"Honestly, we have not gotten that far. We are still working it out." Jennifer informed.

"Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Your father and I can pay for part of it too." Mother said while staring at my father.

"Thank you, and I guess that means that even if you don't understand all this, we have your blessing?" I finally asked.

"Only if you are happy, dear." My father said smilingly.

I was glad things were getting lighter now and that some good was coming out of all this. I liked listening to the ideas that my starburst beauty had and how it pleased my mother that she had someone to do all those feminine things with her. I just was not pleased at the next thing I heard.

"Get with your side of the family, Jennifer, and see if we can pull this thing off in three months. We will stay in town until it is done. I am sure that you will need help." My mother was informing Jennifer.

"Mother and Jennifer, stop! You two are rushing! We still need to consult with Trey, tell the kids, tell her family, and figure out what we want. I am sorry, but I have to say no date until at least Trey and the kids know."

"Honey, I figured we could talk it out with Trey tonight as he is coming over to talk."

"Please, can we just slow down? I also need to plan exactly when I can take off from work."

We dropped the subject then and went on talking about what my parents would be doing. They still insisted on staying around for a bit. Jennifer said that I could move into the bas.e.m.e.nt as the renter just got out, and we decided that my parents could move into my place. I did let it be known that I was going to sublet it for a bit. A part of me wanted to really hold onto a safety net just in case everything fell apart. We soon parted ways with my parents, and I got some time alone with Jennifer.

"I have something for you."

"Oh? What is that, my dear?"

"You will have to open this to see."

Jennifer opened the small box that I handed her, and I just knew she thought it was the ring to go with the questwitighion I had asked her. Instead, though, it was a set of necklaces that matched. She looked at me, confused.

"Do you like them?"

"Yes, they are beautiful. The two ladies interwoven. I don't understand."

"Well, you see, I wear a ring already on my wedding finger and a.s.sumed that Trey had given you one, too. So I figured a necklace that we both could wear would be the right thing. Then, when we looked at them, we could remember that we are intertwined together with the love we share."

"Oh, baby. Thank you! Wait! You have a band on your wedding finger? I never realized. Why?"

"Well, guess you will learn sooner rather than later. I am pagan, and I wear this ring in dedication to those that I follow."

"Oh okay. The polytheist was worried about being polyamorous. Too funny, Lexi!"

"Hey, don't laugh. I just never thought of it that way. And Jennifer?"

"Yes, Lexi?"

"I love you!"

"I love you too!"

And with that, I realized that she was right. I worried over nothing as I was already sharing my love to multiple deities. A peaceful calmness took me, and I knew that things were going to work out just fine. My starburst beauty and I could make it through anything that life had to give us.

We parted ways, and I took time for myself until it was time to go to the Scoops's for dinner. I used the time to read up on being polyamorous and found many websites full of do's and don'ts. The information in the book was fascinating. To think that these types of relationships have existed throughout all of history! Finally, I gave myself time to write up a list of what I wanted and didn't, another of deal breakers, and a list of reasons why this can work. Time flew by quickly, and I found that it was time to meet them.

I got to the house and decided that it was best I knocked first instead of just walking in. Trey opened the door, and his look told me that things were going okay--not good or bad. This gave me a little relief, but I was still uncertain of what I was walking into.

"Right on time," he said. "We just finished up the part of the conversation that was just the two of us. Jen is getting dinner on the table."

"All good?"

"As good as can be expected."

"I brought over some salad to go with dinner."

"Thanks. That will go good with it. Jen made some wonderful fish and chips."

"Sounds wonderful."

I set the salad down on the table and helped get the plates and silverware set out. Jennifer finished the last of the French fries, and Trey made some tartar sauce. We sat for a bit without saying a word and just ate. I felt each of us was trying to think of what to say and wondering who was to go first. I felt that it was best to let Trey take the lead this time.

"Well, you two have said that you are engaged. Does that mean you want a ceremony?"

"Yes."

"I will not be at it."

"I a.s.sumed that, honey. I was not going to ask you to."

"Before we get to setting that out into the works, there are some things that I need to know about first and some things we need clear up about what I want and need before I give my okay."

"Anything you wish, Trey."

"Well, Lexi and I talked. Here is what I told her. First, I am the primary relationship. That means I come first in decision making and, at times, there will be decisions that are for the family that do not include Lexi. I want some times that are just us and the kids. Is this something doable?"

"Yes," I agreed quickly.

"Yes. But, Trey, Lexi will be part of the family now."

"I am not saying that. I am just saying there are some times that I want just us and the kids."

"And there will be times that things are like that. What else, Trey?"

"Second thing is there are things that are only up to you and me to decide about, Jennifer--like family finances, kids parenting, and so forth."

"That goes without saying, love."

"Last, when we are with my friends, you are my wife. When you are with hers, you are hers. And when we are in joint circles, then the word is not used. Please."

"That is easy to do, love."

"Okay. That is my list of things. Lexi, Jennifer says you are moving in this week."

"Yes. I will be moving into the bas.e.m.e.nt."

"How are you planning to do sleeping arrangements, Jennifer?"

"I a.s.sumed three nights up and three nights down. And change if special things came up."

"That sounds good," we both replied in unison.

"Well, you two, I best be off. I am spending this week with Jill and will let you two have a good week while the kids are gone."

"Wait! Don't we get to say what we want and don't?" Jennifer said quickly. Trey sat back down, and we looked puzzled. I was glad because I had some things to talk about too. I had a.s.sumed that this would be a chance for all to put things out on the table. Not just Trey.

"Well, first things, we all get checks every year to make sure all are clean. And, along that line, if any of us gets with anyone, we let the others know. Trey, I know you are with Jill and she is clean, but if you stay with her, that means she gets checked too and lets you know any other partners."

"That is a given."

"Yes, I always get my test done at my birthday." I informed.

"Next, ch.o.r.es are a family thing and ways to say you love me. Help me cook, clean, and get the kids to pick up after each other."

We both nodded. Her list seemed simple enough.

"Finally, don't expect a date just because I am doing something with the other. I can try but cannot promise equal time with both. There are times that the kids need me and times that one needs me more than the other. Bear this in mind. And there are times I want to be away from everyone. I am putting a hide-a-way in the study that one of you will sleep on when I want a night alone."

"Sounds doable."

"Lexi, do you have anything?"

"Yes, but most has been covered. I think my main thing is that the bas.e.m.e.nt is my s.p.a.ce, and the kids will not be allowed to just run down at any t

ime. Other than that, I ask that, when we do the ceremony, I be allowed to take Jennifer on a trip for our honeymoon."

"That is fine."

We decided that was enough for now and that it was time to part ways, as it was getting late. Trey left, and we decided to relax to a movie. I woke around midnight to find both of us had fallen asleep on the couch. I moved us to the bed and fell back to sleep watching my love--my starburst beauty.

Chapter Twenty-Two.

Time had pa.s.sed, allowing Trey and Jennifer to miss each other's company. Though it was good to be with their other partners, it was always wonderful to come home to the two of them. Lexi had finished moving into the bas.e.m.e.nt. Her parents furnished and moved into her old place. This allowed her to take time to decide what she was going to do with it. She finally accepted her parents help in things and that they were going to be close by for some time. Lexi had spent the last couple of days running around town with them to give Trey and Jennifer some alone time. She figured if most of the time she gave Jennifer what she wanted, then things would turn out well.

Jennifer was feeling relieved that now both her lovers--her mates--were under the same roof. She was amazed at how well things were going. She hoped that the flow would be the same now that Trey was back. She prayed that things would stay calm between them and that he truly was not going anywhere.

"It is so nice to have you home."

"It is good to be back. How did things go? She get moved in alright?"

"Things are good, and yes she did."

"After this question, can we just stay on topics of us?"

"Yes, and was that the question?"

"No. I was just wondering if you set a date yet."

"No, not yet. We have not had a chance to look at work schedules. Don't worry. You will be one of the first to know."

"Thank you. Now, what would you like to do the next couple days?"

"Well, I am not sure, but I know we can think of a few things to do. IT" to"

"I am sure you can."

"I say first we go to that sushi bar you like and get something to eat."

Chapter Twenty-Three.

I was really enjoying decorating the new place. My folks decided I needed a new look, and I was not going to argue. We sold all I had and they bought me new furniture. It had been a long time since I had anything new, and most things I had were still from the time I was with my last girlfriend. It was a fresh start with a wonderful woman and a chance for me to have a fresh look to go with it. Only Kelly knew at work about us, and I was so thankful to leave it that way. And the only reason she knew is I got her help to pack and move.

As time went by, I realized living with the family was much different than being around and dating. Many days went by where I barely got five minutes alone with Jennifer other than sleep or at work. This started to become frustrating to me, and it took a toll on our relationship.

Even though the routine was getting in place of the whole working together with the adults alternating cooking, the kids doing dishes, and all helping on Sat.u.r.days cleaning the main living areas, there was much adaptation for me to get used to. I had come from a family where my siblings were much older, and living alone had definitely made it to where I was not used to sharing time with others. Jennifer could tell that this was getting to me and decided that it was time we talked about the ceremony. She knew that would bring me to a better place and help me see that she wanted me there.

"Lexi, dear, how about we have the ceremony at the park?"

"Whatever you want, dear, is fine with me."