Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cami
The last day of the workshop felt bittersweet. Saying goodbye to people I’d only known for two weeks but who felt like family now.
Elara hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe. “You better keep in touch. I mean it.”
“I will. I promise.”
Emmy pressed a piece of paper into my hand. “My number. Call me if you need anything. Doctor stuff, lifestyle stuff, or just to talk.”
“Thank you.”
Even the couples I’d only observed exchanged contact information with me, promising to stay connected through social media and the Ranch’s alumni network.
Sampson had orchestrated a massive group effort for Renee and Ezra. A huge card circulated through the room, everyone signing well-wishes for the new parents. People kept handing him cash to tuck inside.
“This is going in their diaper fund,” he announced dramatically. “Because babies go through diapers like I go through gossip. Constantly.”
A table near the entrance held gift bags.
I’d added mine earlier—a balloon bouquet and a soft teddy bear for the baby.
But my real gift had been ordered during lunch earlier and shipped directly to their home address.
Breast pads, nipple cream, postpartum recovery essentials.
Things for Renee, not just the baby. Ezra had been grateful when I’d asked for their address, mentioning how much they already had to pack into their rental car.
“Alright, everyone!” Sampson clapped his hands. “For those of us who aren’t leaving immediately, we’re going to visit Renee and the baby. However, Ezra has decreed only five visitors at a time. So we’re going in shifts.”
I looked around. Most people had already left or were in the process of packing. Only a handful of us remained.
“That’s me, Elara, Cami, Dr. Crosby, Scarlett, and Iris,” Sampson counted. “Oh, and I’m the godfather, so I don’t count toward the limit. Dr. Crosby is going separately to do a postpartum check on Renee. So we need one more person.”
“I’ll go,” Lex offered, appearing at my side. “As a chaperone.”
“Perfect!” Sampson beamed. “Let’s go meet baby girl.”
Renee and Ezra’s suite was filled with flowers and balloons, gifts piled on every available surface. Renee sat propped up in bed, looking exhausted but radiant, cradling a tiny bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
“Oh my god,” Scarlett breathed. “She’s so small.”
“She’s perfect,” Renee said, gazing down at her daughter with absolute adoration. “Come meet Za?re.”
We crowded around carefully, everyone cooing over the baby. She had a head full of dark curls and her mother’s nose, her tiny fists waving in the air.
“Can I hold her?” Sampson asked, already reaching out.
“Of course, godfather.” Renee carefully transferred Za?re into his arms.
Sampson looked down at her with such tenderness that my throat tightened. “Hello, beautiful girl. I’m your Uncle Sampson, and I’m going to spoil you absolutely rotten.”
Ezra laughed from where he was arranging flowers. “I’m going to nap while you’re all here. Night shift starts at midnight, and I need to be ready.”
“Go,” Renee said. “We’ve got this.”
We settled into comfortable chaos. Scarlett and Iris sat on either side of Renee on the bed, chatting about everything and nothing. Elara perched on the window seat, taking photos. I sat in the chair near the bed, just watching everyone be happy.
Lex stood near me, his presence steady and grounding. When Renee’s water cup was empty, he refilled it without being asked. When she shifted uncomfortably, he grabbed a pillow and tucked it behind her back.
“Thank you,” I said softly when he came back to sit with me.
“Always.”
Za?re started fussing, and Sampson tried bouncing her gently. “I think someone needs a change.”
“Changing station is in the bathroom,” Renee said. “Fresh diapers in the top drawer.”
Lex stepped forward. “I’ll help.”
He took Za?re from Sampson with such natural ease that my breath caught. He supported her head perfectly, held her securely against his chest, murmuring something too quiet for me to hear as he carried her to the bathroom.
Sampson followed, chattering the entire time about technique and making Lex laugh. I watched through the open bathroom door as Lex laid Za?re on the changing table, his movements confident and sure. He’d had to have done this before.
The image of him holding that tiny baby, being so gentle and capable, did something to my insides. Made me imagine him holding our baby. Made me want things I’d only let myself think about in abstract terms.
When he emerged with a clean, content baby, he handed her back to Sampson. “All yours, godfather.”
Scarlett and Iris helped Renee to the bathroom a few minutes later, and I seized the opportunity to approach Lex.
“Thank you,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “For being here. For helping my friend. For being so good with Za?re.”
His arms came around me immediately. “Of course.”
Then his mouth was at my ear, his voice low and private. “Will you have my babies?”
I froze. My face went hot, and a nervous laugh bubbled up before I could stop it. I pulled back to look at him, checking if he was serious. He was completely serious.
“I...” I covered my mouth with my hand, overwhelmed. “Yes.”
“Yes?” His eyes lit up.
“Yes.” More certain now. “I want that. With you. With both of you.”
He kissed me then, soft and sweet and full of promise. When he pulled back, his smile was blinding.
“Good. Because I want that too. So does Majesty. We want everything with you.”
“Everything?”
“Marriage. Babies. Growing old together. All of it.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “We’re in this for the long haul, Cami. I need you to know that.”
“I’m starting to believe it,” I admitted.
“Good.” He kissed me again, quick and firm. “Now let’s go back to cooing over Renee’s baby while we plan for our own.”
“Lex!” I laughed, scandalized.
“What? Too soon?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Fine. We’ll wait.” He grinned. “At least a year.”
I shook my head, but I was smiling.
When Renee emerged from the bathroom, she caught my expression and raised an eyebrow. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
“Something,” Scarlett contradicted, looking between Lex and me. “They have that look.”
“What look?” Iris asked.
“The ‘we’re planning our future’ look,” Sampson supplied, bouncing Za?re gently. “I recognize it. Aiden and I had that look right before he proposed.”
“Proposed?” Elara perked up. “Are we talking engagement?”
“No!” I said, my face burning. “We’re not talking about anything. We’re just... being here. With Renee. And Za?re.”
But Lex’s hand found mine and squeezed, and the look he gave me said everything his words couldn’t in this room full of people.
Soon.
We stayed for another hour, passing Za?re around, telling stories, laughing until our sides hurt. Dr. Crosby arrived and shooed us out so she could examine Renee properly.
On the walk back to the cabin, Lex kept me tucked against his side.
“Did you mean it?” I asked quietly. “About babies and marriage and everything?”
“Every word.” He stopped and turned me to face him. “I know it’s fast. I know we’re still figuring out the distance and schedules. But I also know that I want you in my life permanently. In every way that matters.”
“What about Majesty?”
“He wants the same things. We’ve talked about it.” He cupped my face. “We want to build a life with you, Cami. A real one. Not just scenes and visits. A home. A family. Everything.”
Tears pricked my eyes, but these were happy tears. Hopeful tears.
“I want that too,” I whispered. “So much.”
“Then we’ll make it happen.” He kissed me softly. “Together. The three of us.”
“Together,” I agreed.
I felt solid ground beneath my feet. Not the snow, gravel, and earth.
But the stability of a relationship where I didn’t have to question things.
I wasn’t completely healed and fear-free, but the huge weight on my chest had been lifted.
Plus, I’d planned to resume therapy since all of this had brought out new insecurities I hadn’t expected.
Trusting my men hadn’t been as easy as I thought it would be.
But they were willing to work through it with me.
Slaying my demons with me, giving me the push I needed to be strong for myself so that our relationship would grow for us.
I had them. They had me. And we were going to build something beautiful. One day at a time and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.
“Where is Majesty?” I asked when we got to our cabin and the truck wasn’t there.
“He went to welcome his friend to the Ranch.” Lex smiled.
“I miss him.” I admitted.
“Well, let’s go find him for you.” Lex kissed my forehead and pulled me closer as we walked in the direction of the main building.