The smooth resonant baritone was one that lived in Hawk’s memories, and he turned.

Doc Grayson stood at the end of the table, with a little girl, maybe a bit over a year old, on his hip. Beside him, a short, curvy blonde held the hand of a girl about Aric’s age.

With a whoop of pleasure, Bull stood and held his hand out. “Zachary Grayson. Damn, it’s good to see you, and you, too, Jessica.”

The psychologist had been Mako’s friend, and one of the rare people to visit their remote, off-the-grid cabin. Every year or so, he’d show up to check on the paranoid survivalist and the four messed-up street kids.

“Grayson.” Hawk took his turn shaking hands with the man who’d kept them from being totally fucked up.

Grayson smiled and studied him with keen gray eyes. “You’re looking well, Hawk.”

Hawk nodded his agreement, pleased to see the doc hadn’t changed much. As usual, he was in black jeans and a black shirt. Still lean and fit, although the black hair had more silver creeping into the temples.

The pretty blonde had to be the wife Bull mentioned they’d met at Mako’s funeral. She hugged Bull, Caz, and Gabe, then patted Gabe’s cheek. “You look so very much healthier. I’m glad.”

Then she smiled at Hawk. “You must be Hawk. I’m Jessica.”

Hawk took her hand gently, then shot a glance at Zachary. “Good job.”

“I think so.”

Audrey joined Gabe. “Welcome back to Rescue, Doc. Hi, Jessica. I’m Audrey.” She smiled at the preschooler, then at the toddler in Grayson’s arms. “Hi, you two.”

The one-year-old bounced. “Hi. Hi.” She held her arms out.

Audrey looked at Jessica. “May I hold her?”

“Yes.” Jessica grinned as Grayson handed over the child. “She’s Aubrielle, and I don’t think she has a shy bone in her body.”

Audrey smiled at the baby. “You are adorable.”

Yeah, Hawk had to agree. The kid was fucking cute.

Turning, Audrey beamed at Gabe. “We should have a girl.”

Gabe opened his mouth. Closed it.

As Audrey walked over to show the baby off to JJ and Frankie, Gabe just looked perplexed.

Caz shook his head sadly. “Viejo, has no one explained these things?”

“Yeah, bro.” Bull grinned. “Your boy juice already picked out a gender, and she’ll blame you for not giving her what she wants.”

“Fuck,” Gabe said under his breath. “I’m screwed.”

Hawk felt a hand take his.

“Who’s that?” Aric stared at the little blonde girl who was his age. He looked up at Grayson. “Is she your girl?”

“Yes, she is.” Zachary went down on one knee and held out his hand. “It’s good to see you again, Aric.”

With no reluctance whatsoever, Aric took his hand. “Hi, Doc.”

Hawk almost laughed. Doc Grayson had a way about him.