Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(146)

I glare at him.

“Okay, fine,” he amends. “You’ll remember the pain, but it will all be worth it.” He drops his forehead to mine. “You’re the strongest person I know, baby girl. You got this.”





Oakley was right.

Twenty-five hours of grueling labor was so worth it.

Every ounce of pain and sadness in my life was worth it for this incredible moment right here.

Because the second I laid eyes on my son for the first time…my heart exploded.

I stare down at his perfect little sleepy face. He’s so gorgeous it takes my breath away.

I glance at Oakley who can’t stop smiling. “He’s so perfect.”

“I know.” The tips of his fingers press into the curve of my jaw. There’s so much love in his eyes, my chest somehow feels both light and heavy at the same time. “Thank you.”

Our lips meet in a feather-light kiss…just as the door opens.

Cole, Sawyer, Jace, Dylan, and Wayne barrel inside the room and circle around my bed.

“Oh, my God,” Dylan sighs. “He’s the cutest baby in the world.”

“I can’t tell which one of you he takes after more,” Jace says.

“About damn time he showed up,” this from Cole.

Wayne beams. “Can I hold my grandson?”

Sawyer’s eyes become glassy and she reaches for a tissue. “I can’t believe one of us has one of them.”

After handing him over to Wayne, I rub her growing belly. “I can’t wait to meet my niece and nephew.”

Jace sucks in a breath. “I can’t believe I’m an uncle.” Pulling out his phone, he snaps a picture of his nephew. “By the way, Dad wanted me to tell you he’ll be here soon. He’s on a plane headed back from Australia so it’s taking him longer than expected.”

Smiling, Wayne looks down at his grandson and coos, “I’m your grandpa and I’m going to spoil the shit out of you, so you better get used to it.” Pride illuminates his face as he hands him to Oakley. “I can’t wait for your sister to meet him, Oak. He’s beautiful.”

“Of course he is,” Cole declares. “He’s half Covington.”

“And half Zelenka,” I point out because as far as I’m concerned, my husband is the hottest thing on the planet.

Oakley grins as he stares down at his son who’s squeezing his finger while he sleeps. “He’s gonna have all the ladies chasing after him. Isn’t that right, little man.”

“Over my dead body,” I mutter under my breath.

I make grabby hands for Oakley to give me our son back after another minute goes by. If he’s gone too long, I get separation anxiety.

The nurse assured me it was normal and it will pass soon, but I’m not so sure.

I just want to hold him in my arms and keep him safe forever.

“So,” Cole says. “Did you decide on a name yet?”

Before I can answer, everyone starts speaking at once.

“You should name him Jace after your favorite brother.”

Cole shoots Jace a dirty look. “You should name him Cole after your good-looking brother.”

Dylan gives me a rueful grin. “Dylan is a great boy’s name, too. Just saying.”

Sawyer nudges her in the ribs. “So is Sawyer.”

Oakley and I exchange a humorous glance.

“Okay,” Oakley declares, rubbing his hands together. “The bidding starts at fifty dollars.”

After pulling out his wallet, Jace slaps some money on the tray table. “I got a hundred for Jace, right here.”

Cole shoves some bills into Oakley’s hands. “I got two hundred for Cole.”

Wayne reaches inside his pocket. “Do you take credit?”

“Sorry, Pops. Cash only.” Fanning the money in his hand, Oakley looks around the room. “Any more takers?”

Dylan pulls some money out of her bra. “Yup. Four hundred for Dylan.”

“Well, I didn’t bring my checkbook with me.” Smiling smugly, Sawyer pats her stomach. “But we are having a girl and a boy. Perhaps we can work out an exchange.”

Jace glowers. “That’s not fair.”

“It’s called bartering, bro.” Reaching over, Cole high-fives his wife. “And that right there is just one reason I love you so much, Bible Thumper. You’re so fucking smart.”

Oakley’s shoveling the money into his wallet when a nurse waltzes in. “Hi, Bianca. I’m the lactation nurse. Do you think you’re ready to try breastfeeding yet?”

Jace makes a face. “And that’s my cue to leave.”

Cole shakes his head. “Not me. I’m not leaving until I know my nephew’s name is Cole.”

I’m shifting to get into a more comfortable position when I notice the blue, green, orange, and purple butterflies scattered across the nurse’s scrubs.

My chest swells and I look over at Oakley who’s smiling.

There’s only one name that feels right.

“Liam,” we whisper at the same time.

The End