Thomas finally voiced, “The idea sounds good. We all know how to run apany, but none of us know what to sell.”


    John nodded at the realization.


    “That’s right. You, your wife, Mathew, and I – have a finance and management background. Arabe is from product marketing, Joe is awork engineer, and Rick is a cop. We know how to protect and sell something. But none of us know how to produce anything.”


    Arabe chimed in, “How about we open a Logisticspany?”


    Mathew asked, “Logistics?”


    Arabe hummed, “There isn’t any good logisticspany where we grew up, especially at the international level. Same with where they currently stay. It’s been a nightmare when I have to send something to this cavewoman.”


    Arielle rolled her eyes at the reference, “So, I take it you did some research?”


    Arabe clinked her sses, “Touché!”


    She shrugged and added, “Work habits are hard to suppress. There is a good market for it, though the initial few years would be bad. Combined with all our expertise and if Mathew’spany and Thomas’s family’spany start using it, it should get a decent boost.”


    Thomas nodded after a long time, “This can work. But before that, we all need a good ce to settle down. Somewhere our kids can grow up, and we can retire.”


    Joe added, “Yeah, we should all build houses close by for our extended family where the kids can stay until they move out. Need good schools and high schools within amutable distance. Also, the warehouse and our offices should be close, and the seaport and airport.”


    They discussed it for a long time and ended up with a rough n in their half-drunk state.


    **One yearter**


    In a semi-urban city – Pearl City, less than a dozen miles from the capital of country Z, the friends and family decided to build their home.


    The group of 7 adults with two kids procuredrge amounts ofnd for four different houses, their offices, and arge warehouse with potential for expansion.


    It was a new beginning for everyone.


    John still had a few months left before he left PGI. He extended his stay to help Alex, who was losing his mind at Emma’s mismanagement.


    Rick was still busy with assignments. Though, he and John would be avable in half a year.


    Joe had introduced Rick’s cousin to John, and they both had hit it off well. But they were going rocky due to different aspirations.


    They were still trying to make it work, though things weren’t looking good.


    Mathew and Arabe were doing great. They were nning for a Frozen-themed Winter wedding as per Belle’s request. Belle was thrilled to have a father and a loving extended family.


    Mathew made many attempts to convince his parents to no avail, but Belle had won them over in less than an hour.


    Thomas and Arielle could not be happier. Adrian was growing up wonderfully.


    After thinking for many months, Thomas decided to go ahead with Arielle’s n to be a surrogate for Joe and Rick.


    After spending a year and a half together, Thomas was clear of Joe’s longing for a child. He saw how much Joe cared for Adrian and Belle. And how much Joe meant to both Arielle and Arabe, as well as Adrian and Be. He could not say no after seeing all that, despite still feeling as awkward as ever.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Joe became teary-eyed at their proposal. Rick proposed a condition, hiding his joy well.


    Instead of injecting only Rick and Joe’s semen samples, they would also take Thomas’s. Whoever ends up fathering a baby is up to fate.


    That made things much easier for Thomas to ept.


    Arielle had refused, “After two years, I want to have another child with Thomas by conceiving naturally.”


    Thomas was overjoyed hearing her ns but kept a lid on his emotions. It was not the time or ce.


    But Rick was adamant that all three should do it to ease off the awkwardness.


    And so, that was finalized. As soon as Rick’s training was over, they would go for artificial insemination. No matter who ends up fathering the child in the end, none of the three wanted to miss the process.


    Arabe was jealous just imagining the pampering, “I am imagining you in a reverse harem setting given how much they are going to pamper you.”


    Arielle teased, “You can get pregnant and ride on my coattails.”


    Mathew agreed to that right away, “Works for me!”


    Arabe pushed him away, “Of course it does. You are not the one who would be raising another human inside of you and pumping them out of your privates.”


    Mathew and Thomas were horrified hearing that literal description, while Joeughed at them.


    Compared to Thomas and Mathew, Joe was an old hand, having been an integral part of Arabe and Arielle’s pregnancy journeys.