43. Paige

43

PAIGE

I pee in the stick and set it to the side, leaving the bathroom after washing my hands.

Could it be?

My life has changed so much already in the nearly two months since I was captured by Murphy.

Gray has taken over while Da is focused on his recovery.

Da's been doing great at cardiac rehab. He says this was the kick in the pants he needed.

But I know Gray struggles. He's been training for this his whole life, but I don't think he thinks he's ready just yet. And I think that's why we haven't retaliated just yet. Declan says we're playing the long game. Whatever that means.

Of course, I want my family safe, but right now it's hard to focus on Murphy and this war when I finally got what I wanted out of life.

I'm living my happy ending.

Sophie comes out of the bathroom, her eyes wide. "It's positive. "

Tears well in my eyes, and I can't breathe.

Sophie rubs my back. "Don't you want this?"

"Of course, I want this." I sniffle, wiping tears from my face. "I'm just so..."

"Excited? Scared?"

"Both." I laugh.

"When are you going to tell Kael?"

"Tonight. I can't keep it in. We're supposed to be having a night in, anyway, so it's the perfect time."

"Oh, I can't wait. I wish you could record his face."

I bite my lip. "Do you think he'll be happy?"

"Of course, he'll be happy, Paige. He's crazy about you."

She's right, and I know that. But will he still feel the same way about me when I'm fat and pregnant?

After we chat a bit more about baby names and the like, Sophie leaves, and Kael comes in from a job, sweaty and with blood on his shirt.

I gasp, frowning and coming toward him.

"Not mine," he points out tiredly. "I just need a shower."

"Can I join you?"

He gives me a half-grin. "If I ever say no to that, assume I've been body-snatched."

I giggle, heading up the stairs and starting the shower. I take off my clothes, looking at my naked body in the mirror.

Is that a baby bump or did I just eat too many burritos last night?

It's probably too early for a baby bump, but I can't wait.

Kael comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my neck.

I lean back against him, letting out a quiet, happy moan.

His mouth is close to my ear. "We may not make it to the shower at this rate. "

I shiver. Darting away from him playfully, I smile, and he pulls off his shirt with one hand, while I start the water.

It's warm, but not too hot when I get it right, and I step inside.

Kael now fully undressed gets in behind me, his eyes on my ass.

I turn my head over my shoulder to look at him. "My eyes are up here."

"They're very pretty, too." He flicks his gaze up to them, and then back down to my butt.

I can't help but laugh.

"You're in a good mood today. What's going on?"

I shrug. "Nothing. Just had a good day with Sophie."

"I'm glad you're seeing friends again."

It was hard, at first, to get out, to even invite people over. I'd been so afraid, but I'm getting past it. The nightmares are beginning to get easier. Mostly because of Kael sleeping next to me every night.

I smile. "Can we get takeout for dinner?"

"Sushi?"

I pout and shake my head. "Maybe barbeque."

"You're turning down sushi?" He raises an eyebrow. "Something's definitely going on."

I swallow hard. "I heard it's bad for you."

"Sushi? It's only bad for, like, pregnant wom—" He freezes, his blue eyes widening. "Paige..."

I smile. "Kael?"

"Are you going to have my baby?" he whispers, and all I can do is nod as the water cascades down my back.

Kael grabs me so tightly I think my ribs might crack.

"You're pregnant." He beams at me. "When did this happen?"

I snicker. "Well, there are many times it could have happened, but from my symptoms, I think it was either right before the incident or right after I came home from the hospital."

"We have to get you to a doctor." Kael frowns. "Right away."

"I've already made an appointment for Monday. We'll get to see how far along I am; hopefully, hear the heartbeat."

"I hope it's a girl," he murmurs, grinning widely, tears welling in his eyes.

I giggle. "Our baby has parents who are going to love them, and that's all that matters. Boy or girl."

"You're right." He whoops and kisses me passionately. "This calls for a celebration."

I groan. "I can't even have champagne, Kael, how am I supposed to celebrate?"

"I'll order all your favorite foods. Spare no expense."

He's more excited that I thought he'd be, but I know what I want to do first.

"I want to visit my ma."

Kael tilts his head. "Your mother?"

"I always said when I was pregnant, I'd go to her gravestone first. Tell her. I want her to be the first to know in my family."

"That's an amazing idea, princess."

Kael hurries to wash off, and so do I, and in about half an hour, we're heading to Ma's grave.

When we arrive, there are fresh daises on the headstone.

I smile. "Da's still giving you flowers even when he can't bring them himself, huh?"

Kael hangs back, letting me have my moment.

"It's finally happened, Ma. I found my prince. I've got my happy ending."

The wind blows, as if she's caressing my cheek.

"I'm pregnant, Ma," I whisper, and the wind blows again, and I swear I can feel her next to me.

I stay for a while, sitting down and chatting as if she's sitting right next to me, as if she could talk back. It makes me feel better.

When my soul is lighter, I stand up, brushing my dress off and heading to Kael. "Now we have to tell the rest of the family."

"I hope Declan doesn't hit me again," Kael whines, and I bark out a laugh.

Da's in his room, in bed as he has been since we brought him home from the hospital a week after I came home. He should still be there, but I guess this is to show others he's not as weak as he really is.

There's still a lot of recovery ahead of him, and he's still too weak to even get out of bed or stay awake too long. We came at a good time, if we are catching him awake.

Marisol brings him a sandwich, and I can't help but notice how they look at each other, but I don't comment on it.

"Where's everyone?" I ask, and he shrugs.

"Who knows? Now that I'm better, they're all over the place." He chuckles.

I'm sure they're close by because all of us are still worried about Da.

"I can't wait for them." I huff out a breath.

Kael goes a little pale. Is he worried about what Da will say?

"Da, I'm pregnant. "

Da looks at me for a long moment, his eyes welling with tears.

"My little girl is having a baby," he whispers, and I sit next to him, putting my head on his shoulder.

"I told Ma first."

He wipes tears from his eyes, putting an arm around me. "Congratulations, a'stor. "

He looks at Kael. "Kael."

Kael grins. "We're very excited, boss."

"Don't call me boss. I'm your father-in-law, aren't I?"

"Not yet," I mutter.

Kael has yet to propose, but I heard from a little birdie that he has been ring shopping. That little birdie, of course, was named Gray.

My siblings and Bree all come into Da's room. It looks like they were all together, and Declan's eyes widen when he sees us.

"What are you doing here, long lost sister?"

I roll my eyes. "I come over every Sunday."

"It's not enough," Gray complains. "We miss our baby sister."

"Well, your baby sister has news for you." I grin.

Lara freezes. "She's pregnant."

I frown. "Way to steal my thunder, Lara."

She gasps. "I'm right?"

She crows happily and comes to grab me, pulling me into a huge hug and spinning me around. She loves being taller than me, I swear.

"You're right." I giggle, and Bree and Lara squeal and fuss over me while the guys just stand there, looking shell-shocked.

"You all right?" Kael asks warily, and Declan nods, looking down at his feet .

"I'm okay." His voice comes out choked with tears, and I can't help but go over and hug him.

"You're going to be an uncle." I smile, crying happy tears myself.

Declan breaks and hugs me tightly, wiping away tears as Gray hugs me, too.

"I think we should all go out for dinner," Da says, and everyone stares at him. He sighs. "Just kidding."

We all burst into laughter.

It feels good to laugh so hard I double over, to feel it in my chest and my throat and my stomach.

It feels like I haven't laughed like that in a very long time.

"Are you sure this is the right time?" Gray asks hesitantly.

"Never a right time for a bairn," Da points out. "Hell, I had you before I was ready, god knows."

Gray frowns. "Hey!"

Da laughs. "You turned out just fine, Gray."

"Damn straight."

Declan laughs and hugs Bree tightly. She's only two or three months ahead of me. "We'll have newborns pretty soon right after the other. Grandkids for days."

"I can't wait." Da grins, and Marisol quietly comes over to hug me, congratulating me in my ear before walking out of the room.

I frown, wanting to follow her, but everyone wants to compare my non-existent bump to Bree's little round one, so I get distracted.

Bree laughs. "None of us are going to sleep for weeks."

Gray puts an arm around Lara's shoulders. "We'll sleep like babies. "

Lara pulls away. "Speak for yourself, I'm going to babysit."

"I have a little while to see how you do before it's my turn. I think it's pretty early."

Bree looks at me. "When do you see the doctor?"

That folds into a conversation about OB-GYNs in the area, and who's best.

Turns out, we're seeing the same one.

Kael has been quiet, just standing over to the side.

I go to him and grab his arm.

"What's wrong?" I whisper in his ear, leaning up so I can't be heard over all the chatter in the room.

He takes in a shaky breath. "I just didn't know I could ever be this happy,"

I frown, turning to cup his face in my hands. "We're always going to be this happy, Kael. Nothing can ever tear us apart."

"Promise?"

"Promise." I kiss him deeply.

Gray and Declan make gagging sounds, but I don't care, kissing Kael again.

This is my happy ending—and Kael is right here by my side .