Page 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Tyler

The low rumble of Brooks’ snoring is what wakes me, pulling me out of a deep sleep.

I blink against the dim light filtering through the curtains. Ally is curled up in my arms, her body warm and soft against mine.

I can’t help but smile as I watch her, her peaceful expression tugging at something deep inside me.

Careful not to wake her, I brush a stray strand of hair from her face, the tips of my fingers grazing her smooth cheek. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake, her breathing steady and soft.

Leaning down, I press a gentle kiss to her cheek before slowly slipping out of bed. The cool air hits me the moment I’m out from under the blankets, sending a shiver through me.

The floor creaks softly beneath my feet as I grab my hoodie off the chair and head across the hall to my own bathroom.

The hot water of the shower feels like heaven, washing away the remnants of sleep. Steam fills the small space, fogging up the mirror as I let the water run over me.

I finish quickly, toweling off and pulling on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before heading downstairs. The kitchen is quiet.

As the coffee brews, the rich aroma fills the kitchen, cutting through the chill of the early morning. I lean against the counter, scrolling through my phone.

The glow of the screen lights up my face as I catch up on social media and skim through sports headlines. The soft hum of the coffee maker is the only sound, and I smile to myself.

It’s strange being the first one awake. Normally, I’m the last to roll out of bed, and Nick or Brooks is already making coffee or flipping through the morning news.

Today feels different, though. Maybe it’s because of Ally, or maybe it’s just everything we’ve got going on.

I glance toward the fridge, and my eyes land on a small note in Brooks’ neat handwriting: “Ally Pregnancy Appointment: 26th at 11:00 AM” .

A warm wave of excitement washes over me, and I can’t help but grin.

I’ve never thought of myself as the family type, but the idea of sharing a baby with my brother, my best friend, and the woman we all love, it’s something I didn’t know I needed.

It feels right, like the next step in this strange, unconventional life we’re building together.

The coffee finishes, and I pour myself a mug, the heat radiating through the ceramic as I settle onto the couch. The remote is cool in my hand as I flip through channels, landing on some trashy reality TV show.

I kick my feet up, sipping my coffee and feeling a rare sense of contentment.

The distant hum of the hot water heater kicks on, the familiar sound signaling that someone else is up and in the shower.

It doesn’t take long for Nick to appear, descending the stairs with his usual grace.

He’s freshly showered, his hair damp and combed back, and there’s a satisfied ease in his expression that makes me smirk.

“Morning,” I say, my voice low and still laced with sleep.

Nick heads straight for the coffee pot, pouring himself a mug. He turns toward me, his eyebrows raised. “Wow, you actually made coffee? What, getting engaged suddenly made you care about the rest of us?”

“Maybe,” I reply with a shrug, a playful grin tugging at my lips. I lift my mug in a mock toast. “Figured since I was up first, I’d return the favor for once. You guys do it for me all the time.”

Nick chuckles, clearly surprised but amused. “Well, I’ll give you that. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

He plops down onto the couch beside me, the leather cushions creaking slightly under his weight.

We sit there for a moment, the TV playing in the background as the warmth of the coffee seeps through the mug and into my hands.

The sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs signals Brooks’ arrival.

“Ally’s almost done in the shower,” he says, leaning against the counter. “The appointment’s in two hours. We need to be ready.”

Nick nods, taking another sip of his coffee, but his eyes flick to me with a knowing smirk. “I don’t have to tell you that, do I, Tyler?”

I roll my eyes, groaning. “Oh, come on. Give me some credit. I’ll actually be ready for once.”

Brooks raises an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “Is that so? You’re not going to make us late this time?”

“Not today,” I reply, holding up my hands in mock surrender.

Nick chuckles, shaking his head. “Well, give him some credit, he did make coffee.”

Brooks sips his mug, his grin widening. “Now that’s a shock. Maybe there’s hope for you yet, Ty.”

I laugh along with them, the sound echoing through the kitchen as the three of us settle into the easy rhythm we’ve built over years of living together.

It’s moments like these that remind me how lucky I am, not just to have my brother and Brooks, but to share all of this with Ally, too.

“What the hell are you watching?” Brooks asks, his face twisted in exaggerated disgust as he stares at the television.

On the screen, two women with massive, obviously fake boobs are screaming at each other in a gaudy kitchen. One of them is waving a spatula like it’s a weapon.

I smirk, leaning back against the couch and crossing my arms. “It’s a reality show, think Big Brother, but with reality stars from other shows shoved into one house together. Drama city.”

Brooks rolls his eyes, his broad shoulders sagging as he sighs deeply. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. People actually watch this garbage?”

“Hey, this is quality entertainment,” I protest, feigning offense.

He steps closer, holding out his hand. “Give me the remote. Let’s watch something that doesn’t kill brain cells. Historical Network’s got a great documentary on medieval armor.”

I laugh, clutching the remote like it’s a lifeline. “No way, Grandpa. I’m not trading reality gold for another one of your boring documentaries.”

Brooks narrows his eyes, lunging for the remote. I dodge, tucking it behind my back. “Not today, old man! You can’t run after me right now with only one good leg. I get to watch what I want for a change!”

Brooks grabs my arm, and we end up in a full-on scuffle, both of us laughing as he tries to wrestle the remote from me. My elbow catches the edge of the couch, sending the remote tumbling to the floor.

Before either of us can grab it, Nick swoops in, snatching it up with a triumphant grin. “Amateurs,” he says, holding it out of reach.

Brooks and I groan, dropping back into our seats. “What are you gonna put on? Don’t you dare,” I start, but Nick cuts me off, pressing a button on the remote.

The news flickers onto the screen, a somber anchor droning on about the stock market.

“Seriously?” Brooks and I say in unison, glaring at Nick.

He just shrugs, leaning back with a smug look. “Better than fake drama or plate armor.”

“You’re a buzzkill,” I mutter, crossing my arms as Brooks shakes his head in mock disappointment.

But before I can start another argument, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs catches my attention.

Ally enters the room, her damp hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders.

She’s wearing a simple T-shirt and leggings, but to me, she might as well be wearing a crown. The scent of apples and a hint of floral perfume lingers as she walks past.

“Morning,” she says, her voice still soft from sleep. She heads to the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

I can’t take my eyes off her as she sits down on the couch beside me, cradling the mug in her hands. “You look amazing,” I say, the words slipping out before I can think twice.

She laughs softly, her cheeks tinged pink. “Thanks, Ty.”

Brooks leans forward, his expression warm. “We’re all excited for today. It’s a big deal, Ally.”

Nick nods in agreement. “We’re finally gonna see the baby. You ready for all of us to hover like a bunch of nervous dads?”

She smiles, leaning into Brooks’ shoulder. “I’m ready.”

Each of us takes a turn kissing her cheeks or forehead, our affection spilling over like a flood. After a few minutes, Brooks claps his hands. “All right, let’s move. We’ve got an appointment to get to.”

We pile into Nick’s large SUV, Ally settling in the front seat while Brooks and I take the back. The drive is short. Ally hums softly to herself, tapping her fingers on the armrest in time with the soft music playing on the radio.

When we pull into the parking lot, the receptionist eyes us curiously as we all trail in behind Ally. Her expression doesn’t go unnoticed as Ally mentions, “They’re all on my paperwork as family.”

The receptionist raises an eyebrow but says nothing, directing us to take a seat.

The waiting room is brightly lit and smells faintly of antiseptic and coffee. The air hums with low chatter and the rustle of magazines.

When the nurse calls Ally’s name, we stand as one, drawing even more attention. She glances at us, smirking. “Wow, never had someone bring a paparazzi with them.”

“Better get used to it,” I joke, but inside, I’m nervous. My eyes flick to the machines in the examination room as we follow Ally back, my stomach doing little flips.

This is real. We’re about to see the baby, our baby, and I can barely contain the mixture of fear and excitement bubbling inside me.

The nurse smiles warmly as she asks Ally the standard questions. “Have you had any bleeding, cramping, or unusual pain?”

Ally shakes her head, her voice steady but soft. “No, everything has been normal so far.”

I stand close to her, the cold, clinical air of the room prickling my skin.

Ally lays back on the examination table, her hands resting over her belly. The paper sheet beneath her crinkles as she shifts slightly. The room feels small, almost crowded, as Brooks, Nick, and I hover nearby, watching the nurse work.

The nurse pulls out a tube of clear gel, squeezing a generous amount onto Ally’s stomach. It gleams under the soft fluorescent lights, and Ally flinches at the coolness, her lips twitching into a small smile.

The nurse takes out the wand connected to the ultrasound machine, gently pressing it against Ally’s skin.

“All right,” the nurse says cheerfully, flipping a switch on the machine. The overhead lights dim, and the small screen next to the bed flickers to life.

The soft, rhythmic hum of the ultrasound machine fills the room. I lean in closer, my heart pounding as shadows and shapes begin to form on the screen.

The nurse grins as she tilts the screen toward us. “Look at that,” she says, her voice practically glowing. “One…two…three. Triplets!”

“TRIPLETS!” I yelp, my voice echoing off the sterile walls. The room explodes with energy as Brooks and Nick step closer, their eyes wide with disbelief. I can feel my chest tightening, but it’s not anxiety, it’s pure, unfiltered excitement.

The nurse chuckles, clearly amused by our reaction. “Looks like we’ve got some very excited uncles here,” she says, glancing between us with a teasing smile.

Her words make me pause, but I glance at Brooks and Nick, and we exchange knowing looks. The truth is ours to hold. These babies, they belong to all of us.

The nurse continues her work, pointing out the small, fluttering shapes on the screen. “They look great, measuring perfectly for this stage. Congratulations, Mom.”

Ally’s eyes are misty, her hand reaching out to grab Brooks’. The nurse finishes her exam, wiping the gel off Ally’s belly with a soft towel.

“We’ll keep a closer eye on you moving forward just like we do with all moms pregnant with multiples,” she says, handing Ally a stack of ultrasound printouts. “Be careful about lifting heavy things and don’t work out as hard as you usually would. Call if you experience anything unusual.”

The nurse and assistant leave the room, the door clicking shut behind them, and silence settles over us.

Ally sits up slowly, swinging her legs over the side of the table as she reaches for her clothes. The quiet in the room is charged, heavy with emotion.

My eyes flicker to Nick and Brooks, their expressions mirroring the overwhelming mix of awe and excitement coursing through me.

“Triplets,” I murmur, shaking my head with a grin. “That’s…incredible.”

Ally pulls her sweater over her head, her cheeks flushed. “Are you guys okay with this?” she asks softly, her eyes scanning each of us.

“Okay?” I say, stepping closer and resting my hands on her shoulders. “I think this means we each get our own baby.”

The room erupts into laughter, Nick clutching his stomach as Brooks groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Leave it to Tyler,” Brooks mutters, shaking his head. “Always the comedian.”

Ally laughs too, her tension easing as she finishes dressing. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she whispers, holding the printouts in her hands like fragile treasures.

Ally looks at the three of us, her lips curving into a tentative smile. “I guess this means we’ll have to postpone the wedding,” she says, her voice light but steady. “There’s no way I’m fitting into any kind of dress anytime soon.”

Brooks steps forward, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. “You’re perfect just the way you are,” he says, his voice low and soothing.

Nick nods in agreement, his grin wide. “The wedding can wait. What matters is that you and the babies are healthy.”

“Do you think when she said I shouldn’t exercise as hard, she also meant…you know?” Ally says, blushing.

Brooks presses a kiss to her forehead. “I did try to suggest that last night,” he teases. “We’ll modify our fun. That’s an easy thing to do.”

“Totally,” Nick agrees, lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

I can’t help but chime in, leaning on the examination table with a mischievous grin. “Think of all the cool wedding photos we can take with three little ring bearers. Maybe we really should delay the wedding just for that.”

Ally’s laughter fills the room, warm and bright. “You guys are unbelievable,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. She pulls us all into a group hug, her head resting against Brooks’ chest.

In this moment, everything feels right. We’ve got a long road ahead, but together, I know we can handle anything.