Love Times Three

Pandora's Box

Pigtails. White jumper. Two missing front teeth. "Princess." Dallas walked into the kindergarten class where kids jumped around and played. He watched as she talked to a blonde-haired boy and immediately knew it was him. He remembered this day. Lily said she wanted to draw him and he refused initially until her eyes watered and then he gave in like he always did. "Do you like it?" Dallas heard the young Lily ask and watched as his younger self nodded.

"Keep it forever." Lily said with a smile. "Can I keep you forever?" Dallas remembered feeling weird asking that question, but as an adult he understood it was anxiety at what her answer would be. Lily giggled at him. "I'm yours, Dallas. Always and forever." Dallas woke up panting and covered in sweat. He wasn't surprised to see that Asher was already up. Dallas made his way to the back of their closet where a black box hid. He put in the combination on the lock and opened it up.

Inside was everything Lily Beth Morris had ever made or given him. Drawings. Dolls made out of sticks. Cards. Love letters. Songs she wrote about him. A CD of covers she sang for him. Everything. He found the painting of him that he had dreamed about and smiled. It was pretty good even for a five-year-old. "What are you doing?" Asher asked looking for something to wear. "Had a dream." Asher hummed a response. "Parents need us in the office." Dallas nodded before locking up and heading to shower.

"Good morning boys!" Cassie said from their Austin branch. "Morning." Blake looked at his sons. "You two look like shit." Dallas grunted. "We're fine. What's up, Mama?" Asher asked impatiently causing the parents to look at one another.

"We need you two to go to San Antonio for the next few months. Our top realtor has been put on medical leave and the construction manager is out on maternity leave. This will be great for you guys and you can stay in the old house or Dallas' house since there aren't any tenants at the moment."

Asher and Dallas exchanged looks. They both knew they weren't ready to face the memories that every part of those homes or that town would garner. "I don't know, Mama. Maybe you should find some other people to head things up over there." Blake looked at Asher before looking at his wife who sighed. "Will the fact that Lily Beth Morris is back in town and staying with Madere change your minds?" Cassie smiled sweetly.

The guys were on the road from Austin to San Antonio that evening. They packed as much as they could fit in their Jeep and Highlander and were off. By the time they made it to San Antonio it was after midnight. When they pulled into the Reynolds home they saw Madere's old SUV and a white BMW X5. "She's done well for herself." Asher spoke up after they parked their cars in the garage. Dallas nodded before unloading their things. The two weren't asleep until 4 am as they wanted to ensure everything was unpacked and settled.  

Lily was getting the kids ready for daycare when Madere stood in the doorway. "I don't know why you're out here looking for jobs when you know you have one with the Reynolds." Lily shook her head no at her grandmother. "I can't do that, Madere. I won't. I want nothing from them." The old woman sighed loudly. "Gigi, what are you drinking?" Austin asked curiously. "It's called Jesus' juice." Lily giggled. "Madere, they don't call coffee Jesus' juice." The old woman smirked at her. "Who says I'm drinking coffee?"

Lily widened her eyes before cackling. "Come on babies!" Lily said as she made sure they had their snacks and lunch packed. Kinsley Rose, like Asher, was allergic to cow's milk, while Austin, like Dallas, was allergic to nuts. Kinsley's allergy wasn't too bad in terms of preparation, but she demanded her own lunch like her twin.

Lily loaded up the kids before running in to get something. "I'll be home around 6! I need to get some groceries beforehand." Lily called out from the front of her car. Madere waved her off before noticing a light turn on in the Reynolds house. She went back in and not even thirty minutes later she was being greeted by two men that were just toddlers in her front yard.