Trey was awoken by Gracie and John David, both asking to watch TV and wanting their breakfasts. It had been a long time since Jennifer had stayed out all night and had not been there for Sat.u.r.day breakfast. Trey hoped that she had answers and had not just rushed into bed with someone. As Trey was making eggs and toast, Jennifer came in. She did not rush any answers, and he did not rush to ask the questions. They just kissed h.e.l.lo and set about getting breakfast done. Trey was glad that she was home.

"Mom, where did you go?" said Tracy, as she stumbled sleepily into the kitchen, trying to find a place to sit and wake up.

"I was out with a friend and spent the night elsewhere."

"Here we go again," Tracy tried to whisper but realized quickly she said it louder than she had thought. She knew that this meant her mother was dating a woman again and just could not bring herself to terms with it.

"Tracy, are you going with your friends today?" Trey said quickly to move the conversation away from where Jennifer had been. Trey did not like the kids questioning some things--especially when it came to adult relationships. He wished Tracy would let herself be their daughter--just be a kid and not know adult concerns like her mother dating, him dating, finances, and other things. Tracy sometimes acted above her age and used this as a way to manipulate and control things to get what she wanted. Many times, he had to remind her who the adults were and that she was yet to be one. Life still had much to teach her, and she was not to parent them.

"Don't know yet. If I do, can I have some cash?"

"Sure, but just twenty, and you will have to babysit one night soon to make up for it," Jennifer quickly threw in.

"Mom, I just babysat for you on Friday. Come on now!"

"Okay, okay. You earned it already. I was just wanting to get another night out of you. Guess it is time we start looking around for someone here since you obviously don't need the cash. I do miss Meridith. She had such a way with your siblings."

"Yeah, me too. I did not get stuck doing kid duty all the time. And the cash is not all that much."

"Hey, you two. Get the others. Breakfast is ready!" Trey belted into the conversation.

All soon gathered around the table for the meal and discussed the day's plans. Trey planned to take the little ones to the park, and Jennifer wanted to get to the boxes that they had moved to the garage for the potluck and clean the house. Tracy got a hold of her friends and made plans to go to the mall. Both Trey and Jennifer were glad to see that Tracy was quick to find people that were her age who she enjoyed going out with. One of the fears they had was that the kids would not fit into the new school and city.

Before Trey left, though, he really wished he could talk to Jennifer. He motioned to their room and asked the kids to clean up the kitchen. Soon they were alone, and Jennifer fell on the bed. Trey sat down next to her and sighed a little.

"What is on your mind, Trey?"

"Did you sleep with her?"

"If you mean sleep, yes. If you mean s.e.x or any form of that, no."

"Just don't rush, honey. Please."

"I won't, Trey, and she does not want to either. She was the one that insisted on us just talking and not doing anything else."

"Well, I am just worried that this won't turn out how you hope it will. Has she ever been in a poly relationship? How do you know she won't become like the others?"

"No she hasn't, but she is willing to learn and even said she will take the kids sometimes for us to go out. Our relationship is important to her and she wants all to work or no part of it at all. She does not want to cause us problems."

"All right. Well, we will see what happens. You can go through with it, I guess."

"I don't remember asking your permission as it was agreed when we married that there would be others, but thank you for it."

Trey quickly realized that he had done what he was trying to avoid. He managed to p.i.s.s off Jennifer. He knew it was time to go with the kids and was thankful that they would have time apart to relax. He just hoped that he would have the kids entertained at the park long enough for Jennifer to have time to process things and forgive him. Sometimes she just needed s.p.a.ce to work things out, and he figured this would be one of those times.

Jennifer helped get them all out the door and turned back to look at the house. Where to start? So much to do and clean, but if she was truthful, her mind was still with Lexi and in bed. That is where she wanted to be right this moment. She thought of calling her, but was not sure if she should. The company would be nice today, and they could continue the process of getting to know each other.

She decided first to work on the living room and start some laundry. If, after that, she still wished to call her, she would, using it as an award. Before she could start, though, the doorbell rang. Jennifer was startled by it. Oh great. Now what? I just want to get done and call Lexi.

&nb heidth="0sp;

Chapter Nine.

Lexi had just shut the door after letting Jennifer out when her phone rang. The caller id showed that it was Kelly. She could not avoid this call as she knew Kelly would just keep calling or show up if she did not answer.

"Yes!"

"So, what did you two do? You pushed me away so quickly last night. If I was not your best friend, I would be hurt."

"I just wanted to spend the evening with Jennifer from that point on. Nothing happened. We just talked."

"Uh, yeah. Okay. Nothing else happened? You expect me to believe that?"

"She did stay the night, but we just talked."

"Nothing else at all happened? That sounds so boring to me. Come on, give me some juice, like did you kiss?"

"I wanted to do something but chose not to 'til I know how this will play out. I just want to take it slow."

"Come on, Lexi. Take a chance! You and she are meant to be. I can see it when you look at each other!"

"Really? You can? I know I just don't want to rush things and ruin what is becoming something beautiful."

"All right. So what do you have planned today? Want to get together later?"

"We will see. I will call you if decide to go out."

"Okay. Well, talk to you later."

"All right, Kelly. Bye."

With that, we hung up. I quickly made me some eggs and toast. I ate while I read the paper and decided what to do with my day. I finished eating and cleaned up my dishes. Then decided a quick shower was needed. I also could not get Jennifer out of my mind and decided to take her up on that stop by any time invitation. It might be fun to just be there and see what goes on during a normal day.

The walk over to her place was quicker than I expected, and I saw Trey leaving with the kids. I took this as a good sign and waited until they were out of site to continue onward to the house. I was nervous and not sure what I was doing, but I just knew I wanted to see her and be close to her. I tried to figure out why I was there, but nothing came to mind. After a few moments, I rang her doorbell and waited for her to answer.

"Hey! Could not get enough of me last night?"

"No, I couldn't. I just thought I would see if you wanted to continue that getting to know each other thing that we started last night."

"Sure. Come on in. I was going to cuss whoever was at the dooht= r interrupting my time cleaning, but when I saw it was you, I have to say, I was thrilled." With that, I went in and, before I knew it, I was the one pressing her against the door for a kiss.

"You know how to get a person all heated up!"

I did not know what to say, but knew right away what I wanted and waiting was nowhere in that equation. I wanted her right at that moment. I had promised myself to go slow, but at this moment, if she offered, I would not reject the idea of being with her.

"I want you." That was all I got out of my mouth as I was already pushing my limits.

"Really, and how do you want me?"

"I want feel you with nothing between us. I want to kiss you all over. I want to know what it is like to be with you in bed and not sleep." I shocked myself at my straightforwardness. It was now becoming hard to control it.

"Awe, well. That changes my plans altogether! I was going to clean and unpack some more boxes. With you here, I thought we would talk while I worked, but you do have a better idea."

"If you don't want to, I will wait 'til we go out again. I just don't think I can stay with the idea of going slow with you as I can think of nothing else right now. It was hard to behave last night as it was."

"And waste this opportunity? I think not."

She locked the door and led me to the bedroom. We took our time getting to know each other's bodies. The time together was magical, and our connection grew. We lost time and, as we lay there in bliss afterwards, we heard the front door, and I jumped. I did not know how to react to the fact that everyone else was back. Her calmness helped, and we began to laugh as we quickly got dressed. Just as I put on my last shoe, her kids came running in.

"Hi. Who are you?"

"I am Lexi. And you are?"

"I am John David, and this is my sister Gracie. How do you know my mom? Where do you live? What are you doing here?"

"Man, you ask a lot of questions! I work with your mother at the clinic. I live around the corner in the apartments. And I came to visit your mom. I also was here last night and met you. Do your remember that?"

"You don't have to entertain all his questions, Lexi. He will just keep asking them 'til you run him off."

"Hi. Thought I heard another voice back here. What are you two up to?" Trey said as he walked around the corner. I felt myself automatically blush and wished that I had waited 'til we were at my place. I just looked away as I felt for sure he could tell by my face. I was seeing that being with a person married and with kids were very different when there were others I had dated in the past. I knew I needed to get used to the idea of kids all around and a husband that I just did not know what to think of.

"Nothing of your concern, Trey. Trust me. We were just about to go out to the garage, and Lexi here was going to keep me company while I go through the boxes. How was the park?" And right there I knew this woman was amazing! She knew how to keep a person from getting more e Cettght="13mbarra.s.sed than she already was and help them save face. She also knew just what to say to get subjects changed in a flash.

"Well, I am going to stay in here and work on getting the kids' rooms back in order. We ran into Jamie and her two kids at the park. She will be by later to pick up ours for lunch."

"Wonderful, honey. I am so glad that she is coming."

He scurried the kids out to work on their rooms, and we headed to the garage. Boxes were everywhere and marked with rooms on them. I did not even know how they were going to have room for the rest of the stuff that I was seeing here in the garage.

"I know what you are thinking. Where is all this going to fit? Well, most of it will be going to goodwill. I am going through it and then, once I have things slimmed down, I let the kids choose just so many items to keep, and the rest goes. For Trey's and my things, I go through it, and then let him. We knew that we would be downsizing here, but it was time to really get rid of some of this. Most of the harder things to get rid of, though, are the kitchen items, as I love to cook. I just really have a hard time downsizing in that area. I also wanted to do this before we moved, but there was no time to get it done."

"I was wondering about that. Iwant to thank you for not saying what we had been up to. I was very embarra.s.sed and did not know what to do."

"Well, I will let Trey know that we are involved s.e.xually now, but it is just because we both let each other know. I just did not want to say it in front of the kids."

"I know you have to let him know. I just don't want to be around for that conversation. I don't know how comfortable I am yet."

"Oh, my sweet Lexi. It will be fine. You will see that this is not a big thing. And it was so much fun and amazing. Thank you for the gift."

"That was fun! And, no, it is you I ought to be thanking for it. I cannot wait 'til we can do it again. It would also be nice to maybe pa.s.s out together and have time to recoup before the next project at hand."

We both smiled and laughed at that. After a few hours of chatting about who Jamie was, the different things that Jennifer loved to cook, and going through boxes, we finally took a break and took the first load of things for the kids to go through into the house. It was then that we noticed that the kids were gone and Trey was busy making us lunch. Trey said Jamie decided to pick them up and take them to a friend's birthday party. We sat down, and Jennifer leaned in to me and told me to watch. I did as she walked up to Trey and shocked me to death with what came out of her mouth.

"Trey, love. Lexi and I became s.e.xually active together today. Now you know that we did not wait as we just couldn't."

"Okay. I just hope you two know what you are doing."

I stood there in shock. Was it really that easy to tell him? I did not know what to think or do. Was this happening? Was it possible for a person to have two lovers and each get along? I guess I was going to find out. I could tell he was not happy, but he was not going to push the issue.

"Now, Trey, did I really know what I was doing when I got with Cn Iush the you? What is that you are making?"

"I wanted a turkey melt and figured you two would like one too."

"Thanks!" I was finally able to shake off what was happening and enjoyed lunch with them. It was another chance to learn more about the two of them and how they met and all the funny little stories they'd shared over their time together. It was nice, but it was also hard to watch the two of them look at each other with the love they obviously had for each other beaming. I hoped one day we would be the same when talking to others. I felt the day slipping away and knew that I needed to get home soon. When I was done eating, I excused myself, letting them know I needed to be leaving. Jennifer walked me out.

"When will we go out again?"

"Well, Jennifer. I am not sure. What do you have in mind?" I secretly hoped that it was going to be very soon.

"How about Monday? Drinks after work or dinner? And maybe I could come over. I really enjoyed waking up to you this morning."

"I did too! So, it is set. Monday after work."

We kissed, and I began the walk back to my place. Today was feeling good and, for a little bit, I was able to let myself go and imagine a life with Jennifer and the whole family. I was starting to see a future that was beautiful--differently beautiful.

Chapter Ten.

That night, Jennifer found herself alone in bed. She knew that Trey was upset that things did not go slow with Lexi, but Jennifer found herself unable to fight the pull to her. Jennifer even was starting to entertain the thought that she possibly loved Lexi. She was attracted on so many levels to her. And she was a wonderful lover. Even though it was their first time, Jennifer felt as though Lexi just knew all the right moves to please her. This was something new to her. In the past, even with Trey, there was a trial and error period of both telling the other what they wanted, but with Lexi, it was as though they just knew. Jennifer drifted off to sleep thinking of that and Trey as she knew he just needed time to calm down.

Trey, on the other hand, was in the front room trying to go numb by watching the sports recap. How could she just rush things? Was Lexi even clean? Trey could not understand what his wife saw in Lexi and, for the first time, he found himself jealous of his wife having another lover. He hoped that Lexi would decide this was not for her and move onward. Though, when he saw the two of them together, he knew it wasn't. He was glad that Jennifer was finally smiling again and coming back to life. Trey waited 'til he knew Jennifer would be asleep and slipped in bed for the night.

While these two were lost in their own worlds, their daughter, Tracy was in her own room coming to terms of what she was going to do to make her mom not have a girlfriend. She decided she would not play messenger, treat this woman coldly, and not say a word to Lexi if she could keep from it. Tracy could not find a way to make Lexi disappear and figured if she was rude and made it unpleasant, that Lexi would leave.

Chapter Eleven.