Chapter 15 #2
Brooke smiles warmly and waves. "Hi, Ainsley. It's so good to meet you."
Revolver nods at me, his expression friendly but reserved. He's watching me carefully, like he's trying to figure me out.
"And this is my youngest sister, Bri," Bella continues, gesturing to the other woman. "And her husband, Blade."
Bri grins. "Welcome to the family, Ainsley."
Blade gives me a small smile. "Good to meet you."
"It's good to meet all of you too," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Sit, sit," Bella says, guiding me to the couch. "Dinner's almost ready, but we have time to chat."
I sit down, and Jax sits beside me, his hand immediately finding mine. Knox sits on my other side, still holding Owen.
"So," Switch says, settling into a recliner. "How'd you two idiots manage to land a woman like her?"
"Dad," Knox warns.
"What? It's a legitimate question."
Jax grins. "We were in the right place at the right time."
"And we didn't fuck it up," Knox adds.
"Miracle of miracles," Switch mutters, and everyone laughs.
I watch them, my chest tight. They're teasing each other, but there's so much love in it. So much warmth. It's the kind of family dynamic I've only ever seen in movies.
And I'm sitting right in the middle of it.
Dinner is chaotic in the best way.
The dining table is massive, and it's packed with food, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and more. Everyone talks over each other, laughing and teasing and sharing stories.
I sit between Jax and Knox, my hands folded in my lap, trying to take it all in.
Switch keeps giving Jax and Knox a hard time about their past.
"Remember when you two brought home three different women in one weekend?" he asks, grinning.
"Dad," Jax groans.
"What? I'm just reminiscing."
"You're embarrassing us," Knox mutters.
"Good," Switch says. "You deserve it."
Bella reaches over and squeezes my hand. "Don't worry, honey. They've changed. I can see it."
"They have," I say softly, my voice thick with emotion.
"Good," she says, smiling. "Because you and Owen deserve the best."
Owen is sitting in a high chair between Jax and Knox, happily munching on mashed potatoes. He's the center of attention, and he's loving every second of it.
"He's such a good baby," Brooke says, smiling at him.
"He really is," I say, my heart swelling with pride.
"Takes after his mama," Jax says, winking at me.
I blush and look down at my plate, but I can't stop the smile that tugs at my lips.
After dinner, we move to the living room.
Bella and her sisters start setting up board games on the coffee table, and I realize this is a thing. A tradition.
"You guys really do game nights?" I ask, surprised.
"Every week," Bella says, grinning. "It's a Carter family tradition."
"We take it very seriously," Bri adds.
"Too seriously," Blade mutters, and Revolver laughs.
Owen is playing on the floor with a few toys, and I'm sitting on the couch between Jax and Knox, watching the chaos unfold.
And then it happens.
Owen toddles over to Jax, his little legs wobbling slightly.
He reaches up, grabbing Jax's pant leg, and looks up at him with those big, innocent eyes.
"Da-da-da," he babbles happily.
Clear as day.
The room goes silent.
My breath catches in my throat, and my heart stops.
"Did he just...” Bella starts, her voice trembling.
Owen babbles again, his little face full of joy. "Da-da-da!"
Jax's face crumples, and he scoops Owen up, holding him close. Knox wraps his arms around both of them, and I can see the emotion in his eyes, raw and unguarded.
Tears stream down my face, hot and unstoppable.
This is real.
This is happening.
Owen has bonded with them completely. He sees them as his fathers. He trusts them. He loves them.
And they love him.
Bella reaches over and squeezes my hand, tears in her eyes. Switch clears his throat, his voice gruff. "Well, I'll be damned."
I can't stop crying. I press my hand to my mouth, trying to hold it together, but I can't. This moment, this beautiful, perfect moment, is everything I've ever wanted for Owen.
He has a family.
We have a family.
The rest of the night is a blur of laughter and competition.
The Carters are serious about their board games.
Blade and Revolver trash-talk each other relentlessly, their voices rising as they argue over rules and strategies.
Bella, Brooke, and Bri form an alliance and dominate the first game, high-fiving each other and laughing.
Switch makes ridiculous bets that no one takes seriously, and everyone groans when he wins anyway.
And Jax and Knox are different here.
Relaxed. Playful. Integrated into the family chaos in a way that makes my chest ache.
I watch them, my heart full to bursting.
This is who they are when they're not trying to protect me. When they're not worried about Justin or the club or keeping me safe.
This is who they are at their core.
And I love them even more for it.
"You playing or what?" Tessa asks, nudging me with her elbow.
I blink, realizing everyone is looking at me. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry."
I pick up my cards, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I laugh.
Genuinely, freely, without fear.
And I feel like I belong.
By the time we leave, it's late.
Owen is asleep in his car seat, and I'm exhausted but happy.
"Your family is amazing," I say softly as Jax drives us home.
"They loved you," Jax says, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
"They really did," Knox adds.
I smile, my heart full.
Once we're home and Owen is tucked into his crib, the tension and emotion of the day finally catch up to me.
I need them.
I need to feel claimed and safe and loved.
I walk into the bedroom, where Jax and Knox are already waiting.
"Come here," Jax says, his voice low.
I go to him, and he pulls me into his arms, kissing me deeply. His hands are everywhere, my hair, my face, my waist, and I melt into him.
Knox is behind me, his hands sliding up my sides, pulling my shirt over my head.
"You were perfect tonight," Knox murmurs against my neck.
"So fucking perfect," Jax agrees, his hands cupping my face.
They undress me slowly, reverently, their hands and mouths worshiping every inch of my skin.
"You're ours," Jax whispers. "Forever."
"Forever," I echo, my voice breaking.
They lay me down on the bed, and Knox settles between my thighs, his mouth finding my pussy.
I gasp, my hands fisting in the sheets.
"That's it, baby," Jax murmurs, his hand stroking my hair. "Let us take care of you."
Knox's tongue is slow and deliberate, teasing me until I'm trembling.
"Please," I beg.
"Please what?" Knox asks, his voice muffled against my skin.
"Please fuck me."
He pulls back and positions himself at my entrance, sliding inside me slowly.
I cry out, my back arching off the bed.
"Fuck, you feel so good," Knox groans, starting to move.
Jax's mouth is on mine, swallowing my moans.
"You're ours," Knox says, his voice rough. "Say it."
"I'm yours," I gasp.
"Again."
"I'm yours. Both of yours."
"Damn right you are," Jax says, his hand sliding down to my clit.
I come hard, my body convulsing around Knox.
He follows me over the edge, spilling inside me with a groan.
When he pulls out, Jax takes his place, sliding into me before I've even caught my breath.
"My turn," he says, grinning.
He fucks me slow and deep, his eyes locked on mine.
"I love you," he says.
My breath catches. "What?"
"I love you, Ainsley. I'm in love with you."
Tears stream down my face. "I love you too."
Knox leans down and kisses me. "We both do."
"I love you both," I whisper.
Jax comes with a groan, and then they're both holding me, their hands gentle and tender.
"You're our forever," Knox says softly.
"Forever," I echo.