Miguel threw Father's question back at him, "Why? I'm sure Jean told you her reasons."
Father insisted Miguel answer the question, "I'm not asking her. I'm asking you."
Miguel took in a deep breath then exhaled slowly, "Well, Father it's because of her faith. She believes conception should occur at the moment of coital orgasm. She could get pregnant from me, but she wouldn't conceive at the moment of coital bliss. Denying me intercourse reduces to zero the probability of her getting pregnant while not experiencing coital bliss."
"It seems to me Jean has placed too much importance on conception and coital orgasm."
Miguel answered, "All I know Father is if it matters to Jean it matters to me."
Father smiled, "Miguel, the rock. She said I would understand why she wants to marry you even as her feelings for Leo have evolved into love."
"Father, her love for Leo isn't just tied to his semen making her more comfortable with him or feeling good around him, but her appreciation for how he made what she thought impossible, possible. She now knows there is nothing wrong with her, but with me. Leo has made it quite clear to her he has zero interest in marriage or fatherhood, but if his feelings and hers change after they conceive
I will step aside because it's the right thing to do."
"Your nobility is touching, Miguel but it could also be an excuse to get out of a relationship."
"Father, if I wanted to break up with Jean I wouldn't have driven 5 hours on a Saturday morning to meet with you. I don't see it as being noble, but as pragmatic."
"Pragmatic maybe, but emotionally it has to be tearing you up inside?"
Miguel sighed, "Right now it's tough because she is pushing up the time table. She wants to get married sooner but believes she has to force their hand."
"She might force her dad's hand who will tell her to marry Leo."
"I know which is why I want to accept paternity."
"So, out of love you're willing to be her cuckold?"
From the look on his face, Father knew Miguel was unfamiliar with the word, "The cuckoo bird lays its eggs in another bird's nest. The male bird raises the cuckoo bird's offspring as if they were his own. Leo is laying with Jean and attempting to fertilize her egg. If he succeeds you will raise their child but unlike the cuckoo bird you will know it's not yours. Most men aren't cuckolds by choice, but there are exceptions, you being one."
Father let Miguel think about what he said, "You do understand Leo is the first, but not the last man Jean will have sexual intercourse with. The behavior you are seeing now you will see again and again."
Miguel said, "I know. I can live with it."
Father asked, "What about your family? What will they think? Marriage is more than just two people."
Miguel answered, "They love Jean. My mom thinks she and Jean are cut from the same cloth. She says a woman like Jean, intelligent, strong, and independent, needs a man like me, selfless and supportive, just like my dad."
"But when they see the child it will obviously not have any of your features. Tongues will wag. There will be innuendos; in fact it will embolden other cuckoo birds to lay their eggs in your nest."
Miguel replied, "It will only be an issue if we allow it. Our families won't say anything if they see how accepting we are of the baby and how openly affectionate we are. If we're happy they'll be happy."
Father asked, "Miguel, describe for me a typical day spent with Jean."
Miguel spent the next five minutes talking about all the things they did together.
Father said, "I'm glad you are connecting emotionally and socially. Jean gave similar answers. What the two of you have is a fetish. It's important the fetish doesn't become more important than the relationship. You seem content with her taking the reins. You're able to handle and accept what most would consider difficult and unacceptable demands literally turning your pain into pleasure. You make what she desires your desire. Am I right?"
Miguel pondered the question, "Yes, you are."
Father answered, "I'm glad you agree because I know I am. I have previous experience dealing with couples like you, but only after they've been married. During the course of their marriage she finds herself sexually unfulfilled and out of curiosity or more often than not his insistence she takes a lover, experiences for the first time real sexual fulfillment, the coital bliss Jean describes, which forever alters her relationship with her husband. She ultimately holds the power in the marriage. Many men bolt, but a great number don't. They assume a subordinate role accepting and even being aroused and loving their wife more for her infidelities. Enhancing or pursuing more extramarital relationships for her becomes the focus if not the glue holding their marriage together, increasing his desire for her which makes her feel even more loved."
Miguel brightened at the news he and Jean, while unique, were not alone. Out of curiosity he asked, "Do the husbands in these marriages have affairs?"
Father asked, "Why? Are you contemplating one?"
Miguel answered, "Curiosity and no I am not contemplating one. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how different I am. Jean is the only woman I want."