Page 140 of Knight Life In Vegas

“Sammy and Ollie have already met them, so it was only fair you got to as well. You might be an adult with your own packand children, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re their brother too.”

“Our family is weird.” Bryce set DJ back in the crib. “I love it, though. I’m really glad I gave you a second chance so I could be part of it.”

I hugged him fiercely. The work between us would never be done, but each day I showed up made things a little lighter. I wasn’t going to stop being there for him no matter how many other children I had.

“Are you sad none of the triplets are your biological child?”

“I already have you. I don’t need another.”

“It would be okay if you were disappointed.”

“I’m not. How could I be disappointed when I already have you for a son? I love them, but things will always be different with you. Your mother would be so proud of the man you’ve grown into. I wish so much that she were here to see it.”

Bryce wiped away a tear that escaped. “She’d be proud of you too. I wish she was here so she could meet my pack and my kids, but I’m so fucking glad you were brave enough to let Charlotte in. I know nothing would be the same if Mom was still here, but I think she would be happy for both of us.”

I clung to that. The nursery walls were filled with photos, including one of Emily holding baby Bryce. It was a picture I had taken in the hospital. She was grinning ear to ear despite her exhaustion. The walls held plenty of memories: parents and grandparents the children would never meet, and all the loved ones they would meet soon. The whole house was full of photos, faces I was getting more familiar with over time. My family had been so small, and now it was overflowing.

“Princess delivery,” Dylan announced, carrying Charlotte into the nursery. “She’s freshly laundered.”

Charlotte laughed. “Is that what we’re calling having a bath now?”

“Yep.” Dylan beamed and kissed the tip of her nose before carefully depositing her in the rocking chair she used to feed the babies.

“I’ll leave you to it,” said Bryce, pulling me into another hug.

“Good to see you, Son,” said Dylan with a shit-eating grin.

“Don’t do that.” Bryce laughed. “You’re only three years older than me.”

“Spoilsport.”

Bryce dipped down to kiss the top of Charlotte’s head. “Congratulations again. The babies are adorable.”

“Thank you.” She smiled up at him, positively beatific.

I walked my oldest son down, waved as he drove off, and then rerouted back to the nursery, settling on the plush stool next to Charlotte while she fed Marcelo. Dylan had departed, presumably on the assumption that I would be returning.

“How are you?” I asked quietly.

“Overwhelmed in the best way. I love them all so much.”

I kissed her temple and gently cupped Marcelo’s head. “Me too. You make very beautiful babies.”

“They’re so cute I want to cry.”

Emilia did so on her behalf, tiny whines ofnehcoming out. I moved automatically to pick her up. “My goodness, little lady. Are you hungry?”

“Good thing I have two boobs.” Charlotte laughed. “Can you help me rearrange them?”

“Of course.” The prenatal classes had given us a few tips and tricks for managing multiple babies. I settled each one at Charlotte’s side on top of the feeding pillow so they could access a breast without being on top of each other. Hopefully DJ had a bit more patience.

“Do you know what’s the strangest thing?” she asked.

“What?”

“A year ago I couldn’t have imagined a fraction of this. You and I were both so broken.”

“To be healed is to be loved. It’s hard to believe all of this hinged on a moment of bravery. I don’t think I’ve thanked you yet for being so brave.”

---