Page 266 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

“…charges currently include aviation fraud, corporate sabotage, evidence manipulation, unauthorized systems intrusion, and involuntary manslaughter connected to the reopened investigation into the death of pilot Megan Strong…”

Oliver looks between us from the floor where he’s building an airport out of magnetic tiles. “Why is Daddy on TV?”

I move instantly, crouching beside him carefully because my center of gravity is now apparently controlled by three tiny drunk acrobats. “It’s work stuff, sweetheart.”

Ethan kneels beside him. “Remember how Daddy said some people made very bad choices with airplanes?”

Oliver nods solemnly.

“Well, the police are helping fix it now.”

Oliver thinks about this carefully. “Like when Captain ate my Lego wheel, and the vet had to help?”

Silence.

Then Ethan says gravely, “Shockingly similar.”

I choke on a laugh.

Because of course that’s where we are emotionally as a family now.

Federal aviation crimes and Lego digestion analogies.

Oliver seems satisfied with this explanation and goes back to his airport.

The news keeps talking in the background.

“…sources confirm recovered server logs and authentication records were instrumental in obtaining the warrant…”

“…the original crash investigation may have relied on manipulated telemetry data…”

“…pilot Megan Strong’s actions are now under renewed review…”

I mute the television.

The silence afterward feels enormous.

Ethan stares at the darkened screen for several seconds. “They finally stopped blaming her.”

That’s the thing that breaks me. The rawness in his voice.

I stand slowly and walk toward him. His eyes lift to mine immediately. Blue, exhausted, devastated, and hopeful in the saddest way I’ve ever seen. “Oh, Ethan.”

He shakes his head once like he can’t handle comfort yet.

Unfortunately for him, I’m pregnant and emotional and deeply in love with him, so his preferences are no longer the controlling authority in this household.

I take his hand anyway.

His fingers close around mine instantly. Like instinct. Like relief.

Behind us, Oliver crashes two toy planes together dramatically. “Emergency landing.”

Ethan closes his eyes briefly.

“Subtle,” I whisper.

“He gets it from Captain.”