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"Welcome to the world," Emrys adds softly, the fierceness in his gaze giving way to tenderness so profound it echoes in the suddenly still room.
We're a tangle of emotions, a mess of hands cradling our future. And as I pass the bundle of joy to Kat, watching her face illuminate with a mother's adoration, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this–this chaotic, beautiful, unconventional family–is everything I ever wanted.
"Family," I say aloud, the word feeling like a solemn vow.
"Family," they echo, and it's a promise, an anchor, a beginning.
Epilogue
THREE YEARS AFTER CANCUN
"Whoa, easy there, tiger," I tease Kat as she tightens her grip on my hand, her nails–always impeccably French-tipped–digging into my skin. She's a portrait of radiant maternity with her belly round as the moon, announcing the imminent arrival of our second miracle.
"Laugh it up, Wilder," she shoots back with that fiery spark in her eye. "But remember you're all volunteering for this again." Her voice is laced with humor, even as she pats her protruding belly. “Just so you know, she’s going to be even worse than me when she gets here!”
I can't help but chuckle, looking over to Wyatt and Emrys who are just as enamored with her as ever, their eyes glowing with a mix of devotion and mirth. Wyatt is setting up the crib we've somehow managed to convince ourselves we can assemble without instructions, while Emrys is on storybook duty, reading aloud with animated voices that have our firstborn–Sterling–giggling from his playmat as Luna snuggles into his side.
"Maybe next time we'll consider a surrogate?" Wyatt suggests, half-serious, half-joking, as he fumbles with a particularly stubborn screw.
"Not a chance in hell.” Emrys quirks an eyebrow, smirking.
Kat's laughter fills the room, warm and rich, and she rubs her belly affectionately. "You three are incorrigible," she declares, but the love in her eyes tells a different story–one where she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Guilty as charged," I admit, crossing the room to peck her on the forehead. "But for what it's worth, I think we're getting pretty good at this family thing."
"Speak for yourself," Wyatt grunts, finally securing the screw in place. "This crib might just be the end of me."
"Need a hand?" I offer, rolling up my sleeves.
"Stay with Kat," Emrys says, placing the book down and stepping in with a screwdriver. "I've got this." He winks at Wyatt, and they fall into an easy rhythm, the kind born of months of co-parenting and building more than just furniture together.
"Looks like we're quite the team, huh?" I say to Kat, squeezing her hand gently this time.
"Team?" She questions, her smile radiant. "We're a damn league of extraordinary gentlemen–and lady."
"Superheroes, then?" I joke, earning another laugh from her and an eye roll from Wyatt.
"Something like that," she agrees, her gaze drifting towards Sterling, who's now attempting to climb into Emrys' lap, book forgotten. An annoyed Luna is forced to find somewhere else to curl up. "But I wouldn't save the world with anyone else."
"Neither would I," I whisper, leaning down to kiss her softly. The moment is tender, filled with promises and dreams, the kind that stretch far beyond the walls of the nursery we're creating.
"Okay," I announce, my voice cutting through the hum of activity. "I've been thinking."
"Always a dangerous pastime," Wyatt quips without looking up from his task.
"Ha-ha," I shoot back, but I can't suppress my grin. "But seriously, guys." I wait until I have their attention. "I've made a decision."
Kat tilts her head, curiosity lighting her eyes. Emrys stands, wiping his hands on his jeans, and Wyatt finally turns to face me, one eyebrow raised in silent invitation to continue.
"I'm going to be a stay-at-home dad."
The words hang in the air, and for a moment, the only sound is the soft exhale from Kat as she lifts our son into her embrace, finagling him around her swollen belly.
"Really?" Emrys says, his voice warm with approval.
"Yep. I want to be there for all of it–the first steps, the first words, the first... everything. I don't want to miss a single milestone."
"Are you sure about this?" Wyatt asks, the ever-practical one among us.
