EPILOGUE
Jaxton
“She’d be proud of the dad you’ve become,” Kam says quietly, his voice rough around the edges. His eyes glisten like they always do when we come here—to the quiet hill under the old oak. “We did everything we could.”
Lexxas wiggles on my hip, completely oblivious to the heaviness in our hearts. Her tiny hand slaps my chest as she lets out a bubbly string of babble, her lips shiny with spit, her smile wide and carefree. She doesn’t know what this place means yet—but one day, we’ll tell her. One day, she’ll know just how much love she came from.
Liam runs his finger down her nose, chuckling under his breath. “We should head back. Her nose is turning red. If she gets the sniffles, we’re all going to hear about it.”
He’s right. We’re already running behind. Stopping by wasn’t part of the plan, but something in my gut told me we needed to. I just... I want her to know every part of her family, even the ones she’ll never meet face-to-face. That kind of love—it doesn’t disappear. It lingers. And I want her wrapped in it always.
When we step through the front door, warmth floods over us. The house smells like roasted vegetables and sugar cookies, and it’s glowing with twinkling lights. Christmas magic lives here now.
Lennox meets us at the door, arms already extended like he’s been waiting to take her all day. “Where have you been?” he scolds, but the softness in his voice betrays him. “Dinner’s ready. And her nose is running.” He narrows his eyes at me, wiping her nose with the edge of his sleeve. “I’ll get her cleaned up, but don’t expect sympathy when she wakes us up tonight with the sniffles.”
Lexxas squeals, delighted to be back in his arms, her tiny laugh echoing down the hall as he marches off with her like an overprotective bear in flannel.
I barely have time to breathe before I hear her voice.
“Where have you been?” Avery appears from the kitchen, apron tied around her waist, a smudge of flour across one cheek. Her arms cross, but there’s no heat in her tone—only worry. “You were supposed to be back over an hour ago.”
The light above the stove catches in her hair, and for a second, I forget how to speak. I take a step closer, tugging gently at the tie around her waist.
“We stopped by Mom and Dad’s,” I say softly. “Wanted to introduce Lexxas... figured it was time.”
Her eyes soften immediately. “You should’ve told me. I would’ve gone too.”
“We’ll go again tomorrow,” I promise, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. “But next time, we’ll bundle Lex a little tighter. Weather’s dropping fast.”
She grins, that bright, giddy smile that still floors me every time. “They’re saying snow tonight.”
I snort. “In Louisiana? We haven’t seen a white Christmas since I was ten.”
“Let me have my dream,” she teases.
“I’ll give you anything you want.”
I tug her closer and kiss her—slow and deep and full of the million words I’ll never say out loud. Her knees buckle just enough for me to catch her, backing her up gently against the fridge, our kiss deepening.
It’s not just affection. It’s a reminder. A vow. A silent whisper of how grateful I am to still have her in my arms after everything we’ve been through. There isn’t a second that goes by I don’t think about how easily we could’ve lost her.
“Alright, that’s enough,” Lennox’s voice cuts through the moment. He reappears with Lexxas cradled in one arm and a disapproving scowl on his face. “You two are ridiculous. Bee, come sit down. You’ve been cooking all afternoon with Kam—you’re done for the day.”
He unties the apron with dramatic flair and hangs it neatly on the kitchen hook, then guides her toward the dining room where Liam is strapping Lexxas into her highchair.
And me? I just stand back for a second, heart full to bursting.
This woman—our wife—is the glue that holds this family together. She nearly broke apart once. But now, she’s our center. Our home.
After she recovered, we didn’t waste time. We married her the moment she was strong enough to stand. She was already ours long before that, but making it official sealed it in a way that no one could ever touch.
And now, our lives revolve around love and dirt and design. Honeybee Designs —her dream, our shared reality. She still calls the shots, even if she’s taken a step back to raise our daughter. But I can already see the way her fingers twitch when we show her our latest sketches. She’s itching to dig her hands back in the soil again.
This is our first Christmas as a family, and it’s the beginning of something big. The kind of big that doesn’t scare me anymore.
I glance around at the dining room table—my brothers teasing one another, Kam piling food onto Avery’s plate, Lennox whispering something to Lexxas that makes her giggle.
This is it.
Everything I’ve ever wanted.
As long as life doesn’t throw any more curveballs—and the crazies stay far away—we’re going to be just fine.
Avery
The door clicks shut behind the last of them, leaving only Lennox and me in the house—and an unfamiliar, breathtaking silence. No cartoons playing in the background. No little feet pattering across the floor. No cheerful squeals or toy crashes echoing through the halls. Just stillness… and Lennox.
We’re alone.
It takes all of two seconds for that realization to settle in. My pulse kicks up before I even turn around, already sensing him behind me. There’s a shift in the air, warm and electric, like the static before a summer storm. When I face him, he’s leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips.
“So…” I draw out the word, my fingers playing with the hem of my oversized shirt—his shirt, actually. “Just us.”
“Just us,” he echoes, pushing off the wall and closing the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps. His eyes trace the length of me, not with hunger exactly—but with reverence. As if he’s been waiting all day for this.
He cups my jaw gently, brushing his thumb across my cheek. “Do you know how long I’ve been dying to get you to myself?” His voice is low, rich with a heat that settles deep in my belly. “No interruptions. No bottles. No cooking. Just you.”
My breath hitches as he dips his head, brushing his lips over mine in the softest tease of a kiss—light as a feather, yet strong enough to send a full-body shiver down my spine. “What do you want to do with all this quiet time?” I whisper, already knowing the answer but loving the anticipation.
His grin turns deliciously wicked. “Oh, I fully intend to make you forget how to form complete sentences.” He steps closer, voice dipping low. “Good thing you and Kam did most of the cooking earlier… you won’t be in any shape to help now.”
I let out a breathy laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Promises, promises.”
The kiss that follows is deeper, more urgent, but still unrushed—like he wants to savor every second. His hands slide over my hips, guiding me backward until the backs of my knees meet the bed. We sink down together in a tangle of limbs and soft laughter. There’s nothing frantic about the way we move. It’s slow and indulgent, like we have all the time in the world.
And for once, we do.
He slips the shirt from my shoulders with a gentleness that makes my heart ache, his fingertips grazing along newly exposed skin like he’s memorizing me all over again. His lips follow in a slow, reverent path—pressing kisses to my collarbone, then lower, down to the curve of my shoulder—each one a silent vow.
“Still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice rough with emotion that wraps around me as surely as his arms.
I draw him closer, needing the feel of him, of us—skin to skin, heart to heart. Warmth radiates between us, steady and familiar, grounding and electric. The moment slows, stretching in that way it always does when it feels like something sacred is unfolding. There’s nothing between us now but love, trust, and that ever-present pull that’s lived between us since the day our lives first tangled.
He’s finally stripped me completely, notching his heavy cock against my entrance, and sliding home in the first thrust. “Damn, Bee.” He grunts, biting my neck, hitting deep again. “Every fucking time, you feel like heaven.”
My back bows, seconds from plunging over the cliff already. “Yes.” I moan. “Harder, Lenn. I need it harder.” I plead. Since our ordeal, I’ve been insatiable. I crave them constantly.
He slips his arms under my knees, folding me up tight, and kissing the tip of my nose before he warns, “Your wish is my command.” And then he moves—purposeful and deep—pouring every ounce of emotion into the space between us.
My cries of pleasure echo softly through the quiet house, filling the space between us like a song only he knows how to play. His name spills from my lips in breathless reverence, like a spell cast on repeat—he’s the center of my world, the magic in my veins.
With every movement, every whispered promise against my skin, he pulls me higher until I’m unraveling beneath him, losing myself in the way he touches me—like I’m sacred, like I’m everything. It doesn’t take long. It never does with him. He knows my body, my heart, my soul. And in less than a minute, I’m falling, trembling in his arms, completely undone.
A deep groan rumbles from his chest as my body tightens around him, drawing him deeper. “ Fuuuck! ” His rhythm falters as he finds his release, warmth flooding through me. He leans in, forehead resting against mine, and places a tender kiss on the tip of my nose, staying joined. He murmurs against my skin, voice low and teasing, “Gonna stay right here and see if I can talk the universe into giving us twins this time.”
I laugh softly. “You’re starting to sound like Kam,” I tease, my voice low. The truth is, I secretly love it when they get that possessive gleam in their eyes—the way they claim me with the need to breed.
“Absolutely,” he murmurs, voice husky. “I want to see you glowing and round with our baby again. We’ll have Liam buy you more of those silky pajamas—the ones that hug your bump just right. They’re sexy as fuck.”
I giggle, warmth curling in my chest. “Sounds good to me,” I say with a shrug, trying to play it casual—but the smirk on my lips gives me away.
Lennox leans back slightly, a slow, cocky smile spreading across his face as he studies me. “You’d really be good with that?”
I arch a brow, matching his grin. “Of course. We haven’t exactly been careful since Lexxas was born. Honestly, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already with the way you horndogs operate.”
Lennox laughs softly, the sound warm and low as he curls himself around me, brushing a kiss over my cheek. “You’re just as bad as we are,” he murmurs, his voice husky, full of affection and playful accusation. “But if you’re saying you’re ready…” He trails off, brushing his knuckles along the curve of my jaw. “Then you should know, I’m going to take full advantage. You’ll be pregnant with my twins tonight if I have a say in the matter.” He doesn’t wait for an answer—just captures my mouth in a kiss that steals the air from my lungs. His movements deepen, firm and full of purpose, our bodies moving in perfect rhythm, the sound of skin meeting skin echoing in the quiet room like a vow neither of us needs to speak.
When we finally collapse into each other, breathless and flushed, our hearts thudding in the same steady rhythm, Lennox tugs the blanket up and wraps me in his arms. He presses a warm kiss to my forehead, his voice low and content. “Worth the wait.”
A smile pulls at my lips as I curl into him, brushing a kiss against his chest. “Definitely,” I hum in agreement.
For a while, we just lay there—satisfied, quiet, wrapped in a peaceful afterglow that feels like the whole world has melted away. But eventually, reality starts to creep back in, inching along the edges of my mind like a slow-moving tide.
I stretch across the tangled sheets, skin still buzzing, but my gaze flicks toward the clock on the wall. My brows draw together.
“They were only supposed to be gone for thirty minutes… forty, tops,” I murmur, more to myself than to him. “We joked they’d walk in and catch us in the middle of everything… or maybe try to join in, depending on who it was.” I let out a soft laugh, but it dies quickly.
He props himself up on one elbow beside me, eyes still half-lidded from our earlier high, but instantly more alert. “They’re fine, baby. It’s probably just traffic… or Liam convinced them to grab dessert and took forever picking the right one.” He leans in, brushing his lips over my shoulder. “You know how he gets about sweets.”
“I know,” I whisper, letting out a small laugh, but it’s laced with nerves. “I just… I don’t know. I had this picture in my head that they’d walk in mid-make-out or something. I didn’t expect… silence. For this long.”
Lennox pulls me closer, cupping my cheek with his palm. “They’re okay. I promise.”
I nod, but my eyes still flick toward the bedroom door. My instincts are better now—sharpened after everything we’ve been through.
“Come on,” Lennox says softly, pressing a tender kiss to my temple. “Let’s get dressed, and you can give them a call while we finish things up in the kitchen. You and Kam already did the heavy lifting—we’ll just plate everything and keep it warm so it’s ready when they get back.” He pauses, brushing his knuckles down my arm in that calming way he knows always grounds me. “It’ll help take your mind off the spiraling. I know you’re worried, but Sarah’s locked away for good this time. She’s not getting anywhere near us. Not now. Not ever.”
With a sigh, I nod again, slower this time. “You’re right.”
He flashes me a grin as he stands and pulls on a pair of joggers. “Aren’t I always?”
I toss a pillow at him and slip out of bed. “Only when I’m not.”
We dress quickly, the familiar comfort of moving around together in our shared space helping to ease some of the tension pulling tight across my shoulders. As we walk into the kitchen, the smell of roasted garlic and butter hits my nose—warm, homey, grounding. Lennox sets out plates while I reheat a couple of dishes and check the oven.
Just as I’m about to tap Liam’s name on my screen, ready to launch into a very concerned—and maybe slightly dramatic—where-the-heck-are-you monologue, the front door swings open.
Chaos follows.
Footsteps, laughter, the crinkle of shopping bags, Lexxas babbling loudly over it all like she’s delivering the evening news. The entire house shifts with their energy, warm and loud and full of life. Relief floods me, but it’s quickly overtaken by the fire of motherly indignation. They were gone way too long for what was supposed to be a “quick trip.”
Lennox leans over and murmurs near my ear with a smirk, “Go get ’em, Mama Bear.”
Oh, I intend to.
“Where have you been?” I grill Jaxton, stepping out from the kitchen with my hands still dusted in flour, an apron tied securely around my waist and the smell of roasted herbs trailing after me. My arms fold instinctively across my chest—not out of anger, but from the quiet storm of worry that’s been brewing. “You were supposed to be back over an hour ago.”
The second I lay eyes on them, my heart skips—just a little traitorous beat—and the tension I’ve been holding starts to fray at the edges.
“We stopped by Mom and Dad’s,” he says, voice warm and low. “Wanted to introduce Lexxas... figured it was time.”
Everything inside me softens. My posture, my breath, the tight hold I had on my worry. “You should’ve told me. I would’ve gone too.”
“We’ll go again tomorrow,” he murmurs, brushing a loose curl away from my face like it’s second nature. “But next time, we’ll bundle Lex a little tighter. Weather’s dropping fast.”
I can’t help the grin that stretches across my face, excitement bubbling up like it always does this time of year. “They’re saying snow tonight.”
He snorts, rolling his eyes in the most adorable way. “In Louisiana? We haven’t seen a white Christmas since I was ten.”
“Let me have my dream,” I tease, nudging him playfully.
“I’ll give you anything you want.”
And then he kisses me—slow and sure and so full of meaning it steals the air from my lungs. My knees buckle, but he’s already got me, guiding me backward until I feel the cool press of the fridge behind me, his body shielding mine from the rest of the world. It’s not just a kiss. It’s everything we’ve been through—everything we’ve survived—wrapped into one breathless vow that he won’t say out loud, but I feel down to my bones.
Just when I’m melting completely into him, a familiar voice slices through the heat of the moment.
“Alright, that’s enough.” Lennox strides back in with Lexxas perched on his hip like a little queen, his brow furrowed and mouth drawn into his best imitation of stern dad mode. “You two are ridiculous. Bee, come sit down. You’ve been cooking all afternoon with Kam—you’re done for the day.”
I laugh, heart still racing from the kiss and the relief, and press one last soft peck to Jaxton’s jaw before turning to follow Lennox into the dining room.
Because honestly? Being ridiculous in love is the best kind of problem to have.
Liam
By the time we all gather around the table, the scent of roasted herbs, buttery rolls, and Kam’s garlic mashed potatoes fills the house like a warm hug. Plates clink. Chairs scoot. And for a split second, everything feels perfect.
Dan couldn’t make it until the weekend, but Avery insisted we still celebrate today. I can’t blame her. We don’t take days like this for granted anymore. Not after everything we’ve faced. Every minute with her feels like a blessing—one I’ll never stop being thankful for.
Especially nights like this.
I glance to my left where she’s settled between me and Lennox, her arm curled protectively around our daughter. Lexxas babbles happily in her lap, making little fist-grabs for the soft fabric of Avery’s sweater. The glow on Avery’s face isn’t just candlelight—it’s motherhood, it’s joy, and it’s something that cracks my chest open every time I look at her.
Lennox passes me the rolls, his grin wide and knowing. It’s twin time tonight. We get to share her—really share her—and even though we’ve been together for a while now, it still feels surreal. She’s ours. We’re hers. And that connection only deepens with every quiet moment like this.
“She’s eyeing my stuffing like she wants to fight me for it,” Lennox says, nodding toward Lexxas, who is very clearly fascinated by his fork.
Avery chuckles, brushing a kiss to the top of Lexi’s head. “She’s been practicing her death stares. Kam taught her.”
Kam, already smirking, lifts his glass. “Guilty. But let it be known—she blinked first.”
Laughter rings out around the table, easy and genuine, and I soak it in like sunlight.
“You know,” Jaxton says, stabbing a bite of sweet potato, “this might be my favorite version of normal. Loud, chaotic, filled with good food... and a baby who thinks Lennox is a chew toy.”
“That’s because he always smells like syrup,” I add with a grin.
“Can you blame me?” Lennox shrugs. “I’ve got sweet written all over me.”
“Sweet chaos,” Avery teases, leaning into my side. Her hand brushes my thigh under the table, casual and loving, and something in my chest settles. Grounds me.
Lexxas lets out a squeal as I spoon a bit of mashed potatoes onto her baby plate and slide it closer. Her tiny fingers immediately mash it into her face, and Avery just smiles like it’s the most magical thing she’s ever seen.
“She’s a work of art,” Avery murmurs softly, and we all go quiet for a beat—because she’s not just talking about the baby. She’s talking about this. About us.
And yeah, she’s right.
She is, too.
I reach for her hand, lacing my fingers with hers, and squeeze gently. “You’re the glue, Bee.”
“And the spark,” Lennox adds, brushing her cheek with a knuckle, causing her to blush.
The aftermath of dinner looks like something out of a Thanksgiving special—plates stacked, forks scattered, crumbs from rolls that didn’t stand a chance. Everyone’s full, a little sleepy, and totally content.
Lexxas starts rubbing her eyes with the back of her tiny fists, her head wobbling just slightly before she plops it against Avery’s chest. My heart melts, just watching the way our little girl burrows closer to her mama like she’s already halfway to dreamland.
“She’s wiped,” I murmur, nodding toward Lexi. “Big day for such a little queen.”
Avery brushes her lips across Lexi’s curls. “She’s been fighting nap time since lunch. Probably all the excitement.”
Kam’s already stacking plates, his sleeves rolled up and focused. Lennox is grabbing glasses, while Jax is scooping up the napkins with practiced ease. We’ve got a rhythm when it comes to after-dinner cleanup, and honestly, I kind of love it.
Avery starts to shift, like she’s about to stand with Lexi still clinging to her like a koala.
“I’ve got it,” I tell her, stepping forward to take Lexxas gently from her arms. “You helped cook all this magic. You’re off duty now.”
She protests immediately. “So did Kam—and he’s over there scrubbing dishes like a martyr.”
Kam chuckles without looking up from the sink. “I am not a martyr. I’m a man with a sponge and a mission.”
“See?” she points out triumphantly, looking back at me.
I grin and lean in, brushing the tip of her nose with a kiss before lowering my voice. “Yeah, but you’re our queen. And I’m not above pulling rank.”
Before she can get another word in, I give her one playful little swat on the backside—gentle, teasing, and just enough to make her gasp and laugh—and guide her toward Lennox.
“Go with Lenn,” I say, smirking. “Team baby bath is calling. And you know she’s gonna splash water everywhere again.”
Avery rolls her eyes with a half-smile, but her cheeks are pink and her eyes are soft. “You all gang up on me too much,” she mumbles.
“Only because we love you,” Lennox teases, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss just behind her ear before smoothly scooping Lexxas from my arms. “Come on, Bee. Let’s get this little marshmallow cleaned up and into jammies before she decides she’s a professional escape artist again.”
As they disappear down the hallway, Lexxas’s babbling growing softer with the distance, I turn back to the kitchen, watching Kam and Jaxton fall into easy conversation while they work.
I roll up my sleeves, grab a towel, and join in, my chest full.
There’s something sacred about this routine—the way we care for each other without having to ask. Avery’s protected, Lexxas is loved, and this house? It’s more than walls and windows. It’s the life we almost lost… and the one we’ll never stop fighting to keep.
“Alright,” I say, rinsing a dish and handing it to Kam. “Let’s get this cleaned up before Lennox floods the bathroom trying to play mermaid dad again.”
Kam snorts. “Again? That man owns more bath toys than Lexxas does.”
We laugh, shoulders brushing as we work side by side, and I can already hear Avery’s voice down the hall—gentle, melodic, the lullaby of our forever.
Yeah. This is everything. And I wouldn’t trade a second of it.