^“Your turn,” I chuckle at Andre, who leans over the monopoly board as he rubs his face in annoyance. I look at my houses and hotels, and I know that any move is going to mean he loses at this point. I have all the cards and the money.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask as he rolls his dice and lands on a seven. I’ve wanted to ask him about his parents for a while.

“Sure,” he replies.

“You told me that you grew up in foster homes, and I was just confused why your parents left you this house,” I say.

He moves his hat token across the board, landing on my card, with the hotel on it. “I actually don’t know why they left this house to me. It was a shock, when I hadn’t spoken to or seen them since I was a child. I don’t know why social services took me away and likely don’t want to. Mel doesn’t speak about my parents, and I don’t think they are worth the hassle.” I agree with him.

“Damn it, how are you this good?” Andre asks as he looks at the board and realises where he’s landed, making me laugh.

“Don’t be a sore loser,” I say, and he narrows his eyes at me.

“You’re so cheeky, Ellie,” he says, pushing the board out of the way and crawling over to me. I giggle as he pulls me onto his lap and starts tickling my sides.

“Ellie, you have a lot of explaining to do,” my mother’s voice drifts over from the door and we both freeze. Holy ducks, I hope I’m imagining this.

“Mum?” I ask, turning my head and seeing her and my father glaring at me from the door. Kaiden is standing next to them, holding the door open and has a panicked look on his face. I clear my throat as Andre lifts me off his lap, taking my hand as he helps me stand up.

“You are pregnant. Drew wasn’t lying,” my dad says. My parents look just like the last time I saw them. My mum’s grey hair is up in a tight bun, and she is dressed like she’s going for a business meeting in her black trousers and white shirt. My father is more casually dressed, wearing jeans and a blue jumper. They look slightly older and tanned, suggesting they’ve been abroad in one of their holiday homes for a while.

“What did you say? Drew?” I ask, repeating his answer in my mind.

“Yes, your ex-husband called to explain that our daughter is living with four strippers and is pregnant,” Dad says, and I feel myself going pale. Andre keeps his hand in mine.

“I can explain–” I say, and my mum cuts me off.

“You’re having our first grandchild, and you don’t think that you should have told us, Ellie?” she says, her voice crackling a little when she says my name. I’m a little confused by her reaction, I mean, they haven’t spoken to me in a long time.

“The last time we spoke, you told me to get back with Drew. You know what he did to me, and I was never happy. You haven’t asked where I’m living or offered any help even when you knew my house was burnt down. I don’t know why you expected me to tell you anything,” I say, and she shakes her head.

“I hoped you could fix your marriage, but we would have been there for you, if you told us you needed us, Ellie. We could have been there for you,” my mum says, shocking me. No one says anything for a long time, as I watch my mum and dad. Kaiden moves into the room, coming to stand on the other side of me. He doesn’t touch me, but I take his hand.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and give you the chance to decide your own opinion. I’m going to be honest with you now, and you can leave if you wish,” I say, and I see my mum’s eyes widen as she looks at Andre and Kaiden. Seeing us all close and holding hands.

“Honest about what?” my dad says, placing his hands on his hips and giving me a look that makes me want to hide. I take a deep breath. Holy ducks, I can do this.

“I’m in a relationship with four men. Four amazing, kind, and loving men. Andre is the father of our baby, but they all want to be involved. This is my life now, and I’m not walking away from them because anyone disapproves or has their own beliefs. If you want to be in my life, you have to accept this. Accept us,” I say, feeling both Andre and Kaiden squeeze my hands in support.

“You’re sleeping with four men?” my mum squeaks out. Her voice is high-pitched, and I know it’s because it’s a shock. I don’t want to answer her question because it’s not the point. Yes, I’m sleeping with four men, but I love them, the sex is just a bonus.

“I’m going to be completely honest, four men who work as strippers.” I say, feeling the need to tell them everything and changing the subject a little.

“Strippers? I thought Drew was joking,” my mum says in a whisper, her face going pale, and I see a small smile on my dad’s lips, but he doesn’t say anything as he looks at the ground. That’s odd.

“Yes,” I say, and she shakes her head.

“My god, Ellie,” my mum says. I stand still as I watch her walk out. Just like I expected her to do. I get her reaction, I mean they haven’t been around for a while, so I don’t expect them to come back into my life and be okay with how things have changed. It’s not anything to them, anyway, and I’m not changing my life to make them happy with it. I married Drew because they suggested that he would be good for me. He wasn’t.

“It’s just a shock. We will call,” my dad says and smiles gently before Kaiden walks him out.

“I love you, and I am so proud of what you just did, Ellie,” Andre says softly once they have left.

“I love you, too,” I say, just as softly, and he pulls me into his arms. Our baby kicks away in my stomach, and I slide my hand across my bump. No matter what happens with my parents, I have a family.