Chapter Forty Four

Trinity

We spent two more days in Barcelona, hanging out with our family and showing the kids around. We’d been back for a month now, and luckily, we hadn’t bumped into our detective friend again... yet!

Two weeks after our return, Felicity and Dave welcomed their baby girl into the world. They named her Annabelle. She was a spitting image of her mother, with gorgeous dark hair and big hazel eyes.

The twins and Willie were smitten with her, showering their new family member with love.

Stephen and Clint decided to hold off on sharing our Barcelona findings with Benji and Dave. They didn’t want to pull Dave away from his family during this special time.

Tonight, though, we were all heading to Mia and Clint's for dinner. The four guys planned to discuss everything there. Mia and Clint offered to host since I was 35 weeks pregnant and cooking for eight adults and three kids wasn’t something I was eager to do.

Stephen called out, “Baby, I have the twins ready. Are you almost good to go? I just need to change quickly.”

“Just put them on our bed, baby. I'll only be a few minutes,” I replied.

I quickly finished fixing my hair and applying a bit of makeup so I didn’t look like a walking zombie. I then went to our room to get our babies. I took them downstairs and put them in the lounge while I fed Shankly and locked up. When I returned to the lounge, I found my little monkeys playing with the TV remotes.

“Hey, you cheeky monkeys, what are you doing with Daddy's TV remotes? He'll cry if you wreck his TV,” I teased.

Stephen joined in, “Hey! What are you giggling about, buddy? Did you steal my TV again?”

We scooped up our chuckling munchkins, made sure Shankly was settled inside, and then got in the car to head to Mia and Clint's.

We arrived after a short drive, got the kids out of the car, and headed inside.

“Daddy's home,” Stephen announced.

“Oooo, did you hear that, baby? It's Daddy,” Clint joked, running out of the kitchen to throw himself on Stephen. The twins chuckled while Mia and I exchanged amused glances.

“My Daddy,” Olivia declared.

“Awww, but princess, aren't I your favorite Uncle Clint?” Clint asked, basking in the attention.

“Uncle Aunty,” Willie called out. “Nateeee.”

We knelt down to greet Willie, but the two boys quickly lost interest and raced off together.

“Okay, buddy, good to see you too. Clearly, we're invisible to our kids now,” Stephen laughed.

Mia joined in, “Hahaha, they're probably running before Livy puts her foot down. Can you imagine what it'll be like when they have Annabelle bossing them around too?”

Stephen wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his hands on my belly. “That's alright. When my pea pod here is born, us boys will have the upper hand again.”

Mia and I both raised our eyebrows at him. “Really?” we asked in unison.

Clint laughed, “Hahaha, you're screwed, mate. Good luck with that. Come on, princess, let's get out of the firing line.”

“Hey, give me my daughter back! I might need the extra protection,” Stephen protested.

“You snooze, you lose, mate,” Clint retorted, laughing.

We went inside, got the kids settled, and I helped Mia in the kitchen while the boys went out back for a joint. We’d come over earlier to help Mia, knowing she’d appreciate it.

Soon, the others arrived, and we helped Felicity settle Annabelle in one of the guest rooms since she was asleep.

“Awww, she's adorable, Flick. Kind of makes me wish we were having another girl,” I said.

“There's still time, Momma. I'll happily make another baby with you,” Stephen said, wrapping his arms around me. I hadn’t heard him come in.

Felicity laughed, “Haha, the look on your wife's face right now says you have slim to no hope.”

“So, it must be Maddie's turn next then?” Mia teased.

“No, no, no, no, no. I'm pretty sure you and Clint are the ones wanting another one,” Maddison protested.

“Hey, I want another one. Pick me,” Stephen chimed in.

“Shhh, this is girl talk. Shoo, you. Back outside with the kids,” I told him.

“Love you too, baby,” Stephen replied.

“Love you, bye-bye. Next time you come back in, don't talk about my uterus again,” I warned him.

“Haha, yeah, that's not going to stop. I'll just impregnate you when you least expect it,” Stephen teased.

“Why are you still here?” I asked, laughing.

We went back down to join our boys and chatted for a bit while we waited for dinner.

“So, have you guys gotten any closer to picking a date for the wedding?” Clint asked David.

“We've started planning, bro, but thought we might hold off for another six months,” David replied.

“Dave wanted to have Belle involved in it, so we thought we would wait until she's a little older,” Felicity explained.

“I just can't get on board with you guys anymore. First marriage, now all these babies. You're killing me,” Benji complained.

“Hey, your woman is sitting right there, you know. So rude, Benj. Give the woman a ring already,” Stephen teased.

“Oh no, it's fine. I'm definitely with Benji on this one,” Maddison assured us.

“See, she knows we got a good thing. No need to share me with kids yet,” Benji said.

“I notice the 'yet' on the end there. So, there's still time, hey?” I teased.

Everyone laughed.

“Well, excuse me, my loves. I better go check on dinner,” Mia said.

We all went in to help Mia, giving the guys some privacy to fill Benji and Dave in on what they found out in Barcelona. We didn’t want to drag Flick and Maddie into it. While the boys did that, us girls went into the front room to catch up while watching the kids.

“How much longer do you have to go now, Trin?” Maddison asked.

“Only three, maybe four weeks max, thankfully. I hate this part of the pregnancy most,” I replied.

“Oh, and the beginning,” Mia added.

“Don't forget the middle when you're constantly trying to wiggle into clothes that fit just last week,” Felicity chimed in.

“Haha, so basically the whole part until you finally hold your babies and suddenly forget it all,” I said.

“How are things going with you and Benj, Maddie?” Mia asked.

“Really well. He's an amazing guy,” Maddison replied.

“Yeah, he is. Do you see yourself settling down with him anytime soon?” I asked.

“Well, he did ask me to move in with him. We've been discussing it, so I definitely see a future with him. I think we're both enjoying the time with just the two of us now to think of anything more just yet,” Maddison explained.

“You guys are adorable. Are you going to move in with him?” Felicity asked.

Maddison - I believe so. I can’t see why not. He’s the one I picture when I think about my future.

Mia - That’s wonderful. Things are finally falling into place.

Trinity - Well, if you or Maddie decide to have a baby girl, we’ll be back to square one.

Mia - Clint’s working on that, don’t you worry.

We all share a smile, continuing our conversation. About forty-five minutes later, the oven timer rings, signaling it’s time to call the boys in for dinner. As they file in, I walk over to my husband, wrapping my arms around him and standing on my tiptoes to give him a kiss.

Trinity - How did it go, baby?

Stephen - I’ll fill you in when we get home, but I think we’ve got a plan.

Trinity - I knew that handsome brain of yours would figure it out, babe.

Stephen wraps his arms around me, his hand resting on my butt as he leans down to whisper in my ear.

Stephen - Baby, you should know by now, there’s nothing small about this head.

I shoot him a playful look, opening my mouth to respond when Clint interrupts.

Clint - I saw that look! Are you two talking dirty again? Can’t you keep it in your pants for one civilized adult dinner?

Stephen - Shut up, Barney.

Stephen, Mia, and I burst into laughter at Clint’s expense, while everyone else looks on, confused. Yeah, we’re going to have to explain that one over dinner.