Page 57 of Mia

“I love you,” she said, cupping her face.

“I love you too, Jae.”

They shared an embrace before she and Quaid walked out the front door. Mia came to me and wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest.

“Titan?”

“Sup?”

“When this is over, I need a vacation. A real one.”

“I got you. Wherever you want to go.”

When this was all over, we were going to need that vacation. Something had to even us out for the hell we were going to raise.

Istared down at the fresh memorial tattoo for my daughter.

Titan and I had gotten matching tattoos two days ago, and I cried throughout the entire process. Not because it hurt, but because I never thought it was something I’d have to do. Benjamin had done a beautiful job, and he hadn’t even charged us for it. Gently, I trailed my fingers over the fresh ink, happy that I could at least carry a piece of her with me forever now.

“I’m gonna get it together for you, baby,” I promised. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’m gonna make sure your death wasn’t in vain.”

Closing my eyes, I had a moment of silence before grabbing my sneakers from the closet and slipping them on, then leaving the house. Today started rough. I still didn’t have the motivation to do much, but I forced myself to get up, shower, and eat the breakfast Titan cooked for me. Currently, I was headed to the gym on the compound.

My father and Uncle Blake were really making it so that we barely had to leave from behind the gates to enjoy outside amenities if we didn’t want to.

“You heading out?” Titan asked, walking into the living room from the kitchen.

“I’m going to the gym,” I said.

“Want me to come with you?”

“I’m okay, Titan. You don’t have to hover.”

He slowly walked over and peered down at me. “I’m not hovering. Just checking in.” He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest where he kissed my forehead. “How is your mental, mamas?”

“On a scale of one to ten. . . about a seven. It was a five when I woke up so that’s progress.”

“It is.” He stared at me for a moment. “I have to run out today. Moms wants to lay eyes on me. I’ll be back tonight, though.”

“Okay.”

“Give me a kiss.”

I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his. The lovey dovey mess was taking some getting used to, but it was nice. Did I want to turn into my siblings and their spouses? Fuck no. They were overly affectionate with each other at times. It didn’t matter where we were or who was around, they would do the most, but I was okay with this being subtle for now.

“I love you,” he said.

“I love you too.”

He released me and slapped my ass as I headed for the door. I took the five minute walk up the road to the gym. When I got there, I noticed my brother’s golf carts out front. I took a deep breath, knowing this was about to be awkward as hell.

Pulling open the front door, I stepped inside. The moment I did, all eyes were on me. My brothers stopped their workouts and stood to their feet. I slowly made my way over to where they were.

“Y’all just gonna stare, or are you gonna speak?” I asked, folding my arms.

A smirk formed on Deuce’s face. “Morning, sis.”

He pulled me in for a hug and kissed my temple. One by one, my brothers took turns embracing me. I always felt so small in their arms, but still so safe and secure.