Confetti Cannons

VIOLET

Daniel’s hand finds its way to my belly again, resting just above my navel. He’s been more touchy-feely than usual today. He’s always been a loving guy, but this is a new level. He never used to touch my belly when I was carrying Ella.

“We kept the pregnancy a secret,” I confess.

He shifts his attention to the white mare standing nearby, stroking her gently. “Has Callum always despised me this much?” he questions.

“He’s just concerned I might prefer someone younger, someone closer to my age,” I explain.

Daniel turns to face me. His eyes hold a ghost of something before he quickly conceals it, much like Zach does. “Do you want someone younger? Someone like me?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m in love with all three of them.”

“That’s a relief,” he says, reaching out to pet another horse. “I wanted to discuss something with you,” he murmurs.

“Sure, what’s on your mind?” I ask.

“This is more difficult than I anticipated,” he confesses. I reach out to caress his face, and he leans into my touch, our fingers intertwining.

He takes a deep breath, staring ahead. “Violet, I think I might be bisexual.”

“That’s wonderful. It opens up more possibilities. You’ll never be bored,” I respond, and he snorts, giving me a sideways glance.

“That’s why I wanted to talk to you. You never say anything negative.”

“I’m sure Carla would be supportive as well,” I assure him.

“But I’m concerned about my dad. He still struggles with Zach’s choices.”

“Jerry has come a long way. I think you’ll be okay,” I reassure him, nudging him with my shoulder. “Do you have a crush on a boy?” I inquire.

“Well, there was this end-of-school party, and I ended up in bed with a teammate. It was confusing because I’ve never done anything like that before. We didn’t do much, but I didn’t hate it. I’ve only ever been with one girl before.”

“Wait, you’ve only ever been with one person before?”

“Yes,” he confirms, smirking at me.

“Have you ever had sex, Daniel?”

“Nope,” he replies, emphasizing the ~p~ just like Zach does. I can’t believe he’s a virgin. Zach and Tyler had me convinced he was a player.

“So you don’t know if you like either gender yet?”

“I like girls, especially their breasts,” he admits, glancing at my chest before smirking and looking away. “I definitely like girls.”

“But you’ve never wanted to do more than kiss and touch?” I ask, puzzled.

“I’m saving myself for my wife…or maybe my husband,” he shrugs.

“You should talk to Tyler or Callum about this. They’d be better at giving advice,” I suggest, leaning in for one of Daniel’s comforting side hugs. I don’t even suggest talking to Zach because he would just make a joke out of it.

“I don’t think Callum would want to tell me how he sleeps with my brothers.”

I chuckle. Callum would be too mortified to do that.

“But he could tell you what it’s like to be bisexual.”

“Perhaps,” he concedes, falling silent as he gazes out over the horse fields. “So, another baby, huh?”

“Yes. It was a surprise. I went in to get my birth control updated and found out I was already pregnant.”

“You’re an amazing mom. You’ll do great with another one.” I want to ask him what he thinks about having two more, but I refrain. We’re supposed to be surprising everyone.

“We should head inside before Jerry spills the beans to Carla, Liz, and Lynn,” I suggest, making my way toward the house.

“My dad can keep a secret, Vi.”

“I hope so,” I respond, laughing as we enter the house hand in hand. He lets go of my hand just outside the kitchen.

“We wouldn’t want the boys to get the wrong idea,” he says, walking ahead of me.

Zach springs into action, distributing envelopes with the twins’ first ultrasound pictures. Everyone looks puzzled until Zach pulls me into the kitchen.

My cheeks heat up with embarrassment as everyone turns to look at me, grinning.

“We have a surprise for you,” Callum announces, bouncing Ella on his knee.

“Violet’s pregnant. Open your envelopes,” Tyler instructs. Everyone does, and Carla and Jerry are the first to pull out the ultrasound pictures. They look at me, and Carla starts crying. Liz gasps next, followed by Lynn and Carl exclaiming, “Blimey.”

“You’re having twins, Vi?” Daniel asks, his eyes wide.

“Yes, we’re having twins,” Zach confirms, pulling me against him. Everyone congratulates us, but the surprises aren’t over. The boys have planned a gender reveal in the backyard with balloons and confetti cannons.

“We also have another surprise. We don’t know the babies’ genders yet. We put the information in those balloons and these confetti cannons. We want to find out with all of you in the yard,” Tyler explains. “Mom, can you take pictures?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“Let’s go. I need to know if I’m going to have more nieces or nephews,” Daniel says, standing up and heading for the back door.

My nerves start to get the better of me. My palms are sweaty, and my heart is racing.

I don’t know what I’m hoping for. I don’t have a preference, and none of the boys have expressed a preference either.

We all just want healthy babies. The doctor wants me on bed rest, which worries me, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep these miracles safe.

I follow everyone outside, where Callum is standing with one of the balloons. Zach stands next to the other balloon, taking a pin from Tyler.

Jerry and Daniel each hold a confetti cannon, aiming them at us as I stand between the balloons, holding Tyler’s hand.

“Are we ready?” Tyler asks.

Everyone says yes, except for me. I’m too nervous to speak.

“Three, two, one. Pop the balloons,” Tyler instructs, and they do. Simultaneously, Daniel and Jerry set off the confetti cannons. We’re showered in blue confetti, and I start crying.

We’re having twin boys. I can already picture them, with light skin like mine, blue eyes, and brown hair. I can see their dimples as they run around, playing with toy cars and trucks.

“Holy shit, Vi. You’re in for a wild ride,” Daniel says, grinning at me.

“I hope they’re not like Zach, or you’re in for a tough eighteen years,” Jerry says, pulling me into a hug. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”

Lynn comes over next, tears in her eyes. “Congratulations. Two boys. That’s going to be a handful. Good thing they have so many dads to keep them in line,” she jokes.

“I bet they’ll be nothing like Ella,” I say.

“I think you’re right. She’s a very well-behaved baby,” Liz says, hugging me.

“That’s two for two,” Tyler says, grinning.

“Twin boys, Vi. If they’re like me, you might just leave,” Zach teases.

“Never,” I assure him, smiling.