I stroll into the hospital waiting room to find the other guys and Cher lounging about, playing on their phones or iPads, reading smut magazines.

Irritating the hell out of each other.

“Hey, guys.” I grab a cup of horrible hospital coffee and sit next to Cher. “Any news?”

“Not yet.” She shakes her head. “We do know that they started labor back up this morning, but it could be awhile.”

“What the hell is the hold up?” Jake asks irritably. “Just make the kid come out.”

“Right,” Cher rolls her eyes. “All babies come on their own time. This is the baby of a rock star. It’ll definitely make an entrance when it’s good and ready.”

“Why didn’t they find out if it’s a girl or a boy?” DJ asks.

“Lori wanted it to be a surprise,” I remind him and text Sam.

At the hospital. Still waiting for baby.

I wonder if she got the cupcakes I had delivered to her this morning? I sent both chocolate and lemon, since I’m not there for her to steal a bite from.

“Well, if we knew ahead of time, we could have bought fun gifts,” Cher mutters and frowns. “I hope it’s a girl.”

“Why?” Eric asks, his eyes not moving from his iPad.

Be patient, Sam responds. And thanks for the cupcakes.

You’re not one to talk about patience, sunshine. YW.

“Because I want to help her decorate the nursery in pink.” She claps her hands with excitement, and then her pretty green eyes look sad. DJ leans in and whispers in her ear, making her sweet smile return to her lips. “I know.”

I hope they can adopt a baby soon. Cher would be a fantastic mom. Why is it that those who should have kids have such a hard time, and so many people who have no fucking business having kids have twenty?

Time passes slowly. By mid-afternoon, we’ve ordered pizza and Gary has been in to give us three updates. Lori’s fine, but the labor is difficult.

“What tat did you get?” Eric asks, pointing to my plastic-covered shoulder blade.

“I got a sun.”

“It’s time for that bandage to come off,” Cher comments and motions for me to stand in front of her so she can remove it. “Oh, this is so great,” she breathes.

“I know.”

“Kat?” Jake asks with a grin. He and Kat had a thing for a while.

“Yeah.” I nod and grin.

“She’s the best.” He shrugs. Cher goes to the restroom to wet some paper towels and carefully cleans my shoulder.

“Wear tanks for a few days,” she murmurs.

“Thanks, mom.” I smirk. “This is not my first tat.”

“It’s a good thing you’re hot, or I’d have to hurt you. Want me to take a picture of it with your phone and you can send it to Sam? I’m assuming it’s for her.”

“No, she’ll see it later.”

Honestly, I’m nervous, not sure how she’ll react to it.

Early evening sets in, and I’m sick of sitting in this waiting room.

“I can’t stand this anymore,” I mutter and stand to pace about the room just as Gary comes rushing in.

“It’s a girl! It’s a girl! Holy fucking hell, I have a girl.”

Cher squeals and we all take turns hugging our friend and each other.

A new member of the band has been born.

“How is Lori?” I ask him.

“Gorgeous, tired, perfect.” He grins at me. “We have a girl.”

“You know what this means, don’t you?” Eric asks him with a grin.

“What?”

“We get to fuck with teenage boys in about fifteen years. Lori’s a fucking knockout. Just think what the baby will look like by then.”

“Fuck me, I’m going to jail.” Gary pulls his hand down his face and then grins.

“What did you name her?” Jake pulls Gary into a headlock, rubbing his knuckles on his head.

“Do not say Apple,” Cher warns him and he laughs.

“No, Alexis Mae,” he announces proudly. “Come on, you can come see her.”

“All of us?” I ask, doubtful.

“Lori wouldn’t have it any other way. The nurse can kiss my ass.” Gary leads us down the antiseptic-scented corridor to Lori’s room and peaks his head in to make sure everyone is decent before waving us into the room.

“Hey guys.” Lori grins at us; her face void of makeup and her hair is back in a simple ponytail. She’s holding a little tiny bundle in a pink and blue blanket in her arms.

“Hey, pretty face.” I lean down and kiss her cheek and peek at the pink face in the blanket. “She’s gorgeous, like her mama.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. I kiss her hair and back away so everyone else can see the brand new baby. When I turn around, I’m met with dozens of roses in pink and white, balloons, baby clothes and the softest big, brown teddy bear I’ve ever seen. Next to it is a small toy guitar.

“Read the card,” Gary calls over to me.

I’m sorry I can’t be there. Congratulations! The guitar is for Maddox. He should have presents too. Best wishes, Samantha Williams

I’m just struck dumb. My eyes roam over all the gifts again. She sent these things because these are people I love. Because she’s so fucking amazing.

Not a good person, my ass. She has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She just does a damn good job of keeping it hidden.

I turn back to the guys to find everyone watching me.

“When did these arrive?”

“This morning.” Gary grins.

I stride to the bedside and lean over Lori, looking into her happy eyes.

“I’m sorry, I have…”

“Go get her, tiger.” She grins. “We’re fine.”

I smile back at her and kiss her forehead, then hug all my guys, kiss Cher’s cheek, and start making calls to get back to Seattle.

Chapter Twenty-Four

~Samantha~

It’s only been twenty-four hours since Leo went to L.A. and I’m already going stir crazy.

This is not good.

I’m sick of my own company. I don’t want to go to Luke’s or my parent’s. I want Leo.

So, to clear my head, I decide to go for a run. Leo would most likely spank my ass for running alone this late. The thought makes me smile.

The man gives good spank.

I zip my hoodie, grab my keys and palm the pink vial of bear spray I carry with me when I run alone, and set out. The neighborhood is relatively quiet, and the streetlights are on. Because of the late hour, I’ll just run a mile or so. It feels good to be out in the cool air.