Twenty-Five.
Ashlee
“Ash, wake up, baby,” a soft voice purred in my ear, but I only groaned and turned over, trying to escape the persistent intrusion. Warm breath tickled my neck as I felt a gentle but insistent hand shake my shoulder.
“Come on, Red, open those eyes,” another voice coaxed, this one deeper and edged with amusement. I felt the bed dip on either side of me—there was no escaping these men when they had me cornered.
“Ashlee,” Ethan said, his tone softer now. “Come on, sweetheart. We want to give you our presents before we go to Dad's.” His words tugged at my curiosity, and despite my resistance, I forced my eyes open, squinting against the early morning light. Mags was grinning at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Come on, Princess,” he urged, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.
I groaned again but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips as I slowly sat up. The room was filled with the scent of fresh coffee and the lingering aroma of last night’s decadent dinner, creating a comforting cocoon around us. Ethan and Mags exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions softening as they watched me come to life. The promise of their surprises, whatever they might be, hung tantalizingly in the air, making my heart race with anticipation.
Ethan chuckled. "Meet us downstairs, Ash, and don't take too long.”
I released a sigh and nodded. I'd gotten so used to sleeping in since living here that waking up this early had thrown me off balance. It wasn't even super early, only a little after nine.
I had a quick shower to wake myself up and then got dressed before going downstairs. My eyes widened when I saw a small Christmas tree in the sitting room which hadn’t been there yesterday.
“Do you like it, sweetheart?”
“When did you do this?”
“Early this morning,” Ethan said with a grin.
“We wanted to make an effort for you,” Mags added.
“This is amazing,” I murmured in awe.
I noticed a small pile of gifts wrapped up beneath the tree. I'd bought them both a few gifts online which were wrapped and hidden away upstairs. I didn't expect them to get me anything, assuming that they weren't into Christmas. We hadn't actually spoken about it.
Apparently, I thought wrong.
“Go and sit down while I make you a coffee.”
Mags grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the sofa. "Happy Christmas, Red,” he murmured before nuzzling my neck, his lips carressing me softly.
“Mags.” I giggled.
He sat back with his arm around me. "Neither of us have had a tree before. We've always gone around Stefan’s house for dinner, and they decorated there. You’ve brought a light into our lives, princess.”
I released a deep breath. "I love you both.”
“And we love you.”
Ethan came in a few minutes later with a steaming mug for me, placing it on the table. He then grabbed a small box from under the tree.
“These are all for you, sweetheart,” he said while passing it to me.
“You didn't have to.”
"Just open them, Ash,” Mags said.
I bit my lip and ripped through the paper, working my way into the box. When it was open, I pulled out a framed photo of me and Mags from our date out around Chicago.
“Mags,” I whispered. "How?”
“I have my ways, princess. I thought it would be nice for you to have this. I remember you being so happy taking it.
“It's...” I was left a little speechless at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you.”
Ethan passed me another small box, his smile tinged with the kind of mischief that always made my heart race. My fingers trembled as I tore off the paper, revealing a luxurious velvet box. Inside lay a stunning golden necklace, an intricate infinity symbol encircling two sparkling diamonds.
“Wow,” I whispered, my voice barely audible as the significance of the gift washed over me.
“Baby, you’re my forever,” Ethan said softly, his voice rich with emotion, “and I want you to always know that.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Christmas presents had been a distant memory since my early childhood, and the realization that Ethan had poured so much thought into this gift made my heart swell.
As I continued to unwrap more gifts, each one more extravagant than the last—a sleek laptop, an elegant dress and shoes, a decadent perfume set—I felt overwhelmed by their generosity. But it was the final gift that took my breath away: a delicate lace pantie and bra set, so intimate and beautiful it made my cheeks flush.
“How can I ever thank you for all of this?” I asked, my voice choked with emotion.
Ethan's eyes darkened with intensity as he replied, “You’re still here, Ashlee. That's all we ever need. I know I can be a trying man to be married to, but I love you. You’re my reason for waking up every day. You’re my purpose for living. I have nothing without you, baby, so you don't need to thank us. Just continue to be my wife.”
“Oh, Ethan,” I said, tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m not going anywhere. I love you too much to go now.”
In that moment, the room seemed to close in around us, the world outside fading into insignificance. Ethan’s words wrapped around my heart like a warm blanket, reassuring me that no matter the danger, no matter the chaos of our lives, our love was the one constant, the one thing that would never change.
Mags grabbed my head and turned me to face him, colliding his lips straight into mine.
Then the moment he let go, Ethan thrust my head the other way to devour my mouth after him.
When I was finally released, I looked between them. "I got you both something as well.”
“Ash,” Mags murmured with a raised eyebrow.
I grinned and jumped to my feet, rushing upstairs to grab both of the boxes. I didn't have a clue what to get both of these men, especially when they had no hobbies and both had everything they wanted. But I'd still managed to find silly little things just to show my appreciation and love for them.
I gave them both a small box each, sitting back between them anxiously. "It’s not much, but just a little something.”
“We’ll love whatever it is, sweetheart.” Ethan smiled as he opened it.
He pulled out the piece of paper first with the voucher on.
“I thought you could get a new one,” I said softly.
Mags pulled out a similar voucher and chuckled. "Do you like our tattoos, Red?”
"They're quite hot.” I felt my cheeks flush with heat. "I just thought you could both treat yourselves to new ones.”
“Oh, we well, Ash,” Ethan said with a smile.
Ethan pulled a leather bracelet out of his box next, holding it up to study the silver plate in the middle. It was a heart with an infinity symbol horizontally across it.
He chuckled. "I guess we both feel the same way.”
"Ethan, I know it's not overly manly, but you've given me so much. More than you'll ever realise. I love you, even when you're being an ass.”
“Oh, baby, thank you. I’ll enjoy wearing it.”
He pulled an expensive bottle of whisky out next and grinned at me. "Perfect.”
Mags pulled out a small velvet box and opened it, and I blushed as he read the words surrounding the promise necklace in it. It was a golden Cuban chain, but the words were what expressed how I felt. It was a promise of our love.
It was also cheesy as fuck and part of me was a little embarrassed now.
“Ash...”
“I know it’s corny, and you don't have to wear it.”
“Ash-”
"I just didn't know how to express how much you mean to me, Magnus.”
“Ashlee, will you give me a chance to speak,” he said more firmly.
I swallowed a lump in my throat.
"Red, it's lovely. Yeah, it's a little corny, but it's how we feel. Nobody else will ever truly understand what it is the three of us have, but we do. It's what works for us.”
"We're a family,” I said softly.
“We are. I'll wear it and always remember that I have you.”
I smiled and grabbed his hand.
“Thanks, princess.”
His final gift was his own bottle of whisky similar to Ethan’s. Their gifts were similar because they liked similar things. It was the best I could think of.
"Magnus, I have a final gift for you.”
"What?” Mags frowned.
I was intrigued as well as we both stared at Ethan.
Ethan pulled a small box out of his pocket and passed it to Mags. He opened it, revealing a key.
“A key... to your front door.”
“Look, I know you have one, but this is my way of saying... No, I’m asking... Whether you want to stay with us permanently.”
My eyes widened in shock, my head snapping to Mags.
“Ashlee is in love with you, Mags, and I think we've already crossed every line there is when we fucked her together. I like you being here and she does too. We're a family, and we want you to stay as part of our family. We both love you, so if you want, our home is yours.”
Magnus was speeches as he stared at the key. I didn't blame him, I was as well, but I only now realised how much I wanted this. It felt empty when Mags wasn't with us. He'd stayed all week and it just felt right.
“Ethan...”
“You can claim a room, and hell, I'd even get an extension built on the house if you wanted more space. I'm not trying to crowd you. I just... It just feels right with you being here.” Ethan’s voice was laced with a vulnerability which tore at my heart strings.
Magnus looked up and met Ethan’s eyes. "Do you really want this?”
Ethan took a deep breath, slowly releasing it. "Yes.”
“And you obviously do, Red.”
“I'd love nothing more,” I whispered.
“Then okay,” Mags said with a grin. "But can I make a small request?”
“What?”
“Can we get a slightly bigger bed?”
I burst out laughing because Ethan's bed was already big enough as it was.
“Done,” Ethan said. "A little more space won't hurt.”
“And just to be clear, I’m still never touching you with my cock, and my ass is a cock free zone.”
"Yeah, I don't want that either.” Ethan laughed.
I grinned and looked between my two men. This was perfect, the three of us happy together. Together we were invincible.