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Chapter Forty-Three

Savannah

I’m not even aware I’ve fallen asleep until I feel a soft nudge on my shoulder. “Hey, Sav,” Jared’s deep voice cuts through my dreams, low and warm. “We’re here.”

Blinking awake, I look around, my breath catching as I take in the snow-covered wonderland outside the car window. Pine trees stretch tall and proud, their branches heavy with fresh snow, and a cozy-looking cabin sits nestled among them, smoke curling from its chimney.

“Wait,” I whisper, trying to process everything. “Where is ‘here’?”

“We’re here!” Jamie practically shouts from the driver’s seat, his grin lighting up his whole face.

I look over at him, then back at the cabin. “What is this?”

Jamie hops out of the car, opening my door with a dramatic bow. “Allow me to explain, madam,” he says, laughing.

Stepping out into the crisp, snowy air, I wrap my coat tighter around me, the chill biting but exhilarating. Jared follows, helping me down the last step, while Troy wrestles with the car seat, muttering curses under his breath.

Jamie’s grin widens. “So, I know how much you love Christmas,” he starts, leaning casually against the car. “And since by the time the holidays roll around, you’ll be a little busy with, y’know, three babies, I figured—why wait? Let’s celebrate early.”

“You mean skip everything, including Thanksgiving,” Jared adds with a dry chuckle, though his expression softens when he glances at me.

My throat tightens, and tears spring to my eyes before I can stop them. “Jamie,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “This is so sweet.”

Jamie shrugs, his ears turning pink. “I mean, it’s no big deal…”

“It’s a huge deal,” I cut him off, throwing my arms around him. He catches me easily, holding me close despite my growing belly.

Troy finally manages to free Noah from the car seat and walks over, holding the baby against his chest. “You’re lucky she loves Christmas,” he teases Jamie.

Jamie just smirks. “I know.”

The cabin is even better inside. It’s warm, the faint scent of cedar lingering in the air, and the soft glow of a fireplace casts flickering light across the rustic, wooden interior. A large king bed dominates one side of the open-plan living area, piled high with fluffy white blankets and pillows.

To the right is a fully stocked kitchen, the countertops gleaming, and in the corner of the living room stands a Christmas tree, its branches bare but full, waiting to be decorated.

“It’s perfect,” I breathe, my hand resting on my belly.

“You like it?” Jamie asks, his voice hopeful.

I turn, kissing him softly. “I love it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, baby.” His hand lingers on my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin.

Jared nods approvingly, taking in the setup. “You outdid yourself, Collins.”

Jamie winks at him. “Glad you think so, because you’re on drink duty.”

Jared raises an eyebrow. “Of course I am.”

“C’mon, man. You make the best cocktails,” Jamie says, his grin widening.

Troy sets Noah down in a portable crib that’s already been set up near the tree. “I’ll grab the bags,” he announces, brushing snow off his jacket as he heads back outside.

I sit down on the couch, sinking into the cushions as I let the warmth of the fire seep into me. “This is magical,” I say, looking around at the guys. “Thank you.”

“You deserve it,” Jared says, leaning down to kiss my temple.

Jamie flops down beside me, his arm draping over my shoulders. “Tomorrow, after breakfast, we’ll decorate the tree.”

I smile, picturing it. “That sounds perfect.”

By the time Troy brings in the bags, I’m already half-asleep on the couch, Noah gurgling happily in his crib nearby. Jamie helps me up, guiding me toward the massive bed, while Jared grabs a blanket and drapes it over my shoulders.

“We’re going to have the best vacation ever,” Jamie whispers, his lips brushing against my ear.

I close my eyes, letting myself believe it. For now, everything is perfect.

***

The robe I’m wearing is pure heaven—fluffy, oversized, and as soft as a cloud. Jamie really thought of everything when he planned this trip. I run my hands over the fabric as I pad into the kitchen, where the scent of garlic and herbs fills the air.

Troy is at the stove, focused, a spatula in one hand and a pan sizzling in front of him. He glances back at me, his lips twitching into a half-smile. “You’re missing your B12,” he says casually, like it’s a normal thing to say while flipping chicken breasts.

“What?” I blink, confused.

“B12,” he repeats, looking over his shoulder. “Good for energy and the baby’s development. I read it in one of the expectant mother books.”

Jamie snorts from where he’s leaning against the counter with a beer in hand. “What books are you reading, Adams?”

Troy shrugs, unbothered. “The kind that makes sure we’re not fumbling around clueless when the babies come.”

Jared raises an eyebrow from the dining table, where he’s setting down silverware. “I’m impressed. Didn’t think you had it in you, Adams.”

Troy smirks, plating the chicken with roasted vegetables. “Someone’s gotta make sure we’re ready. Besides, you’d be surprised what you learn when you actually read.”

Dinner is surprisingly fancy—chicken in some kind of lemon butter sauce, roasted vegetables, and warm rolls. Jared pours everyone drinks, non-alcoholic for me, which I appreciate without saying anything.

“Are we seriously doing this every night?” Jamie teases, digging into his plate. “You’re setting the bar too high, Troy.”

Troy shrugs. “You’re welcome.”

I laugh softly, taking a bite. “This is amazing. Thank you, Troy.”

He gives me a quick nod, his eyes flicking to my belly for the briefest second. “Gotta keep you and the babies healthy.”

After dinner, Noah is the star of the show, as always. Jamie takes him for his bedtime routine, singing some goofy version of a lullaby that has all of us laughing from the other room.

Once Noah is down, Jared suggests a game of poker.

“I suck at poker,” I say, already feeling the competitive energy between them.

Jamie grins, sliding a deck of cards onto the table. “Good. Makes it more fun.”

“And higher stakes,” Jared adds with a wicked smirk.

“What stakes?” I ask cautiously.

Troy raises an eyebrow. “Strip poker, obviously.”

I burst out laughing, thinking they’re joking. They’re not.

A few drinks later, I’m regretting every bad hand I’ve played. I’m down to my panties and nothing else, the guys shamelessly grinning as I glare at my cards.

“This feels rigged,” I grumble.

Jamie leans back in his chair, shirtless now, with a smug grin. “Or maybe you just suck at poker.”

Jared snorts, dealing the next hand. “You said it yourself, Sav.”

The alcohol they are drinking is mixed with the delicious cranberry juice that Troy served me, the teasing, the heat—it all blends together. I don’t even remember who wins, because the next thing I know, Jamie’s licking whipped cream off my collarbone while Jared kisses his way down my stomach.

“You taste sweeter than anything in this cabin,” Jamie murmurs, his voice low, sending a shiver down my spine.

Troy’s hands are steady as he pulls the robe off my shoulders, leaving me bare and breathless. “God, you’re stunning,” he says, his voice rough.

It’s all a blur of lips, hands, whispered words, and shared heat. They take turns undressing, worshipping me in ways that leave me dizzy, completely undone.

Later, as we collapse into the massive bed, I’m boneless, my body still humming. Jared presses a soft kiss to my temple before murmuring, “I need a minute,” and slipping out of bed.

I watch him disappear into the bathroom, the door clicking shut. My heart aches just a little. Something’s weighing on him, and I wish he’d let me in.

“Let him,” Troy murmurs beside me, his hand resting on my hip. “He’ll be okay.”

I nod, nestling closer to him as Jamie wraps an arm around us both. Despite everything, I feel safe, surrounded, loved.

For now, that’s enough.