Halloween Special Chapter 4 - Riko

My husbands are something else. I can’t believe after all these years, they can still not only make me blush but that after four children, they get me so hot and bothered. First, Elijah and his sweet kisses, telling me about my upcoming spa day. 

Then Darius and his heated kisses, offering to take care of the pump and store the milk in the nursery’s mini-fridge. And now Forrest with his naughty promises after having fed our baby. Plus, I know he did Aiko’s hair which is just so sweet. 

I love them so much. My husbands are excellent fathers. I still feel overwhelmed with four kids, but I’m glad I have my husbands. Them planning the spa day shows me that not only did they notice I was struggling these past few weeks but that they took the initiative to do something about it. And they are so good with our kids. It melts my heart every time I see them with the kids doing anything.

As we all stepped out onto the porch, I couldn’t help but chuckle. We were quite the crew. Darius and Forrest both had their handsome faces hidden behind helmets. Only Elijah didn’t have to wear a helmet. They’d considered just being stormtroopers, but I vetoed the idea. 

I didn’t want them to dress up identical, especially not as clones, which is what stormtroopers started out as. “Don did an amazing job on the pod,” I commented as I carefully laid Ryū into the pod stroller and secured him in place. 

“Yeah. I told Don we owe him one. I may have also told him about our family,” Darius said. This statement got all of our attention. We hadn’t really disclosed to many people our family dynamic. “Are you sure that’s safe?” Elijah asked. 

“Yeah. I trust Don. He didn’t make a big deal of it. If anything, I think it cleared up some confusion on why my brothers and wife are so close,” Darius shrugged. 

“Well, as long as you trust him,” I nodded, lifting his helmet enough to kiss him quickly. “Thanks, sweetheart,” Darius sighed. I didn’t need to see his eyes or the rest of his face to know he’s been worried about how we’d handle him telling people. “Yeah, we trust you, bro,” his brothers nodded. And like that is was settled.

I fixed the kid’s costumes and got everyone in place while Forrest set up a tripod with his phone. Darius was on one side with Ryū in his pod, starting to fall asleep. For as grumpy as he can get, you can count on him sleeping after a bottle. Elijah was holding Hikari in his arms. 

I scooped Saki into mine, standing between Darius and Elijah. Then, once he had the camera timer ready, Forrest rushed up, black cape flapping behind him, scooped up Aiko, and stood next to Elijah. 

After a few family pictures, we did pictures of me with the kids, then each of the boys with them, and finally the kids. We did group pictures and individual. I know it may sound like a lot of pictures. But well, you trying to get four kids, okay three since Ryū was sleeping, to look at the camera. 

They are only slightly worse than getting my husbands to stand a certain way and look at the camera. Yes, we did pictures of my husbands together, the three of them with me, and then at their insistence, me with each of them. 

I knew my dad, the boys’ parents, and grandparents, especially my grandparents, would love getting the pictures. And then we set off, leaving a big cauldron full of candy on the porch with a sign that said ‘Take a handful.’ We left our porch light on, and otherwise, our eight jack lanterns lined the stairs providing ambiance.

We were a big hit as we walked the neighborhood. Granted, our neighbors don’t know our family dynamic. They just think it’s me, husband, our kids, and his two brothers sort of Full House style. And that’s fine. 

I’m on good terms with the moms in the area. We have a moms group that meets a couple times a month at the playground. I see them at activities for the kids and things like that. But I’m not super close to any of them.

So I don’t ever discuss that I have three husbands. I don’t vent about them either. I save that for Cassidy and Reese. Though both make gagging noises when anything sexual is brought up. And I don’t blame them. Especially Reese since she is, after all, my husbands’ cousin. If I had cousins, I wouldn’t want to hear about their sex lives either.

The only downside to our neighbors thinking only Elijah is mine are all the single women who hit on Darius and Forrest. It pisses me off, and I have to try so hard to keep my jealousy in check. 

At least I trust my husbands and know they don’t give any of those women a time a day. Some of the single moms have whispered that they think Darius and Forrest are gay. Oh, if they only know how far from true that was.

“Oh, aren’t you all so cute,” Thinking of single women that hit on my husbands. I plastered a big smile on my face as we crossed paths with Delores Wright and her five-year-old son. Delores was in a pirate wench costume, and her son Danny was a pirate. 

“Thank you. This year Forrest decided our theme,” I smiled, gesturing to Darth Vader Forrest, who seemed to be trying to negotiate candy from Aiko. 

“That’s so creative. My ex wouldn’t have even thought to do a whole theme. Elijah, you must be very accepting to let your brother decide how to dress your wife and kids,” she battered her eyes at him. 

“Which if Forrest is Darth Vader, that means. Darius, is that you under the Mandalorian helmet?” her voice taking on a flirty tone. “Yeah, that would be me,” Darius answered, bored and not paying attention as he shook a rattle at Ryū to keep him happy.

“Forrest is a creative guy and has amazing ideas,” Elijah shrugged. “Well, I just wanted to say hi. And Darius and Forrest, I’m having an adult Halloween at my house after my ex picks up my son. You’re more than welcome to join. There will be plenty of drinks and single ladies,” she winked. I can’t see their faces, but I know their body language. Both Darius and Forrest shuddered. 

“Not interested. So you can remove us from your singles invite list for future reference,” Darius coldly stated, pushing Ryū’s pod stroller around her. “What he said. Have a good night, Danny. Killer pirate costume,” Forrest answered, his voice coming out in that deep Darth Vader voice. 

Aiko scoffed at Delores as she followed her dads. Hikari stuck out his tongue at her but waved at Danny as Elijah walked them around to catch up with his brothers. “That was rude,” Delores scoffed. “Your brother-in-laws are rude,” she repeated. 

“They aren’t rude. Darius is just blunt and has no time to waste on anyone he’s not interested in. And they aren’t interested in you or any of your friends,” I shrugged, taking Saki’s hand to walk past. “Well, I never...” Delores harrumphed. “And you never will,” Saki taunted, sticking her tongue out.

I chuckled, shaking my head. Oh Lord, help me, my children are exactly like their fathers… or worse, like my grandmother. I gave Saki the side-eye in concern. I don’t think I could handle it if she or Aiko or worse both grow up to have even half my grandmother’s tenacity. “Am I in trouble?” Saki pouted. “No, Princess. I’m proud of you. Always stand up for yourself and others you treasure,” I smiled.

I sighed as I looked ahead of me. Saki had caught up to everyone, and Darius had her in his arms as he pushed the stroller with one hand. Elijah was carrying Hikari while Forrest held Akio. Three of the most amazing men and fathers in the world, and they are all mine. How did I get this lucky? I’ll be sure to show them how much I love them and am grateful to have them after my recovery time ends.