Page 191 of Maple Mountain
“God, we’re going to be walking zombies,” Salem said.“But yeah, I kind of agree.Pregnant off and on for nearly a decade.Dear Lord.I can’t really think too hard about this.”
“One rule, though,” Poet said.
“What’s that?”I asked.
“If someone decides they’re done, that’s okay.This is a nice idea, but realistically ...”
“Realistically, this is an insane plan,” Salem said.
There was a knock on the door, but it opened before we could respond.All four of our men squished into the room, making the space even smaller.
“Oh good, you’re all here,” Hadley said with a wide grin.“We have something we’d like to tell you.”
“Tell us?”Declan asked.
“We’re each going to have four babies, no more than two years apart,” Hadley announced.
“Do we get a say if we’re having boys or girls?”Declan asked in amusement.
“The sperm decides,” Archer said.
Everyone looked at him.
“I feel like I’ve been drinking,” Poet said.“But I haven’t been.”
“Maybe it’s the sugar,” Salem remarked.“Because I feel that way too.”
“We’re in a mental institution,” Cas stated.“And the patients are running the asylum.”
“Oh hush.Stop blustering.You all wanted to knock us up as fast as you could.Go have another glass of scotch in celebration,” Salem said.
“I mean, she’s notwrong,” Cas murmured.
The men filed out of the room and Archer closed the door behind them.
“Life has been pretty great up until now,” Hadley said.“But I have this feeling it’s just going to get better.”
“Damn right it will,” Poet said.“Because I’m about to get another slice of cake.Who’s with me?”
ChapterForty-Three
The House
The Christmas lights twinkled, and the gas fireplace crackled.Mildred was curled up on the plaid tree skirt, her head resting on her paws as she watched us get settled on the couch.
It was Christmas Eve, and we were having our own quiet celebration because we would be spending Christmas Day at the ranch.
I’d fixed the broken popsicle stick ornament and it hung haphazardly on a tree branch.Lenni touched it before she said, “Should we do stockings first?”
She gestured to the mantle at the five stockings hanging from nails.We’d hung Blair’s stocking even though it was empty.Still, it had made Lenni cry tears of joy when Archer had suggested it when we’d decorated the tree with all of her old childhood ornaments.
The old and the new.
“Mildred should go first,” I said.
Lenni nodded and pulled out a gray mouse toy and a bag of homemade dog treats that Muddy and I had baked.
Lenni tossed the mouse toy across the floor and Mildred darted after it.Soon, she was engaged in a game ofmust destroy furry creature.
