CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

APRIL POV

I was often asked if it was weird that my father and my best friend were now married and had triplets babies. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. But most of the time, I didn’t think about it. When I was with April, she was my best friend. And when I was with my dad, he was my dad.

 Now that they were married, it was sometimes a little weirder because it was hard to keep their roles separate. As long as I didn’t think about them having sex, I was usually okay. Mostly, I was happy for them. And of course, I loved my new little brothers.

I tried to focus on this as I sat with all of them in the living room, listening to Christmas music and making Christmas ornaments, Gweneth idea of a new family tradition. This was our first Christmas as a family, and I wanted it to be perfect for them. So I plastered on a smile, even though my problems weighed heavily on me.

 A month ago, my on-again, off-again boyfriend was killed in my house. It still sent chills down my spine to wonder what would happen if I had been there. Or if Aaron, Cole’s brother, had been there. I couldn’t figure out why Cole was there as I’d kicked him out yet again.

 I still grappled with wondering why he couldn’t change. What hold had the people he worked with held over him that he was willing to risk his life and break the law just for money? I finally decided it was the money and power.

  So many nights, Aaron and I would stay up together, worried sick about Cole, and he’d saunter in, cocky and high on something, acting like we were a bunch of whiny pansies. I wanted to help him, but he wouldn’t listen. Even when I ended up caught up in one of his schemes and was nearly arrested, he didn’t care. He thought I was overreacting to be upset.

 From that time until just before Thanksgiving, he was in and out of my home like a revolving door because I kept hoping that this time, he would change. The last three times, Aaron, who still rented a room in my place, told me not to take Cole back. But I couldn’t say no, and so Cole would move back in with me until everything went horribly wrong. Thank Gosh Aaron wasn’t one to say, “I told you so.” Instead, he’d listen when I’d scream in anger. Or hold me when I cried. Aaron was the only reason I had been able to stand up to Cole that final time.

 Why he was in my house when he was killed, I don't know because I had finally resolved that I was done with him. Did he think he could just show up and all would be well? Had he left something there that he was looking for?

  “How’s this?” My father held up a paper chain of multicolored paper.

      “Very Christmassy,” I said.

      He winked.

      "It looks like someone here needs to go to bed,” Gweneth said, looking down at one of the triplets sleeping in her arms.

   My father stood up and took the baby from Gweneth. "Let me get him down. I'll give you two girls a chance to talk."

      Normally, I might've corrected my father and told him we were women, but I was still off my game.

      "Come sit with me." Gwen moved closer to the fire and patted the floor next to her.

  Finding my inner snark, I arched a brow. "Is there any possibility that my brothers were conceived there?"

 Her cheeks blushed. "There is. But come sit with me anyway."

 I did as she asked. She put her arm around me, and I rested my head on her shoulder.

 "I know that you are still grieving the loss of Cole."

"I was so done with him.” Maybe if I said it enough, it would be true.

"I know, but that doesn't mean you didn't care for him. But it seems like something else is going on. Your father's worried sick, and I agreed that I would talk to you about it because as you know, he's not always really good at this stuff."

      I smiled. "He's better, but . . ." I sat up and turned my body to face her, knowing there was no more putting off this discussion. "There is something else going on."

She took both my hands in hers and looked me in the eyes. This was what had made Gwen such a great friend. She was here one hundred percent. That didn't mean I wasn't scared to tell her what was going on. Or maybe I was just more nervous about what my father was going to do.

 "In October, I went to a Halloween party and Cole was there."

 Her expression told me she knew where this conversation was going. In a weak moment, I’d given in to Cole’s charm again, wanting to believe all his promises even though by then, I knew he couldn't keep them.

"You can't beat yourself up for loving somebody who couldn't get their act together. For a time, I did the same."

She had, but my father was strong enough and willing to get help to deal with his issues. Cole couldn’t or wouldn't.

I realized I was trying to draw out the inevitable. I needed to treat it like a Band-Aid and rip it off. "The thing is, Gweneth, I'm pregnant."

In an instant, her brows shot up to her hairline. But a second later, she schooled her expression back to concern. She squeezed my hands. "How long have you known?"

 "Long enough to know that I want to keep it. I mean, I know I'm not going to have what you and Dad have, but I think I could be a good mom."

 She nodded. "I can't blame you for that. For all his troubles, you cared for Cole and now you have a part of him. No matter what, I will be here for you. And he might rage and say crazy things, but your dad will be here for you and the baby as well."

      I let her pull me into a hug, and I did feel better, except for the fact that I was still lying.

 The truth was, I hadn’t been with only Cole, as I’d suggested to Gweneth. I’d been with his brother too. The baby I carried was actually Aaron’s.