Page 9 of After Us (Next Generation 6)

Piper.

I needed to see her. I needed her in my arms. I needed to know that she was safe. That this was all worth it. That nothing would come between us again and we would be together forever. I needed her more than the air that was giving me life. I needed her in ways I couldn’t put into words.

“Hey,” I said, my voice not as firm as I would have liked it to be.

Uncle Tray raised an eyebrow. He lifted a tattooed hand and cupped the back of my neck. “You good, kid?”

No. I’m losing my fucking mind. I need my girls.

“Yup,” I muttered.

Uncle Catch came up beside him. “Have you met her yet?”

I shook my head, unable to voice my thoughts.

“Shit.”

I didn’t know who spoke. I didn’t care. I needed Piper. I couldn’t explain it. It was like this unknown force was taking control of me and I couldn’t think or do anything until I had her in my arms and knew that she was okay.

My vision clouded, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

“Jaron.”

“Get Piper.”

Voices. One deep. One higher. Both male. I couldn’t place who was talking. Hell, I didn’t even care.

“What’s wrong?”

I spun around, finding Piper coming toward me with…her…our daughter…in her arms. My heart raced.

“Jaron?” Her eyes were wide. “Hey, talk to me.”

Once Piper stood right in front of me, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me, careful not to hurt either of them.

“What’s wrong?” Piper asked, her voice muffled by my shirt.

“I couldn’t see you.” I pushed my face into the crook of her neck. “I was looking for you, but I couldn’t find you.”

“I’m here, baby,” she whispered, cupping my cheek.

I shivered, resting my head against her shoulder and finally looking at our daughter who was just over ten months old. Ten months where she didn’t have me, her father. My chest felt like it was closing in on itself, but I forced the next words out anyway, “She’s perfect.”

Piper’s breath caught. “She is.”

“Hi, Brynlee,” I murmured, my chest tightening.

Brynn sucked on her soother, her eyes locking with mine.

“This is your daughter, Jaron,” Piper’s voice cracked. “Our daughter.”

I lifted my head, cupped the back of Piper’s and kissed her fully on the mouth. “She looks like you,” I finally said.

Piper laughed lightly. “Maybe, but she has your eyes.”

Brynn stared at me, leaning her head against Piper. She held a small stuffed pink pig in her hands while sucking on a matching pink soother.

“Pigs?” I asked Piper, taking hold of Brynn’s hand.

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