Six Mothers by Dorsai

This story is the fourth in the "Jan" series. I'd suggestthat you read those before reading this one; you don't have to,but with this story being part of a series, it will make a LOT more senseif you do.

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The whole thing started when I'd been pulling Responsible Adult dutyfor my best friend, Paul, by watching out for his 3 kids while he wasout of town on business. I'd accidentally seen his daughter, Jan, masturbating.

After reassuring her that what she'd been doing was perfectly normal,I'd gone on to get her started on sex education (with Paul's consent),since that was something of a non-subject at the parochial school sheand her two younger brothers went to. From there, I'd gone on to deflowerJan - at her request, and with Paul's permission! - but only after I'dthe same thing for Jan's best friend, Kelly. Much to my surprise, theyounger-than-I-was Kelly and I hit it off - and were soon living together.

Not long after Kelly and I became an 'item', Kelly and Jan got togetherand organized a small party - during which I was called on to separateseveral girls from their virginity - at their request. Afterall the girls had graduated college and started on their careers, I wastapped by a client (I'm an engineer specializing in Instrumentation andControl systems) to scout out factory sites for them - in the Philippines.

Kelly had accompanied me, and we'd made a new friend, Marlyn, who hadcome to the U.S. with her niece for a period of training before goingback to serve as the factory's Public Affairs rep.

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It was a Saturday afternoon, and Kelly and I were lounging around thehouse when my home automation system, Mabel (Machine Access By EnglishLanguage) let us know that the mailman had come.

Since Kelly was laying on top of me as the two of us necked, she wasthe one that got up and went to see what we'd gotten. When she came backinto the living room where I was, I could see that she had an airmailenvelope in her hand. Since we only knew one person that would be sendingus airmail - our friend Marlyn, in the Philippines - I asked "Sowhat does Marlyn have to say?"

Kelly was still reading, but told me "She says that everything'sgoing well - she thinks the idiots that were fussing about the factoryhave finally given up. After her and Ted opened the clinic up to anybodythat needed it, that pretty much put and end to it."

I sat up, and Kelly came over to sit on my lap - not even giving mea dirty look when I made a noise of complaint that I thought she wastoo heavy. She knew, all too well, that I loved her, and that I was happyto have her on my lap any time. In a few moments, she'd settled down,and I was able to read Marlyn's letter over her shoulder. Marlyn wenton to write to us that Marilyn, her biological niece and our 'adopted'

niece, was doing extremely well in school - that the school was going tomake arrangements for her to start taking some 'advanced' courses tohelp get her started and ready for college. Marilyn had had her 13thbirthday after they left, and was already scheduled to start high schoolthe following academic year.

Marlyn also let us know that she'd been out on quite a few dates withTed, the factory manager, and that the two of them got along very well.

Not just professionally, but personally, too. He was rapidly learningto fit into Filipino society, and was learning Tagalog fairly well; thosetwo facts did much to alleviate any lingering resentment there mighthave been about a 'Kano' (Amerikano) running what a vocal few thoughtshould have been a local factory. In the year since they'd started production,she'd had exactly ONE person quit - and that because his father had died,and he felt obliged to move back to the distant town where he'd grownup so he could take care of his mother. Marlyn had offered to pay tobring his mother there and find someone to help take care of her; theman had been tempted, but finally decided not to accept.

When we'd finished the letter, Kelly set it on the table at the endof the couch we were on before standing up and gesturing that she wantedme to lay down. I did, and she quickly moved to lay on top of me, facingme. After a bit, she started playing with the few hairs I had on my chest-the one, sure thing she did that let me know she had something on hermind. I just continued to lay there, holding her, knowing that she'dsay something to me when she was ready.

Some time later, she finally looked into my face, and asked "Dan,you remember the promise you made to me when we got married?"

I grinned, and answered "You mean about not chasing after women?

I haven't, I swear!"

She laughed - I didn't have to chase women; Jan and four of their bestfriends continued to come to spend time with us, in and out of bed -

before saying "No, you big dummy, I mean the other one."

"You mean about you having our baby?" I asked, knowing fullwell that was what she'd meant in the first place. Before she'd agreedto marry me, she'd told me that she wanted to have a baby - specifically,MY baby.

Looking at me closely, she said "Yes, that's the one. Did you reallymean it?"

I looked her in the eyes and answered "Kelly, I meant that morethan anything I've ever said. Why?"

Visibly relieved, she lowered her head and said "I've been thinkingabout it, and neither one of us is getting any younger. We made enoughmoney from that job with Marlyn that we don't have to worry if one orthe other of us can't work for a while - or ever again, for that matter."

I put my hand under her chin and tilted her head up so she could seeme as I asked "Are you trying to tell me that you think this isthe time, then? That you want us to go to the doctor, so you can havea baby?"

Slightly nervous, she nodded, and I simply told her "Then that'swhat we'll do, then. I know how important this is to you, Kelly - andit's important to me, because it means so much to you."

I could see the relief on Kelly's face when she said "Really? Youdon't want to wait, or anything?"

I lifted my head to kiss the tip of her nose and answered "Yes,really. I thought about saying something before, but I didn't want torush you; so I've just been waiting for you to let me know when YOU wereready. You're ready now. That's all that matters to me. Monday, I'llcall the doctor and see what has to be done, and make any appointmentsthat are necessary."

Kelly's eyes filled, and I gently wiped away a tear that escaped beforeshe told me "Oh, I love you so much!", the depth and sincerityof her words reminding me - as if I needed it! - of why I loved her asmuch as I did.

We lay there like that for a long time, perfectly content to just BE

with each other - touching, but not feeling any need to talk or anythingelse.

Later, when we went to bed, I felt Kelly snuggle up to my side beforestarting to trace her fingers across my chest. Talking to my left microphone(nipple), she said "Are you really going to be okay with me beingpregnant? I mean, you're not just agreeing to this because you thinkyou have to, are you?"

I gave her a small hug and answered "Yes, I'm really okay withit - I know how much it means to you, so it's important to ME, too. Andno, I'm not agreeing to it just because I think I have to - if anyoneis going to have my kids, I want it to be YOU - the person I love mostin the world."

Kelly looked up at me, and saw that I was entirely serious - and thatI DID love her, more than anything or anyone else. She smiled at me ina way that let me know the feeling was mutual.

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The following Monday, I called the doctor's office where I'd had thesnip-snip done; to my surprise, I got a call back from the doctor, andafter a little consultation with Kelly, made the necessary appointment.

It was just over a month later when Kelly and I were in one of the doctor'sexam rooms. As we waited, Kelly told me "I can't believe that youwent to a woman doctor for a vasectomy!"

I grinned and answered "It was toward the tail-end of my marriage;my ex-wife and I were having so many problems that this was the closestI'd been to having sex in weeks." - and got a smile in return.

I hadn't talked to Kelly a lot about what life had been like with myfirst wife; not from being unwilling to talk about it, but simply becauseit was such a painful experience, and I didn't want to be one of thoseguys that's always bitching about how rotten an ex-wife was. Kelly stillhad some idea of what life between us had been like, though - and knewthat I'd gotten the vasectomy because my first wife had told me thatshe wanted a baby so she'd 'have something to play with' - somethingthat had sent chills down my spine.

Kelly still knew, however, that it hadn't been a happy marriage; andsteadfastly refrained from asking me the million and a half questionsI figured she probably had.

We'd waited only a few minutes when the doctor, Francine Cole, camein and sat down to talk with us. Her first question was to me, asking "So,Dan, this is the woman that you're going to let have your baby?"

I laughed, and answered "I have to - she made me promise she couldbefore she'd agree to marry me."

The doctor turned to Kelly and said "I knew both of them - Danand his wife Elizabeth. Or, as I referred to her, Beelzebub. KnowingDan, he probably hasn't said much about her, but I can assure you thatit is a very good thing that she never had children with him."

Kelly looked at me, then back to the doctor, and said "No, he doesn'ttalk about her much. But from the little he HAS said, I expect you'reprobably right."

Dr. Cole then started to explain to us what was going to happen thatday. First, they had retrieved one of the semen samples I'd left beforethe vasectomy, and they were thawing it out while she was talking tous. Then they'd 'clean' the semen to eliminate any dead or inactive spermcells. Finally, she would put the semen in a syringe with a long, thintube instead of a needle that would be 'threaded' through Kelly's cervix,and then 'inject' the semen directly into Kelly's uterus, maximizingthe chances of one of them coming in contact with the egg that Kellywas about to release from one of her ovaries: the appointment had beenset for just before the midpoint of Kelly's menstrual cycle, when shewould most likely be releasing an ovum to be fertilized.

Neither of us had any questions for her, so Doctor Cole told Kelly toremove the slacks she was wearing, and any undergarments, and get upon the table. Kelly didn't hesitate in the slightest to do just as thedoctor told her. As soon as she was positioned and had her feet in thestirrups, the doctor draped a 'modesty sheet' across her hips and pelvis,then let her lab people know she was ready. It wasn't but a minute laterthat someone knocked on the door; when the doctor answered it, someonehanded her a small tray without coming inside.

When she turned back, Dr. Cole told Kelly "I know that that's apretty embarrassing position to be in; that's why I keep the number ofpeople coming in and out of the room to a minimum."

Kelly gave her a wry smile and answered "And I appreciate it!" -

and getting an answering smile from the doctor.

I was assigned to sit next to Kelly, facing her head, where I couldhold her hand as the doctor took care of things. I had Kelly's hand inmine and we were looking at each other when I saw her squint slightly.

I asked "Are you okay?" and she told me "It didn't hurtor anything - it was just uncomfortable there, for a second."

Behind me, I heard the doctor tell her "That sometimes happens.

I didn't tell you about it because if it's going to happen, warning thewoman ahead of time only seems to make it worse."

Kelly lifted her head long enough to tell her "No, really - itdidn't hurt. And now that I think about it, I can't even say that itwas uncomfortable; I guess it was more that it was something so differentthan what I've felt before, is all."

I could hear the doctor moving the modesty sheet before she stood upand said "Well, it's done, anyway. Everything went as smooth andeasy as it could have."

I turned around to look at her, and she told us "Dan, you've gotreally good swimmers - I had a look at them under the microscope justbefore I came in here. As long as Kelly ovulates in the next day or two,as I fully expect she will, then you're all set." She hesitateda moment, then said "Normally, I tell couples to go home and havesex, just to make sure the bond is there between them. But seeing howyou two are with each other, I don't have to worry about that. Besides,I somehow think that you two don't have to be told to make love, anyway!" -

the last part with a grin.

Setting the syringe on the tray, she then picked up the entire collectionof things that had been brought in. She turned to us and said "Youcan get dressed, and leave whenever you're ready, Kelly. If you wantto lay there for a few minutes, though, it will help the semen get alittle closer to your Fallopian tubes and get things going." beforeleaving and closing the door behind her.

Kelly and I looked at each other, and I could see the joy in her faceat the idea that she was finally getting the chance to have a child withme. I didn't even have to ask - we just waited there a full ten minutesbefore Kelly said she was ready to get up and leave. On the way out,we made an appointment for the next month, figuring that either Kellywould 'catch' and we'd need to confirm that fact, or to have anothertry.

From the doctor's office, we went directly home - my (our) secretaryhad been told that we probably wouldn't be back to the office that day,and knew that if we didn't show up, she was to close the office whenshe was ready to go home.

Back at home, we'd barely gotten the door closed behind us before Kellywas plastered against my front, pulling my head down for a kiss as sherubbed her breasts against me.

When she turned loose of me, I looked at her with one eyebrow raised;she blushed and told me "Just knowing that I'm getting pregnantwith YOUR baby makes me so horny!"

I laughed and told her "I guess we'll just have to do somethingabout that, won't we?"

Kelly laughed back before saying "I was hoping you'd say that..." beforestepping back and beginning to undress - slowly, teasing me as she didit, as she started walking back toward our bedroom.

I followed her - both toward the bedroom, and in undressing. Betweenthe two of us, we left a clear trail of clothing from the front doortoward the bedroom.

When we got inside the bedroom, Kelly turned and wrapped her arms aroundme as she pressed her naked body against mine. I could feel the hardtips of her breasts pressing into my chest as her pubic fleece brushedagainst my leg. Between us, my semi-erect penis was pressing againsther belly with the head of it just brushing the upper fringe of her thatch.

Feeling her smooth, firm body rubbing against mine, it didn't take longbefore I could feel myself beginning to respond to the stimulus she wasproviding. She could feel it, too, because she only redoubled her efforts.

About the time that it started to get distinctly uncomfortable havingmy erect penis bent down where it was wedged between us, Kelly steppedback again and looked down to where it was waving in the air. She clappedher hands together and announced "Oh, goodie! That's just whatI need!"

Taking me in her hand, she led us over to the bed before turning aroundand sitting on it. I started to move next to her, but she just put ahand on my hip and held me in position. As I looked down at her, sheleaned forward and took nearly half my length into her mouth.

I felt her tongue begin snaking its way around my manhood as she slowlytook more and more of my penis into her mouth.

Much to my amazement, she didn't stop where she usually did; in fact,she didn't stop until her nose was pressed against my belly and her lipswere touching my pubic hair: she was, for the first time ever, actuallydeep-throating me. I could feel the muscles in her throat clenching aroundthe head of my penis, and the sensation of it was incredible - particularlywhen it was accompanied by the suction she was applying to the rest ofme.

After a few seconds, she pulled her head back a bit, and I could hearas she drew a deep breath through her nose before taking me all the wayin again.

It didn't take but a dozen such efforts by Kelly before I thought I'dblow my load; I duly informed Kelly of that fact, and only got a biggrin from around my penis as she kept going. I knew that she really wantedme to cum in her mouth when she reached up to begin dragging her fingernailsalong my scrotum, and the insides of my thighs. That was pretty muchall it took: not more than a minute later, and I felt my balls pull upas I got ready to unload what I was sure was going to be every drop ofcum I had in my body. Kelly felt my balls tighten, and pulled her headback far enough so that only the end third of my penis was in her mouth-just in time to receive the first of several jets of semen that firedout the end of my dick as though they were being launched from a firehose. I could only stand there gasping at the intensity of it as I continuedto empty myself into Kelly's mouth, feeling her tongue swirling aroundthe head of my penis, stimulating me more than I thought I could be.

Finally, it got to the point where I didn't have anything left to give-my penis was twitching as though I was still coming, but nothing wascoming out.

With a cat-that-ate-the-canary smile on her face, Kelly let me fallfrom her lips - which she licked - before looking up to tell me "I'vewanted to do that for a long time, but never had the nerve to try it-until now. Letting me have your baby has made me SO happy, I knew thatI could actually do it this time. It was kind of weird, feelingyou all the way in my throat, but it was pretty sexy, too. I don't thinkI need to ask if you enjoyed it!" - that last followed by her pointedlylicking her lips again before swallowing.

Standing there on shaky legs, I could only look at her for a few secondsbefore saying "Oh, yes, I enjoyed it - a whole lot more than I thoughtI could." I didn't say anything about the rest of what she'd said-Kelly and I knew each other well enough by then that I knew shehadn't done it out of anything like gratitude, or as any kind of 'reward'.

Rather, she'd done it because she was happy, and wanted ME to be as happyas she was - and chosen that way of accomplishing her goal. On anotherday, she might have made a cheesecake for us (my favorite dessert), orbought me some little gadget or 'toy' that I'd mentioned. Other times,I'd done similar things for her: breakfast in bed, giving her a singleflower simply because I loved her, and so on.

Grinning at me, Kelly finally guided me to sit on the bed, then on tolie on my back so she could curl up next to my side. With her head onmy shoulder and one leg thrown across mine, she let her arm rest on mybelly.

I put my arm around her, and gave her a small hug before kissing thetop of her head and telling her "Kelly, I love you - a lot morethan I could ever tell you. I know you want a baby with me, and I'm GLAD

you do. I've wanted kids, too - but always been afraid of being ableto raise them properly. But now that I have you, I know that's not aproblem: if we love our child even half as much as welove each other, he - or she - will be just fine."

Kelly looked up at me and smiled before asking "You don't careif it's a boy or a girl?"

"Not even a little bit. What's important to me is that it's OUR

child. As long as all the parts are there, and they work, then the restof it isn't worth worrying about."

Kelly gave me another smile before laying her head on my shoulder again.

After a bit, I heard her ask "And what about me? Are you still goingto love me even when I get fat and everything?"

I hugged her again and answered "Kelly, you're not going to get'fat'. You're going to have OUR BABY growing inside you. But to answeryour question, yes - I'll still love you, even when you get swollen uplike a blimp, start having all those hormones and things sloshing aroundmaking you cry one minute and screaming mad the next. I'll love you whenyou can't see your feet, but you know they're there because you can feelhow swollen they are. I'll love you when you're old and gray, even. Kelly,I will love you always."

When I finished, I could feel something warm hit my chest; it took mea second to realize that she was crying. I didn't understand why untilshe told me "Oh, Dan! You're so sweet - sometimes I love you somuch it almost hurts! And I have to wonder what I did that brought youinto my life; I'd try to bottle it, and GIVE it away so that other peoplecould find out what it's like to be as happy and loved as I am!"

I kissed her on top of the head again, and the two of us lay like thatuntil we both eventually fell asleep.

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It was a couple of weeks later, and I was in the kitchen getting breakfastready when Kelly came in and told me "It worked."

Being a little distracted, I asked "What worked?", not reallypaying attention.

"The visit to the doctor. It worked - I'm pregnant."

I damn near dropped the kettle I was holding, but managed to set itdown before I turned to look at her. I could see a trace of fear in hereyes, now that she was faced with the fact of it, and worried what I'ddo and say. I walked over to her and took her in my arms and hugged herbefore saying "I'm glad, Kelly. You're going to have OUR baby."

That was all she needed, and I felt her wrap her arms around me andstart crying into my chest in a combination of relief and happiness.

When I finally let her go, she stepped back and told me "My periodshould have started a few days ago, and I've been using one of thoseearly pregnancy tests every morning; the last couple of mornings, itsshown 'positive'."

I cupped her face in my hands, and told her "Good. From now on,the ONLY thing we worry about is making sure that you're okay. When wesee the doctor next week, we find out from her what you can and can'tdo, and when. She's a urologist, though, so we'll have to get you anobstetrician - and you WILL do what the doctor says, right? I don't thinkeither one of us wants to take any chances with OUR

baby."

Looking into my eyes, she nodded. I could see on her face that she wasdelighted that it had happened so soon - and, I think, a little worriedabout what the future might hold.

Taking her by the hand, I guided her over to a seat at the dining tableand told her "Now, you just sit there, and I'll take care of breakfast.

Remember, you're eating for two, now!"

She started to protest, but I cut her off by simply kissing her andletting her know just how much she meant to me. When our lips parted,I could see that I'd gotten my point across from the delighted smileon her face.

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Doctor Cole was pleased to be able to confirm Kelly's pregnancy thefollowing week. She got in touch with Kelly's regular gynecologist, andthe two of them came up with a couple of obstetricians they thought Kellywould like. Doctor Cole told Kelly about both of them, and when Kellyhad chosen one, made an appointment for her.

When we were done, I saw Doctor Cole whisper something to Kelly, andsaw Kelly's shocked expression; but figuring if it was anything I neededto know, one or the other would tell me, I didn't say anything aboutit.

When we got home that night, Kelly started calling the others - Pauland the boys, Jan, Sandra, Robyn, Susan, and Candice - to try and getthings set up for a small celebration. The next day, we also invitedmy secretary and her husband over, as well.

When the day came for the celebration - we'd opted for a cookout inthe back yard - everyone had a great time. Candice had been able to flyin and stay with Susan for a couple of days on her way to do a storyfor the newspaper she worked for, so we had everyone there that couldmake it. We'd already sent a letter off to Marlyn, letting her know thegood news.

Everyone was sitting around the table in the back yard when Kelly stoodup and announced "I've got some special news that we wanted to sharewith all of you."

Having everyone's attention, she went on to tell them "The specialnews is that I'm pregnant. I'm six weeks along."

My secretary, Sarah, and her husband Al, along with Paul and the boys,all thought it was great - it was Jan and the others that had expressionsof bafflement on their faces. The girls all knew that I'd had a vasectomy,so they were trying to resolve two apparently incompatible facts: eitherI had gotten Kelly pregnant despite the vasectomy; or Kelly had gottenpregnant by someone else, despite her dedication to me. It was Kellythat solved the conundrum for them by saying "We used a sample Danleft before his operation."

With the mystery cleared up, all five of them were even more enthusiasticabout congratulating us than the others had been. Paul and Al both gaveme a hard time about it taking so long (little did they know!) and whatI was in for (dirty diapers, baby vomit, and the like), while Sarah wasin a huddle with the girls explaining to them what to expect during Kelly'spregnancy.

Later, after everyone had left, Kelly told me that Sarah had talkedto her about some of the things that she could expect to go through asthe pregnancy progressed. She went on to say "I know that I haven'twanted to make love with you very much, Dan, and you've been a dear aboutit. Sarah told me that that's part of it, too - at least, inthe first few months. After that, she said that I'd likely feel more'amorous' for a few months before I didn't feel like it again."

I smiled and told her "It's okay, dear. I don't imagine I'd befeeling too frisky, either, going through what you have these last fewweeks!"

Kelly came over and hugged me before saying "Well, I just wantyou to know that I've taken care of it. Just because *I* don'tfeel up to it, it doesn't mean that YOU should have to suffer. Jan orone of the others is going to come over every couple of nights and staywith us, so you'll have someone to make love with, if you want to. Infact, Candice will be over here in a couple of hours."

Kelly and I had always welcomed the any of the girls that had come over,whether it was just to visit, or for a little fun and frolicking; thatshe'd made arrangements for them to come over for the explicit purposeof being available to me for sex almost literally floored me: I couldonly stand there for several seconds before I told her "Kelly, that really wasn'tnecessary. I love you, and the rest of them come over often enough thateven if WE didn't make love, I'd be able to wait. You didn't have tomake any kind of special arrangements for them to come over here justto take care of me that way." - the last bit with a note of displeasurein my voice.

Kelly answered "I don't doubt that you could - but I didn't seeany reason why you should have to, is all." Fromthe tone of her voice, I knew that Kelly was a bit upset at my response.

"And that's my point, Kelly - it's not a case of 'having' to. Youknow full well that I'm not one of those guys that lives with his crotch.

I love you, more than anything else, and it is not aproblem for me not to make love with you, for any reason" Ianswered, calmly.

"Dammit, Dan! That's what I'm trying to tell you!

I KNOW it's not a 'problem' for you - and I don't WANT it to become one!

THAT's why I asked Jan and the others if they minded coming over! Asmuch as I like to make love with you - at least, when I'm not pregnantwith YOUR baby! - I know that you like to make love with ME, too; andI just don't see any reason that you shouldn't be able to make love withsomeone, even if it's not ME!" Kelly was getting visibly agitated,if not outright angry.

"Kelly, what is our love and relationship all about, then, if youfeel like you have to ask our friends and lovers to come into our homeand 'take care' of me, even though I didn't do or say anything toindicate I was unhappy about that part of our marriage?" I was startingto get a little testy, myself, by that time.

Kelly was clearly enraged when she replied "Well, I guess it'scertainly not about appreciating it when one of us tries todo something for the other one!" before she roughly brushed herway around me and headed for our bedroom. A moment later, I heard thedoor slam, leaving me wondering what the hell had just happened. Kellyand I had had disagreements before, but had always been ableto resolve them calmly and amicably. Unless I missed my guess, we'd justhad our first 'fight', and I didn't like it - not even a little bit.

Still, I wasn't about to follow her into the bedroom and try to findout what the hell was going on - not so much from pride, but from a reluctanceto take the chance of further aggravating the situation. Instead, I turnedand headed for the den, where I turned the TV on before sitting downand not watching it as I thought about what had just happened betweenthe two of us.

I was still sitting there when Mabel let me know that someone was atthe door; the video camera showed that it was Candice. I quickly gotup and went to let her in; when she came in and looked around for Kelly,I explained to her about the confrontation between us, and what had happened.

She looked at me in surprise, and said "An argument? You and Kellyactually argued? I can't believe it!", then a moment later,added "Still, I guess it's not all THAT much more of a surpriseat having her ask us to come over and sleep with you. I know how muchshe loves you, and I never thought I'd hear her ASK

us to come over just to make sure you were getting enough sex!"

"Then I guess you can figure out how surprised _I_ was whenshe told me about it", I replied, with a wry grin.

Candice looked at me and gave me a small smile before saying "I'dbetter go in there and find out what's going on - this isn't like her atall!"

I nodded, and Candice headed down the hallway toward the bedroom; Iheard her knock, a brief discussion, then the door open and close asshe went in to talk to Kelly. With nothing else to do, I went back tosit down and not watch the TV.

It was maybe a half hour later when I heard the bedroom door open; thenI saw Kelly and Candice coming into the den. Candice looked calm, butKelly was a wreck: I could see that she'd been crying (something thathurt me deeply, just to see). I stood up and went over to take her inmy arms, and when I did, she wrapped her arms around me as she startedcrying again. A little baffled, I looked over at Candice, who just indicatedthat Kelly would take care of it.

After she'd calmed down again, Kelly stepped back and told me "Wehave to talk, Dan. Well, actually, _I_ have to talk. If you'renot too mad at me, I want to sit next to you on the couch."

"Kelly, I will NEVER be mad at you. I'd be delighted to have younext to me on the couch" I answered, before leading the way. Onceseated, Kelly snuggled into my side and pulled my arm around her beforetucking her head into my shoulder. I listened carefully as she told me "Dan,I'm really, really sorry. I asked Candice and the others tocome over here to make love with you, and I not only didn't have to dothat, I shouldn't have done it. And when you tried totell me that you love me whether we make love or not, I got mad at youand said things to hurt you. I'm sorry, and I hope you can forgive me."

I answered "Kelly, there's nothing to be sorry about. If - IF,mind you! - you made a mistake, you made it because you love me. I can'tbe upset with you about that. I didn't understand it, and I probablydidn't express myself properly, and we started misunderstanding eachother. So I'm probably as responsible as you are."

Kelly looked up at me and said "You're a dear, trying to take theblame like that - but you don't have to. Tell him, Candice."

I looked over at her, and Candice told me "When I got in there,she already knew that you hadn't done anything wrong. She was cryingbecause she couldn't figure out why SHE started it by asking all of usto come over here. I couldn't figure it out, either - so we finally calledher obstetrician. We didn't tell her exactly what theproblem was, but she told us that it was almost certainly because ofall the hormones and everything changing around because of Kelly's pregnancy.

She said that it was pretty common for women to do things that they ordinarilywouldn't. She also told us that this probably isn't going to be the onlyway she reacts; almost anything can cause her to have almost any kindof inappropriate reaction - it depends on what hormone and chemicalsare in her system at the time. She did say that the worst ofit should be over in a few more weeks - but that it would probably continueall the way through the pregnancy, just not as bad."

Understanding what had happened, I put my hand under Kelly's chin andtilted her head up so I could look into her eyes and tell her "Soit wasn't anything you had ANY control over. So there's no reason forme to be upset or angry with you, and no reason for you to feel bad -

you didn't have any more control over it than you do your heart beating.

Now, BOTH of us know that things like this are going to happen, and wecan try to be ready for them. I think it'll be harder on you than mebecause at least *I* don't have all those hormones andthings sloshing around, and YOU do."

Kelly looked into my face, and started crying before she put her armsaround me and gave me a fierce hug. When she released me, I told her "Ifour baby is this much trouble NOW, can you imagine what we're in forwhen he or she is actually born?" - and after a second,got a big smile from Kelly as she shook her head and answered "Ifhe - or she - comes out anything like you, we'll be FINE." beforepulling my head down to give me a kiss.

Across from us, Candice sighed and said "I know how much you loveme, Dan - and when I see how you are with Kelly, it just makes me realizehow much more you love HER."

Kelly turned to look at her and said "Sometimes, I forget how muchhe loves me. Then he goes and says something like that, and I rememberhow lucky I am all over again." A few moments later, she added "I'msorry if I hurt you or made you embarrassed by asking you to come overhere like that. If you don't want to stay here, for whatever reason,please don't think that you HAVE to. And I'm going to tell the othersthe same thing."

Candice laughed and said "Do you really think that I would havepassed on a chance to stay with the two of you? As much as I love bothof you? Of course I'm going to stay! And I'll be MORE

than happy to make love with Dan, if he wants - and you, too, Kelly,because I want to!"

Kelly pulled my arm from around her, and went over to Candice, whereshe leaned over and kissed our friend and lover. It took only a few momentsbefore each had a hand on one of the other's breasts as they engagedin what was obviously a deep and mutually loving kiss. When they finallycame up for air, Kelly turned to look at me and say "Dan, I thinkwe should show her just how much we've missed her since the last timeshe was here."

I smiled and said "I think you're right" before getting upand giving Candice a kiss of my own. When our lips parted, Kelly tookone of Candice's hands and I took the other, and together we walked withher back to our bedroom.

Inside, two of us took turns undressing the third until all of us werenaked. Holding hands, we walked over to the bed and laid down, with Kellyand I bracketing Candice.

As I always did after not seeing her for a while, I couldn't help butmarvel at Candice's beauty.

She had changed the style of her platinum blonde hair; she was wearingit in a French braid. Her beautiful gray eyes were still enough to breakany man's heart; her lips were full, pink, and moist. She had a pairof half-grapefruit sized breasts capped with dark pink nipples that wereroughly the size of half-dollars; each peaked with nipples the diameterof a large Crayon and perhaps half an inch long when erect - as theywere then. Lower down, she had a smooth, flat belly that flowed intoa pair of trim, strong legs. Between, her pubic area was the same coloras the hair on her head, longish and wispy.

As Candice and I began to kiss, Kelly started kissing Candice's body-starting with her breasts, and slowly working her way lower and lower.

As Kelly got closer to Candice's mons, our lover opened her thighs, spreadingthem to make room for Kelly. When Kelly's head finally dipped betweenCandice's thighs, I heard Candice release a moan of pleasure and arousal.

While I was kissing Candice, I was also playing with her breasts - softlycaressing them, gently pulling on her nipples, and so on. While I wasbusy with Candice's upper half, Kelly was busy with her lower half: Icould hear the soft, liquid sounds as Kelly licked and sucked on Candice'slabia and clitoris.

After a while, Candice pulled her lips away from mine to tell me "Dan!

I want to do you - please!"

It took me only a second to realize that she wanted to use her mouthon me; I quickly moved to straddle her chest so that she could lift herhead slightly and take me into her mouth. It wasn't but a minute beforeshe had me fully erect, her eyes reflecting her pleasure and desire asI felt her playing with her breasts behind me. As time went by, I couldtell that Kelly's actions were having an effect on her; I could alsotell that Candice was deliberately avoiding bringing me to climax. Iunderstood why when she suddenly pulled her head back, releasing me witha soft 'pop', as she cried out from the climax that Kelly had broughther to.

As she continued to gasp and moan, Candice's orgasm slowly tapered off,leaving her flushed and panting. A couple more minutes, and she'd recoveredenough to tell us "Kelly! I want to do you, too! And Dan, wouldyou make love with me, too?"

Kelly and I were both more than willing to comply with her wishes; itwas but a few seconds before we'd rearranged ourselves accordingly: Candicewas on her hands and knees, her face buried buried between Kelly's thighsas I positioned myself behind her. Looking down, I admired the way herthin labia were separated, the area between glistening with her oils;at the top of her cleft, I could see her pea-sized clitoris peeking outfrom under its hood.

I took hold of myself, and slid the head of my erection between hervaginal lips - moving it up and down several times to wet it with herlubrication before I positioned it at her entrance. Pressing myself forwardslightly, I felt her tight opening begin to open to me as she relaxedherself to let me in. A little more pressure, and I was through: accompaniedby a gasp of surprise and pleasure, I felt myself slide into Candice'shot, tight sheath a couple of inches. I pulled back a little to makesure I stayed wetted with her oils, then eased myself further into her-stopping only when I felt the friction was too great. I stopped, backedout a bit again, and finished filling her with my manhood, followed byher groan of arousal and satisfaction.

Leaning over a bit, I could see that Candice was industriously applyingherself to licking and sucking on Kelly's labia and clitoris; the aromaof Kelly's excitement was thick in the air.

I was brought back to the task at hand by Candice wriggling her hipsto let me know she wanted me to start moving in her. Ever the good host,I did as she bid, and began slowly pistoning in and out of her tight,wet channel. In only a couple of minutes, I was moving in her in a steadyrhythm that I could tell pleased her: her moans of pleasure and arousalsteadily increased in frequency and volume with each penetration of mymanhood.

A little longer, and I could hear Kelly release a soft cry as she wasovertaken by an orgasm; Candice continued to stimulate her for a bit,obviously making Kelly's climax both more powerful, and longer. Still,Candice finally raised her head, turning to look at me before saying "Oh,Dan, that feels so good! I've missed you so much!"

I leaned forward a bit so the two of us could kiss before I reachedunder her to cup her breasts in my hands. I continued to slide in andout of her, feeling the rocking of her body dragging her nipples acrossmy palms, making them longer and harder. Without the 'distraction' ofpleasing Kelly, Candice was free to focus on what I was doing to her,and what she was feeling. It was only a few more minutes, and I felther begin to tighten around me even more as she got close to her release.

A few more thrusts, and it happened for her - with a loud cry, she threwher head back as I felt her vagina begin to clench around me in timewith the spasms I could see coursing through her body.

As Kelly had said, it had been a while since the twoof us had made love; the feeling of Candice's hot, wet sheath claspingat me as she orgasmed was more than enough to push me into my own climax.

After a couple of long, slow strokes, I pressed myself as deeply intoher as I could go before feeling the first wad of cum erupt from my penis.

Candice cried out again, in apparent response to the feeling of my jismflooding her insides; and her vagina began clenching around me again,even harder than before. I responded by gently pinching and pulling hererect nipples, doing my part to return the kindness she'd shown Kelly.

Finally, though, it was too much for her: Kelly barely had time to rollout of the way before Candice all but collapsed on the bed. The onlything that kept her from falling flat was the fact that I had my handson her hips, and was able to hold her steady while Kelly got clear; thenKelly moved to help me get her prone on the bed. Along the way, my softeningpenis pulled free, releasing a small flood of cum and Candice's oilsto begin running down the inside of her thigh. As I held Candice, Kellywent into the bathroom, returning a few moments later with a damp washcloth,which she used to clean us up - first Candice, then me.

After she'd put the washcloth in the laundry hamper, Kelly came backand laid down on the other side of Candice from me so that two of uscould hold her. Both of us knew that Candice almost always had very powerfulorgasms - powerful enough that she was usually in a dazed state for severalminutes afterward. All of us thought it amusing that we had to be carefulNOT to give her orgasms that would leave her virtually catatonic forminutes on end.

It wasn't but a couple of minutes before Candice started to show signsof life again; when she did, Kelly took over holding and comforting herwhile I went to get snacks and drinks for all of us. By the time I gotback, she was sitting up - still a trifle dazed, but apparently recoveringquickly.

I distributed ham sandwiches and sodas all around before getting backinto bed with them. A minute or so later, drawn by the smell of the food,Cat showed up - and proceeded to take up residence on Candice's lap,purring furiously as Candice used one hand to rub Cat's ears while holdingher sandwich with the other.

When we'd finished nourishing and rehydrating ourselves, we continuedto stay on the bed, talking casually about all that had happened sincethe last time we'd been together. Finally, we felt ready to get up andtake a group shower before heading for bed - to sleep.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=—

The next few weeks went by relatively quietly. Jan or one of the othersDID come over every few days, spending the night with us. Sometimes,all of us made love; sometimes it was just me and whoever was stayingwith us - Kelly would go to the other bedroom, at her insistence, soas not to 'inhibit' us. It was during one of those nights that I foundout that the girls were coming over not so much to make love, but tosimply BE there for us: to play peacemaker if Kelly had one of her 'fits'

(she did have some), or to try and settle her down if one of her moodswings took her too far (as also happened several times). Through itall, though, we all loved her and supported her as best we could - andbitched, infrequently, only amongst ourselves.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=—

After her body chemistry pretty much settled down, Kelly's libido cameback - with a vengeance. When that happened, I was glad theother girls were coming over - it gave me a chance to rest!

The big excitement came when I went with Kelly for an ultrasound towardthe end of her 3rd month.

Kelly was on the exam table and I was sitting next to her so both ofus could watch the screen of the ultrasound machine. Kelly was lookingat the screen closely, and finally asked "Uh, am I not looking atthis right, or are there TWO heads on that screen?"

The sonogram tech, John, took a closer look and said "No, you'relooking at it right. You're going to have twins, Misses Marshall."

The two of us could only sit there, stunned - twins?

Kelly turned to look at me, and I looked at her - both of us tryingto get our minds around the idea that she was going to have not one baby,but two.

Finally, I asked the tech "Okay, I'll play - why didn't anybodyknow it was two babies in there, not just one?"

Kelly's obstetrician, Dr. Williams, explained "Until a couple weeksago, these two were pretty small, and we can only see so much from outhere. Unless you spent more than ten minutes looking, it wouldn't beunusual for just the one fetus to show up. Now that they're big enough,there isn't any way for one of them to 'hide' behind the other, so theyboth show up. John has a good angle on them right now, so if you want,I can tell you what sex they are - if you want to know."

Kelly and I looked at each other again, and without words, reached adecision that Kelly relayed to them: "We want it to be a surprise.

Just let us know if they're both okay."

"Oh, sure - they're both looking just fine. You're three monthsalong?", John asked.

Kelly nodded, and Dr. Williams watched the screen closely as John movedthe little wand thingy around before telling us "Oh, yeah - everythingis going just FINE. Development looks normal, movement looks normal,everything checks out A-OK."; John told us "Here, let me printyou out a couple of hardcopies..."

True to his word, he printed out no less than three different imagesfor us to take. As we were getting ready to leave, he told us "Iknow that whole twin thing was a shock, but look at it this way - nowyou're getting two for the price of one!", with a grin. Both ofus laughed, and thanked him.

When we got home, it wasn't thirty seconds before Kelly was on the phone,telling everyone what we'd discovered - and not long after that, showingall of them the printouts.

_Twins_!?

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=—

Knowing that it was twins inside Kelly, it wasn't quite asamazing to see how much her belly grew in the following months. It wasstill amazing, mind you, just not as amazing. One of the girlsfound a sweatshirt with the Goodyear logo printed too low on the frontof it, and gave it to Kelly, who though it was hysterical - and woreit almost everywhere; she often commented on feeling cold (and consideringhow much surface area she had radiating heat, I wasn't surprised!), andusually dressed in warm clothing.

We kept stocked up on various vitamins and supplements Doctor Williamshad suggested, and Kelly took them faithfully. Some of the things shegot cravings for amused and disgusted me, by turns, but she got themanyway. As her pregnancy continued, all of us did whatever we could tokeep her as comfortable and happy as we could - from massaging her (fun),to rubbing lotion into her skin to alleviate the stretch marks (morefun!), to rubbing her swollen and aching feet, she never had reason todoubt that we all loved her and were giving her our full support. I,of course, was her coach for the birthing classes we attended.

The last time I made love to her during the pregnancy was late in hereighth month.

We had just gotten out of the shower - I helped because there were somany places she couldn't reach - and I was gently drying her off. AsI was drying her legs, I leaned forward and kissed her swollen belly,saying "I want you kids to know that I love you - and your mom!

- very, very much."

Kelly had quickly gotten used to having me talking to 'the kids' afterthe first time the doctor had told us they were developed enough to haveears, and were able to hear us. At first, she'd just though it was entertaining,but it wasn't long before I started hearing HER talk to them, too.

Anyway, when I stood up after getting her dried off, I could see fromthe expression on her face that she was feeling sentimental. At firstI thought it was just a surplus of some hormone or other, but she pulledme into an embrace (as best she could - her belly made for one HELL ofan obstacle) and told me "Damn you, Dan - every time I start takingall this for granted, you go and do or say something to remind me howmuch it - and I! - means to you."

As we held each other, she pulled my head down for a kiss - one thatbegan as tender and loving and soon moved into passionate and exciting.

When we separated, she looked into my eyes and told me "If you'renot too turned off to do it with a fat chick, I want to make love withyou, Dan."

We'd made love several times as her belly had grown, so she knew fullwell that I didn't have any problems with making love with her duringher pregnancy; I just replied "I think I'd like that, Mrs. Marshall,mother of the Marshall clan" - something that made her smile.

She headed out of the bathroom, and I quickly dried myself off and movedto follow her. When we got to the bed, she told me "God, I'm alreadyso hot, thinking about it. Just let me get you ready, okay?"

She reached out and put her hands on my hips, pulling me closer beforeshe leaned over and took my penis into her mouth. Softly sucking on it,she cupped my scrotum in her hand as she rolled my balls around in it.

As I started to harden, she slowly changed over from simply sucking onme to bobbing her head back and forth, letting her lips stroke my rapidlygrowing length as her tongue danced and caressed its way along my manhood.

It was only a couple of minutes before I was fully erect, my penis shinywith her saliva. She finally let me slip from between her lips and said "Ithink I'm getting too big for anything else, so why don't you just laydown and let me be on top?"

I smiled and did as she asked; in a few moments she was straddling myhips, and I could see that her labia were fully extended and glisteningwith her arousal.

She took me in her hand, but was having difficulty holding me in placewhile reaching around her swollen belly. With a soft "Let me help" Ireplaced her hand with my own. She leaned forward slightly and raisedup, letting me position the head of my erection between her labia; asshe began to lower herself onto me, I held myself steady, helping her.

To my great surprise, she was already wet enough inside that she wasable to take me completely in a single slow movement.

Because of the added weight and girth of her pregnancy, she wasn't ableto move on top of me the way she normally would have, but that didn'tmean she wasn't able to move. Rather than lifting herself up, she begana rocking motion that moved my penis maybe and inch or a little morein her - but it was apparently enough for her needs. I reached up andput my hands on her breasts; they'd enlarged a bit, and gotten tender.

I knew that anything more than simply holding them was uncomfortablefor her, so I contented myself with simply cupping and supporting themas she continued to move on top of me.

I knew that the little bit of movement in her that her rocking was causingwasn't as much stimulation as she liked. But that it was enough becameclear a few minutes later when I felt and watched as she experienceda small orgasm while she continued to move herself on me. A couple moreminutes, and she climaxed again - but I could tell from the fine sheenof sweat on her, and the way she was moving, that the effort was affectingher.

I moved my hands to her hips and got her to stop her motion on me. Whenshe looked down at me, I said "There's no need for you to wear yourselfout. Just raise up a little, and I'll do it, now."

She nodded her understanding, and managed to kind of prop herself upa couple more inches over me. With the freedom to move under her, I beganto do just that: move under her - arching myself into her for perhapshalf my length, accompanied by her soft moans of pleasure and arousal.

I wasn't getting all that much stimulation, either,as little as I was moving in her, so it was several minutes before thesensations of her warm, wet vagina around began to move me toward myown release. Along the way, Kelly had several more orgasms, each a triflestronger than the one before. Finally, I got to the point where I knewI was going to climax - even as I felt my balls pull up, Kelly startedwhat was, for her, a 'normal' orgasm. The sensation of her vagina spasmingaround me was enough to put me over the edge, and with a final thrustinto her, I began spewing her insides with my hot fluids. Her eyes flewopen when she felt it, and she exclaimed "Oh, god, yes! I feel it!" beforeshe tightened around me even more.

When the spurting of my penis had reduced to the last faint twitches,I started to lower myself back onto the bed. Kelly felt me moving, andlet herself fall with me, keeping my semi-erect penis wrapped insideher. After we'd settled down, she leaned forward to put her hands onmy chest, using her arms to prop herself up as she looked down at mewith a blissful smile on her face as she told me "Thank you, Dan.

That was wonderful."

I grinned up at her and answered "Felt pretty good to me, too!",making her laugh - and a moment later, I saw a twitch cross her face.

Seeing my look of curiosity, she told me "One of the kids justkicked me - in a kidney, I think."

A few moments later, she absently asked "I wonder what THEY thinkabout us making love?"

I really hadn't considered it before, and it took me a few seconds beforeI was able to answer "I don't know that they're able to 'think'

the way you mean it. But if they are" - I raised my voice a little- "They should know that this is one way that people that LOVE eachother show it."

Kelly grinned at me, and added - in an equally loud voice - "Andthey should also know that their mom and dad love each other a lot.",grinning at me. I lifted my head, and somehow Kelly managed to lowerhers enough that the two of us were able to kiss.

After a bit, we felt it as my penis shrank enough to pull free of Kelly'sintimate embrace - and releasing the fluids that we'd produced. Kellymade a face, and I told her "Just look at it this way: now we getto take another shower together!", and getting a wry grin in return.

As we washed up, I had my hands on her belly when I felt one of thetwins kick. Surprised, I kept my hand there, and felt it again a momentlater. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked "Can you tellany difference between one of them kicking and moving around, and theother one?"

Indulgently, she told me "I think so. Sometimes,it seems like ONE of them is a little more 'enthusiastic' than the otherone - but I don't KNOW that that's the case. I just know that they havea disturbing tendency to do something at the most inconvenient times.

The other day, I was in the store, and they apparently decided to taketurns kicking my bladder!", laughing. I laughed, too, and movedbehind her so that I could hug her to my chest.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=—

As it got closer and closer to Kelly's due date, we made arrangementswith Jan and the others in case we weren't able to get home for a coupleof days - making sure the mail and newspaper were put inside, that Cathad food &&nbsp;water, and so on. We really didn't have any idea of what toexpect, despite Doctor Williams' explanations and assurances that everythinggoing to be fine.

It was a couple of days past Kelly's expected due date, and I have toadmit that both of us were getting a bit 'antsy' - we'd known that itcould happen Any Time Now for the last couple of weeks. Kelly and I werewatching TV from opposite ends of the couch (so she could lean back andrest her feet on my lap) when I looked over at her and saw that she lookeda bit distracted. I asked what was wrong, and she just shook her headin reply. I'd gotten that response from her enough times before thatI didn't think anything of it - until, an hour later, she told me "Dan?

I think it's time."

"Time for what, dear?" I asked, still watching the TV.

I heard her laugh, and say "Time for the baby."

I looked over at her (!!), and she went on to tell me "I've beenhaving pains the last couple of hours, but they're starting to come closertogether, and getting worse. I think we'd better go."

THAT got me moving.

I quickly called Dr. Williams, then left messages for Jan (she wasn'thome) and Paul (ditto). Then I got the bag that we'd packed for Kelly,and carried it as the two of us went out to my car. Once she was seatedand buckled in, I tossed the bag in the back seat, and we were off.

We got to the hospital before Doctor Williams did (okay, I was speedinga little - so shoot me), and the staff there worked wonders in gettingme calmed down. Kelly seemed to have hit her stride, now that it wasall happening - other than grimacing every so often, she was as calmas the emergency room people were.

They had her checked in and on the way to the delivery room in shortorder, with me close on their heels.

I was changing into surgical scrubs when Dr. Williams stuck her headin and let me know she was there - and that she'd be with us as soonas she scrubbed and changed.

By the time I got into the delivery room, they'd gotten Kelly ready-she was on the table and visibly in distress. I quickly took my positionat her head and took her hands in mine. Looking up at me, she smiled,grimaced, then smiled again before telling me "I'm glad it's twins-I don't think I'd want to go through this a second time ifI didn't have to!" - something that the nurses and doctors laughedat.

A couple minutes later, Dr. Williams appeared and asked how everythingwas going. One of the nurses told her how far Kelly had dilated, andthat Kelly's water had broken (apparently before I got there, thankfully).

Dr. Williams nodded and told Kelly "Okay, you've been through thebirthing classes. You know what to expect, so there shouldn't be anyproblems. If it helps any, I'm really just here to play 'catcher', andin case there are any problems - which there won't be, since everythinghas checked out just fine up to this point."

Kelly grimaced, then laughed and said "I'm glad ONE of us thinksthis is going easy!" - getting a smile from the doctor that we couldsee around her mask.

Doctor Williams took her place at Kelly's feet, and indicated to methat I should start doing my coaching bit, which I did.

Over the course of the next hour, Kelly's contractions came more andmore frequently, and steadily became stronger. As I'd been taught, Italked to her and helped her keep control of her breathing; and if theway she was gripping my hands was any indication, helping her keep fromcrying out at the pain that she was experiencing. Finally, though, Iheard the doctor say "Okay, we've got a crown - another couple ofpushes, Kelly, and you'll be halfway there!"

It couldn't have been a minute later before we heard the doctor say "Okay,folks - we've got a girl!" - followed by the joyous sound of ourdaughter's first cries.

The delivery room staff quickly got her cleaned up and wrapped in ablanket, then hurried her off to the side - a few moments later, I heardsomeone say "Nineteen inches and seven pounds seven. Heart and lungsboth fine.", and knew that she'd just been measured, weighed, andprovisionally pronounced healthy.

About that time, Doctor Williams announced "Number two crowning!",followed by "You're almost done, Kelly - just give me one more push!"

I could hear Kelly strain as she brought our second child into the world;even as she was falling back and gasping, I heard Doctor Williams telleveryone "Well, Mister Marshall, you've got a son!", followeda second later by a baby's cries.

Kelly looked up at me, and the joy and happiness - and even relief -

were plain on her face as she told me "We did it!"

I kissed her and told her "Yes, we did - even if you did most ofthe work. I love you, Kelly Marshall."

That got her crying (in happiness), and I was soon displaced by thedelivery room staff as they made sure everything was okay, and tendedto the aftermath of twin deliveries. Off to the side, I heard the announcement "Twentyinches, eight pounds three. Heart and lungs good." Both of our childrenwere healthy.

Doctor Williams went over to have a look at them, and came back to tellus "Kelly, Dan - both of them are fine. They've got all the rightparts in the right places, they're breathing fine, and their hearts soundlike a pair of Swiss watches. Everything went just like it's supposedto - all I had to do was catch!", the last part with a crinklingof her eyes that let us know she was smiling behind her mask.

Kelly and I both thanked her, profusely, before she told us "Youdon't have to thank me - *that*" - gesturing towardwhere both infants were letting everyone know that they were NOT amused- "is why I became a doctor. I'll check on you again in a littlewhile, Kelly." The nurses were getting Kelly ready to move her toa room, and the doctor took that opportunity to leave.

I went out in the waiting room, and wasn't surprised to see Paul, Jan,and all the rest of the anxiously waiting for news. When they say me,all of them stood up and rushed over to me, demanding to know how ithad gone.

I had to wave at them to get them to quiet down so I could tell them "Kelly'sfine. She had one of each - a girl and a boy - and they're doing great,too."

On hearing that, all the girls started crying and hugging me; I managedto get one hand free so Paul and I could shake as he told me "Congratulations,Dan", a big grin on his face. A few moments later, Sandra pulledback a little ways and demanded "So what are their names,Dan?"

"Daniel Paul and Janet Kelly" I answered. It hadn't takenlong at ALL for Kelly and I to come up with names. Paul and Jan bothlooked stunned for a few moments, then pleased - the rest clearly thoughtthe names were entirely appropriate.

It was another hour before they would let us into Kelly's room - andeven then, we were cautioned that she was pretty worn out. Entering herroom, I could see that she WAS tired - but that she was happier thanI'd ever seen her before as she held our children in her arms. Jan andthe others immediately swarmed over to start exclaiming over how cutethe babies were, and congratulating Kelly. Even Paul was moved enoughto tell me "Dan, you're a lucky, lucky man to have a wife like that." -

and nodded in reply when I told him "Don't I know it!"

Paul looked over at the babies and I heard him mutter "I don't thinkthere IS such a thing as an 'ugly' baby!" before going over to congratulateKelly and talk to her.

After a bit, Jan told Kelly and me "And just so you know, the restof us have already worked things out so that one of us willbe with you all the time for the next month. There'sno reason on earth that you two should have to try and take care of twonewborns all by yourselves."

Kelly started to protest, and Jan just gave her the Goober look (asif saying "You are such a Goober!"), and toldher "Forget it. It's already been decided. As much as we love youand Dan, do you think we're going to let you get away with being theonly ones to take care of these two?"

Realizing the futility of arguing, Kelly just smiled in acceptance -

then looked at me lovingly as I went over and sat next to her, gettingmy first good look at our daughter and son. I suddenly knew what theparent-child bond was all about when each of them grabbed the fingerI held out to them; at that moment, I'd have gladly killed anyone thateven suggested harming either one of them.

A while later, a nurse came in and shooed all of us out, telling usthat the infants were going to the Nursery so that Kelly could get somerest. Out in the hall, Paul took one look at me and told me that HE woulddrive me home - and for me to give Jan my keys so that she could bringmy car along.

It took me a second to realize just how tired and excited I felt atthe same time - and quickly on the heels of that, that Paul was probablyright about it being best if I didn't try to drive just then. I fishedin my pocket and gave Jan my keys; she kept us company as far as thehospital parking lot before leaving to go to my car. The rest of us piledinto Paul's minivan and headed for my place.

When we got there, Paul told me "I know it's late, and you've justhad one HELL of a last few hours. I'll check back with you tomorrow morning,okay?"

I told him "That'd be fine, Paul. Thanks."

I got out of the van, followed by Robyn. I looked at her, and she justasked "You don't seriously think that we're going to leave you allby yourself tonight, do you?"

"I'll be fine, Robyn, really", I tried to tell her.

"Bullshit" she replied, surprising me, before she went on "Justlook at yourself. You can barely stand up - but you're so damn keyedup you couldn't get to sleep if your life depended on it. So just shutup and open the door so we can get inside."

I looked over toward where the rest were, and saw that they fully expectedme to do as I was told. So I did it.

An hour later, I was glad I had. Somehow, Robyn talked me into havinga something to eat - followed by her giving me a massage. By the timeshe was done, I realized just how keyed up I'd been. I was in bed andgetting ready to fall asleep when I felt her slip into bed with me -

and I realized that as much as anything else, I needed the reassuranceof someone I loved next to me that night.

The next morning, Robyn joined me for a happy, friendly shower beforeshe got dressed and left to go to her job as a police officer - but onlyAFTER I'd given her a heartfelt kiss and my thanks. She just smiled,kissed me back, and left.

At the hospital, I saw that Kelly had gotten a decent night's sleepas well - when I went into the room she told me "You're lookinga lot better than you did last night. Who stayed with you?"

"Robyn did. Paul drove me home, and Jan drove my car back."

"Well, your timing is impeccable. You're too late for breakfast-which was something disgusting, by the way - but in time to help feedYOUR kids." - the last with a smile.

I grinned and told her "Wrong answer! I don't have the right plumbing,remember?"

She laughed, and told me "I said 'help', Dan. Yes, I have two breasts - but that doesn't mean I can feed both of them at the same time, so you get to hold one while I feed the other."

Hearing that, my heart almost stopped. What if I dropped him/her? Whatif I did something to hurt them?

Kelly must have seen the nervousness, because she took my hand and said "Dan,relax. There's nothing to be afraid of - you'll see.", her smilereassuring me.

Still, when the nurse wheeled in the little cart with the kids on it,I have to admit that my mouth felt a little dry. The nurse seemed tounderstand, and patiently and gently instructed me on how to hold myinfant daughter as Kelly started breastfeeding our son. She continuedto watch for a few moments before telling me "You're doing fine,Mister Marshall" and leaving the two (four!) of us alone.

When Daniel indicated he was done, Kelly and I traded; I was holdingmy son in my arms as I watched him fall asleep - and looking at him,knew a love and pride that I didn't know was inside me until then.

When Kelly and Janet were done, Kelly rang the nurse who came and putthem in their respective little beds on the cart and took them back tothe Nursery until it was time to feed them again. When she was gone,Kelly gave me a mischievous smile and asked "Okay, Dan, do you wanta sample of what they just had?"

It took me a couple of seconds to realize that Kelly was offering tolet me sample her breast milk - but considerably less time for me todecide that I wanted to. With a smile of my own, I went over as Kellybared one of her breasts again. Fastening my lips around her nipple,I gently sucked and was soon rewarded with a little of her milk: thinand sweet. I swallowed it and pulled my lips away, amazed to see thata few more drops leaked out before the flow stopped. Kelly covered herselfagain, and told me "When I woke up this morning, I was leaking alittle bit. I just had to find out what it tasted like, and I thoughtyou might want to find out, too. Like it?"

I grinned, and answered "I could learn to - a lot, I think!"

Kelly laughed, and told me "Me, too - but I don't think it's quite worththe trouble to make sure we have a regular supply!" - making melaugh along with her.

That out of the way, I pulled a chair up next to her bed and the twoof us talked about our future - hers and mine, and the kids' - untilDoctor Williams came in to check on Kelly. When she was done, she toldus "I'd like to keep Kelly here until tomorrow, just to make sureeverything's all right. I don't see anything wrong with her, or the babies,but I just want to make sure, if that's all right with you."

Kelly and I both assured her it was, and she congratulated both of usagain before leaving.

After lunch (for Kelly AND the twins), she shooed me off, telling methat I had to make arrangements to get her and the twins home the nextday - and that I'd probably be seeing too much of them over the nextfew weeks, anyway. I laughed, and told her that I didn't think that waspossible - but left after she let me know that I could come back thatevening.

As I'd expected, Paul was more than willing to drive us home from thehospital the next day; Jan and the others had already organized thingsso they'd be there when we arrived. Kelly and I had already gotten allof the things we'd need for two infants - cribs, diapers, powder, oil, everything hadbeen prepped for our new family.

When we got home the next day, we found that the babies' room had abanner: "Welcome Home Daniel Paul and Janet Kelly!" - somethingthat got Kelly, then the others, crying.

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The next few weeks went by in a blur.

Jan, Susan, Robyn, Sandra, and even Candice all got their chance totake care of the kids. NOTHING seemed to faze them, either: baby poop,wet diapers, vomit, nothing. I've got to admit, some of it kindof grossed ME out, but not them.

And more to the point, they didn't stop after just a couple of weeks.

Somehow, somewhere, they got the wherewithal to keep at it, day afterday, week after week; they gradually phased themselves out as the twinsgrew, so that by the time Daniel and Janet were sleeping regularly, thegirls were stopping by only every so often, just to visit for a littlewhile.

Even then, once a week or so, one or two of them would stop by and insiston watching after the kids - and insisting that Kelly and I go out anddo something: a movie, dinner, something to get us out of thehouse. By that time, I and Kelly had realized that she and I, along withthe others, had formed an extended family, and that any kids born toANY of us were going to have the whole lot of us as parents. Young Danieland Janet didn't know it yet, but each of them had six mothers, and onedad.

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As the weeks, then months went by, Jan and the rest continued to bepart of our lives. They were there when the twins started standing, thenwalking. They were there with sympathy as the kids went through the 'terribletwos'. Kelly was always "Mom" and I was always "Daddy",but Jan and the rest were known as MOMMA Jan, and MOMMA Robyn, and soon. The girls always took their child-rearing cues from Kelly and I -

they were as firm and loving as Kelly and I were, no more and no less;if one of the twins misbehaved, they got the same type of punishmentas Kelly and I would have dispensed. If one of them fell and skinneda knee, they got as much sympathy and love, too. More than anything else,Kelly's and my children started out in life knowing that they were loved.