Page 151 of Reaper

“A toast!” Punisher calls out and everyone raises their drinks.

We’d already planned to have someone say a toast, so we all made sure to have drinks on hand before coming out here.

“To Lil’ Bit, Timber, and their boys! May the boys continue to grow healthy and strong; may your delivery and recovery go smooth; and may your love for each other grow as your family grows.” He pauses and grins. “Now drink up, you fuckers!”

Everyone laughs and cheers before taking a drink of their drinks. The women converge on Lil’ Bit as they all hug and congratulate her.

I wait my turn and wrap her in a hug when she turns towards me. “Congratulations, Lil’ Bit. You’re going to be a fucking fantastic mom to these boys.”

She laughs and sniffs before wiping her eyes again. “Thank you. It’s a good thing I didn’t wear any eye makeup today with how much you all are making me cry.” We both chuckle as she wipes her eyes again. “I know it’s not the same, but Patch and Mary have been letting us babysit the kiddos a lot as practice. Levi, Thor, and Dragon have been babysitting, too. Mary has also offered to be there for both Levi and me once the babies are born as an extra set of hands. Elvira, too.”

She laughs again and puts a hand to her stomach. Then she snags mine and puts it over the same spot and I smile when I feel one of the boys kicking. Squatting down, I set my drink down and place both hands on her stomach as I lean in close.

“Hey there, little ones, it’s your Uncle Reaper. Be good to your mama for me. I can’t wait to meet you three in person.”

We both laugh as all three of them kick.

“I think they like the sound of your voice,” she says, still laughing.

“Well, I’m always happy to talk to them.”

Longing for a child of my own fills me again as I stand and Lil’ Bit hugs me again before tilting her face up at me, a little smirk on her face.

“Well, maybe you guys will be next?” she teases and my gaze jumps to Lark who’s laughing at something Half-pint just said.

“I would be completely okay with that happening.”

Lil’ Bit gasps and then leans in close, her eyes sparkling. “When are you going to ask her the big question?”

I bite my lip and run my hand over the box that’s in my pocket. “I had planned to do it tonight right before midnight. I want my ring on her finger before the ball drops. Privately though. I didn’t really want a big crowd present for it.”

She gasps again and bounces on her toes in excitement. “Yes!” But then she pauses as she frowns. “Wait, you said ‘had’. Why wouldn’t you still?”

I rub the back of my neck. “I’m second guessing myself now. I don’t want to take any attention away from you and with this attack, maybe now isn’t the right time.”

She frowns and puts her fists on her hips as a stern mama look comes over her. “Anthony,” she starts, and I straighten at her using my real name as worry runs through me. “I would be thrilled to share our special day with you both, and I know Timber would, too.”

Grinning, I nod, even though I’m still hesitant.

“Alright, you sneak off whenever you want to do your thing. I’m guessing the bag Timber brought back was more of the games which I know Levi asked him to get even though I wasn’t supposed to know about it,” she says with a wink, and I laugh, shaking my head.

“Not much gets by you, huh?”

“Nope,” she sasses, and I love that she’s got that twinkle back in her eye after all of this shit today. “So, we better get back inside and get you distracted or you’re going to be like me a few minutes ago and staring at the clock every chance you get.”

Laughing, I let her lead me back inside along with the others.

Later that night, it’s nearing eleven when I snake my arms around Lark’s waist.

“How’s it going, Darlin’?”

She sighs as she melts back against my chest. “Good. Glad that we’ve been able to still give Mae a good day despite what happened earlier.”

I lean down, kissing her temple. “You amaze me, Darlin’,” I murmur and her breath hitches as my lips graze her ear.

Suddenly nervous, my throat tightens as I try to get the words I want to say out, but when I can’t, I press a kiss to her neck, just below her ear. Taking her hand, I lead her back down the hallway and then down to the spare room.

Lark gives me a curious look as I shut the door behind us and lock it. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I try and shake off my nerves.