Epilogue

Quinn paced in the corner of the room, keeping a close eye on the situation as the doctors tended to Azaria, who was in the final stages of labor. The nurse had banished him temporarily to that spot so they could have plenty of room in case they needed to access any of the equipment he’d insisted they keep on hand.

He knew they were mostly placating him, and the doctor had reassured him repeatedly there was little risk of Azaria having any complications, especially on the same level as Catriona, but he’d still accommodated Quinn’s demands.

Money likely had something to do with that, and he was thankful all over again that Remy and Maya had shared the location of their treasure trove of wreckage. With Azaria working alongside him—and it had taken a lot of persuasion on her part to get him to allow her to accompany him on the skid to retrieve materials—they had earned enough in weeks not to have to worry about their future for the next few years. Daisy and Ryder had been working alongside them, but they had departed first, deciding they had enough.

Quinn had been driven to retrieve at least two more cargo holds’ worth in the intervening weeks, wanting to ensure he had enough money to pay for any complications that might arise. If nothing happened, which he hoped for fervently, then he would be set to provide a good future for his Omega and their child.

Perhaps she would even agree to marry him now. He suspected she had refused his proposal the last time he made it because she didn’t want to be forced into marriage before their baby arrived. Perhaps she thought he would change his mind once Olivia was born, and she didn’t want him to do that or feel like he was forced into it. Instead of badgering her to accept, he’d tried to take her rejection with good grace and redoubled his efforts to prove he loved her and wanted a future with her.

A welcome sound filled the room then, and his insides melted at the newborn scream reaching his ears. He rushed forward, crowding in so he could see his daughter as a doctor lifted her aloft, placing her on Azaria’s stomach.

He moved forward, unable to resist the lure of his child’s full head of dark hair. She had Azaria’s darker complexion, but pale brown hair and more his shade of eye color. Olivia looked similar to the picture he’d received from Ryder three days ago showing his newborn niece, though she had Daisy’s curly hair, and lots of it. Olivia wasn’t bald by any means, but Corinne certainly had a lot more hair.

“Everything’s just perfect,” said the doctor before Quinn could ask. “Both your wife and daughter are healthy.”

“She’s not my wife… Yet.” He turned to look at Azaria, who’d never been more beautiful despite the strain on her face, the perspiration dotting her brow, and the hint of exhaustion in her eyes. He smiled down at her. “Will you marry me now?”

She must’ve been tired, but she still managed a laugh. “Right this minute?”

“I’m willing to wait a few days.”

She gave him a soft smile. “If you’re sure that’s what you want, then yes.”

“It’s what I want more than anything. I love you, Azaria.”

She reached up a hand to him, and he quickly took it, not moving his other hand from Olivia’s forehead as he basked in touching his wife-to-be and child. “I love you too, Quinn.”

He closed his eyes, savoring how contented he was in the moment as a swell of pleasure filled him. She’d agreed to be his wife, though he’d considered her far more than that for months now. He was sure she was finally certain of him, as certain as he’d been of her from almost the day they’d decided to start again.

He had no hesitation about the future, and he was glad she’d yielded. He would make sure she had no regrets about loving him, planning to devote the rest of his life to making sure she was happy and loved, and would never think he regretted claiming his Omega.

***