A Very Daddy Christmas (Lucky Lady Reverse Harems)

Epilogue II

Cora

A year can go by in the blink of an eye when you’re happy and busy all the time.

“Wow, you guys are ridiculously full for a Wednesday afternoon,” Sebastian declares as he comes into the bakery with our twins in the stroller.

Waylan and Riggs are right behind him, flanking a rapidly growing Dario. He’s already two inches taller from where he was this time last year and in desperate need of some new clothes, which is why Waylan’s carrying so many shopping bags. They’ve been at the mall all morning, which is good, because the twins are halfway into their afternoon nap already.

“Yeah, we’ve been picking up a lot of traffic with your campaigns,” I tell my men from behind the counter, my hands busy slicing open a croissant for an order.

Eva is packing up some pastries for another customer. “It’s good, though. I’d rather it be busy all day than what we had this time last year.” She pauses and gives Dario a bright smile. “How are you doin’, buddy? Y’all went shopping, huh?”

“I needed new clothes,” Dario sighs.

“He’s sad because his favorite hoodie won’t fit anymore,” Waylan chuckles. “But we got him a new one. It’s even cooler than the last.”

“It was a gift from his parents,” I whisper to Eva, well aware of the story behind that particular hoodie. “Dario, it’s okay, we’ll find another purpose for your favorite hoodie. Eva is really good with the sewing machine.”

“Oh, yeah, I could make it into a cool pillowcase,” my sister exclaims.

It’s enough to put a smile back on our big boy’s face. “Awesome!”

“Come on,” Eva says once she’s done with the last order. “Join me in the back for a minute or two. I’ve got some cakes I want you to try, Dario. Let’s take the boys, too. It’s pretty loud out here.”

“Thank you,” I whisper to my sister, then watch her wheel the twins and escort Dario into the back. It’s a big day for me, and I’m growing more nervous with every passing minute, especially as Sebastian, Riggs, and Waylan come closer to the counter. “Order up!” I call out, presenting a croissant sandwich on a plate.

One of the customers gets up from his table and rushes to get his late lunch.

“Thank you, Cora.”

“You’re most welcome, Shane. Let me know if you need another coffee,” I reply.

He gives me a slight nod and goes back to his table, where his pregnant wife is busy scarfing down a few honey and almond pastries I made especially for her.

Which reminds me.

“How are my guys?” I ask, whipping out the brightest smile I can muster.

Waylan sets the shopping bags down near one of the tables by the window. “Already tired, but we’ll power through the rest of the day until you get home, I promise.”

“Sherry’s back from her holiday next week, right?” I ask.

With Sherry away, the guys decided to take a break from work to look after the kids. Given how busy we’ve been at the bakery, they didn’t want me to overwork myself in any aspect of our life, which makes me love them even more.

“Yeah, and looking forward to taking over,” Waylan chuckles.

“You know, Sherry was interested in renting your upstairs apartment this year,” Sebastian says. “She wants to live on her own. I’m thinking it might be better for you, too. Those short-term leases may be profitable, but it’s a bit of a headache, isn’t it?”

“Definitely a headache,” I admit. “Whenever she’s ready, I’ll make it available for her. I’d rather have Sherry living there than complete strangers, anyway.”

Riggs takes his phone out of his jacket pocket, but something else falls out at the same time. “Shit!”

I stop and stare at the little black velvet box as it bounces and opens on the floor.

A diamond ring escapes and almost slides under the counter, but Sebastian catches it just in time. “Dammit, Riggs.”

“I know, I should’ve put it away.”

All three men stop and turn to gawk at me with a mixture of horror and embarrassment. Time stands still altogether as I try to understand what’s happening. We were supposed to go out to dinner tonight to a fancy restaurant downtown. They even got me a dress precisely for the occasion, and Eva’s taking care of the kids for us.

Looking at the ring now, I realize why they were so nervous about tonight.

“So, this is why you took so long at the mall, huh?” I mumble, my face burning pink and my heart already set in a galloping motion as I slowly move around the counter.

Sebastian nods. “I’m so sorry. It was going to be a surprise.”

“Oh, it’s still a surprise, don’t you worry about that, my love.”

Some of the customers are looking at us. A few of them know of my relationship with Sebastian. They’ve all heard the rumors about Riggs and Waylan being a part of it, too. Nobody has ever said a thing since the nightmare ended last year, though. I think they all know it’s true, but they’re better off minding their own business and letting us be.

Sebastian lets a heavy sigh roll from his chest as Riggs and Waylan come closer.

“We might as well do it now, if you want,” Riggs says, a wary look darkening his gaze.

I’m still staring at the ring. I could cry tears of joy and bliss right now because I know my men want to make an honest woman out of me. I knew they were waiting for the right time to do this, but I could never guess what the right time meant for them. Now they’re not sure how to proceed and it’s so damn cute.

Funny thing is, I have a surprise of my own.

“Do you really want to do it now, in front of everybody?” I ask, my voice trembling with emotion. “My God, that diamond is frickin’ huge. Sorry. I can’t stop looking at it.”

Waylan chuckles. “It’s something, isn’t it?”

“Can we pretend this never happened?” Sebastian frowns, inching closer. He puts the ring back in the box and gives it to Waylan. “Here, you hold it.”

“Gee, thanks,” Riggs grumbles. I try not to laugh.

“Cora let’s… yeah, let’s pretend this didn’t happen, and tonight, when we sit in our private dining room at the Champagne Room,” Sebastian takes my hands in his, squeezing gently, “we’ll do it then. The three of us. Officially. Where no one can see. So we can do it properly, the way you deserve to be proposed to.”

I take a deep breath and give him a reassuring nod. “Of course, my darling. You can propose to me at our special dinner tonight. I’ll pretend this never happened.”

“Perfect. You’re amazing,” Sebastian smiles and kisses me.

“And then, after the three of you propose,” I add, acting coy, “I’ll tell you I’m pregnant again. How does that sound?”

Silence.

Shock.

I can barely keep it together.

“What are the odds that we’re going to have twins again?” Waylan mumbles, looking as though he’s just fallen out of a centrifuge, his head still spinning.

“The twin gene is in my family line,” I reply. “Pretty decent odds. Though honestly, I’d rather we deal with just one more before we spring for a football team. But we’ll talk about it tonight.”

Riggs nods slowly, genuinely overjoyed and working hard to keep it cool. “Right, right. Tonight. ‘Cause you haven’t told us yet.”

“Just like we haven’t proposed yet,” Sebastian concludes.

I give him a playful wink. “Precisely.”

“Sounds like a pretty fair deal,” he says. “Until tonight, then.”

“Tonight.”

Our lives are about to change once more. For the better. For the happier. For the brighter. For everything I’ve ever dreamed of, still coming true, one day, one month, one year at a time.

The End