Page 143 of Vegas Baby!

“Presenting the royal wardrobes!” Bryce rolled a clothing rack laden with outfits into the nursery, dressed in one of his best suits. His father had a beaming Lucy in his lap, and Micah sat next to them with our three-year-old, Mia. Jesse was in the rocker with our newest baby, Bennett, who couldn’t be bothered to wake up for the nightly festivities to choose tomorrow’s outfits.

Luke pulled the first outfit choice—a pink-and-orange set with a smiling sun on the shirt—off with a flourish, holding it in front of Lucy. Her purple favorites usually won out, but they had been doing this since she became old enough to express a preference in clothing, making sure they didn’t miss a transition to a new favorite color or style. “Does this gown meet your approval, princess?”

“No!” Lucy shouted before bursting into giggles.

“My sincerest apologies, princess. How thoughtless of me not to select the royal purple.” Luke picked out a pink-and-purple tie-dye legging and frilly skirted purple dress with glitter embellishments. “What of this garment, my fairest lady?”

“Yeah!” She threw her little arms in the air, already standing for the next step.

“Very good, your ladyship. I’m ready to accept payment for providing you with my exceptional services.” Luke kneeled down so Lucy could reach and plant a loud kiss on his cheek.

“Thank yooou.”

“And our fair Princess Mia,” said Bryce with an enormous smile. “Will it be the yellow with daisies or the pink with daisies?” He held both options aloft, showing off the floral patterns she’d been obsessed with lately.

“Pink pwease!” She was still working on her L sounds.

“A most excellent choice, princess.” Bryce rearranged the outfits, putting the chosen two for tomorrow at each end. “And now a vote for the onesie of choice for our little prince?”

The girls weren’t so fond of having a new baby in the house, but having them be involved helped the transition.

“Grandpa, which one do you like?” Lucy asked Bryce’s father as she settled back in his lap.

“The blue dinosaurs are a classic choice.”

He was a welcome addition since he’d pulled his head out of his ass and taken to grandparenthood with gusto. His life hadtaken as sharp a turn as his son’s had, and I quietly adored the karmic justice of it that had finally made him understand Bryce in a way he hadn’t before.

“I like dinosaurs, too!” announced Lucy. “They’re Uncle Naynay’s favorite too. Do you like them, Mia?”

Mia nodded, cuddling down into Micah’s arms with a yawn.

“I think that means it’s time for bed.” I clapped my hands and held them out for Lucy. “Come on, little miss. Let’s get ready for bed.”

“I want Grandpa to tuck me in!” She tilted her head back, staring at him with enormous hazel eyes. “Can you?”

“Of course, my darling.”

Bryce supervised in case his father forgot any of the intricacies of Lucy’s bedtime rituals. They’d grown so much closer since his father moved to Vegas and opened a branch of his company here so he could be near his grandchildren, and also the pack he’d met not long after that.

Micah and Luke got Mia ready and I settled into one of the plush chairs next to Jesse. Bennett was already sound asleep, though he probably wouldn’t stay that way for too much longer.

“You look so good with a baby in your arms. It makes me want to let you guys put another one in me already,” I said with a laugh. It was a weakness of mine to see them being so sweet with the kids. I’d have a dozen if it meant I’d get to see all that love and awe they showered onto our children.

“Sweetness, if we didn’t have company, I’d put Benny in the crib and toss you over my shoulder right now.”

“That company isn’t staying overnight,” I reminded him. “The kids will be asleep soon, and Benny is asleep now. Grab the monitor, text the others, and meet me outside.”

“Outside?”

“Mhmm. Maybe I want to see all my alphas dripping and gorgeous in the pool. Indulge me.”

Jesse laughed quietly, already standing up. “Like you’ve ever had to ask for indulgence. Give me a few minutes to make sure Bennett is settled, and I’ll be down there.”

I scampered off, changing into a swimsuit at lightning speed, and then dashing down to the pool and sliding in the shallow end. Life was so fucking good. Luke had graduated from his bachelor’s degree, and while he still had a bit more to go before becoming a social worker, he’d blossomed since tackling higher education. Micah was thriving as a stay-at-home dad. Jesse was off work until Bennett was a bit older, but returned to his paramedic work when they were short-staffed. Bryce and I took on project work at Mary’s company, helping them grow and better serve the community. I never would have imagined my life would look the way it does, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

One by one my alphas emerged from the house, lit up by the string lights crisscrossing above them. My purr was so loud I could see the ripples it caused in the water. Smiles burst over their faces and they joined me in the water.

“You know the drill.” I beamed at them.

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