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How did we end up here? What does this mean for our lives, our relationships, and our future? The magnitude of the situation feels suffocating, and I struggle to find my footing through the storm of emotions raging within me.
It feels like someone just pulled the rug from under my feet. My head spins, but I know I need to be strong. If not for me, then Susan.
I take her by her shoulder and slowly sit her down on the couch. She’s shivering a little, even though the central heating is turned on. I take off my jacket and put it around her, squeezing her shoulders in assurance.
“I’m going to make you some hot chocolate,” Artie says. “Is your stomach okay with that?”
“I think so,” Susan says, and then adds, “I don’t know why but I absolutely hated the smell of steak.”
“It happens with your changing body,” I say. It’s the wrong thing to say. She looks up, her eyes widening.
“Isn’t it a little too soon for that?”
I swallow hard. The truth is, I have no idea. I wasn’t exactly the kid who paid attention in school. And this has never happened to me because I’m always careful with my cock. But we all got carried away.
I kind of get why Ed is so upset. He’s not completely unreasonable. Susan did assure us that she was taking her pills. They were supposed to work. What else are we supposed to do?
She didn’t baby-trap us.
No, no, no. I can’t go down that path now.
“Susan,” I begin, my words carefully measured, “I need to know…do you have any idea whose child it might be? Is there any way to determine…?” My voice trails off, unable to articulate the full weight of the question that hangs in the air.
“No, we can’t,” Artie says before Susan can answer.
“What?” I manage to utter, my voice barely a whisper. “Are you saying…there’s no way to determine who the father is?”
Artie nods solemnly, his expression mirroring the gravity of the situation. “That’s right, Ollie. We’re identical triplets, and our DNA is nearly identical. It would be virtually impossible to pinpoint the biological father without advanced genetic testing, which might not even be foolproof. And since all three of us had sex with Susan in the same window, let’s just say finding the answer will be virtually impossible.”
My jaw drops. I shake my head. “There must be some way.”
Artie frowns. “How’s that important? All three of us were with her.”
He’s the only person who’s taking the news in stride, the only one not acting like a total asshole. “You’re right,” I finally say. I’ve been focusing on the wrong thing.
Susan is staring down at her palms, her body slightly shaking. I put my arm around her shoulders and kind of hug her. To my surprise, she falls into my embrace easily. I’m surprised and grateful that she still trusts me, even though I’ve not given her any reason to.
“Susan, I…I don’t know what to say. I’m shocked, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. We’re all here for you. We’ll find a way through this together, no matter what.”
She turns around so she’s facing me. I let go of her as I face her. “Should we be worried about Ed? He’s out there alone. We should go after him.”
My gaze meets Artie’s, and he gives me a subtle shake of his head.
Taking a deep breath, I gently place a hand on Susan’s arm, offering her reassurance. “I know you’re worried about Ed, but right now, emotions are running high. Going after him might escalate the situation further. We need to give him some space to cool down and process everything that’s happened.”
Susan nods, her eyes filled with anxiety and uncertainty. “But what if he does something rash or makes a decision he’ll regret? We can’t just leave him alone like this.”
“He’ll be back,” Artie says. “Once he realizes what he did was wrong.”
“I don’t blame him,” Susan says. “He was clear about his expectations. But I also know I don’t want an abortion.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. “I mean, that’s your final decision?” I can see Artie glaring at me from behind Susan’s head, but I need to know what she thinks.
To my surprise, she gives me a sad smile and puts her palm on my cheek. “I know for sure. I knew the moment I saw the positive on the tests. I know this isn’t what you want, so I’m okay with whatever you guys choose to do.”
Artie kneels on the floor next to her. “I know this situation is unexpected, but I want to step up and take responsibility. I want to be a father to this child.”
I’ve always known Artie to be compassionate and caring, but this is new, and this side of him leaves me in awe. I search his eyes for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all I find is genuine conviction.
