Chapter Twenty Six

TAYLOR*

My parents have been asking for answers since Saturday. What possessed me to hug and kiss Connor out in the open? Oh yes, he's the love of my life, and he was hurt. At the time, I didn't care who saw; I had to be there for him. Now, after everything that has happened over the last couple of months, I'm tired of hiding the fact that I am with both Connor and Wade. If anyone has a problem with it, they can forget we exist, and that includes my parents. It's our time for happiness, and I'm not going to let anyone taint what we have.

"Alright, the moment of truth; you guys ready?" I asked Connor and Wade before opening the front door.

We all took a deep breath, and Connor and Wade bent and kissed my cheeks, and then I turned the handle. Mark came running around the corner, excited to see all of us. It's crazy that he would be turning five in five months; where had the time gone? Instead of running to me, he ran straight into Connor's arms.

"You were like Superman coming to save the day. Sorry, you are hurt," Mark said as he touched Connor's face, which was still black and blue, then ran his fingers along Connor's cast.

"Don't worry about me, bud; I got some magic pills today to make me all better. Also, I would do anything for you and your momma; I love you both very much," Connor said as he hugged Mark, and then Mark came over to hug me.

"Momma Connor is Superman; how exciting is that," Mark said as he crushed his face into my legs.

Mom and dad came around the Connor just then, and my mom motioned for me to follow her into the kitchen. So I complied and trailed in behind her.

"I shouldn't be surprised, but I am, honey. You repeatedly told me that you loved them both and wouldn't choose. You told me you couldn't be with either one of them, Connor, especially since he's your boss. Then you turn up pregnant with Wade's baby, and now you are married. I'm so happy for you, honey, but being with both of them is against the law; you know that right. It's also against God, it could be considered as adultery. You understand that right; you need to let Connor go. You are married and pregnant with Wade's baby; how is this fair to Connor. It isn't fair to Connor in any way,"

"Mom, it has always been the three of us. Hell, their parents still live right next door. By the time I was nine years old, I had never even slept in my own bed. I was always with them. Like I've told you before, I won't choose; it will always be the three of us. The condom broke mom, that's how I got pregnant; that's why Wade and I decided to get married. In our eyes, I'm married to them both, and that will never change. I need you to be happy for me, momma. I got away from that abusive asshole you were trying to convince me to leave for year's, and now I have two protectors who spoil me and love me,"

"So you won't end things with Connor then, even though it's against the law,"

"It's only against the law if I were to marry them both, mom. So no, I'm not letting Connor go. We love each other more than words can say, and someday, I'll have his baby as well,"

"What about Mark? How is this going to look to him? How is he supposed to explain that he lost a daddy and now has two? Have you ever thought about Mark when it comes to all of this?"

"Connor has his own room in the house. We aren't going to flaunt our relationship openly in front of him. We never have, and we never will. He will remain innocent in all of this,"

"You make it sound so simple, but it won't be. What about the rest of the Cunningham family? How do you think they all will react to this news?"

"We are going to tell everyone Saturday evening at the Cunnigham family dinner. I don't know how everyone will react, probably a lot like how you and dad are reacting. In time though, I feel like everyone will accept us all being together. If not, we will pack up and go live our lives elsewhere; there is life beyond Lubbock, Texas,"

"Honey, that's not how the world works,"

"It's how my world works, mom. I'm the happiest I have ever been in my life. I'm not going to let go of what makes me happy,"

"Well, you have made your bed; I hope everything works out for you all. You will need to give your dad and me some time to come to terms with everything. I'm afraid we won't be making it to Diana's on Saturday; I hope you understand,"

"Yes, I understand, I'll have Wade grab Mark's things, and we will take our leave,"

"I love you, honey,"

"Love you too, momma," I said as I got up and made my way to the living room, where I heard voices.

"Wade dear, would you mind going with Mark to grab his things? It's getting late, and Mark has school tomorrow,"

"Come on, bud, let's go get your things," Wade said as he picked Mark up and whisked him away as if he were flying like Superman.

"Where's my dad?" I asked Connor as I stood in front of him. I glanced down the hall in both directions, and there was no sign of him.

"He left a while ago; he's probably in his office or something,"

"Oh, ok, well, he's upset, so I'll leave him alone. I don't think anyone is going to accept us all being together. But I'm tired of worrying about what others think. It is our time to be happy."

***

Instead of telling everyone at Saturday night dinner, we all went to Blaze's house the next day so Mark could play with Christopher and Nicholas.

Kaysen, Lyra, Vega, and I went to Blaze's office as we usually do. It was my job to tell them while Connor and Wade told Blaze, Tanner, and Jace.

"So I'm just going to lay this all out on the table short and sweet. Connor, Wade, and I are in a relationship together. We have been for quite some time now. We uh had a little mishap one night which resulted in Wade getting me pregnant, and that's why he and I got married. But we are all together, and I love them both equally. We are all going to spend the next of our lives together. At some point, Connor and I will have a baby together," I let out as fast as I could so I wouldn't back out of telling them.

"Well, that's honestly no surprise to me. I mean, you all moved in together, and Connor and Wade do everything together. I've seen how they are with you. As long as you guys are happy, do what's best for y'all, and don't give two shits about what anyone says or does about it. I'm happy for you guys, especially Connor and Wade. It was thought they would never settle down, you are an amazing woman Taylor, and I'm proud to have you as a friend and sister," Lyra said as she came up to me and hugged me.

"Yeah, I love the idea of you all being together; I don't see one thing wrong with it. You deserve happiness after everything Aaron has done to you. I have seen firsthand that they would both go to any lengths to protect you. Get ready to be spoiled rotten because that's the Cunningham way. I don't expect any different coming from Connor and Wade," Vega said as she also came up to hug me.

"I have not had the privilege of knowing you for long, but I'm happy you are a part of the Cunningham wives club. And I love group hugs, so let me in there with y'all," Kaysen said as she joined the group hug.

"My parents are freaking out; I'm not sure if they will ever talk to me again,"

"You don't know much about my story and how Tanner and I came to be. But my parents abducted Cora. They didn't like the fact of Tanner and I were moving in together, amongst other things. It's a long story. But as long as you all are happy and Mark is safe, let your parents go for the time being. I had a restraining order put on mine after they abducted Cora. Tanner got us all to reconnect, and now our bond has grown. I'm closer to my parents now than I ever have been in my life. Just give it some time," Kaysen said as she sat back down.

WADE*

The girls all went off to Blaze's office, and we men gathered in the kitchen to talk while the babies and older kids watched a movie. I was pretty sure Blaze was probably about to hall my ass outside and give me another black eye, but Taylor is correct; it was time we got everything out there.

"Taylor, Wade, and I are all in a relationship together," Connor blurted out.

"I've suspected that from day one, but it's nice that you guys are being honest about it now," Blaze said comely.

"What?" I asked, squinching up my face in confusion.

"Taylor's office is right across from mine, and my door isn't always closed. Besides, you and Connor have always been joined at the hip. It's no surprise you are both now in love with one woman. I don't care what y'all do as long as Taylor doesn't get hurt. Wade did the right thing in marrying her and Connor; the way you kicked Aaron's a uh butt was astounding. I wish I could have helped. I see how much you both care for and love Taylor and Mark. What the heart wants, the heart gets, so you guys do whatever makes you all happy," Blaze said.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that coming from you, Blaze, but it's nice to know that you are ok with this and on our side," Connor said.

"We've all got yalls back; I can't say the same for your parents or ours. They are probably going to flip a lid, but I'm sure if you give them all time, everyone will settle down," Tanner said, and Jace nodded in agreement.

"Taylor told her mom last night, and it didn't go too well. They may not have anything to do with us after this," Connor said as he ripped a napkin into tiny shreds.

"Taylor is their only child, and Luke's a preacher on top of that. So yeah, I can see where her parents might not get in contact with y'all for a while, but they will reach out when they are ready. You guys could start coming to our church now if you'd like to give them their space," Jace said.

"Yeah, we will most likely take you up on that offer. Taylor doesn't like missing church," I said as I glanced over at the children. "I'm sure Mark would like that time to hang out with the boys,"

"We all meet up at my house afterward, and Kaysen and Ethan whip up something amazing for lunch every Sunday. So you guys are all invited for Sunday lunch as well," Tanner said.

"Sounds like a plan; thank you, Tanner," Connor said.

***

The night had gone better than we all thought it would. We got home, and Mark insisted that Connor put him to bed, so Taylor and I went to the living room and cuddled on the couch and watched the new episode of family guy.

"Wade, Taylor fell asleep in your lap, I think we should take her to bed, but I can't lift her right now, so you will need to do it," Connor said as he fanned his fingertips along Taylor's jaw. I moved and laid Taylor's head on the couch, got up and picked her up bridal style, and carried her off to our room.

Taylor woke up enough to where she could get into some pajamas and crawled into bed as Connor and I stripped.

"Don't forget to wake up early in the morning, so Mark doesn't see us all in bed together, I said as Connor and I sandwiched Taylor in between us.

" Don't worry; I have my alarm set,"

I glanced to see I had a text message, so I quickly checked it before turning off the bedside lamp.

It was a message from dad stating that Luke and Samantha had come by to talk to them about our relationship with Taylor. From what he said, we have their blessing, so the only ones with an issue were Taylor's parents at this point. I smiled, kissed Taylor's cheek, and spooned her falling asleep quicker than I ever had before.