Page 146 of Fight

Mama taught me how to knit all of my blankets. Even though life was uncertain, knitting helped me with my anxiety and some of hers. Hiding a smile, I listen as Aisling talks Mama into teaching others how to do the same.

I fucking love these girls. They have a way of helping you even if you’re not sure what you need.

As I walk out of the building to greet Augustine with a smile, I can feel another broken piece of my soul mending itself.

Rome wasn’t made in a day, and neither will I be.

JASPER

Three years later

Tiny rubs her little baby bump with a small smile as we sit outside by the fire pit. It’s November, and just a few weeks shy of Thanksgiving. She wanted us to have time to enjoy being a pack before having kids, and a part of me is happy that we did.

We’re all really close now, and Tiny jokes about how we gang up on her during her heats. She won’t eat or drink unless we refuse her knots. Bad cop, good cop works well for us. Gabriel sweet talks her while we withhold.

“Is she moving?” I ask, kissing her forehead as she leans into me.

Augustine watches her carefully before slowly taking a sip of his beer. He’s been worried about her in her first pregnancy the way we all are. It’s new, so we are all very attentive even though we’re excited.

Cerenity is about seventeen weeks pregnant. We just found out yesterday that she’s having a girl.

“She’s super active today,” Tiny says with a grin. “I can’t wait until Amelia is doing full barrel rolls in there.”

Augustine pales at the thought. The poor guy is in for a rough pregnancy. Tommy has been really relaxed on the outside, surprisingly. Dropping to his knees, he kisses her stomach.

“Be a good girl for your mama. Though, I have a feeling she won’t listen to a word I say and she’s going to be as stubborn as you are, Bluebell,” Tommy teases her.

Rolling her eyes, she shrugs. “You knew what you were signing on for,” she says. “Frying pan and all.”

Snorting, Gabriel shakes his head. “They’re never going to live that one down,” he says.

“Cerenity is the sweetest,” Miss Quinn says, surprising us. “If you needed a frying pan to the head, you probably deserved it.”

She usually keeps to herself, but I’m glad she’s come over to visit from her little house.

“You’re absolutely right,” I agree, hiding a smile. “The fire is nice this afternoon. Stay for s’mores?”

“I came over to let Cere know I have an interview tomorrow, but I’d love to stay for a bit,” she says. “I also was a little worried you were all outside, but you can’t tell it’s cold with the fire.”

Smirking, Tommy stands as he brings over a chair for her. She’s been coming over more I noticed since we found out Cerenity was pregnant. I don’t mind it one bit. We’re loving the mothering and reminders of what our girl may need.

“Not at all,” I tell her. “Just in case, we have blankets for snuggles.”

Miss Quinn notices the blankets as she glances and grins. She’s gorgeous when she smiles, and looks so much like Tiny.

“What’s the job for, Mama?” Cerenity asks.

Her mom has worked a myriad of jobs over the last three years to figure out what she likes. When she was in university years ago, she took communication classes. Now, she’s working in top administrative jobs to support others in that field.

Cerenity asked if she wanted to go back to school, but I think that may be a sore subject.

Miss Quinn may decide to one day. Her life has to be on her timeline without anyone pressuring her.

“There’s a new company opening its doors in Minneapolis,” Miss Quinn explains. “A large portion of what they do is philanthropic work, so I applied for an administrative assistant position.”

“Have we checked this company out yet?” Tommy rumbles, brow raised.

Miss Quinn rolls her eyes, finally used to how protective we are. It took her a long time to get used to us, and while she doesn’t jump as much at the shadows, she still insists she enjoys the view of the lake from her little house.

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