Page 132 of Knot Our Reality

I accept hugs from my parental pack before insisting we leave the courtroom.

Once we make it out of the courthouse and into the parking lot, Chase comes running up to me. He’s barely containing his excitement as he throws his arms around me. “I’m so happy for you, Emilia. Not just for you, but for the others that this ruling can help. We still have miles ahead of us, but this is a step in the right direction.”

“Okay, Chase, that’s enough.” Sophia shakes her head as she, Bree, Tessa, and Evangeline join us. “Today, we’re just focusing on Emilia’s win. Everything else can wait.”

Chase shoots me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, Emilia. Sometimes I just get so excited about upcoming changes that I’m kind of an asshole.”

“No, Chase, you’re fine. You’re not being an asshole. You even told me you were happy for me before talking about what this could mean for law changes.” I laugh as he ducks his head before kissing Sophia and taking off to talk to Alejandro.

“I’m so sorry about him.” Sophia rolls his eyes.

“There’s no reason to apologize. I promise.”

Bree sighs. “As nice as it’s been to be child-free today, we need to get to the house to relieve the sitter. But we expect all of you to be at our house in an hour or two.”

“Of course, Bree. And thank you again for hosting a party for us. I think we’re going to grab the boys from Remington’s place before heading over.”

Tessa nods. “We have to grab the kids, too.”

“Same,” Sophia giggles. “There are going to be so many babies at this thing.”

“Considering how things have been going, I consider that a good thing,” I tell her, thinking about Remington’s work.

With so many babies being born to just the first four packs offHeated, surely my brother will be able to figure out how to rectify the infertility issues that have plagued us for so long. But that’s a worry for another time.

I wave to my friends as I rejoin my pack, who have finally made it outside with us. “Did you get the adoption papers submitted?”

“We did.” Nikolai nods, his lips turning up into a smile. “Will not be long until we officially their fathers.”

“You already are,” I assure them. “They love you, and you love them. You provide for them. They are yours. Now, let’s go pick up our kids. I miss them.”

Gavin laughs. “I thought we’d enjoy the break, but I’ve been anxious to get back to them almost since we left them.”

I pat his chest. “Welcome to the life of being a parent. We always talk about needing a break from our kids, but the moment we’re away from them, we miss them. You’ll get used to it, eventually.”

Sasha stops me as I start for one of the SUVs. “How are you,kotyonok?”

“I’m good, Sasha. I promise. We won.”

“I know we win, but I check in, anyway.”

I lean in to kiss him before burying my nose in his neck, allowing his leather, sandalwood, and vanilla scent to roll over me. “I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. Not just because we won today, but because of the ten of you. You make me so very happy.”

“As you make us very happy.” Sasha sighs when Nikolai calls out to us. “I love you, Emilia.”

“And I love you, Sasha.” I turn to watch as my mates joke around on their way to the SUVs. They’re all practically glowing with happiness—which just makes me happier. “I love all of you.”

And I will for the rest of my life.

The end.

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