Q, still sprawled on the couch and looking utterly defeated, turned his head toward Peem and said with mock seriousness, “He’s your little brother, Peem. Don’t forget that.”
Peem burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. “Oh, I know he’s my little brother. I just didn’t think he’d be this dangerous to your wallet!”
Toey, unfazed by the teasing, crossed his arms and shot them both a playful glare. “You two are just jealous because I know how to spoil my nephew properly. Marc deserves the best.”
Phum, chuckling, chimed in, “Toey, Marc doesn’t even understand half of what you bought him yet. He’d be happy with just one toy.”
Toey waved him off with a grin. “That’s because you don’t know him like I do. Right, Marc?” he said, crouching down to ruffle Marc’s hair as the little boy inspected his new rattle.
Marc giggled, waving the toy in the air as if to agree with Toey.
Fang, watching the exchange, shook his head, a soft smile on his face. “You’re lucky Marc doesn’t know how to ask for more yet, or you’d go broke, Toey.”
“Let him ask,” Toey replied confidently. “Whatever he wants, he’ll get. That’s what uncles are for.”
Tan raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. “And what happens when the next baby comes? Are you planning to spoil them just as much?”
Toey paused for a moment, then grinned. “Of course! Double the toys, double the fun.”
Q groaned loudly. “Please don’t. My back can’t handle carrying all that again.”
Peem clapped Q on the shoulder, smirking. “You’ll live, It’s for the kids, after all.”
As everyone laughed, Marc toddled over to Q, holding up the rattle as if offering it to him. Q’s tired expression melted into a smile, and he picked Marc up, holding him close.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” Q muttered, pressing a kiss to Marc’s cheek. “Otherwise, I’d never forgive your Uncle Toey.”
Marc giggled, wrapping his tiny arms around Q’s neck. The room filled with laughter again as Toey sat back triumphantly, clearly proud of himself.
Fang leaned against Tan, his hand resting on his belly. “This house is going to be chaos when the next one arrives,” he whispered with a laugh.
Tan wrapped an arm around him, kissing his temple. “But it’ll be our chaos,” he replied softly.
And with their family and friends around them, the chaos didn’t seem so bad after all.
Peem leaned back against the couch, his mischievous grin returning as he side-eyed Fang. “Are you really sure it’s just one? Or could it be twins this time?” he teased, raising an eyebrow.
Fang froze mid-sip of his water, his eyes widening slightly. “Twins?!” he exclaimed, nearly choking. He set the glass down quickly, glancing nervously at Tan.
Tan, who was equally caught off guard, blinked at Peem. “Why would you even say that?” he asked, a mix of amusement and concern in his voice.
Peem shrugged casually, his grin widening. “I don’t know. You two seem like overachievers. One baby? Easy. Two? Now that’s a challenge.”
Fang groaned, leaning back on the couch and covering his face with his hands. “Don’t even joke about that, Peem. I’m barely processing one right now!”
Toey, who had been playing with Marc, looked up with a smirk. “Twins would be fun, though. Imagine Marc with two little siblings running around. It’d be chaos, but adorable chaos.”
