Page 162 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

I’ll never forget that. Our bond is stronger than ever. All I have, I owe to him and Ny.

I even managed to mend things with Dante—he’s just happy to have Ma back in his life. Lizzy knew something was up with us, and she was pretty much happy for Ny more than anything. It doesn’t hurt that we still make our trips to the bookstore, and I still send her new books all the time.

Gwen and Elijah are married now with a cute dog. Gwen was able to earn her brother’s forgiveness for putting him through so much pain.

Ma and Dad are happily living in their new home. Both are excited about the new babies on the way. Bella and Matteo are already spoiled. Ma can’t help herself. She’s making up for lost time.

“Ciao, how you doing,Nonno?” I answer my phone with a smile.

“I’m better than expected. How’s our Ny?”

“She’s getting big. I’m loving every minute.”

“Boys, girls, what are we having?”

“All boys,” I say proudly.

“Bene bene. I can’t wait.”

“Me either.”

“I love you, Michelangelo. You make me very proud.”

“Ti voglio bene, Nonno.”

“Kiss our girl for me.Ciao.”

“Ciao.”

I hang up and think of the wedding. Nyla took my breath away as she walked down the aisle to me on Nonno’s arm. It was the first time in my life that I came that close to tears. So many memories and so much love.

However, watching the look on Jace’s face during their handfasting showed me something else about the woman I love. She has a huge heart, one too big to limit who she gets to love.

Now here we are in our dream home on the beach. Are there always armed guards around? Yeah, I can’t help who I am, but God help you if you test that shit for yourself.

I focus back on my family and smile wider. Jace lies in the sand with his head on Ny’s lap and a hand pressed to her protruding belly. Triplets. My twins and the other from Jace’s seed. We’re going to be complete soon.

We’re stronger than ever. I turn and place my glass on the countertop in the kitchen. This sunset is too beautiful not to share with my family. I pad out and drop down behind Ny in the sand, caging her between my legs. She sighs and settles her back against my chest.

Jace shifts beneath my leg and lifts his arm to rest it on my thigh. I place my hand over his on Ny’s belly. My heart swells as the babies move inside her.

A little foot or hand pushes across our joined hands, I don’t even stop to think which baby it is. They’re all my children. They’ll grow up protected, loved, and cared for. The Dollhouse will always keep their mother safe, and if they fail, Jace and I will be there to cover our queen.

“This is what forever feels like?” Nyla breathes softly.

I kiss the top of her head. “Forever is whatever you ask me to make it.”

“I love you both,” she whispers.

“Yeah, we love you too,” Jace replies. “It was always you. The anchor I knew we needed. The door to my family.”

I snort. “He was going to have it all if it killed him.”

“You’re too stubborn to let me die.” He pauses for a moment. “Thanks, Gio.”

I hear what Jace doesn’t say. Our bond started from birth. Our souls are linked with an unbreakable bond. When he walked into my home after losing everything, I had a friend for life. Someone to share everything with. All my toys and love became his.

“I’d do it all again,” I murmur.

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