Chapter 88

Alex and Aurora: almost 5 years old.

"Skye loves your twins," Anna smiled, her eyes watching her daughter, Skye. The little girl followed Alex everywhere. If he went to the ball pit, she followed. If he played with his cars, she played with her stuffed animals nearby.

As if on cue, Alex abandoned his cars and went to Aurora, who was building something with blocks—maybe a castle with two and a half walls?—and knocked it over, grinning.

Aurora pouted, but she'd long since given up crying over her brother's destructive antics. She grabbed a block and threw it at him, missing his scar by a few inches.

"No hitting," I told Aurora firmly, then turned to Alex. "And Alex? No breaking things."

"But Mama!" Alex protested.

"No."

"No hithing?" Skye repeated, hiccuping. Anna sighed.

"She's two and a half, Soph," Anna said. "And she already has a crush?"

I laughed. "I'm sure it's more like fangirling. She thinks he's super cool because he can jump high or something."

"Yup, she's not supposed to be fangirling so early!" Anna whined. "She's two and a half!"

I giggled. She wasn't wrong. Skye, with her chubby cheeks and shoulder-length hair, should have been busy being a toddler, but instead, she was fangirling, clapping whenever Alex did something he was proud of (even if we weren't), and mimicking everything he did.

"How prepared are you for the third baby?" Anna asked, looking away from the children.

"Oh my, so ready!" I said, placing a hand on my swollen belly. "I'm a million months pregnant."

"The doctor says anytime now," she reminded me. "Do you think this one's going to be your last?"

"I don't know," I said honestly. "I think yes? It just feels like this baby will complete us."

"Girl or boy?" she asked, her eyes shining. "I think it's a girl."

"I think it's a boy," I said.

"Well, a boy would balance out the ratio. Alex is surrounded by girls now."

"Trust me, he's enough," I smiled at my son. My heart ached, remembering the accident a few months ago. He'd been bedridden for a month, and I hadn't left his side, especially after our last conversation, where he'd thought Gabriel and I didn't love him.

I sighed. "I can't wait for the baby, but I'll miss giving all my time to the twins."

"I know how that feels," Anna frowned. "Every time Zach and I talk about another baby, I'm scared Skye will feel neglected. She's so little."

"Hm, yes," I murmured.

"At least with Alex and Aurora, they have each other's company."

"Ouch!" I gasped.

Anna's eyebrows furrowed. "Sorry? I didn't mean it offensively. I meant that when you and Gabriel are busy, at least they can play together, not that you'd ever let them feel lonely."

"No, no," I stopped her. "I—I think I just had a contraction."

Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

I nodded, cradling my belly. I felt wetness between my legs and winced. "I'm sure. I'm—I'm in labor."

"Okay, okay. Gabriel? GABRIEL?!" She shouted, making the babies flinch.

Within seconds, my husband was there, fear in his eyes, relieved to see everyone was okay.

"Your wife is in labor. She's…" Anna started taking deep breaths. I looked at her. Hadn't she given birth, too? She looked like she was having a panic attack.

Gabriel's eyebrows furrowed, then his eyes widened as he rushed to my side. "Okay, okay. No need to panic."

"I'm not panicked," I said. "I've done this before, remember?"

"I'm not talking to you, Freckles. I'm talking to myself," he said with a nervous smile. "I'll get the baby bag, then we'll go to the hospital. I'll call your doctor on the way."

"Baby! Baby!" Aurora exclaimed, jumping and clapping.

"Baby?" Skye repeated, looking for Alex, who was diving in the ball pit.

His head popped up. "Did you say baby? Is it time?"

"Yes, it's baby time," Gabriel said, turning to me. "Bag, yes. Bag."

"Mh-hm," I nodded, smiling. He kissed me. "I love you, Freckles."

I melted into his arms. "I love you," I kissed him back, wincing as another contraction hit.

My labor lasted over six hours—373 painful, sweaty minutes—ending with a baby's cry. A little boy was placed in my arms, my husband hovering over us.

I was tired, tears in my eyes as I stared at him.

"I love you," Gabriel murmured, kissing my forehead. "You're the strongest woman I know."

I smiled.

He continued, "I'm going to love you and our three babies forever, okay?"

"I have no doubt about that," My smile widened as he kissed me. We turned to our sleeping baby boy.

The door opened, and my twins rushed in, stopping when they saw their little brother.

"Come in, my loves," I ushered them. Gabriel put them on the hospital bed. They leaned in to see.

"Your brother," I said, "Ronan Whitlock."

"So little," Alex said in awe.

I smiled, and Gabriel kissed Ronan's forehead. "This is how little you were when you were born."

"Really, Dada?"

"Yes. And I used to hold you and talk to you for hours."

"Dada, you're the best," Alex said, swinging in Gabriel's arms.

"Mama?" Aurora called.

"Yes, my baby?"

"I will always protect Ronan."

I shared a look with Gabriel and smiled at our daughter. I wished I could lean down to kiss her.

"And I will protect Aurora and Ronan!" Alex announced.

"Yes, champ," Gabriel ruffled Alex's hair. Alex huffed and jumped back onto the hospital bed. I held Ronan while the twins sat on either side, kissing his cheeks. Tears streamed down my face as I looked at my family.

All my tiredness vanished watching my older children adore their little brother.

"Our family, hm?" I looked at Gabriel, whose expression mirrored mine.

"Our family," he repeated with a dreamy sigh, kissing me.