Page 42 of Saint’s Revenge

"Can we do it now?"

"After presents," I interject. "You've got a lot more to open."

She does. Way more than any three-year-old needs, but nobody here knows how to hold back when it comes to the kids.

Judge and Nora gave her a toy medical kit. Grace demonstrates how to use the stethoscope, signing along as she explains. Emma watches with wide eyes, trying to copy the signs.

Brick and Rosie got her a stuffed motorcycle that makes engine sounds when you squeeze it. Emma immediately starts racing it around making "vroom vroom" noises.

Canvas and Eden's gift is a set of washable markers and a giant coloring book. "So she can practice her art," Eden says with a wink.

Dean and Quinn got her a wooden puzzle set. Echo and Hannah contributed a music box that plays lullabies. Ranger and Lily found a collection of story books about brave girls. Even the prospects turned members have gifts for her.

Diesel and June give her a leather jacket. A tiny, toddler-sized version of the cuts the brothers wear, but pink with her name embroidered on the back. Emma loses her mind over it. Insists on putting it on immediately over her tutu.

"Now I look like Daddy!" she announces proudly.

Lucas has to turn away for a second. When he looks back, his eyes are suspiciously wet.

The present opening takes almost an hour. By the end, Emma is surrounded by torn wrapping paper and new toys, her face flushed with happiness.

"Did you say thank you to everyone?" I ask.

She nods enthusiastically and then proceeds to hug every single person in the yard. Some of the brothers look uncomfortable with the affection but accept it anyway. Brick actually smiles, which is rare enough that Rosie takes a picture.

As the party continues, I find myself back on the porch with Lucas. Emma is showing off her new bike to the other kids, letting them ring the bell and touch the streamers.

"She's happy," Lucas says quietly.

"Yeah. She is." I lean into his side. He wraps an arm around my shoulders.

"You remember what we talked about last night? About having another one?"

We'd stayed up late discussing it. Whether we wanted to give Emma a sibling. Whether we were ready to do the pregnancy thing again. Whether our family felt complete or if there was room for more.

We hadn't reached a decision. Just agreed to keep thinking about it.

"I remember," I say. "Still thinking?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah." I watch Emma share her new markers with a younger kid who's crying. "She'd be a good big sister."

"She would." Lucas presses a kiss to my temple. "But there's no rush. We've got time."

"We do." I turn to look at him. "We've got all the time in the world."

His eyes meet mine. Still the same brown eyes I fell in love with when we were kids. But there's something different in them now—peace. Contentment. The kind of happiness that comes from building something good from the ashes of something terrible.

"I love you," he says. Not for the first time today, won't be the last. He tells me constantly now. Makes up for five years of silence by saying it every chance he gets.

"I love you too." I kiss him. "Thank you for this. For her. For everything."

"Thank you for calling me that morning." His voice gets rough. "For being brave enough to end it. For giving us both a second chance."

"We gave each other a second chance."

"Yeah." He pulls me closer. "We did."