Loving Lacey

*** All persons engaged in sexual activity are depicted as being over 18***

Late May

Year 3 of Us

Memorial Day

She showed me the picture and I just stared at it, then at her. "I don't get it, Erica."

Erica just snorted. "Look closely at it, Wyatt." I did so. "Who do you see?"

"Is that... That's Lacey! What is she doing?" I saw my love partially sitting on the side of a hospital bed, her pregnant belly against the person in the bed. "Who is that she's got her arm over?" The person had at least two tubes running from their face, and their left leg was elevated and covered.

Erica leaned against me and tapped my chest. "That, my dear, was you. Almost three years ago."

I turned and looked at Lacey, who just gave me one of her loving smiles. She swallowed and said, "The doctor said that it was like you were fighting the medications and not resting. You needed to rest. To sleep. To recover."

"She asked if she could help," Erica said.

"Help?" I looked from Erica to Lacey.

"Well, I thought maybe you needed to be reassured that you were going to be okay." Lacey straightened her neck and looked into my eyes. "One of the nurses thought that it couldn't hurt."

Erica laughed. "It took a bit of work. She had her right foot braced against a chair."

My expression must have started to change, since Lacey said quickly, "There were *two* nurses in the room when we did this. One was holding the back of the chair."

Lacey moved next to Erica and put her arms around me. "You calmed down," came her whisper. "All the beeps and stuff slowed down." She giggled, then. "The doctor came in a few minutes later and saw me. She didn't get mad, but she said that I couldn't stay like that forever."

Erica laughed. "I think Lacey was going to contradict the doctor, but one of the twins must have kicked right then, because her expression changed, and she nodded. We got her down and she sat in the chair, touching you, Wyatt."

"That afternoon they put you in ICU."

"I didn't die!"

There was laughter from every adult on the deck and then Cathy put her hand on my back. "And for that, Wyatt, I am extremely grateful." I turned to look at her and then she nodded to Lacey.

Lacey climbed onto the bench that was placed against the wall and whistled loudly. When everyone was looking at her and the sounds of conversation had died out, she smiled at them. She put her right hand on my left shoulder for balance and then said, "I know that all of you know that this isn't a happy holiday from Wyatt's perspective, since we're remembering those men and women who lost their lives while serving their country. So, I propose a toast."

When everyone had raised their cup, including, I noticed, Duncan and Sam who were standing by Erica's two oldest. "To those who paid the ultimate cost," Lacey said solemnly before taking a drink. She smiled at the twins, who had taken a sip when Nate had urged them to do so.

"Now, for some happy news! Cathy?"

I was surprised when Travis and Lance helped Cathy onto the bench beside Lacey. I looked up at both of them, and I guess Cathy saw the confusion I felt, since she smiled at me.

She cleared her throat and said, "I'd like you all to know that I got confirmation Friday. I *am* pregnant, and our old cowboy has another baby coming, early next year."

I grinned and then Lacey was in my arms, followed closely by Cathy. It was an incredible three-way hug, then I felt more bodies pressing in on us. Travis clapped me on the back, Erica kissed my cheek after pulling it towards her.

Roni worked her way to my side, gave me a huge kiss, then did the same for Cathy and Lacey. I got pulled around, away from Cathy and Lacey, by Mir and Tina. Mir looked me in the eyes, her grey ones sparkling as she leaned into me.

Her hands went behind my head and then her lips were pressed to mine. As we kissed, she giggled into my mouth. I pulled away.

"What's funny?"

Mir grinned at me. "Tina is playing with my ass."

I looked past Mir and saw Tina grinning at me. She put her left hand on the back of my head and pulled my face to hers. She stunned me by kissing me.

"Can't you do better than that?" Tina teased.

I just stuttered and stammered. I had no idea how to handle this situation and then *she* was there, at my right shoulder. Lacey looked at Tina with a small smile on her face.

"What are you trying to do to my cowboy, Tina?"

"*Our* cowboy," added Cathy, who was on my left side.

Tina just laughed. "I want to actually kiss him, but he seems..."

"Gobsmacked? Shell-shocked?" Lacey said.

Tina nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

"Wyatt?" asked Lacey, just loud enough for me to hear against the hubbub of the excited group on the deck.

"Yes?"

"Kiss her, please." She tilted her head as she looked at Tina. "A full kiss, but don't hold her -- if she wants to break away, let her."

I leaned forward and when Tina kissed me again, I returned it. I was surprised by her tongue playing with mine, but I returned the favor. She took my face into her hands and held me while we kissed. When she broke away, I realized that with us were the other three members of the Cavalry team, as well as Lacey, and they were all smiling at Tina.

She looked at me, then gave me a small smile. "I'm not switching teams, but they're all right about one thing -- when you kiss, Wyatt, you just focus on that kiss."

Our group broke up, as Duncan came over to his Mama Catty and she picked him up while Tina scooped up Sam. The group wasn't that big, but it was the first indoor/outdoor gathering we had ever held. I watched as Lance checked the grill and moved some of the food around. He grinned at Lacey as she walked by and patted his shoulder.

I was leaning on the rail, close to the kitchen door, when Cathy joined me, Duncan still in her arms.

"Wyatt, what did you mean when you said that you didn't die after they placed you in the ICU?"

I shrugged. "I always felt that when you were sent to the ICU, you were just marking time until you passed away."

Cathy turned to me and placed a hand on my chest. "Love, they put people in ICU who need close attention."

"And, the anesthesiologist who tended you during the surgery," added Lacey, "wanted you there so that they could keep you under enough to start to heal."

"Where did you...?"

"I just knew, Wyatt, that's all." Lacey rested her head on my chest as Duncan patted her shoulder. She smiled and patted his hand gently. He smiled, then stuck his arms out to me and leaned forward.

Cathy shifted a bit, bringing Duncan closer to me as Lacey moved over so that I could take him from Cathy, and he smiled at me. I grinned at him. "Hey, buddy!"

He ducked his head against my shoulder and patted my chest, then pointed towards where the grill was sitting. "Is there something you want?"

He nodded. "Hot. Dog. Lance."

As I straightened up, I heard Lance call out, "The hot dogs are ready! The burgers are almost there!" When I looked up, I saw Travis move next to the grill. "Line up, folks!"

The fourteen people that were our guests began to make a cheerful line and I saw Tina in line already, holding Sam. Mir was with them, so I knew that she was going to be the plate holder for the three of them.

I grinned and mentioned it to Lacey, who laughed as she led us into the line.

The food was good, as Lance was a wizard on the grill, and there were other things to eat, too. We had butted both outdoors tables end to end, making a really long table. We put the twins, and Amanda at one end in chairs with both moms, and the mom-to-be, sitting by them. I sat next to Lacey, Travis sat next to Erica, and everyone else stretched down both sides.

We had a wonderful time, and I noticed something after a bit. When I first sat down with Lacey on my right, Tina was on my left. Sometime during the meal, Tina left my side and Mir was there. Then it was Roni. Then it was our neighbor Betty, followed by Debra Fenton, Cathy's former landlord.

I leaned over and spoke softly into Lacey's ear. "Why do they keep moving on me?"

"Who?"

"The ladies on my other side, Beloved."

Lacey leaned forward and looked at Debra, who smiled. "Thank you for inviting me, Lacey."

The pleasantries passed back and forth until Lance stopped behind Erica. "Wyatt, who made the potato salad?"

"Who do you think made it?" I grinned at him.

"Roni said that you made it. I know that you didn't, so who..." He stopped when he realized that Cathy, Lacey, and I were grinning at him. He couldn't see it, but Erica and Travis were grinning, too. "Really? You made it?"

"He sure did, Lance," Cathy teased. "Why?"

His face turned eager. "Can I get the recipe from you, if you have one? It's fantastic!"

Those close enough to this all nodded their agreement. I looked at them all and said, "It's a recipe from my mama. I think she first made it before I was born." I smiled as Lacey patted my right hand. "Gwen made her write it down and send it to us, about twenty years ago."

"Oh, man, that's awesome! Can you make a copy for me?"

"Later this evening, Lance, please?" Lacey asked kindly.

"Oh, yeah! I didn't mean right now!" He grinned and headed back to where he had been sitting.

"Boys!" laughed Tina from behind me, as Debra got up and took her plate, giving me a smile as she did so and before Tina sat back down.

"Tina?" I asked and she turned to face me. "What's been up with the rotating seat partners?"

She laughed. "Everyone has wanted a chance to come sit with you guys, congratulate Cathy, and just enjoy the conversation." She leaned on my upper arm. "You haven't noticed that Travis has been having the same thing happen?"

I thought for a moment. "Now that you mention it, yes, I did notice."

"Still can't figure it out?" asked Lacey as she leaned against my back.

"I can't, love." I sighed. "I mean, I know that you three ladies are popular, and Travis is a great guy."

"You, my old cowboy, are a great guy, too. People like you." She kissed my neck, and I could feel her smiling. "Accept it, even if you don't understand it."

I smiled at Tina, who was smiling broadly and nodded. "Okay, okay, I accept it!"

Tina giggled and patted my chest. "Good boy!"

I dropped my head and then started to laugh. "Woof?" I responded, giving her a smile. Tina laughed too and gave me a big hug. Lacey gave me a kiss on my neck, and when back to talking with everyone else.

As the evening moved on, things started to quiet down. I started cleaning up, and then I noticed several others, including Lance and Travis, moving to help. The job went quickly and when I took my first load into the kitchen, I was greeted by five smiling women: Erica, Mir, Tina, Roni, and Betty.

Erica stepped up to me and took the things from my hands. "Go on in there and be with Cathy and Lacey. The twins were falling asleep, but..."

"But my loves are going to stay down here until every guest has been seen off."

Erica smiled. "What about Amanda?"

"Debra Fenton is holding her. My daughter *did* fall asleep."

"I'm surprised that Travis..."

"He was holding her until he realized that you were doing clean up outside."

I leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek before heading around the wall. I stopped and walked softly over to the couch. I smiled at Debra as she held Amanda and gently placed a hand on Lacey's shoulder. When she turned her face towards mine, I leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss.

Sam was in her mommy's arms and when I looked down, her eyes fluttered, like she was trying to stay awake. Cathy was beside Lacey and held a sleeping Duncan in her arms. I leaned towards her, and Cathy smiled before we kissed. If I sat down on the couch, I would probably disturb the three sleeping toddlers, so I wandered over to the corner where Erica's two older kids were sitting and reading.

I knelt down and talked to them a bit, before Nate looked at me. "Mama is giving you a dirty look, Uncle Wyatt." He shook his head. "She just said something to Aunt Lacey and they're both looking at your back."

I sighed. "Well, let's see if I can stand up okay. At least I'm safe from Lacey." He gave me a doubtful look. "She's not going to wake up Sam just to come over here and chew me out." I stood up fairly easily -- for me, at any rate, and then I turned to look at them.

I gave them a smile, but neither of them was buying it. Lacey crooked her finger at me, so I walked over to the couch. Once there, I put up both hands. "My loves, neither knee touched the floor, and I wasn't down there very long. A couple of minutes, at the most."

I had four women giving me the eye: Lacey, Cathy, Erica, and even Debra Fenton.

"Well," Cathy was the first to speak as she cuddled Duncan, "he wasn't limping when he walked over here."

"True, but he stood up a little stiffly," added Erica, who I could see was trying to stifle a smile.

Lacey looked at me for a few more moments, then gestured for me to bend over.

When I did, she whispered, "Please be careful, holder of my heart."

I leaned closer and gently kissed her. "Always, my love, always."

She smiled at me as I stood up.

"Hey, where's my kiss?" Cathy asked, so I bent over again and gave her one. When I looked up, Erica was gone. As I straightened up, I felt a female hand on my lower back, and when I turned, Erica was smiling at me. I gave her a kiss and a hug as I heard Travis take Amanda from Debra Fenton, who stood up.

"It looks like folks are getting ready to leave, so I guess that I'll head out." She smiled at Lacey. "Would it be too forward if I ask for a kiss from Wyatt, too?"

Lacey laughed softly. "Wyatt has a thing for kissing pretty women." She looked at me and winked. "Go ahead, cowboy."

I took Debra into my arms and kissed her gently and quickly. She had other ideas, though, as she grabbed my head and kissed me hard. I responded, and it turned into a short, but fiery, kiss. When I let go of her, she stepped back and smiled. At Lacey and Cathy.

Cathy said, "Told you so."

"Told her what?" I asked.

Lacey giggled and Cathy answered, "Oh, we told her that you were a great kisser."

"You were right, Cathy," Debra said. "He is a great kisser, and he does seem to focus on his partner."

"Oh, he does focus and if he knew you better, you would have felt him feeling you!" Lacey laughed softly, gently rocking Sam.

I started to say something when Travis tapped my shoulder. "If you'll take Amanda from me, I'd like to say goodbye to your big girls."

I grinned and took Amanda, who was sleeping soundly. She rubbed her face onto my shoulder and went right back to sleep. I watched as Travis bent over and kissed Lacey, then Cathy. I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I turned to look, it was Erica who was smiling.

"You don't mind?" she asked, gesturing to the couch.

"Nope. He's known them longer than I have. Besides," I grinned, "he gets to go home with you, and I get to stay here with them. I think we both win on those counts."

"You're a naughty man, Wyatt."

"Yep." I looked past Erica and saw the rest of our guests forming a line. "I think I'm to get out of the way." She smiled when she saw the line. I stepped away and Travis walked over to join us.

"Where are the kids?" he asked.

"Outside, by the van."

We headed for the door, and I transferred Amanda back to her daddy, and smiled as she snuggled closer to him. "See y'all later, right?" I asked.

"Of course, Wyatt," Travis replied while Erica nodded. As they reached the door, Erica walked over to the watching platform and gave both dogs lots of hugs. I walked with them to their van, and stood by as they loaded the kids in.

When they pulled away, I turned around and found the rest of our guests coming out of the door, with Cathy and Lacey, each holding a kid, behind them. I shook hands and was involved with lots of hugs.

As we stood on the porch, I noticed that Tina's car was still sitting there. I looked at Lacey and gestured to it. "Where are the girls?"

"They're staying over tonight."

"Ah!" I took an arm of each of the ladies, and we walked back inside. "Should we give them baths or wait until tomorrow?"

Cathy sniffed Duncan as I made sure the door was locked behind us. "Oh, he needs a bath tonight. He's stinky!"

"We're going to bathe them and read to them before bedtime. Wanna join us?" Roni, Tina, and Mir were sitting on the couch as we came in, and as I spoke to them, Lacey kept walking and Cathy was close behind her. As I got to the bottom of the stairs, all three of them were up and following. I snickered because the dogs realized what was happening and fell into line.

"What's funny, Wyatt?" asked Cathy.

"The procession." As she got to the top stair, Cathy turned, looked down and laughed loud enough to wake Duncan. She soothed him as she followed Lacey into their bathroom, and I said, "I'll get the pajamas." Lacey nodded and smiled at me over Sam's head.

I stayed in the hall, since it was crowded in the twins' bathroom, although I did pass the clean clothes in and took the dirty ones to the hamper. Once I knew that bath time was over, I headed into the bedroom and picked up the book of stories that we had been reading from.

I took my place on the window seat and settled in. It was a wonderful sight as they came through the door -- five beautiful young women and two small children. Mir was carrying Duncan and Sam was in Roni's arms.

"So, how does this go?" asked Tina as she stood by the bed.

"Well," Lacey said, "one of us reads while the others cuddle the kids. Sometimes, they want mommy milk, sometimes they don't."

"Whoever's carrying the kids sits in either the Nursing Chair or my chair," I added.

"Up until now it's been just the three of us adults."

With a little bit of jostling, Mir ended up sitting in the rocker, and Roni in my chair. Lacey took a seat on the floor between my calves with Cathy on her right and Tina on her left. As I started to read, I noticed that both of the kids were a little confused for a few moments, then they settled down and eventually fell asleep. I read for a bit after they were asleep, then I closed the book.

Lacey got to her feet, as did Cathy. They retrieved the kids and softly walked out, taking the kids to their bedroom, with both dogs on their heels. I leaned back against the window a bit and Tina turned so that she was on her knees, putting her hand on my left knee.

She smiled and said, "I take back every mean thing I ever said about you, Wyatt."

She turned serious. "You've been making Lacey happy for several years now, and Cathy is ecstatic now."

"I've been doing the best I can, Tina. With both of them," I said as Roni and Mir got up from their chairs and joined us at the window seat. Roni sat on my right and Mir sat on the floor by my right knee.

"Do you really love them both?" Mir asked. I looked into her grey eyes for a few moments, then nodded.

"Yes." I cleared my through. "Yes, I do love them both." Mir gave me a little smile while I continued, "I never would have thought it possible but here we are."

Roni leaned her head against my upper arm, then said, "You know that we love you too, don't you?"

"I think so."

"Wyatt, how can you love so many people?" Tina asked. "We know what happened with Scarlett and with Gwen."

I just looked at her for a few moments. "Have you ever heard the quote: The more you love, the more you can love--and the more intensely you love. Nor is there any limit on how many you can love. If a person had time enough, he could love all of that majority who are decent and just?" Tina and Mir nodded, but Roni looked curious. "It's from Heinlein, and I truly believe that he's right about it.

"I loved Scarlett thoroughly and with all my heart. I lost her and then Gwen happened. I loved her thoroughly and with all my heart. When I lost her, Lacey offered me a lifeline. I love her the same way, and I've discovered that I love Cathy with the same intensity of feeling. I also," I looked at each of them in turn, starting with Roni, "I love Erica, Travis, and each of you, too. Probably not with the same intensity as Lacey and Cathy, but that's fine."