SKYE
Eighteen Months Later
As I enter the kitchen and scoop up the picnic basket, I relish the warm breeze from the open porch door. The sound of joyful laughter travels, and through the window, I watch Hallie, perched happily on Jack’s shoulders, ruffle his long, loose hair. He pretends to chew on her leg, and she recoils in mock terror, wriggling in delight as he grips her tightly to hold her firmly in place.
I crane my neck further. Finn is squatting down with Harry between his open knees, holding him steadily in place. Harry reaches out towards West, who is waiting several paces away, the target of Harry’s next attempt at walking. He, too, is crouched down with his muscular, inked arms outstretched, accentuated by a tightly fitting white t-shirt.
The flutter that takes hold of my stomach makes me press my fingers over my navel. It’s not the first time I’ve had to catch my breath today, pinching myself at my perfect reality.
I don’t reach for my phone to snap a shot; I want this to be a moment where we are all truly present and can keep it stored away in our memories.
Seconds later, Finn lets go, and Harry zooms forward with a look of sheer determination etched onto his adorable little face.
He manages to string together eight steps, and West scoops him up and swings him high into the air. Everyone applauds, and Harry turns his neck to look at his adoring audience and gives himself a round of applause as best as he can.
He isn’t saying much yet but babbles something, and everyone laughs and claps again.
I catch myself as tears well in the corners of my eyes, and I have to swallow away the lump in my throat.
Harry sees me in the window and squirms his body away from West to get to me.
“You want momma, hey?” West has this voice he uses for Harry and Hallie sometimes. It is like a soft growl, and I beam now knowing that these bears of men have become soft and gentle teddies, their lives so enriched by the joy and optimism the children have brought into them.
We don’t lock the cabin door any longer; we have nothing left to fear. Instead, the feeling of security has allowed us to come and go without fear of the potential threat once lurking amongst the trees. Jack never speaks of Carter, but he has reassured us all to such an extent that we know he will never threaten us again.
Ethan has made his peace with his demons since we named our son after his brother. The honor touched him deeply, and his acceptance of the accident has helped West find peace, too.
I tense and release my body, ensuring I don’t get stuck ruminating on negative thoughts and bad memories, and head out of the cabin. I walk through the cabin door, pulling it gently behind me.
I’m greeted by the heady floral scent radiating from the beautiful scattering of summer wildflowers, assorted in color and like nature’s wondrous forest carpet.
I carry the basket, which is weighed down with delicious sandwiches, potato chips, apples, blueberries, and some other sweet treats, until Finn notices and takes it from me.
Jack and Hallie sing nursery rhymes up ahead. Hallie’s arms are stretched out wide, and she seems to enjoy her view from her towering vantage point, throwing herself open to her wonderful forest home.
Her hair is long now, and I styled it in pigtails today, fixed with tiny white bows, which she loves and were a gift sent to her by Shona. The ends of her hair fall into loose waves that flutter in the breeze.
I say a silent prayer of thanks that the treacherous path I was on has ended in such beauty and security for my daughter.
Harry is happily nestled in West’s arms. He’s content now that he knows I’m outside with the rest of the family. We are like a pack of wolves, a loyal team. I can’t imagine anywhere else I would rather be and certainly would never trade in any of my pack for anybody else. Sometimes, my life feels so perfect that I have to pinch myself to remember what pain feels like. When the ghosts of the past drift back like fog, I turn away and focus on the sunshine that fills my days since I found Jack, Finn, and West, and they showed me what love is.
Harry turns his head to look at me. There is so much love in his eyes that twinkle a light gray in the streaks of sunlight that guide our way through the trees.
His floppy blond hair is soft and still sparse, but he bears a striking resemblance to Hallie, which means that he also looks a lot like me. He does, however, have the sturdy build and masculine set of all his fathers.
We have never really talked about who he most resembles of the three of them but I guess that it may become more evident as he gets older. Not that it is important or matters to any of us; he is ours. It’s that simple.
He reaches out his chubby arms towards me and babbles something I like to think resembles momma, but I can’t be sure.
“I love you, Harry. Are you mommy’s special little boy?” My stomach flips again and flutters as he smiles, bearing his four tiny white teeth.
Each step we take together fuels my swelling excitement at the thought of this picnic lunch together.
We found this spot on a walk with Hallie. It has the same view as the vista Finn showed me on my first morning over two and a half years ago now. Thankfully, it’s a lower spot, right on the river’s edge, sheltered by the tree canopy and with a section of tranquil water on a natural bend in the river where a small pool sits unmoved by the rush of the rest of the river.
When we arrive at the picnic spot, Finn rests the basket close to me, and I remove my shirt, which has been clinging to my sweaty torso, to reveal a tiny bikini top underneath.
Jack tries to hide a glance when he steals a look in my direction. My breasts are tender and swollen, and I push them together to fit more neatly in the triangular cups, and this time, three heads swivel, not missing the moment.
I grin because even after all this time, the attraction we share has only intensified, along with the love and trust that seems to grow each day. I know every inch of my men, and they, in turn, know me. We treasure each other’s bodies and hearts, and seeing their hunger for me never grows old.
“Mommy, can we get in? Pleeeeeeeeease?” Hallie is already tearing off her peach dress and struggles to remove one of her sneakers in her desperation.
Eventually, she succeeds, and she races down to the water’s edge.
“Wait up a minute, baby girl, I’m almost done!”
Finn peels himself from his cargo shorts and reveals his powerful, muscular thighs. His tight black boxer briefs hug his butt perfectly. He lifts his arms over his head to take off his shirt, and I marvel at his mighty back and shoulders, his muscles rippling in response to his movement. I take a breath and allow my eyes to linger on the scene, and as much as I won’t wish this precious day away, I know that we will all satisfy our desires when the sun goes down and the cabin is quiet.
Jack and West undress, and I similarly appreciate their masculine bodies and watch as they join Hallie and Finn in the water.
Harry sits next to me and, I reach into his diaper bag that West restocked and brought with us. I lay Harry down on a patch of soft grass and he wriggles as I remove him from his diaper. He’s desperate to join the others in the water.
Resting him on my hip, we make our way to join the others, and I gasp as I dip my toe into the water.
Despite the warm air, the water is chilly and so clear that it looks like a layer of glass over the rocks and silt beneath. Hallie splashes us, giggling and teasing us, and is just so happy to be outside in nature with her mommy, daddies, and baby brother.
“What are we gonna draw, Hallie?” Finn is so proud that Hallie shares his talent for art and for color. “Are you gonna do a picture for Harry’s room, sweetheart?”
The tenderness in his voice chokes me, and I leave them to it, handing Harry to West, and turn to set out the picnic.
Jack follows behind me. “It’s not as warm in the shade. I’m going to fix a fire pit for us.”
“Good idea, babe. We can sit around it to eat.”
My men are so good at providing us with what we need.
I busily set out the food: plain ham sandwiches for Hallie, cream cheese for Harry, who has not long been eating solids, and salt beef with pickles and mustard for the adults. There are chopped veggies and fruit, too.
I had similar picnics with my parents when I was little. I felt loved and cherished then. It was only when I got older and made my own decisions that I began to fall from grace.
Casting my gaze momentarily back to the water, I watch my two children paddling amongst nature, and I can’t imagine not loving them with all my heart. I wonder how my parents could have abandoned me emotionally the way that they did.
I want Hallie and Harry to follow their dreams, know who they are, and know what they need to be happy. I vow to try to support them and guide them as much as I can on their own life journeys when they reach that stage.
I decide that I’ll reach out to my parents this year. I want to tell them about my life and how happy I am and perhaps try to work on forgiving each other. They are from a different generation, but I know that sometimes families can reach common ground and put their differences aside.
We can’t control others; we can only control how we react to each other, after all.
I put this thought on the back burner and call everyone over.
Jack’s fire provides us all with the warmth and light that makes the atmosphere magical. The flicker from the flames seems to hypnotize Hallie and Harry.
Hallie notices Harry reaching out from Finn’s lap towards the fire.
“Harry, be careful, or you’ll get hurt.” Her voice carries the right amount of caution and he drops his hands back into his lap. “Always remember, ‘Fire, fire, do not touch! It can hurt you very much!’”
We all smile as she shows how much she cares for her little brother but also how much she understands and respects the power of nature. Her upbringing here in the forest with her lumberjack daddies has enabled her to appreciate all of nature’s perks and pitfalls, and I can’t imagine a more enriching upbringing for any child.
Clearing away the crumbs left after we have all enjoyed our picnic, I lay out the tiny cupcakes onto a plate, each one topped with either light blue or baby pink frosting and rejoin my family.
I lay down the cakes and hold my breath. It doesn’t take long for the penny to drop.
I remove the white plastic stick, which has been uncomfortable in my pocket, and pass it across to Jack, whose eyes are wide. He passes it over to Finn, who maintains his composure, and when his eyes lock with mine, we share a smile that radiates warmth and security to my very core. West’s the last to stare down at the positive result.
“Mommy is having another baby!” He growls gently in the way that he does to the children, choking on his emotion, and although Harry doesn’t yet understand, Hallie stands.
Clasping her hands together, she twirls and dances in delight.
Making her way around our circle, she nestles into my arms, where I wrap her in a tight embrace and breathe her in, every inch of her.
“Will it be a girl or a boy, mommy?”
“I don’t know yet, baby girl. He or she is only tiny right now, and we won’t know for a while. But hey, you can come with me, and we can find out together if you like?”
I know it’s early days, and things can go wrong, but I have a good feeling about this pregnancy. My nausea and swollen breasts assure me that the pregnancy hormones are taking hold. I am also horny as hell, and I watch my men with hunger as they congratulate each other, their muscles rippling with every movement.
I am so content here in the forest, surrounded by the tall and majestic trees that provide us with a perfect home setting. I am filled to the brim with pride and contentment for my growing brood of children.
And I am happy with my men who love and adore me and who provide for all our needs. I love them so fiercely and yet so naturally that all I can do is look from one of them to the other and think to myself that I wouldn’t change a single thing. Not now. Not ever.
(c) Stephanie Brother 2023
If you enjoyed Auctioned to the Lumberjacks, check out Auctioned to her Stepbrothers.
When I auctioned my innocence to the highest bidder, I never imagined my three stepbrothers would be the ones to buy me.
It was supposed to be about money. Sell my innocence, pay off my debts, and move on to a brighter future.
But when I find out my stepbrothers are the ones who’ve bought me, things are suddenly complicated.
I haven’t seen them for a decade. Now rich, powerful, dominant men, they want things from me that are more intense than I could imagine.
Kylian, fierce and unyielding, wants to make me pay for the past.
Nate was always my hero, but now he wants to leave his mark.
Lyle, my childhood crush, has wickedness in his obsidian eyes, but the memory of our shared history lingers behind every touch.
They introduce me to a world of dark desires and roleplay, and I become their willing victim. I pretend to hate what they do to me, even when it feels like I might break apart from the pleasure. I fight against every controlling touch, even as I ache to obey.
Because as hard as it is for me to surrender to their will, I still remember the love we used to share, and I’m determined to make them feel it again, even if it breaks me in the process.
Auctioned to her Stepbrothers is a standalone billionaire romance with some darker themes.
