Page 26 of Our Time

“Sounds like things have been rough?”

I shrug. “My poor mate has been absolutely miserable and if I can take just a shred of that away by feeding his cravings I’ll do just that.”

“You’re such a sweetheart,” Christopher says, patting my shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re both together. And I’m so happy we’re pregnant at the same time. Our kids are gonna be besties, I just know it.”

I can’t help but smile at Christopher’s words. The idea that our kids will grow up together along with Derek and Harrison’s kiddo, and Gunther and Gabriel’s fills me with indescribable joy. And they’ll have honorary uncles in Calvin and Wilson. Along with Jeremy and Bryce. I love this little fucked up found family I’ve found myself.

“You better hurry up with that. I think I overheard Ryder saying he wanted to start opening presents so he can work up an appetite for the cake.” Yeah, that sounds like my mate.

I walk into our living room, finding the place absolutely bursting with life. Our apartment isn’t the biggest so to have everyone crammed inside makes things a little tight. Thankfully, none of us have any problems being in each other’s spaces.

When I look over at Ryder, my stomach flutters, filling with warmth until I’m practically grinning from ear to ear. He’s sitting on the couch, telling a story to everyone. He looks like a royal talking to his court, regal and in charge. My chest warms as one of his hands runs over his round belly. Ryder isn’t having the most fun being pregnant but it’s hard not to admit he’sbeautifullike this.

“There you are,” he calls out, holding out his hand for the cup of pineapple juice. I quickly step over Calvin who’s laying on the floor and hand the cup over.

“What’s that?”

“Pineapple juice,” Ryder explains, taking a giant sip. “It’s the weirdest craving lately.”

Calvin snickers. “Getting ready to give Ben a tasty treat later?”

My cheeks heat more than I care to admit. I pinch the bridge of my nose as the other guys all chuckle.

“Don’t be dicks. My poor mate can’t turn much redder or he’ll actually combust,” Ryder says with a pout. I just roll my eyes, sitting beside him on the couch.

“I thought it was present time. Not torture Ben time.”

“There’s always time for teasing you,” Harrison says with a grin, his little one, Kristina, in his arms. It’s hard to believe she’s already one. Where the hell does the time go? That’s even without thinking about little Hannah, Gabriel and Gunther’s baby, being almost three! Not so little anymore.

I guess they’re right when they say to enjoy this because it doesn’t last long.

Jeremy and Bryce hand over their gift first, and with that we’re off, opening present after present. There’s all the standard things we’ll need like bibs and bottles and blankets and clothes. The whole group pulled their money together to get us not one but two lovely cribs for the nursery.

“Calvin hasn’t seen this one yet,” Wilson murmurs, pointing at the gift bag Ryder is pulling open. He tugs two onesies out, giggling to himself as he reads them.

“Oh my god,” Ryder murmurs, shaking his head. He turns them around so everyone can see. One of them says ‘if you think I’m cute you should see my uncle Wilson’ and the other reads ‘if you think I’m cute you should see my uncle Calvin’.

“Those are so fucking cute,” Calvin says, his eyes wide with excitement. “We need to have these made for everyone’s babies, babe. Please, please, please.”

Wilson leans over, kissing Calvin’s head. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Fuck yes.”

Hannah looks over at Calvin with a toothy grin and says, “fuck yes!”

“Oh my god,” Gabriel murmurs, looking over at Gunther with wide eyes. Gabriel’s best friend Alex is here along with everyone else and they start laughing their ass off which sets the rest of us off with giggles as well.

There was a time that Alex had their eyes on me, but now that Ryder and I are mated, they’ve mellowed out. I can’t help but hope they find someone just like the rest of us have.

We spend the rest of the day opening gifts, eating cake, and just hanging out. Someone pulls out a deck of cards and a group of us play a few rounds of sheepshead.

Eventually Hannah and Kristina begin growing cranky as their bedtimes quickly approach. I make sure to give both of the girls a kiss on their heads before their parents head out the door.

“Are we going to do another premier party at your place?” Ryder asks Gunther before they leave. Gunther’s show was renewed for another season which was a surprise to absolutely no one. Sometimes it’s hard to get Gunther to attend these little get-togethers because he’s too busy being a super star. Thankfully, he still occasionally makes time for the rest of us.

“We can do that as long as Gabriel feels like hosting,” he says, wrapping his arm around his smaller mate, pulling him tightly against his side. Gabriel looks up at him with a soft smile.

“Absolutely! I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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