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“I got an email from Doctor Nelson today,” Mal said as Rocky drove them home. Their boys were happy and tired, sleeping quietly in the back of the cruiser, and the car was rich with the smell of beef ribs. Hazel at the diner had dropped the food off at the daycare for them just before they headed home.

It was Friday and all Rocky was looking forward to was a sweet weekend with his boys and some not-so-sweet bedtime shenanigans with his mate. Liam and Joe were alternating being on call over the weekend and barring emergencies, Rocky and Mal had a weekend to enjoy just being at home.

Which meant Rocky didn’t need an email from a doctor in New York to put a stick in the spoke of his plans. “Anything important?”

“Hmm, I don’t think so. He wanted to check up on us, see how we were doing. He’s completed writing his case study. He assures me that our personal details will be kept private. I think he was looking for a closing comment from us to finish it off before publication.”

Rocky snorted. “What would he want us to say? I was cursed through no fault of my own. It blocked my link with you. We loved each other anyway. You bit me. I bit you. Curse gone. Now the only thing that I worry about is how long Hector will stay asleep. I swear the moment I think about kissing your luscious lips, that boy seems to have a sixth sense about that sort of thing.”

“I actually think that’s Samuel.” Mal chuckled. He’d gotten a lot more relaxed as they adjusted to their new normal, to Rocky’s relief. “I’m sure I saw him poking Hector the other morning, just before I thought they’d wake up.”

“And our doc tried to tell us babies don’t have hand-eye coordination yet.” Rocky shook his head, flicking on his turn signal as he swung the car into their road.

“It could’ve been coincidence.” Mal admitted. “But yes, with Doctor Nelson, I did write and thank him for his help during what was a very difficult time for us both. I did say that we were both very happily mated, and let him know we now had two sons. I also told him that I appreciated we wouldn’t have the life we have now without the help of him and his team and wished him success when his case study was published.”

“You said that far nicer than I would have.” Rocky smiled as their house came into view. “Home sweet home. I know I have a lot to be grateful for. Doctor Nelson is on that list, as well as our friends, and the men we rode with for so many years. I’m grateful to Ra for deciding we should settle here in Arrowtown as that really turned our lives around, and I’m over the moon with our sons.” He parked the car, turning off the engine.

“But most of all I am grateful for you, dear Mal.” Rocky turned in his seat and stroked down his mate’s cheek. “You stood by me and believed in me through everything and for that I will thank the Fates every day. If I haven’t told you today, I love you, babe.”

“I love you, too, my mate.” Mal kissed his fingers and then reached over the back and grabbed the beef ribs. “I also know you very well. For example, I know if you take these ribs, then half of them will be eaten by the time I get the boys inside and get to the table. So you can take the boys in and put them in their crib for a nap, and I’ll organize dinner, shall I?”

“But…but…” Rocky’s stomach was rumbling. “Fine. I’ll be quick. Make sure you save some for me.”

“I’ve shared everything with you since the day we met.” Mal opened his door and climbed out of the car, taking the ribs with him. Ducking down, he peered back in and grinned. “I’m not going to stop doing that now, but I suggest you hurry. I’m hungry and these smell really good.”

“I wish I could say the same for Samuel,” Rocky grumbled as he got out of the car. Quietly opening the back door, he sniffed again and shook his head. Damn it, it’s Hector’s butt as well.

But as he unbuckled his sleeping boys and juggled them so he could carry them both into the house together, Rocky was still smiling. He and Mal had the very best life, and Rocky knew from the depths of his soul that he had Mal to thank for that.