“See? I knew you’d be an excellent mother,” Jackson said.

Kat smiled and cuddled their son Troy to her shoulder. Having him in her arms, his weight heavy on her and his little hand clutching her finger tightly, made everything perfect. As his deep breaths relaxed her, she felt content knowing she was doing what was right. Her son was safe and protected.

“I still feel like I’m messing something up,” she whispered.

“You’re not. I mean look at us—we just took our new son on an uneventful plane ride from Boston to Rock Springs. We’ve got this.”

“It certainly helps we’ve had experience with Lexi and Noah’s girls.”

“Considering they are both little hellions like their father, it hasn’t been easy, but yeah, a great learning experience.”

Kat gently slapped him on the arm. “Stop. Those girls are little angels and have you wrapped around their little fingers. Noah isn’t here to give a hard time to, so save it until we’re at their house.”

Jackson grinned. “I’m just practicing.”

“Trust me; you don’t need the practice.”

“Well, you know what the coaches always said: ‘Taylor, if you want to play professional ball, you’ve got to practice all the time.’ And so I did, and was able to play for the Pittsburg Steelers.”

Kat rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you practice getting our luggage so we can get on the road.”

Once they were settled in their rental car and on the road to the house Lexi and Noah were renting, Kat relaxed, knowing Troy would continue to nap.

“I don’t know how Lexi does it.” Kat shook her head and watched the houses go by. “She’s been through a lot and it seemed like she was finally getting everything she could ever dream of. I can’t imagine the worry she must constantly be under.”

“I know.” Jackson reached over and grabbed her hand. “But you know she’s a fighter, just like you. Neither one of you would have gotten this far if you weren’t. Everything’s going to be okay. It’s just a little bump in the road. They’re down to four weeks to reach the minimum the doctor thinks she needs to stay pregnant. She’s going to make it.”

“I know. I’ve been praying as I’ve never prayed before.” Kat turned in her seat to check on her son. “They’re going to be so surprised.”

“You’re assuming nobody spilled the beans already.”

Kat shook her head. “I don’t think so. Evie and Anthony were surprised when they came back, which means the Trio didn’t say anything to them, and we all know how hard it is for them to keep a secret.”

“True. If they haven’t been told, I think this is going to be the pick-me-up they need.”

“I can’t believe we are finally parents.”

“Well, I can’t wait to teach him football.”

“As you’ve said a half a dozen times a day since we found out we were getting a child.”

“Hey, they’re never too young to learn the beauty that is football.”

Kat rolled her eyes. “If it’s so beautiful, then why you do swear so much when you’re watching it on television?”

“Because they don’t listen to me when I’m yelling at them which plays to run.”

“I still say you should go into coaching; you love the game so much.”

“Yes, football is my passion, but I’d rather spend my time with you, and now Troy. Family is everything. I’d have to spend too much time away from the two of you.”

“Selfishly, I have to say that you wanting to spend so much time with us means everything to me.”

“Here we are,” Jackson said as he pulled into the driveway.

Immediately, she got out of the car and opened the back door to get her son out. Watching his little arms and legs kick in excitement when he saw her melted her heart. Cuddling him to her chest, she turned around when she heard the door open.

“What do we have here?” Noah asked and held his hands out for the baby. “Who is this handsome young man?”

Jackson came around the end of the car and put a blanket over the baby in Noah’s arms. “Meet Troy Taylor, the newest addition to our family.”

“Really?” The grin that spread across Noah’s face was pure joy. “You guys are really parents? That is perfect. I’m so happy for you—I know you’ve wanted to adopt for a while, and now you have your son.” He turned from them and walked up the stairs, and opened the door to the house.

“Aren’t you going to help with our luggage?” Jackson called after him.

“I am,” Noah said. “I have the most precious piece of luggage you own right here in my arms.” Stepping through the door, he yelled into the house, “Hey, Lexi, you won’t believe what Jackson brought us.”

Kat quickly walked into the house and followed Noah, leaving Jackson outside grumbling about not getting any help to bring all the luggage inside. Standing at the doorway to the bedroom, she saw Lexi propped up by some pillows and Troy in her arms.

Lexi looked up at Kat with tears rolling down her face. “I’m so utterly happy for you. I know how much this means to you, and I can’t put into words everything I know you are feeling.”

Kat had to take a deep breath before she could speak. “You know.” She walked over and sat down on the bed next to Lexi, and put her hand on the small of her son’s back. “He’s really ours. I didn’t want to say anything until the papers were signed and he was in my arms. I didn’t want to hope and dream, only for it not to happen. But once it finally did, and he was here, in my arms looking up at me, everything fell into place.”

“Tell me everything,” Lexi said.

“He’s four months old, and his mother was a teenager. She knew she couldn’t give him the life he deserved, so she put him up for adoption. They found out pretty quickly he didn’t have much hearing, and because of that, there weren’t many couples who even showed interest in him. But Lexi, when I first laid eyes on him, I knew he was ours, as surely as if he had been conceived by us. This little boy right here deserves everything. He deserves all the love in the world, and that’s exactly what we’re giving to him.”

“Looks like we’re all going to have to learn sign language,” Lexi said.

“Jackson and I have already started. He’s super smart, and I think he’s already picking the signs up.”

“Of course he’s smart,” Lexi said. “He’s got you as a mother.”

“Why not like me as his father?” Jackson asked as he leaned up against the doorjamb.

Lexi raised one eyebrow as she looked at him. “You forget, I’ve known you most of my life.”

“Oh, burn.” Noah slapped Jackson on the back. “Good to have you here. We’ve missed you.”

“You’ve missed giving me a hard time.”

“Always, my man. Always.”