Page 105 of Single Mom's Undoing

“Oh my God,” I manage, tears quick to fill my eyes.

“You belong with us, Clara,” Carter says. “Body and soul. We already have a child together, and Shiloh, too, with another one on the way.”

“We’re the happiest when we’re with you,” Damon adds, a slight tremor of emotion adding a new layer to his voice. “You make us want to do more. For ourselves, for the kids, for you. For this whole damn town and its judgy cohorts, even. You, Clara, are a guiding light, a soothing presence, a reason for each of us to smile, every day when we open our eyes.”

“Let us make an honest woman out of you,” Jace says. “You deserve safety and love, peace and prosperity. Let us show you that life can be the epitome of a beautiful dream. It’s not going to be easy, I know. It’s going to get messy and stressful at times. But the four of us can handle anything.”

I take a moment to just breathe.

To peel my eyes off that astonishing rock, so that I can look each of my men in the eyes. Someone needs to pinch me because this feels like a dream. Overjoyed and barely able to utter one word, I manage to nod as Jace exhales sharply and slips the ring on my finger.

“How will it work?” I ask. “Legally, I can’t marry all three of you, as much as I want that.”

“You’ll be married to me in the eyes of the law,” Carter says. “But you’ll marry the three of us in your heart.”

Damon shrugs. “We all agreed that the Lockwood name would give you the ultimate protection, legally speaking. It entitles you to the estate, a trust fund, and it’ll be easier for the kids, too.”

“Wow, you’ve really thought this through.”

“Of course,” Jace replies and kisses me deeply. “I told you, baby. You’re not getting away from us again. And we’re going to give you every possible reason to stick around this time.”

“I already have every possible reason to stick around.” I throw my arms around his neck, then feverishly kiss Carter and Damon too.

I know that my brother is smiling down on us.

I know he’s relieved that I’ve finally found what I’ve always wanted.

The truest love of all.

EPILOGUE I

CLARA

“When’s the wedding?” Dr. Hartman asks as he takes the gel tube out of his drawer.

“We decided to wait until after the baby is born,” I tell him, unable to stop the huge grin slitting my face from ear to ear, just before he applies the cold gel all over my lower belly. “Ah, ice, ice, baby!”

Jace laughs, tightening his grip on my hand. “She’s excited already, Doc.”

“Wait until she’s late into the third trimester,” Dr. Hartman quips.

“Right, right. The mood swings. The constant cravings. The cankles. I know, Doc. Been there, done that,” I giggle.

My belly is growing. I’m five months in, and I’m already bigger than I was with Matty around the same time. I do keep an eye on my diet, mindful of how much goes in, even with the cravings. Yet I can’t help but notice that this time, itfeels a little different. Not in a bad way, though. Just different.

“How have you been feeling since your last checkup?” Dr. Hartman asks.

He turns the ultrasound monitor on as he gets the device ready.

“Good, actually. Always hungry, but that’s a given,” I say.

“She sleeps more than usual,” Carter adds. “Is that normal?”

“It absolutely is,” the doctor replies. “Your blood work came out just fine. So far, so good. Now, ready to see what’s baking in that oven?”

“We’re not doing a gender reveal,” Carter says.

“But it’ll help with the nursery colors,” Damon offers.