Page 167 of Scarred

She’s holding Beckett and smiling down at him as he sleeps peacefully in her arms. Touching his soft black hair, she places a kiss on his head. Her finger traces over his hand, and her smile widens as his fingers curl around hers.

“Careful, Blade,” Stone chuckles softly. “You look like you want another.”

“You’ve got it bad,” Hayes chuckles.

I ignore their comments as Luna lifts her eyes to meet mine. Seeing her holding a baby is doing something to me that I didn’t expect. Putting visions in my head of a life that I’ve long ago stopped imagining.

What if it doesn’t? Mae’s words come back to me.

My feet start walking toward her before I can stop myself, my gaze never leaving hers.

She smiles when I reach her, and something new and real passes between us.

“Do you want to hold him?” She asks softly.

I glance down at the tiny bundle in her arms, and my heart beats steadily in my chest as I touch the soft, downy hair on his head. His eyes flutter open, and I get the briefest glimpse of blue before he sighs and goes back to sleep.

“Yeah,” I whisper, smiling. “I think I do.”

FORTY-NINE

LUNA

Sipping on my wine, I tuck my feet further under my body as I rest on the outdoor sofa. The kids are watching a movie inside. Most of the younger ones have already passed out from all the excitement today.

Cayden’s teammates, except for Knox, left after the cake and presents, but not before Scarlett got them each to wear fairy wings and a tiara from the photo props I had sitting by the backdrop for a group picture. I’m pretty sure Cayden has blackmail on his camera roll now if he ever has to use it.

You can tell how much they adore her, though, and would wear just about anything she asks if it made her happy. Even Thane shows a small smile here and there whenever Scarlett tugs at his hand to get him to follow her.

Taking another sip of wine, I watch Cayden by the bar, talking to my dad and Noah, along with Maverick and his dad, Matt. It feels good seeing him with my family…it feels right.

He catches my eye, and the corner of his lip twitches up before he goes back to his conversation. Images of him holding Beckett flash through my mind again, and it’s hard for me not to picture him holding our baby one day.

“I know that look on your face well,” Skye says, leaning over next to me and whispering in my ear. “It’s the same look Emma had on her face the day she told me about meeting your brother.”

“I’ve always wanted what Noah and Emma have.” I turn and smile at Emma’s childhood friend, who has become like family to me.

Emma and Skye grew up together in Tennessee and have been best friends since kindergarten. In high school, Skye started dating Cole, and they’ve been together ever since. A few years ago, they moved down here to Florida and are now married with two kids of their own.

“I’d say you found it,” she grins, her blue eyes shining as she pats my leg. “I’m really happy for you, Luna. Cayden is a lucky guy.”

“I feel like I’m the lucky one.” I glance through the glass doors and see blonde curls peeking out from the covers on the floor. “I get two people to love.”

“She’s going to fit right in with this crew. I can’t imagine a better family to be a part of. Everyone welcomed Cole and me from the moment we met everybody, and your mom and Maya proudly take on the grandmotherly role when our parents can’t be here. If I know your mom,” she grins, “she’s already thinking of all the ways she’s going to spoil Scarlett.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” I laugh. “I know I am.”

He looks over again, and the need to be near him has me standing up and setting my wine down.

“I’ll be right back,” I say to the girls, walking away before I get caught up in another conversation.

I reach Cayden’s side and take his hand.

“Sorry, guys, I’m stealing Cayden for a bit.” I pull him out of the circle before anyone can protest. I hear the slight chuckles behind me as I walk past the pool toward the backyard.

“You beat me to it,” Cayden grins. “I was just about to steal you away from the girls.”

“And here I thought you had to be fast to be a goalie?” I tease.