Katrina suddenly gave Mason the sweetest, softest smile as she glanced up at him in adoration. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
The startled look that passed over Mason features was comical as realization struck. “Ho-ly fuck,” he said in awe. “We’re having a baby?” he asked in disbelief, as everyone else watched as the emotional moment played out between the couple.
Katrina slowly nodded. “Yeah, we are,” she said, her voice filled with happiness. “That’s why I’ve been nauseous for the past few weeks. It wasn’t the flu after all.”
Mason wrapped his wife in a huge, exuberant hug. “I can’t believe we’re having a fucking baby!” He released her and shook his head, still seemingly in shock. “How did it happen? We weren’t even trying to get pregnant.”
“It must have been that super sperm of yours,” she said with a laugh.
“Oh, hell yeah,” he said, and sealed his lips over Katrina’s in a hot, passionate kiss that conveyed exactly how he felt about his wife and the new addition to their family they were going to have.
“Jesus, Mason,” Levi said when the embrace went on a bit too long. “Get a goddamn room already.”
“Screw you guys,” Mason said, though he was beaming with pride. “My wife is having a fucking baby and I’ll kiss her if I want to.”
While Tara and Sarah fussed over Katrina, Jackson stepped up to his brother and shook his hand, their strong grip expressing the mutual respect they’d developed for each other as siblings. “Congratulations, Mason. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, man.”
The doors to the delivery area opened, and Clay burst through, a huge, elated smile on his face. “Charlotte is finally here,” he announced, excitement infusing his voice. “She’s healthy and beautiful, and Samantha and the baby are doing great.”
“When can we see them?” Tara asked anxiously.
“I can take you guys in, two at a time, so her room doesn’t get too crowded and Samantha doesn’t feel overwhelmed.”
Mason stepped forward, his hand in Katrina’s. “Charlotte’s favorite uncle gets to go first.”
Clay just rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure,” he said, humoring his brother.
Everyone had a chance to visit mother and baby, and when it was Jackson and Tara’s turn to head into the private room, Tara went straight for Samantha and the infant in her arms, while he hung back with his brother, watching the two women as they cooed over the squirming baby.
Jackson lightly slapped his twin brother on the back, grateful to be a part of this special moment. “Congratulations, Clay. You’re a very lucky man.”
“I know.” Clay grinned at him, his gaze sliding to Tara. “So are you.”
Jackson nodded in agreement. He was fortunate in so many ways, but the two things that mattered the most were having Tara as his wife and being a part of this family he’d been separated from at birth. Now, he couldn’t imagine his life without either.
He glanced across the room and watched as Tara picked up Charlotte and held the infant in her arms. The look on Tara’s face was so gentle, and he didn’t miss the yearning he saw there, too. It caused his chest to expand with love, and it made him want to give her everything she’d ever wanted, including a baby of her own.
Once their time was up, he walked hand in hand with Tara out to his car.
She let out a soft sigh and glanced his way. “I can’t believe that Katrina and Mason are having a baby, too,” she said, her tone wistful.
“I know,” he agreed as they came to a stop on the passenger side of his Porsche. He leaned in close and skimmed his lips against her neck and smiled as she shivered in response. “I’m feeling kind of left out. Want to go home and make a baby, Mrs. Kincaid?”
God, he loved the way that sounded. Before he’d married Tara, he’d had his last name legally changed back to Kincaid, with the support and approval of all three of his brothers—the ultimate form of acceptance into this family where he belonged.
Tara pulled back to search his gaze, the hope in her eyes shining bright. “Are you serious? You’re ready to have kids?”
He gently tucked a silky strand of hair away from her cheek. “I’ve been ready to have a baby with you since the day we got married, and there’s nothing more I want than to have a family with you. Our family.”
“I want that, too,” she whispered. “So much.”
He touched his lips to hers and grinned. “Then let’s go make it happen.”