Love Times Three

High School - Freshman Year Pt. II

The semester ended with everyone doing well. Grades were in and all three had 4.0 averages. Asher was headed to Hawaii to be with extended family for the holiday and he hated it. Lily reminded him that they'd be ringing in the new year as a throuple and that was what mattered. Dallas opted out on the Reynolds family trip.

He informed Cassie and Blake that he just felt unwanted whenever they were with their extended family and he didn't want to experience that this year or ever. They respected his wishes and allowed him to stay with Lily and her family for Christmas. The three agreed to exchange their Christmas gifts on New Year's Eve, so Christmas Eve was spent watching Christmas movies and prepping for Christmas dinner.

Dallas grumbled Christmas Day as Madere sang happily about Jesus being the reason for the season. He just wanted to open presents and gorge himself, but they were headed to church for Sunday breakfast and then service. Dallas knew service was going to be extra-long. Everyone was wearing their Sunday best, which meant pastor would give them extra time to stunt.

He was going in and out of sleep when Ella pinched him. "Your favorite part is happening." She whispered to him as he rubbed his eyes and watched as Lily got center stage with other singers. Her singing at church was his favorite thing about going. Her voice was angelic. She believed in the words and it made you want to believe in them.

Dallas loved Lily and Asher for similar reasons, but as he listened to her sing and stare at him with love in her eyes, he realized the difference. Asher was the content one out of the three. He was copesetic with how things were and that was fine, because things were good. However, Lily took the road less traveled. She challenged them both. She made them better. She loved them for who they were and believed in who they could be. Lily saw them. She truly saw them and it warmed his heart.

"Presents!" Lily screamed as the ran into the house. "Aht! Presents after cooking and eating!" Dallas grumbled loudly. "Madere you're killing me!" She chuckled at him. "You know who they killed? Our Lord and Savior, now hush up and go wash up!" Lily giggled at them before making her way upstairs to her bathroom. "I love the way you are with my family." She said to Dallas through the mirror. "They're my family too. You're my family." She nodded her head as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't leave me." She whispered as she stared at his reflection. He turned her around and looked at her. "Why would you say that? I'm not going anywhere." She smiled softly at him before nodding. "My dad...everything seemed great until it wasn't. I know we're getting older and things could happen. Just...promise me you won't ever leave me. You won't ever leave us." He watched as tears pooled in her eyes and pulled her close.

Christmas was hard for her. The holidays in general were hard for her and if he was being honest they were hard for him too. They both came from broken homes and understood things in ways Asher never would. "You are my everything, Lily Beth Morris. You and Asher are my reason for being. I will always be here. I'm not going anywhere, because I have to ensure we get our happily ever after." She smiled widely at him before kissing his lips.

"You children better bring those asses down here!" Dallas and Lily laughed at Madere. "She cursed on Christmas so you know she means business." Dallas chuckled before washing his hands. They headed downstairs and helped cook a variety of dishes to ensure that everyone got a favorite. This was one of the best Christmases either Dallas or Lily had ever had. They were together. They were with family. They were happy and loved. It couldn't get any better.

There was an old clocktower near their home that was a favorite spot for the throuple to go to. The elderly in town did their best to keep the tower functioning and presentable. They did a good enough job that the three were able to sit on a blanket at the top of the tower and exchange gifts. Lily handed Dallas a box wrapped in gold with blue ribbon. "You go first Dallas." Asher said with a smile as he handed him a small box wrapped in white with blue ribbon. "Why me?" Lily shrugged. "Just do it, babe."