Chapter 207: Grace’s Second Birthday

The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden rays over the backyard as laughter filled the air. The scent of grilled food mixed with the salty ocean breeze, the sound of splashing water echoing from the pool where kids shrieked and played. It was the perfect day—Grace’s second birthday, their first real celebration as a family in their new home.

Balloons in soft shades of pink and white floated around the patio, streamers twisting in the warm wind. A giant inflatable castle sat in the corner of the yard, waiting for the inevitable sugar-fueled chaos to begin. Music played softly from the speakers, a mix of easy summer tunes and nostalgic classics.

Nat stood near the pool, her heart swelling as she watched Grace giggle in Roman’s arms while he waded through the shallow end. Her tiny hands clapped in delight as he bounced her in the water, her curls damp and sticking to her forehead.

“She looks so happy,” Nat murmured, feeling the warmth of Ginger’s arm as he wrapped it around her waist.

“She is happy,” Ginger said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “She’s got everything she needs.”

Nat turned to him with a knowing smirk. “So do I.”

Lara’s voice cut through the moment as she strutted over, sunglasses perched on her nose, holding a margarita in one hand and balancing her toddler, Nico, on her hip. “This is officially the best birthday party I’ve been to this year,” she declared, grinning. “And it’s not even my own.”

Martinez followed close behind, shaking his head. “That’s because you keep crashing children’s birthday parties for the free cake.”

Lara gasped, feigning offense. “I have never—” She paused, then shrugged. “Okay, fine. But can you blame me? Look at that cake.”

She pointed to the dessert table, where a towering pastel-pink cake stood, decorated with tiny seashells and a mermaid topper that bore a striking resemblance to Grace herself. Nat had insisted on making sure everything was perfect, and from the look on Grace’s face, it was worth every second of effort.

“Speaking of cake, when do we get to eat it?” Martinez asked, reaching for a beer from the cooler.

“When the birthday girl is ready,” Nat said, laughing as Grace kicked happily in Roman’s arms, clearly in no rush to leave the pool.

Roman waded over, dripping water as he handed Grace off to Nat, brushing wet strands of hair out of his eyes. “We might be waiting a while. She’s having too much fun.”

“She gets it from her mama,” Ginger teased, tugging at the tie on Nat’s swimsuit cover-up. She swatted his hand away with a laugh.

Ginger’s mom, Evelyn, approached with a warm smile, balancing a plate of fruit in one hand and a cup of lemonade in the other. "This little girl is so loved," she said, looking at Grace with adoration. "You two—" her eyes flicked between Ginger and Roman "—have done a beautiful job making sure of that."

Roman nodded, appreciation clear in his expression. "She’s got an incredible mother, too."

Evelyn reached out and squeezed Nat’s arm. "And she’s got an entire village now. That’s how it should be."

Nat’s throat tightened at the words, emotion swelling inside her. A family. A real one.

Lara leaned in conspiratorially. “Alright, spill. How’s life with both your men under one roof?”

Nat smirked. “Messy. Loud. Amazing.”

Lara sighed dramatically. “Ugh. Jealous.”

Martinez cleared his throat. “I’m right here, Lara.”

She patted his chest. “I know, babe. You’re wonderful. But imagine two of you.”

Martinez rolled his eyes, muttering something about one of him being enough as he walked toward the grill.

Nat shook her head, cradling Grace close as the little girl yawned against her chest, her energy momentarily spent. She felt a deep sense of peace, something she had never thought she’d have. A home, a family, love—in all its complicated, beautiful forms.

Roman and Ginger stood on either side of her, their presence solid, grounding. Her heart was full.

“Alright,” she announced. “Let’s cut this cake before Grace falls asleep in my arms.”

Cheers erupted as they gathered around the table, the tiny birthday girl blinking sleepily but beaming as everyone sang to her.

As the candles flickered, Nat caught Roman’s eye, then Ginger’s, and smiled.

This was just the beginning.

Cleaning Up

As the sun began to set and guests started filtering out, Ginger’s mom kissed Nat’s cheek before bidding them all goodbye. Lara and Martinez gathered up their things, their son Nico already passed out in his stroller. "Don’t let her overwork herself," Lara warned Ginger, nodding toward Nat before winking. "And if you need help breaking in that new bed, I volunteer as an audience."

Martinez groaned. "Lara, for the love of—"

Ginger chuckled, wrapping an arm around Nat’s shoulders. "We got it covered."

With the guests gone and the yard a scattered mess of wrapping paper, plates, and pool toys, Ginger scooped Grace into his arms, her little head lolling onto his shoulder, already half-asleep. "I’ll get these two to bed," he murmured, motioning to Alejandro, who was rubbing his eyes sleepily in Roman’s arms. "You guys start on the cleanup?"

Roman smirked. "That’s just an excuse to get out of it, Fitz."

Ginger shrugged. "Maybe. But you two owe me for handling bedtime."

Nat laughed, nudging him toward the house. "Go on, super dad. We got this."

As Ginger disappeared inside, Nat and Roman worked quietly, gathering plates and decorations. The evening air was warm, the scent of the ocean drifting in as Roman stepped behind her, hands grazing her hips.

“Did you have a good day?” he murmured.

“The best,” she whispered, turning in his arms.

Roman’s lips found hers, slow and deep, their kiss unfurling into something more. Before she could think, he lifted her onto the dining table, spreading her legs with a smirk.

“Let me taste you,” he rasped, dropping to his knees.

A gasp escaped her lips as his mouth claimed her, pleasure building fast and hard. She grasped at his hair, moaning his name as he devoured her, his grip firm on her thighs, holding her exactly where he wanted her. She came undone with a gasp, her body trembling beneath him.

Then—

A low, sharp inhale from across the room.

Nat barely had the sense to turn her head.

Ginger stood in the doorway, but there was no shock in his expression, no anger—just something darker, deeper. His blue eyes dragged over the scene before him, drinking it in, his chest rising and falling with measured breaths.

Roman didn’t stop. He didn’t even falter. Instead, he lifted his head just enough to smirk, his lips slick and his voice thick with amusement.

“You’re just in time, Fitz.”

The air between them was electric.

Ginger didn’t look at Nat. His focus was entirely on Roman, his pupils blown wide, hunger laced through every fiber of his being.

This wasn’t jealousy.

This was want.

Slowly, Roman rose to his feet, never breaking eye contact as he closed the space between them.

“You like watching, don’t you?” Roman murmured, his voice edged with something knowing, something teasing.

Ginger’s throat bobbed. He didn’t speak, but he didn’t move away either.

Roman reached for him, testing, teasing—

And Ginger let him.

The moment Roman’s fingers wrapped around him, Ginger exhaled sharply, his body going rigid before melting into the touch. A low groan escaped him, his lashes fluttering as Roman’s hand worked him, slow and deliberate.

Nat watched in awe, her own breath catching in her throat at the sight of them.

Ginger growled deep in his chest, his control slipping as heat surged through him. He turned to Nat, his hands rough and desperate as they found her, pulling her against him.

And then he gave in.

To her. To Roman.

To everything he had been denying himself.