Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“You know, this time next year, the babies will be crawling.”
Just as Peyton says this, Oliver runs by screaming as Harrison chases him.
“We’ll have three of those,” I say, pointing to Ollie.
“It’s never going to be quiet in our house again.”
“Bring it on,” I tell her. I don’t care what my life is going to be like, I’m ready for our babies to get here. “We need to go shopping.”
Peyton laughs. “I think we need our own place in Beaumont.”
I take a drink of my water. “Yep, on it. We’ll figure it out before the babies get here. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
I look at her, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you and our babies.”
“I know and we love you for it.”
We end up staying at Peyton’s parents for a few more hours. My parents and sister, along with Nick and the kids, all come back to our house, which is bigger than Harrison & Katelyn’s. By the time we crawl into bed, I’m exhausted, which means Peyton must be running on fumes.
We’re lying on our sides and, I’ll admit, I’m jealous of the pregnancy pillow she has right now. I’d rather her wrap her body around me but I know she can’t.
“I’ve been so excited about the triplets I haven’t asked if you’re happy.”
“I don’t think happy is the right word, Noah. We’ve gone through these stages in our life together, from dating to being engaged, to getting married. Kids were always on our list and then we struggled. I wasn’t sure we’d make it to this stage. I prayed, hoped, mediated. All I wanted was to have a child with you, to create a life that is the best parts of us.”
Peyton puts my hand on her bare stomach.
“We created three. Two boys and a girl. Our family is beyond complete. Having three at once doesn’t scare me. I’m so eager to have all three in my arms, in this bed between us while we watch them sleep. I am counting the days until I see you holding our daughter, protecting her. Teaching our boys how to be men.”
“The man in me wants the boys to be born first,” I tell her. “I want them to be big brothers to our little girl.”
“I think, no matter what, they’ll be the best big brothers. They have you and Quinn as role models.”
“And JD.”
Peyton rolls her eyes. “He’ll teach the kids some weird Britishisms and we won’t have any idea what they’re saying.”
“This pregnancy is going to be harder than we thought.”
Peyton nods. “I’ll be on bed rest.”
“I don’t like that I won’t be with you all the time.”
“I know, which is another reason I want to go to Beaumont. I know my parents are here, but unless my mom moves in, it’ll take an hour for her to get here. Plus, she has Oliver. I know she’ll come when I call, but I think that puts a lot of pressure on her.”
“We’ll find a place. I’ll start tomorrow.”
“I’ll stay in Portland for a bit. I’m not ready to give up on watching you play football just yet.”
I can’t help but smile.
“Are you okay with me posting our pic?”
Peyton nods. I lean over to the nightstand and grab my phone. I have a series of photos in my drafts. We go through them and pick one together. It’s of us kissing, her bump is showing, and Stevie Nicks is sitting in front of us. We took it one morning last week after the pup and I went for a run on the beach and Peyton did yoga. It’s very us in our normal lives.
Introducing Stevie Nicks. Our newish addition to the family.
“What do you think?”
“I approve of the ‘newish’ term.”
“How many times do you think people will ask if you’re pregnant?”
“Many, even though as soon as you post it, Elle will comment with the pregnancy emoji.”
“God, I love her.”
I publish the picture and wait about thirty seconds for the likes and comments to come in. Sure enough, Elle is first, and she comes through with the emoji. Followed by Paige saying she can’t wait to be an auntie.
Peyton clicks on Paige’s profile. “How does she have so many followers?”
“She’s popular on the apps,” I tell her.
We watch the comments roll in and respond to the ones from my teammates. I turn my phone off and give all my attention to my wife.
“Now, let’s talk names.”
27
PEYTON
The rideshare drops me off at the side entrance of the stadium, the one employee’s use. Although, I’m no longer employed. For all I know security won’t let me through and they’ll send me around to the gated entrances with the hordes of people. I suppose if I hadn’t quit, the owners would be happy to have me at the game. We’re not exactly seeing eye-to-eye at the moment. They were happy to send game film my way and agreed to pay my fee. However, when they found out I had been contacted by other teams and players, they tried to pull some non-existent contract bullshit on me. It’s funny, I never remember signing one, and they couldn’t produce one when I asked to see it.