Page 113 of Protected from Torment

Tyler and Jeff, the two people I love most in the world.

Four men—Rafe, Indy, Webb, and Ace—I’ve come to think of as brothers.

And Eden, Noelle, Bea, and Yara, who’ve become my sisters in all the ways that count.

In the corner, sprawled across an oversized dog bed, the best dog in the world—aka Oscar—gnaws contentedly on an enormous dog bone gifted to him just for the occasion. And on a matching bed, Webb and Noelle’s Great Dane, Sasquatch, is fast asleep with his bone beneath his chin.

This giant building that seemed so intimidating when I first arrived doesn’t feel that way anymore. Now it just feels like home.

Over by the fireplace, I spot my parents and Tyler’s both admiring the collage of photos hung above the mantel. Thanks to Hanna, professional photographer and wife of Finn of the New York B and A team, there’s a collection of gorgeous photos of everyone in the Shadow Team family on display.

In one, Rafe holds little Amanda on his shoulders while Eden gazes at the two of them with love in her eyes. In another, Bea is laughing as she wields a frosting-covered spatula at Indy. Then there’s Webb and Noelle posed with Mount Hood rising majestically in the background, commemorating the place where they got engaged. Ace and Yara’s photo is of the two of them at an awards ceremony, where Yara received yet another grant for her incredible prosthetics.

And finally, me and Tyler. It was the week after we’d brought Jeff home, and Hanna flew out specifically to do a photo shoot for us. I’m on the couch in our cabin, holding a milk-drunk Jeff in my arms, and Tyler is by my side, the biggest and proudest smile stretched across his face.

The collection of photos is an homage to the family we’ve built here. And to the extended family Blade and Arrow brought together.

And speaking of extended family, Erik and Dante aren’t the only B and A members who made the trip to Oregon to join us today. Levi is seated by the fireplace with Ace and Yara; the three of them laughing over something Levi’s showing them on his phone. Nora and Jackson are playing with their little girl, Hope, in her Pack-n-Play set up by the window. Cole is showing his daughter, Clara, the trails out back, and Maya is upstairs in one of the client apartments, feeding their son, James.

Everyone wanted to come to Jeff’s welcome party, as we’re calling it, but work never stops calling when you’re a part of Blade and Arrow. There are always people in need of protection—like me, Eden, Bea, Noelle, and even kick-butt Yara—so some of the team members stayed back to help them.

That’s okay, though. I know they’d be here if they could. And the overflowing table of gifts in the corner is proof they’re all thinking of us.

“Do you want to sit down?” Tyler asks, drawing my wandering thoughts back to him. As I turn to look up at him, he adds, “You’ve been on your feet since the party started. You must be getting tired by now.”

My legs are admittedly a little sore, but that’s less from standing during the party and more from the new jogging routine I’ve taken up in hopes of getting my body back to its pre-pregnancy shape. Tyler insists I look perfect just as I am, but when I talked to Eden about my body feeling different, she understood. “I don’t expect to look exactly the same as I did before having Amanda,” she said. “But I want to feel good about myself. And if that means working out a few times a week, I’m happy to do it.”

Then she added in a conspiratorial tone, “Plus, I run on the treadmill while Rafe does all his crazy workouts with his shirt off and all those muscles…”

I get it. I like watching Tyler work out, too.

“I guess I wouldn’t mind sitting for a few minutes,” I tell Tyler. Casting my gaze around the room, I search for a spot to sit down. But it looks like every available seat is taken. “Or standing is fine.”

Tyler follows my gaze. Then he gets this determined look in his eyes and says, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” Ducking his head, he kisses me on the lips and lightly ruffles Jeff’s wispy hair. “And I’m holding the little flibbertigibbet after that. You need to have your hands free to eat something.”

As I watch Tyler jog from the room, I gaze down at my son, fast asleep in my arms. Thanks to all Tyler’s research, Jeff’s already on a pretty regular sleep schedule, which is rare considering he’s only two months old. At the sight of his innocent face, my chest squeezes. I kiss his forehead, closing my eyes as I breathe in his sweet, baby scent.

“He’s adorable,” Rory says as she approaches. She makes a little aww face at him before smiling at me. “He’s a perfect blend of you and Tyler.”

“He is,” I agree. Jeff’s curls are already making an appearance. And his eyes and nose are the spitting image of Tyler’s.

“This is a great party,” Gage adds. He’s holding Rory’s hand and hovering close to her, just as all the men in attendance seem to do with their partners. “We’re so happy we could make it.”

Given the history between us, I wasn’t entirely sure they would come when I invited them. We’ve been on good terms, but flying all the way across the country? And finding coverage for their dog shelter while they’re gone, no less?

But they came. And I’m so glad they’re here. Not just because it makes me feel like they’ve truly forgiven me, but because I value them as friends.

Would I ever have thought, three years ago, that we’d all be standing here together? Not a chance.

But here we are.

“Thanks for coming out here,” I tell them. “I know it was a long trip⁠—”

Gage makes a quick, it’s nothing gesture. “We were happy to come. It’s great seeing all of you guys, and the trip gives us an excuse to take a road trip down the coast before heading back home.”

“And we get to see some of Gage’s old friends,” Rory adds. She glances over my shoulder and smiles. “Hey, Owl. Lara. Stone. Maisy.”

“Hey, Ror,” Stone replies as he joins us. “And Melissa.” He glances down at Jeff and chuckles. “We come all this way for his party and he sleeps right through it.”