When the bell dinged, I watched as Chase fell into a state of mind where nothing outside of the ring mattered. With each blow his opponent delivered, he ducked and weaved. He slid out of the way of each shot, finding ways to send his own as his opponent dropped his hands. My son was quick. Too quick for the other man to defend himself.

Aurora jumped with excitement as Chase sent a particularly harsh blow to his opponent, Kyle's face. He stumbled backward, getting caught in the corner where Chase sent left and right hooks back and forth. Each shot made the man falter against the red ropes until the ref was stepping in between them, ending the fight as Kyle failed to protect himself.

The man dropped to the ground as Chase moved, taking his support with him. Kinnick slid into the ring, lifting him into the air as he cheered with happiness. I watched my son's gloves raise to the sky as everyone chanted his name.

Chase looked right at Aurora, blowing her a kiss with his gloved fist. She turned to me, cheering that he won as she threw her arms around me. I held her tightly as we smiled together. This is three and oh for him. It was the start of an undefeated streak - I just know it.

Collins was screaming so loudly that my ears hurt. She knew after every fight, she was allowed to slide into the ring after daddy as long as no one else was in there. Kinnick pointed toward her, beckoning her toward him. I watched as she ran toward the ropes, giggling as he lifted her.

I knew this would be the next kid that I would give away to the boxing industry. She loved everything about it; the violence, everyone cheering, and she thought she was a professional after daddy taught her one-twos.

Every week, we visited the gym. Maverick loved sitting on Chase's back as he did push-ups. Collins loved fighting in the ring where she could hit John as much as he would let her. All of the fighters loved her. She would join them in the mirrors, flexing her bare arms as she copied their movements.

Collins Carson was going to be competing with her brother, sure that she could beat him up before she could turn ten. He promised to train her once she was old enough to get in the ring. Maverick already said he was going to be her manager. I am not even sure if he knows what that means, but he said he wants to be just like his Uncle John.

Kinnick jumped from the ring, leaving Collins with John as he approached me. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he hugged me. My fingers curled around his suit jacket in an attempt to pull him tighter or closer. I didn't care because I wanted both.

His lips met the top of my head. "I told you he would win."

"I would like to think it is because I threatened you," I teased as I tilted my head back to look at him. "We both know that even pregnant, I could knock you out."

"That is not the kind of fighting I am interested in," he shrugged. "I like it rough and dirty. You know, like street fighting."

"What are you entailing?"

"Why do you think I have a double meaning to everything I say?"

"Because you say everything with a double meaning," I chuckled. "And you have the dirtiest mind."

He grinned as he looked around us. "Only for you, Bo. Only for you."

I noticed Miles was coming toward us, so I looked up at him. "Then I would love for you to show me how dirty you can be."

His mouth dropped as I moved away from him. "He did it. You were right."

Miles's hands reached up as our palms connected in a high-five. "I am always right, best friend."

"That you are," I snicker. "You are the best Miles."

"Ditto," his hip gently bumped mine.

John approached us as I saw Chase take Aurora into his embrace. "So, who is ready to go with Uncle John?"

Maverick and Collins were on his side, cheering. "Me! We are!"

"What?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

An arm slid over my waist. "We have something we need to do, tonight."

My head tilted back to look at Kinnick. "Our kid just won an important fight -"

"How did I want to celebrate my wins?" He cocked a brow at me.

My eyes narrowed. "Don't start with me, Kinnick Carson."

The corners of his lips tugged upward. "We are going to meet at the gym. That way everyone can get their cars."

When we left, I wasn't aware of what was going to happen. I couldn't ask Kinnick because we didn't ride together, and Miles nor Trevor have any idea of what is going on. I pulled the van in front of the gym. The kids were excited about staying with John. He had so many things for them planned.

Aurora walked in with Chase. My eyes caught sight of her finger, seeing the diamond flashing around. My son looked up at me, giving me a thumbs-up. I smiled at his happiness. He was nervous before, and as I said, he had no reason to be. Aurora loved him as much as he loved her.

"How do you feel about taking a little walk?" Kinnick approached me as the kids ran around the gym. "I know you are pregnant but it is only a few blocks from here."

"Okay?"

"Alright, attack mommy with hugs and kisses!" Kinnick said loudly.

Chuckles left my lips as the kids ran toward me. Collins hooked onto one leg as Maverick collided with the other. I rubbed the tops of their heads as I told them how much I loved them. They meant the world to me. More than they will ever know.

"I love you, momma," Chase pulled me into his chest. "Thank you for everything you have done for me."

"I love you most, sweet pea," I squeezed him tighter. "I take it that she loved the ring."

"She is my forever."

"I know," I pulled back, smiling up at him. "She is good for you, baby."

"She really is," he grinned. "I love her a lot."

"And she loves you. I know it. I can see it."

"Thank you for coming tonight," he kissed the top of my head. "We are going to head home, though. I love you."

"I love you too," I pat his shoulder. "If you need anything, call me."

"I promise."

This was going to be the first night without Chase in the house since we adopted him. Even with two kids and one on the way, my nest was starting to already feel less full. I waved at them as they walked out of the door. My heart ached when they disappeared around the corner.

"Are you ready for Mrs. Carson?"

"Let me make sure John is going to be okay."

"He went back to his office," Kinnick pointed. "I'll meet you outside."

When I stepped into the office, I noticed John was hanging up a picture on the wall. "Are you okay?"

He turned around. "Of course. I am just hanging up some pictures."

A picture with me standing in between Chase and Kinnick as Collins and Maverick stood at our feet was framed behind his chair. I loved that photo. It was the first time we visited the gym with all of the kids. John wanted a picture for his wall of favorite memories.

"It is a beautiful picture," I leaned my head against the corridor.

He smiled. "Yeah, it is."

"I am happy we met, John," I admit. "You were the dad I never had."

He turned around to look at me. "I love you a lot, Bo."

My body collided with his gently as tears welled in my eyes. "I love you too, John."

His fingers rubbed at my back. "You are the best thing to happen to all of us."

"No," I shake my head. "You guys are the best thing to ever happen to me. My whole life changed the moment I met you."

His hands gripped my shoulder as I pulled back. "You and Kinnick aren't moving are you?"

"What?" I wipe my tears away. "Of course not. Why?"

"Then why does this feel like goodbye?"

"It isn't," I promised. "It is a thank you for what you have done for us and my kids. I am just kind of hoping you don't get sick of them because I think Collins is going to be in your ring next."

"I could never get sick of seeing all of you."

"Good because our kids love you," I laugh. "They can't live without their Uncle John."

"What about you and Kinnick?"

"Well, without you," I smile. "Kinnick would have been in prison and I don't think I'd be alive."

"You both have come such a long way."

"We are finally at the beginning of our story," I bite my lip as the sound of his laughter mixed with my children's filled the air. "The Start Of Forever. No one else has ever read it before because it hasn't been published, and the chapters are still being written, but I know there isn't one like it."

"How does it end?"

"Dot, dot, dot," I poke at the air. "To be determined."