Lochlan watched his family, his friends, his life, as they waited for Sage to appear. She had organized a gathering with everyone she knew. It far exceeded anyone he cared about, but if it made her happy, he’d do anything.

Over the past year, they’d had plenty of ups and downs. They spread their wings, and they fucking flew.

Sage Marlowe had disappeared with her timid ways and grew into a happier version of Sage Hogan. She enjoyed life, she enjoyed love. She embraced every crazy curve thrown her way with a smile on her face and grace on her side.

Loch couldn’t be prouder of the wife she’d become.

“You ready for this?” Nox, who sat on one side of him asked.

“She’s got a hell of a surprise.” Levi, who was sitting on the other with a smirk Loch wanted to knock off, commented.

“She’s gonna have you crying for mercy, Papi.” Asher laughed. Mac and Joey joined in from either side of his brothers.

“Why the hell do you guys know this secret when I don’t?” he snapped.

“Wives talk,” was all that was said.

Anticipation filled the backyard of their new home as his mother and Sage’s sister, Jossilyn, stepped out of the doorway. Joss had, in fact, been in hiding two counties over at a woman’s shelter. Braxton had found her only four months ago, and she left soon after. While Joss was emotionally damaged, waking up from nightmares nearly every night, Loch and Sage had no doubt she would recover and heal.

“What the hell?” Nox and Levi cursed at the same time, sitting up.

Their mother had tears in her eyes.

Loch had a feeling he knew what was happening as the girls all walked closer to them.

“What’d you do, Soph?” Nox growled at his wife.

“It’s Hayes’ fault.” She giggled.

“Sure, throw me under the bus. Sage is the one who started it.” Her eye roll was felt.

“Angel…” His voice held a warning. His innocent little bride enjoyed when he took control. She often told him she couldn’t wear panties when he was all growly.

“I have a surprise for you,” she sang.

The lyrics to “Hit Me, Baby, One More Time” played, and all three girls opened their robes, displaying tiny baby bumps colored in either pink or blue.

Except Sage.

One half was pink, the other blue.

“Twins?” Loch groaned, filled with excitement. He laid his head on her now pregnant belly and soaked up her sunshine and life. Twins. He couldn’t believe it.

Levi was beside him, devouring his wife’s face as she giggled against his lips.

Nox had Soph wrapped around him as he whispered in her ear. The blush she wore and the glazed eyes spoke volumes about what he was saying.

“Are you happy?” Sage whispered, gently brushing her fingers through his hair.

Standing, he crowded against her. Leaning down, he murmured against her lips, “I love you more than life and faith, Sage. You are my dream come true.”

Running her hands along his cheek, she spoke softly. “You are my faith, Lochlan. You define my life and in your gaze, is every promise I never knew I had.”

Their kiss was soft, sweet, simplifying their love for one another as they relished in the news of not one, but two children.

* * *

“Annemarie! Don’t you dare dump that paint on Uncle Porter’s head.” Her fool brother just sat there and let her. At two and a half years old her twins, Annemarie and Lucas, were tiny terrors. Usually because he was encouraging them to be that way.

“He looks so pretty, Mama!” Annemarie cheered as the purple—supposed to be mess-free—paint slid down his back and face turning the grass another color. Sage couldn’t help laughing at the picture he made.

Lucas hadn’t been feeling well, so he was missing the fun and laying down for a nap. She expected him to be his regular happy self again any day now.

“Honey, I’m home!” Loch called from the front door, and she smiled. Their life was far beyond anything she could have dreamed of.

“How’s Sophia?” She immediately asked. It was Soph’s turn to carry twins, and she’d been put on bedrest until her due date next month.

“Putting Nox through hell. He deserves it.” Loch grinned as he pulled her into his arms. “Liam’s thrilled to help her out, though.” Their son had been born just two months after Loch and Sage’s twins.

“That’s great.” She smiled.

Knowing their small family, their friends, everyone, was settling down and falling in love was heartwarming. All she had to do was find the perfect girl for her brothers.

Thinking of them reminded Sage about her other two sisters, Anastasia and Kaidence. They wanted nothing to do with her, Porter, Trusen, or Jossilyn. Their mother had turned into a bitter, vile woman that she refused to subject her children to. While it made her sad to think they would never get to know that grandparent and two aunts, she believed it was for the best.

“Stop thinking so hard,” Loch murmured as he leaned down for a kiss.

“I’m just wondering…” she replied with a smirk.

“Oh boy,” he groaned, “what’s spinning in that beautiful mind of yours?”

“That maybe we could be ready for another?”

“Another what?” he asked, getting distracted by their daughter’s happy laughter, clueless to what she was saying.

“Another baby.” She pressed her lower body fully into his now hardening cock.

His eyes locked on hers. Heat filled them as his mouth opened and shut. They’d spoken so many times about having more children, but Sage had wanted time to appreciate the two they already had.

“You mean…”

“I’m ready, Lochlan. I want more. I want you to ravage me so thoroughly I can’t see straight.” He picked her up, carrying her over his shoulder, yelling to Porter, “Kids are yours for a bit, Port!” Laughter followed them as he made the way to their suite. A thorough loving on the horizon.

Never in her wildest dreams, did Sage believe such happiness was meant for her. Lochlan was every dream come true, and she felt their children were God’s apology for every treacherous moment in her life.