“You don’t know? I thought you check a place before you rent it,” I say and laugh lightly.
“Oh no, we bought it,” Asher replies.
“You did what?”
They laugh as they lovingly guide me toward the front door.
“We bought it,” Asher says. “And then we had it remodeled using one of your mood boards. Jamie was kind enough to supply us with all the visuals.”
As soon as we walk over the threshold, I recognize all of my favorite elements from one of my cozy mountain cottage mood boards. My heart swells at the sight of refurbished oakfurniture with painted drawers and decoupage design elements, the smoked glass wall sconces, the colorful knitted throw pillows and blankets, the insanely comfortable-looking sofa corner and the red brick fireplace.
“Oh my days,” I gasp, tears coming up to my eyes.
“It’s ours,” Cole says, “every inch. Our little home away from home, our nest in the woods. We figured you’d be happy to come up here, whether it’s for a fairy-tale winter—because I’ll tell you, it snows beautifully here, or if you’re just looking to cool down away from the city during the summer… this place is it.”
“You bought us a cottage,” I murmur, overwhelmed with happiness.
Jamie and I always used to describe our dream guys as being the kind of men who provide and surprise without hesitation. I had no idea my dream would come true thrice over.
“Have a look in the bedroom,” Toby says, nodding at the end of the short hallway.
I walk down the hall and step into another corner of the same dreamy mood board. The bed reigns in the middle, with its fluttering canopy and abundance of off-white satin pillows. The sculptural nightstands and hand-painted dresser with vintage bronze knobs add a certain artistry to the room, while the traditionally weaved Peruvian rug sort of brings everything together.
The room is a place designed for lovemaking, for lazy mornings in bed, for quiet afternoons, when all you want is to lie back and daydream.
On the bed sits a small white velvet box. I almostmiss it.
“Complete with mints on the pillow, right?” I laugh lightly.
Cole gives me a tense smile. “Not mints.”
“Oh?” I walk over, pick it up, then open it.
The ring inside leaves me breathless. It’s a pear-shaped diamond crowned with tiny, round sapphires and mounted on pristine white gold. It’s delicate and elegant, and it is a testament of undying love and adoration. I don’t need to be a jewelry expert to recognize its intention.
“We belong together,” Cole says as his voice wavers subtly with emotions I recognize and mirror, “the four of us. You’re the woman we’ve been waiting for, searching for, hoping for. I know it couldn’t have been easy growing up the way you did, and I know it’s not going to be easy for you to let us take care of you and be with you.”
“But this is our promise that you’ll never be alone, never again,” Toby adds. “I love you, Willow, more than words can ever describe.”
“And we want to make an honest woman out of you,” Asher says. The three of them get down on their knees before me, and another round of tears pricks my eyes, the ring box quaking in my hands.
“We’ll spend the rest of our lives together,” I murmur. “We’ll raise children and shape them into incredible people. We’ll build our family and our happiness, brick by brick. We’ll support each other in every single project, no matter how crazy or ambitious it sounds.”
“Yes, to all of that,” Cole says.
I slip the ring on my finger. “Then yes, to all of that. A thousand times, yes!”
They shudder with relief and joy, then rise and wrap me in their arms, in their bodies, in their restless, burning love. Our clothes vanish and our bodies meet yet again. Our lives are about to change forever, and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate.
I lose myself in the madness as Cole claims me first, kissing me as he pumps me full of him. Gently, Asher turns me over and takes me from behind. We’re careful, given my condition, but my core begs for release over and over. When Toby fills and stretches me wildly, I cry out in sheer ecstasy.
“I love you,” I scream as I come hard and gushing.
“You are loved,” Cole whispers in my ear, holding me tight, as Toby stiffens inside me, as Asher kisses my breast.
I am loved.
I am protected and cherished and eager to grow.
