Epilogue

Brooklyn

T he drive to Virginia takes three times as long with two vehicles, two dogs, and Libby, but the guys are good sports. By the time we make it to Gunner and Maverick's house, Libby is done with everything. She's switched out riding in Noble's SUV and Maverick's truck, but she's officially done with being clipped into her car seat.

It's a huge relief when I finally place her on the ground. She takes off, chasing after Nova and Haze. My legs are slightly swollen and ache, but I still take off after her.

Gunner loops an arm around my sternum, pulling me into his chest. "They won't let her get anywhere near the road. I promise, they're probably more qualified than most human babysitters."

I laugh, spotting Haze head Libby off. He's less cuddly than Nova, but I think it's just that he has a naturally more active disposition. Although, I have heard Maverick and Gunner call him high-strung and pretentious at two different times.

"You're so fucking pretty," Gunner says, spinning me to face him. "I love you, gorgeous."

I snort. "Really? You want to tell me that after the road trip from hell when I haven't washed my hair in three days?"

"Yup," he agrees, capturing my mouth in a slow, sensual kiss.

"I love you too," I assure him as we pull back.

Maverick whistles and calls out, "Come on, let's check out the house."

"Okay!" Libby squeals, chasing after the dogs as they bound toward the front door.

"Ready to check out our new home, Little Mama?" Noble asks, smacking my ass on his way by.

Then, I'm the one squealing as Gunner scoops me up like a bride.

"What are you doing?" I gasp.

"Carrying you over the threshold." Gunner smirks.

Holy shit.

He really is a beautiful man.

The house is incredible. If I could, I would spend every hour of the day in my new nest. Alas, I have a kid to take care of, and we have a bunch of things to settle.

The guys weren't kidding when they said they'd get me into the doctor right away. I almost feel like they pressured their coworker into asking his brother to fit us in early or something.

I don't know.

I'm kind of baffled, otherwise. Even the sign on the door says they open at eight-thirty, but it's only a few minutes after eight, and we're already set up in a room.

Dr. Garza is polite, even though it's seriously late in my pregnancy to find a new practice. Or maybe I'm panicking a little because I have some leftover trauma about finding out the gender.

Libby is in her "I'm the Big Sister" shirt, and she's sitting in Noble's lap, coloring like she hasn't got a care in the world.

I pat around on the table and grab my new phone. Once I've got a hold of it, I snap multiple pictures of Libby and Noble.

"Okay, this is going to be cold," the ultrasound technician says, squirting the cool gel all over my stomach.

Noble catches me watching and winks.

My heart starts to race, so I glance away.

Who knows what they can see on the monitor.

Maverick stands behind the table, but he leans over my head, pecking a quick kiss on my nose as he runs his fingers through the hair at the base of my skull.

"We're going to measure the heartbeat first," Dr. Garza says. "It's going to sound fast in comparison to ours, but that's completely normal."

My eyes land on Gunner as he paces behind the doctor. The whooshing sound of the heartbeat fills the air.

Gunner rocks back on his heels and spins around with his mouth hanging open. "Shit."

Maverick nuzzles his cheek to mine from behind as Gunner strides over, taking my hand.

"Are you okay? You're looking a little pale." I give a playful grin, sending him comfort in the bond.

"Yeah, that's just crazy." Gunner laughs. "It's so damn fast."

The tech works the wand and the machine while Dr. Garza studies the screen.

He glances at me. "Do you already know the gender, would you like to find out, or is that going to be a surprise?" He chuckles. "I never make assumptions. I learned that the hard way."

"We don't know," I say, swallowing despite my suddenly dry mouth. "But we'd like to if you can tell."

The tech laughs. "Yeah, I'm not having any trouble." She points around at a couple of things, and Dr. Garza nods.

"It's a boy." He grins. "Congratulations."

My heart skips a beat.

Holy shit.

I had a strong feeling that this baby wasn't going to be another girl.

I'm not sure why, but I swear, I felt it. It's what fueled my anxiety and my nightmares.

"A boy?" Maverick grins at me upside down. "Hey, that's awesome."

I nod and breathe through the panic.

It only takes another second for me to remember.

Avan is dead .

He can't hurt any of us.

"You're going to have a baby brother," Noble says.

"Okay," Libby replies.

Gunner squats down at my side and gets close to my ear. "Are you okay?"

I grin. "I'm really grateful we found out. Now, we can go full pirate theme."

"I'm so excited," Maverick says, pulling out his phone. "Libby's stuff should be here later this week. Their shipping is pretty fast. Should I go ahead and buy the pirate ship crib?"

I snort, shaking my head. "Let's save that for when he moves to a toddler bed. I think I'll feel safer with him in a standard crib."

"Me too," Dr. Garza says. "But everything looks great."

My heart soars.

A healthy baby is all I hoped for.

Noble wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest as we sit in the mom-and-pop-style restaurant. "I know you've worried a lot about having a boy. How are you feeling?"

I smile, shaking my head. "Like I'm going to need practice changing his diapers without getting peed on. Libby even got me a few times when she was a newborn. Mostly when I was half-delirious from sleep deprivation and didn't get the new diaper on quick enough."

"I will help," Libby says, stretching over to kiss my cheek.

"You're already a great helper," Gunner says, pulling her over into his lap.

"You're going to have support this time," Noble says close to my ear.

"I know." I smile at Maverick across from me in the round booth. He's been distracted with his phone. If I had to guess, I'd say he's planning out all the crap he's going to buy for the pirate-themed nursery.

"Did you breastfeed Libby?" Noble asks.

My head shakes. "I did try, but it wasn't something that came naturally to me. I didn't have any help, and since Avan was paying, it was easier to switch to formula."

"Is that the route you want to go this time?" Noble runs his fingers down my side. "One of my moms is a doula. It's just an option, but no pressure. One of my sisters turned her down, and there were no hard feelings."

Wow.

That's kinda crazy to me.

I would have killed to have my mom around when I gave birth to Libby. Even in the few weeks after, when I was adjusting to being a new mom, I would have gladly accepted any and all help.

"Just think about it," Noble says. "But it's not going to hurt my feelings if you aren't interested. Although, both my moms will want to come for a visit when things settle down. We'll be lucky if we get away with just the two of them, and my sisters don't tag along."

I chuckle, but thinking of his sisters reminds me of Lennox. We spoke a few nights ago, and she seemed a little better. She mentioned she wasn't planning to head back to New York, but she turned me down when I invited her to come to Virginia.

Ultimately, she knows she can call if she needs me, and I got the distinct impression that she was ready to try making her own way.

"Mommy, close you eyes," Libby says.

I laugh, shaking my head as my eyes fall shut.

Noble's hand leaves my hip, likely to help keep her up. It feels like she walks across the booth between me and Gunner.

She pats my arm, and I turn toward her with my eyes still shut.

"Open 'em," she says, giggling.

My eyes pop open, and she's holding a ring box with a beautiful round diamond engagement ring.

"We're getting married," she says, giggling.

"You're getting married," Maverick says, holding his phone up, like he's taking pictures. "She was supposed to say, Congratulations, Mommy. You're getting married ."

"Yeah." Libby nods, shaking the box. "That."

"We also got you this." Gunner holds out a necklace box, popping it open. It's a very simple white gold chain. "Since swelling is more and more common the further along you get, we figured you could wear it on the necklace. If you want."

I take the ring from Libby. "It's beautiful. Thank you guys so much."

"Is that a yes?" Noble rumbles.

"We're bonded." I snort. "Of course, it's a yes."