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I thought back ten weeks.

“Your birthday,” London supplied.

I raised a brow, remembering I’d been a bit of a beast that night. I couldn’t get enough of her. London had been sore in the morning and she’d had to assuage my guilt with assuring me she’d loved every minute of it.

“You’re pregnant,” I repeated, still trying to process it.

London frowned. “Are you not happy?”

I imagined a newborn on top of a three-year-old and a seventeen-year-old and I could see the chaos and exhaustion … But I saw the love too. It was everything my wife never thought she’d have. And I wanted to give her everything she wanted.

“I promise I’m going to stop micromanaging everything so much and I think having a little sister or brother will be the best thing for Michael and me⁠—”

“A ghràidh.” I slipped off the table, uncaring of my nakedness as I crossed the room to coast a hand over her stomach. “You never have to apologize for loving your children. I just wanted you to stop driving yourself crazy trying to be perfect because it’s impossible.”

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at me. So fucking beautiful … it had never stopped aching in the best way to look at her. “So … you’re happy?”

A slow smile stretched my lips. “Do you think we might have another wee girl?”

She laughed softly, happiness dancing in her eyes as she reached to slide her arms around my neck. “A little sister for Michael to be overprotective of? I’d love that.”

I kissed her, hard, my hand gentle on her belly as I reassured her without words that I was more than content.

A throat cleared behind us and we broke apart. One of the therapists had her head inside the door, her hands over her eyes because I was still very much naked. “Um … we can’t … we don’t … there’s no sex allowed in the therapy rooms.”

London fell into mortified giggles and I grinned at the sound, smoothing a hand over my wife’s shoulders. “We weren’t … never mind. We’re just going to put on our robes and head back to the room.”

The therapist kept her hand over her eyes. “You don’t want to finish your treatments?”

“No.” I helped London off the high massage bed. “We have something we need to celebrate. Immediately.”

My wife’s cheeks flushed with understanding, but she was faster than me hurrying into her robe. Smugly, I remembered how needful she’d been in her first trimester with Michael.

I’m a lucky, lucky man, I thought as I followed her out and down the corridor toward the lifts, laughing under my breath at the comical Hurry up looks she sent over her shoulder.

“I’m right behind you, a ghràidh,” I promised. And I always would be.

QUINN

“I can’t believe I’m missing paintball with Dillon for this,” Angus grumbled as he slammed the back passenger door of my SUV.

I ignored him as I’d ignored every complaint he’d made since he woke up this morning. “Grab the blankets.”

He muttered under his breath as I picked up the picnic basket.

“There better be doughnuts, at least.”

I glanced back at my son. “Listen, this is a big deal for your sister, so you’re going to leave that attitude right here and enjoy an afternoon with your family.”

Isla let out a shriek from where she stood at the top of the dunes with Taran. Since Heather’s car was already parked, I assumed Isla had spotted her big sister down on the beach.

“Wait, sweetheart,” Taran coaxed our three-year-old to slow down before they both disappeared over the other side.

“How is it a big deal?” Angus fell into step beside me. “Heather lives here now. It’s not like we’re not going to see her loads.”

When my eldest daughter informed me she was moving back to Glenvulin, I tried not to act like I was as ecstatic as I was. Kids were usually moving away from the islands, not moving back. However, Heather had partnered with a friend from university to open their own eco-focused architect company, and since the Highlands were ahead of the curve on eco homes, they decided to base themselves in Oban. To my shock, Heather missed Glenvulin so much, she rented a flat above Main Street and was commuting.

“Aye, but this is the first time since Hazel that she’s been serious about someone. I need to trust you’re going to be cool about that.”