Complex

Enjoying the glint of ecstasy in his boyfriends eye, Connor stole the baseball cap that Seth wore and placed it back to front on his own head. He pressed his hips against his male lover, pushing Seth’s back, hard into the edge of the kitchen counter tops. Connors tongue traced against the stubbly neck of his 6 foot 2 partner. His erection, digging almost painfully out of his skin-tight jeans. Connor was slim built, and 3 inches smaller than Seth and his muscle bound frame, but that didn’t halt Connor in taking charge of the sexual encounter that he was now met with.

Connors lips slowly kissed at Seth’s neck, a delectable chuckle heard escaping his mouth.

“Boys, Tristan is here.” Ciera said walking in to the kitchen, eyeing the pair. A smile dancing on her lips as she tried to carry on normally for Tristan’s sake who was stood at her side now finding something interesting to look at on the floor.

Connor cleared his throat and flashed a knowing smile at his male lover while he took the baseball cap off his head and put it back on Seth.

“Can I get you a drink mate?” Seth asked Tristan, who replied with a simple nod of his head before taking a seat at the dining table. “Con? Ciera?” Seth now questioned as he filled the kettle up. “Thanks, baby.” Ciera replied with a grateful smile leaving Connor with just a blunt “No, ta.” As he took a seat next to his brother, Tristan wore the look that he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

“What’s up then Tris? Are you still okay to have the twins at the weekend?” Ciera queried sitting herself down, she knew something was wrong with him.

Tristan looked up to his ex wife. She was practically a stranger to him now even after 4 years of being together and staying in daily contact for the sake of their twin sons that were not even a year old. “I’m fine to have the boys it’s just... Well I needed to run something by you... all of you.” He said as he moved his gaze over to his brother Connor and, Seth, who presented him with a cup of tea, set another cup down in front of Ciera then slouched down in the seat next to her, slipping his hand on her thigh. Tris got lost in his thoughts as he watched Seth’s fingers lovingly circle Ciera’s leg.

How had her life got so complex. And Connors... How had his little brother got mixed up in this insane world. His mind flashed back to the day he found out that Seth and Ciera were dating. Tristans marriage had been on the rocks for sometime, they struggled to make a baby and money issues with his building company made things tense. It was Tristan though that had cheated on her, put the final nail in the coffin but he only cheated because he was jealous of Seth. A man he himself had introduced to his wife as a possible new business partner that could hopefully figure out the finances enough to stop the family company from going under. It was obvious to Tristan from the first meeting, that Seth wanted his wife. Ciera made it clear that it was strictly business between them but Tristans imagination got the best of him. Put sour thoughts in his mind. He got drunk one night, crashed his car and broke his leg. Lost his licence but ended up fucking his physiotherapist. As bad timing would have it, his conscious got the better of him and he admitted that he was unfaithful 5 minutes before they received a phone call saying that their surrogate had a successful cycle of IVF and was pregnant. The news was too late to undo the damage and the couple separated. Two months before the twins were born, Ciera sat Tristan down at this very same table and admitted that Seth had finally talked her in to going on a date with him. She promised him that it wouldn’t effect anything to do with the twins when they arrived and to be fair it hadn’t. Tristan was never let out of a decision about his sons and they shared custody fairly. Co parenting with ease. No tension for the most part.

“You going to spit it out then bruv?” Connor asked his older sibling. Tristan nodded. His throat closing in on him as he looked at the familiar friendly eyes of his brother. Eyes that he no longer understood. It wasn’t at this table but his own that he received the news 4 months after the birth of his boys that Connor was now a part of Seth and Ciera’s love life. Not a threesome, that was made very clear by each of them, but a throuple. All three equally invested into the relationship, the thought of Connor and Seth together made Tristan squirm but it was nothing compared to the thought of all three of them together. The woman he was once married to, his little brother and Seth, a man who he despised but battled daily to never let it show.

“Well... I’ve been seeing someone. It’s getting pretty serious I think. And... Well...I would like it if I could take her out with the boys this weekend... Maybe a walk through the zoo or... Well I don’t know where exactly.” Tristan finished.

Ciera glanced at Seth and smiled. “Tris... ” she began, giving Seth’s hand a gentle squeeze. “...You have been more than understanding with me where Seth and Connor are concerned. You listened and didn’t judge. You allow both Connor and Seth to have an active part in the twins lives. Why do you look so frightened to tell me about someone new in your life? Of course you are welcome to take the twins out with her. I don’t really understand why you felt the need to ask so formally.” The brunette said with a little chuckle.

Tristan looked at all three of the faces that sat around the table. “I thought it best to ask because... Well the girl in question is Scarlett.” He replied with no hint of amusement in his voice. His eyes now fixed on his brother.

Connor didn’t say a word for several seconds as a million thoughts ran through his head at the speed of sound. “I need a minute.” He finally said standing up. Being the one sat next to him, Seth automatically reached his hand out to his male lover. “I just need a minute, Seth.” Connor said firmly as he shrugged his hands free and left the room.

“It’s not ideal, I know... But. I care about her a lot.” Tristan said now only looking at his wife.

Tears pricked at Ciera’s eyes. Truthfully not caring about Connors heartbreaking ties in this news just at the moment. Ciera felt hurt then anger then fear. Anger won over the other emotions. “You are fucking our surrogate and want to let her get to know the twins that she carried inside her for 9 months! This has got to be some sick joke, Tris! Jesus Christ!” She snapped. Getting up from her seat and walking over to the kitchen sink where she stared blankly out of the window.

“I know what your scared about Ciera, and honestly there is no need to be. Just because she gave birth to them doesn’t make you any less their mother. It’s just me introducing my son’s to my girlfriend.” Tristan stated calmly.

Ciera shook her head. “This is your way of getting back at me for Connor being in mine and Seth’s life isn’t it.” The brunette hissed, turning on her heels as she now stared daggers at her ex husband. “It’s got nothing to do with you and Seth... Or Connor. It’s honestly just me getting to know a girl.” Tristan added. His voice still calm.

“Scarlett is the boys biological mother, Tristan! You and her made our twins. Don’t go telling me it is just you getting to know a girl. Jesus, I feel sick!” She said, placing a hand on her queasy feeling stomach.

“Don’t make it sound like I was fucking her, Ciera. IVF made our sons. OUR SONS! they are legally ours. Mine and yours. I’m finally happy... Please don’t make it complicated.” Tristan pleaded.

Ciera then lifted her head, a well manicured finger wiggled at Tristan. “She isn’t allowed to contact the boys! She signed a contract.” Ciera replied.

Tristan sighed. “That contract doesn’t mean anything... She is within her rights to be present when I’m looking after the boys.”

Ciera looked at Seth. He had been a lawyer for just over 4 years now. Seth nodded to agree with Tristan. “Legally speaking the contract she signed was just a formality. It’s not like a restraining order or anything... Ciera you are the boys mum. You adopted them! legally, Scarlett could not do a thing about that. I promise, baby.” Seth soothed.

The waterworks then began for Ciera. “What about when the boys are old enough to understand and they see on their birth certificate that their step mother gave birth to them!” She sniffed.

“Step mother? Ciera I just want to go on a date with the girl. No one’s taking about weddings or stealing babies away from you, okay.” Tristan said, taking a quick sip from his tea before standing up. “Can you get Con to call me. I know this is hard for him.” Tristan said to Seth who was the only one still present or able to talk without snot bubbles.

“Yeah sure. I will have a word okay.” Seth added. Tristan nodded before walking out the kitchen and seeing himself out the house.

“Ci, listen to me...” Seth said pulling her in to his strong arms. “It’s honestl not going to change anything. The twins don’t know the woman, don’t beat yourself up huh.” He said gently in to her ear.

Ciera nodded. “You’re right, I know you’re right but I feel... I don’t know what I fucking feel.” The brunette relented.

“I love you Ci. Everything’s is fine. Scarlett was professional about the pregnancy and the birth. She had another kid for someone else before you with no problems. Let’s just take it a day at a time yeah... Connor on the other hand is probably going to take a few steps backwards ’cause of this.” Seth said with a sigh.

Removing her head from Seth’s muscular shoulder, Ciera wiped her eyes. “We should see if he is alright.” Ciera replied, attempting to get up from her seat but Seths hands found themselves on her small waist and encouraged her to sit back down. “I will talk to him. You finish your tea.” He said gently.

Relenting, Ciera nodded. She wasn’t in the right frame of mind to reassure Connor.

Seth kissed the top of his girlfriend’s head as he left the table. Up until the last 15 minutes, today had been a pretty good day. Wednesdays were always his favorite lately. He had a half day in the office of his law firm, Connor took Wednesdays off now instead of Saturday’s and even the twins had both been in good moods. Both currently enjoying their afternoon nap, which was a rare occurrence that they would both sleep at the same time.

Walking into the hall, Seth clocked his reflection in the mirror, rubbing a hand through his dark shoulder length hair that Ciera would call scruffy but Seth thought it suited him better than having it short. He made his way up the stairs, opening up the bathroom door with the palm of his hand. No Connor.

His next check was the bedroom that the three of them would normally share together. “Con?” Seth said gently but was met by nothing.

He poked his head in to the twins bedroom, both boys were still sound asleep. Seth smiled. They looked like butter wouldn’t melt at the moment. Soft expressions and warm rosy cheeks. Give them another half hour to recharge their batteries and they could happily get up to all sorts of mischief until late this evening.

Closing the door with a soft click, Seth made his way to the last room. It was now used as a spare but Seth could see the appeal it held for Connor, who he found lying belly down on the made bed with his face squashed in to the pillow.

Seth lay down on his side next to him. Only Connors hair and ear were really visible.

“You alright in there, Con?” Seth asked warily. Everyone was fully aware of how Connors moods could turn around in the blink of an eye, but Connor turned his head and faced Seth. “I miss her.” Was all he said in return. Seth nodded. “I know you do, buddy.” Connor shifted on the bed and his head then found its way on Seth’s shoulder and the pair stared at the ceiling.

Connor was five years younger than Seth. And at 25 the poor lad had seen more heart ache than most people his age. He married the girl of his dreams at 19, her name was Ruby and they spent some very short but very happy years together. Ruby was his rock in life, she made his life worthwhile and was even responsible for suggesting a surrogate for Connors brother Tristan and his then wife, Ciera. The surrogate in question was Ruby’s sister, Scarlett. Not just sister though... Just like the two babies sleeping in the room next door, Scarlett was Ruby’s identical twin. Connor could never even tell them apart very easily but it never seemed to matter. That was until Ruby slipped at the hair dressing salon that she worked in and hit her head hard. She was in a coma for just over a month but pronounced brain dead soon after. Her life support machine was switched off and Connor felt like he had lost his life support too. He hit rock bottom. Didn’t go to work, didn’t eat, didn’t sleep. Eventually he lost his house and was forced to take up the offer of staying with Tristan. Connor had only just turned 23 when this happened.

Connor took up residency in the spare room and had stayed there while he pieced his life back together... Even though his brothers was falling apart under the very same roof. When Tristan and Ciera separated, it was never questioned about where Connor would go so he kept his mouth shut and stayed put. Despite the fact that Scarlett was his sister in law and eventually the successful carrier of his landlady’s twin boys, Connor had not seen Scarlett since Ruby’s funeral. He found the walking, talking, very much alive mirror image of his dead wife too much to bear.

“If things work out with Scarlett and my brother there will be no getting away from her will there?!” Connor said quietly as he remained looking at the ceiling.

“Not necessarily.” Seth offered.

Connor turned his head and looked into the dark brown eyes of his lover. “She is dating my brother who I work with, who is also the father of my girlfriends kids... Birthdays and Christmas and all the rest of the fucking shit. I can’t escape her forever, Seth. If I tried then that would mean giving up on everything. Us and Ciera...the twins. My job. I can’t run away from this.” He said sounding defeated.

“What was she like, Ruby? I know you’ve told me about her but what was her personality like?” Seth asked as he noticed Connors clear blue eyes get emotional. “Funny... But in a dumb way. She was clever but would come out with some really fucking dumb shit sometimes. She didn’t have a filter on her mouth and I loved that about her.” He smiled. “She sounds similar to you.” Seth said with a small chuckle. Connor nodded from the side of him, moving his head a little more so he could see Seth better. “We were very similar. Two peas in a pod she would call us.” Connor replied.

“What do you think she would make of us two, being how we are?” Seth asked. Connor smiled. I think that if she can see how happy you make me then it wouldn’t bother her that you’re a guy...or the lifestyle we lead with Ciera. I often wonder what she would think of this all.” Connor said distantly.

“I’ve been considering telling my family.” Seth said as he kept his eyes locked on Connors for a clue of how he might feel about that. “It will make us or break us.” Connor replied truthfully. Seth nodded. So far it was only Tristan that knew the full extent of what went on under this roof. Seth’s family believed that he was in a relationship with Ciera and that was it. It was a similar story with Connors mother and his younger brother Bradley. They assumed that Connor just lived here.

“Whatever you decide, Seth. I’m sure your family will support you when they know the truth.” Connor said planting a small kiss on his boyfriends lips. Seth raised an eyebrow. “I doubt it. My mum keeps hinting that I should propose to Ciera, I’m not sure what her reaction will be when I tell her the truth about the three of us. Probably disown me.” Seth added.

Connor kissed his boyfriend once more. “You should invite her round. I want to meet her. Maybe if she got to know me before you blurt it out that you like dick she might take it better.”

Seth chuckled just as Ciera walked in to the room. Her eyes red from crying. “Why are you both in here?” She simply asked as she sat on the edge of the single bed. “I fancied being miserable in my old room, that’s all. You okay? It’s all a bit crap isn’t it?” Connor replied.

Ciera nodded. “I just have such a bad feeling about it all.” She confessed as fresh tears left her eyes.

“Come here...” Connor said pulling her down and squeezing her in to the small gap between himself and Seth. “..As long as me and Seth are breathing, nothing will ever hurt you. I promise Ci.” He said just as one of the twins began to cry.

“I’ll go. The boys don’t want to see you upset.” Seth said then got up and left the room to tend to the baby.

“Con are you doing okay... You never talk to me about Ruby any more?” Ciera asked, concerned.

Connor nodded, folding his arms tightly around the woman he now loved and adored. “I’m fine... I just find it hard to see Scarlett. It’s weird... Seth was just saying he is thinking of telling his mum about us...well about me.” He said blatantly changing the subject.

“And how do you feel about that?” Ciera asked. Appreciating Seth’s tactic of giving Connor something less tragic to worry over.

“The last 7 months with you and Seth have been completely mind blowing. I don't know if I’m ready to tell people though. I’m not ashamed of how I feel about you and him but I don’t want to ruin our lives either. He seems to think his mum will take it bad.” Connor explained.

“Well... I guess if she is going to take it bad there is no point in putting it off. Maybe we should visit her at the weekend while Tristan is at the zoo with bio mum.” Ciera replied sarcastically.

“Can do.” Seth said from the doorway as he cradled one of Cieras babies in his arms. She marveled how he made it look effortless. Mitchell was the smaller of the twins, but at 11 months old he was still big and weighed in at 20lb but Seth made it appear as if he was holding a newborn. Her heart thudded harder in her chest at the sight of him looking so adorable.

“You don’t have to do anything Seth.” Connor replied, sitting up on the little bed.

Seth shook his head. “No I want to. My cousin is home from hospital so it’s an ideal time to tell everyone I care about at the same time.”

“Your mum, your aunt and your cousin? All in one go?” Ciera asked. Seth didn’t have the biggest family but they were all extremely close. Seth’s dad died over 20 years ago and his aunties husband ran off with another woman just after his cousin was born.

“Yeah... I hate lying to them. If you guys are willing to let me tell them then I want to.” He replied, still rocking the baby in his arms just outside the doorway.

“Go for it then.” Connor said. Wanting to be a permanent fixture in Seth’s life just as Seth wanted him.