A Safe Bet

This is my first effort in writing. No new ground covered. This will be a 2 part story.

About my screen name, justplaincraig. Its not a ripoff or homage to justplainbob. I've used this for decades. Even before I found this website, back to the AOL days. I did because everyone had these wild and crazy screen names and I figured I'm just plain craig.

I didn't know if this should be in Loving Wifes or Non Erotica. I chose LW because its graded the hardest and I wanted to know where I stand as a writer. Hope you enjoy.

A SAFE BET

It was such a good day until 2 hours ago...

I was having a really good day. I just got an unexpected promotion on my job. I went from a Department Supervisor at a big box hardware store, were we wear red vest, to an Assistant Manager. I've been there for almost 5 years. I've seen people come and go which allows for advancement but they always bought in outsiders for the ASM, as they call it, positions. But I kept my head down and did my job. It paid well and I liked it. When the General Manager called me into his office I was a little worried. Its not something that happened...well ever. But after the meeting I leaving with the proverbial spring in my step. They finally decided to promote from within and I was the first. An extra 15K a year would definitely come in handy. I couldn't wait to tell my wife. And it would give me something to brag about at the party tonight.

I'm Brian Anderson, 34 years old. Married to Brittany Anderson 32 nee Martin. We've been together for 6 years. No kids together but Brittany bought 2 great kids into the relationship. Joe Jr 11 and Julie 9 years old. Both great kids. The kids father hasn't been in their life since Julie was 2 and neither of them remember him. I'm proud to say they call me dad. I taught them to ride bikes, coached JJ as we call Joe now in baseball and Julie in Soccer.

I met Brittany at a party my friend was hosting. I'm not a big party person. I work, like to read and relax at home watching sports. I'm not a loner or in introvert. I'm just particular about who I socialize with. Brittany is the opposite. They say opposite attract. I was attracted to Brittany because she's beautiful. 5'5" about 110 pounds with a nice booty. I didn't realize I was a booty man until I met her. My friends wife introduced us and it was off to the races.

We dated for a year before I asked her to marry me. I had met the kids and even asked if they were okay with me marrying their mother. There are great kids, I know I keep saying that because they are. I never thought about being a parent. But they are the reason I get up every morning now. I would do anything for them. Now I don't know what the future holds.

We're at one of the monthly parties held by our neighbors. Nothing fancy. Just friends getting together for some fun and relaxation. Usually 15 to 20 people are at the parties. Only adults and ages from 27 to 45. Most of us have kids and they spend the night between 2 or 3 houses.

I was with a group of the guys giving Mike some relationship advice. He's a great guy but always chooses the wrong woman. I was telling him the best way to find the right woman when Brittany walked in. I guess she heard part of the conversation and interrupted me with "Don't take advice from Brian. I did everything I could to get him and if I didn't have kids we wouldn't even be together"

My head whipped around to look at her. I was absolutely gobsmacked. No one was talking. I wasn't talking. Brittany just patted me on the head, smiled and walked away. I didn't know if she realized what she just said or its ramifications but I know how it affected me. I looked around the room and saw the way the guys were looking at me. I've never been so embarrassed in my life. My wife, the love of my life, just said she wouldn't have married me if she didn't have kids. The same kids that I would die for. The look of pity was unbearable. I had to get out of there and that's what I did. I left. I just got up and walked out. No one tried to stop me. As I left people who didn't hear that little exchanged asked why I was leaving but I didn't say anything for fear of what would come out of my mouth. I didn't even take the car, just walked out.

Brittany

It was a really nice party. They usually are since we knew everyone there and were friends. There was never any awkwardness that you get when there were strangers there. We talked about anything and everything.

I was getting another punch when I walked into the room where the guys were hanging out. They were trying to give Mike some much needed relationship advice when I heard Brian offer his knowledge of the fairer sex. I remember jokingly saying. "Don't take advice from Brian. I did everything I could to get him and if I didn't have kids we wouldn't even be together". Patting him on the head and leaving the room.

Twenty minutes later someone asked if I knew why Brian left. I hadn't seen him since I left the room as I was talking to some ladies. I went into the room I last seen him and the same guys were still there. I asked where Brian went and they didn't know but some said they knew why he left.

Mark, one of the older guys asked if I remember what I said. I said sure but I was only joking. Mark said some things aren't a joke. You said basically you would not have married him if you didn't have kids. He was the safe bet, Someone to take care of you and your kids. Not because you loved him, because he was a sure thing. Not many things will hurt a man more but that is in the top 10 of them.

All I could think about was that I was joking. It was a joke. That's what I told Mark and the other guys who just looked me and I didn't like the looks I was getting. Not a mad or an angry look, more of disappointment. Mark said some things aren't funny. Especially in front of other people. He asked a question I'm sure most were wondering about, "Was that the reason I married Brian"? I said No as forcefully as I could. Maybe a little to forceful because again I got the looks of disappoint ment from the guys in the room.

They knew the truth. I still remember when we met. I was looking for a husband. Someone to help me. I had 2 young kids and was barely making ends met. I was pretty but most guys didn't want a long term relationship with a woman with 2 young kids. My friend Sissy was having a party and told me she had the perfect guy for me. I didn't go all out because I couldn't afford to go all out. I did the best I could to show what I had without being slutty. I was quite at the desperate stage but the apartment I was living in wasn't in the best area. I couldn't take the kids outside to play and my job was a dead end.

Sissy introduced me to Brian. He was cute, about 5'9" and under 200 pounds. Clean shaven and a nice style about him. He seemed kind of shy so I had to carry the conversation most of the time. By the end of the night we were talking like old friends. He asked me out for coffee the next week and we have been together since then. Was he my ideal type, nope. I was attracted to guys with big beards, big muscles and bad attitudes. Like my kids father but look where that got me. So I couldn't be picky with 2 little kids. Brian was the sweetest man. When he first met the kids they immediately feel in love with him. You could tell he was going to be a great father. He was everything I needed even if it wasn't what I wanted.

A long year later he asked me to marry him. I never thought he would. I was almost ready to pop the question myself. I know I wasn't in love with him I really liked him and the kids loved him. He had a good job and nice apartment. It was even bigger then mine. Of course I said yes. I didn't know he had talked to the kids and they were ready to promote him from Uncle Brian to Daddy even before the wedding.

During the 6 years we've been married I've come to realize I did truly love him. He was caring, kind, and a gentleman. Sex was good and got better over time. During our time together I never even thought about being with someone else. Partly because I had the kids and also because Brian gave me everything I wanted and needed. I couldn't ask for a better man.

Now I have to find him and let him know how much I love really love him.