Epilogue
Viktor ~ Next Christmas
“Hey, guys!” Brock says, opening the door with a wide grin. He’s wearing the ugliest sweater I’ve ever seen with long yarn balls hanging off the sleeves. Gods, it’s ridiculous and I’m jealous that I don’t own it myself. “Welcome, come on in!”
“Hey,” I say, holding Jasper in my arms as we step into Aiden and Brock’s house. I shake out my hair, getting all the snow off of me before it can melt and leave my hair looking like a flat, wet cat. It looks like Avery, Frost, and Suzanne are already here. We’re the last ones to arrive.
“Viktor! Viktor! Viktor!” Suzanne screams, running up to me and wrapping herself around my legs. I just barely keep myself from tripping over her.
“Hi, sweetheart! Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas!” Suzanne is Frost and Avery’s little one.
Gods, how the fuck is she so big already?
It feels like just yesterday I was watching her take her first wobbly steps.
I guess when they say to enjoy every single day with your kid because it goes by quickly, they weren’t joking! “Santa brought me a new baby!”
“Sorry, what?”
Avery follows behind his daughter looking embarrassed, like he was hoping to catch her before she spilled the beans. He runs his hand through his hair. “Sorry. She keeps telling everyone our exciting news and stealing our thunder.”
“Wait, really?”
Avery smiles. “Yep. Cat is officially out of the bag. Baby number two for us!”
“Oh my gods, Avery! I’m so happy for you guys!”
“See! Baby for me!”
I squat down so that I can hug Suzanne carefully while still holding Jasper. “Wow, you’re one lucky big sister, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she says with a scream before running away. I straighten, chuckling to myself. Suzanne is so good with both Aurora, Aiden and Brock’s daughter, and Jasper that I have no doubt she’ll step into her role of big sister flawlessly.
“You’re gonna have your hands full,” Duncan says, stepping into the house, his arms filled with bags.
“They already are. What’s one more baby on top of everything else,” Avery says with a giggle. Frost steps up behind him, wrapping his arms around Avery’s middle. He kisses the back of his head.
“I’m guessing you heard the news?”
I nod my head. “Suzanne very proudly told us exactly what Santa brought just for her.”
“We had a whole thing planned,” Frost says with a frown.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him, patting his shoulder. “We’ll all act surprised.”
Eventually, we all gather around in the living room, Aiden and Brock’s tree the focal point of the room.
Some of us sit on the floor while others pile on the couch.
My heart feels near bursting with how full it feels.
I’m surrounded by my pack, my closest friends who have become my family.
Duncan plays with the girls, letting them tie ribbons in his hair which he’s grown out since we met.
He’s embraced whimsy. He’s embraced silly. That just makes me love him even more which I didn’t even know was possible.
By the time Duncan wanders back over to my side, his hair is a mess of random pigtails all over. He’s adorable.
“I like the new style,” I say with a giggle.
“Oh this? Just a little something I’m trying out. I don’t know if it screams me though.”
“No, no. It’s perfect, Duncan. We’ll have to give your mom the name of your stylist.”
Duncan sits down and leans his face against my shoulder, giggling to himself. He reaches over and takes Jasper from me, kissing his pudgy little face.
“Go have a drink with your friends. The alphas can watch the kids.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Go. Be merry and all that shit.”
“Merry Shit!” Suzanne yells, giggling to herself.
“Oops.”
“Which of you just taught my daughter to swear?” Avery yells from the kitchen. There’s a pregnant pause before we’re all dissolving into giggle fits that the kids all seem to match. They might not know what’s going on but that won’t stop them from joining in.
“Merry Shitmas, my love,” I say under my breath, stealing a quick kiss from Duncan. He slaps my ass as I run away to the kitchen.
“Why do you have that grin on your face?” Brock asks as I walk in, leaning against the counter and taking the beer he holds out for me.
“Just thinking about how happy I am.”
Ellie wrinkles her nose. “Ewww, gross. Being mated and having a baby turned you all sappy!”
“What happened to slutty Viktor?”
“Hey! I’m still a slut,” I say with a chuckle. “A slut for one but a slut nonetheless,” I say, shaking my head. “In my defense, have you seen my mate?”
Avery, Brock, and I all lean against the door frame, looking out towards our alphas.
They’re all holding their babies, talking amongst themselves.
Duncan sees me looking, winking over at me.
My stomach swoops and my heart flutters happily.
How the fuck am I so in love with that man? Collectively, we all let out a sigh.
Oh my gods.
“Are you fucking serious?” Ellie murmur with a dramatic sigh, forcing all three of us to straighten and turn towards her.
“Good lord. We can’t be this lovesick,” I say, covering my face. Avery and Brock both elbow me. I let out an umph but start giggling.
“You started it!”
We laugh, overwhelmed with joy. We stick to the kitchen for a while, just talking and catching up, talking about anything and everything.
Avery is excited for the new addition. Brock’s coffee truck is still doing well though he keeps hoping he’ll go into heat again soon because he would really like another egg.
Ellie is thinking about giving online dating a shot.
I’m just happy to be here. I don’t think anything is better than this, celebrating the holidays with the people you treasure the most.
I hold my glass out towards my best friends. “Merry Christmas, you guys.”
The End