I stand at the microphone, the final speaker of the night. Behind me, a banner reads:Congratulations, Griffin Calloway – Senior Managing Partner, Calloway, Paxton and Gill.
“I’ve made a lot of deals in my life,” I begin, my voice smooth but wavering with a rare weight of emotion. “Some clean, some calculated, a few completely reckless. But the one that changed everything wasn’t made in a boardroom.”
My gaze shifts to the front table, where Selena sits in a deep sapphire maternity gown. Her belly is full and round, pressed against the edge of the table. She looks like she could go into labor if she even sneezes.
“She’s about to change my life again… any minute now, so I’ll be brief.” Laughter ripples through the room. “Marrying my wife was the smartest decision I ever made. I wouldn’t have taken the risk of this new firm if she hadn’t reminded me what the law is really for: community, advocacy, and protection for those who have no voice.”
I pause, letting the silence settle. “Selena has made me a better lawyer, but more importantly, she’s made me a better man.”
Selena blinks away tears and blows me a kiss.
“And sometime within the next month, if not this evening, she’ll make me a father.” Another round of warm applause follows. I smile, but there's a new gravity behind it. “I didn’t have the best example growing up. My father believed power came before people. I thought I had to become him to survive. I was wrong. All I need is honesty, empathy, and love.”
I raise my glass high. “To new beginnings and to building something that lasts. To the two people who taught me to truly live—my wife and my son, whom I cannot wait to meet.”
The room erupts. I return to my seat and slide my arm around her waist, kissing her cheek.
“I love you,” she whispers through tears.
Some people never find this. I was on the road to becoming one of them. Selena was a beacon of light, and now I’m hers, body and soul.
SELENA
“Are you sure?” Griffin asks for the millionth time. “I can go alone.”
“I am not missing this game. I’m not due for a week, so the Gremlin will just have to stay put.” I put my foot down. It’s the playoffs, and we’ve been traveling to Canada every week to see Cayden play.
“Well, he’ll be thrilled to have you there.” Griffin gives me that adoring look that has become his default setting. I don't think this man could love me more if he tried.
“And I get to soak up some newborn energy from little Star.” Scarlett’s baby was born four months ago, and she is the calmest soul in the world.
“What do you think we should call the Gremlin? We can’t actually name him that.” Griffin is constantly stressing over the name.
“Elijah or Greyson,” I say firmly.
“Greyson is close to Gremlin,” Griffin muses.
“And it starts with a G,” I add.
“Yes, but we aren’t that family that does matching names; besides, we won’t match you.” He kisses me deeply, and suddenly I want to skip the game and stay in bed. Pregnancy makes me incredibly horny for my husband, and he is always happy to oblige.
We board Cayden’s private jet, as commercial airlines won't take me this late. Our whole group—Scarlett, Beckett, baby Star, Mia, and Marcel—pours into the private box at the arena. The air is electric with the sound of scraping skates and screaming fans.
Cayden flies across the ice, weaving past defenders before blasting the puck into the goal just as the clock runs out. Mia is screaming so passionately I think she might have an aneurysm.The crowd explodes. Scarlett holds baby Star up like Simba inThe Lion King.
Griffin cheers, “Cayden won the whole damn season!”
And right then, my water breaks. And I mean, itgushes.
Griffin pulls me close for a victory hug, sees my face, and looks down. His eyes go wide.
“Get an ambulance! Selena’s having the baby!” he screams like a madman.
Chaos ensues. Griffin, Beckett, Marcel, and Cayden—still in his sweaty hockey uniform—barrel through the arena with me in a wheelchair. Scarlett leads the way, yelling at fans to move, while Mia follows with baby Star.
Griffin jumps into the ambulance with me, holding my hand in a vice grip.
“You’ve got this,” he whispers, kissing my forehead. “We’ve got this.”
