I walked out into the big living room. The log I put on the fire a few minutes ago burned merrily in the fireplace. K.P. and D.J. had given up on the game they were playing with Diane and looked absolutely adorable as they played quietly with some of their other new toys, seemingly oblivious to us. Diane was sitting on the couch quietly watching as they played. I joined her and she snuggled under my arm as I laid back with my feet on the coffee table. We cuddled and wordlessly watched the kids playing contentedly for a few minutes.
Diane broke the contented silence, whispering, "They're so beautiful! You and Princess sure do make wonderful babies, and I already know what lovely kids we make. I just know Mrs. Lloyd's babies are going to be just as wonderful. How can we so instantly love two children we've never met before yesterday? I love those two as if I'd borne them myself."
I hugged her tighter. "Muffin, my Pixie, the secret with these two is they were raised knowing who we are, and were taught to love us sight unseen. Like their mother, their love is unconditional, undemanding and freely and openly given. They're so open with their affection we couldn't help but love them in return. They're as much our kids as they are Riekie's and mine, and they know it. They belong to all of us, as ours and Carol Anne's do. Speaking of Carol Anne, she asked you to join her in the kitchen to help clean vegetables or something for dinner."
Diane turned her sweet elfin face upward for a kiss. Our lips met in a tender lovers' kiss that gently deepened into full passion, tongues probing, swapping spit. I soon had a tent in the front of my pants, and Diane was squirming. My God! These women (My Girls!) had some kind of spell over me! I had just squirted what felt like a week's worth of sperm deep into Carol, and here I was responding to Diane as if I was fresh from a night's sleep! As we broke from the kiss she licked her lips as if tasting something.
She laughed, "Aha! Mmmm! Tastes like you were doing more than just tickling her like I told the twins." I gave her a questioning look. "Oh, you guys made so much noise we heard you all the way out here, they asked what you two were doing in the kitchen. I told them you were tickling Mommy Carol. Tastes like you tickled her real good." <Giggle> "I better go and get started cleaning those veggies. It won't be long before they have to go on the stove."
Diane scrambled off the couch, her kilt rising up her luscious thighs, giving me a tantalizing glimpse of her sweet pink pussy. On her feet, she bent to give me a quick kiss. I couldn't help myself. I slipped a hand under her kilt and ran it softly up her thigh to her warm crotch. Her lovely pussy was soaking wet! She broke the sweet kiss and pushed my hand out of her steamy little snatch, her eyes twinkling with devilment. "Nn-nn! Naughty boy! Remember, Princess said a little decorum around the children!" She gave me a little peck on the lips. "Gotta go!"
Diane straightened up and literally skipped happily toward the kitchen. As she opened the door I heard her call out, "Hi, Baby Doll! Is there something you need cleaned?" <GIGGLE> I suspected more than just vegetables would be cleaned in that kitchen in the next few minutes.
After Diane went to the kitchen, I sipped on my beer and quietly watched my daughters (My Girls!) playing happily with their new toys. Presently they tired of playing, and jumped onto the couch with me. Suddenly I was smothered in little girl kisses and hugs. They wrapped their tiny arms around my neck, and I held them tight, lost in my love of these wonderful cherubs. K.P., the oldest (By seven minutes, and she'll never let you forget that.), kissed me wetly on the cheek, clinging tightly to my neck. "We love you, Daddy. Are the Bad Times really over? Are we gonna live with you now? Is Mommy gonna be happy now and not cry all the time?"
Before I could answer, D.J. with her own wet kid kiss whimpered. "Yeah, Daddy, is Mommy gonna be happy? She missed you a lot. So did we. Are we gonna be together now?"
A tear in my eye, and a lump the size of Quebec in my throat, I hugged them even tighter. "Oh, my Little Ones, I love you so much! Now that I've found you and Mommy again, I'm never going to let you go. Yes, we're going to be together. Mommy's already very happy. Did she cry much?"
K.P. said, "She cried almost every night. She didn't think we heard her, but we did. It always wakes us up when she cries. She cried last night, too, didn't she? Why did she cry when she was with you, Daddy? She was so happy before. We've never seen her so happy. What happened after?"
I wondered what else these little urchins had heard, but chose not to go there. "Mommy was remembering when a very bad man hurt her. She had to remember and cry it all out before she could be happy again. Your other Mommies and I helped her and loved her and kissed her all better. She's happy again now. I don't think you'll hear her crying herself to sleep an-y-more. Mommy is going to be laughing and giggling a lot from now on, I promise."
D.J. giggled, "We thought she was happy again, Daddy, 'cause when she stopped crying, we heard happy tickle noises and we went to sleep."
Just then there was a loud giggle and squeal of delight from the direction of the kitchen. "EEEEE! MUFF-FFIN! OOOO!!" Followed by the loud, happy giggles of two females.
K.P. hugged me tighter. "Yup! Happy tickle noises like that! Make Mommy make those noises, Daddy! It puts us to sleep when we know she's happy!"
I was deeply moved by these whiffets' extreme sensitivity to their mother's moods. I laughed. "Oh, My Princesses, Mommy will be making a lot of those happy noises! So will all your mommies and me! Those are the very best happy noises! That's not just a promise, that's a guar-onn-tee!" I hugged them close, and tried to change the subject. I wasn't ready to answer questions on how we tickled each other. "Now, Precious Ones, what was the very best thing you got for Christmas? I was so busy handing out presents I didn't get to see much."
Bouncing on the couch, as one voice, they shouted happily, almost strangling and deafening me, "YOU! DADDY! YOU!" Again, I was moved to tears, my heart bursting with love of my newfound family.
K.P. asked, "What was the best present you got, Daddy?"
In the same spirit, I replied, squeezing them to me, "I got three -- YOU AND MOMMY, My Angels, YOU AND MOMMY! Would you like to look at the picture book Mommy gave me? I bet you guys helped put it together."
"Yup! We did! But we always like looking at it."
They relaxed their fierce holds on my neck and settled down beside me. I picked the photo album off the coffee table and we started going through it starting at the first page. It was delightful to hear their comments on each picture story. They claimed they remembered being born and even remembered being cuddled together 'inside Mommy's tummy' as she told them happy stories of her and their daddy.
The twins and I had just nicely got started on the album when I saw the van with a trailer behind it pull into the driveway. I glanced at my watch — about one thirty. They had made good time! The driver's door opened, and I got a glimpse of sexy thigh as Riekie slipped to the ground. She'd obviously been showing off to Bob that she still remembered how to drive a large vehicle towing a trailer. Soon a blast of cold air heralded Bob and Riekie as the front door opened. I heard feet stomping as they shook snow off their feet and the rattle of the closet door as they hung up their coats.
Riekie appeared in the entranceway to the living room, a healthy red blush from being outdoors colouring her lovely cheeks. She was rubbing her arms and shivering. "Brrr! It's getting really cold! It's bright and sunny still and it wasn't bad when we first went out, but that wind is cold! Feels more like Portage and Main in 'Winterpeg'. Can I cuddle with you guys and get warmed up?"
Anyone who has ever visited or lived in Winnipeg during the winter knows exactly what Riekie was talking about. Portage and Main is the main intersection in the city, and is purported to be the coldest windiest spot on earth outside the Antarctic. Winnipeg's average winter temperature and snowfall have earned it the sobriquet of 'Winterpeg'.
The three of us held out our arms and welcomed her to us. She came over and looked for a place to sit. "Hmmm! Looks like my darling girls have all the seats except the best one! She promptly plunked herself, not too gently, in my lap, causing an "Ooff!" from me and giggles from the kids.
She sent shivers down my back when she put her cold arms around my neck and cuddled her otherwise very warm body into mine, screwing her shapely bum down onto a growing erection. Her kilt hiked well up her gorgeous thighs as she got comfortable, almost, but not quite, to her pussy, a truly delightful view of those luscious legs. As she cuddled in, I couldn't help but place one hand on those delightful thighs. She kissed me playfully, then licked her lips, tasting, her eyebrows arched and said mischievously, "So, what'd I miss?"
"Oh, not much. Muffin's helping Carol Anne with the dinner preparations and I'm watching our daughters (Our Daughters!). We were just looking through the book you gave me when you came..."
Every head turned as an outburst of feminine giggles and another squeal of delight erupted from the direction of the kitchen. "AAAIIIEEE! CARR-OLL ANN-NNE!! EEEEK!" Again followed by more feminine giggling.
Riekie arched her eyebrows again and giggled. "Sounds like more than supper is being worked on..."
I hugged her to me and laughed. 'The term 'quickie' isn't gender-specific, you know."
Riekie laughed delightedly and hugged me back. "I'd say from what I just tasted that it was not too long ago..." She leaned close, very obviously sniffed, kissed me and again very obviously tasted her lips. "Hmmmm... Carol Anne, I think."
D.J. poked her mother and giggled. "They're making happy tickle sounds! We like it! It makes us happy too, 'speshly when you make them, Mommy!"
"Happy tickle sounds, eh? Well, Munchkin, I like it too!" The kids launched at her and started tickling. Riekie's skirt was in serious danger of some major exposure as she squirmed, squealing and giggling under their attack. A camera flash went off as Bob caught our happy family scene on film. When we got that film developed, this particular picture was always one of my favourites.
When they'd settled down again, I checked with Bob. "So how'd things go at the airport? Any problems?"
"Nope, no problem at all. The only thing they had left to rent was the trailers and there's not much demand for them on Christmas Day, so they weren't busy at all. We got the red carpet treatment. The girl at the counter had the new contract all ready for Princess (Bob calling Riekie 'Princess' now, too? Wow!). She was really nice. Basically, she tore up the old contract and back-dated the new one to yesterday. We got the lower rate right from day one. She told you it was a lower mileage rate, but it's a lower day rate, too.
"The guy who looks after the trailers hitched everything up and made sure all the lights were working and even mounted the bigger mirrors for us. He checked all the tires for the right pressure, made sure we had good spares for both, checked that all the wheel nuts were tight, and that the jacks and tools were all there and working. It took a little longer, but he made sure we had a safe set up. Hell, he even topped up the fluids and filled the gas tank at no extra charge! He sure went the extra mile!"
Bob grinned and teased Riekie. "Of course it didn't hurt that the guy was falling all over my gorgeous sister, who just happened to show a lot of leg and just happened to leave her coat open so he could see she was braless under that sexy sweater. I bet you gave that guy a major wet dream tonight, Princess. Shit! She even gave him a hot kiss when we left! Poor guy!"
I cocked an eyebrow and looked at her appraisingly. "Don't look at me like that, David! You know how Carol Anne and I get when we're with you. You're so proud of us in public we show it off sometimes even when you're not there. That's how good you make us feel about ourselves, but we don't do it to get our own way or to be bad girls. He was so nice to us I just wanted to thank him. And after the dullness of the last twenty years, it just felt so-o good to be pretty and sexy again!"
Actually, I was extremely pleased with her actions. I trusted her one hundred percent not to cheat, but I was delighted that she found herself once again attractive and even alluring. I was proud to be seen in public with My Girls (My Girls!), and I wanted them to be proud of themselves as well. I hugged her and let her know. "Honey, you did good. I love it when My Girls are proud to show themselves in public. You are the three most beautiful women in the world, and I want the rest of the world to see what I see."
Riekie cooed and kissed me then continued with the saga of Bob's and her trip to the airport. "Oooo, David, that's so sweet, but I wasn't the only one being sexy. You should've seen Robert with the girl at the counter! He didn't tell you about her. She's a real beauty, too! Bob was drooling all over the place over her, and she knew it too! Talk about showing leg and boobies! She gave him a 'Christmas kiss' just as hot as I gave the trailer guy, maybe hotter. Did you get her name and phone number, you dirty old man? She looked a little young for you..." <giggle>
Bob blushed, but stayed the course. "Yup! Name, phone number, address, and a date for tomorrow night! Howzabout them apples, Sis? I even got her age -- very unusual! She's like you, she's older than she looks, about Muffin's age. From the colour of her hair and the way she acted, I think she might have Old Blood! I never thought to test her with an Old Ways goodbye. I think I'm going to have a very Merry Christmas indeed! Do you think Carol Anne would mind if I brought her over here tomorrow night? Hell, if everything goes well, I might be able to make a little competing noise myself for a change." He laughed, a little embarrassed at his own boldness.
Riekie bounded out of my lap and gave her brother a huge sisterly hug. "Oh, Bobby! I'm so happy for you! I was sorry to hear about you and Margaret. I liked her, but I didn't think it would last. I hope this girl does have Old Blood, the way you two hit it off, all teasing aside." Riekie got a little serious and turned to me. "David, you should have seen the way they looked at each other! It was like you talk about when you and Carol Anne met — their eyes just locked and the poor girl could hardly speak!" She turned back to her brother. "Yes, you bring her over tomorrow night. The whole family will want to meet her. By the way, when did all this take place? I didn't hear anything."
"Remember you went to the washroom? We talked then."
"Ah! That explains the hot kiss, too! David! That girl was absolutely radiant after she kissed Bob, and he was walking on air!"
I got up and took Bob's hand, then hugged him with Riekie. I looked him in the eye. "Izat right, Bud?"
Bob got a tear in his eye. "David (Bob rarely uses that name except in high emotion.), Riekie's right. I thought when it happened to you and Carol Anne that was a one in a million shot, but I'm almost positive today I met Her, the One, and I think she felt the same way. We're going out to dinner then leaving the evening open to suggestion. I might bring her over quite early if she doesn't have other plans for us."
Carol and Diane emerged from the kitchen and heard just the last bit of what Bob said, and saw us hugging him. Carol asked, "Bring who over?"
I stepped away from Bob and slipped my arm around her waist, my hand caressing her swelling tummy. I whispered close to her ear with a small laugh. "Still leaking? Did you get cleaned up?"
She whispered back, "Mmm-Hmm. Better than some old bidet, and more fun, too." <giggle>
Diane slipped her arm around Riekie and they both cuddled warmly into Bob as I announced, "Bob met a girl today and both he and Princess claim he got the lightning bolt you and I know so well. He's got a date with her tomorrow night and is gonna bring her over to meet us and maybe spend the night. He's afraid you won't let him."
Carol stepped to her brother and got in the group hug. It was getting pretty crowded around Bob, so I stepped back. Carol exclaimed happily as she hugged him. "Stuff and nonsense, Bobby! If you don't bring her here, then I'll be pissed! By the way, what's her name? Or are you keeping that a deep dark secret until we meet her?"
"No secret there, her name's on the rental contract for the van. He name is Karen Roberts. I got that from her name tag, and I think her second name is Michelle, but please don't ask me how I know that! She lives with a room mate that sounds like Princess's 'Temperance Lady' incarnate with bells on, so I know we won't be going there. Her family is from Vancouver. She didn't get home for Christmas because she's junior and drew the Holiday shift. She's in Calgary because she went to university here and never left, but she doesn't have any family here, and not many friends."
The rest of us almost rocked back on our heels. We knew the significance of that knowledge from the Blue! We just had to help this budding relationship! After all, what goes around comes around. I had an idea. My wives saw the look on my face and all grinned and nodded approval (This non-verbal communication is handy!). "Bob, what time does her shift end?"
"Dunno, why?"
"I bet she's off at four or four-thirty. Those places run twenty-four-seven, and they'll have regular eight hour shifts. Call her at the airport, and see if she'd like to come over for Christmas dinner. Even if she does work later, invite her over for dessert or drinks. Carol Anne has scheduled dinner for five, but we'll hold it for her if she's able to come. Tell her not to worry about the way she's dressed, come as she is. From the way you talk, it sounds like she's alone for Christmas, and I'm sure among us here we can find something for you to wrap and put under the tree for her."
Riekie got a thoughtful look on her beautiful face. "Hmmm! I think I have just the thing! Rick bought it for me, but I've shed myself of that life. He bought it because he thought it was the right thing to do, not out of sentiment, and it's perfect for Bob to give to Karen! I think I know right where to find it!" She ran off giggling, the twins on her heels, to find whatever it was she thought would make a nice gift for Karen.
Riekie wasn't gone long. When she returned, K.P. and D.J. in tow, she handed Bob a small jewel box. He opened it to reveal an expensive heart-shaped gold locket with a small diamond set in the cover. There was no engraving inside when he opened it. He was flabbergasted she'd give away such an expensive item. "Princess, I can't accept this! It's way too valuable."
Riekie was adamant. "Bobby! You can and you will! You've been so good to all of us as a friend, it's the least any of us can do for you. Rick gave it to me and told me to lose my 'cheap' silver one David gave me. He had no idea of the sentiment attached to it. He thought he was just replacing a cheap bauble with an expensive one. I refused to wear it, so it's brand new, and it's yours to give Karen." <I had news for Rick — that 'cheap' silver locket cost almost as much in 1965 dollars as that gold locket he got for her.> "This is the perfect gift for you to give Karen — at least this time it will be given from the heart."
Bob accepted the gift for Karen, but had other objections. "Won't she think it's a little soon to be giving her love tokens? After all, we only just met today."
Carol interjected then. "Robert Scott! If what you and Riekie say about the bolt of energy between you two is true, and the fact you seem to know her middle name is right, then she'll accept it. I know if David hadda shown up with a diamond ring in his pocket for our first date, I'd have accepted it! No questions asked! That's how much I knew he was the One!"
I laughed. "Jesus H. Christ, Bud! You're afraid she'll be put off by a heart locket, and yet you're hoping to bed her on your first date? C'mon!"
"OK! OK! You guys! I've never felt like this before, not even with Margaret! I'll give it to her as a Christmas present, alright?" Riekie took the locket back from Bob saying she'd wrap it for him, but he had to sign the card.
Bob continued. "As far as bedding her, that's probably a pipe dream! Sheesh!"
Again Carol interjected. "Robert! Remember how fast David and I connected and how soon we were sexually active? We were teenagers with little life experience, and certainly no experience with the opposite sex. That was the only thing that slowed us down. I was so wet and ready on my first date, if David had tried anything, I'd have let him. Even then, not only were we making love like wild bunnies by the middle of August, we were married. You're both adults, with all that behind you, and you have our experience to draw on. I think — no, I know, if she had an experience like I had, she'll have her toothbrush with her."
Riekie added her bit. "Carol Anne's right, Robert. David and I didn't experience the lightning bolt he and Carol Anne and you and Karen did, but the second I realized I was in love with him, which was the first time I met him, I would have gladly let him do me in front of the whole family!"
Even Diane had to say her piece. "Jeez! You guys are making me envious! One thing I do know -- when I met David, the very first time, I knew right then I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. That's how fast I knew. My head was so fucked up by what my step-father did to me, I was afraid of sex, but if I'd known then what I know now and been able to feel what I feel now, I'm sure I'd have been on my back faster than you can say 'Jack the bear'. If Karen isn't carrying baggage like I was, you're gonna get your brains fucked out tonight." She stood there hip shot, almost glaring at Bob to defy her.
Bob blushed brightly at their candor. I had too, the first time they'd admitted to me the depth of their initial passion all those years ago and I was a little shocked at Diane's outburst; I'd never heard her use the 'f' word before except when we made love, but it certainly made her point, and just showed how far she'd come in the last year.
Bob laughed. "Too much information, ladies! But your points are noted and taken."
I looked at the time. "Show time, Bud! It's almost two. You better call her right away. We still hafta call home, too, and I don't want to leave that too late. We'll have company most of the evening and won't get much of a chance."
Bob went to the phone, Riekie handed him the contract with the agency phone number on it, and Bob nervously dialed the number. Someone answered, and Bob asked. "May I speak with Karen Roberts, please?"
"Oh! Hi! I didn't recognize your 'professional' voice. Bob. Bob Scott here. <Some things never change!> <Grin> You and I spoke this afternoon...
"Oh, no! I'm not calling anything off! Yes, we still have a date." Bob smiled into the phone.
"Well, Karen Michelle, <A happy squeal on the other end that we all heard, and an interrogative.> I don't know how I know, I just do.
"Listen, Karen Michelle <the sound of that was similar to our own name thing, and I'm sure Karen was melting herself.> the reason I called...
"I'm very pleased you like the sound of it. Yes, Robert is fine, especially when you say it. Anyway, the reason I called... Did you have any plans for Christmas dinner? My family and I thought you might be alone for Christmas and might like to join us for dinner.
"No! No problem at all! It's their invitation as well as mine.
"Yes I'm sure! And what you're wearing is fine! We don't wait on ceremony.
"Good! You'll have a great time! What time do you get off work?
"Four? Dinner's for five, but my sister says she'll hold for you if you're a little late. Do you want me to pick you up or do you have your own car?
"Alright, if you insist. I can come for you if you want...
"OK. Here's the directions and the phone number if you get lost."
Bob gave the address and phone number to Karen. "Oh, you know Bragg Creek a little? Then you shouldn't have any problem finding us. I'll keep an eye out for you. You'll recognize the van and trailer in the driveway anyway.
"OK, Karen Michelle, <Love dripped off those words. I'd never seen Bob like this! He was showing a side of him that I never knew existed.> I don't want to tie up your work phone, so I'll say good bye for now and see you sometime after four.
"OK, Karen Michelle. 'Bye!" Bob sent her a wet phone kiss. He must have got one back, because he got off the phone with that goofy grin he gets.
The girls were all agog. Carol spoke for them. "Well, is she coming for sure?"
Bob was off in dreamland somewhere and took a second before replying. "Huh? Oh! Oh yeah! She's coming. If her relief is on time, she should be here by four thirty or so."
With that, My Girls (My Girls!) threw their arms around each other and squealed in delight, then joining hands in a circle around Bob, including the twins, they skipped around in a little dance, giggling and chanting, "Bobby's got a girl friend! Bobby's got a girl friend!" Bob started to blush, but when they saw his embarrassment, they stopped. Carol spoke for them again. "Don't mind our teasing, Robert (There was a new softness to the way she used his name that Bob reacted to positively.), we're just so happy for you!"
I broke up the celebration over Bob's good fortune by reminding them we should call home like we promised before it got any later. We gathered round the phone as I dialed the number. Mom answered right away. She had us wait while Paul turned on the speaker phone. Carol ran upstairs and quickly got the phones from her room and Ben's and we quickly plugged them in. (There were several jacks in the living room, part of the design feature to allow for different furniture placement.) We spent the next forty five minutes visiting with all the folks back home and bringing them up-to-date on all that had happened since Diane and I left home.
First, we introduced Riekie and Bob to Paul. Even over the phone it was love at first sound, as it had been with Carol before them. It was more like a reunion than meeting someone for the first time. Riekie was delighted with the aunts and asked Jo some pertinent medical questions, suggesting various things. Then we got on to the news from our end.
Mom already knew most of the Plan details because of Beth bringing her into it, but still wanted all the facts as they occurred. They were all amazed at the windfall from Ben's will. When we described the wedding and the twins' participation, Mom was delighted. Talking about Ben's passing saddened us all again, but Mom and the aunts seemed pleased especially with the way he went. As we went on to describe our Christmas so far, the mood lightened again, especially when we broke the news of Bob's new girl and the strong likelihood she was Old Blood.
There wasn't much news from the home front. After all, it had only been thirty six hours or so since we left. All the big events had been at our end, and those had moved forward at an almost breakneck pace. Rhiannon and Jenny were excited about all the neat stuff they got for Christmas, as were the twins. We let the twins speak directly to Rhiannon, and it was as if they'd known each other all their lives. In a way, they had, through their Sight. Although the communication was imperfect, more by symbols and dream images, still the emotion was there.
We weren't originally going to tell the people at home that the twins were my kids until we got there, but you can't keep good news like that to yourself, especially when the twins kept referring to me as Daddy when they talked to Rhiannon, which everyone at the other end could hear. Mom's curiosity got the better of her and she asked why the twins called me Daddy. My simple answer of 'Because I am their Daddy.' wouldn't mollify her either. So Riekie jumped in and gave a quick account of how it came to be. Needless to say, the people at the other end were dumbfounded.
During the conversation, we asked Mom about the status of First Wife. We explained how we understood it, and she basically confirmed what we'd figured out on our own. She emphasized we didn't have to elect anyone, and could continue as we were if we were happy with it. She did see the practical merit in it as we did, and said Carol could remain the de facto First Wife as she now was, or we could elect another.
She suggested if we did elect someone else that Carol should always be the fall-back in the event the elected First was ill or otherwise indisposed. That made a lot of sense to us basically preserving Carol's original position in the family. She also suggested a rotating term of three months so all three could get a taste of it before deciding on a permanent choice. Mom urged us to try to manage as much as possible with our family meetings, though, saying First Wife should only exercise her position when all else failed, just as we thought. I left it up to the wives to decide from there what they wanted to do.
Mom reminded us that although Carol, Riekie and I had been together before, twenty years apart could've made huge differences in the way we did and perceived things and that Diane and I had eight years of actual marriage and accumulated habits that might turn out to be an issue. She was preaching to the choir when she reminded us family meetings and frank, open discussion were the only way to resolve the issues that would inevitably arise. She thought that would actually be minimal, though, because of our strong four-way bonding. I thought so, too, due partly too our almost uncanny ability to think the same things at the same time and the resulting ability to communicate non-verbally. I'd already seen the three women, one of whom was a virtual unknown to the other two, function in the kitchen and at other routine chores as a well-oiled machine.
After a bit more chit chat and visiting, I looked at the time and announced we had guests arriving soon that we had to prepare for. Dad asked when we'd be coming home. I told him we wouldn't know until later tonight after talking to Jamie and Robbie. We'd give them a call again tomorrow to let them know when we were leaving, and whether we were flying or driving. I told him we were all set up to drive, but wanted to be home for New Year's Eve. If the funeral didn't leave us enough time to drive safely, we'd fly. Either way, we would advise them.
We all exchanged 'Merry Christmas', 'Can't wait to see you', and so on. As we said our goodbyes, Mom said a short prayer to the Goddess and ended with Her benediction, 'May the Goddess protect you and guide your spirit'.
After we got off the phone, My Girls (My Girls!) led me under the mistletoe and the three of them kissed me to distraction and a massive erection. Then they disappeared into the kitchen to make final dinner preparations and I'm sure to plot out some female plan for Bob and Karen. A lot of pot banging and female giggles and squeals emanated from the kitchen after that.
I settled back on the couch with the twins and resumed where we'd left off with the photo album. If the kids saw the tent in my pants, they never said anything. They laughed and giggled as they told their versions of the picture stories. Bob sat in the big chair in front of the fire, daydreaming happily.
Presently Diane came out of the kitchen and took me by the hand, pulling me to my feet. "David, come with me, you and I have a job to do. Robert (Another one using his name with that new softness!), can you mind the kids for a few minutes, please? Come, David."
Bob shook himself out his reverie. "Uh! Sure Muffin! No Problem."
She pulled me toward the stairs. "What's going on, Muffin?" She looked back where Bob had settled in with the twins and put a finger to her lips. Aha! Some nefarious female scheme for Bob and Karen was afoot! When we got upstairs, she led me to a linen closet.
As she loaded my arms with clean bed linen and towels, she explained, "Karen may stay and she may not, but if she does, the room has to be ready and right, like we did for Momma Pie and Momma Jo. We talked it over, and if what Princess saw and Robert felt is right, we'll have a new sister-in-law by this time tomorrow. You heard them on the phone. I got all wet just hearing him say her name! Carol Anne said there were more candles. Can you see them on the top shelf? Get down four that should be enough. We need fresh ones for our room tonight, too."
I could see several fat candles. I handed several to Diane and put four on top of my load of linens and towels. Diane said, "Take that stuff to Carol Anne's old room. She said there were some robes in the cupboard by the hot tub. I'll get them and meet you to make up their bed." She ran down the hall ahead of me and darted into our room.