Me: At poker night with the guys. Kia’s here too.
Hayes: How’s she doing?
Me: Seems fine, but something’s up. Don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of it.
Hayes: Keep an eye on her. I don’t like that our little sis is hurting.
Me: Same.
I stare at the last message for a second longer, the glow washing my hands in blue light.
From the hallway, I can still hear Kia’s voice blending with Elody’s giggles. Whatever’s going on with her, she’s keeping it close.
Sooner or later, I’ll get it out of her. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. I’ll take care of her—just like I’ll take care of Rina and the family we’re building. Because that’s what Van Doren men do.
A sense of contentment settles over me. The kind that feels like it could last forever.
And if I’m lucky… it will.
Epilogue
Oliver
Afternoon light spills across the floor of the nursery, catching the pale-yellow walls and scattering gold over Rina’s skin. It’s a mix of new beginnings and quiet promises.
I’m surrounded by boxes that are supposed to magically turn into furniture. There’s a half-assembled crib, screws, and instructions spread across the floor like confetti. An oversized stuffed bear is propped in the corner as if it’s already standing guard.
Across the room, Rina’s curled in the rocking chair, one leg tucked beneath her, glowing in a way that still knocks the air from my lungs. A quiet laugh escapes her as she watches me.
Turns out that I’m not very good at following directions when it comes to assembling baby furniture.
But that sound?
That easy, unguarded laugh that fills the space and bounces off the freshly painted walls?
I’d bottle it up and keep it with me forever if it were possible.
Sometimes I still can’t believe this is my life. I spent years playing the part everyone expected—a loud, reckless, walking PR nightmare. Maybe I even caused a few of those messes just to keep Rina’s focus locked on me.
Turns out, the attention was never what I wanted.
She was.
Unable to help myself, I cross the room and drop to my knees in front of her, pressing a kiss against her belly as my palm rests there protectively.
“Hey, Little O,” I murmur against her skin. “Your dad might not know what the hell he’s doing when it comes to building baby furniture, but I promise you that I’ll never get it wrong when it comes to you and your mom.”
The exact moment Rina’s fingers slide into my hair, something flutters beneath my hand.
I freeze when there’s another kick.
Her breath catches. “He knows the sound of your voice.”
A grin spreads across my face. “Good. It must mean he already knows who’s in charge.”
She rolls her eyes, smiling through the tears that glimmer there. “God help us both if he’s anything like you.”
I press a kiss gently to her stomach. “Better get used to it, Little O. Your dad’s an annoying son of a bitch when he loves someone. And I love you and your mom more than anything.”
