Page 106 of Always Running
EPILOGUE
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Vivi babbled in mylap as I cooed at her, her little fists waving in the air, and she gave me a huge gummy smile. We were sitting at a table in a popular brunch spot, celebrating the end of the trial. I had never felt such a wash of relief than when they’d finally announced the verdict after only four hours of deliberation.
“Only you can break her out of one of her moods.” Eloise commented from her seat across the table. She was sipping on a mimosa and stuffing her face with a belgian waffle—apparently she’d been so busy this morning at her grandmother’s company that she’d forgotten to eat breakfast.
“Don’t choke, Ellie.” Madeline teased from the chair next to me as she cooed at her niece. Vivi had wild black hair and almond colored eyes, she was definitely Ric’s biological child—though they all treated the baby like their own. In my opinion, she was one of the most loved infants in the entirety of San Francisco.
Eloise coughed and immediately Gage, who had been sitting at a nearby table, appeared behind her and began giving her back firm whacks. Eloise waved the alpha off and finished her coughing fit, “I’m fine, Gage, don’t worry.”
Gage reluctantly returned to his table where Link and Matteo were also sitting and the two immediately began teasing him about being a mother hen. I heard a muttered ‘fuck off’ before I turned my attention back to the ladies at my own table.
“You good?” I asked, watching as Eloise drank a glass of water and breathed in deeply.
“Yep. Totally fine, I’m always hungry now though. Last night? I had Vivi strapped to my chest, I was eating a taco and ended up dumping half on the top of her poor little head.”
Madeline and I laughed at the mental image. “You know any of the guys will take her if you need a break to eat, right?” Madeline said with a cheeky grin.
“Yes, but I just love holding her so much.” Eloise sighed happily. She loved her baby wholly and completely and had been working hard to break the cycle that had been created by her own parents. I’d do that someday with my own children. I’d break the cycle that my mom had put us in and raise happy, healthy kids with my family. “In fact, can I have her back?”
Eloise made grabby hands at me, and I reluctantly handed the infant over. “Sheesh El, you’re just using me for my magical baby-calming abilities.” I mock-pouted before grinning at my best friend.
“You’ve got that right. She’s quiet as a lamb now.” Eloise pressed a gentle kiss onto Vivi’s forehead, and the infant’s eyes grew sleepy as she let out a great yawn before settling in for a nap.
“So, Madeline, tell us all about this cute coffee shop guy that you seem to keep running into.” Eloise said, turning our attention to the beta who was blushing prettily in her seat.
We continued to chat about Madeline’s hot coffee shop guy as our laughter filled the restaurant. Life was good.
