Avenger(71)

My brows furrowed together in confusion. “But…I didn’t know there was any animosity between different types of shifters. I mean, you’re friends with Nolan and he’s a tiger, so…” I trailed off.

“Sophie, where we are there aren’t that many groups of shifters. You have us, what was the Grimm pack, and Nolan’s family,” he ticked each off on his fingers. “Most are up north and to the west. It’s easier for them to blend in. And while there’s not a lot of hostility like what we’ve had to deal with from Travis, there is a rift. I guess little man is so supposed to repair that,” he flicked a finger against Beau’s nose. “But it is just a story. Who knows what we can expect? For now, I say we take everything one day at a time. We’ll cross those bridges when we get to them.”

“When did you get so smart?” I laughed, beaming up at him.

“Since always,” he smirked, kissing me. I had missed moments like these—moments when we were just normal Caeden and Sophie and we didn’t have to stress about Travis.

It was hard to believe, that after more than year and watching our friends die, it was over. Travis was dead and he was never coming back.

We’d stuck around to watch the house burn down and when it had completely crumbled to ash, I’d felt so…relieved. I was finally at peace. We didn’t have to constantly look over our shoulders, wondering when Travis would make an appearance. He was really and truly gone, and we had nothing to worry about anymore. It all seemed so surreal. It had been a long exhausting journey to get to this point though. People had died and our lives had forever been altered, but it really had come to an end. I’d never forget the ones we’d lost though. We’d been lucky not to lose anyone this time, but we hadn’t been as lucky in the past. I missed Logan something fierce, but without his sacrifice I’d have died and I would’ve never had the chance to hold my son. Gazing down at Beau, I knew it was all worth it, and I’d go through everything again and again for him. He was worth everything. And in the end, we had avenged Logan’s death and the deaths of the others who were no less important. Even Leslee Grimm, Travis’ mother, had gotten the justice she deserved.

The door to Beau’s nursery opened and we looked up to find Nolan standing there.

“Hi,” he said, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Hey,” I smiled. “What do you need?”

“I thought I should let you guys know that everyone is here,” he scratched his jaw.

“Everyone?” Caeden questioned.

“Everyone,” Nolan nodded. “They want to see the baby, and Lucinda brought cake. Let me tell you, it took all my strength not to steal that delicious looking cake and hide in my room stuffing my face.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Tell them we’ll be right down.”

Nolan nodded, leaving the door open behind him.

I looked down at Beau, sleeping peacefully in my arms, then up at my husband. I was so full of love I thought I might burst. “I want you to know, that you’re worth it, Caeden.” His eyes fluttered closed at my words and a sigh escaped his lips. “I know you think that if I’d never met you, my life would’ve been happier, but you’re wrong. You make my life worth living. The both of you,” I placed a kiss on the baby’s head. “I never want you to doubt how I feel. Not for a minute.” I leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips.

“I love you, Soph,” he whispered, his eyes swimming with the love he’d just declared. Having someone look at you like that—with such pure love—it was the best feeling in the world. I wished everyone could find their mate, that one person they belonged with more than anyone else, so that they could experience a special kind of love. The love you read about in fairytales and hope you’ll find, but so rarely do. But I’d found it, and we’d had to fight for it, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It made us appreciate each other even more.

He pressed his lips to mine, kissing me deeply.

Beau began to squirm in my arms and we were forced to break apart. We looked down at him and his eyes were open, his nose wiggling.

“Did you not like Daddy kissing Mommy?” Caeden chuckled. “You better get used to it. I love her and plan on giving her lots of kisses.”

Beau wiggled again, making a face that wrinkled his forehead.

“Look at that, he’s already a mommy’s boy and doesn’t want me to talk about you. I see how it is son.”

I smiled at Caeden and then Beau. My little family was finally complete. And our big extended family was waiting for us downstairs.