“Wanna try it in the pink room?” I guess. The pink room is a room lit with hot pink light, full of plush couches and all kinds of fun furniture like sex swings and St. Andrew’s crosses. There’s even a spanking bench. I’ve wanted to get in there for a while now, but we just haven’t gotten around to it.
But Gage smiles and shakes his head. “I was thinking—when we get married, maybe we should all change our last names to Thorn or something—an homage to your dark floral fetish, Anya.”
My mind short-circuits. “When we getmarried?” I repeat, blinking. “Did you just…propose?” And here I thought I was about to blow our relationship open withmysecret.
Gage shrugs, a playful grin twisting his lips. “Only if you say yes. If not, then no. I didn’t propose, and this was just a very elaborate joke.”
I stare at him, then look to Theo and Hunter as they pull back from me. Theo’s dark eyes are full of that hopeful, gentle intensity I adore. Hunter is practically vibrating with excitement, trying to play it cool but failing. They all want this.
They all want me.As their wife.
My breath catches in my throat, and I have to steady myself on Gage’s arm. “You’re serious,” I manage at last, eyes flicking between them. “All three of you…want to…?”
Hunter nods. “We might not do a traditional thing, but we can figure out the details. Or just pick a day to celebrate. But we want to be official in whatever way matters to you.”
“Wow.”
He swallows. “We want you to know we’re not going anywhere.”
My face is hot, and tears prick at my eyes. “Yes, I…” But then something hits me. “Theo, you really want to be Theo Thorn?”
He lifts his brows with a wry grin. “It’ll make me sound like a supervillain. Perfect for my image.”
I let out a watery laugh, launching forward to wrap my arms around the three of them in a jumbled group hug. Gage’s big hand cups the back of my head, Hunter’s arms slip around my waist, and Theo rests his palm on my lower back. It’s chaotic, warm, and so utterlyus.
But I still need to get this off my chest, before we can seriously talk about getting married. “Since we’re talking aboutthe future…I have something to tell you.” My hands are shaking, but I press on, feeling a bubble of excitement threatening to overwhelm me.
They share a glance, and Hunter says, “Okay, spill.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence. The word just sort of echoes in the air. I see the gears turn behind Gage’s steady gaze. Theo’s mouth parts in surprise, a flicker of something lighting up his eyes. Hunter’s lips shape a silent “wow” before he blurts, “Holycrap.”
Then it’s a flurry of questions—Are you sure? When did you find out? Are you okay? Do you feel sick? Do you need to lie down? Can I get you crackers?Each question layers over the next.
I laugh, feeling tears finally spill over. “I’m okay,” I assure them. “I’m good. Better than good. I’ve got a checkup next week, but the tests were definitely positive.”
Gage holds a hand up for the other two to stop. His face goes serious. “Anya, do you want to have a child?” Solemn expressions fall over the other two faces.
This really is my choice. Just as everything else has been from the start.
“If you guys are on board, then yes. I don’t want to do this on my own, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m pressuring you?—”
“We’re gonna have a kid!” Hunter shouts before he takes me in his arms.
Theo cracks a grin, and Gage smiles at me, sighing with relief. He explains, “We talked about this not that long ago. The three of us want as many kids as you’ll give us.”
“And we’re open to adoption, in case you’re a one-and-done when it comes to pregnancies,” Theo adds.
I can’t believe how lucky I’ve gotten. Below us, the music ramps up, shifting to a new track as midnight draws nearer. I can hear a fresh wave of cheers—someone must have done something spectacular on the dance floor. It’s utter madness down there, a swirl of moaning bodies and pulsating lights. And up here, in this little office, we have our own little swirl of amazement and love and brand-new beginnings.
I blink away tears, pressing my forehead to Theo’s. “So…I guess we have a wedding or something to plan, huh?”
He laughs softly. “We’ll figure it out.Youcall the shots, as always.”
“And what if I say I want a dark floral wedding theme?” I tease, referencing Gage’s name suggestion.
Gage’s chuckle is low and affectionate. “Then we’ll order all the black roses on the East Coast, Mrs. Thorn-to-be.”