As always, I have to include a huge debt of gratitude to Randi for her incredible editing, and assistance.
I also have to add thanks to George for his help. It's nice to have good people in your corner.
This chapter picks up after Reece laid down his ultimatum that he wanted the polyamorous element of their relationship to end, and for Sierra to choose between Leif and himself.
*****
Sierra, staggered back as if she had tripped. Grabbing the door frame for support, she muttered distractedly, "Reece, that's not fair; you promised to try it for a year. You are asking me which arm I would prefer to cut off"
"Sorry, that's it for me. It's either him or me. Personally, I would prefer we moved, but I knew you'd never do that."
"How can you be so cool and calm, so insensitive? It borders on cruel. How could you be so bloody heartless?"
"You and I see things differently, Sierra. I've swallowed a bitter pill in trying to accept this insanity. I've just reached the end of my tether. I'm telling you here and now, you need to decide on what you want to do."
"Jesus, Reece. You can't drop a bomb like that and expect me to make a life altering decision."'
"No, I didn't mean you had to decide here and now. I'll give you a couple of days to make your choice."
She stood open mouthed, her hands running furiously through her hair as she tried to formulate a response. Her mouth moved, but there was only silence.
"I never wanted this, Sierra. I told you that when you suggested it to me. Let me know what your decision is."
"And what if I say, I'm not going to."
"Then I'll assume you've decided on taking Leif as your partner."
"Reece, this is insane. We don't have to do this. What's to be gained from this madness?"
"My freedom, that's what. Once that decision is made, I will be free to move on with my life."
"Oh my god, this is all about Julia, isn't it?"
"No, Julia and I are nothing more than friends, but she has shown me that there is life after divorce. I'm sure there are other women who would be interested."
"Bloody hell." She sighed as she walked away.
She stayed out of my way for the rest of the day. The kids offered some reprieve, but the moment Leif walked in. Sierra grabbed him as he struggled to slow her down.
The kids were all hungry, so we had a bit of fun as they told me about their day and I made them a sandwich. Afterwards they all zoomed off to play.
I went for a stroll to clear my head and prepare for a bitter battle. Sierra was probably giving Leif my ultimatum right at that moment.
When I got back, the kids were setting out the table. Leif was in the kitchen helping Sierra and talking in hushed tones.
The kids dominated dinner as they always did, but as the meal came to an end, they started to pick up on the tension. There were lots of nervous glances exchanged.
Leif was itching to say something. I could see it; every time our eyes met, his brow furrowed and he gave me the evil eye.
With inner barely finished, Leif said, "Perhaps you kids should go up to your room for a bit. Mummy and I have some things we need to discuss with Reece."
Sierra gathered them together and shooed them up the stairs.
"Okay bro, what the fuck is this about laying down a fucking ultimatum?"
"Leif, I said I'd try to make this thing work. I made it pretty clear that I wasn't into it. Now it's over. I've asked Sierra to make a decision. She's either going to be mine or yours."
"Fuck me, bro. Why... Jesus you're destroying everything."
"All I'm trying to do is get my family back. Either that, or I'm going to get my freedom. I'm sick of sleeping alone. I'm sick of watching you and her all lovey-dovey while I'm left alone. One way or the other, it's over."
"Mate, you're fucking this up. We offered you a pathway that could take away all this fucking animosity."
"I told you then I'm not into that shit. I don't want to spend the rest of my life watching you fuck my wife."
"Reece," sierra screamed in anguish. "You don't have to be crude. We get it, you said it enough times. Why do you have to make it sound so grotesque?"
"Maybe it sounds that way because it is."
"Reece, lots of people live in relationships like this. It's not like we're the only ones."
"I'm not knocking it, Sierra. For the people who want to live that way, fine. It's just not for me, okay? I hate the idea everybody knows. It pisses me off."
"Bro," Leif blustered. "You're getting your tits in a tangle for nothing. Nobody cares about that shit these days."
"I fucking care, don't you understand? It's important to me. God knows what they say about me."
"It's always about you isn't it, Reece, that's what bugs me most. You don't care about us, it's just you."
"Sierra, I'm serious. I want out of this mess. I'm sick of all the continuous drama, sick of sleeping alone. I want my wife back. You need to choose. If you don't, I'm leaving. I'm sick of all this bullshit."
"No!" came the scream from the stairs. "Please, Dad, we don't want you to leave."
The thundering sound of a herd of angry kids reverberated as they ran down and into their mother's arms. "Please, Dad, we want you to stay." Zane sniffled.
Sierra pulled them into a circle around herself. "Nobody's leaving." She glared at me for support. "Tell them, Reece."
I knelt down and the girls slipped their arms around my neck and we hugged. "Kids, there's lots of things happening at the moment. You guys are old enough to know that your Mum and I have been having issues. It's not your fault, it's just us. We are trying to work things out, but I don't know what the future holds."
The girls saturated my shoulder with their tears, which started my own waterworks. Even the boys came over and joined our group hug. Sierra and Leif stood watching, concern etched deep into their faces.
Seeing the pain on their faces made it hard. They were a family; they didn't understand what was going on, all they saw was their family splitting... and they didn't like it.