“I have one favor, though,” he said.
“We’re not naming the baby Seabiscuit.”
“No, not that.”He laughed, wrapping his arms around her and rolling her to her back.As he straightened his arms and gazed down at her, he said, “I want us to all have the same last name.I want you to be not just my mate and the mother of my child, but my wife.”
She opened her mouth in surprise.
“Before you say anything, I will ask you properly with a ring and everything, but I didn’t want to go a second longer without telling you that I want to marry you.”
Her cheeks hurt because she smiled so broadly.“I’d love to.”
They kissed again and he held her so sweetly and closely.She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the moments that followed, the pillow talk filled with plans and hope for the future.
Love, marriage, and babies.
Suddenly, the idea of a name came to her mind and she said, “Hope.”
Avi hummed in question.
“If we have a girl, we should name her Hope.Because that’s what she’ll be.The hope of the next generation, a perfect mix of you and me.”
“I love that.And I love you, sweetheart.”
* * *
Later that day, Fallon’s mom helped her get ready for the joining ceremony.
“Are you nervous?”Sera asked.
“Kind of?I know I shouldn’t be.”She looked at herself in the mirror hanging over the back of the bedroom door that Zara had brought for her.She was wearing a dark green dress that fell just below her knees and a pair of comfortable slip-ons.
Sera handed her the soft white wrap she was going to use once the sun went down and she laid it on her shoulders.
“It’s okay, I think there’s always nerves.It’s an exciting event.And how neat is it that the herd is going to add a new element to things tonight to celebrate the baby?”
“It’s really cool.I can’t wait.I want to shift and run around with Avi, but I’m so excited to see the stallions too.They’ve been so welcoming to me.”
“They’re a really special group.”
Sera touched Fallon’s cheek.“I was scared when I was pregnant and also just so full of joy.I didn’t know it was possible to feel both those emotions at the same time.”
“I get that,” Fallon said.
“You’re going to be a wonderful mom.And Avi is exactly the sort of male I hoped you’d find.Someone who cares deeply for you, protects you, wants the best for you.”
“I thought I’d live in Tennessee my whole life.And while it was scary to leave, I wouldn’t have found such happiness if I’d stayed.”
“You’ve got a wonderful future ahead of you, and I’m so glad I get to be part of it with you.”
Fallon hugged her mom as tears stung her eyes.
There was a knock on the door and Sera answered it, finding the females in the hall.
“We have a gift for you,” Zara said, handing over a velvet box.
Fallon opened it and saw a necklace with a horse pendant.“Oh, I love it!Thank you so much.”
“We all have them,” Tatum said with a smile.
