Page 48

Seven years later

I step out of the door into the backyard, the Meiss brothers are in the midst of an intense football game with their partners and a few of our friends and family. The same energetic shouts, endless laughter, and clever jokes linger in the air. My four-year-old twin daughters hold my hands on either side, dancing to the song Euphoria by Alex Band—one of our favorite songs.

We’re all gathered in Tiffany’s house to honor and celebrate Drew like we’ve done every year since our first time here. The only difference is that over the years the number of participants grew. This year we’re also celebrating Amber’s tenth bestseller book which she published a few months ago and made number one on various charts. I’m so proud of her, she’s come a long way and worked nonstop to get her stories out there. She bled her heart out to each one; got her heart broken; and earned sweet tears and laughter.

“Dad, look at Teddy,” Jade giggles as she gives him more treats and he licks her hand while her sister Drew bends down to pet his head. They already decided that Jade wants to be a chef and Drew wants to become a tattoo artist. Bradley brings them nonstop to the tattoo shop to hang with him, Uncle Luka, and his two daughters.

I love it when he does because we call Amber to take a break from writing and I get to eat lunch with the loves of my life almost every day—no candies for lunch anymore.

After a trip we took to England, four years ago, we found out Amber was pregnant. But it wasn’t a regular pregnancy it was a rare case of heteropaternal superfecundation—twins who have two different fathers.

Out of everyone in the world, it happened to us. I didn’t believe it at first, the chances were slim, and only a few cases of this type of pregnancy were reported around the world. Yet it was true and when I look at my daughters it’s hard to miss it. Jade has dark blond hair, blue eyes, Amber’s fierce attitude, and a cute little freckled face—a perfect combination of Amber and me.

“Dad, I’m going to the kitchen,” she announces as she whips around and tosses her hair back, “Grandpa is making food.” Her smile widens and I already know I’m in trouble. She has that mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Go ahead, princess.”

On the other hand, Drew is a perfect combination of Bradley and Amber. Her long black hair flows down her back, her golden eyes are identical to Amber’s. She’s quieter and shy but has one of the most captivating smiles.

I pick her up for a dance. She puts her head on my shoulder and I kiss her puffy cheeks and cute button nose.

“I love you, princess.” I subtly rock from side to side.

Her hands stretch to the side before they loop around me. “I love you, dad.” She is our little couch potato, always falling asleep before everyone and her hooded lids are already signaling to me it’s sleepy time.

Before we walk inside the house I take a final look and breathe this place in deeply. It holds so many memories for so many people. It’s where we opened our hearts for the first time, had some of the most memorable occasions, vowed to love and protect each other without getting married because we wanted to despite the limitations, and told our families we were expecting twins.

I don’t know where I would’ve ended up if I hadn’t let Bradley crash on one of the beds in my apartment and turned Amber down that night when she needed us the most. Maybe I would’ve ended up in the same place but maybe, just maybe, I almost missed my happy ending with my favorite humans in the whole world.

Luckily I didn’t.

“Start counting our wins, Ryan.” Bradley and Cole shout as I turn around and enter.

“Grandpa, can I whisk it?” Jade asks, probably hearing the word from him.

“Oh yes, you can whisk it, baby girl.“ Johnny raises his brow at her as he lifts her little legs onto the low stool. “Are you repeating everything I say?”

“Yes!” The determination in her voice makes him laugh and she grabs the whisk from the counter. “I’m going to be a chef, like you.”

“Alright!” He gives her a high-five. “Then I need to teach you all my secrets but you can’t tell anyone.”

She pretends to zip her mouth and locks it with a key.

Tiffany comes to her other side, “Finally, someone will get his secret recipes. I’m counting on you, Jade.”

“I will tell grandma,” she lifts her chin high and stares into Johnny’s eyes, telling him the cold hard truth.

That little munchkin.

I love her to pieces.

Small hands wrap around my waist and a musky scent floods my nostrils. “Are you taking our sleeping beauty upstairs?” Amber kisses my back and a smile spreads across my face.

“Come with us,” I whisper as I glance at Drew. “Can you bring her bear from the table?”

“Sure.” She pulls away and I head to the stairs, climbing and entering Bradley’s old room. Tiffany refuses to change it because we all come here to hang out all year round so she loves it when we sleep here even though we own a house a few blocks away—we bought it for holidays and vacations, and to live in if we decide to move here for good.

I slowly lower Drew onto the mattress and place her head on the pillow, she stifles her moans as she flips on her stomach and Amber tucks her favorite bear to her.

We both kiss her tiny back together and sit beside her, watching her sleeping, hearing her soft breaths.

“I can’t stop looking at her,” Amber says with tears in her eyes and I take her hand in mine and cup her cheek. “I love our daughters so much.”

“I love you so much, baby. You and Bradley gave me the world and I am so proud of you for all your achievements. You worked so hard and you deserve all the love you are getting from us and your readers. Who knew our little fight club would grow into a national success because of you.” I capture her lips between mine and dive into her mouth, holding onto all the beautiful memories we collected over the years; all the obstacles we overcame; and our biggest challenge living as a trio.

“I love you, Ronnie.” She whispers against my lips.

The door slightly opens and Bradley slips in. “My last video of me riding with the girls got a million likes. They will be so thrilled when they see it.” He speaks quietly and smiles from ear to ear as he crouches beside us. “Aww, she’s so beautiful.” Cuteness overload hits him hard—he presses his forearms to his chest and wrinkles his nose.

I lean in to kiss his cheek but the bastard turns his head to glue a kiss to my lips instead.

“I couldn’t resist,” he chuckles in amusement and grabs Amber’s face. “You deserve a kiss too, Little Bear, congratulations.” Bradley pulls her in, crushing their mouths and I stare at them.

Mesmerized.

I’m wrapped in a blanket of the love they gave me and continue to grant me each passing day.

The life we built together is a wild dream.

“Want to go to my parents’ house tonight and watch the stars from the roof?” Amber asks. “We can take the girls this year.”

“It’s a tradition.”

Bradley and I answer in unison.

“I always wanted to have sex on that roof,” Bradley wiggles his eyebrows.

“That would’ve been hot but we can’t, the whole neighborhood can see us.” Amber shoots him “It’s not going to happen” look.

“Maybe we’ll build a treehouse for the girls at our house and the dormer will lead into it.” I offer. “That way, we have something for them and our shenanigans.”

“Shit, that’s not a bad idea and it will only be accessed from our room.” Bradley rushes to stand up. “Let’s do it. The fam is here we can get help.”

“I think we need to ask for permission but I’ll see what I can do to make this happen.” I slow him down.

“Okay, Mr. Mitchell.” Bradley grasps our wrists and pulls us up into his big embrace. Being with them is the safest place on the planet. Those chills I get when I’m near them and the tickling sensation that snakes along are something I will cherish for a lifetime. “You are mine and I’m yours. Forever.” He sniffs and breaths us in. “I always knew you would be.”

The end