Chapter 3

Winnie radioed ahead and let my team know we would be heading home. She asked if I wanted the security team to drive, and I opted for the two of us to take the Lexus, as long as she didn't mind driving.

"No. That's fine," she said, a little too quickly.

Jack met us going out and gave me a rundown on progress with doubling the guard on Colleen and James. "It looks like we will have some feds supplementing us while they background the new guys and girls I want to bring on board. The Judge said to tell you, he is happy to reassign some of his excess bodies to your team, so don't worry about hurrying.

"Oh, and he said to tell you, 'Congratulations.'"

"Jack. When you talk to the Judge again, PLEASE tell him we look forward to his next visit, with Mrs. Jones, so they can meet James."

Jack seemed as happy as the rest of us about our new family member. I mentioned it to Winnie and she said, "I don't know if you are aware, but Jack does not 'do' personal relationships. He hires a woman from time to time, but never socializes, parties, or visits family. The word around the unit is that Jack has no ability to bond, make friends, enjoy lovers, or even pay attention to his own family, but that isn't the experience we're seeing with you guys.

"Whatever it is that's so different about you and your family has brought Jack out of his shell. At least when he's with you guys, anyway." Winnie fidgeted as she drove. I gave her space and time. She would bring it up when she was ready, and I left it at that.

In the twenty minutes between hospital and home, I fell asleep. I was really thrashed, and the nest thing I knew Winnie touched my arm gently and said, "Hey ... We're home."

It took me a few seconds to get my bearings and by then our security team had the door open and were anxious to help me out. I assured everyone that I was fine, just tired, and we went inside.

The inside guard said that Yolanda was sleeping when walked in. Winnie followed me upstairs to the big bedroom and made no attempt to leave when I tossed my shirt into the hamper, so I asked, "Hey. What's up? I get the idea that you need to talk to me, so let me have it. Have I done something to offend, or upset you?" My question left her all the space in the world, to either hit it head on, or let it go until she knew what she wanted to say about being with us.

Winnie smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed. Her blue eyes captured me and I stopped getting undressed, and sat on one of the three wing back chairs we have in our bedroom, waiting for her to say what was on her mind. She was breathing a little heavier than normal, and each breath accentuated her lovely breasts. I wanted to see under her blouse and bra, but just managed to contain myself, and not leer like a pervert.

Her smile got bigger, and she blushed. It looked adorable. My face had to reflect my reaction to seeing her go all red in the face. That got us on more even ground, and gave her courage to broach the subject.

"Brian ... Colleen, Millie, and Rebecca cornered me before, while you were sleeping. They want me to ... they think we should ... Colleen said that I ... well ... they think we ... you see ... I haven't had a serious man in my life since college, and then only in the most general sense. I've never had a steady boyfriend, just dates, and occasional weekends. I was with some men in my line of work, but that was convenience, not love.

"When I took the job with DOJ, I traveled so much because I was the girl they put with people where a guard needed to pretend to be a young teenager. I can make myself up to look fifteen years old, and sell it to anyone. I was even supposed to work with the Bell's - twice - before you came into their lives, when things were rather difficult for them. I'm sure you know all about it.

"Each time the circumstances changed and I was out of it.

"By the time Judge Jones ordered me to join your family you all had become a bit of a legend in our world. I was soooo looking forward to finally seeing you all up close, and finding out why everyone – EVERYONE – raved about you people.

"Then I found out.

"You folks are the kindest, most thoughtful, deeply devoted family I've ever seen. There's nothing you people won't do for each other. It makes normal people - like me, for instance - ache to know what that kind of devotion feels like.

"The problem with that is that I never got to have a real life. When you asked me to leave the DOJ and come be with you all full time, I didn't do it because the Judge 'ordered' me to - without actually 'ordering' me. I did it because I was afraid I would never know what it was like to come home every night to my own family, and know what it felt like being loved and feeling a part.

"I did it because I wanted to feel like a small part of the wonderful life you have all built for yourselves. I wanted to be part ... just a small part ... but still, a part ... you know?

"Then you let me design my own apartment in the house, and made me spend your money any way I wanted, to decorate it. It was beyond anything I dreamed of. I got so tired of protectees hitting on me, thinking I should lay down for them just because we shared the same space, while I kept them alive. Some of those men were so ... awful. They said the ugliest things. It made me feel ugly and cheap.

"It's been like a dream come true, for me ... to live here, I mean...

"But...

"Colleen and Rebecca want it to be more than that ... for me ... from me...

"They've asked me to be like them ... with you ... I mean be with you, like they're with you ... You know ... all together and be one of you ... even ... up here..." She spread her arms to indicate the bedroom, and then went silent.

I let her have time to compose herself, then said, "Colleen and Rebecca have told me they are worried about me doing without them, in here," I said indicating the bedroom suite, "for the next few months. We had to stop being ... together ... that way, about two months ago, and we can't start up again for another six to eight weeks.

"We are a very energetic threesome. Our sex life is full and complete, but you probably also know that Rebecca and Colleen are special to each other, separate from me, and I suspect that bringing you into our relationship is a way for them to continue to fully enjoy that part of their sexuality, without feeling like they've left me behind, or are being selfish.