Page 81 of Can We Try?

“You think Lilly is going to be bad at almost three going on thirteen? Try twin girls who are five going on fifteen. Fellas, I’m going to need some help when they start dating.”

“You’re fucked, bro.” Legend laughs. “You can’t tell them no now. How do you think that’s going to work out for you?”

“If it’s to keep them safe, I have no problem telling them no.”

“Don’t worry. They’ve got four uncles who’ve got your back,” Roman tells him.

“She’ll have Kane and Sean too,” I remind him. “And who knows, Brogan, Monroe, and Emerson might all be having boys.”

“Four women.” Forrest shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “I don’t stand a chance.”

“You would have been sunk with just Briar,” I tease.

“Like you’re not.”

“Oh, I definitely am.” I have no issue letting the world know how in love I am with Maggie.

“Girls, it’s almost midnight,” Forrest tells his daughters. “Are you ready to countdown?” he asks them.

“Yeah!” they cheer, climb off their chairs from the table set up in the living room, and race toward their dad. He gives them their New Year hats and glasses, and the glow necklaces they had on earlier.

Standing, I move toward my fiancée and kneel beside her where she sits on the couch. “How you feeling, Momma?” I rest my hand on her belly. I can’t seem to stop touching her, and as her pregnancy progresses, the more that desire builds.

“Five-year-olds are about to out-party me,” she says, placing her hand over her mouth to cover her yawn.

“I know. I can’t believe they’re still going.”

“It’s the cookies,” Briar says, from where she’s sitting next to Maggie on the couch. “All that sugar.” She gives me a pointed look.

“Hey, don’t blame the man with a sweet tooth.” I chuckle.

“They’ll crash soon,” Briar says. “There’s just too much excitement right now.”

“Here we go,” Forrest calls out. “Ten, nine, eight, seven,” he starts the countdown.

Standing, I bend over the couch, slide my hand behind Maggie’s neck, and guide her lips to mine. “Three, two, one,” I whisper as our lips collide. Everything else fades away into the background. It’s just the two of us in this room together. When I pull away, I rest my forehead to hers. “Happy New Year, Mags.”

“Happy New Year.”

This year is going to be incredible. We’re so close to meeting our son, and if I have my way, Maggie will have my last name—sooner rather than later. We haven’t talked much about our wedding, just that she doesn’t want to be pregnant. Yeah, this is going to be a fantastic year.

After a quick round of celebration, we’re saying our goodbyes, as is everyone else, and heading home.

“I’m so tired,” Maggie says, climbing into bed.

“It’s been a long day. I’m not used to these late nights anymore.”

“I’m pregnant, but I know you’ve got some age on you,” she teases.

“Hush it, woman,” I say, nipping at her neck. She settles in my arms, and we quickly drift off to sleep.

I’m startled awake by a ringing phone. My eyes blink to read the clock. It’s just after four in the morning. Reaching over to the nightstand, I grab my phone, but it’s not mine. Cursing, I climb out of bed, careful not to wake Maggie as I rush to grab her phone.

“Hello?” I answer, stepping out into the hallway. It wasn’t a number that was programmed into her phone, so if this is some kind of prank or scam call, I’m going to lose my shit on them. They could have woken her up, and she’s exhausted.

“Hi, I’m trying to reach Maggie Ward,” the woman on the line says.

“She’s sleeping.”

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