Page 28 of It Must Be Fate

If it were up to me, it’d be just the two of us until the end of time. My wife consumes me and that’s how I want it. My entire focus, attention, and love unwavering on her with no distractions.

Just her.

Making room for anyone else seems like an impossible task. I wasted so many years letting myself be blinded by misplaced anger and I need to make up for them. I’m still playing catch up, and will be for a long time, so that’s what matters to me.

If we have children, I’ll love them because they’re a part of her, but the thought of sharing her right now makes me want to die.

I’m not ready for that yet, so I’m certainly not going to plan for a kid, but there’s no use telling the lads that now.

Six and I are both starting the same law school as Bellamy in a couple of weeks. I’m excited for the beginning of this new journey with her, if not annoyed at the thought of her being exposed to hundreds of new people who’ll be vying for her attention. If I could keep her locked up somewhere for only me to enjoy, I would.

I’d once threatened to make that a reality and, I have to say, the idea only grows more attractive with time.

Maybe I should tattoo my name on her again, this time somewhere more visible so it’s clear on first glance at her that she’s not available.

“He sounds as excited as ever,” Rhys comments drolly.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see it’s a text from my wife.

Six: come upstairs.

Six:I need to show you something.

Phoenix:coming baby.

Six::)

“I’ll be back,” I tell the guys before pausing. “Actually, I might not be.”

“Go be with your wife, Phoenix, you’re annoying as fuck when you go too long without her anyway,” Rogue drawls without looking away from the screen.

“Moody git,” Rhys mutters under his breath.

“Congrats, Tristan,” I add. He gives me a grin and a nod before I head upstairs

In the kitchen, I find Nera, Thayer, and Bellamy chatting as they make a fresh batch of Aperol Spritzes.

“Should you two be drinking those?”

Nera beams at my acknowledgment that she’s pregnant.

“Aw, are you being protective of us, Phoenix?” Thayer asks, reaching to ruffle my short hair. I duck before she can make contact.

“As if.”

“No use denying it now,” Nera adds. “You care about us, admit it.”

“Pregnancy seems to have addled both of your brains,” I drawl, walking away. I’ve only taken three steps when I curse under my breath, turn back towards the kitchen and pick up Nera’s glass. I take a sip and set it back down. “Orange soda,” I confirm.

“Of course it’s orange soda.” A slow grin stretches her lips. “But I think you might have just earned yourself a godfather title, Phoenix.”

I give her a horrified look. “I’m walking away now.”

“I’ll let you pick which child you want!” she calls out after me.

I head towards the back of the house, instinctively knowing where I’ll find my wild girl.

She’s sitting where I expected to find her; in a chair in the backyard, wrapped in a blue shawl that makes her bright red hair shine even against the black of night. A glass is held in her hands as she looks up at the sky.

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