of you. He’s perfect.” Eden beamed at both Seth and Sophia while giving them hugs. I did the same, then stopped to look at the baby who Eden was now cradling as if he was the most precious thing in the world.
And he was. The relief was evident. Even though the doctors had continued to reassure them both through Sophia’s pregnancy, worry had never been far from their minds. How could you not with what they had gone through?
But all that was in the past.
Today was about new beginnings. It was the beginning of the next generation.
“Look, Xan, our nephew is so gorgeous and perfect.”
“He is,” I agreed.
“Takes after his father,” Seth added, with a twinkle in his eye.
“Oh, and I had absolutely nothing to do with the whole thing,” Sophia reminded him.
Seth made out as if he had to think about it…”Well…nah babe. I’ll be the first to admit, I’m sure, he’s here and perfect because not only did you grow him that way, you also willed him to be that way.”
I watched Sophia get a lump in her throat at Seth’s joking praise. It was the sort of lump that comes from having those that mean the most to you appreciate what you’ve done.
It was good to see Seth relaxed and happy. A real light back in his eyes. I had a feeling the jokester was back but that this was a far more mature and content version.
“Thank you so much for the flowers and the gifts for Caleb. We really appreciate it.”
Eden had been out shopping for weeks. She couldn’t seem to stop and it made her so happy, I didn’t have the heart to rein her in. If Eden was happy, I was happy.
Sophia held up the baby blanket that Eden had gotten specially embroidered with, “Protected by the Oni Fighters.” In the colours of the dojo. I thought it might have been corny, but Seth and Sophia seemed to love it.
“I hope there’s still some cuddles left,” Arianne announced as she moved through the door. The only bit of Ari that seemed to be visible was her own baby belly. The rest of her was camouflaged by the huge bouquet of flowers she carried.
“Definitely cuddles left for all our family,” Seth announced.
Arianne placed the bouquet on the shelf that ran the length of the room then gave both Sophia and Seth hugs.
Dane deposited the stack of gifts beside the flowers and did the same.
Arianne looked at Eden as if to say “my turn” and Eden reluctantly passed the baby over.
“Oh, look, Dane, he’s so gorgeous.”
“Definitely doesn’t take after Seth, then,” Dane offered ribbing Seth for fun.
“Not biting, man. Not biting. Nothing’s going to rain on my parade today. Happiest guy on Earth”
Dane moved over and slapped him on the back. “As it should be. Well done.”
“Well, thanks, but I’m telling you, the getting her pregnant bit was no hardship. Easy peasy. Then, the next few months…now that’s a different story.”
Dane chuckled. “Yeah, I’m with you on the getting pregnant bit…that was all too easy.”
I couldn’t help it. I wanted to share their happiness as well. Who’d have thought a year ago we’d have been bonding over babies?
“Can’t say I found it difficult either.” I couldn’t keep the smile out of my voice.
The room went silent, while everyone processed the bombshell I’d just dropped.
“You too?” Sophia shrieked from the bed and little Caleb startled.
“Us too,” Eden confirmed coyly as I wrapped my arm around her.
“That’s great news, man.” Dane and Seth took turns doing the man hug thing. Hell, everyone was hugging and kissing every one.
We had a lot to celebrate, after all. It was not everyday we were going to have three babies arrive in less than the space of just over six months.
“When are you due, Eden?” Sophia demanded to know of my wife.
“About five and a half months. Seems we celebrated Xan’s win in more ways than one.”
Seth looked over at me with the most serious look I’d seen on his face all day.
“Does that mean what I think it does? No more fighting?”
I nodded. “I’m done fighting pro, as well. Nothing more for me to achieve. Now, it’s time to move on and train the next batch of champions.”
Dane and Seth both nodded their understanding. I knew they both understood. We’d reached that point in our lives where family and children were more important to us than the next fight.
“Reed’s going to be pissed,” Seth realized.
“He’ll get over it,” I assured him. Reed had enough to keep him busy, he didn’t really need to b
e training us.
“So, do you think you’re going to go full term?” Sophia asked Arianne. “Can’t say I enjoyed the birth real much.”
Both Arianne and Eden nodded.
Us guys just winced.
Seth looked over the girls’ heads at us.
“More brutal than anything I’ve ever seen.” He shook his head in horror. “I have no idea how they do it. Damn sure, getting these kids out is a lot harder and less fun than getting them in there.”
“You think!” Sophia looked at him as if he’d grown another head.
“I’ve got the benefit of Ari having done it before,” Dane said hopefully.
“Yeah, I’ve done it before, but look at the size of you. And your mum keeps reminding me, you had a fifteen inch head. That, I can do without.”
“Sorry, sweetheart.” Dane was already apologizing for something that was still a few weeks away. Now, I wasn’t feeling so sure about our decision to start a family. The last thing I wanted was for Eden to go through any more pain. She’d had enough in her life.
“Both of you, take the drugs. Get the epidural early,” yelled Sophia. “Only mistake I made.”
Eden and Arianne were nodding furiously in agreement.
“Hey, that reminds me. This little suite comes equipped with a couple of bottles of Champagne in the mini fridge. You can even order wine with your dinner. Seems only fitting we toast Caleb’s arrival.”
“You can seriously order wine with dinner?” Dane asked, not believing Seth.
Seth passed him a menu. “Check it out for yourself seeing you don’t believe me.”
“Right, Ari. We’re cancelling the booking at that other place and booking in here,” Dane declared.
“I’m hardly going to want to be drinking wine while I’m breastfeeding,” she corrected him.
“Who said anything about you? What about me? I’m probably going to need a drink if it’s as horrific as Seth says.”
Arianne shook her head clearly amused. “It’s childbirth. I don’t think it’s ever going to be pretty.”
Dane went a little green and I decided not to think about it for a few months yet.
Seth passed around the champagne flutes.
“Well, everyone, thanks for coming out today to welcome our little man, Caleb Daniel Harris into the world—into our family which you’re all an important part of. It means the world to both Sophia and me to have the people that are closest to us here to share this very special moment and we’ll be more than happy to return the favour in the very near future. To my son…”
Sophia cleared her throat in correction and Seth looked a little sheepish. “Sorry babe, our son, Caleb Daniel Harris.”
Everyone raised their glasses. “To Caleb.”
All three women did no more than take a tiny taste of the golden liquid. Us three men made up for it on their behalf.
There was something else that needed to be said and I knew it was my place to say it.
“Guys, we’ve all been together for twenty odd years now, as close as brothers. Hell, I think of both of you as my brothers and now Sophia and Ari as the sisters I never had. I don’t think any of us could ever have imagined it would turn out like this. I’d like to propose a toast to us!”
This time we all raised our glasses and a chorus of “to us” rained out.
“Finally, there’s one more toast that needs to be made.”
They all looked to me wondering. “Today, the future arrived…” I raised my glass. “To the next generation of Oni Fighters.”
“To the Oni Fighters.”
The last year had taught us there wasn’t a demon that couldn’t be defeated with love and light.
You just had to be brave, believe in yourself, and accept the challenge.
The rewards were more than worth it. We were all proof of that.
The End
And so ends the first three installments of the Oni Fighters. There will be more in the near future.
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Acknowledgments
This book has taken a little longer than I thought to get together. My life has most definitely gotten in the way these last months.
I’m going to open the thanks with acknowledging my great friend, Simon Barnes, for helping me out with yet another amazing cover image and model, James Shenton. Thanks guys for pulling that together for me. Love your work!
To Letitia Hasser from Romantic Book Designs another scorching cover! In fact, I think it’s the best yet. Love it girl and it was so great to meet you in Vegas!
Jennifer Severino, from Twitching Pen Editing, we talked a lot about this book. Then we just did! Thanks for juggling this around project “Bambina”. I’ve really enjoyed working with you.
A special thank you to Tamia Simons and Chantal Gemperle, you two ladies do so much for me and I love you to the moon and back. Teasers, music, laughs…just an ear…you’re both always there and “get me.”
To my beta readers on this, Tamia Simons, Chantal Gemperle, Julie Ahern, Marg Munro, Tina Louise, Michelle Hannover—you ladies kept me going when at times it would have been easy to put it aside with all I’ve had going on.
To Kylie McDermott from Give Me Books, thanks for organizing the promo on this one again.
And now to my family and friends who don’t often appear in the book world, thanks so much for always being there and encouraging me and believing in my stories. I know the sacrifices you make to allow me to create these stories. It’s something I love doing and need to do.
Love Nat
Oh in case you didn’t figure it…this was my own little man’s story. It was such a miracle I thought it was worth writing about!
About the Author
A confessed readaholic and romantic junkie, Natalie spends her time juggling a busy career as an IT professional and author. In between staring at a computer screen (she spends lot time doing that!) Natalie, enjoys living the Gold Coast life with her very tolerant husband and two school aged children.
She loves spending time with family and friends, hitting the beach, cooking, working out and curling up with a good book. Her pet hates are cleaning and anything else that can be considered “domestic dullness”. If she could have one wish it would be to be able to fit 48 hours into 24.
GENRE: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense / Paranormal /NA/Sports Romance
For More Information
@NatalieGayle1
NatalieGayleAuthor
www.nataliegayle.com
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Also by NATALIE GAYLE
Centre Games Series
Finding Trust
Finding Judgement
Finding Freedom
Finding Resolution
Oni Fighters
Brave
Believe
Challenge
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Challenge: A Contemporary MMA Romance: Oni Fighters Book 3 Page 41