Chapter: September
"The Glow of the Moon"
Decisions vary in scope and intensity. We make them all the time; their making defines us as people, tells others who we have been, what we are, what we might be. Maybe you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, or hot summer nights with a tall glass of cold lemonade. A slender girl with legs that climb all the way to heaven, or one with curves that don't quit, promising to send you freefalling into love. The high-paying stressful job that will line your pockets with green and face with stress, or something more menial, impacting the lives of others in such a meaningful way that one can't help but love the work they do. Decisions deeply rooted in every sphere of life. Family. Lovers. Friends. School. Jobs.
Marriage.
Jahn had spent a lot of time over the previous months thinking about his future. Somewhere along the line, he had finally realized that what he was doing wasn't just an attempt to retain a sexy, thrilling relationship with two incredible women, but he'd actually fallen in love with both of them. A slow revelation, chiseling away at his defenses like a miner's pick with a slow and steady tapping, It came to him that what he thought was love in other relationships was just commitment, but without an emotional bond. Not that all fault could be laid at his doorstep, but there was a recognizable element of self-involvement.
Together, Jen and Fiona were stronger than any one woman and had managed to drag him out of the shell he'd erected. That former solitude, the loneliness of it, held no appeal for him. He'd looked to the heavens and found his sun and moon. He wanted to reach out, draw them close, and never let them go, to marry them.
Jen examined the ring cupped in her palm with wonder, but Fiona stared at him as if he'd suddenly grown a second head. "That's... polygamy," she said, words tumbling from her mouth as if forced. Her sister half-turned to her, listening quietly.
"You're absolutely right. People judge it harshly for a lot of good reasons. I don't think any of those reasons apply to us, do you? What you think matters to me, not others."
"It's not ... legal." Flatly delivered, her response's meaning was unreadable.
."Of course, the marriage would be strictly ceremonial. I can give you my name, my commitment, my... self. The tax breaks, all the rest of the things that go along with so-called real marriages? They're not what _matters_. You and Jen matter."
Fiona's voice was strained, but she continued. "How could we possibly arrange the wedding?"
"Entirely up to you. We could take our vows separately, or together. I like the latter, since all three of us would be in this together, but it's your call. Whatever makes you most comfortable."
"The ... other things?" A subtle emphasis on the word 'other' framed her question. Of course, there was always the specter of sex to haunt the relationship.
A touch of humor tinged his response. "Jen's done a fine job of arranging that, and we're not even married." The blonde's cheeks colored a light pink, but she was smiling. Fiona, on the other hand... was he losing her?
"I... what would Mom say? I don't think-" Jen looked up sharply at this reply from Fiona, another more obvious realization having the blonde. He knew what that was -- her father.
Mary Reed was an entirely different matter. During the short time Jahn had spent with her away from her daughters, he'd managed to get across to the woman just how much both of her daughters meant to him. Last month, he'd called her again, looking for some advice. After a reminder about his testicles being on the line, she'd answered.
"I already spoke to her. If this is what _you_ want, we have her blessing." Turning briefly to Jen, he said, "However, if you want this too, you're going to have to talk to your father. He'll never accept it from me." The blonde looked back, blue eyes appealing, before lowering them in tacit agreement, returning to examination of the sparkling ring in her hand.
"And the people at work? I have to ... deal with that." Yes, there was a slight complication due to her position in the company; she was upper management in V&P's billing department, and had to maintain far more professional standards than lower level Records workers like Jen. Still, he didn't think that would be a problem.
"Remember all those long talks we had early on, when you told me about your job? V&P is a family-owned corporation, you said. One that believes family matters, and that family isn't defined by traditional norms. It wasn't chance that both you and Jen work there, or that several of your co-workers have cousins and even parents in other departments. All of those big social events, the reasons why people seem to marry in-company so often."
Jen stopped him from continuing. "Can I say something?" Turning her full attention to Fiona, her voice gentle, she said, "You're my sister and my best friend, Fi, but that's not enough anymore. I've been waiting.... like my whole life for someone to love... hell even _like_ me. It's lonely, and I don't want to live like that anymore. I love Jahn, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather share him with than you." Holding up her hand, eyes filled with determination, she slid the ring onto her finger.
Desperately, Jahn reached out with, "We've made it this far, Fiona, past family and the obstacles that matter. The rest is love and commitment. Am I wrong? Don't you feel the same? Or is living like that too much to deal with? I want to think that I've moved past being so narcissistic, but if I've completely misunderstood..."
Brown eyes flooded with tears. "Of course I love you, Jahn, and I'm well past any resentment of Jenny. It's just... I never could have wished for anything like this. It seems like there are so many reasons we shouldn't, like this is wrong or something. I love you, but..."
"We all need somebody to love. This is about what _you_ want. Will you marry me?"
"I..." Staring at the back of her hand, she examined the ring, tears sliding down her cheeks. Her gaze shifted aside to Jen's worry-filled expression before cutting back to his, and some of the luster returned to her eyes. Whatever concerns that exceptional mind of hers could raise, she left them unspoken, resolve in her features. She slid her own ring into place. "Yes."
***
