Katie and her two bosses 048

Katie and her two bosses 048

One Year Later

“Goodnight, Grace. I’ll finish that program tomorrow, by the way,” I say, popping my head into Grace Jacobsen’s office before going home.

She looks up from her desk, surprised. “Already? Damn, Katie, you’re a speed demon! Now get out of here and go have some fun this evening.”

“Will do,” I say, smiling. “Night.” And grabbing my purse, I head for the door and step out into the sunny day. I plan to do exactly as Grace says, and have some fun this evening with Austin and Tyler.

I hop into my new, but modest, car – a gift I gave to myself when I got my new job.

I’ve been working at Le Projet as a junior software developer for three months now, and I love my new career. It was last year at the high-tech conference in Santa Fe that I first started learning to program computers, and I took to it like a duck takes to water.

Soon I was taking online courses for beginning programming, and asking the developers at Tyaus for help when I had questions. After a few months of dedicated study, I was working on projects side-by-side with the developers – with the blessings of Austin and Tyler, of course.

They’ve encouraged me without fail to pursue programming. Of course, they made it clear that I wouldn’t need to work if I didn’t want to, and maybe at one point in my life I would have taken them up on their offer. But after I got a taste of writing computer code, I realized that I had finally found my professional calling. I would be a software developer! How incredible to find so many true loves in just one year – Tyler, Austin, and a fulfilling career.

Throughout all this, Grace was coaching me as well. The day last year when she bought so many products to keep Tyaus Technology afloat, we called her to thank her. She said she had always liked Tyaus products, and now that she had been promoted to CEO at Le Projet, she could make all the purchasing decisions. So her generosity saved the company, just as her good advice helped me to save my relationship with my two guys.

And more than that – I found a new friend and mentor. She’s been there every step of the way through my learning process, encouraging me when I was frustrated and helping me to start again.

When I finally was able to prove myself as a programmer, she hired me onto Le Projet as a junior software developer.

Austin and Tyler were sad to see me go, but they understand why I want to venture out on my own with my career. I’ve always had an independent streak, so I wouldn’t want to be dependent on them in my professional life. Besides, it was getting harder and harder to work in the same space with them and resist the temptation to go into one of their offices for a quickie.

Their company is doing better than ever. I’m glad they didn’t give it up, because they do love their business. Only this time, Austin’s not overworking himself, and Tyler’s thriving because of the more relaxed atmosphere.

So I tell them goodbye in the morning, which is hard. But we make up for it every night, falling into each others’ arms and talking about the challenges and adventures each day brings.

Yes, we spend every night together now, because we all live together. Tyler sold his property and we all moved into Austin’s place. The three of us sleep in Austin’s gigantic bed, and it’s a perfect living arrangement.

Austin’s place is ideal for us because of the separate little in-law apartment behind his house – just right for my mom and her now live-in caretaker. Austin had it remodeled to suit my mom’s needs, and it works out fabulously. My mom is so happy to live close to me without her worrying about being a burden. I get to see her everyday and rest easy knowing that she has quality care round the clock. She’s still doing well, but the caretaker is there when she needs help, and the two of them have become the best of friends. We all share dinner together several nights a week. Austin and Tyler love Mom almost as much as I do, and I think they enjoy the family atmosphere we’ve created.

I pull into the garage and park. I’m the first one home. I stop by Mom’s apartment to say hi and tell her about my day, then I go back to our place. I want to get in a video call to Michelle before the guys come home.

“Hey, girl!” she answers. “Long time no talk. I know, you’ve been busy banging your brains out with those two studs.”

“Yeah, that’s not too far from the truth,” I admit.

“Well, you know where you can find me, chained to the couch with a baby stuck to my tit,” she says, holding the phone down to where I can see her 2-month-old daughter.

“Awww, Ava looks so cute,” I say. “But I think I’ve seen enough of your nipple for now, thank you very much.”

Michelle ended up falling hard for her Brazilian client. He got transferred to California and impregnated Michelle, who surprised everyone by throwing herself whole-heartedly into being a mother. They are now happily married and trying to figure out how to raise a baby girl. She likes to make jokes about how terrible it is, but she’s doing a great job, and I know she loves being a mom.

“You’ll be in my place soon enough,” she says. “Unable to move because someone’s trying to suck your nipple all the time.”

“Trust me, I’ve been there,” I joke.

“Nice one, Katie. Now go get knocked up so you can help me figure out this parenting thing together.”

It may happen sooner than you know, I think to myself. I’ve been talking about going off my birth control at some point in the not-too-distant future with Austin and Tyler. We haven’t made any decisions yet, but it’s exciting to know that motherhood could be in my near future.

“So what are you doing tonight?”

“I’m not sure, it sounded like Austin and Tyler had something in mind for this evening. Maybe they’re taking me out to dinner.”

“Ah yes, I remember those days of spontaneous fun and going out to places. And wearing things not covered in baby vomit,” she says, shifting Ava to the other side.

“Ha. What are you doing tonight?”

“You’re looking at it. Maybe Paulo and I can fall asleep on the couch watching reruns, if we’re lucky.”

“You wouldn’t trade it for the world, though,” I say.

“You’re right, I wouldn’t,” she smiles. “Well, give your mom a kiss for me, and say hi to A and T. Love you, Katie.”

“Love you, too, Michelle,” I say.

I’ll have to remember to tell Austin and Tyler how big Ava looks now. They both love that baby as much as I do. It’s exciting to see them hold the baby and picture what great dads they would make.

And finally, they get home. I run and greet them at the door, eager to see them after a day apart.

“Hey baby!” Austin says, giving me a kiss.

“We missed you.” Tyler kisses my other cheek.

“I missed you too,” I say.

“Are you ready to go?” Austin says. “You have everything you need?”

“Now, how would I know what I need when you haven’t told me where we’re going?”

“That’s what makes it so fun,” Tyler says. “Come on, you don’t need anything.”

They drive me out to that quiet beach north of town, the one they took me to about a year ago when we first said that we love each other. It’s empty and beautiful. The sun is closer and closer to dipping below the horizon line of the ocean, turning the sky orange and pink.

My pulse quickens as we walk through the sand arm in arm. They seem to be up to something, and I feel the excitement growing as we stop near the water.

“Katie, you’ve brought us so much joy this past year,” Austin begins, facing me. “We’re hopelessly in love with you. You’re the most important, most precious part of our lives.”

“You’ve changed our lives for the better. You’ve made us become better men. You’ve filled our hearts with love, and we want to spend the rest of our lives with you,” Tyler says.

“We want to be with you, come what may, by your side, to treasure you...”

“Forever.”

And I can’t believe my eyes as they go down on their knees, presenting black boxes with rings to me.

“Katie, will you marry us?”

My eyes fill with tears, and I look into their eyes. With all my heart, I say, “Yes! I will!”

They put the rings on my finger – two gorgeous diamond rings that interlock – and the three of us embrace. I’m laughing and crying, my heart so full of love for these two men.

We know that it won’t be a legal ceremony, but that doesn’t matter to us. What matters is that we will promise to love each other with our hearts and souls. We’ll stand before our family and friends and celebrate our love.

As we hold each other tenderly on that beach, I imagine our future together – a wedding, travel and adventure in new places, children. But above all, I see a life full of love – unexpected, wonderful, crazy and magical love. I hold onto it with all my might.