Page 112 of Rampage

Reid moves protectively closer to me, but his expression softens at his mother's joy. "Mom, meet Eleanor Grace Matthews."

Grace approaches with reverent steps, tears streaming freely down her face. "Oh, she's absolute perfection," she whispers, carefully sitting on the bed. "May I hold her?"

I nod, gently transferring our daughter to her grandmother's waiting arms. Grace cradles Eleanor with practiced ease, her fingers lightly tracing the baby's delicate features.

"Hello, little princess," she coos, voice thick with emotion. "I'm your grandma Grace, and I've been waiting so long to meet you."

Aiden steps closer, his normally stoic expression transformed by wonder as he gazes at his granddaughter. "She has the Matthews nose," he observes gruffly, though I detect moisture in his eyes.

"Can I see too?" Leah asks, bouncing impatiently at her father's side. "I want to meet my niece!”

Her eyes grow wide as she peers at the baby in Grace's arms. She sniffs and I can see the tears in her eyes. “I think I want kids now, I wasn’t sure, but this little girl is perfection.”

Aiden sends her a look. "Get used to the fact that the only way you’re going to have a baby is if you adopt because you're never going to have one the other way."

My mouth opens in shock and then I bust out laughing, while Reid just nods his head in agreement.

Leah just rolls her eyes and ignores them both.

Meadow moves quietly around the room, checking my vitals and examining Eleanor when Grace reluctantly surrenders her for a brief medical assessment.

"Perfect delivery," she announces, handing the baby back to me. "Both mother and daughter are doing beautifully. Reid, you missed your calling as an obstetrician."

Reid shakes his head, sitting beside me and wrapping a protective arm around my shoulders. "One delivery was enough, thank you. I've never been so terrified in my life."

"You were amazing," I tell him, leaning into his embrace. "I couldn't have done it without you."

The bedroom door crashes open again, bouncing against the wall with enough force to rattle the picture frames. Alex and Jacob stand in the doorway, their identical faces flushed with excitement and exertion.

"We missed it?" Alex demands, looking crestfallen as he takes in the scene.

"Told you we should've broken more traffic laws," Jacob mutters, elbowing his twin.

Reid sighs, though his expression is fond. "You two are late to your own niece's birth."

"Not our fault," Alex protests. "We had to make a detour."

For the first time, I notice they aren't alone. Standing slightly behind them, partially hidden by Jacob's broad shoulder, is a petite young woman with copper-colored hair that falls in waves to her waist. Her delicate features are set in an expression of nervous determination, green eyes darting between all of us.

"Who's this?" Reid asks, straightening protectively.

The twins exchange a look loaded with meaning before Alex gently tugs the girl forward.

"This is Melody," he announces, pride evident in his voice. "Our woman."

A stunned silence falls over the room. Grace's mouth drops open, and Reid's eyebrows shoot toward his hairline.

"Your… woman?" Reid repeats carefully. "As in, both of you?"

Jacob nods, his hand settling possessively on Melody's lower back. "We met her at that music festival in Colorado last month.

The silence stretches for another heartbeat, then two, before Grace steps forward, wrapping her arms around the startled young woman.

"Welcome to the family, Melody," she says warmly. "Though your timing could use some work."

Melody's shoulders relax slightly as she returns Grace's embrace. "I'm sorry. I told them we should wait, but they insisted I come meet their niece." Her voice is soft but carries a quiet strength that I immediately recognize and respect.

"Well, since you're here…" I shift Eleanor in my arms, offering the twins and their shared partner a better view. "Come meet Eleanor Grace Matthews."

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