Epilogue
Maverick
We all wince when Winnie tumbles over, not having self-preservation, and lands headfirst. Colt and Dallas both jump to grab her as her little lip starts to quiver.
Kinsey shakes her head, not moving from the long bench swing where Brielle rests against her.
My father laughs. “Ahh. She’s fine. A little dirt to toughen her up!”
Brooks rolls his eyes, hopping off the porch to join the rest of his pack checking on their daughter.
I glance over at my wife again as she rubs her swollen belly, groaning as she shifts for the fifth time in less than ten minutes.
“I hate this. I’m not doing it again,” she sasses.
Kinsey pats her shoulder. “You’re fine. Once they come, you’ll forget all about it.”
She glares at her. “You have no say. You carried one; I have two of those little fuckers in me.”
Levi snorts, rocking back in his chair. “Then you have to think about double the diapers, double the tantrums, and double the mischief.”
“Dad,” I chastise even while I smile. I honestly can’t wait for the twins to be here. After the unexpected wedding and heat, we were a little relieved to come out unscathed and not pregnant. We wanted the chance to grow together as a pack and settle all the court problems with her parents.
Brielle opted to take the pill instead of the shot they usually administer after heats that are supposed to last until the next heat.
It surprised no one when Colt smelled her early pregnancy, and she admitted to forgetting to take them sometimes with an embarrassed expression.
We didn’t expect the possibility of there being two babies.
Twins were never on our radar, but with each passing month, my excitement grows.
Duke walks out from inside and over to hand Brielle her chocolate-covered blueberries, before he sits down on the chair across from her. “We’re ready. I mean, my mom said she still has our baby cribs. Those things are built from solid wood.”
Kinsey and Brielle exchange a glance before the former smiles. “You should take them, they were built for twins after all.”
Duke looks up at me, confused. I can see the dilemma, they share a family with a different baby daddy. Heirlooms will have to be split, and they’ll probably be divided unevenly.
“Did you even keep any of my stuff, Pops?” I say to break the slightly somber mood.
My father huffs. “Of course. It’s in the shed. Probably got a pair of boots in every size available.”
“Oh my god. Baby boots are the most adorable thing ever,” Brielle says, plopping a blueberry in her mouth.
“Daaa!” A short squeal has all of us sitting up.
Kinsey’s hand trembles as she touches her lips. “Well, that’s new.”
Brielle snorts, pointing at the men gathered around Winnie. “Oh god, look at them. If they weren’t already wrapped around her finger, that just sealed the deal.”
Duke has a big grin on his face. “That was adorable. Let’s make a bet on which one teaches her a cuss word first. I bet it’s Colt.”
We all laugh.
Cooper has one twin, and Duke has the other. Both of them resting the babies on their chest. Golden hour, they call it.
I sit next to our golden girl, holding her hand. After a long labor, Brielle stayed awake long enough to greet our babies, kiss them on their heads, and then she promptly passed out.
She doesn’t stay asleep long, just having a small nap before she stirs awake again.
I smile as her eyelashes flutter open. “Hey, Princess. How you feeling?”
Brielle squints at me, holding out her hand for water before glancing around for the babies. Once she spots them, she relaxes back into the bed. “I feel like I just birthed two whole ass watermelons through my vagina.”
Cooper snorts, then makes some shushing noises as he rocks the baby in his arms.
She watches them with a soft smile. I stand, stroking the hair off her face as she looks up at me.
“I got you a push present.”
Her eyes widen and her grin spreads. “You remembered?”
I nod. “Of course, but since I’ve already gotten you a couple pairs of boots, I figured you’d like something else.”
She tries to sit up, and I help her get into whatever position she wants before moving to grab the giant box across the room.
“Oh my god. It’s so big.”
“That’s what she said,” Duke chimes, and even I have to stifle my smirk as she glares at him, waving a finger.
“You are holding a child. Behave,” Brielle scolds.
I set the box on the tray hovering over her lap as Duke snorts, before he says, “Darlin’, you carried our babies around. I’m sure they picked up something from your mouth.”
Her cheeks flush, and then I tap the box.
“Ignore them. We’ve all been a little stressed with the birth, and now we’re letting out steam. Duke’s just trying to rile you up.”
She huffs, then slides the box closer before removing the lid.
“Shut the fuck up.” It comes out in a broken whisper, and tears well in her eyes as she pulls out the pink cowgirl hat.
Even under the hospital lights, the gems stuck over every inch twinkle.
Her mouth hangs up as she turns it over in her hands before sniffling, her gaze flickering between all of us.
I clear my throat. “Custom made, just for you. One of a kind.”
Brielle swallows harshly, wiping the fallen tears from her cheeks. Her fingers run over the rim of the hat. “It’s perfect. I—thank you.”
“Thank you, Sunshine. For blessing us with this life. Our pack, our babies. It’s all because of you,” Cooper adds.
The emotions flowing through the bond at the moment even have me choked up.
She shakes her head. “It’s all of us, not just me.
Y’all saved me, healed broken pieces I didn’t even know I had.
” I grab her outstretched hand, and lean in to give her a chaste kiss.
When I stand straighter, I realize Duke is next to me and I grab the sleeping baby from him, so he can move to her side.
Holding my son in my arms is an experience hard to explain, but it’s the gift of a lifetime. I give them a moment of privacy and sit next to Cooper.
He smiles, glancing down at our baby and then the one in his arms. “I doubted we could do this, but the moment I saw them, I knew. This is our family, and we’re going to be a loving, caring family.”
I kiss my son’s forehead, agreeing wholeheartedly with Coop’s sentiments.
Cooper runs his hand through his hair, staring down at the mess we’ve caused. “She’s going to kill me. Lie and tell her you did it. It’s your home, she can’t kick you out.”
I grimace, throwing a towel at him. “Our home, and hell no. That’s not a mistake I’ll ever own up to.”
He groans, falling to his knees and starting to soak up the spilled breastmilk.
I have to stifle my laughter, knowing he’s stressed beyond belief, and the milk is expired.
It’s why it was left on the counter, so it can’t be mixed up with the fresh supply in the fridge.
It’s my tiny slice of enjoyment since we brought the twins home from the hospital.
Their separate sleep cycles are slowly driving us all insane.
Who knew that two tiny things could have such power over four adults?
I glance toward the hall as footsteps thud through it, getting louder the closer they come to the kitchen. Cooper begins wiping faster, and this time I can’t hold back my laughter.
Brielle pops around the corner, Duke right behind her, both cradling a baby to their chest.
“What is taking so long?”
Cooper stands, throwing the soaked towels in the sink. “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I’m so, so sorry.”
She frowns, taking in the scene and then a deep breath. “Please tell me that was the pitcher that was left on the counter.”
He frowns, confused. “It was. I’m sorr—”
Brielle relaxes. “Oh, thank god.”
I snicker again, and she narrows her eyes at me before looking back at Cooper.
“Did that giant oaf not tell you it was expired? We left it out because I was thinking of trying to make some soap from it.”
Cooper tenses, then turns to me with a deadly stare. “You knew it was expired?”
I shrug. “Maybe, maybe not.”
Duke laughs, then shushes and bounces as our son starts to fuss.
Opening the fridge, I pull out the full container and grin at Cooper. “Come on now. Our babies are waiting to be fed.”
My mouth drops when I register the scene before me just as her scream pierces the air. I slam the door shut, the threat of bile rising in my throat.
"Oh god. Oh god. My eyes!” Kinsey cries, her hand covering her face as she shakes her head.
I guide her down the hallway, my stomach feeling just as queasy.
“Is that even allowed?” she says, gagging.
The head nurse looks at us concerned, and I wave her off. “I think you guys should invest in some do not disturb door hangers.”
Her nose wrinkles, knowing exactly what we just walked into. I open the front door and help Kinsey waddle through. She leans over, her hand curling over her bicep as she pukes into the bushes.
“Jesus, Kins,” I say. It’s a little dramatic, even if I feel just as grossed out.
She wipes her mouth, glaring at me. “I’m pregnant. Leave me alone. The sight of my father’s wrinkly—oh god.” She heaves again, squeezing her eyes shut.
My lips twitch, and I can’t hold back the laughter. After a few minutes, and with her stomach a little more settled, she shakes her head, trying to catch her breath.
“I can’t believe that just happened. I thought we were past that chance of walking in on our parents.”
I shudder a little. “I thought so too, but hey, at least we know he’s happy.”
She grimaces, swatting at my chest. “Shut up. I don’t ever want to think about it again.”
We stare at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing. It’s been a handful of years since she came into town, and she and her best friend blew all our lives up. And it hasn’t been a dull day since, especially since we all keep having kids. We’ll soon be outnumbered.