He will absolutely never live that down.
"So, what are we going to do today?" I ask everyone.
"Uncle Ty said we could have a picnic in the park?"
Sophie's eyes are wide and hopeful, and she clasps her little hands together in front of her. In her denim shorts and Marvel shirt, she's just the cutest thing I've ever seen. "Well, I think Uncle Ty has the best ideas," I smile.
"By the way, Suzanne said you need to check out the local newspaper online," Tyler says.
"Why?"
He shrugs. "She didn't say. Just told me you need to see the headline and she'll talk to you about it when she gets back."
Intrigued, I grab my phone from the table and search. The headline and image that appear on the homepage send a terrible shiver through me. The principal of my old school has been arrested after a report of sexual assault. Another two women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment too.
I wasn't the only one.
Being careful not to show Sophie, I hold the phone out so the boys can see. It's been tough over the past few months to keep them from going to rip that man's asshole through his mouth. The idea that a man would touch their girl without her permission has been a difficult one for them to deal with. In the end, though, they understood why I didn't want to put myself through the stress of reporting him, but now?
Now I feel like I need to. I feel like I can because I know my six men have my back, whatever happens.
"On Monday, I'm going to the police station," I say. "It's time to deal with this situation once and for all."
"Good," Greg says, folding his arms menacingly across his chest. I always get hot between my legs when he does that. It's something primal that trips a switch in my head.
Big strong man, in a big strong stance.
It would be pathetic if it didn't feel so awesome.
"We'll be right there with you," Able says.
Turning my attention back to Sophie, I pull her onto my knee. "So, missy, you want a picnic. What kind of food shall we make, and will you help me?"
"YES!" she says excitedly. "I want mini sandwiches and cupcakes."
"Well, that sounds easy enough." I lean close to whisper in her ear. "Can I make big sandwiches for big uncles?"
She giggles, her hands resting on my arms that encircle her little body. Those same hands that held my fingers the day I gave birth to her. "I think that would be a good idea."
We laugh together as my men look on, bemused.
Later, in the park, I'm lying on a blanket on the grass next to an empty picnic basket. My head is resting on Tyler's stomach, and he's stroking my hair, watching Sophie play catch with Arden, Able, and Andrew.
Greg and Damien are close too, talking shop.
"She's just the most adorable thing," Tyler says wistfully.
"I know," I say, gazing with awe at the beautiful child we created.
"Do you feel ready to make another adorable thing?"
Turning to him, I find his emerald eyes a little wider than usual, and his dark eyebrows raised hopefully. "I might," I say, smiling.
A growl rumbles in his throat, drawing the attention of Greg and Damien.
"What?" Greg asks.
"It's on," Tyler says, cocking an eyebrow. A couple of seconds pass as Greg and Damien work out what Tyler is talking about, and then it's raised eyebrows all around. They must have already discussed this between them.
"You sure?" Damien asks.
"It's a big decision," Greg says.
"I'm sure," I say. "Let's make pretty babies."
There's a collective sigh around the group that makes me giggle from deep in my belly. Who would have thought it'd be the six guys in this relationship who are so desperate to procreate? I always thought it was women who had to do the convincing.
Later that night, when we're certain Sophie is settled and sleeping deeply, we converge in Greg's room. There have been some changes in here, mainly the addition of another huge bed so that there is just about enough room for all of us to sleep together some of the time. I have to admit that being sandwiched between so many roasting hot men can be a challenge. I'm not good with spooning while I'm asleep or finding myself covered in heavy arms and legs from all sides. Plus, it's nice for me to have moments of alone time with each of my men. It's during those nights that I've found out so much about each of them. About Arden's struggles with dyslexia, which I'm helping him to overcome, and about Greg's time in jail. Andrew has shared some of their childhood and Able details about their time in foster homes. Damien has told me about his brother, who he practically raised, and how worried he is about him being stationed overseas.