Epilogue
SADIE
T wo years later, our cottage is beautiful chaos and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Cameron, gentle with the flowers,” I call, watching our eighteen-month-old son examine my prized roses with the intense concentration only toddlers can manage. His blonde curls catch the afternoon sunlight as he carefully touches each petal. “Those are Mama’s work flowers.”
“Pretty,” he declares solemnly, then abandons the roses to run toward Caleb, who’s building an elaborate sandbox castle. “Daddy, help!”
“Of course, buddy,” Caleb says, immediately scooping Cameron onto his lap. “What do you think? Does our castle need a moat?”
Cameron nods seriously, and I watch with a full heart as Caleb patiently shows him how to dig channels in the sand. The way all three of my alphas light up whenever Cameron calls for them still makes me melt every time.
“How are my girls doing in there?” Reid asks, settling beside me on the porch swing and placing both hands gently on my very pregnant belly. One of the twins immediately responds with a strong kick against his palm.
Through our pack bond, I feel his wonder and love as he connects with our unborn daughters, the emotion so strong it makes my chest tight with happiness.
“Your daughters are using my ribs as trampolines,” I complain, but I’m smiling as I cover his hands with mine. “And they were supposed to arrive three days ago.”
“They’re just taking after their mama,” Levi says, looking up from the book he’s been reading aloud to Cameron earlier. “Stubborn and determined to do things on their own timeline.”
I’m about to protest when the sound of car doors slamming makes us all look up. Lila emerges from Dean’s truck, carefully cradling a tiny bundle, while Julian and Callum help extract a diaper bag and what looks like enough baby supplies for a week-long trip.
“We brought visitors!” Lila calls out, beaming as she approaches the porch. “Someone wanted to meet his extended family.”
Baby Mitchell is four weeks old and absolutely perfect—tiny fists, dark hair like his mama, and currently fast asleep despite all the commotion. Emma Rose toddles alongside Dean, her big brown eyes already scanning the yard for Cameron.
“Cam-Cam!” she squeals when she spots him in the sandbox. “Play!”
My son immediately abandons his castle-building to run toward his favorite cousin, both children colliding in an enthusiastic hug that makes all the adults laugh.
“Cam-Cam, look!” Emma Rose says proudly, pointing at the elaborate sandcastle. “Big!”
“Look at him,” I breathe, watching Lila carefully adjust Mitchell’s blanket. “He’s so tiny.”
“Want to hold him?” Lila asks, and before I can answer, she’s gently transferring the sleeping baby into my arms.
The moment Mitchell settles against my chest, both twins go absolutely wild, kicking and squirming like they’re trying to reach their new cousin. I gasp at the sudden movement, and immediately feel a wave of protective concern from all three of my alphas through our bond.
“Whoa there, ladies,” Dean says with a grin, noticing my wince. “Jealous already?”
“They’re just excited,” I say, but another particularly strong kick makes me shift uncomfortably. “Though I really wish they’d decided to arrive on their actual due date.”
“You’re officially overdue?” Lila asks sympathetically. “I remember those last few days with Mitchell feeling endless.”
“Three days overdue,” I confirm, rubbing my free hand over my belly. “Which is practically unheard of with twins. The midwife keeps saying any day now, but apparently these two are as stubborn as their mama.”
“Statistically speaking, less than five percent of twins go past thirty-seven weeks,” Julian observes quietly, settling into one of the porch chairs while keeping a watchful eye on Emma Rose and Cameron, who are now building something elaborate in the sandbox.
“Though I suppose statistics don’t account for Quinn family determination. ”
“Everyone keeps giving me helpful suggestions about how to encourage labor,” I continue with a wry smile.
“Mrs. Woodbury swears by spicy food,” Reid says, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. “Though I’m not sure Sadie’s stomach could handle that right now.”
“Aunt Maeve suggested long walks,” Caleb adds, now supervising the children’s construction project. “But she’s been waddling more than walking lately.”
“I do not waddle,” I protest, though the effect is somewhat ruined by the fact that I’m currently unable to get up from the swing without help.
“Of course not, love,” Levi says with barely contained amusement. “You gracefully penguin-walk.”
Everyone laughs, including me, though I try to look offended.
“Well,” Lila says with a mischievous glint in her eye, “there is one method that’s supposed to be particularly effective for starting labor...”
“Don’t,” I warn, knowing exactly where this is going.
“I’m just saying, sex is a perfectly natural way to?—”
“Sex is what got me in this position in the first place!” I exclaim, which makes everyone burst into laughter. Even baby Mitchell stirs slightly at the noise, though he doesn’t wake.
“She’s got a point,” Callum observes dryly. “Three alphas, one omega, twins on the way. The math checks out.”
“You’re all terrible,” I say, but I’m grinning as I carefully transfer Mitchell back to Lila. “And these babies will come when they’re ready.”
As if summoned by my words, one of the twins delivers such a strong kick that I gasp and press both hands to my belly. Through the pack bond, I immediately feel my alphas’ alarm and protective instincts flare to life.
“Okay, maybe sooner rather than later,” I amend, which earns me concerned looks from all six of my pack members.
“Everything alright?” Dean asks, immediately moving closer.
“Just very pregnant,” I assure them, though the pressure in my lower back is definitely increasing. “They’re just reminding me they’re running out of room in there.”
Reid’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently, and through our bond I feel his steady calm trying to soothe my discomfort. “Want to head inside? Maybe take a warm bath?”
“In a minute,” I say, watching our extended family scattered around the yard.
The love flowing through our pack bond from Levi, Reid, and Caleb wraps around me like a warm blanket, making even the pregnancy discomfort bearable.
Cameron and Emma Rose are now covered in sand but absolutely delighted with their creation.
Lila looks radiant holding her son. My three alphas are relaxed and happy, taking turns making sure everyone is comfortable and entertained.
This is what happiness looks like, I realize. Not perfect moments or flawless planning, but messy, chaotic, overwhelming love that somehow makes everything feel exactly right.
“I love this,” I say softly, leaning into Reid’s warmth while watching Levi join the children’s sandbox project and Caleb help Dean unload more baby supplies from the truck. Through our pack bond, I send them all my contentment and gratitude, feeling their answering warmth flood back to me.
“Just wait until there are five babies running around,” Lila grins, adjusting Mitchell’s blanket. “Our kids are going to grow up thinking they have the biggest, most loving family in the world.”
“They will,” I say, rubbing my belly as both twins seem to settle down for the moment. The steady pulse of love and protection from my pack makes me feel invincible, even nine months pregnant and overdue. “That’s exactly what we’re giving them.”
As the sun sets over the mountains and our children play in the garden we planted together, I understand that the florist who thought she wasn’t meant to be claimed has found her true calling.
Not arranging flowers or building businesses, but this: creating a home where love multiplies instead of divides. Where children grow up secure in the knowledge that they’re cherished by an entire pack. Where family means everyone who chooses to show up and stay.
Three alphas who saw my worth before I did.
Children who will grow up secure in love.
A community that’s become family.
A love that’s become forever.
The florist who thought she wasn’t meant to be claimed has bloomed into exactly who she was always meant to be.