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“I want to celebrate with the three of you back at my apartment. My small, cramped apartment. And I want to eat peanut butter right out of the jar, because I’m pretty sure my pregnancy cravings have already started, and I will literally murder anyone who gets in the way.”
Alejandro cleared his voice behind me. “I saved you an extra plate, Ms. Norris. And I borrowed a bottle of sparkling cider from the bartender before he left.” Alejandro held up the plate in one hand and the bottle in the other. “It is not peanut butter, but it is good for now?”
I took the plate from him and kissed him on the lips. “You’re a wonderful man, Alejandro.” I pointed at him and told Pierce, “Keep him forever. And give him a raise.”
“How did you know, Alejandro?” Pierce asked.
The chef gave a modest shrug. “I have many children and grandchildren. She is glowing. I have seen this glow before, and I know.” He tapped the side of his head.
“Have a glass with us, Alejandro,” Pierce said while opening the bottle. “We’re celebrating.”
The guys shook hands and hugged. They were all smiles now. Eventually I would have this baby and it might be obvious who the biological father was. But for now, all of them could share in the joy.
“So,” I said. “Now that I’ve hit the first milestone of contract incentives, who do I talk to about getting paid?”
All of them laughed.
“Is it a direct deposit situation,” I added, “or, like, a cash deal? I’m good with either.”
They roared with laughter, even Alejandro. We poured the sparkling cider and toasted to the baby’s health, then walked back to my apartment arm-in-arm.
We were happy, happier than we had ever expected to be. It was over, and yet it was also just beginning.
There was finally a baby inside of me.
Epilogue
Pierce
About eight months later
“Get this baby out of me!” Melinda screamed at the top of her lungs. “I hate this! I hate you!”
“They all say that,” the nurse whispered in my ear. “Don’t take it personally. Just keep being supportive.”
“Keep breathing,” I told Melinda, squeezing her hand. “You’re doing great.”
Her face was beet-red and covered with sweat. Tristan, Andrew, and I were wearing hospital scrubs in the delivery room. Melinda had been there for almost thirty hours. She had done amazing so far, better than any of us could have done in that situation, but if she didn’t deliver the baby soon they would do a C-section instead.
Finally, the nurse gave the thumbs-up. “We’re ready to proceed.”
“Oh thank God,” Melinda cursed.
Childbirth wasn’t a miracle. It was fucking disgusting. Okay, it was a miracle too. But seriously, it wasn’t pretty. I won’t go into the details except to say that Melinda did wonderfully, and she—and the baby—were perfectly healthy.
Andrew and Tristan hugged, and then they hugged me. The relief was immense.
Melinda was crying when they gave her the baby to hold for the first time. “She’s beautiful.”
“Just like her mother,” Andrew said.
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere,” she said with a glare. “I’m still mad at you three.”
“You agreed to this situation,” Tristan said. “In fact, you were a willing participant.”
“Very willing,” Andrew said.
“I’m not interested in your facts right now. The only thing I care about is this little bundle.” She kissed the baby on the forehead.
