CHAPTER ONE
Being a triplet isn’t that unusual. At least it’s not for the people who live at Belle Fleur, and it’s definitely not if your last name is Jordan.
River Jordan and his brothers, Quinn and Finnegan, were born to Patrick and Margo Jordan. Their father was a triplet, born of a triplet. It seemed no one could escape it in their family and in some weird way, they didn’t want to. Being a triplet was part of their identity.
“What’s with all you guys bein’ triplets?” asked Jonathon Price. He wasn’t exactly a bully, at least not to River, Quinn, and Finnegan. They were bigger than he was and knew how to fight. But for most of the fifth grade, he was their nightmare.
“There’s nothing with being a triplet,” said River shaking his head. “It’s just how we were born. Like you were born being a single child.”
“Yeah but all your cousins are triplets too. My old man says you’re all takin’ some sort of weird drug or drinkin’ somethin’ weird,” he scoffed. He looked at the others in the class hoping to get some sort of reaction, a small laugh would be enough to keep him going.
But there was nothing. As much as they feared Jonathon. They admired the Jordan kids and their family.
“There’s no reason to make fun of my family,” said Quinn. “We don’t make fun of yours.”
“You shut up!” yelled Jonathon. The last thing he wanted to do was open that door. “There ain’t nothin’ to make fun of.”
River, Quinn, and Finnegan knew there was plenty that someone could make fun of for Jonathon. His father was always drunk in spite of having a good job. He had children by other women all around town and no one said a word. His mother wasn’t much better. She slept with their neighbor, the guy at the grocery store, and word had it that she entertained men during the day for money.
“No. There’s nothing anyone could say to make fun of you and your family,” said River. “And there’s nothing to make fun of in my family. So, please stop.”
Jonathon stared at the identical brothers shaking his head. He didn’t like to lose and he damn sure didn’t like to be made fun of. His old man beat him whenever he thought he let some kid get the better of him. He’d actually hit him in front of the entire baseball team when he missed the catch at second base two weeks ago.
In fact, thought Jonathon, it was one of the Jordan dads that charged the field and stopped him. Had it not been for him, his father wouldn’t have cared who was looking.
Quinn stepped forward, getting as close as he dared to Jonathon.
“We don’t have to be enemies,” he whispered. “If you need a friend, if you need help, let us know.”
It was such a grown-up thing to say but Quinn and his brothers knew that it was exactly what their father would have said. Jonathon said nothing as the three brothers walked away. He turned and ran out of the classroom.
“You did good Quinn,” smiled River. “Dad would be proud of you.”
“He’s just a scared kid. A kid like us but without the good parents,” said Quinn.
Jonathon wasn’t the first or last bully the triplets would encounter in their lives. Even women would often attempt to bully them believing that because they were handsome, tall, and well-built they were also snobs, stuck on themselves.
They were all surprised when they realized that the brothers were humble, kind, smart, and just wanted to fit in like other kids, or at least the other kids at Belle Fleur.
When the time came to make a decision about what they would do after high school, it was a short list. SEAL. Ranger. MARSOC. Delta. Air Force. That was it. With their great-grandfather, grandfather, and father all having been SEALs, the boys were fairly certain of their future.
“So, you’ve all decided to join the Navy and become SEALs?” asked their mother.
Margo Jordan had once been a humanitarian worker, helping refugee women and children get to safe locations. While in Syria, she’d found an American girl hiding in the bathroom and rescued her, running right into Patrick and his team.
It was a rocky start for the two of them but Patrick didn’t have a choice but to fall in love with the woman. They were pregnant almost right away with triplets, delivering just a short time after Sadie and Ham, and then Christopher and Ramey delivering a little while later as well.
Nine babies all at the island mansion living under the watchful eyes of their parents.
“We have, Mom,” said River. “Are you okay with that?”
“River, whether I’m okay with it or not doesn’t change your decision. You’re smart young men. With all these damn SEALs around you, it makes sense that the three of you would choose that occupation. Just promise me that you’ll get your college degree as well.”
“You know we will, Mom,” smiled Quinn. “We’ve been assured that we can all serve on the same team.”
“Is that wise?” she frowned looking at her husband.
“Christopher and I served on the same team,” said Patrick. “It’s been known to happen and we’ve created a legacy of identical teammates which scares the fuck out of the enemy.”
