Snowbound with the Santas (Forbidden Fantasies)

39. One Year Later

“ Are you having fun?”

Nina, my best friend and my utter rock in the last few months of my pregnancy, stands beside me with a glass of sparkling wine in one hand and a mince pie in the other.

While our friendship had been close, my return to America after the fiasco of last year definitely brought us closer. Not only did she become my partner in crime when it came to work and teasing my men, she became an invaluable pillar of support as my belly swelled, my ankles tripled in size, and I needed to hobble to the bathroom every forty minutes. She was my support when Ashton sent threats to the school where I worked and tried to call me constantly through four changed numbers.

He’s locked away for good now, left to rot just like he deserves.

She was there, with my men, when I went no-contact with my mother. Cutting her and Cecil off was a hard decision, but it’s been worth it. They can cut me out of the will, for all I care. My life is now mine and mine alone.

So, inviting Nina here to the cabin for Christmas was a no-brainer.

“Am I happy?” I repeat softly, holding a glass of rosy sparkling water to my chest.

I admire the scene before me. Frankie is on his knees trying to construct a playpen for our adorable son, Harry. Naming our child after his brother was a no-brainer, in my opinion. I wanted a name that represented my true family and a time of connection when all four of us had finally found our peace. Harry was perfect.

Nick stands over him, trying to decipher the pamphlet of instructions in his hands, and he often tells Frankie that he has something the wrong way around. I don’t plan on stepping in until he realizes he’s the one with the instructions upside down.

Archer stands by the fireplace with three-month-old Harry in his arms, slowly rocking him back and forth while humming along to the Christmas tunes that drift through the air over the crackling of the fire. Archer is a changed man. The hard, silent soldier still exists, but whenever Harry is present, this new, softer man takes his place. He’s as sweet as sugar and as soft as melted butter when it comes to his son. He reads to him, sings to him, dances with him at all hours of the night.

A godsend in the first few weeks after Harry’s birth when I was desperate for rest. It’s the softest I have ever seen any of them, and just thinking about it makes me well up. There’s so much love for the four of us to give that I know Harry is going to grow up completely blessed. And likely, utterly spoiled.

“You idiot,” Frankie hisses, trying to keep his voice low. He smacks Nick on the thigh with the screwdriver. “Your instructions are upside down!”

Nick scoffs, then pauses and studies the pamphlet in his hands. After a moment, realization dawns across his face, and he rolls his eyes. “Fuck.”

“Language,” Archer snaps in a baby-soft voice, still cooing down at Harry. “Or I’ll break the playpen over your head for teaching our little baby all that naughty language.”

“Give over.” Frankie snorts. “Harry’s gonna grow up swearing like a sailor just like the rest of us, and we’ll be proud of him for it.”

“It really is upside down,” Nick murmurs, running his hand back and forth through his hair. “I’ll be damned.”

Nina snorts with laughter and takes a deep sip of her drink.

“Yes,” I say finally as my chest swells with happiness. I am a proud mother with three handsome lovers and I get to spend Christmas in the most picturesque cabin in existence. “I am really happy.”

“I’m glad.” Nina beams, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Although I’m a little disappointed we didn’t crash on the way up here. I half thought you fell through some magic portal to get rescued by three hunky men.”

“Are you trying to say you want three hunky mountain men to find you ass up in the snow?”

Nina winks at me. “I would throw myself at their mercy in a heartbeat, darling.”

“You’re terrible!”

“I know.” She grins and flicks her hair. “A girl can dream.”

Indeed, she can.

Outside, snow dances past the window as the clouds burst and coat the mountains in another layer of glittering white, and just through the gap in the curtain, I can just make out the glittering reindeer lights Archer set up upon arrival. Honestly, I don’t think they’ll survive the storm.

I set my cup down and move toward my men, who are finally making progress with the playpen. Passing Nick, I caress his back and reach the gigantic real tree in the corner of the room. Archer did immense research on making sure the tree wouldn’t pose a threat to Harry before he went out to cut one down.

I slowly crouch down, ignoring the pull of an ache through my hips as I do so, and gather up the three remaining parcels under the three. Most of the presents were for Harry, but I splurged on something a little extra this year.

“Okay,” I declare. “Enough building for now. We have some presents to open. Namely, you three.” I set the presents down on each seat then cross to Archer. He kisses Harry’s forehead then very delicately deposits my son into my arms. Archer almost looks forlorn to lose the contact.

“You were growing a baby and pushing out a watermelon. You didn’t have to get us presents!” Frankie says, despite wearing a gigantic grin as he gathers up the parcel with his name on it.

“Yeah, our son is more than enough of a gift,” Nick agrees.

“Okay, I’ll remember that the next time I forget a birthday.” I chuckle.

“Honestly, you deserve a pass.” Nina laughs. “You have three birthdays to remember and they can help each other remember just one!”

“Hey, whose side are you on, Miss I mixed up Frankie’s and Archer’s birthdays ?” Archer snorts. “You’re as bad as us!”

Soft laughter fills the air as I stare down at my gorgeous baby boy. I can’t tell if he’s tired or if he just knows he’s safe because ever since we arrived here, he’s been sleeping like an angel. Every time his face moves, I see flashes of each man in it. Sometimes his frown looks like Archer. Other times, his gurgles make him look like Nick, and his smile looks like Frankie. There’s a piece of all of us in him.

I love it.

I laugh. “Okay, shut up and open your gifts.”

They do just that. There are thirty seconds of no sound except paper tearing and rustling, then slowly, amused chuckles rise up from each of my loves.

Their gift is matching Christmas sweaters, complete with one for me and a mini one for Harry. The pattern is shocking to the eyes, and the garish colors are almost nauseating. Right across the chest is a stitched design of our very first photo as a family, although you have to squint a little to really see the detail.

“Holy shit.” Archer snorts, earning a smack from Nick.

“This is…” Frankie’s eyes are wide as he laughs.

“I love it.” Nick beams at me. They all move forward, gently tackling me with hugs and kisses while just behind them, Nina whips out her phone to take a picture.

Yes. I am very happy.

I don’t know what my future will be like now as a mother, whether I’ll keep teaching or pursue something else. But I do know one thing.

With these people by my side, my life is complete.

Everything else is just a bonus.