Page 112 of Tempted To Be Mine

The house was already full when we walked in. Mom had called another family dinner, and everyone had shown up. Callum and Victoria were in the living room with a few kids. Drew and Kensey were helping set the table. Micah and Grace were talking with Dad about some director stuff. Hollis and Juno were cuddled on one of the couches. Beau and Darcy had arrived just before us. Cleo held court in the kitchen, helping Mom with the final preparations.

“Jeremy! Lucy!” Mom spotted us first and came rushing over, pulling Lucy into a warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Both of you.”

“Thanks for having us,” Lucy said.

We made our way through the greetings, saying hello to everyone. Once everyone was settled in the dining room, plates loaded with food, I stood up and cleared my throat. “Before we eat, Lucy and I have something we’d like to share.”

The room went quiet. All eyes turned to us. Lucy stood beside me. I took her hand.

“We’re having a baby,” I said. “Lucy’s pregnant.”

For a split second, there was silence. Then the room exploded.

Mom had happy tears. Dad clapped me on the shoulder so hard I nearly stumbled. My brothers were on their feet, pulling me into hugs and slapping my back.

The wives surrounded Lucy, all of them talking at once, hugging her and congratulating her and asking a million questions about due dates and symptoms and whether she’d thought about names yet.

“I knew it!” Victoria said triumphantly. “I knew something was going on at Thanksgiving. The way you two kept looking at each other.”

“How far along are you?” Kensey asked.

“About eight weeks,” Lucy said. “Still early.”

“That’s so exciting!” Victoria squeezed her hand. “The first trimester is rough, but it gets better. I promise.”

I watched Lucy interact with my family. She fit here. She belonged here. This was her family now too.

Drew appeared at my elbow with a beer. “Welcome to the club, little brother.”

“Thanks.” I took the bottle but didn’t drink. I hadn’t declared it yet, but I was considering a no-alcohol run in solidarity with Lucy.

“You know we’re going to teach you everything, right?” Callum said, joining us. “All the stuff they don’t tell you in the books. The real stuff.”

“I’d appreciate that,” I admitted. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“None of us did,” he said. “You figure it out as you go. And you have all of us to help.”

Drew nodded. “We’ve got tons of baby stuff. Onesies that were never even worn. Boxes of diapers that never got used. It’s yours if you want it.”

I had my entire family supporting me. Lucy and I were covered. I knew they’d all jump in and help if shit went sideways before and after the baby’s birth.

“Thank you,” I said. “All of you. This means more than you know.”

“That’s what family’s for,” Callum said simply.

Across the room, I caught Cleo standing slightly apart from the wives, watching the celebration with a wistful expression. I excused myself and went over to her.

“You okay?”

She smiled, but I saw a hint of sadness. “I’m fine. Happy for you. Really.”

“But?”

She sighed. “I’m the last one standing, aren’t I? Everyone else has found their person. Sometimes I wonder if I ever will.”

I put my arm around her shoulders. “You will. Love finds you when you least expect it. Trust me on that.”

“Speaking from experience?”