**Chapter 3: Stolen Moments**

The warmth of Max's body was all Nick needed to feel complete. As they lay entwined in each other's arms, Nick couldn't help but think about how much he cherished these stolen moments with Max. Their love was still a secret to the rest of the world, and it made every kiss, every touch, every whispered promise feel like a rebellion. As they caught their breath, Nick glanced at the clock on the bedside table and realized they had only a few minutes before Matt would likely come looking for them. He squeezed Max's hand, and Max's eyes fluttered open, a lazy smile spreading across his face. "I have an idea," Nick whispered, a mischievous glint in his eye. Max raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and Nick continued, "Let's sneak out to the garden. We can talk and enjoy some fresh air without being disturbed." Max's face lit up with excitement, and he nodded enthusiastically. They quickly got dressed, trying to be as quiet as possible, and made their way downstairs. The living room was empty, and they slipped out of the back door, into the garden. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the lush greenery, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. Nick and Max found a secluded spot behind a row of tall hedges, where they could sit and talk without being seen. As they sat down on a bench, Nick turned to Max and asked, "Do you think we can keep our secret hidden for much longer?" Max's expression turned serious, and he replied, "I don't know, Nick. It's getting harder to keep it inside. I feel like I'm bursting to tell someone, anyone, about us." Nick's heart skipped a beat as he thought about the potential consequences of their secret being exposed. Their parents might not understand, and the triplet siblings could react in unpredictable ways. Nick knew they had to be careful, but it was getting increasingly difficult to keep their love a secret. Just then, a faint noise came from behind the hedges. Nick and Max exchanged a nervous glance, and Nick whispered, "I think we have company." Max's eyes widened, and they both froze, holding their breath as they waited to see who – or what – was on the other side of the hedge. The noise grew louder, and suddenly, a small, furry head peeked out from behind the leaves. It was a little rabbit, its big brown eyes twitching with curiosity. Nick and Max burst out laughing, relieved that it was just a harmless creature. As they sat there, watching the rabbit hop away, Nick turned to Max and smiled. "I think we can handle a few more stolen moments. But soon, we need to figure out a plan for when our secret gets out." Max nodded, his eyes locked on Nick's, and they shared a soft, gentle kiss, savoring the moment and the love they shared.