Found

Everyone having sex is at least 18. This story is a work of fiction. I made it all up. Check reality at the door and enjoy it for what it is. Special thanks to goducks111 for his help and making this a better story.

This part had an ending that my editor hated. I trust my editor and took his advice. At the end, I have a question for you. I look forward to your feedback and why you selected one over the other.

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Chapter 29 - Jenny

We end staying only until December 26th. Tomorrow, Beth needs to see the doc. She says something changed and she can't describe it. She just knows that it's different. That means we want to be a whole lot closer to a hospital than we are now. The lodge is a beautiful home, everyone is sad to be leaving.

I do enjoy my old familiar house, though. We are three blocks from the hospital. A bag is already in the SUV, and it is parked out front under the roof that extends from the front door. We are ready for the birth of Beth's baby. Her parents know we are near the end, and they have been saving vacation days. I will fly them in as soon as the baby is on the way.

The doorbell rings. I am right by the door, so I answer it. I am in shock as I open the door and the person is turning towards me, it's Jenny? This is too soon. She shouldn't be here. Is something wrong? She isn't smiling. She is dressed well; those are expensive-looking clothes.

Jenny asks me after she smiles, "Can I come in?"

That breaks me out of my stupor. I reach over and give her a welcome hug and then lead her inside. A car drives off, she has no luggage. Sara is making dinner, Beth and Phoebe are watching TV while the children play. At seeing Jenny, Phoebe comes running, Beth stays off her feet and waves. I take that moment to inform Sara that Jenny is here, one more for dinner. No luggage.

When I go back, I am still stunned, I need answers, "You're a bit early, and I don't see any luggage. I'm confused."

Jenny still is not smiling, "I wanted to experience the hysteria of birth, yet I don't want to intrude too much. I'm staying downtown at the Ritz-Carlton. My driver is really my chef. When the baby comes, Sara can enjoy it, and my man will cook for us.

Daniel is running around and having fun, amusing Beth. He has Beth in stitches. On seeing Jenny, he gets shy and hides behind me. Slowly he comes around to look at her, peeping back and forth. He is shy, but something about her interests him. Don't get me in trouble, buddy.

Jenny smiles and opens her hands and arms out wide for a hug. Nimbly, he rushes into her arms and throws his body at Jenny, surprising her with his size and force. The woman that was stoic and reserved is now animated as she has a young child in her arms. She inventories his clothes, his bruises, his limbs, and his ability to respond to questions.

She had no clue what she might learn. He grew tired and ran off. She looks at me questioningly.

I smile and partially laugh, "You stopped being interesting. Children have a short attention span, there is too much to see and learn in this world. They don't want to miss a thing. Phoebe's girls do a bit better. Beth's child turned last weekend, which means that her time is near. In three days, it's a full moon. I expect a child then if it doesn't come sooner.

"Until then, you might want to get something more casual. We do lots of playing on the floor, and kids get messy when they eat. Spaghetti is delicious, it's also fun to throw. They forget that dinner time is not playtime. Personally, I think he knows, he also knows he can get away with it." Jenny smiles at that.

After dinner, we play in the basement and then it's time for TV. They get one Disney movie. The children gravitate to their mommies. Phoebe has two, one of her children go over to Jenny and opens her arms wide. Jenny understood, she sits up and reaches down for the child. She brings her up and they cuddle together. Jenny is quite proud of herself.

It's not long, and they're all asleep. We go upstairs and put the children to sleep. The adults go back downstairs in front of the fireplace to talk.

Without prompting, Jenny explains in a monotone voice, "My husband left yesterday for a two-month trip to China and Singapore. I decided on a whim that I'd like to see the process, so here I am. If nothing else, the cooking is covered. I'm bored in my old house. It's more like a museum; several rooms are off-limits to me. I'm involved with several groups, but house life is nothing like here. The house staff is taught to be silent and out of the way. I'm alone there."

She is on the verge of tears; I don't have much sympathy for her. She slept with him, dated him, and married him. His family is wealthy, but I can see how that wouldn't be very fulfilling. It sounds like a hollow life.

I smirk as I suggest, "I know people that do fishing and hiking trips."

Sara is quick to berate me, "That's not funny."

Jenny's smile is back, "Each of those children is so precious. They're so small and cute. It's awesome holding them. I love it when they fall asleep. You're all fortunate to have such perfect children."

Mom is quick to point out, "Oh, I wouldn't say they're all perfect and innocent. Sara and Steve's child, Daniel, he's downright trouble at times. I swear he plans out the worst time to cry, poop, or reach out and grab a boob. There is an awful lot of his father in him. My, oh, my, after he is caught and you yell at him, the other babies cry. Not Daniel, no, he smirks and then gives you the most adorable face. He turns angel on you."

"I thought it was just me. That little stinking kid is playing us," rang in Beth.

Sara adds, "All I know is he's the smartest of the group. You can't turn your back on him, and you must keep his pecker covered, or you get a shower. I swear he swivels his hips to hit you."

Beth is first to attack the elephant in the room, "So, Jenny, how are you doing? You ignored us at school and got married soon after. You got a nice rich guy. That's better than being poor."

Jenny has zero excitement in her face as she explains her life, "Steve, you left my life a wreck. I had no money, no food, no idea why you did what you did. We go back to school and even Phoebe is cut off. The first week is we don't know, and then they won't say anything. I assumed you couldn't deal with what I did and left.

"Financially, I was close to dropping out. Seth came along and fixed all my problems. While in college, he was great, we had fun, life was good. Then we graduated. His family got involved, and his mother got her claws into him. That was the day our marriage died. Still, living with money does have its advantages. You all know, nobody around here starving or has holes in their socks.

"I see him for a day between trips. He's kind, gentle, smart, but not fun. The man doesn't know how to smile. When he is around, he's sleeping due to jet lag. From what I understand, he does quality inspections in manufacturing plants. All I know is that the odds of a child are slim. That's why seeing your children is so thrilling to me. Many of the twenty have delivered babies already, I doubt I ever will. The way your family is popping them out, you will always need more help.

"Since nobody has asked, I'm going to come out and say it. I'm not here to steal Steve or even have sex with him. I'm here for tutorial instruction and, even more so, to see the children. It made my week having Beth's child fall asleep in my arms. There is nothing as peaceful as watching a young child nestled in your arms. They look at you, you feel loved, and they fall asleep."

We all understand exactly how she feels. There is no better feeling in the world. Jenny texts her driver to come get her.

Jenny stands up and announces, "If I remember right, Sara gets up about six, and breakfast is eight or nine. Right?"

Sara nods her head, yes.

"My chef and I will be here around six. Anything you need food-wise?" Sara shook her head. "Can I get a key or will someone let us in?" asks Jenny.

Anthony smiles, "I will let you in."

I add on my own, "The cribs still have their names. Daniel is Sara and my child. Kelly and Chris are Phoebe's and my child. Beth's and my child will be Cathy. The bottles are labeled in the refrigerator. Beth is always in need of nipple sucking if you feel the need."

Jenny tentatively asks, "Beth, how are you now? I don't see any bruises, but I know the ones you can't see are sometimes the worst. How are YOU doing?"

Beth has a tear in her eye, "I came here in a concussion. I don't remember the trip at all. My body made me come here rather than go home. He saved me, my jaw, my parent's marriage, and my child. I still have speech and physical therapy. Cathy and Steve are used as carrots to motivate me. Steve, Phoebe, and their mother have helped a lot in my time of grieving. I hated the son of a bitch, but he did some good things."

Jenny looks startled, "HE DIED? I thought you were the only one injured."

Beth deadpans, "I was here in the hospital with Steve when I found out my husband died, he had faulty breaks."

Jenny's eyes go to Anthony. Anthony looks at Steve, Steve looks at Sara.

Jenny looks to be in shock when she says, "Sara?"

Sara has a look on her face like she is the cat that just ate the canary.

Sara almost purrs when she smiles and says with a happy expression, "On seeing Beth's condition, Steve sent Anthony to the airport. The next day, in the hospital, Steve's phone rings, he answers it but never spoke to Anthony. He hands me the phone and says, 'I am too emotional. You hate Beth and what she will do to us. You are the only person I trust to make a sound, rational decision. Listen to Anthony and decide. I trust you.' Then he turns away from me.

"Anthony's first option is making it look like an accident. I told him something to the effect of 'I select that' and he hung up on me. Steve was right, I wasn't happy with Beth being here. I knew she wouldn't leave. It was the thought of the husband treating a pregnant woman so poorly that it could terminate the precious life inside of Beth that set me off. I could have killed him myself if given a chance."

Beth and I get up and hug Sara, who is now crying at reliving those memories.

I fill in, "We thought at several points that Beth's child would not make it. For a few days, it was like an emotional rollercoaster. Anthony had a beer with the husband, where they joked about what they did to Beth. Anthony told me that he had made his own decision, he was going to die regardless of our decision."

Don hands Jenny a key, "Here's a key. On the refrigerator is a menu for the week. People cook differently if anything is needed, there is a phone number for a delivery place along the bottom. They will bill it to us."

Jenny hugs Don and then heads for the front door. I follow and give her a hug as she walks out.

+++++

The next morning, I wake up to a kiss from Sara.

Sara giggles and says to me, "This is kind of nice. We can send Jenny back without the chef. I like sleeping in."

Breakfast is very similar to Sara's breakfasts. Some variety and good hot coffee. Jenny has Daniel sitting in his highchair. He has clothes on, she will learn. Daniel will have half of the breakfast over his head and on him in less than a few minutes. Sara is next to me. She starts to say something, but I stop her. Jenny gets to learn about the children on her own.

Jenny asks me with surprise in her face, "Daniel doesn't mind being dirty? I was holding him when I got a strange aroma. I check and OH MY!"

Sara giggles, "You found his secret; he likes to be dirty. We normally dress him after breakfast."

Mom and Phoebe bring down the other children.

We enjoy a typical noisy morning breakfast with a plus one. The kids didn't mind, but Sara is leery of Jenny. For her part, Jenny is just enjoying everything. It's all new to her, and there is chaos rather than her typical quiet, reserved home where nothing happens. After breakfast, we go to the living room where a fire is already going, and the smell of the burning wood is fantastic.

The wood is dry, there are lots of pops and hisses. Don, Bill, and Anthony are invited to come to sit with us. We don't do this often, it feels nice. Jenny and Bill have laptop computers out, they are both going to take notes.

Over three days, we brainstorm and then refine ideas into plans. We will throw money at them, but it won't be endless. We have a list of questions to ask, and that will lead to discussions. We will spend a lot of time on HR, training, and marketing. We are available to review marketing materials, advertising plans, and anything else that a second opinion may help with. There is no doubt that the best thing I can offer is a second opinion and cash.

Some of the women work for corporations and just want help reviewing their ideas and work that will be turned in. They do a lot of different things, and each has different needs. A couple are doing well, they just wanted to visit with us and meet the children.

Friday is a free day for us to spend time in the city. Tonight, I have tickets for a show that Sara wanted to see. The plan was to get up early and then spend the day on the town. However, Sara doesn't feel well, she is drained of all energy. She wants us to go without her, but this is the third time this has come up. I am not leaving the house.

I throw Jenny and Phoebe out of the house. Beth doesn't have the energy to leave the house either. Mom and I watch the house. I am concerned about Sara.

+++++

Don and mom stay with the children. Jenny, Beth, Phoebe, Anthony, and I go out for dinner and then to a play. I don't remember much, I had to help Sara get around, and she slept through the play. Neither Jenny, who is on the opposite side of Sara, nor Phoebe, who is next to me, seems happy with Sara's condition. Do they know more than me? Do they know anything? I surely don't. Sara stays awake after the second intermission and needs no help getting up. Maybe I am reading too much into this.

+++++

When we get home, everyone is asleep. The children ran Don and mom down. The children are in bed. Mom and Don both have drinks in the living room, they are waiting for us. Mom is asleep in a chair, and Don is lying on his side of a couch.

Sara immediately sits down, quickly followed by Beth. Jenny and I hang up the coats. I take drink orders, and then Jenny and I join the others who are already discussing the play. It doesn't take long for the fangs to come out. I am pleased, I expected this immediately.

Sara asks Jenny, "It's late, are you staying over tonight?"

Jenny smiles, "You know I would love to. However, I have a motel room that I must return to. If I don't, my husband will hear about it, and my life will suck for a while. I will live, my life can't get much worse. This mentoring program will be a huge thing for me. I will get to travel a lot."

Sara is laser-focused, "You want to fuck him still, don't you?"

Jenny is trying to stay positive, "All twenty of us did. I am no different. I was just one of two that he dumped Christmas Eve. I got the joy of loving him and being smacked down at the same time. You always get him to yourself. I was always up against the twenty."

Jenny texted someone. My guess is that she texted her driver. This is a fight Jenny really doesn't want. She doesn't want to upset anyone, especially Sara. Why is Sara pushing Jenny?

Sara is excited now, "All by myself? Are you kidding me? Phoebe has always been here, I had sixteen weeks of women, Julia gets her turns, and recently, Beth showed up and has become a staple in the sharing.

Jenny looks at her phone, she just received a text message.

Jenny stands up and says calmly, "I am not here to get in his life again. I am here to help my friends. I have access to money to help people. I have caused this family enough grief. My ride is here, so I will leave you. I think we have a good plan for the ladies, and I will follow from online from now on. I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Sara, I hope you feel better soon.

"Steve, Beth, Sara, and Phoebe, I have had a lovely week. Your children are amazing. I now wish I didn't listen to my husband and his family. What a fool I have been. Thank you and goodbye."

Anthony escorted her out to her car. With the way Sara was acting, I thought it best to not hug Jenny on the way out. Sara was upset about something, and nobody mentioned it ever again. It's as if today never happened.

Over the next few weeks, I played the week over and over in my mind. Jenny never provoked anything; it was all Sara. Was it a preemptive strike, or did she just harbor that much hate for Jenny? Much of it seem thought out; this wasn't just a random comment here and there. I am confused. Mom and Phoebe are of no help.

It doesn't help that Beth isn't bouncing back like she should, and the doctors are worried about her. Sara has been to the doctors, and they are doing tests still to see what's going on. I am just an emotional mess.

Chapter 30 - Sara ...

It's Monday, Karen has just arrived. She has two children. Unlike Jenny, mine do not impress her other than I have more. And that makes everything harder. We are in front of the fireplace in the living room, just like we were with Jenny. Sara did not join us; she isn't feeling well.

Karen owns a small family manufacturing company that has made the same car part forever. They are well managed, make a small profit, and are well respected in the industry. Their problem is that the equipment is wearing down. The repair time is increasing and eating into their profit margins.

She needs financing for new equipment. The new equipment will swap out to new molds faster, and uptime should increase. I write a check. My lawyer draws up a contract with terms for paying back. The conditions are very favorable for Karen to the point that she cries. This is by far the easiest week we have had. Karen already knew where the problems were, and money was her solution.

Her biggest issue was that her bank wanted a high interest rate. She was smart enough to know it couldn't work. They thought that a young woman wouldn't be wise enough to see a bad deal. They were wrong.

Since our engagement went so easy, we went up to see Sara. We talked for an hour, and then Karen shook me to my core.

On the way down my long staircase, Karen stumbled and then stopped. I look at her and she is crying.

I put my arms around Karen, and she cries hard into my shoulder as I tell her, "She has days like today, and then she has good ones. She says her doctor is adjusting medication still."

Karen looks at me like I am an idiot, then it changes to one of love and acceptance as she says, "You haven't been to a doctor's appointment yet, have you?" I give her a blank look. She looks at me understandingly, "Insist you go to the next appointment. All will be revealed. I won't say any more, knowing that it's her decision."

When you hear words like that, nothing good comes to mind. Specifically, is she is going to die within days? That was one of the questions that is at the forefront of my mind. Why would she deny me access? Why would she lie to me? Why am I not included in the decision making? Why not tell me something is wrong? Karen saw something that she had seen before. She knew exactly what was going on. Cancer? I almost fell down several stairs.

Karen can see the grief in my eyes. She stopped and wrapped me hard in her arms as she says, "I'm sorry."

Immediately, I have anger for Sara, for not telling me. That erodes, though, as I realize she is protecting me.

+++++

That night, Karen, Sara, mom, Phoebe are all at the dinner table. We are hearing the funny stories that Karen has about her family.

While Don is making dessert, I ask Sara casually, "I'd like to attend your next doctor's visit."