Page 27 of Second Helpings (Sweet Treats 4)

Now, my dad’s preparing to give us privacy as Jock and Jack step into the kitchen.

“See you bro,” Tyler says, heading out the door.

“Have fun,” grunts Jock, watching as my dad’s shadow disappears down the driveway. He turns back to me then, pinning me with his blue gaze.

“Everything okay with your father?” he asks.

I smile at him.

“Yeah. I think he’s just a little nervous because Layla had a pregnancy scare last week. You know how uptight my dad can be. He’s always afraid he’s not a good dad, so he’s still unsure about having a second child. I’ve told him to go for it, and I think Layla wants a baby more than anything, but you know Tyler.”

Jock looks thoughtful.

“My daughter wants a baby, but Tyler’s unwilling?”

“Unwilling isn’t the right word to describe it,” I say with a smile, while putting the casserole down on the table. It’s ground turkey mixed with cream of mushroom soup, onions, and a sprinkle of tater tots and cheddar cheese on top. In some states, they call this meal a “hot dish,” but here where we live, it’s still referred to as casserole. All I know is that my men love my cooking, and the two alpha males settle down at the table as the tater tots steam.

“My dad wants a baby. I know he does,” I continue, seating myself next to Jock and Jack while serving steaming heaps of casserole. “But he needs to psychologically get used to the idea. He was a great dad to me because he took it so seriously. Too seriously, in fact. With his second child, I want him to lighten up a bit.”

Jock and Jack are already devouring the meal, and they look up suddenly.

“Was he overly strict?” asks Jack.

“No,” I laugh. “Not that. Tyler was just worried about me all the time, and I want him to relax a bit.”

“Kids can give you a heart attack,” agrees Jock. “But does Tyler know that my daughter wants a baby?”

I smile.

“Of course!” I say while patting my mouth delicately with a napkin. “They’ve been dating for a while now, and I know Layla’s been open about it. Soon, you might be a granddad,” I say to Jock with a teasing smile.

He groans, rolling his eyes before taking another big bite of casserole.

“Shit, already? I’m only forty-five. I’m way too young and healthy to be a granddad.”

Jack merely snickers.

“Father Time comes for all of us, Grandpappy,” he teases. “But hell. With Layla becoming a mother, I suppose I’ll be a grand-uncle.”

Now it’s Jock’s turn to laugh.

“Joke’s on you,” he smirks. “We’re both grand-something.”

I take this opportunity to speak up.

“Speaking of babies,” I say with a bright, beaming smile. “I have some exciting news of my own that has nothing to do with grandbabies,” I announce.

The two men immediately swing their eyes to look at me.

“What is it?” asks Jock in a low voice, his body tense.

“Are you saying –?” Jack adds.

I nod.

“I’m pregnant,” is my delighted announcement. “You’re going to be fathers.”

The kitchen is so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

“What, no congratulations?” I tease. “I know you were just talking about being a grandfather, but it’s too early for that, because you’re going to be daddies again! Aren’t you excited?”

The two men merely blink, their forks still in mid-air.

“Are you serious?” asks Jock.

I nod.

“Yes,” I say with a blissful smile. “Wouldn’t it be great if Layla got pregnant around now too? If our babies are born around the same time, then you’ll be daddies and granddaddies simultaneously.”

It’s such a weird scenario because this doesn’t usually happen in a family. Men don’t become fathers and grandfathers simultaneously. If anything, the two events can be separated by decades.

But we’re different. I’m in a relationship with two men, and not only that, but they’re brothers. Plus, Jock’s daughter is dating my dad, so actually, if Layla and I both get pregnant, then Tyler could become a father and grandfather within the same year. The possibilities are endless and I let out a holler of laughter.

“I’m so happy to be a mommy,” I say with a burble while running my hands over my slightly poochy tummy. “Aren’t you going to say something Jock? Jack?”

Finally, the two men snap out of it and get down on their knees on either side of my chair.

“Sienna, this is the best gift ever,” breathes Jack as he presses his ear against my stomach. “I didn’t expect this, but now that you’re pregnant, nothing could be better.”

Jock takes my small hand within his own, softly caressing the palm with his thumb.

“You’re sure this is what you want, sweetheart?” he asks. “After all, you’re so young.”

“I’m sure,” I say with a benevolent smile while gazing as these two men at my feet. “We’ve already broken so many rules, so why not one more? Besides, I already have a name for the baby.”

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