Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Love you.” My hands go to her ass, urging her up.
Right as my tongue slips inside her mouth, Beckett gurgles and Wolf whines, coming to nudge my leg.
“I pumped a lot today. Do you want to feed him?”
“Yes.” She clambers down and I go to him right as he lets out a wail.
As soon as he’s in the crook of my elbow, he settles, his eyes focusing on me.
“Dinner is in the oven.”
“Your mom made lasagna?”
“I did it. And I made enough to take over to Rowan and Ford.”
“Rowan and Ford, or the whole ‘hood?”
“Maybe us women planned a potluck. Ford lifted the ban on visitors. We’re finally allowed to see Xander.”
I cock an eyebrow. “As compared to the hours you spend on Facetime every day with Rowan?”
“It’s not the same.”
“I think Ford was on to something. He should have held out longer.”
After the drama of Jewls, Harley, and Willow’s deliveries, Ford took matters into his own hands. He spoke to Rowan’s doctor and convinced her to induce. Since the date was set, everyone in their lives descended to Nashville for the birth. The Whitman family stayed at their house, but Hotch and Cassie stayed with Ford and Rowan.
All the women were in heaven with the arrival of Xander.
Ford was in hell with everyone in his space full-time.
When Hotch and Cassie left, after two weeks of non-stop company, Ford had enough. He banned visitors. Addie and Carson tried to fight him, but he didn’t budge.
He took the week off and stuck to his rule.
Beckett squirms and a wispy sigh floats across the room. I glance to find Willow leaning on the doorframe, her eyes full of happiness as she stares.
This happens often.
“He knows who you are.”
“He’s starting to.” I breezed through a few of her baby books and know he likely recognizes our voices and scents.
“No, I mean he knows you’re a protector. In your arms, he is safe.”
Damn if her words don’t score deep.
“You gonna get me a bottle before he gets pissed?”
“In a minute. I’m enjoying the view.”
I give her the minute, knowing exactly where she’s coming from. I didn’t think it was possible, but my obsession with Willow has intensified over the last seven weeks. The moment the nurse put Beckett in her arms, something inside shifted.
And every day it grows.
He’s clearly done waiting, letting out a shrill cry.
“Okay, buddy, I’m on it.” She pushes off the doorframe, and I follow her to the kitchen.
She brings me a bottle, then curls next to us on the couch. “Mom went shopping again.”
“Saw the bags.”
“Only one bag was baby stuff. The rest is for the house. She went overboard. Every time I mention something, poof, it’s here the next day.”
“The woman likes to shop.”
“I think it’s guilt gifts.”
“Maybe, or maybe it’s her way of helping. She knows you didn’t get much done before Beckett was born.”
“I’m grateful we were in the house before he came.”
“Told you we would be.”
She smiles sweetly, running her finger over his cheek. “Your daddy put the fear of God into our contractor.”
“We came to an understanding,” I correct her.
“Whatever you say.”
My eyes catch on the table where an envelope sits with familiar handwriting.
The hair on my arms stands and I adjust Beckett to my other side, tucking her closer.
“What did this one say?”
Her eyes dart to the table and back to me. “I haven’t read it yet. Mom brought it.”
This isn’t the first time Stacy or Sterling have delivered letters from Rylee.
Apparently, being ostracized from your sister’s extravagant wedding and shunned from every family celebration flipped a switch with Rylee’s attitude.
Sterling officially moved back into their home after our wedding.
A little tough love went a long way in straightening Rylee out. She found a job and, after a few months, moved to a small apartment on her own.
It was older, outdated, and not up to her perceived glamorous deservings, but it was safe and she could afford it.
Sterling Richards may put up a hard-ass front, but he loves his children. Stacy and Sterling helped her get settled and showered her with the same attention they did Chase and Willow.
According to Willow, her parents’ marriage is stronger than ever because, for the first time, they can concentrate on themselves.
Rosie and Lynden are rebuilding their relationship with Rylee in their own way. Like Sterling and Stacy, they are cautious of Willow’s feelings.
Willow made it known she couldn’t care less. Our life moved on and there’s been no looking back.
Chase, on the other hand, remains fiercely protective of Willow and is not as forgiving.
The letters started arriving the month before Beckett was born.
Sterling brought the first one to me. He knew I’d go fucking off the chains if Rylee wrote anything to upset Willow.
It was a few paragraphs that eventually led to an apology.
Willow didn’t blink an eye when I handed over the open envelope. She was finally in tune with my ways.