It was Xan.
The dark-haired Omega pulled up short the moment he spotted me. He had a baby balanced on one hip and shopping bags dangling from the other hand. He looked right at me, uncertainty on his face.
My heart took off racing. Was River lurking in the shadows, ready to rip me to shreds? My hands dropped to my stomach, the need to protect my child strong.
Xan’s eyes followed my hands and immediately softened. Then, to my horror, he began walking over.
Fuck.
“You’re expecting?” he asked.
“Um…” Not like I could lie. It was obvious now. I was due in just a couple more months. “Yeah.”
“Congratulations!” Xan’s smile was bright and genuine, making his dark eyes crinkle at the corners. “Do you know the gender yet? Boy or girl?”
“Girl,” I murmured.
“That’s awesome. Our kids will be cousins, you know.”
How easily he spoke, as if I hadn’t once tried to end his life…
My throat knotted. “I… Xan, about what happened, what I did…” My fingers tightened in my jacket as I looked down at our feet. I couldn’t face him. “I’m really sorry. I was in a fucked up place and I was wrong about…a lot of things, honestly.”
The laugh that erupted from me was harsh and bitter. “I did something awful and I hate myself for it, but I’m really glad you and the baby are okay. I mean that. You obviously mean a lot to my brother and…” I swallowed and shook my head.
Xan reached out and touched my shoulder. “Hey. It’s okay. I get it. I mean, I don’t, but I do, you know? Emotions make people do crazy things sometimes,” he said. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t hold a grudge. My baby is healthy and happy. That’s all I care about.”
“Yeah.” I looked up at the chubby-cheeked toddler clinging to Xan’s side.
Xan smiled. “Do you wanna meet him? He’s your nephew, after all.”
“Is it a good idea?” I asked.
“Why not? You aren’t gonna hurt him, are you?”
My jaw dropped at the implication. “N-No! God no!”
He only laughed and swung his son around. “Time to meet your Uncle Sky!” After kissing his forehead, he gently placed the baby in my lap. On instinct, I wrapped my arms around him to keep him from falling over.
The baby looked up at me with his dark brown eyes, scrunching his button nose in curiosity. I ran my fingers through his silken hair, so soft. His skin was like porcelain, not a freckle in sight.
When I went to boop his nose, he grabbed hold of my finger with one hand and made a garbled sound. My smile grew alongside my heart.
“He’s beautiful, Xan,” I whispered. “What’s his name?”
“Canyon River Howell,” Xan said proudly.
I glanced up, a little confused. “Howell?”
“River wants to take my name when we get married,” he explained. “He says he wants to shed the bad memories.”
I nodded slowly. I would gladly take Fletcher and Adam’s name as well. I’d just never let myself think that far ahead, but the baby… She’d be a Rose, wouldn’t she?
“Thank you,” I murmured, emotion clogging my throat when I finally handed Canyon back to his father.
“For what?”
“For…trusting me and letting me apologize and get that weight off my chest.”
