“Jesus, he’s bossy. Just like his dad.” Acid smirks.
We all sit around and wait, drinking shitty coffee and feeding the kids vending machine crap, which has them bouncing off the walls. After waiting two hours, a woman with a clipboard enters, her eyes going wide when she sees us all there.
“Oh,” she breathes. Scar and Elsie stand up and walk over to her, his arm wrapped tight around Elsie, as if to hold her up. “Congratulations, you have a baby boy.” The woman grins.
Elsie lets out a sob, and Scar wraps both his arms tightly around her, stroking and kissing her head and whispering words only for her. I sniff and wipe away a tear.
“Don’t tell me my badass wife is crying,” Ghost teases.
I smile. “Just look how much it means to them. It’s just fucking beautiful.”
Ghost’s eyes go soft as he leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my temple.
“Checks are being made on the baby, but he will be with you soon.” She gives Elsie’s arm a gentle squeeze before she turns and leaves.
We surround them, hugging and cheering our congrats.
Less than an hour later, the woman walks in holding the beautiful baby boy. She hands him to Elsie, who is smiling so brightly with tears coating her cheeks. She places a tender kiss on his little head, and Scar strokes his huge hand over his little head.
“Welcome to the family, little man,” he rasps.
“Name?” the woman asks.
“Lincoln,” they both answer.
“Linc, for short,” Scar clarifies.
“Okay, well. He’s good to go home with you. We will keep in touch over the next few months, just to make sure he’s settled in and all is well,” the woman states. “Other than that, congratulations on your new family.” She smiles warmly before leaving.
I look at the time. “Woah, guys, it’s after ten. We need to get these kids to bed ready for Santa,” I state as realisation hits. “Do you guys have baby stuff for Linc?” I ask.
Scar smiles and nods. “We kept a bag in the truck just in case, including a car seat and a bassinet.”
“Excellent. Let’s roll, people.” I clap excitedly.
Acid bends down and picks up a sleeping Mabel. The rest of the kids are hanging on, barely, and Storm is cuddled into Ghost, her heavy eyes drooping.
“What about Santa?” Alina asks quietly.
“I guess we will just have to think of a plan B. These kids are far too sleepy for it now,” I sigh.
“I think I have an idea,” Belle adds.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
STAR
CHRISTMAS DAY!
We letthe kids all sleep in the lounge area when we got back. Each of them hung their stockings up on the fireplace, but the younger ones slept in their own room. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Beast huffs as he pulls at the beard.
“Shhh, shut up!” Belle snaps. “You don’t want to wake the kids yet.”
“Fuck, this is the best Christmas ever,” Hawk snorts.
“Hey, Santa, can I sit on your knee?” Cash asks, making all of the brothers chuckle.
“SHHHHHHH!” Belle hisses.
