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Once she’s burped and settled back to sleep, we emerge to find the party in full swing.
Cat runs over and throws her arms around me. “This is terrifying,” she whisper-shouts at me.
Essos bites down on his smile when she pulls away to hug him too. “Congratulations,” he tells her before gesturing to me that he’s going to get a drink.
“This is terrifying,” she repeats, glancing around the room. “I don’t know what I’m doing and everyone wants something from me, and Xavier’s being sonice.Like obsessively so. No innuendos, no posturing me for sexual favors. I don’t know what to do about it.”
I squeeze her hands. “He’s just trying to make sure you’re comfortable. Let him. You both need time to adjust to these new roles.”
“I’m tired of adjusting.”
“Well, the good news is, tonight you can just get blitzed and not worry about it. You don’t have any responsibilities for the week because, honestly, everyone is going to be celebrating your coronation, so let loose!”
“Only if you do too. Are you pump and dumping?”
“I’m a goddess, no need. Besides, she just fed.”
“Ladies,” Essos greets, holding up three glasses of champagne. The three of us cheers and drink them down.
I feel lighter as I dance with my best friend and my husband. Esmaray doesn’t come to get us, but I do see her around the edges of the party, holding a very awake Penelope. I’m grateful that she stays close as we step outside to play pong and Essos and I make out in a corner like teenagers.
Dawn is starting to break as our small group sits outside. To my chagrin, Essos told Esmaray to take the baby home, but it was the right call. I’m settled on Essos’s lap, his hand resting on my hip as I lean into his chest.
“You never mentioned how fucking awesome it is to wear a crown,” Cat says. She’s also settled herself on Xavier’s lap, but he’s trying not to touch her, except on one spot. I can see his thumb rubbing circles on a bare spot on her thigh where the slit in her dress is.
“It’s even better when you fuck wearing just that. You feel like you’re queen of the fucking universe,” Helene tells her, wiggling down onto her husband. Both of her brothers groan. I’m glad it’s just the six of us and Galen isn’t here to spoil the moment.
“Starfish, there is no reason to tell everyone what we’re doing when the doors are closed,” Kai chides.
“I will kiss and tell everyone my husband has a tremendous dick, and I love riding it like it’s a fucking pogo stick.”
“That’s an image that’s going to be burned into my mind until I die,” Essos moans, pressing his forehead into my shoulder. I stiffen at the reminder of how I almost lost him. “I’m here, love. I’m not going anywhere,” he whispers only for me.
“And on that note, we’re going home,” Kai announces, picking up his wife. “Congrats again.”
Kai hefts Helene over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and slaps her ass. Her giggle is melodical as he strolls to the water’s edge.
“Again!” she begs with a laugh before they drop into the water.
“We’re going to go home too. I’ll see you next week for baby time,” I tell Cat as I slide from Essos’s lap. I kiss her on both cheeks. “You’re going to be great, and I’m always here,” I promise.
Essos says his farewells before wrapping me into his arms and taking me to the place where we belong, the place where our whole lives are.
Home.
When we arrive, Esmaray slips away to let us be. We should let Penelope sleep, waking the baby is never a good idea, but I just want to hold my family close. I’m glad when I go to her bassinet to find her awake, smiling up at us.
We change her and scoop her up, bringing her into bed so the three of us can watch the sun rise. We’re not alone for long as Dave, Spot, Shadow, and Waffles join us, crowding the space, but my heart is full, and I have everything I need right here.
Essos presses a kiss to my forehead, and I know that we’ve found the truest form of love.
