The Summer King Bundle 3 Stories - Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,209

the kiss, he rested his forehead against mine as he slid a hand down my arm, to the curve of my hip and then to my lower stomach. “We are going to have a baby.”

I smiled widely, blinking back tears—happy ones as I placed my hand over his. “We are.”

“I haven’t even thought about having a child, sunshine. But from the moment I learned that you were pregnant, even with everything going on, I knew in that moment that I wanted to be a father.”

“I know the feeling.” I squeezed his hand. “It was a shock, but I knew immediately that I wanted this child.”

“You’ll be a great mother.”

“You think so?”

He pulled back so he could see my face. “I know so. Why would you doubt that?”

“I…I haven’t had any more hallucinations or…breaks in reality. But that doesn’t mean I won’t. And I know you think it will be different for me, but I can’t help but worry. I want to give this child what I didn’t have. I want to be a mother who is always there, and what if…what if I’m not?”

He touched my cheek again. “We have no idea what tomorrow holds, but I can promise you that you’re not alone. If you have more moments or not, I’m here. You have me. Our child will have both of us, no matter what, and we’ve got enough love already for this child that it will be enough. We will give him or her everything they could ever need.” He kissed my forehead. “Besides, I have a feeling this kid is going to be strong. They’ll be able to handle anything.”

I shuddered. “Luce thinks that the child is already strong-willed and determined to live.”

Caden folded his arms around me, gathering me close. “I don’t doubt that for one second, not when it’s you who’s carrying this child. I don’t know anyone, human or fae, more strong-willed and determined to live than you.”

I lifted my head, kissing him again, and for the first time in my life, I felt no fear, no anger, and no worry.

Both of us had gone through our own hell to get here. We deserved it. Our child deserved it. All I felt was love.

I was whole.

Epilogue

Caden

Lounging on the plush grass of the enclosed courtyard outside of Hotel Good Fae, I watched my baby girl toddle after Tink. The brownie was, well, brownie-sized at the moment, his translucent wings nearly invisible in the bright, warm sunlight as he zipped up and then dipped down, staying just out of reach of Scorcha’s chubby little fingers. She laughed and shrieked, attempting to jump in hopes of catching Tink, who taunted her by sticking out his tongue and tugging on a half-undone pigtail. With her blond hair and her mother’s eyes, she was a bouncing beam of sunlight.

Scorcha.

My damn heart felt like a fist had taken hold of it and squeezed. Naming our daughter after my sister had been all Brighton’s idea, one that had surprised me, but I’d wholeheartedly supported it the moment I got over the shock. The thoughtfulness behind the gesture still choked me up and didn’t stop amazing me.

I shifted my gaze to the woman behind my baby girl. Every time I saw her, it happened. Every damn time. There was a hitch in my throat, and a sense of wholeness that never failed to render me utterly dumbstruck.

Brighton’s hair was loosely braided, and several golden strands had slipped free, resting against her cheek and the slope of her neck as she caught Scorcha as she stumbled back in her hundredth attempt to catch Tink. Laughing at whatever Tink said to her, Brighton made sure that Scorcha was as stable as possible on her feet and then let go.

Brighton had been worried about what kind of mother she’d be, and I’d been right when I’d told her that I had no doubt she’d be absolutely wonderful. She knew exactly when to catch our daughter and when to let her go.

My gaze swept over her hungrily. Since the temps were expected to rise, she’d donned a gauzy, deep blue dress this morning. One with those silly, little straps I wanted to follow with my fingers, my tongue, and then my teeth. They drove me crazy, especially when they slipped off her shoulders—like now. A bolt of pure, complete, and absolute lust pounded through me. The corner of my lips tipped up as I watched the breeze lift and ruffle the panels of the dress, playing