Page 179 of The Betrayal

“Oh, fuck off,” my dad lets out a loud laugh and the room laughs along with him.

The rest of the evening is filled with nothing but love and laughter, oh, and matching tees for the men. All picked out by me and Keaton and we think they're pretty spot on.

Killian - Mr Steal your daughter’s best friend.

Titus - Marries the job.

Kaleb – Pussywhipped.

Keaton - Mr Steal your best friend’s daughter.

Xavier - Mr Stockholm Syndrome.

Dex - Stalker.

Nate - Secretly Kinky.

And yes, Nate's was a complete fluke, but there is something about that dark horse. He keeps his cards close to his chest for a reason and I'm sure in time, we will all find out. But until then, he is just Nate.

We're all sitting in the living room, soft music playing, and I feel complete. I lose myself deep in my thoughts for a moment to when I came home from hospital. I was broken in every sense of the word. Keaton found a parcel and handed it to me, and I knew what it was as soon as my fingers touched the box.

“What is it?” Keaton asked and I swallowed down the tears.

“Some books...” I paused, the lump in my throat burning.

“Oh,” is all he responds with. My trembling fingers pull at the tab, and I slip the two books out.

I choke on my inhale of breath, hot tears rolling down my cheeks as I hold the two parenting books in my hands.

“I was terrified that I wouldn't know how to be a mom,” I sniffled, palming my tears away, “I wanted to be the best I could be, but growing up without one made me think I would fail. How could I be a mom when I didn't know what having a mom was like?” I looked up at Keaton and he stood in front of me, his hand cupping my cheek as he catches a tear with his thumb pad.

“You didn't need a mom, because Ari, you would have been the best damn mom in the world. You fought so hard, you done everything in your power to keep those girls safe. And you did.” He crouches in front of me, “I have no doubt in my mind baby, you are a mom. You were a mom from the moment you saw the two lines on that pregnancy test so don't ever fear you don't know what it's like. Your mom was a coward, and you, my love, are not.”

Yes, I may have not had my mom and I was raised by a single dad, but now, sitting here and looking at everyone, I've realized that they're my family. Not blood, but family nonetheless.

They found me when I didn't know I was lost.

Keaton sits beside me, hand on my bump and my head is on his shoulder and right now, everything is perfect.

“I love you blossom, thank you for guiding me out of the darkness.”

I lift my head as I look at him, unshed tears glassing my eyes.

“And I am so glad that your dad took the job in England.”

“Me too baby, me too,” his lips lower over mine and my heart leaps in my chest. “I love you Keaton Mills, until the end of time, forever and always.”

“Forever and always, Blossom, forever and always.”

EPILOGUE

ARIZONA

I never thought my heart would be as full as it was now.

Two sons.

Smith and Sebastian.