Page 94 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

Jamie tries to make small talk once, but I shut it down with a sharp look. The rest of the ride is silent.

When we pull up in front of Millie’s house, I unbuckle Noah’s seatbelt and grab the suitcase. Jamie gets out to help, but I wave him off.

“I’ve got it,” I say, my voice firmer than how I really feel.

He doesn’t argue, just steps back and watches as I walk to the door. I knock, and Millie answers a moment later, her face lighting up when she sees us.

“Hey, sweetie,” she says, ushering us in. “Everything okay?”

I glance back at the car, where Jamie and Troy are still standing, then look at Millie. “Not really,” I admit.

She nods, her expression understanding. “Come on in. You can tell me all about it later.”

I step inside, the door closing behind me, and for the first time in days, I feel like I can breathe again.

***

I’m sitting at Millie’s kitchen table, the mug of tea warm in my hands but it’s doing nothing to soothe the cold twisting in my chest. I look around at the decorations, blinking at the Christmas tree that’s already up.

“Finn got a little ahead of himself,” Millie says from the stove, pulling a fresh pot of tea to the counter. “He’s a big fan of the holidays. And the kids are loving it. You know how it is.”

I try to smile, but it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. The sight of the twinkling lights should bring comfort, but all I feel is emptiness.

“Where are the guys?” I ask, needing a distraction from the pit in my stomach.

Millie looks up, her face softening. “Took the babies and Peanut for a stroll. Gives me some time to edit videos for work. They’re trying to be helpful.”

I nod, grateful for the quiet. At least it’s just us for now.

I sip my tea, but my throat tightens as soon as the warmth hits my mouth. God, I hate this feeling. Like I can’t breathe, can’t think straight. Like the walls are closing in on me.

Millie settles across from me with a heavy sigh, and I know she’s watching me closely.

“So, what’s going on?” she asks, voice gentle but firm, like she already knows I’m holding something back.

I try to swallow, but my chest is too tight. I can’t hide it anymore. I’ve been holding it together for too long, pretending I’m fine when I’m not.

“It’s all falling apart, Millie,” I admit, my voice cracking just a little. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”

She leans forward, eyes soft but determined. “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Savannah. Whatever this is, you’ll get through it. But you’ve gotta let it out. Talk to me.”

I swallow hard, my gaze falling to the swirling steam rising from my tea. The words come spilling out before I can stop them.

“The guys, the stress, the damn merger... I don’t know where I fit into all this anymore. Everything feels off. They’ve got their own shit going on, and then there’s the baby, the house, everything...I’m just...I don’t know, Millie. I feel like I’m barely hanging on.”

Millie doesn’t say anything at first. She just listens, like she’s soaking in every word. When she speaks, her voice is calm but full of conviction.

“You’ve been carrying a lot on your shoulders, haven’t you? All of you have. I know the guys are trying, but they’re scared. It’s not just the merger or the team, it’s everything else, too. They’re worried about how this’ll affect the family they want with you, the life they’ve been building.”

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, but the words keep coming, the floodgates wide open now.

“I don’t know how to fix this,” I whisper. “I don’t know how to keep going like this. I feel like...like I’m losing them. I think I’m losing me, too.”

Millie reaches across the table, her hand over mine, warm and solid. “You’re not losing yourself, Savannah. You’re just in a tough spot. And it’s okay to feel that way. You’ve got people who love you. All three of them love you. They’re just as scared as you are. But it’ll work out. Just give it time.”

I nod, the weight of her words settling over me like a blanket. Time...God, I don’t know if I have the patience for time anymore.

“I don’t know if I can wait that long,” I murmur, more to myself than to her.

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