Page 61 of Daddy's Accidental Babies

She let out a breathy laugh against my chest. “You’re not panicking.”

“I’m thrilled. I want it. All of it. You. Them. This.”

And for the first time in a very long time, I felt the future right within my reach, and I couldn’t be happier.

33

SAVANNAH

The boys’ laughter floated up through the kitchen window before I even stepped outside. I paused at the door, breathing in the scent of fall—cut grass, cool air, smoke curling from the grill. Dominic stood by the barbecue with a pair of tongs in hand, focused, shirt tight across his back.

Cal shrieked across the lawn, chasing a bubble, while Leo darted after him. It was warm for October, enough to forgo shoes. I stepped out barefoot onto the porch, which was cool beneath my feet, and let the screen door ease shut behind me.

In the yard, Dad held a drink, leaning back in one of Dominic’s Adirondack chairs as Thea said something that made him actually smile. Graham was deep in some animated story, arms moving in wild arcs as he entertained Vanessa. She lounged on the loveseat under a blanket and laughed louder than I’d heard her all week.

The cookout was meant to bring everyone we cared about together, and while it wasn’t the first interaction between Dominic and my father since everything unraveled at the end of July, it was the first time they were being completely civil—almost their normal selves.

The merger was almost complete, approved by both boards and both companies’ shareholders, and after booting Marla from my team, I’d been given a promotion to head of PR strategy for the new Knight Holdings. Thea was able to double up on her classes, and the boys were in kindergarten full time. Life seemed to be forming a new sort of normal that I was adjusting to. I liked it.

Walking toward Dominic, I clutched the box behind my back, the wrapping paper crinkling in my fingers. My heart thudded; I felt steady and nervous all at once. I’d rehearsed this moment in my head a dozen different ways; my anxiety over how to make this little announcement was eased by the fact that telling Dominic about the twins had bordered on being traumatic. After that, anything would seem simpler.

“Boys,” I called. “Come here, I’ve got something for you.” My shout grabbed everyone’s attention, though Vanessa and Graham were still snickering like school children, appearing to be more than just business acquaintances.

The boys ran without hesitation. Cal got to me first, grabbing my leg for balance as I knelt in the grass. Leo practically dived for the box as his eyes lit up with curiosity.

“It’s a surprise,” I said, holding it out, “and I want everyone to watch you…” My voice rose for emphasis as I skimmed the yard with my gaze to make sure everyone—including Dominic—was watching.

They tore into the paper together, little fingers fighting over the corners. When the last layer came free, Cal pulled it back and blinked at the white box while Leo continued prying until the contents spilled onto the deck at my feet, a onesie and two T-shirts.

“Buh-iiig Bruh-uhth er x2?” Leo sounded it out, squinting up at me. “What’s that mean?”

I heard a few gasps of surprise as my eyes lifted to see Dominic watching steadily. We’d discussed the possibility, but I hadn’t told him what the doctor’s results said yet. The tongs had dropped to his side. He didn’t move except to raise a hand to cover his mouth and then pinch his nose. Then he crossed the deck with long, even strides as I braced myself. I heard Vanessa whispering, and somewhere I knew Thea was probably squealing quietly under her breath.

The boys started playing tug of war over the shirts while I blinked back tears and when Dominic reached me, he crouched and took my face in his hands.

“You’re sure?” he asked, eyes searching mine.

I nodded. “I had a blood test last week.” The smile on my lips was infectious.

His smile hit slowly, like it sank in gradually. He leaned in and kissed me, a slow savoring kiss that drew a few more muffled sounds from our guests.

We stood together, and I bent to hand Cal and Leo each a T-shirt. They held them up to their chests proudly, eyes still darting to the white onesie left on the ground. I picked it up and held it high enough for everyone to see. The words across the front read: Baby of the Family.

Dad’s brows shot up. He looked from the onesie to me, then to Dominic, eyes wide with disbelief. Then he shook his head, slowly smiling, and reached for his drink. Thea wiped at the corner of her eye and gave a choked little laugh.

Dominic slid an arm around my waist and raised his voice. “We’re having another baby.”

The cheers came immediately—Vanessa whooped and clapped, laughing as Graham bumped her shoulder with his. Thea gave up pretending she wasn’t crying and covered her whole face with both hands. Dad muttered something under hisbreath, still smiling, and shook his head again like he couldn’t believe it.

The boys ran in circles, still clutching their shirts, while Leo yelled, “We’re big brothers now!” as if the whole neighborhood needed to know.

The crowd didn’t just cheer—they beamed. Vanessa raised her glass and shouted something about planning a baby shower. Graham pointed at the boys and said they’d better start practicing diaper duty. Thea drifted closer and wrapped her arms around me from the side, rocking us gently as she whispered, “You deserve all of this.”

I stood there in the middle of it all, surrounded by people who had every reason to keep their distance—but didn’t. I felt it deep in my chest, the difference between being tolerated and being embraced. Dominic caught my hand again, fingers twining with mine, and when I looked up at him, there was no trace of tension in his face. Just joy. Just home.

For the first time in years, I wasn’t bracing for impact or waiting for the other shoe to drop. I stood steady in the center of something real, held together by love, surrounded by people who saw me and stayed anyway. I was safe here, chosen without conditions, and fully known in a way that didn’t scare me anymore.

Dominic cleared his throat and gently squeezed my hand. When I looked over, his expression had shifted—still warm, but more serious now.

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