My thanks again to Glenda Fiddich for invaluable support, advice and encouragement.
------------------------------------------------
A week later I left work at lunch time and as I turned into our street I noticed there was a strange car parked in the driveway. As I got closer I realized that whoever it was had parked in the middle, in front of both garage doors so I did what any normal slightly pissed off husband would do; I parked them in.
As I did I remembered all those stories I'd heard of loving husbands coming home early and finding a strange car at the house only to find their wife in bed with another man. Then I laughed to myself as I completely discounted the idea while I thought about the loving women waiting inside for me.
Over the past couple of years Julie would always let me know if they were expecting any visitors but she hadn't so I wondered if it was one of Karen's or Issy's old friends who'd called in unannounced. I'd even stopped checking on them during the day.
As I moved toward the front door I heard a man's voice and held my breath then listened more intently as I approached. He sounded vaguely familiar but whoever it was he seemed to be raving so I hoped they hadn't let some weirdo into the house.
I walked in not knowing what to expect and as I did they all turned around to look at me; I recognized him straight away. I never thought I'd ever see him in our house but with Karen and Isabella living with us maybe I should've.
Both Karen and Issy were on the verge of tears while Julie was trying to stay out of the way and look after the babies. Then he launched into me without waiting for me to even say hello. That was his second mistake; his first had been harassing them.
To start with I said nothing and tried to show some respect for his position in our community. Then it became personal; he accused me of turning the women in my life into whores.
I was angry and told him he if he didn't settle down I'd throw him out. He soon stopped and I responded to his tirade. "Issy's a live-in nanny. She offered to help Julie and Karen and assist with the babies. There's no sex or anything close to it and the women are just good friends. So it's very unchristian of you to be listening to gossip and you should get your facts right before you start believing unfounded rumours!
"Anyway, from what Issy's told me she hasn't had any visitors from your church in a very long time; that includes you. We must be the only true friends she has.
"It's different with Karen. Unlike some of your 'god fearing' parishioners, Julie, Karen and I aren't having an affair hurting our spouses and loved ones. The three of us are in an open, loving and lasting relationship. How many of your parishioners are divorced from adultery? From memory there's quite a few.
"After Karen's husband's death we took her and Todd in; the only thing she got from your church was a bill for the funeral! No one from your church offered her any assistance and I didn't see you lot offering to help pay her mortgage or living costs and put her boy through university.
"She came here as our friend; we treated them like family. If she hadn't she might've been out on the street homeless by now and maybe having to prostitute herself to survive. Our relationship developed a long time after she was widowed; it was a natural progression from our very close bond we'd had for many years.
"In any case, I've been to some of your services and heard you quoting verse after verse from the Old Testament. You'd know that what we're doing now was perfectly acceptable then, so don't start picking and choosing or misquoting sections of it to suit yourself.
"It's not right that religions keep making up rules for their own twisted morality where it's okay to cheat on your spouse so long as you confess it in church or have priests protected after they destroy the innocence of young girls and boys.
"Karen and Todd are part of our family now. We love and care for them; just like we do for Issy and Laura. Now, is there anything else you want to say before you leave? You'd better go now but if you ever want to come back and treat them like you should, you'll be most welcome."
I closed the door after him when he left then I waited. A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the door. When I opened it he politely asked if I could move my car.
One evening the following week Julie revealed that the minister and his wife had called around for coffee. He'd apologised to them all and they sat with them talking about the love and caring in the house. He had more guts than I'd given him credit for; he even promised to call back again soon; one day when I was home.
A few weeks later I wanted to take the three women in my life to dinner. I'd secretly arranged for the University students next door to come over to look after the babies so just the four of us could go out together for the first time.
Laura was working for me every Friday now as a student placement as part of her Accountancy degree; it gave her spending money as well. I'd quickly confirmed she was a very bright and an extremely intuitive young woman and I'd already promised her full-time employment when she graduated; besides I was sure she'd be family by then.
We'd left work early and I dropped her at home then parked on the driveway for a change and entered through the front door. Laura had told me she'd be over shortly to allow the women plenty of time to get ready. They hadn't been told so it would be a surprise they wouldn't soon forget.
As I entered I could see the babies were all lying asleep on the carpet in front of the television and the three women were sitting at the table in the kitchen drinking wine.
I walked in very quietly so as not to wake the little rug rats. The women were laughing; it was good to see them enjoying themselves while they were having a break. I stood there admiring the view and thinking that Issy was fitting in so well. It was obvious they hadn't seen me come in and they hadn't heard me either over the noise from the television.
I almost choked when Issy unashamedly asked, "So Julie, Karen was telling me earlier that you've been having threesomes now for well over three years. I'm really stunned about how much you both love them. I can only imagine how good it must be with James when I hear you most nights."
Their talks had become quite risqué of late after a few wines but my God what were they talking about? Anyway, she's got her dates all wrong. Karen and Todd hadn't been with us that long! Still, my heart was beating faster; I knew she was mistaken but I didn't move a muscle as I continued listening.
"I'd never realized you had them before Karen moved in though. Have you ever had another man to join the three of you to even the numbers; some people think that might be more fun? That's what I've read on the internet anyway."
Before they moved in? That's impossible! That can't be true! Oh fuck! I was thinking about letting them know I was there but for my own piece of mind I needed to hear what they had to say. Right at that moment I knew in my heart if I stopped them now they'd probably never tell me the whole truth and my mind would never rest until I knew what had gone on.
Karen responded, "Issy, Julie and I talked about it when George was alive; James never knew. Originally we thought it would be fun to swap; just the four of us. But you know Issy, we've waited a long time for what we have now and neither of us wants to change anything. We're not interested in another man; we have the only one we want.
"We both love him. It took so long to finally get him and we almost lost him in the process. Besides, James told Julie a couple of years ago about how he felt about sharing his wife with another man; he wouldn't have done it anyway."
I silently breathed a sigh of relief hearing that I was the only man they wanted in their lives and they remembered how I felt about having other men join us.
Issy took a sip of her wine then continued, "So Julie, before that did James join you both at Karen's old place because she's only been living here for just over two years now?"
What the...? I was caught short with what she'd just said. Issy did know her dates. Oh fuck! Something must've been happening before Karen moved in with us; I knew it wasn't with me!
Julie answered, "No silly, James has only had us both since Karen's been living here. Before that it was George at their place until James found out about George fucking me when he decided to take me here at home one day without Karen and James around."
I just stopped breathing and held my breath as her words kept rebounding in my head. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure they could hear it.
"He must've wanted to do it really badly. George knew I'd never let him touch me unless Karen was with me so he got me tipsy. I don't know if you've ever been told but James has this house full of security cameras. He didn't miss much back then and discovered it almost immediately and he almost divorced me within days."
Issy sounded surprised, "You and James... almost divorced; I can't believe that! Never in a million years! Any fool can see he loves you too much. God, if the neighbourhood women had known that at the time they would've been lining up at the door for him and I would've been first in line.
"They're all so jealous of what you've both got here and now they think I'm involved as well. I should be so lucky! Please don't tell them any different."
