Chapter 94: Bryn

**Three weeks.**

That’s how long it takes for us all to return home. Three weeks of watching the guys slowly heal and try their hardest not to show how hard they’re hurting. Maddox and Sawyer are still not cleared to return to playing, which has made them a little cranky. Nolan has gone back to his TA duties and I’ve…been in limbo.

After the accident, I asked for some time away from classes so I could take care of the guys, but my belly has been making it harder for me to do anything. It’s funny how slow it all seemed to pass in the beginning, but going into seven months now, it seems like I’ve suddenly grown so much. Our little girl has been so active, which has been a huge relief. After the accident and the incident of bleeding, I was worried there was still a chance something could go wrong, but our girl is strong.

“Just like her mother.” Maddox had said once when we were in bed and I was lounging in a sports bra and tiny shorts.

It’s my go to outfit now because it’s what feels the most comfortable and the guys like to see my belly on full display. They have made it a habit to rest their hands on my belly as much as possible, as if they were scared too that something horrible could happen again at any moment.

“Hey angel!” someone calls out from behind me and a pair of strong arms wrap around me and a pair of large hands rest on my belly. “How’s the little bit treating you today?”

I laugh at the nickname. “She’s been asleep most of the morning, but it’s probably because she was wide awake all night having a party against my bladder.”

Jaxon chuckles and squeezes me a little tighter before loosening his hold so I can turn and face him. I take a moment to take him in. He’s so beautiful. I know men hate being called that, but he is. His warm colored skin is so in contrast to mine that it feels like we glow when we’re together. My light and his warmth. It’s almost poetic.

“What brings you all the way here?” I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“I’m on call tonight so I thought id spend the day with my girl.” He smiles that smile that makes me weak in the knees and I blush like crazy.

He’s a smooth talker just like the others, and they know I get shy every time they use one of these lines on me. Only they aren’t lines, because I can see in their faces that they mean every word.

“Really? I’m honored, but I know the real reason you’re here. I raise a brow at him and he chuckles. So who told you?” I cross my arms and rest them on my belly.

“Sawyer, of course. He doesn’t want us missing anything.”

I roll my eyes because he’s right. Sawyer wants us all to be together as much as possible. It’s like he’s scared that at any moment it could all be torn away and he’s right. After the accident, we all cling to the time we can spend together like a lifeline. So today is just another outing Sawyer wants everyone present for. We’re going to have another ultrasound, the last one before the baby will be born. Of course, Sawyer and the guys have mentioned paying to have a 3D version done in a couple of weeks as well.
“There was barely any room before and now we have to squeeze you in there, too. Not that I don’t want you to be there, but it’s going to be tight.”

“Hey, I won’t go if you don’t want me to.” He says.

“What? No, I want you there. Of course I do. I’m just pointing out logistics.”

“Fuck logistics.” He says and I smack him on the arm.

“Language. I swear you boys are going to have our daughter swearing like a sailer before she’s three years old.” I scold him, but he laughs.

“Never. She’ll be too good. You’ll show her how to be sweet and kind and all the best things.”

I swoon. God, how can they say these things so easily?

“How’s your mom?” I say, trying to move to another subject before I become putty in his arms.

He smiles. I love how he smiles when we talk about his mom. If we ever have a son, I hope he will love me enough to smile when anyone talks about me.

“She keeps asking when I’ll bring you over for dinner.” He says, reaching up and brushing away a stray hair from my messy bun.

But he doesn’t drop his hand. No, he lowers it to cup the side of my face, and I can’t help but close my eyes and lean into his touch. You would think I was touch deprived by the way I react to such a small thing, but the boys spoil me with their soft causal touches and steamy nights when they worship me head to toe. It’s as if I’m addicted to feeling them on my skin.

“Angel, don’t sigh like that.” He warns, and I smile before opening my eyes. “You know what it does to me.”

I nod. Making him shake his head. Then he lowers his head and brushes his lips over mine and I melt into him. He kisses so differently from the others. His kisses are always slow and deep, like he wants to drown in me, and I feel exactly the same way. He reminds me of warm nights by the fire with a warm cup of hot chocolate and a book in hand. Maybe because we do that a lot together. We cuddle up on the couch and just sit there watching movies or me reading to him. It’s funny that he likes it when I read my romance books to him, and then he ends up carrying me to my bedroom and spending all night making slow love to me.

Yes, we’ve slept together. It's hot and heavy with all my guys. As I said, we’ve all been living like we might not have tomorrow. It's easier to allow myself the enjoyment of having all these amazing, wonderful men cater to me than to care what the world thinks about us.

Speaking of. When Maddox’s family fully understood the extent of our situation, they were pissed. They told him to break things off with me and that what we were doing was disgusting, and they also called me some colorful names. Maddox ended the call then and there and hasn’t spoken to them since. On the complete opposite of the spectrum, Jaxon’s mom was thrilled. Apparently, in the village she grew up in, it wasn’t uncommon for women and men to have more than one partner. With the villages being so isolated, it made sense to keep couple groups large so that more children could be born to women who had success carrying children.

She told me she was one of nine children herself and her mother had three husbands. Needless to say, she wasn’t the least bit turned off by Jaxon joining our family. She was just happy he found his place, and that I could bear her a grandchild one day. Although she’s already started spoiling our little girl. Everyone has since we found out about the gender. My parents have sent us boxes of stuff to get ready for the baby.

We’re now on the hunt for a bigger place, but haven’t settled on anything because of the future of Maddox and Sawyer in their careers. Sawyer wants to get Maddox signed on the same team as him, but it doesn’t seem to happen. Not that they don’t think Maddox is talented, but because of the rules. They can only have so many players on the payroll, and the only spot open is the one Sawyer will be taking.

His agent has been putting a good word out for Maddox and has some good prospects. He could go through more professional means but a person recommendation can’t hurt. I just want them both to me happy no matter where they play. However, it would kill me if Maddox is recruited to another state. I don’t even want to think about what that could mean for us. Being apart is not an option for us, but it can’t be helped in the professional athlete arena. It’s part of the job.

Jaxon has made it clear that he can transfer anywhere, and would do so in a second when we finally figure out our next move. I’ve also spoken to my advisor who said transferring my credits would be no problem, but I’ve been debating about if I want to continue school. I want to spend as much time with my daughter…and any other kiddos that come along…as possible. It sounds like a dream come true for me. The best dream.