Page 136 of Vegas Baby!

Mom clutched Lucy to her chest. “You’re going to get her all the time. Wait your turn.”

I hadn’t lived near Nathan since I was a teen, and while we didn’t always get along, it was beyond sweet that he wanted to be in Lucy’s life enough to make this change.

The doorbell drew my attention, but Bryce was on his feet before me, rushing over to answer it. Tension rolled down the bond from him when his dad came into view. They had been talking a tiny bit the last few months, but not much. I hadn’t even really expected him to come today.

He gave Bryce a solemn nod and beelined straight for me. “I owe you an apology.”

“Damn right you do,” Luke yelled from across the room, where he was in conversation with Micah’s brothers.

Mr. Carlton blushed. “I’m sorry, Ava. My issues with you were never actually about you. I’ve done a lot of soul-searchingsince Bryce chose you. There are a great many things I need to apologize for, but I’ll start with you. I never should have judged you and your intentions with my son. I can see now how much he loves you and how loved he is in return by you and your pack. You all deserved better from me, and I am sorry I wasn’t able to give you that at the time. I don’t expect forgiveness.”

“Thank you for that. I know apologizing isn’t easy, but you’re right that I do love your son, and I am glad you could bring yourself around to the idea.” I took a long moment to look at him, taking in the sincerity bright in his eyes. “We’re a house of second chances, but not third ones. As long as you treat everyone here with respect and kindness, you’re welcome.”

Bryce hovered close by, listening intently in case he needed to intervene, but his father seemed to be in good spirits and so far unwilling to cause trouble.

Mr. Carlton turned to his son. “You’ve found yourself a good woman. Understanding, like your mother was. I’m glad you’re happy.”

Bryce, my sweet alpha, looked so relieved that we’d opened up dialogue and hadn’t instantly started fighting. I would always fightforhim, but if his father was going to behave, then I wouldn’t need to bring out the verbal boxing gloves.

“Why don’t you get yourself a drink from the kitchen? Bryce can show you, and then you can get to know some of your son’s new family. I’m sure by the time you’ve made the rounds my mother will be willing to part with Lucy for you to meet her.”

He gave me a stiff nod and Bryce ushered him away to the coffee and tea station we’d set up for everyone.

Mom watched him go with a crease between her eyebrows. “What did he do to you that he needed to apologize?”

“Less than what you did,” I replied simply, and Mom pressed her lips into a thin line.

Jesse’s mother bustled over with a fresh cup of tea for me. “How are you doing, mija? The party is lovely.”

“Thank you, Mama Sol.”

Mom frowned at our interaction, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. I had gotten so used to Marisol over the past few months, needing that motherly acceptance while navigating life as a new mom myself. She had stepped up in a way my own mother had failed to do, and Mom could be as annoyed about that as she wanted, but she could have chosen differently.

Mama Mary joined us as well, offering my mother a hand. “There’s so many people here I almost missed introducing myself to you. I’m Mary.”

“Nancy,” Mom replied.

Lucy fussed and I stole back my daughter, cooing at her, kissing her cheeks and nose until I worked a smile out of her.

“She’s growing so fast,” Mama Mary said warmly.

“Too fast.” Mama Sol tapped Lucy’s nose. “You’re going to be running around on us before we know it.”

“We’ve got a few months before that, thankfully.”

I let the grandmothers gush over Lucy, excusing myself to prep a bottle for her. I had pumped before the party; it just needed to be warmed. We kept everything in the nursery so it was easily accessible, and I had barely gotten the bottle in the warmer before Jesse slipped into the room with me.

“Did you abandon the party?” I asked.

“You’re more fun than any party.” He looped an arm around my waist. “I wanted to make sure you’d have help if you needed it.”

I could manage a bottle on my own, but I loved that he was here anyway, always ready to support me. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Always, sweetness. Is something wrong?”

I shook my head and slipped into his arms. “The opposite. You’re perfect.”

“Me?”

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