Page 39 of Angels of the Night

EPILOGUE

“A little more to the left...that's perfect! And now let's bring the shelf over here, and we are done. Please, guys, I promise this is the last room and the last piece of furniture.” Caleb looked at a very sweaty and panting Lothier, giving him the best, most innocent puppy eyes.

“I don't know, he said that two hours ago, too, and again one hour ago, I won't fall for it one more time, what about you?” The Base's chief of guards turned to Jericho, winking, the gesture passing unnoticed by Ardan's younger brother.

“My back is killing me. I'm not getting any younger, you know. However, for the right bribe, I'm ready to sacrifice my health. Name your price, kid.”

“Hey, Caleb, man, can we be of any help? We finished with the nursery and thought you would need a hand here in the study. Look at these poor souls, how worn out they look. None of them are in their prime years. They shouldn't work so hard.” Avery, one of Caleb's best friends and teammate, appeared out of the blue, with Erling, the other member of the team, hot on his heals.

“You guys are the answer to my prayers, sent to me by the almighty, bearded gods themselves. This really light bookcase has to be moved five inches over here, so the desk can fit better next to the window, for maximum natural light.” As he spoke, Caleb indicated the exact spot the shelf was going to be placed on.

“Do you need any more help? If yes, tell us what to do, and you better have a quick shower and get ready for the party. Oh, and get dressed accordingly.” Avery's words, combined with the grin on his friend's face, stirred Caleb's curiosity, but he pretended to be indifferent.

“And now, that everything is arranged, I suppose the three of you will bang one another on every surface in the house. After the party, I mean.” Erling blinked innocently, but all he could get from Ardan's younger brother was a shrug.

“Well, on every surface except the children's rooms and the play area. I mean, come on, everyone has a limit, at least for mature men like me, Saint and Zachary. Kids will always be kids, always thinking about sex and parties. Thank you for your help, guys. I really appreciate it, and of course, you don't belong in the category I mentioned earlier.” Caleb's expression was a mix of warmth and irony, driving his friends crazy with frustration.

He wanted to leave the room, when two hands firmly gripped his hips, and a familiar voice possessively growled into his ear, making him change his mind. Head tilted backwards, Caleb took a deep breath, filling his nostrils and lungs with Zachary's scent, so dominant and masculine, but so sweet and comforting at the same time.

The growl became a gentle whisper, words of endearment pouring from the older man's lips straight into his young lover's soul as his hands started to move up, sliding under Caleb's shirt and running on his smooth abdomen and chest. With a mischievous smile on his full lips, Zachary attacked the other one nipples, rolling them and eliciting sweet moans of pleasure from the subject of his desire.

A hand, cupping his crotch in a very unapologetic, possessive manner, made Zachary gasp in surprise, the sound escaping from his lips sweet music to Saint's ears. Nipping at the tender flesh on his lover's neck, he undid the fly of the man's jeans, partially unzipped them and, sliding his hand inside, started to massage Zachary's balls through the fabric of the underwear, making his cock jolt.

Saint moved his hips like a sensual dance, rubbing his crotch against Zachary's ass, the friction hardening his cock almost painfully. Breathing shallowly, he tried to regain the control on his body's reaction with no success. His hands all over his lover's cock and balls, Saint orgasmed furiously, almost in sync with Zachary and Caleb. Still surrounded by the blissful haze following their release, the three of them flinched at the sound of a throat clearing.

“We are on our way out, don't forget about the party. It can't start in the guests of honor's absence.” The huge grin on Avery's face vanished at the sight of Saint's stern expression. “Sorry, man, I know it was supposed to be a surprise, but then it slipped me, and Caleb didn't pay attention to it, and...things happen, you know.”

“If you were waiting for my blessing to kill this one, now you have it.” Saint turned to Caleb, who was desperately trying to cover the wet spot on his jeans. “It's the best way to silence him about....everything.”

“Nah, he and the other one are like old dogs, you get used to them peeing on the floor. What's with that party, anyway? I thought it was an invention of those two but judging by your reaction, it's a very serious thing.” Caleb gave Saint a questioning look, his turquoise eyes filled with innocence.

“Two days from now, you'll turn twenty-two, and we thought to celebrate it in advance because it's Saturday and most of our friends don't work, so they can join us in celebrating the happy occasion.” A melancholic smile appeared at the corners of Saint's mouth as he gently caressed Caleb's face. “We intend to make a tradition out of it, to make up for all the times your birthday wasn't celebrated because it coincided with the date of your mother's death.”

Overwhelmed by emotion, Caleb put his head on Saint's broad chest and, wrapped in his protective arms, started to sob quietly, clinging to his lover's shirt like a lost child. Zachary joined the two, and they stayed hugging for a good while, the soft sound of Caleb's cry slowly dying down as the warmth coming from his partners comforted him.

The two men embracing him will be always at his side, to encourage, support, cherish and love him. Forever and always, until the end of time, like Ardan and Alasdair loved each other. Although he knew from the start he wanted both Zachary and Saint in his life, Caleb didn't fully realize what being loved by the two men meant until the moment Saint mentioned the reason why they threw that birthday party for him.

Disentangling from the embrace, the three went to their room and, after a quick shower in the recently renovated, bigger bathroom, they changed into comfy clothes and went to bed for a nap. Although it was only one o'clock in the afternoon, Saint, Zachary and Caleb were exhausted.

Despite being a Saturday, they were up way before sunrise to put together and arrange the furniture, the generous help of their friends coming as an unexpected, pleasant surprise. Little did they know that helping them arrange the rooms was only a part of what Lothier, Jericho, Brennan, Ardan and all the others had in store for them.

Indeed, when they arrived at The Base, where the party was being held, Caleb, Saint and Zachary were greeted by a giant banner saying Birthday and Engagement Party. The three recognized Ardan's signature on the spot, his discreet, subtle way of blessing his younger brother's union in front of everyone, in spite of his father's slight opposition.

Godfrey MacNamara didn't believe in relationships featuring multiple partners and wasn't so happy about Caleb's choice, but Ardan remained inflexible in his decision to support his younger brother. When his older son came up with the idea of the party, Godfrey couldn't help but admire Ardan's strategical way of twisting his arm into approving Caleb's relationship.

As Saint and Zachary stepped into the dining hall, flanking their young lover, who, coincidence or not, chose to wear white jeans and a white dress shirt, all the guests turned to them, a collective murmur of awe filling the air. Ardan and Alasdair, followed by Drake, Everett and Finn, were the first to greet the fiancés.

“Thank you for this wonderful surprise, the banner left me speechless. I'm so blessed to have you as my brothers!” Caleb threw in Ardan's and Drake's arms, sighing in contentment, like a little child.

“The engagement is an important event in a man's life, it would have been a pity to leave yours pass unnoticed. Congratulations, little brother, you deserve all the happiness in the world.” The Base's boss squeezed Caleb to his chest with an affection that was more paternal than brotherly, then did the same with Zachary and Saint.

“I wish you to be as happy as I am and to have a long, prosperous life with your loved ones by your side. When I came here, a year ago, you were merely a kid, and, as I look at you, I almost can't believe how much you've changed. I'm proud of the responsible adult you've turned into, and you have my entire admiration.” Drake hugged Caleb tightly, then thanked Saint and Zachary for being part of his brother's life.

“Come here, little one, let me give you a bear hug. You may be in a relationship with these two gorgeous men, but you are still the youngest of the bunch.” With a wide grin, Brennan enveloped Caleb in a warm hug, then moved to Zachary. “Congratulations, man. I hope one day you can forgive me for being an asshole when you first arrived at The Base.”

“Hey, no harm done. I’ve already forgotten that incident. Anyway, I probably would’ve done the same if I was in the same situation. And, not that it matters, but I like you a lot, and I wish you the same happiness I experience in the company of your brother and Saint.” Zachary smiled brightly as he patted Brennan on the back.

“Thank you for the wishes. I have no doubt that I'll be extremely happy with Cillian at my side. He is everything I need, my sun and my starry sky, the air I breathe, my everything. There is nothing a third man would bring into my life. It is complete the way it is.” Brennan wrapped an arm around Cillian's waist, pulling him into a tender, affectionate hug.

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