Epilogue
Nancy
The sound of laughter drifts through the open window, pulling me from my thoughts. I smile, setting down the book I've been attempting to read for the past hour. My hand drifts to my swollen belly, feeling the gentle kicks of the new life growing within me.
Outside, I can see Drew chasing our two-year-old daughter, Esperanza, around the yard. Her dark curls bounce as she runs, her giggles filling the air. Bella is helping Nathan at the grill, while Jason and Carlos set the picnic table.
This is my life now. A life filled with love, laughter, and more happiness than I ever thought possible. I had been worried at first, how the kids would take the news that I was with all three men and would become their mom.
However, they took it quite well despite being a little confused. This is why I like children. At the core, they are sweet and don’t judge. It is only when they are tainted by life and the words and directions of others that they change.
Jason and Bella welcomed me home with open arms, and since then, they have gotten used to our dynamic. According to them, they already used to say they had three dads, but now, at least, they have a mom, too.
We moved to a bigger house since our family was and will continue to be bigger. It was a surprise gift to me, right after Esperanza’s birth. No wonder they were busier than usual during my pregnancy. They secretly set up everything in this house and surprised me after I was discharged from the hospital.
I love them so much.
As I waddle—because at seven months pregnant, there's really no other word for it—to the patio door, I catch Drew's eye. He grins, scooping up Esperanza and heading towards me.
"Mama!" Esperanza squeals, reaching for me as they approach.
"Careful, mija ," Drew says gently. "Remember, we have to be gentle with Mama right now."
I reach out to stroke her cheek. "It's okay, sweetheart. Do you want to feel your little brother or sister kick?"
Her eyes widen with excitement, and she nods vigorously. Drew sets her down, and she places her tiny hands on my belly. When the baby kicks, her face lights up with wonder.
"Baby say hi!" she exclaims.
"That's right, love," I say, running my fingers through her curls. "The baby's saying hello."
Drew wraps an arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my temple. "How are you feeling?"
"Like a beached whale," I admit with a laugh. "But happy. So, so happy."
"Food's almost ready!" Nathan calls from the grill. Bella proudly holds up a plate of perfectly grilled vegetables.
"Great job, Bella," I call out, and she beams at the praise.
"Can I get you anything, Nancy?" Jason asks, always the thoughtful one.
"I'm fine, sweetheart, but thank you," I reply, ruffling his hair as he passes.
As we settle around the picnic table, Esperanza securely fastened in her booster seat between Jason and Carlos, I'm struck once again by how perfect this all feels. Our little family, brought together by love and choice rather than traditional bonds.
The conversation flows easily as we eat. We discuss work, school, and upcoming plans. Bella excitedly talks about her last sleepover with her friends and the new band they’re all fangirling over, while Jason confidently mentions a robotics competition he's entering.
After dinner, as the sun begins to set, my phone rings. It's Jamie.
"Let me talk to Jamie," I say, pushing myself up from the chair with some effort. "You guys clean up."
I waddle back into the house, settling onto the couch as I answer the call. "Hey, Jamie. How's it going?"
"Nancy! Hey, how are you doing?"
I laugh at her excitement. You would think she hadn’t heard from me in ages.
“I’m fine, Jamie. How’s your move going?” Jamie is in the middle of moving buildings since her landlord sold the place she had been a resident at for years.
"Ugh...” she groans. “I thought it would be a lot of fun, but it doesn’t seem to be going in that direction.”
“Aww, poor Jamie, you just need a little bit of excitement in your life.”
She sighs. “Don’t I know it? Now, the question is where do I find this excitement?”
“Well…maybe you should let it come to you,” I say empathetically. “Sometimes great things happen when you’re not paying attention.”
“Well, you would know. Your life is full of so much excitement, you would be the perfect person to write a manual on that,” she states, her voice light with laughter.
I feel my cheeks warm at the compliment. "We're just figuring it out as we go, like anyone else."
"Maybe, but you're figuring it out beautifully. How are you all doing, by the way? How's my niece? And the new baby?"
We chat for a while longer, catching up on life. As I talk about Esperanza's latest milestones and the preparations for the new baby, I'm filled with a sense of contentment.
When we hang up, I sit for a moment, lost in thought. I think about Jamie. I hope she finds the same happiness I have.
The patio door slides open, and I look up to see all three of my men entering, Esperanza fast asleep in Drew's arms.
"Everything okay?" Nathan asks, noticing my pensive expression.
I nod, smiling. "Everything's perfect. Jamie says hi, by the way. She’s hoping for some excitement to come her way."
Their eyebrows raise in unison, making me laugh as Drew takes Esperanza up to bed.
"Well," Carlos says when I finish, "I hope it works out for her as well as it has for us."
"Me too," I agree, reaching out my hands. They each take one, helping me to my feet. "Now, who wants to rub my swollen ankles?"
They exchange glances, and then all volunteer at once, causing me to burst into laughter. Later that night, as we're all cuddled in our oversized bed—a custom piece Nathan designed to comfortably fit all four of us—I find myself overwhelmed with emotion.
"I love you," I whisper into the darkness. "All of you. So much."
Drew's arm tightens around my waist. "We love you too, Nancy," he murmurs.
"More than words can say," Nathan adds, his hand resting protectively on my belly.
Carlos, spooned behind Drew, reaches across to touch my face. "You and Esperanza and this new baby...you're everything to us."
As I drift off to sleep, surrounded by the warmth and love of my family, I think about how far we've come. From that first day when I showed up as a nanny, nervous and unsure, to now, carrying our second child, more loved and in love than I ever thought possible.
Our path hasn't always been easy. We've had our share of challenges, of raised eyebrows and judgmental comments. But we've faced it all together, our love only growing stronger with each obstacle we overcome.
And now, as we prepare to welcome another child into our unusual but beautiful family, I know that we can handle anything life throws our way.
Because we have each other. Because we've chosen this life, this love, with open eyes and full hearts.
As sleep claims me, my last thought is of gratitude. For Drew's strength, Nathan's gentleness, Carlos's passion. For Esperanza's laughter and the new baby's kicks. For this life we've built together.
It’s not like anything I would have ever expected. But it's ours. And it's perfect.