Wrapping her arms around Ashley's waist, Mia peeked over her shoulder, placing her head between Ashley's arms and ribs, a playful smile on her face. She leaned forward slightly, watching as Ashley carefully plated the cookies and cupcakes she had just baked.

"I'm kind of starving, babe," Mia said, tightening her hug around Ashley.

Ashley laughed softly, picking up a freshly baked cookie and blowing on it to cool it down. "Ah," she said, offering the cookie to Mia. "How's it, sugarplum?"

Mia stood up straight, a grin on her face as she nodded. "Still good at baking, detective," she teased, laughing. "By the way, Nyx is looking for you."

The Pierce siblings, along with their wives and kids, had come over to visit, filling the house with energy and laughter. Mia smiled to herself, knowing she had a special announcement to make today.

"Go ahead, sugarplum," Ashley said with a grin. "I'll finish plating these, and I'll meet you outside in a minute."

Mia nodded, giving Ashley a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you."

Ashley smiled warmly. "You know I love you more," she replied, her voice full of affection.

Mia cupped Ashley's face gently. "I may have a little surprise for you too, since you surprised me yesterday," she said, her voice light with laughter.

"Oh?" Ashley's eyes lit up with curiosity. "I wonder what that could be. Can't wait, sugarplum."

Mia winked playfully. "Later, babe," she said, waving as she headed out of the kitchen. "Come out once you're done, okay?" she added, poking her head back into the kitchen.

"Aye, aye, sugarplum," Ashley responded, her voice full of warmth. She chuckled softly to herself as she continued working. "Gosh, can't believe she's already my wife," she murmured, the smile never leaving her face.

She paused for a moment, her thoughts turning inward. It would be great if we could have our own child now, she thought, though they'd been trying with tandem IVF for a while. I wonder what her surprise is though... She shrugged, finishing up the cupcakes before signaling the housekeeper to bring the baked goods out to the outdoor living room.



Mia sat beside Sienna, cradling Sage and Levi, Riley and Sienna's twins, on her lap. She tilted her head, gazing at the twins with a warm smile. Sienna nudged her playfully, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"You've been staring at my twins like you want to steal them for yourself," Sienna joked, laughing softly.

Mia chuckled. "What? I'm just enjoying having kids around. You know I'm an only child."

"Figures," Sienna said, shaking her head as she playfully ruffled Levi's hair. Her tone softened. "They're growing up so fast."

Mia nodded in agreement. "Right? Feels like just yesterday they were tiny little cuties who couldn't even walk. Now look at them," she said, gently pinching the twins' cheeks.

"Dada! Dada!" Shiloh's voice interrupted them. Sitting on Nyx's lap and chewing a piece of fruit, he poked at Nyx's cheek to get her attention.

"Yes, buddy?" Nyx asked, turning to their curious son.

Shiloh pointed at Sage and Levi. "Dada, why don't I have twins like them? Or like Shion and Shiho?" He gestured toward his twin sisters, who were sitting on Vera's lap.

Everyone froze for a moment, exchanging surprised glances. Then Nyx broke the silence with a laugh, ruffling Shiloh's hair.

"Well," Nyx began, picking up a grape from the tray. "When a baby starts growing in a mommy's tummy, it happens because a tiny egg and a tiny seed join together," she explained, holding up the grape. "Sometimes, the egg makes just one baby, like you—or like Auntie Harriet and Zoey's Sydney. It's all in one piece."

Shiloh nodded intently, his small face serious as he tried to understand.

"But," Nyx continued, slicing the grape in half, "sometimes the egg splits into two, or two eggs grow at the same time. That's when twins happen—like Sage and Levi, or your sisters, Shion and Shiho." She smiled, pinching his cheek gently. "But you? You're one-of-a-kind because the egg made just you—Mama and Dada's perfect little boy."

Shiloh's eyes widened with wonder. "Ohhh," he said, nodding solemnly. "I get it now, Dada." He picked up the sliced grape and popped it into his mouth.

Mia laughed, shaking her head. "Shiloh's really growing up. He's so curious about everything these days."

Nyx grinned. "Yeah, his questions never stop. Sometimes, I'm not even sure how to answer them anymore." She leaned down, kissing the top of Shiloh's head.

A moment later, Ashley emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of freshly baked goods.

"Finally!" Nyx called out, grinning. "The president has arrived!"

Ashley set the tray down on the outdoor table, followed by a housekeeper who brought more treats and drinks. "Whatever," Ashley said, laughing as everyone joined in the lighthearted teasing.

The housekeeper began pouring glasses of wine and juice as Ashley picked up a glass of wine and placed it in front of Mia.

Mia glanced up at her wife. "Babe, can I have juice instead? The same one Zoey's drinking," she asked, pointing to the glass in Zoey's hand.

Ashley tilted her head curiously but complied, swapping the wine for a glass of juice. "Why the sudden switch?" she asked, sipping her own wine.

Mia chuckled, unable to hold back her grin. "Because I'm knocked up."

The entire group froze, their eyes widening in unison.

Ashley choked on her wine, coughing as she quickly covered her mouth. "W-what?!" she stammered, blinking in shock.

Mia leaned back, her smile growing. "I said, I'm knocked up," she repeated nonchalantly.

Ashley set her glass down, her hands trembling slightly. "You're not joking, are you? You're seriously saying..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes widening further.

"You're pregnant?!" The chorus of voices around them erupted simultaneously.

Mia laughed, her shoulders shaking with amusement. "Yup," she said, pulling an envelope out of her handbag. "Here's proof if you don't believe me." She handed it to Ashley.

As Ashley opened the envelope with trembling hands, Riley, Harriet, and Nyx crowded around her. They all scanned the document together. When the realization hit, the four of them exchanged shocked looks, their hands covering their mouths.

"What the he—" Ashley began, turning to Mia, blinking rapidly.

"Triplets?!" the siblings hissed in unison.

Zoey, Vera, and Sienna's jaws dropped.

"What?!" the three of them exclaimed.

Mia shrugged, her grin turning smug. "What can I say? Ashley always said we'd make it happen—three kids, right?"

Ashley staggered slightly, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my gosh," she mumbled, still processing.

Nyx laughed, patting Ashley on the back. "Good luck handling three at once. Twins are already chaos."

Harriet and Riley joined in, giving Ashley encouraging pats on the shoulder.

"Hang in there, Ash," Harriet said, grinning.

"Yeah, good luck. You're gonna need it," Riley teased as the three siblings left Ashley standing there in a daze.