I turned back to Karma. “So, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” She threw her arms around my neck and planted her delicious lips on mine.
“I’m so happy!” Nova threw her arms around our legs, hugging us. “My birthday wish came true!”
Epilogue
Cobra
Seven years later…
I stared in awe of my queen, my wife, the mother of my children. She was surrounded by our offspring, who were bickering over what to name our new baby girl.
I kissed her little head as I bounced off to the side, away from the noise and whining. She was only two days old, and didn’t need to hear the chaos ensuing over her name.
“I’m the oldest, so I should get to name her,” Nova said, holding Harlee Blue on her hip like a pro. I guessed she was after having five younger siblings. She was practically all grown up, the same age her momma was when she had fallen in love with an older man. Damn, I didn’t want to think about Nova falling in love.
When Karma had announced she was pregnantagain, Nova had turned on the waterworks and ran to her bedroom. “Not another baby,” she’d cried.
The only way I could get her out of her room was to promise to teach her how to ride a motorcycle. I had no problem with it, but Karma wasn’t thrilled. She had preferred our girl learned to fly instead. I had no problem with that either.
“Nova always names the babies.” Ace pouted on the end of the bed. He was our oldest boy and a bit emotional like my brother, Hustler.
Ace Steel was seven, followed by our twin boys, Jagger Cole and Jasper Black. They were a handful at four and a half. After three boys, I had been more than ready for a sweet baby girl. Harlee Blue was one and a half.
Karma had wanted all the kids to have a color for a middle name like Nova. It was different, but not like, weird different. So far, none of the kids had complained.
“Can you help me out, Abe? Nova wants to name the baby, and so does Ace. I don’t think Jagger and Jasper care about naming her.” She peered at them on the floor. “Do you boys?”
They popped their heads up and shook them. They were obsessed with watching war documentaries on their iPads. It was better than video games.
“What name do you like, Nova?” I strolled over to her. “Wanna switch?”
“Sure.” She passed Harlee to me then scooped the nameless baby out of my arms. She hadn’t held her yet. Once she did, she’d melt over her like the rest of us. “Oh my gosh, she’s so light.” She made cute baby sounds.
“How’s my baby girl?” I kissed Harlee’s neck, making her laugh.
“I think she looks like a Briar.” Nova smelled the baby. The newborn scent was addictive. I couldn’t get enough of it, not that I’d ever admit to it.
“I like Briar. What do you think, Ace?” Karma asked.
“I liked Hazel Rose.” He climbed on the bed next to Karma and snuggled against her.
“That’s a pretty name, too.” My queen gazed at me. “What say you, Daddy?”
“Why not give her all three names?” If it kept the peace between Nova and Ace, I was all for it.
“Three names?” Nova’s eyes went wide. “The kids at school will tease her.”
“I don’t think so. She has brothers and sisters who will protect her. Right, Ace?” Karma brushed her fingers through his dark, wavy hair.
“Yeah, nobody messes with my family.” He was a Knight through and through.
“Let me see her.” Karma reached her hands out toward Nova. “Briar Hazel Rose Knight,” she said the name, letting it roll off her tongue as she collected her baby in her arms. “Love it.” She snuggled the baby against her chest.
“Gimme your lips, momma.” I moved in for a kiss, desperate for a taste of her sweet lips.
“Let’s not forget that’s why you keep having more babies,” Nova said in a sassy tone.
“Why?” Ace asked.
“When you’re older, I’ll teach you about the birds and the bees.” I winked at him, then kissed my one and only.