Wednesday I woke up tired and exhausted. Though I didn't know why. I laid in bed the longest until all the guys were out, then rolled out from under the covers and went into the bathroom, like I do every morning, with an extreme urge to use the bathroom.

I growled when I saw that the seat was up, even though the toilet had been flushed.

Putting it down against the lip, I did my business, not in the mood today to deal with toilet lids, beard shavings in the sink, or clothes on the floor. I wasn't even sure if I was ready for work today.

I was still anticipating a call from Grandma Manto; I hadn't talked her since the four of us got back from our honeymoon. It was only a matter time before she called or showed up. I never knew what she was going to do. Next week I’d go over there like I had been and help her out. She wasn't one to let it go, especially since I was family to her now. But she’d have ulterior motives, since Marissa might be carrying Van’s baby. The whole thing was a mess. My aunt and uncle had no idea Marissa didn’t know who the father was, only that she got herself into this predicament. The whole situation was complicated.

Leaving the problem for another day, I turned on the shower and stepped in, thinking about everything I had going on today. It was Thursday and that meant unpacking my house with my husbands. I grinned when I thought of them that way.

Switching gears, I wondered why I hadn't heard from Raina. She might be busy with her new bundle, but I thought she might have called. Maybe she was giving me space. Being newly married and all. Maybe this weekend we could go over and I could snuggle my little niece.

Getting out of the shower, I wrapped up in a towel and was overcome by the wretched smell of burning flesh. Ugh. Bacon. My hand hit my mouth, and before I was sick on the floor, I made it to the toilet, emptying the contents of last night's dinner. Even when that was gone, it didn’t matter that my stomach didn’t have anything in it, I still heaved.

I had to get dressed and get out of here. Cold nipped on my wet shoulders and my knees dug into the tiled floor from praying to the toilet god.

Groaning, I stood and flushed the toilet, then headed back over to the sink to brush my teeth.

The smell was still there, but I had a reprieve for the moment and took it to get dressed and grab my phone. Racing downstairs, I found my shoes and put them on as the guys talked in the kitchen. My hand covered my nose in between putting on shoes.

Then Lincoln saw me, his aqua eyes lighting up. He waved my once favorite breakfast food—now an unwanted piece of burned flesh—in the air with a wide grin. “We have bacon–”

My hand slapped over my mouth and I shook my head, racing to the front door.

Once outside on the porch, which once had a humongous hole the size of the Grand Canyon (maybe I was exaggerating a bit), I gulped in cold crisp air and sighed when the nausea retreated.

Brushing off the bit of snow on the porch rail, I leaned against it wondering about my next move. Did I go back in there? How could I? Not with the– I stopped my train of thought before I could make myself nauseous.

The sound of footsteps scraped across the porch, and I turned to find Lincoln there with his eyebrows up into his hairline. He held my coat, which I’d forgotten to grab in my rush. “What was that?”

I turned away from him to look out over our front yard. “No more bacon.”

“Oh. You got sick?” He laid the coat over my shoulders and helped me into it.

“Yeah.”

Kayden was next to come out, and Lincoln informed him of the no bacon rule.

“Really?” The surprise in Kayden’s voice said it all.

I turned back to Lincoln and Kayden and gave a shrug. I felt bad that they went to all the trouble to make it for me. I loved bacon, but now I didn’t think I’d ever think of it the same way.

“It just doesn't agree with me.”

Lincoln cupped my cheeks and dropped his lips to my forehead. “Okay,” he whispered against my skin before wrapping his arms around my body and drawing me into his. “No more bacon.”

Kayden shot me a goofy grin. “Our baby doesn't like bacon. Got it.”

“Kayden.” Lincoln’s chest rumbled against my cheek. “Go tell Tyler what’s going on and grab your stuff. You can take her out for food before you drop her off at work.”

His smile dropped a bit, but he gave a nod and went inside to do as he was asked.

Lincoln drew back and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His blue eyes were bright and intense all at the same time. “Do you want me to grab you a dab of toothpaste and your toothbrush?” His hand settled on my shoulder, warm and sure. “I can even bring out a bottle of water for rinsing.”

With my arms around his waist, I hugged him as tears threatened. What a sweet gesture.

I sniffed, warning away my tears. “Yes,” I spoke into his coat shoulder. “I’d like that.”

He let me go and went inside to get the stuff for me, and Kayden came back out... with one of our tote boxes and a blanket.

“The guys are going to try to air out the house, so no lingering scent will be inside.” His grin was back and so was the twinkle in his eyes. He rested the tote box by my feet and his gaze met my stomach before he stood. He took my hand and had me sit, wrapping the blanket around me. “I’m going to shovel us out. Lincoln’s going to get you that stuff and then we’ll be on our way.” He gave my forehead a brief kiss. “Love you.”

My heart warmed with his words. “I love you too.”

His lips met my cheek with one more kiss before he left the porch and shuffled through the snow over to the garage to grab the snowblower that had been gifted to us by his parents. It was a must-have during the winter. 

Wrapping the blanket more tightly around me to ward off the chill seeping into my bones, I waited on Lincoln.

I watched Kayden for a while until Lincoln came back and let me clean out my mouth.

With one last goodbye to the guys, Kayden and I got into the now toasty car and headed on our way.

“Where do you want to go eat at?”

My hand hit my stomach and I knew I couldn’t keep anything down. “I don't think food and me are going to agree today.”

He shrugged. “Okay, well, how about some hot chocolate?”

I perked up at the mention of the delicious chocolate drink. “I’m pretty sure I’d be okay with hot chocolate.”

“Good.”

He drove through a coffee shop and ordered me the sweetest, richest hot chocolate. That hit the spot. With the hot drink warming my hands, I murmured my approval with a satisfied groan. “I think I want one of these every day.”

He chuckled and winked at me. “You got it.”

Before taking another sip, I reminded him about what we were doing tonight and what Perry and I had planned for this weekend.

Kayden’s gaze shot to mine before going back to the road. “O-kay. Saturday or Sunday? We had planned to do some appliance shopping, remember?”

I nodded. “I remember. We were planning Saturday. Sunday we can do the appliances.”

“Sounds like a plan, but you better let the others know about this weekend too. You know how we worry.”

I pulled out my phone as he said it. “I will.” When we were dating, I almost always checked in with them and them with me. I didn’t know why this had slipped my mind.

“What are you shopping for?”

I grinned. “House shopping. Might even buy that lamp like you told me to.”

“Well,” he said with a shrug. “Maybe you could buy curtains. Nice ones to go in the living room and family room. Maybe even some of those heavy ones to keep out the cold? It was pretty cold last night. I didn't like snuggling up with my brothers while you were surrounded by them.”

I laughed at that. “Is it weird? All of us sleeping in the same bed? Would you rather a different situation?”

He shook his head, taking one of my hands. “Nah, it's all good. I like us all being together. Especially when things get heated.” Again, he wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.

Another laugh escaped. “I'm glad that you don't mind. I like having you all there with me, knowing where you are. Makes me feel safe.”

He lifted the back of my hand to his lips for a kiss. “We like keeping you safe, sweetcheeks.”