Page 283 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

Then my voice softens. “But somewhere between the airport and Oliver and Captain stealing underwear and me getting accidentally pregnant with an entire preschool…”

Ethan laughs helplessly.

“…you became my safest place.”

His eyes close briefly, as if the words physically hit him.

“I spent so long feeling like love meant proving I was worth staying for,” I whisper. “And then you stayed anyway.”

The room goes completely quiet.

“You chose me. Every day. Even when things were hard. Even when I was scared. Even when life got messy and terrifying and loud.” Tears blur my vision completely now. “You loved me without asking me to become smaller first.”

Ethan looks wrecked.

“I love you,” I whisper. “And I’ll keep choosing you too.”

Somewhere behind us, one of the babies yells, “Doggy!”

Captain barks instantly.

The entire room dissolves into laughter.

Perfect.

Absolutely perfect.

Later, much later, after dancing and speeches and cake and Luci attempting to teach billionaires tequila shots, the penthouse is finally quiet.

Four children sleep down the hallway. Oliver curled protectively beside Miles during a movie. The girls tangled together in blankets. Captain collapsed dramatically outside their doors like a very furry security guard.

Chicago glows beyond the balcony, all silver light and dark water and endless possibility.

I stand wrapped in Ethan’s suit jacket, staring out at the skyline that once terrified me.

Strong arms slide around my waist from behind. Instant warmth. Instant home.

Mrs. Strong.

That still feels fake.

“You disappeared,” Ethan murmurs against my hair.

“I needed air.”

“You okay?”

I smile softly because, after everything, he still asks me that.

Always.

“Yes.”

His arms tighten gently around me.

Inside, our children sleep safely.

Strong AeroTech is thriving again.