Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC 14)

The corners of her mouth slowly curve up. “I love you too.”

“Missed you all day.”

“Same.” She leans in and kisses me. “I’m happy you’re home.”

Home.

I glance around at the back yard, the house, the pool. It’s not quite the home I had in mind.

But then, I look at my family and know the location doesn’t matter. It’s the people surrounding me who make it a home.

Epilogue

ZERO

A way down the road…

* * *

“You’re sure we’re finding out the sex today?” I ask Lilly for the millionth time.

“If she’s in the right position, yes.”

“It still might be a boy.” Actually, I don’t care. I’m just thankful we’re having this one at all.

She’s exasperated with me. But fuck I love going to every appointment with her and Chance.

I heft Chance up in my arms. “You want to find out if you’re having a brother or sister?”

He shrugs and looks away. “I don’t know.”

“I told you we should’ve been trying harder,” I murmur to Lilly once we’re in the car. “He’s almost old enough to not want one at all.”

“If we tried any harder, your you-know-what would’ve fallen off.” She rests her hand over her bump and stares down. “I never knew I had an issue. My man must have magic stuff.”

“You know, I never get tired of hearing you say that?”

“I’m aware.” She sits back and closes her eyes. I reach over and place my hand on her leg.

“Feel okay?”

“Just tired.”

“You rest. I’ll get us there.”

I have to wake her after I park the car. She’s still groggy on the way inside. Something I plan to ask the doctor about today.

Chance perks up when we enter the doctor’s office.

The doctor’s pleasant enough. “Let’s see what we can find out today.”

The wump-wump of the baby’s heartbeat gets me every time. I squeeze Lilly’s hand and hug Chance a little tighter to me.

“There she is.” The doctor points to the screen. “You’re having a girl.”

“Are you sure?” Lilly asks.

The doctor smiles. Probably gets asked that a lot.

Outside, armed with a new vitamin prescription that should help with some of the fatigue, Lilly throws her arms around my neck. “We’re having a girl!” she says against my lips, kissing me. “Told you.”

“Mom, Dad. Can we go?” Chance taps the window to get our attention.

“We’re going. Hang on.” I squeeze Lilly’s hand to stop her from climbing into the car. “Here, I wanted to give this to you today.” I place a dark blue, square box in her hand.

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

She carefully pries the lid of the box. “Oh,” she breathes as she pulls out the long silver chain and the locket dangling from the end. “It’s a mermaid.” She smiles up at me. “She’s so pretty.”

“Look closer.” We both tip our heads to study the sparkling design. “Her struggles are over. She’s sunning herself. Enjoying life.”

She stares at it and takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes. “She is.” Her mouth twitches with a hint of a devious smile. “I bet she settled down with a merman who has a giant cock.”

“The mother of my children,” I mutter with a grin stretched across my face. “It’s a locket. Open it.”

Chance’s picture is on one side, the other one waiting for our baby girl.

“Z, it’s perfect. Thank you.” She sighs and wraps me up in another embrace, pressing her cheek against my heart. “I love you so much.”

I swallow around the tightness in my throat. I’ve killed for this woman and I’d do it again. No hesitation. No regrets. No apologies.

“You mind stopping at the clubhouse before heading back?” I ask.

“I think Hope will be upset if we don’t.”

After she’s safely inside, I take a moment to send a quick text.

Chance can’t stop squirming in his seat once he knows where we’re headed.

The gate swings open for me as soon as I get close and I guide the truck up the long, steep driveway. The parking lot’s full, but Lilly doesn’t ask why.

Inside the clubhouse, we find Ivy toddling around the main room. “What are you doing out here all by yourself?” I ask, swinging her up into my arms. “Where’s your brother?”

She points toward the dining room, and I kiss her cheeks before setting her down.

“I had my eye on her,” Willow whispers loudly from the hallway. “Independent streak in that one.”

“Hey, Willow.”

She hurries over to hug Lilly and say hi to Chance.

“The parking lot is packed.” Lilly glances around at the empty clubhouse. “Where is everyone?”

Willow jerks her thumb over her shoulder. “Dining room.”

Chance grabs Ivy’s hand and tugs her toward the hallway. The two kids race ahead of us.

“What’s going on?” Lilly mutters.

“No idea.” I grin at her.

She squints at me. “You’re up to something.”

I shove the swinging doors open about a second before Chance smacks into them.

“Surprise!” a chorus of boisterous voices shout.

Lilly turns to me. “What is this?”

The room’s covered in pink and yellow. Streamers, balloons, everything. Full of our whole Lost Kings MC family. Upstate and Downstate. “I think it’s kind of obvious.”

Lilly smacks my chest.

“Please tell me it’s still a girl,” Hope says, rushing over to hug Lilly.

“Oh my God, yes.” Lilly dissolves into laughter. “What is all this?”

“Your baby shower!” Hope glances over her shoulder and calls Trinity over.

“The guys didn’t want to be left out,” Charlotte says. Teller glances at her like he had a slightly different statement in mind.

“That’s not exactly how this happened,” Jigsaw says. “We were lured here for a—”

Rooster cuts him off with a fist in his gut.