Epilogue
SIERRA
“Where are we going?” I ask again, peering out the window of the SUV, but not recognizing anything. I’ve asked several times now, but none of my men seem inclined to tell me.
It’s been a year since the fateful day we met, so I’m guessing they have some kind of anniversary celebration planned, although personally, I count our time together from the day Gray, Cain and Erik took me out to dinner as the beginning of our relationship.
Men are different though. If there’s one thing the past twelve months have taught me, then it’s that.
Five months ago, they persuaded me to move into the ‘guest’ penthouse of their building, since I’d refused to move in with any one of them.
There was no way to do that without playing favorites, which is something I simply can’t do…
because there isn’t one. The guest suite is a compromise, and it seemed to be working, even if the three of them now rarely stay in their own homes. But that’s a future problem.
The SUV takes a sharp turn onto a gravel road, and I feel a flutter of excitement in my stomach. The trees are thicker here, blocking out most of the late afternoon sunlight. It's eerily familiar, and suddenly I know exactly where we're going. "The cabin," I breathe, my heart racing.
Cain, who's driving, catches my eye in the rearview mirror and smiles. "Surprise ruined," he says with a chuckle.
Erik, sitting beside me, takes my hand and squeezes it gently. "We thought it would be fitting to come back here. Where it all began."
I nod, a lump forming in my throat. The memories of that day flood back - the confusion, the fear, but also the undeniable attraction I felt towards these three men.
How far we've come since then.
Gray turns in the passenger seat to face me, his expression serious. "We know this place holds... complicated memories for you, Sierra. If you're not comfortable, we can turn back."
I shake my head firmly. "No, I want to be here. With all of you."
The cabin comes into view, looking much the same as I remember it. As we pull up, I notice some changes - fresh paint on the porch, new curtains in the windows. Small things.
Plus, we’ve been able to drive all the way to the front door.
As we pile out of the SUV, I take a deep breath of the pine-filled forest air. It's so quiet out here, just the rustle of leaves and chirping birdsong.
Gray wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. "Welcome back," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple.
Erik and Cain grab bags from the trunk, and we make our way inside.
The interior has been updated too - new furniture, a plush rug by the fireplace and, if I’m not mistaken, a Wi-Fi signal booster, which was one of the things Primal Fantasies agreed needed to be upgraded so their clients could do a digital check in, complete with fingerprint and what they call ‘go’ words, to ensure a situation like ours never happens again.
But the essence of the place remains the same.
And then there’s that damn massive bed! I shiver as I remember the things they did to me there.
"We've got dinner planned," Cain says, heading to the kitchen with a cooler. "But first, how about a glass of champagne?"
The question is redundant since Erik is already pouring, and soon we're all settled in the living room, the fire crackling merrily.
There's an undercurrent of nervous energy that I can't quite place.
The men exchange glances, having one of their silent conversations.
Are they planning to reenact the debauchery that brought us together?
While not quite so extreme, our sex life is certainly still as intense and experimental as that first weekend.
But I wouldn't put it past them to have something wild planned for our anniversary. My tummy flutters at the thought.
A little while later, after we’ve eaten, opened a second bottle of champagne, and tested the bed - albeit rather tamely - for old times’ sake, I find out.
Gray clears his throat, drawing my attention. "Sierra, we brought you here for a reason beyond just reminiscing."
My heart skips a beat at the seriousness in his tone. Erik takes my hand, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin.
Cain sets down his champagne flute and kneels before me, reaching into his pocket. My breath catches as I realize what's happening.
"Sierra," Cain begins, his voice thick with emotion, "this past year has been the best of our lives. You've brought light and love into our world in a way we never thought possible."
Erik squeezes my hand. "We know our situation is unconventional, but we can't imagine our lives without you.”
"You balance us, challenge us, and make us better men," Gray adds, his eyes shining as he opens a small velvet box, revealing a stunning ring with three intertwined bands - one white gold, one yellow gold, and one rose gold, each set with a different colored stone. "Sierra, will you marry us? All of us?"
My heart pounds in my chest, and for a moment, I can't breathe. The ring glitters in the firelight, beautiful and symbolic. Three bands, three men, all intertwined. Just like us.
"I..." I start, my voice catching. Tears prick at my eyes as I look at each of them in turn. Gray, strong and commanding. Erik, playful and passionate. Cain, loyal and protective. My men. My loves.
"Umm…" I whisper, overwhelmed by the enormity of what they're asking. "That’s not exactly legal, you know." I don’t want to put a downer on things, but it’s the truth, and they already know I won’t choose between them.
Erik chuckles softly. "When has that ever stopped us before?"
"We know it won't be a traditional marriage," Gray says, his deep voice steady and reassuring. "But we want to commit to you, Sierra. To us. All of us, together."
Cain, still kneeling before me, takes my free hand in his. "We've talked about this a lot. We know it won't always be easy, but we're willing to face whatever comes our way. As long as we're together."
“And besides, we know a place,” Erik adds. “An island called Elysium that treats our kind of relationship with respect, and where there’s an officiant who will perform a ceremony for the four of us and take care of the legal aspects of our union.”
My mind whirls. There are really places like that?
I take a shaky breath, looking down at the ring. It's perfect - a beautiful symbol of our unconventional love. My heart swells with emotion as I realize how much thought and planning they've put into this moment.
"Yes," I whisper, a tear sliding down my cheek. "Yes, I'll marry you. All of you."
The room erupts in joy. Gray slips the ring onto my finger, then pulls me into a passionate kiss.
Before I can catch my breath, Erik scoops me up and lifts me off my feet, spinning me around in his excitement.
Then Cain wraps his strong arms around us both, his deep laughter rumbling through his chest.
As we break apart, I can't stop staring at the ring on my finger. It feels right, like it was always meant to be there.
"So, tell me more about this Elysium place," I say, curiosity getting the better of me.
Erik grins, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's a private island in the Caribbean. Very exclusive, very discreet. They cater to all kinds of unconventional relationships there."
"We thought we could make a trip of it," Gray adds. "Have a commitment ceremony and honeymoon, all in one.”
“They also have a dungeon…” Gray winks and leaves those words hanging in the air between us all.
As the reality of their proposal sinks in, I feel a mixture of excitement, contentment, and overwhelming love for these three incredible men standing before me.
The idea of a commitment ceremony on a private Caribbean Island sounds like a dream, a perfect setting for our unique relationship to be celebrated and honored.
Something I never believed we could have, and a secret sadness, if I’m honest with myself.
I meet each of their gazes, feeling the depth of their devotion and sincerity in their eyes. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, but as I look at the symbol of our intertwined love, I know deep in my heart that saying yes to them is the right choice.
Gray squeezes my hand gently, his eyes filled with warmth and adoration.
"Sierra, you've brought so much light and love into our lives.
We can't wait to officially start this new chapter together. We can buy a house. Somewhere private where we can live together away from prying eyes. Where we can have children and be a true family.”
As we stand there, surrounded by love and anticipation for the future, I feel a sense of peace settling over me. This unconventional journey we're embarking on may have its challenges, but with these three amazing men by my side, I know we can face anything together.
And so, as we begin planning our trip to Elysium, a place where our love will be celebrated, accepted, and embraced. As we step into this new adventure, I can't help but feel grateful for the events that brought us to this moment.
I may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it turned out to be the perfect place at exactly the right time.
It might have been fate that brought us together, but it’s our love for each other that will guide us into the future.