Page 70 of Pastel Kisses

I’m not the same woman they last saw without clothes. My body’s changed—evidence of our baby curves boldly from my belly, my hips have widened, my breasts heavier, fuller. Faint purple and yellow bruises still dot my ribs like a haunting map, and a thick bandage wraps my ankle. My face, while mostly healed, still shows the aftermath of Sarah’s elbow—though less damage than I expected, considering how much it hurt.

I sit back down and reach for the sheet, instinctively wanting to cover myself, but Lennox gently stops me, his fingers brushing mine. He kneels before me like I’m a queen and lifts his gaze to mine—those stunning emerald eyes soft and unwavering.

His touch is tender as he lifts each foot and guides it into soft, silky leggings. Once both legs are in, he rises slowly, steadying me with an arm around my waist, and slides the fabric up my thighs and over my hips—no panties, just the feel of soft clothes against my skin for the first time in what feels like forever.

Once I’m seated again, he slips a loose cotton shirt over my head, adjusting it carefully so it drapes just right.

“Thank you,” I murmur, emotion bubbling under the surface. Something about having real clothes again, ones that aren’t hospital-issued or picked by a psychopath, makes me feel more human. More whole.

Kamden steps in next, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “Let’s get you out of here so you can take a proper nap.”

“That sounds amazing.” I sigh. “I still can’t believe they’re actually letting me go. Part of me keeps waiting for someone to barge in and say I have to stay another night.”

Jaxton smirks as he crouches next to me. “They were compensated very well to make sure you were cleared to leave today—or to give us a damn wing to ourselves. There was no version of reality where I was going to be separated from you again.”

My eyes snap to his, the weight of his words hitting me square in the chest. “Wait… did you pay off the hospital?”

“Not exactly,” he says with a smug grin that’s far too charming for its own good. “If you had needed longer-term care, we would’ve moved you somewhere private. But you and our baby are doing well, so I figured you’d rather be with us than stuck here.”

I shake my head in disbelief, heart aching and swelling at the same time. “I love you,” I whisper, turning to meet each of their eyes in turn. “I love all of you.”

The words settle over the room like a soft blanket. Each of them answers in their own way—some with words, others with a look, a touch, a nod—but all full of the same unshakable emotion.

Kamden helps me into the wheelchair the hospital requires for discharge, carefully gathering the folder of instructions and prescriptions before we make our way toward the lobby.

Dad’s already waiting, a hopeful gleam in his tired eyes.

“Any trouble?” he asks, scanning the group but landing on Kam for the answer.

Kam shakes his head. “Smooth sailing.”

“Good.” Dad steps closer and squeezes my shoulder. “Darling, I already called Roman to let him know you were safe and recovering—but he’s about to stage a full-scale hospital invasion if you don’t call him soon to confirm you’re alive… and pregnant.”

A real, genuine laugh bubbles out of me. “Sounds about right. I’ll call once we get settled at the hotel.”

Behind me, Liam chuckles. “That’s assuming you don’t pass out before we get there. If you do, we’ll give them the update and schedule visiting hours.”

“Sounds good,” I mumble, yawning so wide it practically cracks my jaw. Truth is, I don’t want to deal with anything else right now. No outside world, no headlines, no threats.

I just want to be with my guys, close to my dad, in a quiet room where I can feel safe. Where I can just be.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jaxton

Her skin is warm beneath my palm as we gently lay her on the bed. The moment her head hits the pillow, she burrows beneath the blankets like she’s preparing to hibernate. It’s instinctual, like her body knows it’s finally safe. After everything she’s been through—after months of fear, isolation, and trauma—I wouldn’t be surprised if she slept for days.

I linger, torn between the need to watch over her and the responsibility of checking in with Kamden about security and making sure Dan’s settled for the night. We’ve all been running on fumes, but now that Avery’s back, everything feels clearer. Sharper. Like we can finally breathe again—but only if we keep her safe.

I step quietly out of the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind me.

“How’s she doing?” Liam calls from the kitchen, pouring out several fingers of whiskey. The amber liquid catches the light as he hands the glasses off to Kam, Lennox, and Dan, who just stepped in from the hallway.

I grab a glass and join the small huddle, grateful for the burn that trails down my throat on the first sip.

“Better than expected,” I answer, setting my glass down with a soft clink. “But she’s wiped out. Pregnancy’s taking its toll—and considering how far along she is, it’s no wonder. We missed so much…” My voice trails off, the weight of that reality slamming into me again.

We missed the first kick, her cravings, her glow. We missed watching her belly grow, hearing the heartbeat, all of it. We weren’t there to talk to the baby, to rub her back when it hurt, or to see her smile when she felt the flutter of life inside her.

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