Chapter 65 Nora #2
“Isn’t it obvious, Mum? We’re together,” Nate says, a smile spreading across his face as if saying it out loud for the first time has finally set him free.
“What do you mean?” Margaret says, but Nate ignores her as he smiles at Ev with a dopey grin.
“We’re a throuple, Margaret,” I say with confidence, practicing the new word on my tongue and loving how it feels.
She puffs out her chest. “I’m not staying here for this—”
“Sit down, Margaret.” Peter gives her a stern look. “I’ve already lost one son. I’m not losing another.” Peter steps in front of his wife and pulls Evan in for a manly hug, patting him on his back. “Welcome to the family, son.”
Ev nods and pushes his glasses up. “Thank you, sir.”
Peter places a hand on Nate’s shoulder, his own eyes swirling with emotion. He doesn’t say anything, just pulls Nate towards him and holds him tight. “I love you, son.”
“Love you, too, Dad,” Nate says, almost choking on the words.
Margaret sits in the chair, sipping her champagne as if chewing on a wasp. But nothing can spoil this day. Nothing at all.
“Shall we do the cake?” I say.
A cheer ripples through the room.
“Finally,” Dom shouts.
Poppy claps her hands again, like an excited toddler. “Everyone gather round.”
People huddle closer again, phones high, glasses clinking.
Beth switches to a softer melody on the viola behind us.
I stand between my two men. Evan on my left. Nate on my right. Their hands finding mine and holding the knife with me, their other hands on my back. I’m surrounded by love from both sides, and the mix of their aftershaves, Nate’s strong earthy scent and Evan’s fresh aromatic one.
I bask in the moment, taking it all in. My breath catching in my throat.
A few weeks ago, I thought I was going to lose everything.
Now they’re here. With me and our baby. We’re really doing this, and so far, only Margaret seems to have a distaste in her mouth.
As I glance around at all our friends, they all seem unfazed and happy as they wait patiently for the reveal.
“Oi,” Cal calls. “Hurry, before I do it myself.”
Evan laughs under his breath beside me, still shaking slightly.
I ignore Cal and milk this for a few moments longer, a smile stretching across my face, flanked by my men.
“You ready, dimples?”
I nod. “Let’s do it.”
“Together,” Ev says.
We press down. The knife slices through the icing.
Everyone leans forward.
The room goes quiet again.
Nate lifts the first slice. “Nora, it’s…”
I gasp at the colour, tears stinging my eyes.
“I owe Cal ten quid,” Ev says, his mouth gaping open at the bright pink sponge cake.
Poppy screams, “A girl!”
Cheers explode around the room.
Dom groans loudly. “I lost a tenner.”
Cal grins. “Told you.”
Nate laughs beside me, staring down at the cake like he can’t quite believe it. “A girl,” he whispers. “Our Pippa.”
“Pippa’s a nice name,” Ev says.
“I like Pippa,” I say, my hands on my belly.
“Wait,” Poppy says. “Have you just found a name that all three of you agree on?”
“I think we have.” I can’t stop smiling as I inspect the cake’s pink sponge and frosting inside.
“Stay there. I want a picture of the three of you before we cut the cake up for the buffet.” Poppy snaps her phone, all three of us grinning from ear to ear.
A waiter carries the cake away when Poppy’s finished, and Peter announces the buffet’s open.
Lynn hugs the three of us. “Congratulations. I can’t wait to meet my granddaughter.” She kisses my forehead and pats Nate on the cheek. “You know statistics for triads aren’t great.”
“Mum,” Ev says, rolling his eyes.
“Let me finish.” She holds a finger to his lips. “I think you three will be the exception.”
Ev huffs. “What’s changed your mind?”
“Because you have me for a mother, and I’ll give you all free counselling for as long as I’m alive.” She laughs to herself, then meanders to the buffet.
Everyone seems so normal, getting finger food and drinking the rest of the champagne on the tables.
As if we haven’t just let off a truth bomb in the middle of a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
Apart from Margaret, who’s still sitting where Peter left her, glaring at Evan as if he’s the one who corrupted her son.
I rise on my tiptoes at the buffet table and whisper to Nate, “Should we check on your mum?”
He turns his head, peering over his shoulder. “Nah, let her stew for a while.”
“She’s still here,” Ev says, grabbing a few sandwiches. “That’s a good sign.”
Nate huffs. “Only because she needs Dad to drive her home.”
“I think she’ll be happy about us having a girl, at least.”
“She’ll want to make sure she’s involved.” Nate mocks his mother. “Kids need the right guidance.”
I swat his arm. “She means well, she just needs…” I glance back and feel sorry for her.
“Guidance?” Ev says, adding some mini sausage rolls to my plate.
Jamie flings his arms around Nate and Ev. “Congratulations. About time you two arsewipes came out.”
Nate shrugs out of his hold. “Leave it out, you fucker. I swear, if you make one more joke—”
“Relax,” he laughs. “I think it’s great. Plus, now I get to say I told you so to all the lads at rugby.”
“What do you mean?” Ev says, his eyes widening.
“Me and Glen knew you two had something going for years.”
“We literally just got together about six months back,” Nate says.
“Yeah, yeah.” Jamie waves his hand, then picks up a chicken wing from the buffet. “You two have been eye-fucking each other for years.”
“So…” Ev adjusts his glasses, clearly recalculating his entire life. “You’re not shocked?”
“Mate, I was more shocked when Nate here said he was getting married to Nora.” He pats Ev on the back.
Glen joins in on the conversation. “The only surprise here is that you finally admitted it.”
“So everyone at rugby—”
“Already think it, yes.” Glen laughs. “You two would stare at each other more than you looked at the ball during matches.”
Jamie licks the grease from his fingers. “Mate, the sexual tension could’ve powered the floodlights.” He shakes his head and grabs another chicken wing before walking back over to his buddies.
“I was so worried about what people would say.” Ev gapes at the buffet table.
“You don’t have to be afraid anymore,” Nate says. “I told you I’ll take care of you.” He places his hand on the small of my back. “Both of you.”
I look between the two men I love. Evan stunned, like he can’t quite believe he actually stood up there and said all of that. Nate looks lighter than I’ve seen him in months.
And I’m whole.
I kiss Evan first, then Nate. “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks,” I say. “We love each other. We’re happy.” My hands rest over my stomach. Our daughter flutters softly beneath my palm.
She’s coming into a world where she’s already loved by three people who would burn it down for her. And that’s more than I ever imagined. More than I ever wished for.
Maybe there is someone up there, not just listening to my prayers, but knowing what’s in my heart. Because this happy ever after is nothing short of a miracle.