Page 169 of Butterfly Effect

“We’re all pregnant!”

It’s a maudlin display that earns us multiple smacks from our wives and Skylar.

When she wraps her arms around my torso, I kiss the top of my best friend’s head and whisper into the blonde strands, dampening them with my tears. “You’re gonna be the best mom, Sky.”

“Stop it, you big bully.” She playfully shoves my chest and sniffles. “You’re gonna make me cry harder.”

Two tiny Radeks come wailing in response to our uproar, trailed by Indi’s mom. Akhila and Ellora are both toddlers now, but they’re still the team’s first babies and are protected as such.

“Will you cut it out?” Gabe scolds me. “You scared them.”

Landon and Indi pick up a daughter each and soothe them with soft coos and shushes.

Of course, they’re wonderful parents. They stemmed from sets of wonderful parents. Me? I wasn’t so sure.

“What if I’m not cut out for it? I don’t know how to be a dad.”

“I don’t know how to be a mom, either.” My wife, the lovely creature, held me tight. “We’ll figure it out and do our best, like everyone else.”

I’ll believe, do, try anything Gabe says. She’s my whole world.

My fingers toy with the oxidized silver chain around my neck while throwing a glance her way, unsuccessful in making eye contact. Occasionally, I stop to hook into the keyring-like circle joining the two ends.

“You’ve been messing around with that necklace for a while,” Landon pries. “What was it, a birthday present?”

More like a commitment. It’s a day collar, an everyday reminder of who I belong to.

“A gift for our one-year.” I smile towards Gabe, and this time, she notices and smiles back.

My heart sighs, gaze tracing the delicate threaded pearls of our matching mundavalya, then the overjoyed expression we share in the wedding photo framed on a side table.

Gabe strolls up and tucks into my side, wrapping my arm around her until my hand covers the slight swell of her lower belly. Her chin rests on my shoulder, face peering skyward. I kiss her eyes.

“Good day?”

She nods, digging her chin in. “The best. You?”

“Every day with you is the best.”

We share an agreeable hum. My wife turns to study the picture as well.

“Look at those two silly gooses.”

“That smile,” I gush. “I live and breathe and die for that smile.”

She says, “Romantic sap.” But her arm loops through mine.

My nose scrunches, accepting the compliment. “What were you thinking right then?”

“I was wondering who forced you into dancing to ‘Navrai Majhi’ in the Varaat.”

“Forcedme? Pfft. I’m a naturally skilled dancer. Those TikToks aren’t the brainchild of Maddie, you know.”

“My apologies for doubting your ability.”

“Apology accepted. I’ll have you know I helped my sorry, graceless teammates learn the choreography to Landon’s proposal flash mobandthat hype song in the groom’s procession.”

“All those years at the barre paid off,” she teases. “Wanna know what I was actually thinking?”

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