"Shh!" I press a finger against Zack's lip when he starts to babble. "We need the element of surprise, Sweetness. You need to help Mama, okay?"

Zack closes his mouth and blinks up at me. I grin and kiss his check. He's such a good boy.

I leave him sitting on the bed for a few moments while I open the door of Nate's bedroom and take a peek over the staircase, making sure he's home. I spy him lounging shirtless on the couch with his feet propped on the table in front of him, looking sexy as hell without even trying. I don't even bother holding back my sigh — he's so freaking dreamy.

"Babe!" I call out to him, waving my arm to get his attention. He looks up and grins when our eyes meet, waving back. "Come here for a second."

He nods and stands up, making his way to the stairs. I close the door and leave it open just a crack before running back to Zack. I make sure his sweater is zipped up to hide his shirt underneath and double check the envelope under the pillow. I place Zack on my lap and try to look as casual as possible just when Nate walks in.

"Did you need something, love?" He bends his head when he reaches me to give me a sweet kiss that I return with a smile.

"Just wanted to give you something." I shrug, staying evasive.

He waggles his brows and his hands go to the hem of his track pants. "Better go and give Zack to someone for at least an hour."

"Not that, goof." I burst out laughing at the pout that turns down the corners of his mouth. "But you'll like this surprise just as much."

"Nothing is better than sex with you." He tells me so seriously that I have to roll my eyes.

I pull out the envelope from underneath his pillow and hand it to him. He takes it from me in obvious confusion and holds it up to the light to try and inspect what's inside. "What is it?"

"Funnily enough, there's a part of it that you can actually open to see what's inside."

"Smartass." He chuckles.

His fingers make quick work of ripping the side of the envelope and taking out the stiff sheet inside. I quietly open Zack's sweatshirt and keep my gaze on Nate while he reads the words. He inhales a soft breath, swallowing hard and practically burning a hole into the paper with his intense stare. When he looks at me, there's unshed tears in his eyes. Those tears only spill over when more gather as he reads Zack's sweatshirt. Another laugh puffs out of him and he flicks his eyes between Zack's shirt and what's in his hand like he can't decide which to focus on.

"When did you do this?" He asks gruffly.

I swallow back the emotions making my throat tight. His reaction was everything I hoped for and more. "The day we won custody against Chris. I cornered him before we left the firm and had him sign away his rights. I didn't want to waste another second and I know the process takes a few months anyways."

"Angel." He pulls in another breath, his voice raspy now. "I don't know what to say."

"That's okay." I smile and make Zack stand on his legs, keeping my hands on him to help him stay upright. I give him a playful shake to make it look like she's dancing and cheekily read aloud the words on his shirt. "Legal baby on board!"

Something between a laugh and a small cry leaves him as he stares down at the official adoption certificate that makes Nate Zack's father by law now. He's always been his dad but this feels like the missing piece we needed to click in place.

"Ah, fuck." He quickly swipes at his eyes and joins us on the bed. He pulls Zack onto his lap and kisses his cheek, his gaze going soft. "No getting rid of me now huh, little man?"

Zack grins and cups Nate's face with his tiny hands. He tries to yank off the scruff on Nate's face with his tiny fingers and although it looks painful, Nate laughs and pecks him.

"One more thing." I whisper and pull out another envelope from under his pillow.

"What more could you possibly give me, baby?" He shakes his head and leans forward to kiss me again before turning his attention on the new envelope. Zack sits on his lap watching with the same intense stare as Nate and I hold back a smile at how similar they look in this moment.

Nate's eyes widen comically as he reads the words aloud. "Zack Miles Hunter?"

"I wanted him to have your name." I say softly and carefully try to gauge his reaction. I hope it wasn't too forward. "Is this okay?"

"I...I..." He blinks slowly and turns his head toward me. I'm floored by the love in his gaze and it makes my chest tighten almost painfully. He cups my face, swallowing hard and whispers, "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, Angel."

I laugh softly through the boulder in my throat. Nate shakes his head in awe and continues.

"I'm serious, Delilah. I've grown up seeing the most honest and raw type of love between my parents but I never saw myself having that. I never saw myself having someone like you. I've said this before but I'll say it again — after a lifetime of being the one that always gives to others, I'm finally the one on the receiving end. I don't think you realize how much that means to me or how your selflessness literally changed my life."

"Nate." I choke out and cup his face. "I'm only giving you what you're giving me. I mean you saw me, you know? I spent all my life hiding in the shadows and you took me out of there and I wouldn't be who I am without that. You changed my life, too."

"You know," He starts and crosses his legs to face me. His smile is soft. "Someday I'd like for you to have my name, too."

"Oh." I blink and my heart thunders against my ribcage. What he's implying is spinning my mind with nerves and excitement and I feel overwhelmed.

"Breathe." He instructs quietly. "Not now. We have a lot going on and there are still so many changes in our life we're adjusting to. Let's take it step by step but just know that marrying you is one of the steps I have in mind for the future. Whenever we're ready."

"Really?" I ask because sometimes it's still so hard to believe that this is my life; that I have all this love to give and I have an amazing man that returns it tenfold.

"Really." He shakes his head with a wry smile. "I never saw this coming for myself. Being a boyfriend, being a dad, and actually feeling fucking giddy thinking about being a husband. I don't know what you did to me but I'm glad you did it, Angel."

"You're not the only one with voodoo powers." I wiggle my fingers at him teasingly and he laughs. "Just kidding. I love you, weirdo."

"I know." He smirks and I snort my amusement. "We should go downstairs. Our guests are probably here by now."

"Cameron is about to have a field finally meeting all your sisters." I agree and we stand.

"Tell me about it." He grabs a shirt from his closet and puts it on. "My money is on him and Mia bonding."

"Really? I was thinking Mona. They're both total sweethearts."

"But him and Mia have that hint of crazy that makes it hard to keep up."

"You got me there." I bounce Zack on my hip as he leans his body forward, arms outstretched. "Where are you going, Sweetness?"

He makes an irritated at his noise at the back of his throat and reaches his hands out further toward Nate. "Dada."

Oh my God.

I experience a moment where my heart literally leaps into my throat, my eyes flying to Nate. He's frozen in place with one hand still in his hair and the other just about to reach for the doorknob. He blinks once, twice, and swallows hard before looking at me. His voice is a whisper, if that. "Did he just...?"

"What did you say, Sweetness?" I whisper in an equally quiet voice. My words sound croaky.

"Dada." He emphasizes in a huff, clearly growing impatient as I continue to hold on to him.

"Nate." My hand covers my mouth. He hasn't budged an inch. He's still stuck in place and unable to peel his eyes off Zack. "Baby, take him."

He sucks in a small breath as if snapping out of his trance and tentatively reaches for Zack, who smiles immediately at getting what he wants.

"Little man?" Nate rasps. "Did you just call me Dad?"

Zack doesn't respond and he's already nodding off, his head resting on Nate's shoulder and eyes fluttering shut.

"Oh my God." A laugh bubbles out of me. "Oh my God, Nate. That was his first word. You're his first word!"

"I...did that just happen? Did that really just happen, Angel?" He's almost begging for me to confirm the words and I don't waste a second.

"It did." I cup his face and ignore my tears. I lean forward and capture his lips with mine, kissing him softly. "It's almost like he knows you just legally became his dad, huh?"

"Holy fuck." He closes his eyes and hugs Zack tightly to him. The love between them is so obvious it's hard to even consider that they're not biologically related. But I know by now that doesn't mean crap. These two have always been family and right now, in this moment, it couldn't be more true.

"I'll give you a minute." I kiss his cheek and he nods. I close the door quietly behind me and swipe my tears away, overcome by absolute emotion. How in the world did I get this lucky?

I can't help but reflect on everything Nate and I have been through. Emily and Avery were right when they told me the journey isn't always easy but it sure does amount so something ridiculously magical. Nate and I fought what we had for so long through the worst trials. My unexpected pregnancy, the car wreck, and the custody battle were all the hardest trials I ever faced. I can't help but feel so grateful that I was surrounded by the best kind of family to help me push through or I wouldn't have what I have today.

I'm grinning to myself and still lost in thought when I open the downstairs bathroom without knocking. I regret it immediately.

"What the hell!" I burst out.

Mom and Greg break apart like they caught on fire and stare at me guiltily. I gape back as my mind tries to make sense of what I just saw. Mom kissing Greg. Greg kissing Mom. Mom and Greg kissing. There was definitely lots of tongue. I hold back a shudder.

"What the hell?" I repeat.

"Honey, wait." Mom holds her hands up before I can step back. I try to ignore her swollen lips and the slightly smudged lipstick. Lipstick that, with a flick of my eyes to Greg, confirms is all over his mouth which is tightened in defence.

"I mean...when did this...what?" I'm dumbfounded but at the same time it makes so much sense. All the times they've acted so weird around me and the flirty comments I sometimes caught on to and the wistful smile on Mom's face when I'd catch her texting on her phone. I'm kind of wondering how I didn't see it coming.

"We meant to tell you." Mom continues and I snap my attention back to her. "There was just so much happening with you. This past year has taken everything out of you and I didn't want you to deal with even more."

"Okay." I cross my arms hesitantly. "When did this start?"

Mom looks to Greg for answers. He finishes wiping off his mouth and clears his throat with obvious discomfort. "We've been good friends since we met. Your mom is the first person in my life in a long time that understands me. We both know what it means to lose someone you love and constantly have your guard up, trying to figure out what's best for your child and fighting that battle alone. Our friendship became more than that pretty much around the time you found out about your pregnancy. I started having strong feelings for Greta that scared the shit out of me, darlin'. Your mom is one hell of a patient woman, though. I stopped fighting what was between us eventually and we made things official within a few months. We were going to tell you the day you had your car accident. After that, things kind of spiralled out of control and we decided against it."

My car accident was months ago. I try to fight the tears at the thought that my mom kept something this important from me for so long. We never keep secrets. "You could have told me sooner."

"We could have." Mom agrees gently. "And it was wrong of us to keep hiding. I just couldn't find a good time to do it. Zack was born and you were handling being a new mom and figuring it out. When you finally seemed to in a good place Chris came back. It started feeling more and more impossible."

"I get that." I say carefully. "But I was okay pretty much right after Zack was born. My only concern at the time was what was happening between Nate and I. Then I was at my happiest when we finally got together. Chris didn't come around until Zack was five months and now he's eight months. It seems like you were just looking for excuses."

"Maybe we were." Mom shrugs. "Or actually, I was. Greg kept insisting and I would be the one to talk him out of it. I guess I was having trouble facing my own fears. I haven't been with anyone since your father, sunshine. I felt vulnerable and scared and honestly you seemed to have a much better grip on your life than I did. The longer we kept it from you the harder it felt to finally admit to it."

"Mom." I throw my hands up in exasperation. "You have nothing to be afraid of. All I care about is that you're happy and you're with someone who treats you the way you deserve. For once you have to put yourself first. You'll never stop being my mom but there's so much more to you than that. Don't ever feel like you're not allowed to be happy if I'm not. We can be happy at different times in different ways and that's fine."

"You're right." She steps forward and throws her arms around me. "I'm sorry, honey. I know you've grown into a smart and capable woman and I know you can take care of yourself. Sometimes I forget just how far you've come."

"That's okay, Mama." I say against her shoulder and rub her back. "I get why you did what you did but I guess I can't really be mad. You couldn't have chosen a better man."

I look at Greg who smiles gently at me and ushers me forward. I step out of Mom's embrace to go to him. He clasps my hands tightly and speaks quietly enough that I know his words are for my ears only. "I promise I'll take good care of her, darlin'. I meant it when I said I've never felt about anyone the way I feel for your mom. And just so you know I'm not going to force myself in your life or anything. I'm not trying to replace your father. I just want to be a good man for the both of you."

"Greg." I squeeze his hands. "I've never had a father. You're not replacing anyone. But you sure have felt more like a father than anyone else in mine and Mom's life. If it's not too forward me to admit, I've been thinking about you as a father figure for a long time. Mom and I are lucky to have you."

"Yeah?" He searches my eyes and I smile.

"Yeah." I stretch up on my tiptoes to hug him and he returns it full-force, practically crushing me with his huge arms. "I love you, Greg."

"I love you too, darlin'." He kisses my forehead and I close my eyes shut. If I had any doubts before I certainly don't have any now.

"What about me?" I hear Mom tease and Greg chuckles, holding an arm out to her.

"Come here, baby." He grins at her and I can't help but realize he looks at her the way Nate looks at me. I watch with a smile as he bends his head to kiss her. "You know I love you."

I release a long "Aw" that has my mom laughing and Greg blushing. Blushing.

"You guys." I gush and put a hand to my heart. "Now I'm just mad that I missed all these cute moments."

"You're too busy making your own." Mom winks. "Go find your man."

I gasp when I remember. "I almost forgot to tell you. Zack called Nate 'Dada.' His first word!"

"That's incredible." Mom visibly tears up and strokes my cheek. "You two deserve this. I'm so proud of you."

"You too, Mama." I kiss her palm and move back, stepping out of the bathroom. "We should go join the others now. Are you two done sneaking around like teenagers?"

"Actually, that was the best part." Greg smirks. Mom gazes up at him like she could eat him up and I hold back a snort. I can't blame her. Greg is ridiculously handsome. "Might want to give us a couple more minutes."

"Gross." I parent to gag but smile as I shut the door.

I'm shaking my head at the absolute insanity of what just happened when I bump into Em and Aves.

"I just got Mom making out with Greg!" I smack Emily's arm. "How could they not tell us?"

Emily raises a brow. "How did you not figure it out? It was right there, Del."

I frown. "I know. I suck."

"Cameron and I saw it coming way before you guys." Avery gloats, cocking her hip. "You wouldn't believe the amount of times we've gotten those two alone together by doing something crazy."

"Oh, I believe it." Emily rolls her eyes then grins at me. "I guess that makes us sisters."

"Hey." Avery cuts in defensively. "Greg is my dad, too."

Emily bursts out laughing. "At this rate, he's everyone's dad."

"You're lucky to have him." I nudge her foot with my own and she smiles.

"I really am."

"Who isn't lucky to have me?" Cameron saunters toward us and throws his arm around Avery's waist. "You are talking about me, right? Who am I kidding? Of course you are."

Avery rolls her eyes but grins at him. "Del finally found out about Greta and Greg."

"Grega?" Cameron pretends to flick a tear. "My favourite ship."

"What the hell is a Grega?" Jaxon wrinkles his nose as he joins our huddle.

"Greg and Greta combined. Duh." Cam shakes his head in disgust. "Sometimes I wonder how we're best friends."

"So do I." Jax throws back then faces me. "I can't believe you're just finding out."

"Alright, I get it. I'm a little slow." I grumble. "You know, if everyone here knew you could have filled me in."

That shuts them all up and it's my turn to smirk.

"What's going on?" Nate squeezes inside our little circle and stands beside me. Zack is fast asleep in his arms.

"Mom and Greg are dating." I inform him.

"I thought as much." He nods. "Didn't you?"

"I give up." I roll my eyes.

"I told you they were here." Asher's voice rings out before he comes into view a moment later. Wolfe is close behind him. "These fuckers are always ditching the hottest guys in the group."

Nate, Cam, And Jax immediately launch into insults about who's hotter and the girls and I snicker, watching on. That's an argument neither of them will win anytime soon.

Eventually we have to break it up when Nate's sisters squirm their way into our huddle and the introductions take over. We're all chattering as we make our way to the backyard where Nate's dad is barbecuing and his mom is setting the table. My mom and Greg join us a few moments later and I blink at their clearly disheveled state. Seriously, how did I miss it?

I choose a foldable chair off to the side to take my plate to. I love the gang but it's hard to break old habits and sometimes I like to be by myself even at gatherings. I don't mind at all though when Nate appears next to me, sitting between my legs with his back against the chair. I set my plate down and stroke his hair instead, leaning down to kiss his forehead when he tips his head back.

"I guess you were right." He tells me and points to where Cameron and Mona are talking animatedly. I grin at their excited bickering.