Page 39 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
"Congratulations, guys," Silas says as we leave the courthouse. "Your family is officially yours, free and clear."
Klaus wakes up as we're walking to the car, blinking sleepily and immediately reaching for Rosco. "Dada!"
"Hey, buddy. Ready to go see Uncle Noah and Aunt Talia?"
"Tay! Tay!" Klaus squeals with delight.
The drive to Iron Vine Estate is familiar now, the winding mountain roads that lead to our extended family's heart. The vineyard is thriving, and the main house has been completely renovated into a combination family home and event space.
"Looks like everyone's here," Rosco observes, noting the collection of vehicles parked around the circular drive.
"Good. I want the whole family to hear our announcement."
"You sure about the timing?"
"Perfect timing." I pat my still flat belly, where our second child is growing. "Eight weeks along, past the scary part, and what better way to celebrate our anniversary than sharing good news?"
The Kane family gatherings are legendary, loud and chaotic and filled with more love than should be legal. Klaus immediately toddles off to play with his cousins while the adults gather on the massive deck overlooking the vineyard.
"So," Noah says, raising his beer in a toast, "I hear congratulations are in order. Final legal stuff all taken care of?"
"Zack officially has no claim to Klaus as of this morning," I announce, accepting the glass of sparkling cider Talia hands me. "We're finally completely free."
The cheer that goes up from the family is heartwarming and slightly deafening. These people have been with us through every step of our journey, offering support and love whenever we needed it.
"About damn time," Roman says, kissing my cheek. "Now you can focus on the important stuff."
"Speaking of important stuff," Micah adds with a grin, "when are you two going to give Klaus a sibling? He needs someone else to boss around."
I catch Rosco's eye across the deck and grin. "Funny you should mention that."
"Oh my God," Talia gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. "Are you..."
"Due in March," I confirm, and the deck erupts in chaos again. Hugs and congratulations and excited planning for another Kane baby to spoil.
"March?" Silas calculates quickly. "That means..."
"Conceived on our first anniversary," Rosco says proudly, his arm tight around my waist. "We're calling it our anniversary baby."
"That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard," Jordyn says, bouncing her own toddler on her hip. "Klaus's going to be such a good big brother."
The afternoon passes in a blur of family time, good food, and the comfortable chaos that defines Kane gatherings. Klaus runs himself ragged playing with his cousins, and by the time we're ready to head home, he's practically asleep on his feet.
"Thank you," I tell Noah and Talia as we're loading a sleepy toddler into his car seat. "For everything. For the rescue, for the support, for making us part of this incredible family."
"You don't thank family," Noah says firmly. "You just show up for each other. Which you've done from day one."
The drive home is quiet, Klaus sleeping in his car seat and Rosco's hand resting on my thigh. The sun is setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink that make me grateful all over again for this life we've built.
"Penny for your thoughts," Rosco says as we turn onto Timber Ridge Road.
"Just thinking about how far we've come. Two years ago, I was running scared with nowhere to turn. Now I have a husband, a son, a baby on the way, and a family that would move mountains for us."
"You have a life worth living."
"I have everything I never dared dream about." I squeeze his hand. "And it all started with a desperate woman showing up on your doorstep."
"Best surprise of my life."
