This story is solely my property and may not be reproduced or published without my express permission. Names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent. Any resemblance to people living or dead is merely a coincidence.
*
Joe couldn't believe that three years had passed so quickly. Joe had a plan that he'd been working on for six months, he just had to make sure everyone was onboard. He held a small box in his hands that he kept turning over and over.
"Max, Zoey come here please we need to talk."
Joe's kids came into his bedroom and he motioned for them to sit on his bed.
"Kids I have something very important to talk to you about."
"So what's up Dad? Have we done something wrong?" Max asked as he playfully elbowed Zoey.
"No you haven't done anything wrong. I need to ask you a question, I want to make sure that you guys are okay with this before I go any further with it."
Zoey smiled at her Dad, "Are we moving somewhere Dad?"
"No baby we're not moving. You know how Jerri's been living with us for the last couple of years. Well I've gotten to like having her around and would like to make it more permanent. Would you guys be okay if I asked Jerri to marry me?"
Both kids jumped up and hugged their Dad. Everyone was laughing, "I take it that's a yes then," Joe said with a broad grin on his face.
"We were wondering when you were going to ask Jerri to marry you Dad. It's about time."
"Do you think Jerri will let me call her mom, daddy?" Zoey asked excitedly.
Joe laughed again, "You can ask her that after next week. I'm proposing to Jerri at her graduation ceremony. But we have to keep this a secret okay?"
Joe held out the box and opened it, showing them Jerri's engagement ring.
"Do you think she'll like it kids?"
Zoey was star struck, " Wow daddy! That's really pretty, you must love Jerri a lot!"
Joe smiled at Zoey, "Yes baby, I do love her very much." At dinner that night Max and Zoey were grinning and giggling. Looking between their Dad and Jerri.
Jerri looked at Max and Zoey and smiled, "What is wrong with you two? You're acting like a couple of goof-balls!"
Max and Zoey stifled their laughter.
"Nothing's wrong Jerri, we're just really happy today right Zozo?"
"Yeah m..Jerri, just really happy." Zoey said as she caught herself.
Jerri watched the kids and smiled softly. They were so wonderful, Max was already showing signs that he was going to be a strapping young man and at least as tall as his Dad. Petite and delicate Zoey belied her looks and was quite the scrapper, often fighting with much older kids and winning. Both kids had great personalities and were very loving. They'd opened their arms and their hearts to Jerri when she'd found herself at their doorstep. Jerri looked across the table at Joe and smiled warmly, he'd been a wonderful friend and lover these past three years.
When Jerri got accepted to Unity College Joe insisted that he would pay her tuition, and bought her a small car so she could get to school more easily.
Joe watched Jerri out of the corner of his eye as he placed some well aimed kicks on his kids' shins. Joe was still amazed that this beautiful woman had chosen to be with him. He remembered the cold, soaked, scared little girl who'd turned up on his doorstep three years ago. Jerri was far removed from that little girl now, at twenty-one she was confident, full of life, self-assured, and charismatic. He had always known that given the right environment she would blossom into a remarkable woman. Joe was just glad he could give her that.
"Hello? Earth to Joe, are you there?"
"Huh? Sorry, I was just thinking of something."
Max was smirking at his Dad and Zoey was trying to hide her giggles behind her hands.
"I said, would you like your dessert now or save it for later dear?" Jerri said with a smile.
"I think I'll wait baby, I'm pretty full right now. Great job on dinner kids." Joe said as he got up and started clearing the table.
Loading up the dishwasher Joe felt arms wrap around his waist and a lovely warm body press into his back.
"Hey old man, I was thinking earlier that we have a pair of pretty wonderful kids."
Joe turned to face Jerri and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. He liked the way she'd talked about the kids like they were her kids too.
"Yeah sugar plum, you've done a great job with them. And for the record, thirty-five isn't that old."
"I couldn't have done it if you weren't there to support me honey," Jerri said with misty eyes.
Joe squeezed her again and kissed the tip of her nose, "You'll be a great mom Jerri, don't fool yourself about that. The kids were never as close to their mom as they are to you."
Jerri sniffled, "Thanks Joe, I sometimes forget that I'm not their mom, even though it's so easy to do."
"Well for what it's worth the kids already think of you as their mom. With no contact from Tina in more than four years, they've attached themselves to the only other person who loves them as much as I do."
Jerri hugged Joe tightly, "I really do love them Joe, they're so easy to love."
Later that evening they were in bed making love. Jerri was straddling Joe's hips and grinding her pussy on his cock. The only sounds in the room was the occasional gasp or moan and the slurping sound of Jerri's well lubricated pussy on Joe's cock. Joe sat up and took one of Jerri's breasts into his mouth as his hands caressed her back. Jerri held him to her as she continued her slow ride on him. They both knew they were close to cumming, and Jerri quickened her pace.
"Mommy?"
Jerri stopped dead, "Yes baby. What's the matter?"
"I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you and daddy?" Zoey asked from their door.
"Sure thing pumpkin, just give me and daddy a sec to make some room okay?"
Jerri and Joe grabbed up their pyjamas and whipped them on in record time with only a small moan of disappointment coming from Jerri as she felt Joe's cock leave her pussy.
"Okay baby, come cuddle with mommy." Jerri said with a slight hitch in her voice. Zoey climbed into bed with them and snuggled up to Jerri. Jerri began singing a tuneless little song and stroked Zoey's long brown hair. When Zoey fell asleep Jerri looked over her shoulder at Joe with tears in her eyes and a smile that lit the room.
"Oh my god she called me mommy." She whispered to Joe.
Joe smiled back at her and gave her a kiss, "Well why not sweetie? She loves you and she knows you love her. That's the most important thing to a kid. They don't care about genetics."
Jerri kissed Zoey's cheek and snuggled into her daughter a little more as she felt Joe snuggle her back. Soon they were all fast asleep.
---
With just a few days until d-day Joe had just gotten off the phone with Jerri's professor. She was totally onboard with Joe's plan. He was going to meet her the day before commencement to give her the ring so she could attach it to Jerri's diploma. They also worked out the rest of his special request as well.
When Joe got home Jerri was sitting on the couch with her laptop across her legs. He walked over and gave her a kiss.
"Hey sugar, how's the speech coming?"
Joe was so proud of Jerri, not only was she graduating first in her class, she'd also been asked to speak at the ceremony.
Jerri looked at Joe and huffed. "I'm having a hard time here old man. Could you maybe read it and see how it is?
Joe took the laptop and quickly read what she had done. He moved a few lines and added some others then handed it back to her.
Jerri reread her speech and smiled at Joe. "I knew I kept you around for more than just the sex! It's perfect daddy."
Joe gaped at her in mock disbelief, "Why you little brat! I'll show you more than just the sex!" He grabbed Jerri around the waist, dropped her across his lap and started paddling her round little bottom.
Jerri was giggling and gasping, "No, no, stop I'll be good I promise!"
Joe lifted her so she sat on his lap and wrapped his arms around Jerri's waist. "You're still riding the high from the other night aren't you babygirl?"
Jerri smiled, "Yeah, I've hoped that it would happen one day but wow, when it does it's the best drug around."
"Well sweetie nobody deserves to be called mom by our kids more than you."
Jerri kissed Joe and rubbed noses with him. "Now if someone would get off his ass and make an honest woman out of me, maybe we could make more babies."
Joe chuckled, "All in due time my love, all in due time."
---
It was d-day. Both Joe and Jerri were bundles of nerves but for totally different reasons. Jerri was wandering around the house in her panties and bra going over her speech for the hundredth time. Joe was getting out the kids' best clothes and helping them get ready.
"Jerri baby, come get dressed, we have to leave soon," Joe called from their bedroom.
Jerri wandered into the room like she was in a daze. She walked up to Joe and gave him quite probably the most amazing kiss of his life.
"Whoa, babygirl what was that for?"
Jerri smiled up at him, "Thank you for everything. Letting me join your family, taking care of me, loving me. Just thank you."
Joe gave her a hug and kiss. "No babygirl thank you, you've brought joy, laughter and love back into our lives. Now hurry up and get dressed or we'll be late." he said as he smacked her backside.
