Page 77 of Military Daddies' Nanny

Outside, I can see Drew chasing our two-year-old daughter, Esperanza, around the yard. Her dark curls bounce as she runs, her giggles filling the air. Bella is helping Nathan at the grill, while Jason and Carlos set the picnic table.

This is my life now. A life filled with love, laughter, and more happiness than I ever thought possible. I had been worried at first, how the kids would take the news that I was with all three men and would become their mom.

However, they took it quite well despite being a little confused. This is why I like children. At the core, they are sweet and don’t judge. It is only when they are tainted by life and the words and directions of others that they change.

Jason and Bella welcomed me home with open arms, and since then, they have gotten used to our dynamic. According to them, they already used to say they had three dads, but now, at least, they have a mom, too.

We moved to a bigger house since our family was and will continue to be bigger. It was a surprise gift to me, right after Esperanza’s birth. No wonder they were busier than usual during my pregnancy. They secretly set up everything in this house and surprised me after I was discharged from the hospital.

I love them so much.

As I waddle—because at seven months pregnant, there's really no other word for it—to the patio door, I catch Drew's eye. He grins, scooping up Esperanza and heading towards me.

"Mama!" Esperanza squeals, reaching for me as they approach.

"Careful,mija," Drew says gently. "Remember, we have to be gentle with Mama right now."

I reach out to stroke her cheek. "It's okay, sweetheart. Do you want to feel your little brother or sister kick?"

Her eyes widen with excitement, and she nods vigorously. Drew sets her down, and she places her tiny hands on my belly. When the baby kicks, her face lights up with wonder.

"Baby say hi!" she exclaims.

"That's right, love," I say, running my fingers through her curls. "The baby's saying hello."

Drew wraps an arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my temple. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a beached whale," I admit with a laugh. "But happy. So, so happy."

"Food's almost ready!" Nathan calls from the grill. Bella proudly holds up a plate of perfectly grilled vegetables.

"Great job, Bella," I call out, and she beams at the praise.

"Can I get you anything, Nancy?" Jason asks, always the thoughtful one.

"I'm fine, sweetheart, but thank you," I reply, ruffling his hair as he passes.

As we settle around the picnic table, Esperanza securely fastened in her booster seat between Jason and Carlos, I'm struck once again by how perfect this all feels. Our little family, brought together by love and choice rather than traditional bonds.

The conversation flows easily as we eat. We discuss work, school, and upcoming plans. Bella excitedly talks about her last sleepover with her friends and the new band they’re all fangirling over, while Jason confidently mentions a robotics competition he's entering.

After dinner, as the sun begins to set, my phone rings. It's Jamie.

"Let me talk to Jamie," I say, pushing myself up from the chair with some effort. "You guys clean up."

I waddle back into the house, settling onto the couch as I answer the call. "Hey, Jamie. How's it going?"

"Nancy! Hey, how are you doing?"

I laugh at her excitement. You would think she hadn’t heard from me in ages.

“I’m fine, Jamie. How’s your move going?” Jamie is in the middle of moving buildings since her landlord sold the place she had been a resident at for years.

"Ugh...” she groans. “I thought it would be a lot of fun, but it doesn’t seem to be going in that direction.”

“Aww, poor Jamie, you just need a little bit of excitement in your life.”

She sighs. “Don’t I know it? Now, the question is where do I find this excitement?”

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