Page 29 of Secret Triplets for Christmas

I closedup and left the house, tugging at my coat and huddling deeper into my scarf as the cold air hit me. Winter in Boston could be brutal made palatable because of the holidays. That made me think of Christmas. While I’d already done most of my shopping, I figured a visit to shops could distract me from my problems and remind me of the joy of the season. Since I was a child, my father and I had been going to the cabin for the holidays. I always loved it, the fresh scent of trees and snow. Plus, I was convinced that the fireplace there was bigger, which meant Santa could bring more presents. There was only one year that I didn’t make it. It was the year I’d fallen madly in love with Liam and wanted to be with him every second of every day. I feigned car trouble so I could avoid it. Worse, I’d waited until Lindsay was on her way to the cabin before telling her I wasn’t coming. Or maybe not worse because as it turned out, she and my father hooked up. I shook my head at that thought.TMI.

As I walked through the crowded streets, festive decorations and twinkling lights wrapped the city in warmth. People bustled by with bags filled with gifts, their breath visible in the crisp air.

I entered the toy store hoping to get some children’s art materials for the girls, and especially Olivia. As I maneuvered the cart around the crowded aisles, I literally ran into one overflowing with trucks and swords and other boy toys.

“Excuse me—Duncan?” Seeing Duncan, I realized it had been awhile since we’d connected. I eyed his cart. "Wow, Duncan, you're really going all out this year. Is that all for Grayson?” Duncan didn’t have kids of his own. Instead, he spoiled me, Grayson, and my girls.

"Lindsay!” Duncan was built like a bouncer, big, brawny, and bald, but he was as sweet as cupcake. His eyes twinkled with delight as he hugged me. “Actually, this load is for someone else.”

“Oh?” I wondered if Duncan had a woman in his life who had a child. That would be something. I’d never known Duncan to have a long-term relationship with a woman.

“I’m going to be a dad. Well… a foster dad.”

“What? Wow. I had no idea. When did this happen?" How was I so out of the loop?

"Only recently, but it's something I've been considering for a while."

“Does Dad know?” I hoped it wasn’t my fault that I was unaware of Duncan’s plans. It would prove how self-absorbed I’d been.

“Oh, sure. He wrote me a letter of recommendation. After all, I’m your godfather.” He winked.

"I can't believe I didn't know about this. I feel terrible for not being more present in your life lately."

He put his arm around me, tugging me close. "Hey, don't worry about it. You’ve got a full life with your girls. Plus, I heard about the break-in. Listen, do you need any help around that?”

“No. I’m good. Thank you.” I grinned at him. “You’re going to be an amazing dad.” And I meant it.

His smile beamed. “Foster dad, but yeah, I can’t wait. He’s six years old and his name is Aiden. He’s had a pretty shitty life so far, and I plan to give him a Christmas he won’t forget.”

I thought of Oliver and Liam growing up in foster care. Liam had said most of his families were okay, while a few weren’t. To me, the crime was how often they were moved. Why? Kids need stability. Then I considered that someday, Aiden would be moved, and looking at Duncan’s happiness, I could only imagine how painful that would be.

“Aiden is a lucky kid.”

“If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to adopt him.”

“I hope you’re both lucky.”

“Hey, let me pay for these and we can go grab a hot chocolate like we used to when you were a kid and had time for your old Unkadunk.”

I laughed at the name I used to call him. “That would be wonderful, Unkadunk.”

Once he paid for his items and stored them in his car, we found a little diner where he ordered hot chocolate and pie for each of us. The warmth from the cup seeped into my hands as I listened to Duncan talk about his plans.

"Ever since we started those kids' programs at the gym, I've become more aware of the challenges some of these children face. It opened my eyes, and I realized that being a foster parent could make a difference."

My father and Duncan owned the gyms together, but since my father had another company and Duncan was so good at running the business, he did most of the work. Five years ago, Duncan added children’s programs and a kid’s camp during the summer as part of the gym’s offerings. He started at one gym here in Boston, then spread to the rest of the gyms in Massachusetts and then beyond.

“That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you."

“Well, I figure if I’m not married by now, my prospects for having kids the old-fashioned way are low. So why not give a home to a kid who doesn’t have one?”

In some ways, it sounded like something Oliver would do. I suppose in some ways, he had with Liam, except that Oliver had been young and for a time had given up his hopes and dreams.

"Enough about me, though. How have you been? What’s the deal with this break-in and Liam?”

I sighed, not wanting to bring down the joyous mood. “Just that. It appears that someone from Liam’s past is searching for something and thought I had it.”

“But you don’t?”

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