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whispered her name? Like he knew she'd never be the same again? That was everything. And it was an experience she'd cherish forever.

She pressed her lips together, gave herself one last look in the mirror, and opened the door. Time to rejoin the party and pretend like her entire life hadn't just shifted in the space of thirty dizzying, unforgettable minutes. Heidi barely made it back into the main part of the house when she heard her mother's voice cutting through the crowd.

"There you are honey! Come here, I want you to meet someone!"

Sylvia led her over to a polished-looking woman in her late forties, Linda, and standing beside her was her son, Hunter, whom her mother had told her about in her bedroom last week. Hunter was tall, clean-cut, wearing a perfectly pressed blue button-down and khaki slacks. His sandy blonde hair was neatly styled, and he had that typical "future politician" handshake ready. He smiled at Heidi with perfect, practiced teeth.

"Heidi, this is Linda. You remember me telling you about her. And this is her son, Hunter." Sylvia's voice dripped with obvious pride, like she was unveiling a prized gift.

"Hi," Heidi said politely, extending her hand.

Hunter shook it firmly. "Nice to meet you. Your mom's told my mom all about you."

Heidi forced a polite smile. "All good things, I hope."

Heidi forced herself to shake his hand, her mind still a chaotic blur. She could still feel the lingering phantom of Jalen's touch on her skin, could still feel the soreness between her thighs from where he had stretched her so thoroughly.

Hunter grinned a little too widely. "So, your mom said you're in law school? That's awesome. I'm in the finance world myself. I work for my dad's firm."

"Of course you do," Heidi thought bitterly. She nodded, feigning polite interest. "That's great." She said.

Sylvia chimed in with a gleam in her eye, "Hunter's a wonderful young man. Comes from a good family, strong Christian values, hard worker. And he's a fantastic golfer."

Heidi smiled tightly, her stomach twisting with guilt and irritation. "This is who they want for me," she thought, "This is who they think will make me happy."

But Hunter didn't make her pulse race. He didn't make her feel alive. He didn't make her feel like the world was spinning in the best way possible. He wasn't Jalen.

Sylvia and Linda left them to talk. Hunter continued chatting, talking about his love for college football, hunting trips with his dad, and how he was hoping to model his own family after his parents'. Heidi nodded and smiled where appropriate, but her mind kept drifting back to the basement. To the way Jalen had kissed her. Touched her. Fucked her. Every few seconds, her eyes involuntarily flicked toward the back window, toward where Jalen's truck had already pulled away into the night. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to be making small talk with a man she felt absolutely nothing for.

Hunter barely got his next sentence out. "So, I was thinking maybe we could—"

"No," Heidi said.

Hunter blinked. "Sorry?"

Heidi gave a tight, polite smile. "I appreciate you coming tonight, and I'm sure you're a great guy, but this little matchmaking thing? It's not gonna happen."

Hunter looked caught off guard. "Oh ... uh, I didn't realize—"

"You didn't do anything wrong," she cut in gently, but firmly, "But my mom had a completely different idea than I did about how this evening was gonna go. I'm not interested in being set up. Not with you. Not with anyone."

Hunter looked uncomfortable, glancing around. "Okay. Uh ... thanks for being honest, I guess."

"I'm sure you'll find someone who actually fits into the world our parents want for us," Heidi added.

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing awkwardly near the punch bowl as she disappeared into the crowd.

There is now a new addition to Jalen's routine during his workday at the Horner property. He didn't need to check the time. He didn't need a reminder. As soon as his crew packed up their tools and left, and Tim Horner finished his daily inspection, Jalen already knew what was coming next. Every day, like clockwork. Heidi. At exactly 5:45 PM, she would appear, heels clicking against the pavement, long red or pink acrylic nails catching the light as she discreetly made her way into the guest house. Sometimes, she wore a fitted blouse and a short pencil skirt, her legs bare and toned, her curves framed perfectly, other times, she opted for tight jeans that hugged her in all the right places, and sometimes she would wear a simple sundress with either heels or flip flops depending on how she was feeling that day. Every single time her lips were painted a bold color. She had a color rotation of red, pink, brown, and a nude color, but always some kind of lipstick. She knew that her lipstick and her So Kate high heels drove Jalen crazy, and every single time she was proven right when Jalen lost himself in her. It didn't matter that this was dangerous. Risky. It didn't matter that her father's house was right there. Because the second Heidi locked the guest house door behind her, the moment she closed the distance and pressed her soft, eager lips against his, all logic disappeared.

Jalen would lift her onto the workbench, slide her skirt up if she was wearing a skirt or dress, or he'd pull her jeans down, and fuck the shit out of her. Some days, she rode him slowly, rolling her hips as she clung to him. Other days, he would bend her over the worktable, hands gripping her waist, pounding into her so hard that her moans mixed with the sounds of tools shifting and wood creaking beneath them. Then on some days, he'd pin her to the wall and thrust into her.

Heidi became more and more accustomed to the size of his cock and while it still stung a little whenever he pushed inside of her, she adapted to it more and more quickly each time they fucked. And every single time, Heidi allowed the same thing to happen in the end. Jalen would explode inside of her and spray his thick creamy cum on her vaginal walls. He knew what this meant; what it could lead to. But every time, as Heidi's legs locked around him, her fingers clutching his shoulders or face, her voice whispering for him not to stop, he gave in and released his cumload inside of her.

"God you're amazing." Heidi said in his ear as he finished cumming inside of her yet again this latest time. At this point, they had been doing this for nearly two weeks.

Jalen pressed his forehead against Heidi's, both of them breathless, still tangled together in the aftermath of their raw, heated moment.

"Right back at'chu." He said softly.

Heidi sighed contentedly, running her nails gently down his back, keeping him close even though they both knew they should be cleaning up and getting out of here before someone, like her father, showed up unexpectedly. But neither of them moved.

"I'm yours, Jalen." Heidi whispered; her green eyes locked onto his. "No matter what happens."

Jalen exhaled deeply, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips, then her jaw, then down the side of her neck where he could feel her pulse racing. "Then I guess that makes two of us," he murmured.

The following weekend, Jalen and Heidi take a secret trip up to the mountains, where they stay at a cabin and have a fun weekend of hiking and experiencing the outdoors together. Heidi's family thinks she is with her usual friends.

Their day had been full of fun. They went hiking through the winding trails, stopping to take in waterfalls, and even spotting a deer drinking from a quiet stream. Heidi had been in awe the entire time, marveling at the untouched beauty of nature and the quiet peace that came with it, which she had always appreciated growing up. It was nothing like her world back home. Out here with just Jalen, there were no rules. No parents. No judgments. Just them.

The crisp mountain air filled Jalen's lungs as he stepped onto the cabin's wooden porch, taking in the breathtaking view of the rolling peaks stretching into the horizon. The sun had started its slow descent, casting an orange glow over the vast wilderness. Behind him, Heidi was inside, kicking off her hiking boots and shaking out her long auburn waves, her cheeks still flushed from the day's adventure.

"That was amazing." She sighed as she stepped outside to join him, slipping her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back.

"I told you you'd like it," Jalen smirked, reaching down to squeeze her hands around his stomach.

She pulled away and stretched, grinning up at him. "So ... what now?"

Jalen smirked. "Now? Now, I'm about to make you the best steak dinner of your life."

"Oh? Is that so?" Heidi teased, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly makes your steak the best?"

Jalen grinned as he led her back inside. "You'll see."

An hour later, Heidi sat cross-legged on the couch, a glass of red wine in her hand, watching as Jalen expertly plated the perfectly seared steaks with garlic butter, roasted potatoes, and asparagus. The entire cabin smelled heavenly.

"Alright, I gotta admit, this looks pretty damn good." She smirked as he set the plates on the coffee table in front of them.

"See? You doubted me."

They clinked their glasses together, laughing between bites, the warm glow of the fireplace making the moment feel even more intimate. Heidi felt completely at ease, tucked away in their own little world.

As the night went on, the air between them shifted. The teasing and laughter softened into something deeper. More unspoken.

Jalen leaned back against the couch, his arm draped around Heidi's shoulders as she nuzzled into his side, drawing light circles on his forearm with her nails.

"I don't want to go back," she murmured after a long silence.

Jalen kissed the top of her head. "I know."

Later that evening, the soft glow of the fireplace flickered across their skin, casting long shadows against the walls of the cabin as Jalen slowly trailed kisses down Heidi's body. The plush rug beneath her felt like heaven, but it was nothing compared to the way Jalen's mouth felt on her inner thighs.

Heidi let out a soft, shaky breath, the anticipation building as Jalen kissed the inside of her knee, working his way up, his hands gripping her hips possessively. She had never been worshiped like this before. Never had a man take his time, savoring her, making her feel like the only thing that mattered in the world.

"Jalen..." she whimpered, her red acrylic nails lightly scratching against his scalp.

He didn't answer. He simply smirked against her skin before finally giving her what she so desperately craved. The first flick of his tongue made her entire body jolt. She gasped, her back arching off the rug as his mouth latched onto her, teasing, licking, sucking on her clit. Jalen held her hips down, his strength keeping her exactly where he wanted her. The way he moved, the way he knew exactly how to play with her body was overwhelming for Heidi. She remembered their conversation at the lounge when they went on their excursion in Jalen's part of town.

"Seeing a woman completely unravel because of what I'm doing? Feeling her body shake, hearing her beg for more, knowing I'm the only one making her feel that way? Yeah ... I enjoy it." Is what he had said.

Now he was doing just that to Heidi. She felt herself unraveling, lost in the sensation, her mind going blank as pleasure surged through her veins. Jalen's fingers stuck inside of her and made small circles inside of her pussy, while his tongue and lips licked and sucked right on her clit. It was too much in the best way. Jalen only had to do this for several more minutes before Heidi exploded. She let out a scream of pleasure that reverberated throughout the cabin. Her legs shook violently, her hands fisting the rug beneath her, her breath ragged as Jalen rode out every wave of her release. He didn't stop until he had taken everything from her.

And then, he was on top of her. Jalen pushed his cock forward slowly, stretching her, filling her inch by inch. Heidi's mouth fell open, a low moan escaping her lips as she adjusted to him.

"Fuck..." she breathed, her nails digging into his back.

Jalen growled, his forehead resting against hers as he pushed himself fully inside of her as deep as he could go before pulling back and then pushing back in again. He felt her pussy clench around him, warm, tight, perfect. He moved slowly and deep, savoring every reaction he pulled from her. Heidi arched against him, her breathy moans spurring him on. Her hands roamed his back, with her fingernails digging in. Her lips found his neck and then his collarbone, her need growing with every powerful thrust.

"Faster," she whimpered, rolling her hips to meet his movements.

Jalen obliged, picking up the pace, his grip tightening on her hips as he drove into her harder, deeper, eliciting a loud scream of pleasure from her. Heidi was completely lost in him now, her mind blank of everything except for his cock moving in and out of her, the way he filled her beyond what she thought had been possible was still incredible to comprehend. Her nails raked down his back as she spiraled higher with every stroke sending shockwaves of pleasure through her. Jalen was hitting her cervix now, and Heidi's eyes were shut tight as she absorbed his thrusts and the intensity of the sensations they generated.

Jalen could feel her getting closer once again, her body tensing, trembling beneath him. "Come for me, baby," he murmured against her lips.

JALEN ... FUCK ... YES!!!!" She screamed.

There was no fear of getting caught here. She could scream his name, dig her nails into his back, lose herself completely in the moment. Her entire body shattering as another intense orgasm ripped through her like lightning that kept its shock for more than an instant. Jalen kept thrusting through the orgasm determined to reach his own release. A moment later, he felt the sensation radiate through his cock and he pulsated streams of cum into her. Heidi's entire body was spent. Her skin was flushed, her legs felt like jelly, her heart still racing. She had never felt so alive.

Jalen was still laying on top of her. Heidi didn't even think about it when she instinctively whispered in his ear, "I love you."

Jalen froze for a hot second, caught off guard, but then quickly relaxed because he realized that this was not breaking news to him. He'd known she loved him for weeks now, even though she hadn't said it before now. And after everything that's happened since they met, he didn't bother denying the truth.

He lifted his head up and looked her in the eye. "I love you too." He whispered back.

Heidi grinned, relieved at his response before pulling him in a kiss. She could honestly say that it was the happiest moment of her life.

9 hours later, the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the cabin bedroom. Heidi stirred slightly, her body still deliciously sore from the night before. A small, satisfied smile tugged at her lips as she became aware of the strong, steady warmth pressed against her back.

Jalen's arm was wrapped around her waist, his broad chest rising and falling behind her, his breath warm against the back of her neck. They were tangled together beneath the blankets, both completely bare, the remnants of their night still lingering in the air. Heidi relished the feeling. The security of his arms around her, the way his fingers lazily traced circles against her stomach, the way his body molded perfectly against hers. She had never woken up like this before. With a man who made her feel both completely safe and completely desired at the same time. She let her fingers gently glide over his forearm, feeling the firmness of his muscles, the contrast between her soft, fair skin and his rich, golden-brown tone. Everything about them was different, yet everything about this felt right.

Jalen shifted slightly behind her, pulling her even closer, pressing a lazy kiss to her shoulder. "Morning, baby." His voice was thick with sleep, raspy and deep in a way that sent a soft shiver down Heidi's spine.

She turned her head slightly to meet his gaze. His dark brown eyes, still heavy with sleep, held that familiar intensity that always made her stomach flutter.

"Morning," she whispered back, reaching up to run her fingers through his short curls.

Jalen smirked, his grip tightening slightly on her waist. "You sleep good?"

Heidi chuckled softly, shifting just enough so that she could press her lips against his jawline. "After last night? Definitely."

Jalen let out a soft, amused grunt before rolling her onto her back, hovering over her, his body pressing deliciously into hers. "Good," he murmured, brushing his lips teasingly against hers. "Because I'm not done with you yet."

Heidi giggled as he kissed her neck, her body already heating up again.

On Sunday afternoon, Heidi and Jalen drive back to metro Atlanta. Heidi is humorously playing Miley Cyrus songs and trying to get Jalen to sing along with her to them. Jalen only knows one song by Miley Cyrus, which is Party in the USA.

Eventually, Jalen pulls into the parking lot of Heidi's go-to meetup spot with her friends, a small shopping center with a couple of boutique stores, a juice bar, and an overpriced coffee shop. This is where Heidi's parents assume she's been all weekend.

"You sure you're good?" Jalen asks, looking over at her.

Heidi grins and flicks his ear playfully. "Jalen, I'm fine. Relax. I do this all the time."

Jalen smirks but doesn't look convinced. "This ain't exactly a white lie, Heidi. You were in the mountains with me, not having brunch with your friends."

She waves her hand dismissively. "Trust me, my parents aren't gonna interrogate me about every detail. They're too caught up in their own world. Besides..." She looks at him, eyes shining with mischief. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Jalen exhales, shaking his head with a chuckle. "You really are somethin' else."

"And don't you forget it." She leans over, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "See you tomorrow?"

Jalen nods. "Yeah, I'll be at the site."

Heidi steps out of the truck, grabbing her bag, and Jalen watches as she walks toward the coffee shop, pulling out her phone as she calls an Uber to go back to her house.

That evening, the sky hung low, swollen with gray clouds as Jalen stepped out of his truck and jogged up the short concrete walkway toward the shelter's entrance. The old brick building didn't look like much from the outside, but he knew the kind of refuge it had become for women who had nowhere else to turn, including Megan Westward. Jalen buzzed the front door and waited. A few moments later, a staff member opened it and smiled faintly when she recognized him.

"You here for Megan?" she asked.

Jalen nodded. "If she's up for it."

The woman stepped back and waved him in. "Give her a few minutes. She's in the rec room."

Jalen nodded again and leaned against the wall in the lobby, arms crossed. His reflection stared back at him from the rain-speckled glass door, fitted hoodie, jeans, Nikes.

Helping Megan escape Chris was the right thing. No question. But now, Megan was holed up in a shelter with a bag of trauma and a baby growing inside her. His baby. Jalen couldn't help but ask himself: Was she safer now? Happier? Or did I just trade one prison for another?

"Jalen?"

He looked up. Megan stood down the hallway, hair pulled back, sweatshirt slightly oversized over her frame. She looked tired, but there was a softness in her face he hadn't seen in a while.

He walked over and hugged her, holding her a second longer than usual. She didn't pull away.

"You good?" he asked quietly.

Megan nodded, then shrugged. "I'm surviving."

They sat together on a worn couch in the common room. A TV played some muted talk show in the corner while two other women quietly played cards nearby.

Jalen rubbed the back of his neck. "I've been thinking ... I dragged you into a lot."

Megan gave him a tired smile. "You didn't drag me. I walked."

He looked at her. "Still. I think about you here, in this place ... and I can't help wondering if I made things worse."

Megan took his hand. "You didn't. You helped me breathe. You showed me I wasn't crazy, or weak. You gave me a way out.

Jalen's face still didn't look like he truly believed that, so Megan continued," Jalen ... I chose this. I chose you. And yeah, it's messy, and it's complicated, and some days I still feel overwhelmed. But I feel. And for the first time in years, I feel like I'm becoming who I'm supposed to be. You helped me get out. You helped me believe I was worth something more. And every time you show up, even just like this ... I remember why I love you."

Jalen swallowed hard, emotions threatening to claw up his throat. "I want you to be okay. You and the baby. You deserve peace. Not more chaos. And..." He paused, "I don't want you to regret me."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I won't. I know what this is. I know what it means. But I also know what it feels like to be loved by you. And that's something I never want to lose."

She then squeezed his hand before continuing, "I'll find peace. It's just not instant. But I'd rather rebuild from scratch than keep pretending I was fine in that mansion."

Jalen nodded slowly; eyes locked on the floor.

"You're doing right by me, Jalen," Megan added. "But I need you to keep being that man. The one who protects, not just reacts."

That hit him. He looked up at her and nodded once more. "I can do that."

Megan smiled. "I know you can."

They sat in silence for a while, Megan laid on his shoulder while she caressed his arm. Outside the window, the sun dipped behind a gray cloud, casting long shadows into the lounge. But in that moment, everything between them felt clear.

Three weeks later

Heidi stands in her bathroom, staring at the pregnancy test sitting on the counter. Her stomach twists, her whole body suddenly feeling hot. She knew this was coming. The second she saw those two pink lines, she felt it in her soul. This wasn't an accident. This was inevitable. Jalen had told her the truth about his whole situation, and still she chose to keep having sex with him unprotected. And now here she is, pregnant with Jalen's child, but what the hell is she supposed to do now? Heidi grips the counter, exhaling shakily. She has to tell him. Tonight.

She sits down on the edge of her bed, trying to calm the whirlwind in her head. She had chosen this. When she and Jalen had sex in the basement and she let him cum inside of her, as well as every time after that, she knew what she was doing. Because deep down, she wanted it. Not just the baby, but Jalen. And now, she's going to have a piece of him forever. Heidi grabs her phone, hesitating for a long moment before finally pulling up Jalen's contact. She types out a message.

Heidi: "Hey ... I need to see you tonight. It's important."

She stares at it, debating whether to send it or not. But there's no point in delaying this. She hits Send. Now, all she has to do is figure out what the hell she's going to say.

That Friday night, Jalen opened the door to his apartment after hearing the expected knock. He had a feeling this was coming. The second Heidi asked to meet, he knew. And now, here she is, standing in his doorway, looking at him with those piercing green eyes, her face serious, lips slightly parted like she's still trying to find the right words.

Jalen steps aside. "Come in."

Heidi walks past him into his apartment. She crosses her arms, pacing slightly as if trying to shake off the nerves. Jalen watches her carefully. He knows what she's about to say.

Finally, she stops, turns to face him, and lets out a shaky breath, "I'm pregnant."

Jalen nods slowly, taking it in. Even though he expected this, hearing it out loud still hits hard. He steps closer. "How are you feeling?"

Heidi lets out a dry laugh. "You're the only man alive who hears ‘I'm pregnant' and asks how I feel before anything else."

Jalen shrugs. "It's important."

She bites her lip, looking away for a moment. "I don't know how to feel. I mean ... I knew this was a possibility. Hell, I should've known it was a damn guarantee. But now that it's real?" She swallows. "It's terrifying."

Jalen nods. "I get that."

Heidi sighs, running a hand through her long red waves. "So, what now?"

Jalen doesn't hesitate. "Now, I step up."

Heidi stares at him. "Just like that?"

"Just like that." He says.

Heidi shakes her head. "How? You already have five other women who are pregnant with your child. How the hell do you have enough of yourself left to give?"

Jalen looks at her, his voice steady. "Because I don't abandon what's mine. I don't run. And I sure as hell don't let the women in my life feel like they're alone in this."

Heidi swallows hard. This man. She had a feeling he would say something like this, but still, hearing it and feeling the weight of his words hit different. Her lips part slightly. "Jalen..." She doesn't even know what to say.

Jalen steps forward and gently takes her hands. "Heidi. You're not alone in this. No matter how crazy it gets, no matter what your family thinks, I'm here."

She searches his face, looking for any hesitation, but there isn't any. She knows Jalen means every word. Heidi exhales shakily, gripping his hands tighter. "I'm scared."

"I know." Jalen replied softly.

She steps closer, resting her forehead against his chest. "I love you." The words come out before she can stop them.

Jalen kisses the top of her head, holding her tighter. "I love you too."

"We need to keep this a secret from my father. At least until you've finished the guest house. I want you to get your pay day. You deserve it. After that, I'll figure out the best way to break it to my parents." Heidi says more seriously.

"Heidi, I care about you, not the money." Jalen responds.

"I know but I can at least do this much for you, so just let me, okay?" She says.

"You know your parents are going to want to kill me when they find out I'm the father. Regardless of if the guest house is done or not."

"They don't have to know it's you," Heidi says, "All they'll know is that I'm pregnant. They'll ask who the father is, but I don't have to reveal that to them."

Jalen sighs, rubbing the back of his head. "Heidi, come on. Do you really think they're just gonna accept ‘no comment' when you're carrying a child? Your dad especially?"

Heidi crosses her arms. "I'll handle it."

Jalen shakes his head. "Heidi—"

"I will handle it, Jalen." Her green eyes are fierce, unwavering. "I know my parents. If I tell them now, before the guest house is finished, my dad will shut everything down and try to ruin your business out of spite. I'm not letting that happen. So, for now, I say nothing."

Jalen exhales through his nose, running his tongue along his teeth as he thinks. Every part of him wants to reject this plan. He doesn't like hiding. He doesn't like lying. But he also knows Heidi is right. If Tim Horner finds out before the guest house is finished, it could cost Jalen a lot. Not just the payday, but his reputation, his network, everything.

Jalen studies Heidi's face. She's dead serious about this. "Alright," he says slowly. "I'll go along with this for now. But the second this starts eating at you, we do it my way."

Heidi nods. "Deal."

Jalen exhales. "And what about after? What's your plan when they do find out?"

Heidi presses her lips together, clearly thinking hard. "I don't know yet. But I have time to figure it out."

Jalen narrows his eyes. "I don't like that answer."

"Well, tough," Heidi says. "Because it's the best one I've got right now."

Jalen smirks despite himself. "Stubborn as hell."

Heidi smirks back. "You like it."

Jalen shakes his head, but he can't deny it. "You're gonna be the death of me."

Heidi steps closer, placing a hand on his chest. "Then I guess you better hold on tight."

Over the next week, Jalen spends an evening with one of the other 5 women and each night he takes the time to tell each of them about Heidi and her pregnancy. He was dreading these conversations, but he was determined to continue to be honest and truthful with them. They deserved that. Their individual reactions are ... interesting to say the least.

On Monday, Sydney listens as Jalen tells her about Heidi, nodding slowly while sipping her Vitamin Water. "Okay...," she says after a moment. "So, this girl ... this politician's daughter ... is pregnant with your baby too?"

Jalen exhales. "Yeah."

Sydney takes a sip, studying him. "I mean, I figured it was gonna happen again eventually. But ... her? That's kind of wild."

Jalen leans forward, elbows on his knees. "You mad?"

Sydney shrugs. "Not mad. Just ... I don't know. Surprised?" She leans back against the couch, crossing her legs. "Does she know about the rest of us?"

"She does. She still wanted this."

Sydney shakes her head, half in disbelief, half amused. "You really are something else, Jalen."

Jalen sighs. "So ... we're good?"

Sydney smirks, reaching for his hand. "We're good. Just know I'm gonna have some questions when I meet her."

Tuesday. Kristen stares at Jalen for a solid ten seconds after he breaks the news. Then she blinks. Then she blinks again. " ... Are you fucking serious?"

Jalen nods. "I wouldn't joke about this."

Kristen presses her fingers to her temples. "Jalen. This is six. Six. You understand that, right?"

Jalen sighs. "Kristen—"

"No, I just need to hear you say it out loud. Six."

Jalen shifts. "It's six."

Kristen exhales, shaking her head. "Jesus Christ. And let me guess ... you love her too?"

Jalen hesitates, then nods. "Yeah. I do."

Kristen studies him, her expression unreadable. "You're lucky I love you," she mutters. "Because if I didn't, I'd be throwing something at you right now."

Jalen chuckles. "So ... you're not mad?"

"Oh, I am mad," Kristen says, standing up. "But I'm not surprised. And at this point, what's one more?"

Jalen got an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach, knowing in the back of his mind that there were still two more women out there after Heidi to fulfill the Beyonder's prophecy. He really wished he was allowed to tell them about it.

Wednesday. Megan watches Jalen closely as he tells her about Heidi, her expression was calm ... too calm.When he finishes, she nods. "So, she's from one of those families?"

Jalen rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah."

Megan exhales through her nose. "Well. That's gonna be interesting."

Jalen watches her. "You okay?"

Megan tilts her head. "Do I have a choice?"

Jalen sighs. "Megan—"

She waves a hand. "I'm not mad. Like I said before, I knew what I signed up for with you." She leans forward. "But Jalen ... if her family ever finds out the truth, they will make your life hell. You know that, right?"

Jalen nods. "Yeah."

Megan watches him for a moment longer. "Just ... be careful, okay?"

Jalen smiles. "Always."

Thursday. Rachel groans and presses a pillow over her face. "You cannot be serious."

Jalen sits beside her on the couch. "I am."

Rachel lifts the pillow just enough to glare at him. "I just got used to the fact that there were five of us, and now you're telling me there's six?"

Jalen sighs. "Yeah."

Rachel groans again, tossing the pillow aside. "I should've seen this coming. I knew I should've seen this coming."

Jalen reaches for her hand. "I know this isn't easy—"

"You think?" Rachel snaps. Then she sighs, running a hand through her hair. "Sorry. I just ... I don't know. This is a lot."

Jalen nods. "I know."

Rachel studies him, then exhales. "She knows about us?"

"She does."

Rachel shakes her head. "Well, at least she's not in the dark." She sighs again, rubbing her temples. "I need time to process this."

Jalen nods. "Take all the time you need."

Friday. Karla listens to Jalen's confession without interrupting, her expression unreadable. When he finishes, she simply nods.

"So. The conservative politician's daughter, huh?"

Jalen exhales. "Yeah."

Karla tilts her head. "And you love her."

Jalen hesitates, then nods. "Yeah."

Karla studies him for a long moment, then smirks. "This is so messy."

Jalen groans. "I know."

Karla chuckles, shaking her head. "You know, most men in your position would've run by now. Or try to hide all this. But you? You're just taking it all in stride."

Jalen leans back. "I don't have a choice. And I wouldn't say ‘in stride.'"

Karla hums. "Still. Six women. Six pregnancies. All different personalities. You sure you can handle it?"

Jalen meets her gaze. "Again, I don't have a choice."

Karla watches him, then smirks. "Well. You've got bigger balls than most men, I'll give you that."

Jalen chuckles. "Thanks, I think."

Karla leans in. "Just one thing, Jalen."

"What?"

Karla smirks wider. "If you ever get me pregnant again, I will kill you."

Jalen laughs. "Noted."

"Beyonder can we please talk?" Jalen says, alone in his apartment the following night after being with Karla. "Can we please alter the prophecy or something? I've gotten six women pregnant, and you still expect me to do two more?! Please answer me!"

The room remains silent for a few moments. Jalen exhales sharply, rubbing his hands down his face. Just as he's about to give up, a familiar presence fills the space.

"Jalen Moss," the Beyonder's voice resonates, calm yet absolute. "You call upon me once again, burdened by the weight of your destiny."

Jalen looks up, frustration boiling over. "You think? I have six pregnant women in my life, and you still want me to do this two more times? How is this even real?"

The Beyonder remains still, watching Jalen with an unreadable expression. "I have never forced your hand, Jalen. Every path you have taken, every woman you have loved, was a choice you made."

Jalen scoffs. "Oh come on, man! Don't pull that on me. You literally told me this was my destiny. That these women were meant to be in my life."

The Beyonder inclines his head. "That is true. And yet, you could have rejected any of them. You could have walked away."

Jalen's jaw clenches. "You knew I wouldn't."

"Because I knew your heart," the Beyonder says simply. "You love deeply Jalen. That is what makes you uniquely suited for this task. Most men would falter. Most men would run. But you—" The Beyonder's golden eyes seem to glow, "—you refuse to abandon those who need you."

Jalen swallows hard, feeling his frustration mix with something else. Something deeper. A truth he can't deny. "But why me?" His voice is quieter now. "Why does it have to be me?"

The Beyonder steps closer. "Because the future depends on it, and as I have said, your heart and strength make you the one for this task."

Jalen exhales sharply, shaking his head. "I don't know if I can keep doing this."

The Beyonder studies him for a long moment. "You are stronger than you believe, Jalen Moss. You always have been."

Jalen lets out a dry laugh. "That's not an answer."

The Beyonder's gaze softens ever so slightly. "No, Jalen. It is THE answer."

Jalen stares at him, his mind spinning. Six. Six pregnancies. And now, two more awaited him. He could barely wrap his head around what he already had. How the hell was he supposed to handle more? "Do I at least get a break?" Jalen mutters.

The Beyonder chuckles, a rare sound. "You will find ... fate has a way of unfolding at its own pace."

Jalen exhales, running a hand over his head. "Yeah. That's what I was afraid of."

The Beyonder's presence begins to fade, but his voice lingers. "Your journey is far from over, Jalen Moss. But you will endure."

And just like that, he's gone. Jalen sits in the silence, staring at the wall.

" ... Shit."

Jalen exhales, rubbing his hands over his face. "I think Rachel might actually stab me if I tell her I got a seventh woman pregnant." He says to himself.

He wasn't even joking. Rachel barely forgave him after learning about Heidi. That was already pushing it. But if this prophecy really required two more? If he had to sit down and tell Rachel that, yet again, he had gotten another woman pregnant? He could already picture it: her eyes narrowing, lips pressing into that furious line, her voice getting sharper with every word before she finally snaps. And then? He wouldn't put it past her to reach for the nearest sharp object.

Jalen grits his teeth, frustration bubbling up inside him. "I get it, okay? There's some big cosmic reason for all of this. I've tried to handle it. I've done my best. But you try looking into the eyes of the women you care about, who are already dealing with so much, and telling them, ‘Hey, guess what? Another one's coming.'"

Silence. As he expected. Jalen leans back and stairs at the ceiling trying to process everything. And then ... he gets a crazy thought. "Should I ... should I have them meet?" He asked himself.

As soon as the words leave his mouth, he nearly laughs at himself. The hell am I thinking? This wasn't just introducing a couple of exes at a party. This was bringing together six pregnant women, all carrying his child, all with their own complex feelings, histories, and relationships with him.

Sydney, Kristen, Megan, Rachel, Karla, and Heidi. The sheer chaos of it.

He imagined each of their reactions if he presented this idea to them. Rachel would absolutely flip. Karla would likely be amused but would definitely find a way to make him squirm. Sydney would probably stay cool and collected, but she'd be watching. Megan? Hard to say. She cared deeply for him, but even she might not be ready to see the full picture. Kristen would feel everything, and Heidi? Hell, Heidi's family doesn't even know yet.

Jalen rubs his temples thinking. "But ... wouldn't it be better if they weren't kept in the dark about each other?" He thought.

He's already been juggling his time between them, making sure each of them feels supported. But sooner or later, their worlds were going to collide. What if one ran into another at the doctor's office? What if one of them, God forbid, ended up in the same birthing class? Wouldn't it be better to control that first meeting rather than let it happen accidentally? The thought keeps nagging at him, even though every logical part of him is screaming that it's a terrible idea. But maybe ... maybe it's not impossible. Maybe if he eased them into it ... Maybe if he framed it as a way for them to support each other through this unique situation ... Jalen exhales and shakes his head. "I must be out of my damn mind."

The next evening, Jalen visits Kristen (he brings her a sandwich and a sprite for her cravings). While she is eating, he asks her the insane question. "Has any part of you been curious about meeting the others?"

Kristen stops mid-bite, the sandwich hovering just inches from her mouth. She slowly chews, then swallows, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looks at Jalen.

"The others?" she repeats, as if making sure she heard him right.

Jalen sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah ... Sydney, Megan, Rachel, Karla, Heidi. I mean, has any part of you ever wondered what they're like? Who they are?"

Kristen sets her sandwich down and grabs her Sprite, taking a sip before answering.

"I mean..." She exhales, glancing off to the side. "I'd be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind. It's hard not to wonder about the other women who are ... you know ... in the same situation as me."

Jalen nods, bracing himself. "So, hypothetically speaking ... if I were to arrange a meeting—"

Kristen's head snaps back toward him. "What?"

"Just hear me out," Jalen says quickly, holding up his hands. "I know it sounds insane. Hell, it is insane. But I've been thinking ... you're all going through this, and at some point, your paths might cross anyway. Wouldn't it be better to ... I don't know ... control that first meeting instead of it happening randomly?"

Kristen stares at him like he's lost his damn mind. "Jalen." She places her hands flat on the table. "You want me ... to sit in a room ... with five other pregnant women ... all carrying your baby?"

" ... Yes?"

She blinks. Then she bursts out laughing. "Oh my God, you're really losing it," she says between laughs, shaking her head. "What do you think is gonna happen? That we're all gonna hold hands and form some kind of ‘Sister Wives' support group?"

Jalen smirks. "I mean, I wouldn't call it that, but—"

Kristen groans, tossing a napkin at him. "You're ridiculous, Jalen."

"I'm just saying," he grins, catching the napkin, "it's not impossible."

Kristen exhales, leaning back in her chair. "Look ... I don't hate the idea. I'm not saying yes, but ... I get where you're coming from." She glances at him warily. "But you do realize that at least one of them is going to flip their shit, right?"

"Oh, definitely."

Kristen sighs. "Well ... good luck with that conversation."

"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" Rachel asks in disbelief when Jalen asks her the same question the next evening. Jalen expected Rachel to be the most resistant to the idea and it seems he is right.

Jalen sighs, rubbing his temples as Rachel paces in front of him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I knew you'd react like this," he mutters.

Rachel whirls around, her brown eyes blazing. "Oh, did you? You knew I'd lose my shit over the idea of sitting in a damn circle with your other baby mamas like we're in some kind of goddamn group therapy session?"

Jalen exhales, keeping his voice even. "Rachel, I'm not saying you have to do it. I just wanted to see where your head was at."

"My head is right here, telling you that this is the worst fucking idea you've ever had."

Jalen lets her vent, knowing better than to interrupt while she's in full-blown Rachel Mode. She shakes her head, pacing again, her hands gesturing wildly as she speaks.

"Like, Jalen, what the actual hell are we supposed to do in this magical little meet-up of yours? Swap pregnancy stories? Compare notes? Exchange fucking baby shower ideas?!"

Jalen shrugs. "I mean, yeah ... kinda?"

Rachel gapes at him. "Oh, you're serious?"

"I'm just saying," Jalen starts, "you're all in this together whether you like it or not. Wouldn't it be better to meet under controlled circumstances rather than, I don't know, running into each other by accident?"

Rachel exhales sharply, pressing her fingers to her temples.

"Jalen," she says, her voice slightly calmer but still edged with frustration. "You do realize that if you put six hormonal, pregnant women in the same room and the only thing they have in common is you, there's a non-zero chance that one of us will actually stab you, right?"

Jalen smirks. "Yeah, I figured that'd be you."

Rachel narrows her eyes. "Damn right it would be."

Jalen chuckles, but Rachel still looks far from convinced. "Look," he says more seriously, "I don't expect you to say yes. But just ... think about it, alright?"

Rachel lets out a long sigh, running a hand through her hair. "Fine," she mutters. "I'll think about it."

Jalen leans back, relieved. "That's all I ask."

Rachel shakes her head again, muttering, "You're still fucking insane," as she grabs her drink and flops onto the couch.

"So, I figured you might get mad when I asked you this so, to cheer you up...," Jalen pulls out a bag from his backpack, "I brought you your favorite cookies. Oreos with some peanut butter to go with it."

Rachel sees the cookies and Jalen can see her struggling to stay mad. She glares at him, arms still crossed, her jaw tight, but her eyes betray her. Jalen can see the slight flicker of temptation, the internal war raging inside her.

"I hate you," she mutters.

Jalen smirks, shaking the pack of Oreos in front of her face. "No, you don't."

Rachel bites the inside of her cheek, stubbornly holding her ground for another few seconds before finally snatching the pack from his hands.

"I swear to God, Jalen, if you ever try to bribe me again—" she starts, but her words are muffled by the fact that she's already popping an Oreo into her mouth.

Jalen watches, amused, as she dips another one into the small cup of peanut butter he also brought. She takes a bite, sighs, and then, through a full mouth, grumbles, "Still not meeting them."

Jalen chuckles. "Noted."

Rachel takes another bite, then eyes him suspiciously. "Wait ... did you bring these for all the girls? Like, did you show up at Sydney's with, I don't know, a pumpkin spice latte or some shit to soften her up too?"

Jalen raises a brow. "I mean, would that work?"

Rachel rolls her eyes but can't stop the smirk that creeps onto her face. "You're so fucking manipulative, it's unreal."

Jalen leans back, resting his arms on the couch. "Nah, just strategic."

Rachel shakes her head, chewing, before giving him a pointed look. "For the record? Still a terrible idea."

Jalen raises his hands. "Duly noted."

Rachel pops another Oreo in her mouth, then points at him. "I better not see a damn group chat invite pop up on my phone."

Jalen laughs. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Rachel narrows her eyes. "Uh-huh."

She keeps eating, clearly still skeptical, but Jalen knows he's chipped away at her resistance just a little bit. And that? That's a win.

The next day at the Horner property, when Heidi comes to see him before he leaves, Jalen leans against the freshly built framework of the guest house, arms crossed, watching as she taps away on her phone, responding to a classmate about a collaborative assignment. The sun is beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the property.

"I've got a question for you," Jalen says casually.

Heidi looks up, sliding her phone into her back pocket. "Yeah?"

Jalen takes a breath. "How would you feel about ... meeting the others?"

Heidi blinks. "The others?"

Jalen chuckles at her immediate reaction. "Yeah, Heidi. The others."

She cocks her head, processing it. Then, to Jalen's surprise, her lips curl into a mischievous smirk. "Well ... I am curious."

Jalen raises a brow. "You are?"

Heidi shrugs, stepping closer, resting her hands on her hips. "I mean, I won't lie. It'd be interesting to meet the other women who managed to snag a piece of the great Jalen Moss."

Jalen sighs. "I knew you were going to make this weird."

Heidi laughs, tilting her head. "I'm just saying. It's kind of wild that we're all wrapped up in this," she gestures vaguely between them, "and we've never even met."

Jalen studies her carefully. "So ... you'd actually be open to it?"

She taps a manicured finger against her chin. "On one condition."

Jalen groans. "Here we go..."

Heidi grins. "I get to be the hottest one in the room."

Jalen laughs. "You're ridiculous."

"I'm serious!" she says, crossing her arms dramatically. "If I'm meeting all these women who are carrying your babies, I need to know where I stand in the rankings."

Jalen shakes his head, amused. "You're impossible."

Heidi smirks. "And yet ... you love me anyway."

Jalen sighs, running a hand over his head. "So that's a yes?"

She nods. "Yeah, I think it'd be kinda fun. Like a support group but with better outfits."

Jalen snorts. "You might be the only one who sees it that way."

Later that evening, Jalen sits across from Karla at her condo, a half-finished bottle of sparkling water in his hand. She's curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, wearing one of his t-shirts that she "borrowed" and a pair of silk shorts. She looks at him curiously, sensing that he's about to say something interesting.

"What's on your mind?" Karla asks, tilting her head.

Jalen exhales. "Alright, I'm just gonna say it. Would you ... hypothetically ... be open to meeting the others?"

Karla blinks. "The other women you're involved with?"

Jalen nods.

Karla stares at him for a solid five seconds before taking a deliberate sip of her lemon-infused sparkling water. Then she puts the bottle down and leans back, processing. "You mean ... all the women you got pregnant?"

Jalen nods again, bracing himself.

Karla laughs softly, shaking her head. "You really don't do things halfway, huh?"

Jalen smirks. "You just now realizing that?"

Karla considers him for a moment, running a hand through her wavy dark hair. "Well ... I am a lawyer. I love gathering information. And I am curious about them."

Jalen raises a brow. "So ... you'd be down?"

Karla lets out a thoughtful sigh. "I mean, I'm not dying to hold hands and sing Kumbaya or anything, but ... yeah. I wouldn't mind meeting them. I think it'd actually be useful for us to know each other, considering our ... shared situation."

Jalen leans back, surprised at how smooth that went. "Huh."

Karla grins. "What, expecting me to freak out?"

"A little."

Karla smirks and picks up her sparkling water again. "Jalen, I already know I'm in too deep with you. Meeting a few women isn't going to change that."

Jalen watches her, warmth spreading through his chest. "You really are something else."

Karla winks. "I know."

"So that means Megan would be there too, right?" Karla asks.

"Yep." Jalen confirms.

Karla nods taking another sip of her drink.

Jalen chuckles, shaking his head. "Alright. That's two yeses. Three more to go."

Karla takes another sip and sets her glass down. "Let me guess. Rachel hated the idea?"

Jalen groans. "She almost threw the cookies I brought her at my head."

Karla laughs. "Yeah, sounds about right, based on what you've told me about her."

The following night, Jalen meets Megan at a cozy coffee shop near the women's shelter. She's wearing a soft beige sweater, a pair of dark jeans, and a pair of black platform high-heeled pumps, even though she's several months pregnant. She had joked before that no matter how pregnant she got, she refused to walk around looking frumpy.

Jalen sets her tea down in front of her before sitting across from her. Megan sips it, looking at him expectantly. "You've got that look," she says.

Jalen raises a brow. "What look?"

"The one you get when you're about to say something wild and you know it."

Jalen smirks. "Well ... you're not wrong."

Megan leans back, amusement flickering in her sharp blue eyes. "Alright. Hit me. Is there a seventh woman now or something?"

Jalen exhales, rubbing his palms together. "No. I was actually wondering ... would you be open to meeting the others?"

Megan pauses mid-sip, lowering her cup slightly. "You mean ... all the other pregnant women?"

Jalen nods.

Megan blinks, then leans back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other, foot bobbing slightly as she processes.

"You are aware that I used to be a trophy wife who attended charity luncheons and hated most of the other wives in my circle, right?" she asks dryly.

Jalen chuckles. "Yeah, I remember."

Megan exhales. "So now you're asking me if I wanna hang out with the other women you got pregnant?"

Jalen runs a hand over his head. "Yeah ... I figured it's a crazy idea, but—"

"—I'm in."

Jalen freezes mid-sentence. "Wait. What?"

Megan smirks. "Jalen, you changed my life. You saved me from a miserable existence. And if these women feel anywhere near as strongly about you as I do, then I wanna know who they are. I should know who they are."

Jalen watches her, impressed. "You really don't hate this idea?"

Megan tilts her head playfully. "I never said that. I just think it's necessary."

Jalen shakes his head in amazement. "That's three yeses. Maybe this isn't as insane as I thought."

Megan smirks and leans in slightly. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm guessing, based on what you've told me about her, Rachel probably wants to strangle you for even bringing this up, doesn't she?"

Jalen groans dramatically. "Rachel almost threw food at me."

Megan laughs, shaking her head. "God, I like her already."

Jalen meets Sydney at her apartment later that same evening. She's lounging on her couch in an oversized T-shirt and black leggings, her blonde hair up in a messy bun. She looks comfortable but tired, something Jalen has noticed more and more as her pregnancy progresses.

He sets down a takeout bag on the coffee table. "Brought you wings and fries. Extra honey mustard."

Sydney gives him a knowing look as she reaches for the food. "Okay ... what did you do?"

Jalen laughs. "Why do you assume I did something?"

Sydney raises a brow as she dips a fry in honey mustard. "Because you only bribe me with wings when you're about to ask something stupid."

Jalen scratches the back of his head. "Alright, fair." He sits next to her. "I was wondering how you'd feel about meeting the other women."

Sydney pauses mid-bite. Slowly, she puts the fry back in the container and turns to face him fully.

"You mean, like ... all of them? In the same room?"

Jalen nods.

Sydney stares at him, unblinking. "Jalen ... you do realize this could turn into a reality TV reunion special really quick, right?"

Jalen laughs. "Yeah, I do. But some of them are actually open to the idea."

Sydney sighs and leans back, resting a hand on her stomach. "So ... you're saying I have to do this?"

"No. I'm saying I want you to consider it."

Sydney watches him, searching his face. "Why do you want this?"

Jalen exhales. "Because I don't want any of you to feel like you're isolated in this. I know this whole situation is crazy, and you all deserve to have support, not just from me, but ... maybe even from each other."

Sydney is quiet for a moment. She looks down, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach.

Finally, she sighs. "Alright. I'll do it."

Jalen blinks. "Wait, really?"

Sydney smirks. "Yeah, but don't get cocky. I reserve the right to change my mind mid-gathering and leave whenever I want."

Jalen grins. "Deal."

Sydney shakes her head, grabbing another fry. "God, I knew you were up to something when you brought these wings."

The next morning, around 7 am Jalen sat on the edge of Sydney's bed pondering. Sydney wasn't up yet. With five women on board and one still on the fence, Jalen felt like this was somehow actually happening. Kristen's "maybe" meant she was still wrestling with it, and he wasn't going to pressure her. But Rachel ... yeah, Rachel was not going for it. Not yet anyway. Jalen sighed as he walked out to the couch and sat down. This had the potential to be incredibly awkward, or maybe, just maybe, it could actually give them all some clarity. But first, he needed to figure out where and how this meeting was going to happen. And, more importantly ... How the hell was he going to break it to Rachel that five out of six of the other women were, for the most part, in? He decided to try Rachel one more time on his way to work that morning.

Jalen took a deep breath and called Rachel again. It was about 7:45 now and she should be up by now. He knew this was pushing it, but he had to try one last time.

When she picked up, her tone was already laced with suspicion. "Jalen ... why are you calling me again about this?"

"Look, I know you already said no. I heard you. I respect that. But Rachel ... five of them already agreed to meet."

Rachel was silent for a long moment before she scoffed. "And that's supposed to make me want to go? What, you think peer pressure is gonna work on me?"

Jalen sighed. "No, Rachel. I think that this is an opportunity for you. I know this whole situation is insane, but I also know you're not someone who likes to be left in the dark. Whether you admit it or not, you're curious about them. Just like they're probably curious about you. This is your chance to see who they are, hear them out, and maybe, maybe, it'll give you some peace of mind."

Rachel exhaled loudly. "Jalen, I swear to God, you're exhausting."

"I know," Jalen said with a small grin, despite the tension.

Another long pause. Then, finally, "Fine. But don't expect me to hold hands and sing Kumbaya with them."

Jalen smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Holy Shit, this is happening.

Chapter 15

The following Saturday at 6 pm at Jalen's apartment, it was time. Jalen knew it was going to be awkward. How could it not be? But standing there, watching as the six women arrived one by one, he could feel the tension in the air. Kristen arrived first, looking a little hesitant, clutching a Sprite in her hand like it was her lifeline. Sydney was next to show up, her usual confidence slightly subdued, but still offering Jalen a warm smile. Megan followed, dressed as impeccably as ever, giving Jalen a knowing look before scanning the room, assessing the situation like she was strategizing her next move. Then came Karla. Cool, calm, collected. She had a way of reading people that made Jalen nervous. He could already tell she was taking mental notes on everyone's body language. Megan and Karla, who obviously were very familiar with each other, exchanged a warm greeting. Megan gave her a teasing smile since, a while back, Karla had insisted to her that she wasn't into Jalen ... and now she was carrying his child as well. Heidi arrived next, her usual vibrant energy somewhat muted, like she wasn't sure exactly how to be in this setting. And finally ... Rachel. She walked in last, arms crossed, making it clear from the start that she was not here to make friends. She didn't look at Jalen right away. Instead, her sharp brown eyes scanned the room, sizing up each woman like they were opponents in a game she hadn't agreed to play. For a long, painful moment, no one spoke. The women appeared to be sizing each other up. One thing that was clear, even though the silence, every one of them could see that each woman there was physically beautiful in their own way.

Jalen shifted awkwardly. "So, uh ... welcome?"

Sydney let out a small laugh, which seemed to break the tension just enough.

Megan exhaled, shaking her head. "This is crazy. We're crazy."

Kristen took a sip of her Sprite, looking at everyone nervously. "So, um ... I guess we should start by ... introducing ourselves?"

Heidi smiled a little. "I mean, I think we all know who we are at this point."

Rachel scoffed. "Oh, do we?"

Jalen pinched the bridge of his nose. "Here we go..."

Sydney, being the most composed of the group, took a deep breath and decided to take charge. "Look, we're all here. We all know why we're here. So, let's just ... get through it, yeah?" She glanced at Jalen before looking at the other women. "I don't think any of us expected our lives to look like this, but here we are."

Kristen shifted uncomfortably but nodded. "Yeah ... and I know we all have our own feelings about this whole thing. But if we're going to be in each other's lives because of him," she shot Jalen a look, "then maybe we should at least try to be civil."

Megan smirked. "I'm plenty civil. I think it's the rest of you that need to catch up."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Oh, please."

Karla, who had been mostly observing, finally spoke up. "You know ... as wild as this situation is, I do think there's something to be said for the fact that we all care about the same man, and for some reason, we're all here instead of running for the hills."

That actually made everyone pause.

Jalen, for his part, was doing his best to stay quiet and let them work through this. But Rachel's voice pulled him back into the moment.

"I just wanna know one thing," Rachel said, arms still crossed, staring directly at Jalen. "Are you really prepared for this? All of this? Us?"

Jalen held her gaze, then looked around at all of them. "I wouldn't have brought you all here if I wasn't."

A moment of silence stretched between them all before Sydney exhaled. "Well ... in that case, maybe we should actually talk instead of staring at each other like we're about to start a war."

Megan smirked again. "Fine. But after I get something to eat."

Jalen laughed despite himself. "I ordered food. It should be here any minute."

Rachel shook her head. "You really do think of everything, don't you?"

He shrugged. "I try."

Kristen sighed and grabbed another sip of her Sprite. "Well ... here's to the most awkward dinner of all time."

And with that, the women who carried Jalen's children finally sat down together, for better or for worse. The food arrives a short while later (pizza, wings, pasta, and a house salad), and Jalen sets everything up for them, including paper plates, napkins, cups and a bowl of ice.

Karla speaks, "Jalen?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you go to the store or something?" She says.

"Wait what?" Jalen asks, confused.

"Let the ladies chat for a bit." Karla clarifies.

Jalen looked around at the women, his women, and immediately felt like he was being exiled from his own apartment.

"You want me to just leave?" he asked, glancing at Karla, who only gave him a knowing smirk.

Sydney nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Jalen. Go take a walk, go grab some snacks, something. Let us talk."

Kristen looked far too amused at his discomfort. "I mean, you did want us all to meet. And you said you wanted us to get along, right? So let us have our moment."

Megan waved him off. "You'll be fine. Go."

Rachel just stared at him before finally sighing. "I won't say it's a bad idea."

Jalen sighed and rubbed his face. "Alright, alright, fine. But if I come back and the apartment is in flames, I am blaming all of you."

Heidi grinned, clearly enjoying this far too much. "Just trust us, Jalen."

He gave them one last look before grabbing his keys. "Alright, I'll be back. Please, no bloodshed." As soon as he walked out and the door shut behind him, there was a brief silence.

Then Megan leaned forward, smirking. "So. Now we can talk."

The tension in the room was thick, but Megan's smirk carried an air of confidence as she glanced around at the other women.

Kristen crossed her arms and leaned back on the couch. "So, what exactly do we talk about first? The fact that we're all carrying the same man's child? Or that he somehow convinced us to sit in the same damn room like this is a family meeting?"

Sydney sighed, but she was smiling. "He didn't convince us. We agreed."

Rachel let out a dry laugh. "Most of us."

Karla, ever the attorney, leaned forward and clasped her hands together. "I think the real question is, how the hell did this happen? Not the pregnancies, obviously. But this. Us, here, willingly sitting together and not trying to kill each other."

Heidi was the first to answer. "Because we all love him."

There was a pause. No one spoke, but no one argued either.

Megan smirked again. "She's not wrong."

Kristen exhaled and sat up. "Okay. Let's just put it out there. What are we to each other? Because whether we like it or not, we're all connected now. And if we're going to make this work, we need to figure out what this looks like moving forward."

Sydney nodded in agreement. "I don't think any of us expected this, but ... here we are. And as much as we all want Jalen to be superhuman, he can't be everywhere at once. So how do we handle this?"

Rachel let out a breath. "I still think this is insane. But ... I guess it'd be even more insane if we didn't try to figure it out."

Megan raised an eyebrow. "So, are you saying you're in?"

Rachel scowled. "I'm saying I haven't walked out yet."

Kristen laughed. "That's progress."

Karla smirked and looked around. "So, should we start by establishing some ground rules?"

Sydney rolled her eyes playfully. "You would want to make it all formal."

Karla shrugged. "It's a lawyer thing."

Heidi grinned. "Fine. Rule number one: No fighting over Jalen."

Megan nodded. "Agreed. We're not about to act like we're on some reality show fighting for his attention."

Kristen smirked. "That's easy for you to say, Miss ‘Let me run away from my rich asshole husband and fall into Jalen's arms.'"

Megan laughed. "Listen, I earned my spot here, just like the rest of you."

Rachel shook her head, but there was amusement in her expression. "God, this is so ridiculous."

Karla leaned back. "Maybe. But if we're going to do this, then let's do it right."

Sydney folded her arms. "Agreed."

There was a moment of silence. Then Heidi grinned. "So ... how do we feel about group chats?"

"Absolutely not." Rachel responds.

Kristen snorted. "Yeah, that was a little too ambitious, Heidi."

Heidi laughed and held up her hands. "Fine, fine. No group chats ... for now."

Sydney smirked. "I wouldn't completely rule it out. It could actually be useful, like for updates, doctor's appointments, or scheduling time with Jalen."

Rachel groaned. "Jesus, scheduling time with him?"

Karla raised an eyebrow. "You're already here. You might as well accept that this is our reality."

Rachel sighed dramatically but didn't argue.

Heidi spoke up again. "I know this situation is unconventional, but at the end of the day, we all want what's best for our babies, right?"

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of that truth settled in.

Kristen exhaled. "Yeah. We do."

Megan nodded. "So as long as Jalen is stepping up, and we all know he will, then the least we can do is not make this harder than it has to be."

Heidi smirked. "Does that mean you are considering the group chat?"

Rachel groaned again. "Oh my God."

Kristen laughed. "One thing at a time."

Heidi grinned, clearly enjoying herself. "Fine. But I am calling dibs on the best baby name ideas."

Megan rolled her eyes. "Oh, here we go..."

The conversation slowly started to feel less awkward, less tense. They weren't friends. Not yet. But something was starting to shift. Rachel sat back, crossing her arms as she listened to the other women talk about how they could balance their time with Jalen without exhausting him. She had been the most resistant to all of this, but now, as she listened to their perspectives, something in her started to shift.

Kristen, ever the practical one, took the lead. "Look, I know we're all used to calling or texting him whenever we need him, and Jalen being Jalen, he's always going to show up. But Sysney's right about what she said before. Jalen is one man. He can't be in six places at once. If we're gonna make this work without running him into the ground, we need a plan."

Megan nodded. "I agree. Maybe a schedule really is the best way. Like, not something super rigid, but a general idea of when we each see him, so he's not stretched too thin."

Karla smirked. "So, what, are we gonna start drafting a Google Calendar for our shared baby daddy?"

The group chuckled, but Sydney shrugged. "Honestly? Not the worst idea. Or at least having a mutual understanding. We don't want him running himself ragged. If he's exhausted, he can't be at his best for any of us, or for our kids."

Rachel exhaled, rubbing her temple. This was the last thing she thought she'd be discussing with five other women, but ... damn it, they had a point. Jalen was the kind of guy who would run himself into the ground trying to be there for everyone. And as much as she hated to admit it, she didn't want that for him either.

"Okay..." Rachel finally spoke up, making everyone turn to her. "Maybe you guys are onto something. I don't know about setting up a formal schedule, but yeah, Jalen's got enough on his plate without us making it harder. If we can be mindful about how we're splitting his time, I guess that makes sense."

Heidi then proposes something that none of them were prepared for. "So, um ... not to change the subject but, I was wondering if you all could each share how and when you fell in love with Jalen..."

The room fell into silence. The women exchanged glances, clearly caught off guard by how personal it was. Even Rachel seemed momentarily stunned.

Kristen was the first to break the silence. She exhaled and looked down at her lap, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "I think ... I first realized I loved Jalen when I was still with Rob and he told me what his idea of what a healthy relationship was," she admitted softly. "I was trying to ignore my feelings, to tell myself that it was just attraction, but I saw how much he actually listened to me. He made me feel seen in a way that Rob never did. And then when I found out I was pregnant, I was scared out of my mind, and Jalen just ... showed up. No hesitation, no running, no ‘that's not my problem.' That cemented it. He's ... he's different."

Megan nodded, smiling fondly as she thought back. "For me, it was when he told me, ‘We need to get you out of this marriage.' No man had ever stood up for me like that. I was trapped in a marriage where I felt invisible, where I was just an accessory to my husband's life. Jalen made me feel like I mattered. He didn't try to save me like some hero, but he let me know I wasn't alone. And every step of the way, he followed through. That's when I knew I loved him."

Sydney twirled her fingers in her lap before speaking. "Mine was before I even found out I was pregnant," she admitted. "At that party when I first met him, I was bored, stuck with a boyfriend who wasn't giving me what I needed, and living my life based on other people's expectations. Then Jalen walked in like he belonged in every space he entered. He was confident but never arrogant. I didn't even know him, but I knew I wanted him. And after that night? He never treated me like I was just some hookup. He cared. He respected me. Then he was right there with me when I told my parents about the pregnancy, and they flipped. I haven't spoken to my parents since that day, but I haven't felt alone because of Jalen. That's when I knew."

Karla chuckled lightly before shaking her head. "I was probably the last one to admit it, even to myself. I kept trying to keep my walls up, but Jalen just ... broke through them, little by little. It wasn't even about the sex, though, let's be honest, that was something else." That made a few of them smirk. "But what really got me was the night I saw him breaking down, feeling the weight of everything. He wasn't some invincible player who just wanted to collect women. He was a man doing his best for all of us, even when it was too much for him. I saw his heart that night. And that's when I knew."

Rachel had been quiet, arms crossed, looking like she was debating whether or not to share. Finally, she sighed and rolled her eyes. "God, I hate this," she muttered, earning a few chuckles. Then she looked down, her voice softer than usual. "It was when he showed up at my door with medicine, my favorite cookies, and breakfast after I told him I didn't want to see him. I had told him to go away, and he still showed up for me. No man had ever done that. And I realized that no matter how mad I was at him, no matter how insane this situation is ... I loved him. Because he loved me enough to stick around."

The room fell silent again, but this time, there was an unspoken understanding between them all. Despite how unconventional this was, despite how complicated it had become, they had one undeniable thing in common. They had all fallen for the same man.

Heidi, who had listened to every word, nodded slowly. "I think I needed to hear all of that," she admitted. I knew Jalen was different when I met him too. And what made me fall for him was that he didn't judge me or ridicule me for my outdated beliefs that my family instilled in me. He never tried to force me to embrace his life and values. He gave me the opportunity to see for myself another perspective and come to my own conclusions on what I truly wanted and believed. All the while, he treated me like someone he truly cared about and respected. After the night that I witnessed two cops pull him over and treat him like shit just for being black, I realized how much I was already in love with him."

The energy in the room shifted. What started as an awkward and hesitant gathering had transformed into something deeper. Something real. The six women, each with their own complicated relationship with Jalen, had just borne pieces of their souls to one another. And for the first time, they weren't just six women connected by the same man. They were six women who understood each other in a way no one else ever could.

Kristen was the first to take a deep breath and decide to go even deeper.

"I haven't told many people about this, but ... Rob was never supposed to be my forever," she admitted. "I got engaged to him because it felt like the right thing to do. He had a good job, he was responsible, and everyone around me kept saying I'd be crazy to not settle down with a guy like him. But the truth? I never felt wanted by him. I felt like a checklist item. Then I met Jalen, and suddenly I knew what it felt like to be wanted. To be seen. And when I finally broke things off with Rob, I was terrified. Because I didn't know if I was making the biggest mistake of my life ... or the best decision I'd ever make." She exhaled and gave a small smile. "Looking at where I am now, I know it was the latter."

Megan, emboldened by Kristen's honesty, spoke next. "I married Chris because I saw him as a way out of my poor and hard lifestyle. He was rich, powerful, and in my mom's eyes, he was the ‘perfect' husband. But they didn't see the way he talked down to me after we got married. The way he ignored me. The way he controlled me. And I convinced myself that I had to live with it because it could be worse, right? Then Jalen came along. And he wasn't just a man I was attracted to; he was my lifeline out of a situation that was suffocating me. And now ... I'm finally free. And I have him to thank for that."

Sydney ran her fingers through her blonde hair and smirked. "Alright, so my story is a little different from y'all's because I wasn't engaged or married to a loser," she said. "But I was in a relationship that was going absolutely nowhere. My ex wasn't a bad guy, but he was boring, and he had no idea how to handle a woman like me. And then Jalen ... well, he handled me just fine." That got a few chuckles. "But in all seriousness, Jalen reminded me that I deserved to be excited about my relationship and my life. That I deserved to feel passion, fun, adventure and to make choices for me and not what my friends and family expect of me. And now I have that with him."

Karla, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "I built my life around not needing a man. I worked my ass off to get through law school, and now I dedicate my life to helping women who are trapped in situations like Megan's. I had no interest in getting tied down in some messy, complicated love life. And yet here I am." She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Because Jalen earned my trust. He showed me that I could let someone in without losing myself. And now I realize ... maybe I wanted that all along."

Rachel crossed her arms and exhaled. "I was happy with ex-boyfriend, Trevor," she admitted. "I really was. But happy and fulfilled are two different things. And deep down, I knew I was settling. Then Jalen came along and wrecked my whole damn life." That made the others chuckle. "I fought my feelings for him every step of the way. I told myself I hated him, that he was an asshole, that I wanted nothing to do with him. And yet, here I am. Because even when I pushed him away, he never left. And that's when I knew ... I was never going to shake him."

Finally, all eyes turned to Heidi. She took a deep breath. "I grew up in a family that taught me exactly what kind of man I was supposed to be with. And Jalen? He was not on that list to put it mildly." She smiled softly. "But then I actually got to know him. And I realized that he was everything I wanted. He challenges me, makes me think in ways I never had before, and makes me feel in ways I never have before. And I know this might sound crazy, but even though I haven't known him as long as the rest of you ... I know I love him."

For a moment, there was silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, but the kind where everyone was simply processing. Then, Megan chuckled softly.

"Well, we're in this now, huh?" Megan says

Sydney smirked. "Yeah. We really are."

Kristen exhaled and looked around. "I don't think any of us expected to be here, sitting together like this, sharing our stories. But ... I think I needed this. I think we needed this."

Rachel nodded. "Yeah. I think we did."

Heidi smiled. "So, what now?"

Karla shrugged. "I guess now ... we figure out how the hell we make this work."

And for the first time that night, all six women truly smiled. Because now, they weren't just six women in Jalen's life. They were in this together.

A little while later, Jalen steps back into his apartment, mentally preparing for the awkwardness he assumes is still lingering in the air. Instead, he walks into something completely unexpected.

The tension that had been present earlier was gone. Instead, the six women looked ... united. As if they had reached an unspoken agreement that none of them had anticipated coming into this night. Jalen was almost afraid to ask.

Megan turned to him with a smirk. "Well, well. Look who's back."

"So ... how did it go?" he asked cautiously.

Kristen reached for a slice of veggie pizza and shot Jalen a look. "You were expecting chaos when you walked in, weren't you?"

Jalen hesitated. " ... Maybe."

Karla chuckled, leaning back on the couch. "Well, we were considering a Hunger Games-style battle to see who gets first dibs on you, but Megan insisted we eat first."

Jalen blinked. "Uh—"

Megan grinned. "I mean, it only seems fair."

Jalen opened his mouth, but Sydney patted his shoulder. "Relax. We're kidding. Mostly."

Heidi grabbed a plate and smirked. "We did decide you'll need to keep a shared calendar, though."

Jalen groaned. "Oh my God, please don't turn this into a corporate scheduling meeting."

Karla, chewing on a hot wing, smirked. "Too late. We're already thinking of color-coding."

Jalen ran a hand down his face. "I walked into a trap."

Kristen laughed. "Welcome to your life, Jalen."

Jalen sat back, exhaling as he looked around the room. Seeing all six of them together, talking, eating, and even joking around, was surreal. He had dreaded this moment, feared the tension, the arguments, the outright hostility that could have erupted, but instead, they were here, sharing a meal like ... a family.

Kristen, always the one to cut to the chase, wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked directly at him. "You know, Jalen ... I don't think we've said it outright, but we see what you've been doing."

Megan nodded, setting her drink down. "Yeah. You've really been showing up for us. And we appreciate that."

Sydney smiled. "You could've easily just sent a check every month and called it a day, but you're here. For all of us."

Karla folded her arms and leaned forward slightly. "I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I've known men who run at the mere idea of fatherhood, let alone six pregnancies at the same time. You didn't run. That says a lot."

Jalen swallowed, his throat suddenly tight. "I— I mean, I told y'all from the start. I'm not running." He glanced around the room. "I know this situation is insane, and I know I've made mistakes along the way. But y'all deserve someone who's going to be there. Not just financially, not just when it's convenient. Always."

Rachel let out a sigh. "I'm still pissed at you sometimes, I won't lie."

Jalen chuckled dryly. "I'd be surprised if you weren't."

Rachel smirked a little before continuing, "But ... you are trying. And you're proving that this isn't just some temporary ‘I'll be here until it gets hard' thing. So yeah, I agree with them. I see it too."

Jalen nodded, absorbing their words. He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear that. He was doing everything in his power to be the man they and these children deserved, but deep down, he had wondered, was it enough? But hearing them acknowledge it, hearing them say they appreciated it? That meant more than he could put into words.

"I won't ever stop showing up," Jalen said firmly. "Not for y'all. Not for our kids."

They all shared a murmur of appreciation and agreement. Kristen then spoke up again, "So, Jalen, we talked, and we've come to an understanding."

Jalen blinked. "An understanding?"

"Yes," Karla said, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed with a small smirk. "We realized that instead of treating this situation like some kind of competition, we need to figure out how to make this work."

Sydney chimed in, "We all love you, Jalen. That much is obvious. But we can't let that love turn into resentment for each other. So ... we talked, and we figured out what's fair. For you and for us."

Jalen sat down, looking between all of them. "I don't even know what to say..."

Megan smirked. "Good. Just listen."

Rachel exhaled and finally spoke up. "We're gonna split your time. We're all going to need you for different things at different times, but at the very least, each of us gets our own day with you every week."

Jalen blinked again, his brain trying to catch up. "You're serious?"

Heidi nodded. "Yes. Mondays, you spend time with Kristen. Tuesdays, Sydney. Wednesdays, Megan. Thursdays, Rachel. Fridays, Karla. Saturdays, me." She paused. "And Sundays? Those are for you. To rest, to do whatever you need to do. Because we know you're going to need it."

Jalen was speechless. They had structured this out without him.

Kristen added, "Obviously, things might change depending on doctor's appointments, cravings, or if one of us just needs you in the moment. But this way, you don't have to run yourself ragged trying to be everywhere at once."

Megan smirked, "And don't worry. We also talked about what happens when the babies come. We'll figure it out."

Jalen ran a hand over his face. He was still in shock. "I don't even ... I don't deserve y'all."

Sydney grinned. "We know."

Rachel sighed. "Look, I'm still not totally on board with this insanity. But at least now, I don't feel like I'm about to lose my mind trying to figure out where I stand."

Jalen looked at all of them, feeling something that he hadn't in a long time. Relief. They had taken something nearly impossible and made it work.

Heidi smiled. "So? What do you think?"

Jalen exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I think ... I'm the luckiest damn man on the planet."

"You definitely are." Sydney said.

"Um ... would you all feel weird if I kissed him?" Heidi says.

The room goes quiet for a moment, all six women exchanging glances. It was a fair question. They had just laid out the foundation for how this whole thing was going to work. But physical affection? That was another thing entirely.

Megan is the first to shrug. "I mean ... I don't care. We all love him."

Sydney smirks. "You do know that at some point, we're all probably going to kiss him tonight, right?"

Megan laughs. "Might as well get it over with."

Rachel rolls her eyes but doesn't object. "I swear, this is the weirdest shit I've ever been a part of."

Karla leans back, crossing her arms with a grin. "Go ahead, Heidi. Just don't make it too dramatic."

Heidi doesn't hesitate. She turns to Jalen, cupping his face in her hands and pressing her lips to his. It's not a chaste kiss either. It's slow, lingering, full of all the emotions she's been holding back since she admitted her feelings for him.

When they finally pull apart, Jalen looks slightly dazed. "Damn..."

Sydney smirks. "Alright, well, if she gets one..."

Before Jalen can process what's happening, Sydney pulls him in for a deep kiss of her own. Then, one by one, each of them follows suit, Kristen, then Megan, then Karla. Even Rachel surprises him by pressing a quick but meaningful kiss to his lips, though she glares at him afterward. "Don't read too much into that."

Jalen just sits there, completely overwhelmed. "I ... I don't even know what just happened."

Kristen chuckles. "You just got kissed by six different women in under five minutes."

Jalen runs a hand over his face, shaking his head in disbelief. "Yeah, I definitely don't deserve y'all."

Megan smirks. "We know."

Sydney raises her glass of water. "To figuring this crazy shit out."

The rest of them follow, clinking their glasses together.

"To us."

Eventually the women all leave except for Rachel.

As the door closes behind the last of the other women, Rachel exhales deeply, running a hand through her dark hair. Jalen watches her, sensing the weight she's been carrying from the moment this whole situation started. He gestures toward the couch.

"Come sit with me?" he asks gently.

Rachel hesitates for a moment before finally sighing and walking over. She plops down beside him, curling her legs up under her. For a few moments, neither of them speaks. Jalen gives her time, knowing she needs to sort through whatever's going on in her head.

Finally, he breaks the silence. "You've been the most resistant to all of this, and I get it. But I feel like there's more to it than what you've been saying."

Rachel looks away, her jaw clenching slightly. "I don't know, Jalen. I really don't."

Jalen turns to face her fully. "I think you do."

Rachel exhales sharply, shaking her head. "It's just ... It's really fucking hard, okay? I know that everyone else has accepted it, and I thought maybe I was getting there too. But tonight, watching all of that, it just hit me all over again, and I don't know why."

Jalen doesn't say anything at first. He just watches her, waiting. She shifts uncomfortably under his gaze before groaning and dropping her head into her hands.

"God, I sound so stupid," she mutters.

Jalen reaches out and tilts her chin up, so she has to look at him. "Hey. You're not stupid, Rachel. You never have to pretend with me. Just tell me what you're feeling."

Rachel searches his face, her brown eyes swimming with emotions before she finally breathes out, "I still feel guilty."

Jalen's brows furrow. "Guilty? About what?"

Rachel lets out a humorless laugh, running a hand over her face. "About you, Jalen. About what I did to Trevor. About how I wrecked our relationship to be with you. And now, after all of that, I have to share you? Do you know how fucking insane that is?"

Jalen's expression softens. "Rachel..."

"No," she cuts in, shaking her head. "I know I can't go back. I know that I wasn't truly satisfied being with Trevor, which is one of the reasons I was drawn to you in the first place. But I chose you. And now, I have to—" She pauses, exhaling. "I have to live with that choice. I have to live with knowing I left someone who wanted only me for someone who belongs to six women. And some days, I don't know if I can do that."

Jalen reaches for her hand, threading their fingers together. "I hear you. And I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that what we did to Trevor was right. But I will tell you this. You have got to forgive yourself, Rachel. You made a choice for yourself. And you didn't choose me because you wanted to hurt him. You chose me because of what we have. That's real. That matters."

Rachel bites her lip, her grip on his hand tightening. "Then why does it still eat at me?"

"Because you're a good person," Jalen says simply. "Because you have a conscience. And because moving on is messy as hell. But if you let this guilt keep a hold on you, it's just gonna keep tearing you apart."

Rachel looks down at their joined hands, her thumb brushing against his knuckles. "How do I forgive myself, Jalen?"

"You start by accepting that you're not a bad person. That you're allowed to choose your happiness. And that this? Us? It wasn't a mistake."

Rachel swallows hard, lifting her gaze to meet his. "You really believe that?"

Jalen cups her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "With everything in me."

Rachel blinks rapidly, her eyes glassy, before she finally lets out a shaky breath. "God, you make it so fucking hard to stay mad at you."

Jalen chuckles, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I know. It's one of my many talents."

Rachel huffs out a small laugh, finally allowing herself to lean into him. For the first time in a long time, she wants to believe that maybe, just maybe, she can start letting go. Rachel closes her eyes, biting her lip as if trying to suppress the emotions swelling inside her. Jalen watches her carefully, his fingers still gently cradling her cheek. When she finally opens her eyes again, they're filled with something deeper than just frustration. There's love, vulnerability, and maybe even a little relief.

"You're such an asshole," she whispers, her voice shaking slightly.

Jalen smirks. "You keep telling me that, but you're still here."

Rachel exhales sharply, shaking her head. "Yeah, I am." She pauses, searching his face. "And I don't know if that makes me crazy or just completely, hopelessly in love with you."

Jalen smiles softly. "Maybe both. But I'm right there with you."

Rachel lets out a watery laugh before leaning forward and kissing him, slowly, deeply, and full of all the emotions she hasn't quite found the words for. Jalen wraps his arms around her, pulling her closer, pouring everything he has into this moment. When they finally pull back, Rachel presses her forehead against his. "Don't make me regret this, Jalen."

"You won't," he promises. "I swear to you, Rachel, you'll never regret loving me. I love you so much."

Rachel sighs, closing her eyes for a moment before whispering, "I love you too."

They sit in silence for a moment. Then suddenly, Rachel stands up.

"Come on," she says, taking his hand, "If I'm going to be in this crazy situation, we might as well have amazing sex. Plus, we haven't had sex since the night you put this baby in me, so we're long overdue." She smiles.

Jalen chuckles, shaking his head as Rachel tugs him toward the bedroom. "You sure about this?" he asks, searching her face one last time.

Rachel rolls her eyes playfully. "Shut up and take your clothes off, Moss."

Jalen doesn't need to be told twice.

Ten minutes later, Rachel is on top of Jalen in his bed, moving in slow, deliberate rolls of her hips, and savoring every second. Her long brown hair cascades over her shoulders, framing her flushed face as she leans down, pressing her lips against his.

"You feel so damn good," Jalen groans, gripping her hips to guide her movements.

Rachel smirks against his lips before pulling back, her hands splayed across his chest. "Told you we were overdue."

Jalen responds by gripping her waist tighter, flipping her onto her back and pinning her beneath him. "Then let's make up for lost time."

Rachel moans against Jalen's lips, rolling her hips in deep, controlled movements, making sure he feels every inch of her. She takes her time, dragging out the pleasure, savoring the way he grips her waist and gently squeezes her breasts.

Jalen groans, his fingers digging into her soft flesh. "Damn, Rachel..."

She smirks, leaning down to kiss along his jaw, then his neck. "I want you to cum for me, baby," she whispers in his ear, her breath hot and teasing.

Jalen grips her hips tighter, his body tensing as Rachel maintains her slow, methodical rhythm, knowing exactly how to push him over the edge.

"I'm really glad you're having my baby." Jalen says as he feels himself close to exploding.

Rachel's breath catches at his words, her movements stuttering for just a moment as a wave of emotion crashes over her. She hadn't expected him to say that, not like this, not in the middle of something so intense. But the sincerity in his voice, the way his hands tighten on her hips as he looks up at her with something raw and unguarded in his eyes, makes her heart ache in the best way.

"Jalen..." she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.

He groans, gripping her tighter as his release builds. "I mean it, Rach. I'm glad it's you."

Rachel feels herself tipping over the edge at the same time as Jalen, the moment so much more than just physical. Her hips convulse and they squeeze Jalen as she lets out a scream of intense pleasure that reverberates throughout his apartment. A few moments later, Rachel feels his tip pulsate as he releases his cum deep inside of her, filling her up quickly and causing it to ooze from her vagina. She lets out a moan of satisfaction. As they both fall apart together, she realizes that despite all the craziness, despite the other women, despite everything, Jalen is hers just as much as she is his.

She leans down, pressing her forehead against Jalen's as they both catch their breath. Her fingers trace slow, lazy patterns across his chest, her heart still pounding from both the pleasure and the realization settling deep in her bones.

Jalen looks up at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You okay?" he asks softly.

Rachel nods, her lips curling into a small smile. "Yeah," she whispers. "I just ... I guess I finally get it."

Jalen raises an eyebrow. "Get what?"

She exhales, shaking her head slightly as if in disbelief at herself. "That no matter how complicated this situation is ... you've never made me feel like I was anything less than important to you. That you meant it when you said you love me."

Jalen cups the back of her head, pulling her down into a slow, lingering kiss. "That's because I do," he murmurs against her lips. "And I always will."

Rachel swallows hard, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her, but instead of letting them consume her, she just holds onto Jalen tighter. She knows things won't be easy. She knows she'll still have moments of doubt. But for now, in this moment, she feels safe, she feels loved, and most of all, she feels like she belongs exactly where she is.

"I love you so much, Jalen. And I am glad I made the choice to be with you." Rachel says as her eyes start to tear up.

Jalen gently wipes away a stray tear from Rachel's cheek with his thumb, his heart swelling at her words. "I love you too, Rachel," he says softly. "And I'll spend every day proving that you made the right choice."

Rachel lets out a shaky breath, nodding as she leans into him, resting her forehead against his. "You already have," she whispers. "Even when I was fighting it, even when I wanted to hate you ... I couldn't. Because the truth is, you've given me more than I ever thought I deserved."

Jalen tilts her chin up, pressing a kiss to her lips, slow and deep, filled with every ounce of emotion he has for her. "You deserve everything, Rachel. And I'm gonna keep showing you that every single day."

Rachel smiles through her lingering tears, feeling lighter than she has in weeks. She strokes the side of his face, memorizing the warmth of his touch, the way he looks at her like she's the only woman in the world at this moment.

"I'm gonna hold you to that," she teases, her voice still thick with emotion.

Jalen smirks, pulling her closer. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Two days later Jalen has just finished another day at the Horner property. The guest house is really coming along well. It's about 6 PM and Jalen and Heidi are wrapping up another round of sex in the guest house. They are both completely naked except for Heidi's So Kate nude-colored heels. Jalen has Heidi pressed against the wall and her legs are wrapped around him, with her heels pressing against his butt. Jalen thrusts deep into her with Heidi moaning audibly, arms around his neck with one hand clutching the back of his head. She pulls him into a hungry sloppy tongue kiss as she feels her climax imminent. After several more powerful thrusts, Heidi's orgasm rips through her and she moans loudly into Jalen's mouth. Jalen keeps up his strokes until his body tenses up, and he releases his warm thick cum inside of her spraying her walls. Heidi's head fell back against the wall, her lips parting in pleasure as she held onto him, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, her heels pressing into his lower back. Soon, it begins to drip from Heidi's vagina.

Heidi opens her eyes and then they widen in horror. She sees her father coming back out to the guest house even though he had just been out there about 25 minutes ago.

"Oh my God," she whispered, sheer horror washing over her face.

Jalen barely had time to register her expression before she shoved at his chest. "My dad! He's coming back out here!" she hissed.

Jalen's blood ran cold. Shit. There was no time. No time for Heidi to put her clothes back on. No time for anything. Jalen pulled out of her, reluctantly stepping back as she scrambled to grab her blouse, skirt, and underwear, clutching them to her chest as she darted behind a pile of boxes in the corner of the half-finished guest house. Jalen, heart pounding, yanked his pants up, struggling to zip them with still-trembling hands. He barely managed to shove his arms through his shirt, completely unbuttoned, but at least on his body, as he heard the heavy footsteps of Tim Horner approaching the door.

Heidi was still naked, crouched behind the boxes, breathing rapidly. Jalen took one deep breath. Calm. Be calm. The door swung open.

Tim stepped in, his eyes scanning the space, immediately landing on Jalen. "I was just out here a little while ago," Tim started, his deep voice filling the room. "But I had a thought about those countertops. I wanted to ask how you're planning to match them with the cabinets."

Jalen fought to steady his breathing, nodding as if nothing was amiss. "Oh, yeah, the countertops," he said, forcing his voice to sound natural. Not like he had just been buried inside Tim's daughter less than a minute ago. "I was actually thinking a polished quartz finish, light gray with some marbling to complement the cabinetry."

Tim scratched his chin, considering. "Quartz, huh?"

Jalen nodded, folding his arms over his unbuttoned shirt, strategically covering the sweat still glistening on his chest.

Tim took a step forward. Too close. His eyes scanned the space, his gaze lingering on the scattered tools, the unfinished walls. The boxes. Jalen's pulse hammered in his ears. He didn't dare glance toward where Heidi was hiding.

Tim shifted his weight, oblivious. "Yeah, quartz might work. As long as it don't clash with the floors." He eyed Jalen, squinting slightly. "You alright, son? You look a little ... flustered."

Jalen forced a casual shrug, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just a long day. A lot of physical labor, you know?"

Tim grunted, seemingly accepting the excuse. He let out a breath, taking one last glance around. "Alright, well, I won't keep you much longer. Just wanted to check in."

Jalen nodded, silently willing Tim to leave.

"Right," Tim said. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow." He gave Jalen a parting nod, turned on his heel, and walked out the door.

Five seconds after the door clicked shut, Heidi burst out from behind the boxes, sucking in sharp breaths.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," she whispered, eyes still wide with lingering panic. "We almost died."

Jalen let out a long exhale, rubbing his face. "Jesus Christ, Heidi."

Heidi started laughing hysterically. "Did you see me? I was naked behind these fucking boxes."

Jalen ran a hand down his face, finally letting his own breathy chuckle escape. "You're insane."

"You love it."

He sighed, looking her up and down, still completely bare, her clothes clutched in her hands, her heels still on her feet.

"Maybe we should chill out with fucking on your parents' property, baby." Jalen says.

Heidi, still catching her breath, gives him a playful pout. "But where's the fun in that?" she teases.

Jalen shakes his head, running a hand down his face. "Baby, we just dodged a damn bullet. Your dad was two seconds away from finding you ass-naked behind those boxes. I'm not trying to die over this."

Heidi smirks, stepping closer, placing a hand on his bare chest. "You wouldn't die, Jalen. My dad wouldn't kill you, just shoot you in your legs so you couldn't walk again."

Jalen stares at her. Deadpan. "That's supposed to make me feel better?"

Heidi giggles, finally stepping back and actually putting her clothes on this time. "Fine, fine. We'll chill. But don't act like you don't love the thrill of it." She winks at him as she buttons up her blouse.

Jalen exhales, shaking his head, but he can't deny it. Heidi was wild, fearless, and utterly intoxicating. Still, he wasn't about to push his luck again.

"At least until the guest house is finished," he mutters.

Heidi grins as she smooths down her skirt. "That's fair. But after that? All bets are off."

"Should we talk about what your plan is after you tell your parents about our baby?" Jalen asks.

"I've thought about that," Heidi responds, "I'm going to get a teaching assistant position, which will help me have enough money to get my own apartment on top of my part-time job as a legal aid at the law firm that I work at. Once I have that situated, I'll move into my apartment, before I actually tell them. That way I'll already have a place to go before they can potentially disown me."

Jalen nods, impressed with her foresight. "That's a solid plan," he says. "You're making sure you have your own independence before dropping the news on them. Smart."

Heidi sighs, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, I'm trying to be. But it still scares the hell out of me, Jalen. My dad ... he's going to lose his Jalen nods, impressed with her foresight. "That's a solid plan," he says. "You're making sure you have your own independence before dropping the news on them. Smart."

Heidi sighs, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, I'm trying to be. But it still scares the hell out of me, Jalen. My dad ... he's going to lose his mind. I don't even know how my mom will react. She might actually cry more than yell."

Jalen reaches out, squeezing her hand. "Hey, you won't be alone in this. No matter how they react, you got me."

Heidi looks up at him, her green eyes softening. "I know. And that's what keeps me sane about all this."

Jalen studies her, knowing she's stronger than she gives herself credit for. "If it gets too bad, you always have a place with me," he says firmly.

Heidi smiles, her fingers tightening around his. "I appreciate that. But I need to do this on my own. At least at first. I need to prove to myself that I can handle my own life without my parents controlling it."

Jalen nods, respecting her resolve. "I get that. Just know I'm always in your corner."

Heidi exhales deeply. "Thanks, Jalen. Really."

She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips before pulling back. "Now, let's get out of here before my dad gets another sudden urge to check on things."

Jalen chuckles. "Yeah, I'd rather not have to jump out a window or some shit."

Heidi laughs as they gather their things. The road ahead wasn't going to be easy, but at least she wasn't facing it alone.

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