The Sons Friend (18+)

Surprise - Extra part - Part 2

The smell of cinnamon filled the kitchen as Selena pulled the tray of monkey bread from the oven, its golden top bubbling with syrup. Isabel stood at the table licking icing off her fingers while Mariana danced barefoot in a tutu, spinning to music only she could hear.

Milo darted between the girls' legs, his tiny legs keeping pace as best they could, pausing only to bark at the sound of the front door unlocking.

"Jacob's here!" Isabel shouted.

The door opened, and in came Jacob—tall and easy in his stride, hair tousled and jacket still dusted with leftover snow from outside. In his arms was his daughter Serena, her little boots swinging with each step.

Serena, at two years old, was the quiet observer of the family, a lot like her father. Her curls were lighter than Mariana's, more like Jacob's when he was little, and her golden-brown eyes mirrored Selena's so exactly it sometimes stopped her heart. She had her grandmother's cheekbones and the same half-smile when she was trying not to laugh.

"She's been talking about Milo since we left the house," Jacob said, placing Serena down carefully. "Prepare yourselves."

"Milo!" Serena squealed, running straight to the dog, who immediately began spinning in excited circles.

Selena laughed, wiping her hands on a towel before pulling her son in for a warm hug.

"Hey, ma," he murmured, kissing her cheek.

"You brought your appetite, right?" she asked, rubbing his back briefly before turning to Silas, who was just coming in from the backyard.

"Lunch is almost ready," she said to him, then glanced at Jacob. "We've got some news."

Jacob raised a brow, but didn't press. He'd grown used to his mother's quiet surprises—some small, some life-changing. He sat Serena down with Isabel and Mariana, the three girls already babbling about the puppy and cinnamon bread.

Once everyone was settled—Silas leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Selena beside him—they exchanged a quick glance.

"You want to tell them?" he asked hiding his grin.

"You should start," Selena replied. "You're better at surprises."

Silas cleared his throat, looking down at the three little girls who had already smeared icing on their cheeks as they picked from the bread.

"Alright, chicas," he said, crouching to their level. "Enough of the sweets, you know you have to eat real food first. Mommy and I have something very special to tell you."

Isabel sat up straighter. "Are we going to Disney?"

"Nope," he grinned. "Even better."

Mariana gasped. "Disney?!"

Isabel gasped simultaneously, "Better than Disney?!"

"Yes," Selena said, kneeling beside them. "Way better."

"Okay," Silas said, brushing his hand on Mariana's cheeks removing the icing leftover, "You know how there's three of you here today? You, Isabel, and Serena?"

The girls all nodded.

"Well," Selena continued, her voice warm and full of wonder, "in a few months, there will be four."

Isabel blinked. "Wait... like a friend coming over?"

"No, baby," Silas chuckled. "Like a baby coming. Into our family."

"Baby..." Mariana looked between them.

Selena nodded, eyes misty.

Mariana screamed first. "BABY!" She ran in a circle, tutu flaring as Milo barked in excitement again. Isabel jumped up and down, grabbing her sister's hands.