Holden swings his head from me then to Sebastian. “Not to be the one to shit on this lovely family reunion, but is anyone going to tell us what the fuck happened?”
“It’s taken care of. That’s all you need to know,” Fallon states with authority as he and Trevor enter my room.
“But, Fallon—” Harper starts to say before a hard look from Fallon stops her. She sighs deeply but nods. “Alright.”
Even though Trevor is the oldest, Fallon is the head of our family. We know how ruthless he can be to protect us. We never question it. It just is. We are Montgomerys, and no one fucks with us.
The seven of us spend the next several hours talking and laughing. When I beg for one of them to please get me out of the hospital room for some fresh air, Sebastian sequesters six wheelchairs for us to take a joyride in around the hospital grounds. We wind up racing our wheelchairs around the parking lot, with Sebastian pushing me in mine since I can’t use my right arm to propel myself forward. It was a hilarious mess of tip-overs and crashes, but so much fun.
It amazes me every day that these six people—well, Tati makes our total group of hodgepodge half-siblings a total of eight—are my brothers and sisters. I grew up in a home full of abuse, hate, and loneliness. Now I have people that love and support me. It’s surreal, and I’m so damn grateful that Trevor and Fallon found me. That Jackson found me. My life is full. Complete. Joyful.
What was it that Trevor once told me? Sometimes the best families are the ones you create, not the ones you’re born into. I couldn’t have said it better.
Epilogue
Thirteen weeks later
“Mom!” Connor yells from the hallway outside the bedroom door. He knows he has to knock now and wait for permission before coming in. The door is locked at the moment, thank goodness, seeing as I’m currently naked and riding JD.
I just got back from the hospital where they finally removed my cast. I had to keep it on longer than normal because of the multiple fractures throughout my right arm and fingers. I hated that damn cast. It was itchy as hell. Tomorrow I start intensive physical therapy. I have a feeling that I’m not going to enjoy that either.
“I’ll be right out!” I call back.
“I’ve got him. Let’s get you washed up for lunch,” I hear Prescott say and then Connor’s giggles.
“Where were we?” JD says, his mouth latching onto my breast. I moan and delve my fingers into his hair, holding him to me.
As soon as we stepped inside the house and after checking on Connor, who was playing catch with Prescott in the backyard, JD eagerly pushed me down the hall to our bedroom, locked the door, and stripped my clothes off in one minute flat. It’s not like we haven’t had sex since I got out of the hospital once the doctor cleared me for more rigorous activities. But today, we have something to celebrate and it’s more than me getting that damned cast off.
“I need you to move, baby,” JD mumbles against my nipple.
“Help me,” I pant as I use my leg muscles to slide myself up, then slam my body back down.
I still don’t have much motion or flexibility in my right arm or hand, and I can’t bear down or apply too much pressure on it. I grip the headboard with my left hand as JD holds my hips and helps move me up and down in a rhythmic motion. My head falls back as pleasure courses through me and down to my toes.
“So damn good,” I tell my husband.
Everyone saw my ring and assumed we got engaged. Nope. We secretly eloped four weeks ago. JD and I just couldn’t wait any longer to start our lives together. However, we’re planning a proper wedding for the fall just for our family and friends.
“So damn beautiful and all mine,” he replies and slides one hand to my nub and starts thrumming it like guitar strings. My soft cries and moans are the music he’s making.
“Jackson, I’m close. Come with me.”
“Always, sunshine.”
He sits up and locks his lips with mine, his tongue diving in and stealing my breath just as I succumb to my release. Pulsating waves move through me as my internal walls flutter like butterfly wings all around him. That sexy grunt he makes as he climaxes inside of me has a Cheshire smile spreading across my face. Our lovemaking may have been abbreviated, but like every time with him, it is so, so good.
I’m hoping to convince JD to a late-night bubble bath once Connor is tucked in and fast asleep. Connor will be staying at Prescott’s this weekend, and JD and I have plans to spend those two days away in Wrightsville. The beach, the sun, and my husband. Perfect.
The DNA results confirmed what we already knew. JD, Prez, and I sat Connor down and tried our best to explain to him that, like JD, Prez was also his daddy. Connor went bananas, in a good way. A happy way. The first thing he asked us was did he get more birthday and Christmas presents every year. Then he asked if he could call me Mom. We answered yes to both. I thought JD owned all of my heart. I was wrong. Connor owns a big piece of it now, too.
And I love our unconventional and bizarre unit. We’re an unlikely group whose bonds are stronger than most families. Me, JD, Connor, Prescott, Dustin, Austin, Shelby, Renee, Fallon, Trevor, and the rest of my half-siblings and their spouses, Ben, Lillie, Knox, and the other three of the New York Four families. We are a strange mix of strays that together, make a family full of love. And it’s just going to get better as our family grows.
Bringing me down to his chest, JD is careful of my right arm as he snuggles me on top of him. We take long, languid minutes to kiss one another as the final shocks of our orgasms die down.
“We start the music and arts center remodel next week.”
“That’s awesome news, sunshine. We need to celebrate.” He kisses up my neck to my ear.
