Page 99 of Knot Our Reality

I’m not sure the exact moment everything changed for me—maybe it happened slowly so I didn’t notice it—but I realize that not only is the guiltgone, but I’m excited.

I’m excited about the future for the first time in over two and a half years.

As we ascend the stairs, a smile slowly blooms.

This is what my first loves would want for me. They would want me to be happy even if it’s not with them.

While I knew that logically, my heart seems to be catching up with my head finally.

“What’s that smile for?” Camden murmurs, knowing if we speak too loudly, the mics will pick us up. “I can tell you’re happy, but not why.”

I turn to him as tears fill my eyes. “I’m ready. I’m finally ready.”

He looks confused for a moment before it hits him, and I can feel his joy running along our bond.

“Good. I’m glad.”

I blink away the tears as we come to a stop beside the table. Unlike last week, the colors of the roses are clear for all to see. Part of me wishes I would’ve felt this acceptance sooner. Maybe some of the roses I’m about to hand out would be different if I had.

But that’s okay. There’s still plenty of time.

“Welcome back to our suitors and to our viewers. We’ve reached the end of the fourth week, meaning we’re already halfway through the show.” Reginald chuckles. “Although, if past seasons are anything to go off of, we won’t make it to the eighth week. As usual, only time will tell. Now, we’d like to invite our first suitor to the stage. Sasha, will you please join us on the stage?”

And so begins the process of handing out roses to my eleven remaining suitors.

Sasha and Evander each get a peach rose for an individual date, but I definitely think I’ll invite Camden along for those—assuming he has any interest in either alpha.

Dylan, Gavin, Ian, and the twins get lavender roses for group dates, and I think I’ll ask both Camden and Wilder to join me for those. It’s time to get serious about seeing how the others interact with my alpha and my omega.

Because there’s never enough time in a week, Lee, Dalton, Maverick, and Paxton receive yellow roses.

Once the last of the suitors leaves the stage, I know there’s another announcement I need to make. Before Reginald can begin his end-of-the-ceremony spiel, I hold up my hand and wait for his nod of approval before taking a step closer to the camera and the suitors.

“As you all know, Sundays are family days for me. Now that all of you have met Jasper and Hawk, I think it’s time for you to join me. Beginning tomorrow, you’ll have the option to join me. I won’t make it mandatory because I know it was the one day you have off while we’re here. With New Year’s Eve on Thursday night, I will make that the night we spend together this week and dates will be on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Going forward, I will use Monday through Friday for dates. This means if you choose not to join us on Sunday, you will miss out on the weekly group session.”

The baby chooses that moment to kick, and I rub my hand over the spot as he kicks again.

“It seems the baby is excited about the changes,” I say with a laugh. “Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am ready for bed.”

“Are you trying to take my job away from me again?” Reginald asks, smiling as he joins me. “But Emilia is right, we’ve reached the end of our night. Tune in next time to see how week five plays out for Emilia and her suitors.”

He continues, reminding everyone to tag the show on social media and whatever else he says to wrap up the show, but my attention is now elsewhere.

I step back to join Camden and Wilder, hugging both of them the best I can. “I need to sleep for like twelve hours. Do the two of you want to join me?”

“Will it involve anything besides sleeping?” Camden asks, waggling his eyebrows before letting out a long yawn. “No, I’m just as tired. That sounds wonderful.”

Never have I been more excited to just sleep in bed with two men before.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Emilia

Isigh as I watch everyone running around, adults chasing kids—sometimes kids chasing adults.

Adding the suitors to our family day was a good idea. Not only are they getting to know my boys, but they’re playing with all the kids.

It’s probably one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen.

---