“Glad to hear Coop has options.” She darts a quick glance his way. “And selfishly, I’m glad to hear he hasn’t acted on them. I still love him deeply.”
“So be honest with me. If Wes won’t do menial housework, are you packing up and headed to Cooperville?” I’m not really interested in the terms of her ultimatum. I’m just thrilled she’s going to spill the DNA beans.
She gives a slow nod. “But I just figure I’m already married to Wes. This has been the status quo. And I love them both equally. I know that there’s no one in the world who can ever understand that.”
“I could have once.” I nod quickly to acknowledge my love for the old Gage Oliver.
“Good, because hopefully now you won’t judge me.” Baby Wes Cooper whimpers against her chest, rearing his tiny head, and I catch a glimpse of those familiar dimples as he blinks my way.
“Oh, Laken, he is simply too precious.” I shake my head in disbelief. “He truly is a twin to Nathan and Barron.”
“That he could be.” She combs back his thick, black hair with her fingers. “So tonight?” She winces up at me as if it pained her to think about.
“Yes, Laken, tonight. Just out of curiosity, what’s the ultimatum?”
She shakes her head at me. “You’ll see. Consider it a birthday gift to yourself. I think you’re going to love it.”
“Oh, I’m going to love it. I already love it.”
She takes off for Coop—same direction I’m hoping she goes in this evening. I can’t believe Wesley Edinger is about to have his ass handed to him this evening and I get front row seats to the spectacle.
Happy birthday to me.
I spot Ezrina, Nev, and their darling daughter standing with Logan, and I head on over.
“Alice”—I say, kneeling to her height—“you are a princess.”
She nods my way with those serious eyes, those ruby red lips the exact shade as her hair.
“Am,” she says it sweetly with an undertone of aggression, and I can’t help but love her all the more.
Both Nev and Ezrina take turns wishing me a happy birthday.
“How is the serum?” I don’t mind asking Ezrina point-blank.
“Circulating well through our brothers and sisters across the globe. Our Levatio transport system is working out quite well. No word of anyone with adverse effects just yet.”
“Good. And in a month’s time, they won’t have to make so many trips,” I say it more like a question and Ezrina nods.
“Yes, Skyla.” She looks to Logan. “The two of you are potent together in more ways than one. Might I advise more children?”
My jaw unhinges. “How many more?”
Logan tips his head her way as if he were genuinely interested.
“Ten?” Nev looks to Ezrina. “Twenty?”
I gasp, “We need that many for the serum? My God, I guess both my body and I will have to take one for the team.”
Ezrina chortles, and it’s such a rare sight and sound, I try to memorize it. “Heavens, it has nothing to do with the serum. The Jax molecule, as you know, has an immortal lifespan it keeps reproducing. It hasn’t stopped yet, and it won’t. What you and Logan have created has truly saved our people.”
I shake my head at her. “Then why all the kids?”
“Because they’re adorable.” She nods our way while threading her arm though Nev’s. “We’re off to show Alice a good time.”
And that they do.
Hours drift by and finally it’s time for cake. My mother and Mia wheel out a three-tiered monstrosity laden with giant dinosaurs all over it and the boys go wild.
