Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 139803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
He really did look like what I pictured Oliver to look like. I was so happy to see my little boy alive and healthy.
But Julian’s reaction to seeing our little boy melted my heart.
Axel grabbed my hand. “She needs one more push, sweet girl,” he told me.
I groaned but pushed down. I finally sagged back against the pillows as the nurse began to clean me up. My eyes drooped closed. “Take pictures of him,” I mumbled before I let sleep take me, my body and mind beyond exhausted.
* * *
✶ ✶ ✶
* * *
I leaned my head against Axel’s shoulder, both of us watching Julian gently rock Holden in his arms as he fed him his bottle. “Are you going to let me have a chance to hold him anytime soon?” Axel asked teasingly, but he knew Julian needed this.
And it was more than enough for me to watch him with Holden. It was absolutely perfect, and it was the last piece I needed to heal that part of me that was still broken over losing Oliver. Seeing Julian hold the little boy he and I had created was healing for me.
Julian sighed but stood up. “Bro, I was joking,” Axel rushed out. “Sit the fuck down and hold him.”
Julian rolled his eyes but grinned at Axel before he turned those mesmerizing blue eyes to me, a tender smile now on his lips. “Thank you,” he told me softly.
I returned his smile with a soft, gentle one of my own. “Seeing you hold him—that’s all I need, Julian. You finally have what I’ve always felt like I ripped from you.” He opened his mouth, but I shook my head at him. “Don’t,” I told him sternly. “Just let me enjoy this.”
He sighed but nodded. “I love you, baby girl.”
I smiled at him. “And I love you, Julian.”
“Always and forever,” he quietly added.
I nodded in agreement. “Always and forever.”
Axel tightened his arms around me. I turned my head to look up at him, a soft moan slipping from my lips when he pressed his lips to mine, coaxing my lips apart. “You’re an incredible woman, Meghan,” he murmured against my lips. “And I love you so much.”
I smiled up at him. “And I love you, Axel. I always will. Not a damn thing will ever change that.”
He grinned before he leaned down and took my lips in another sweet, slow kiss.
* * *
✶ ✶ ✶
* * *
I led Alli inside of the house, holding her hand in mine. She was nervous—understandably so. But this was her home now.
She would continue therapy three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until Dr. Gresham felt comfortable enough to move her to Tuesdays and Thursdays. She had responded extremely well to her treatment plan, and finally, six months after Holden had been born, Alli got to come home.
She could have come home sooner, but she felt like she wasn’t ready, and so I told her to take all the time she felt that she needed. The last thing she needed was to rush into something.
“Babe, is that—holy fuck.” Julian stared at Alli before finally, a grin pulled at his lips. “Told you that you could do it, darlin’,” he told her.
She smiled at him, her body relaxing a tiny bit now that she had dealt with one of the guys, but I knew she was still extremely nervous to see Axel.
“Where’s Axel?” I asked him.
Julian moved forward and cupped my face in his hands, pressing a soft, gentle kiss to my lips. “Changing Holden’s shitty ass diaper,” he informed me. “I’ll go switch with him.”
Axel and Julian were amazing when it came to Holden. They easily took turns, and they were both incredible fathers to him. Axel loved Holden with every fiber of his being, regardless of his lack of biological DNA to bind them.
“Hey, sweet girl,” Axel said as he rounded the corner. His eyes widened when they landed on Alli at my side. “Alli?” he breathed.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Hi,” she squeaked, her hand tightening around mine, her other raising in a tiny wave.
He rushed forward and wrapped his little sister up in his arms. “You’re home,” he rasped. “Fuck, you’re okay.” Tears slid down his cheeks. “You’re fucking okay.”
I rested my hand lightly on Axel’s shoulder. “I’ll be in the kitchen,” I told him quietly. They needed a moment together.
Julian was feeding Holden his lunch when I stepped into the kitchen. He grinned at me but scowled when Holden squealed and knocked his bowl of food to the floor. “That shit? I promise I’m not going to miss it when he gets older,” Julian griped.
I laughed as I moved over to the closet where we kept all the cleaning supplies. Julian reached around me and grabbed what he needed. I rolled my eyes, but a smile crossed my lips when Julian pressed a light kiss to the tip of my nose. “I’ve got it,” he told me. “Axel know yet?” he asked, glancing down at my belly.