Page 35 of Fated Secret Baby

“Well. It is.” I smile.

“You’re not taking my son to Florida?” my mom asks Calista. “You’re staying?”

For the first time, I understand why my mom was wary of our relationship in the past… and now.

Calista nods. “Forever,” she murmurs.

My mom looks down, then back up at me. “I’ll… give you a little more space,” she relents.

I breathe. “That’s a good start.”

Calista gives me a little nod, and I move closer to my mom.

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“We have something else to tell you.”

My mother looks up, curious. “What is it?”

This is going to be fun. I take Calista’s hand, then turn to look at my mom.

“How do you feel about being a grandmother?”

Epilogue

CALISTA

“Mom! Grammy E is here!”

The ear-splitting shriek of excitement echoes through the whole house.

From where we’re sitting, cuddled on the couch, Orion and I both wince.

“We need more rugs,” I murmur, leaning up to watch as our daughter sprints down the stairs and toward the entry. Her feet thud on the hardwood floor, a noise that echoes in the new build due to the lack of rugs.

“We already built a bigger house. Now the house is so big, it echoes, and we need rugs?” Orion teases me.

I laugh, standing. “It’s a beautiful house, Orion.”

It’s been a few months since Juniper and I moved to Oakwood. At that time, it became immediately clear that Orion’s small house was not big enough for the three of us. Or, not big enough for the family we are planning on, anyway.

This house, the one he and some of the other enforcers built, is much bigger. It has five bedrooms instead of two and all kinds of family-friendly features.

There is no mother-in-law suite, however. That decision was unanimous between the two of us, much to Esther’s dismay. However, she does live down the street.

Compromise.

“Come on,” I say, holding out my hand. “Our guests will arrive any minute.”

“They helped build the thing,” Orion grumbles. “Why are we having a housewarming, again?”

“Because we’re social pack members who want to thank our friends by hosting them for a party.”

“Bullshit,” Orion says, sighing. But he stands.

I squeak as he tugs me close. He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I love you, Calista.”

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