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Matthew wraps his arms around me and holds me close. I know Sully and Jason are dying to do the same, but Etienne’s presence has them holding back, pained and exhilarated at the same time. “It’s gonna be okay,” Matthew whispers in my ear.
“I am terrified,” I whisper back, shuddering in his embrace.
“I’m here. Jason is here. Sully is here. Baby, we’re not letting you go ever again,” he says, careful not to be overheard. “No matter what, we’re going to get through this together. Come on, let’s head out. The guys are about to explode,” he adds with a short laugh.
We say goodbye to Etienne and wish him the best for the remainder of his winter holiday. I follow Matthew, Sully, and Jason outside and quietly, we cross the parking lot to the truck, now under an extra inch of snow. The sky is pure white and loaded, determined to give Providence the postcard Christmas it’s been longing for since Black Friday.
“Guys, I know I should’ve kept my mouth shut back there, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore,” I say as I open the passenger door.
“Get over here,” Sully growls and hugs me tightly, showering me with kisses and filling my heart with his affection, while Jason and Matthew huddle around and hold me close. I’m warm and tightly snuggled between my men, their lips caressing my cheeks, my temples, and every other inch of skin that they can find. I can’t help but giggle, surprised by their candor. “It doesn’t even matter which of us is the father, Selina,” Sully says, catching his breath. “I’m going to be a father.”
“I’m going to be a father, too,” Matthew adds.
“This kid is the luckiest already. He’s gonna have three dads,” Jason says, equally thrilled.
“I’m so happy to hear you say that! I was so afraid you’d be upset.” I manage, tears stinging my eyes once again.
Matthew caresses my cheek. “Don’t be ridiculous. Sure, it’s a surprise, one we certainly didn’t see coming but judging by how today went from this morning up until now, it seems to be the promise of a much brighter future ahead. I meant every word I said, Selina. You’ll never be alone again.”
“Good,” I whisper, shuddering slightly against his body. “Because I can’t bear the thought of being away from you, guys, ever. This time apart almost killed me.”
“I know. It was hard on us, too,” Jason says. “But you’re not on your own anymore. And as weird as it may get, as unorthodox as our relationship may be, we’re gonna have a baby. We’re gonna be a family.”
“A pretty feisty family,” Sully laughs.
I lean into them, surrendering unto their strength and comfort as I welcome their support and unconditional love. No one could have imagined a road veering so far off the better-known path. I definitely didn’t think I’d be pregnant by Christmas when I agreed to join them at the winter cabin. It was supposed to be spicy fun, a way to disconnect and satisfy my darkest, naughtiest desires.
Not once did I imagine I’d be giving them such news on Christmas Day, mere hours after their crazy ex-girlfriend practically tried to kill me. Damn, somebody should write a book about my life, there’s clearly enough in just the span of a few months to produce a riveting read. At least mine would be the truth and not the lies that Cynthia spoon fed me through her diary.
I am going to be a mother. And yes, I’m also going to have three men to rely on. Three fathers for my child. Three soulmates to keep my heart singing and my body humming from pure pleasure and wholesome joy. Life may throw plenty of curveballs at my head, but I am pretty sure I’ve figured out which ones to dodge and which ones to strike and ultimately win the game.
As bad as the past few days have been, the future has found its way back on the horizon, and I see it bright and clear. I see the promises in the sunlight through a snowy sky, I see my peace and happiness rising with the morning of a better tomorrow. I’m leaving a gloomy and tempestuous past behind. I’m leaving behind all of the grief, loneliness, stubbornness and irrational pride. The fear and the insecurity.
I deserve better and I deserve more. Fortunately, fate seems to have agreed with me.
30
Selina
The day after Christmas finds me back in Aspen.
With a fire burning, the flames crackling as the scented candles dominate the mantel, I keep myself busy around the living room—wiping the dust from the bookshelves, arranging the coffee table platters and bringing glasses in from the kitchen. I’ve made my favorite eggnog recipe, one of the few things I’ve developed over the years. Kieran never appreciated the nutmeg and grated orange peel, but Matthew tasted it earlier and declared it to be the best eggnog he’s ever had.
I made a non-alcoholic version for Jason and myself. The guys are out doing some last-minute grocery shopping for our dinner. Aspen is a tourist destination, so plenty of the supermarkets in town are open over the holidays. I’m expecting some turkey breast, rosemary, and plenty of potatoes for tonight, and I look forward to every moment that will go into preparing this meal. It’s our first Christmas together, albeit a slightly delayed one, and I am excited to make it as close to perfect as possible.
A cool selection of 50s and 60s Christmas-themed songs plays in the background, and I hum to the melodies as I glide around the living room with a dry cloth and furniture spray. My heart is at ease, dancing to the rhythm as I let the minutes pass in harmony. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this happy, and I’ll be damned if I will let anything or anybody get in the way of that again.
My job is safe. The store will open after New Year’s Day, and I’ll fly back then to settle into my new apartment before going to work. The sales specialist position will end by spring, during which time Etienne will begin mentoring me as a Junior Designer. To my delight, plenty of my most recent sketches have made it onto his drawing board, and he wants us to work together on each piece in order to have it ready for a future collection. I’m due to see an OB-GYN when I return to Providence as well since I need to make sure the baby is healthy and that the Cynthia scare didn’t cause any long-term damage.
Thankfully we haven’t heard anything from her since the hotel incident.
We filed a report with the police, and Sully has asked his law enforcement friends to keep their ears to the ground for any news about the situation. Cynthia has been described as armed, dangerous, and potentially unstable, and I’m pretty sure daddy’s money won’t get her out of this one. She went too far, and she needs to pay for it. She put my life in danger. Hell, she almost killed me and my unborn child. I never want to live through something like that ever again.
I admit, I’m feeling uneasy not knowing where she is. But her face is plastered all over Aspen—if she comes back into the area someone will surely recognize her and call the police. Besides, there’s another blizzard warning in effect that will probably cause us to be snowed in for a few days, at least, and I will be safe in the arms of my men. My three handsome, intelligent, brave and loving men. Damn, I got so lucky.
A noise outside captures my attention. It must be the guys, though I didn’t expect them home so soon. I figured there’d be long lines at the register, particularly with another snowstorm coming. I take off my apron and leave it on one of the armchairs, then straighten the creases of my emerald-green velvet dress that Sully got for me from a Christmas-themed store. It’s supposed to be a sexy elf kind of style, but I think I’m sporting it way better as a red-haired Mrs. Claus. I even paired it with black lace stockings and one of the lingerie sets that Matthew got me for Christmas. We opened presents this morning, and needless to say, I am now the proud owner of an entire lingerie store.
Another clang and crack startles me, this time from the back of the house.
