Page 71 of Billionaire Games
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The barkingof a dog filled the room as Phoenix strode into the living room of the mansion he bought in Ashby. “Shh, Toby, be quiet,” he told the dog as it came running to him.” He beamed as he looked at Griffin and Ethan. They’d gotten up when he entered the room and were looking nervously at him. “She did it, guys. We have a daughter.”
The men cheered and raised their glasses of beer as they toasted the news. “Congratulations, man,” Griffin called out as they all gathered in a group hug.
Kel came out of the room where Cait had delivered their child, she was carrying a bundle of pink in her arms. Jess followed close behind her, cooing at the baby, “You’re so adorable, Rosaline.”
“Meet your uncles, Miss Rosaline,” Kel said as she went to the huddle of men. “This big brute here is your Uncle Ethan. He and I will be giving you a cousin in about six months.”
Ethan kissed the baby on the forehead. “Hey there, little beauty. We’re having a boy to pester you. Sorry about that.”
Griff laughed as he pulled Jess into his arms. “You ready to share our news yet, baby?”
Jess batted at his chest, she knew he was eager to let their cat out of the bag, and he’d been more than patient with her when she asked him to wait on telling everyone their news. “I suppose so.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a wedding ring. Griff did too, and they placed them on each other.
Ethan and Phoenix both chuckled as Ethan said, “It takes more than exchanging some wedding bands, guys. Take it from me. Our wedding cost us a small fortune.”
Kel nodded. “But it was worth it. Right, honey?”
“Worth every cent, my love,” Ethan agreed.
“Well, we didn’t want a big wedding,” Griffin told him. “We had a small ceremony at our ranch. Only the immediate family was there and Jess’ favorite horse.” They all laughed.
Kel cocked one brow as she looked at her sister. “How long have you two been married?”
“Only a week. I didn’t want to take away from Cait and Phoenix and their big day with little Rosaline here.” Jess let the baby hold her finger and couldn’t quit smiling at her very first niece.
“That was sweet of you,” Phoenix said. “And Cait will be happy to know Griffin finally made an honest woman out of you, Jess.” Phoenix kissed her cheek then shook Griffin’s hand. “Welcome to the fam, bro.”
Ethan clapped Griffin on the back. “Yeah, welcome to the brothers-in-law club. What was once a group of rogue bachelors is now a pack of settled down husbands, and at now we’re all going to be fathers.” He patted Jess’s round tummy.
Griffin placed his hand on his wife’s stomach. “One more month and little Darla will come out and meet all of us.”
“But at a hospital in Montana. None of this birth at home, midwife thing for me. Cait’s brave,” Jess said.
Kel nodded in agreement. “That she is. But I think I like the idea better than a hospital. I believe we might be having our baby at home too. What do you think, Ethan?”
“Oh, you’re letting me have an opinion?” he asked with surprise.
Kel scowled at him. “As if I don’t confer with you on every important topic.”
“Well, you picked out some wallpaper for my son’s room that is questionable,” he reminded her.
“How so?” Jess asked. “Is it a bit girly?”
“No, it’s a bit demonic. Reds and blacks,” Ethan told her.
“I want him to be strong like his father is,” Kel made her argument.
“I want him to be sweet like his mother is,” Ethan said then reached for the baby. “Let me have her. I need to get used to this.”
Phoenix and Griffin laughed as he took the baby and held her to his chest. The man was monstrous, the baby looked minuscule against the backdrop that was her uncle.
All had married, all were moving into parenthood, and all were happier than they’d known was possible. Everything was great except for the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan had yet to show up for the birth of the baby and that was a thing Kel was beginning to grow worried about.
