Path To Retaliation (Fighter's Den, #2)

Epilogue - Avery

3 years later...

"I think I'm dying. This is it. This is the end."

Emily smirks. "I told you you wouldn't be laughing when it's your turn."

"How did you not punch me?" I groan. "Because I really think I'm about to punch you."

"You'll be fine. You got this." She assures me with the same words I gave her when she was in labour.

I grip the rail of my hospital bed when another contraction hits. I can't stop the scream that escapes me. The sheer pain of what feels like my insides being cut open is staggering. Emily was right. I'll never complain about menstrual cramps again.

"Where's my husband?" I demand when the contraction stops. "What is it with husbands and being at a boxing match when their wives are in labour?"

"We picked this life." She reminds me with a laugh. "And he's on his way."

"Did he win?" I ask, referring to the rematch between Cameron and his long-term rival Cole Pierce. Emily shakes her head with clear regret.

"Oh, no." My heart twists. "My poor baby."

"It's okay, babe. He didn't sound anywhere near sad when I talked to him. He's way too excited about his baby girl's arrival."

"He would be." I smile. "Always finding the bright side to everything."

"Mommy!" Luke suddenly stomps inside the room with a tear-stricken face. He swipes them away angrily and points an accusing finger at Lizzie who's close behind him and rolling her eyes. "Lizzie won't give me my toy back!"

"Because you were making too much noise and this is a hospital, Lucas." Lizzie says in her no-nonsense voice. At almost ten years old now, she's slipped into the big sister role with no problem. "If you're not going to be respectful and play noisily then I have no choice but to confiscate your toys. Sorry, bubba."

"Mommy!" Luke stomps his foot again. "I don't know what consicfate means!"

"Confiscate." Lizzie corrects. "It means to take away."

"You need to be confiscate from this room!" Luke puts his hands on his hips and sticks his tongue out at her.

"Nice try." Lizzie mirrors his stance. "You'd have to say confiscated for that to make sense."

"Mommy!" Luke stomps his foot for the third time. "What is she saying!"

"Oh my God." Emily mumbles and smacks a hand to her face. "Life was so much easier when they didn't talk."

"I heard that!" Luke and Lizzie claim simultaneously.

"You were meant to." Emily retorts, looking like she's one more argument away from stomping her own feet. I choke down my laugh. "Luke, Lizzie is right, honey. If you're not playing nicely like Mommy asked you to then that means you're not being responsible. Do I let you play with toys if you're not using them responsibly?"

"No." He grumbles, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He's so small and angry I almost burst out laughing.

"Lizzie." Emily levels her with a stare that has her smirk dropping. "I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable way to explain your actions to your brother. You know you have a tendency to be bossy with him so don't think you're completely off the hook in this situation. Both of you apologize."

"Sorry." Lizzie mumbles reluctantly.

"I'm sorry, Lizzie." Luke looks up at her with his wide blueish-green eyes. "Will you play with me, please?"