Part five
The sun was bright overhead,shining down on us as we stood together on the beach. The waves crashed against the shore, creating the perfect backdrop to our moment. I wore a bikini, a wrap around my waist, and a flower in my hair. It was the furthest thing from a wedding dress, making it perfect for me.
Jace wore swim shorts and a colorful tank, Kieran in a Hawaiian shirt and trunks, and Cruz shirtless in only his swim trunks. He had a lei around his neck, and his beautiful tattoos were on display. The four of us couldn’t get any more casual if we’d tried other than being nude. Cruz had opted for it, but we talked him out since we now had the twins with us.
In their matching tropical wear, Zachary and Zoe stood off to the side, holding Buns and Tempo, our new dog. Tempo was a chocolate doodle who believed he was a small dog despite already being twenty pounds. He was a bundle of chaotic, fluffy joy. He fit right into our family.
“You’re all gathered here today to commit yourselves to one another. Please take each other’s hands,” the ceremony leader said.
We did as he asked, the four of us linking our hands in a circle.
“Repeat after me. I promise to commit my life to you, to spend the rest of my todays and tomorrows with you. To be faithful and true, supporting you in all of life’s circumstances from the sorrows to the joys, and loving you more every day.”
The four of us repeated the words, our eyes shining bright with our love and emotion for one another.
Before I met them, I couldn’t commit to anything, always running from one thing to the next. I’d worried if I chose one thing, it meant I’d miss out on everything else life had to offer. But I’d been wrong.
With Jace, Cruz, and Kieran, not only did I still get to experience everything life had, but I got to do it with them. I wasn’t alone anymore. By finally committing, I’d opened my life up to so many more things. Funny how that worked.
The Music Loft was successful, and I loved teaching students about music. We’d started a program with the local schools so kids who couldn’t afford lessons could come once a week afterschool. It was how I’d met Zachary and Zoe.
I still got to perform with Phantom at Howlers, though my favorite was when we didn’t perform before a crowd. Just the two of us in our music room.
My sex drive was stronger than ever, and I wasn’t worried about growing bored. Between the three of them, I was always satisfied.
And now, the four of us were becoming parents.
I’d always believed love was the biggest trap and avoided it at all costs. It’s funny how easily I’d walked into theirs.
It had only been a year since I’d strutted onto that boat, assured I knew precisely what the next week held for me. It was comical how wrong I’d been. My life might be drastically different than anything I pictured, but it was exactly what I’d always wanted.
“You may kiss, sealing your commitment to each other on this beach and the life ahead of you.”
“Woot!” Jace shouted, dipping me and kissing me thoroughly. I was passed to Kieran, then Cruz, and each of them kissed me so passionately that I was thankful I wore water-absorbent bottoms.
“We did it!” I yelled, lifting our hands in the air. Zachary and Zoe ran to us, throwing their arms around our legs as we fell to the sand in a group hug, the dogs licking and jumping excitedly.
Over the past week, the twins, especially Zach, had grown comfortable with us. They both smiled freely now, and I couldn’t wait to tell them they’d always have a home with us.
But first, there was cake to be had.
Everly Carlisle… retired companion, recovering commitment-phobe, and happier than she ever thought possible.
The End