Page 18 of Pierre (Voodoo Guardians #40)

Elliott, Marjorie, and Ambry stocked the cabinets in the treatment rooms, ensuring everything was ready for the next possible wave of patients, while Fatima logged everything into the system.

They had a rhythm that worked for the experienced trio and helped to ensure that they were ready for just about anything that might come their way.

“What’s next for you, Elliott?” asked Ambry. “I know your contract is about done, like mine.”

“Yep. I haven’t thought much about it. I’m enjoying my time with Helena, and I have you to thank for that. I appreciate what you said to her, Ambry.”

“You’re a great guy, Elliott, and she’s a wonderful woman,” said Ambry.

“I owe you as well,” smiled Marjorie. “I know he’s been married before. A lot. But I really like Butch. He’s sweet and funny, handsome, sexy, all the things a woman would want. I can’t figure out all the divorces.”

“Well, I can tell you that Pierre said the first two were mistakes made because he was young, scared, lonely, and deployed. It’s common in the military.

Not my family,” she smirked, “but it’s normal.

The third, she cheated on him, and the fourth nearly sent him into financial ruin.

I don’t get the impression that it had anything to do with him other than him trusting and loving too much. ”

“That’s comforting and concerning,” frowned Marjorie. “I don’t want him to think I’m after anything or need anything from him.”

“I don’t think he thinks that at all,” said Ambry. “Just enjoy your time together and don’t rush into anything.”

“Like you and Pierre?” smirked Elliott.

“I’ve known Pierre since I was born. He was adopted when he was just five or six years old. Given our age difference, he was a young boy when I was born. Our parents work for the family business and have known one another for ages.”

“And you’re a triplet, right?” asked Marjorie. Ambry laughed, shaking her head.

“I am. I have a sister and brother. But here’s the scary part. My grandfather was a triplet. He had triplets, my mother being one of them. So, my mother was a triplet. Her brothers all had triplets. I don’t think I can avoid my fate.”

“Damn. I think I’d double up on my birth control if I were you,” said Marjorie.

“Actually, I thought I’d never have children. I didn’t want the risk of triplets, but after being with Pierre, realizing that we have a future together, I’ve rethought that.” She blushed and smiled at her two friends.

“Well, if you’re happy, and you’re going into this with a clear head, then I say move forward and live your best life,” smiled Elliott. “Just do me a favor. Invite me to the wedding and send pictures of the triplets when they’re born.”

Ambry laughed but knew that she’d do just that.

“So, Marjorie, what are you going to do about Butch?” asked Ambry.

“I’m going to keep seeing him if he wants to as well. I really like him. I’ve never had much luck with relationships. Men always thought since I was on a ship dominated by males, that I was screwing around on them. I guess men don’t have good luck with women being faithful.”

“I can imagine it’s difficult,” said Ambry. “My family is a different breed. Not one person has ever been unfaithful or divorced in my family. Some divorced prior to coming to our family, but never after. That’s strange, isn’t it?”

“Maybe. Or maybe it’s just that you guys have the secret.

Whatever that is,” smirked Elliott. “I want the old-fashioned dream. One wife, a house with a picket fence, a couple of kids, the whole thing. I want little league baseball on the weekends, ballet on Tuesday nights, and quiet dinners with just the family.”

“You’ve really thought about this,” smiled Ambry.

“I have. My folks were married for fifty-three years. I was their miracle baby. They’d been married almost twenty years when they found out they were having a baby.

I think it was a good thing. They were so grateful for me, for having me.

They never complained about the diapers or late-night feedings.

They wanted me to be involved in everything in school, and they were there. ”

“Are they no longer with you?” asked Marjorie.

“No. They died sixty-three days apart from one another,” he said with a smile. “I think that’s how it should be.”

“I would agree with that,” nodded Ambry, thinking about Matthew and Irene. “I actually still have my great-grandparents, and they look amazing. They’re still active, involved in the family business, and they are badass. My great-grandmother was an FBI agent. My great-grandfather was a SEAL.”

“That’s very cool!” said Elliott. He turned to Marjorie.

“Oh, my folks are still alive. They’re in their eighties but live in Scottsdale in a retirement community. They play golf three times a week, take cruises when the mood strikes them, and they are on me constantly to give them grandchildren.” She laughed, the others laughing with her.

“Well, I think we’ve finished our tasks for the day,” said Ambry. “What do you say to a walk on the deck?” Her friends smiled at her, nodding.

“I think that sounds perfect.”