The room is completely silent. I’ve never been in a place that was absolutely void of noise before. Especially not a place with three people in it. For a second, I wonder if my hearing is working. It’s just that quiet. Then, all at once, I hear both guys blow out the breath they’ve been holding.

“Are you serious?” Desi locks me in his blue eyes as he searches my face for some kind of sign that I’m fucking with them.

“I am.” I don’t blink. I just wait. And wonder. Have I just ruined everything? Did I just scare away the two men who treasure me like I’m the only woman in the world?

“Really, Kelly? I mean, it’s a big thing to ask, isn’t it? We haven’t even known each other all that long.” Zach sits up and stares down at me in disbelief.

“I know. Trust me, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t feel that kind of connection to you guys. I know it’s quick. I know it’s crazy. But, sometimes life is quick and fucking crazy and still right.”

“Sometimes the best moments in life happen because of a quick decision,” Desi agrees. “There’s no time limit on following your heart, Zach.”

“Well, I’d think it would be a bit longer than this.” Zach runs his hand through his black hair and then holds his palm against the back of his neck as he shakes his head.

“I didn’t mean to freak you out. I can see I did, though. It’s just, if I wait too long I might never have children.” I sit up and look down at my hands. I don’t want him to see my eyes mist over. “You don’t understand how much that means to me. To have a child of my own, it would be everything. I have so much love to give, Zach, my heart is bursting with it. And I know my life will never be complete without a baby to share that love with.” I sniffle and try to blink away my tears.

Desi sits up and wraps his arm around me. “How about we all just calm down a bit, okay?”

“Calm down? She asks me to help her father a child out of nowhere and I’m supposed to talk it over like we’re figuring out what toppings to order on a pizza? Come on, man. That’s not how any of this goes. Up until five minutes ago, none of us were even talking about this being long-term, now we’re just jumping into a conversation about kids? Nah, not right now. I need some air.” He slips out of bed.

Tears spill onto my cheeks as Zach hastily dresses. I bite my lip, hoping to keep the sobs building inside me locked down.

“Come on, Zach, just chill out and come back here. You don’t have to be a dick about it,” Desi calls out, but he walks away. I listen to the shuffle of his shoes and then the next noise is the click of the door as he leaves the house.

I can’t hold back my anguish anymore. It travels up inside me like the tiny bubbles in our champagne glasses earlier. I choke on my sadness and break down into tears.

“Shhh, hey, don’t cry.” Desi holds me against his chest. “Zach is just being an ass. He’ll come around. Don’t let this get you down, okay?” He scoops up my chin in his bent finger and I can see sympathy and concern in his eyes.

“I… I didn’t mean to ruin everything,” I sob. “I was just trying to be honest. You know?”

“I know. It’s okay, babe.” He holds me tight. As my cries turn to sniffles, he holds me. As my sniffles subside and my eyes dry up, he holds me. He never falters. He just patiently waits for me to feel it all.

“What should I do?” I look up at him.

“About Zach?”

“Yeah.”

“Nothing. He’ll come to his senses. I wouldn’t be surprised if he apologizes after he’s had some time to think.” Desi’s hands are still on my arms. He looks down at me, frowning.

“Are you upset with me too?” I study the wrinkle in his brow and wonder just how badly I’ve fucked everything up.

“Upset? No, not at all.” He meets my eyes and I can see nothing but sincerity in the brilliant blue. “I was just thinking over what you said, that’s all.”

“And, what are you thinking?”

“Kelly, I know it’s fast, okay? But, I would love to give you a baby. I really would. I’m ready to settle down and have kids. You know, ever since I lost my brother, I always wanted a big family. Just tons of kids running around, being crazy. I’ve always wanted to watch them grow and be there for each other. The same way Kayden and I were always there for each other.”

Now I’m the one frowning, down at my hands. “But what about Zach?”

“I don’t know what he wants, but I do know only one of us can get you pregnant. I want to be the one who does. I want to father your kids,” he continues.

“I want that too, but I want both of you involved. If we’re really going to make this a permanent relationship, I wouldn’t want to start it off trying to have a baby with only one of you. I’d like to try to make this work with all three of us.”

“I’d like that too, to be honest.” Desi smiles.

“Desi? What if I can’t give you the big family you’ve always dreamed of? What if I can only have one or two children?” I search his face.

“Any children with you would be a blessing, Kelly. There’s no other woman on this earth I want to share that with but you. Whatever is meant to be will happen.”

We lie back down and I nuzzle into Desi’s strong arms, the knot in my stomach almost untied. Now I just need to find out what Zach wants. From the way he stormed out of here, it’s hard to imagine he’s on the same page as us. Still, I won’t make any decisions until I’ve had a chance to talk it out with him.