Chapter 13: Phoenix, Arizona - Part 3

I slipped off my shoes and stretched out on the bed on top of the spread, thinking about everything that had happened recently, my dad's accident and death, Candace, the ninjas, and now the funeral in a couple of days. At least, Louise seemed to be coping better. I hoped she would be able to handle the crowd that would be coming the next couple of days.

I couldn't help my thoughts wandering to Alison, she was so beautiful. As I thought about her, I found myself entering her consciousness. She was drying the twins with big, fluffy towels, thinking about how much she loved them, that they were all she had left from Eric. She missed him and mourned for him, and wondered what the future might hold for her and her daughters.

I delved deeper, seeking her opinion of me. She liked me, saw me as a handsome young man whom she respected, both because of my aura and because I was now head of the family.

When she finished drying the girls, she wrapped a towel around each. When she straightened up, taking the twins' hands, for an instant she saw her face reflected in the mirror. God, she was so beautiful. She tidied herself, brought the girls downstairs where she opened a bag, dressed them in their pajamas, telling them they could play in the sitting room while we adults had our dinner.

I went downstairs to the sitting room. The twins were on a blanket spread on the carpet, playing with their dolls and other toys. Alison and Irma were sitting on the sofa, drinking white wine.

"Do you want wine... or a beer?" Irma asked, starting to get up.

"No thanks," I said, heading for the bar. "Just some lemonade," pouring a glass from the pitcher Josie had placed there.

I sat down in an easy chair across from the sofa. One of the twins came over to me carrying her doll. "Hi," she said.

"Hi, I'll bet you're Cathy."

She gave me a big smile. "How d'ja know?" she asked. Then without pausing she pushed the doll at me saying, "This is Dolly."

Her sister moved to stand beside my chair. "This is Dolly too," she said pushing her doll at me.

"Hello Dolly," I said, smiling. "You're Linda, aren't you?"

"Yesss," she said, then plopped down on the floor and began pulling the doll's hair.

Alison stood up. "Come, you two, you need to stay on the blanket so you don't get too dirty before bedtime." She took their hands, leading them to the blanket where they began playing together.

When Alison returned to the couch, glancing back at her daughters to check they were staying where she wanted, Irma looked back too, then turning said, "They're just adorable, you're so lucky to have them."

"They're a bundle, but they're a part of Eric that I can keep with me, at least until they grow up."

Reena came down and had a glass of white wine. Then, Louise with her two children, Paul and Jean, and Carol and Jimmy came down. I gathered they had been getting the children cleaned up for dinner.

Josie came in from the kitchen. "Everything's ready Miz Mannheim, if you'd like to eat now."

When we went into the dining room, "You sit at the head of the table, Rob," Louise said.

I did as she said. Louise was opposite, to my right was Alison, Irma to my left, then Reena, and Carol with Jimmy next to her. Next to Alison was Jean, and then Paul seated by his mother.

It was another light meal - a broiled chicken dish, flavored with herbs and spices, baby potatoes, asparagus, salad and crusty french bread. The ladies had wine. I stuck to water. I wanted to keep a clear head.

I was quiet for most of the meal while they talked among themselves, about their time with Eric, their children, the others - women, children - who would be coming for the funeral. These were intelligent, educated women, the type my father favored as companions.

While they talked, I scanned their psyches. They were all completely transparent, except Reena, who had some hidden areas, some blocked memories. Only my father could have done that, but strangely, the blocks were for more recent happenings, from after my father divorced her. I guessed my father had modified Reena to help her deal with the death of their son, but I couldn't understand why some even more recent events were hidden.

To my father's women, I was the young prince, the heir to the kingdom. And I saw in them something of what I had seen in Candace, a recognition that they might become part of my inheritance, a willingness to belong to me, as they had belonged to my father, if I desired. Of course, it was Alison I wanted, and as I looked into her psyche, I saw the beginnings of desire in her, due to my obvious interest and the power of my aura.

"Rob's seeing Dr. Meisner tomorrow," Irma said. "To find out about... uhh... to discuss..."

"His findings," I said. "And I need to get some new clothes, a suit for the funeral. Can you drive me?"

"Of course," Irma smiled.

"You can try some of Eric's clothes," Louise said. "He had some lovely suits."

Alison looked at Louise, then at me. "I don't think Eric's suits will fit. Rob's a little bigger and taller than Eric."

"It won't hurt to see if they fit, I'll try one on tonight," I said, taking a sip of water.

After dessert, home-made fruit sherbet, we moved to the sitting room. The twins were asleep on the big blanket spread on the carpet. Alison got two smaller blankets from her bag and covered each of the girls, then sat on the sofa next to Reena. The older kids were in the den where from the electronic sounds, shouts and laughter it was clear they were playing video games.

Irma served brandy to all of us except Reena and Alison, who had white wine. We talked more about the funeral. "I know you didn't want it as early as Monday," Louise said.

"It'll work out," I replied. "Now that I'm here and able to meet with Doctor Meisner."

She gave a little shiver as she looked back at me. "I just don't like to think about that." Then smiling, "At least we have you, Rob, to help us through this. And... and, as you wanted, I requested the White House and UN not to send any representatives. I think it's all right that we're not having it in a church or any religious services, don't you? That's how Eric would want it."

Nodding my agreement, "Yes, that's the way he'd want it. You know, Louise, he wasn't very religious; more of a skeptic."

She smiled at my approval while I sipped my brandy. The ladies continued discussing the funeral and my father's various families. I leaned back in the easy chair, relaxing with my eyes half-closed, while I again scanned their psyches. I had already adjusted Louise, Carol and Irma to help them deal with my father's death.

Reena was quiet, looking sleepy. Like me, and Alison and the twins, she had come west across several time zones (though by now, I was used to it). I looked again at Reena's blocked memories, but soon realized it would take time and energy to discover what was hidden there. And it was Alison I wanted to focus on.

Still with my eyes half closed, I delved deeper into Alison's psyche. My scan revealed she hadn't yet completely realized the impact of my father's death, busy as she was with the twins and traveling. I made some minor changes to help her cope with her loss when she came to acknowledge it. In addition, I implanted in her sexual desire for me, for her to see me as the one who would replace my father in her heart.

When I sat up, taking a sip of brandy, I saw Alison's blue-gray eyes focused on me. As she saw me looking back, her eyes opened wide for an instant before, with a smile, she lowered her eyes and picked up her glass.

Reena shook herself. "Louise, I need to go to bed, if you don't mind."

"I'll see you up to your room," Louise said. I stood, bidding Reena goodnight as she and Louise left the room.

While Louise led Reena upstairs, Carol called Jimmy out of the den saying it was time to leave for their home, which I gathered was close by.

At his mother's urging Jimmy said a polite goodnight. Then Louise came down and made her two children say their goodnights before leading them upstairs to get ready for bed. When Louise came down again, alone, "I better get the girls to bed," Alison said, turning to glance at her twin daughters, sleeping on the floor.

"Let me help," I said, moving behind the sofa, picking up one of the twins, I didn't know which one, and cradling her in my arms. Alison placed a small blanket over the girl I was holding, then picked up the other twin and covered her with a blanket.

Irma picked up Alison's bag, then led us down the lighted path to the guest house. It was pretty small, with just two bedrooms, though there were two baths, a small kitchen/dining area, and a small sitting room, where two cribs had been set up side by side.

Alison laid her twin in the first crib. I laid mine in the second and stepped away while she tucked the blankets around them, then kissed their foreheads. "You don't have them in your room?" I asked quietly.

"No, they make noise, just little noises, during the night. With them here, and the door of my room open a little," inclining her head toward the smaller bedroom, "I can hear if there's a problem."

"Do you want this here?" Irma asked about the bag with the twins' things.

"Yes, thanks, I forgot about these," Alison answered, taking out two small, identical teddy bears and placing one with each of the twins.

"Well, time for my shower," Irma said, heading for her bedroom.

I took Alison's hand, she didn't resist, and pulled her toward the kitchen. She looked up at me, her blue-gray eyes open wide, the pupils dilated. I looked into her psyche to judge if I needed to influence her more, and saw how much she already wanted me.

Pulling her close, I bent down as she raised her head, watching her eyes slowly closing as we kissed. I closed my eyes too, relishing the kiss, our lips and tongues melding together. When we parted, her eyes opened again, and she smiled slightly as she looked into my face.

I tightened my arms around her, her breasts soft against my chest. I could feel Alison press her thigh against my hardening penis. "Come to my room," I whispered.

Still with the hint of a smile, she whispered, "Rob, I know you want me now, but are you sure you'll want me later?" She lowered her eyes, then looked up. "I'm not a promiscuous woman, there was only one other before... before Eric. I desire you, I can't help that, but I won't allow myself to be controlled by that... that desire. I need someone for more than just one night. And my girls need a father, not for financial reasons, Eric left us well provided for, but they need someone to care for them, not always, but from time to time, and when they need him, as Eric did. As head of the family and their half-brother, maybe you..."

I closed my eyes for a moment peering again into her psyche, seeing how her desire for me was matched by her love for her daughters. "I understand," I said softly. "I don't want you just for one night. I'll be there, always, for you and your girls. But you need to understand there are others."

She smiled, her eyes bright. "I understand, Rob. I know how remarkable a man you are, just as remarkable as Eric was. I was willing to accept that with him, and I'll accept it with you."

Her lashes fluttered for a moment before she lowered her eyes. "But I can't go to your room. The girls... I can't leave them alone."

"Irma can watch them, they'll be alright."

Looking up at me. "I can't, they don't know this place. If they should awaken, should need me, I'd feel terrible if I wasn't here for them." Her eyes growing brighter as she smiled again. "But you can come here... if you want."

"Of course I want to. Now, or... ?"

Her fingers tightening their grip on my biceps. "Come back in about an hour. That will give me time to get ready and I'll be sure the girls are sound asleep."

We kissed again, not quite as deeply this time, before I went back to the main house.

Louise and Josie were just finishing straightening up the sitting room when I came in. "Would you like a drink, Rob?" Louise asked, looking up at me as she replaced a pillow. "It's still early. Won't you sit and talk with me for a while?"

I checked my watch, realizing it wasn't even nine o'clock yet. I sat in the easy chair. "Okay, I'd like more of that brandy."

She went to the bar, pouring two brandies. She gave me one, then took a seat on the sofa. She looked at me, her eyes wide. "Do you like it here, in Arizona?"

"As long as it's not too hot," I laughed.

"Rob, you know that in Eric's, your father's, will this house was left to me, and Carol's home was left to her. But you are to consider them your homes too, and consider yourself welcome any time you want to come. We'll always be happy to have you." She paused, looking at me intensely, "I... we, Carol and Irma and me, we'll... we'll always be happy to have you visit, or stay, and we'll gladly help any way we can."

I knew what she was getting at, and I wasn't going to shy away from the idea, as I had before, with Candace. Louise was an attractive woman, and Carol and Irma even more so. And there were those memories I had glimpsed of the three of them with my father. And that was something I had already decided on, with Alison. I knew that from now on I would take what I wanted of my father's, whether his possessions or his women. "Thanks, Louise," I said. "I appreciate what you're saying, and believe me, when I want your help, I'll let you know."

Smiling, her eyes bright. "Just so you understand, we're all willing to do anything we can for you. After all, you're the head of the family."

"I understand, and I appreciate it," I said, swallowing the remainder of my brandy. "Now I need to try on my dad's suits. Goodnight Louise."

She said goodnight as I rose from my chair and went upstairs. I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and put on clean underwear before trying on one of my dad's jackets. It was wearable, if a little tight across the shoulders, but when I tried on the pants, it was clear they were too short, by a couple of inches. I would need to get a new suit tomorrow.

I dressed in my own clothes, slipping on my shoes without socks. I still had a few minutes to wait before the hour was up. I looked over my dad's bookshelf, picking up the latest issue of 'Foreign Affairs' and tried to continue reading an article I started before I left Cambridge, but couldn't help thinking about what I had said to Alison.

It wasn't like I hadn't made similar commitments before, although I had never stated it so explicitly. I knew Bobbi and Claudia, and Kim and Kristen understood that I would always be there for them, that I would care for them and protect them. I was sure they knew I belonged to them, just as they belonged to me. And I think Candace knew it too - but I failed her. I closed my eyes remembering what had happened to Candace, determining never to let that happen again.

Finally, it was time to return to the guest house and Alison.

It was quiet in the main house now, with low lights illuminating the corridor and stairway. The lights along the path to the guest house were still lit. I knocked softly on the door, which was immediately opened by Alison. She was waiting for me.

She took my hand, pulling me inside. Then she was in my arms, pressing her lush body to me, her hands on my shoulders, my arms holding her. We kissed again, deeply, our tongues meeting, merging. I could smell her fresh scent - shampoo and baby powder and body lotion. As we parted she looked up at me, her eyes full of passion. "Come, here's my bedroom," she said, her voice breathy, as she took my hand.

I held back for a moment to lock the door before letting her lead me through the sitting room. There was a small light on above the stove in the kitchen, a nightlight for the twins. As we passed their cribs, "They're sound asleep," Alison whispered. I looked at the sleeping girls cuddling their teddy bears, like angels, I thought. They were my half-sisters, but I felt more like their father, maybe because of the relationship I was about to enter into with their mother. I noticed Irma's door was closed, Alison's open, with only one lamp turned on, casting a soft light over the room.

When we entered her bedroom, she guided me to the bed, and with her hands on my chest pushed me to sit on the side. Then she turned and closed the door, leaving it open a crack. Turning to me, smiling. "So I can hear if they cry," she said. "But we need to try not to be too loud."

Alison was wearing a white silk chemise, almost straight except where it was shaped by her bosom and hips. She moved closer, standing before me, bending to kiss me again. When we parted, I touched with my fingertips the silky soft skin of her upper arms. Her beautiful blue-gray eyes staring into mine, "So, you want me," she said softly.

"You know I do," I answered, my voice low.

Pressing her cheek to mine. "I want you too," she whispered in my ear. "I'm going to make it so good for you."

Alison moved back a step. A half smile on her lips, she crossed her arms, lowering the straps of her chemise while keeping her bosom covered. Still smiling, she moved her hands and with a little wiggle of her hips her chemise dropped, pooling at her feet, leaving her naked.

Alison was beautiful, her complexion very fair, flawless, except for a few light freckles across the top of her bosom matching those on her face, which I didn't consider a flaw. Her breasts were large, firm, with surprisingly tiny pink nipples. Her waist was slim flowing out to womanly hips. Boldly, I directed my eyes to where her legs joined, seeing her smooth labia outlined by fine, blonde hair.