It’s Always Us (Abandoned Brothers #3)

Chapter 34

LEX

“And I’m going to take care of you. You’ll never question how much I love you because I’m going to tell you all the time.”

I blink, hearing his soft voice, almost a whisper.

“We’re going to be a family. I’ll teach you how to throw the perfect spiral, and I don’t care if you are girls. But if you are, you’re never leaving the house.”

His lips press against the side of my stomach between his hands.

“Now, if you are boys, then we’ll raise hell and drive your mom crazy.”

I lie perfectly still, listening to him making promises and telling them how things will be. A smile sweeps across my face.

I’ve known that Mark would never leave me alone in this, but after last night, there’s no choice but to be together. It’s time for me to move on and forward, and I get to do it with him.

I’m still scared out of my mind, but for years, I’ve been checking off the days like Grandpa said. But I’m learning that if I want to live, really live, then I have to take a chance—risk it despite the fear. Not just for me but for Mark and these babies. Only then will I allow myself the full potential this life has to offer that, until now, I’ve never allowed myself to think I could have.

Mark whispers something about them needing to sleep so that he and I can have adult time, and I can’t hold in my laugh.

“Hey. We were having a private conversation,” he grins, his head resting next to my stomach .

I yawn, completely exhausted, emotionally and physically. “You three are not allowed to make plans without me.”

Mark runs his hand over my stomach and presses another kiss to it before sliding up and wrapping his arms around me. “Too bad. We’ve already made deals.”

“They’re too young to form verbal agreements.”

“The book says they might be able to hear. Sorry, Peyton and Eli’s silence counts as approval.”

“Peyton and Eli? Really?” He smiles against my cheek.

“You said they’re wild in there.”

“Imagine that. I wonder who they get that from.” I snuggle into him, ready for this to be the rest of my life.

Mark rolls on top of me, keeping his weight off our babies. His eyes hold that devilish playfulness. “Definitely from you.” He kisses my shoulder. “Are you ready for the game today? It’ll be crowded.”

“Yes.” I made it through last night, so this isn’t nearly as intimidating, although Mark’s family is large and growing.

“Shane, Maggie, and the kids are here. Maggie’s brother Cole plays for the Stingrays, and he’s bringing a friend we’ve taken in. Plus, some of Andie’s friends and family will be there.”

I press a kiss to his bicep. “I’m looking forward to meeting all of them.”

“I told Shane we’d meet them, but we have some time. Then, I have a plane booked for tonight.” He stares into my eyes. “What about your stuff?”

I push the strands of hair off his forehead. “I have to go back for my next doctor’s appointment and see the guys. Krissy is having the baby shower.” I run my hands over the muscles in his back, pulling him closer.

“I’m going with you if I can, but you need to find a doctor in Phoenix.” His lips trail over my neck to my chest.

“I have a to-do list a mile long, but I can’t think straight when you are doing that.”

He grins against my skin. “Good. We aren’t thinking right now. We are strictly on the doing part, and this is at the top of the list . . . every time.”

“Fine,” I say like I’m put out. “What was it you told me last night? Hurry up. ”

He pulls away to meet my eyes, and I try to withhold my smile, but I do a sucky job of it.

Slowly, a mischievous smirk creeps across his mouth, and it’s so sexy it almost kills me to refrain from kissing him. “You’ve gotten kind of bossy.”

I shrug one should. “Dealing with men every day makes you that way.”

The flame in his eyes turns to a raging blaze. “Good thing you won’t be dealing with them daily anymore. You could become insufferable.”

I slide my hands over his shoulder and up his neck to the soft, short hairs. “Now, I can just be bossy with you.” I pull his face to mine. My lips gently brush over his. “So, are you going to get to work or not?”

______

Mark’s hand remains clasped around mine as we sift our way through the stadium. He’s posed for dozens of photos and shook more hands than I can count. Seeing him in this environment is . . . different. There’s a shield he puts on.

It’s like an armor he slips into to be sure nothing sensitive is exposed. His fans get the fun-loving, charming Mark only.

He pulls me to his side. “You ok?”

I nod as we push our way through a crowd, finally making it to the box where we’ll watch the game. Mark pulls the door open, and it’s filled with people.

“Who’s ready for some football?!” Mark hollers entering.

There’s a collective cheer, and all eyes are on us.

“You meet your picture quota for the day?” Shane strolls over, and the two exchange a quick hug.

Besides appearing three times larger and manly, Shane doesn’t appear to have changed much. He was always on the quiet side but was never afraid to speak up when he was looking out for Mark.

His eyes move to me. “Congratulations on marrying this idiot. Now you’re stuck with the lot of us, too.”

I smile. “Thanks. You guys certainly know how to do the family thing.”

“So do you,” he gestures to my stomach. “We need another one. We’re shooting for a whole team. ”

Mark clears his throat. “Twins.” He has that shit-eating grin on his face as if he did this all by himself.

Shane’s eyes move to him. “You bastard. Of course, you had to go and show me up. Maggie,” Shane’s deep voice bellows, glancing around for his wife.

The young, beautiful, petite woman slides under Shane’s massive arm with a baby over her hip. “Twins. This shithead did that. Why can’t we do that?”

Maggie rolls her eyes. “Grizz, don’t forget I pushed this one out. You’ll be lucky to get another shot.” She sticks out her hand. “Forgive this, baby-obsessed giant. I’m Maggie. Congratulations on marrying into this nut house and on the babies. That’s incredible.”

“Yep. See. I know what I’m doing.” Mark’s chest puffs out further, and Maggie and I laugh while Shane groans, his head tipping back toward the ceiling.

“Does Sean know about this?” Shane’s voice is full of irritation.

“Sure does,” Mark gloats.

“Shit. Now, he’s going to be working for triplets.”

“Uh. No, he’s not.” Andie joins our circle, stopping next to me with a toddler on her hip. “Sean will find himself stripped of . . . .privileges if I hear such craziness.” She smiles at me. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Who’s losing privileges?” A little girl moves to stand in the center of our group. “Teddy lost privileges to liquids and balloons when that one exploded all over you.” She peers up at me. “Is there a baby in there?”

She points to my stomach.

“Liv,” both Maggie and Shane say at the same time.

Mark squats down to get eye level with her. “There are two in there,” he says with awe.

Her blue eyes grow wide, and I hear Shane groan.

“How does that happen?”

“Nice job, moron,” Shane grumbles.

“Well, I worked really hard.” Andie and Maggie laugh as Mark scoops her up. “How about you show me all the junk food they have to eat in this joint?” Mark walks away, grinning.

“We’re never going to hear the end of this,” Shane says.

Maggie pats him on the chest. “Don’t worry. You did good work, big guy. Look at this little dude.” Maggie hands over the baby, but the kid must take after his dad because there’s not much little about him. “And if you’re lucky, I might let you try again.” She winks at him and then joins the kids around the food.

“It’s a bit intimidating, isn’t it,” Andie bumps my elbow with hers. We stand at the back of the room as I try to take it all in. It is a lot, but as I watch Mark carry Liv and fist-bump the boys, I’m really grateful to even be here.

“Sean never warned me about the pranks the first time I met this crew. I found one of those rubber snakes on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night. All three men came charging in half, dazed and confused but ready to fire. There’s nothing like this family . . . anywhere. Come on,” she tips her head in the direction of the madness. “It’s best to just jump in.”

I follow her, watching Mark dance with Liv as the boys throw jabs at his ability.

“Hey, you two,” he points at them. “Grab a pencil and paper. Take notes cause one day you’ll thank me for this.” He winks at me.

I roll my eyes. I always knew Mark would make an excellent father, but seeing him like this has my hands sliding over our kicking babies, knowing there is no better man for the job.

Liv puts her hands on both sides of his face. “Why do you call her Lex, not Alex?”

“Ugh,” Shane groans. “Don’t ask. I had to hear about this so many nights. My Lex this. My Lex that,” he says, flexing his voice to a high pitch and making the kids giggle.

“Whatever, bro. You were just jealous.” Mark grins, and my cheeks heat with the attention. “I wanted everyone to know that she was mine. I branded her Lex. My name for her and mine only.”

“Can we call her Lex?” Liv asks, squishing Mark’s cheeks. “I mean . . . she’s our Lex now. She’s part of our family.”

A warm rush spreads through my chest at her, claiming me as part of this amazing family that three abandoned men created.

“Yes,” I answer, not giving Mark a chance. “You can call me Lex.”

Mark’s eyes meet mine before moving his attention back to Liv. “But no one else, ok? Just our family. I don’t like sharing, but I will this time.”

He spins Liv several times before setting her down and then slides his arms around me as he starts singing “Alone” by Heart. “How do I get you alone?” His off-key tone continues until Shane throws a fry that bounces off his back.

Mark spins. “Hey, bro. Maybe you need to be taking notes. This is how you make magic happen.”

Shane mumbles something, and I laugh, feeling right at home with these men.

“Later.” A sly smile covers his lips as he grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s sit out here and let Andie have the room to pace,” he gestures to the seats in the open air.

“You know, I’ve never actually watched a game with you.”

“Baby, this is going to be one hell of a game. I’m so happy you’re here.” He kisses my cheek. “I hope it’s me down on that field next year.”

I hear the wistfulness in his voice, and I really want that for him.

We step into the cool breeze, and Shane and two other guys stand, talking football.

“Hey, man.” A tall, handsome, dark-haired guy with piercing blue eyes leans in and hugs Mark.

“How are the Stingrays treating you?” Mark asks.

“We’ll see how next season goes. We’ve got work to do.”

“Chip, nice to see you again.” Mark slaps hands with the other guy, who’s just as tall, with lighter features and tattoos covering his massive arms.

“I’m never going to lose that nickname.”

“Nope. You’re stuck with it. You might as well put it on the back of your jersey.” Mark’s arm wraps around me. “Boys, this is my wife, Lex. Lex, this is Cole, Maggie’s brother, and this guy is Nick, but we call him Chip.”

I shake their hands, but the conversation immediately returns to football. Cole fills Mark in on his losing season with the Stingrays, and Nick talks about possibly being picked up by the Liberties.

“There’s lots of speculation about teams wanting to bring you aboard. How’s the shoulder?” Cole asks while Nick and Shane discuss training.

Mark pushes out a long breath. “I’m sitting tight. After today, hopefully, things will pick up. I’ve got to get my arm working again.”

“You will. Everyone knows what you can do. Teams will be fighting for you. I’ve got to figure out how to get my team to quit focusing on my name. ”

Mark nods. “Give it time. They’ll see. Those first seasons are tough. Hang in there. If you have time, come out and train with me.”

The big muscle in my chest twinges, wondering what those first seasons were really like for Mark.

The players are announced, and quickly, the game is in motion. Mark and I eventually sit, his hand squeezing my thigh.

“Do you get nervous before games?” I ask.

He eyes me, but only briefly before his attention goes back to the field. “Not anymore. I get my head in game mode, and I’m good. I’m more nervous watching Sean get his ass pummeled.”

The crowd roars as the opposing team scores again.

“I couldn’t eat on your game days,” I admit. I never told anyone that. I’d watch Mark’s games but never told anyone but Slade about him, so everyone thought I was just a big Liberties fan.

His hand moves from my leg to my face. “That shit’s got to stop. You’re not only going to eat, you’ll stand down there and kiss me for good luck from now on,” he nods toward the field and presses his lips to mine.

The game goes on, and with a minute and thirty left in the fourth quarter, we know it’s over. The Kingsnakes are down by ten, and there’s no coming back.

Everyone gathers their stuff, and we slowly wind our way through the stadium to the friends and family area.

When the players start to file in, Sean sweeps Andie up, but for a man whose team just lost the Super Bowl, you’d never tell. He has the biggest smile on his face as he kisses his girl.

I nudge Mark. “They’re sweet together.”

“He is so over the moon for that woman, and she’s amazing.” He turns into me, linking his arms around my neck. “It’s a good thing we got started making babies a little early. Now that his season is over, Sean will be working in a whole other way.”

I swat him.

“What?! Look at them. Tell me I’m wrong.”

I don’t look at them, giving them the privacy they deserve, but bury my face in Mark’s chest. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I want to see him try to outdo twins.”

“Oh, for real. Will I have to hear you claim ownership of creating these miracles for the rest of my life? ”

When I tip my chin up, waiting for his answer, there’s a heat in his eyes that makes my insides quiver and warm simultaneously.

“Baby, all of this is a straight up miracle.” He lays my hand flat across his heart. “But I will own making those two babies in every single way for the rest of my life.”

Awe, hell. How in the world will I ever be able to argue with that?

He brushes his lips against mine. “How about we hang out with these crazies, and then we get ready to go home?”

Home. It’s currently up in the air exactly where that will be, and the thought makes my stomach squeeze just a little.

His mouth hovers over my ear, and he starts singing again. “Til’ now, I always got by . . . ”

My head tips back with a burst of laughter. I wrap my arms around Mark’s waist and hold on tight. I know it doesn’t really matter where we are. As long as I’m with Mark, it’ll be the only place I ever want to be.