Page 148 of Three Pucks and a Baby

“Are you sure?” Mom asked.

Nodding, I replied, “I care about them a lot. They’re my best friends, and I’d do anything for them. But I sure as hell don’t feel for them like I do for Vivian.” As Vivian’s gorgeous face flashed before my eyes, I replied, “She means everything to me.”

“That’s wonderful you’ve found someone to love,” Mom replied, her hands anxiously working the napkin in her lap.

“But?” I implored.

“It’s nothing.”

Shaking my head, I replied, “Go ahead and ask.”

“If you feel so strongly for her, how can you possibly share her?” Mom questioned softly.

“I wish there was a way for me to explain to you, but I can’t. It’s not like I ever imagined falling in love with a woman and sharing her with two other men. But it happened. And despite it not being the norm, it works for the three of us. All of us bring something different to the relationship and Vivian.”

While Mom teared up, Dad once again cleared his throat. “That sounds like a very mature explanation, son.”

“It’s how I feel. I’ve never loved any other girl or woman like I do Vivian.”

“Oh, honey,” Mom gushed as she squeezed my hand.

“While love is an essential part of any relationship, it’s not the only thing,” Dad countered.

“I know that.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Dad said, “And you four have some real obstacles ahead of you. I mean, babies are hard work.”

“I didn’t say they weren’t,” I argued.

After nibbling on her bottom lip, Mom hesitantly asked, “Do you know who the baby’s father is?”

Shaking my head, I replied, “We tried early in the pregnancy to find out, but when it didn’t work, we decided to wait until he was born.”

Mom’s eyes lit up. “It’s a boy?”

I smiled. “Yeah, that part we’re certain about.”

“Well, I certainly know about raising little boys,” Mom replied with a grin.

“He’s a lucky kid to have you as a grandmother.”

While Mom preened under my compliment, Dad leaned forward in the booth. “What happens when you find out you’re not the father?”

“Stan!” Mom chided.

“What? It’s a very real possibility.”

“Even if the baby doesn’t share my DNA, I’m still going to be his father.”

As Dad’s brows creased, Mom asked, “You are?”

Nodding, I replied, “The guys and I made a pact that regardless of what the paternity test says, we’re all going to help raise him.”

“And Vivian is okay with that?”

My lips quirked when I thought of her reaction. “As she says, a child can never have too many people to love it.”

“That is so true,” Mom mused while Dad huffed.

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