I laughed. “Any day now,” I soothed with a grin. Her due date was just days away and I knew she was more than ready. Though no one was more ready than Axel.
“He’s already talking about a third!” she exclaimed as though she’d read my mind. “Can you believe him?”
“One baby at a time.” I smiled distractedly as I caught sight of Cal across the patio. I loved watching him move, and I loved observing his eyes scan a crowd knowing he was searching for me. That moment when his gaze caught mine, it was a thrill, every time.
“He’s so much happier,” Scarlet murmured. “Cal, I mean.”
“How do you mean?” I asked curiously.
“Since he met you,” she replied. “He’s happier, everyone is. Cole’s getting to know his pop in a whole new way. The whole club is,” she shared, effectively flooring me.
“What?” I asked, the surprise clear in my tone.
She looked toward the sky, her beautiful profile thoughtful. “He’s built a hell of a club. He did the best with Cole that he could on his own. All these years, Cal threw himself into the club but he held himself back at the same time. He needed you to pull him out.” She tilted her head toward my man as he chuckled at something Ryker was saying. “Look at him. A year ago he wouldn’t even be out here. He’d be at home or in his office. He’s an amazing leader—always has been. They love him, we all do. I think he’s embracing that in a whole new way.” She turned to me, her green eyes shining. “Behind every strong man, there’s a stronger woman.” She winked.
“You would know,” I replied sincerely, clinking my beer with hers.
I looked around then as her words sank in. My eyes slid from Sophie to Connie as she stood with Wes’s arms wrapped around her shoulders, to Kat as her blue eyes lit up at something Sal was saying, to Piper, Ry’s arms wrapped around her from behind as she listened to Ettie, whose curls were bouncing with her exuberance. Mack looked down at her with clear adoration shining in his eyes. I smiled at Laurie as she stood wrapped in Tag’s arms.
These alpha men of ours had chosen to spend their lives with the strongest women I’d ever known. Women strong enough to manage the challenges the club brought with it, to prop our men up while standing alongside them as equals. Women who could kick ass and be the most loving mothers I’d ever seen at the same time.
One thing was for sure, I was in damn good company.
“Thank you for saying that,” I replied. “This club, all of you—you’ve been the family I never had.” I nodded toward my kids playing beyond the patio. “It will be the family they’ll know for their entire lives.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “They’ll be the next generation.” She nodded.
“Max already wants a bike,” I muttered with a sigh.
She laughed, her gaze dropping to Tate as he lay nestled against her chest. “Something tells me this one won’t be too far behind.”
“Oh Lord,” Sophie groaned with a smile. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
“Luckily we’re up for it.” I winked as Cal strode my direction.
“How are you doin’, baby?” he wondered, looking down at me.
“Good, honey.” I grinned up at him. “I think the Jackson brood is about ready to head home,” I added, knowing Mason would be moving toward meltdown any minute.
His blue eyes shone at my words. “All right, baby.” He reached down to help me up, the gold glinting on his left ring finger. I loved seeing it there.
I took his hand in mine as he pulled me close, kissing me soundly. “You ready to take our kids home?” He grinned, his lips hovering above mine, a smile tipping the corners of his gorgeous mouth.
“Our kids.” I beamed. “I’m ready,” I agreed meaning so much more than the short drive ahead and we both knew it. “You gave me the world, you know,” I murmured.
He pressed his forehead to mine. “You are my world. You and our kids.”
I smiled, already planning all the ways I could show him just how much I loved those words after the kids were in bed. “Let’s get going. We’ve got quite a journey ahead,” I added with a grin.
One thing was for sure, it was going to be a hell of a ride.
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Cole
“Babe, we gotta get a move on!” I hollered up the stairs. After over a decade together, my woman still couldn’t get her ass in gear to be on time.
