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“We need to talk about it eventually,” Lucas’s calm voice came from the sitting room, faint but audible through the cracked door.
“She doesn’t seem ready. We’ve already pushed so much, I’m worried she’ll freak out,” Ryder added, his voice softer, though I could still hear it clearly.
After leaving the hospital, we’d checked into their hotel suite, and the guys had been walking on eggshells ever since. I was still in shock over the pregnancy, and when they didn’t bring it up, I began to worry that maybe they weren’t happy about it. They’d always wanted kids, but not this soon. I hadn’t even begun to process it because I was terrified of them leaving.
I pretended to be asleep, hoping to hear their true feelings, eavesdropping on their conversation.
“I can’t believe it,” Jaxon said, pacing. “I mean, it makes sense, but I didn’t expect it to happen this fast.”
“This changes everything,” Ryder muttered, and I heard him walking toward the bedroom door. I shut my eyes tighter, pretending I was still asleep.
My heart sank a little lower at those words. This was changing everything. They weren’t going to want to stay with me.
Before, I might have stayed quiet and let them sort things out, but not anymore. I had to make it clear—what I wanted mattered too.
I sprang out of bed quickly, gripping the door frame to steady myself. The guys heard me, of course, and rushed toward the door, but I pushed it open and stepped out, hands on my hips.
“If you think you’re going to bail on me because I’m pregnant, think again. I’m not doing this alone. This wasn’t in my plans either. I never expected this, but here we are. I need you. This baby changes nothing. If you try to leave now, I swear I’ll have Gregdrive you off a cliff. Understand?”
Lucas shocked me by throwing his head back and laughing, and Jaxon and Ryder quickly followed suit. I stomped my foot in frustration, irritated they were laughing at my serious words.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, my voice tight with anger. “You promised me a lot earlier today. I want it now. Take me to the courthouse and marry me. You’re not abandoning me again.”
Even as the words left my mouth, I felt embarrassed but stood tall and scowled at them. “This baby will have a stable, if unusual, home. You’re going to be there for them—games, recitals, everything. You’re going to love and support us with your time and commitment. I’m serious. I don’t know why you’re still laughing.”
Jaxon sobered first, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Baby. We’re not going anywhere.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “It sounded like you were panicking…”
“Margot, when I said it changes everything, I meant it. It changes our timeline, our immediate plans. But most of all, it changes how we take care of you. You’re pregnant and haven’t been looking after yourself. This changes how we care for you—and how we love you.”
My pulse quickened at the last part, and I glanced down, suddenly self-conscious. This wasn’t the right time to think about that.
“We’ve missed you, Margot,” Lucas added softly. “We were thinking we’d finally have some time alone to… you know, but this changes that.”
Ryder let out a grunt. “You’re in for a wake-up call, Margot. I’m retired now. All the time in the world to spend with you. You’ll wish I’d leave.”
Jaxon shrugged. “Honestly, I was thinking we needed to marry you right away before you get cold feet. We’re serious, Bubba. You’ll understand that soon enough. And until then, I’ve got no problem reminding you.”
A deep sigh of relief escaped me, and I slumped against Jaxon’s chest. “I’m pregnant.”
“Yeah, you are. You’re having our baby,” Lucas said, his smile wider than I’d ever seen. “You’re stuck with us.”
I yawned, feeling the weight of everything finally catching up to me. “Mom’s going to flip. We should wait to tell her until her doctor’s here, just to be safe. She’s been waiting to be a grandma since I was seventeen.”
Lucas shook his head, his tone firm. “We’re not worrying about telling anyone anything right now. You’re going back to bed, resting up. Gregor’s making your mom’s chicken noodle soup, and he’ll bring it when it’s done. Rest, hydrate, repeat.”
I blinked at Lucas in surprise. “She gave Gregher recipe?”
“Yeah, and I think Gregor’s falling for her,” Jaxon said with a grin. “Maybe you’ll have a new stepdad.”
I mulled it over as he gently carried me to bed. “I think I’d like that. Gregis the kindest person.”
“Excuse me?” Jaxon climbed into bed with me, holding me in his lap. “You’ve got a dreamboat and two decent men right here. Plus, Gregwanted to take someone out earlier.”
“To be fair, for her,” Lucas added, settling beside me. “And I’m assuming I’m the dreamboat.”
“Hardly,” Ryder said, settling at my feet and starting to rub them slowly. “Clearly, I’m the dreamboat here.”
I let myself relax into their attention, my thoughts drifting to a future with them. I could already picture them chasing a toddler around our house—each one of them would make an amazing father. They would be incredible husbands too.
Suddenly, an intense flash of jealousy surged through me, and I sat up, cutting off their conversation. “I’m the only woman who will ever get to have you guys as husbands. And our babies will be the only ones who call you daddy. I don’t want to share that with anyone. You’re mine.”
Lucas’s eyes sparkled with something fierce as he pulled me into his lap. “Jealous, possessive Margot is quickly becoming my favorite. You’ll never have to share us. We’re yours, just like you’re ours. Anyone who dares come near you will regret it.”
I huffed, feeling a little triumphant. “Good.”
Jaxon stretched out and grinned widely. “This is going to be fun.”