Page 316 of Knot What I Expected

We talk another minute before hanging up.

Then I just stand there.

Gabby doesn't push. Doesn't ask. She gets up from the table and walks over to me.

Her arms wrap around my waist. I bury my face in her hair.

Woodsmoke.

Crisp autumn mornings.

Home.

“You okay?” she whispers.

I think about it.

“Yeah.”

And fuck me.

I actually am.

Maybe Monster was never the thing I needed to fear.

Maybe I spent half my fucking life punishing both of us for something we didn't do.

We knew, the bastard mutters.

I almost laugh.

“Of course you fucking did.”

“What?” Gabby asks.

“Monster's being smug.”

“So, a normal morning?”

“Pretty much.”

She smiles against my chest.

Then little footsteps thunder down the hallway.

“I'm ready!”

We turn. Matteo stands there with his dinosaur backpack, one sneaker untied, and his shirt half tucked into his pants.

I stare at him. At Gabby. At the soft curve of her belly that doesn't show our baby yet but will soon.

My family.

The one fucking thing I never thought I'd have.

For a long time, I didn't think I deserved them.

Maybe Rafe's right.