Page 32 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

She nodded. "I'm headed to see my mom for Christmas. Looking forward to it. "

We all nodded, our minds flitting to the realities awaiting us. But as I held her close, one arm securely wrapped around her waist, I knew we had something worth fighting for.

The atmosphere seemed light, despite the undercurrent of serious conversations we needed to have.

"How about we all enjoy the holiday, and when we get back, we can figure all this out," I responded, relief palpable in my voice. Having a set time to discuss everything meant it wasn’t an indefinite wait; we were being proactive in giving this relationship, this...whatever it was, a fighting chance.

Isaac chimed in. "How about Sunday evening after we get back at my place? We should all sit together and figure out the details."

"Ah, there he goes," I teased with a smirk, "Always the rule maker, aren't you?"

Laughter echoed around the group, even Isaac’s lips twitched into a half-smile. "Someone has to keep you guys in line."

Becca's chuckle added a melodic note to our laughter. "I’ll be there, and just so you know," she pointed at each of us, "I'll have my own list of things to discuss. You're not the only ones with terms and conditions."

The comment, lighthearted as it was, held a weight, reminding each of us that Becca was a strong woman with her own set of expectations. It wasn’t just about what we wanted or needed; it was a two-way street.

"I need to head out now," she said after a moment, breaking the brief, contemplative silence. "Still got a bunch of packing to do before I go to my mom’s."

The very idea of her leaving made something tighten in my chest. Each of us moved closer, as if on cue. And one by one, we kissed her. My turn came, and I relished every second. The taste of her, the way her lips molded to mine, the faint scent of her perfume threatened to undo me completely.

Pulling back, I murmured, breathless, "I'm half tempted to scoop you up and carry you to the bedroom. One last time before you go."

Archer grunted in agreement. "You’re not alone in that, Vin."

Luke simply nodded, his eyes dark with want. But Isaac perhaps made the most impact. He gently ran a finger over Becca’s cheek, a simple, intimate gesture, which made her shiver and press closer. The look they exchanged spoke volumes. There was no doubt in my mind that his walls had come down for good, and there would be no putting them back up.

The moment hung heavy, full of the potential for what might come, and the ache of the immediate separation. Becca took a step back, her eyes shiny but full of resolve. "I promise to text as soon as I’m home from my mom’s. Be safe, all of you."

We nodded in unison, watching her walk out the door.

The ensuing silence was only broken when Luke let out a deep sigh. "You know, in just a few weeks, she's entrenched herself so deeply into our lives. It feels odd without her already."

Archer nodded, the ever-present mischievous twinkle in his eyes dimmed by the depth of his feelings. "I'm gonna miss her. "

Isaac didn't voice his feelings, but the way he was staring into the distance, his jaw clenched, said it all. The connection he felt towards Becca, though not always expressed in words, was unmistakable in his demeanor.

Feeling the weight of the moment and not liking the descent into melancholy, I clapped my hands together, drawing their attention. "Hey! Come on, guys. This isn't some tragic goodbye. She wants to be with us, and we want to be with her. This is just a brief pause, not an ending."

Luke looked over, a grateful smile pulling at his lips. "Leave it to you to always find the silver lining."

"That's what I'm here for," I said with a chuckle, trying to infuse some levity into the situation. "We're starting something new, something beautiful. It's going to be perfect, you'll see."

Archer smirked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Always the optimist."

Isaac finally spoke, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. "He's right, though. We've got something special, and we'll figure it out. Together."

Together. That word echoed in my mind, encompassing the bond between the four of us, and now, the potential of a life with Becca interwoven with ours. The future, uncertain as it might be, held a promise of something unprecedented and magnificent. And I was more than ready to embrace it.

Chapter 21

Becca

The hum of the city filtered through my closed window. Despite the icy chill in the December air, the familiar sounds of New York provided a comfort I hadn't realized I missed. I stood in my cozy Williamsburg apartment, looking over the freshly developed photos scattered across my kitchen table. Each image captured the wild elegance of the horses against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains, a vivid memory of the days spent in the cabin.

Carefully selecting the best shots, I framed them. They turned out even better than I'd hoped. These frames, now wrapped in shimmering Christmas paper, would be my late gifts to the men. Each present a token, not just of a beautiful sight, but a reminder of the time we spent together, a symbol of the beginning of this potential relationship.

As I taped and tied bows, my mind wandered. How would this even work? I visualized us walking in Central Park. Would we all go together, drawing stares and whispers from onlookers? Would I have private, intimate moments with each of them? Romantic dinners with Isaac, movies with Vinnie, long strolls with Archer, quiet moments with Luke? Or would our relationship be constantly defined by its plurality?

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