Chapter 235

Characters in this chapter.

Jeff – The Prime.

Diana – Wife and Clan Queen.

Arlene – Queen, wife. Diana and Jeff's daughter.

Susan – Diana's mother who is also a Queen.

Laura – Wife and computer guru.

Ann – Laura's daughter and Jeff's young wife, also a computer guru.

Helen – Genius wife and teacher.

Kayla – Wife who first worked for the FBI, but then went to work for the General, now she is Jeff's last line of defense.

Dana – Dress shop owner.

Matt – Alpha – new FBI SAC who has just reported to Denver office.

Courtney – Matt's wife who believes that Jeff and his family might be aliens.

Angel – Fred and Brenda's daughter and soon to be wife.

Jill – Bill's wife who was kidnapped and abused by Doctor Ingles.

Hope – Jennie's sister who was abused by her father and other men.

Lieutenant Mayfield – Lieutenant in charge of Security.

Sergeant Higgins – Security Sergeant.

The Retreat

"Daddy, I can drive myself," Arlene tried to reason.

"Yeah, I know, Baby, but I need to talk with the Lieutenant and Sergeant anyway."

"But they'll think..."

" ... that Daddy is running interference for his daughter since she's ten minutes late," he said for her.

"Well, yeah, since you put it like that."

"I doubt if they will mention it after I walk in with you, but I'll tell them that it was my fault..."

"Don't," she admonished. "That will make it worse. I'll take my medicine if the Sergeant decides to discipline me. Late is late, whether it's ten minutes or an hour. No matter the reason. And guess who taught me that?"

"Okay," Jeff hesitantly agreed as his words came back to haunt him. Mentally kicking himself, Jeff and his daughter got into an Escalade.

As he hit the remote to open the door, then backed out, Shit, he thought, if she had been a trooper I had delayed, no one would have thought a thing about it when he or she gave the explanation, but because she's my daughter...

Although he didn't want to, instead of going in with Arlene, he dropped her off in front of the old ski lodge, turned around and drove back to the Retreat, knowing she was probably going to get an ass chewing that he had caused, but he was also proud of her because she had not wanted him to smooth the way for her.

Inside, Diana met him as he started to enter the living room. "Why the long face, Husband?"

Damn. She picks up on everything. "Uh, I ran Arlene a little late, but she wouldn't let me tell her Sergeant."

"Jeff, you didn't? He told them he didn't want them early or late, but to be exactly on time."

"Well, I can usually tell the person's superior if I should delay someone, but she didn't want me to say anything."

"Guess you'll know better next time," Diana said, then took pity and reached up to kiss him. "So, did you talk to her about getting more sleep?"

"Yeah, but I've decided that their training at Security is going to be half days for a while. It's time that Kayla and Art spent some time in the simulators, too. With the Security training cut to half days, Arlene should get in enough simulator time without cutting into her sleep."

Diana's grin told him he was fooling himself, but before he could comment, "Better get in there and help decorate, or you're going to be in hot water with the guys, too."

"Yes, Boss."

"And you had better believe it," she laughed as she pinched his butt, then hurried toward the kitchen.

Courtney had not worn a bra this morning. It wasn't because she now felt comfortable without one at the Retreat, for she certainly did feel as if everyone noticed. No, the reason was more basic than that; her bras didn't fit anymore. The enhancement had been part of it; she supposed, and she had practically stuffed her breasts into her bra yesterday, but today it just wasn't going to happen.

She had tried three different bras before she gave up and decided to go without. Like it or not, she was now a full D cup. And there was more. Her nipples itched and her breasts were tender. If her period was about to happen, she would blame it on that, but she had just finished her cycle a little over a week ago, and if what Diana said was accurate, she wouldn't have any more periods until Little One reactivated her ability to mature eggs.

On the way, she had stopped at two stores in Winter Park, but, as she feared, they didn't open until ten. Oh, well, she thought as she pulled back onto Hwy 40, all the women at the Retreat go braless. I'll just be one of many. Telling herself that didn't seem to have any effect, though. She had blushed just thinking about her breasts bobbing around under her top when she walked down those long hallways. Oh, my, she had thought, the men are going to get a show.

Courtney watched as the dressmakers had Angel stand on a short pedestal to check out the fit of her wedding dress. It fit like a glove. Before Courtney was quite ready, it was her turn. Her face red, she stripped to her panties, then assisted by the dressmaker, tried the dress on – well, partway on.

"Houston, we have a problem," Dana said, but there was a smile in her voice. "Seems like you've grown a little in your bust, Dear."

Blushing, Courtney agreed with her. "I was afraid of that."

The dress came off and the measuring tape came out. "No problem," The dressmaker remarked as she checked out the dress. "There's plenty of material to let the seams out."

Twenty minutes later, they tried the dress on again.

"Perfect fit," Courtney sighed out as she looked in the mirror. "I guess I've put on some weight since my wedding."

"I don't think that's the reason," Diana whispered into her ear. Smiling, the Queen ran the zipper down the back of the dress. "We need to hang this up so it doesn't get wrinkled."

Courtney slipped her top back on, then her jeans. She tried to discreetly pull the top away from her breasts for a moment, hoping her nipples wouldn't be displayed so prominently, but when she let go of the material there was little change.

Courtney tried to pay for the alteration, but Dana, the dress shop owner, just laughed and said she hadn't done enough to charge anything.

After the dress shop people left, Diana directed her gaze toward Courtney's breasts. Then, nonchalantly, "Looks like you made up your mind about a second wife for Matt, hmmm?"

"Di, I'm so embarrassed..." she stumbled out, glad that Fred's women had gone on to the living room.

"Why? From the change in the size of your breasts, I strongly suspect you're going to be a Queen. What's wrong with that? You should be thrilled. Do you have milk yet?"

Courtney didn't think she could blush any redder, but somehow she managed it. "Uh, I don't think so. I mean ... I haven't ... Oh, Diana. I don't know."

Diana reached to hug her. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. I guess with three Queens in our family, I just assume that it's a natural thing. I've had milk since puberty, and there were a couple of times when I tried to make it stop. Didn't work. My mom has always had milk, and my daughter as well. I hope you like it, because, like it or not, it isn't going away. If Matt doesn't want to nurse you, you might as well get used to using a breast pump. But as far as I'm concerned, I much prefer my husband to give me relief. It's a lot more fun, and his nursing me makes us feel even closer to each other."

"But I haven't found anyone for my husband. I mean..."

"But I imagine you've made up your mind, right?"

Courtney was nodding her head. "If there's going to be a Queen in my marriage, it's going to be me," she avowed.

"Then you better stop on the way home and get a pump for the times when your husband is at work or otherwise can't take care of you."

Courtney looked down at herself, then motioned toward her prominent nipples showing through her top. "I can't go in there around those men looking like this."

Diana smiled at her. "Oh, come on, Courtney. As soon as those girls get excited about the party, their nipples will be trying to poke holes in their tops, too. And besides, there won't be a woman or girl here today who is wearing a bra. There is no one here other than Alphas and their families. I won't say the men won't look at you, for they certainly will, but no one will disrespect you. Of that, I can guarantee."

Courtney glanced in the mirror, hoping her nipples had relaxed a bit – they hadn't.

"Come on," Diana said, taking her hand. "Shoulders back, tits out. Let's show them what they want to see."

Courtney sucked in a breath and followed a grinning Diana out the door.

Later, as Hope passed by the living room on the way to help with lunch, she noticed that the doors were closed – something that seldom happened. I'll bet they already have the room decorated for my surprise party tonight, but I'll act like I didn't notice.

During lunch preparation or even lunch, no one said anything about her birthday. There was the usual multiple topics that seemed to bounce back and forth around the big table: trip to the moon, wedding dresses, weddings, pros and cons of organic farming, Midville construction, purchase of the new ski lodge – lots of things, but not even a hint about her birthday.

As cleanup was winding down, Diana, a glass of ice water in her hand, bumped into Hope, drenching her blouse.

Hope shrieked as the cold water hit her chest.

"Oh, my. I'm so sorry," Diana apologized.

Hope was momentarily stunned. The water was cold, true enough, but it was equally surprising that Diana walked into her. No matter how many women were working in the big kitchen, they never collided while cleaning up, cooking or just hanging out together. When Diana continued to apologize, Hope grabbed her arm. "Hush. I have plenty of blouses. I'll run change and be right back."

As soon as the kitchen door closed behind Hope, Arlene and Diana high fived. Arlene was holding back a giggle. "I'll bet that water was cold."

"I don't think she suspected anything, well, other than I was clumsy." Then the Queen's demeanor changing to business, "Check to see if she's out of sight."

"All clear," Arlene said after peeking out the door.

Diana picked up the phone and dialed the theater. "She's gone to her suite to put on another blouse. Watch for her when she comes back."

Hanging up the phone, she turned to the others, "Okay, everybody in the living room. It should take her only a few minutes."

In her suite, Hope took the blouse off and hung it in the bathroom. Boy, that water was cold, she thought as she glanced in the mirror to see her erect nipples. They (meaning the younger women) are going to tease me about being horny when they see these. She brushed her nipples, grinned, and went to her closet to pick out another blouse.

A couple of minutes later, she walked out of her suite and back down the hall. Just after passing the theater, the door quietly opened behind her and Art tiptoed into the hallway with his camouflage activated. Grabbing Hope, he threw her over his shoulder.

Hope let out a bloodcurdling scream, kicking and struggling to get away from the invisible person who had her. Art, jogging toward the living room with his burden, smacked her on the butt to make her quit struggling. Oddly enough, as soon as Art spanked her, she instantly realized who was holding her. By then, they were at the now open door to the living room. As Art stepped inside with his burden, everyone let out a perfectly timed and almost deafening, "Surprise!"