Elliot

I carry Sugar into Christian's apartment while she stays curled into me, a devastating little pout stuck on her face. Her mascara has stained my favorite t-shirt, but I'm sure if I ask nicely, Gail will get it out for me. Her pale, porcelain cheeks are also mascara stained and I hate this for her. I hate this for all of us.

"I know I can walk myself, but I'm appreciating your inclination to carry me around more than ever right now."

I chuckle at her words and press a kiss to her hair before depositing her into Christian's lap on the couch in the main room. She doesn't let go of my neck go and it makes my heart warm.

"It's okay, Sugar. Christian's got you. I'm going to grab us a drink and I'll be right back." I pat her back and squeeze her hip while I wait for her grasp around my neck to release.

She sighs. "Fine."

As she curls into Christian and nuzzles into his neck, he gives me a knowing grin and shakes his head. "Dramatic little thing."

"Christian!" Her head pops up and she tries to get up, but he holds her steady and urges her head back to his shoulder with his palm.

"No, no. None of that. Be a good girl and relax for me." He hugs her against him with his fingers curled around the back of her neck to hold her head snugly against his shoulder. Her hum of contented pleasure is quiet but I catch it. I still find myself getting bristly when his hands touch her delicate features like that, but I know he won't hurt her. I know it's my past childhood trauma rearing it's ugly head when I see him control and possess her like that. Besides, she likes it. She trusts him completely. She knows he'd never break her. Who am I to ask him to stop just because it makes me uncomfortable? It's their relationship. It's a part of theirs that doesn't involve me.

Besides, am I any better by enjoying that she likes when my big body pins her to the mattress, pressing her body into it until I cover her completely? Fucking her so hard and thoroughly that she's gasping for air? That probably isn't the safest for her either, but I would never let anything happen to her. I watch her closely and I've learned her limits.

I shake my thoughts and force my eyes off of his fingers to see Christian watching me. He doesn't say a word, but his eyebrow cocks barely a centimeter. When Sugar begins to wiggle again, he massages the sides of her neck.

"I was just teasing. No need to show us just how dramatic you can be, Sugar. We already know you're feisty. Now show us how you can be good. Relax."

She relaxes against him, but gives him a frustrated huff for good measure. I can't help the grin that forms on my face watching her. Realizing I'm staring too long, I force myself to turn on my heel and go in search of drinks for the three of us.

While I pour a bourbon for Christian, wine for Ana, and a beer for myself, I begin to wonder if it was fair for us to do this to her. She's so young and has very little knowledge and experience of relationships. Going from shallow, casual relationships with no intimacy or devotion to what we have now... well, they're polar opposites. She's no longer questioning our devotion to her, but now that she's made it past that hurdle, a second just as difficult one appears. She now has to worry about how our families are going to take the news and worried that there will be severed relationships over it.

I would never let that happen. I am not willing to give her up nor am I willing to let any of our family members give up on us either. It might take time, but eventually everyone will come around. Her father can hate us as much as he wants, as long as his relationship with his daughter stays intact. If he needs someone to blame, then I'll be there. I just really hope he doesn't put Sugar in the middle.

With a heavy sigh, I push all of that to the side for now and grab our drinks so we can relax for awhile.

"Mom? Dad?" I'm confused to why both my parents are standing in the Great room. My mother's face is so red, she looks like she's about to pop an artery. My father just looks pissed.

"E-Elliot? What are you doing here?" She looks surprised.

I give her a grin. "Sugar's here, so I'm here."

I walk past them with purpose to greet my girl who is standing in front of the couch with Christian behind her, his hand plastered against her abdomen, keeping her against his front. It's obvious he's trying to keep her safe from Mom's wrath. I hate that we can't get a breather before dealing with this.

"Your wine, babydoll." I press a kiss to her lips and place our glasses down on the table before handing it to her. "Got you a bourbon, brother."

Being polite, I turn towards my parents, blocking Sugar from them to give her a second. "Can I get you something to drink?"

My mother looks so confused that I have to bite back my grin. At least her face isn't so red. After a beat, she shakes her head. "No, no we're fine. We're having dinner soon with the Kavanaghs."

I give a nod. "Ah, I see. Well, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I- well, we- we planned on speaking to Christian for a few."

I nod at my mother. "Okay, would you like some privacy or is it something we can all sit for?"

"I'm sure it involves all of us, El, so we should all have a seat." Christian comments before my mother can answer. "Why don't you two have a seat and a drink? You might need it after this. I'll pour." He steps away from Sugar, but leaves his hand on the small of her back until I step closer to her. He wants her to be comforted during this and I appreciate it.

We take our seats, my parents on the other side of the 'L' shaped couch while we wait for Christian. Sugar keeps her eyes on our clasped hands, but both my parents stare straight at her. I don't know what they expect to find staring like this, but I don't much appreciate how uncomfortable it's making my girl. I squeeze her hand in mine to reassure her.

Luckily, Christian comes back pretty quickly with their drinks and slips down next to Sugar, resting a hand on her thigh.

"Alright, let's get to it." Christian is ready to get to the point. "It's obvious you two have some questions, and although we planned to come to you after we spoke to Mr. Steele, it seems that it's best not to wait so long."

The confusion on my parents faces are evident, so Christisn keeps talking.

"I understand why you were confused and worried earlier mother, but how you handled it was inappropriate and did some damage. We would have been honest with you if you would have waited for a response, but instead you berated us and insinuated that Anastasia was some sort of harlot. Anastasia is with Elliot and Anastasia is with me, you were right about that, but we're both aware and we're the pursuers."

"Pursuers? You mean you two went after Ana at the same time?" Mom's look of confusion turns to worry. "Are you two crazy? Going after a young woman like she's a piece of meat! Oh, Ana, how are you handling this? Are you okay? I'm so sorry."

I actually laugh. My mother is now worried for Sugar. "Mom, we didn't break her! We love her. We both fell in love with her and neither of us would back down... so, here we are. We gave her the choice. She chose both."

Mom's eyebrow raises and she gives me that mom look that makes you cower in your seat. "I didn't ask you! I am speaking with Ana." She slides to the edge of her seat and reaches for Ana's hand. "Sweetheart, are you okay? Why don't we go into the other room and talk? We can talk in private where my boys can't railroad the conversation."

Sugar gives her an honest smile. "I'm okay, Grace. They've been very patient and lovely with me, I swear it. They haven't pushed me into anything. I haven't been kidnapped or manipulated into being with both of them. They're a lot to handle sometimes, but I love them." She shakes her head. "I didn't even know that being equally in love with two men could happen, but it did. They're both so wonderfully different and bring out the best sides of me. I feel just terrible for doing this behind your back. I feel like I've betrayed you by being with both of them. I know it's not normal... but-but I want to try it. I know I'm young and inexperienced, but I love them both so much already, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work... but... right now, it does. Please don't hate me. Please don't let this cause a rift between you and your sons. I know-"

"Ana." Mom's voice is soft and caring when she cuts her off. "This isn't going to ruin anything between any of us. I don't think less of you and you haven't betrayed me. I've seen all kinds of relationships come through the medical field and nothing really shocks me anymore. I've heard of this before, but I have my concerns considering you're brothers. I am worried that if one of your relationships go south, it'll lead to a build up of resentment and anger toward each other. You can't let this come between you two if something happens."

"We've already talked this through, Mom, and we agree. We promised each other that we would communicate our feelings when they happen and, if something bad were to happen, that we wouldn't stop trying to resolve it until we succeeded." I do my best to reassure my mother. She's taking it better than I thought she would, but maybe being a doctor and knowing Ros and Gwen has helped her.

Mom studies each of us and then relaxes back with a sigh. "Okay."

I feel Sugar relax immediately with that one word. Her body rests against my side and I move my arm to wrap it around her chest, giving her a kiss on the top of her head. I feel victorious right now, but my father hasn't spoken.

"Dad?"

Ana tenses up.

He studies the drink in his hand. "Well..." Stopping, he wets his lips and I know he wants to say something, but won't. "I have some reservations, but now is not the time to express them. I will say though, you boys better tighten up your security because Ray is going to kill you."

Christian groans. "Fuck. He is." He rubs his face roughly and I hug Sugar tighter. "I-I don't even know how to bring this up. I don't even know if I should be there. I feel like I should be a man and tell him myself... at the same time, I feel like it will just make it worse by being there."

"No, Christian. It's my responsibility to tell my father. I have to do this and I have to do it alone. I was too much of a coward to come out about Elliot and he found out in a terrible way. I won't do that to him again. You and him... you both deserve to have me announce it. I'm proud to be with both of you and I'm not hiding it anymore." Sugar slips out of my grasp and wraps her arms around his waist, hugging him while she rests up against him.

Kissing her temple, he squeezes her close. "I don't want you to deal with this alone."

"I know, handsome, but I need to."

"Then let me be in the car."

Sugar grins. "How about I promise to call you right after?"

"Sugar..." He doesn't appreciate her trying to compromise.

She covers his mouth. "No pouting. You know that's my kryptonite."

My mother laughs. "Of course you'd choose Ana to go soft for. Didn't know you had a soft bone in your body."

I chuckle at my mother's words to Christian. "I don't know, Mom. He's got a soft spot for you and he had one for Mia... that is until she learned to talk that is."

Christian rolls his eyes. "I don't have a heart, remember? Just a black hole where it's supposed to be."

XxXxXx

"Your father isn't happy about this."

We just finished dinner at the kitchen island and I watch as Sugar rinses our plates to place them in the dishwasher.

"You let us deal with our father. You concentrate on your own." Christian answers her before taking the last gulp of his drink.

I nod. It was obvious by the way he kept quiet and thin lipped while they were here. His mind is reeling, but I know Christian and I will hear about it sooner rather than later. "You've got enough on your plate with Ray."

Rubbing her face, she groans. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I've got to switch my brain off so I can go to bed. I've got to be up before dawn."

"That's bullshit."

Sugar drops her hands from her face and gives Christian a look. "Now isn't the time to be growly. You know I have to work this job until they offer me full time at the publishing house."

"And you know that that's bullshit."

"What exactly is bullshit?"

I wince. I do not want to be here while they fight. Christian wants her to quit the coffee job... and actually I do too... but this isn't the way to go about it.

"You working this shit early job. You're not going. We're together now."

She lets out a sardonic laugh. "Oh, is that right? Just because you decided I shouldn't have it, I should just quit, huh? I should obey what ever you say? This is the kind of relationship you want?"

"I want a relationship where I get to see my girl with her eyes open! Fuck, Anastasia! During the week all we do is eat, fuck, and sleep! That's not any relationship I want! I miss you, God damn it!"

"Well, I'm here right now and all you're doing is bitching at me!"

"If I wasn't bitching, you'd have been in bed already! Having both jobs is ruining what we have! I don't want this! I didn't sign up for this shit!"

Sugar's eyes fill with tears and it's like a knife to the heart. She's cried too damn much lately and I won't allow us to be the ones that make her cry even more. Knowing I have to fix this, I jump out of my chair and grab her just before she makes a run for the hall.

"Ana. Ana, babydoll, just wait. Let's fix this." I place her on the counter and wipe a tear off her cheek.

"I don't want to talk to him." She tries to cover her face with her hands, but I grab onto her hands and hold them in mine.

"Then talk to me. You aren't angry with me, are you?"

She shakes her head. "No, of course not."

I give her a soft smile. "Good. Now let's talk about this. We do miss you and since you don't need your own apartment anymore, we were hoping that if you were interested, you could drop that coffee position and concentrate on your real career."

She sniffles. "I won't be a burden, Elliot. I can work."

"I know you can. You aren't a burden. Not in any way. We're in a relationship and we want to be with you 24/7. Staying with us would only make us better. Don't you think it's silly to work extra just to pay for a place that will keep you away from us even longer? We don't want to lose any more time with you." I run my palm up and down her spine while I lean into her a little, knowing that physical touch is her love language. It causes her to immediately relax against me.

"But what happens if we don't work out?"

I realize what the hang up is now. "We would never leave you homeless or force you back to your father's. You could always find another job like the coffee shop one if you aren't full time at the publishing house. We aren't planning on ever letting you go, Sugar, but I understand your worry." I press a kiss to the top of her head while her head rests against my chest. Running my hands up and down her back, I stay quiet and let her think for a second.

Christian is stone still in his seat at the island still, a look of determination and frustration on his face. I know he's a stubborn asshole, but this has to be Sugar's decision. He can't just bark orders at her like he does his employees. He'll just push her away if he does.

She sniffles a little and, with a deep breath, she sits up straight. "Okay, you have a point. And I hate getting up in the middle of the night to work. I feel like I'm moving through a fog every week. I'll quit the coffee job."

I'm startled a little when Christian is suddenly beside me holding a tissue for our girl.

"Thank you, Anastasia."

She takes the tissue but narrows her eyes at him. "I'm still mad at you."

"Yea, okay. I've got work to do." Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he wanders off towards his home office.

"Good idea." She mumbles under her breath and moves to hop off the counter. I take a step back so that she can, but I stay in place and watch her move around the kitchen. She finishes depositing the last couple of dishes into the dishwasher and washes her hands before turning toward me.

"I know it's barely eight, but I'm ready to relax. Will you come to bed with me?"

I give her a smile. "Of course, beautiful. Come on." I offer her my hand and let her pull me into the bedroom so we can curl up. I'm actually looking forward to spending some time with her without Christian around for awhile, although I don't like that they're fighting.

We brush our teeth and change clothes before bed and I turn down the sheets while she washes her face. I watch as she climbs into her middle spot in bed, fresh faced and sleepy-eyed and my heart aches with how beautiful she is.

Curling up against me, I hold her and breathe her in. Her lips find our favorite tattoo before she settles. "I love you so incredibly much, El."

"Ditto, babydoll. You're my world."

She smiles up at me. "Let's turn on a movie and get lost under the covers."

I give her a grunt. "Forget the fucking movie, woman." I flip us over quickly while she squeals and giggles.

Nothing compares to having her soft, warm body below me. I'll never tire of it. The way she feels, the way she sounds... what she looks like when she comes so beautifully for me... it's fucking heaven.

"Elliot, please. You feel so good. I need more." My Sugar grips at my shoulders while I make slow, lazy love to her, my mouth giving her delicious love bites on her shoulder. I hum against her skin.

"Whatever you want, babydoll. You know you don't have to beg with me. You deserve anything and everything you want." I push up on my elbows and my thrusts get harder and deeper.

Her mewling turns to cries as she grips the base of my neck. "Just like that, Elliot. Just like... oh!" Her head falls back and I thrust through her release, nipping at her chin while she detonates. I squeeze my eyes shut and beg myself not to come, yet. I want to enjoy this one-on-one a little longer.

"Fuck, you're so good." She's panting as she relaxes below me. "I want to ride you. I need to."

"Fuck yes." I grunt out, rolling us over. She rides me to fucking insanity every damn time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. When she sinks back down on my dick, I curse out again and cling to the sheets below me, giving in to her.