The thought should terrify me. A year ago, it would have. The idea of being responsible for another life, of having someone so small and vulnerable depending on me, would have sent me spiraling into panic.
But that was before Natalie. Before I learned that love isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up. Trying. Doing your best even when your best feels inadequate.
I showed up for her. I'll show up for our baby.
That's all any of us can do.
The lodge is chaos when we arrive. Vivian is on the couch with baby Elena on her hip, the eight month old grabbing fistfuls of her mother's dark hair while Vivian tries to direct some kindof renovation project from her seat. Deck hovers nearby, ready to rescue his wife's hair at a moment's notice. Wolfe and Sadie are in the corner, Sadie talking a mile a minute while Wolfe listens with his usual quiet intensity, her hand resting on the small bump that's just starting to show. Mace is in the kitchen, and I can smell something amazing coming from the oven.
"We have news," I announce.
Everyone stops. Turns. Stares.
Natalie holds up her left hand.
The room erupts.
Vivian screams. Actually screams, loud enough to make Deck wince. She rushes over to pull Natalie into a hug.
"I knew it! I knew it was coming! Deck, hold Elena, I need to see this ring!"
Deck takes the baby with practiced ease while Vivian examines Natalie's hand. Elena immediately grabs for her father's beard, and I watch the most dangerous man I know melt into a puddle for his infant daughter.
Sadie is right behind her, bouncing on her toes, demanding details. Mace emerges from the kitchen to shake my hand. Wolfe nods at me from across the room, which from him is basically a standing ovation.
And Deck crosses to me with a knowing smile.
"Told you that you'd find something worth living for."
"You did." I watch Natalie laughing with the women, her face bright with joy. "But I think she found me."
"Either way." He claps me on the shoulder. "Welcome to the club, brother."
I'm about to respond when Natalie catches my eye across the room. She touches her stomach, a small secret gesture, and raises an eyebrow.
Right. The other news.
I clear my throat. "Actually, there's something else."
The room goes quiet again.
Natalie crosses to my side and takes my hand. "We're pregnant."
The second eruption is even louder than the first.
Vivian bursts into tears. Sadie starts jumping up and down, which makes Wolfe look mildly alarmed. Mace immediately starts talking about baby proofing the cabin. And Deck just laughs, shaking his head.
"You don't do anything halfway, do you Marshall?"
"Not anymore." I pull Natalie against my side. "Not when it matters."
Later, after the celebration has wound down and we've eaten our weight in Mace's cooking, Natalie and I slip out to the back patio. The sun is setting over the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
"Hell of a day," she says softly.
"Hell of a year."
She leans her head against my shoulder. "I never thanked you properly. For finding me in those woods. For taking me in. For everything."
