Chapter Fifteen
Seth leaned against the patio railing, watching Hudson and Casen cannonball into the pool with the reckless abandon typical of teenagers.
Their splashes sent water cascading across the deck, but neither boy seemed to notice or care as they surfaced, laughing and immediately plotting their next stunt.
The late afternoon sun cast the backyard in golden light. Seth took it all in, enjoying both the anticipation and normalcy of the moment. Beck, Hammer, Liam, and River stood nearby, drinks in hand, the easy camaraderie of old friends settling over the group like a comfortable blanket.
At the patio table, Raine and Heavenly set out the food, the women’s laughter mixing with the splash and chatter from the pool.
“Ready to eat in five,” Beck called out.
“Perfect,” Heavenly said back.
“So…” Liam appeared at Seth’s elbow, nursing a beer. “How does it feel? Being a father again?”
Seth blew out a breath, his gaze drifting back to Hudson, who was now attempting to dunk Casen. “A shock. Still is, sometimes. I look at him and think, ‘Jesus, I have a sixteen-year-old son.’”
“But you’re managing?”
“Beck and Heavenly have been incredible. And Mom…” Seth paused, remembering his mother’s initial reaction. “She took the news pretty well, all things considered. Though she did point out something I hadn’t thought about before.”
“What?”
“All the milestones I missed. First steps, first words, first day of school…” Seth’s throat tightened. “It’s weird, you know? I’ve been a father twice, and I’ve missed most of the firsts with them both.”
Liam’s expression softened with understanding. “That’s not your fault, mate. You didn’t know.”
“True. But it doesn’t make missing out any easier.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching Hudson and Casen attempt increasingly elaborate pool tricks, their whoops and hollers echoing across the water.
“How’s he been integrating into the house?” Liam asked.
“Pretty easy so far, actually. The kid loves video games, which gives us something to bond over. He’s on the quiet side—well, except when he’s snarky—but he seems to be settling in. School’s been good for him. Gives him focus and structure. And he’s already making friends.”
Seth paused, watching his son execute a perfect dive. “We’ll have to tackle the bigger stuff soon—driving, dating, going out with friends. But it’s only been a week.”
“Early days,” Liam agreed, then took a swig of his beer. “Speaking of early days...better luck with the conception thing next month.”
Seth nearly choked on his drink. “Jesus. Do you have to know everything?”
“I don’t try to know. It just... happens.” Liam shrugged apologetically. “For what it’s worth, I imagine you’re both disappointed and relieved.”
Seth couldn’t deny that. When Heavenly announced this morning that she’d gotten her period, he’d felt that conflicted mix of emotions. “We’ll have more opportunities.”
“You will. Hopefully you, Beck, and Heavenly will see some pink or blue booties in your future. But since nothing concrete has happened yet, I can’t see that far ahead.”
“Right.” Seth rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, while we’re on the subject of your... gifts, why didn’t you give me a heads-up about Hudson? A little warning would’ve been nice.”
Liam winced. “Sorry about that, mate. My abilities aren’t always clear. I knew something significant was coming your way, but I didn’t know what or when.”
“Fair enough.” Seth took another drink, then felt Liam’s penetrating stare. “What?”
“Does being a father again make the idea of having another baby easier?”
The question squeezed Seth’s heart. He sought out Hudson again, stare solemn. “I’m still trying to figure that out. On one hand, Hudson’s made it to sixteen and nothing horrible has befallen him. That’s…encouraging.”
“But?”
“I still worry. Look what happened to Tristan.” Seth’s voice dropped. “That was my fault. What if I somehow put Hudson in danger, too? I’d never forgive myself.”
“First, Hudson isn’t Tristan,” Liam reminded. “And he’s not a replacement or a second chance to get it right.”
“I know that—”
“Do you? Because I’ve been watching you with him all evening, and you’re not the same man who lost Tristan. That Seth was reckless, obsessed, tunnel-visioned. This Seth?” He gestured Seth’s way. “More balanced. You’re not chasing ghosts to salvage a dead man’s reputation anymore.”
Seth felt his chest begin to loosen. “I’m trying to be better, do the right thing.”
“Just remember, Hudson isn’t your chance to fail again. Maybe he’s proof that your luck has changed.”
“Or maybe that’s the universe telling me to wait on having a baby with Heavenly and Beck,” Seth mused.
“Part of me wants to hold off a few months—after Hudson’s more settled, after Mom’s wedding…
” He trailed off, then shook his head. “But then what? Beck’s birthday is in November.
He’ll be thirty-seven, and he keeps reminding me that he’s not getting any younger. ”
Liam scoffed. “Isn’t it interesting how Hudson showed up right when you committed to starting a family? Maybe the universe isn’t dictating your timeline. Maybe it’s testing your resolve.”
“How do you mean?”
“Oftentimes we get exactly what we need in order to face what we’re avoiding. Like Hudson showing up out of the blue.”
Seth snorted. “More like fate kicking me in the ass.”
“Living in the past robs you of enjoying the future,” Liam continued. “You can’t stand still, Seth. There are too many people—Beck, Heavenly, Hudson—who rely on you to stay present. And think about the future.”
Seth pondered that for a long moment, watching Hudson attempt to teach Casen some complicated pool maneuver. Then he found himself confessing something he hadn’t planned to share.
“When I was in New York last week, I went back to the old house I shared with Autumn and Tristan.” Seth shrugged.
“I figured it was time to truly put the past behind me and finally put the place on the market. But standing in the foyer…the past nearly knocked me out, like you said it would.” He met Liam’s eyes.
“Was the house what you were warning me about?”
Liam paused, looking uncertain. “I don’t rightly know. Could be.”
“But?”
His Irish friend shrugged. “Keep your head on a swivel, mate. Eyes wide open.”
A chill ran down Seth’s spine. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Everything’s subject to change. I don’t know anything concrete, but I can’t shake an uneasy feeling. I even consulted my mum about it.”
“What did Bryn say?”
“She didn’t have any specific insight, but she shares my sense of…disquiet.”
Before Seth could press for more details, Liam’s attention shifted to the pool, where the boys were attempting to see who could hold their breath underwater the longest. “Keep an eye on Hudson’s friend.”
“Casen seems like a good kid, but the two of them together…” Seth shook his head. “They’re troublemakers. I already overheard Hudson telling him that his girlfriend Brielle is ‘hotter than hell.’”
Liam chuckled. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Better make sure Hudson has condoms, or history might repeat itself.”
As much as Seth hated to think about it, Liam was right. “I know I’m not going to stop him from being sexually active. That genie is out of the bottle, so the best I can do is keep him stocked.”
“Aye. Come on. Let’s mingle with the others.”
As Zach moved toward the cooler to grab a drink, Seth sidled up to Jericho. River joined the bunch.
“Great party,” the FBI agent said, extending his hand. “Thanks for including me.”
“Of course.” Seth pumped his hand in return. “How are things going? You settling in okay?”
Jericho’s face lit up. “Actually, things are going great. I moved in with my old friend Dean.”
River froze, staring at Jericho. “You’re living with Dean? Dean Gorman?”
“Yeah. We’ve been friends for years, and we make a good team. So why not?”
“A good team.” River’s voice went dangerously quiet. “So you’ve taken my place as his new wingman.”
“I…” Jericho looked between River and Seth, clearly confused. “What?”
“It’s not his fault,” Seth rushed to say, recognizing the dangerous gleam in River’s eyes. “Don’t get pissed off.”
River didn’t look happy, but he let it go…for now.
“Burgers are ready, everyone,” Beck hollered. “Grab one off the grill, then fill your plates with all the apps and sides.”
After most of the guests had dished up, Seth grabbed his own burger.
Beck took a bite of his burger, then swallowed it down. “When do you want to make our announcements?”
Seth glanced around the patio. Most of their friends were talking, drinking, and laughing.
“Now,” he decided, looking to Heavenly for confirmation.
Heavenly’s face lit up, and she squeezed both their hands. “You’re right. Let’s do it!”
“Hudson,” he called to his son, who was sitting with Casen, guzzling sodas. “Come here for a minute.”
Then Seth stood. His angel got to her feet beside him, and Beck flanked her. “Everyone! Can I get your attention? Beck, Heavenly, and I have some announcements.”
Conversations quieted as all eyes turned their way.
Seth took a breath, his hand resting on Hudson’s shoulder as the teenager stood beside him, looking equal parts nervous and curious.
“First,” Seth began, his voice carrying across the patio, “I want to introduce someone important. Most of you have met him already, but you might not know the full story.” He squeezed Hudson’s shoulder. “This is my son, Hudson.”
A few surprised murmurs rippled through the group. Hammer raised his beer in acknowledgment. Liam smiled knowingly.
“I didn’t know he existed until last week,” Seth continued, his tone matter-of-fact but warm.
“His mom never told me she was pregnant. So finding out I had a sixteen-year-old son was...a hell of a shock.” He glanced down at Hudson, whose ears had gone red.
“But a good one. Hudson’s living with us now, and he’s part of this family. Our family.”
Hudson ducked his head, clearly embarrassed by the attention but trying to hide a small smile.
“Welcome to the chaos, kid,” River called out, raising his beer.
The group echoed the sentiment with cheers and applause. Hudson’s smile grew a little wider.
Seth waited for the noise to die down, then caught Heavenly’s eye. She was beaming at him, her hand already reaching for his. Beck slid his arm around her waist.
“And since we’re making announcements,” Seth said, his voice softening as he looked at his angel, “there’s something else Beck, Heavenly, and I want to share.”
He pulled Heavenly close, and Beck mirrored him on her other side. The three of them stood together, a united front.
For months, he, Beck, and Heavenly had been building toward this moment—through heartbreak and healing, through fear and hope, through every obstacle that had nearly torn them apart. Now they were here, and nothing could be sweeter.
“Last weekend, Beck and I asked Heavenly to marry us,” Seth began, his voice carrying across the patio as he took her hand and flashed her ring. “She said yes!”
Their guests erupted with cheer. Even Hudson smiled and clapped with the others, looking genuinely pleased.
Beside Seth, Beck kissed their fiancée’s temple. “We haven’t picked a date yet. But soon. None of us want to wait.”
“So…yeah. We’re getting married!” Heavenly squealed with delight.
Raine shrieked with excitement and jumped up from her chair, enveloping Heavenly in a fierce hug. “I’m so happy for you! And I didn’t tell a soul, I promise.”
Heavenly held out her left hand, the diamond catching the last rays of sunlight and sparkling brilliantly. Raine moved in to hug her while the men offered hearty congratulations, back-slapping Seth and Beck.
“Champagne!” Beck laughed, producing bottles from the outdoor bar. “We need champagne!”
As corks popped and glasses were filled—water and soda for Hudson and Casen—Seth felt Heavenly’s hand slide into his.
When he looked down, he saw her follow suit with Beck.
Then she beamed up at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears of joy.
Beck flanked her other side, his expression soft with contentment.
“No regrets?” the surgeon asked quietly.
“Not a single one,” she whispered, then turned to Seth. “You?”
“None.” Their road would never be easy, and there were more than a few bumps they still had to navigate, but the three of them had scaled mountains and crawled over glass to reach this moment. And he’d never been happier. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
And as their friends and family raised their glasses in celebration, Seth allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, everything was going to work out exactly as it should.