"This is so not like you. What is going on?"

"Jen has been seeing this Lexi character. Now they say they are engaged. It is so hard to watch them together, and I don't know if I can do this whole poly thing anymore. I am tired of sharing someone."

"Yet here you sit, expecting Jennifer to share you with Jill."

"Not the same thing. If Jen wanted, all she has to do is say the word, and I am hers and hers alone."

"Yet, you are being shared too."

"Short answer is yes. Long answer is not if she didn't want to share me."

"Besides, what does it matter if she calls her wife or not? Does that change what you are?"

"No. It's just I wanted to be the only one who was called spouse. I wanted one thing in our relationship to be ours and ours alone."

"Don't you have that, though, in being the kids' father?"

"Yes, but that is not the same. I mean I want something just between Jennifer and myself."

"Do we really get anything that is just ours? You will still have just your dates, your memories, and your time. Her time with Lexi will be theirs alone. You, old friend, are just jealous. Admit it so you can go on. You don't like that there are some things that you cannot do and things that she can do for her. Yet, you love her so much that you want her to have everything that will make her happy. You also know that, when there is more love in a family, it grows. Isn't that what you told me when Liz and Max got together? And see, that turned out to be the best thing for us."

"Yes, but you are bi and wanted him too. And Lexi is 100% lesbian. Even if she wasn't, I am in no way whatsoever attracted to her."

"So, look at what she will bring to the family as a whole--a happy Jennifer, help on household ch.o.r.es--maybe a watcher of the kids when you and Jennifer go out. There could be other things too."

"I know. I know."

"Where is she going to live?"

"I don't know. There has been talk about her renting the bas.e.m.e.nt so Jen does not have to run through the neighborhood. And with Lexi getting more involved, it makes sense."

"Well, there you go. You get a renter that will be paying her way to have a relationship. You are getting the better end, my friend. Really."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, look at it this way. Lexi will be paying rent, buying food, helping out, anelpdo d the benefit is that she is with Jennifer at times. You, on the other hand, you have Jennifer. You have a family with her. Your finances are together, and you don't have to pay rent to yourself. You just pay mortgage. Yes, you have some of the same things, but the difference is, you don't buy your way through the relationship."

"I don't get your point, but somehow it makes it feel better. Maybe I just needed to remember what I have is the relationship that is hers and mine alone--to remember to enjoy our time and not worry about losing any of that time. Thanks, friend. You helped me put things back in perspective."

"That is what I am around for, right? So are you going to make her sweat this week or what?"

"I will call her later and let her know I will be home, but still want to take this week with Jill. Which brings me to the next subject at hand. That woman wants me to leave and be just hers alone."

"Oh, man. I wish I had your issue. You have one woman wanting you to share her and another wanting you to be exclusive. Man, that must be nice."

"Oh, hush! How do I get this woman to understand that it doesn't work that way? I have been trying to, but it is just not working."

"Well, I would find out if she was bi, get her and Jennifer to fall for each other, and run this Lexi off. Then you could have two wives. They could have the lesbian thing, and all could be happy."

"Yeah, right. Now, a real idea?"

"Just talk to her and explain that it won't be changed--that if she cannot share you with your wife--your primary--then she should let this go. You two should move on."

"I guess before I talk to Jen, I will get with Jill tonight. Then I will know if I am going home right away or if I will spend more time here. It is really nice not being in the midst of kid central right now, though they do leave tomorrow for camp."

"Well, friend. I need to hit the road. Max is expecting me home soon."

"Thank you for coming. I appreciate it."

"Anytime you need me! You do the same for me. Tell Jennifer h.e.l.lo for me. Liz really could use a girl's day too. And we guys could go off to the bar for some pool."

"Sounds good. I will get Jennifer to call Liz and get it all set up."

With that, Charles was off, and Trey found he was able to relax for a bit. He put on a show and began to doze off. He was pleased with the talk and had some new perspectives to look at things. Maybe he could accept this change, and things would move in a positive way.

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Chapter Twenty-One.

As I woke, I watched my starburst beauty sleep soundly. It had been a long night. She tossed and turned through it all. I knew that her mind was just riddled with questions that only he could answer. I knew her soul searched for comfort only he could provide. I hoped that today would be better for her and also hoped that maybe he would meet me for coffee, and we could talk.

I slid out and got showered. When I came to the front room, the kids were already up, ready to head out to their big weekend of camping. Katy said she would wake her mother soon and tell her I was out for a breakfast meeting and I would see her at eleven-thirty at the deli to meet my parents. I did not want to tell her what I was up to and hoped that this was not a mistake. Either way, I was off now to do the deed.

"Trey, this is Lexi. I was wondering--would you meet me for coffee, please?"

"Okay. Did Jennifer put you up to this?"

"No. I just felt if we talked, we could go back and help her. She cried almost all day and night at the thought of losing you. I don't want her to lose you and hope you and I could just talk and see how we could make things better."

"You do love her, don't you?"

"Yes, and if that means I need to walk away so she doesn't lose you, I will. I just know that will hurt her too. We are both grown here, and I think that we could help each other figure this out."

"Allright. I will meet you."

I hung up and proceeded to the local coffee shop. I found a parking place and went in to get some tea and a bagel. I also found us a table away from the crowd where we could talk uninterrupted. Trey came in a few moments later and got his coffee. When he got to the table, I felt myself get nervous and wondering if I could talk to him about fixing this predicament that we seemed to be in.

"Did she really cry all day and night?"

"She only did when no one was around but the two of us. She did not want the kids knowing the reality of the situation or that she was upset. I think that Tracy knew, though."

"She always knows when her mother is upset. You will learn this. Tracy has a strong will that sometimes outdoes her mother's. There are times when they are together that you forget who is the mother and who is the daughter. And when Jen tries to mother her, discipline her, Tracy pushes back, and things get heated. She wants to be a grown-up so much, but forgets that she has to first be a kid."

"I have noticed that."

"That, though, is not why we are here. You know I don't normally talk to the other person like this. I don't want to be involved in your relationship, and I don't want you to be involved in ours."

"I know, and I thank you. I just feel that my relationship with her is what affected yours; therefore, I feel this need to fix things."

"You did nothing wrong. This time it was me. I overreacted. I am not completely set on what needs to happen now, but I have a clearer picture. I was going to talk to her today--maybe dinnertime. Would you mind being there though later and the three of us talking together?"

"I can do that. Will you tell me what you have in mind?"

"I want to first lay out when I call her my wife and when you call her yours. Like, I want to say it around my friends and am sure when we are around yours that you want to. Second, I will not be at the ceremony. I would prefer there not even be one, though I know that is not what you want. And there may be some other things--like living arrangements and so forth."

"Yes, I do see how everything affects the other and you are right. To my friends, I will want to say 'this is my wife.' I just don't want to disrespect you either, though. I also hope the same in return."

"Of course, the same will be given. I just want to make something clear. I am the primary. We have a history, and when it boils down to it, there will be things that you are not consulted on here. To me, you are not family, and things are not equal. We parent the kids. Not you. We make family decisions. Not you. I hate to seem rude, but I have to have this, and I need her to agree to this and follow through with it."

"I hope some things I would be consulted on, like if the family were to move or something. But other than that, the kids and other things are none of my concern."

"Good. I am glad that is clear then."

"I better go. I need to get some things done before lunch with my parents. That is going to be another tough conversation as they just found out about you and the kids last night."

"Oh, what fun that sounds!"

"Thanks."

With that we parted ways, and I made my way to pick up a book on being polyamorous for my parents, knowing that they might never read it. I also decided to get one for myself to study up on how to do this lifestyle that I was now joining. From there, I stopped off to pick up Jennifer's gift to show our connection. And, finally, I ran by the office to check in on things. I had hardly been in during my parents' visit and was a little worried about how smooth things were going.

Luckily, I was able to slip in and out without being seen. I made a few changes to the schedule to accommodate some requested time off by different staff members that, for the first time, were getting a vacation. It was pleasant to see things going so well. I signed off some checks from accounting to be sent off and slipped out before Kelly or anyone else could corner me.

The local deli was packed full of people. My stomach found that nervous pit for the second time this day when I saw Jennifer waving meifes clear t over to her. My parents and she had both managed to beat me there, even though I was ten minutes early. I was so nervous about what was being discussed and wondered if things were going to be okay.

"Lexi, darling. Jennifer was just telling us about the clinic." My mother informed me as I took my place.

"Oh, what exactly about the clinic has she told you?"

"She tells us that you have really grown it and how many staff there is now there. I am so impressed. I had no idea!" Mother said as though she was hearing all this for the first time, I had been telling them both for some time now all about the good at the clinic.

"Mom, I told you that we hired new people."

"Yes, but you did not tell us how many." Mother said patronizingly.

"Lexi, I got you a grilled chicken and bacon ranch salad." Dad informed me. He knew how to make me smile.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Now, you two. Explain this poly thing to us. Your father and I are very concerned." Mother's face never had shown this look to me and I knew her confusion ran deep by the concern in her eyes..

"Well, Mom. I got you this book that will answer some things for you, but it's best we just talk."

"Mr. and Mrs. Woodsworth, think of it as open love--where there is abundant love. We are not talking about abundant s.e.x--just love and committed relationships."

"But what happens when you decide that your husband and Lexi are not enough? What then?" Dad let out and I saw for the first time he was concerned too.

"Well, right now, I don't think I see that happening. But if it does, we will cross that road then." Jennifer easily answered.

"And, Lexi, will this mean you will have other partners too?" Mother asked.

"I could, but right now I don't see that being in my future."

"I just don't understand. Are you happy, Lexi?" Finally was asked by my mother.

"Yes." I said firmly.

"Jennifer, will you excuse us just a moment?" My mother asked. I a.s.sumed that she was not buying any of this and needed some extra a.s.surance.

"Sure." She stepped away to refill our drinks.

"Really, Lexi. Are you happy? Is this what you want?" Mother asked again once Jennifer was out of ear shot.

"Yes, Mother. I am! That is why I asked her to marry me!"

"You did what?" My mother cried out.

"Why do I have to repeat myself to everyone?"

"What do you have to repeat, love?" Jennifer asked as she returned to the table.

"That I am marrying you."

"So you told them!" Jennifer said excitedly.

"Yes, dear. Just before you walked back up." I informed her.

"Are you having a ceremony? Please say you two are." Mother said as her whole energy shifted. She always was one who loved a show and party. Better though when the two were together like a wedding ceremony.

"Mary, please. I am sure they have not gotten that far or else she would have told us sooner." My dad said.

"Mom, just a minute ago you were questioning us about being together, and now you are begging for a ceremony?"

"Well, I am a lady, and a lady can change her mind multiple times a day!" She said while folding her hands across her chest and smiling.

We all laughed at that one.