Tamar

I head out onto the back deck and hand my husband a bottle of our own home-brewed beer. Kage stands at the grill flipping the meat, pulling me close and kissing my temple as I smile at him. “Thanks, kitten. Did Mae finally go down for the night?”

“Finally. Though I swear, we’ll be lucky if she’s not up at the crack of dawn.” I smile at the thought of her, thinking of how she’s the perfect blend of the two us. Definitely a handful, and she keeps us on our toes. Good thing we all moved into the solar home Huntington had put up as the bounty. It’s been nice having Lars, Dessa, and Ramon close by, since they’re all happy to watch Mae from time to time. And once Dessa has her baby, it’ll be nice to watch our babies grow up together.

“Food’s just about done.” Kage piles the venison and chicken onto a few plates, and I help him bring it inside where we’ve got our small group gathered.

It’s been nearly four years since we went up against Huntington, and about three years since Cashwell and Dessa got the power back. We’re still a long way off from the world we once lived in, but compared to what we’d been dealing with, our lives now feel downright luxurious. One by one, the power plants have been coming back online, and though there still isn’t a whole lot of industry or manufacturing yet, things are definitely heading in that direction. And even if there isn’t a huge variety of food always readily available, we now have access to some basics, and we’ve been able to grow, raise and hunt whatever else we need.

Dessa picks up a juicy piece of meat and pops it into her mouth, before sitting down at the table and piling food onto her plate, since her pregnancy hormones keep her constantly grazing between meals. “You’re one hell of a cook, Kage.”

There’s freshly baked bread, salad, goat cheese, and mashed potatoes to accompany the piles of meat Kage was cooking. Everyone’s happily digging in, especially since the men will be leaving first thing in the morning to take care of some business Felix has for them with the other chapters. Luckily, they’ll only be gone for a few days.

The club has truly stepped up to the plate in bringing the community together, doing all it can to get things back to normal. Kids are back in school, food’s being grown, farm animals are being raised, and people are being fed and protected. With each day, each week, each month that goes by, we take another step toward something resembling what we’d lost, even if it’s a new version of it.

Not to say things aren’t dangerous. There will always be selfish assholes out there—assholes like Benji, who are willing to step on everyone around them. And that means I need to speak to Kage before he goes, especially since I’ve decided that I won’t be going with him for this trip. He wasn’t too happy about it, but with a toddler to watch over, and Dessa looking ready to pop, it’s best I stay close to home.

The meal is incredible, and before long, I find myself alone with Kage, watching the sun set and paint the sky in brilliant pinks and purples. I lean back against him as he wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck, his beard scruffy against my skin, as I breath in his scent, holding onto this moment. “I need you to stay safe, Sherlock. Don’t you dare take any unnecessary risks. Cause I won’t be there to have your back.”

“I know, kitten. But I’ll have my brothers with me, and there’s nothing that can keep me from coming back to you and Mae.” His words drift over my skin on a warm breath, and I can hear the conviction in his voice.

I know he’ll do all he can to stay safe, but some things are out of his control. Which is why he needs to know. “Kage… I can’t do this without you. I need you to come back to me.”

“Hey…” He turns me around to face him, brushing the hair from my eyes, his touch lingering as he looks at me, concern darkening his intense gaze. “What’s got you so worried, kitten?”

I take a deep breath and try to push away all the concerns that keep trying to rob me of this moment. “I’m pregnant, Kage. And I need this child to know its father, so don’t you fucking dare go and get yourself killed.”

He lets out a laugh of happiness, picking me up off the ground and swinging me around. “You make me so fucking happy, Tamar.” He kisses me like he’s done a million times before, and yet it always gives me butterflies like it’s our first time. “Nothing can keep me away from you and our family. I love you so fucking much.”

I smile against his lips as I kiss him once more, each day bringing me a new happiness now that I have Kage in my life. “I love you too.”