Broken Hearts (Light in the Dark 5)

“Hi is her favorite, next to no.” Thea laughs, looking lovingly at her daughter. “Do you guys mind if we eat in the family room?” she asks. “I think I’m too tired to adult and use the dining room table.”

I laugh. “Family room is great.”

“Rae texted me and said they’d be here in a few, and that was right before you got here, so they should be here anytime,” Thea says over her shoulder, as the rest of us follow her into the family room.

She sets the dishes she holds on the ottoman that sits in front of the sectional couch so I do the same.

I look back and see Jace toss Xael into the air. Her giggles fill the air and Jace smiles from ear to ear.

It breaks my heart he’ll never get to do that with Beckett, but we have a second chance with these babies.

Thea heads into the kitchen and returns with plates for everybody. She sits down on the floor by the ottoman and stretches her legs out.

“Kids are exhausting.”

“They’re fun,” Xander argues with her.

“Easy for you to say, buddy, you get to leave the house. I’m stuck here.”

He chuckles and looks down at the sleeping baby in his arms. “You love it.”

She blows out a puff of air. “Yeah, I do, for some strange reason.”

We here the chime letting us know the door is open and a second later Rae calls out a hesitant, “Hello?”

“We’re back here,” Thea calls out to her.

A moment later Rae and Cade appear.

“Hi.” Rae smiles, setting her purse down.

“Hi,” Xael echoes.

“Hey, guys.” Cade places his hand on Rae’s waist. “Are we eating in here?”

“Yeah,” Thea says, already opening the lids on some of the dishes. “I can’t make it to a table. I’m a new mom, I need sustenance now.”

“Then how’d you make it to open the door for us?” Jace argues.

Thea points at him. “Watch it, Jacen.”

He laughs and sits down, holding Xael on his lap. I sit beside him, and Xander carefully sits down so he doesn’t wake the baby. Rae and Cade come over and join us. I’m sure we look ridiculous sitting on the floor to eat our food, but if you can’t be ridiculous with your friends, then they’re not really your friends.

We all pile the food onto our plates—some pasta dish I found the recipe for online. It smells delicious and my mouth waters.

“So,” Thea begins around a mouthful of food, “Jace and Nova have some news.”

Rae and Cade look at us, waiting for us to elaborate.

“You tell them.” I nudge Jace’s shoulder.

He smiles at me, and in his smile I see all the love he has for me. It’s overflowing and it hits me like a freight train. I’m lucky to have someone who loves me this much, so much so they’re willing to fight for me, for us, in the darkest moments of our life.

“We’re having a baby,” he tells them.

“Oh, my God!” Rae cries. “That’s amazing!” I can see tears in her eyes.

“Congrats, guys,” Cade adds, clapping hands with Jace.