Epilogue #2
"Dylan, stop," I interrupt, climbing to my feet.
Wyatt releases me reluctantly, his hands steadying me as I stand.
"I'm okay. I'm scared, yes, but not because of them.
I'm scared because being pregnant makes me vulnerable again.
I'm scared Vincent or Marcus or whoever the hell he is might somehow use this against me.
I'm scared I won't be a good mother after everything I've been through.
But I'm not scared of them. They've never made me feel trapped.
They've never made me feel anything but safe. "
Dylan's expression softens slightly as he looks at me. "Vincent’s never getting out sis.” He steps a little closer, his shoulders relaxing a little. “But, you're sure? You're really okay with this?"
"I'm terrified," I admit. "But I'm also happy. Is that weird? To be both at once?"
"No," Dylan says, his voice gentler now. "No, that's not weird at all." He runs a hand through his hair, the tension fully draining from his shoulders. "Fuck. Okay. I'm going to be an uncle again. That's... that's actually pretty great."
The shift in his demeanor is so sudden it makes me laugh despite the emotional intensity of the moment. "Really? That's it? Stern big brother to excited uncle in five seconds?"
Dylan grins, though there's still a warning in his eyes when he looks at my Alphas. "I meant what I said. You hurt her, and I'll make you regret it. But if you're taking care of her, if she's happy and safe, then yeah. I'm excited. Another little niece or nephew to spoil? Sign me up."
"Two," Silas says suddenly. "There might be two."
I blink at him. "What?"
"Twins run in my family," he explains, looking slightly sheepish. "And with three Alphas, the chances are higher. I can smell it on you, the change in your scent, and it's... stronger than it should be for just one."
My hand flies to my still-flat stomach. "Twins?"
"Maybe," Silas amends quickly. "I could be wrong. But it's possible."
The thought makes my head spin. One baby already feels overwhelming.
Two? But then I imagine it. Two little ones to love, to protect, to watch grow up alongside Riley and Isaac.
The fear is still there, but so is something else.
Hope, maybe. Excitement. The possibility of a future I never thought I'd have.
Hunter pulls me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me. "Whatever it is, however many, we'll handle it together. You're not doing this alone."
Wyatt moves to stand beside us, his hand resting on my lower back. "We're in this with you. All of it. The fear and the joy and everything in between."
Dylan clears his throat loudly. "Okay, this is getting too mushy for me. I'm going back to the grill before Maddox burns all the burgers." He pauses, then adds more softly, "But seriously, sis. If you need anything, I'm here. You know that, right?"
"I know," I say, smiling at him through the tears that won't stop falling. "Thank you."
He steps forward and drags me into a hug, holding longer than necessary before releasing me and heading back up to the house, grabbing Maddox and steering him away to give us privacy. I can hear him explaining something in a low voice, Maddox's delighted laugh in response hitting my ears.
Riley and Isaac come rushing up from the water, both of them dripping wet and covered in mud, apparently having heard something in the adults' voices that piqued their interest.
"What's wrong?" Riley asks, her eyes darting between all of us. "Why is everyone crying?"
"Happy tears," I assure her, kneeling down to her level. "Sometimes grown-ups cry when they're happy."
"Why are you happy?" Isaac asks, genuinely curious.
I glance up at my Alphas, wondering what to say because it’s entirely too early to talk about my pregnancy and without a confirmation from the doctor, I don’t want to say anything.
"Well," I say carefully, "We were just talking about some logistics regarding the house, moving things around. .. expanding."
It’s the best I can come up with, though I’m sure Riley will figure it out sooner rather than later. She narrows her eyes at me curiously and then nods. “Does this mean I get my own room?”
Isaac throws back his head and whines. “No!”
I snort at the wildly different reactions, both of them lingering a moment longer before running back to the lake.
It’s a miracle that neither one of them wanting a full hug.
The thought of being drenched in mud is not appealing.
Slowly, I stand back and turn to the three Alphas.
“I apologize for planting the seed but you might actually have to start thinking about getting Riley her own room.”
Silas offers me an exaggerated sigh. "We have a few unused spaces to look at but I assume we'll be needing a nursery of some kind too."
My cheeks heat as I chew on my bottom lip, mumbling my next words. "All of that after I see a doctor. I need a confirmation first before everyone gets their hopes up."
They all nod in agreement as the emotions from this moment swell in my chest. I have three Alphas who have all but pledged themselves to me, a newer, more raw emotion bubbling up.
"I love you, Amelia," Hunter murmurs against the side of my head as he pulls me into his chest. "Maybe it's too soon or not soon enough, I don't know and I wasn't even sure I'd be able to open my heart to someone after losing my sister but you proved me wrong.
" He catches the edge of my lips, presses a soft, barely there kiss.
My heart swells at his words as Wyatt pulls one of my hands to his lips.
"Watching you grow into yourself this summer has not only been a gift but also something precious.
You fixed us when we so desperately needed it and cared for us at our worst. I love you more than words, sunshine.
" He dips his head to kiss me, even while I'm still in Hunter's arms, taking his time until I'm chasing his touch when he pulls back.
Silas steps in his place, his hands coming up to cup my cheeks.
"I didn't think it would be possible to love another, not when it hurt so much but all those fears died when you became more than I ever thought you could.
It really is like Evie sent you to us and I'm honored to be your Alpha, sweetheart.
" He kisses me too, Hunter growling slightly as his arms tighten around my waist.
I have a suspicion that this could very well be Hunter's child growing inside of me but I'm not putting that out into the universe yet. For now, I'm going to enjoy their playful and possessive antics until it's time for dinner.
Standing here in my Alphas' arms, with the possibility of new life growing inside me and a family that chose to keep me, I realize something I never thought I'd feel again:
I'm excited. I'm hopeful and terrified and happy all at once.
But most of all, I'm home.
“I love you,” I whisper, the words feeling strange on my tongue but I try them again, pulling back from Hunter just a little.
“I love you, too. All of you. I’m not sure I ever really loved anyone so I don’t know how this works and I’ll probably stumble around a bit but I love you, Hunter, Silas, Wyatt. Thank you for loving me.”
Wyatt and Silas wrap themselves around me, Hunter grimacing as he tries to squeeze his way into the hug until all four of us are laughing.
The laughter changes to slight disgust when the sound of wet mud slapping against our legs hits my ears.
I look down to see Isaac and Riley joining our impromptu hug, Dylan calling from the house that everything is ready.
This little slice of happiness might be chaos but it’s mine and I wouldn’t choose to have it any other way.