Page 46

MAKAYLA

I don’t feel tired afterward—only relieved. It’s as though I’ve been searching forever, and now that I’ve found it, the whole world clicks back into place.

“Some coffee is in order,” Oscar says after a beat.

“Right there with you, babe,” I reply.

We untangle from the bed, and I snag Kellan’s bathrobe from its hook. Wrapping myself in his weathered blue terry-cloth robe—still scented like him—is exactly my speed right now.

I follow Oscar out into the living room where I collapse on the couch. Alex sets a tray of cheese and crackers in front of me while Kellan passes around tall glasses of ice water.

I giggle. “Full service, huh?”

“Only the best for our queen,” Oscar says, watching me with stars in his eyes as I nibble on the cheese and crackers.

It’s going to be at least an hour before anyone feels like making love again. But judging by the hunger still simmering in their eyes, they’re already counting down the minutes. We simply can’t get enough of each other.

“I have something to tell you,” I say, my voice trembling slightly.

“Something better than ‘I forgive you?’” Kellan asks.

I study him for a heartbeat, praying this lands as good news. “I hope so. There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to spit it out.”

It hasn’t been easy, keeping this in. Worrying about what it would lead to. About what it would mean for my future, for our relationship.

“Kay, what’s going on?” Oscar asks, his brow furrowing with concern.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt. “I found out a few days ago, but we were apart—no contact at all. When I finally made it back here, I wasn’t sure where to start.”

Oscar rises, then kneels beside me, taking my hand like a knight pledging himself to his lady. “Kay, it’s all right, I promise. It’s a lot to take in, sure, but we’re here.”

“First of all, it’s great news,” Alex says, exhaling sharply as a smile stretches across his handsome face. “A tad sooner than we’d hoped—but still wonderful.”

Kellan chuckles. “None of us planned for it, clearly.”

I shake my head, warmth blooming in my cheeks. “No, we didn’t… I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” Oscar assures me. “We’re equally responsible.” He pauses, a shadow of confusion dancing in his eyes.

“So, funny story,” I say, holding back a laugh. “My OB-GYN asked about the father, and I told her it was one of three identical triplets. I figured honesty was the best policy, you know?”

“What did she say to that?” Kellan asks.

“She struggled to keep a straight face,” I recall. “But then she said that there would be no way of knowing who the father is, since your DNA is basically identical. There are additional tests we can run once the baby is born but?—”

“It doesn’t really matter, to be honest,” Oscar says. “I’ve never imagined settling down without Alex and Kellan. We’re all fathers in this picture, if you’ll have us.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say, blinking back tears.

“How do you feel?” Alex asks me, gentle concern deepening the brown of his eyes.

I give him a soft smile. “I’m okay. I think I’m one of the lucky ones—no morning sickness, nothing. If my period hadn’t been late, and I hadn’t put two and two together after Sweden, I doubt I would’ve taken a pregnancy test…”

“That’s good, right?” Kellan asks.

“The doctor says there’s nothing to worry about at this point. All my tests came back with flying colors.”

“There’s a tiny human inside you right now,” Alex mutters, his gaze wandering downward from my face to my belly. “It’s… Holy hell, the miracle of life.”

“Hopefully it’ll be a breeze all the way through,” Oscar says.

I exhale sharply. “I don’t know about that. I’m going to get so big.” Alex reaches out and gently caresses my shoulder.

“You’re creating life, Kay. And you’ve got the three of us by your side,” he says.

Kellan gives me a broad smile. “Besides, that just means there’ll be more of you to love.”

“Then there are the cravings, the inevitable mood swings,” I add. “It’s not going to be easy, gentlemen. Are you sure you want to be part of this? I don’t want to trap you in something?—”

“Whoa!” Kellan bolts upright, downright insulted. “I just spent the worst few weeks of my life wondering if I was ever going to see you again. Having you back is a gift, Kay. Having you back—and with a bun in the oven—is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Absolutely,” Alex says. “Greatest thing in the world. You’re not alone in any of this, baby. In fact, you’re one of the few lucky ones. You get three fellas to help you out and raise a family with you. I’d say three for the price of one, but that might make us come across as cheap.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re serious…”

“We’ve got you,” Oscar says. “All the way through. Starting now, we’re a family.”

He kisses my hand, giving me one of the sexiest smiles I’ve ever seen.

“Good, because I’m not sure I could do this on my own,” I confess.

Alex shakes his head. “Kay, you’ve got quite the business to get off the ground. A winery to open. Some dreams to fulfill. And the three of us are equally responsible for this baby. Of course, we’ll support you with everything we’ve got and more.”

“There’s one last thing,” I say after getting so much off my chest. “I’m really hoping that you guys will agree to move out to the farm with me, because coming back to the city is no longer an option for me.”

A different kind of silence falls between us, and for a moment, I worry.

I worry they’ll say no—that something will get in the way, that everything will tangle itself into another premature ending, another heartbreak. My worst-case scenarios come back with a vengeance until Kellan nods slowly.

“Sounds like a good plan,” he says. “Most of our work can be done online, anyway.”

“One of us could always drive or fly out for any meeting that requires our physical presence,” Alex muses, scratching the back of his head.

Oscar nods in agreement. “Bryan can handle most of the in-office work blindfolded with one hand tied behind his back. And I’d love to dip my toes into this whole winery business, too, if you ever need help on that front, Kay.”

“You’re serious,” I gasp, relief washing over me in warm, golden waves.

“Yes, Kay. We’re together now,” he says, smiling softly. “That means we stick together, and I can’t see a single downside to moving into the farmhouse.”

“If it needs any work done, we’re your guys,” Kellan says.

Alex winces. “Or, better yet, we know some guys.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “I’m honestly baffled—and relieved.”

“It’s a lot of change happening at once,” Oscar says. “We’ll need a minute to wrap our heads around the whole thing and plan accordingly. But it’s a resounding yes for the three of us, baby.”

“What about your friend Janet?” Alex asks. “Bryan told us she had moved out there with you.”

“She bought a charming little cottage half a mile down the road,” I say.

“I need her by my side—she’s been a rock so far.

Janet uprooted her entire life to do this with me.

I even invited her to stay in the farmhouse—there’s plenty of room—but she figured we should have the place to ourselves.

The cottage she’s settling into is already in great shape. ”

Kellan smiles, his gaze wandering back to his brothers. “We can help Janet with whatever she needs for the cottage—expenses covered by the winery.”

I let out a grateful sigh. “You’re amazing.”

He laughs. “No, what we are is… well, kind of rich. We’ve got plenty of disposable income, and investing in you, my darling Makayla—and in those who support you—makes perfect sense.”

“So we get the family homestead?” Alex asks, pulling me into his lap.

“Yes,” I say, my heart full of joy. “There are currently only two bedrooms, but we really don’t need more than one.

I was thinking we could knock down the wall between the two existing bedrooms and make one big room on the second floor.

Then we’ll have our own bathroom and we can get an enormous bed so that we can all sleep together. ”

“I love every bit of that,” Oscar says. He’s still holding my hand, and he lifts it to his lips even though I’m perched on his brother’s lap.

I kiss Alex and then Kellan before leaning over to finish up with Oscar. Kellan gets up off the floor, brushing his knees clean.

“And besides, we could always expand the farmhouse. In fact, I know a good architect who can help us out.”

“I’m open to anything as long as we’re happy… and together,” I reply.

He flashes a goofy, oversized grin before ducking into the shower. I sink into Alex’s chest and watch in sweet serenity as Oscar takes a seat on the coffee table. He draws my feet into his lap and starts a slow, delicious massage.

This is the life. I’m wrapped in the safety and love of not one, not two, but three wonderful men. If, for a moment after learning about my pregnancy, I worried about how I might fare, the Anderson brothers kiss every doubt away.

We’re good.

We’re golden.