Page 63 of Through the Storm

The question lands heavier than it sounds.

I don’t rush to answer, because he’s right to ask. I don’t joke, and don’t deflect.

“Because I care about her,” I say simply.

“And because this,” he adds, nodding back toward the exam room, “isn’t casual.”

“No, it’s not,” I reply immediately.

Declan’s jaw tightens, not angry. Protective.

“I don’t know what this is between you two,” he continues. “And I’m not asking. But if you’re stepping into her life right now, especially like this, then you need to understand something.”

I straighten without meaning to.

“She’s vulnerable,” he says. “She’s been through enough. And there’s a kid coming into this whether anyone’s ready or not.”

I nod. “I understand.”

He turns fully toward me now. “Do you?”

“Yes.” I don’t hesitate. Because for her, I’m willing to become what she needs.

“I’m not here to play house,” I add. “And this isn’t a phase.”

Declan watches me closely. “Good,” he says finally. “Because I don’t care how charming you are, or how much Ella loves you. If you’re in, you’rein. If you’re not…”

“I wouldn’t be here,” I cut in quietly, “if I wasn’t.”

That does it. Finally, Declan exhales slowly, the tension easing just a notch.

“Alright,” he says. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

He pauses, then adds, not unkindly, “Just… don’t make me regret trusting you.”

I meet his gaze. “I won’t.”

He nods once, satisfied. “Let’s go back.” He glances toward the door. “Before they notice we left.”

And we head back down the hall, him reassured, me sobered by the weight of what I just promised.

KATY

I’m sitting in the backseat next to Ben, seatbelt adjusted carefully under my belly, staring out the window, when my phone starts buzzing.

It’s a boy. A healthy baby boy.

I still can’t quite wrap my head around it.

I’ve been doing everything the doctor said I should to keep him healthy, but honestly, I still lie awake worrying something could go wrong. Hearing he’s okay lets me breathe a little easier.

My phone vibrates again.

Then again.

I unlock it and immediately regret my life choices.

Maybe Daddies Brigade