Love Times Three

I Don't Care

Lily found herself at the indoor playground at the mall and groaned. She needed to buy more business casual attire as she was now the new financial manager at Reynolds & Reynolds. That's why the interview process was so rigorous. Asher had submitted her resume for the managerial position. When cornered about it he feigned ignorance and said this was a step in the direction she always wanted and that things were going according to plan.

How shopping for a few work pants, skirts and dresses turned into a full-fledge family excursion was beyond her, but she was getting pissed. The guys were currently pretending to be monsters with all the kids present and their thirsty mothers were all foaming at the mouth.

"It's time to go!" Lily said to Asher who looked at her confusedly until she saw her glare and smirked. "Yes, dear." He said before standing up and kissing her temple. "It was fun, kids." Asher scooped up Kinsley Rose and headed over to Dallas.

"Lily's ready to go." Asher said giving him a look. Dallas saw her expression and the looks she was giving the women and smirked happily. "Bye kiddos!" Dallas said picking up Austin. The two men simultaneously grabbed her hand and kissed it in front of the frothing mothers before leaving the area. Lily was too angry at herself for being jealous to notice their display of affection.

"Mama, can we get ice cream?" Kinsley asked as they walked past the food court. Dallas could see Lily's expression and rubbed her hand. "How about this, little bit. Papa will get you whatever ice cream you want from Kroger once we get Mama home and in a bubble bath."

Austin perked up. "I want to bubble bath with Mama." Asher chuckled. "Yeah, we will not be having an Oedipus complex in this household. Daddy will give you your own big boy bubble bath, okay?" Austin nodded happily. Lily just chuckled at the whole thing. She knew she should rip her hands from their grasp, but she couldn't deny that it felt nice.

True to their words, Asher and Dallas delivered ice cream and bubble baths. It was an early night for everyone as tomorrow would be the first day at Reynolds & Reynolds for Lily, Austin and Kinsley. "Thank you for today." Lily said as the three sat on the living room couch. "We'd do anything for you, Lily Beth." Asher said. "There was once upon a time when I believed that." Lily sighed with a nostalgic smile that they didn't miss.

"You two have been great with the kids and I appreciate that. I always knew that fatherhood would look great on you both. I love the time we are spending together, but I need you both to remember that it's for the kids." Dallas sat forward.

"I love you guys." They looked at her and she did not miss the strongest emotion behind them: hope. It confused her. "I love you guys because you both gave me the most precious gifts, but that is it. I have love for you. I am not in love with you nor will I ever be again."

She stood up and turned to look at them. "I've noticed the touches. The glances. You fucks aren't slick." She tried to joke, but they were so serious. "You both broke me. My depression came back with a vengeance unlike anything I've experienced. I didn't enjoy my pregnancy because I cried through most of it. I fought myself through most of it, because all I wanted to do was die."

"I was forgotten and abandoned by the two men who swore they wouldn't be like my father and leave me." She looked at them with tears in her eyes and sighed. "You did though. You abandoned me and that's not something that I think I'll ever forget. I can push it down for the sake of our kids. I can work on one day being true friends with you guys for the sake of our kids. But that's all you get, because I'm done being consumed by you two. I am done giving my all when I only had pieces of you."

Lily wiped a rogue tear and headed upstairs. Dallas and Asher just sat there. "We've lost her." Asher whispered holding back his tears. "No," Dallas said as he stood up. "I'm not giving up on her. We just have to be more subtle." Asher shook his head as he followed Dallas out. Dallas smiled knowing he still had a key to Madere's home as he locked up. "We're going to get our girl back and we'll finally be a family. Trust me." Dallas said before kissing Asher deeply.