Marshall does a double take toward the woods. “I’m afraid I’m being summoned, Ms. Messenger. Carry on.” He takes off before I can question him.
That’s funny. I didn’t hear Lexy call him. But, then again, Emma is here distracting me with her presence once again.
My hands land protectively over my stomach. I can’t help it. It’s a reflex around this woman.
Emma’s hair is freshly dyed the color of blood, her lips a matching hue, but there’s a softness in her eyes that I haven’t seen in a very long time.
“Skyla.” She nods my way, but her eyes flit to her son. “Gage.” There’s a hint of anguish in her voice. I know for a fact she’s been cold to him, he’s told me so himself. I’m sure she feels cheated, used by her own flesh and blood.
Barron nods our way. “It’s wonderful to be here. Thank you all for having us.” His hair is shorn to stubble, white as snow, and matches the stubble on his face. He’s aged a thousand years in the last few months alone. We all have.
Tad slaps Barron on the back, that ankle bracelet still a very real reminder that he’s not out of the legal woods Demetri landed him in.
“You’re always welcome,” Tad says it with a touch of pride to the two of them. “Why so glum, Emma? Let me guess. You miss the good old days when Greg here was shacking up with Skyla?”
“Tad.” Mom motions for him to stop.
“What?” Tad squawks. “Don’t worry, Em. The way the three of them have been holing up in that bedroom, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they become Paragon’s first official throuple.”
Mom groans, but I can’t help but giggle. It’s not true, of course. I’m fully Logan Oliver’s wife. But Gage has a very special place in our lives and he always will. Hell, maybe we are a throuple—just not in the salacious way that Tad is suggesting.
Emma clears her throat as she nods to Gage. “Whatever makes you happy—makes me happy—son.” She holds out her arms, unsure, and Gage pulls her in and wraps her with his love. And despite everything Emma and I have been through, the sight brings tears to my eyes.
Barron wraps his arms around them as well, and Logan nods my way.
“Come on, Skyla.” He ticks his head their way. “Let’s get in on this.”
And soon we’re a part of their love fest, a tangle of arms as we cry together and laugh. We laugh happy, happy tears.
Once we’re through, I spot Laken and Wes by the bounce house at the end of the yard, and I head on over as Gage and Logan carry on a conversation with Barron about the morgue. He’s anxious to retire, and there’s talk of Gage taking over. Rev already works there, full-time. In that way it’s still very much in the family.
“Hey,” I say as I come upon Laken. She looks rested for the first time in weeks, her skin holding a peachy glow. Wes has been helping her with the kids, but so far she’s still staying put at the house she shared with Cooper. She says there are too many memories she’s not ready to leave. And I firmly support her decision. Laken needs to move slowly. And I plan on being there every inch of the way. I know Wes does, too.
She holds out her arms, and I pull her in for a firm embrace.
“The kids are having a blast.” She pulls back with those perennial tears glittering in her eyes. “That was very nice of you to have a whole bounce house just for the babies. Wes-Cooper loves it.”
I nod to the two of them. “I’m so glad. And I’m glad you’re both here. Wes, you look good. Strong.” Not that Wes had ever been weak, God no. But he’s been just as battered as Laken after losing Coop. “He will always be our hero,” I say to the two of them.
“He will.” Wes closes his eyes a moment too long. “Any news on what happens next?”
I shake my head. “I think that was it.”
“Oh no, you don’t, Skyla.” A dark laugh strums from Laken. “We’ve come too far not to go all the way. I want to see you take your rightful place. A majority of our people still thinks you’re not in your right body.”
“I know.” I wince. “But there is only so much I can control. And I certainly don’t seem to have control over that. I’m sorry I couldn’t control what happened with Coop.” I sniff back tears as I look to my beautiful friend who wears her anguish still so very fresh. “But with Cooper’s Cure, in a way, a part of him will always be with us all.”
A gentle laugh rolls through her as she gives Wes a knowing look.
“Skyla”—she brings her hands to her stomach—“Cooper is still very much a part of me. He left a little something behind for us to remember him by.”
I gasp. “Laken?”
She nods as those tears in her eyes are met with a full-blown smile. “I’m having his baby.” She pulls Wes in close. “We’rehaving his baby.”
Tears blur my vision as well as I pull them both into a hard embrace.
“As painful as it sounds, I’m so very thrilled,” I say. “Congratulations.” I pull back and nod to Wes. “To the both of you.”
