Life on a Printed Plane

Unable to get enough of each other, Derrick and I reached again and again for each other, until ultimately exhaustion won and we slipped into sleep nestled tightly together.  Some unknown time later, I pulled slowly, reluctantly awake.  Drifting between wakefulness and sleep, trying to figure out what woke me up.  It felt so good to be cuddled between Abby and Derrick…… Abby!!

Coming awake instantly, and quickly rolling over, to see Abby sound asleep on her stomach.  What on earth was Abby doing here?

"Abby!  Abby!  Wake up!" I hissed at her trying not to wake Derrick.

Groggily Abby smiled up at me, "……oh hi honey……sleepy…"

I saw that she was drifting back into sleep again.  Shaking her lightly, "Abby! Wake up!"

Blinking at me, getting yet another dopy smile from her, "Shh!  You'll wake Derrick!  Go back to sleep."

At that point I just gave up.  Things I'm sure would get cleared up in the morning, and besides  I was so sleepy.  Nestling down between them both, I drifted back to sleep.

Drifting in the warm and liquid place between sleep and wakefulness, aware of Derrick's warm body next to mine, the soft pillow under my head, and a languid feeling of contentment.  Washing into a slightly more alert place, last nights sex came flowing thru my mind.  No, that's not right, not cold and heartless sex, it was lovemaking.  We made love to each other, I cared only for his enjoyment, his feelings, feeding only his desires.  My only desire was to please him, to pleasure him, trying so hard to put my love for him into a physical language rather than tricky words.

Remembering Abby suddenly, I quickly rolled over, expecting to see her peacefully sleeping, but she wasn't there.  Getting up, I roamed around the apartment looking for her.  Opening the curtains, searching for her car in our slot, no not there either.  Throughly confused I went back to bed, and cuddled up against Derrick, and went over what little I remembered about this morning.  After spending many minutes pulling ideas around in my head, I did the only thing that to me made any sense, I smelled the extra pillow and bed for her distinctive scent.  As I was trying to catch a hint of her scent, Derrick woke up, giving me a puzzled look. Quickly explaining why I was smelling the bedding, he started to chuckle.

"You were dreaming plain and simple.  Yesterday when you woke up cuddled in-between us was the happiest you have been in a very long time, right?"

"Oh yeah, best night sleep since I don't remember when.  Waking up was…. heavenly."

"Well guess what?  I enjoyed it too.  Umm, Ben I need to talk to you about something, ok?"

Now he had my full attention!  Scooting around to get a better look at him, he shook his head and rolled my back against his chest, pulling me tightly against him.

"This will be easier to talk about if you can't look at me.  I think, um that I'm falling in love with Abby.  And honestly, I couldn't be more confused."

"Derrick? That's what I want, is for you to love her, and for her to love you."

"Ah, ok.  You aren't jealous?"

"No, not at all.  Besides how hypercritical would that make me?"

"Yeah, but still.  Saying something is easier than seeing it."

"You're right, it's easy to talk about ideas, but harder to live them.  Oh!  What are you confused about?"

"My feelings towards Abby.  I don't understand them at all."

"Huh?  I'm lost here, what do you mean?"

"I know that I love her, just not yet how I love her."

"Oh!  I see now, ok.  You don't know if you love her like a sister or a lover, right?"

"Yeah."

"Don't let it worry you.  S'all good."

"You're right, since I've met you, it's all been good."

After a quick shower and breakfast, I started assembling his old flattened moving boxes for Derrick to fill.  Quickly finishing up the kitchen, we moved onto the living room.  As I was packing his XboX, games and controllers into boxes, Derrick was taking apart his computer system carefully putting them back into the original boxes.

"What should I do with the computer desk?  Is there room for it?  Or should I just sell everything and buy a lap top?"

"Well, there's room enough in the office for your desk, or it could go in the guest bedroom.  It's up to you."

"Ok.  I'll put it in the office then.  Will it be ok with Abby?"

"Like she cares, it's my office.  She has a lap top and mostly uses it in the living room."

When Derrick didn't answer me, I looked up at him.  He had not only fallen quiet, he had stopped packing and was just standing there with a vacant look in his eyes.  Concerned I called out to him, "Derrick? Are you ok?"

A lost and bewildered gaze met mine, "What am I doing?  Oh, what in the hell was I thinking?"  Derrick stumbled back and collapsed into his desk chair, leaning over with his head in his hands.  "What have I done?"

Quickly moving to Derrick's side, I knelt beside him, gently stroking his back.  "Talk to me baby, please!  What happened?"

Without moving his head from his hands he answered me, " We have known each other a week, only a week!  And I am packing up and moving in with you?  Does that even sound reasonable to you?  That's not even the half of it, I'm moving in with a guy that is married!  Married!  What is wrong with me?  I can't do this!  I just can't!  It's just to soon!  Oh shit, what am I doing?"

His shoulders started shaking, and I knew he had begun to cry.  Moving around in front of him, I pushed in between his legs, and forced his head up and onto my shoulder. Throwing his arms around me tightly, he hung on as his tears wracked his body, his grief completely overwhelming him.  I hugged him tight against me, rubbing his back, and rocking him back and forth, making those nonsensical noises we all make when trying to comfort someone.  Slowly, in fits and stalls, his tears ran their course and began to run dry.  As his tears began to slow he gripped me in his arms even tighter, as if I was the only thing in the world to keep him from being blown away to parts unknown.  I increased the pressure of my arms as well, holding him as tightly as he was holding me, hoping to make him feel secure and safe.

"Baby? You don't have to move in with us today, ok?  We can take this as slowly as you need.   I never should have pushed you so hard, that was me being inconsiderate, and I'm very very sorry.  I just love you so much, that I never really stopped to think of you.  That sounds ridiculous, but I didn't want to take the chance of losing you, and by pushing you to fast I almost did.  Will you forgive me, please?"

"You haven't lost me, I do still love you.  I just really need to slow things down, ok?  I need some space to get my bearings, to figure things out.  The last relationship almost broke me, I…..I just need some time, do you understand?  And there is nothing to forgive, you did nothing wrong."

I don't know how long we stayed clinched together, holding on to each other as if we were afraid of what would happen if we let go.  Finally the pain in my knees reached a point where I couldn't ignore it any longer.

Murmuring against Derrick's thick black hair, "Baby, I need to move, my knees are killing me.  Come on, let's go cuddle on the sofa, ok?"

"……ok."

Climbing stiffly to my feet, my knees screaming at me, I lead Derrick to the sofa and into my arms again.  Cuddled up tight against each other, a calm silence fell over us, a warm embracing quiet that reassured us both.  Only the fading daylight and tummy rumblings told us that hours had passed while we cuddled and lightly kissed each other.  Not with lust or sex in mind, but more so to show love and acceptance and care for each other.

"I think we both need to eat, huh?"  After a particularly loud rumble echoed around my insides.  "How about we call Abby, and have her meet us somewhere?"

"That sounds wonderful, both to Abby and dinner.  How come she hasn't called today?"

"I don't know, now there's a good question.  Let's call her."

Shifting around until my fingers could grab my phone from my pocket, I flipped it open, and dialed.  It rang a few times, before a breathless Abby answered.

"Ben!  Sorry I haven't called today.  Mom called me and needed some help, and before I knew it the day was almost gone!  I just got back to the house and was surprised at the lack of boxes.  What's going on?"

"Long story, and we would rather tell you in person.  Are you hungry?"

"Starved!  What sounds good to you to boys?"

"I don't know, let me ask Derrick what he wants."

"Umm, someplace very casual with huge portions!"  A hint of his usually happy self, peeked out with a small grin.

"Ok honey, how about either the Shrimp Shack or Chena Pizza?", I asked Abby.

"Ah!  Now how am I to choose between fried shrimp and pizza?"

"Ok, I've got a great idea.  You swing by the video store and pick up some movies and then head on over to the Shrimp Shack and  load up on shrimp, fish and salads, we will swing by and grab pizza and beer, and ice cream.  We will snuggle and eat and watch videos and discuss our day.  Sound like a plan there wife?"

"Awesome!  Is there anything bottomless pit won't eat?  What kind of movies should I get?"

"So, Mr. Bottomless Pit, is there anything at the Shrimp Shack you won't eat?"

"I've never been there, but I do like most fish, especially fried!"

"Ok, a fellow barbarian!"  Which got him a quick kiss on his nose.  "Any ideas on what kind of movies you would like to watch?"

"Not really, just something happy, nothing sad, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, he will eat anything as long as it's breaded and fried, and we both need happy movies, nothing sad.  Sound good?"

"Super!  See ya soon!"

"Love ya wife of my heart."

"I love you too. Bye bye"

"Bye!"

While Derrick ordered the pizzas I started unpacking.  We had enough time to get almost everything unpacked and back where it belonged before it was time to go pick up the pizzas, and the beer. A quick discussion in the ice cream aisle, led to two flavors and many toppings and even a package of ice cream cones.

As we entered the house, Derrick called out, "Honey!!  We're home!"

"Good!  I'm starved!  What kind of pizza did you bring?"

"One with sausage, black olives, onions and peppers, one meat lovers, and one chicken mushroom spinach, just for you!"

"Yay!!  My favorite!"

"So, what goodies did you get wife?"

"Ohh, I picked up the barbarian special!"  Abby giggled saying, "Fried shrimp, fried catfish, fried halibut, cole slaw, corn on the cob and green beans."

 Ben looked at both Abby and Derrick and asked, "How about we relax in the living room and eat while we watch movies?"

"Sounds perfect!  What about you Derrick?  Wanna cuddle on the sofa and watch videos and eat?"

"Yes to cuddling, yes to eating, and what was the other thing you mentioned?"

Gales of laughter followed them into the kitchen where the ice cream was put away and plates and a forks and piles of napkins were grabbed.

As Derrick was pulling the beer out of the cartons and stowing most of it in the fridge he asked, "Abby? Do you want a beer?"

"Yeah, nothing is better with pizza than beer."

"Ok!"

Sitting all snuggly close on the sofa eating and laughing at the very funny comedies Abby had brought home was pure heaven, and as soothing as a balm on our earlier emotional day.  Between movies Derrick took a load of plates to the kitchen on his way to the bathroom.

Abby hearing the bathroom door shut turned quickly to me, "Ben? Why are there no boxes?  It looked like Derrick had been crying earlier?  What's going on?"

Quickly filling her in on Derrick's break down, Abby's face registered shock and pity for his hurt and battered heart and soul.  Just when Abby opened her mouth to say something, we heard the bathroom door open so the topic was stored until later on.  Derrick came back to the living room yawning, and plopped down on the sofa snuggled between Abby and me.  Within minutes I saw the times between blinks become longer and longer, until his head found my shoulder.

"Come on baby, let's go to bed, ok?"

"………..m'kay…… kinda tired."

Abby and I grinned at each other at him saying he was only kinda tired.  Quickly putting the leftovers away, and leaving the dishes for tomorrow we followed Derrick to bed.  He was already on his side of the bed sound asleep.  I brushed my teeth and was in the act of pulling on clean boxers when the question of what Derrick was wearing occurred to me.  I saw his clothing folded on the chair and his boxers were on top of the pile.  Carefully lifting the covers and peering underneath I saw that yuppers he was naked.  Well that will make for some interesting entertainment in the morning when he awakens and finds he is naked with Abby in the room!  Feeling rather daring and devilish, I pulled off my boxers and folded them up placing them back in their drawer, quickly getting into bed before Abby got finished in the bathroom.

Abby came out of the bathroom wearing her peach pj's which really made her dark hair gleam with reflected highlights, she is such a pretty woman, why she ever picked me to fall in love with is beyond me.  Turning out the bathroom lights, and pulling the door partially shut to keep the glow of the nightlight from shining in our eyes, she padded to the bed and pulled the covers back and pulled off her bracelets and earrings, and then slid into bed, snuggling into my chest.  Just as Abby finished wiggling around and getting comfortable, Derrick heaved a large sigh and rolled up against my back, his soft cock nestling against my ass, throwing his arm over both Abby and me.  Breathing a sigh of contentment, I quickly drifted off to sleep.

"Hey sweetie, come on time to wake up."  I had gotten back into bed to wake her up, and was snuggled up to her.  I got a sleepy dopy smile from her, as she sighed and wriggled in closer.  Oh, how warm and sweet she is.  Could it get any more  wonderful than this?  Every morning I will get to wake up two people I love, and enjoy their warm not completely awake smiles and kisses.  Sharing peaceful breakfasts together.  Just two of us at a time, what a wonderful way to connect before our days pull us into three different directions.

Abby blinked her eyes trying to clear them of sleep, and suddenly lifted up and looked around.  "Where's Derrick?  Did he leave already?"

"Yeah."

"Oh!  I didn't get to tell him good-bye."

"It's ok.  You can tell him good-bye when he comes home tonight.  How does that sound?"

"It sounds silly!  But, I like it!  I can just imagine his face when he comes home, and hears me say 'Good-bye Derrick!'"  Abby's face sobered for a moment, "No, I can't do that, he would think that I meant it.  I don't want to hurt him anymore.  Did you say he is coming home tonight?  Here?"

"Yes, I did.  I think things went well last night, with all of us together, don't you?"

"Yeah, it was nice.  But, now I have two people to gang up on me and tickle me to death."

"I'll let you in on a secret.  Derrick is very ticklish."

"Ohhhh!  He is so gonna get himself tickled!"  Abby fell quiet for a few moments, and then suddenly shot straight up out of my arms, turning with an wide surprised look on her face.  "Did we umm, I mean all of us.... like.... do it?  Or was that some perverted dream I had?"

I sat up and pulled her up into my lap, "No, honey that really happened.  Are you ok with it?"

".............. I guess so.............. it wasn't as weird as I thought it might be.  But, then I didn't have my clothes off either.... and he couldn't see anything.  Dearest?  Could we hold off on the, umm naked sex with Derrick, please?"

"Absolutely!  But we do need to figure out a way to arrange our sex lives.  And you,"  I leaned forward and kissed Abby on her nose, "have been picked to decide how all this will work."

"Me?  Why me?  Shouldn't it be all of us?"

"Abby, out of all of us, you are loosing the most.  The only fair thing is for you to decide."

"No, no, you don't understand, I'm not loosing anything!  Well, I am loosing something, a sad husband.  But, Derrick has given me back my happy husband.  How  horrible of a wife am I, to not even notice that you were so very sad?"

"You are so not a horrible wife!  Come on wife, let's go take a shower."  Wagging my eyebrows at her I said, "And if you are a good little wife, I might make it worth your while!"

Abby giggled all the way to the shower, and while we held each other and fondled each other lightly, it wasn't a prelude for sex, but a reaffirming of how much we love each other.  While we were getting dried off and getting dressed, we couldn't stop touching each other, not with lust, but almost as a reassurance that we were still there, and wouldn't be going anywhere, anytime soon.

Our breakfast seemed..... well I guess the best way to put it, like we were on our honeymoon.  Somehow between the deep hurt of yesterday, and the realization how very close we came to loosing each other, made us that much more precious to each other. We knew what we had almost thrown away, and it had scared us.

Work was one crisis after another, running around putting out fires, lighting fires under people who forgot the reason it's called work, and not visit.  Eating lunch at my desk is something I hate, but didn't have a choice but to grab bites between phone calls and emails, frantic coworkers needing one thing or another.  When the work day finally ground to a halt a happy thought hit me.  It was Friday!  Whew!  Two whole free days off!  Hallelujah!  And to think I will be with both Abby and Derrick all weekend, together.  Not having to worry if one of them is sad, or lonely or jealous, or...... what a relief!

Dinner...... I think we have seen the end of salad for supper, with Derrick moving in!  That boy can eat!  Hum, should we go out tonight or do something here?  Not really feeling the go out and deal with more people after the day I had.  Hum, steaks on the grill sounds really  good.  I'll ask Abby when she comes home.  Pulling into the garage I was surprised to see that Abby wasn't home yet.  While I was changing out of my work clothes, the memories of us falling asleep snuggled together, filled me with happiness.  Sitting on the end of the bed changing socks, thoughts of this mornings sex over took me, washing over me in a cascade of love, joy and erotic feelings.  I don't think ever in my entire sex life had I ever felt as complete during or after sex as I did this morning.  No gaping empty place needing, wanting to be filled.  Nothing chewing, gnawing at my soul howling to be filled.  Never able to feel whole, never able to be content with what I had, feeling selfish and at times worthless.  Loving Abby, and knowing how much she loved me, but that she wasn't enough, why couldn't she be enough?  Stillness reigned within me, blessed quiet and fullness.

"Ben?  I'm home!"  Abby came clattering down the hallway, her heels making the sound she took so much pleasure in making on our wood floors.

"Hi honey!  I'm in here!"

"Damn!  I missed the best part."

"Oh, really? And what would that be?"

"The part where you get naked, silly."

"Well, you might have missed the show, but I'm all ready for mine!"

"Nope!  You have to go get the grill ready for supper."

"The grill?  What are we having?  Wait!  Are we having steaks for dinner?"

Abby gave me a funny look as she pulled her sweater off, "Yeah, why?"

I started laughing, and pulled her to me for a hug and a kiss, ok maybe thousands of kisses, "That is what I wanted for dinner too!  I was waiting for you to come home and see what you thought!"   Now we were both giggling and kissing, ahh this could get interesting...

Abby pushed me away giggling, "We don't have time for this now, go get the grill ready, I've gotta hurry up too.  Maybe later tonight?"  Then kissing me deeply and oh so sexily.

Pulling Abby back up against me I growled against her neck, "Now, not later, now."  Kissing her deeply, and passionately, I felt her resistance drop and quickly undressed her and me too.  Thirty minutes later, we were standing in the shower, thoroughly sated,  lazily kissing and washing each other.

"Umm, we really need to start dinner."

"Ok, Abby."

The coals were almost ready to grill the steaks when Derrick called.

"Hi, um got a question.  Should I shower at my place or at um........"

"Ours, shower at ours.  As in yours, mine and Abby's ours."

"Are you sure?  You've seen how dirty I get."

"No problem at all.  Come home, ok?"

"Yeah,  be their in a few.  Love ya."

"I love you too."

"Hey, Abby?  Where are you?"  I had stepped into the kitchen, where the wonderful aromas were making me even hungrier.

"I went to the bathroom!  You're worse than a kid.  What did you want?"

"Derrick is almost here, but he still has to shower, and that takes a bit, so around 30 minutes or so.  Dinner smells great!"

"Hum, then things should be done just about at the right time, as long as he doesn't dawdle.  So, does he really get that dirty?"

"Oh yeah.  Quite amazing really how dirty he does get.  Speaking of which, he will need to strip off in the garage."

"Strip?"

I chucked at her worried look, "Only down to his boxers.  What are you making that smells so wonderful?"

"Baked potatoes, broccoli in cheese sauce, corn on the cob, salad, garlic bread."

"Huh, I thought I smelled bacon."

"You do, I didn't know if Derrick liked it in his potato or salad.  I'm actually worried if there is enough to fill him up.  I need to put the steaks in the marinade now that I know when he'll be........."  Abby shot me a confused look.

"Home, honey, he'll be home.  Do you need any help with the steaks?"

"Sure you could put the steaks in the marinade for me."

"These steaks are huge!  Wait, you bought Derrick two of these monsters?"

"Sure did!  And I baked two potatoes for him!  He will be full, if I have anything to do with it."

Chuckling at the determined expression on her face, I was about to tease her about going into a loosing battle with his stomach, when Derrick called. I stepped into the garage and hit the button to open the door for him.  I need to remember to get him a set of keys, and a garage door opener.  Derrick trudged into the garage looking totally exhausted, and very very filthy.  But, as his eyes found me in the dim lighting, he brightened up.

"Hi!  What a day!  Did you bring me a robe or something to wear?"

"No, just leave your boxers on.  It will be fine."  I leaned in for a kiss, only a small area around his nose and mouth was clean.

"Step back!  I'm covered in coal dust, and it floats and sticks to everything.  You can kiss me after I've at least wet this shit down."

"Ok, ok! I can wait, well if I have to that is!"

Derrick looked around for a place to leave his clothes, and spotted a place for a washer and dryer.  "Why don't you have a washer?"

"Huh?  Oh, we do.  But Abby didn't want it in the garage, so it's in what used to be a pantry in the kitchen."

"Now that's handy.  I can bring my washer and dryer over then when we move me in."  Derrick was now down to his boxers, "Same bathroom as last night?"

"Yup!"

As Derrick opened the door into the kitchen, the wonderful aromas tickled his stomach causing it to loudly growl.  "Oh, it smells like heaven in here."  He stopped and just inhaled for a few seconds, with a look of bliss on his face.

"How do you liked your steak cooked?"

"Medium to medium rare."  His eyes lit up at the prospect of steak, and his stomach growled again.

"Go get cleaned up while I put the steaks on."

As Derrick walked down the hallway Abby came out of the living room and watched him go.  She turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.  "Ok one, that is a very dirty guy, and two he has a fine, fine ass."

"I'm glad you approve.  Wanna sit with me while I grill the steaks?"

"Yup, I wanna, but nope I gotta finish up the rest of supper."

When Derrick emerged from the shower in a cloud of steam and clean, I had just pulled the steaks off the grill, and Abby had finished putting the rest of the meal on the table.  Everything looked and smelled delicious!

"Oh man, dinner smells so wonderful!"

"Come sit down, it's all ready.  Derrick what do you want to drink with dinner?"

"Um, is there any beer?  You don't mind me drinking at dinner do you Abby?"

"Pffft!  Of course not.  Ben, you wanna dig around in the fridge and see what we have in there?"

"Hey!  You're in luck!  Way in the back was two bottles of porter."  I opened a porter for him and a lager for me.

"No porter for you Ben?"

"Nope, you like the porter more than lager, and I like both.  Abby, would you like a glass of red wine?"

"Oh yes!"

Sitting back down at the table with everyones drinks in hand. a warm feeling of content flooded me.  How perfect is this?  Abby started passing the food around, and when the platter of steaks was handed to Derrick, I thought his eyes would fall from his head.

"Wow!  These are huge, and smell heavenly.  Abby how did you know my favorite meal?"

Giggling Abby answered, "I just guessed!  It just seemed like everything you would like.  And I know how you feel about garlic bread."

Derrick had a perplexed look on his face, as he looked at the dishes on the table.  "Did someone not show up for dinner?"

"Nope!  That is Abby's Operation Fill Derrick's Stomach!"

Laughing Derrick asked, "You bought me two of these giant steaks and two potatoes?  Really?  Awesome!"

And with that, he started digging into dinner, a look of pleasure on his face.  Talk swirled around the table in a leisurely manner, each of us offering bits and pieces of their day up for viewing and discussion.

As Abby and I finished our supper, Derrick was still going strong, and with a sheepish look on his face asked, "May I please have the last steak and potato?"

Wordlessly, Abby speared the last steak on dropped it onto Derrick's plate, and handed him the bowl with the last potato.  "Derrick?  You don't have to ask like a guest afraid to eat more than their share.  Your home, your food, ok?"

"Yeah.  I'll do the dishes.  Abby?"

"Yes?"

"Everything was delicious!  Thank you for letting me move into your home."  As Derrick saw Abby's mouth open to speak, Derrick cut her off, "No, Abby, please listen to what I need to say to you. Ok?"  Derrick cut a piece of steak and chewed waiting for Abby to agree.  When she finally nodded her head Derrick took a quick swig of beer and continued, "I can't imagine how hard this must be for you, sharing Ben with me, and now your home too.  While I was working today, I gave this a great amount of thought, how best to make this work for all of us, but specially for you.  I have a very nice bedroom set, and if you don't mind would like to put it in the guest room.  All you have to do, is to say the word, and I will happily spend the night in there, when ever you want me to.  I enjoyed us all sleeping together last night, and I think you did to.  I understand there will be times where you don't want to share him with me, and I'm ok with that.  But, yeah there is a but here, we have to be able to be 100% honest with each other.  And there will be times when I will want Ben all to my self, and you are going to have to understand my needs too.  Do you agree with everything I've said so far?"  Ben went back to his meal, quietly eating waiting for Abby to think things over.

"I do agree with you.  It's going to be hard at times, and I know that.  Being honest is the only thing that will keep the green eyed monster of jealousy away.  And after seeing myself like that?  I never want to see that side of me again!"

"Ok.  Now for the hard question, and remember we are being open and honest with each other, right?"  Abby and Ben both nodded their heads warily.  "Are children something that you want in your future?"

Ben cleared his throat, "Yes, we have been talking about having children, but felt that we need to have our feet under us financially a bit better.  We were looking at next year, right Abby?"

"Yeah, I'll be 26 next year, I don't really want to wait much longer.  What brought this to your mind?"

"I want kids too, but they don't need to be my biological children.  The way I look at it, if you love them, they are yours, no matter what."

I reached for Derrick's hand, "If we do have children, they will be yours too."

"Yeah, of course I'll love them like my own, you don't have to worry about that."

Abby had scooted her chair closer to Derrick's, and rested her head on his back, "No, you don't understand Derrick.  One of our children will be yours."

I watched the play of expressions on Derrick's face, run from confusion to shock to joy and back to confusion.  I leaned into him and gently kissed him.  Abby was still snuggled up against his back, and now wrapped an arm around his chest.  I rested my head against his, lightly kissing his face, as he sat and attempted to process what we were offering.

"But, but, when did you two decide this?  I don't understand."

"Derrick, if we are going to make this work, we are all equal partners.  If we do have children, then why do you think they will only be from me? Ok?"

"…..ok.. but umm.....how will we….. work it??"

"How about we worry about that in the future, ok?  What is important is that you understand any children being born into our triplet will be all of ours equally.  Is that acceptable with you?"

"Yes!  Of course……. just ummm, I don't think that…….I could…with Abby."  Ben reached back and patted what he could of Abby.  "Please don't take that the wrong way Abby.  It's not you at all, just umm, never been interested in women that way."

Abby kissed Derrick's neck, "I understand totally ok?  And when the time comes we will figure something out, aright?  No matter what, we won't make  you do anything you don't feel comfortable doing, and that is a promise."

Derrick shuddered a breath in and out.  I pulled back to look at him, he was very close to tears.  "Oh baby, it's okay, it's going to just fine." Kissing his soft lips again, so very gently, "You don't ever have to do anything that makes you unhappy in our triplet, ever!  Understand?"

"Yeah, thanks.  Sorry, I'm not emotional about the sex with Abby, but that you both could love me that much that you would even offer the opportunity to have my own child!  I'm speechless!"

"We love you!  Understand?"

"I'm beginning to.  I love both of you too."

"Love, love, love, all I hear is love. But you know what sound would make me really happy?"  I looked over Derrick's shoulder to see a mischievous look in Abby's eyes.  "The sound of dishes being done!"

"If you want me to do the dishes Abby you will have to get off my back!"  Derrick started laughing an easy and happy sound that was so infectious that we all soon were laughing hard.  And even though Derrick had said he wanted to do the dishes, we all got up and started working together.  Never had the clean up went so quickly or with so happily.  Derrick washed, Abby carried to the sink, and I dried and put things away.

The three of us were sitting on the sofa watching tv, when Derrick got up to use the bathroom.  Abby watched him leave the room, and when she hear the bathroom door close, she turned to me quickly, "I want you and Derrick go back to his place and have sex."

To say that she surprised me would be the understatement of the century.  "Huh? What?"

"I want you to have sex with Derrick.  Or would here be better?"

"…..umm, well we will have to get used to having sex with you around anyway.  I'll go ask him."  I got up off the sofa and got to the hallway just as Derrick opened the door.  "Would you like to have sex here or at your old place."  Needless I shocked Derrick as much as Abby shocked me!  Chuckling I pulled him close for a kiss.

'Sex? But, it's Abby's turn, right?"

"She is the one offering, and I don't want to turn it down.  How about it?"

"But, it's her turn, it's Friday."

"Derrick we had sex when she first got home from work today.  It's really ok.  So, here? Or your old place?"

"My old place I think. Is that ok with you?"

"Yup!  Come on let's go tell Abby goodnight!"  I grabbed Derrick's hand and towed him back into the living room.  Pulling Abby up from the sofa, and into a three way embrace, getting kisses on the lips from me and many cheek kisses from Derrick.  We both wished her goodnight and were out the door.  I was determined that if I had anything to do about it, we were going to spend most of the night in each others arms.

Derrick opened the door, and barely got the key out of the lock before I slammed the door shut with my foot, and was pushing him backwards to the sofa.

He started chuckling saying, "Your not in any kind of a hurry here are you?  We have all night ya know."

"Yeah, and I for one do not intend to waste a moment of it."  I pushed him down on the sofa and I quickly moved to straddle Derrick's lap, pulled his shirt off, and started kissing him.  Light barely there kisses. A slight dragging of lips against the skin, somewhere between a kiss and a a caress.  Reaching his neck, I licked and nibbled up to the sensitive place right behind his ear.  Scrapping my teeth back down his throat so lightly it was almost as if a feather was stroking him, and then back up, coming teasingly close to the oh so sensitive place.  Derrick kept trying to lead me.  There was no leading me.  Running up so close!  And then maddeningly backing away.  And then a sneak attack, landing me right where Derrick wanted, causing his dick to twitch.  Licking and kissing, lightly sucking, rolling small folds of skin into and out of my lips.  Causing small gasps to hitch from his throat.  Derrick was so focused on his neck, that when my fingers landed on his nipples it took Derrick by surprise.  Lightly tugging, rotating the tender nubs between the pads of my fingers, Derrick involuntary humped up into me, a groan vibrating his throat. I pushed down and ground lightly on his dick.  Wrapping his hands around my waist he held me still as he ground up into me, moaning louder as the touch on his nipples went from light and almost teasing, to stronger and stronger.  Every tug, pull, pinch zinged right into his dick, jumping with the harder tweaks.  I pulled my lips from Derrick's neck, and before he could form words, began to work over the other side of his neck.  Derrick was pushing down harder on my waist, grinding harder into me.  I was beginning to moan, and was grinding back into Derrick.

I tore my lips from Derrick's neck, "I want you in me now."  Pulling myself off of his lap, and away from those soft lips, that warm neck, was torture, pure torture, but ohh I wanted so much more tonight than his sweet lips.  Holding our my hand to him, his dazed eyes took a minute to realize what it is I wanted.  Touching hands, I gripped harder and pulled him up off the sofa and into my arms.  Ohh, he felt so right in my arms, held tight against my chest, his arms wrapped around me tightly.  Standing there a few heartbeats wrapped securely in each others arms, just enjoying the contact, then his hand slipped down to cup my ass and pull me against him more firmly.  Grinding his dick into me felt so good.

Derrick pulled away from me and holding firmly onto my hand led me into his bedroom, stopping me at the end of his bed he slowly removed my clothing piece by piece, until I standing before him naked and hard.  He quickly pulled off his sweatpants, and sat down on the bed, pulling me back into his lap.  Straddling his lap again, he cupped my ass and whispered into my ear, "Ben, are you sure this is what you want?"

"Ohh, yes, gods yes, yes, yes!"

Laying back onto the bed and bringing me with him he continued to cup my ass, and he started to kneed it up and down, pulling the cheeks apart the cool air hitting my pucker, shocking me with how heated I was, the entire time we were kissing wet sloppy noisy kisses.
Slowly he pushed me off of him and rolled me over onto my stomach.  He started kissing his way down my back until he came to my ass crack.  Gently pulling my cheeks apart, he started running his tongue down my cleft until he hit my pucker causing me to buck up into him.  Moaning for him to continue, he started licking and tonguing my pucker, wet sloppy licks that cause me to twitch forward overtime his tongue passed over my oh so sensitive opening.  And then, he was gone, turning my head in befuddlement wondering why he had stopped, he was pulling out the lube and a condom.  Working his fingers into me, one after another, thick with lube, had me whimpering and moaning, wanting more more more.  Then I felt his fingers slowly pulling away from me, my ass following his fingers not wanting him to leave.  Then the blunt thick head of his dick was at my portal, and was slowly pushing in, oh glorious in!  He worked forward and then pulled out a bit, again and again until he was buried deeply with in me, stopping and resting against me, allowing me one last chance to adjust to him.  Feeling me relax the rest of the way he started pulling out, only stopping when he was at the head of his dick, and then slowly pushing back in, over an over.  Each time he pushed in he sped up a little faster, until he had a good rhythm going.  I was raising up into him on every stroke and then he stopped, and pulled out.

"Turn over, I want to kiss you."

I quickly flipped over, smiling he leaned in and kissed me long and sweetly.  Lifting his head up to look into my eyes, wanting to watch my expression as he impaled himself again into me in a smooth quick motion, leaning forward he began kissing me, as he picked up his pace from before.  It lasted for ever, it was only a split second, time lost all meaning, and then he was pulling away from my lips, his hips a blur, banging his pelvis into me harder and harder, faster and faster, moans flowing from both of us, until he stuttered and pushed hard hard into me, quivering and twitching.  Quickly putting my hand between us, grabbing my dick, only a stroke or two and then I was spurting whimpering my release.  Pulling my hand away from my dick, Derrick collapsed on my chest.  Laying there breathing hard, sweaty, and completely sated.

On the drive home from Derrick's I couldn't stop crying.  What had I done?  Oh, God!  Will he ever forgive me?  All I want to do it to call him, or to turn this car around and go back and beg for him to forgive me.  But, he had made it very clear not to call him tonight.  What had I done?  What had I done?  What had I done?  These words kept swirling around and around and around in my head.  Pulling into the garage was a relief, the drive home had been a nightmare.  It had been so difficult to pay attention to the traffic, when the only thing my mind wanted to do was to dwell on us, or if there was even an us left....

Entering the bookstore, I glanced at my watch, only 30 minutes to find myself a cookbook, time to call for help.  Walking up to the help desk, I explain what I need, and the lady behind the counter whisks me off through the aisles of books, before coming to a rather abrupt halt.  She quickly picks up and discards several books before finding a few that seem to please her.

"So, can you cook at all?"  Her look reminds me of my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. McDougal, a shrewd no nonsense kind of woman.

"Well, I make good scrambled eggs, grilled cheese and that is really all.  Why?"

"So then no, you don't cook. What are you interested in making?  Desserts? Dinners? I need more information so that you leave with the right book."

"Yeah, ok.  I want to learn how to cook dinner."  She glanced at my hand and noticed my wedding ring.  I was expecting uncomfortable questions to follow, but she let it go.

"Either one of these two should be what you are looking for.  The recipes are broken down step by step, and there are pictures showing how each major step should look."

Driving away from the bar where Ben had left my car, headed for a quick run thru the grocery store, the cupboards were bare, and I hate eating the crap from the convenience stores.  Tomorrow I need to give Ben my house key and have him get a new key cut.  Thinking about the complete change my life has taken in such a short amount of time, makes my head whirl and spin.

Everyone has heard of love at first sight, it is almost elevated into a urban legend, because who do you know that has actually happened to?  I mean, think about it, how would that even work?  It is seeing, not knowing, two very different things.  We all love certain famous people, but do we truly love them?  No, with them it is all about the visual, not the knowing.  But, this was not, way cute guy, want him....  The first time I actually looked, no not just looked but gazed into Ben's eyes, I knew. How I knew is, beyond me.  That is all I could think about today, how impossible it is to fall in love in a single instant.  Going over and over the few hours we had spent together, and how we connected on such a deep level.  While we had a few points that don't mesh absolutely, it is almost scary how well we do mesh.  And the points where we don't meet completely are minor things.  I have met a lot of people in my life, and have never felt such an instant connection with someone ever.  Where I have learned so much about someone else in such a short amount of time.

I didn't tell him the whole story about Tim before tonight.  To be perfectly honest, I was afraid that he would think less of me, allowing myself to be hit, being forced into being fucked.  Because whenever we had sex, it was just that, he fucked me, it wasn't ever an act of love.  I was just a tool for him to use.  Why did I let him do that to me?  Fear.  I was afraid of being alone.  Fear that everything my step father said about me was true.  Fear that no one else could ever find me desirable.  Tonight was the first time I really allowed myself to believe I was worthy of someone's love.

Pushing a grocery cart, I hustled up and down the aisles snagging up what was needed.  Maybe the next time I grocery shop, Ben can come with me.  Wow!  Just that thought made me feel all giddy inside!  How on earth could grocery shopping make me feel bubbly?  With him, I don't even have to touch him to feel a soul deep connection.  Somehow he fills a place I didn't even know existed until I met him.

Loading the groceries into the trunk of my car, all I could think about was Ben's cute crooked smile, his sparking green eyes, and the feel of his hand in mine.  So firm, so sure, and yet so gentle, so loving.  How could a simple hand impart so much information?  I swear his love for me flows from his hand into me.  The flow is not a trickle, but a flood, overwhelming all doubt, all worry, all my insecurities.

Turning into the parking lot of my apartment, parking in my spot.  I will give Ben my second spot where I park my truck, and move my truck into the visitor area.  I'll do that as soon as I get the groceries into the house.  Tonight is our first night as a couple.  The cuddling before sleep, the waking up warm in each others arms, sharing the breakfast table passing the jam asking for more eggs..... all the little things that begins with two separate people and binds them into a couple.  In the face of it, these things are so small, so inconsequential, as to be unimportant, mere throwaway actions.  Tiny grains of connection, adhering us to each other, into a web of us.

Ben and Abby are already connected, and Ben and I were working on it.  Will a day come, that Abby and I will be knit together?  Will three separate couples be able to weave into a collective us?  How would that feel?  To love two people, with the same feelings that are usually only reserved for one.  I am worried about jealously digging it's poisoned claws into our hearts, and after the evil poison has worked upon our hearts we will spin away from each other for ever.  I would rather do with out Ben, much as I love him, than to hurt him.

As I was walking back from moving my truck to the visitor parking, Ben pulled into the parking lot, right into my empty spot.  As he stepped out he looked surprised to find me walking toward him.

"Oh!  I thought you had gone somewhere in your truck.  Where is your truck?"

"I parked in visitor parking.  That way you can park closer."  As we were talking Ben was pulling out a small suitcase and a hanging bag.  Taking the suitcase from his hand, I decided to be brave and slid my hand into his.  I'm not sure what I was expecting, a slight stiffening, him pulling free of my hand?  Ben lightly squeezed my hand, smiling that damed cute crooked smile of his at me.

"Are you sure?  I don't mind parking out there."

"Very sure.  Besides the other lot isn't paved, it doesn't matter about my work clothes, but you go to work dressed nicely."

"Thanks!"  As we stepped into the door he saw the grocery bags on the counter. "Let me hang up my bag, and I'll come help you put everything away.  Now, don't give me that face.  First of all, if I'm gonna live here, where things live will be a handy thing to know.  And, I live here now, right?"  At my agreeing nod, he continued, "That means that I'm not a guest, so don't treat me like one.  Got it?"

"Yeah.  Oh, it would be easier for you to just wash your clothes at your.... um.... home.  I have to run several loads of just soap and water to get the washer clean again."

"I thought this was going to my home now too?"

"Ok.  You are right, it is, sorry.  I'm having a little trouble working out how every thing is going to work.  Let's get your stuff put away."

"Do you have enough room for my clothes?"

Laughing, I nodded my head, as we walked to the bedroom.  Throwing open the closet doors, showing him how empty it was.  "See?  No worries about where to put your stuff."

"Derrick?  Why don't you have more clothing?  Or is it all in the dresser?"

Opening up the drawers on the dresser one by one, showing him it was as empty as the closet.  "I just don't have a lot of stuff."

Ben had a funny look on his face as he started hanging up his shirts and pants.  Dropping his shoes on the floor of the closet.  Unzipping his suitcase, he began to place boxers, socks, tee shirts, jeans, and a few sweat shirts into various drawers.  He already had more stuff here, than I did.  Seeing that the top of the closet was bare, he put his suit case and hanging bag there.

Helping me put the groceries away Ben was very quiet.  He didn't seem mad, and I couldn't think of anything I could have done to make him be so quiet.  Was this normal for Ben?  I hope not.  Finished with our task, I took the reusable bags, folded them up placing them all into one bag.  I dropped them next to the door until tomorrow when they will go back into the car.  When I was finished with the last little bit of busy work, somehow Ben knew that what I was doing was just time wasting, and taking my hand, he led me into the living room.

Pulling me down next to him, he turned slightly on the cushion, so he could have a better view of me.  Lightly cupping my face, he leaned in and kissed me.  A soft kiss, then pulling away from me saying, "Talk to me Derrick.  Why don't you own anything?  There is nothing in your home that says Derrick.  No pictures, no books, no little items we all seem to have sitting around.  Barely any clothes.  Is it money?"

"No, my job pays very well.  I just hate shopping for clothes, I never seem to know what to buy.  So, I just don't buy anything unless I need something."  Looking around my living room, somehow seeing for the first time how barren it truly is.  "I guess the truth would be, that I don't feel like I live here.  It feels like a hotel, not my home."

"We're going to work on this.  You deserve to live in a home, not some hotel.  Are you telling me the truth, you aren't hurting for money?"

Getting up off the couch, going over to my computer desk, opening a drawer looking for my latest bank balance.  Ah, there it is.  Handing it to him, and watched his eyebrows travel up.

"Ok, money isn't your problem.  Tomorrow we are going shopping.  Not for clothes, I'll leave that for Abby.  We are going to make this your home.  Be prepared to make some choices.  I'll talk to Abby tomorrow about where we should start our shopping, and ask her if she would take you clothes shopping.  Now, that was a silly, of course she will take you shopping."

Smiling at me, joy dancing in his eyes, sliding his hand around to the back of my neck, pulling me in for a kiss.  Softly kissing me over and over, our passion built, until we were both breathing heavily, pulling his lips away from mine, he nudged my cheek with his nose.

"Wanna move this to the bedroom?"

"Are you sure?"

"Very.  It is all I could think about this evening after we left the diner."  Ben stood up, grabbed my hands, and pulled me to my feet.  Kissing me quickly, he turned towards the bedroom, tugging on my hand, wanting me to follow him.

Starting to pull my shirt out of my pants, Ben slapped my hands away.  Shaking his head no, he started unbuttoning my shirt, kissing my chest as it was exposed.  Reaching the end of the buttons, he slid the shirt off my shoulders, stopping to kiss the top of each shoulder, licking around the base of my neck, sending shivers racing across my skin.  Wanting his shirt off, wanting to touch his skin, needing to be skin to skin with him, I began to unbutton his shirt, slowly working each button thru the shirt plackets.  Teasing him with little nips, blowing over skin I had licked, causing him to quiver.  Ben hauled me in to hold me tightly against his warm and much furrier chest.  Slightly rocking back and forth, the tickle and scrape of his chest hair against my nipples was driving me crazy!  Kissing, kissing, kissing!  Slipping my hands down to rest on his ass, I pulled him in hard against me, and began grinding into him.  Groaning into my mouth, grinding into me, rubbing his chest over and over against me.

Taking a small step away while still keeping our mouths plastered against each other, I reached between us, and undid his belt, and started fumbling with his zipper and button.  Shuddering, Ben pulled from my lips, and attacked my pants, wanting them off now.  Quickly our pants were hanging open, our breathing ragged, eyes glazed with lust and hunger for each other.  Pulling each other pants down, only clad in boxers, our desire obvious. Pushing Ben backwards onto the bed, I reached down and pulled his boxers down and off, and just as quickly shedding mine.  Standing there by the bed for a moment, gazing down at Ben and how hot he looked.  Lips swollen from our kisses, eyes heavy with lust, nipples puckered up, his dick hard and just beginning to leak, his almost hairless balls.  Those are going into my mouth now!  Kneeling on the bed between his legs, I stretch out and on all fours tease him by brushing my dick against his as I kissed him.  A few kisses later, I pulled back and settled down between his legs, and took a big breath in.  God!  He smelled divine!  I could still catch a whiff of his soap, but the rest was pure Ben.  Tonguing his balls, lapping at them, and not able to stand it any longer, taking one of them into my mouth.  Gently rolling it around in my mouth, groaning with pleasure, his smell, his taste.  Letting that ball slip slowly from my mouth, I began to suck and lick the other one.  Ben's hands were on my head the whole time, moaning and shifting underneath me.  Giving his balls one last lingering lick, I moved up to tongue around the head of his delicious dick.  Ben moaned and spread his legs further apart.

"I want you in, now."

"Ben, are you sure?"

"I wanna feel you buried deep inside me."

Opening the nightstand and rummaging around for my bottle of lube and then the realization hit me, I don't have any condoms!

Sagging down on the bed beside Ben saying, "I don't have any condoms."

"It's ok, it's ok.  I can wait.  Come here."  Holding his arm out to me, guiding me to lay beside him.  Kissing my face, running his hand up and down my back. The disappointment of not having any condoms, had deflated my desire from the peak I was racing along earlier.  Tugging on my arm until he had me laying on top of him, his legs splayed, my knees taking most of my weight off of him.

"Hand me the lube."  Squirting a small amount on his hand, sticking his hand between us, he slicked up our dicks, and humped up into me.  Grabbing my ass, he pulled us up tight against each other, and started humping into me.  And just like that, I was back racing along the edge.  Quicker and quicker we humped and ground against each other, our rhythm steady and even, pulling us ever closer to our goal.  I found the edge of my desire and fell over the edge, my rhythm broken, stuttering uneven strokes.  As I came he broke his stride of measured strokes.  Holding me tightly against him as he thrust hard last time, spilling his cum into the warm pocket between us, mingling with my offering.  Laying in each others arms kissing soft and gentle, lifting away from each others mouths to catch ragged breaths.  Resting my head against his, my leaping heart pounding a tattoo of sex.  Piece by piece, awakening to the world around me.

Dragging a deep breath into me, "How about a shower?"  Kissing his nose, temple, corner of his mouth that quirked up unevenly from the rest of his smile.

"Sounds wonderful!"

Caressing each other, in the shower, not being able to stop touching each other.  Clean and more than ready for bed, we toweled off, brushed our teeth, and headed for bed.  Setting my clock, making the blankets comfortable, ready for sleep, just one last thing.  Pulling Ben across the bed, and into my arms.  Settling my face at the base of his neck, we both were asleep within minutes.

Waking up in the dark of the night, feeling Ben cuddled up against my back warm and soft with sleep.  With a smile on my face, I drifted back off to sleep again.

Zzzt......Zzzt.......Zzzt.....Zzzt....Zz

Slapping my hand on the button to get that infernal clock to shut up, rolling back into my warm place in the bed, prying open my eyes, I turned my head to see Ben smiling at me.  Oh!  What a wonderful way to wake up!  Cuddling into his warmth,  he wrapped me into his arms, smiling.  Luxuriating in the feeling of waking up happy and having someone happy to see me.

"Come on lazy bones, time to get up."  Pulling the covers back and slapping my ass, he laughed and kissed me.  Grumbling about having to leave the idea of more sleep, leave laying with Ben, I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom.  Standing under the hot spray trying to wake up. Two many more of these days, and I would be falling asleep at break time.  Drying off, brushing my teeth, at long last starting to feel awake.  Getting dressed, how much different this morning was than yesterday!  I thought he had left yesterday while I was in the shower.  And this morning I knew that the sweetest guy ever made was in the kitchen making me breakfast.

Seeing Ben standing at the stove in yet another pair of my to large boxers, made my heart float and bobble around in my chest.  Noticing me standing there, he turned and grinned at me.  Me!

"You should have just enough time to get your lunch ready, while I'm finishing up breakfast. What do you want for dinner tonight?  Do you cook?"

"I am can cook enough to survive, and that's about it."

"Humm, me too.  Doesn't sound very promising does it?  Eggs are almost done, get your toast ready."

"Just a minute almost done with my lunch."  Snapping shut the lid of the mini cooler I use for a lunch pail, turning to say something to Ben, and all thought fled.  He had paused to tug up the boxers, doing it so offhand, so unaware of how he took my thoughts and flung them up to the stars.  Just seeing him do some stupid mundane task, tugged my heart upwards like a balloon on a string.

Stepping in behind him, I cuddled him into my chest.  Nuzzling his neck, causing him to grin and chuckle, "If only I could have what I really want for breakfast, you!"

"Then you would have to get up earlier and I don't really think that is an option.  You have a hard enough time getting out of bed as it is. Let's eat." Turning him quickly around in my arms as soon as he set the skillet down, I kissed him trying to show him the depth of my feelings.  Letting go of his lips, I gave him a long hug, resting my face against his, our scratchy beards rubbing each other.  Slowly releasing him from my arms we both stood there grinning at each other like a pair of fools.

"You went to all this trouble to make breakfast, I should let us get to it, huh?"

"Yeah, but kissing is nice too!"

Sitting down, chatting about little things, giving him the house key, eating, sipping our coffee, it seems as though we have been together forever, not just a few days.  We are so comfortable with each other, never any awkward pauses in the conversation, no tension or uncertainty, how can that be?  Oh!  You evil, evil clock!  Running the time so fast when I am happy, and so damned slow when I am sad and lonely. Kissing good-bye, rushing out the door at the nearly last minute like yesterday, only one more day, until he goes back to Abby.  Oh well, sharing Ben is better than having no Ben at all!

Watching Derrick jog out to his truck made me think of how alike and yet different this morning is from yesterday.  Today I am hopeful that we, all three of us, can build a future, that will make everyone happy.  Cleaning the kitchen up, getting ready for work, a thought hit me.  I could learn to cook!  How hard could it be?  I am going to need a beginners cook book.  On the way to work today I'm going to stop by the bookstore.

Locking his, no our door behind me, I notice the beginnings of missing Abby.  I called her last night and wished her sweet dreams.  But, my desire to see her is starting to gnaw on me.  Lunch!  I will call her and see if she is free for lunch!

"Hi honey!"

"Ben!  Hi!  I miss you!"

"Yeah, I miss you too. Are you free for lunch?"

"No worries there, things are still slow until we hear back about if our proposal was accepted or not."

"What time?"

"The unit secretary is scheduled to be off today, so we have to cover the phones for her today.  My slot is 11:30 to 12:15.  Does that work for you?"

"Yeah, that should work for me just fine.  How about the cafe on the corner?"

"Wait!  Isn't today Thursday? Today is cream of broccoli cheese soup!  You have a date!"

"Great!  I'll meet you there then.  I love you Abby.  Miss you too."

"Oh, Ben.  I love you too.  And miss you madly.  I told you that this living apart thing will be hard for you to do."

"I know, but we need some time with just each other before we can all live together.  I'm sorry, but it just has to be that way Abby.  It is just too soon yet."

Yes, yes, I do understand. I'll see you at lunch then dear.  Love you."

"Abby I am the luckiest man on the earth.  That you would even think of doing this just to make me happy.  Thank you so very much!  I love you sweetheart."

"I know dear, I know.  Bye!"

"See you at lunch.  Bye!"

Hanging up the phone, I felt better now that I had spoken to Abby.  This just might be doable.

When I opened the door, one look into those green eyes, and my heart was home.  A smile that came from his very heart, glittered from him.  He is in love with me too!  Reaching his hand out to me, my hand slid into his, and I was where I belonged!  Oh!

Shutting the door behind us, circling his arms around me, and mine around him, we kissed.  Lips against lips, heart against heart, together.  Standing in the hall, embracing, kissing, basking in each others warmth of love.

Abby's mind was furiously working with everything Ben had told her.  Sitting in my office, mindlessly feeding pieces of paper into the fax.  What were the chances of him finding someone the first night?  I mean honestly?  One freaking night?  One!  And he was so smitten!  Was it only lust that made him feel that he was in love?  Could feelings of lust, be coloring his perception of this.... Derrick?  No, no, Ben knew the difference between lust and love, if he said he was in love, then he was.

Could he, will he, fall out of love with me?  Oh God!  What have I done?  Is our marriage over?  I love my Ben!  The idea of loosing him, takes my breathe away, stops my heart, leaves me feeling like a hamster in an exercise wheel.  Running, running, running, and staying in the exact same place.  I thought he would have some sex with a few guys, get it out of his system and life would go back to normal.  What have I done?