Page 119 of It's Always Us

Besides appearing three times larger and manly, Shane doesn’t appear to have changed much. He was always on the quiet side but was never afraid to speak up when he was looking out for Mark.

His eyes move to me. “Congratulations on marrying this idiot. Now you’re stuck with the lot of us, too.”

I smile. “Thanks. You guys certainly know how to do the family thing.”

“So do you,” he gestures to my stomach. “We need another one. We’re shooting for a whole team.”

Mark clears his throat. “Twins.” He has that shit-eating grin on his face as if he did this all by himself.

Shane’s eyes move to him. “You bastard. Of course, you had to go and show me up. Maggie,” Shane’s deep voice bellows, glancing around for his wife.

The young, beautiful, petite woman slides under Shane’s massive arm with a baby over her hip. “Twins. This shithead did that. Why can’t we do that?”

Maggie rolls her eyes. “Grizz, don’t forgetIpushed this one out. You’ll be lucky to get another shot.” She sticks out her hand. “Forgive this, baby-obsessed giant. I’m Maggie. Congratulations on marrying into this nut house and on the babies. That’s incredible.”

“Yep. See. I know what I’m doing.” Mark’s chest puffs out further, and Maggie and I laugh while Shane groans, his head tipping back toward the ceiling.

“Does Sean know about this?” Shane’s voice is full of irritation.

“Sure does,” Mark gloats.

“Shit. Now, he’s going to be working for triplets.”

“Uh. No, he’s not.” Andie joins our circle, stopping next to me with a toddler on her hip. “Sean will find himself stripped of . . . .privileges if I hear such craziness.” She smiles at me. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Who’s losing privileges?” A little girl moves to stand in the center of our group. “Teddy lost privileges to liquids and balloons when that one exploded all over you.” She peers up at me. “Is there a baby in there?”

She points to my stomach.

“Liv,” both Maggie and Shane say at the same time.

Mark squats down to get eye level with her. “There are two in there,” he says with awe.

Her blue eyes grow wide, and I hear Shane groan.

“How does that happen?”

“Nice job, moron,” Shane grumbles.

“Well, I worked really hard.” Andie and Maggie laugh as Mark scoops her up. “How about you show me all the junk food they have to eat in this joint?” Mark walks away, grinning.

“We’re never going to hear the end of this,” Shane says.

Maggie pats him on the chest. “Don’t worry. You did good work, big guy. Look at this little dude.” Maggie hands over the baby, but the kidmust take after his dad because there’s not much little about him. “And if you’re lucky, I might let you try again.” She winks at him and then joins the kids around the food.

“It’s a bit intimidating, isn’t it,” Andie bumps my elbow with hers. We stand at the back of the room as I try to take it all in. It is a lot, but as I watch Mark carry Liv and fist-bump the boys, I’m really grateful to even be here.

“Sean never warned me about the pranks the first time I met this crew. I found one of those rubber snakes on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night. All three men came charging in half, dazed and confused but ready to fire. There’s nothing like this family . . . anywhere. Come on,” she tips her head in the direction of the madness. “It’s best to just jump in.”

I follow her, watching Mark dance with Liv as the boys throw jabs at his ability.

“Hey, you two,” he points at them. “Grab a pencil and paper. Take notes cause one day you’ll thank me for this.” He winks at me.

I roll my eyes. I always knew Mark would make an excellent father, but seeing him like this has my hands sliding over our kicking babies, knowing there is no better man for the job.

Liv puts her hands on both sides of his face. “Why do you call her Lex, not Alex?”

“Ugh,” Shane groans. “Don’t ask. I had to hear about this so many nights. My Lex this. My Lex that,” he says, flexing his voice to a high pitch and making the kids giggle.

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