Heat filled her cheeks when she unwrapped the sexy lingerie. Damon and Andy had bought her new pieces. Some of the scraps of fabrics confused her. She wondered if she’d be able to get the lingerie on without getting strangled.
Andy’s gifts consisted of new socks and underwear along with a couple of picture frames and a couple of bottles of expensive bourbon. Damon got the same with a cowboy hat thrown in for good measure. They were all having fun when Damon produced one more gift.
“I made sure Andy was okay with me giving this to you,” Damon said, focusing on her. She froze in her seat, staring at him then at the gift in his hands.
“What is it?” she asked, looking at the box as if it was some kind of monster about to jump out and bite her.
“Open it and find out. You’re married to Andy, and we’re going to have our special ceremony, but then I thought I wanted something to draw you to me.”
He handed her the box. She took it, noticing her shaking fingers. The box in her own robe felt hot against her skin.
Taking the box from him, she stared down at the velvet wondering what an earth it could be. When she could no longer handle the anticipation, she tore the bow off the box and lifted the lid.
Inside lay a silver necklace that looked like a chain. The design was simple with a little diamond in the center.
“It’s a collar,” she said.
“Binding you to me. I talked with Gavin and Kade, and they told me how they bound their sub to them while being married to someone else.” Damon took the chain out of the box and placed it around her neck. “I liked the idea and thought it was only fitting that I do the same. Also, someone told me I should by this brand of necklace. I don’t know why.”
The chain rested against her neck. She touched the metal loving the feel of it against her skin. Meredith recalled seeing the design in Callie’s store. The other woman clearly knew what she was doing when Meredith requested the items in her pocket.
“It’s perfect,” she said. Jerking back from him, she pulled the box from her robe. “This is a gift for the two of you. I want you both to know I love you the same, and there’s no need to hide from me. You two being together fills me with joy, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to show that than with this.”
Damon took the box, and Andy stood beside him. She nibbled her lip, waiting for them to see.
“You bought a collar and a key?” Damon asked, opening the box.
“Callie said the key opened two collars, and that all would be answered. Her message was a little more cryptic than that. I wasn’t really listening, and I knew this would be perfect. Andy gets the collar while Damon has the key to both of our collars and hearts. I wanted to show you both that I accept you and love you equally. When you’re together it fills me with so much joy, and I can’t imagine not being with either of you. There is nothing more I want than to have both of you with me. I know we started out a little rocky, but I felt we could really make this work together. In the last year you’ve given me something to live for.” She turned to Andy. “I love you, baby, but you were not bringing everything out of me. Watching you both together I know you are both still hesitant for fear I will stop you. This is the only way I could think to show you both that I not only love seeing you together, but it’s what I want as well.”
He moved toward her surrounding her with his acceptance. Damon did the same on the other side of her.
“Baby, this was the most perfect gift I’ve ever received,” Damon kissed the top of her head. “However, I’d have loved to be the one to have bought it in time.”
“I’m sorry, Sir.” She bowed her head even though she didn’t feel an ounce of guilt or shame. They all needed this.
The day went by without a hitch. She loved seeing Damon with the key on a chain dangling around his neck and Andy’s collar around his neck. The designs were so different from her own, and yet they all symbolized the same thing. She and Andy belonged to Damon, and he held the key to each of them.
Sitting between them, peace finally settled on her troubled thoughts. She couldn’t believe a year ago she’d been worried by Damon’s presence in her life. He’d not ruined her life. Damon had made her whole. His love and guidance set her free.
Epilogue
Five years later
Damon couldn’t think. The pitter-patter of tiny feet was distracting him. He heard Andy waving goodbye to the other ranchers who’d been working that day. It was December twenty-third, and all the kids were in a haze of excitement.
“Ouch,” he said as the oldest daughter, Dorothy, hit him with a rolling pin.