Page 72 of Quadruplets for the Vipers

Extended Epilogue

Leah

Six Months Later

It’s the babies christening today. They came early by almost two months, three boys and a girl, and were in the NICU for a short while. But they’re strong and were out before we knew it. Even so, we waited a little while for the christening to make sure they were as healthy as can be before exposing them to so many people. They’re almost eight months old now and becoming little handfuls.

We named them for their biological family, gone but never forgotten. The boys, Levi for his dad, Billy for his grandfather—Zeus’ real name was William—and little Donnie after his grandma. Our little girl is, of course, April, after her mom. Her second name is Ashley, after the woman who helped save my life and theirs.

My nightmares have almost gone now. I’m too exhausted, when I get the chance to sleep, I’m out like a light. In time, I hope I’ll forget Tony’s face. I know that with the love of my amazing men and children, I’ll heal from what he did to me.

It was no surprise to me that Knox absolutely adores the children and dotes on them, as do Jace and Axel, both of whom were a little more of a surprise to see how gentle and adoring they can be. The real surprise was Rider. Not that I didn’t think he’d love them, I knew he would, but I thought he might struggle given his PTSD. But the babies have been miracles for him, healing him in ways nothing else could. Especially little April, she is well and truly a daddy’s girl, the others hardly get a look in because she’s always in Rider’s arms. It melts my heart to seehim healing. He doesn’t even turn on the light at night in their room when he checks on them, lest he wake them up, despite how much the dark terrifies him. I can imagine that by the time they’re running around playing hide and go seek, he’ll feel brave and comfortable enough to hide in a dark closet without panicking.

Giving birth to four babies was no walk in the park, so I’ve been damn lucky to have the guys to help take care of them. I won’t say it’s been easy, but with five of us to care for them, we get by without too much difficulty. I have the utmost respect for single moms who do it all alone.

I’ve not sung publicly since before the babies were born, but I sing to them every day. They seem to like it. Today I’m going to serenade them with as many loving songs as I can think of at the after-party.

As I climb on the stage at the brand-new and improved clubhouse, I take a moment to look out at the faces of our friends and family. Seeing my handsome, kind, and fearless men holding our babies makes my heart swell and I give the best performance of my life. After two encores, I’m tired but blissfully happy. I leave the stage to rapturous applause and head over to the men I love, who I know will always be in the crowd cheering me on. I no longer wish to be famous, but I will be happy to make a living performing. I want to teach my children that we don’t give up on our dreams, but sometimes they evolve. Mine is now to be the best mom and partner I can be.

“You were amazing, darlin’,” Axel says, kissing me first. I kiss the top of Levi’s sleeping head, breathing in the amazing baby smell of him.

“At least you think so, this little one always sleeps through my performances,” I chuckle.

“Take it as a compliment, your voice is so soothing,” Knox interjects coming to kiss me too, and handing Donnie over to me.

Donnie looks up at me and grabs my hair in his pudgy fist. I blow a raspberry on his cheek which elicits screams of delight from him. Billy reaches out his arms for me, eager not to be left out and I take him too. Before long I won’t be able to hold two of them like this, they’re getting so big.

“You were incredible, shame we’ve got to listen to Rider now,” Jace quips. But we all know he’s just teasing. The guys are possibly even happier than I am about Rider’s newfound confidence on stage, he even performs alone now.

I hand Donnie and Billy back to the guys and take April off Rider. I kiss him on the lips, and she pushes us apart indignantly demanding a kiss on the cheek from daddy too. We chuckle and he obliges her.

“She’s a bossy little madam, we’re going to have to watch her, or else she’s going to walk all over her brothers,” I point out.

“As she should, it will serve them well to learn that women are strong and independent early on,” Rider replies.

“Too true. Break a leg up there.”

“I’ll do my best, you’re a tough act to follow.”

“Love you.”

“I love you too.”

The others simply smile at this interaction. There’s no jealousy. We all make sure to let each other know how much we love each other. The guys might not say it to one another, but they love each other as brothers. Well, perhaps brothers isn’t right, it might be a bit gross considering the sexual aspect of our relationship, but they’re more than just friends.

Sometimes I want to pinch myself about how lucky I am. When I left home for LA I never imagined my life turning out like this. If you’d told me I’d be in a committed relationship with four men and mother to quadruplets I’d have told you you’re insane, yet here I am, and I couldn’t be happier.

My grandfather is visiting us currently. We only told him that I was in a relationship with Axel and that we had quadruplets, we didn’t want to shock him, and it’s too complicated to explain over the phone. But he’s an astute man, it didn’t take him more than a few hours to figure out that there’s more to my relationship with the others. But so far, he’s not said anything. As he walks over from the bar, carrying a tray of beers for us all he has a satisfied look on his face, and I realize he must have seen me kiss them all. My heart starts to pound as I wonder how my grandfather will react.

“I always knew that there wasn’t a man on earth good enough for my baby girl, between the four of them, I think they’ve managed it,” he says with a smile that dances in his eyes.

The relief I feel is palpable. I’m amazed at how much he’s taken it all in his stride. He’s become fascinated by the club too, it’s been a struggle to keep him from trying to ride a motorcycle. He’s even started talking about moving here to be closer to the babies.

I grin back at him and pull him in for a hug, much to April’s delight who clings onto her great-grandfather, so I hand her over as I pull away. I kiss him on the cheek.

“Did I ever tell you that you’re the best great-grandfather and grandfather a girl could hope for?”

“You did, but I always like to hear it,” he says, the corner of his eyes crinkling.

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