Page 58 of Military Daddies' Nanny

Carlos gives in first. “Jamie’s right. It’s your news to share, and we won’t say anything to Drew about this."

Nathan turns to his friend as though to protest, but just holds Carlos' stare for a few heartbeats, silent conversation passing between them. Then, finally releasing a slow sigh, his shoulders slump ever so slightly.

"Okay," he says after a beat. "Okay, we don’t tell him. But I’d like to point out that this is a bad idea."

Neither Nathan nor Carlos looks particularly thrilled by the prospect. I can hardly blame them. After Drew's rash proclamations earlier, I don't precisely relish being the one to dump another bombshell on him either.

And yet, I cannot escape the fear that not telling him is a mistake. No matter how Drew might react in the heat of the moment, he still has a right to know. And my child deserves a father.

All of them.

Even Drew.

Maybe he’ll find out about the child much later. For now, I have no intentions of telling him about it. A part of me, traitor that it is, actually believes that Bella and Jason need their mother. I try to tell myself I’m doing this for them, but I know it’s a lie.

As if sensing my resolution, Carlos gives my hand a firm squeeze. "Whatever you decide,mamacita," he murmurs, the gentleness in his tone at odds with the intensity burning in his brown eyes. "We're with you every step of the way, okay? You've got us now."

"All of us," Nathan echoes, his gaze drifting meaningfully to my abdomen for a fleeting second.

The reality of the situation hits me anew, leaving me unsteady and breathless. I'm going to have a baby. Carlos and Nathan's baby.

Or...or Drew's.

The prospect is terrifying, exhilarating, and utterly overwhelming. Part of me yearns to curl inward, to shelter myself from the upheaval I know is yet to come.

But a larger part? The part that's been slowly blossoming in the sunshine of Carlos, Nathan, and Drew's steadfast care?

That part is ready. More than ready, even if Drew’s decision more than means our relationship as we know it has come to an end.

Because having their child—no matter whose biology won out in the genetic lottery—is a dream I've held close, quieting the persistent ache that's haunted me ever since, well ever since before all of this started, really.

Bracing myself, I blow out a long, slow breath and lift my chin.

"We aren’t telling Drew," I say, keeping my voice even and strong. "He deserves to know the truth, yes. But I don’t think this is the right time to tell him."

Carlos and Nathan exchange a look, but nod in solemn agreement. I try not to dwell on how much more difficult this might have been without their unhesitating support.

"All right." Nathan scrubs a hand down his face, jaw set in a firm line. “Karen really couldn’t have picked up a worse time to remember her maternal instincts, and the next few weeks are going to be weird for sure."

Nathan gets a call and slides his phone out of his pocket. “It’s the garage,” he mutters.

He walks off until his voice no longer carries to my ears. His frame is tense as he speaks. This must be difficult for him, feeling like he’s betraying his brother. At least, that’s how I feel, although I have a right to keep this away from him with all that’s happened lately. Carlos follows him, a comforting hand patting his shoulder.

Fingers wrap around mine, and I pull my gaze from the men, looking at Jamie, who offers me a soft smile. Her eyes convey her worry.

“Nance, are you okay?”

I suck in a sharp breath, allowing myself to relax with her. She’s the best person to be with me in this situation.

“Jesus, Nance. All of this just seems like the stories we hear about, but that never happen to real people,” she says with wide eyes, speaking in a hushed tone as she pulls me away from Carlos so we can have a private conversation.

“I know, babe,” I reply quietly, taking some strength from the comforting familiarity of her presence.

“Thanks, Jamie, for being here with me.” My grip tightens around her fingers. “Honestly, you’re such a gem and I don’t deserve you.”

“Cut the crap, Nance,” she says, her voice softening. “Where else would I be? We’ve always had each other’s backs, and that won’tchange now just because you have your men. I will always have your back.”

Warmth floods through me at her words. I didn’t know those were the words I needed to hear, but now that I’ve heard them, they open the floodgates. I manage to blink away the tears that have slowly begun to gather in my eyes and sniffle.

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