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“Yup, I sure did. I know this is the big city, but word still travels.”

“What's the word on the street then?” Turning to look at Mia, I couldn't stop the grin from hitting my face.

“Well, from what I heard, you got into it with ass-face.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Tapping my finger in the air, I asked, “By ass-face you mean Nico, right?”

“Do you know another ass-face? Does he have a twin?” Giggling, the baby jerked in her arms. Mia snuggled him tighter, hushing his soft cry.

“The only thing that matters about that fight is that he's not going to bother us anymore, that I know.”

“What makes you say that? I mean how could you know for sure, he went months before that little mess, what if he does it again?”

Shaking my head no, I let my gaze fall to the floor. “Not this time.” Picking at the arm of the chair, I spun the tip of my finger into a small knot of the wood. “Cadence made sure of that.”

Cocking a brow, Mia tilted her head. “And how the hell did she do that?”

“Let's just say he knows how she feels now. That girl is one tough fucking woman, and she proved it.”

“You guys better keep that talk child friendly, I don't want my son's first word to be douche-bag or something.” Cadence stretched her arms high above her head, reaching into the air as she yawned.

“Hey girl, how ya feeling?” Mia asked with a smirk.

“Exhausted.” Rolling to her side, she cupped her chin.

“Get used to it. With the size of Riley, it looks like you're going to need to grow more tits, like a cat or something. How the hell do you plan on feeding this beast?.”

Cadence laughed hard, shaking her head. “Well he'll have to make do, that's all I got to say about that.”

“But seriously, Cadence, he's beautiful.”

“Handsome,” I said, holding my hand in the air. “My son is handsome, his mother is the beautiful one.”

“Alright tough guy, he's handsome.” Eyeing Cadence, Mia veered her stare and rolled her eyes.

“I saw that, don't get sassy now.” I gave her my best stern face, holding my jaw firm, brows raised in reprimand.

It didn't work, both women started laughing, and not just a soft giggle. The two of them were laughing so hard they couldn't breathe. Cadence started to cough, patting her chest with one hand. Mia's head fell back, lips opening wide.

“You want him, Cadence?” Standing, Mia was still trying to catch her breath.

“Absolutely.” Coiling her arms around our son, I watched her face light up with joy.

There was an extra twinkle in her eyes, a spark that hit and exploded as she looked down on our son.

Her smile was contagious, hitting her cheeks at her ears. Instantly, Mia and myself were smiling along with her.

And as she spoke in a low voice, whispering quiet love notes to our baby, I finally felt complete.

My heart had been hers, she owned it.

And now Riley owned it too.

This was my family, this was my forever.

This was what living was all about.