Chapter Twenty-Six: Rose
My scrubs were a second skin. Not because I wore them so often, but because of how sweaty I was. The poor people on the subway were caught in a trample; a rush for the last train I supposed. But the ER had been slammed for hours on hours. I had more patients than I usually get in a week.
Things finally calmed down as those who were admitted got taken care of, and others were cleared to leave.
“That was crazy. So much for a nice first day back.” Dina plopped down next to me in our chill spot.
I smiled softly. I had decided to take a week off. Maybe I was convinced to by a certain three imposing alpha males, but I ultimately made the decision on my own. I needed to be able to focus to do my job, and I couldn’t do that if I was having mini panic attacks every time I heard a noise, or not sleeping at night because I was so afraid.
I took that time to relax, and really get to know the men watching me. It was nice and different to effectively be in a relationship with three men, but it was something I was willing to do because of how I felt. I wanted them all but what was hard to believe was that they all wanted me. An ordinary ER nurse with almost no unique life experience.
The case had taken off and was now in the hands of a bigger monster, the fucking CIA. Apparently it went beyond New York Irish gangs. They were all still directly involved since they had jurisdiction over most of the masterminds behind the whole thing. They were stressed at work but managed to leave everything behind and come take care of me.
When they had their individual watches, we of course spent most of it in the bedroom. It was amazing how they could be so…ahem, focused on two things. But they also started to trust Parker for the guard dog that he was. Still, their gun was always less than two feet away. I grew up with a soldier as a father, so I was used to guns always being around. But the fact that they were there to protect me was still important to me.
“I didn’t expect it to be easy. How have you been? I’m sorry I haven’t called you back…” I felt bad that she had been checking on me, but I had never wanted to disclose everything. I appreciated her caring, but I just didn’t want her worrying about me.
“That’s okay. And my life is boring. I care about you, Rose. You’re the one with the exciting life.”
“Exciting?” I laughed.
“Yes. But scary too, how is the case?” She turned serious.
“It’s okay. People are giving up their bosses and taking deals. They really cracked a hole in it.” I answered her.
“Good. Are you safe though? I watch some pretty crazy movies about this shit.”
I giggled. “Yeah, I’m fine. They keep a good eye on me. They don’t want me in the system, so they watch me themselves. I don’t know how long it will last, but they’re around anyway.”
“Oh. And about that? I need all the details.” She nudged me playfully.
I blushed crimson and bit my lip nervously. It was kind of weird, disclosing those kinds of things but I knew she wasn’t there to judge me. She really did just want the details.
“Um…I don’t know?”
She frowned playfully.
“Okay, okay. It’s different. But exciting. I really like them, all of them. And they like me. It feels like more sometimes but I’m not trying to force anything. Things are just fun and natural, it seemed hard to come by, but everything is easy with them,” I said honestly.
We spent equal nights just talking and cuddling than we did having sex like maniacs, and I enjoyed that balance. When they were all together…I had no idea what my body was capable of. The kind of pleasure I could feel. But they gave me all of it. They worshipped me and treated me like a sweet maiden and dirty nympho at the same time. I felt…special. In some ways, it was very new and scary but then it also felt familiar and easy, too. I knew then that it would always be exciting and fun, even for years to come. Maybe I was thinking ahead, but it was so easy to with them.
They made me feel secure and…loved.
I sighed as I looked at Dina.
“You look so happy, Rose. I never thought I would see it.” Dina giggled.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I laughed.
“I don’t know. You just…well, you are really happy. I like it.”
“Thanks. I am. Of course, there is still some sort of hit man after me, but I don’t even worry about it anymore. It’s kind of like…it’s like how they feel about being cops. There is a high chance they could get shot every day, but they still go out and do their jobs.”
“Do you worry about that?”
“Of course. But it is almost the same as every time my dad went back to war. I just accept it and try not to dwell on it. I took the time off so I could realize that about myself, and come back to work and live my life.”
“I like that. And if you need me, I’m here. Don’t worry about bothering me or anything. Besides, it will be better than a screaming baby bothering me six months from now.”
I turned and looked at her in shock. “What? You’re pregnant?” I looked her over, but she looked the same, even at three months.
“Yeah, very.” She giggled.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I’m so happy for you!” I pulled her into a tight hug.
“Oh, you know, the waiting period. But now you know.” She smiled.
I beamed back at her and we laughed together. Things were changing for the both of us and it was almost hard to believe where I was before all this happened.
“Congratulations, this is exciting.” I laughed.
“So, you have been with all of them, right?” she pried.
“Yeah…” I admitted.
“Oh my god, what was it like? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
“Touché. And I don’t think I can explain it,” I laughed.
“I guess so.”
“But it is different. And exciting.”
“Hmm. I can imagine.”
We exchanged fun banter about baby names and the usual stuff that came with her situation. It was nice to just be normal and have fun with my friend. Before we had to get back to work, of course.
The floor stayed calm until the end of my shift. I usually took the subway home, but they had each started picking me up from work and taking me back home, or to dinner if I had the energy. I only did once though.
It was one of the days where I just felt too dirty to leave in my scrubs, so I went to the employee lounge and took a hot shower. I told Alex to just wait for me if he was already on his way; it was his day. I was always excited to see them, the giddiness I felt so new and exciting. I found myself smiling like an idiot as I got dressed. I never wore anything special, just jeans and a tee shirt. But they always told me how pretty I looked, or sexy, or both.
The only change in everything was how safe I felt. I knew I still would have called the police that day but if I had met anyone else for my statement, and was actually placed under witness protection, I don’t think I would feel as safe as I did. The security they gave me was unmatched and I knew I wouldn’t find it in anyone else.
Nate made everything bearable with his laugh and sense of humor. Max always found a way to see right through me and get me to be the most vulnerable. Alex knew how to take control of me and get me to leave everything behind and focus on the moment. Together, they made every part of me mold together and it made me my best person.
I never thought I could be so lucky.
I said goodbye to my coworkers and walked outside, expecting to just find Alex by his black sedan. I think he had the nicest car out of every other detective. It was an old classic he restored, one of his few pastimes.
But instead, I saw the three of them waiting beside Max’s truck, an old-fashioned Ford. I smiled at the sight of them all waiting for me, and my oldest friend Parker. He jumped out of the bed of the truck and ran towards me.
“Hey buddy!” I laughed as he greeted me with licks and kisses. I crouched down and rubbed behind his ears until he barked with glee.
“What are you all doing here?” I looked to all of them.
They were dressed casually. Alex with his jeans and leather jacket over a dark tee shirt, Nate in faded jeans and a black hoodie, and Max in khakis and a gray Henley. They all looked so delicious and sexy. Plus, they were all mine. It was hard to believe.
“We just wanted to surprise you, doll.” Max came and kissed me hello. A soft sweet peck that I could still feel my toes.
“Unless you don’t want us here,” Nate joked with me. I laughed and shook my head.
Parker tugged on my leg as Nate kissed me, holding my waist softly as his lips curled over mine. He pulled back and winked at me before taking Parker and putting him back in the truck.
Alex opened my door for me and leaned in close. “You look like you had a long day.” He smiled his crooked smile.
“I did.” I stood up on my tip toes to give him a quick peck. He chuckled and pulled me in close for a deeper kiss. My head swirled at how lucky I was. He lifted me inside and strapped me in.
“Let’s stop for some coffee,” Max said as he pulled away.
“Why?” I asked curiously. Nate nudged my shoulder with his.
“You’ve had a long day, and you’re going to need some energy for tonight.”
I gleamed, because he was right. But if that was the case, I would need energy for more than just one night. I settled into the seat and scratched Parker’s back as hung out the window. Nate held my hand and my smile didn’t go away as I thought of how lucky I was to have them in my life.
I knew that no matter what happened, we would get through it together.