Page 117 of Claimed By the Deputies

“We should go in,” I say, tension swelling in my shoulders. “But we’ll take one of the backseats. My bladder constantly feels like it’s about to explode.”

Lucas chuckles softly, then points to my drink and snack. “You should eat first.”

“I should, you’re right. Always taking such good care of me,” I swoon, but then freeze as a peculiar feeling spreads between my legs. “Oh, no.”

“What is it?” Mitch sits up, on high alert.

I glance down at my huge belly as liquid drips from my drenched cotton dress onto the marble floor.

“Your water broke,” Lucas says wide-eyed.

“Holy crap!” Tyler jumps up and starts searching his pockets for the car keys. “It’s go time, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s go time,” I manage before the first contraction hits.

One very effectiveepidural and six hours of labor later, I lay in bed exhausted. I’m totally at peace watching my babies sleep, swaddled in pale pink and pale blue, cuddled next to one another.

I slowly come out of my daze to find Lucas, Mitch, and Tyler seated in chairs placed around the babies and my bed. All three are fawning over them, our beautiful, perfect twins.

It takes a while for me to find my voice, so I simply watch them. I admire their handsome, noble features, their soft eyes. Their broad chests rising with each overwhelming breath as they take in this new truth.

“The epidural made it seem easy,” I mumble with a small chuckle, drawing their attention.

“You were sensational,” Lucas replies.

“How are you feeling?” Tyler asks.

I find the question kind of funny. “Lighter by a few pounds, that’s for sure.”

“They’re perfect,” Mitch says. He and Lucas get up to carry the twins over so I can hold them in my arms. “Here, Momma. Here’s Timothy and Evangeline.”

Tears spring to my eyes as they nestle perfectly into my arms. My heart swells to the point where I feel it might break out of my ribcage.

They’re a piece of me.

Slivers of my soul.

Proof that love really does conquer all.

“Hi, babies,” I say. “Welcome to the world. It’s going to be a bit of a bumpy ride at times, but you’ve got me and three amazing dads by your side.”

The name Timothy obviously speaks for itself. Evangeline takes her name from Tyler’s mother.

“We’re going to make the most of the next few days as we transition into this new life,” Lucas tells me, planting a lovingkiss on my temple. “Starting with you getting as much sleep as possible,” he adds, smiling softly. It’s the smile of an overjoyed father.

Mitch takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders. “So here’s the deal I made with the guys.”

“Oh, I’m dying to hear this,” I mutter. A small laugh escapes me while my babies sleep soundly in my arms, my soul feeding off their warmth and filling me with all the love in the world.

“Lucas gets to be the official dude. We all agreed on that,” Mitch says. “Tyler got to choose Evangeline’s name because we’d already settled on Timothy’s, and unanimously so. But then I asked myself, what the hell do I get, other than the privilege of this incredible woman and our twins?”

I chuckle in response, my expression quickly turning to one of surprise as I watch him take out a small velvet box from his jacket pocket. “Mitch…”

“I get to propose on behalf of the three of us,” he replies, his eyes sparkling as he looks at me and gets down on one knee. He opens the box to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring, crowned by a dozen tiny emeralds.

“Oh my god,” I manage.

“You’ve already made us the luckiest men alive,” Mitch says, his voice trembling with emotion. “You’ve given us two beautiful children and the kind of love most people only read about in books or see in movies. We’re beyond blessed. But you deserve more, so much more.” He smiles brightly at me. “Will you do us the honor of becoming our wife?”

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