Epilogue
Six monthslater
“Sit down, sweetheart, you look exhausted,”Bryce says, guiding me to the garden chair situated next to a heavily pregnantNisha.
She catches my eye, rolling hers. “Bryce, she’s pregnant, not aninvalid.”
“Even so, I don’t want Louisa overdoing it. You know what it’s like carrying a baby in this temperature. It’s so damn hot, evenmyankles areswelling.”
Nisha and I laugh. “You may have a point there,” she concedes, fanning her face with her summerhat.
“Can I get you anything? A drink, some more food?” heasks.
“No, thank you, I’m completely full. This little boy is taking up far too much room in my stomach to possibly fit any more foodin.”
“Takes after his dad, I expect.” Bryce smiles broadly, placing the flat of his hand across my taut belly. Even though I’m only five months pregnant, I do have a nice largetummy.
“This little man is certainly energetic like his daddies,” Isay.
Bryce laughs, and the sound fills me with joy. We are not sure who the father is, given our relationship. Yet neither Bryce, Max or Hudson care. As far as they’re concerned this little boy has three dads who will love him regardless of whose DNA he has. But I have my suspicions as to who this little one belongs to. Whether it is intuition or an acute awareness of my body, I know this baby belongs toBryce.
“You sure you’re okay?” Bryce asksagain.
“I’m fine,honestly.”
“How about you, Nisha? Would you likesomething?”
“Cal is grabbing me a burger. Although he’s taking forever to get it,” she laughs, nodding her head to Cal, Hudson and Max, who are slapping each other on the back, laughing uproariously about something or other. I catch Richard’s eye, who is laughing with them, and he raises his hand and waves. I wave back, so grateful to have him in my life. In fact, I am blessed with loving so many wonderful men. Richard, who for all intents and purposes is my father by choice. Cal, who I adore because of the happiness he brings Nisha, and of course Max, Bryce and Hudson who, though not my husbands in the recognised form, are mine in the only way thatcounts.
“I thought Hudson was taking charge of the barbeque? Looks like he’s roped in Stu to take over,” Nisha says, pointing to Stuart flippingburgers.
“He looks perfectly happy doing it though,” Iobserve.
“Hud is totally shirking his duties, I see. Don’t worry, I’ll give both him and Cal a kick up the arse.” Bryce presses a sweet kiss against my mouth before heading over to where our men are gathered. On the grass, a rather energetic Ty is running around with his mum Jessica, whilst his other mum, Sarah, is chatting with some of her work colleagues in the shade of the old oaktree.
“So, they put this on every year?” Nisha asks as she rests her hand against the huge mound of her belly. She is due any day now and is beautiful in the last trimester of her pregnancy. Her hair is shining with life, her skin is glowing, and her happiness pours out of her. Neither she nor Cal can stop smiling, their bond stronger thanever.
“Yes. They invite all the staff and their families. It’s wonderful, isn’tit?”
“It is.” She holds her hand out and I take it. “Look at us, Lou. Look at how happy we are.” Her eyes brim with joyful tears, and a lump forms in my ownthroat.
“Stop,” I say, flapping my hand. “You’ll make me cry. These hormones are akiller.”
“Tell me about it. Although there are some plusses to being pregnant,” she says, wiggling hereyebrows.
“Yes, there is that.” I giggle, remembering last night with my men. My cheeks flame at thememory.
“Seriously though, Lou. I can’t believe that just a few months ago we were two messed-up girls who were barely holding it together. Now look at us. Here we are, loved by these wonderful men and about to be mothers. I’m so happy I couldburst.”
I squeeze Nisha’s hand. “Well don’t do any bursting just yet, at least wait until the party’s over,” I joke, eyeing herbelly.
“What are you two talking about?” Calum asks as he places Nisha’s long-awaited burger on thetable.
“Contractions,” Nisha says, her lipstwitching.
“Shit. What? Is the baby coming? Oh, fuck, Nish. Let me grab the car keys…” Calum spins on his feet whilst both Nisha and I crack uplaughing.
He pauses, staring at us both as though we’ve finally lost our minds to our pregnancybrains.