I slowly finish my dish and glance over at Roman. Bella didn’t want to let go. Not of him or Gunner, I know that.
We have had plenty of talks about her and her unwillingness to accept what’s right in front of her.
Her deciding now that everything is okay and we deserve an apology bothers me at least a small amount. I wish she would have gotten to that method of thinking a whole lot sooner.
“It’s fine. We’re all moved out of the office which means we can go and catch those two kids that I think are supposed to be in bed.” Nick leans back in his chair, then darts forward.
Two sets of giggling and the thunderous sound of a chase echo in the house. Holden goes to block them from the other side while Roman walks to me and rubs over my belly. “What kind of face was that?”
“I’m a little more irritable than normal. That’s all. I’ll get over it.” I wave away.
“Sweets, you don’t have to live up to your nickname all the time.” Gunner pushes me to the side lightly to finish the dishes. “Let your claws show too, it’ll be good for you.”
“I like watching you four fight for me. It’s so much nicer than damaging my nails.” I tease.
Roman chuckles and kisses my neck. “One party and then we will be surrounded by those who love us and care about us. The kind of people who would never ask us to leave you and accepted our relationship – mostly – since we announced the wedding.”
“You’re right.” I feel my shoulders drop and I rub my belly. “But so is Gunner. I don’t like that Bella is on our side now while Matthew is struggling. They need to work things out together and find their happiness ... one way or another.”
“I don’t know what changed,” Gunner admits. “I thought they were the ideal couple. I mean, she was willing to give up all of us for him.”
“Remember, she said she didn’t know she could have had all of us,” Roman says.
I pull Gunner towards me and snuggle between my husbands “She made her choice and I made mine. Now we live with the results of those decisions, no matter where it takes us, right?”
I get two kisses for that and then Gunner looks down. I smile. “You felt it?”
“Soon, we won’t have time to think of Bella or Matthew. We’ll have these three that need some extra care.”
“Three?!” I gape.
Gunner smirks and Roman does that belly lift that removes all the pressure from my back and knees. It feels so good, that I actually moan.
“Come on, sweets, it’s not just the babies that will need our attention, there’s you too. We’ll cater to your every desire and then some,” Gunner assures me.
Roman bites my earlobe. “I can promise that all four of us would rather see to making you happy, or making you moan, rather than worry or think about Bella for even a second.”
That kind of thinking gets us to the time when Valerie shows up with Lief, Hunter, and Chase. Cora eyes Lief for a long while after Nick tells them that they’ll be staying with the family. Link is already eagerly talking to Hunter about all the things they’re going to do and Holden is going over a list with Valerie, covering their normal daily activities, their schedule, everything.
Cora hides behind my leg, peaking at Lief as hurt briefly flashes across his eyes. He glances to me, then to his wife who definitely isn’t paying attention.
“Scary.” Cora decides.
“He’s not scary,” I promise. “Lief is very nice. He has very good games. I bet he’ll play with you all the time.”
Gunner chuckles. “Come on, Lief. I think your long hair is perfect for playing with. Think of all the princess games you can play, Cora.”
She takes a step out from behind me and I stroke her back.
I motion for Lief to crouch down and he does, but Cora goes to Chase instead. He picks her up, flips her upside down and has her giggling and happy in seconds. Gunner pat’s Lief’s shoulder. “You’ll figure it out, don’t get upset.”
“I’m a godfather and she’s afraid of me,” He says simply.
“Come here, Viking.” Val takes over and kisses Lief’s neck softly. “You don’t have to be good at this too. You can be terrible at it. It doesn’t change how I see you.”
“It will definitely change how I see you,” I challenge.
He looks between us and Valerie smirks before whispering something in her husband’s ear. He wraps his arm around her waist and hauls her close. “Is that a promise?”