The Choices Being Made (Book #2, Choices series)

19

"Here comes the bride, big fat and wide," Mason sang in the kitchen as he made some pancakes. "Here comes the groom..."

Polly walked into the kitchen in her robe. "I can't do it! I can't get married today! Look at me! I'm huge. My face is breaking out. And I have morning sickness!"

"Aw shit! Morning sickness? I thought you didn't get..."

"I guess I do! I've been on my knees in the bathroom all morning. And don't you dare make that some sort of double entendres!" She collapsed into a kitchen chair. "And Helen made me get that white dress, like I'm some virgin mother!"

Mason snorted.

"Oh, is that funny to you?!"

"Never. Nothing is ever going to be funny again. I had a tickle," Mason quickly said as he presented her with food like he was throwing meat into a lion's cage. "Michael! Please help!"

"I love pancakes," she said looking longingly at them and tearing up.

"Michael!"

"What is up my spouse-es?!" Michael happily called as he walked in to the kitchen. "Who's ready for a wed-ding?!" Like he was amping a boxing match.

Polly looked up at the overly happy man and scowled. "You are the absolute worst. Look at me?! I can't even..."

Michael knelt by her chair and placed a finger over her lips, "I love you. Happy New Years! Let's eat and then get married. And then..."

"Honeymoon!" Mason yelled. "Did you tell her, dude?"

"You mean the surprise, ass hat?!"

"Well, if you are going to be rude about it..." Mason sat down with a plate and didn't offer any to Michael. So Michael grabbed the fork with Mason's first bite and quickly ate it. "You suck."

"You love me! All y'all do!"

"What surprise?" Polly asked. Please don't be something too wonderful. Or too terrible. I will be a wreck.

"So, I wanted to wait until the ink was dry and T's crossed, I's dotted," Michael started and Polly looked at him like he best move the story along. Enough handwriting lessons. "Walt offered me a promotion."

"Oh wow, babe!" Polly jumped up and gave him a hug.

"That's not all, but the hug is nice," Micheal said as he kissed her lips. "I'm going to be the VP of east coast sales...."

"Oo Oo tell her the thing about Dick Face McGee...."

"Who..." Polly asked.

"Patrick," Michael clarified. "Although the name may stick. He is going to be working under me as a direct report."

"Oh my," Polly said, knowing that Patrick best get his act together. Luckily she didn't depend on him for child support anymore, so if he lost his job, it really didn't concern her.

"Indeed. But that isn't my point. Walt also offered you a job," Michael said looking down to her eyes as he pulled back a little from the lingering hug.

"Me?"

"Yep. Turns out that he needs someone to start up and lead a cybersecurity team. And he thought of you," he continued.

"B-but..." and there go the tears. "How did Walt know I wanted to do something like that?"

"I may or may not have mentioned something about you needing a job with some flexible hours..." Michael explained.

"You did? Really? And he just gave me a job?"

"Polly, he is my stepdad. It's like some duty he has to make him feel less guilty about banging my mom," Michael laughed and then the image must have entered his mind, so he gave his head a quick shake. "But that's not it..."

"He give Mason a job, too?" Polly laughed.

"You are now looking at the sexy grad school co-ed department head..." Mason joked with a wide grin full of pancakes.

"Shut up," Michael said rolling his eyes. "Walt and mom also got us a trip to Key West for our honeymoon..."

Mason started humming and singing Kokomo by The Beach Boys. "...Key Largo, Montego... baby why don't we goooo..."

"You're such a child," Michael said whacking the back of Mason's head.

"I know, right! When I met him he seemed so formal and... normal! But seriously, the Florida Keys?!" Polly said getting excited. "But the flying..."

"Mason asked doc about it while you were changing the other day," Michael said. "Pretty sly huh? He said nothing crazy far like Fiji..."

"Took Fiji off the list...thanks a lot, Pol!" Mason said with faux anger.

"And you don't have to worry about taking off work...because I put in your notice a few weeks ago. Asked them to keep it a secret. It's amazing what a little flirting can get ya..." Michael said.

"Ew, you flirted with Willard?" Polly gasped.

"Polly, there are children at stake here. Think about the children..." Michael teased.

"We all must make sacrifices for the greater good, Pol. For example, I just sacrificed my pancake to Michael's greedy ass..."

Polly rolled her eyes at both of them. "And there is no backing out of this marriage thing now, is there?"

"Not a chance! I knocked ya up real good..."

"And I'm too fragile to be left at the alter...lots of abandonment issues..."

"Fine, but this better not be some nude resort...or a swingers resort...it's not, is it?" Polly was getting a little nervous. She wouldn't put it past Michael. "Is it?"

***

Surprisingly enough the wedding went off without a hitch. The mothers had planned it in such detail that nothing was missing.

Even Sloan was there as the maid of honor. Sure she had a grumpy face, but it mainly seemed to be aimed at Mason's dad, Theo. She had moved in to his house a few days ago, and she clearly wasn't pleased with the rules.

Theo wasn't very forthcoming about Sloan's behavior, saying that he could handle it and to have a good honeymoon.

Sloan on the other hand complained about her electronics. All of them, besides her phone, were taken away by Polly's strict father-in-law. She lost screen time at eighteen?! Nicely played, Theo.

She didn't mention why, and Polly had no interest in delving into that can of worms until after the honeymoon.

The wedding was very small with only close family and friends. Most were aware of their unique situation. For those that weren't, Michael made sure to mention it during a toast he gave. He made it very clear they didn't plan to live on the fringes and in shame.

Polly didn't mention anything to him, but he was essentially coming out of the proverbial closet and taking Mason along with him. Polly was sure Mason wouldn't mind, especially given this toothy smile during the speech.

She was actually very proud of both of them given their more "macho" presentation to society. But it seemed to her that at least with Michael, his brand of alpha male basically allowed him cart blanche. His school of thought dictated that he could have it all - male or female - because he made the rules.

And Mason's more free spirit didn't allow the world to dictate his life. He moved with the wind, shifted with his desires. Love was love to Mason - no matter the source.

Polly often tried to picture how these men could share her - the only female in their relationship. Would she be able to share either man with another woman? Every time she thought of it, jealously roared in her ears.

But it seemed so selfish of her. At least she felt so.

Polly knew that another woman could not be added to their trio because she had almost no interest in women sexually. Perhaps a shortcoming on her part.

She felt like a love match with another woman could ever happen for her. And since their relationship was built to satisfy them all, it wouldn't work with a fourth.

And luckily that jealous little demon usually didn't rear it's ugly head. But as Tess walked through the reception, Polly knew her jealously was about to flame.