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)
I make it through the first door and walk around the corner, grinning like a fool when I see one of the guards I know. “Kevin!”
“Oh my, would you look at your bump.”
He holds his hands out like he wants to touch me. I nod, letting him. Normally, I’d say no, but I want him buttered up, so he lets me in. I really don’t want to walk to the other side where family members can enter.
“When are you due?”
“Technically, January. But I’ll have them early.”
“Them?” he asks.
“Triplets,” I tell him as I point to my side. “Twin boys.” And then I point to my right. “A girl.”
He’s in shock as his hands rest on my stomach. “Noah must be excited.”
“We are over the moon, Kevin. So happy!”
“I heard you’re not working here anymore.”
I shake my head. “I’m going to be on bed rest soon and the babies will be here during the season. I honestly don’t see myself going back to work.”
“I don’t blame you. Stay home with your family. I hear your sister is pregnant, too.”
Nodding, a smile spreads across my lips. “And I know what she’s having, but she’s sworn me to secrecy.”
“Is she going to do one of those big reveals?”
“No, she’s waiting until she gives birth. She wants everyone to be surprised.”
Kevin shakes his head slightly. “She definitely keeps your family guessing.”
“Ha! You have no idea.”
He motions behind him. “Go on,” he says. “Just remember I want to meet those babies when you have them.”
“You got it, and thank you, Kevin. For everything.”
“You’ll always be my favorite, Peyton.”
I make my way toward the field, which I’m allowed to be on thanks to the pass my husband secured for me. Noah had asked me earlier to come out here. I think he secretly wants to show off the bump. Honestly, I don’t mind. He’s very proud of his swimmers for getting the job done effectively. This will be my only go at being pregnant. Having three is more than we could’ve hoped for. Having two boys and girl will make our family complete.
As soon as I step onto the field, Noah throws the ball toward me. He’s lucky I know how to catch and not so lucky I know how to throw a spiral. I hurl it back to him and a couple of the new guys, who I haven’t met or worked with, want to know when I’m signing my contract.
“I don’t know why you do that,” I say to him when he gets close.
“Because it reminds me of the time we spent all summer working on my drop step, back home.”
“Oh yes, when you wooed me?”
Noah kisses me. “Did I really have to woo you?”
“Sort of,” I say, shrugging.
He laughs and kisses me again. “When was the last time you watched a game from the stands?”
I shake my head. “I don’t even know. Did you find out who’s coming?”
“Dad, Grandma, and Mack.”
“Is Mack still spending a lot of time with your dad?”
Noah nods. “They’re besties.”
“Does that bother you?”
He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. I love that kid.” Noah leans down and kisses me a third time. “I gotta run. I love you.” He drops to his knees and cups my growing belly. “Okay, boys. Don’t cheer too hard. I don’t want you to hurt your mommy. And my sweet girl, when your grandpa says hi, kick him.”
I swat Noah. “That’s mean.”
He laughs and runs back to the field. I watch him for a moment before making my way toward my seat. I don’t get very far when the players I’ve known for years stop and congratulate me. The only one I let touch my belly though is Julius. He gives the boys fist bumps and then taps his fingers twice where our girl is.
“That’s a love tap,” he tells me as he heads back to the field.
Watching him, it makes me sad that we’re leaving Portland. Noah and I are confident the Pioneers aren’t going to resign him, even though they say they’re ready to negotiate a new contract. Oddly, Noah’s okay with it. He talks a lot about retiring, especially now that he knows we’re having triplets. He wants to be there for the babies. All the time, not part-time or when the season’s over. I know it doesn’t help that I want to move back to Beaumont. While I know my mom and dad aren’t there, Noah’s family is and so are my grandparents, who aren’t getting any younger. I really want my babies to know my grandfather before it’s too late. He’s the last part of my father, which is odd to say since Elle and I are still around, but we barely remember Mason. It’s sad to think sometimes.
“Peyton!”
Looking up at the sound of my name, I find Mack waving his arm like a mad man. I head up the stairs and through the gate the security guard holds open for me, and toward Noah’s family. Bianca gushes when I come into full view, eyes wide with unshed tears.