Page 73 of Zero
He laughed softly. “I stand corrected.”
“Well, Haha said you have to keep teaching me Japanese.” I teased. “I’m sticking around for that.”
“Only reason, huh?”
“Well, duh?” I told him. “I think your brain is sexy.”
“Oh! User!” He dropped me against the pillow to tower over me just so he could tickle me.
I laughed until I snorted while trying to get away from his quick fingers. “Uncle!”
“Oh, you’re no fun.” He kissed me deeply. “But seriously, Bailey. I love you.”
Looking up into the serious dance of his eyes, my soul soared happily. “I love you too.”
Epilogue
Rei
Six months later….
Music blasted from the backyard and I stared out the window at my family. Sure, they weren’t all blood—hell, the only DNA I had there was my mother and the baby growing in Bailey’s belly we had yet to tell the others about. We hadn’t planned a child but the moment she told me I couldn’t help the excitement to curl my insides.
Sure, it terrified me I would turn into my father. Bailey read me like a book, sat me down and we had a long talk about my fears. She was terrified too but ready.
“It’s your baby, Zero.” She’d kissed the corners of my mouth, then my nose. “I’m happy.”
“I’ll be better than my father.”
She’d smiled and nodded. “I’m not worried.”
I cleared my throat to bring myself back to the present.
Beast was twirling my mom around the yard in a dance while most of the others applauded. Bailey was dancing with Crash while Barbie danced with Eden.
Pitbull and Mouth had yet to arrive but everyone else seemed to be having a good time.
I stacked the cookies onto a decorative plate, reached for another large jar of juice and made my way out. Anya ambushed me to snag a few chocolate chip cookies. She palmed three and darted over to where Justice was sitting, speaking with Crash. Anya shared her stolen booty with them.
I grinned, set the platter down and turned to join the festivities.
After Pitbull and Mouth joined us, we finished eating and I checked with Bailey before we stood together.
Bailey wrapped an arm around my hip.
“Ready?” She asked.
I nodded and dropped a kiss to the side of her head. She’d taken to wearing her hair natural since she found out she was pregnant. The truth was, I liked her hair like this. Still, I walked with her to the steps leading up to the back patio as Bishop turned off the music.
Everyone looked up.
“Guys.” Bailey called. “Zero and I have an announcement.”
The others turned to face us fully. Crash picked Eden up while Barbie held onto Anya’s hand. After I gave Bailey a confirmation nod, she cleared her throat.
“Um—so over the past few months you guys have been a family to me.” Bailey began. “You’ve looked out for me, ensured Rei was behaving.”
They all laughed.
