Agents Or Criminals?

100.0

Skylar leans against the doorway, arms crossed, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watches Jack kneel beside Brian, his tiny hands gripping a screwdriver that he is not exactly using correctly. Brian, ever patient, gently adjusts their son's grip, guiding him as they work together to assemble the crib.

"In two months, your baby sister will be sleeping in here," Brian tells Jack, tightening a screw. Jack beams up at him.

"Lexa Clarke O'Conner," Jack says proudly, testing out the name they had all agreed on.

Skylar presses a hand to her belly, feeling the faint flutter of movement. The thought still amazes her, how much their family has grown, how much they have grown. This time, settling into a quiet life has come easier, the weight of their past no longer holding them back. They are building something new, something steady, and Skylar is holding on to every moment. Because time moves fast. Too fast.

And before Skylar knows it, two months have flown by and she is gripping Brian's hand in a hospital room, sweat drenched and exhausted as their daughter makes her way into the world. The sound of her first cry fills the air, and Skylar lets out a shaky breath, relief washing over her.

Brian kisses her forehead, his voice thick with emotion as he says, "She's perfect."

Hours later, the door opens, and Luke steps in, holding Jack's hand. Their son's wide eyes land on the tiny bundle in Skylar's arms. He hesitates for only a second before scrambling onto the bed beside her, his small fingers reaching out to touch his sister's hand.

"She's little," Jack whispers.

Skylar smiles, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as she says, "She won't be for long."

The four of them barely fit in the hospital bed, but they make it work. Jack curls up beside Skylar in Brian's lap, Lexa between them, both children drifting off to sleep. Skylar meets Brian's gaze, warmth spreading through her chest at the look in his eyes. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small box, and before she can even process what is happening, he is opening it to reveal a ring.

"Marry me," Brian whispers.

Tears sting her eyes, and for the first time in a long time, there is not a single doubt in her mind. "Yes."

Brian grins, slipping the ring onto her finger before leaning in to kiss her. As their children sleep peacefully between them, Skylar knows that this is what true happiness feels like.

THREE YEARS LATER

The warm Samoan breeze rolls through the open space, carrying with it the scent of grilled meats and the salty tang of the ocean. Skylar watches as Jack and Lexa run through the sand, their laughter mixing with the deep chuckles of her brothers, Mateo, Timo, and Kal. They chase the little ones around, letting them climb over them like human jungle gyms, their booming voices filled with nothing but joy.

Nearby, Brian and Jonah stand by the cars, deep in conversation. Skylar can see the excitement on Brian's face as Jonah talks about the mechanics of the local rides, his hands moving as he explains something Skylar is sure Brian already knows. But Brian listens, engaged, appreciating the bond Jonah is offering him. Not far from them, Skylar sits with Samantha and Sefina, her mother, watching the scene unfold around her. It is still surreal, being here in Samoa, surrounded by family; her family.

Samantha suddenly tilts her head and asks, "Why aren't you as tan as the rest of us?"

Skylar blinks, caught off guard, but before she can answer, Sefina gently places a hand on her shoulder as she explains, "Because, my love, Skylar is not my daughter by blood."