Page 176 of Puck Around and Find Out

“Swim,” Braxton says, not caring which one of his fathers has him, just that he gets what he wants.

He is my child after all. Though he looks like a splitting image of Max, there’s no denying it. His bright blue eyes and bright blond hair don’t seem to be making any shifts. To be honest, I was always under the assumption that he was biologically Max’s from our first time in the locker room. We might have played it fast and loose with birth control during my heat, but I’m pretty sure that’s the moment Braxton was made.

“Come help me up,” I tell Max who places a quick kiss on Braxton’s cheek before Bram walks into the pool with him.

I hold my hands out, and he grabs them, gently pulling me to my feet.

“Feeling okay, baby?” he asks, picking a piece of hair that was sticking to my face.

“Never better,” I tell him.

He steps into the pool first, gripping my hips like I’m going to fall to my death if he doesn’t hold on to me.

But I love it.

I was worried how our relationship would change after kids, and don’t get me wrong, there are moments that have been difficult. But maybe because there’s four of us to share the workload or because we have such a great village to help us, we’ve been able to stay more connected than ever.

As I wade into the pool feeling weightless, which is amazing, I join all the dads and the kids in the shallow end.

“Can you say grumpy?” Mikael says to Braxton as Bram holds him. “Pa is grumpy,” Mikael repeats.

“If you don’t shut the fuck up,” Bram hisses.

“Fuck is a bad word. I’ll bring out my swear jar later,” Katie says, and Bram curses under his breath again.

Braxton splashes the water, and I hold out my arms to him. He grins as Bram holds his little body, shooting him through the water toward me.

I have him on my hip as Ethan goes underwater and then pops up, making Braxton splash and wiggle in my hold.

As much as I would like to say that Braxton is a mama’s boy, it would be a lie. Ethan is his person, and I can’t even blame him.

Ethan adjusts his hat, and Braxton smacks his hand away.

“Particular, just like mommy,” Ethan jokes.

“Hey,” I splash him lightly, and he smiles and leans down and gives me a kiss.

“It’s something I love about you.”

“Uh huh,” I grumble back.

Braxton holds his hands out for Ethan, hating that I got a kiss and he didn’t. So I begrudgingly hand him over.

“Foods ready,” Eli shouts as everyone gets out of the pool and dries off. But I stay inside with my little family for a moment longer.

Tears well in my eyes, and I groan. This is the one thing I won’t miss after this pregnancy.

“Aw, baby, what’s wrong?” Max asks.

“I’m just really happy,” I tell him.

“Group hug,” Ethan announces, putting Braxton in the middle, making him laugh as we all hug.

Every tear, moment of doubt, and unknowing moment was worth it for this.

I thought I knew what I wanted in a pack, but what I got in reality is a million times better.

This. This is the life I always wanted.