The sound of Ava giggling hits me before I see her. After everything, it’s an amazing sound to hear, and Ginny grips my shoulder and smiles.

“Do you know what?” she asks.

“What?”

“When her parents were still here, it was just the three of them. You’ve opened her world, Owen. She has aunties and uncles and cousins.”

I nod. “You’re right. I’ll always make sure she remembers her parents, but I’ll also make sure she has lots of good new memories.

“I’ll see you inside.” She pecks me on the cheek, and walks up the steps to the door of Adam and Lily’s house.

My daughter’s close.

I know for sure she’s become part of the family as she comes around the corner of the house perched on Corey’s shoulders. He’s the tallest of all of us, and she shrieks with laughter, wobbling as she points at me.

“Should we go see him?” Corey asks.

“Yes.” She’s all high-pitched squeals as he pretends she’ll fall. I know he’ll never let that happen, but I widen my eyes and open my mouth to show fear.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Corey made me taller than Max.”

“Sweetheart, you’re taller than everyone. You might disappear up into the clouds.”

She leans over and reaches for me. Corey stoops so I can pull her off his shoulders and into my arms.

I hug her tight, burying my face in her neck, and she giggles as I plant kisses on her jaw.

“That tickles.”

“Have you been a good girl?”

Ava nods.

“We’ve been playing in the bush out the back. We found some wetas,” Corey says.

I screw up my face. “Ewww.”

She gapes. “They were all icky. But Corey’s not scared of them.”

He shrugs. “They’re just bugs.”

“Did you bring me a present?” she asks.

“Let me think. Maybe.” I grin.

“Owen,” she growls, and Corey and I both laugh.

“Come on.” I carry her to the car, and open the back door. On the back seat is a huge shopping bag, and her eyes widen.

“Is that for me?”

“No, it’s for Lucky. It’s a giant dog bone.”

She laughs. “No, it’s for me.”

“Better grab it then.”

Tugging at the handles of the bag, she pulls it out the door and onto the ground. “I need help,” she says.

“Thought you might. How about we go inside so I can see Adam and Lily, and you can take a look at what’s in the bag?”

She nods, and we turn back toward the house. I pick up the bag, and she skips ahead of me and in the front door.

“Hey, how’s Hayley doing?” Corey asks.

“She’ll be okay. They’ve got a lot to work through. She lost a heap of blood during the birth, and she’s stuck in the ward while the babies are in the NICU, so it’s upsetting for her. Drew’s going to be going back and forward a bit between them. But she and the babies will be fine, and they’ll all be home by next week if things continue to go well.”

He nods. “That’s a relief. Drew worships her. After everything they had to deal with getting together, you’d think this bit would be easy.”

“Nothing’s ever easy. I mean, I just became a dad to a four-year-old. How weird is that?”

Ava stands in the doorway, her arms crossed, and frowns. “Owen. Hurry up.”

“Yeah, hurry up, Owen.” Corey laughs.

I roll my eyes and head toward the door.

Inside, Lily and Ginny sit in the corner, talking quietly. Max is on the console in front the TV, and Adam’s with him.

“Hey,” Adam says. “Ginny was just catching us up about Drew and Hayley. You okay?”

I nod. “Yeah, Drew was a bit of a mess, but they’re getting there.”

He shifts his gaze to Ava. “You’ve got a very talkative daughter. Once she started, she wouldn’t stop.”

I laugh. “It’s good for her.”

Ava tugs on my arm. “Bag?”

I place it on the ground, and she pulls out a soft toy rabbit, a My Little Pony toy, and a box of Lego.

“I didn’t know what you wanted, so I got you a few things.”

Ava holds the rabbit in her arms, snuggling it tight. “I love this.” She looks up. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

She stands, wrapping her arms around my legs to hug me. I struggle to hold in tears. She’s as attached to me as I’ve become to her.

Ava is going to be just fine.

And she’s all mine.

Ava’s saying her final goodbyes, and I pack the car with her things.

Even though she’s only been living with me these past few months, it feels wonderful to be taking her home. Our home.

There’s only one thing missing from it.

Ginny appears in the doorway, and makes her way down the steps toward the car. “She’s saying goodbye to Lucky. I think he’s licking her to death.”

I laugh. “She’ll have to come here more often. It’s good for her.”

“You could always just get a dog.”

I shrug. “I always steered clear of pets. Not really good if they get into the kitchen. Health regulations and all.”

“True.”

“All I want to do is get some sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll look at extending Tammy’s hours. Mel’s wanted some more responsibility. Maybe it’s time to give it to her.”

Ginny nods. “She’ll be done with her apprenticeship soon. It might be a good way to keep her.”

“That too.” I slide my arms around her waist. “What I want is to be able to sleep in with you sometimes when you stay the night. Can’t be fun when I disappear at four in the morning.”

She shrugs. “I knew what I was getting into with you. At least, in that regard.”

“What didn’t you know?”

“That I would fall crazy in love with a man who never stayed still. But who stayed still for me.”

I hug her, planting a kiss on her neck. “You’re worth staying still for.”

“Are we going home now?” Ava says, walking down the steps.

“Yes, we are, sweetheart.”

She beams.

“We’ll finally get working on painting that room this week. What colour did you want?”

“Purple,” she shrieks.

I laugh. “Steady on. It’s not that exciting.”

“Ava, I think we might need to go for a drive and find you a new duvet cover to match your room. Let’s make it really pretty,” Ginny says.

Ava draws level with Ginny and grabs her hand. I love how it’s just second nature for her to do that. She loves Ginny as much as I do.

“Let’s get you in the car.” Ginny walks with Ava, pulling open the back door. She buckles her into the car seat before standing and smiling. “We’re ready.”

I tug open the passenger door, and she climbs in, patting me on the chest as she does. More than anything, I love the idea of going home with both Ginny and Ava.

As I pull out of Adam’s driveway, and turn into the street. Ginny places her hand on my knee. “I think we need to stop at my place on the way.”

My heart sinks. It’s been good to be home, but I had hoped Ginny would stay with us tonight. We’re at the point where maybe we can feel like a family, and I need her with me. “You can stay with us.”

She grins. “I am. I just want to grab some more things. Hope that invite to move in is still open.”

“Really?”

Ginny reaches for my hand. “There are still things we need to talk about. But all I wanted was for you to work out the whole dad thing. I think you’ve got that sorted.”

“What do you think, Ava? Should we let Ginny move in?”

“Yes,” Ava screeches, and I chuckle as I turn right instead of left and head toward Ginny’s place.

We are a family.

Despite my exhaustion, I’m up at four as usual. The drive to and from Auckland wore me out, and sleeping in a strange bed even for a single night left my back aching.

Funny how I used to do that often and not notice it.

I get through most of the baking, but after about the fiftieth yawn, Mel growls.

“Go back to bed for a bit. I’ll open up. You need all the time you can get with your family.” Mel pushes me toward the flat.

I sigh. “Well, if you insist.”

“Tammy will be here soon. We’ve got this.”

“You’re the best.” I open the door.

“I know I am.”

Grinning as I leave the kitchen and enter the flat, I know the bakery’s in safe hands.

Ginny’s still fast asleep, and snuggled in tight beside her is Ava. Neither of them stir as I enter the room.

Slipping into bed, I press a kiss on the back of Ginny’s head.

“Hrmm?” She chuckles. “How long has Ava been here?”

“I was going to ask you that.”

“Just as well I put your shirt on after you left. I got cold.”

I reach over her and stroke Ava’s hair. “I’m glad she feels safe enough to climb into bed with you.”

“Me too. She’s doing really well. You two are good for each other,” she whispers.

Ginny rolls onto her back, and I gaze at her in the dim light. From the small gap in the curtains, the streetlight outside illuminates the room enough that I can see her eyes, so full of feeling.

“You’re good for me. More than you even realise.”

A smile spreads across her face, and she lifts a hand to stroke my cheek. “I love you, Owen Campbell.”

“I love you too. How about I move the munchkin and I show you just how much?”

She nods. “Sounds good to me.”

Sliding back out of bed, I cradle Ava in my arms. She stirs, but rests her head against my chest. For a moment, I take her in. My heart’s never been so full.

All those years ago, I made a decision that left me drifting and alone. Now, I look back and realise just how empty my life was until I had Ginny and Ava. I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch alive to fall in love twice in a matter of months, and to have both ladies in my life. I never want to lose this feeling.

“Owen?” Ginny murmurs.

“Just making sure she’s asleep. Don’t want her to wake up and be back in here in five minutes’ time.”

“Good thinking.”

I carry Ava to her bed and lower her gently into it. Pulling over the blanket, I bend and plant a soft kiss on her forehead.

Ginny’s waiting when I return, her arms open and a smile on her face. “Is she okay?”

“Still asleep. God, Gin, I just love you both so much.” I slide in beside her, and roll into her embrace.

“You were going to show me something?” She waggles her eyebrows. Her breath quickens as I slide my hand up her shirt and pinch her nipple before dropping it between her legs.

“Hrmm,” I murmur into her neck as my fingers do their quick work. “Come here.”

I flip onto my back and pull her with me, reaching for the box of condoms. Those long legs of hers straddle me, and when the condom’s on, she pushes herself up, sliding back down onto my cock. She’s in control.

Her milky skin glows as the sun peeps in the window. I could start my day every morning like this from now on. Maybe I will.

She shivers, and I run my hands up her arms to her shoulders, pulling her down to kiss her. I thrust my hips up to meet the rocking of hers, and all I know is that this is meant to be. It always was.

“Owen,” she whispers. Her breasts rub against my chest, and we’re almost parallel. Stroking her back, I run my hands down to grip her arse, pulling her against me. The perfect angle.

“That’s it, baby,” I murmur.

“Owen, I …” She doesn’t finish her sentence as her eyes widen. The sight of Ginny coming is a beautiful thing, and never more so than when I’m inside her.

“Love me?” I tease.

She laughs, and it sends ripples through my body, leaving me moaning.

“Always.”

I bite at her bottom lip as I come. This really is the way I want to start each and every day from now on

I’ve never been happier.

We sleep for a while before the alarm goes off at seven.

Ginny stirs beside me.

“We should think about getting out of bed. Ava’s got day care, and you’ve got work,” I say.

“Can’t we just stay in bed?” She snuggles in.

“Not for long. We might have got Miss Ava back to her own bed, but she’ll be up soon.”

She smiles. “We’ll never be able to sleep in, will we?”

Laughing, I plant a kiss on her neck. “One day, when she’s older. Although maybe one day we’ll grow our family and still have to deal with being up all hours of the night.” I grin. “Then there are my four o’clock starts.”

I expect a laugh, but Ginny’s silent.

“Gin?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Her voice is barely louder than a whisper. But I have an inkling of what’s coming.

“What?”

Ginny rolls onto her back, and cups my cheek in her hand. “I don’t know if I can have children.” Tears well in her eyes, and I lean in, kissing each one as she closes her eyes.

“Talk to me.”

“I have endometriosis. It could make it really difficult.” She sighs.

I search her eyes and see only sadness. It stings my heart to see her like this. “It’s not the end of the world for me, Ginny. Whatever happens, as long as I have you, that’s all that matters. Look at how Ava came to us. We could always foster or adopt if it doesn’t work out.”

She blinks back more tears. “Are you sure? I know we should have talked about this before I moved in. But it caused so many problems in my last relationship. He didn’t understand. And then it never seemed like the right time, and—”

I cut off her sentence with a lingering kiss. “I’m sure. I never thought I’d be so lucky as to have someone like you in my life. Besides, we have Ava to raise, and that little girl is going to be spoiled beyond belief if you’re not here to rein me in.”

Ginny laughs, and the smile lights up her eyes. “Yes, we do have Ava to raise.”

“We’re all together, and that’s everything.”

“One of the reasons I wasn’t sure about moving in is that sometimes I struggle with pain. I didn’t want Ava to see that.”

I nod. “We’ll work through it with her together. I’m assuming that’s why you’re on the diet?”

“The doctor suggested it might help. There are studies …”

“Does it help?”

She shrugs. “It’s hard to know what helps. I’ll try anything.”

“We can talk to Drew.”

Her eyebrows dip. “I don’t know if I want to talk to your brother about my uterus.”

“I meant, he can refer us to someone. As if I’d let him anywhere near you. He must have a woman doctor he can suggest.”

Her concerned expression gives way to laughter, and I grin, as that’s what I wanted to see.

“You’re not alone now, Ginny. That’s the important thing. And you can tell me anything. I’ll be right here beside you.” I kiss her again, and lose myself in her until I hear little footsteps approaching.

“Owen.” Ginny giggles.

“I heard.”

The door flies open. “Breakfast,” Ava yells.

I laugh. “Ava. Aren’t you supposed to knock?”

Her eyes widen. “Sorry.”

“Come here.”

She climbs onto the bed, and I pull her into my arms for a hug. “I think someone wants breakfast.”

“Really?” Ginny says. “Whatever gives you that idea?”

“Just a hunch.”

Ava wraps her arms around my neck, and I hold her tight.

Whether or not Ginny and I have a baby of our own one day doesn’t matter.

I have everything I need right here.