It’s hot.
God it’s hot.
When our bodies stop shaking, he puts his hands on my belly and rubs. “Sorry baby.”
“The poor girl, she’ll never recover.”
He grins up at me, and I smile down at him.
We found out we are having a girl last month.
I hope she’s just like him.
~*~
“It’s a boy!” Spike bellows, rushing out of the room a few hours later.
The look on his face. It’s priceless. It’s something I will never forget. He’s got tears in his eyes, yet a big smile on his face. Addison is the first up, and she leaps into his arms. He swings her around and she squeals happily.
“A fuckin’ boy!” he yells proudly.
The few guys that are with us at the hospital stand and shake his hand. There’s a lot of back slapping and grunts of happiness and pride. When it’s my turn, Spike pulls me in for a big hug.
“Your turn soon!” he grins, and then lets me go and turns back towards the rooms.
“She wants to see her girls first, and then you all can go in.”
I beam, and Addison grips my hand. We follow Spike down the hall to a room, and when he opens the door and we see Ciara with a little blue bundle in her hands, we both begin to cry. Ciara waves her hand, her own eyes watering. “Stop it, don’t make me cry again.”
Addison and I make our way over to the bed, and peer down at the tiny baby. He has a mop of blonde hair, just like Spike, and his cheeks are full and chubby. He’s adorable, just gorgeous.
“Oh Ciara,” I rasp. “He’s beautiful.”
“Oh...” Addison yelps. “Oh my.”
“He’s a real looker, yeah?” Spike says proudly, coming up behind us.
We both nod.
“Congratulations,” I whisper to Ciara.
“Thank you, for everything.”
I nod, stroking her bubs head. “What’s his name?”
Spike grins, sitting beside her. “Daniel Granger.”
I beam. “That’s beautiful.”
“Yeah,” Ciara whispers. “It is.”
I smile at them, feeling my heart swell.
This started out as an awful situation.
But now...now it’s ended so beautifully.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
“Would you look at them?” Ciara grins, nodding her head.
I peer over to see Jackson, Spike, Cade, and Muff, all talking and chatting around a fire. Jackson is bouncing our baby daughter, Ava, on his lap. Her dark hair is flying around in different directions and she has a chubby fist stuffed in her mouth. Spike is holding Daniel ‘Danny’ and every now and then he tickles his ribs and the little boy squeals with delight. Muff has his arms wrapped around Ebony, and she’s smiling happily, engrossed in the fire.
“Who knew we’d end up here?” Addison says, leaning against me.
Her belly is starting to swell with her and Cade’s first bundle. Ciara is pregnant again, too, though she’s only a few weeks along. Muff and Janine started dating a month ago, completely shocking us all. I’m so happy for her and Ebony. Muff is amazing, and he can give them everything they need. Janine knows that I slept with Muff and Jackson, but she’s ok with it.
“Can you believe how much she loves him?” Janine says, joining us with a plate of food in her hand.
I grin over at my friend, and she returns my smile. “He sure does love her, though I’m pretty sure you’re up there, too.”
She laughs. “I sure hope so!”
“Oh, he’s totally checking you out!” Addison giggles.
We all look, to see Muff grinning at Janine. God, he’s a shocker. I roll my eyes, and he catches it, winking at me.
“We’re lucky you know,” Ciara laughs. “We got the good ones.”
“Yeah,” I say, meeting Jackson’s gaze. “We sure did.”
Jackson suddenly scrunches his nose up, and turns to baby Danny. “Little man, what does your momma feed you?”
Spike groans, and lifts the little boy into the air. “Ciara, woman, he needs you.”
Ciara ducks down behind us.
“I can see you Tom Cat!” he bellows.
She giggles. “He’s your child too,” she yells from behind us.
“Aw, come on! I want to eat sometime soon!”
“Close your eyes, you’ll be fine!”
Spike stands, muttering about kids and shit, and carries the boy inside. I throw my head back and laugh, before walking over and sliding onto the chair next to Jackson. I run my fingers over my daughter’s hair and lean down to kiss her chubby little cheeks.
“Give me my baby sister, she needs love,” Addison says, sweeping over and taking Ava from Jackson.
“Greedy!” Jackson says, grinning at both his daughters.
Addison pouts. “She’s mine too, you know. Come on baby, yeah, let’s go and find that silly uncle of yours and make sure he hasn’t passed out on the ground.”
“Oh hey, while you’re there, check her diaper?” I yell, smothering a giggle.
Addison scrunches up her nose. “Oh hell no!”
“She’s yours too,” Jackson adds with a grin. “You just said so yourself.”
“Ripped off!” Addison says, and then grins down at Ava. “But for you, I’ll do it.”
We both watch as they disappear inside. I turn to Jackson, sliding off my seat and onto his lap. He wraps his arms around me, and nestles his face into my neck.