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“Dad didn’t do anything,” Fallon replies, his coolness somewhat scary. “You’re the poison, Tracey. Respect is earned.”

“And your father is deserving of respect because he’s had a midlife crisis and is dating a teenager?” their mother squawks. “Who only wants his fucking money!”

Before Kalon can say anything in his own defense, Fallon and Lycan step forward as one unit, and it’s downright eerie to watch. “That’s enough,” they say together. They straighten to their full height, which is more or less the same as Kalon’s.

“You’ve insulted our sister,” Fallon says.

“And our father,” Lycan says.

“And the mother of our baby brother or sister,” Fallon adds.

Then together, “It’s time for you to leave.”

“Creeps me out when they do that,” Tala whispers.

“It happens often?” I whisper back.

“They even text the same things sometimes,” she tells me. “And don’t even get me started on the sleep talking. Put them in the same room and they’ll have an entire conversation in their sleep.”

Tracey is still losing her shit, and I swear I see pride on Kalon’s face as he watches his sons pull their mother to shreds.

“Tracey,” his voice booms across the open space of the apartment we’re in — I looked around when we got here — “You can either leave, or I can show you out.” Clearly defeated, Tracey looks around. She’s outnumbered, and has been put in her place. By her own children no less.

“We’ll do it,” the boys say. They each take one of Tracey’s arms and get her to the elevator.

“Kalon,” she screams. “This isn’t over, you asshole!”

I think I only breathe when I hear the clear sound of the elevator, and when Lycan and Fallon walk back in. Tala makes a beeline for her brothers, and they both embrace her. Kalon walks over to where I’m standing and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. He clears his throat, getting the attention of the triplets.

“It's been a long night,” he exhales. “I’m sorry it was ruined.”

“Not your fault, Dad,” Fallon says with a shrug. “But for what it’s worth, we had fun.”

“And these apartments are insane,” Lycan adds, spinning around with his arms out.

“You boys did me proud, standing up for your sister like that,” Kalon says, his voice hoarse.

“We protect family,” Fallon says easily, like it’s no big deal. “And now that includes Channing.”

I try not to get teary-eyed by that sentiment, but pregnancy, hormones, and tears.

“Right.” Kalon gives me a smile. I return it with a rather big yawn, which only spurs Tala on to do the same. “Okay, we need to get our girls to bed. Tala, stay with one of your brothers for now, please. I’ll stay with Lycan tonight after I get Channing home.”

Both boys nod, and Kalon leads me out. I’m wiped, and that whole scene was just fucking bizarre. When I tell Kalon as much, he chuckles. “My kids are hellions, but I’m quite proud of my boys. Not that I condone such behavior towards anyone —”

“Your ex is a bitch,” I tell him. “Your sons were not only protecting their sister, but defending you.”

“I guess so,” he sighs. We hail a cab back to my place, and Kalon is about to walk out the door when I grab his arm. “Stay with me?”

“Are you sure?”

I nod and lead him upstairs. “You don’t want me to sleep on the sofa?”

“No, Kalon. I don’t want you sleeping on the sofa.”

There are zero shenanigans that night, but Kalon does fall asleep with his arm around my waist and his hand on my still-flat belly.

We’re at Kalon’s house, and it’s mid-morning. The triplets are here too, packing up their bags so they can stay in their new apartments until they go back to school. Lycan and Fallon made us all breakfast, conscious of the fact that Tala and I have morning sickness. Once everything is cleaned up, we gather in Kalon’s living room.