Page 69 of Pastel Kisses

Kam scratches the back of his neck. “Any word on discharge?”

“They said probably this morning,” I answer, stretching carefully under the hospital blanket. “Doctor still has to give the final okay.”

Liam walks over and drops a kiss to the top of my head. “The sooner we get you home, the better.”

“Toourhome,” Jaxton adds smugly. “We’ve been living there for months now. It’s technically more ours than yours.”

“Youwish,” I shoot back, narrowing my eyes in mock offense.

Lennox grins, that familiar mischief in his eyes. “Don’t freak out.”

I freeze. “What. Did. You. Do?”

“Upgrades,” he says cryptically. “Just… enhancements.”

“Enhancements?” I narrow my eyes further, suspicion growing.

Jaxton leans in, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Let’s just say your dream garden may have gotten the VIP treatment.”

My mouth opens, then closes. I blink hard, willing the tears not to spill. “You guys…”

“Don’t cry,” Kamden warns, stepping up with a fresh bottle of water. “You’ll make us all cry, and then it’s just full-blown chaos.”

“Wearechaos,” I say, voice shaking with laughter and emotion. “But it’s the best kind of chaos. The kind I never want to live without.”

Their smiles mirror mine—worn, exhausted, but full of hope.

The doctor knocks gently before pushing open the door with a bright, reassuring smile. “Good morning, Miss Dawson,” he says, clipboard in hand. “How are we feeling today?”

I adjust slightly in bed, the pressure in my back a subtle reminder that my body’s still recovering. “Sore, but ready to go home,” I answer honestly.

He nods in approval before glancing at the room full of testosterone surrounding me. “And who’s taking her home? She’ll need someone to help out for a little while.”

Dad steps forward without hesitation, his voice strong and sure. “We’ve got her covered. Whatever she needs, we’re there.”

The doctor smiles, clearly reassured. “Good to hear. I’ll get her discharge paperwork started.” He exits with a polite nod, leaving the room buzzing with quiet anticipation.

A short while later, he returns with a folder and two prescription slips, handing them off to Kamden. “Okay,” the doctor begins, his voice professional and calm, “we’ve got two medications. One is an antibiotic—she’ll take that twice daily, morning and night. The other is a mild pain reliever. It’s safe for the baby, and only to be taken as needed.”

He finally turns his focus on me. “Any questions, Avery?”

I hesitate for a moment, my mind still reeling with the fact that Sarah is out there—free. “No… I think we’re good.”

“We’ll reach out if there are any issues,” Kamden says, already skimming the instructions.

“Perfect.” The doctor claps the folder shut. “You’re free to go. Take your time getting dressed, and good luck, Avery.”

“Thank you,” Jaxton says, offering a firm handshake before turning to me with a soft smile. “You ready to get out of here, Kitten?”

“Yes, please.” I shuffle to the edge of the bed and let my toes brush the cold tile floor. The shift in weight makes the paper-thin gown gape in the back, and I groan. “This gown is a crime against fashion. Look away unless you want to see way more Dawson than you bargained for.”

Dad chuckles, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Darling, I’ll be in the lobby. Let these guys help you get sorted without old Dad in the way.”

Once the door closes behind him, Lennox leans in with a crooked grin. “We don’t mind the view.” He winks as he sets my clothes out on the edge of the bed. “Think you can stand so we can get this torture device off you?”

“Yeah.” I nod and slowly rise. The absence of the chain that had bound me for months is like a breath of fresh air—silent, free, liberating. For the first time in forever, I stand not as a prisoner, but as a survivor about to step into a future I fought tooth and nail to reclaim.

When the hospital gown slips from my shoulders and pools at my feet, there’s a beat of stillness in the room. My guys freeze—every single one of them—eyes drinking in every inch of me like they’re seeing me for the first time all over again. Their stares are reverent, but that doesn’t stop insecurity from slithering in.

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