Page 143 of Hammer & Gavel


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Lucas grinned, leaning down to kiss to Oliver’s cheek. “See you at five, husband.”

“Ew! No heavy petting in the workplace!” Nancy shouted as she strode down the corridor with Hannah Whitmore in tow. “Ollie, the jury’s already made a decision! They’re live streaming it from the court.”

Oliver frowned as he glanced at his watch. “It’s barely been two hours. Surely not?”

“Apparently so! Come on!”

As he and Lucas were ushered into the Child Protection Unit, they shared a soft smile. And Oliver realised that, whatever happened, it didn’t matter so long as he had the six foot five, sexy mafia boss at his side.

THIRTY-ONE

EPILOGUE

Oliver’s knee bounced as he stared up at the clock. The hand ticked over to 2:45pm and he could feel himself beginning to grow anxious. “Mr White?” The beta woman with a kind face said, from behind the reception desk. “Still no sign?”

He swallowed, checking his phone for the one hundredth time. “Sorry, I’m sure they won’t be long.”

Doctor’s appointment at 2:00pm, meet at the agency at 2:30pm, what was so fucking difficult about that?!He was about to call Lucas again, but just as he pulled out his phone, the automatic doors slid open. “Finally!” Oliver said, striding towards the dishevelled looking alpha. “Two thirty! The appointments at two thirty!”

Lucas grinned, tugging Oliver towards him. “Apologies, Reed, but this one decided she needed a nappy change just as we stepped foot out the door.”

Oliver’s eyes softened as his gaze trailed to the white-blonde haired baby nestled within Lucas’ coat. He sighed, unzipping the alpha’s jacket as he bent to kiss the top of her head. She was fast asleep, drool dampening Lucas’ shirt as she pressed her chubby cheek to his chest.

“Mina,” Oliver cooed, breathing in the scent of her downy hair. “Sleepy girl.” Mina shifted, her hazel eyes popping open at the sound of Oliver’s voice. She let out a quiet yawn, and Oliver’s heart melted—as it did every time he looked at her.

“Here,” Lucas said, popping open the carrier and gently prying the three-month-old from its warm embrace. She wriggled in his massive hands, but stilled when he pressed her into Oliver’s arms.

“Hey baby,” Oliver whispered, nuzzling his face into her chubby neck rolls. “I love you, but no pooping or being sick in the next thirty minutes, okay? We’ve got a very important meeting now.” Mina only stared at him through long, dark lashes. Lucas kissed them both, and Oliver couldn’t help but notice the way his breath shook. They were both nervous, despite checking the paperworkat leastfifty times.

“Shall we?” Lucas said, gesturing towards the pink door at the end of the waiting room.

“Yeah,” Oliver replied, patting Mina’s bum as they passed the reception desk.

“Go straight in,” the receptionist said, buzzing them through.

It was three o’clock on a Friday afternoon when Alfie came barrelling into the adoption agency’s waiting room. His hair was a little damp, and Oliver could see that Sarah had tried to tame his wild blonde curls.

“Luuucie!” he cried, sprinting towards Lucas with open arms.

Lucas dropped to one knee, his hands spread wide and a huge grin on his face. “Hey, sweetheart!” He said, wrapping Alfie into a tight hug. The boy flung his arms around Lucas’ neck, nuzzling him and squealing with excitement. “Look who’s here,” Lucas said, pointing towards Oliver, who was watching the exchange from the corner of the room.

Alfie’s head jerked up as he wriggled out of Lucas’ embrace. “Ollieee!” He screeched, flinging his arms around Oliver’s neck.

He’d gotten bigger, and heavier since Oliver last visited, finally shedding the scrawniness of neglect. Oliver’s brows pinched together as he pressed his face into Alfie’s hair. “Missed you,” he whispered against his cheek.

When the boy finally pulled back, his eyebrows shot up as he noticed the alarmed looking baby nestled against Oliver’s shoulder. “Mini?!” he gasped, bending to kiss the top of Mina’s head. She gave him a gummy smile in return.

“I’ve missed you,” Oliver said again, ruffling Alfie’s hair. “Sorry I couldn’t come much the last couple of months. But I loved the birthday card, sweetheart.”

Alfie dropped his head, those big brown eyes like two saucers as he looked up at Oliver. “I drew the flowers myself,” he said, glancing at Lucas. “With Lucie’s help.”

Oliver’s gaze slid to Lucas and they shared a warm grin.“They were amazing,” he said, kissing Alfie’s cheek.

Alfie nodded as his hand went to his pocket. “I have… I want to… I’ve been waiting… I have a present for Mini.”

“Oh yeah? What is it?”

Oliver’s heart well and truly melted as Alfie pulled the little brown owl hat from his pocket, gently placing it on Mina’s head. “It’s too small for me. A-And I saw from the photo that Mini doesn’t have much hair. I don’t want her to get cold.”