Chapter 101

Sunday afternoon was a very warm, beautiful early summer day. The whole family was outside sitting in lawn chairs, just vegging in the shade after a busy week. The babies had just been fed and changed and were comfy in their infant carriers, awake and just taking things in. We had a barbecue planned for the evening meal. The salads were all made and we would be using disposable cutlery. Nobody wanted to be bothered with a big cleanup. The afternoon was ours just to relax and enjoy each other's company.

The kids were off somewhere playing, probably with the horses. Canadiens are a very gentle, people-oriented breed, and ours had taken to the children, especially Jenny. We had absolutely no fear of them being in with the horses, although My Wives, none of whom were familiar with large animals, were nervous of them at first. It didn't take long though, before they were captivated by the beasts themselves, and often if they disappeared, I just had to look in the pasture, where I'd find them brushing the horses, feeding them carrots and generally making a fuss over them. The Percheron filly I'd raised from a foal was such a pet, she thought she was a 'lap horse', and sucked up all the attention she could get!

An unfamiliar car drove up the hill and parked beside the van, out of sight. Carol didn't pay much attention as the car pulled in, thinking it was just another neighbour or old school chum dropping by to see the babies. We heard the car doors slam and two young men came into view around the van. Carol looked up, recognized them, and leapt to her feet screaming. "Robbie! Jamie!"

They grinned sheepishly and spoke together. "Hi, Mom!"

"Holy surprise, Batman! Oh! I'm so glad to see you boys!" She ran to them and tried to throw her arms around both at the same time. They sorted themselves out and Carol managed to hug each of the boys warmly.

Robbie spoke for both. "We're happy to see you too, Mom. We couldn't come East and not visit our favourite step-mom and our new brother and sister!"

Slipping an arm around each of them, she led them over to where the rest of us had remained seated with big grins on our faces. Carol beamed. "Look who's here!" Then she saw our grins and twigged. "You KNEW! You guys knew the boys were coming! Why didn't you tell me?"

Riekie laughed. "We wanted to surprise you — looks like it worked! We only found out ourselves the other day when we called to give them your good news."

Carol giggled. "Well! I am certainly surprised!" She turned to the boys. "So how long are my favourite stepsons going to be around? Surely you can stay for dinner? We're just having barbecue, but we've got lots."

Jamie laughed. "Yeah, we'll stay for dinner. Actually we were kinda hoping you'd be able to put us up for a week..."

Carol looked stricken. "Oh, damn! We don't have anything ready! The spare room's full of junk. Well, I guess we could put you up on the foldout, but I don't think you'd want to sleep on it for a whole week!"

Diane rose from her chair with some difficulty, slipped her arm around Carol and gave her a light kiss. "Don't fret, Baby! It's all looked after. The spare room is ready for them. After all, we did know they were coming, even if we did have somewhat short notice." Diane turned to the boys. "I hope you guys aren't too old to sleep in the same bed?"

Jamie laughed. "Not much different than camping in a small tent, and we do that all the time. We'll be fine."

Robbie and Jamie then got reacquainted with us, collecting warm hugs from all. They were anxious to meet the new twins, and were delighted we'd named them after their parents. Benji and Katelyn appeared to like the boys. When they asked if they could hold the babies, the little ones cuddled right in, as if they belonged. That thieving pair stole another two hearts instantly.

Just as I was about to go looking for them, the kids came running up. The twins, in the lead, recognizing them, ran screaming to the boys, to be scooped into their arms to give and receive sloppy kisses. Rhiannon and Jenny, who had never seen them before, never hesitated, and latched onto the boys' legs, screaming their delight with their sisters. The boys, to their everlasting credit, set the twins down, scooped up the other two, and got wet kisses for their efforts. After they introduced each other, it seemed as if the boys, Rhiannon and Jenny had known each other forever.

When all the squealing, hugging and kissing was over, we found chairs for Robbie and Jamie and started catching up. The kids never left the boys, and I noticed an interesting development. Rhiannon and the twins stayed close to Robbie, taking turns sitting on his lap or just sitting quietly at his feet on the grass, while Jenny climbed on Jamie's lap and stayed there until suppertime. The boys didn't seem to mind all the childish attention, actually appearing to revel in it.

As we conversed with these fine young men, I detected they were holding something back. I figured if there was something they wanted to tell us, they'd do it in their own time, but I was curious. I felt strongly that My Wives had detected the slight tension in them as well, so I bearded the lion. "Robbie, Jamie, I get the distinct impression there may be more to your trip than you're telling us. Is there something we should know about?" My Wives all nodded in agreement.

Robbie looked a little embarrassed. "Busted! We do have some news, but we wanted to settle a few details before we told you. We will be away for at least a day, probably Wednesday. The reason — the company I work for has a position for me in Toronto they want me to take — it's a promotion, but I told them I wanted to check it out first. They've been after me about it since last summer — this is my last chance to scope out the job before they give it to someone else. Originally, I wasn't sure of taking the transfer because I had no one here in the East, but that's all changed now with Mom and the rest of you here. You're the only family of note we have now, and I'd like to be closer to you."

I was stunned at Robbie's assertion about us as family. "Robbie, that's wonderful you think of us that way, and we feel the same about you, but what about Jamie, your relatives, and your girlfriend? Your whole life has been in and around Calgary."

Robbie smiled. "We were never that close to our relatives. They're scattered all across Canada. There's even some not far from here. I broke up with my girlfriend right after Dad's funeral. I saw the rude way she treated all of you, especially the twins, showing me a side of her I didn't like one bit. When I confronted her for being so rude, she said she didn't like kids and never wanted any. Well, I want a house full, so for that alone, I knew she wasn't the one for me. When she made some snide remarks about Mom, the other wives, and Karen Michelle, showing total ignorance and disrespect, I lost it completely and showed her the door. So, except for my brother, I don't have any serious connection with the West. As for Jamie, I'll let him speak for himself. Bro?"

Jamie hugged Jenny as she cuddled in his lap. "See this precious mite sitting here? This ... along with the rest of you... this is my family. Robbie told it right when he said we didn't have any close family out West. Hell, about the only time we ever see any of them is at funerals and maybe the occasional wedding, but we're hardly ever invited to those. You remember, Mom. They're friendly enough people, I guess, but we've never really socialized or been part of each other's lives like we are with you people.

"I'm like Robbie on the girlfriend thing, too. I broke up with mine the same time as Robbie, and for exactly the same reasons, except mine went a step farther on why she didn't want children, saying she didn't want to be 'all stretched out by some fat-headed kid'. She thought all pregnant ladies were ugly and made a rude comment about the way Mom looked, who I thought and think is beautiful. I was so mad, I'm afraid I almost slapped her. I called her a few choice names and told her if I never saw her again it would be too soon. I never even said goodbye when I left.

"So I don't have any connection to the West now, either, except for growing up there. My new job starts in August. What I haven't told you is that it's in Toronto. I've known that since I was accepted last year before I graduated. Even Dad didn't know. He just knew I had a job waiting. I didn't say anything because of Dad's health — I didn't want to upset him and Mom more than they already were. Oddly enough, Robbie and I, although working for different companies, might be working in the same building, that is, if he accepts the transfer. I'm coming East regardless — I don't have any choice. I accepted the job a year ago, and it's here. It has a real future I'd be crazy to pass up.

"Wednesday, Robbie's going to check out the work environment at his new job while I look at apartments. We looked at a few yesterday when we said we were sight seeing, and I found one or two of interest, but I have appointments to look at some more on Wednesday. All I know is, when we come back Wednesday night, I'll have a place to live, and we'll know if Robbie's gonna take the transfer and promotion. So there you have it. We're just full of surprises today, aren't we?"

I don't know what amazed me more — the fact that the boys were moving East, or the obvious attachment they had to us as their family. Hell, except for Carol, they hardly knew us, but their affection was obvious, especially the way they interacted with the kids and Carol. When I met them in December, they alternated between calling Carol by her name, and the more affectionate 'Mom'. Today, they never referred to her as anything except 'Mom'. From the way they greeted her today, and the way she greeted them, it was also obvious they adored her as a mother figure, not a big sister.

Carol was overwhelmed. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she went to each of the boys and hugged them close. "You have no idea how much I love you boys, as if you were my own. It'll be so good to have you close enough for regular visits"

The rest of the boys' visit was almost anticlimactic after that. We had a grand time with them and toured them all around the area, showing off our part of the world. The kids latched onto them and became almost inseparable from them — the three oldest mostly with Robbie, and Jenny with Jamie. They played games, wrestled, and generally had a ball.

When we became a little embarrassed that the kids seemed to be monopolizing them and tried to get them to give the boys some space, the boys came to their defence, claiming they loved the attention. The boys even took over the nightly tuck-in and story reading! Their Mommies and Daddy still had to give them their nightly kiss and hug, but the boys quietly usurped the rest of their bedtime routine.

Having the boys around was a treat. They didn't act or want to be treated as guests, pitching in and helping wherever they could. They learned how to change diapers and shared that daytime burden with the wives. They could often be found with their small child shadows in tow, just looking at the twins as they slept. The kids had them out with the horses, and the whole group could often be seen sitting under a shade tree in the pasture talking quietly.

Tuesday, Canada Day, we all went to a gala fireworks display. We thought the Victoria Day celebration was bright and loud! Wow! This one was spectacular, even for a small town. It was also a poignant day for Carol, Riekie, and I, as exactly twenty years before, I had boarded a bus to Ipperwash amid their tears and protests, marking the beginning of our breakup and long separation. The joyful celebration meant more to us than most except Diane would have realized.

On Wednesday, the boys left very early in the morning to arrive in Toronto with most of the day ahead of them. They returned late after the kids went to bed. Before they'd tell us how their day went, they rushed upstairs to give the girls their goodnight kiss.

Carol couldn't stand the suspense. As soon as the boys came back downstairs, she demanded. "C'mon, guys! How'd you make out today?"

Jamie laughed. "OK, Mom, don't get your girdle in a knot! I found a two bedroom apartment I like not too far from work, and the rent, for Toronto, is reasonable."

Robbie added, "And I'll definitely be taking the transfer. I met several of the people I'll be working with and saw how they work. They made me feel right to home, and I really enjoyed the work atmosphere. Those people have fun when they're at work, and they get a lot done."

Diane asked. "So when does this all take place?"

"Not soon enough for us!" Jamie said. "It cost extra, but I took immediate possession of the apartment today and made arrangements for the cable and telephone. I took Robbie over to show him after he finished at the office. That's why we're so late getting back. He likes it too. We've set it up so we both start our jobs the middle of August. We're gonna drive down so we arrive about a week before we have to start. That'll give us time to get some furniture and set up the apartment. If you're still at the cottage then, and if we have time, we might pop in on you for a night."

Robbie added. "Yeah. We'll fly back home and spend the next month finishing up our business out there. Fortunately, all of Dad's business is wrapped up, so it's just a matter of getting rid of the house, which we think is sold — we had a really solid offer on it just before we left from one of those playboy oil types the architect had in mind when he designed it — such a creature actually exists after all! We'll know as soon as we get back. Then it's just a matter of packing our clothes and heading out. Anything we can't bring ourselves we'll have shipped. Actually, most of our stuff is still packed from when we moved from the apartment back into the house, so we're ahead of the game a bit."

We congratulated the boys on their jobs and their decision to move East. We were all still very moved that they wanted to be closer to us, whom they considered their true family. I always was impressed by these young men and the way Ben, Kate, and for a brief time, Carol, raised them...

The rest of the boys' visit flew by. It was also Carol's second week home from the hospital. The babies settled into more of a routine, with four-hour feedings and sleeping longer at night. I never heard of better-adjusted babies (I'm not in the least bit biased, either, ya know... ). Our sex life during the boys' visit returned to 'normal' — as normal as it could be with two very pregnant wives, and the third under doctors orders to refrain from active sex for another 3 or 4 weeks.

By that second week home, Carol's libido more or less returned to her usual high state, and she wanted some form of gratification. Thus, one night early in the boy's visit, Riekie informed us the prohibition by the doctor was against penetration only and promptly demonstrated just how we could get Carol off, by going down on her. While Riekie teased and tantalized Carol's glorious lips and clit, Diane and I explored and teased her luscious milk-filled breasts. Together, we brought Carol to several very noisy and wet orgasms. Carol's breasts leaked heavily when she was aroused, and we all learned the delight of licking and suckling at her breasts for the sweet taste of her milk. Over the next several nights, we all became very cunning linguists.

Much to the delight of the subject of her attention, Carol polished her skills as a fellatrix in the wee small hours after the babies' late feeding. Carol became insatiable for the taste of Precious Stuff, and whenever she could, anytime of the day, she practiced her art on him. During this period she revealed a new skill — that of inserting a finger in my anus and stimulating my prostate — producing even more memorable ejaculations. Several times she blew her Prince in the kitchen while the other two worked around us and kept an eye out for kids or grandparents wandering in. Rascal Sweet Prince hadn't had it so good in some time, and his proud owner wore a happy grin most of the time.

Riekie at six months, and Diane at six and a half, found our favourite position uncomfortable with their swollen tummies. We became quite proficient at doggie style and the spoon position, with them announcing their joy to the world with loud screams and howls as usual. Every morning at breakfast, the girls blushed brightly at the boys' knowing grins.

Yes, that week was a lot of fun, as we discovered new ways and rediscovered old ways to express our love.

All too soon the following Saturday arrived, with Robbie and Jamie driving back to Pearson for their flight west. The kids were devastated when they left, clinging to them and not wanting to let them go. They only released their death grip on the boys when promised they'd see them soon and they'd phone as soon as they got home and as often after that as possible. The girls knew that Robbie and Jamie were moving East, and they'd see them more often than ever, but they still didn't want them to leave now. As the girls clung to them, the boys had tears in their eyes, too, and insisted they'd be back soon enough. I couldn't believe the bond between our daughters and those young men.

As we watched the boys drive away, the three oldest, through their tears, wailed in their now familiar three-speak, "We're so afraid they're not coming back to us and we'll never see them again."

"Why would you be afraid they won't be back? They're moving close by next month."

That's when they dropped a 50 megaton nuclear bombshell on their unsuspecting parents. "They have to come back! We're going to marry Robbie. We Love him. He is the One." The surround-sound of their young voices amplified the shockwaves from the explosion beyond imagining.

You could just hear the capitalization of 'Love' and 'One' in the way they made that earth-shaking declaration. A chill went down my spine and my vision blurred. My wives gasped and paled. I felt three sets of arms reach out and grab me for support. The four of us staggered as the shockwave from their bomb radiated outward, searing our brains. If we hadn't been clutching each other, I'm sure we'd have fallen to the ground.