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I’ve seen what the Hawkes can do, how they bring people under their wings and make them part of the family. I’ve experienced what it’s like to seek their forgiveness and receive it. I’ve felt the love that radiates from everyone in this house, and Jude will, too. Eventually.
“You’re right. From the moment I saw him, I just felt…God, this is going to make me sound like a fucking pussy.” I shrug. “I felt complete. Like this is what has been missing.”
I glance at Byron, hopeful he doesn’t take that the wrong way and think that our relationship somehow hasn’t been enough for me.
But he just smiles. “And here I thought I was the only one who felt that way.”
“Definitely not.”
And I should have known better than to ever doubt Byron would be one hundred percent on board with me on this.
We’ve created a fantastic life together, and with the Hawkes, we’re building an empire that will last for generations. But we’ve never had anyone to leave any of it to. We’ve done it for ourselves, for everyone else’s kids, thinking we could never have our own. And this feels…right.
Stone walks over and claps me on the back. “Then we’ll start on the paperwork tomorrow.”
“That easy?”
He offers a half shrug. “Nothing’s ever easy about being a parent, which you two are about to fucking learn.” He barks out a laugh and shakes his head. “You have no idea what’s in store for you.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He squeezes my shoulder. “I’m just trying to prepare you, bud. Parenthood is”—he grins—”the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Besides Nora, of course.”
“Of course.”
The glass door slides open, and Nora’s blonde head pops out. “Oh, there you are. What are all you guys doing out here?” She steps out, rubbing her bare arms. “It’s fucking freezing. Come inside. We’ve given up onPictionary, and I think we’re going to playClue, try to track down the killer.”
She says it with a playful glint in her eye, but I can’t help the tension it brings to my chest. Byron stands and comes over to me, leaning in as Stone and Savage make their way back toward the house.
“You did the right thing. Don’t ever think you didn’t.”
I let my eyes meet his, hoping he can’t see how gripped by fear I really am right now. “What if you’re wrong? What if Jude finds out and never forgives me? Never forgives us?”
“Then we’ll have to live with that, knowing it was what was best for him.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am.” He grins at me. “That’s why you married me, right?”
I smirk, remembering the night we met at that dive and I took him back to my hotel room. “Amongst other reasons.”
“Will you two hurry up?” Nora scowls from the open door, motioning us in.
Byron brushes his lips across mine. “One quick game, then we get him out of here and back home.”
Home.
Our home—where he can feel safe, for maybe the first time ever.
I follow Byron in and slide the door closed behind me, then join everyone in the living room, including Nana, Storm, Skye, and all the kids, who are already splitting off into teams since there are far too many of us to play otherwise.
The bickering and laughter mingle with the Christmas carols still piped through the speakers and fill the house with so much warmth, it almost brings tears to my eyes.
This is what the Hawkes are all about, and Savage was right—Judeisone now.
Forever.
We don’t let people go.
And we never give up on them.
* * *
