Beth Richards took over after Jamie and Robbie finished reading the will. She raised her arms in supplication to the Goddess, her diminutive apprentices, K.P. and D.J. following suit. The room became quiet again. The only sounds heard were the quiet beeping of Ben's heart monitor and his raspy breathing. I looked closely at Ben. His skin seemed almost transparent and appeared almost as if he glowed with an inner light.
Beth asked Carol, "Carol Anne, do you have your old knotted cord with you?" Suddenly I had a feeling of 'déja vu all over again'.
Carol replied. "Yes, I do. I've kept it with me all this time. It's in my purse."
Beth asked Jamie to fetch Carol's purse. When he brought it, Beth said. "Carol Anne, get it out for me please."
Carol pulled a battered looking but very familiar piece of string out of her purse and handed it to Beth, with a questioning look. Beth suddenly took on even more of an otherworldly appearance. She took the string, raised the open loop into the air and pronounced. "The Goddess is pleased. The string is still sound and the knot tight. The union it symbolizes is still solid despite years of separation."
Beth said, "Before I begin, Benjamin has more to say. Carol Anne, please remove your diamond and hold out your left hand to Ben. "
Carol nervously did as asked. When she removed her diamond ring, Robbie stepped forward, took it from her, and whispered he'd give it back afterward.
The light in Ben's eyes intensified as he took Carol's left hand in his. "Carol Anne Lloyd, it has been my privilege and honour to be your husband-friend, but the time has come to break that bond so you can move on and allow the Plan to come to fruition. We do this so that you can tie a new knot with David, Diane and Riekie." Carol seemed to know what was coming and tried to pull back, but Ben held her hand firmly. "Carol Anne Lloyd, I, Benjamin Franklin Young do herewith and forever release and absolve you from your marital vows to me. I further relinquish all claims to your heart and body." With that, he gently removed Carol's wedding ring and handed it to Bob for safe keeping.
Carol was reluctant, but knew what she had to do. She nervously followed his lead. "B-benjamin F-franklin Young... I, C-carol Anne L-loyd do herewith and forever release and absolve you from your marital vows to me. I further relinquish all claims to your heart and body." Likewise, she removed Ben's wedding ring and also handed it across the bed to Bob. She then bent and kissed Ben sweetly on the lips. She told me later she had suspected something of this sort from a bit of conversation she overheard between Ben and Beth a few days before, but it still didn't make it any easier. She knew he felt it had to be done, but she felt like she was abandoning her friend.
Ben then motioned to Robbie, who handed him another ring. As Ben slipped it onto the ring finger of his left hand, I noticed it was well worn. Ben smiled in wonder, seemed to focus on the distance and called out to apparently thin air. "I'm almost done, Love. I'll be home in a little while. Be patient a little longer. I love you." His gaze refocused into the room as he explained, "Kate is calling me home. I told her I'd be along shortly, as soon as I'm finished here. Your mother says hello, boys and she's really proud of you."
Jamie and Robbie, stoic to this point, openly had tears in their eyes. Jamie spoke for both. "We miss you, Mom. Take good care of Dad when he comes home."
The fevered light in Ben's eyes diminished a little as he lay back against his pillow and relaxed. His breathing seemed easier, and that smile of wonderment never left him as he watched the rest of the proceedings.
Beth now turned her attention to Diane and me, her small attendants firmly at her side. "Diane Marie, please remove your diamond." Diane took off her diamond engagement ring. Once again, Robbie stepped forward and received it for safe keeping, promising to return it later.
Diane looked almost panic-stricken that I might release her from her vows, but was soon reassured by Beth's next words. "Diane Marie, don't be afraid. David isn't releasing you. Please move your wedding ring to your right hand." Diane did so as Beth explained, "You will be tying a new knot with David and the others. Do you fully understand you will now be sharing David completely with these two others as full partners in your marriage regardless and irrespective of the Law, and that you will be 'Third Wife?'
Diane, relieved, nodded, and said softly, "I do."
Beth then asked Carol and Riekie a similar question. "Carol Anne and Riekie, do you understand you will now be sharing David completely with Diane Marie, that you are reaffirming your original vows and adding her to your marriage, and that she is relinquishing some of her rights as the legal wife to you?"
Carol and Riekie each answered, "I do."
Beth then spoke to me. "David, please move your wedding ring to your right hand. Do you understand what I just asked of Diane Marie, Carol Anne and Riekie?"
Eyebrows raised, I did as directed and answered. "I do."
Beth held out her hand to Robbie. He produced a small leather pouch, from which Beth extracted three lady's wedding bands. I noticed they were very similar to the ones Carol and Riekie wore. She handed one each to K.P. and D.J. and kept the third for herself. Then she drew out a fourth ring, almost identical to the one Carol gave me for my birthday so long ago. She kept this one herself too. She explained as she received the rings from Robbie, "These rings are Robbie and Jamie's wedding presents to you."
Beth raised the rings she held high and her apprentices raised theirs to match. Her voice rose in supplication. "May the Goddess bless these rings and what they symbolize. These rings are the symbol, worn every day, of the knot you will tie." Then she and her tiny helpers lowered their arms, holding the rings in front of them.
She had D.J. hand me her ring. "David, place Carol Anne's ring on her hand and say 'Carol Anne Lloyd, I thee wed'."
I slipped her ring onto Carol Anne's hand "Carol Anne Lloyd, I thee wed."
K.P handed me Riekie's ring. "David, place Riekie's ring on her hand and say 'Hendrieka Maria Lloyd, I thee wed'."
I slipped Riekie's ring onto her hand. "Hendrieka Maria Lloyd, I thee wed."
Beth then handed me Diane's ring. "David, place Diane's ring on her hand and say 'Diane Marie Lloyd, I thee wed'."
I slipped Diane's ring onto her hand. "Diane Marie Lloyd, I thee wed."
All three rings fit the ring finger of their left hands. I marveled at how Beth knew which ring belonged to which wife. Diane's might have been easier, as her fingers were so much smaller, but how had they gotten the sizes? I found out later that all jewelers keep their customers' ring sizes on record. It took a little detective work to locate Riekie's, but the other two and myself were easy. My size and Diane's were on file with my friend, and Ben knew Carol's size from when he married her.
Beth handed my ring to the girls such that they all held it. "Carol Anne, Riekie and Diane Marie take David's ring, read the inscription inside aloud together and place it on his hand together. Say 'William David Lloyd, we thee wed'."
My Girls (Oh! Dear God! It's REAL!) read the inscription as one voice. "Diane, Riekie, Carol and Dave 1985 Hearts Entwined Forever."
Carol and Riekie smiled sweetly at the update then all three slipped it onto my ring finger where it belonged. It fit!
All three again spoke as one voice. "William David Lloyd, We thee wed."
Beth then had us join our ring hands across Ben's bed. Aside from repeating Beth's words and the girls reading the inscription, no one had uttered a word while we exchanged rings. Once we held each others' hands, Beth then wrapped Carol's string cunningly around the original three, Carol, Riekie and me, binding us together. She spoke, her voice soft, but commanding.
"You three, Riekie, Carol Anne and David originally wed yourselves under the sacred knot, and promised rings to each other. Those rings which you still wear were finally exchanged when you made a new declaration that you were wed to each other. Then, again, under the sacred knot, you bound yourselves to all. This is to reaffirm that night twenty years ago tonight. Happy Anniversary"!
Beth produced a new string, longer, stronger, and quite ornate from a previously invisible pocket in her gown. She wrapped it around all four hands such that all four were bound securely, and tied a tight, secure knot. Ben laid his hand over ours. Beth intoned. "The inscription is identical on all four of the new rings. Now, under the sacred knot you will bind yourselves to all. Say together after me. 'We, Carol Anne Lloyd, Hendrieka Maria Lloyd, Diane Marie Lloyd and William David Lloyd take solemn oath and promise before these witnesses that we are now wed, each to each and all to each other in love and friendship forever."
The four of us repeated the vow in unison.
Bob spoke in clear tones, his voice ringing in joy and pride, "I am Witness to this joining of four hearts. Let no man put it asunder." Jamie and Robbie each repeated Bob's words.
From her traveling bag Beth took out one of those special cakes like Mom had used, that wasn't a wedding cake per se, but more like bread. She had the four of us cut it into four more or less equal pieces with our still-bound hands using a small knife she also drew out of her traveling bag. She bade us each take a bite of a piece then a bite from each others' until all four pieces had been bitten by each of us. Then she took the remaining bits and passed them to the others, including the children. Even Ben took a nibble of each piece as it was passed to him. She took a small bit of each herself. By the time everyone had a bite of each piece, the cake was all gone.
Beth spoke again. "You three, Riekie, Carol Anne and David are now thrice joined by the sacred bridal knot and tonight have joined with Diane Marie under a new knot. Tonight the four of you have exchanged new rings and said a vow to each other, declaring and promising eternal love and friendship. You have shared the bounty of the earth represented by this cake with each other and your friends. As Her earthly representative present, I give you the blessing of the Goddess and pronounce you Wed in Her sight and to the world. David, please kiss your brides."
Third time's the charm (I'm counting Paul and the aunts) — I wasn't slow this time. I took first Carol Anne, then Riekie, then Diane into my embrace and kissed them hungrily. It was quite awkward with our left hands tied together like that and on opposite sides of Ben's bed. We had to reach across the bed, trying not to fall on top of Ben while I kissed each, but we managed after all.
When we separated from our kisses, Beth moved around the bed and kissed each of us sweetly on the lips. She then motioned for Bob, then Jamie, Robbie and the twins to do the same. Bob and the boys got sweet kisses from the girls, and a hug and handshake from me. The twins got huge hugs and kisses from the four of us. I was immensely proud of my little princesses. Ben, the mover and shaker behind all this, got the special treatment. All three of my wives gave him sweet, lingering kisses. I held his hand and kissed him on the forehead. I noticed his breathing was getting very shallow, and the light in his eyes was dimming.
I spoke for my family, a huge lump the size of Ontario in my throat. "Benjamin, you are the kindest, most wonderful friend any person could ever have. Thank you. We love you."
After all the kisses, hugs and handshakes, Beth spoke again. "Now the circle is complete." Now I knew what it meant! I had I heard it before, but this time I knew!
Beth unraveled the strings without untying the knots, and gave them to Carol, saying. "First Wife, you kept the first, now keep them both. If you elect a new First Wife, you are still the Keeper, as you are still First Wife in time."
<Elect a First Wife? Now there's a novel idea! That could very well be the subject of our first family meeting.>
We were all standing around Ben's bed, feeling good about ourselves. I had moved around so I had my arms around two wives, Carol on the right, Riekie on the left with the third, Diane, in front, leaning back into me, holding hands with the other two, and the twins cuddled into us. We were facing Ben when his eyes suddenly blazed and a smile of ultimate joy lit up his haggard face as he leaned forward, arms outstretched. "Kate! My Love! You're here! I'm coming! My work here is finally done and I'm on my way home!"
Two small voices piped up. "Uncle Ben!" Ben's eyes refocused briefly as he looked at the twins in response to their call. "She is really pretty, Uncle Ben! You can go with her now. She's waiting."
Ben relaxed back against the bed; his arms fell to his sides; the light in his eyes faded to almost nothing. He whispered my name and I leaned close to hear him. "Goodbye, David, my dear, dear friend. I'll miss you and our talks, but Kate wants me home. She likes you. Say goodbye to all our family for me. Think well of me."
Tears running unashamedly down my cheeks, I whispered back as I kissed him on the cheek, "Good bye Benjamin, my cherished friend. Say hello to Kate for me. May the Goddess protect you."
Ben's last words were almost below the threshold of hearing, "And guide your spirit. See ya, David."
Ben closed his eyes, that beatific smile still on his face. His body seemed to shrink in on itself, and the quietly beeping heart monitor changed to a steady tone. Riekie instantly became the professional and sprang to my side. She checked for a pulse then stood back. With tears running down her face, she whispered, "He's gone." She looked at her watch. "I make the time eight fifteen Mountain, ten fifteen Eastern. Wasn't it around ten o'clock at home when your mother married us that time?"
Beth said the Goddess' benediction, and turned away from Ben's bedside with tears in her eyes. She never looked back.
Carol broke down in tears in Diane's arms. D.J. tugged at her gown to get her attention. Carol looked down at her. "Don't cry Mommy Carol. Uncle Ben left with that nice lady. He's happy now, and he doesn't hurt anymore." Carol stared at our daughter in wonder, a small smile beginning to replace her tears.
She tousled D.J.'s golden locks. "Thank you, Sweetheart." 'From out the mouths of babes' came healing.
K.P. slipped her small hand in mine. "Don't cry, Daddy, Uncle Ben said nobody should cry. He wants us to go home to his old house and have Christmas."
Right then I didn't feel much like Christmas, but then I thought Ben died happy, mission accomplished, into the waiting arms of his beloved wife. Who were we to spoil his happiness by mourning over an empty shell? I squared my shoulders, said goodbye to my friend one more time, and prepared to get on with our lives. That was what Ben wanted, and the whole purpose of his 'project' that brought us all together here today. I gathered my family into a tight group hug as we began the process of healing from our loss.
When Ben's heart monitor 'flat lined', it must have set off an alarm at the nursing station, because within a few minutes, the nurse arrived. Because death was the expected outcome in this place, there was no great urgency, and the nursing staff respected the time families needed immediately following the passing of a loved one. When the nurse entered the room, she checked Ben for vital signs, then turned off all the equipment and removed the IV. The only life support he'd been on was the IV drip that maintained some fluids and administered his pain killer. She commented on the smile still evident on Ben's face. "Looks like he went peacefully and happy."
Riekie told the nurse, "Yes, he did. He said his dead wife came to take him home. He said goodbye to all of us, and then he was gone. I marked the T.O.D. as 8:15 PM Mountain Standard. As the physician present, I can sign the Death Certificate if you want." The nurse marked the time Riekie told her on the chart, had Riekie sign it then asked if we needed more time with Ben.
Riekie queried us. "Do we need to stay?"
Not one of us wanted to stay any longer. Ben was gone, why stand guard over his empty shell? Jamie and Robbie had to remain behind to finalize some arrangements, but there wasn't much; Ben had been very thorough in his preparations. The girls retrieved their clothing from the bathroom, we gathered up all the things we'd brought, including the Christmas gifts and prepared to leave. Robbie returned Carol and Diane's diamond rings to them and Beth told them to put them back on. Bob placed Carol and Ben's wedding bands in the leather pouch Robbie had used for the new bands and presented them to Carol.
We continued to mill about, somewhat embarrassed at the 'social correctness' of the situation. Finally, we all decided to leave. The girls asked Beth if she'd like to come to Carol's home for awhile. Beth demurred, saying she should get home to her own family on Christmas Eve. Jamie and Robbie said they might come over later, but after they finished at the hospital, thought they'd either 'hang out together' or maybe go to their girlfriends' for some 'TLC'. They were all alone now, and were kind of adrift, but I think they just needed some private time. Carol left the invitation open, and said their beds were ready any time they wanted to come. She reminded them they were still expected for Christmas dinner, as that had been their original plan before Ben was taken to the hospital.
The rest of us, including Bob, were going to Carol's. That decision made, we all picked up an armload of stuff and headed down to the parking lot. Bob helped us load the things we'd taken up back into the van. It was a bitterly cold night, but the van started well. Everyone except Bob climbed into the van, Carol riding up front with me to give directions. Diane and Riekie rode in back with the twins, who were starting to get sleepy. Bob had his own car, knew the way, and said he'd meet us there. As we pulled out of the parking lot, Carol said, "OK, David, take us home and love us, Ben would want that."
Ben passed away at eight fifteen. We were on the road to his home from the hospital by nine. It seemed like an eternity, but little more than forty five minutes had passed. Strangely enough, while we mourned the passing of a dear friend, we all felt uplifted by the experience. Ben had passed happily, and had given us the gift of restoring our marriage. I felt we could celebrate Christmas with easy hearts.
We arrived at Carol's house within twenty minutes. There was hardly any traffic because of the Holiday, and Carol knew the way well. When we arrived at her house, I was astounded at the size of it. It was more like a mansion than a house. There weren't any lights on inside, but the outside was nicely lit up with Christmas lights. Carol had said they didn't use much more than half of it. Now I understood why -- it was way too much house for two people with simple needs. Bob pulled into the driveway a few minutes behind us. Carol unlocked the front door, and Bob helped me carry in the twins, who had fallen asleep on the drive there. Carrying my burden of sleeping six year old, I didn't have much opportunity to look around.
Carol guided us upstairs to a bedroom with twin beds. This was the room she was going to set up as a nursery, but because of the turmoil over Ben's illness hadn't started on it yet. She said it had been the boys' room when they were younger. Now, whenever they came over, they used a couple of the spare bedrooms. She said she never knew when they might appear on her doorstep, so she always kept those rooms ready for them. Riekie and Diane followed us carrying suitcases for the kids. Bob and I each laid a child on a bed then Riekie undressed them to their underwear, a real chore when the kids were out cold and limp as rag dolls. She said she had pajamas for them, but it would be just too difficult to get them on now. We tucked them in and gave each a goodnight kiss. All three of my wives snuggled up to me as we watched the little ones sleep. Riekie giggled and said if we checked later, they'd both be in the same bed — they did it all the time.
With the kids tucked in, Carol gave us a quick tour. There were several bedrooms, only five of which looked used, including where the youngsters slept. The first one, immediately at the top of the stairs was Carol's own, the feminine touches obvious. Two were obviously the ones reserved for Jamie and Robbie. One was Ben's, across from Carol's, apparent by the still unmade bed and the medical paraphernalia. It also looked like he'd used it as an office when he was able to get up. She showed us that each room had its own separate bath, and every room, including hers, except the one where the twins were sleeping had a king-size bed, just as Carol had said. The whole upstairs was more hotel-like than a home.
Directly across the long central hall from the children's room was what could only be described as the master bedroom. It was huge, with another of those king-size beds, but the centre piece was a six-person hot tub. The decor was a little garish, more suited in my mind to a bordello. Carol said she used the hot tub occasionally to relax in, and before his lesions re-opened, Ben liked to sit and soak as well. She said when the boys lived there, they and their girlfriends used it occasionally as well, but Ben had always insisted on a level of decorum when they used it co-ed that the boys and their ladies found restrictive.
The en suite bath had a shower big enough I thought the whole Calgary Stampeders football team could use it at once. It had multiple pulsating shower heads and even molded seats. I'd never seen a private shower so big. An ornate toilet, a bidet, and a long mirrored vanity with three sinks completed the appointments in the master bath. The lighting in the bath was excellent.
I asked why the bedroom and bath had been designed this way. She said it was the architect's idea, and he had sold Ben on the design, saying that some of the potential buyers at the time were 'swingers'. Since then, it turned out the blatant hedonism of the master bedroom and bath actually turned off prospective buyers, and Ben despaired of ever unloading what he called a 'pink elephant'. Although the fittings were ornate and brash to my taste, the basic concept itself made sense for our unique family. I was already planning how to accommodate all of us, and filed this idea away for future reference. With our windfall from Ben, I thought we could afford it now.
Carol said the hot tub was the only part of the master bedroom they ever used. To her knowledge, the bed had never been slept in, although she kept it made up, as she did all the beds because the house was permanently listed for viewing. Diane and Riekie looked at each other, gave Carol and me a sultry look and grinned. I knew those two were planning on remedying that situation, especially when they announced this would be just fine for the duration of our stay. Carol had been going to put Bob in one of the unused bedrooms, but with us now in the master bedroom, she said he could sleep in her room.
Carol showed us the rest of the house. There was a large formal dining room with a table that would seat twelve easily. The fine china and glassware were displayed in large glass-fronted cabinets. It was an imposing room, but there was no 'hominess' to it. Carol said they rarely used it except on the few occasions when they entertained large gatherings.
The living room was enormous, with two complete sofa sets and lots of easy chairs. One set grouped about the fireplace, while the other grouped about the tree, a very homey arrangement. The whole room seemed to focus on that large stone fireplace. Despite its size, this was the one room in the house that had a homey, lived-in feel to it. The furniture was sturdy, but had a well used appearance that appealed to me. There were warm memories in this room.
Carol had obviously been busy trying to make the place ready for Christmas. The living room was decked out similar to the way our own home was, with real holly and mistletoe, and a large tree with what appeared to be a large number of gifts under it. There was a log laid in the fireplace ready to be lit, and several logs piled in a rack on the wide hearth.
The kitchen, which Carol said was the only part of the house she actually liked, was large, airy, and modern, with two large refrigerators, a large upright freezer, and a walk-in pantry. There was a large microwave, an industrial grade gas range with two ovens and a commercial grade dishwasher. The fridges, freezer, and pantry were well stocked with basic groceries and also special Christmas fare. Despite the industrialization of the kitchen, it had a warm, friendly feel to it. Carol said they spent a lot of their time in there, especially when the boys were still at home. The heavy wooden kitchen set with seating for ten had that well-used look only a family can impart.
While we were in the kitchen, Carol had me get a medium size turkey out of the freezer. She hoped it would thaw in time to put in the oven for Christmas dinner. I placed it in the large sink, removed the plastic wrapper, and immersed it in cold water to speed the thawing. She didn't have any pets to worry about molesting the bird, so I felt it was safe to leave it out over night. I covered the exposed part with a clean damp dish towel to prevent the skin from drying. Carol was an excellent cook, but she didn't know this little trick.
There were other rooms, but aside from one that had been Ben's office when he was healthier, and a small functional bath room, they seemed almost sterile. Whatever living had been done in this house had centred about the living room, kitchen, and a couple of the bedrooms. Carol's description of the big house as a 'mausoleum' was apt. Except for the few rooms they had used regularly it had the look and feel of just being a show place, and certainly was not designed with a family with children in mind. Still, I was a little envious of the space available given the size our family was becoming. I did see some design elements that made sense, such as the kitchen, and filed them away for future reference as well.
The tour over, Bob and I brought all the bags in from the van. Riekie had the most, as she was moving everything they owned with her. She said in the settlement with Rick, the house and all its contents had been sold, the proceeds divided equally. She'd even sold her car. Riekie said wherever she settled she wanted a fresh, clean start. She kept nothing that would remind her of what had been a cold, sterile marriage. The only things she'd kept were her jewelry, some memorabilia, her professional awards and all the kids' and her clothes.
Riekie had us leave three of the largest cases in the living room. Bob and I didn't mind that at all — they weighed a ton, and neither of us relished carrying them upstairs. The rest we were directed to take to the master bedroom. Diane directed that our luggage also be deposited there.
Once the luggage was in, Riekie started unpacking the cases in the living room. She had packed all the kids' Christmas presents, not knowing for sure where she would spend Christmas, although as she explained later, she had more than expected to be here regardless, patching up with Carol before coming to me. I couldn't believe how much she had managed, with careful packing, to stow inside those three large suit cases.
As we helped her spread them around the tree, I saw most of the tags said 'From Mommy and Daddy' and some of the gifts were marked just from 'Daddy', or just from 'Mommy'. This girl left nothing to chance that those kids wouldn't love me. I noticed some for the kids without a 'From' on the tag, but as they were set out, Riekie wrote something on them. Others of the gifts were for the rest, marked from 'Riekie, K.P. & D.J.'. A couple of the gifts she carefully secreted behind the tree so we wouldn't see the tags. Some of these she also wrote something on.
We also put out the gifts we had brought with us. When all the gifts were set out, the tree looked more like I was used to. It occurred to me to wonder what our tree next year would look like, with gifts for three wives, a minimum of seven kids, grandparents, and Paul's family. We might have to rent a hall just to hold the gifts!
When we finished setting out Riekie's gifts, the girls went to the bedroom to put our clothes away. Before joining the other two wives, Carol turned on the tree lights and asked Bob and me to light the Yule log. Soon we had a cheery blaze going and the homey smell of a wood fire permeated the room. By the time the girls finished unpacking, at least the living room looked and felt like a family lived there and was ready for Christmas.
As I stood in the wide entrance to the living room, admiring the Christmassy scene from a distance where I could take it all in, My Girls returned. Diane carried a shopping bag with the gifts we'd packed in our luggage. They still wore their wedding gowns and looked absolutely ravishing. The light material hugged their sweet bosoms, highlighting the delectable shapes, the bodices cut low enough to reveal tantalizing cleavage. The gowns swept down, hugging their curves, hiding, and revealing at the same time. Carol's gown hugged her swelling tummy, and to my mind, made her even sexier.
This delegation of three lovelies, holding hands, approached me, and one by one, each of them gave me one of those soul-searing, toe-curling tongue-suck kisses. Just one such kiss was a guaranteed boner for me, so to get three caused an almost painful erection by the time I was released. Diane was first, her kiss starting warm and sweet, then escalating into a hot passion. Carol was next, and seemed to pick up the passion where Diane had left off. The feel of her pregnant tummy against me turned me on even more. Riekie was last and seemed to put a little extra into it, her hot mound grinding into my already massive hard-on. When we separated reluctantly, my head was spinning, and I noticed her eyes were glazed. As I regained my senses, three heads looked up and giggled. I followed their gaze. Directly overhead in the entrance way, hung a large sprig of mistletoe. In chorus, there shouted, "Merry Christmas, David!"
Riekie took my hand and led me to the big couch before the fire. As I sat down, she curled into my lap like Carol had done earlier in the day; Carol snuggled into my right, and Diane, after distributing the gifts from us around the tree, cuddled from the left. I spent the next several minutes necking with three beautiful women and felt like a goddamn kid again. I exchanged hot kisses with the nymphs to my right and left, but Riekie just cuddled into my chest while I held her close. She turned her lips up for sweet loving kisses but seemed more content to just cuddle which was fine with me. It had been way too long since I'd held her like this, just feeling her warmth against me. She murmured, "Mmmmm... So good to feel you hold me again... I've missed you so much... I love you so much, David! Mmmmm."
Eventually the necking reduced to occasional small kisses as we just cuddled. Diane said we should call home and bring the folks up to date. Bob, from his chair near the fire reminded her that although it was only just coming eleven here, it would be going for one in the morning there.
I thought about that then laughed. "Oh, they're probably still up putting toys together, you know the ones — 'some assembly required' -- that always manage to have a missing screw. I'll bet Paul and Dad are quietly fuming, wishing they could either get to bed or take a break. Happens to me every year. I'm lucky if I get to bed before two, especially with the cracks from the peanut gallery." I gave Diane a significant look and she stuck her tongue out at me. "Let's try them anyway."
There was a phone on the end table. Carol reached for it and handed it to me. She laughed. "Well, if we do wake them up, it's gonna be you doing the calling!"
I dialed our number. It rang several times, and I began to think they had all gone to bed after all, but finally Mom answered.
"Hi, Mom, did I wake you?"
Mom laughed. "David? No, we almost didn't hear it. I turned the ringer down thinking you might call, because I didn't want to disturb the kids. We had a hard enough time getting them settled down tonight. You know how they are at Christmas. Then your father and Paul started putting those stupid toys together, and they were so funny, Pie, Jo, and me almost didn't hear the phone we were laughing so hard."
"You ladies wouldn't have been giving them the traditional rough time, now, would you?"
Mom was all innocence. "Who, us? Why David, why would you think such a thing?" She giggled, and I heard more female laughter.
I laughed, too, but I knew they'd been razzing Dad and Paul pretty well. "I know you, Mom. You taught somebody else pretty well, too." I got another tongue stuck out from the youngest of my wives.
Mom got serious, then, and asked. "Where are you? What happened? Rhiannon said she Saw some things, then about a quarter after ten she said Uncle Ben had gone away with some lady."
"We're at Ben and Carol Anne's house now. Ben passed away at eight fifteen our time, ten fifteen yours. As he went, he said he saw his first wife. He went peacefully and happy. Beth was with us, and I know you know more of what's been happening than you let on. Let's just say 'mission accomplished' and tell Val the gowns fit perfectly and looked wonderful as usual. We're sad at losing such a good friend, but he's not in pain anymore, and he gave us so much."
"OK, David, I admit I was part of the Plan. Beth brought me in some time ago. So it went well, did it? Are all the girls there? Rhiannon said there were too many people together for her to See clearly who was who."
"I'll let you speak to them yourself." I handed the phone to Carol. She and the other wives all said hello to Mom. Mom was ecstatic to hear Riekie's voice. She asked Riekie about the twins. Riekie said she had them with her and we were going to have a tree for them in the morning. Even though she'd always worried more about Carol, I think Mom had a special softness for Riekie since the first day she met her. Riekie made an extremely favourable impression on my folks that day. The girls kept their conversation short. Diane was most concerned about the kids. This was the longest she'd ever been away from them, and was obviously a little worried about them.
Mom wanted to know all the details, but I heard her stifle a yawn, so I knew she was tired. I told her we'd call tomorrow and tell them everything. She wanted to know when we were coming home. I told her we weren't sure, as we were staying for the funeral. Because it was Christmas, we didn't know when the service would be. The boys would let us know tomorrow when they came for dinner.
"You're having Christmas dinner? That's wonderful! Is Carol Anne preparing it?"
"Yeah, with some help. I just hope the turkey is thawed in time to put in the oven. It's not a huge bird, so it should be. I put it in some water to speed things up, and failing that, it might fit in her microwave."
"Sounds like everything's under control. Well, it looks like Don and Paul are done. They just came out and closed the door. I hope those little monkeys don't get up too early! You've got two little ones there too. You should get to bed yourself. I'll bet they'll be up early."
"OK, Mom, we'll call again sometime tomorrow. Merry Christmas to all of you. Good bye." Four other voices called out 'Merry Christmas' to Mom as well. She returned the 'Merry Christmas', said her goodbyes and we hung up.
Mom's suggestion to get to get to bed was good advice. It was just after eleven in Calgary, but Diane's and my internal clock, set to Eastern time said it was after one, and Riekie's, set to Central time said it was after twelve for her. Bob was the other way 'round. For him it was only tennish, but he was beat from his drive, having never had the nap Riekie ordered.
I helped Carol close up the house for the night, put another log on the fireplace to ensure it burned all night, and made sure the screen was properly in place. Bob went on to bed and Diane and Riekie went up to check the kids. When Carol and I came upstairs, the two of them were standing in the doorway of the kids' room watching them sleep. Carol and I came up behind them and slipped our arms around one each -- I got Riekie and Carol got Diane. We looked in on the twins, and Riekie was right, they were in the same bed, cuddled tightly together.
We turned together and the four of us entered our room. For the first time in twenty years I was together with both my original wives. Life was good and getting better.