The four of us slept comfortably, Riekie on one side, Diane on the other, and Carol curled up in my lap. I woke to the sound of someone entering the room. Bob grinned at me with that goofy smile I hadn't seen in years. "You never change, you just keep adding to your harem."
I grinned back. "Hey! When ya got it, ya got it! How ya doin', Bud?"
Just then two towheaded kids in their underwear ran up squealing, "Unca Bob! Unca Bob!" He reached down and scooped one into each arm. They showered him with sloppy kid kisses and happy hugs.
"Were they awake when you came in, Bob?"
"They were just getting out of bed. What're they doing here?"
"Riekie didn't have any one for them to stay with, and she has no plans to return to Winnipeg. She and the kids are coming home with us."
The kids squirmed to get down. "Want our Daddy!" They climbed on top of Diane and Riekie, who either faked it really well, or they actually stayed asleep, and two small sets of arms wrapped around my neck while I too got showered with wet kid kisses. How the three women slept through all the squirming and bouncing was beyond me.
Bob was nonplussed. "Daddy?"
"That's me, I'm told, Old Pal-Old Friend!" I laughed. The expression on Bob's face was priceless.
"Riekie told me these guys came out of a bottle. <Well, at least she told somebody besides Rick.> She didn't tell me she snuck off to Toronto to see you."
"She didn't sneak off to see me, although I think it might have been more fun making them that way. No, she's right. They did come out of a bottle as you so quaintly put it. She just didn't tell you who filled the bottle."
"You? When?"
"The year I went to college, when you talked me into meeting the girls again. Riekie conned me into donating to a sperm bank. I had no idea what she had planned for those donations. First I heard of it was this morning. They're great kids, though, although I can't say much for their taste in favourite uncles..." Bob made a face at me and we laughed.
Carol started to wake up, squirming a bit. Her short skirt had ridden up her luscious bare thighs, showing lots and lots of delicious leg. I had a bit of a woody, which grew as she squirmed in my lap and she felt it. She reached sleepily for a tender wake-up kiss. She moaned contentedly, and screwed her bottom onto my growing erection, revealing even more leg in the process. "Mmmmm! That feels nice! Gotta get some more of that..."
I tickled her and she jumped. "What'd you do that for? I was just gonna get comfy."
"In public, Love? You have two very awake small children and one very aware uncle watching your lascivious show."
Carol opened her eyes fully and met the curious stare of two very bright six year olds. She turned her head and saw Bob, then looked down and saw how far her skirt had risen, realizing from his angle, Bob probably saw more than just leg... She blushed beet red and scrambled to her feet, pushing her skirt down as she did. "Oh, Bob! I'm sorry! I'm so ashamed!"
Bob laughed, let on he hadn't seen up her skirt, and said. "What's to be ashamed of, Sis? I've seen more of you showing on the beach than what I just saw. No big deal. You still got great legs, though!"
"Why thank you, Robert." Carol blushed again then went to check on Ben. Seeming satisfied, she kissed him on the forehead. She came back to us, gave her brother a very sisterly kiss on the cheek, and asked when he got in. He told her he'd just got there about the time she woke up. Carol held out her hands to the kids. "C'mon you two, I bet ya hafta go, and ya need your faces washed — there's still pizza all over 'em." They scrambled from their nests in my wives laps and ran to Carol. She gave them each a hug then took them by the hands and led them into the bathroom.
The body on my left stretched lazily against me and pulled her arms tight around me, getting even more comfy. She turned and threw her leg over mine, snuggling in tighter; her long full pleated skirt rising over her stocking-clad thigh as she rubbed her knee on my crotch. "Mmmmm! Feels so ni-i-i-ice! Gotta get summa that! Mmmm, I haven't slept so well in years" Riekie started to rub my erection very suggestively with her knee. I leaned down and kissed the top of her curls. She turned her beautiful face up for a proper kiss, which I delivered very warmly, causing her knee to rub even more suggestively.
As I separated from that warm, sensuous kiss, I squeezed and said, "Look who's here!"
Riekie opened her eyes completely and turned to where I indicated. She smiled warmly at Bob then noticed her own awesome display of leg as her knee continued its playful rubbing of my groin. She wasn't fazed a bit by Bob's presence as she greeted him. "Hi, Bobby! You always walk into a lady's boudoir unannounced? Been here long?"
Bob greeted Riekie warmly. "Hi yourself! Unannounced is the only way if ya wanna see the good stuff, and you're showin' some good stuff." Bob laughed, indicating the tantalizing bit of sensuous thigh exposed. "I just got in. The highway was a bitch coming through the Pass. They had it closed for a few hours to clear a small avalanche. I'm whooped. If I could get you three off the couch, I'd have a nap."
Riekie laughed. "Aw! Poor thing! Ya don't need the couch. If the twins are up, lie down on their bed." She looked closer and saw Bob's eyes were swollen and red from driving. She instantly switched to concerned sister. "You get yourself for a nap, now, Robert Scott! Doctor's orders." She stretched like a cat then grimaced. "Eeewww! I'm starting to smell! I gotta freshen up and get out of these yucky clothes. David would you be an absolute dear and get my overnight case and my small suitcase from the van?" She described the cases so I'd know which ones to bring. She said to bring the kids' small case in too, as they'd probably need fresh undies.
Riekie went to check on Ben. She checked his vital signs, changed his IV and checked the bag attached to his catheter. She was very professional, acting in some ways more like a nurse than a doctor. She was satisfied with what she found, and reported that the nurse had probably been in while we slept.
Diane had wakened by then, also showing a lot of leg, and asked me to bring her travel bag in too. Before letting me go, she gave me a sweet kiss. Then she saw Bob and bounced up to greet him with a hug and kiss. Bob volunteered to go to the van with me to fetch the girls' cases. As we were leaving, Carol came out of the bathroom with the kids, looking somewhat refreshed. The kids saw me, bounced over for a hug and asked where I was going. "Just out to the van to get some things for your mommies. Unca Bob and I will be right back."
Carol announced, "There's a small shower in the bathroom, if anyone feels the need." She gave us a coquettish grin. "I'm sorry it's very small, barely big enough for one person, and there aren't many towels." Diane and Riekie gave each other a disappointed look. "I don't think they usually have as large a group."
Riekie walked out to the nursing station with Bob and me. She asked if we could have some more towels, as most of us were from out-of-town and needed to freshen up. The nurse showed Riekie the linen closet and told her to help herself. Bob and I asked if there was a more direct route to the outside than we had come. The nurse explained the direct route and following her directions, we were soon standing outside in the cold December sun, looking for the van. Looking west, I could just make out the mountains, almost like a cloud bank on the horizon.
It turned out the parking lot we were in was indeed for Palliative Care. We could have walked straight in! I found the van easily enough, and soon had all the cases we'd been sent for. I also brought in the bags of Christmas presents from home. I thought of the small tree I'd noticed in Ben's room, and to make what could be his last day on earth as pleasant and homey as possible, I thought some real presents under that tree would be nice. So I'm a hopeless romantic! Get used to it!
While we went down to the parking lot and back, I filled Bob in on all the recent developments. He'd been in touch with Carol and Ben, so knew a lot of it. He'd been such a part of our lives for the last twenty years and had grown so close to Ben, as I had, that whenever there was news, Carol or Ben had contacted him and brought him up-to-date. He gave me a hug for finally standing up to his father and literally booting him out of the family. The only thing he hadn't heard was that Diane's father and Paul Koorstis were one and the same. I filled him in quickly on those details and also told him about Diane's new pregnancy and about Jo's. He was totally thunderstruck about that, but in typical Bob fashion, soon accepted it. By the time we got back to Ben's room, Bob was as up-to-speed as I could get him.
Because we were talking, Bob and I hadn't hurried. We weren't gone all that long, either, but Diane and Riekie claimed they were ready to send out a search party, not for us, but their luggage. Small shower or not, once they got their bags and had selected whatever they needed, they entered the bathroom together. Carol got delegated to finish dressing the kids, but as soon as that was done, she just had to join the other two in the bathroom! I'm not certain what went on in there, but whatever it was, there was a lot of happy squealing, and giggling, accompanied by some very loud moans.
Bob and I entertained the twins. There was a TV in the room, but we never turned it on. Riekie had packed some coloring books and small toys in her overnight case, and handed them out before she went for her shower. The kids helped us put the gifts under the tree, played and coloured a bit, but mostly they sat on Bob's and my laps, trading places occasionally, and listened as Bob and I talked. Bob never did get his nap as Riekie ordered. Now and then one of the little darlings would tiptoe over to Ben, hold his hand, and kiss him sweetly on the cheek. He smiled in his sleep each time.
I asked the twins if they understood what was happening and why we were here. They said Mommy had explained that Uncle Ben was going to be with the Goddess in a place where he wouldn't hurt anymore, and we were there to say goodbye. They knew when Ben went to the Goddess his body would stay behind. They seemed to understand the concept of death, extremely unusual in ones so young, but then I remembered Rhiannon the year before. These children of mine, so gifted with the Sight, seemed to have a better handle on the machinery of life and death than most adults. Their calm confidence that Ben was going to a better place reassured even skeptical old me.
In that short time I spent with the twins, I learned how much I truly loved these wonderful little creatures that Riekie had gone to so much trouble to bring into the world, and I began to truly appreciate the depth of that beautiful woman's love for me.
Ben slept through all the commotion in the bathroom. While the girls were 'refreshing' themselves a pretty redheaded nurse came in and checked Ben's condition. She made some notes on the chart, adjusted the IV a little, and grinned at the noises from the bathroom. One of the kids was holding Ben's hand when she first came in. She smiled warmly and gave the child a hug. I saw her take note of the gifts under the tree, too.
Just before she left, the nurse said, "Palliative Care is for families to spend time with a loved one near the end. We try to make it as close to home as possible in an institutional setting, but your family seems to have made this room totally home. You prove the old adage that 'home is where the heart is'. Times like this, sitting with a loved one at the end of their journey shouldn't always be a sad time. Life should be cherished, but also celebrated at times like this. I can tell from the number of you here that Mr.Young is loved and cherished by all of you, and that his life was a good one. I wish some of the other families could see your joy in life, even at the end of another's. My shift is almost over, and I'm off now until New Year's Eve to spend the Holiday with my family. I won't see you again, probably, but I just want you to know it has been a pleasure serving you and Mr. Young. Merry Christmas!"
Bob and I were deeply touched and thanked her for her heartfelt words. We wished her a Merry Christmas as well. She looked stunned when I added, "May the Goddess protect you."
But she stunned me even more when she returned a quiet, "And guide your spirit." As the door closed behind her.
The girls came out of the washroom a short time later. All three of them had a little extra glow that I recognized. Diane and Carol both had that almost otherworldly glow of pregnancy, but this was extra. I was happy for them, and had truly enjoyed my interlude with Bob and the twins, but felt a little disappointed at being left out of the girls' fun too.
They all looked wonderful. Carol wore the same kilt she had on earlier, but had changed sweaters. The one she wore now buttoned down the front and hugged her beautiful breasts deliciously, her nipples forming mouth-watering dents in the material. She'd left a few buttons undone, allowing an enticing view of soft curves. Diane also wore the same kilt as before, but her sweater had been changed for a flannel shirt that revealed soft curves and cleavage. She looked absolutely edible. The biggest change was in Riekie. Gone was the heavy wool and tweed look of before. She wore one of those cotton dresses I liked so much with a buttoned bodice, enough buttons open to show some delectably soft, ripe curves. The hem came to about four inches above her knee. She looked almost exactly as she had on a Christmas Eve exactly twenty years before.
All three were bare legged, and I knew without looking or asking that none of them had a single stitch on underneath. And they smelled wonderful! After our experience with Carol in September, I knew what that delectable perfume was, and reacted accordingly -- my penis stirred and became semi erect. There could be only one of them in actual 'heat', now, but this delicious scent seemed to emanate from all three, and seemed familiar. I remembered Carol's perfume from our first date, and recognized it as the attractant it was.
My look of mild disappointment at not being included in the fun in the bathroom didn't go unnoticed, either. The three of them came to me, and smothered me in a warm group hug with lots of tender kisses that soon had my semi now a full hard-on. Riekie spoke for them. "We're sorry, David. We shouldn't have excluded you, but Muffin and I... the tension between us hit the boiling point. We had to do something!" She grinned. "Besides, if you'd been with us, the screaming would probably have caused a panic at the desk."
"No apologies are needed, My Lovelies. I was a little disappointed, but the three of you sounded like you were having so much fun just being girls, I thought I'd be intruding. Besides, I had Bob and two other beautiful women to entertain. We had our own fun, and I enjoyed that just as much, I think. If I'd been with you, I wouldn't have been with them, and I'd be wondering what I was missing there. I can do a lot of things but being in two places at once isn't one of them."
Another nurse came in just then to check on Ben. She was new, and seemed surprised at the number of visitors and the general air of happiness in the room where a man lay dying. Like the nurse before her, though, she seemed to be pleasantly surprised. This nurse, like the one this morning, asked us if we wanted dinner sent up. This time we said that would be fine. Ben was still sleeping, but seemed a little restless. Either he was dreaming, or he was in pain. I thought probably both. After the nurse left with our dinner order, Riekie checked Ben's IV and made a small adjustment. He seemed to relax a little after that. I'm no expert, but I had been noticing all afternoon that the traces on the monitor seemed shallower and farther apart, as if he was winding down. The twins still took turns holding Ben's hand and whenever one of them was with him, he smiled in his sleep.
With a rattle of hot covers, the orderly delivered dinner. For hospital food, it was surprisingly good. They even served ice cream for the kids. As we finished eating, Ben's sons, Jamie and Robbie came in. Carol made introductions all around. I noticed the boys, in their early twenties, giving Diane and Riekie very appreciative glances. They were very nice young men, and obviously thought the world of Carol, treating her like a favourite older sister. They talked and laughed with us like old friends. Of course, they knew Bob and had met Riekie a couple times. They became instant hits with K.P. and J.D. If kids and pets accept strangers, it's a good sign they really are good people.
Ben woke from his long nap finally. The kids noticed first that he was awake and they both ran to the side of the bed to give him a kiss. He was very weak, and could hardly speak, but when he saw the boys, he motioned them to come over so he could talk to them. I heard him ask if all went well today, and did they get what was needed. They answered in the affirmative to both questions. The boys were obviously heartbroken that they were losing their father, but seemed to be taking this in stride. Jamie drew me aside and told me they'd seen their mother suffer a long painful death, and they didn't want to go through that again. If Ben passed quickly, as it seemed he would, then while sad at his loss, they would be glad of his release from pain.
A short time after the boys arrived, another person entered the room -- a striking redhead, almost Amazonian or Valkerian in proportion with a commanding bearing that I recognized. Without introduction, I knew instantly this must be Beth Richards, Priestess to the Goddess; her bearing was the same as Mom's. She might not be a High Priestess, but she certainly ranked, I thought. She was tall, heavily framed with a very full bosom. Her full red lips seemed to be fixed in a permanent smile. Imposing at first, she exuded warmth and friendliness.
Her gaze focused on the patient, ignoring everyone else, this impressive personage went straight to Ben's bedside. Seeing he was awake, she flashed him a dazzling smile. Ben smiled in return and they greeted each other warmly as she kissed him gently on the lips. I was standing nearby and heard Ben whisper to her, "Are you ready? Do you have everything you need?" Beth nodded in the affirmative and patted a large garment bag and a smaller travel bag she carried.
After she greeted Ben, Beth turned to Carol, who was close by with my other two girls, talking with Jamie and Robbie. Beth's eyes caught and centred on My Girls (Finally! All three together!). She stopped dead in mid-turn and sucked in her breath. I heard her gasp to herself. "Princesses! Lori was right!"
Beth recovered quickly and greeted them, her tone deferential. She knew Carol, of course, but seeing all three beauties together was a sight for anyone, male or female. Carol must have told the other two about the big redhead, because as one, they curtsied to her, and greeted her as 'My Lady', which seemed to fluster Beth. She was in awe of them, yet they deferred to her! Carol then introduced her around, starting with Riekie and Diane then Jamie and Robbie. Carol then introduced her to Bob, the twins, and finally me.
Beth Richards was an amazing person. As she was introduced to each person, she made that person feel very special. She clasped Bob's hand warmly and told him he was a very good friend indeed. Beth paid very close attention to the little ones, gazing long into their eyes, as if she could see what they saw and shook her head in amazement. The kids were very quiet, but also very alert, watching everything closely, not saying anything. She bent between them and whispered something to them that made them both smile happily.
When she met me, she caught and held my gaze with her startling blue-almost-violet eyes. Beth looked into my eyes long and hard, as if searching for something. She must have found what she wanted because she whispered, "You'll do... you'll do."
Beth almost visibly shook herself from our stare and said, "You must be David. I've heard so much about you David, I'm glad I finally got to meet you, although I wish it was under better circumstances. I have a message from your mother. 'Protect these Princesses, David. Do not let anything happen to them. If in doubt, follow your heart, not your mind and listen to them this time.' She said you would know what she means."
I had loved and lost two of these magnificent women once because I listened to reason and not the warnings in my own heart. I vowed it would never happen again. "You can tell my mother, the High Priestess I understand completely. I let my guard down once. Never again."
"I will tell her."
Just then, Ben, who had been talking quietly with his sons, raised his hand and beckoned Beth over. He said something to her, and she suddenly seemed galvanized; it seemed as if the whole room suddenly became charged. She picked up the large garment bag she'd brought with her, and approached My Girls. She opened the bag to reveal three simple white gowns of homespun with what looked like a silver cord or sash at the waist. She handed one reverentially to each of the girls. "Princesses, please change into these. Your Mother, the High Priestess sent them for you. She said your sister made them. Come with me."
Only one 'sister' I knew of could sew -- Val. What was going on here? Ben and Beth seemed to have something planned, but no one had bothered to explain anything to us, and Mom and Val were somehow in on it. Almost as if spellbound, the girls followed Beth into the washroom to change. After Beth and the girls left, the room remained eerily silent, in an air of expectancy. No one spoke, not even the children, while we waited for the ladies to return. The only activity in the room came when Jamie cranked up Ben's bed, raising him into a semi-sitting position.
The door to the bathroom opened and Beth led the girls back into the room. All four were dressed in homespun gowns that fell almost to the floor. The gowns were high-wasted, highlighting their breasts. All were identical, except Beth's had a gold sash draped loosely at her hips. The girls' sashes were silver. I recognized the gowns as being almost identical to that Mom wore on a Christmas Eve twenty years before. Beth's commanding presence seemed to grow, and she took on an otherworldly radiance that seemed to spread to My Girls.
Beth led the three girls to the side of Ben's bed and beckoned Bob and me to the other side. She took a position at the foot of the bed, Jamie and Robbie to either side and slightly behind. She turned to the twins and looking directly at them, said three words. "It is time."
The twins then moved up to stand directly beside her, assuming the positions her apprentices would normally occupy. My girls stood across Ben's bed from me, Carol in the middle, Riekie on her left and Diane on her right. They seemed nervous and held hands, wondering what was next. I thought Beth probably had given them instructions when they were changing, but they told me later aside from helping them a little with their gowns, the only instruction she gave them was to follow her lead, they'd know what to do. The rest of the time, she seemed to be meditating.
With everyone in place as Beth indicated, she raised her arms, her tiny apprentices following suit, and simply invoked the blessing of the Goddess. She lowered her arms and seemed to wait. Everyone was watching her, so we were surprised when a new voice spoke. It was a man's, and came from Ben's direction. We turned in amazement to hear Ben speak so clearly after the croaking whisper of the last several hours.
Ben was transformed! His eyes blazed with a feverish, almost unearthly light, and his colour, previously a deathly grey, was more natural, almost flushed. He seemed to have drawn from some deep inner reserve of strength. I noticed the monitor showed his heart rate had increased dramatically, almost racing. His breathing was fast, almost gasping. He appeared to be burning energy at a phenomenal rate. I'd heard of such death-bed energy bursts, but never expected it from Ben — his vital signs had been gradually declining all day — but then perhaps he had simply been gathering what strength he had left.
Riekie started to move, acting as the physician. Ben held up his hand and stopped her, saying, "No! Riekie! I have little enough time, and there is nothing you can do. Let me do this."
Riekie stopped, torn between what she saw as her professional duty, and Ben's command. Carol held her hand tightly, reassuring her, tears running down her cheeks. I think she somehow sensed what was coming. Through her tears she said, "Ben, you don't have to do this!"
Ben's voice, though still wracked with pain, was clear. "Yes, Carol Anne, I must. As I said, I have little time left, and I must see this through." His eyes swept the group, resting on each of us for a few seconds before moving on, much like a general reviewing his officers on the eve of battle, checking their resolve. Everyone, including Carol through her tears, returned his gaze levelly and unflinchingly.
Satisfied at what he saw, Ben began. He addressed the room in general, but spoke directly to individuals occasionally. "Ever since I first heard the story of this incredible love affair from you, Carol Anne, I resolved that if there was any way possible, I would try and help re-unite you, David, and Riekie. I experienced something similar with my first wife Kate, Jamie and Robbie's mother. She was everything and then some to me. When I lost her prematurely to illness, I was devastated as my sons will tell you. There was no way I could recover that for myself, but I felt there was something I could do for you. As I met more of Carol Anne's family, with the exception of the serpent, and learned of the love, friendship and loyalty they all had for each other and David that resolve grew. Although I'd never met David, I developed a great respect for him. Anyone who could instill such love and loyalty in people that lasted many years even after contact was lost was worthy of my respect too."
I was extremely touched and humbled by Ben's words. Ben stopped for a few seconds, catching his breath. He wanted to tell this, and would, but it was taking a terrible toll.
"I had no idea how I could help, then Carol Anne told me of David's promise to sire children with her someday. That planted the seed of an idea. I had already heard the prognosis from my doctors that I had little time left, and only hoped I had enough to do this thing. When we learned her mother was dying, and would probably be buried back in Ontario, I suggested to Carol Anne that she arrange to have David complete his promise. I had to keep my true prognosis from Carol Anne else my plan would not work. She had to believe I would be there to raise the child, if only for a few months. She agreed and then it simply became a matter of how to get those two together.
"I knew we had to have the complicity of Diane because David, regardless of his feelings for Carol Anne, simply would not cheat. I suggested she contact Diane and become acquainted with her, gradually working toward permission and even approval of them getting together to produce a child, ostensibly for me. It worked better than I expected — the two became instant friends with undertones of something deeper possibly, as they seemed to be kindred souls. Now, several months later, we know why that is.
"My own, unstated plan was simple, and Carol Anne, I'm sorry I didn't confide in you, but if I had told you my real motives for having you meet David, you would have refused. Simply put, I felt if Carol Anne and David were put in an intimate situation, they would reconnect, despite Carol Anne's emotional devastation — it might even go a long way toward healing her. David would have been understanding and would have forgiven her sins, real and imagined, taking her back without hesitation. She knew that deep in her heart, and that's what kept her hope alive." Carol, tears running freely down her cheeks, nodded her agreement at his assessment.
"When Dolly passed away, that was our opportunity for Carol to make a trip to Ontario without the express purpose of looking David up. I thought a trip specifically for that purpose would be too difficult for Carol Anne, given her emotional state. How to get David to the funeral was the question. We knew from Diane that his job wouldn't let him away, and even if he could get a day, with the distance from the farm, I felt David would probably just send a sympathy card and flowers if he was simply informed of the funeral.
"I contacted Bob, told him of my scheme to reunite David and Carol Anne. He thought it was time and past they were back together, and thus it was he that had the brainwave to have David act as his proxy. We knew the younger boys wouldn't be able to attend anyway, but Bob actually could have. Thank you, Bob, you've been a true friend to both David and me in this for sacrificing your last chance to say goodbye to your mother for us." Bob blushed and shuffled as his real involvement in the scheme to get us back together was revealed. I slipped my arm around his shoulder and squeezed to let him know I appreciated his loyalty as a friend.
Ben paused again to slow his breathing. His flush seemed deeper and his eyes blazed more feverishly. He was pushing the envelope and it showed. He continued. "Carol Anne and David's initial meeting went far better and more dramatically than I ever dared hope, paving the way for reunion. Maybe it was the intervention of the Goddess, or David's Power, I don't know, but having Carol Anne's father there, with David having just learned of that serpent's full duplicity at ruining his life even after he'd split from His Girls, was a pure stroke of luck. David was able, at a single stroke, to reveal the serpent for what he truly was and basically heal Carol Anne. Whether they made a baby that weekend, after that, became almost secondary, although from what I hear, just doing that alone, as in the original plan, would probably have reunited their hearts." Carol and I exchanged looks and smiled. Ben was absolutely right.
"The point is they did reconnect and rekindled their love. The rest, as they say, is history. Getting Riekie back into the mix was just a matter of time, as we knew that she had already set things in motion in her life to return to David regardless. How Riekie planned to reinsert herself in David's life without causing upheaval always intrigued me, but now I think of it, I'm sure three very special little girls might just have made it a lot easier. That it happened as it has is extremely gratifying. Even more gratifying is Diane's total acceptance of the situation. I think finding out she really is a cousin removed any niggling doubts she may have had." I saw Diane nodding at Ben's last words. Carol and Riekie listened in stunned silence.
"What I really wanted was for their knot to be retied, but I stood in the way of that because Carol Anne would not leave me, and I didn't know anything of the Old Ways. I decided to learn and David was kind enough through his mother to refer me to Beth, who has become a very dear friend and spiritual counselor. My illness attended to the small detail of Carol Anne leaving me — you don't leave a dead man.
"As I said, I knew when the plan went into motion I had much less time than I had told anyone. I made my doctor go along with me. When I said the doctors had given me two years as the upper limit, that prognosis was made over two years ago. I've already lived three or four months longer than they said was the maximum.
"I think I've only gotten through these last few months because of the love and friendship of the people in this room and my determination to see this 'project' for lack of a better word, through to its conclusion. To see it through, I've had some helpers. Jamie and Robbie knew from the beginning, and were the only others to know my true condition. Once I was comfortable with Beth, I brought her in, because I needed her help as a Priestess of the Goddess to do the final bit right."
Ben stopped for a moment, again to rest before going on. I could see his energy level was dropping fairly quickly. Even Beth, who had seemed impassive through most of Ben's speech, was beginning to look worried. The twins had remained almost like little statues, holding Beth's hands. Their brilliant blue eyes were fixed steadily on Ben, and seemed to almost glow, as if they were lending him some of their strength. I think all of us were trying to will some strength into him.
"I'm sorry David, we never got to talk about the 'Power' you sense has been guiding you. When I first heard of it, I was amazed, because like you, all through my life I felt something was guiding me. When my wife died, I felt like it had left me, but it started to return when I met Carol Anne. <Coincidentally, near the same time Rhiannon was born and I felt the first new stirrings of 'my' Power that I told Bob about.> I may get the idea for something, but the Power, or whatever it is, seems to give me the sense of timing.
"Now all the players are in the field and it's almost time for me to leave. Jamie and Robbie will read my will to you now." He grinned. "It's not everyday the deceased gets to hear his own will read to the heirs, but I wanted it this way. It'll still have to be probated and all that legal stuff, but allow me my vanity. After that, Beth will take charge. I'll rest a bit while the boys read the will. I have a little energy left, but I must use it well."
Ben lay back with a sigh and grimaced at his pain. The light faded from his eyes a little, but I sensed there was still that reserve he mentioned. Jamie removed a document from the small briefcase he'd carried since they came in. Together, he and Robbie read it. It was a short will. Ben had liquidated all his assets except the house. The preamble was a little irreverent, and tongue-in-cheek, typical of Ben.
"I, Benjamin Franklin Young, unfortunately named for the man who successfully campaigned to make flatulence socially unacceptable, being of sound mind, do herewith name my sons, James Young and Robert Young co-executors of my estate. They have agreed to do so, unpaid as witnessed and attested under separate contract at Appendix 'A'.
"I, Benjamin Franklin Young of the aforementioned unfortunate naming, direct and command the co-executors afore-named to settle and pay all outstanding bills, liens, etcetera against my estate from my liquid assets and funds, listed separately at Appendix 'C' before any disbursement of gifts or bequeaths listed hereinafter.
I, Benjamin Franklin Young being of sound mind do herewith gift and bequeath the following:
"One: My house, located at (a Bragg Creek address) and all its contents, listed separately at Appendix 'B', to my sons, James Young and Robert Young, their heirs and assigns, jointly and together forever, to dispose of as they see fit with the proviso the current occupant, my wife, Carol Anne Lloyd be allowed to live and use it as her own at no charge until such time as she decides to relocate.
"Two: I direct and command that all my clothing be donated to a worthy and needy charity to be selected by the co-executors.
"Three: One tenth (10%) of all my liquid assets and funds, listed separately at Appendix 'C', to the Temple of the Goddess located at (a Calgary address). I further direct that one Elizabeth Richards administer and direct the dispersal and use of the assets and funds so bequeathed at her sole discretion.
"Four: One tenth (10%) of all my liquid assets and funds, listed separately at Appendix 'C', to my dear friend, Robert Scott Jr., his heirs and assigns forever.
"Lastly: All my liquid assets and funds, listed separately at Appendix 'C', less the two gifts and bequeaths of one tenth (10%) each, aforementioned, to the following persons, their heirs and assigns, jointly and together forever: Carol Anne Lloyd, Diane Marie Lloyd, Hendrieka Maria Lloyd, and William David Lloyd, to be used or divided at their joint discretion.
"Dated: December 10, 1985 A.D.
"Signed, Benjamin Franklin Young
"Witnessed: Robert Charles Young and James Michael Young
"Sworn before: (A Calgary Attorney and Notary Public)"
The boys had a tally sheet with them. The total estimated value of Ben's 'liquid assets and funds' after expenses including hospital and funeral was close to four million dollars! Beth's Temple and Bob would each get over three hundred and fifty thousand, and the rest went to my family! You do the math! In 1985 that was a significant chunk of pocket change!
The boys told us there was an old life insurance policy taken out before Ben got sick, with them as beneficiaries that was worth a significant sum. They said they would use the proceeds from it to actually pay any hospital and funeral expenses, not already covered by health insurance and a prepaid funeral agreement, leaving the estate largely intact.
Needless to say, there was a buzz in the room, and some jaws to be scraped off the floor. Ben looked rather pleased with himself.