Epilogue
Baby
Four months later…
“What if they think I’m rude? I’m not good at—”
“Baby.” He gives my thigh a squeeze. “They’re going to love you.”
I huff. He keeps saying that, but there’s a definite possibility that they won’t. “You’re biased.” He may adore me, but that’s because he’s crazy.
“You’re being silly. Doesn’t everyone like you?”
I think about it. It seems like something that can’t be true—everyone has at least one hater—but now that Zeke is letting his gay flag fly, I can’t think of anyone who hates me.
“I guess,” I say with a brief shrug.
“None of them cared when I came out to them. I mean, Carter said something about having new ammo to diss me, but he’s nine and an idiot. If he says anything crazy, let me know. I can kick his little butt.”
My belly flips. I can’t handle a homophobic child. I’m not mature enough to let him get away with something like that.
I sigh. “Tell me again.”
Logan chuckles. “Caleb and Carter are twins. They’re nine. Olivia, the baby, just turned five. Lottie is sixteen, and Geo is fourteen. Their love can be bought—it’s why we have all these gifts with us.”
“Right.” That’s a relief. I would rather they like me for my charm, but I can admit that I don’t have very much of that to offer.
“Baby,” he murmurs, voice too soft, and I know he’s going to tell me something awful. “Don’t bite anyone.”
My jaw goes slack. How rude. I obviously would not have bitten his kid siblings. Or his mother. “Fine. No biting allowed.” I make it a rule on my mental list.
“Well, some biting is allowed.”
“Nope—it’s on the list.” I tap my temple to let him know which set of rules this one belongs to.
“Why make a rule you know you’re going to ignore?”
“No, I won’t, Logan. I follow all of the rules on this list.” I only had one rule that was for me alone—Logan is off-limits—but that has been big-time broken. So, yeah. He’s probably right.
“This is it.” He nods his head to the side, pointing out which house is his.
“Already? You said it was a ten-hour drive.”
“Yeah, and we’ve been on the road for… eleven hours. And now we’re here.” He puts his truck in park, and my belly flips. “We can get our stuff out later.”
I don’t move, too busy focusing on my breaths as I try to slow them down. They are going to hate me. I’m sure of it.
“Come on.” He grabs my arm, but I don’t budge.
“Logan, if they do hate me, would you still love me?”
His face softens just before he leans in to place his forehead against mine. “Of course. I’d be lost without my little vampire.”
I tilt my head and give him a delicate kiss. “Okay. I’m ready.”
∞∞∞
I was wrong. Logan barely had time to close the front door before chaos erupted.
His little sister shrieked when she saw him, basically summoned everyone in the whole house to the door, and attached herself to his waist. She’s tiny, so obviously Olivia. She kind of looks like Logan.
They all do. I’m actually shocked that his mom isn’t blonde.
They all crowd us, and I realize too late that we’re being trapped in a group hug.
I look at Logan, very clearly distressed, but all he does is shrug.
I don’t know if I’m supposed to hug back, but it doesn’t matter.
My arms are being pressed into my sides.
When the group splits up, I’m relieved only to be swept up in a bear hug from his mom.
“I’m so glad I get to meet you! You know—” Her chuckle cuts her off as she holds me back by my shoulders. “I was not at all surprised when Logan told me you and him were dating.”
“He talked about you non-stop.” Lottie rolls her eyes, and I grin.
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah!” one of the twins jumps in. “Baby won’t bite me, and I don’t know why,” he says in a mock whine.
I gasp. He literally warned them that I bite. Like I’m a dog that they shouldn’t get too close to.
But they did all hug me anyway. I guess I can let it slide.
It’s the other twin who tattles next, and does so using the exact same voice. “Baby has awful taste in movies, but I like watching them with him anyway.”
I turn my head and glare at Logan. I have the best taste in movies.
“Baby’s hair looks—”
“Okay! That’s enough of that,” Logan interrupts the one who has to be Geo.
His mom laughs again, pulling me into yet another hug. “Not at all surprised.”
I kind of feel like I can stop worrying about his mom liking me and finally hug her back. When she pulls away, it’s only so she can hug her son. It’s sweet, watching them.
I was worried for nothing. Like usual.
“Baby?” A very dainty voice sounds, and I look down to see Olivia peering up at me. She’s adorable. A mini Logan. I’m probably not supposed to have favorites, but I’m pretty sure she’s it.
“Hi!” I cringe on the inside and will myself not to go too deep in the baby voice.
“Do you want to come see my room? We painted it pink.” Her little eyebrows raise in excitement.
“That’s my favorite color,” I tell her. “I’d love to see it.”
She reaches for my hand, and I give it to her without any hesitation. “Wait! I wanted to ask…”
I turn around, looking for Geo. “What’s your first name?” Geo is only a nickname, but Logan has refused to tell me his real one.
Geo starts shaking his head slowly. “You’re not allowed to know.” He shrugs, but I know he’s enjoying this.
“You’re serious?” My jaw drops when he nods. “Logan!”
He only smiles.
”Let’s go!” Olivia draws out the words as she tugs on my hand. I sneak one more look at Logan before we get to the stairs, and he mouths the words, “I told you.”
I know instantly what he’s talking about, and he did. They do like me.