Chapter 86: Guilt
*Law, why did I not see it? If I had noticed before, they would still be alive. I shouldn’t be a teacher. – Evie*
Dixie and the triplets were sitting on the couch together in the living room. A cheesy rom-com played on the big screen TV across from the couch. They were laughing at the antics of the would-be suitor who was failing at getting the girl.
Ink and Tank came down the stairs and into the room. Isiah paused the movie and they all stood up. With a motion from Dixie, they followed the parents outside to a patio. With the sun setting, the temperature was going down too.
Israel lit the fire pit as Dixie got drinks and Isaac lit the tiki torches.
“Mosquitoes are already out this year.” Isiah said sitting down in one of the chairs.
They all settled in around the fire pit.
“Does she tell you about them?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ink answered.
“Our first night together was in November. We stayed up late talking. Mainly about them.” Tank added. “After she fell asleep, we talked. It felt right. Her with us.”
The three men looked at their wife and smiled.
“We understand.” Isiah said.
Dixie blushed. “I met Isiah in Georgia while we were both in the army. He never hid the fact that he was a triplet and that they wanted to share a wife.”
“We needed a special lady that would love all three of us.” Isaac explained. “We’ve done everything together. Or similarly. If we had wives that didn’t like each other, or all three of us, we would be miserable. One woman for the three of us would be better.”
“Isiah called us and said he was coming home and bringing a surprise. We came in and found an angel cooking dinner.” Israel smiled. “She’s perfect for us. Keeps me in line. Isaac focused. Makes Isiah relax. Plus, she’s a wonderful sub.”
“Except for when it comes to her babies.” Isiah laughed. “She may be submissive in the bedroom, but she rules the roost.”
“Her daughter is the same way.” Ink said and Tank agreed. “We may tell her what to cook and when, but there is no way that I would ever consider telling her how to keep the house.”
“Or her class.” Tank added.
“Yeah.” Dixie agreed with a smile. “She used to line her dolls and teddy bears up and teach them. God save them if one of her sisters interrupted her.”
Her fathers laughed at a shared memory. “Or Law when he came home and felt bad because none of the girls would play school with her.” Isaac said.
“She was in high school when his wife, Alma, died.” Israel said, sobering. “The day after the funeral, she crawled up in bed with him and stayed there until he was ready to go face the world.”
“She always seems to know what everyone else needs.” Isiah added. “I guess that’s part of the sub traits.”
“Everyone but herself.” Tank agreed.
“She was diagnosed with PTSD and was going to therapy.” Isaac said quietly. “She told me goodbye one day and I knew if I let her leave, I would never see her again.” Tears fell freely and unchecked. “I called Law, put her on the back of my bike and headed to Maine.”
“They have a connection I don’t want any of my other girls to understand. Law took her home and she did really well away from here. When she came back, she told the district that she was not going to renew her contract. She had a year and a half to find a new job.”
“That’s how she ended up in Ridgeview.” Ink smiled. “Thanks Law.”
“Better thank Joshua too. Her boss up there is a club member.” Israel said. “Personal recommendation and a district that did not want to let her go, made a good case for them to hire her. Being a Tomlinson has advantages. Corporate lawyer up there looked over the contract, made sure there were no morality clauses and that she was allowed to run her class as she pleased. Within reason.”
“We need to go see Brennan sometime.” Dixie said.
Tank and Ink looked at each other before laughing. “His cousin is a Saint.”
“Sean? His mother would disagree.” Dixie chuckled. “He’s getting married next month, isn’t he?”
“Yeah.” Tank said gruffly. “What’s up with Daniel’s mom?”
The parents groaned.
“Daniel and Cade were friends since, I don’t know, second grade at least.” Israel said. “They both had the same last name and ended up next to each other.”
“Their senior quotes in the year book were both ‘Not related.’ It was appropriate because they said it constantly.” Isiah interrupted.
“Cade’s dad holds church in a biker clubhouse. Daniel’s dad holds church in the Baptist church downtown.” Israel continued. “The boys were best friends and the parents worst enemies. Daniel’s family never accepted him for who he was. Until he went to seminary, married the girl they picked and began preaching, they were never going to be satisfied.”
“It wasn’t him. He turned eighteen a week before Law. When Law turned eighteen, he had a party at Demonz. Daniel discovered himself that night. He watched a sub on the cross and was hooked. He and Cade were leaving for boot camp at the same time. They were having a send off party at the club, one of the subs suggested that she be their going away present.”
