Page 113 of Pretty Little Scars

“Hey, other people want in here,” Ava says from the doorway. “And no one’s keeping me out anymore. I need to get my hands on her and tell her all about the concerts I’m going to take her to when she’s older.”

With a laugh, Tucker gently kisses the baby’s super tiny forehead before passing her to Blake, and then we say our goodbyes and step out of the room.

But he doesn’t walk back to where the others are. Tucker leans on the wall of the hallway and takes a long, deep breath.

“Thank fuck they’re okay,” he whispers as he digs his fingers into his eyes.

“They’re gorgeous,” I agree. “Come on, let’s go find out how Xander’s doing and get some food.”

Before I can walk away, he frames my face and kisses me hard, his fingers in my hair, his thumbs on my cheeks as his mouth devours mine.

And when he pulls back, he rests his forehead against my own.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have anything to thank me for. This is our family.”

When we join the others, I notice that the crowd has thinned out a bit, as some of the family decided to wait until tomorrow to see Harper and the baby, letting them get some rest. Easton and Greg are both listening to a phone on speaker, and Tucker immediately walks their way.

“—for the season.”

“Say that last part again, Tucker just walked up,” Greg says.

“I’m out for the season,” Xander says with a deep sigh. “Going in for an MRI now, but the knee is toast. I’ll probably need fucking surgery.”

“Fuck,” Tucker says. “I’m sorry, man.”

“Yeah, me too. Plus we lost, so the season’s over anyway.”

“Why did that asshole go after you?” Easton demands.

“I told him his mother was great in bed last night,” Xander replies, and I can’t help the bubble of laughter that comes out at that. “Hey, is that the pretty Darby?”

“You don’t want me to fuck your face up as bad as your knee,” Tucker growls, and Xander chuckles.

“I’m sorry, Xander,” I say into the phone.

“Thanks. I better go, I just had to let you all know the status. I know you worry.”

“Keep us posted, son,” Greg says before he ends the call and turns to Tucker. “How is she?”

“Tired but happy, and the baby is beautiful. Go in and kiss them, then go home and rest. I don’t like how pale you are.”

“I’m okay,” Greg says. “But I’ll do that.”

He hugs Easton and Tucker, pats me on the shoulder, and then walks down the hall toward Harper’s room.

“I’ll stay and see her, and then I have to go to work,” Easton says. “You guys go home.”

Tucker nods and takes my hand, and I wave at everyone as he leads me out the doors, down the elevator, and to his truck.

“I have my own car,” I remind him. “But I’ll be right behind you. I’m back on call in the morning, so I can’t leave my car here.”

He wants to argue, I can see it written all over him, but he finally nods grimly and walks me to my car.

As I drive with Tucker’s headlights in my rearview, I can’t help but think that although there were some scary moments today, I enjoyed the hell out of it. For someone who never felt like they belonged growing up, I have an amazing community of people around me now. I have my sisters and my brother, and so many friends. And Tucker’s family has brought me into the fold so effortlessly, it almost stuns me.

But then I remember what Tucker said about his dad, how Greg’s never met a stranger and he loved welcoming Harper andZack into the family. I’m grateful that they have done the same for me.