Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 63(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 63(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
Katelin found a way to put worry aside. She’s that kind of woman. Her no nonsense approach to everything is one of the things that attracted me to her in the first place. But the thing about loving someone so hard is that often, you worry about them more than they worry for themselves.
At least I have my brothers to share the burden with. Between us, we talk when we need to, and keep our concerns away from Katelin. She gets to have a normal life and enjoy our children. She deserves no less.
“You look gorgeous,” I say.
“Perfection,” Jason agrees.
“A goddess,” Bryan adds.
“Mommy, you’re so pretty,” Isaac says, his big green eyes wide as saucers.
She bends to straighten his jumper and pepper his face with gentle kisses. “Thank you, sweetie.” She bends and lowers her tone. “You look pretty good yourself.”
When he puffs out his little chest, I have to blow out a breath.
“Can I hold your hand?” Katelin asks.
“Sure, Mommy. I’m taking my dinosaur.”
“Good choice.” Katelin straightens and smooths her skirt before taking Isaac’s chubby hand.
“I’ve got Issy,” Bryan says.
“I guess that leaves me in charge of carrying all the bags?” Jason grimaces at the pile of things Katelin deems necessary for an afternoon at Harrison’s house. Like they don’t have a kid and everything we could require under their own roof.
“You snooze you lose,” I say as my twin loads both his shoulders with bag straps and then fills his arms with the box of food and drink Katelin has bought as our contribution to the day.
“Ready to go?” Bryan asks.
My eyes drift over our strange but perfect family, at our children who are such a perfect blend of all of us, at my brothers who make my life better every day, and at the woman who is the center of our universe.
This time of year, over all others, makes me thankful for how far we’ve come, and pray for many more steps in our journey to come.
7
BETHANY
“I think I need to sleep,” Liam says, throwing his arm around me and snuggling closer on Harrison’s super comfy sectional.
“This couch is perfect for that,” Harrison says, but then his eyes drift over the other eight people currently crowded on and he shrugs. “At least, it is when it’s just me and Jenna around.”
“Anyway, it’s too early to be sleepy,” I tell Liam. “Have a cup of coffee or a shot of something. We’ve got games to play, and we haven’t cut the cake yet.”
I glance over at the dining table, checking the children haven’t attacked my four tier winter spectacular cake. With its white frosting and fondant, trees and winter animals, not to mention a sugar lake, it took me the best part of three days to complete. It’s a miracle we transported it here in one piece and If I don’t get at least one festive group picture around it, I’m going to cry.
“That cake is something else,” Carrie says. “You really have broken all the records for confectionery awesomeness.”
“You should have seen the wedding cake she made last week,” Liam says. “It brought tears to my eyes.”
“Big softie,” I say, kissing my husband’s stubbly jaw.
“Big girl more like,” Bryan says.
Katelin shoots him a withering look, adjusting little Isaac on her knee. “Ignore my husband. He’s pretending he doesn’t have a sensitive side, but as you can see, he really does.”
We all focus on sleeping Isaiah, who’s cradled in Bryan’s arms. “Don’t tell everyone,” Bryan frowns with mock anger.
“So, who’s down for a game of beer pong?” Jenna asks. “We can shift the cake and set up on the dining table.”
Callum’s eyes meet mine, and he’s instantly aware of my feelings. “Tell you what,” he says quickly. “Let’s set up a group picture with the cake and when we’ve done that, we can risk moving it.”
Jenna looks between us. “Okay. That sounds great.”
I forgive my friend’s lack of understanding about cake. She wasn’t present for the early disaster in my baking career when one of my first four tier cakes collapsed just before it was going to be delivered. To say I almost had a heart attack wouldn’t be an overstatement.
“Come on then, everyone,” Ryan says, always the organizer. “Kids. Time for photos.”
“What shall I do about Isaiah?” Bryan asks.
“Hold him for the photo. It’ll be a cute memory,” Katelin says. “Poor baby has been worn out by food and fun.”
“I didn’t know my Christmas lunch was capable of such things,” Jenna grins.
“If we weren’t all concerned with being polite, we’d all be nodding off right now.” Matty pats his belly and I shake my head. It must be good genes because all my husbands have kept trim. I glance down at my own body, which has borne six children in four pregnancies. There is a lot about it that differs from when I first met my men. Stretch marks are inevitable in twin pregnancies, and loose skin is the gift that gets left behind after. My hips have widened, and my breasts are fuller and need a whole lot more support than they used to. I could feel bad about the changes, but Callum, Liam, Matty and Ryan have never made me feel anything less than a goddess. In fact, they worship my body even more because of what it’s given them. A family. A life filled with joy. A future to look forward to.