Page 42 of The Billionaire's Instant Triplets

“Yes!” the kids chorused.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

“Maybe you want a verysmallpresent.”

“No!” they chorused.

“Big present,” Jasmine added, holding her arms out as far as she could.

“Coloring,” Jacob said.

“Princess dress,” Jasmine requested.

“Skul,” Jacob finished, his eyes glowing. Luckily, the kids had been asking for the same three presents for weeks, so Tristan was ready. He winked.

“Okay, there will be presents.”

“Yay!” The kids spilled out of their beds, dancing around the room in joyous shakes and wiggles. Then, as if by silent communication, they piled onto Jacob’s bed with Tristan and exchanged looks. Tristan knew what was coming even before Jamie asked.

“Ria come?”

As always, when the kids had asked this question, Tristan’s heart sank. The truth was that he didn’t know if Ria was coming. He’d sent the invitation weeks ago and hadn’t heard anything back. Odds were good that Ria had decided not to come. Perhaps she’d even changed her phone number and hadn’t received the invitation at all. Either way, it wasn’t looking good for Tristan.

Tristan wanted nothing more than to see Ria again, at least one more time. He wanted to apologize for what a jerk he’d been when she told him about the new job. He wanted to tell her that he loved her. He wanted to explain that he couldn’t live without her — and that he didn’t want to try. He wanted to ask her to come home. But if Ria didn’t come to the party, he wouldn’t be able to say any of that.

Tristan couldn’t explain to the triplets what had happened between him and Ria. So, instead of trying, he gave the answer he’d given each time they’d asked before.

“I don’t know. But I’ll be there. Your friends will be there. And cake and presents will be there!”

The triplets smiled, but their reaction wasn’t anywhere close to the joyous cheers they’d given at the prospect of presents, friends, and cake just a few seconds before. Tristan opened his arms wide, and the kids climbed into them to snuggle against his chest.

“I know you miss Ria,” he told them. The kids nodded. “I miss her, too. But I’m right here, and I love you very much.”

“Okay,” the triplets chorused.

“Now, let’s get up, get dressed, and get downstairs for breakfast!”

Tristan served the kids a balanced breakfast of toast, eggs, and fruit in hopes of counteracting the rush of sugar they’d have later in the day. Once they’d eaten, he set them up in the living room with their favorite show and started blowing up balloons, hanging streamers, and setting up party games in the yard. He’d done a lot of the prep work in previous days, but there was still a little to do this morning.

Soon, the house looked great, the kids were dressed in their special birthday outfits, and the food had arrived. Right on time, the doorbell rang. Immediately, Tristan sat up a little straighter. Was it Ria? He got up from the kitchen table, where he’d been sitting and coloring with the kids, and went to answer.

On the other side of the door stood two twin toddlers from the triplets’ preschool, along with their parents. The twin girls were dressed in frilly party dresses to match Jasmine’s, and the parents held wrapped gifts and a bottle of soda.

“Welcome!” Tristan smiled, even as his heart sank. “Come on in.”

The parents settled on the living room sofa while the kids, too excited to color now, chased each other around the house in an elaborate game of pretend that Tristan couldn’t have followed if he tried.

The bell rang again. This time, Tristan was still hopeful, but less so. His heart sank when he saw one of his employees and her young son, but again, he smiled and welcomed them in. Even if Ria didn’t come, the triplets’ party was shaping up to be something great.

Over the next half hour, more families trickled in, until all the invitees had arrived. There was still no sign of Ria, but Tristan refused to let his sadness ruin the triplets’ special day.

“Everyone out to the yard!” he said. The kids ran, screaming with joy, out the back door, while the parents followed at a more sedate pace. Once outside, they ran back and forth between the bouncy house Tristan had rented for the occasion, the triplets’ new swing set (which was one of their birthday gifts), and the mini wading pools full of water and bubbles. The parents took seats on the porch or played with the kids.

Meanwhile, Tristan brought out the food. The parents served themselves, but the kids were happier to just run past the table and grab a handful of carrot sticks, a few potato chips, or a small sandwich as they went. For now, Tristan was happy to let them play, though he’d make sure the triplets ate something more substantial before he brought out the cake.

Hands on hips, he surveyed the yard. The parents were talking happily, and the kids seemed to be having the time of their lives. The yard looked suitably festive with bouquets of colorful balloons and rows of streamers on the fence and trees. The bounce house was a particular hit — the kids couldn’t get enough of it.

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