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“What are you thinking?” Hayden asks softly and that’s when I notice she’s finished feeding Axel and has adjusted her gown and blanket. Our son is now cradled gently on her chest, happy and content.
“I’m just thinking about how perfect life is,” I murmur, and it’s the truth.
“Still don’t have regrets?” she asks, and I know she’s wondering about Kentucky. We haven’t talked a lot about it—other than her asking if I was sure right after I made the decision.
“Not a one, Beauty. I’m a man who has everything,” I tell her with a firm smile.
Before she can respond, there’s a light tapping on the door.
“Can we come in?” Beth asks gently.
“Come in!” Hayden urges, sitting up.
Skull and Beth file in and with them are Connor and Ryker. They come running in together and I watch as they get their first peek at their baby brother.
“Eww… he’s all wrinkly,” Connor says.
“He’s ugly,” Ryker adds—clearly not impressed.
“He’s not ugly, Ryker. He’s just got to grow a little,” Hayden corrects and her and I share a moment of humor, looking into each other’s eyes.
I get up and wink at Hayden, urging Beth to take my seat. Her and Hayden begin talking, my sons standing around them. I walk to the other side of the room and Skull follows me. We lean against the wall and I can’t drag my eyes away from Hayden and the boys.
“That’s quite a family you have there, hermano,” Skull croons and I look at him and nod.
“That it is.”
“You and I, Beast, have defied the odds,” he says, and I look at him, my head cocked in question, waiting for him to explain. “Fate has given us more love than one man should ever see in a lifetime.”
I look back at my family in complete agreement. There’s an ache in my chest because I wish Annabelle could be here with us. I’d give anything if she could, but that wasn’t meant to be. Skull is right, however. I have more love than one man has a right to experience.
I watch as Hayden and Beth help Connor hold Axel. Ryker is standing by his big brother, his eyes glued to the newest member of the family.
“I can’t argue with you there, Skull,” I agree.
My heart overflows as Skull steps in and slaps me on the back, standing united with me, as we watch my family get acquainted with one another. But, as happy as that makes me, that’s not what fills my heart with even more love than I was already feeling.
“Damn it, Beast,” Skull growls. “You are trying to turn into a pretty boy like Torch.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your shampoo smells just like strawberries,” he says, shaking his head.
I smile, knowing Annabelle is here meeting her baby brother… even if I can’t see her, she’s letting me know, she’s here.
She’s always here.
Hayden smiles at me and I know she smells the strawberries too.
Skull’s right. I have more love than I will ever deserve in my life…
But I’m damn grateful.
