I made a little gagging sound at the thought of all the germs on that bunny. Isa dragged it everywhere with her, and sneaking it away for a good wash was something we only did when necessary because she had a sixth sense when it came to the darn thing.
Isa squealed with delight and grabbed two fistfuls of his dark hair, tugging hard enough to make most men wince. Griffin just grinned like it was the best thing that had happened all morning.
I stood in the middle of the living room, one hand resting on my very round belly as I watched the two of them with a smile I couldn’t contain. Eight months had flown by in a blur of morning sickness that turned into constant hunger, a wedding in the clubhouse backyard surrounded by Hounds and theirold ladies, and the sweetest, most chaotic family life I’d ever imagined.
Griffin caught me staring and winked. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
I rolled my eyes even as warmth flooded my cheeks. “I look like I swallowed a basketball. And I’m about to waddle into a courtroom.”
“You look like you’re carrying my baby,” he corrected, voice dropping into the possessive growl that still made my knees weak. “Which makes you the sexiest woman alive.”
Miri walked in from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. “I’ve got her, Mrs. Reid. We’re going to build the biggest block tower ever, aren’t we, Isa?”
Isa clapped her hands and reached for Miri, already babbling a string of half-words that somehow made perfect sense to the girl who would soon turn eighteen. I selfishly hoped she would stick around after she graduated from high school because she was the most reliable babysitter in Riverstone.
Griffin handed our daughter over to her, then turned back to me. His hand immediately found my belly, his palm spreading wide over the curve. The baby gave a strong kick under his touch, and his whole face lit up with that proud expression that never failed to make butterflies swirl in my belly.
“There’s my boy.” He leaned down to press a kiss right where the kick had landed. “You be good for Mommy while she goes and fights for other kids today.”
I sighed, leaning into his touch even as I grumbled, “You know I could have driven myself. The courthouse is ten minutes away.”
His jaw tightened in that stubborn way I’d learned to both love and dread. “Not happening. You could go into labor any day now. You’re not driving anywhere without me until he’s here.”
“Griffin—”
He cut me off with a deep kiss that left me breathless. “Humor me, sweetheart. Let me take care of you.”
I melted, just like I always did when he said things like that. “Fine. But only because you’re ridiculously hot when you’re being overprotective.”
He smirked as he helped me into my coat before guiding me out to the SUV with one hand on my lower back and the other carrying my bag. Once I was buckled in, he climbed into the driver’s seat and reached over to rest his hand on my belly again.
The drive to the courthouse was short, but Griffin took it slow, one hand on the wheel and the other stroking gentle circles over my round stomach. The baby would kick or roll every few minutes, and Griffin would murmur to him under his breath.
“Easy on your mama, little man. She’s already working hard today.”
When we pulled up in front of the courthouse, Griffin parked and came around to help me out. He walked me all the way to the steps, then pulled me close and kissed me like we weren’t standing in broad daylight with people walking by.
When he finally let me breathe, he rested his forehead against mine. “Kick ass in there, sweetheart. Be fierce for those kids the way you are for Isa and the one you’re carrying.”
I smiled up at him, my heart so full it felt like it might burst. “I will. I love you.”
“Love you more.” He brushed his thumb over my lower lip. “Text me when you’re done. I’ll be right here waiting.”
I watched him walk back to the SUV, covered in ink and wearing his cut. The man who had given me a family I never thought I’d have.
As I turned toward the courthouse steps, I was filled with purpose. I might’ve decided to take a step back from being a caseworker to focus on Isa and the baby boy we’d soon have,but a child waited inside who needed my help as a Guardian ad Litem.
I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and walked inside to fight for them.
EPILOGUE
CROSS
Ilounged against the plush cushions of the wide leather sofa, feeling more content than I ever thought possible. Family movie nights had somehow become my favorite damn thing—something I would have scoffed at just a few years ago. But now, with Isa snuggled at the far end of the couch under a soft pink blanket my mother had given her for her second birthday two months ago, our one-year-old, Liam, conked out on the floor by a stack of blocks, and Hannah curled beside me with our newest addition, Ethan, cradled carefully against her chest, there wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.
The dim lights cast the living room in a soft glow from the string of tiny bulbs Hannah had insisted on draping across the mantel for ambiance. On the oversized TV, animated characters jumped around, but my focus was anywhere but the screen. I let my eyes roam appreciatively over Hannah. She was dressed in one of my old Hounds T-shirts—way too big for her petite frame, but so fucking sexy it made my heart hammer every time I saw her wearing it. The hem hit mid-thigh, exposing the smooth skin of her toned legs, teasing me mercilessly.
Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun, exposing the gentle curve of her neck that I couldn’t resist nuzzling every chance I got. And fuck, the way she’d filled out so perfectly after giving birth to our sons made it nearly impossible to keep my hands off her. Right now, those full, perfect tits pressed against the thin cotton fabric as she held our sleeping son, causing my mouth to go dry with the sudden urge to drag her upstairs and show her exactly how much I appreciated every inch of her gorgeous body.
