Page 75 of Pastel Kisses

We take our time. No rushing, no pressure. Just connection.

The twins are next. Lennox and Liam have always had their own rhythm, their own way of syncing up without needing words. Watching them with her, seeing the way she melts beneath their shared affection, is a kind of magic I never get tired of. They switch between teasing and tenderness with ease, touching her in ways only they know. Apart or together, they know how to unravel her and stitch her back up with nothing but their hands and hearts.

Eventually, Jaxton wakes up—grumbling, of course. We toss a few jokes his way about sleeping through a marathon-level morning, but the second his eyes land on her, all that bravado melts. His touch is different than ours—more reverent, like he’s seeing her for the first time again. The way he worships her body is slow and soft, and she returns it tenfold, guiding him with featherlight hands and lips full of love. They don’t need to speak for us to see what they’re saying to each other.

When she finally curls up next to him, spent and glowing, a peaceful silence settles over the room. A short nap follows—one we all join in on, limbs draped over each other like we’re afraid to let her out of our reach. By the time lunchtime rolls around, the day feels like something out of a dream. Sunlight spills across the bed, laughter drifts from the kitchen, and she’s right here in the center of it all.

Exactly where she belongs.

Laughter floats between bites as we pass plates, all of us making sure Avery has more food options than a buffet line. I’ve whipped up a spread—protein, carbs, fresh fruit, comfort food—and every single dish is placed with care in front of her like an offering to a queen. Because that’s exactly what she is. Our queen. Our everything.

She hums in appreciation, sampling a few things while propped up between me and Jaxton. It’s the first time I’ve seen that kind of ease in her shoulders, and I want to bottle it.

The conversation shifts to her cravings—how they’ve changed, what she misses most—and Jaxton’s voice softens as he sets down his fork. “I’m sorry we weren’t there when you found out you were pregnant,” he says, his tone raw and full of regret. “I always pictured us finding out together. Being there from the start. And it kills me that we weren’t.” Her expression softens, eyes glimmering with emotion, but before she can speak, he adds, “The only way we can make it right is by making sure we’re there for all the others.”

Avery blinks. “All the others?” Her voice carries a mix of amusement and disbelief.

Jaxton smirks, that arrogant, playful glint flashing in his eyes—the one we all seem to mirror because, yeah, we’ve had this conversation more than once. “You didn’t think this was the only baby we were fucking into you, did you?”

Liam chuckles, nudging her gently. “Oh, Bee, we’re talking big family. Loud holidays. Matching pajamas. Chaos. All of it.”

Her eyes widen, then roll as she shakes her head with a laugh. “You guys are insane.”

“Insanely in love with you,” Lennox chimes in with a wink, reaching across to steal a piece of fruit from her plate. “And ready to make up for lost time.”

“Alright, alright,” I cut in before we derail the moment completely, sliding a plate in front of her with a little bit of everything on it. “Less talk about future babies, more focus on feeding the one that’s already cooking in there.”

She snorts a laugh, but the way she leans into my shoulder tells me she’s soaking up every second of this. Of us. And I swear right then, I’ll make sure she never goes another day without knowing how deeply she’s loved.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Avery

My afternoon nap turns into a full-on hibernation session. After thevery enthusiasticmorning I had with my guys, I needed the extra rest—and apparently, so did my body. To their credit, they handled everything while I slept, including fielding Roman’s relentless calls and keeping the house as quiet as possible so I could properly recuperate.

When I finally shuffle into the living room, still warm and a little dazed from sleep, I find all four of them sprawled across the couches like a pack of lazy wolves after a feast.

Lennox is the first to notice me. He immediately jumps to his feet and meets me halfway, his hands gentle as he guides me over to the couch like I’m made of glass. “How’d you sleep, baby?” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing as he gently tucks a plush blanket around me, then slides in close, sandwiching me between him and Liam on the couch like I’m something precious they’re keeping safe.

“Thank you,” I murmur, curling into their warmth and sinking into the cushions. “Really good, actually.” I glance around the room, noting the absence of one very familiar face. “Has my dad been by?”

Kam nods from the opposite couch, his posture tense like he’s fighting the urge to get up and wrap himself around me. “Yeah. I took him over to his place earlier to grab a few more things. We were able to convince Roman to postpone his dramatic entrance until tomorrow. We’re hosting a barbecue at your dad’s instead, so everyone can come visit you in one place, away from here.”

I nod slowly, chewing on my bottom lip as my stomach twists with unease.

Jaxton catches the hesitation instantly and leans forward, forearms resting on his knees. “What’s the matter, Kitten?”

“I don’t know…” I sigh, running my hands over the blanket covering my belly. “I’m excited to see everyone, I really am. But I’m nervous. Being out in the open at Dad’s? It just feels… risky. What if Sarah shows up? What if she’s watching?” My voice dips at the end, and I hate the vulnerability that creeps in—but it’s real.

“I don’t really feel safe being out at all while she’s still out there.”

Their easygoing postures shift instantly. Kam’s jaw tightens, Liam straightens where he sits, and Jaxton’s eyes narrow just slightly—protective instincts igniting like a flare.

“You won’t be unprotected, Avery,” Kam says firmly, his voice laced with steel. “Security is already doubled at your dad’s. We’ll be with you every second. There’s no way in hell she’s getting anywhere near you.”

Lennox brushes a stray piece of hair from my cheek, his touch a balm to my nerves. “And if she does show her face, baby, she won’t leave in one piece. That’s a promise.”

I nod again, a little more confidently this time. Because I believe them. I believe in them.

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