Page 69 of Idaho

"German," I sputtered. "I could understand if you mistook it for Dutch, but-" Smiles spread over their faces and I finally caught the humor glittering in their eyes. "You're teasing me," I said, shock holding me still.

"Sure are, Duchess," Butcher said. He nodded to where the car was pulling in. "Well, I am. Toxic might be serious. Looks like the others finally caught up."

I bit back a smile. They'd been teasing me to try to get my mind off the fact that the men, them included, were betting on when Idaho and I would sleep together. I moved over to where Ricochet parked the car and waited for Sloane to get out. My hand went to my heart as I watched her gently lift the baby out of her car seat. "She's beautiful," I whispered, not wanting to wake her.

Sloane smiled at me. "Thank you. She looks just like her daddy."

"Even has his stupid hair," Toxic said, studying the mop of golden hair on top of her head. "Looks much better on her," he offered as Sloane laughed softly.

"Let's get inside," Hellfire told us. "Kit texted and said everyone is at Seek's place. We can go there, or I can tell them to come to yours, if you want, Sloane?"

"Unless she needs to rest," Butcher added. "If that's the case, one of you can stay with her at her place."

"I'm okay, thank you, Butcher. We can go to Seek's." She looked over at me. "You're coming too, right?" She sounded so hopeful and my chest warmed because at every opportunity these women have drawn me closer, accepted me. They seemed to genuinely want to spend time with me.

"Yes," I answered. "Thank you."

We all moved inside as one unit and when we got to Seek's apartment, everyone was quiet. Hellfire must have texted ahead and mentioned that the baby was sleeping, because with hushed whispers the women got up from where they were sitting and hugged Sloane, then me.

"Where are the kids? And the dogs?" I asked.

"Sylvia is watching them," Susie said with a smile as she traced her finger lightly over the baby's head.

"We'll go check on them real quick," Butcher said.

"I'll go with you," Hellfire offered and they left the room.

"What's her name?" Keely asked, her eyes soft as she looked down at the bundle.

"Noelle," Sloane replied, with a grin.

"Oh, because she's a Christmas baby," Gwen sighed. "That's beautiful."

"I love it," Jordan agreed. "How's Rip? Is he going to be released soon?"

"Static is working on it right now," Ricochet told us. "We'll know more later."

We all settled back down on the couches and chairs Seek had in her living room. Auron and Jecht laid down at our feet, ever the vigilant guardians. "Should someone stay and watch over Sylvia and the kids?" I asked.

"Bear is with them," Tori told me with a comforting pat on the arm. "They're using him as a jungle gym and having the time of their lives."

I relaxed after hearing that. We listened as Sloane told us about the birth. She looked exhausted, but thrilled every time she looked down at Noelle.

"Are you okay though?" Daisha asked. "With everything that happened with Rip?"

"I'm worried," she admitted, sadness filling her face.

"Don't be," Jenny told her. "The guys will get him out of there soon."

Dani wrapped her arm around Sloane's shoulders. "As soon as you need a break let us know and we'll put you down for a nap." She yawned. "When the time comes I'll probably do the same." Sloane laid her head on Dani's shoulder. "You guys always seem to know how to make things better."

"If Static has any trouble we'll send Keely to smack them around. Right Keels?" Dani looked around and frowned. "Keely?"

"She was just here," Kit said, looking around. "Where did she go?"

The guys looked over from where they were raiding Hush and Seek's fridge. "What?" Toxic asked.

"Did she go to the bathroom?" Ricochet asked. He set down the sandwich he'd been making and looked over at Toxic with a frown.