“That’s it. Watch for his feet!” I called into the ring as Mickey kept his little gloved hand up, protecting his face just like I had shown him.

“How’s our boy?” Liv came up from behind me, one hand on her growing belly, the other on my shoulder.

“Hey momma.” I tucked my wife into my side, resting my hand on her belly just in time to feel our daughter kick at my palm. “Mic is a natural.”

“Just like his daddy,” she purred, making her way over to the ropes. “Hey little man, ready to head home?”

Our son violently shook his head. “I want to keep sparring.” He bounced around the ring as Skelly playfully practiced with him.

“What have you created?” Liv glared at me.

I threw my hands in the air. “You knew this day was going to come eventually.”

“He’s only five, for crying out loud.”

I pointed to our kid as he threw a perfect, quick combination. “No age is too young, as long as he is having fun and doesn’t take it too seriously yet.”

Her voice caught as she grabbed her stomach. “Shit, Griff.”

I grabbed her. “Is it time?”

She bobbed her head frantically. “It’s too early. We need to get to the doctors.”

I glanced up at Skelly. “Hey, can you watch him?” I pointed to Liv. “We need to go now.”

Skelly picked up Mic, propping him up on his shoulder. “You wanna hang with me for a bit, kid?”

Mic’s jubilant expression was all the answer I needed before rushing out the back door and helping Liv up into my truck.

I drove as fast as I could as my wife screamed in pain in the passenger’s seat.

“Just breathe, babe. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Hurry!” She wailed threw gritted teeth, her eyes slammed shut.

I pulled into the hospital, leaving the truck running and rushing to her side.

“Sir!” a cop yelled from behind me as I practically carried Liv into the emergency room.

“She’s in labor. Tow it for all I care.”

Within minutes, we were in a labor and delivery room and the attending was doing an ultrasound. “You’re having this baby today.”

Liv shook her head. “It’s too early.”

The doctor glanced at the chart. “Only two weeks early. Your little girl is ready to see the world, and everything should be perfectly fine.” She beamed down at my wife.

I took Liv’s hand. “I am going to call Skelly and have him bring Mic here.”

Olive nodded. “I’ll be here.”

After calling Skelly and sending a quick text to Myla, I was back at Olive’s bedside.

“Why the fuck did I let you knock me up again?” she snarled as a contraction came on strong. “Remind me of this moment if I ever get baby fever again.”

I kissed her forehead. “Deal.”

Before we could even register what was happening, Myla, Gavin, Brayden, Karla, Jordan, Shaw, Simon, and Crosby were all piling into the room.

“What the fuck? No!” Liv screamed, and Myla went to her.

“Remember what you said to me while I was in labor for ten hours with everyone in my room?” Myla had her hands on her hips, and the amount of sass that could come from such a tiny body was astounding to me.

“That we were family and family went through everything together, for better or for worse.” Liv grunted. “Fine.”

Twelve hours later, with everyone sleeping in the waiting room, Liv and I welcomed our new bundle of joy, Rhonda, into the world.

I snuck out of the room once Liv was finally asleep with our newborn snuggled up in her arms. Mic was curled up in a chair next to his cousin, Raven.

“Want to see your sister?” I asked my sleepy son as I scooped him up into my arms.

With balled fists, he rubbed both of his eyes. “She’s here?” he whispered.

“We have to be quiet. Mommy and Sissy are sleeping.”

We leaned over the bed and I watched Mic’s face as it lit up. “Daddy, she’s so tiny. Was I ever that tiny?”

He rested his head on my chest, listening to my heart beat. “You were that tiny once upon a time.”

“She’s pretty,” he cooed as his chubby cheeks dusted with blush.

“It’s going to be your job as her big brother to always be there for her. We’re family, and that’s what family does,” I whispered.

“We have lots of family, Daddy. It’s big. She has lots of protectors.”

I hugged him tighter, sitting us down in the rocking chair in the corner of the room. “You’re right, and we are all family because we love each other.”

“No matter what.” His sweet voice made my smile widen.

“I love you, Mickey.”

He nestled his cheek against my chest as he yawned. “I love you, too, Dad.”

I rocked my son to sleep as I watched the woman I loved cradle our little girl in her arms. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked up and whispered, “Thank you, Mic. None of this would have ever happened without you.”