Tarius chuckled. “Great foresight.”
“Wait, how long have you known, Tar?”
“About five minutes longer than you. I had a suspicion, but Trei admitted it this morning.”
“Okay. Shit, Trei, you need to see an OB. Are you taking prenatal vitamins?”
“I’m not, and I know I do,” Trei replied. He was leaning back against Jeuel’s chest, the pair holding each other like any loving blood siblings might when one was distressed. “I’ll make an appointment today, I promise. Um…”
“I’ll give you the name of Emory’s OB. He’s the best in the province.”
“Gosh, then he’ll be too busy for me.”
“Nonsense. I don’t usually use my name for special favors, but you tell his receptionist that you’re related to Emory Cross, and he’ll fit you in.”
“We aren’t technically related.”
Branson released Tarius’s hand so he could crouch in front of Trei. “Doesn’t matter. You’re family, and this family helpseach other, even when we don’t want to be helped. We’re very stubborn.”
Trei smiled. “I’m sensing that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Brother.”
Tarius’s insides warmed with the camaraderie and love filling the room. Maybe their quartet had only met in person four days ago, but they had formed a family unit. A bond. A brotherhood that no one could take from them.
“This means no more hiding when you feel sick,” Tarius said to Trei. “Let us help you.”
“I’ll try,” he replied.
“Good enough for now.” Something else struck him. “Did Mr. Paxton know you’re pregnant?”
“No. I didn’t want to complicate Jeuel’s case more than I already was by staying with him. You three are the only ones who know, and I’d like to keep it that way until I’m through the first trimester. Please? I could still miscarry, and I don’t…” He blanched. “I don’t want the stress of other people fussing over me.”
Tarius held Branson’s gaze briefly; they both nodded.
“We’ll keep your secret,” Branson said. “But be warned, the more time you spend with my omegin, and especially with Emory, the more likely they are to guess. Emory has a strong empathic streak that’s uncanny. He might sense something.”
Trei shrugged. “If he does, I’ll deal. I just…I was mated for almost four years. I never pictured myself as a single omegin, and I’m still processing this.”
“You will have plenty of help, trust me,” Tarius said. “As soon as you announce the pregnancy, you’ll have everything you could ever need for the baby’s first six months before he’s even born. And I’m not exaggerating.”
“He’s not, I’ve seen it happen, over and over.” Branson chuckled. “In fact, it’s been going on since I was an infant, when Dad and Uncle Braun first became friends with Jax.”
Jeuel squinted. “Have we met Jax?”
“Not yet, but you will.”
“Flashcards with names and pictures,” Tarius said with a laugh. “We need flashcards.”
So many friends and family that it took charts and name tags to introduce everyone to the newest arrivals? It truly was a wonderful problem to have.
The next two weeks went by in a flash for Branson. He wasn’t fully prepared to say goodbye to his bachelor apartment and move into a larger place with his husband and brother, only two blocks away from his old one. Branson didn’t get sentimental over objects, but he did over places. When his family had chosen to sell the two-family home that Branson had grown up in, and into a house without the Blooms nearby, Branson had mourned the loss. Not just of his bedroom, but of living one staircase away from his cousin Rei.
When he’d completed university (choosing to live at home all that time), and had decided to be a self-reliant adult, he’d mourned the loss of his second bedroom, which had become a shared office for Papa and Dad. And then a nursery for the triplets. Now, he was leaving behind his first adult apartment, and stepping into a brand-new chapter of his life.
A life that both excited and terrified him.
They’d gotten the keys two days ago, because the previous tenants had left early, so Branson and Tarius had already begun the move-in process, having all kinds of new furniture deliveredfor the bedrooms and larger dining space. Except for the sleeper sofa and a few bookshelves, they’d left behind the rest of the old furniture, with permission from the landlord. He was hoping to rent it partially furnished.
