Epilogue
THREE MONTHS LATER
It was finally here. We were standing in front of the convention center and I kept pulling the hem of my dress down. The scars from the fire took away a good chunk of my self-confidence, but everyone assured me that I rocked the medical officer outfit.
“Who’s idea was Star Trek again?” I asked my guys, knowing it was Jackson’s. “And why do you three get to wear pants?”
This got a laugh from my guys.
“Because, you’re the only one of us that has the legs to pull off that dress,” Jackson reminded me with a wicked smile. “And I fully intend to fuck you in it later, sweets.”
“Fine, but next year I get to pick out our outfits and I’m going to make you pay for this,” I promised with a smirk.
“At least you aren’t a dog,” Matthias grumbled. Taryn and her pack, along with Bea came as The Scooby Gang.
“Dude, you lost at rock, paper, scissors, fair and square,” Ash told him. “Unless you wanted to be Velma.”
“You’re just jealous that I’d look better in a skirt than you,” he shot back, throwing up his middle finger to his packmate.
“Well, I’ll bring you the skirt tomorrow and you can both try it on for Taryn and she can judge for herself who pulls it off better,” Bea said before crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.
Between the fake glasses and attitude that was all Bea, it shut them right up.
She looked downright lethal. “We are here for Jackson, no more arguing.
Matthias and Ash both looked like scolded puppies at her words but didn’t talk back.
“Come on, the convention is starting,” Jackson said gently, taking my hand and pulling me forward.
“Lead the way, Captain,” I teased as I laced my fingers with his.
I still didn’t walk as fast as I could before the fire but no one complained at our slower pace.
It helped that Jackson insisted on us stopping and taking pictures at the entrance, then inside at the insane displays. He was in full-out ‘nerd’ mode and it was hot as hell.
“Okay, I’m gonna pose everyone and then we can take the picture,” Jackson started as he moved me the way he wanted me.
Cy and Griff didn’t even complain when he did the same to them. They were used to his level of extra.
His face was so serious it was hard not to laugh. I couldn’t look at my other mates or I knew we’d lose it. Jackson’s dedication was adorable.
Once he was satisfied, he took his place next to us and Bea took his phone and moved in front, taking the picture for us.
“Say, nerds!”
“‘Nerds!’” We all shouted it at once, not caring if anyone was watching. This moment was perfect and I was just grateful we made it here.
It was hard to stop looking over our shoulders but I was finally starting to feel normal again.
We moved onto a new display, Jackson trying to fit us all while taking the picture.
“I can help,” one of the convention officials offered.
“Thank you,” I said, offering my phone before Jackson could protest. She was so patient as he finally got both packs and Bea settled.
“Okay, I’m gonna count to three and you guys smile and say cheese,” she said as she fiddled with the perfect angle.
“Instead of cheese, let’s say Dani’s pregnant,” I whispered to my guys. The three of them nodded but were still looking forward, smiles in place so they didn’t give it away.
“One! Two! Three!” the lady called out.
Everyone else yelled cheese, but our voices were louder.
“Dani’s pregnant,” the four of us said in unison.
The look on the other’s faces were priceless and I was glad someone else was able to snag a picture before they came rushing over to us.
“How could you keep this from us?” Taryn asked as she pulled me into a hug and Bea was right behind her.
“You guys did so much for me while I was healing, I didn’t want to be more of a burden,” I admitted.
“We are family and you are never a burden,” Bea reminded me fiercely.
“Well, you’d think I’ve realized that by now,” I laughed as tears threatened to spill down my face.
“No, no crying. We can’t ruin our makeup,” Taryn told me as she let me go. She started fanning her face and blinking, Bea and I attempting the same as we fought the tears. It was harder to do these days.
“Are you always right?” I complained playfully.
There was a collective ‘yes’ from her pack who had just finished congratulating my pack. Cy, Griff, and Jackson were over the moon about the news. I can still remember their faces when I told them.
My stomach was a tangle of nerves as I pulled up to the house. The guys were reluctant to let me go out on my own still but Henry was behind bars and I needed this moment.
First stop was the bakery for a cake that read ‘congrats, dads!’ in big lettering. Then onto the baby boutique for the gender neutral outfits I’d found since I wasn’t far enough along to know if we were having a little boy or girl.
Finally, I pulled up at the house. I planned to set it all up but I should have known. I didn’t even manage to climb out of the car before they were there, Griff opening my door and pulling me out gently, his lips pressing to mine.
“I missed you,” he said.
“You’re ridiculous,” I laughed, forgetting all about my surprise until Cy screamed. A loud, whooping yell that had us both jumping. Jackson was right there, his loud gasp and screech just as excited.
“I guess the secret is out,” I joked as I stepped away from Griff so he had a chance to see.
“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” he demanded. Cy held up the cake, the message on top displayed perfectly.
“Holy shit,” Griff whispered, turning around. I swear he was blinking back tears.
“I’m pregnant,” I said, battling my own emotions. Their reaction was everything I needed it to be. Excitement, joy, and I could feel their love through the bond.
“Here’s your pictures,” the kind lady pulled me out of the memory as she handed back my phone. “I snapped a few extras. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I said before pulling them up to see and cracking up. Their faces were priceless, mixes of shock and excitement. The picture after of everyone congratulating us was just as good. My smile was huge as the girls hugged me and the guys’ smiles were just as big.
“We need to frame these two together,” Cy said.
“Can we do that after the convention? We’re wasting precious time,” Jackson reminded us. “Not that I don’t care about their excitement about our peanut, but my nerdy heart is going to explode if we don’t go further in soon.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” I laughed. “Celebrate tonight at the house? Since it’s complete finally?”
“Yes, our moms have been planning dinner since this morning,” Griff told us. “They said there will be more family dinners since they are so close now.”
“And we can have some at the ranch as well. My mom will skin us all alive if we don’t,” Holt added.
“Yes, more free food for me,” Bea said with a wide smile and doing a little happy dance.
Jackson pulled me gently further in. If not for my leg I had a feeling he’d be sprinting in. Watching him and the rest of our family nerding out was everything.
I’d never again take these moments for granted. If Henry’s attacks taught me anything, it was that life was precious and we should be celebrating every single moment.
“Look!” Taryn said, grabbing me from Jackson and pulling me toward a display of onesies. Jackson wasn’t one to be left out and quickly piled his arms of one of everything until it was a ridiculous stack.
“Make sure to vary sizes. They grow fast… wait. You just have one in there, right?!” Taryn said, eyes widening.
“Yes,” I said. “That was my first question, too. I love Gem and Liam, but at least for the first, I’m happy with one little bundle of joy.
“I’m hoping our next is a single baby,” she snorted. “I felt like I was as big as a house trying to waddle around.”
“I’ll be there soon enough,” I joked, though I honestly couldn’t be more excited for that stage. I wanted it all, big baby bump, feeling their little kicks, and watching my pack become dads.
This was everything I wasn’t sure I’d find, but somehow fate gave me a pack that was absolutely perfect.
Our lives were changing, our found family growing bigger by the year, and I was happier than I’d ever been.