Epilogue

Icarry Lily in my hands, cradling her tiny head in the palm of my hand. She's perfect, absolutely perfect. The love I have for Axel is overwhelming, it's like a storm blowing me away. But the love I have for Lily is different. It's warm, wiggling its way into the center of my chest.

Star tucks the blankets around Axel, making sure he's comfortable before turning towards me. "Shall I let the others in? They're practically radiating with excited tension from the other room."

I snort, smiling so wide that my cheeks hurt. "Yeah, let them in. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Star says, stopping to squeeze my shoulder. "You've done well. Protecting, bringing these people together, being a mate. You should be proud of yourself, Jeff." Her eyes sparkle with something I can't quite name but there's something about this woman that draws me in. I believe her words and they warm me all over. "Consider yourself redeemed. Let yourself live now, okay?"

I swallow thickly, nodding my head. "I'll do my best."

"That's all I ask," she murmurs before turning and leaving the room.

I step over to the bed, sitting beside Axel's hip and he runs his hand down my spine. "Star is absolutely right, I hope you know that."

"It's starting to sink in," I confess softly.

Before I can say more, the guys are walking into the room. "Oh my gods," Cooper says, stepping over to me and looking down at Lily with giant eyes. "She's so perfect."

"I couldn't agree more," Axel says with a wide smile. Cooper looks at us with wide, longing eyes and my chest clenches for him. He'll get this. They all will. I can just feel it.

"Everyone," I say, looking over at Martin, Cooper, and Carlos, "meet the newest member of our crew. This is Lily."

"She's beautiful," Carlos tells us.

"Where's Ronny?" Axel asks, looking around worriedly.

"He'll be right here," Martin says, "he stepped outside for a moment."

"He mentioned he might have found our next case," Cooper says as he reaches down, petting over Lily's head gently. "But only if you guys feel like moving. We understand if you need a break after all this."

Axel speaks up before I can. "I'm ready for a change and I'm sure Lily will be fine traveling. She'll probably just sleep all the way there."

"Can I hold her?"

I'm surprised by the question but my chest warms as I carefully had Lily over to Martin. He's built like a brick wall and yet, holds my daughter so carefully. It's absolutely precious and I don't miss how the look of longing on Cooper's face intensifies as he watches.

Axel leans his head against me as we watch our family meet Lily. I'm overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of everyone loving on my daughter. This is everything I never knew I needed.

Eventually, Ronny joins us, holding his hoodie in his hands.

"Ronny, come meet Lily," Martin says with a wide smile but we all freeze when we hear the tiniest meow.

"I umm, I might have found a new friend," Ronny says sheepishly.

Carlos runs over and Ronny takes a step back, protecting the bundle in his arms. That's interesting. "Sorry, I just wanted to see."

"That's okay. Just be careful, they're hurt."

Carlos nods his head before gently pulling Ronny's sweater back. In his arms are two cats, one considerably smaller than the other. "Ronny, they're--"

"Hurt. I know. I found them outside and I couldn't just let them go. So I grabbed them. I'll take good care of them," Ronny says, gently touching the adult cat's head. The cat leans into his touch, letting out the tiniest little meow.

"Are you sure you wanna take them on the road with us, Ronny? I heard you found us a new job," I say carefully.

He nods his head and I can tell he's already determined. "I can take care of them, no worries, bossman."

"Alright," I say, "then I think our plans are set." I turn towards Axel. "Do you think you're up for a road trip tomorrow?"

Axel nuzzles my shoulder. "I'll rest for the night and be good to go in the morning."

With our plans on the book, I lean back in our bed and watch as our daughter gets passed around. Without a doubt I know this entire crew will do everything they can to watch over her and make sure she grows up strong and taken care of. I kiss the side of Axel's head, saying another silent prayer up to Lady Fate, thanking her for this family and adding an extra special note, asking that she watches over my crew the same way she's watched over me.

I can't wait to see what our next chapter will be but already I know it's going to be good.

The End