Page 14

Paxton

It’s been a month since Harris and Marc kidnapped Piper.

They had their court date this week and both were found guilty of aggravated kidnapping.

Which is the most severe charge that they could be found guilty of.

They were both sentenced to twenty-five years.

No parole. They were also found guilty of aggravated assault on Georgíos.

They both got an extra ten years which they’ll serve consecutively.

So they’ll be in a federal prison for thirty years.

Lorenzo Mancini was Piper’s attorney. He stated that if the brothers were allowed to be in the same prison, they could spend their time plotting against me.

The judge agreed with Lorenzo and they’ll be in separate prisons.

And they’re not allowed to have any contact.

Our Lake Renegade family came back for the court date. That night we had a party to celebrate that this ordeal was over. It was the night I asked Piper to marry me, she said yes and we’re planning a winter wedding.

“Are you coming with me to my appointment?” Piper asks me as we’re getting ready for our day.

“Of course. Are you okay? You won’t tell me what the appointment is for.”

Piper smiles at me. “It’s because I don’t know yet either. But when I know, you’ll know.”

I chuckle. “Let’s get some breakfast and head to your appointment.”

I make eggs and pancakes for everyone and we all sit down to eat together. Then Piper and I head to the Doctor’s office.

I wait in the waiting area while she goes back for her appointment. Twenty minutes later, the nurse comes out.

“Paxton Vandenberg?” she says.

I stand up. “That’s me. Is everything okay?”

“I need you to come with me.”

I frown as I follow the nurse. She opens the door and motions for me to go inside. Piper is laying on the bed as she smiles. The Doctor is in the room too.

“Are you okay?” I ask Piper.

“I’m fine.” She says as she holds her hand out to me.

I take her hand and stand next to the bed. The Doctor squeezes some gel on Piper’s belly. And all of a sudden there’s a whooshing noise and then a thumping noise. I look at Piper and she has tears falling down her face.

“Is that what I think it is?” I say softly.

“That’s your baby’s heartbeat. Or I should say babies. Here’s baby A and here’s baby B. Congratulations.” The Doctor smiles at us.

I look at Piper and kiss her.

“We’re having babies.” I say to her as I kiss her.