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Epilogue

Omg, we're here. I'm here. I've finally finished a story for the first time in my life.

I kind of feel sad, but at the same time, I can't wait to start on my next story. It's gonna be a Malum one, with drama.

Thank you for reading this the whole way through!

This is eight years later.

***

Michael was getting anxious.

He hasn't seen his boyfriends in days, and they weren't answering his texts or calls either. He couldn't stop his mind wandering into dark thoughts - were they getting tired of him? Did they not like him anymore? Were they going to break up with him?

Michael almost burst into tears.

The last eight years with Ashton, Calum and Luke had been heaven. Finding someone he loved and who also loved him back had been everything he had expected and more. He had found three people who loved him.

Who hopefully still love him.

Michael doesn't know, and he reckons that was the worst part - not knowing if someone still wanted you, still loved you. He hasn't seen the trio in days.

They had moved in together when they were twenty two. Like every other relationship, they had their ups and downs. Mostly they just argued about the smallest things, but they always apologised to each other in the end.

Their life was perfect.

Or, it had been until the day Michael realised they were avoiding him.

It had started small; Ashton and Calum going shopping together and leaving Luke with Michael. But soon enough, they were going shopping almost every day for hours, and then Luke joined them.

Surely they didn't need to go shopping every day for hours on end? They never came back with any shopping bags.

Michael began to feel so alone that he went to stay with his parents for a few days. Walking into the house where his new life in Sydney had started so long ago back in high school brought so many memories to the twenty five year old.

His mum and dad were both in the kitchen cooking dinner. Earlier, Michael had walked in to see them cooking so many dishes that he thought royalty was going to be visiting. He just shrugged it off and gone back to the living room to watch tv.

"Mikey, dinner's ready!" Karen eventually called from the kitchen.

Michael switched the tv off and went through to the dining room, stopping in surprise.

"Mum, what's with all the food? We can't eat all of this."

Almost the whole table was full of plates of food. It looked like a feast.

That was when the door bell rang.

"Get the door, Mikey, my hands are full."

Michael raised his brows at his mum's empty hands but did as he was told anyway.

"Mali?"

It seemed tonight was going to be full of surprises.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came for dinner," Mali smiled. "And I brought them with me too."

Mali stepped into the house, allowing Michael full view of the three men he loves the most. They looked nervous.

Michael sighed and led them to the dining room where his mum and dad were waiting.

"We have surprise visitors." He announced.

"Come on in!" Karen smiled at them.

"Wait. Before we sit down, we have something to say." Ashton spoke up.

Michael, who was about to take his seat at the table, turned to face them.

"First of all, we want to apologise. To you, Michael." Luke started.

"It may have seemed like we were avoiding you, and in a way, we were." Calum continued, smiling knowingly but also apologetically.

"We promise, we haven't fallen out of love with you, or gotten tired of you." Ashton said.

"In fact, we don't think we ever will. So, Michael Gordon Clifford, will you do the honour of marrying us?" Luke asked.

Michael's mouth fell open as Luke brought out a small velvet box and opened it, revealing a simple diamond band. He couldn't stop the tears that were suddenly flowing down his face.

"Yes," he choked out. "Yes! Of course, you dicks!"

Everyone gave watery chuckles as Michael pulled all three of them into a group hug before allowing Luke to slip the ring on his finger.

Ashton cleared his throat before bringing out a slip of what looked like paper and giving it to Michael.

"What's this?"

"Read it."

Michael did, and almost dropped it.

"A plane ticket?"

"To Japan. For our engagement. Our first holiday together." Calum explained, smiling widely.

"Since these items have your name on them, technically speaking in the case of the ring, will you run away with us?" Luke asked, giving a small, mischievous smirk.

"Not forever, of course. It's just two weeks." Ashton cut in.

"How can I say no?"

Everyone exchanged hugs, the Clifford couple and Mali congratulating the foursome on their engagement, before they all finally sat down to eat.

Michael now understood why his parents had cooked so much food (they admitted to being in on the plan).

And if you had told the seventeen year old Michael that his life will get better, and that in ten years' time he would be marrying the first three loves of his life, well... He would have laughed in your face.