48. Extended Epilogue

Extended Epilogue

Sage

Three years later

T he sound of everyone's laughter and chattering slowly starts to fade as the second line appears on the test. I'm stuck in place for a beat before my heart feels like it's in my throat. My hands slowly start to shake, and I have to remind myself to breathe, but I don't think I remember how.

"Liam!" My voice comes out a bit more scared than I intended and I hear my family quiet down before my brothers tell Liam that I just called him.

"Dory? What's wrong?"

The door to the bathroom quickly opens, but he shuts it just as fast as he sees whatever look I'm wearing. His face slightly drops before his eyes scan me carefully. "What is it? Are you okay?" He grabs hold of my hand before touching me frantically, looking for something as if I'm physically harmed.

I can't seem to get the words out as I grab the pregnancy test and hand it to him. I watch for his reaction, and he brings it closer to him, but the second he realizes what this means, he only looks happy.

"You're pregnant?"

I nod slowly before breaking into a sob. He pulls me in and kisses me profusely. "Why are you crying like that?"

"I'm scared!" I break into another sob as I hold him tighter.

"Why are you scared, beloved?" He pulls away to look at me and he's just smiling as he brings his lips to mine.

"Because I'm three months postpartum, Lee!"

Our entire world was flipped upside down the first time I got pregnant, and motherhood has been amazing, but I can't imagine how we're going to manage another baby with our hands already so full.

"It's going to be okay." He takes hold of my shaking hands and kisses them softly. "We'll figure it out; you're fine , beloved." His words somehow drape a blanket of tranquility over me, and when I pull in another breath, I feel my panic die down.

"I don't understand how this could've happened."

A smirk grows on his face before his hands wrap around my waist. "I think I have some ideas as to how this happened." He kisses my neck, and I let out a laugh before shoving him away.

"This is all your fault."

He breaks into a laugh and pulls me back into him. "No one is at fault. This is good, right?"

I let out a breath before nodding because while I'm scared, I'm excited for another baby.

"Good," Liam nods before kissing my cheek twice. "And if anyone was at fault, then it'd be your horny ass."

I cover my face sheepishly before burying my face in his chest because he's right. After I was given the green light to have sex again, it's all I've been in the mood for. He laughs at me as if he just had the same thoughts, and I shake my head at myself.

"Hey, I'm not complaining."

"I bet you aren't!" I shove him again with a laugh before glancing down at my stomach. "My body is never going to look the way it was." I don't mean to sound so disappointed, but that's how it came out. I knew this was what came with being a mom, but it took a long time for me to accept the way my body changed.

"And that's fine," Liam reassures me, and I'm reminded of how supportive he's been in helping me accept my new body.

I let my eyes meet him, and he's watching me carefully as he rubs my stomach. "You are perfect the way you are, and you'll still be perfect with however my baby changes your body." He slowly drops to his knees, and I feel my eyes sting as he brings his lips to my stomach.

"I love you." My voice comes out just above a whisper, but when his eyes meet mine, I know he heard me just fine.

"I love you more." He kisses my stomach one more time before rising to his full height and kissing my cheek. "We're not naming this one after your brother."

I throw my head back with a laugh, and he smiles down at me, but I'm sure he's serious. When we announced our first pregnancy, August was very persistent that we name our baby after him since Sire didn't name their daughter after him, and that clearly wasn't going to work since she's a girl, but they said no before the gender reveal.

I hear my brothers laughing about something from the kitchen before the girls laugh, and a smile touches my lips.

"Can we tell them now since everyone's here?" I hear the excitement start to creep into my voice, and Liam smiles down at me before kissing my cheek again.

"Whatever you want." He looks between my eyes like he never wants to look away, and I'm so lucky that after all this time, we still feel like we're in that honeymoon phase. It shouldn't even be considered a phase anymore. This is my life.

I wipe my tears and grab the pregnancy test as I try to think of a quick way we can tell everyone. I tell Liam we should go with the basic bun in the oven so he gets it ready as I get my vlog camera and act like I'm recording for this week's vlog.

After a while, I hear a soft cry and look over at the baby in Liam's mom's arms on our couch. I walk over to tap a soft kiss on Jerzi's head. "Can I hold her?" I smile down at my baby, and she isn't too fussy, but I still want to comfort her.

I look over at Liam's mom, and when she looks up at me, I can see the confusion on her face as she holds my baby closer to her. I give her a small smile and Liam kisses our daughter before taking her from his mom.

"It's okay." He reassures her as I take our daughter from him.

"Shanti's been a bit fussy," She quickly stands. "You should let me hold her." She holds her hands out, but I take a small step back before offering her a smile, and I can see the way Liam tries to keep his small smile intact.

"Let my wife hold her for a while. You had her all morning."

I think she grows upset that I took the baby, but before she can voice a protest, Capri takes her hand and distracts her on the couch.

Ever since we've had the baby, Liam's mom has been wanting to visit more often, and I, of course, love having her around because momma's boy Liam is my favorite.

She thinks Jerzi is Shanti, and we don't correct her so she doesn't get upset or even more confused, but either way, I'm fine with her believing my baby is the daughter she lost. It brings her peace and doesn't negatively affect us. Except for when she gets a bit greedy and wants to hog my kid all day.

"Holy shit."

I turn on my heels at the shock in Sire's voice.

"Vid," He grabs her hand, and I walk over to see what's happening. "Vidia, look!"

I follow their line of sight and Mariana, their daughter, is standing with a smile and it's as if everyone holds their breath as she picks up her foot.

"Come on, princess." Sire holds his hand out to her, and I quickly grab my camera and turn it to her.

"Come to mommy." Vidia gets on the floor and holds a hand out.

"No, come to daddy."

I let out a soft laugh as they shove each other for their daughter's attention, but when she takes her first step, they go still, along with everyone else.

"Oh my goodness!" I quickly cover my mouth and rock Jerzi in my arms when she cries again.

"Here, beloved, let me take her." Liam kisses my cheek, and I smile up at him as he takes the baby and gives her a bottle.

When I glance back at my niece, she laughs softly before taking another step to her parents. They keep calling her while fighting for who she'll go to, and Mariana wobbles closer.

We all watch in shock as she takes her first steps all the way into Sire's arms. "Good job, baby!" He scoops her into her arms and we all cheer. Vidia looks happy but not about who she chose.

"You cheated."

I break into a laugh at how competitive she is, and my brother smiles down at his wife before kissing his daughter. " How did I cheat, Vid? She–"

"That's not fair. Give me my kid."

"You're such a sore loser!"

" Give me her."

The entire room is full of laughter as Sire walks away in a hurry, and Vidia quite literally tries to fight him for her baby.

I notice Liam shutting the oven, and when he turns to me, he gives me a soft nod. I feel my excitement grow as I set up my camera and sit at the kitchen counter with Liam as he feeds the baby.

August is looking through our cabinets, and I smile to myself. "August, can you check what's in the oven?"

He nods before turning to the oven. He looks confused at first glance, and takes the bun out. "It's just bread."

I laugh softly and cover my face because I probably should've told someone else but it'll be fun to watch him keep guessing.

"Where was it, though?"

He looks confused as he gestures to the oven. "Sage, you just saw me take it out of the oven." He laughs softly before closing the oven and putting the bread aside. I look over at Liam for help.

He shakes his head before turning to my twin. "August, this is a guessing game."

August turns back to us, and he immediately looks excited. "Okay, bread and an oven." He looks over at the bread again before glancing at the oven, probably for another hint.

I laugh softly, and Liam shakes his head before smiling down at his daughter as if everyone else in the room doesn't exist. I kiss the side of his face before turning around.

"Sire."

He and Vidia are taking pictures together in my mirror with their baby, but they both turn to me.

"Can you guys come help August with this guessing game we're playing?"

August says he doesn't need help, although he's been whispering to Hazel and Lisette for help.

Sire and Vidia walk over and look between the bun and August.

"I think I need a hint." August looks over at us but we don't offer any help so he turns to our brother. "Look–" He hands him the bun. "–it was in the oven."

I look between all of them, and when Vidia's eyes light up, I bring a finger to my mouth, and she nods discreetly before whispering to Hazel in Spanish. When she looks over at me, her eyes cut down to my stomach, and I nod, confirming their thoughts.

"Really?!" Lisette's jaw drops now but she covers her mouth as all of the girls walk over to me for a hug.

"Really what– wait did you guys figure it out already?"

I let out a laugh as I hug the girls, and they whisper their congratulations as the boys struggle in the kitchen.

"I'm confused!" August sounds like he's getting frustrated, but I know it's just because he doesn't like to be left out.

"Think about it, babe." Hazel helps him as she gestures to the oven. "What was in the oven?"

"A piece of bread?"

The girls laugh beside me, but Sire takes the bun from him and turns it in his hand. "I'm so fucking confused, it's just bread."

Vidia laughs softly, and when her daughter laughs in her arms, she kisses her head. "Tell Daddy it's a bun and not bread . Say bun ."

"Bun, Daddy!"

We laugh at my niece, and Vidia pulls her closer before praising her for being so smart.

I see the realization set for Sire, and he looks between Liam and me. "Really?"

I nod slowly and blink my tears away.

"Really what ?"

"There's a bun in the oven, August." Sire and Liam say at the same time, growing a bit impatient.

"What does that mean ?"

"Oh my God," Liam mumbles beside me. "A bun in the oven. In reference to what have you heard that saying?" He gestures to Jerzi, then brings his hand to my stomach.

I can see the gears turning in August's head as he studies the two of us. "Wait…" His eyes drop down to my stomach as his smile grows. "Are you?"

I give him a nod before letting out a soft laugh. He rushes over to us, and I force my tears to stay at bay as he pulls me in for a hug. "Congratulations, guys!"

We thank him, and when August tries to hug Liam, he uses the excuse that he's holding the baby. He's warmed up to my brothers quite a bit these last few years but Liam doesn't like anyone touching him, it's not just my brothers.

"You two are quick ." Lis teases and the girls laugh from beside her.

"That's because this one has been fucking like a rabbit recently."

"Liam Leslie!"

My brothers tell him they didn't need to know that and the entire room breaks into a laugh but I cover my face as I feel it heating in embarrassment. I hear Liam let out a deep laugh from beside me and I almost elbow him until I remember he's holding my baby.

I feel his warm breath by my ear before he even says anything. "I don't know why you're acting embarrassed. Horny Sage is my favorite."

"Stop it!" I bite back a laugh, and he smiles down at me before kissing me softly.

"I'm kidding." He pulls me closer and I melt into him as I look down at Jerzi, and she sleeps in his arms perfectly. "Mommy Sage is my favorite."

I look back up, and he's already watching me with a smile.

"And pregnant Sage." He rubs my stomach again. "Every version of you is my favorite. You're my favorite."

I bring my lips to his, and my worries from before seem so silly now. I know we'd be able to handle whatever is thrown our way as long as he's by my side.

"They'll be Irish twins!" I gasp at the sudden realization that both babies would be born within the same year. "What do you think it's going to be?"

"I want another girl." He answers so quickly, but it doesn't shock me. Liam wants all girls and while I said I don't care the gender, I secretly want at least one boy. I grew up with brothers, and I want my daughter to have that.

I look over at Hazel, and she's using Mariana's hand to flip off Sire. I break into a laugh before she says, "She actually meant to walk to Vidia. Look, she doesn't even like you."

"Stop teaching her that." Sire covers his daughter's hand before pulling her from Hazel's arms. "You're just mad she likes me more than you and your best friend."

Before they can bicker about this, again, I call Hazel over. "What was that thing you guys did to determine the gender of the baby?"

Vidia turns to us before Hazel can answer. "With the fork and spoon?"

"Yes! Can we try it?"

They agree, and I cover my eyes as they set up two chairs, each with a pillow on them, one with a fork under it, and the other with a spoon. When they tell me to uncover my eyes, everyone is standing around the chairs, and I look between the two of them.

"Don't think about it." Liam urges, but I don't look over at him because I'm sure he's looking at the one with the spoon under it. Without a second thought, I walk over to the chair on the right, and the whole room starts cheering.

"You owe me five hundred dollars." Lis voices, and I break into a laugh as Sire pulls out his wallet.

I quickly stand, and when I pick up the pillow, it reveals a fork under it. I pick it up before turning to Liam with a smile. "It's a boy!"

"We don't know that."

I tilt my head to the side as he lets August take the baby and closes the distance between us. "You believed it when I sat on the spoon for Jerzi."

He only shrugs, biting back a smile, and I narrow my eyes at him, "You secretly want a boy, don't you?"

He laughs softly as he pulls me in. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I want all girls."

I let out a laugh before he turns more serious.

"I don't care what it is as long as you're both healthy." He brings his lips to mine before I can respond, and I wrap my arms around his neck. In an instant, he lifts me, bringing my legs around his waist.

"Hey!" August's voice pulls us apart. "No PDA in front of the kids." He covers my daughter's eyes although she is sleeping, and Sire also covers his daughter's eyes.

I can't help but laugh at them, but Liam pulls me back in, and when his tongue slides into my mouth, I know it's just to mess with my brothers, but I kiss him back, and I'm so glad I get to call this man my husband and even happier he's the father of my kids.