Authors: Stephanie Beck
"You're the men we hoped you'd grow into when you were such stupid teenagers,” Thomas added, with a grin.
"Your mother is proud too,” Duane said. “From day one she's been saying how perfect that girl is for you. Mary did the best she could with you, and she's sure Poppy will finish the job of keeping you on the straight and narrow."
The boys, now men though they'd always be boys in their fathers’ eyes, nodded in unison. For Cody, the approval from men he'd learned to be a man from meant a lot. For all of them it meant a lot. They were learning no matter how much they wanted to keep Poppy in a bubble and away from anyone who would hurt her, it wasn't going to happen.
Ideally, they'd planned for the three of them to protect their woman and always provide for her. Even three wasn't enough. They were going to have to reach out, and thank God, they had their parents.
It wouldn't be easy, but their parents had laid the ground work and eventually, Poppy would start the process of making friends and becoming part of the community. The time spent only with them was necessary though, so she understood she always had them. She wrapped them around her little finger, and Cody knew they were right where they wanted to be.
Footsteps in the hall made them turn. From his place at the far end, Cody had to lean back to see the living room. Flushed and soft, Poppy wandered in. The soft blue sweats that were too big at the start of her stay, now fit snug around her middle. The bruise on her face could have been worse, but it still marred her cheek with a swollen smudge of purple.
They watched as she rubbed her eyebrows, not focusing on the kitchen. The fire was lit in the living room and drew her attention. She paused in her stocking feet, braced her hands at the small of her back and stretched, her stomach pushing out more as she gazed at the fire for a long minute. Cody smiled at his brothers as they turned to him and grinned. They recognized her waking up routine. It took a while for her to start processing and in those quiet, soft moments she was the most beautiful person in the world. Paul's chair squeaked when he shifted, and she turned to the sound.
"Oh.” She straightened and rubbed the side of her stomach, but Cody thought she was too sleepy to be honestly startled. “Hi."
"Hey there, honey,” Thomas greeted. “How are you feeling?"
"Better.” She slowly walked to the kitchen. “Have you ever slept so long you're sore from not moving?"
"Yep.” Paul chuckled. “After the heart episode I was in bed more than I was accustomed to. I ached more after a day of that, than I did stacking hay."
"I feel like I ran a marathon.” She stood despite the empty stools before her. “Without carb loading."
"You're just starting your marathon,” Duane told her. “The more those babies grow and move, the less you're going to be able to sleep, and once they're born...You just take all the sleep you can get now, sweetie. I suppose we'd better get back to Mary. We're supposed to be helping get the damn Christmas decorations set up in the living room."
The dads stood and patted their sons’ shoulders as they passed, and Cody was happy to see them stop to hug Poppy too. She was the daughter they hadn't had, and they didn't mind showing her the affection she deserved. Cody went to the stove and stirred the stew, turning the oven on to preheat for the bread. Poppy continued to stand, still fuzzy, but she didn't look upset or discontent, just a little sleepy and thoughtful.
"Everything okay, sweetheart?” Michael asked before Cody could. “Can I get you something to drink?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine,” she answered. “And I'm not thirsty. Thanks, though. I can't believe I slept that long."
"You were tired.” Now that she was awake, Trevor was more accepting of her sleeping so long. “We're sorry. We haven't been taking very good care of you lately, babe. We'll do better."
"You guys do fine.” She waved away his apology with a sleepy motion. “So, what's been happening?"
"Nothing, just settling in,” Cody answered. “We've talked to Thomas, and he's started working on things in San Antonio. He's already filed for restraining orders and every possible injunction and legal thing he can think of. I hope that's okay."
"Sure, sure.” At her absent answer he wasn't sure she was completely awake. “God, it's good to be home. I really like my bed. I like the fireplaces. I like the smells here. I like the chill in the air."
Cody saw his brothers’ reaction was like his. Since she was relaxed, they relaxed. Her words were a balm on their nerves and reassured them that even though things had gotten hard in her old home, here in her new one, she was content.
"The lady who bought your townhouse called, and said the moving truck left this morning with all your stuff. It should be here tomorrow or the next day,” Trevor told her.
She nodded and finally sat, holding open her hand. Michael grinned as he placed several pretzels in her palm.
"Speaking of calls, my father texted me an hour ago."
They all froze. Her father was a ghost in all the drama, in the shadows but not someone they'd dealt with directly. They didn't know him, but they agreed they didn't like him. Not one damn bit. Any man who refused to tuck in his baby and encouraged abusive relationships belonged under the wheels of a semi tractor.
"And?” Michael asked.
"And I'm not invited to Christmas.” Her giggle was full of genuine humor, not the pain Cody expected to hear. “Peter spilled the beans about our devil's four way and Dad is thoroughly disappointed in my judgment. If I don't end the relationship and recant my liar's tale about Steven, he'll disown me."
"And?” Cody felt ill.
"And I hope you guys weren't kidding when you said you would love me forever, because I officially disowned him first.” Poppy frowned at him as she chewed a pretzel. “I can't believe you had to ask me that, Baby Boy. You met my sisters. He's ten times worse than any of them."
"What a bastard.” Genuinely appalled at what could be worse than the “mercy” he'd seen from her sisters, he shuddered.
"Exactly. I've got three men who love me the way I am, who've never asked me to change, and made me part of their family. San Antonio can't touch how much love I have right here in this kitchen, let alone the whole house."
"Good.” Michael kissed her cheek and handed her more snacks as Cody worked on the stew. “We built this house for you, Poppy. We saved this love for you. It's only going to grow."
"I know.” She yawned so big Cody saw her tonsils. “You guys are happy, I like that. I'm going to keep making you as happy as I can. It's nice to know we can be together and be content, but there is one thing..."
"What's that, babe?” The most eager to please, Trevor beat Cody to the question.
"I'd like to get married if one of you boys can figure out a way. And I'd like to find a way to include your parents so they can all get married together too."
"We would all want that, sweetheart,” Michael said gently. “But it's illegal."
"Oh, I know it wouldn't be a legal marriage, but we could have a ceremony, make the promises to each other, right? The most important thing is that we love each other but I'm girl enough to want a wedding and all the fancy stuff, even if it's just for us. It'll just feel more official then when I change my name because I want your name."
"Then it's yours, darlin',” Cody promised. “We'll figure out a way to get everything together so by the time the babies are here you'll be a Paraby."
"I'll make some calls,” Trevor added. “I don't think it's too big of a request. How about Christmas? Too soon? It might take a little imagination, but I think we can make it happen."
"And your parents too. Your mom and dads never had the ceremony they should have. They've been together almost thirty-eight years, and I think that should be celebrated. And maybe after New Years, Trevor. I want the dress and you guys in tuxes, and pictures. Mary will want the same, so we'll need time to do a little planning."
"You can have whatever you want, sweetheart.” Michael kissed her hand and took the words from Cody's mouth. “You're amazing, you know that, Poppy? The past few days were hell on you, I know they were, but here you are planning a wedding for everyone. That's amazing."
"Naw, it's just life.” She leaned and bumped Michael's shoulder playfully. “I've decided I'm living my life for the people I love. I've got you three, your parents, and you know what? I'm going to make friends here, raise my kids, and be happy."
"Thank God,” Cody said. “We were sweating bullets, but we should've known you'd have everything figured out in that brilliant brain of yours."
"Yes, Cody, you should have.” He caught the kiss she blew his way and tucked it in his pocket. “It took a long time to get here, but I'm where I want to be, boys, and I'm going to stay."
"You'll stay here with us at the ranch?” Cody asked.
"It's not just the ranch, Baby Boy, not anymore.” She looked completely content cuddled to Michael's shoulder. “Now, it's my home."
"Oh no, stop the dog, stop the dog!"
Poppy watched, holding her sides against splitting laughter as Cody threw a snowball at the mini-golden doodle as the little guy lifted his leg to anoint the snowman version of Michael. Effeminately known as “Heidi,” the dog tripped over his feet and did a summersault before the snowball hit and distracted him, then took off after the babies again. The day dawned snowy, but just warm enough for her and Mary to bundle the active toddlers against the cold. To all of the females’ delight, all three grandpas and one daddy joined as well.
A big black truck pulled into the driveway, Poppy's excitement matching her daughters’ as it came to a halt. The two daddies absent from making snow angels finally appeared. Deirdre squealed and wiggled out of Duane's arms. Miranda kicked and screamed until Paul set her on her booted feet. Poppy stayed with the adults and watched as the babies wadded through the snow to their daddies.
Michael was out first, his head covered by the hat Poppy had knitted him for Christmas. He scooped up his girls and kissed them as they giggled. She couldn't blame them, his kisses made her giggle too, even if in an entirely different way. The main event came when Trevor rounded the truck, arms full of beautifully wrapped gifts.
He'd been in LA promoting his latest game. The long awaited blockbuster had been put on hold while he'd taken “paternity hiatus,” as he called the past eighteen months spent being the Mr. side of her Mom. She'd never felt outnumbered with her babies because Trevor never let her. From the very first day the girls came home, so tiny and needy, he'd been in the trenches, changing sheets at three AM, warming bottles, changing diapers and organizing the other men in rotation to make sure she was never alone.
For the first six months the added help had been essential, because the girls didn't sleep for more than twenty minutes at a time. Then teething started, Dee developed croup and Da had done the same out of sympathy for her twin. She didn't know how other women with sickly twins managed on their own or with even one husband. It had taken a full year for the twins to sleep through the night and that was when Trevor went back to programming.
She hadn't suddenly been left alone. Cody and Michael, who always helped, picked up where Trevor left off. They made sure household things were spread between them so nothing fell too heavily on one person, especially her.
Not only were they a family, they were a well oiled machine of poopie diapers, sippy cups, and laundry loads. Together, no task was too hard, no walk too long because when she was tired, one of her husbands took over so she could rest and when they were all too tired, grandma and grandpas sent them to bed.
They were to the fun part now. The girls were happy and healthy and incredibly beautiful. The sleepless nights were distant enough she missed having someone itty bitty in her arms. She loved the toddler stage, but she knew before long their family would need more.
It made her sad that her family was missing all of the wonderful parts, but aside from birth announcements she'd had no contact with any of her sisters, let alone her father. It was their loss. She knew Alex's cancer was in remission from one of the social networks over the internet. Her oldest nieces both had pages and kept her in the loop. They hadn't needed Michael's marrow in the end, the chemo enough to put the cancer to rest, but the offer had never been taken off the table. After everything her sisters said and did, she would never take out her frustrations on their children.
"Daddy.” The girls kissed and squealed as Trevor and Michael both reciprocated.
Finally, Trevor looked over at her and the familiar jolt was there. Ten days was a long time, longer than any of them had been apart since their marriage, and she could see the video chats, phone calls, and texts hadn't lied. He'd missed her. He handed off Da and Poppy ran to him, launching into his open arms as Michael hustled the babies aside to give them some privacy.
"I missed you.” She kissed his face all over just as their daughters had moments before. “Two weeks is too long."
"You have no fucking idea how much I missed you.” He held her too tight, but she didn't care.
They kissed and cuddled, and she laughed when he rolled her in the snow. The girls joined in, and before long a snow fight erupted and Mary was calling them inside for coco.
"Coco.” Abandoning the snowball fight, Dee grabbed hold of Michael's hand. “Coco? Cookie?"
Da was beside Poppy, tugging on her hand to help her up. “Mommy, coco. Cookie?"
Her babies, always working two fronts, she thought with a smile. They were no dummies and their chubby, pinchable cheeks and sweet personalities got them just about anything they wanted. Including coco and cookies on afternoons they played in the snow.
After they'd opened gifts from Trevor and had a messy supper, she let Trevor take over the bath and bedtime ritual. He was good at it, and the little girls had missed him. The video phone was nice, but having Daddy in person to do all the voices in their bedtime story was better.