Epilogue

Trig

Toby, Jasper, and Ellie had just settled down to sleep… all at the same time. They were three months old, and this was the first time that had ever happened. I was pretty sure it was going to be another few months before it happened again.

It was common to have Jasper and Ellie sleeping around the same times, but Toby was afraid to miss anything and fought sleep. By the time he would give in, the other two would wake up.

I didn't mind. I loved seeing their little personalities shine through, but that didn't mean it didn't wear on me… Well, on all of us. We were exhausted. Even with three of us juggling all the needs of our tiny little ones, it was hard. But it was so worth it. Every day, I looked at their sweet little faces and wondered how I managed to get so lucky.

My mates and I decided to stay at the cabin for what we called our "baby moon." Being out here, we were less likely to be bothered by helpful neighbors who wanted to see the babies or delivery men honking horns in the driveway.

This was a place we could just be a family.

All of us had taken paternity leave, but we had an office set up with real wifi now that we were starting to get back to work.

My brother, Justice, brought the bassinets and supplies from our house when we called to tell him the good news. I thought he'd lost his mind when he came with cases and cases of diapers. If anything, he underestimated our needs.

There was something magical about being at the cabin, and I was glad that our mate had felt the need to come here the day they were born. The serene surroundings provided a perfect backdrop for the beginning of our new life with the triplets.

"What are we gonna do now? We have free time, the three of us, all at once." Nate's voice was filled with disbelief.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Garin's eyes twinkled with a mix of arousal and fatigue.

"I think so. How about you, Trig?" Nate winked in my direction.

I wasn't sure what either one of them was talking about, but if it involved spending adult time with them, I was there for it. Then Nate mouthed the word nap.

"All the yeses to that." Nothing had ever sounded so good.

The three of us climbed into bed and closed our eyes, just snuggling together. The warmth of their bodies next to mine was comforting. We pretended to have a conversation, but Nate immediately fell asleep, and Garin followed right after. I wasn't awake for long after that.

We woke an hour later, not to the babies crying but to a call from my brother. He wanted to stop by with his family and was bringing dinner. I told him he had to wait for an hour because we were busy and shut my phone down. Let him think what he wanted, I was going to reclaim my sleep.

The next time I woke up I was refreshed, but then panic ran through me. According to the clock on the nightstand, we'd been asleep for four hours. Our babies didn't sleep that long. I'd never gotten out of bed that fast. Immediately, I ran to their room to make sure they were okay. Only they weren't there. The three of them were happy as could be in the living room with my brother and his family.

"You scared the daylights outta me." I hugged my brother and then Kaz.

"We saw you three were sound asleep and couldn't bear to wake you. Garin stirred, and I let him know we had it under control." Which explained why he hadn't also raced out of the room like his ass was on fire.

It was a beautiful night, and we decided to eat out on the porch. Nate and Garin set up a makeshift dining area with a picnic blanket and some pillows. We had some rocking chairs out there already, but this was better. Like a picnic without the dirt.

We enjoyed the chicken fingers that my brother made. They were a family favorite at his house, and I had to admit they were delicious. The babies were cooing happily in the arms of their two uncles and Garin. Their toddler cousins loved them so much, and we spent half the dinner reminding them not to share their food with the babies because they didn't have teeth yet.

"Thanks for coming over and giving us a nap and food and for…being you."

"Any time. Thank you for turning the place where memories lived to a place where memories were made." He looked out to where his children were playing. "I think Grandpa would be proud."

"I know he would."