Page 60 of What About Now

“Tell me about it.” Briar laughs. “I never could have dreamed up my current life.”

“That!” I point at my sister. “It’s like I’m living in a fairy tale.”

“You are,” Monroe says gently.

“A real one,” Emerson adds.

“Found them!” Roman calls out, stepping into the room. Not ten seconds later, Forrest, Legend, Maddox, and Lachlan follow along behind him.

I watch as each man goes to their wives, including mine. Lachlan settles next to Maggie and opens his arms for Kane. She sticks her tongue out at him, but hands him the baby.

“You good?” Maddox whispers just for me.

“I’m good,” I whisper back.

“This is the kids' room,” River says, placing her hands on her hips.

“Yeah,” Rayne says, striking the same pose as her sister.

“Yeah.” Lilly mocks and mimics the older two.

“We’re all just big kids,” Lachlan tells them.

“If you stay, you have to play with us,” Rayne tells him.

“I’m babysitting, but you have an entire room to choose from.”

“Uncle Roman, it’s time for your hair appointment,” River tells him.

“Yeah, Uncle Legend. Your hair appointment too,” Rayne says, clapping her hands in excitement.

“What about me?” Forrest sticks his bottom lip out.

“Daddy, you had an appointment last night,” River reminds him.

I smile, because I have no doubt he’s had a lot of hair appointments.

“Fine, I’ll just play with Lilly. You love Uncle Forrest, don’t you, sweetheart?” Forrest scoops Lilly into his arms and pretends to fly her around the room, making her laugh.

“What about me?” Maddox asks the girls.

“Uncle Maddox, you have to wait your turn,” Rayne tells him.

“Yes, ma’am,” Maddox says.

That’s how we spend the afternoon. In the kids' playroom at the new Everlasting Ink facility with full bellies and the company of our family. For a girl who’s only had her sister and nieces for the past few years, it’s nice, and sometimes overwhelming, to be a part of this group, but I won’t lie and say my heart's not overflowing with love for my new Everlasting Ink family.

And my husband.

“We did it!” Legend hollers, slinging his arm over Monroe’s shoulders.

“Thanks to you,” Roman replies.

Legend waves him off. “I didn’t work for the money. Hell, I didn’t even know my inheritance existed until last year. I couldn’t think of anything better to use it for.”

“The kids’ room was a nice touch,” Briar speaks up.

“I can’t believe they’re all asleep at the same time,” Emerson comments.

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