Page 124 of Magic and Muffins

Both Cross and Shepard grinned at me, wearing outfits the same color as mine.

“Did you do this?” I asked them.

“You deserve to celebrate, Everly,” Shepard said.

My parents stood off to the side with big smiles. I breathed a sigh of contentment and headed over to them to receive hugs. I hadn’t expected to be in this setting when I gave them the news, but I didn’t want to wait.

Pulling out the small box, I handed it to them.

“What’s this?” Mom asked. “We’re supposed to give you a gift. Not the other way around.”

“Just open it.”

Shepard and Cross flanked me as we waited for my mom.

She slid off the ribbon and opened the box. A squeal burst from her, making everyone look our way. She grappled me into a hug as she thrust the box and contents to my dad. It took him a little longer to figure out why she was hug-strangling me, but he eventually smiled and clapped Shepard and Cross on their backs.

“You’ll make good fathers,” he said.

They both radiated their joy.

“Fathers?” Vena repeated. “Are you serious?”

She came over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck in a strangling hug.

“No matter what genders our kids are, we’re getting them married so we can officially be related. How far of a head start do you have?” She didn’t wait for an answer but looked at Anchor. “Operation no-raincoat is a go.”

Anchor flushed scarlet.

Piper, who was standing next to him, patted his arm consolingly.

Vena’s mom beamed and hugged Anchor’s other arm as she excitedly began telling him about a fertility relic that promised triplets.

“It’s the only way you’ll be able to slow her down,” I heard Mrs. Hunter say.

Miles was looking around the room for a quick escape, knowing his mom would find him next and start asking when he was going to settle down. Grandma and Grandpa Hunter were sitting at a table with my grandma, and all three were laughing and shaking their heads at Vena as she captured my face and grinned at me.

“Our babies will be smart and beautiful,” she said.

I rolled my eyes at her and hugged her hard.

“Thank you for taking me hiking. I guess you’re not fired.”