Military Daddies’ Nanny (Lucky Women’s Daddies Reverse Harem #1)

Chapter 15

Nathan

The school bus pulls away from the curb, Jason's excited face visible through the window as he waves goodbye. Nancy and I return the gesture, watching until the vehicle disappears around the corner, carrying Drew's son off to his robotics competition.

"He seems so happy," Nancy remarks, a soft smile playing across her lips. "It's wonderful to see him coming out of his shell."

I nod in agreement, warmth blooming in my chest at her words. "You've been amazing with both kids. The change in them since you came into our lives...it's like night and day."

A faint blush colors her cheeks as she tucks a stray curl behind her ear. "I'm just glad I can help. They're such great kids—they just needed someone to see that."

We start walking back toward my car, a comfortable silence settling between us. Being with Nancy is easy like that. We don't always need words to fill the space.

"So," I say as we reach the vehicle, "since we've got some free time before Jason needs to be picked up, what do you say to grabbing lunch? There's a great little diner not far from here."

Her eyes light up. "Ooh, that sounds perfect. I'm starving."

Twenty minutes later, we're settled into a cozy booth at Rosie's, mugs of steaming coffee in front of us as we peruse the menu. It's a quaint place, all checkered tablecloths and photos of smiling patrons lining the walls. This kind of hidden gem locals keep coming back for decades.

After we place our orders—a Reuben for me, chicken salad for Nancy—she props her elbows on the table and fixes me with a curious look. "So, Nathan Johnson. Tell me something I don't know about you."

I chuckle, pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose. "Hmm. Well, did you know I once built a fully functional robot out of spare parts I found in a junkyard?"

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Seriously? How old were you?"

"Fifteen," I reply with a grin. "Drew thought I was insane, tinkering away in the garage at all hours. But three months later, I had this little guy who could fetch the newspaper and make toast."

Nancy shakes her head, laughing. "I shouldn't even be surprised. You're kind of a genius, you know that?"

I feel heat creep up my neck at the compliment. Even after all these years, I'm still not great at accepting praise. "I just...like figuring out how things work. How to make them better."

Our food arrives then, and for a few minutes, we're quiet, savoring the first bites. But I can see the wheels turning behind Nancy's hazel eyes. There's a question forming there.

Finally, she sets down her fork and meets my gaze. "Is that what drew you to military engineering? Getting to work on cutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of what's possible?"

And there it is. The ghost that's haunted me for years, even now that I'm out. I take a long sip of coffee, buying myself a moment to gather my thoughts.

"Partly," I admit. "The resources, the brilliant minds you get to collaborate with…it was incredible. For a while, I really thought I'd found my calling."

I fall silent, staring down at my half-eaten sandwich. Nancy reaches across the table to lay her hand over mine. "What changed?"

I draw in a deep breath, steeling myself. I've never talked about this with anyone outside my brother and Carlos. But Nancy...she has a way of making me want to let her in.

"About four years ago, I was part of a team developing new equipment for our battalion," I begin quietly. "We'd created this device that could detonate bombs from a safe distance, minimizing risk to our troops. It worked beautifully in all the tests. I was so proud..."

I trail off, swallowing hard against the lump forming in my throat. Nancy squeezes my hand gently. "You don't have to tell me if it's too difficult."

But I shake my head. She deserves to know this part of me. "No, I...I want you to understand. See, what I didn't consider was that the enemy would be willing to throw themselves on top of bomb after bomb, all because of an idea they believed in. And then, one day, they caught us in a trap, and used one of those devices on us.”

I close my eyes, and for a moment I'm back there, ears ringing from the explosion, choking on dust and smoke."The first time they used that tactic, an entire squad was wiped out. Eighteen men and women, gone in an instant. Because of something I created."

"Oh, Nathan." Nancy's voice is barely above a whisper. When I look up, her eyes are shining with unshed tears. "That's...I can't even imagine how devastating that must have been."

I nod jerkily. "I couldn't sleep for weeks. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw their faces. Started having panic attacks in the lab. Finally, I just...I couldn't do it anymore. I got an honorable discharge and came home."

For a long moment, we're both quiet. Then Nancy speaks, her tone gentle but firm. "Nathan, listen to me. What happened to those soldiers was a tragedy. But it wasn't your fault." I start to protest, but she holds up a hand. "No, hear me out. You created a tool to save lives. The fact that it was misused, that's on the people who chose violence. Not you."

"But if I hadn't—"

"If you hadn't, someone else would have," she interjects. "And maybe they wouldn't have cared as much as you did. You have such a good heart, Nathan. It's not a weakness to want to minimize harm."

I blink rapidly, feeling the sting of tears. "Drew and Carlos, they've tried to tell me the same thing. But somehow...hearing it from you, I almost believe it."

Nancy smiles softly. "Well, get used to it. Because I'm going to keep reminding you until it sinks in. You're not responsible for the actions of others. All you can do is try to put more good into the world than bad. And from where I'm sitting? You're doing a damn fine job of that."

Something loosens in my chest then, a knot of guilt I've been carrying for so long I'd almost forgotten it was there. "Thank you," I murmur. "For listening. For...seeing me."

"Always," she replies simply. And I believe her.

We finish our meal talking of lighter things—Jason's upcoming science fair project, the truly horrific movie Carlos made us all watch last weekend. But there's a new undercurrent between us, born of shared vulnerability.

As we head back to my car, I'm struck by a sudden swell of emotion. I reach for Nancy's hand, lacing our fingers together. She glances up at me, a question in her eyes.

"I'm just...really glad you're here," I tell her. "That you're part of our family now."

Her steps falter slightly, surprise flickering across her features. "Nathan, I...I don't know what to say. You guys have been so welcoming, but I guess I wasn't sure..."

I stop, turning to face her fully. "Nancy. You belong with us. Maybe it's unconventional, this...whatever we want to call it. But you fit. Like the missing piece we didn't even know we needed."

She searches my face for a long moment, then a slow smile spreads across her lips. "You're right. I do feel like I belong here. With all of you."

"Good," I murmur, tucking a windblown curl behind her ear. "Because I don't think any of us are letting you go now."

We're so close I can see the flecks of gold in her irises and count each of her eyelashes. My gaze drops to her mouth and I know she sees my intention a split second before I lean in.

The kiss is soft and reverent. It’s a reaffirmation of everything that's been said and left unsaid. When we part, Nancy's eyes are shining. "I’m right here," she whispers. "You know that, right?"

My heart swells, threatening to burst right out of my ribcage. "Yeah. I do. I’m here too."

And in that moment, with the afternoon sun warm on our faces and the woman I adore in my arms, I feel something settle deep in my soul.

For the first time in longer than I can remember, I am whole. As whole as I could hope to be after seeing the things that veterans see while on tour, in any case. But, heavens, it’s enough.

We climb back into the car, and I can't help but marvel at how natural it feels–Nancy in the passenger seat beside me, her fingers still interlaced with mine over the center console. The air between us hums with a new energy, equal parts exhilarating and comforting.

"So," Nancy says as I pull out onto the main road, a teasing lilt to her voice. "Does this mean I get to start calling you my boyfriend?"

I let out a surprised laugh. "I think we might be a little past conventional labels at this point, don't you? I mean, considering..."

"Considering I'm dating you, your brother, and your best friend simultaneously?" She grins, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, I suppose 'boyfriend' doesn't quite cover it."

"You know, I've been thinking about that," I muse, thumb absently stroking the back of her hand. "Maybe we need to come up with our own vocabulary. I kind of like the sound of 'quadruple'."

Nancy's brow furrows adorably. "As in...?"

"Well, you've got couples, right? And triads. So logically, a relationship between four people would be a quadruple."

She considers this for a moment, then nods decisively. "I like it. Has a nice, science-y ring to it. Very you."

We both dissolve into laughter then. The ridiculousness of trying to define whatever this beautiful, chaotic thing between the four of us is finally hitting home.

And yet...there's freedom in the absurdity. A sense that we're forging our own path here, making the rules up as we go.

"Can I ask you something?" Nancy says after our giggles have subsided. There's a more serious note to her tone now that has me glancing over.

"Of course. Anything."

She bites her lower lip, seeming to choose her words carefully. "This arrangement we have...I know it's unconventional. And honestly, I never pictured myself in this kind of situation. But being with you, and Drew, and Carlos—it just feels right, you know?"

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "I do know. Believe me."

"But I guess I'm wondering...does it ever bother you? Sharing me with them? I mean, you're all so close, I know, but still. I wouldn't blame you if there was some jealousy there."

It's a fair question, and it’s one I've grappled with myself over the past weeks. I take a moment to really examine my feelings before answering.

"I won't lie and say the thought has never crossed my mind," I admit. "Especially in the beginning, when everything was new, and we were still figuring out the dynamics. But Nancy, the thing is...I don't feel like I'm sharing you. Not really."

She tilts her head, curious. "What do you mean?"

I drum my fingers against the steering wheel, searching for the right words. "It's like...okay, you know how they say the heart is infinitely expandable? That loving one person doesn't diminish your capacity to love another?"

"Sure..."

"Well, I think that applies here. The way I feel for you and what we share is uniquely ours. Just like what you have with Drew is special to the two of you, and with Carlos. We each bring something different to the table, fulfill different needs.

“So yeah, sometimes I might wish I had more time alone with you. But I would never want to take away the bonds you have with them. Because I see how happy they make you. How whole you are when we're all together."

I risk a glance over and find Nancy watching me, eyes glistening. "You amaze me, you know that?" she says softly. "Your capacity for love, for acceptance...I've never known anyone like you, Nathan."

Warmth blooms in my chest at her words. "I could say the same about you. I mean, you're the linchpin holding this whole crazy quadruple together. Without you..."

I trail off, not quite able to finish the thought. Because the truth is, I can't imagine our lives without Nancy in them anymore. She filled a void we didn't even know was there and brought us closer not only to her but also to each other. The four of us, we're stronger together. Better.

Nancy seems to read my mind, squeezing my hand. "Hey. I'm not going anywhere. You guys are stuck with me, remember?"

I grin, lifting our joined hands to press a kiss to her knuckles. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

We lapse into comfortable silence for a while, the radio playing softly in the background. I find my thoughts drifting to the future, not with anxiety as they so often used to, but with a tentative hope. For the first time in a long time, I'm excited for the future.

"You know," Nancy muses eventually, "at some point, we should probably sit down and hash out some...I don't know, ground rules? Boundaries? Just so everyone's on the same page."

I nod, thinking of the research I've already started doing into ethical non-monogamy. Leave it to me to turn even love into an academic pursuit.

"Definitely. Communication is key in any relationship, but especially one as complex as ours. Maybe we can get everyone together this weekend and have a talk?"

"Sounds perfect," she agrees. Then a sly smile curves her lips. "Although I vote we have the serious discussion after engaging in some decidedly less serious activities. It's been far too long since I had all three of you in one bed."

A jolt of desire shoots through me at her words, and I have to focus very hard on the road to keep from swerving. "Jesus, Nancy. You can't just say things like that when I'm driving."

She laughs, utterly unrepentant. "Why? Am I making it hard for you?"

I groan at the terrible pun, but I'm grinning too. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Mhmm, and yet you want me anyway."

"God help me, I do."

“So, what do you want to do?”

Her eyes narrow in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Jason is not due back for another two hours. We could go back home or do whatever you want.”

I hope she doesn’t say she wants to go home. As much as I’d love to take her bed and be nestled in her warmth, a part of me also wants to enjoy being outside with her, doing whatever silly or fun things we can find to do.

It’s been a while since I allowed myself to do anything that wasn’t focused on the children.

“Hmm…how about we drive around and see what we can find to do?” she smiles, looking out the window contentedly.

We end up taking a stroll in a park downtown, and I can’t even take a few steps without stealing a glance at Nancy.

The sun is already on its way down when we leave the park. Jason’s school bus should just be a short distance from the school, which is just a few blocks away from the park.

The traffic is heavier than usual, and I try to hide my worry about us getting to the school late and making Jason wait for us. Shouldn’t be a big deal, except Drew is usually very finicky about things like punctuality.

When we reach the school, we join the cluster of other parents waiting to pick up their budding scientists.

As I put the car in park, Nancy leans over to press a swift, heated kiss to my lips. "For the record," she murmurs, “I have some ideas that I think you’ll appreciate when there’s time to show you.”

And with that tantalizing thought seared into my brain, she winks and hops out to go collect Jason, leaving me slack-jawed in the driver's seat. I shake my head, torn between exasperation and amusement. What have I gotten myself into with this woman?

But as I watch Nancy envelop Jason in a hug, and listen with rapt attention as he chatters about his day, I know the answer. Something wonderful. Something I never want to let go of.

I may not know exactly what the future holds for our unconventional family, but for the first time in my life, I'm not afraid to find out.