Page 73 of It Must Be Fate

“She threatened me with the unthinkable,” I clarify.

“Don’t worry, no one would think you’d agree to this decision willingly without some threats being involved,” Six says, joining us. “We all know if it was up to you, you’d be a family of twenty.” She reaches for my wife and pulls her from my arms and into her own. “Congrats, Nerita.”

“Yes, congrats Ner Bear!” Bellamy adds, joining the hug.

***

We’re all sitting on the tablecloths our wives brought and laid on the grass to form a wide eating and play area. The kids mill around us boisterously as we pick at the food spread and chat amongst ourselves.

Our wives are sitting off to one side. Bellamy is feeding her youngest son, River, on her lap. Riot is sitting between Six’s legs, playing with her hair, while Juno sleeps in Nera’s arms and Suki bounces on Thayer’s knee, laughing giddily.

As usual, Rogue and Rhys are arguing. Phoenix and I watch on, happy not to be involved.

“Keep your son away from my daughter,” Rhys warns.

“Please,” Rogue scoffs. “He’s a Royal. He’s going to have the pick of who he wants. Why do you think he’d settle foryourgenes?”

Rhys snorts. “Because people love me?”

“Debatable.”

“I won the World Cup this year. I brought it home. My name is going to go down in English history. Who’s going to even remember you when you’re gone?”

“Only every single person who made enough money to attend said World Cup or build those stadiums thanks to me.”

Rhys yawns widely. “Boring.”

“I think you’re projecting.”

At that exact moment, the four of us watch as Rhodes crosses the blanket, marching determinedly on short, unsteady legs towards where Cato and Ivy are looking at a coloring book. Without pausing, he pushes Ivy down to the ground.

She lands on her butt and looks up at him with eyes wide with shock.

Her lip trembles heartbreakingly and then she starts bawling, fat tears streaming down her cherubic face.

Rhys tries to dive for Rhodes but Rogue holds him back, keeping him forcefully seated on the blankets.

“Rhodes!” Bellamy yells, admonishing her son. She hands River to Nera and stalks over to him. “Why did you push Ivy?”

Thayer goes to her daughter and hugs her. Thankfully she seems okay. I think Ivy’s tears are more due to surprise than they are pain.

Rhodes glares at his mother, looking far too much like his father.

“Why did you push Ivy?” Bellamy repeats.

He points at Cato, refusing to look at him.

“She was playing with Cato,” he argues, his lower lip jutting out angrily.

“And what’s wrong with that?”

He crosses his arms and glares at the older boy. “She’s not allowed.”

“Why not?”

He stomps his foot. “She can only play withme.”

I disguise my laugh behind a cough.

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