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WILLOW

Six Months Later

I stand in the kitchen of our new home, watching through the window as Ezra plays with Wren in the backyard. My baby is blissfully happy and adores her father. I love how much Ezra loves her, and how he’s not afraid to show her. Whenever she has something to say, show him, or even if she wants to play, he’s there, listening, watching, or playing. It’s something I never experienced and it’s everything I could have ever hoped for for my baby girl.

A year ago, I was terrified of returning to Boston. Now, I have a home, a family, a sense of belonging I never thought I'd have again. Ezra and I are stronger than ever, our love deepened by everything we've been through together. And Wren... she's thriving, so happy to have both her parents together.

The club has been quiet lately, no threats or trouble on the horizon. It's allowed us all to relax a bit, to enjoy this period of peace. Natalia and Ghost welcomed their baby boy two months ago—a beautiful, healthy little guy they named Alex. Seeing Ghost as a doting father has been great to witness, and I know Natalia is loving the way Ghost cares for her and their baby.

Hades has a hell of a lot on his plate at the moment. He got a phone call a few weeks ago, informing him his sister and brother-in-law died, and he’s trying to get guardianship of his nieces and nephews. All five of them. They range in age from fifteen down to four. However, it’s a little harder than anticipated as his brother-in-law's sister is also wanting to be the kids' guardian. She also happens to be the woman Hades has been in love with for years and she’s currently engaged to another man.

As for Ezra and me, we've settled into a comfortable routine. He still has his club duties, of course, but he always makes time for us. Family dinners, bedtime stories with Wren, lazy Sunday mornings in bed—we're building the life I always dreamed of but never thought I'd have.

My hand drifts to my stomach, a small smile playing on my lips. There's one more piece of news I need to share with Ezra. I found out yesterday that I'm pregnant again. The little stick with its two pink lines is hidden in my bedside drawer, waiting for the right moment to tell him.

Part of me is nervous—our life is so good right now, and a baby will change things. But mostly, I'm excited. The thought of giving Wren a little brother or sister, of building our family even more, fills me with joy.

"Mama!" Wren's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Come play with us!"

I smile, heading out to join my family in the yard. As I step outside, Ezra catches my eye, his face lighting up with a smile that still makes my heart skip a beat.

"Everything okay, Little Flower?" he asks as I approach, wrapping an arm around my waist.

I nod, leaning into him. "Everything's perfect," I assure him.

And it is. Whatever challenges come our way—and I'm sure there will be more, as life with the Saint's Outlaws is never completely peaceful—we'll face them together. As a family. Ezra doesn’t make me feel like second best anymore, and that was my biggest fear.

As Wren tugs us both into her game, I can't help but think how lucky I am. I have love, I have family, I have a home. And soon, we'll have a new little one to add to our happiness.

There’s still not been any word on Ivy or her whereabouts. My parents called once when they found out I was back in Boston. Mom’s bullshit started the moment I answered the phone and she demanded to know where her daughter was. I still have no idea why she’d believe I’d know where the hell Ivy is. But she didn’t want to hear that and began calling me a disappointment and a failure.

Ezra heard her and took the cell from me, and he let Mom know that she wouldn’t be calling me again; that if he ever found out she tried to get in contact, he’d make her life hell. He ended the call, and thankfully, I think that’s the last of my family we’ll hear from.

It doesn’t matter. Family doesn’t always mean blood. It’s the ones who find you that mean the most. We build our own, and I have the best family in the world.

Hands slide around my waist the moment I walk into the kitchen after putting Wren to bed. “Tell me,” Ezra says thickly.

This home is gorgeous. Ezra surprised me with it a month ago. He wanted us to have a place we could live in and be together. My house was on the smaller side, and as Wren’s getting bigger, not to mention having Ezra with us, it made the home we had feel small. But I’m loving our new home. It’s spacious, giving us the room we need as our family grows.

“Tell you what?” I ask, spinning in his arms and looking up at him.

Ezra's eyes search mine intently. "Something's been on your mind, Little Flower. I can tell. What is it?"

I bite my lip, suddenly feeling nervous despite my excitement. "Well..." I start, then pause, taking a deep breath. "I have some news."

Ezra's brow furrows slightly in concern. "Is everything okay?"

I nod quickly, a smile spreading across my face. "Everything's wonderful, actually. Ezra, I'm... I'm pregnant."

For a moment, Ezra just stares at me, his eyes wide with shock. Then a grin breaks out across his face, so big it looks like it might split his cheeks.

"Really?" he asks, his voice filled with awe. "We're having another baby?"

I nod, happy tears welling up in my eyes. "Yeah, we are."

With a whoop of joy, Ezra lifts me off my feet, spinning me around the kitchen. I can't help but laugh, clinging to his shoulders.

"God, I love you," he says when he sets me down, cupping my face in his hands. "You've made me the happiest man alive, you know that?"

I lean into his touch, my heart swelling with love. "You've made me pretty happy too," I tell him softly.

Ezra drops to his knees then, pressing a gentle kiss to my still-flat stomach. "Hey there, little one," he murmurs. "I'm your daddy, and I can't wait to meet you."

Tears spill over as I watch him, overwhelmed by the love I feel for this man and our growing family. Ezra stands, pulling me into a tender kiss.

"Thank you," he whispers against my lips. "For giving me everything I never knew I wanted. For being my redemption."

I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him close. "Thank you for loving me," I whisper back. "For loving us."

I stand in his arms, knowing that this time, our lives are going to be so different than when I had Wren. Ezra isn’t the man he was almost six years ago. He’s changed so much. He’s a man I’m proud of. He’s the man that I love so very much.