But it’s Copper’s answer I’m waiting for, and he doesn’t leave me waiting for long. “Yeah, baby. If we have a girl, we’ll call her Maggie.”
I smile and close my eyes, content now that I’m in Copper's arms and happy to know that my family is whole again and surrounding us.
I didn’t lie when I told my parents I’d do it all again.
The heartache.
The tears.
The unending loneliness of my decision.
The certainty that I would end up right here with the man who was meant for me. And he’s worth every single moment of pain I’ve endured to get to this point.
***
When I next wake, my room is quiet. Mum and Dad are gone. Copper is still in bed with me, fast asleep. Noah has been moved to a bed next to mine. He’s on his side, his little hand holding tight to mine as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
It takes me a minute to surface from sleep, but when I do, I realise someone else is in the room. My eyes widen, and I’msuddenly wide awake as my gaze meets Sam’s. Ally is with him, curled up in his lap, fast asleep in the armchair.
We stare at each other for a long time.
Finally, I clear my throat and whisper, “I’m sorry.”
I’m shocked when Sam smiles. He shakes his head and murmurs, “I’m not.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
His chuckle is soft, so he doesn’t wake our sleeping partners while he explains. “I’m glad you broke us up. I’ve no regrets. You’ve been kicking arse, taking names, and saving people. If you hadn’t broken us, I wouldn’t have Ally and the baby we’re expecting.” He pauses and glances down at his sleeping wife. His love for her is written all over his face as he says, “And they aren’t something that I will ever regret.”
I don’t reply. But I smile. I’m happy for them. Babies are a blessing.
“Don’t misunderstand me. It took me a long time to forgive you,” Sam admits softly. “But when I finally got my head out of my arse, I realised what you and I had was what everyone expected, and what I thought I wanted.”
He runs a hand over the stubble on his jaw as he gathers his thoughts before continuing. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I lovedyou.” He pauses again as if he’s figuring out how to explain his feelings for me back then and his feelings for Ally now.
But he doesn’t have to, though I know what he means.
“You weren’tinlove with me,” I murmur. “Not like you are with Ally.”
“Yeah.” He presses a soft kiss to Ally’s temple, and she curls into him.
Relief and contentment flood me at seeing them so happy. “I’m glad. But I’m still sorry I hurt you.”
“It’s water under the bridge, Bella. I forgave you a long time ago. And you?” He nods toward Copper, who’s spooning me, his arm around my waist. “Are you happy?”
A smile blooms on my face. “So happy. He gets me and has from the start. He’s mine.” I hesitate before admitting, “I don’t know how to explain what he means to me. It’s too much to put into words.”
“He’s your forever,” Sam says softly, looking at Ally again.
His words hit me in the chest. He’s right. That’s exactly what Copper is to me.
“Yeah,” I agree. “He’s my forever.”
“I’m glad, Bella. I’m glad you found the one who makes you happy. Now, sleep. I’m here to keep watch until the Queens Wraiths or the Crow MC relieves me.” He grins. “I have a feeling it will be Beau, and he’s a little pissed at you. But for now, you’re safe, so sleep.”
“Thanks, Sam. I’m glad we’re friends again.”
Sam chuckles. “We’ve always been friends, Bella. We just got lost for a while. Ally and I are happy to have you back in our lives. It’s time you forgave yourself, yeah?”
