She looked at her kids, all three with smiles as big as their faces and nodding away, then to Carter. His blue eyes held such love and warmth. There was just enough nervousness to make her love him even more.
“Yes,” Mia whispered. “Yes, yes, YES!”
She threw her arms around his neck, the yes's coming in quick succession. She couldn't stop saying yes. He wrapped his arms around her and laughed, kissing her tear covered cheeks. The kids rushed over, joining in on the hug and laughing along with them.
There were hugs and kisses all around. Each child got their own hug, then took turns hugging one another. Mia's heart beat with pure joy. She no longer had blood in her veins, she had happiness. She didn't need oxygen anymore because she had love. Her childrens' love and Carter's love. She had it all.
“What would you have done if I had said no?” Mia asked Carter once everyone had settled down and all the hugs were out of their systems.
Carter looked over at the kids. “Do you think they would have let me return them?”
“Hey!” Alexander shouted, but Carter pulled him into a hug and ruffled his hair. It was obvious to all that he wasn't going to let these kids out of his life.
“Just kidding. I promised you guys a forever family, and I wouldn't dream of going back on that,” Carter promised. Lily and Grayson laughed. He looked at Mia and frowned slightly. “Were you thinking of saying no?”
Mia kissed his cheek. “Not in a million years,” she replied. “It was just such a big gesture, I was curious.”
Carter leaned over and kissed her. The kids made grossed out noises, but none of them lost their smiles.
“Since it's a day for big news...” Carter said slowly. His eyes went to Mia's belly and then back to her face.
Mia thought for a moment, then nodded. “They deserve to know what they're getting into to.”
Carter nodded. “Kids, we have another announcement to make about our family.”
Alexander and Grayson frowned. Lily's eyes went wide as she figured it out.
“I'm pregnant,” Mia stated. “We're due in April.”
Lily screamed and hugged her. “I'm so excited! I hope it's a girl!”
“I don't get it,” Grayson said. “You have homework due in April?”
Carter smiled. “Not homework. A baby. Mia's going to have a baby in April. My baby.”
Grayson thought about it for a moment before a slow smile filled his small face. “I get to be a big brother.” He looked more pleased than a cat with cream.
Alexander frowned. “Do I have to share a room?” he asked. He motioned to the basement. “There's no room for a nursery here.”
“No, you don't have to share a room,” Carter promised with a chuckle. Alexander gave a relieved sigh.
“Then it's awesome,” Alexander announced, his smile quickly returning.
“Actually, that's something I wanted to ask you guys.” Carter looked around at his large family. “Do you want to live here, or in California?”
“California?” Lily repeated. She grew pensive. “Why not here?”
“My business is centered in California,” Carter explained. “If you don't want to move, it's okay. I want my family to be happy.”
“I just got friends here,” Alexander said. He shrugged but didn't look excited.
Carter looked around and then smiled. “Then I'll just have to move my business here.”
“You can do that?” Mia asked.
“I told you, I’m not the CEO anymore. I don’t manage anyone. I’m just an outside consultant. I can do whatever I want,” Carter replied. “And what I want, is all of you.”
Mia watched as Carter looked around at each face. Mia, Lily, Alexander, Grayson, and even at Mia's stomach for the future face to come. They were a family. This is what love looked like. This is what a forever kind of love looked like.