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I respected Brandon more when he expressed regret for not having been in Jessie’s life as much as he should have been, and ever since he moved closer, he’s been taking steps to change that.

We told him that we’re not trying to take his place in Jessie’s life, but that we wanted to provide for her in any way we can.

His general opinion was that as long as Jessie’s happy, he’s happy, and I respect that, too.

When the puppy starts to slow down, Stella calls out for Jessie. “Time to take a break. The puppy needs a nap.”

To our utter surprise, Jessie ends up falling asleep on the couch a few minutes after her dog does. “Naps are very few and far between these days,” Stella whispers as the three of us creep out of the room.

I pull Stella into the kitchen for a leisurely kiss, aware from her near-silent moans that Cam’s getting handsy with her at the same time. The two of us enjoy her for a few minutes, until she pushes us away.

“We’d better stop, or we’ll end up in the bedroom, and I’m not sure Jessie will sleep long enough for us to fully enjoy ourselves.”

“Later, then,” I tell her, right before I steal one more kiss. “I’m going to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Want to help?”

“I’d love to,” Stella says.

As I start to set ingredients on the counter, Cam picks up the bag of chocolate chips, looking at it in a disinterested way. “Did you know the Mayans and Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency?”

“Didn’t you say you had something to do in the garage?” I ask him in response.

All three of us are laughing quietly as he gives Stella another kiss, then leaves us alone to bake.

Later that night, after Jessie’s in bed, the three of us are back together, sitting on the couch, sharing a plate of cookies with milk. Jessie had a cookie after dinner, but we waited until now to enjoy ours.

Things were hectic all evening, with us taking the still-unnamed puppy outside frequently for potty breaks, then cleaning up puddles in the kitchen and the dining room, despite our best efforts.

“What a day,” Stella says with a sigh, before taking another bite of her cookie.

“Things are going to be extra fun around here for a while,” Cam says.

Stella smiles at him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Speaking of fun—” She reaches for her phone on the table, and taps the screen. “There’s something I want to show you.”

She holds the phone out at a distance, urging Cam and I to lean in closer, so we can both see the screen. “I hired a graphic designer from Community Bean to do a little side project for me. I asked them to make a new logo for your channel.”

Cam and I exchange a look, both of us confused, because we never mentioned needing new branding, and we’re fine with what we have.

“Even though you still do plenty of childish stuff in your videos, you’re not boys anymore. You’re men, through and through, so I thought it was time for you to drop the ‘boys’ in Battle Duel Boys.”

What an odd thing for Stella to do,I’m thinking as I watch her pull up the logo design. Then I read the new name, and stop breathing for a few seconds.

“Stel, tell me that name isn’t random,” Cam says.

“Does that mean what I think it means?” I blink and then look at the screen again, making sure I saw what I think I saw.

She nods, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “What do you think? Are you ready for a name change to Battle Duel Dads? Because in eight months, that’s what you’re going to be!”

I toss the dish of crumbs on the coffee table as I get to my feet, then pull the love of my life into my arms. “We’re going to be dads?”

Stella nods, just before I crush my lips to hers.I’m going to be a dad. We’re going to be dads.

The four of us—five, counting the new puppy—are going to grow our family.

I don’t want to let her go, but Cam’s right there, so I open the hug to welcome him in, and the two of us hold onto Stella … for the rest of our lives.

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