Her green eyes twinkled. “I think it’s time.”
“I do too.”
Taking her hand, I pulled her out of our bedroom and down the hall. My dad, Paxton, uncle Camden, Carter, Braden, and Ripp were in the kitchen drinking beers and talking about their fights, while my mom, Gabriella, aunt Brooklyn, Wren, and my sisters were in the living room, drinking their wine.
My mom and Gabriella noticed us first and came over. “We were walking through the house and noticed that one of the bedrooms is empty,” my mom stated. “Did you not order any furniture for that one? Because you know we have my grandmother’s bedroom suit in storage. It’d look amazing in that room.”
Peyton giggled and looked up at me. “Wow, talk about perfect timing.”
My mom smiled. “So you’re interested? That’s great.”
I held up a hand. “Not exactly. Peyton and Idohave furniture we’re going to put in there.”
Peyton and I had a whole big spiel planned on how we were going to bring up the empty room, but my mom really did have perfect timing. I walked over to the hallway closet and glanced at everyone over my shoulder. They stared at me in confusion.
“What is he doing?” my mom asked Peyton.
Peyton bit her lip and smiled. “Wait and see,” she said back.
By now, everyone had grown curious as to what was going on. They all gathered in the living room, watching my every move. I disappeared into the closet and grabbed the large box with a picture of a crib outside. When I brought it out, my mom slapped a hand over her chest and the room filled with gasps and gaping mouths.
Peyton came over to me and took my hand. “Do you think they got the picture?”
“I don’t know,” I said, peering around at everyone. “Do you?”
Tears filled my mom’s eyes, and she waved a hand in front of her face. “Oh my God, are you guys pregnant?”
Peyton squeezed my hand and nodded at her. “We are. I’m twelve weeks.”
Reagan threw her arms in the air and burst out laughing. “Vegas. Holy hell, it happened on my wedding night.” Everyone turned to her, and she closed a hand over her mouth. Our parents didn’t know about our hot Vegas night, but they did now. “Sorry,” Reagan apologized, looking sheepish. “Maybe that was too much information.”
I was afraid to look at Paxton because no girl’s father wanted to know when their daughter got knocked up. If Peyton and I were having girls, there’s no fucking way I’d want to know, either.
“Thanks for that,” Peyton said to Reagan. “Not that it matters anyway. Ethan and I are happy with the news.”
“But that’s not all,” I added.
I nodded at Peyton, and we said the next part together. “We’re having twins.”
Cheers of joy and hoots of laughter filled the room, and everyone came up to congratulate us. Then, when the excitement died down, and the many questions were answered, we faced them all again. “Do you want more good news?” I asked.
My mother wiped away her tears. “What other good news could there be? I’m already walking on air.”
Peyton wrapped her arms around my waist, and I kept my eyes on her as I told them the rest. “I asked Peyton to marry me. And she said yes,” I announced, smiling as more shouts of joy ensued. Peyton and I turned to face them and I continued, “And we’ve decided to get marriedtomorrow, right here in our home. We want you all to be here.”
The cheers grew louder, and the guys went into the kitchen to grab some congratulatory beers. The women took Peyton away and bombarded her with talks of the wedding while my dad came up to me.
He hugged me tight and whispered in my ear. “I’m happy for you, son. I wish you and Peyton the best.”
“Thanks, Dad. She’s everything to me.”
“I know how that feels.”
* * *
My dad and I put together the crib before everyone left. It was the only furniture in the nursery besides the succulent plants Peyton stuck in the corners. I should’ve known they’d be the first thing she’d put in there.
Peyton stared at the crib with her hands resting on her stomach. “Your mom said that you and Emma shared a crib when you were little. So, I figured we could do the same with ours. That way, they’re together.”