Page 77 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

The day passes in a blur of food, drinks, presents, games, laughter, and fun. There are typical Christmas mishaps you’d expect in any family, burnt stuffing, and some good-natured arguments over charades, but all in all, it is a wonderful day that we all thoroughly enjoy.

With our guests gone and the children in bed, we finally have a moment alone. Cuddling up in front of the fire we discuss how well the day went.

“I have one more present to give you,” I say, heading to retrieve the small package hidden away at the back under the tree.

“No fair, we don’t have anything else to give you!” Jax protests.

“You’ve given us too much already,” Mason adds.

“Well, this is only small,” I say holding it out in front of me.

Confusion flits across their faces as they wonder what it could be.

“Who wants to open it?” Ty asks.

“I think, maybe you should as you’re in the middle, if Mason and Jax don’t mind…” I say tentatively.

They nod their approval, scootching closer to Ty to get a better look. He rips off the paper and opens the box. They all look at what’s inside, their mouths popping open in surprise as they realize what it is.

“Is this?”

“Are you?”

“Are you telling us…”

“I’m pregnant!”

I study their reactions carefully quickly being sure to add, “I don’t know who the father is of course…”

“I don’t care who it is! We’re going to have a baby!” Jax exclaims excitedly, more than happy to welcome another child into our family.

“I don’t need to know either, this is amazing news, Emma,” Mason adds sincerely.

We all look to Ty uncertain of how he will take the news that he could be becoming a biological father again. I don’t know how he will feel, and it scares me to death.

When his eyes meet mine, I know that it will be alright. They’re filled with so much love and happiness I think I might burst with joy.

“This is the greatest Christmas gift you could have given us, Emma. I love you, I love our family.”

His words permit us all to finally celebrate as they kiss and hug me in turn, excitedly talking about the baby and making plans for the future, including a bigger home to house our growing family.

I’m not sure I could have hoped for a more special, magical Christmas.

Epilogue 2

Emma

Eighteen Months Later

It’s Lucy’s twelfth birthday and, much to my amazement and delight, she wanted to have a birthday party at home. I’m sure the time when she finds her family to be embarrassment incarnate is on the horizon, so I’m determined to savor every minute of today.

Lucy wanted a murder mystery party, not the usual theme you might expect for a young girl. I was worried about what it meant, considering her mom was murdered, but Lucy’s therapist assured me this could be a positive way for her to feel as if she has some control in her life and to work through what happened. Lucy has aspirations to become a detective, something her dads and uncles weren’t thrilled about but are slowly coming around to. I do not doubt that her current fascination isn’t just because of her mom, she also adores Bess and looks up to her like an aunt.

Bess and the guys have been busy planning the main murder mystery game we’ll play later. Jacob is going to distract the boys with a movie after their little sister Olivia has gone to bed. While it might be healthy for Lucy, Max, and Ben aren’t mature enough to handle it, and Olivia is still too young to understand what’s happening. Lucy and her friends will end the night with a sleepover once the ‘crime’ has been solved.

I look out of the large bay windows into the yard and watch everyone. Mason is over by the grill with Jacob, in their element flipping burgers and sausages. Jax is racing around with Ben and Max playing cops and robbers, their squeals of delightpealing through the sounds of the summer’s day. Ty and Bess are keeping an eye on Lucy and her friends as they play with Olivia, cooing over how adorable she looks in her detective costume. Olivia has been the glue that’s bonded our family even closer together. Her dads, siblings, aunt, and uncle all dote on her. She is the easiest baby, everyone who meets her can’t help but fall in love with her. We don’t know who her biological dad is, nor do we want to, and though I know it’s impossible, I can see traces of all four of the men I love in our beautiful child.

Shortly before Olivia was born, we moved into a bigger house with plenty of space for our growing family. I adore our new home and the life we’re building here, even if it is unconventional. Most nights I share my bed with one or more of the guys, though these days it’s rare we are all together. Raising a baby and three children is a team effort, that’s for sure, but it does make things ten times easier, or should I say four times. I sometimes marvel at how I was able to raise Max almost singlehandedly before I met Mason, Jax, and Ty.

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