Still, at the risk of chasing my own tail so close I got my head firmly stuck up my own ass like some paranoid teenager angsting ( I know, probably not a real word, but it expresses my thought so elegantly... ) in circles over love and life, I pursued this line of thought further. I thought something was trying to do one or all of several things — tell me something; prepare me for something; or show me something. Whatever it was, I had to resolve it to my complete satisfaction once and for all. And ... there was another niggling question I had to lay to rest — I had grudgingly recognized and admitted what I had felt for Kit all those years ago, but even now, and after much soul-searching and discussion with Carol and Riekie, for some reason I still felt guilty about it. Maybe this was the Power or the Goddess telling me to forget that guilt, to fully and openly accept that I had indeed loved Kit, and to not be so reticent with my memories of her, which were, with the exception of her death and funeral, all pleasant, happy ones.
So ... yet again here I go round the mulberry bush ad infinitum in search of my own behind — I had always described Carol Anne as the other half of my soul — she made me complete. With the other two, at some point I had realized that I also felt the same depth of emotion for them. How was it though, that I did feel the same toward Riekie, and my little elf, Diane as I had always felt for Carol? Once before, in a profound moment of clarity (after another mind-blowing blowjob — any connection? Hmmm ... maybe Carlos Castenada should have been exploring the mind-altering effects of oral sex rather than the potentially damaging ones of peyote... ) I had realized that my soul was probably infinite. Half of infinity was still infinity, therefore I could feel the same infinite love for two women, and I was not complete without either. That particular epiphany had allowed me to develop my original relationship with Carol and Riekie without any pangs of conscience. The fly in that ointment was my overly strict interpretation of how important we were to each other, and that, perforce, was partially responsible for the big breakup.
This past September, in a momentary flash of insight, I realized a corollary to that epiphany, which allowed my infinite soul to love three, and possibly even more people equally. This had permitted me — us — to bind with Diane in our current relationship — a relationship that seemed incredibly strong, vibrant, and healthy, even to an inverse optimist like me. Tonight, again in startling clarity, I knew that what I sensed in September was indeed TRUE — I could have as many True Loves at once or over the course of a lifetime as circumstance allowed. Currently I loved four, counting lost Kit. Nothing — except opportunity — kept me from loving more. It followed naturally that of necessity the same applied equally to all my lovers. Also, it was time and past to admit fully and openly, without guilt of any kind, my love for Kit, and fully revere her memory, allowing her to rest in peace.
I also realized that it was quite possible, even probable, that any one of us — me — or one of the wives — or possibly all or some combination of us — might someday meet another woman, and bind her to us. Allow me my chauvinism and very male prejudice against other males in the relationship — I am not the least bit bi, and I have absolutely zero interest in sharing my females with another male, à-la the alpha male of a wolf pack. The wolf pack analogy comes to mind because of My Girls' penchant for howling when they have been successfully bred. We did not have to deliberately seek out another mate like we felt I had to for Diane, but it was possible and maybe even probable, that in our travels, we could very likely meet another soulmate. I say 'we' because the bonds that tied the four of us together meant that if any one of us met another soulmate, then she would be that to all of us. Life could get even more complicated at some point in the future — complicated, yes, but also VERY interesting. Consequently, I think once again I had a rather happy and enigmatic smile plastered on my gob as I regained consciousness.
As I have noted previously, such moments of cosmic insight are rare, and leave the person who experiences them subtly changed. Someone sensitive to that person can sense the change. My Girls sensed the subtle difference in me — and of course my enigmatic smile didn't twig them at all, did it? Yeah, right ... They exchanged glances then Diane asked if I was OK.
"Yes, My Little Muffin Elf, I'm fine. I'm more than fine. Why?"
"You seem a little different — not in a bad way, just different, like you love us even more than before. How can I sense something like that?"
Riekie piped up before I could answer Diane. "Yeah! I noticed it too. David, did you have another Cosmic Moment when you fainted?"
"Yes, Princess, I think so. When I came to, I saw all of you looking at me. As I regained my wits, I once again found myself pondering how it could be that all of you own my soul equally. I've told each of you at one time or another — and meant it — that you are the other half of my soul, that you make me complete.
"So how can this be? At the risk of becoming an insufferable bore by repeating myself once every twenty years or so, a soul can't have four halves — one for each of you, and one for me. In another of those startling moments of clarity, I realized that my soul really is infinite. Half of infinity is still infinity, therefore, I can feel the same infinite depth of love for each of you, and I am not complete without any.
"It's that cosmic realization that you sense in me, Muffin. Baby, twice now you've hit me like a thunderclap. Princess, you loved me quietly until I noticed and realized I loved you too. Muffin, you loved me beyond hope and pain from the day we met. The aunts tell me Kit felt the same way and now I openly admit my love for her. I think that if any of the four of you had opened the door that first day, that person and I would have had the same experience as Carol Anne and I, and then Carol Anne would have come to me later, as each of you others did.
I realize that Muffin was only nine at the time, but I'm sure it would still have happened, and that puts what's happening with the boys and the kids in a whole 'nother and more understandable perspective! That is how closely all of us, including poor lost Kit, are entwined. Am I making any sense?"
Riekie kissed me tenderly before she spoke. "That, David, My One True Love, is exactly how I feel. As I've told you several times already, I was attracted to you since I first met you, but you were my sister's boyfriend. It wasn't until you talked to me about friendship that I realized that I truly loved you. You did hit me like a thunderclap — I just didn't recognize it. Yes, you make perfect sense, and I know that if it had been me that day, it would almost certainly have been the same. You don't know how often I wish it had been me."
Carol was silent for a moment then whispered tenderly. "Again you describe it perfectly — I love you all so much my heart feels it could burst with happiness! But ... I thought you had sorted this out long ago. What's different now?"
Diane kept her peace, listening to the rest of us kick this can around again. I marshaled my thoughts and tried to explain. "I love ALL of you the same, Baby. I love you so hard sometimes it almost hurts. I think my experience this time was to help me deal with the issue of Kit — and to finally convince me that we can all love as many people as our soulmates as circumstances permit. Despite my apparent openness, I've always felt a little guilty about my feelings toward Kit. Last fall, I thought I had laid that guilt to rest when I was able to decorate her grave and say goodbye with a kiss.
I realized I hadn't when I found it difficult to describe what I felt for her to you, Muffin, even though you accepted my feelings for her without question. As a matter of fact, you had more difficulty accepting she was your sister than as a potential lover and wife. Regardless, I think it's important for me to come to grips with it for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that here, at the cottage, I am going to be constantly reminded of her, and we will all want to talk openly of her, especially to Paul."
Diane finally spoke. "So, do you still feel guilty about Kit? You know we have never felt threatened by her or her memory. What we feel — yes, even me — is more akin to what you do — the pain of a lost love and a missed opportunity. In short, I just wish I had met my sister, and we all wish she had lived to be one of us."
"Yeah, the guilt is finally all gone, and I can feel happy when we recall memories of her. As you said so well, Muffin, what I feel now is the pain of a missed opportunity, and of course that of a lost love."
Carol yawned hugely and nuzzled into my neck. "Can we finish this another time? We're exhausted, it's been a long day, and someone will still hafta get up with the babes a little later. Let's shut it down for the night, OK?"
I grinned and tried to follow up on the opening Carol gave me. "OK, let's get some shuteye, but here's something for you all to sleep on — those possibilities you mention mean the way is now open for us to find more soulmates and therefore, wives. If the opportunity ever appears, and if I read it correctly this time, any one of the four of us, or any combination of the four of us, could find them. Sleep on that one, My Loves, and maybe we'll talk of it again sometime. There is no rush on this, but I thought it was something you should know..."
You could have bought me for a nickel and got change back when Carol smiled sweetly and said, "Oh, we already figured that out a long time ago. What took you so long? We always keep our eyes open for potential new mates. You're right, it's something we need to talk about sometime, but there's no great rush. As a matter of fact, now that we ALL know of the potential, we'll probably never have to talk about it again unless or until we meet someone who has that effect on us. I've often thought it might have happened with Karen Michelle if Robert hadn't met her first. Now let me go to sleep! Benji and Katie don't care how much sleep we've had when they wake up!"
I picked my chin off the mattress, we said our good nights, cuddled close, and quietly drifted into sleep. As I snuggled into the arms of Morpheus, I whispered, "Thank you Lady for everything. Goodnight, Kit, My Love. May the Goddess protect and guide your spirit." I swear I felt a ghostly kiss on my forehead. I thought I heard similar murmurings from either side.
My dreams that night were extremely pleasant, and featured an extremely beautiful woman of indeterminate age. I didn't recognize her, but I knew her. Strangely, in my dream state, this conundrum didn't bother me in the least.
We all slept well our first night in the cottage, and despite Carol's fears they'd wake, the twins slept right through until well past daylight. Like the good parents we were <so I brags a bit ... So what???>, when they woke, we heard them on the baby monitor. Hearing their happy cooing, we all woke instantly and rose cheerfully to face a new day. And ... no, there wasn't the usual morning grumbling or whining about staying snuggled in a cozy bed — this day, we were indeed glad to greet the new day. Sleeping in to the last possible moment is for work days. Vacations are meant to be enjoyed to the fullest — why waste precious time lying about in bed, when you could be doing it on a blanket on the beach, in a hammock, or in our case, in the hay of our special hideaway...
Carol and Diane checked on the babes while Riekie and I hit the bathroom and shower. Riekie and I had a wonderful, intimate shower, complete with some rather exhilarating and noisy oral sex ... As we left the bathroom to dress, the other two were just finishing with the twins. We stuck our heads in the door of the kids' room to get them up, but their bed was empty and they were gone, evidently having arisen well before us. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks sleeping in on vacation is a waste of time.
Once Carol and Diane had their own noisily exuberant shower and dressed, we all headed downstairs, Riekie and me each with a baby in our arms. Prepared to make breakfast as usual, it was a very pleasant surprise to discover Pie and Jo busily cooking up a huge breakfast for all of us with four chattering little girls actively assisting.
Joe and Paul, sitting at the big table drinking coffee from huge mugs, greeted us warmly as we trooped in. My senses almost overpowered by the heavenly aroma of fresh-brewed coffee, I thought I might be able to rekindle my caffeine habit, at least while I had two other men to share it with, and sure enough, after I deposited my armload of infant in its daybed and returned to the kitchen, I was extremely pleased when a beaming First Wife handed me one of those huge mugs filled with steaming, aromatic coffee. As I settled into my chair at the table, I thought it couldn't get much better than this! Note — I may have given up coffee in support of the girls withdrawing caffeine from their diet because of the babies within, but that doesn't mean I sacrificed my habit gladly...
Soon the aunts called us all to breakfast and like supper the night before, served it buffet-style. We filled our plates and found a place to sit wherever we could, but the ladies seemed to have conspired together, and we three men ended up at the main table with overflowing plates of food and our huge coffee mugs.
Just as we finished breakfast and we guys were relaxing with our last coffee before starting our day, the phone rang. Joe was closest and answered it on the third ring. Besides Mom and Dad, the boys and Joanne, nobody else knew where we were, so we figured it was probably for Joe anyway. Whoever it was, Joe was obviously glad to hear from them, and although short, his conversation was animated and happy.
When he hung up, Joe could hardly contain his grin. "That was Janet. She says she will definitely be here this weekend. Her boss wanted her to work, but she told him she had more important things to do, like bring her nieces out to see their Papa Joe and meet the wonderful people who bought the house. She said she'll be here by noon if the kids are ready when she goes to pick them up. She had actually wanted to come up last evening with my son and his wife so all of them could meet you, but my daughter-in-law said no, and only the kids could come, but not before today. She didn't give any reasons, either. Janet's more than just a little annoyed with her. Anyway, Janet and the kids will be here soon."
With the impending arrival of Janet and Joe's grandchildren, my wives and I put our plans to go out to the old barn on hold. We thought it would be rude for us to be away when our guests arrived. Besides, we had a minimum of two weeks to reacquaint ourselves with the old neighbourhood. No matter how tempting it might be to rush, there was something to be said for taking a more leisurely approach and savouring everything slowly and deliberately, like a fine wine or a gourmet meal or —— love ——.
It was a very warm day and according to the radio, it appeared we might be heading into a heat wave. Accordingly, once the breakfast cleanup was complete, we all changed into swimming suits, slathered on the sunscreen and headed for the beach. Soon we were all trooping toward the lake carrying babies, a diaper bag, and a rather large bag of new beach toys — uh — that is, the men carried, the women promenaded ... The kids squealed in delight as they scampered ahead of us and splashed noisily into the cool water.
I was delighted to see even the aunts in rather brief swimming costumes. Pie looked so hot in her clingy, colourful one-piece, it was almost impossible to tell she was a woman in her sixties and I thought she could almost have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Jo appeared a little embarrassed to be seen in brief swimwear and so obviously pregnant, but the lavish attention paid her by Pie, Paul, and even Joe soon relaxed her and she began to enjoy herself with the rest of us.
My Girls had no such qualms, and gleefully showed off their bodies in the briefest of suits imaginable. Diane and Riekie seemed to take particular delight in the fact their swollen breasts and bellies were on prominent display, and I felt they just might have been even happier to be completely nude, regardless of the public location.
I had already seen Carol in a bikini the day before, but I don't think any of us were prepared for the 'Wicked Weasel'-style creation she sported today! Only one word described my First Love and First Wife when she removed her cover-up, to reveal the stunning woman underneath —— WOW!! I noticed all the females present including the aunts actually lick their lips, while the guys tried to hide their — ahem — obvious pleasure at the view. I'm sure my own stunned and appreciative reaction was rather obvious, too...
We were the first people to arrive at the beach for the day, but soon the water was filled with laughing, squealing kids from most of the neighbouring cottages. As well as the women of my own household, there was a plethora of nubile young nymphets parading around in rather revealing bikinis. And ... although they were definitely attractive and very easy on the eye-holes, those young bodies still didn't compare to those of My Loves, and from the look in his eye, I saw that Paul felt the same about his own ladies. As I observed him, he would openly glance at the young stuff so wantonly displaying itself, then almost as if he was drawn by a magnet, his head would turn and he would very obviously stare for long minutes in open admiration of his lovely wives. He told me later that he had watched me behave similarly.
Joe appeared to be something of a favourite with all the kids on the beach, and was soon occupied in a sand-castle building enterprise with all the twelve-and-unders. With all the help they were able to muster, their creation soon became large and very ornate, featuring a sand-covered Joe as the centrepiece of their masterpiece. Even some of the younger of those nubile young things forgot about their nascent sexual displays and giggling like the kids they really were, joined in the construction fun.
Mid-morning, Pie and Carol had a brief whispered conference then excused themselves from the beach for awhile. When they returned, they came bearing a large picnic jug of lemonade with enough plastic cups for all, and a small picnic cooler full of 'Mr. Freezies' for all the kids. Their thoughtfulness in providing cold drinks and treats to slake the thirst of the construction crew and those of us simply dehydrating from all the effort we expended lying in the hot sun was loudly proclaimed by all.
About eleven, Joe started to fidget, and when I asked him what was wrong, he laughed, "It may seem strange to you, but I have always been able to sense when some of my family was nearby. Seeing as Jane is no longer with us, and I know my son isn't coming, that leaves Janet and the girls. I better get up and meet them, but I hate to wreck the kids' sandcastle to do it."
Rhiannon overheard us. "Papa Joe!" she scolded. "We can always build another one. You go meet our new cousins then bring them down here so they can play with us and our new friends!"
Joe and I exchanged glances and grinned. My Wives had informed Joe that he was officially part of the family and now it seemed his family, by extension, was also considered part of ours, or with typical child logic at least his grandkids were considered so by our kids ... Joe didn't need ant further admonishment, and accompanied by the appropriate sound-effects of several kids, Joe rose slowly from the sand, gradually destroying the sand works like Godzilla rising from Tokyo Bay. When he gained his feet, to the delight of the kids, Joe even flailed his arms around, roared like a giant beast, and stomped off into the mist looking for another city to destroy...
The rest of us were astounded at Joe's performance and laughed our butts off at his antics. After he left to await the imminent arrival of his family, the kids resumed playing in the sand and water under the watchful eyes of three mothers and two 'grandmothers'. Paul and I settled back under some shade trees and resumed our quiet contemplation of all the succulent female flesh displayed before our hungry eyes.
After awhile, from the direction of the house, we heard a car arrive, the slamming of car doors, and the delighted screams and laughter of young children. We also heard some adult voices, then the slamming of the porch door and quiet as Joe helped his daughter and his grandchildren carry their luggage inside and waited for them to change into beach wear. Shortly, we heard the screen door open again, then the sound of voices approaching. Our kids all got to their feet and stood together awaiting the arrival of our guests. Remembering our manners, My Wives and I also scrambled to our feet and holding hands, we started to turn to meet the new arrivals just as they stepped onto the sand.
We didn't complete the turn. We all froze, and an electric current seemed to surge through the connection of our hands. Completely mesmerized, we stood there, I'm sure with our mouths hanging open, as this vision (there's no other way to describe it, I was sure she wasn't real) materialized before us out of the brilliant sunshine. This marvelous apparition was clad in a semi-daring white bikini with a white T-shirt over-shirt covering magnificent, unbelievably firm, high breasts. Stunned, we just stared. Like the man said, it was déjà vu all over again. I could never have imagined another 'vision-in-white' appearing in my lifetime. Gradually, we regained enough composure for the four of us to look at each other in stark realization.
Incongruously, once I had fully recognized the significance of what was happening, my first coherent thought was somewhat irreverent, "Already? Shit! I just had the revelation last night? Don't I get a little bit of time to revel in my own wisdom?" Another thought came to me, whether from the Power, the Goddess, or the wives standing with me is irrelevant — what is relevant is that it most definitely was NOT my own, and was stern in its disapproval of my flippancy at such a moment. It stopped my rumination cold: "No! Deal with it!"
Then this wondrous nymphet broke the awkward silence with one of the most beautiful voices in the world. "Hello! I'm so pleased to meet all of you." I knew instantly who she was. We'd never met and hadn't been formally introduced yet, but I knew her instantly. Janet —— Janet Jasmine Carnegie, to be precise. Just like with Carol, don't ask me how I knew her full name. I just KNEW. It was instantly indelibly inscribed on my brain with three other names. I felt a hand squeeze mine and without looking, knew the others knew what I knew.
As she spoke, this charming creature held out her hand in greeting and all four of us reached for it simultaneously as in the distant background I heard Joe making his introductions. Oddly enough, given my reaction at her appearance, I heard my own voice, then those of my wives, reply in standard greeting.
I looked up from the hand I had inexplicably fixated upon and suddenly I was staring into the most startling green eyes I had ever beheld. Separated by a sweet little nose made all the more delightful by a light sprinkling of freckles, a pair of compelling orbs that held age belying her youthful appearance, were framed by a halo of luxurious deep red hair that cascaded loosely in shimmering waves to her shoulders. She was not just beautiful, she was stunning! And I was mesmerized! As our gaze locked, her expression changed as if she suddenly saw me for the first time. I felt a shock of mutual recognition, as that now-familiar current passed between us. There was a long pause, almost an eternity. I found it almost impossible to pull my gaze away from hers.
Finally, almost with a visible shake of her lovely head, she broke the gaze. Now she stammered as she continued to greet us.
"It's ... it's a ... a ... pleasure to meet you. Dad has ... has told ... told me so much about you." Still visibly shaken, Janet released my hand and turned to greet My Wives, and as I watched spellbound, damned if she didn't have the same effect on every one of them as she said hello to each. Stunned as I was, I felt privileged to actually witness that magical electrical connection between individuals that previously I had 'only' experienced directly.
The girls were the first to fully recover their equilibrium, with Diane giving Janet what had become almost her signature greeting by taking the obviously shaken young woman in her arms and laying one of her soul kisses on her. When Diane released her from that torrid embrace, poor Janet had to be supported so she wouldn't collapse. The wives gathered round her, guided her to a beach blanket, and eased her down.
Almost forgotten in the tumult of our meeting Janet, were the two little girls she brought with her. With Janet now safely seated, and My Wives fussing protectively over her, I was able to pay a little more attention to my surroundings. A stunned Joe was still standing there holding the hands of two of the sweetest little girls I had ever seen (after our own, of course... ). Unsure and shaken by Janet's apparent collapse, they clung to their grandfather's legs.
Realizing that Janet had just succumbed to Diane's welcome kiss, as he had almost done the day before, Joe soon recovered and with a grin, said. "Well, I guess y'all like Janet! At least Muffin, anyway! Anyway, David, these two lovelies are my granddaughters, Jocelyn and Josie — the J's. Jocelyn is five, and Josie is four. Josie is short for Josephine, but she doesn't like the full name, which I think will change when she gets older."
I knelt down to be closer to their level, and said. "Hi! My name is David. I'm very glad to meet you. You are very pretty, just like fairy princesses." Very quietly they responded with a shy 'Hi'. I motioned for our kids, who had been standing uncharacteristically quietly to the side, to come over. "Jocelyn and Josie, I'd like to present my daughters, Rhiannon, K.P. and J.D the twins, and Jenny. The babies are Katelyn and Benjie. Kids, please meet Jocelyn and Josie, the J's."
As they were introduced, something eerie transpired. First, Jocelyn and Josie released their death-grip on Joe's legs and shrugged off his hands holding theirs. Then all six girls faced each other, curtsied as one and in unison, politely asked, "How do you do, Princess?" I know, my wives do it, the four kids have taken it past a science, but to hear six — count 'em —six — kids who have never met before and therefore never had an opportunity to even try it, speak a complete thought in surround-sound six-speak goes beyond mind-boggling, doncha think? Almost lost in my surprise at their simul-speak was their recognition of each other as princesses. <simul-speak? Well, trying to remember how many for 'number'-speak is too difficult... >
Once formally introduced to me and each other, our kids took the new ones by the hand and led them off to join the other youngsters playing in the sand. Soon their laughter and squeals of delight mixed with the joyful racket of kids playing. Somehow none of the six thought to include Janet in their introductions, and neither did Joe or me. I think we all sensed that she was still in a state of sensory overload and needed a little time.
That being said, now that the shock of our initial meeting had dissipated somewhat, I paid closer attention to Janet. I had seen her photograph in Joe's room, and had noted her beauty then, but was still not prepared for her in person. She was surrounded by My Wives, Diane on her left, her arm almost possessively around her waist, Riekie on her right, similarly positioned, and Carol sitting behind her, with the young woman between her outstretched legs and cuddling her back against her breasts.
As she sat on the blanket with the girls busily making her feel comfortable and welcome, I made note of her features. Gorgeous, lush red hair cascading in luxurious waves to her shoulders framed a cherubic face graced with perfectly spaced brilliant green eyes, a perfectly shaped button nose sprinkled deliciously with the aforementioned freckles. One thing I did notice — she looked somewhat younger in person than in her pictures, and although I recognized her from those photos, there was also something else about her that seemed vaguely, disquietingly familiar.
She had removed her T-shirt, revealing those lusciously firm, high breasts barely contained in her brief bikini top. Sitting as she was, I could only infer what her figure actually looked like, but from what I could see, she had a slim, youthful, athletic frame with womanly hips. Her lovely legs were almost, but not quite, a match for Carol's bell-weather gams. Seated as she was, and not wishing to seem too brazen in my staring, I noted that her mons was deliciously prominent, the material of her bikini bottom seeming to bulge slightly over what I could only surmise was a plush thicket of soft red curls, assuming the carpet actually did match the drapes ... Overall, the package was... striking. She wasn't a very big girl, not as tiny as Diane, but still on the petite side, and if I hadn't already, I felt myself falling deeply, hopelessly, head-over-heels in love —— AGAIN.
Not having quite made a complete fool of myself yet, I checked on the kids, found that Pie and Jo had that well under control, and joined My Wives and Janet on the blanket. I parked myself in front of them, facing the same direction toward the water. The five of us sat quietly, not speaking, for a few minutes just watching the kids as they played, gathering our collective wits. At length, I turned around and faced them. I winked at Janet and she started a bit. Then I looked at each of the other girls, first Riekie on my left then Diane on my right, and finally First Wife Carol, in front of me and over Janet's head. I asked the question silently with my eyes and a quick indicative nod of my head. They all nodded affirmatively and then the four of us grinned hugely. Janet looked at us curiously, but still seemed somewhat dazed, oblivious to our antics.
Carol lifted her hands from where they had been curled gently under Janet's breasts and beckoned me closer, making a kissing motion with her lips as she quickly glanced downward a couple times. Now I regarded Janet directly, once again almost losing myself in those marvelously expressive green eyes. The age I saw in those eyes belied her youthful appearance. I smiled warmly at her and spoke to her for the first time since being introduced. "Janet, I'm so glad we finally met. Your dad has been such a great help to us, and you did such a marvelous job at decorating the house, it felt like home the minute we entered. Has your dad explained our special family?"
Janet tore her gaze from mine and giggled — ah! The song of an angel! "You mean did he tell me you have three wives? Oh, yes, and I was really looking forward to meeting all of you for that reason alone." She squirmed a little in Carol's embrace, as she appeared to get more comfortable, almost snuggling into the older girl.
I reached out and brushed an errant lock out of her eyes. "You are so beautiful." I almost whispered. "I know it's improvident to inquire into a lady's age, but I feel I must. In person, you look somewhat younger than your picture. How old are you, Janet?"
"You'll probably think I'm just a kid, but I've always felt that I was older than my years. I'll be twenty in November." When she told us her actual birthday was the fourteenth, I felt a chill race down my spine, and I saw both Carol and Riekie shudder at the date. November 14, 1966 — the day Kit passed away — was this angel's birthday. Was there a significance? I remembered the age I saw in her eyes and her comment about feeling older than her years and wondered.
Impulsively, I leaned forward, placed my hands gently on her shoulders and kissed Janet sweetly on the lips. The kiss soon deepened into something much stronger as our tongues came out to tentatively taste each other. I groaned deep in my throat and heard a corresponding moan from her as she wrapped her arms tightly around me. As I broke the kiss, I looked deep into her eyes again and with a tear in my eye, I whispered so only our group could hear. "Welcome home, Sweetheart, welcome home. We have missed you so much!"
Her own eyes moistening as she spoke, Janet whispered back, "Yes! Yes! That's it! I AM home! I always felt comfortable in this house from the first time I was here, but that wasn't quite home. Being here with all of you, now I'm HOME." She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me ferociously, then letting me go she turned and really snuggled into Carol after giving her a sweet kiss. As we all gathered around those two and group hugged, I heard Janet whispering, almost to herself, "Home! Home! I'm Home!" And ... ridiculous as it sounds, I almost expected her to click her ruby slippers together and exclaim to Aunty Em she was home...
I glanced around, and saw Joe watching us with concern. He turned to Paul and the aunts and asked them something I couldn't quite make out. I heard Pie answer loudly enough, I was sure we were intended to hear, "Yes, I have seen something like this once before, almost a year ago, when David met Carol again for the first time since their separation twenty years ago. And before you ask, yes, you will hear the full story, but I think they will want to tell it themselves.
"David's wives told you yesterday that you were family so you would eat with us and feel comfortable included in our activities. From what we just saw, I have little doubt you will be a real member of the family by the time our vacation is over, if not sooner, with a new son-in-law, three daughters-in-law that you actually like and love, and six new grandchildren." Jo nodded agreement and with a smile said something I didn't catch.
I saw Joe stiffen, but both Pie and Jo placed gently restraining hands on him. They quietly admonished him to leave us be for the time being and simply watch our interaction. Then I saw the aunts do something I never dreamed they'd do in public — they played with Joe, tackling and tickling him like kids! As they played, with Paul watching bemusedly, I heard Jo, her Dutch accent thickening in her excitement, exclaim, "Jah! Andt ve vill have a new broder!"
We broke out of our group hug as six urchins came running up squealing and giggling, their young hearts bursting with the simple joy of living that only children seem to truly feel. As they almost literally skidded to a halt in front of us, Jocelyne and Josie exclaimed, "Auntie Jan! Auntie Jan! Look! We have a whole bunch of new cousins!" Then they saw who Janet was with, and without missing a beat, dropped into a curtsy and greeted My Wives. "How do you do, Princesses?"
My Wives smiled at the two children and returned the greeting in their own simul-speak. "We are well, thank you, Princesses."
Janet looked from one to the other then laughed and said, "I don't know how they do it!"
I chuckled, "You mean the two-speak thing?"
Janet regarded me quizzically. "Yeah ... they do it all the time. Sometimes I think they can carry on a whole conversation that way."
"They prob'ly can. You ain't seen nuthin' yet, Honey! Wait'll you hear the other four do it. Oh, by the way, before they start spinning your head in circles, the biggest one is Rhiannon — she's seven and a half (we have to tell everyone we meet the 'half'). The next two are the twins, K.P.and D.J. — they're six and a half, but in the same grade at school as Rhiannon — with the same proviso on the 'half'. The youngest one is Jenny. She says she's two and a half, but I think she's a forty-year old midget munchkin professor. You'll understand if she condescends to speak to you."
The midget in question placed her hands firmly on her hips in that universal female gesture of disapprobation, regarded me very sternly and commanded, "Daddy! Behave!"
Chastened, but undaunted, I grinned at Janet. "See?"
"Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted by a munchkin, these four have been doing four-speak since Jenny learned to talk, and just a few minutes ago your dad and I heard them with Jocelyn and Josie do a six-speak!" Janet looked at me incredulously as I forged ahead with my tale. "And the capper? These three not-so-innocent-looking vagrants over here," indicating the wives, who feigned innocence, "confuse me constantly with their three-speak and completing each other's sentences."
From being incredulous, Janet giggled at my pained tone and injured expression as My Wives and the kids all put on the 'Who, me?' face.
Continuing with the injured act, I whined, "Don't you dare laugh at me, Sweetie, I bet they'll have you doing it with them before the weekend is over." Then I turned to the kids. "OK, what's this about new cousins?"
Rhiannon, the usual spokesman, glanced at Janet, then at me. I gave my head a quick negative shake. I didn't want the girl freaking out on us before she had a chance to assimilate and analyze all that she had just experienced. Smart kid! Clued right in! "Our mommies said Papa Joe was family now, and he's our new grandpa and he's their grandpa, so that makes Jocelyn and Josie our cousins, doesn't it?" Because our kids, bound by their 'no secrets' oath, could not lie, Rhiannon told the truth yet with a parent's permission, couched it in subtle misdirection.
"That was very nice of the ladies to make us all part of their family. Did you two say thank you?"
The two little ones faced each of My Wives in turn then in their two-speak stereo, said, "Thank you." Then, giggling, just as suddenly as they had appeared, the six of them joined hands and scampered back to the beach and their other new friends. As the kids ran off, Diane took Janet into a protective cuddle, replacing Carol at that oh, so onerous task...
Suddenly serious, Janet asked, "How do you know I'll be talking like they just did?"
My suddenly malfunctioning tongue refused to answer, "Um —— uh —— um..." then Diane blurted her own.
"Because you're one of us, Jaz —— because you're one of us."
Jaz? Oh yeah, Janet Jasmine. Seems Muffin hung another pet name using Janet's second name, Jasmine, from which she had derived 'Jaz'. I was pleased —— I always did like that as a nickname.
"One of you? Whaddaya mean? And why did you call me Jaz? Only my closest friends ever called me that."
I started to speak again, but Carol gave me 'the look' so I shut up and let her have the floor. "You are one of us — we all feel it — even you when you finally admit it to yourself. Didn't you feel that almost electrical shock when you first met us?"
Janet nodded, bewildered, as Diane cuddled her closer and Carol continued. "We did too. We're familiar with it and what it means, but this is neither the time nor place to fully explain it. Just let me assure you what you felt and feel is genuine, and it is returned. Diane — uh, Muffin — gives us all our pet names, except her own. So, Riekie is Princess, I'm Baby, and now you're Jaz.
"Over this weekend and the next couple of weeks, we'll get to know each other much better. Then you'll start to understand a lot on your own. Don't get me wrong — we'll explain whatever we can, but you'll still figure out quite a bit by yourself. Now, it's getting close to lunchtime. Why don't you and Muffin carry the babes up to the house while Princess and I gather up their gear? I'll feed the twins, the rest of you can get lunch ready for the mob, and we'll have a few minutes to talk. After lunch," She looked at me pointedly. "We'll all go for a walk and get better acquainted without kids interfering."
With that, they all, including Janet, did just as Carol said, gathered up the babies and cleared the beach with almost military precision, introductions to the other members of the family forgotten.