Page 98 of Hat Trick Daddies

“All right,” the nurse says cheerfully, flipping a switch on the machine. The overhead lights dim, and the small screen next to the bed flickers to life.

The soft, rhythmic hum of the ultrasound machine fills the room. I lean in closer, my heart pounding as shadows and shapes begin to form on the screen.

The nurse grins as she tilts the screen toward us. “Look at that,” she says, her voice practically glowing. “One…two…three. Triplets!”

“TRIPLETS!” I yelp, my voice echoing off the sterile walls. The room explodes with energy as Brooks and Nick step closer, their eyes wide with disbelief. I can feel my chest tightening, but it’s not anxiety, it’s pure, unfiltered excitement.

The nurse chuckles, clearly amused by our reaction. “Looks like we’ve got some very excited uncles here,” she says, glancing between us with a teasing smile.

Her words make me pause, but I glance at Brooks and Nick, and we exchange knowing looks. The truth is ours to hold. These babies, they belong to all of us.

The nurse continues her work, pointing out the small, fluttering shapes on the screen. “They look great, measuring perfectly for this stage. Congratulations, Mom.”

Ally’s eyes are misty, her hand reaching out to grab Brooks’. The nurse finishes her exam, wiping the gel off Ally’s belly with a soft towel.

“We’ll keep a closer eye on you moving forward just like we do with all moms pregnant with multiples,” she says, handing Ally a stack of ultrasound printouts. “Be careful about lifting heavy things and don’t work out as hard as you usually would. Call if you experience anything unusual.”

The nurse and assistant leave the room, the door clicking shut behind them, and silence settles over us.

Ally sits up slowly, swinging her legs over the side of the table as she reaches for her clothes. The quiet in the room is charged, heavy with emotion.

My eyes flicker to Nick and Brooks, their expressions mirroring the overwhelming mix of awe and excitement coursing through me.

“Triplets,” I murmur, shaking my head with a grin. “That’s…incredible.”

Ally pulls her sweater over her head, her cheeks flushed. “Are you guys okay with this?” she asks softly, her eyes scanning each of us.

“Okay?” I say, stepping closer and resting my hands on her shoulders. “I think this means we each get our own baby.”

The room erupts into laughter, Nick clutching his stomach as Brooks groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Leave it to Tyler,” Brooks mutters, shaking his head. “Always the comedian.”

Ally laughs too, her tension easing as she finishes dressing. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she whispers, holding the printouts in her hands like fragile treasures.

Ally looks at the three of us, her lips curving into a tentative smile. “I guess this means we’ll have to postpone the wedding,”she says, her voice light but steady. “There’s no way I’m fitting into any kind of dress anytime soon.”

Brooks steps forward, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. “You’re perfect just the way you are,” he says, his voice low and soothing.

Nick nods in agreement, his grin wide. “The wedding can wait. What matters is that you and the babies are healthy.”

“Do you think when she said I shouldn’t exercise as hard, she also meant…you know?” Ally says, blushing.

Brooks presses a kiss to her forehead. “I did try to suggest that last night,” he teases. “We’ll modify our fun. That’s an easy thing to do.”

“Totally,” Nick agrees, lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

I can’t help but chime in, leaning on the examination table with a mischievous grin. “Think of all the cool wedding photos we can take with three little ring bearers. Maybe we really should delay the wedding just for that.”

Ally’s laughter fills the room, warm and bright. “You guys are unbelievable,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. She pulls us all into a group hug, her head resting against Brooks’ chest.

In this moment, everything feels right. We’ve got a long road ahead, but together, I know we can handle anything.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Nick

Life has beennuts since we found out about the triplets.

Moving Ally in felt like the most natural thing in the world.

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