Chapter 12
Daisy
Five Years Later…
I know something is off the second I wake up.
It’s not bad, just… different. Subtle. A strange flutter low in my stomach. A heaviness in my limbs that has me lingering in bed longer than usual, even though I can already hear the chaos downstairs. Little feet pounding across the hardwood. A shriek of laughter.
“Daddy! No!”
Knox’s deep rumble follows, playful and warm. “You started it, troublemaker.”
I smile into my pillow, my heart squeezing in my chest.
This is my life. It still doesn’t feel real sometimes. For so long, I didn’t have anything. No home. No family. No one who stayed. And now? Now I have everything.
“Mommy!” a tiny voice calls, followed by the bedroom door creaking open. “You awake?”
I roll onto my back as my daughter climbs onto the bed, all wild curls and bright eyes.
“Barely,” I mumble, pulling her into my arms. “What time is it?”
“Morning,” she says seriously, like that explains everything.
I huff out a laugh and press a kiss to her temple. “Helpful.”
Heavy footsteps sound in the hallway, and Knox fills the doorway. My breath still catches when I look at him. Five years later, and he still owns every part of me.
He’s barefoot, wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung sweats, his chest bare, his hair messy like he’s been running his hands through it. Flour is smeared across his shoulder, which means—
“You’re cooking?” I ask, eyeing him suspiciously.
His mouth quirks. “Attempting to.”
Our daughter gasps. “Daddy burned the eggs!”
“I did not burn them,” he grumbles, stepping into the room. “They’re just… crispy.”
I snort, pushing up onto my elbows. “You mean inedible.”
“They’re fine,” he insists, but a smile tugs at his lips as he comes to the bed.
His eyes find mine, and something shifts, something deep. I try to hold his gaze, but I’m so tired.
I smother a yawn, sitting up in bed and dangling my legs over the edge. I wince at the ache in my breasts and smile at our daughter.
“Are you going to cook?” she whispers.
“Uh-huh,” I whisper back.
I look at Knox. His gaze softens and darkens as he steps closer, brushing his fingers along my cheek.
“You feeling okay, little one?” he asks quietly.
I frown slightly. “Yeah. Just tired, I think.”
His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. Then he nods. “Okay.”
It’s not convincing, not even a little.
I narrow my eyes at him. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Knox.”
He exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “Eat something first.”
That’s when I know. Something is definitely going on.
I take his hand when he offers it to me and grab Rosie’s hand with my free one. We head downstairs, and by the time we reach the kitchen, I’m more awake. And more suspicious.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I say, crossing my arms as I lean against the counter next to him.
“I said nothing,” Knox says, glancing at me over his shoulder.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“You’re hiding something.”
He pauses for a second, then turns to face me fully, his eyes locking onto mine in a way that makes my stomach flip.
God, I love him. Even when he’s being annoying.
“Sit,” he says gently, nodding toward the chair.
I don’t move.
“Daisy.”
“Knox.”
Our daughter giggles. “Mommy’s in trouble.”
I point at her. “You’re on my side.”
She immediately switches. “I’m on Mommy’s side.”
Knox huffs out a laugh, but his shoulders are tense as he steps closer.
Then he does that thing that melts me every single time. He reaches for me, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me into him like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Sit, little one,” he murmurs against my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
I sigh, already losing the battle. “Fine,” I grumble, letting him guide me to the chair.
He makes me a plate of toast and sets it in front of me before crouching down beside me. His hand comes to rest on my thigh, warm, steady, possessive.
“Eat,” he says softly.
I take a bite, watching him the entire time. Waiting. He watches me back just as closely, like he’s… studying me. Tracking something.
Then it clicks.
My stomach twists, and I freeze mid-bite.
“Knox,” I whisper.
His grip on my thigh tightens.
“You know something,” I accuse him.
He doesn’t answer, doesn’t deny it, and my heart pounds.
“No way,” I breathe, my free hand drifting down to my stomach. “No way.”
His eyes follow the movement, and heat flares in them. “You’re pregnant.”
My breath leaves me in a rush. “What?”
“I could smell it the other day,” he adds, his voice rough. “Soon as I woke up.”
I stare at him.
Then down at my stomach.
Then back at him.
“You’re serious?”
He nods.
My heart races, my thoughts spinning so fast that I can barely keep up. Another baby, another piece of us.
“Oh, my god,” I whisper, a laugh bubbling up through my shock. “Knox—”
He’s already moving, pulling me up with him. His hands frame my face, his forehead pressing against mine.
“You’re pregnant,” he repeats, like he still can’t quite believe it. “We’re having another baby.”
Tears prick at my eyes. Happy, overwhelming, perfect tears.
“We’re having another baby,” I echo.
He kisses me then, softly at first, then deeper, like he’s pouring everything he feels into it. When he pulls back, his hands slide down, resting on my stomach, already protective, already claiming.
“My mate,” he murmurs. “Giving me everything.”
My chest tightens, love swelling so big it almost hurts. “I thought you said you weren’t hiding anything,” I tease weakly.
His mouth curves. “I wasn’t hiding it.”
“Oh, really?”
“I was waiting,” he corrects. “Wanted to make sure you felt it too.”
I shake my head, laughing through my tears. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I know.”
A beat of silence, then—
“I got you something,” he says.
I blink. “What?”
He straightens, suddenly looking a little guilty, which is never a good sign.
“Knox,” I say, the warning clear in my tone.
“It’s outside.”
“What is outside?”
He hesitates.
Our daughter gasps. “Is it a puppy?”
“No, not a puppy,” he says quickly, grabbing my hand. “Come on.”
I let him pull me toward the front door, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“What did you do?” I ask as he opens it.
He doesn’t answer. He just leads me outside.
I stop and stare. A new, shiny minivan sits in the driveway.
“Knox. Tell me that’s not ours,” I say slowly.
He shifts on his feet. “It’s safer.”
I turn to him, my mouth falling open. “You bought me a minivan?”
“For you and the kids,” he corrects immediately.
I laugh. I can’t help it. “Knox!”
“What?” he asks, defensive but smiling. “It has all the safety features. And more space. And—”
“You bought a minivan before I even knew I was pregnant.”
He shrugs. “I knew.”
I stare at him for a second longer. Then I launch myself at him. He catches me easily, wrapping his arms around me like he always does.
“You’re ridiculous,” I murmur into his chest.
“You love it.”
“I love you,” I correct.
His grip tightens. “Good.”
I lean back, looking up at him, my heart full to bursting. “We’re really doing this again.”
His hand slides down, covering my stomach again. “Yeah,” he murmurs. “We are.”
I smile. It’s crazy how life has changed for me in the last five years. I’m no longer scared or running. I’m not alone anymore. I have Knox. I have Rosie and a home, and now we have another little piece of us on the way.
“I think I like the minivan,” I admit.
His grin is instant. “I knew it! As soon as I saw it, I knew you’d like it.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling as I lace my fingers through his. “Come on. We should tell Rosie that she’s going to be a big sister.”
He doesn’t move, not right away. Instead, he pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my lips. It’s soft and certain. A promise of forever.
“My family,” he murmurs against my mouth.
And for the first time in my life, I know exactly where I belong.