26. Noah

26

The past twenty-four hours have been the hardest of our lives. Knowing what we're having and having to wait to scream it from the rooftop. Of course, it's our fault for the situation we're in. We want to tell everyone at the same time and the only way to do it is to have everyone gather at the Jameses. In hindsight, I should've told my family to be there yesterday because waiting is killing me.

I don't even want to imagine what it's doing to Peyton.

Once I have everything in the back of the SUV, I help Peyton get in. Now that I've seen our precious cargo, I want to wrap her in bubble wrap and keep her locked in the house. She glares at me as I hand her the seatbelt. I can't help it. I want to make sure she's safe.

"You love me," I tell her.

"I don't know, Westbury. You're driving me nuts."

"I know," I say and wink. "But you still love me."

She rolls her eyes.

When I get in, I glance at her and smile. Up until yesterday I didn't think I could be any happier, but the sheer elation I feel is indescribable. I can't wait to be a dad.

"We need to make a list of names," I tell her as I head toward her parents.

"Should we each make a list, pick the top three from each list and then draw one out of a hat?"

"We can, but who is going to draw?"

Peyton turns and looks at Stevie Nicks who is sitting in the back. "She doesn't have opposable thumbs so she's out. Unless we can teach her to reach into a bucket and pull something out."

"I could do that. That would make a cute video."

Without looking, I know my wife is rolling her eyes. She doesn't give two shits about social media. I sort of like it, until I do something stupid on the field and people leave me ridiculous comments about how I should be better at my job. You know, because they're freaking Heisman winners themselves.

"If you can train her, I think that would be fun."

"I'm on it, babe."

At the stoplight, I reach over and rub my hand on her belly. Dr. Ringman said Peyton will be able to feel some kicking soon, which I'm looking forward to. The fact I'll be able to feel the life we've created growing inside of her blows my mind, and I know once it starts happening, it'll take everything I have to stop myself from permanently keeping my hand there.

The drive to Harrison and Katelyn's takes us no time, thanks to the minimal traffic. Thankfully, someone thought to leave a parking spot for us in the driveway. By the looks of it, everyone is here, which is perfect. The more the merrier. After helping Peyton out of the car and getting Stevie Nicks, I grab the necessities I need to pull off the ultimate gender reveal.

"We're here," Peyton yells as we walk inside. The pup takes off, knowing she has friends to play with. We walk toward the back of the condo, where most of the hanging out takes place, and find everyone outside.

As soon as we step out, Katelyn rushes to us. She pulls Peyton into her arms. "You can tell me now," she says. "It's my right as a grandma."

"You get to wait, with everyone else."

"I don't even know," Elle says as she gives Peyton a hug.

We make our rounds, hugging and shaking hands with our family. No one is missing from this event, even our world trotting grandparents are here. They're back from their cruise and already planning their next one.

"I'll be right back," I tell Peyton as I head back inside to prepare my plan. Once I have everything ready, I summon all the men. When they're all in the kitchen, I hand them white T-shirts.

"Here's the deal," I tell them and proceed to fill them in on what their job is. None of them seem thrilled other than the grandpas.

"Remind me not to have you plan any reveals for Elle and me," Ben says as he does what I've asked. I tap him on the back and laugh.

As soon as everyone is ready, I lead them outside and yell for everyone to gather. I thought about dragging this out for hours, but I'm far too eager to hold the news in any longer.

"What on earth?" my mom asks.

I clap my hands to get everyone's attention. "As you can see, the men in your family look pregnant. Each of them has a balloon under their shirt, filled with either blue or pink water."

"Ooh, a wet T-shirt contest. Sign me up," Elle says.

"I'm with you," Yvie adds.

"My first adult time fun," Paige says.

"Leave, now," our dad points to the house, while everyone laughs.

"You too, Little One. You're still a baby in my eyes," JD says.

I happen to glance at Rush, who blushes.

"I've seen him without a shirt on, Daddy," Eden says.

"I didn't need to hear that!" JD sighs.

"Anyway, Peyton and I know the gender. Here's what's going to happen; I'm going to count to three and the men in our family will pop their balloons. Their shirts will either turn blue, pink, or remain white."

"Wait, what?" Mack asks.

"What did you think was going to happen?" Nick asks him.

"Ah, man." He shakes his head as he looks to the ground, avoiding eye contact with Paige. Everyone laughs at him.

I make sure my phone has the best angle to get everyone's reactions and turn on the video to record.

"Guys, are you ready?" They hold up their safety pins. "Assume the position."

Their hand moves next to their fake bellies, ready to jab.

"Go."

The collective sound of each balloon popping and water sloshing, mixed with gasps is a pretty cool sound. I look at my dad and Harrison, waiting for them to realize what we're having. And then everyone starts talking.

"You're having a . . ."

"Boy."

"Girl."

"Wait."

"Oh my God."

Peyton and I let them try to figure it out. She comes to me, wrapping her arm around my waist.

"Peyton, what's going on?" Katelyn asks.

She puts her hand on her stomach and looks at me.

"You tell them," I say to her.

"Yesterday, we found out we're having triplets," she says excitedly. "Two boys and one girl. The boys are identical."

Our parents rush over to us, crushing us in hugs, with tears and congratulatory sentiments.

Katelyn cups Peyton's face. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you."

"Twin boys, really?"

Peyton nods. What she doesn't tell them is we only had two embryos.

"And a girl?"

Another nod.

"You're going to need so much help."

"I know," Peyton says through tears. "You'll be there, right?"

"Every second of every day," Katelyn tells her before pulling her into her arms.

While my mom talks to Peyton, my dad shakes my hand. I can't recall any other time he's done this, except for maybe the first time I met him.

"I'm proud of you," he says. "Damn proud of the man you've become."

"Thanks, Dad."

We stand there, like we did on our wedding day, talking to everyone. Nick, Mack, and Amelie, who is excited to babysit as long as her dad is around to help. Eden and Rush, who probably aren't interested because they're teens and hopefully nowhere near this stage in their relationship. JD and Jenna, who promises us she will keep JD far away from the babies. Xander and Yvie, who says our babies have free dance lessons for life.

Quinn hugs Peyton tightly and then comes to me, so Nola can talk to Peyton. Nola's excited and asks to touch Peyton's stomach.

"Are they kicking yet?" she asks.

"Not yet," Peyton says. "I'm ready though."

"My sister says it's the oddest feeling at first, then you love it, and then you want it to stop." Nola laughs. "I'm so happy for you and Noah."

"Thank you, Nola." They hug.

"Things good?" I ask Quinn.

He nods and smiles, and he looks so much better than he did the last time I saw him.

My sister makes her way over to us. There are more hugs, tears, and promises that she'll babysit whenever. We know it'll never happen. No one her age wants to watch three babies at the same time, but then, it could be a great deterrent from having sex.

The future great grandparents don't promise to babysit, but all say they can't wait for our family to expand.

Elle and Ben bring up the rear. There are lots of tears between the sisters. It's fitting we're having twins. Now maybe I can figure out the twin language while my sons develop their own.

We're about to head over to the food table Katelyn and my mom put together when Harrison comes toward us. He's still wearing his wet shirt. The only pink one. He hugs me and then goes to his daughter and holds her for a long time. He holds his arm out toward me and I step toward him.

"I know you know this, but I feel like I need to say it, ask for help. We will be there. You don't have to do this alone."

"Thank you, Daddy." Peyton hugs him again.

We finally make it to the food table, where Peyton is told to cut the blue and pink cake. She brings me a piece and then sits next to me.

"That was a cute reveal."

"Thanks." I kiss the tip of her nose. "I wanted it all to happen at the same time. Create mass confusion."

"Oh, there was some for sure. It was great."

Mack returns, with both dogs on his heels. He's like the dog whisperer or something. Of course, now that he has a plate of food, they want whatever he has, even though I know he doesn't feed them.

"You know, this time next year, the babies will be crawling."

Just as Peyton says this, Oliver runs by screaming as Harrison chases him.

"We'll have three of those," I say, pointing to Ollie.

"It's never going to be quiet in our house again."

"Bring it on," I tell her. I don't care what my life is going to be like, I'm ready for our babies to get here. "We need to go shopping."

Peyton laughs. "I think we need our own place in Beaumont."

I take a drink of my water. "Yep, on it. We'll figure it out before the babies get here. I promise."

"Thank you."

I look at her, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you and our babies."

"I know and we love you for it."

We end up staying at Peyton's parents for a few more hours. My parents and sister, along with Nick and the kids, all come back to our house, which is bigger than Harrison & Katelyn's. By the time we crawl into bed, I'm exhausted, which means Peyton must be running on fumes.

We're lying on our sides and, I'll admit, I'm jealous of the pregnancy pillow she has right now. I'd rather her wrap her body around me but I know she can't.

"I've been so excited about the triplets I haven't asked if you're happy."

"I don't think happy is the right word, Noah. We've gone through these stages in our life together, from dating to being engaged, to getting married. Kids were always on our list and then we struggled. I wasn't sure we'd make it to this stage. I prayed, hoped, mediated. All I wanted was to have a child with you, to create a life that is the best parts of us."

Peyton puts my hand on her bare stomach.

"We created three. Two boys and a girl. Our family is beyond complete. Having three at once doesn't scare me. I'm so eager to have all three in my arms, in this bed between us while we watch them sleep. I am counting the days until I see you holding our daughter, protecting her. Teaching our boys how to be men."

"The man in me wants the boys to be born first," I tell her. "I want them to be big brothers to our little girl."

"I think, no matter what, they'll be the best big brothers. They have you and Quinn as role models."

"And JD."

Peyton rolls her eyes. "He'll teach the kids some weird Britishisms and we won't have any idea what they're saying."

"This pregnancy is going to be harder than we thought."

Peyton nods. "I'll be on bed rest."

"I don't like that I won't be with you all the time."

"I know, which is another reason I want to go to Beaumont. I know my parents are here, but unless my mom moves in, it'll take an hour for her to get here. Plus, she has Oliver. I know she'll come when I call, but I think that puts a lot of pressure on her."

"We'll find a place. I'll start tomorrow."

"I'll stay in Portland for a bit. I'm not ready to give up on watching you play football just yet."

I can't help but smile.

"Are you okay with me posting our pic?"

Peyton nods. I lean over to the nightstand and grab my phone. I have a series of photos in my drafts. We go through them and pick one together. It's of us kissing, her bump is showing, and Stevie Nicks is sitting in front of us. We took it one morning last week after the pup and I went for a run on the beach and Peyton did yoga. It's very us in our normal lives.

Introducing Stevie Nicks. Our newish addition to the family.

"What do you think?"

"I approve of the ‘newish' term."

"How many times do you think people will ask if you're pregnant?"

"Many, even though as soon as you post it, Elle will comment with the pregnancy emoji."

"God, I love her."

I publish the picture and wait about thirty seconds for the likes and comments to come in. Sure enough, Elle is first, and she comes through with the emoji. Followed by Paige saying she can't wait to be an auntie.

Peyton clicks on Paige's profile. "How does she have so many followers?"

"She's popular on the apps," I tell her.

We watch the comments roll in and respond to the ones from my teammates. I turn my phone off and give all my attention to my wife.

"Now, let's talk names."