What makes you a man is not the ability to make a child; it’s the courage to raise one. – Barak ObamaBunny’s appointment had been at eleven thirty and her sonogram at two. It was Ty’s off day and Jaxon took a personal day. He wasn’t sure how he was going to tell the guys that he worked with that his roommates were expecting a baby. And it might be his.Ever since they found out that she was pregnant, all three of them were at the appointments. It had been an interesting first visit.“The nurse states that you needed to talk to me about your pregnancy?” Dr. Aberton said, smiling at Bunny. Nervously, the expectant mother nodded as the man sat down on the rolling stool. “The good thing is that’s why we’re here.”“We chose you because you are LGBTQ friendly.” “Ahhhh….” The man chuckled and for first time looked at the two men. “And you’re involved in a triad.”They had all nodded or answered in the affirmative.“You’re not the only ones.” He had assured them and said that they had proto
She will always return to the man who gets her, the man who lets her be wild, the man who doesn’t act like she’s too much. – S. McNuttReese drove Jolene to Neo’s new house. The one that he told his friend nearly two years ago not to buy. The one that required all new plumbing and electric. Got held up with asbestos removal. And lead removal. Termites. Just when he thought that he was good, the foundation cracked. It was still under construction in part of the old house. But the bottom floor was ready, or at least livable. The house was a turn of the century manor house with ten acres, two ponds and space for an airstrip and helipad. Not that he had either, but Neo had plans.The only reason Reese had agreed to back the venture was a rent-free hangar. His six-seater Cessna was not that big. It got him where he wanted to go. And any further than its range, he rented a charter plane. “Wow.” Jolene said as they went through the large masonry and wrought iron archway. He slowed the Te
We’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty…There was a feeling in the back of his mind that Reese could not shake. When he and Helen got home from their weekly date, the kids were on his couch watching a movie. Not a slasher movie, so JD must have chosen it.“Your mom call?” Reese asked. “No. But last week she said she might not be able to.” Dean said. Her voice told him that she was more worried than her words said.All night, he had been restless. He got up and worked for a little bit. The shopping center would be starting the revamp next month. He had plenty of concerns with it. But he loved projects like this. The thrill of it wasn’t there today. No matter what he did, he could not get into the project. Reese decided that he needed to take a break. Go for a run. Lift some weights. Take Helen out for lunch. Looking at his watch, it was only nine thirty. Was brunch a thing during the week? Or was it reserved for weekends and holidays? Shrugging at his in
Grief is the price we pay for love. - Queen Elizabeth II“Mr. Thompson, Mr. Reese is on line two.” The temporary assistant said over the intercom. Once again he wondered why he agreed to let Emily go on a two week cruise. He missed her efficency and thoroughness.And her coffee. The stuff he was making could not pass as coffee on the best of days. And today was not the best of days.“Tell him that I’ll call him back.” Frank said absently.The intercom went silent and then it buzzed again. “I’m sorry, sir. He says that it’s an emergency.”“Fine.” Frank growled and sat the proposal aside. He grabbed up his handset and pushed the button to connect the call. “Hey, Reese, I don’t have much time today.”“I need Helen.” Came the reply and Frank could hear that his friend was upset.“Did they transfer the call wrong?”“No. I need her to come home. I know that she just started this position, but I need her for a few days.”“Reese, I can’t let your sub off every time you want to play.”There wa
It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters. – J. M. LaurenceTy showed his driver’s license and official FD credentials. The secretary gave him a strange look and he just smiled at her. He knew the look. He got it a lot when he was holding hands with his wife. Sometimes at the club, they got looks when he was with Jaxon.Even this day and age, people thought that he should date a woman “like” him. His response to that was usually pointing out that he had a boyfriend. And a wife. Yeah, he was the three B’s. Big, black and bi.“She is my sister-in-law.” He decided that was a much easier explanation than telling the whole truth.She’s the niece of the man that mine and my wife’s lover’s mother is dating and she’s also dating my lover’s younger brother. And my wife is pregnant. It might be mine. It might also be his. Either way, the baby was going to be spoiled.Thankfully, Dean came into the office before anything else could be said. The teen headed straight
There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible – a wound that will never quite heal. – Susan WiggsDean sat on the couch in absolute shock. The whole room around her was completely silent. Or maybe she just couldn’t hear anything over the soft roar in her ears of her own pulse.Looking up, she saw Helen in front of her. Her lips were moving, she couldn’t hear anything that the other woman was saying. Then a small tumbler was pressed into her hands. Dean looked at the amber liquid and then raised the glass to her lips.The whiskey burned on the way down. Shaking her head, as the alcohol seemed to spread instantly through her, she handed the glass back to Helen. Dean began to cough, and that single action broke the dam that was holding back her tears.JD sat down next to her, and he placed an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into him. Grabbing his shirt, she gave into the sobs that began to rack her body. Reese sat on the other side of her and rubb
The most important thing will always be the people in this room. Salute, mi familia! – Dominic Toretto, Fast FiveReese walked down the hall and passed Dean’s room knowing that she would not be there. Just as expected, she was curled around JD in his bed. Completely against the rules, Monster was also on the bed. JD opened his brown eyes and met the older man’s light green ones.Quietly, he moved into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached over and brushed some hair out of Dean’s face before stroking Monster’s head.“When did she finally go to sleep?” Reese whispered.“Maybe a few hours ago.” JD whispered back and then soothed Dean as she moved in her sleep.“The princess club is coming over in a little bit.” Reese said softly. “I’m going to tell them upstairs. She doesn’t need to come up if she doesn’t want to.”JD nodded as the other man stood up and kissed his niece on her head before walking out. He had dreaded telling Dean that her mother was dead. Now he had to do i
The lesson of history is that no one learns. – Steven Erikson, Deadhouse GatesThe courtroom had wood paneling all around the room except for the six-foot space behind the judge. The stone façade had the state seal in the center flanked by the American and state flags. The judge had a monitor on either side of his desk. His assistant sat on his right and the witness stand was on the left.A short wall with swinging gates separated the gallery from the working area of the court. The prosecutors’ table sat in front of the witness stand and the defendants table in front of the clerk. A bank of windows lined the far wall with the jury box in front of it. In place of the jury, prisoners sat in the box.Hank knew the room well. He had sat on the witness stand many times and spoke for the prosecution. He had helped put bad guys away. He had been Jolene’s hero in blue.Now he wore an orange jumpsuit and sat waiting for his name to be called like some common criminal. His mother and father wo
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George SandWhen Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides.Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped Helen
I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow. – Bela LugosiJD walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as she made herself a sandwich. “How are you going to eat that?”“One bite at a time.” She replied as she sliced the tomato.“Smart ass.” He chuckled.“You want one?”Kissing her cheek, he smiled at her before turning and looking at the sandwich. There needed to be a different word for this … monstrosity. Rye bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Three types of cheeses. Five types of deli sliced meat. Romaine and iceberg lettuce. Sliced tomato, pickles, cucumbers, bell peppers, banana peppers and black olives.“Yeah.” He answered with a soft chuckle.She gave a small laugh as she finished her sandwich and pushed the plate away before grabbing another paper plate leftover from the
As your kids grow they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel. – Kevin HeathIt had been a long weekend, starting with Dean’s graduation on Friday night and ending with the babies’ first birthday party today. After the party had broken up, several people had stayed just to play in the pool. Ariel, true to her namesake, loved being in the water and was upset when they finally got out of the pool.She had started to cry, but Ty and Jaxon were there with cuddles. If there was any doubt about her being daddy’s girl, it would only be because the doubter had never seen her light up when either of them came into view.Her favorite place was between her two fathers. She definitely took after her mother in that regard. Most nights she would fall asleep on Bunny’s lap or shoulder, a hand or foot on each of the men.Currently, she lay on Bunny’s shoulder, her hand tightly gripping Jaxon&rs
Some students go an entire day at school without anyone saying their name. be the adult who speaks to each student by name. Everyone loves to hear their name. – Educator Justin TarteEvery night, Jolene sat between Neo’s legs and would read to him. Some nights the passages were nothing more than written porn. Other nights, they were sweet, or amusing. After the first few nights of carefully curated smut scenes, he chose a book, and they would read a few chapters each night.They were on book three of a series of five tonight and she was having a hard time concentrating. The light touch of his calloused hands under her shirt did not help her concentration. Nor did his mouth on her neck.Certainly, the bulge at her lower back was a bit distracting.“Something’s on your mind.” He whispered and then lightly bit her earlobe.“No…” she tried to brush off his observation and he simply chuckled
Because he wants to create a stable, lasting relationship with one person. Brad, believe me, there is nothing in this world so wonderful, so fulfilling, as coming home to the same woman every night. – Tony Randall as Jonathon Forbes in Pillow Talk 1959Cheryl snuggled against Waylon’s chest as they lay in the new bed at their new house. She wore a large National Fire Academy T-shirt that was stretched tight across her large belly. He wore a pair of boxers and kept squirming seeking a more comfortable position between the rough, stiff cotton sheets.The guys from the fire department had helped them move early Saturday morning. She and Waylon left the guys putting together furniture when they went to the unveiling of Dean’s mural.When they returned to the house with pizzas and beers, they found the six men sitting on the back patio with their feet up. On furniture that Cheryl adored but did not remember getting.“I
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReese had told Helen that there was a second restaurant at the Private Club that he wanted to eat at. She knew about the other restaurant. When they had all met for lunch last, Marnie had taken Helen over and showed her the other restaurant. The one with low cushioned tables and pillows on the floor.The lights were up during the day, but for meals, they would be lowered. Lights would shine out from inside the tables, illuminating the sub on display. There were cushions that could be moved to accommodate the person on the table. One under the knees, a small one under the lower back and one to support the neck and head.Marnie had told the older woman that she loved the other restaurant. The meals were finger foods that were served on the sub. Helen had looked at the Brat who smiled at her.“On the sub.” Marnie said again. “Steve
Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. – Alain de BottonReese sat on the outdoor couch on the lower deck watching the girls in the pool with the babies. Cheryl, Bunny, Dean and Allison, the only female Seabee that came with JD, each had a baby in their arms as they bounced and spun. Watching her children and grandchild smile and laugh, Helen snuggled into his side, and he pulled her into his lap.She had lost most of her baby weight, and currently had made her way back into size eighteen dresses, which she was quite proud of. Today she wore the dress that Reese had bought her specifically for the birthday party. A pink satin shift with a cream-colored mesh overdress with pink and blue flowers embroidered on it.Earlier in the day she had also been in the pool in a pink swimsuit with a sheer fish scale skirt that Reese had a hard time looking away from. He had p
Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. – Chuck KlostermanThere was a rather large gathering in the closed parking lot across the street from the mural. About half of them were part of the Princess Club and extended family. The large white canvas tarp that covered the wall billowed in the midmorning breeze. JD wrapped his arm around Dean’s waist and pulled her to his side.She wore a knee length black skirt and matching jacket with a white lace shirt underneath. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist in an effort to keep it contained in the wind. She wore sapphire and silver teardrop earrings that matched her shoes.The leg of JD’s course BDU uniform brushed up against her bare leg as she moved in closer to him. Curling into his chest, she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nervous?” he asked quietly.She nodded. “Yes. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done for so many people to see. What if no one likes it?”
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t