Page 29 of Breath By Breath

“Want to make a wager?”

“Yep. What are the terms, Riggins?”

“You do what you want without guilt. Stay home with them or don’t, but really look inside your heart and do what will make you the happiest.”

“I already told you what I want to do.”

I shrug. “Then we both win. Three babies, you’ll have your hands full. I promise I’ll do everything I can to help and be here for all four of you.”

“Stop.” She laughs.

“Prove me wrong.”

“Fine. I will. I’ll grab a test tomorrow on my way home from work.”

“I have one. Or five.” I shrug.

“Really?”

I nod. “I can just tell.”

“How?”

“These.” I reach over and tweak her nipple lightly.

“Stanley! The boys.”

I glance down, and the boys are still playing and ignoring us. “You asked,” I tell my wife.

“You can tell from my boobs?” she whispers.

“Baby, I know your body better than I know my own. So, yeah, I noticed. I knew you hadn’t. You’re so busy at work and taking care of us that you’ve missed the signs.”

“Another baby?” Her eyes well with tears.

“The tests are in the bathroom under the sink.”

“That’s why you rushed straight upstairs to shower when you got home from work?”

“That, and tonight, you get to relax. Go take that test while I give the boys their baths. Soak in the tub, and I’ll be in when the boys are in bed.”

“Don’t you want the results?”

“I already know, Lena. We’re having another baby.” I kiss her quickly and stand. “All right, boys, time for a bath.” I pick Owen up and offer Royce my hand. I should make them clean up their toys, but it’s getting late, and my wife and I need to celebrate baby number three as soon as they’re asleep.

“Stanley?”

I stop and turn to look at her. She scrambles to her knees to stare at me over the back of the couch. Tears swim in her eyes. “You’ve made all my dreams come true. I love you. I love our life. I’m so glad it was you. That day, I’m glad it was you.”

I can’t help it. I need to kiss her. I walk the boys back to her. “Kiss Mommy goodnight.” They do as they’re told, and then it’s my turn. “You’re my magic, Lena Riggins.” I kiss her softly. Forcing myself to stop, I take my boys upstairs to get them ready for bed.

“Let me tell you a story,” I whisper to my newborn son. Lena is sleeping after fourteen long hours of labor. This time, she was induced. She was ten days past her due date, and the doctors decided this was the best course of action.

My wife is a fucking rock star. “Your mommy worked so hard to bring you here safe and sound,” I tell our son. That’s right, three boys. He’s sleeping and doesn’t have a care in the world, which is how it should be.

I lift my son to place a kiss on his cheek. Damn, three boys. I know I’m smiling, and I can’t help it. Married six years, three sons, a thriving business, and a beautiful home. A home we’ve quickly outgrown. We moved Owen into Royce’s room to leave the nursery open for the new baby. Lena and I have been talking about moving to another house, a bigger one.

As our business grows and the media gets wind of a husband-and-wife duo who built an empire with one small box truck, well, it tends to bring the vultures out. We’d like a place with more land for the boys to run and play. That’s our next adventure as soon as Lena is feeling up to it.

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