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Jez nods, already pulling out a tablet from who-knows-where and opening a dozen tabs.

“We’ll research everything we can on the Rut. Old lore, modern theory, journals, even cursed Reddit threads. Hell, I’ll have the shades ask around, too. If there’s a cure or a workaround or a loophole, I promise you, we’ll find it.”

“You’re going to get your HEA, goddamn it,” Penny declares, one hand over her heart like she’s reciting a holy vow.

And then she screeches.

“Ohhhhhhh! Shiiiiit!”

Penny doubles over and clutches her belly.

“I think it’s time,” Jez says calmly as she dials her phone, already three steps ahead of the rest of us.

“Oh, just great! NOW? You want to come out now? Just like your father!” Penny yells at her belly like she’s about to ground her unborn twins for poor timing.

Avery gasps, half-laughing, half-crying. “This is great. This is so great.”

“Yep. Great. Now get Max so I can kill him!” Penny screams, all power and pain in one terrifying roar.

The front door bursts open, and in comes the man himself, tearing through the room like the actual Devil, his face carved with panic and love and utter awe.

“Sugarplum!” Max bellows.

He sweeps Penny into his arms like she weighs nothing, even as she slaps his chest.

“You did this! Ouch, Mac, ouch!”

“Easy. It’s okay. I got you, my love. Mrs. O’Hare is here, too,” Max tells her.

“Okay. Good. Is the tub ready?”

“Yes, everything will be perfect,” he tells her, as if his own will could make it so.

I know about the at home water birth she’s planning.

Honestly, I am terrified.

And it’s like she knows I am plotting my escape, because Penny turns her head sharply toward me.

Her gaze locks onto mine, fierce and demanding.

“Don’t you dare go anywhere, Arliss.”

My breath catches. And I nod.

“I want you right here. You’re one of us now.”

She groans, curls a hand around Max’s neck, and then smirks through the pain.

“Are you sure? I mean this seems like a family thing,” I mutter as in waltzes a group of men.

Some of them are in work clothes. Most look shocked and a little petrified.

“You’re damn right, I’m sure! Now, Jez, and you too, Avery, make sure she stays. Ohmygawd! Maximillian Leeds! I swear to God you are never getting near my girly bits again—ow!” she screams.

“Easy now, Sugarplum. You don’t mean that,” Max croons to her as he whisks Penny to where Mrs. O’Hare has apparently set up the birthing tub.

“I do so mean it! Oh, Arliss?”