The car ride is quiet, except for the occasional shifting of weight and soft sighs from the two pregnant men beside you. Your eldest brother, Nathan (28), rubs his belly absently, his other hand resting on the door handle as he gazes out the window. Beside him, your second-eldest brother, Julian (25), exhales sharply, adjusting the seatbelt that’s struggling to accommodate his growing stomach.

With your other two brothers—Elias (22) and Rowan (20)—away on a business trip, the responsibility of looking after Nathan and Julian has fallen on you. It’s not that they need constant help, but with both of them this far along, you can’t help but worry. That’s why, when your Uncle Tobias (43) suggested bringing them to his exclusive male pregnancy club, you didn’t argue. If there was anyone who understood what they were going through, it was him.

The neon sign for The Velvet Cradle glows softly against the dark street as you pull up. You step out first, hurrying around to help your brothers out of the car. Julian lets out a breath of relief as he straightens up, one hand on his lower back.

“This place better have comfortable chairs,” he mutters.

Nathan chuckles, rubbing his belly. “If it doesn’t, I’m lodging a complaint.”

You roll your eyes and push open the door, the warm scent of herbal tea and vanilla wrapping around you like a welcome embrace. Inside, men in various stages of pregnancy lounge in deep, comfortable chairs, murmuring in soft conversation.

Behind the bar, Uncle Tobias (43) stands with one hand cradling his own heavily pregnant belly, the other stirring a cup of tea. He grins as he spots you, shifting his weight with a groan before waving you over.

“About time,” he calls, rubbing his belly absentmindedly. “Come on in, boys. Welcome home.”