by Ruby Keller
"Huh?" He said, moving his hands away from Coco. "How?"
I took his other hand and kissed his head. "We didn't want to separate you from the bears. Besides, they're part of the family like you said. So we decided we'd live in the woods for six months every year. And when they hibernate for six months when it's cold, we'll go back to living in the city. They'll start hibernating in a couple of days, which is why they've been coming over so often to eat. They're gaining all this extra weight so they can hibernate for the next six months."
"Wow." He beamed, happiness returning to his face. "That's a brilliant idea! I knew I could trust my Daddies to come up with a solution. Thank you, Daddy!"
Standing up, he threw his hands around us before looking at Michael. "Did you hear that, Michael? I'll be living minutes away from you. We're practically neighbors now."
"Oh we're gonna have so much fun!" Michael looked just as excited, walking over and squeezing him in a tight hug. "We'll have playdates every week, and so many sleepovers and naptime together. We're gonna be so naughty together, it's gonna drive our Daddies mad."
John chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I sure look forward to a lot of spankings."
I knew they were going to have a lot of fun together. Oliver's main reason for moving into the city was to give our boy a bigger nursery, bedroom and home. My primary intention was to let him have the joys of friendship. He craved for love and friendship more than anything. He already had love in the form of his Daddies, so now it was time to have friendships. Hopefully spending time with Michael would mean his social circle would slowly grow and before he knew it, he'd have his own crew of friends to hang out with. Clayton was right when he once said that humans were social beings, and having a healthy social life was a crucial part of happiness.
"Ready to open my present?" Oliver walked over to the pile of gifts and handed him another small box, just the same size as mine.
When he unwrapped it, he looked confused again, shaking it next to his ear and listening. "What's in it? Another key?"
Before he could open it, Oliver snatched the box out of his hand and went down on one knee. He produced a ring and smiled at Elijah, who instantly went from frowning to looking like he was about to cry, hands on his mouth in disbelief.
Michael almost screamed from behind. "No way!"
What the hell was happening? One instant we were opening birthday presents and the next Oliver was proposing. They'd been together for almost a year and it was too soon to be considering marriage, which was why it was just as much of a surprise to me. I knew they weren't like any other couple. They were so close anyone could see that they were meant for each other. Oliver and I were heading in the same direction. But why hadn't he discussed it with me? It seemed reasonable to talk about it considering how we were all supposed to be in a single relationship. I would be dating a married couple soon. I wondered how their marriage would impact our relationship, if at all.
I probably should've been mad that I would be the third wheel in a sacred bond of marriage, but I understood where Oliver was coming from. They'd been together longer and marriage of three people wasn't legal.
"I love you, my sweet boy," he said as Elijah let go of the hand covering his mouth. "Before you came into my life, I was a mess, living alone in the woods for years because I didn't trust people. I had completely cut people out of my life and I didn't want anything to do with the world. But then you showed me what I was missing and so desperately needed, love and human compassion. You say I saved you but it's always been the other way around. I can't imagine my life without you and I would be honored to make you my husband. Will you marry me?"
Tears ran down his cheeks and he gasped for air as his face turned red. "Yes, Daddy. I would like nothing more."
When Oliver put the ring on his finger, Elijah began sobbing.
"Aw, it's such a happy moment." I rubbed his back and gave him a tight hug. "My boy's gonna be a husband soon, and a good one at that."
When I broke the hug, Oliver wiped his tears and grinned. "No more crying. As your husband, I'll have to make sure of that."
"Okay, Daddy." He took deep breaths, relaxing his shoulders. When he calmed down, he finally smiled and looked down at his ring, holding his hand up and showing it to Michael.
Michael stepped next to him and rested his head on Elijah's shoulder. "You're one lucky boy. It looks so good on you. Shines a lot too. That's how you know no expense was spared."
"Congrats, both of you." I patted their backs. "You'll make really good husbands."
I was still in shock over how fast everything was happening. There had been absolutely no signs or hints on Oliver's part that he was going to propose, but I guess that's how proposals were, sudden and overwhelming.
"Well, there's more," Oliver said, fishing a small box out of his pocket, opening it, and going down on one knee again, but before me this time. "You didn't think you'd be left out, did you? I love you just as much, Lance Hoult. You came into our lives when we thought we had everything we wanted. We didn't think our lives could get any better but you proved us wrong. You gave our boy the love he deserved and you love him just as much as I do. That is why I fell in love with you, because you turned us into a loving family. Now my life would be just as incomplete without you as it would be without Elijah. I need both of my husbands to make my life complete. So will you marry me, Lance?"
Tears formed in my eyes and when I looked over at Elijah, he was back to silently sobbing again. My men always made me feel like I was just as important as they were to each other, and yet it was a complete surprise that Oliver would want to make me his husband. The fact that I only knew Oliver for a few months didn't change how he felt about me.
"Look at you, going down on one knee twice in a day." Shaking my head, I wiped my tears and sniffled. "Yes, Oliver. I'll marry you. But how would that even work? Surely it wouldn't be legal."
He slid it on my finger and kissed me on the lips. "No, it wouldn't be an official wedding. But gay men were holding mock weddings long before it was legal because they believed in what they wanted. We need to set the stage for future generations. People need to see that three people can be in a loving marriage just as much as two people can."
"You're right." I nodded and looked at Elijah. "But I want the three of us to be in a single marriage. I don't have a ring, but will you marry me, Elijah?"
"Oh, a boy can only handle so many emotions." Elijah was vigorously fanning himself with a hand. "Yes, Daddy. I'll marry you too."
"Fear not, for I came prepared." Oliver produced a small box out of his pocket, and from it a ring identical to ours. "I'm gonna wear it since I'm the only one without a ring."
He put his hand forward and we did the same, watching the rings sparkle in sunlight for a moment.
"I can't believe you'll be my Daddies and husbands." Elijah now beamed, looking up at us.
"I can't believe it either," Michael stepped forward, peeking over Elijah at our hands in the middle before lowering his voice. "I've been with my Daddy for five years and you've managed to lure yours into marriage within a year. Sometimes a boy's gotta take matters into his own hands."
"Aw, it's gonna happen one day." Elijah grinned, taking his hand and stroking it with his thumb. "You just need to have a little patience."
John stepped next to us. "What are you boys whispering about?"
"Nothing," Michael said, waving a hand airily.
Oliver went back to the pile of presents and returned with the thinnest of them all, holding it against his chest before giving it to Elijah. "But wait, there's more. I think you'll love this one the most."
"There's nothing I love more than my fiancés." His eyes widened when he opened it. "No way!"
"Surprise!" Oliver handed one of the tickets to me. "We're all going on a honeymoon to Germany. I know you've been saving up to visit, so I thought it would be the perfect destination."
Ever since Peter told him his mother had planned to run away to Ger
many and raise him there, he'd been obsessed with the country. We visited every German restaurant in the city and he even learned conversational German, greeting us and talking to us in German sometimes. The language was beautiful but his words sounded gibberish to our ears. But Oliver and I had planned to learn some German online, just so we could surprise him with a basic conversation. We knew we would sound ridiculous but he had gotten so good at it he could correct us.
"It truly is the perfect destination, Daddy." He threw his arms around him and kissed his cheek. "I had nothing when I first met you in the woods. I had no one. Both of you have given me everything I've wanted and more, and for that I thank you."
"Thank you for being you," Oliver said and then turned to me. "I can't believe I get to take my future husbands on a honeymoon, the two most handsome men that I care about so much. Thank you for being a part of my life, guys."
He pulled us both in a hug, pressing our heads against his chest and kissing them. He rubbed our backs and continued laying tiny kisses on our heads before breaking the hug. I kissed him on the lips and Elijah joined in for a searing three-way kiss.
Peter laughed and stuck his hand out. "I believe congratulations are in order. I can't believe my son is getting married. They grow up so fast, I tell you."
Walking away from us Michael cleared his throat and turned towards us. "Well, well. Wasn't that all wonderful? Daddies proposing left and right while some of us have been waiting for the past five years. Congrats, guys. You'll all make wonderful husbands. Now that all the important presents have been opened I'd like to announce something-" looking at John- "to whom it may concern, if a certain someone’s planning on going down on one knee and popping the question, I wouldn’t say no. I know I haven't been the best boy but I promise to behave and be better if that's the cause of hesitation."
Everyone looked at John, who just crossed his arms and looked at Michael with an arched eyebrow.
Elijah stepped before him. "You're a naughty boy and I bet your Daddy likes it that way. You're perfect just the way you are, Michael."
Michael stuck his lower lip out in a pout and whispered into his ear. "Then why won't he propose?"
"Patience, Michael," Elijah said. "Patience."
Chapter 25: Oliver
Things were all happening so fast. When I was trying to come up with the perfect birthday gift I instantaneously came up with the idea of a trip to Germany. But just a trip wasn't enough and I had to continue brainstorming. It suddenly hit me that the perfect thing to gift was what all three of us probably wanted. John had told me how he knew within the first few months that Michael was the one he'd marry one day. I knew how that must've felt because I felt the same thing. Early on in my relationship with Elijah, I knew, and the day Lance confessed his love for me I once again knew. They were meant to be my husbands and time wasn't going to change that. Then what was stopping me? As it turned out, nothing. So before I knew it I was shopping for rings, booking tickets for a honeymoon in Germany, and going down on one knee, twice.
Sure, it wasn't legal for three people to get married but I was the kind of Daddy who got what he wanted, and legality wasn't going to stop me. It wasn't going to be a legally binding wedding but it didn't matter because it was real to us. That's all it mattered, that we were each other's husbands.
We wanted to keep it close and simple, so we only ended up inviting a dozen or so guests. Michael was so excited when Elijah asked him to be both the best man and the officiator. When trying to come up with a venue Elijah suggested we do it in the woods. There was a large clearing before our home and what better way to commemorate the place where Elijah and I had first met? He was so different back then, scared and lonely with sad eyes that screamed he wanted a Daddy to take care of him and his problems.
The wedding had to be as soon as possible because the bears would go into hibernation any day now. As we waited hand in hand with two giant pots of honey before us, I could see that Elijah was worried. They were a part of our family and I hoped we weren't too late, for the wedding would feel incomplete without them.
Elijah sighed and looked at me. "We can't keep the guests waiting any longer, Daddy. Their presence would've made me happy but I'm afraid we're too late. They've never been this late before."
Our flight to Germany was in three days and Elijah wished he could take the bears with him. That's how much he loved them. I had to tell him there was no way we could dress them up as humans and just hope no one would notice.
"You're right," Lance said, rubbing his back. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I know they mean the world to you. You know what? We'll have a special wedding reception six months later just for them."
"No, wait," I said with a grin, pointing in the distance. "They're here! I knew they couldn't say no to so much honey."
As Coco and Teddy lumbered towards us, the guests left their seats and formed a group at a safe distance. As the three of us walked down the makeshift aisle hand in hand and carrying the pots of honey, I couldn't help but smile looking at the path next to a clearing in the distance. It was the path that separated us from the rest of the world, but it now reminded me of the first time I brought Lance to our home for a playdate a few months ago. Seeing the chemistry between Lance and Elijah I instantly knew they were meant to be, that we were going to be a family one day.
Putting the pots down on the ground, we stood before Michael who had a colorful gay fairytale book in his hands. The bears sat on the ground and everyone relaxed, returning to their seats. They looked like they were ready to run the moment the bears would finish eating.
Elijah leaned over and stroked their heads before standing back up. "I know you don't understand what's going on but I know you'd be happy if you did. I've known you both just as long as my Daddies and it was important that you're here-" turning to Michael- "looks like the entire family is here. Go ahead, pastor Michael."
Michael chuckled, leaning in and whispering. "Oh, I'm not a real pastor. I thought you knew that."
My men looked so dapper in suits and I couldn't wait to get them out of them tonight.
Michael straightened his suit and stood straight. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. As some of you might know I've only known Elijah for the past few months, but we quickly became best friends because he's one of the nicest boys I've ever met. His Daddies are the coolest people I know and they love him to pieces. That's what today is about, love. Most of us are lucky enough if we find one person who loves us for who we are, but these three are lucky enough to have found it twice."
We kept our vows sweet and short, and then looked at Michael when we were done. "By the power vested in me by our friendship, I now pronounce you husbands. You may now kiss."
My men closed their eyes and kissed. They looked adorable and I couldn't wait to watch them kiss for the rest of our lives. I smiled before joining in for our most public three-way kiss to date.
When it ended, I pulled away with my hands still on their faces, tears in my eyes. "I can't believe I get to grow old with my men."
"Daddy," Elijah hugged me and then kissed me on the cheek. "I've never seen you cry before."
For the first time, I was the one crying and they were the ones comforting me with their hugs, kisses, and rubs on the back.
"Oh, I'm not crying." I blinked the tears away and smiled. "Why would I? It's the happiest day of my life, the day I get to call you both my husband."
"Husbands," Lance said and sighed in contentment. "I like the sound of that."
"Congratulations, guys!" Michael threw his hands around us and John joined in.
Clearing his throat, John broke the hug and stepped before Michael. "While we have everyone's attention-" he went down on one knee with a ring in his hand- "Michael, my darling boy. You said you wanted to change and try to be a good boy for me. In truth, you've always been good. You have a heart of gold and there's not a single thing I'd change about you, darling. So will you marry me and make me the happiest Daddy in the world?"
&nb
sp; We knew John was going to propose. It was too big a secret for our boy to keep from his best friend but he did well. John was unsure about stealing the spotlight from us but we told him we didn't mind. They were our best friends and we wanted their love to be a part of our celebration.
Michael was always jovial and nothing ever seemed to change his mood. But watching his Daddy pop the big question now had him in tears.
"God, what took you so long?" He nodded his head vigorously. "Yes, I'll marry you, Daddy."
When he slipped the ring on Michael's fingers, he giggled watching the ring shine and the old Michael we all knew was back in seconds. John pulled his boy in for a long kiss, his hands on his lower back.
Elijah wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug. "I told you, didn't I? I can't believe you're getting married too. We'll turn into one of those best friends who gossip and complain about their husbands."
"Can't wait." He showed off his ring by holding it up against his chest. "It's so shiny!"
The bears must've smelled our happiness now that their snouts were out of the pots. They had licked them clean and they looked ready to go into hibernation any day now that their bodies had enough fat stored for six months. Standing up on their hind legs they licked their faces.
"You're tickling me, Coco." Elijah giggled, wiping his face off only to be licked again. Teddy did the same to Michael. It was probably their way of saying goodbye now that they wouldn't see us for a very long time.
"Time for a family photo, boys," I said, grinning at how cute they looked together in suits. The bears, the fiancés, and the newly-wed husbands all posed for a photo to capture the beautiful moment. Teddy and Coco looked up at us while the rest of us smiled for the camera.
Elijah yawned and looked at us. "Can we go back home, Daddy? It's my naptime and this time I want my husbands in bed with me. You'll be hearing that word a lot for the rest of your lives, so you better get used to it."