Page 50 of Monster: King of Nevada

“Good, ‘cause, same.” I smile up at him, containing my laughter.

Swatting my ass, Theias leads me over to the car where Caleb waits for us. “Looking alive, Ella,” he grins.

“Was I looking dead before?” At my serious tone, that smile falters, and his eyes shift to Theias. “I’m teasing you, Caleb.”

I curb my chuckle when he scowls. The man is not used to people teasing him back, and when I do it, he’s careful not to shoot back with something that will upset me because, for as tough as he his, everyone is a little afraid of Theias’ anger, especially when it comes to me.

In all my life, I never imagined I’d be in a position where I would feel so loved and protected by a man who can snap necks one minute and make gentle love to me the next. But here I am, and I’ve never been happier in my life.

Moving to Las Vegas was the best decision I ever made. And in a long line of bad choices, that’s saying something.

“I have an ultrasound next month. Dr. Edwards says we might be able to find out the sex of the babies. Do you want to come with me?” I always ask him, but he never says no. If he has things going on during that time, he moves them around so he can always be with us.

“You know I’ll be there.” He buckles my seatbelt as Caleb begins driving. “Do you want to know?”

“I’m not sure yet. I want to so I can plan the nursery, but I like exciting surprises, too. And I’d be happy no matter what, so long as they’re healthy.” Glancing at him, he’s got a contemplative look on his face. “Do you want to-?” His head shakes before I finish my question. “Why not?”

“Because if one or both of them is a girl, it’s just extra months of stressing over how the hell I’m going to protect them sonothing negative ever touches them.” There’s a pout in his tone, and my heart fills with even more love for this man.

“Thank you, Daddy.” I lean my head on his shoulder and hold his arm to my chest.

“For what?”

“For loving them like they’re your own.”

Closing my eyes, I take a short nap before arriving at Oliver’s school. And even then, I don’t wake up until Theias draws a finger along my cheek in front of my parents’ new home.

“Doll, time to wake up.” His warm breath is like a feathered touch and is so addicting.

“I’m awake,” I mumble.

“Sure you are.”

Scooping me up in his arms, he carries me out into the bright afternoon sunshine, and I feel even sleepier until I hear my parents’ voices.

“Ella, sweetheart.” My mom is emotional. Dad continuously teases her that her bladder is too close to her eyes because she can cry at the drop of a hat.

Theias slowly sets me on my feet, holding onto me until I’m steady. Mom quickly wraps me up in her arms, and Dad comes right after.

“I missed you both so much,” I mumble through a fresh set of happy tears.

“We missed you, too. But it seems you are much happier here, and that’s all that matters to us,” Dad responds as he draws back, brushing away my tears.

“I am. Theias is…” Glancing back at him as he watches us, he appears hard, unmovable, and angry, but he’s not really. He’s all those things and so much more to me and our babies. “He treats me incredibly well; he makes me deliriously happy, and”–I place my hands on my belly–“he’s going to be a wonderful father to these babies.”

They’re in awe as they realize what I’m saying. “A baby?” Mom asks.

“Two!” Ollie says excitedly, and her face lights up, with matching tears in both my parents’ eyes as they hold hands.

“Oh, Ella, sweetheart, what news!” I’m pulled in for another hug before we go inside, and they start planning for a nursery at their house, with the hopes of babysitting in the future.

My heart is even fuller after Theias and I explain that while the babies aren’t biologically his–they’re Blake’s–and reassuring them that Blake will never again be in the picture without explaining why, we spend the rest of the evening making dinner and talking about the future.

It’s the most honest conversation we’ve had as a family in years. Tears are shed, and there’s some anger over what Blake did to me, but eventually, we end the evening on a high note, with many plans for the days to come.

EPILOGUE ONE

THEIAS

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