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\par }{\b\ul Chapter 25}{
\par 
\par 
\par \'93Hey guys, remember the girl that I know that came over and looked at your drawings for the art show?\'94  Traci came into the living room carrying the cordless phone.
\par 
\par \'93You mean Karen?\'94 said Greg as he looked up from the book he was reading.
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s her.  She is showing some of her work at the Gay Pride Celebration that is going on down at the park this weekend.  She is asking if we would want to come down and support her?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Sure!\'94  was Mandy\rquote s reply. \'93She was so nice to help me out when I was just starting.  I would love to go give her some support now.\'94
\par 
\par Traci gave them both a grin and went back to the receiver, assuring the girl on the other end that they would all be there.  As soon as she had ended the conversation, she came in to sit with the others.
\par 
\par \'93Karen is really nervous.  She hasn\rquote t ever felt that her work was good enough to show until some of her friends finally convinced her.  She is really looking for moral support more than anything.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy could understand her completely.  Even with all the positive feedback she received for her works, she still felt insecure about it.  \'93I\rquote m more than happy to help out someone else like others have for me.  I\rquote m curious though, isn
\rquote t the Gay Pride thing an odd place to display your work for the first time?\'94
\par 
\par Traci looked at her lover for a moment.  \'93Didn\rquote t you know that Karen is a lesbian?\'94  Mandy shook her head.  \'93Well she is.  She doesn\rquote t advertise it, but she has had a female lover for as long as I have known her.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Wasn\rquote t she checking out Greg when she was here?\'94
\par 
\par \'93I think she appreciates the human form, whether male or female.  I imagine that she was looking at Greg for the hunk he is, kinda like if you notice another woman who is sexy.  It doesn\rquote t mean you want to run out and sleep with her.\'94
\par 
\par Greg piped up then.  \'93Well if you don\rquote t want to sleep with this sexy woman you are talking about, then can I?\'94  Mandy didn\rquote t hesitate to throw a pillow at him for that remark.
\par 
\par Mandy continued to voice her thoughts.  \'93In Karen\rquote s case, it doesn\rquote t matter in the least to me.  I\rquote m just glad to know about it before I said something that would\rquote ve made me look stupid.\'94
\par 
\par \'93And that explains why she would be showing at the festival then,\'94 added Greg.
\par 
\par Heather and Adrian had asked to take Jenni for the weekend so Friday night, Mandy dropped her off at their apartment.  Then,
 she came home and had a nice dinner with her lovers before spending some time relaxing and playing grab-ass in the hot tub.  Of course this led to some wild and very satisfying sex, ending with Greg wilting cock still stuffed firmly into Traci\rquote 
s well-used pussy.  Mandy, who was almost recovered from the orgasms she had experienced,
 slowly got up and grabbed washrags and towels to help clean up the other two.  Deciding that they were too tired to really clean up, they just pulled the sheet over themselves and drifted into a very satisfied sleep.
\par 
\par They all pulled themselves out of bed the next morning and slipped into the shower as soon as everyone had taken the time to do their personal abolitions.  By the time they ate and dressed, it was closer to mid-morn
ing than when the Celebration opened.    They succeeded to get past the protesters that came to let their opinions be known and wandered into the area.
\par 
\par They were just wandering through, looking at the displays, when some guy came up to them.  The girls we
re looking at some literature on a table while Greg was standing to the side.  The man came up to Greg and asked if he was interested in a date later.    Greg told him that he appreciated the compliment, but that he didn\rquote t go that way.
\par 
\par \'93What are you doing here then?\'94 the guy asked somewhat aggressively.
\par 
\par \'93We,\'94 and Greg pointed to his two lovers, Mandy showing her pregnancy now, \'93... are here to check out a friend\rquote s artwork and lend her some moral support.\'94
\par 
\par The guy then wandered off saying something about \'93breeders\'94, continuing to look for a date for the evening.
\par 
\par Greg shook it off.  This was an event that he probably wouldn\rquote t have come to except for Karen.  And that really wasn\rquote t right to his thinking.  They all three enjoyed wandering through fairs, flea markets
 and special occasions.  Why should they have avoided this one?  Was it because of who put it on and who the crowd was?  He silently chided himself for thinking like that and vowed to be sure to make it to the next one as well.  
\par 
\par When he told the other two what he had been thinking, they agreed with him.  It was not a conscious decision to avoid them, but rather a thought that they probably wouldn\rquote 
t be interested.  And they had to admit that they were wrong.  There was not much difference between this and say the Founder\rquote 
s Day celebration.  Some of the displays were geared for the Gay community, naturally, but many of the other ones were just the same as they would be anywhere.
\par 
\par After wandering around for a while, they finally found Karen and her booth.  She worked mainly in sculpture, but her pieces were elegant in their form.  As soon as she saw the trio, she came over and gave them all a hug.  \'93You can\rquote 
t imagine how nervous I am today,\'94 she told them.
\par 
\par \'93I think I can understand,\'94 was Mandy\rquote s reply.  \'93But your work is fantastic.  I think you should enter the next Artist\rquote s competition.  Mr. Harrington would probably love what you do.\'94
\par 
\par \'93You really think so?\'94
\par 
\par \'93I sure do.  I know I like your work more than some that I have seen in his gallery.  Matter of fact, I would like to buy that one over there.\'94  It was a smaller piece, a set of five different sized \lquote stems\rquote 
 that twisted around each other, giving the sculpture a flowing effect.
\par 
\par Karen looked at the one that Mandy pointed to.  \'93Tell you what.  I will trade it to you for a portrait of me and my partner, Dani.  Would you be interested in a trade like that?\'94
\par 
\par \'93That doesn\rquote t seem fair.  You spent a lot of time and effort on that.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yeah, but I love your work and want one of your originals.  And I am the one who made the offer you know.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy smiled at the other woman.  \'93You have got yourself a deal.  Let me know when you two can come over and we will do it.\'94
\par 
\par Karen looked a little apprehensive.  \'93You want us to come over, where your neighbors will see?\'94
\par 
\par Greg stepped up then.  \'93First of all, we don\rquote t give a damn what the neighbors or anyone else thinks.  You and Dani are more than welcome any time you want to come by.  You are our friend and friends are always welcome.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Thanks Greg.  We don\rquote t usually go anyone\rquote s house together unless it is another gay or lesbian couple.  Some folks don\rquote t understand.\'94
\par 
\par Traci put her hand on her friend\rquote s arm.  \'93We are all in agreement.  After what has been printed about us, why should we worry if a lesbian couple comes over?\'94
\par 
\par Yeah, I guess.  I saw all that crap.  I knew you guys didn\rquote t do all the things they said, but I couldn\rquote t believe what they put you all through.\'94
\par 
\par Then a young woman approached them.  She was shorter than Mandy and had beautif
ul dark, wavy hair that fell down just past her shoulders.  She had piercing dark eyes set in a round face.  She was a little overweight, but she carried herself well.  She walked up to Karen and took her hand.
\par 
\par \'93Are you the friends that Karen has told me so much about?\'94 she asked, looking at the trio.
\par 
\par \'93You must be Dani,\'94 Mandy said holding out her hand in greeting.  \'93I\rquote m very glad to meet you.\'94
\par 
\par Karen made the introductions.  Dani shook hands with them all while she looked intently at each.
\par 
\par \'93You don\rquote t seem bothered at all by our orientation.\'94
\par 
\par Greg looked at her.  \'93Ahhh... Should we be?\'94
\par 
\par \'93We meet so many people who are shocked or disgusted by who we are or what they think we do.  It is just surprising to see straight people that aren\rquote t bothered by it all.\'94
\par 
\par Karen interrupted.  \'93Sweety, these people are different.  I have never seen any of them judge someone for what or who they are.  It is what people do and how they act that counts.\'94
\par 
\par Dani looked abashed.  \'93I\rquote m sorry.  You folks have been very nice to Karen.  I guess when I had to run the gauntlet to get back in here, it just put me in a bad mood.\'94
\par 
\par She went on to tell them all that Nicholas Wilson had gathered a bunch of his gay-hating disciples out on the edg
es of the gathering and was looking for his bullhorn when she managed to get through.  They were all carrying signs that accused gays and lesbians of all sorts of horrible and false things.  Looking at Mandy\rquote 
s expanding belly, she said that one of the things said was that gays hate all pregnant women because the gays can\rquote t have children and any woman pregnant should be scared that they would be dragged to an abortion clinic and their babies taken.

\par 
\par \'93Do I look scared to be here?\'94 was Mandy\rquote s only comment.  Then the trio told about the fiasco with Wilson they had experienced at the Founder\rquote 
s Day festival.  Karen and Dani both remembered reading about it and Dani was surprised to learn that they all had been there in the middle of it.
\par 
\par They all heard a ruckus start at the edge of the park.  Wilson and his gang of protesters had crossed the line and come into the marked areas of the park to \lquote preach\rquote .  Greg and the rest moved over to where the confrontation was happening.

\par 
\par A group of gay men had formed a line and 
were refusing to allow the protesters to get any closer.  The protesters in return were trying to push their way into the park.  It was starting to get ugly and Greg turned to get them out of the way when one of the protesters shoved him and knocked him o
ff balance.  He fell into a couple of the gay defenders, who kept him upright.
\par 
\par Wilson saw what happened, and figured that since they were outnumbered, the best plan was to stop any violence other than verbal.  Walking up he recognized the trio from before 
and then proceeded to try and make examples of them as being the models of sinful lifestyles.
\par 
\par \'93These three are fornicators that support the killing of babies and allowing our young people to have unnatural and lustful carnal relations!  Now they are among
 the Sodomites giving their support to their abdominal lifestyle!  They go against God and his commandments and must be saved from the fires of hell!\'94  He started to put his hands on Mandy and Greg stepped in front of her.
\par 
\par \'93You touch her and you won\rquote t have a hand left to pray with,\'94 he growled at the older man.
\par 
\par Wilson stepped back, but then spotted Mandy\rquote s pregnancy.  \'93Are you going to kill this one too, you vile harlot?!?\'94
\par 
\par Mandy looked horrified and Greg was about to pound this man into a pile of pious dung, but the arrival of the police saved the older man from a painful experience and Greg from time in a jail cell.
\par 
\par Confusion reigned as both sides tried to tell their version of what had happened.  Wilson was yelling that he had the right to preach to t
he sinners.  The participants in the festival yelled back that they had rented the park and he had no right to come in and harass them.  It took over a dozen officers using nightsticks and pepper spray to get the combatants apart.
\par 
\par As things calmed, with the arrest of the protestors, Greg was interviewed by the police.  The officer remembered him from when Olivia\rquote s abusive boyfriend, Jerry had stabbed him.  \'93You always seem to be defending somebody, especially this girl,
\'94 the officer said.  Greg just blushed and admitted that he couldn\rquote t let bullies hurt others.
\par 
\par \'93Well, you can stay out of this one.  There are more than enough people willing to press charges.  Wilson has a tendency to work him and his followers into frenzy and do very stupid things.  I\rquote m jus
t glad no one was seriously hurt.  Just some bruises and bloodied noses.\'94
\par 
\par Greg was glad not to have to be in any more publicity.    He thanked the officer and helped the three women to get back to Karen\rquote 
s booth.  They were all shaken from the events, but getting things arranged gave them something to calm their nerves.  Mandy was soon back giving Greg hell for getting her out of the way.
\par 
\par \'93Honey, I know that you can handle yourself pretty well.  I just didn\rquote t want that slimebag touching you, especially after the way your father was. I was seeing all the terrible things that have happened to you coming back and I wasn\rquote 
t going to allow that to happen,\'94 Greg told her as he held her.
\par 
\par Mandy accepted his reasoning, but still wasn\rquote 
t too happy about it.  Karen, who was a very sensitive soul, was more upset about the day than she let on and decided to take down her work and head home.  Dani was definitely the more militant of the two.  She was still steaming about 
Wilson and his antics.
\par 
\par Mandy suggested that they come over for dinner that night.  She thought she would get some sketches so she could fulfill her part of the trade.  Dani wasn\rquote 
t too sure, but Karen talked her into it.  They parted then, so Greg and Traci could get dinner started and Karen and Dani could get cleaned up before they came over.
\par 
\par The evening meal was simple but tasty; grilled chicken served over pasta with Alfredo sauce.  A quick salad and a bottle of wine finished the meal.  Karen and Dani enjoyed it and commented several times on the flavors.
\par 
\par After they ate, they all went to the living room so they could visit and Mandy could put some sketches down on paper.  She was watching the two lovers, drawing different poses and facial expressions while still keeping up with the conversation.
\par 
\par The topic was naturally about what happened that day and about lifestyles in general.  Dani explained that she had known she was gay f
rom the time she was in middle school and her hormones started her thinking about sex.  She had dated guys in high school just to keep up appearances and to try and hide her orientation from her parents.  She had been very surprised when she had come out 
to her family.  After the initial shock, her parents had supported her and let her know that no matter what, she was still their daughter and they loved her.
\par 
\par Karen admitted that she was bi, but she was just more comfortable with women.  She had boyfriends 
in high school and had even had sex with a couple of guys during her freshman year.  But she had met Dani and fell in love.  They had been together for about two years and were very happy together.
\par 
\par Both women were interested in the dynamics of a three-way relationship.  The trio took turns explaining how they had come together and how things worked for them.  Traci assured them that she never felt like a third wheel.  \'93
Greg and Mandy both take great pains to make sure that I know that I am a part of their relationship, and I do the same with them.\'94
\par 
\par Karen finally spoke about something that she was curious about.  \'93Does that mean both of you girls are bi?\'94
\par 
\par Traci answered for Mandy as well as herself.  \'93We both agree that we are only bi with each other.  You and Dani are both very beautiful and sexy, but I\rquote 
m just not attracted to you that way.  It is different with Mandy, though.  I guess with her I don\rquote t see her gender.  She is just someone who I love very much.\'94
\par 
\par \'93For me, it is a little different,\'94 added Greg.  \'93I find you both attractive though I would never think to try and put the make on you.  I am devoted to both Traci and Mandy to the exclusion of all others.  It was originally Mandy\rquote 
s idea that I be with Traci sexually.  I would never have done so without her being all for it.  Once Traci was in our lives, I found that I could love both women equally.\'94
\par 
\par Dani had some trouble on how this could happen; loving two equally.  But she had to admit that it seemed to work for them.  Karen had no problem accepting the arrangement, though she admitted that she didn\rquote t think she could do it.
\par 
\par Dani did tell them that she and Karen were planning to have a marriage ceremony performed by a minister at the local Universal Unitarian church.  \'93Even though the state won\rquote t 
recognize it, yet, we both decided we wanted to do it for us.  It is going to be a small ceremony but I would like all three of you to be present.  You seem to understand just what we are and it doesn\rquote t bother you at all.  You can\rquote 
t imagine how rare it is for us to find that.\'94
\par 
\par All three instantly agreed to be there.  They considered it an honor for the couple to trust them enough to let them into their lives like that.
\par 
\par After Dani and Karen left, Greg was more quiet than usual.  When Traci asked him what was wrong, he just said he had something that he wanted to work out before he said anything. 
\par 
\par Things were pretty quiet the next week.  The Gay Pride Celebration made the papers 
with Wilson and his group pictured yelling at the crowd and carrying signs.  The reporter kept to the facts that the protesters had been trespassing when they were arrested.  Public opinion ran toward the thought that while he could protest, he had no rig
ht to intrude into an event that had done all they were supposed to in permits, etc. and were quiet in their celebration.
\par 
\par Wilson had to slink back under his rock when the public opinion went against him, and he as well as his followers quietly paid their f
ines without any fuss.  He was still a loud and obnoxious voice for the anti-gay crowd however.  He made the news more than once by leading protests and bible readings in front of gay-owned businesses and \lquote outing\rquote  people who were gay.
\par 
\par What finally hurt him beyond all hope of recovery was when he started to expose some very influential people who were not gay.  His reasoning was that he had pictures of the community\rquote 
s Gay Pride Festival and any recognizable face that showed up in those photographs were considered gay.
\par 
\par When Greg was accused, he laughed it off.  The local television station asked for his reaction and he just pointed to Mandy\rquote s bulge in her tummy as well as having both Mandy and Traci with him.  But some of the others he accused were not so wi
lling to laugh it off.  He was personally sued for defamation and slander by three wealthy businessmen who claimed that he had cost them business with his lies.  Wilson was defended at trial by a religious law firm but lost on every count.
\par 
\par When the judge handed down sentence, he was quoted in the paper.  \'93
Along with the financial judgments that the jury has awarded, I wish to add into the record that this court finds that it is beyond defensible that accusing someone of being homosexual should cause a pers
on to lose their livelihood.  A business should be judged on the merits of their product or services, not by the sexual orientation of the owner or the person who is employed there.  But such is the political and social climate of the day.  May the day co
me when accusing someone of being homosexual will cause them no harm, whether the accusation is true or not.\'94
\par 
\par The gallery cheered when the trial was over.  Wilson\rquote s personal wealth as well as the assets of his chapter of Operation Rescue were seized.  The man was financially ruined and declared bankruptcy.  That was just before he left the state.
\par 
\par One very unexpected and unwanted side effect of the publicity for Greg was that he started to get calls from various organizations about his views on whatever sub
ject their group was promoting.  At first it was just for his new notoriety, but word got around that he was very articulate on whatever he was talking about.
\par 
\par He had started by writing letters to the local papers.  The free weekly paper then contacted him to write a column on the local happenings in government and the push for \'93liberal\'94
 causes.  He agreed but promised that he would only do so when he had the time.  They were happy to have what he could do since they were short on news sections to go with the entertainment and food reviews.
\par 
\par Things didn\rquote t slow down at home either.  The girls had full schedules of their own.  Mandy was still drawing as well as giving art lessons to the children at the Special Needs Charter School where Traci was volunteering 
for the remainder of the summer.  Jenni would go with them and was a delight to the staff and many of the older students.  She didn\rquote 
t notice that they were any different than anyone else.  As long as someone was paying attention to her was all that mattered.
\par 
\par Greg called Mandy one afternoon and told her that he would be a little later than normal coming home from the gym, he had an errand to run.  Mandy was curious but Greg wouldn\rquote 
t tell her what it was, but that it was to be a surprise if it all worked out.
\par 
\par He did come home a couple hours later, and he had a smile on his face.  He still wouldn\rquote 
t tell either of his lovers what he had in the works, but did ask that they be able to talk that evening.  Mandy told him that it might have to wait a bit since she 
had already asked Karen and Dani to come by and get the portrait that she had finished a few days earlier.
\par 
\par Greg had no problem with that and cheerfully went to set up an easel in the living room so Mandy could display the painting.  Before she put a cover
 over it, Traci and Greg both got a first look at the finished product.  It depicted the two women in profile gazing into each other\rquote 
s eyes.  They were close enough together to have their hands together, palms touching.  Mandy had captured the look of deep devotion and love the two had for each other.  After admiring his lover\rquote 
s handiwork, he had to admit that it was one of her best.
\par 
\par \'93I agree.  Except this is one that will never be copied and sold.  I hate to think of the money I am losing by only allowing this one never to be printed.\'94  Mandy gave a sigh.  \'93But it is worth it.\'94
\par 
\par Karen and Dani both were in agreement with Greg.  When th
ey had arrived at the house, he had invited them in and served them both a glass of wine.  They all chatted a bit about different things until the suspense started to weigh on them.  Mandy finally relented and pulled the shroud off of the easel.  Both of 
the women were speechless.  Then Karen, who was more emotional of the two started to cry.  Between the tears, she continued to tell Mandy just how wonderful she thought the painting was.
\par 
\par Dani just stared for a long time at the canvas.  Then she shifted her gaze over to Mandy and asked in an awed voice, \'93Do we really look that much in love when we are looking at each other?\'94
\par 
\par Mandy assured her that they did.  \'93There is something special about you two when you are together.  I not only paint what I see, but what I feel.  And that is what I feel is between you two.\'94
\par 
\par There was some leaking around the eyes of all four of the women.  Karen and Dani were very appreciative of the effort that Mandy had put into the work and in turn, Mandy was very pleased by the feedback that the other two gave her.
\par 
\par They all continued to talk even after Mandy took Jenni up for her bath and to bed.  A second bottle of wine was opened and the conversation again centered on the problems that couples (and trios) experienced in the world.
\par 
\par Dani talked about having to hide their sexuality from most people and that kept the total of real friends to a very small number.  Karen joined in that there were very few people that they were comfortable around that knew about them being together.  Sh
e felt that others were judging them all the time.  \'93With the exception of you three.  We talked before and Dani and I agree that you all don\rquote t seem like you care what we are or what we do.\'94
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s very true,\'94 answered Greg.  \'93Being gay is part of who you are, but it isn\rquote t all.  I find you both very warm and personable.  Loving another woman doesn\rquote 
t cause that, it is just who you are.  Look at our situation.  The majority of the \'93moral\'94 crowd calls us immoral and sinful.  But we just happen to love each o
ther.  On our own we are all separate forces, but when we are together we are much more than just three individuals.  We become almost a combined entity.  It isn\rquote t our fault that others can\rquote t understand or accept that.\'94
\par 
\par Karen agreed with him.  \'93Dani and I seem to be able to take on things together that neither one of us would be able to alone.\'94
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s a sign of true love and devotion.  You two just seem to fit together.\'94  This was from Traci.
\par 
\par Karen blushed.  Dani answered for them.  \'93Thank you.  We feel that way and just wish others would as well.\'94  Then she leaned over to give her lover a kiss.
\par 
\par The evening finally broke up.  Mandy wrapped paper around the painting and Dani took possession of it, holding it against her chest.  The trio all received kisses from the two, chaste, but lovingly done.  Then they were out the door and on their way 
home to decide what frame and where they would put the painting.
\par 
\par It was late enough when they left that Mandy and Traci headed on up to the bedroom while Greg checked the doors and windows before he joined them.  Once in the bedroom, he quickly stripped down and joined the women in bed, taking the center position.

\par 
\par Before he could get comfortable and settle down to sleep, Mandy remembered that he was supposed to talk to them about something.  He tried to get her to put it off until tomorrow, but Mandy\rquote s curiosity was aroused and he knew she wouldn\rquote 
t let it go until he told them.
\par 
\par Propping himself up to a sitting position, he began.  \'93
I had been thinking about what that idiot Wilson had said to Mandy at the festival, about being a single mother again.  While I still think he is full of shit, I also thought that perhaps that Mandy might want to get married before this baby is born.\'94
  Mandy gave him a resounding \'93YES!\'94 before wrapping him in a hug.
\par 
\par \'93Now that isn\rquote t all,\'94 he told her as he got her to sit back for a moment.  He looked over at Traci who looked just a little sad.  \'93You know that I love you as much as I do Mandy and I had been 
looking for a way to marry you too, if you were willing.  I know that you have kinda given up on finding anyone else and I feel like that maybe my fault.  Anyway, I think I have found a way for all of us to marry each other.  That is if you are wanting to
 do that.\'94
\par 
\par Traci had tears of joy in her eyes as she hugged him first then included Mandy into the embrace.  \'93If we could do that, I would be the happiest woman in the world.\'94
\par 
\par Greg waited for them both to calm down before he continued.  \'93Something that Da
ni said about the UU church being willing to perform the ceremony for them that got me to thinking.  I talked to the pastor there and while she is willing to do a ceremony for the three of us, she does want to meet us all to make sure in her mind that it 
is what we want.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy spoke up then.  \'93Will it be legal and all that?\'94\line 
\par \'93What would happen is that one of you would be registered with the state as my legal wife.  The other would be married to me in the spiritual sense only because of the stupid laws.  In addition,
 you two would be married to each other at the same time.  I have already made sure that the other one will have all the rights to make decisions for us and the kids.  The lawyers have drawn up the papers giving you visitation rights in the eve
nt either one of us are in the hospital, inheritance rights, etc.  All that is needed are signatures.\'94  
\par 
\par \'93The only thing that we have to decide is which one of you will become my \lquote legal\rquote  wife.  I\rquote ve grown to love you both so much that I can\rquote t stand choosing one of you over the other.  I don\rquote 
t want either one to be left out.  I know that when I gave you both the rings and just a little while ago I referred to Mandy at the legal wife.  But when it comes down to it, I just can\rquote t do that to Traci.\'94
\par 
\par Traci looked them both in the eye.  \'93I can make the decision easy enough.  Mandy was your first love and you two were a couple before I ever came into the picture.  I know that you both love me as much as I love you, so I won\rquote t be the \lquote 
other\rquote  wife.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy gave her lover another hug with tears in her eyes.  \'93You are right about us both loving you as much.  I would have said that you should be the one, but I promise that you will never be the second one.  We all share equally.\'94
\par 
\par He couldn\rquote t continue to tell them any m
ore of what he thought, because both women were now crying and hugging each other and him.  He finally told them they could work out the rest of the details in the morning.  That was the last word on the subject for the night since there were two very hap
py and very aroused women that wanted his attention.  By the time they were exhausted from pleasing each other, it was early in the morning.
\par 
\par When they all woke up the next morning, the conversation was the continuance of the night before.  Greg told them that he hadn\rquote 
t gone any farther than to just check if it was possible; so all the preparations were going to be their doing.    The women decided that the best time for the ceremony would be just before the start of the semester at college.  That gave them 
a little more than six weeks to get everything done.  It would be close, but they figured that they could make it.
\par 
\par Greg was assigned to make the call to the pastor at the church to arrange the interviews that she wanted with them and to make sure the date
 they selected would be open.  He got off the phone and assured the two ladies that the last Saturday in August would be fine and that she wanted to meet with them on three consecutive evenings the following week.  Mandy would be first and Traci would get
 the second one.  The third evening was for Greg and then the other two would come in and meet with her all together.  
\par 
\par They decided that even if she didn\rquote t want to do the ceremony, they would find someone, so the plans were once more going on.  Heather an
d Adrian said that they would be glad to come over that evening when Greg called and told them they had something they wanted to talk to them about.  The girls were looking on the internet for ideas for dresses, what kind of invitations they wanted and th
e flowers they thought would be right for the ceremony.  
\par 
\par Jenni and Greg went out on the back lawn to get out of the whirlwind that was happening in the house.  He always enjoyed the time he got to spend with the little girl alone, so this was more than al
l right with him.  She toddled around in the grass chasing grasshoppers and butterflies while he watched her and thinking about how much he loved her.
\par 
\par When the light of the day was fading into twilight, he picked Jenni up and gave her a tickle before heading back into the house.  The two women were deep into making lists of things that needed to be taken care of, so Greg went ahead and started dinner.  
It was a simple meal of fried potatoes with onions and green pepper, green beans (Jenni\rquote 
s favorite food for the time being) and chicken breasts made on the stovetop grill.  Already a fair cook in his own right, the lessons that he was taught by the women improved his skills tremendously.
\par 
\par They had finished dinner and Traci had cleaned up the dishes and started the dishwasher when the doorbell rang.  She came out of the kitchen as Greg led his mother and her husband into the living room.  They took the lovese
at while she took her place next to Greg.
\par 
\par Greg started the news off.  \'93Remember the last time you had asked us all to meet you here?  Your announcement that you two were getting married shocked us.  Now we get to return the favor.\'94
\par 
\par Heather looked at the three of them for a moment.  Mandy couldn\rquote t stand to keep them guessing any longer.  \'93The three of us are getting married the last of August!\'94
\par 
\par Heather suddenly got a huge smile on her face as what Mandy had said sank in.  Adrian came over and shook Greg\rquote s
 hand and gave both girls a hug in congratulations.  Heather joined in, with hugs for each of them.  Greg went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of champagne and five glasses.  He popped the cork and filled each glass.  Adrian raised his glass.  
\'93A toast.  To the happy trio and may they continue to find the love and happiness together that they have so far.\'94
\par 
\par They all made the toast and took a sip.  \'93Just how will that work, Greg?  You can\rquote t marry them both.  That\rquote s Bigamy,\'94 said Heather.
\par 
\par \'93We have it all figured out, Mom,\'94 was Greg\rquote s reply.  \'93Traci decided that Mandy will be my \lquote legal\rquote  wife and the Universalist pastor agreed to perform a ceremony that makes Traci our \lquote spiritual\rquote 
 wife.  The pastor knows that I am a skeptic about religion and she told me that her church welcomes everyone.  Who knows, we may like her and the people so much that we may start going once in a while.\'94
\par 
\par \'93But Honey, what about all the legal things that come along with a marriage?\'94
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s taken care of too.  I have already talked to Mr. O\rquote Malley, your attorney.  He has drawn up all the paperwork for us to sign that gives Traci all the rights of a legal wife.  It wasn\rquote 
t cheap, but it is worth it.  Granddad suggested it when we were there last.  The marriage thing came about just a few weeks ago.\'94
\par 
\par Heather started to ask something else, but was stopped by a look from Adrian.  \'93You sound like you have thought this through pretty well.  If anything else comes up, I am sure you will handle it,\'94 Adrian told them.
\par 
\par \'93Well there is one thing you could help with,\'94 Greg told the other man.  \'93I would really appreciate it if you would stand in as my best man.\'94
\par 
\par Adrian gave him a big smile as he clapped him on the back.  \'93I would be honored, Greg.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy was looking thoughtful before she finally asked Heather if Nick would consider coming here for the wedding.  \'93I no 
longer have anyone to walk me down the aisle and I would love for him to do it.  I know that he will not leave the villa except on business, but we all would love for him to be there.\'94
\par 
\par Heather checked the time and after a quick calculation, decided that her father would still be in bed even though his habit was to get up early.  \'93Call him tomorrow right after you get up in the morning.  It will be early afternoon and you ar
e sure to get hold of him.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy made a big note to put on the refrigerator so she wouldn\rquote 
t forget in the continuing confusion.  They all talked for another couple hours before Heather and Adrian left with Heather promising to come back tomorrow to help them go pick out dresses.  Greg wanted to watch the baseball game and said he would watch J
enni for them.  Adrian decided that the game sounded like a good idea, so he would be back with his wife.
\par 
\par It was later still when they all finally headed to bed.  It had been a long and exciting day with another one due tomorrow, so they didn\rquote t do more than a few kisses and gropes before they turned out the lights and snuggled up together.
\par 
\par Mandy called Nick just like the note reminded her to.  His secretary answered and when she found out who it was put her straight through to him.
\par 
\par \'93Amanda, what do I owe this pleasure?\'94 he asked.
\par 
\par \'93Nick, I have some important news to share.  Greg, Traci, and I are going to get married to each other at the end of August.  I don\rquote t have a father anymore who wants anything to do with me and I wanted to know if you think you co
uld come and walk me down the aisle.  I am closer to you than I am any of my own family and it would mean an awful lot to me, and all of us if you could do it.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy waited for Nick to say something, getting more nervous when he didn\rquote t answer right away. It was a good two minutes before he said anything.
\par 
\par \'93Mandy, I would be more than honored to do that for you.  I got to walk with Heather just this last time.  I would be very proud to be able to do the same for my Granddaughter.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy thought she could hear a quiver of emotion in the older man\rquote s voice.  She was almost in tears herself.  \'93Thank you, Nick.  I don\rquote t think I can tell you just how much it will mean to me... to all of us.\'94
\par 
\par She gave him the date and then let him go.  Heather and Adrian showed up then and she hurried to get ready for the shopping bonanza that was planned.  Greg took Jenni outside to let her enjoy the sun while he and Adrian sat on the back deck.  The neighbor
\rquote s six month-old puppy popped through the hole he had dug under the fence and ran up to lick on Jenni who was squealing in excitement.  
\par 
\par Ever since the pup had first come in their yard and Jenni had discovered someone her size, the two had been best friends.  Greg and the neighbor had talked about trying to keep the pup in h
is own yard, but Greg had told him that he had no problem with the dog coming over and since he never tried to go anywhere else, that it was fine.
\par 
\par Dilbert was a mixed breed that nobody could really tell just what the parents had been.  He was kind of a go
lden color with big floppy ears and a tail that was constantly wagging.  His mission in life was to give licks to Jenni at every opportunity and to play with an old tennis ball that Greg kept in the back yard for him.  Jenni couldn\rquote 
t throw it very far, but she didn\rquote t mind doing it often and \lquote Bert (as she called him) was just as happy with that.
\par 
\par After a couple of hours, Greg brought Jenni in over her objections to feed her some lunch.  Then, Grandpa Adrian would read her a story before her nap.  By the time the story was finished,
 she was nodding off and Greg took her to her room for some well-deserved rest.
\par 
\par Jenni was still asleep when the three women returned from shopping.  They took their bounty upstairs and stashed their wedding dresses in the spare bed
room.  Greg complained that he should get to see what they had spent the money on, but Traci reminded him that to see the brides in their dresses before the wedding was bad luck.  He tried to act hurt, but the grin on his face gave him away and he concede
d the point.
\par 
\par They all had dinner together and Heather spent some time with her granddaughter.  She brought up Greg adopting Jenni and was told that he was going to start proceedings as soon as the ink was dry on the marriage license.  \'93With us being marrie
d makes the whole process go faster,\'94 added Greg.
\par 
\par Mandy was nervous about the meeting with the Pastor.  She still held the fear and loathing from her past experiences with Reverend Campol, something that she had trouble shaking.  But when she first met Reverend Rebecca Smith,
 she felt very at ease with her.  They proceeded into her office where instead of sitting across the desk from one another, they each took an end of the couch.
\par 
\par \'93I have to say that this is the first triple wedding that I have ever presided over,\'94 Rebecca started off with.  \'93I talked to
 Greg earlier and know a little bit about the background, but I would like to hear what you think and feel.  Start by telling me how you all got together.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy cleared her throat.  \'93Greg and I have known each other for years.  My parents were very strict and we didn\rquote 
t get to play much after we were half way through grammar school.  I was put into the church school and we were not supposed to hang around any \lquote non-believers\rquote .  We got back together when he found me crying under some bleachers after my boyf
r
iend from school had raped me.  When I found out I was pregnant from that rape, my parents blamed me for it and tossed me out.  Greg took me in and took care of me, first as a friend.  I guess I was the one who started our relationship.  We did fall in lo
ve during that time.
\par 
\par \'93Traci is a year older than both Greg and me.  She started out being my tutor when I went into the school for pregnant teens.  She became a very trusted friend.  I started finding my talent for drawing then and she agreed to pose for me.  Anyway,
 she came to stay with us after she had gone home and found her parents had no time for her during her break from college.  She became involved with us when I initiated it.  Greg was too much of a gentleman to say anything even though I coul
d tell he loved her.  I did too and wanted her to feel like part of the family.  She is the only woman I have ever thought of that way, and we found she loved us just as much.\'94
\par 
\par With the background established, Rebecca went on with other questions, all des
igned to see if they were all truly devoted to each other.  They talked for more than two hours and by the end, Rebecca was convinced that Mandy very much wanted the wedding and for the right reasons.
\par 
\par Traci was the next one to go in.  She told more or less the same story about how they had all come together, telling her feelings and thoughts along the way.  She told about trying to date others, but was never satisfied with what she had discovered.  
\'93I know that I probably would never be as fulfilled in a normal relationship as I am with those two.  They give me more love and understanding than I have ever felt before.  I love them both so much that I can\rquote 
t imagine being without them in my life.\'94
\par 
\par By the time that Greg talked to her, Rebecca was already sure that the wedding should take place and for the right reasons.  She got Greg\rquote 
s feelings about the two women and she was impressed with how much they all loved and cared for each other.  Then she called Mandy and Traci into the office to join Greg.
\par 
\par \'93I want you three to know that while this arrangement is most unusual, I have yet to find a regular couple who are more in love than you three.  The religious sector of society, for the most part, would frown on this arrangement, but they don\rquote 
t know you all.  I will be honored to preside over your nuptials.  Furthermore, the main hall in the church is free for that day and we would love to host your reception.\'94
\par 
\par Mandy and Traci hugged each other while Greg just sat there and smiled.  This was what they wanted and
 now it would be as official as they could make it.  He shook hands with the Reverend and gathered the women up to get home.  Heather had taken Jenni, but needed to get a report ready so they had to drop by her apartment and collect their daughter.  Once 
they were home and Jenni was sound asleep, they celebrated in their bed until they were exhausted and very sated.
\par 
\par Early the next morning, Traci had a call from her brother Charlie.  \'93Sis, things are really bad here.  You think I could come and stay until the semester starts at the college?\'94
\par 
\par 
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