When Ezra started to walk by, she grabbed his hand, too, pulling him closer. Apollo and Corvin joined until we were all standing together in a little huddle, cupcakes held out in front of us.
Phoenix was starting to look at hers like it might explode at any second. I shared a glance with Ezra, and he nodded once as if he saw it, and he would take care of it.
Phoenix and Ezra had become close, and some days I felt like she had an easier time talking to him than she did me. I was grateful that she had multiple people she could rely on. We all needed someone in our corner.
“I think everybody’s ready,” Dani said, clapping her hands.
When it didn’t cut through everyone, Holt let out a whistle, and that did the trick.
“Thanks, big guy,” she laughed. “We’re gonna count down. Is everyone ready?”
I let out a breath before lifting mine up as they started to count.
“Three, two, one,” Dani said, and everybody collectively bit into their cupcakes, including her.
I bit into mine, the pink frosting oozing out a little. Girl. I was going to have a little girl.
“It’s a girl!” Phoenix screamed loud enough we leaned away.
Her cupcake somehow launched into the water as she did the craziest happy dance I’d ever seen. I half expected her to realize what she was doing and stop herself, but my girl didn’t even bat an eye. As she turned my way, she launched herself at me, hugging me tight.
Everyone let out a cheer, throwing congratulations our way. I stepped closer to my pack, letting them engulf me in their arms.
Their scents swirled around me, and it was one of my favorite things in this world. The way that our scents combined, my caramel and toasted almonds. Corvin’s amber, orange and smoky cedar. Apollo’s mocha and coconut. And Ezra’s amber, oak and vanilla sugar all mixed together into this warm, sweet, inviting mix that felt like home.
Phoenix’s scent hadn’t quite come in yet, but some days I swore I could get a hint of chocolate and marshmallow.
It fit her and fit ours, like she was always meant to be here with us.
As I was chatting with our guests, I watched Phoenix and Ezra step a few feet away.
“What’s up, kid? I know you’re happy, but what’s going on?” he asked quietly.
Phoenix let out a breath. “I’m just a little nervous,” she admitted. “I’m so excited, and you guys keep calling me a big sister, and I want to buy into it, I do.”
“But…” he dragged out.
“I’m scared that when you hold her in your arms you’re going to forget about me and realize that I was never really your daughter.” She said the words in a rush, her chest heaving and face flushing.
“Phoenix,” he whispered, pulling her into a bear hug. “The moment I met you, you became my daughter.”
She took a shaky breath, and her reply was so quiet it was almost hard to hear.
“Promise?”
I had just finished talking to the grannies, and I stepped closer, putting a hand on her back.
“Promise,” we both said.
“I’m going to love this little girl to the moon and back, but that doesn’t mean I won’t still love you that much. You’re both mine.”
“Exactly,” Ezra said. “We love you because you’re you, Phoenix. Nothing is going to change that. You’re going to love her as much as we love her. That’s just how this works. We’re family.”
“Family,” she agreed, saying the word like she was testing its weight, seeing if she could truly believe it.
At this point, Corvin and Apollo had moved closer, each giving her their own private hug, whispering words to her that I couldn’t make out this time.
I didn’t need to. They were exactly what she needed in her life. And no matter if Dee showed back up or not, nothing would change this.
