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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Nick

Life has been nuts since we found out about the triplets.

Moving Ally in felt like the most natural thing in the world.

We cleared out one of the spare rooms on the main floor to start converting it into a nursery. It’s already taking shape, walls freshly painted a pale mint green color, and furniture we’ve been slowly piecing together.

The sound of drills and hammers is practically the soundtrack of the house now.

But it’s the little moments with Ally that stick with me. Sitting on the couch together at the end of a long day, her head resting on Brooks’ shoulder, Tyler teasing her about her snack choices as I sneak her bites of whatever ridiculous craving she’s chasing.

Every meal feels like a celebration, like we’re building something unshakable just by being together.

It’s the normal stuff, folding laundry while the game plays in the background, or passing Ally her mug of tea as she curls her feet under her on the couch, that makes everything feel so real.

And yet, there’s something gnawing at me. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. A strange undercurrent of melancholy I can’t shake.

It hovers just beneath the surface, casting a shadow over everything, even the joy of preparing for this new chapter.

Deciding to clear my head, I lace up my running shoes and head to the park. The air is crisp, the scent of damp earth mingling with the pine from the trees lining the pond’s edge.

I start at a slow jog, the rhythmic thud of my shoes against the packed dirt trail grounding me as I circle the water.

The sunlight glints off the surface of the pond, ripples spreading as a few ducks paddle lazily across. I pass families walking hand-in-hand, kids laughing as they toss breadcrumbs to the birds.

It should be relaxing, but my mind keeps drifting, circling around a central thought I can’t seem to escape: my own upbringing.

Tyler and I didn’t come from stability. Our parents were barely holding things together, and we weren’t planned. Hell, we weren’t even wanted half the time.

The only time they acted like we mattered was when we got drafted.

Even then, it wasn’t about pride, it was about what we could do for them. The memory sits heavy in my chest, a dull ache that resurfaces more often than I’d like to admit.

Is that what I’ll be? A father fumbling through, unsure and making mistakes?

I push myself harder, picking up the pace as if I can outrun the doubts. My breath comes in sharp bursts, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Sweat beads on my forehead and drips down the back of my neck, but it doesn’t clear the fog in my mind.

Am I really ready for this? To be a father to not just one, but three babies? Do I even know what that entails?

Brooks has this steady, grounded energy, like he was born to handle responsibility.

Tyler, for all his chaos, has an easy confidence that makes people believe he’ll figure things out.

But me? I’ve spent my whole life feeling like I was just trying to keep up.

What if I’m not enough for them, for Ally, for the babies, for this life we’re building together?

I slow to a walk as I near the end of the trail, my legs burning and my chest tight. The answers don’t come, but I know one thing for certain: there’s no turning back.

This life with Ally, with Tyler and Brooks, feels like it was meant to be. It’s messy and unconventional, sure, but it feels like home.

The drive back to the house is quiet. I glance at the dashboard clock and realize Ally is probably at her office at the rink.

Technically, today’s my rest day, but extra training on off days isn’t uncommon. Maybe showing up unannounced isn’t the best idea, but I need to talk to her, privately.

I can’t dump all this on Brooks and Tyler; it will only drag them into my spiral.

The rink comes into view, its massive structure casting long shadows in the afternoon sun. As I pull into the lot, the sight of her little car parked near the back makes my chest tighten.

She’s here, working, probably completely unaware of the storm of emotions I’m bringing with me.

I park and cut the engine, sitting there for a moment as the warmth of the car contrasts with the chill of my unease. I take a deep breath, steadying myself.

Ally always has a way of grounding me. If anyone can help me make sense of this, it’s her.

Pushing the door open, I make my way through the corridors. It’s time to face this head-on.

My footsteps echo down the quiet corridor as I head toward Ally’s office. The tension I carried on the drive feels heavier now.

Reaching her door, I knock softly. “Come in,” her familiar voice calls, and I push the door open to find her sitting at her desk, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

“Nick!” she says, getting up and walking over to me. She pulls me into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around my waist, and I shut the door behind me.

Her lips meet mine in a passionate kiss, and for a moment, the weight on my chest lifts.

As I hold her, the soft scent of her perfume grounds me, and her warmth against me reminds me of everything good in my life. But Ally is perceptive.

She pulls back slightly, her hands moving to cup my face, her brow furrowing as her eyes search mine.

“What’s wrong?” she asks gently, her thumb brushing across my cheek.

I try to smile, to shrug it off, but the concern in her eyes makes it impossible to keep the walls up.

Her hand slides into mine, her touch firm yet comforting, as if grounding me to the moment. “Nick,” she says again, her tone softer now. “Talk to me. Please.”

I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair. “It’s nothing,” I try, but the words sound hollow even to me.

Her head tilts, her expression firm, and I know I’ve lost the battle before it’s even begun.

“Fine,” I mutter, sitting down on the edge of her desk.

She stands in front of me, her hands never leaving mine, her gaze unwavering. “It’s just…this whole dad thing. The babies. All of it. I’m excited, don’t get me wrong, but…” I trail off, the words catching in my throat.

“But what?” she prompts gently, her eyes wide with encouragement.

“But what if I mess it up?” I finally say, my voice cracking slightly.

“Ally, Tyler and I didn’t exactly grow up with stellar role models. There were nights we didn’t have dinner. Some winters, we didn’t even have coats. Our parents…they were drunks. The town joke, really. One night my dad…he just kept digging into Tyler and I over and over again. Calling us mistakes, worthless, and I…I just saw red and I punched him. Well, he grabbed me, ready to knock the daylights out of me like he had before, and Tyler called the police. The police arrived and my dad pressed charges against me, to, ‘teach me a lesson’. The state ‘suggested’ I finish my education at an all-boys military school. When I graduated, Tyler came and found me and we ran away. We didn’t look back. We didn’t hear from our folks again until we got drafted into the league, and even then, it was just about the money.”

Her hands tighten around mine. “Nick, I’m so sorry,” she whispers, her voice thick with sincerity. “I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been for you both.”

I nod, the weight of those memories heavier now, but her presence keeps me steady.

“I don’t want to be like them,” I admit, my voice trembling slightly. “I’m scared I’ll get this all wrong. That I won’t know how to be the dad these kids deserve.”

Ally steps closer, her hands now resting on my chest, her touch calming. “Nick,” she says, her voice firm yet tender. “You are not your parents. You’re not even close. You’re kind, you’re strong, and you care so deeply about the people in your life. That’s what matters.”

Her words sink in slowly, like warmth spreading through my chest.

I open my mouth to protest, but she cuts me off. “We don’t have to be our parents,” she continues, her eyes locked on mine. “We get to make our own choices. We can do the things we wish they would’ve done for us. We can right their wrongs in our own lives with our actions.”

I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly. The scent of her shampoo, a faint hint of apples, fills my senses, and I bury my face in her hair, letting her words wrap around me like a blanket.

“You really think I can do this?” I whisper.

She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining. “I know you can,” she says, her voice steady. “You’ve already proven it, Nick.”

I lower my head, capturing her lips in a kiss that’s filled with everything I can’t put into words.

Her lips are soft and warm, moving against mine in a way that makes the world outside this moment fade.

I deepen the kiss, my hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer. Her fingers tangle in my hair, sending a shiver down my spine as I lean back against the desk, lifting her slightly so she’s perched on the edge.

I trail kisses along her jaw, down to her neck, and she tilts her head back with a soft gasp, her hands gripping the fabric of my shirt.

My fingers trace the line of her spine, and her skin is warm through the thin material of her blouse.

I pause, pulling back just enough to look at her. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips parted, and her eyes shine with emotion. “You’re amazing,” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She smiles, pulling me back into another kiss. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I feel her relax into me completely, as if this moment is as grounding for her as it is for me.

For now, everything else fades away. It’s just us, here in her office, and for the first time in days, I feel like everything might actually be okay.

We’re lost in the moment until an abrupt knock at the door startles us apart.

We quickly rearrange ourselves, trying to appear composed as Ally clears her throat and invites whoever is out there to enter.

The door swings open, revealing Tyler and Brooks and they both smirk at us knowingly, closing the door behind them.

“We figured we’d find you here,” Tyler teases, advancing to Ally and taking her into a passionate kiss. It’s clear by the look on Ally’s face she wants all of us, here, right now, and she bends herself over her desk, opening her legs wide.

I step forward, taking her into my hands.

“Nick first,” Tyler says before taking Ally’s face and kissing her passionately. I undo my pants, as well as hers, and pull hers down to reveal soft, pink underwear with a large, wet spot in the middle.

I touch her, skimming over the wet spot in her panties repeatedly with a knowing finger, making her writhe and moan. Brooks cups her breasts nibbling at her neck.

I slip off her underwear, and she gasps as the cool air hits her sensitive flesh.

“We’ll be gentle, just like the doc ordered,” I say to her in a husky undertone as I step up behind her. I gently guide myself inside of her, and she stifles a cry as I fill her to the hilt.

I thrust inside of her, excited to be sharing her with everyone. This is our four-way relationship, the way we all show each other we love one another as a unit.

As we all moved together in a symphony of passion, Ally's moans filled the room, bouncing off the four walls of the small office.

I feel closer to her than ever before, and I know this was what our relationship was meant to be like—open, honest, and full of trust.

Tyler and Brooks are just as much a part of us as we were of them, and in this moment, it all makes sense.

Ally's moans intensify, her body arching against mine as she nears her climax. "Oh fuck,” she pants, her nails digging into the desk.

"Nick...Tyler...Brooks...I... I can't..." She can't finish her sentence as her orgasm crashes over her like a tidal wave, her body shuddering in ecstasy.

I hold her tight as she rides out her orgasm, my own release a breath away.

Tyler and Brooks continue their ministrations, their fingers and lips on her sensitive spots driving her higher and higher throughout her release.

I allow myself to give in to my pleasure, filling her with my release, trying to be quiet despite the overwhelming nature of what I’m experiencing.

As Ally's climax subsides, the three of us pull away, catching our breaths and grinning at each other. Ally turns around, planting a heated kiss on each of our lips in turn. "I love you all," she whispers, her chest heaving.

“Good,” Tyler says. “Because we aren’t done with you yet.”

“Good,” Ally says, a dark smile across her lips. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Tyler steps forward, lifting her leg, before he thrusts into Ally. She angles herself back against the desk, gripping it for purchase, her head tipped back.

Brooks takes her face in his hands, kissing her with wild abandon as she and Tyler move together in unison. I watch them, mesmerized by their passionate display of love and trust.

I can't help but smile, knowing that we have found something truly special here.

This is what it means to be in a loving, committed relationship—to be open to exploring new things, to trust each other completely and to support one another no matter what.

“I’m going to come,” Tyler manages to say just before his release takes him. Ally is still panting, hovering on the edge of a second orgasm, and she combs her fingers through Tyler’s hair as he shudders through his pleasure.

There’s a moment of silence between us as Tyler gathers himself to be able to step back.

“Brooks,” Ally pleads, her tone desperate. “Brooks, please. I’m so close.”

“I’m here, baby,” he says to her, replacing Tyler and lifting her into his arms.

He carries her around the edge of the desk carefully, his leg brace impeding his movements a little, and lifts her legs so she can wrap them around his waist. “Remember that night, in your kitchen?” he says to her.

She giggles, then gasps as he fills her with his cock.

“Ride me, Ally. Take what you need,” he tells her as he presses up into her welcoming heat.

I watch her riding Brooks, using him, her head tipped back, her eyes closed and her pouty lips bruised from our kisses. She doesn’t last long, shattering apart with a shriek that Brooks cut off with a deep kiss.

“Oh my God,” she moans as she comes down a little, but I can still see her legs trembling around Brooks’ waist.

“Shit, you feel good,” Brooks grits out, pumping into her a few more times before giving in with a moan.

Ally grips him more tightly, her baby bump pressed firmly between them as he finishes thrusting through his orgasm.

“I love you,” I hear myself say from a few paces away.

Ally’s eyes snap open, and she looks at me over Brooks’ shoulder, love radiating from her gaze.

“We all love you,” Tyler agrees with me.

“I have never loved anyone so much,” Brook says against her shoulder as she combs her fingers through his hair.

“Thank you for taking care of me,” she whispers, and my heart squeezes in my chest.

Brooks lets Ally get down and stand on her own feet and we all start to get dressed. There’s a companionable silence between all of us, something real and comforting tethering us all together.

This is by far the most passionate and loving session we’ve shared and I realize that it’s made me feel so much better about our situation, about my place in it.

The office buzzes with energy as Brooks, Tyler, and I lean against Ally’s desk, unable to contain the wide grins plastered across our faces.

Ally sits in her chair, eyeing us suspiciously, her brow furrowed as she looks from one of us to the next.

“Okay, what’s going on?” she asks, her voice laced with curiosity. “Why do you all look like kids caught sneaking cookies?”

I nudge Brooks with my elbow. “You gonna tell her, or should I?”

Brooks chuckles, reaching into his coat and pulling out a neatly wrapped package. Ally’s eyes widen, her hands shooting up to cover her mouth.

“We brought you something,” he says, his voice soft but brimming with excitement. “It wasn’t the plan to give it to you now, but since we’re all here…”

She practically bounces in her seat as she takes the package, ripping the paper apart with gleeful abandon. When the contents are revealed, she gasps, her hands flying to her chest.

It’s a custom Marauders jersey, bright and bold in the team’s colors, with her last name stretched proudly across the back and the number “1” below it.

Her eyes glisten as she looks up at us, and Brooks steps forward. “No one on the team is number one, except for you, Doc,” he says warmly.

I smirk, leaning closer. “I came up with that.”

Ally laughs through her tears, pulling us all into a tight group hug. The warmth of her touch, her kisses on our cheeks, makes this moment even better.

“So, do you want to try it now?” Tyler asks, his excitement bubbling over. “We could hit the ice for a bit.”

Ally’s face lights up, and she nods. “Yes! I’d love to.”

We scramble to gather her skates, digging through a nearby storage closet until we find a pair in her size. Once laced up, we head to the rink.

The crisp chill of the ice greets us as we step onto the gleaming surface, the sound of blades slicing through the frozen expanse echoing in the empty stadium.

At first, Ally is hesitant, her movements cautious as she adjusts to the feeling of skating with her growing belly. But soon enough, she’s gliding effortlessly across the rink, her laughter ringing out as we skate alongside her.

“You’re really good at this,” I say, marveling at her skill.

She smiles, her cheeks pink from the cold and the exertion. “This is where my dad used to bring me to learn. Every summer when school was out, we’d come here to skate. This place…it’s always felt like home.”

We take turns spinning her in slow circles, guiding her by the hand as she twirls with practiced ease. Brooks watches from the side of the rink with an indulgent smile on his face.

Seeing her joy, the light in her eyes as she moves across the ice, makes everything feel perfect.

The guys and I marvel at Ally’s ease on the ice, even with her new, delicate condition. Her movements are graceful, fluid, as if the rink is an extension of her.

Brooks watches her with a mixture of pride and tenderness, and I can’t help but feel the same.

“You weren’t kidding,” Tyler says, skating up beside her. “You’re putting us to shame.”

Ally laughs, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Well, I did have the best teacher.”

We continue skating while Brooks supervises, the four of us one cohesive unit. The silence of the stadium, broken only by the scrape of our skates and our laughter, feels sacred.

It’s a moment I wish I could freeze in time, a snapshot of pure happiness, untouched by the complications of the outside world.

As we take a break at the edge of the rink, Ally leans against the boards, her breath visible in the cold air. “Thank you,” she says softly, looking at each of us in turn. “For this. For everything.”

Brooks reaches forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re our everything, Ally. This is just the beginning.”