Epilogue

Maverick

Two Months Later

S omeone lied when they claimed pregnancy was nine months. It's the full forty weeks, meaning pregnancy technically goes to the beginning of the tenth month. It feels like this is something they should teach widely, like to the masses.

I peek in on Libby, and she's knocked out.

Nova lays across the bottom of the bed, and I don't even bother getting on to her anymore.

They're a team.

Anytime I try to suggest Nova sleep on her perfectly fine dog bed, located only a few feet away, Libby ruthlessly shuts that plan down.

It doesn't bother me that my dog traded me in for a toddler.

Not one bit.

The traitor.

No, but it really is fine. It helps me feel better, knowing Libby isn't alone.

Now, I just need to locate my wife.

Heading down the stairs, I peek into the living room. I already checked the nest and the bathroom in the pack bedroom before going to check on Libby. Since I haven't run into Brooklyn, there's only one place left she could be.

Coming around the corner, I stop at the wall. Brooklyn moans, shuffling from side to side, like her hips are bothering her. It's basically an all-the-time thing lately.

She bends over, cutting a slice off the block of cheese before quickly doing another. She layers one with a piece of pepperoni and tosses it into her mouth.

"I didn't forget about you," she says around the bite of food.

I frown until I see her throw the other piece to Haze. His furry head appears over the top of the counter as he jumps to catch it in midair.

"You just eat yours too fast, and the drool…" She laughs. "Thankfully, I'm well past the morning sickness, because you're slobbering everywhere."

I whistle, calling his spoiled ass over. He comes, but he doesn't look happy about it. I snort. "There's food in your bowl. Quit begging the pregnant lady."

Brooklyn lights up as she spots me, and my heart thumps faster in response.

Seeing her happy is my new addiction.

We got to see glimmers of the real her that night in the bar and at Bless's, but getting that version of her all the time tells me we're doing something right.

I slide up behind her and pull her hair to the side. One hand moves around to caress the baby belly as the other gently massages her hip.

"Have I told you today how fucking beautiful you are?" I murmur, nipping at her ear.

She snorts. "I have pepperoni breath, and I haven't seen my feet in weeks."

Laughing, I spin her to face me. "Yum, I love pepperoni and cheddar cheese." I capture her mouth. It's a stretch to reach her lips, but I've got a long torso, and I use that to my advantage.

It's crazy how low her lung capacity is, but that baby is taking up all her space.

She pulls back, gasping for air.

"Sorry," she says with a laugh.

"No need to apologize, sweetheart. Now, do you want me to cut some more cheese slices, or are you ready to head up to bed?"

Her nose wrinkles as her lips push together. "Maybe just a few more slices now that Haze isn't hogging more than half of them."

I chuckle. "You got it."

Five Days Before Brooklyn's Due Date

Our sweet little omega doesn't make it to her due date. The contractions become clear in the bond well before she's ready to admit she's in active labor.

Gunner calls Locke and Laken to be on alert while Noble calls his moms to tell them they need to move up their flights.

"What are we going to do with Libby?" Brooklyn asks with wide eyes as I help her over to wash her hands after using the bathroom for like the twentieth time in an hour.

It's the middle of the night.

Libby won't be up for five or six hours.

"I think the best thing we can do is let her sleep," I tell her truthfully. "She loves Locke and his pack." I shrug. "Vale said we can bring her over to the Assurance compound, but I think it'll be easier if she wakes up in her own bed."

"Okay," Brooklyn chokes out, shimmying her hips from side to side. "Oh, fuck. They're getting really intense."

"And really close together," Gunner says, appearing in the doorway. "I'm going to text Locke that it's time they come over. Noble and I will get the bags packed up."

Brooklyn's contraction makes its way through the bond, and I grind my teeth together to keep from hissing.

Holy shit.

Contractions are no fucking joke.

My balls throb as my lower back aches with a pulsing pain that seems to make me queasy. Yeah, it's definitely time to have a doctor monitoring both her and the baby.

"I swear, your giant-ass hands made him look tiny," I tell Noble, bumping my shoulder against his.

Gunner laughs. "Our omega is looking a little like she might strangle you." He sits next to her on the hospital bed in the private room they gave us after she delivered.

Brooklyn scoffs. "His head and shoulders didn't feel tiny when he was trying to come out."

"I'll bet they didn't," I agree, studying Judge's chubby cheeks. He's got a headful of dark, wavy hair and a lot of it, just like Brooklyn and Libby.

"Knock, knock," Laken says, shoving her head in the door. "Can we come in?"

"Yes," Brooklyn calls out, pulling up the blanket.

"Mommy," Libby squeals, taking off toward the bed.

Gunner climbs off and moves around to help Libby up.

"Hi, sweet pea." Brooklyn looks a little like she might burst into tears at any given moment as Libby hugs the hell out of her. "I missed you so much last night."

"Well, damn." Locke chuckles, peeking at the baby. "He looks just like you and Liberty."

"They really are three of a kind," Laken agrees. She turns to face Brooklyn, planting her hands on her hips. "Please tell me it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be." She moves to run a hand over her baby bump.

Brooklyn laughs, squeezing Libby to her chest. "It's over before you know it, and then you get a sweet baby. It's totally worth it."

I grin and wink when I catch her studying me as I hold Judge.

"So, what are the chances that you'll let me hold him?" Locke asks, rocking back on his heels.

Brooklyn snorts. "If you can pry him away from those guys, go for it. Just wash your hands."

I frown.

Dammit.

I just got my turn to hold him.

Locke is his uncle.

I guess I can share…for a few minutes.

"Libby, come give me a hug. I missed you, kiddo." I grin at the way Gunner glares.

Having a family is a lot more fun than I ever could have guessed.