Page 85 of Hat Trick
That warms my heart and I shoot a glance at Cedar, who's smiling and nodding her approval.
"But what will I do for money?" I whisper, almost afraid to hope.
"Baby girl, you're with three millionaires. Let us take care of you."
I frown. I don't like the idea of being a kept woman.
"But, if you want to work," Luca offers, stepping forward and resting a warm hand on my lower back. "We can set you up with a salary and you can be our manager. You pretty much already take care of everything at home, but you could do our social media, our appointments, whatever you want to do, sweetheart. The choice is completely up to you."
And like a flash of lightening, my chest warms. The choice is mine.
I look to Gabe, who usually has strong opinions about what his woman does, but he's smiling in agreement.
I look at each of them, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice breaking. "I don’t know what I did to deserve you three, but I’m so grateful."
Carter leans in, his forehead resting against mine. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, Emily. And we’re going to make sure you have it."
The tunnel buzzes with the excitement of the post-game victory, but in this moment, all that matters is the four of us. I feel the strength of their commitment and love, and it fills me with a newfound sense of peace and confidence.
"Let's go home."
Chapter forty-nine
Epilogue
"Rhodes?" The redheaded nurse calls, looking up from her clipboard. Carter wraps his arm around my elbow to help me to rise. I'm eight weeks pregnant, but you'd think I was eight months with the way he handles me. I'm sure at some point I'll reach my limit of how careful my men are around me, but for now I'll let him fret.
We follow her back into a room and wait for the doctor. I sit on the exam table while Carter dwarfs a hard plastic chair in the corner, his knee bouncing furiously.
"Baby, everything's going to be fine. Relax." I smile at him, holding out my hand to him. He takes it, flips it and kisses my wrist.
Luckily, we don't have to wait for long before a tall, gorgeous black woman in a white coat comes in and introduces herself.
"I'm Dr. Marley, and I'll be your primary ob-gyn during your pregnancy." She says, shaking our hands and waking up her computer. "How are you feeling? Any complaints?"
"I'm more tired than usual, but no morning sickness yet."
"That's great to hear." Her smile lights up her entire face and you can tell instantly that she loves her job.
"You ready to see your baby, Dad?" She asks Carter while warming up the ultrasound machine.
"Let me call them really quick." He replies.
Dr. Marley's face scrunches a little. "Little nugget's got three dads. The other two are out of town at a game." I explain. After we discovered I was pregnant, Carter retired. I don't think he ever reallygot over missing out on Annie's early life. He was born to be a dad, and he refused to miss out on any part of my pregnancy and birth. Luca and Gabe agreed to one or two more years before they hang up their skates, but we agreed to schedule everything we can around their games so they can be as active as possible. I think knowing Carter is here when they can't has eased their minds.
She raises an eyebrow at me. "Girl, I can't keep tabs on one husband, let alone three." She whispers to me. I can't help but laugh.
"They make it easy on me." I laugh back. FaceTime connects and Carter flips the screen so I can say 'hi' to my other two men.
"Luca, Gabe, this is Dr. Marley. She'll be my primary care doc." The boys give her a little wave. I lift my shirt and Dr. Marley squeezes on some cold goop. She presses the wand to my belly and a tense silence fills the room. Carter squeezes my hand nervously while the Dr. finds our little nugget.
"There we are." She says confidently. "There's your little nugget."
"Oh my God! That's a baby! You have a baby in there!" Carter shouts and I can't help but laugh. It reminds me of the day he walked into the daycare in a panic.
"Yes, sweetheart, that's kind of how pregnancy works." I swear he has tears in his eyes and he ping-pongs his gaze between me and the screen. Dr. Marley takes some pictures and some measurements while I chat with the other two and Carter watches on in stunned silence.
"You happy, Princess?" Gabe asks, with the sweetest, softest smile on his face.
