Page 82 of My Knotty Mountain Men

“We’re over the moon.” Nolan embraces his mother-in-law. She kisses both men back on the cheek and sighs happily before her eyes find mine.

She steps forward and takes my hands in hers. The motherly look in her eyes has mine tearing up as she stares back at me with so much warmth. “You have no idea how happy I am. These are good men.” She gives my hands a little squeeze. “They will treat you well, give you everything you could want. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.”

“Thank you,” I tell her. “And I know I won't.”

She steps even closer. “Thank you for coming back.” Her voice cracks as she says it, right alongside my heart. “I couldn’t handle seeing my son hurt like that. Thank you so much for returning.”

Do not cry, do not cry.I give her a watery smile. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Her eyes drop to the mark on my neck and a cheeky grin pulls on her lips. “Well, son, I see you work fast,” she laughs. “An Omega, a baby, and a mate mark all within a few weeks.”

My cheeks flush and Aiden chuckles. “What can I say? I want what I want.”

Thomas pulls me into his arms, wrapping them around me so that my back is to his front.

“Hi.” Tessa steps forward. “I’m this one's pain in the ass,” She chuckles.

“Boy, is she ever,” Aiden adds.

“Oh, piss off. You love me.”

“Unfortunately,” Aiden mutters, and I grin at the banter between the two of them.

Tessa steps toward Aiden and flicks his chest. “Asshole.”

I roll my lips together, trying not to grin as he gasps at his little sister. “Really? What are we, five?”

“You wish. What are you, like sixty? Old man.”

“Hey!” a man not far behind Rebecca grunts. “Sixty is not old.”

A few chuckles break out around us.

“You little shit.” Aiden pulls Tessa to him, wrapping his arm around her and holding her still so he can start giving her a noogie.

The two of them look ridiculous, and I can’t help but laugh. My heart warms seeing my Alpha with his family like this.

“Mama!” a little voice shouts and they all stop. Tessa huffs, shooting her brother a glare before smoothing out her hair.

“Hey, Bug. Sorry about that. Me and Uncle Aiden were just playing around.”

I look down at one of the most adorable little girls I’ve ever seen, her hair the same color as her mama’s and grandmother’s but hers is wavy. She crosses her arms and looks up with her adorable little nose scrunched up. “No hurt Uncle Denny.”

Aiden snorts out a laugh. “That's my girl.” He bends down and picks her up. She laughs with a squeal as he brings her into his arms and peppers her with kisses until she’s a giggling mess.

Yup, there go my ovaries.If I wasn't already pregnant, I sure as hell would be now.

My heart clenches as I picture him just like this with our own daughter.

“Okay. I’m gonna remember that, Aubs,” Tessa huffs, glaring playfully at her daughter. But she cracks a smile because how can you not?

Seeing this nearly seven foot big blond mountain man being a teddy bear with an adorable little girl is everything.

“Makes your heart turn to goo, doesn't it?” Thomas asks, his voice a low rumble in my ear.

“Yes,” I whisper back.

“Gonna be us soon.” He kisses my cheek, placing his hands on my belly. My eyes flutter closed, and I lean back into him. Having his arms around me makes me feel safe and loved, calming any nerves I had before.

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