BONUS EPILOGUE
ADELAIDE
“Can’t believe she chose soccer over hockey,” my pouty husband grumbles as he unfolds our chairs next to Everly and Grace on the sidelines of Izzy’s game.
“Their hockey team was all girls. The soccer team is co-ed. Are you actually that dumb?” Everly teases him and I cringe.
Dumb—No.
In denial—Maybe just a little bit.
Leo looks for Ares and Cross and stomps off like a child as the rest of us snicker. “Be nice, Everly. He saw a training bra in Izzy’s laundry the other day and I thought he was having a stroke. He couldn’t form words he was so upset.”
Gracie bites back her laughter as the triplets and Lennox kick the ball behind us. “So it begins. I’m not sure I’m ready for them to be teenagers just yet,” she laments and reaches for her coffee. “Did we spike these today, ladies?”
“Shh,” Everly groans. “Don’t say that too loud or you’ll have everyone thinking we’re drunks.”
“I meant with espresso,” Gracie’s innocent blue eyes blink back at her twin. “What were you talking about?”
“Nothing,” Everly grumbles and sips her own travel cup apparently filled with more than just coffee.
Gracie snatches it out of her hand and sips. “What the hell, Evie?” she hands the cup to me and giggles, before lowering her voice. “If you’re bringing mimosas to a soccer tournament, the least you can do is bring enough for us.”
“Oh ye of little faith.” Everly reaches into one of the many pockets in her big black bag and comes back out with two additional travel cups. “Who’s got your back better than me, ladies?”
Gracie claps her hands excitedly, happily taking the proffered cup. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“I’m okay, thanks,” I take a sip of my water and try to look away. These women may have seemed like an intimidating force when I first met them, but they’ve taken me in like one of their own almost immediately since. Unfortunately, that means they know me too well.
“Oh for fuck’s sake… again?” Everly asks as her eyes go to my five-month-old son sleeping soundly in his stroller. “You two are too much.”
I sink back into my chair and pull my hat down, lower, over my eyes. “Lower your voice. I haven’t told Leo yet.”
“Pretty sure he was there when it happened, so it shouldn’t exactly come as a surprise,” Gracie teases, and Belle walks over to us, catching her last few words.
“What are you surprising Leo with?” my mother-in-law looks from me to her daughters, then gasps as she puts it together. “Really… another baby?”
My foot slips, and I accidentally kick Everly. “Please don’t say anything. I just had it confirmed this morning.”
“My lips are sealed,” Belles agrees as she presses her lips to her grandson’s head. “Come on handsome. Let’s go for a walk.”
“I’ve got five bucks that says the whole family knows before we go to bed tonight,” Gracie smiles and sips her mimosa.
“Ten says we don’t make it through dinner.” Everly taps her cup to Grace’s and I groan.
“You know you Sinclairs are way more evil than anyone realizes, right?” I ask as the girls take the field and both sisters shrug.
“Yeah well, welcome to the club. It’s super exclusive, and we don’t let just anyone in.”
I know Everly is teasing me and maybe it’s the hormones—I mean, I did just have a baby five months ago, and I did just find out my husband and his super sperm basically knocked me up again the minute we were given the go ahead for sex… but I have to hold back the tears that flood my eyes. “Yeah, well… I love this club. Thanks for letting me in it.”
“Oh, no…” Grace takes my hand in hers. “You’re not allowed to cry. If you cry, I’m going to cry.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Everly snickers and sips her mimosa. “You’re not pregnant again too, are you? What the hell—Give me back that drink.”
Gracie hugs her travel mug to her chest. “No, you asshole, I’m not pregnant, too.”
“Wait… who’s pregnant?” Cross asks as he, Ares and Leo walk back over, ready for the game to start.
“Not me,” Everly preens as she looks at Gracie and I.
Ares eyes grow wide, and Gracie sputters, “Hell, no.” She holds up her drink. “There’s champagne in this.”
Everyone turns to me, and a slow grin spreads across Leo’s handsome face as he leans his hands on my armrests, caging me in. “Is there champagne in your cup, sweetheart?”
“No,” I whisper and cup his cheek in my hand. “But I’m nursing so there wouldn’t be, now would there?”
“Adelaide…” My God, that smile on this man is everything I ever wanted wrapped up in one incredible human.
“Yes, Leo…” I drag my nails through his day old scruff and brush my lips over his, choosing to ignore the cat-calling coming from the family. “You know that smile is how we got ourselves into this mess,” I tease.
“What mess, wife?”
“The one where I’m pregnant, again.” No sooner do the words slip past my lips than he picks me up, ignoring everyone around us, and plants the most delicious kiss on my lips as he walks us away for a tiny little spec of privacy.
“You’re giving me another baby, sweetheart?” His voice is soft and sweet, and I melt in his arms the same damn way I always do the second my husband touches me.
“In about six months,” I breathe out as a soccer ball comes flying at us with Lennox and the triplets following behind. “Are you mad?”
“Fuck, no. I’m not even mad my sisters knew before I did,” he laughs. “I love you Adelaide Sinclair.”
“I love you too, Leo.”