Change of Heart - 18. Chapter Eighteen

Jeff was not surprised when Sam and Dave insisted on leaving the get together with them. Throughout the night they had never been far away. Each time he would check on Maria, he found one of Ilya’s men shadowing her. He sighed as he realized, for the immediate future, bodyguards would be an everyday part of their lives. He would have to get Paul used to the idea.

He had lived with personal bodyguards a few times before. One or two had tried to get downright intrusive. Even as a teenager he had stood firm and demanded his personal space and latitude to live his life. They had found it hard to understand they were supposed to adapt to a teenager’s lifestyle; not the other way around. There had only been one that seemed to be bothered that Jeff was gay. He was quickly replaced. Since those early episodes, every guard seemed to be “Gay-friendly” and respectful of his space. Uncle Joe and Uncle Raymond were always quick to notify him if increased precautions were needed, up to and including live-in security.

Personal security was always taken seriously as far back as when the early Adams’ began fencing their grazing pastures. Back then, it simply meant not leaving the ranch unaccompanied and never unarmed. Once oil was discovered in Texas, his family found, not only did they need to protect themselves, but to also guard their equipment and rigs. It seemed only a couple of evolutionary steps and Adams Family Trust gave birth to AFT Security Services, LLC. Soon it was providing around the clock personal security for many of the world's top 1%. They had even been called on to protect political figures who may not fully trust their own national security services. This forced the development of an investigative branch which now actively recruited and employed “knowledgeable computer software technicians” from around the world. Jeff just accepted the fact that everyone he knew as more than a “casual acquaintance” had been vetted by AFT Securities. They provided a complete dossier to his family. There had been times these dossiers had been given to him, but only if the information cast a questionable light upon the individual. Jeff was surprised to learn some of his college classmates knew a little too much about his financial status. AFT helped him weed out those whose motives were “questionable”.

Jeff stared into the night as they silently rode back to his place with Maria already dreaming between them. His feeling of dread was only partially quelled by the hope in his heart that Paul could accept what he was about to reveal concerning Jeff's family holdings.

Paul could sense Jeff's unease. As soon as Maria was tucked in, he led Jeff to their bedroom. “Okay, Cowboy. What's got into you? Since we left the party you're acting like your pump lost it's prime.” He wrapped his arms around his lover and pulled him close. “Talk to me. Whatever it is, two can halve the burden. Let me help.”

Jeff was overwhelmed by Paul's sincerity. His eyes glazed over and he had to swallow the lump in his throat. “Let's go down to the office and have a talk. With the bed this close, I’m afraid I’ll get too distracted. I have some business things to share with you. I told you that I wouldn't lie to you and I haven't. There are some things you have a right to know. No… there are things you have to know. I’m worried that you might be overwhelmed by what you learn and I’m not sure how you’ll react.”

Paul suspected he was about to learn how rich or maybe not rich the Adams family really was. He knew that his and Maria's new family would never be snobby even if they were millionaires. Even if the ranch was mortgaged to the hilt and Joe and Mellie had to come live with them, they would survive as a family. Considering he and Jeff were highly skilled professionals, they would survive and eventually thrive on their own. He took consolation in knowing his student debt was almost nil. Still, with the cost of hired security professionals like Ilya and his men, surely things couldn't be that bad. As Jeff closed the office door behind him, Paul let out a sigh and prepared himself to hear the bad news.

Jeff indicated for Paul to take a seat in a leather armchair, while he grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the bar’s fridge.

He took a large gulp of water and began. “I know it seems like a lifetime ago that I told you I was, er, uh wealthy. I um, need to let you know what that means in terms to which you can relate.”

Not for the first time, Paul realized that Jeff's vernacular and Texas drawl varied depending on the severity of the topic and the people with whom he was conversing. Occasionally, he was sure Jeff used his courtroom voice, like when he defended Paul after their rowdy and too loud bout of morning sex. Right now, his voice possessed it's usual warmth and caressing quality, but with a slight tinge of anxiety. Maybe things weren't as bad as he imagined.

“In the mid-nineteenth century, cattle and horses were the primary sources of income for the ranch. There are journals as well as financial records that reflect good and bad times. In those days, the Adams family struggled with hostile natives, rustlers, other ranchers who fought against fencing, as well as fickle market conditions. Even in those early days, they began expanding their financial interests beyond ranching. Initially, it was investing in the local bank until they owned a controlling interest. Then they sought out other banks, limiting their interests to locally owned banks within Texas. At the time the oil boom hit, we owned a lot of real estate that contained oil reserves. We got into speculating and when the equipment suppliers started demanding shares on top of their already exorbitant prices, we bought them out. I am not sure how much pressure was brought to bear before the sale went through. I have read that there were at least two shootouts in which people on both sides were killed, just like the war over fencing. Between ranching, banking, and oil, the coffers were pretty much filled in time to meet the Great Depression. Times were tough, 40% of all banks failed and unemployment reached 25%. Fortunately, all our banks managed to survive. From my great grandfather’s perspective, only the war in Europe gave them some much needed financial relief. He was appointed to the Petroleum Administration for War (PAW) during World War II. Our oil equipment companies were instrumental in building strategic pipelines across the country. Since all our business interests dealt exclusively with our banks, we were fortunate.

After the war, our equipment and pipeline interests began working extensively in the Middle East. Later on, we were fortunate with some investments in computer and software companies. Once we sold our banks, we focused more on real estate investment. That was also the time we developed a venture capital firm.

Paul’s head tilted to the side like he was trying to solve a puzzle. His eyes came back into focus on Jeff's mouth. Before he could become too distracted he asked, “Jeff, it doesn't sound like the ranch is heavily mortgaged. So, what's the deal then? What is it that you have to tell me that might upset me? Apparently, you're not in dire financial straits. So, what is it?” Paul stretched forward and clasped Jeff's hand in his. “Spit it out. It can't be that bad. I promise, if I get upset we can still discuss whatever it is like adults.”

“What made you think the ranch has a mortgage? As far as I know, there has never been a mortgage. What I was going to tell you that might upset you was that we, uh, that is the Adams Family Trust is worth approximately 7.6 billion dollars. That fluctuates a bit but that value is probably a bit on the conservative side.”

Paul released Jeff's hand and collapsed back into his seat. Struggling to comprehend the figure Jeff had just cited, Paul tried to force his brain to concentrate enough to visualize $7,600,000,000.00. It didn't quite work, just too many zeros. It was easier if he thought about it as 7.6 billion dollars. It was like accepting a word whose definition you weren't sure of but could just maybe define contextually. He began to study Jeff as if he had to be contextually redefined. Before, the context was cowboy, rancher, lawyer. Now it flared in his brain “BILLIONAIRE!” Glaringly visualized in a bright red large sized font, in all caps, followed by a significantly smaller sized font in black lowercase letters; “cowboy, rancher, lawyer”. He had a hard time trying to fit boyfriend, love, lover in with that new context. Paul was overwhelmed.

His eyes searched the room looking for clues that he should have recognized. Something that should have screamed “incredibly wealthy”. There was nothing. Not a single thing. The room was designed as one might expect a successful rancher’s office should be, in masculine good taste. It might be larger than most, but nothing was gaudy, gold plated or jewel encrusted. It was definetly not Trumpified.

His focus settled on Jeff. He was always dressed in good taste, but nothing was designer label. Hell, most of the time Jeff wore boots and wranglers just like he did. While his apparel was always well fitted and most likely came from exclusive men's shops, there was nothing that screamed “exclusive”.

Paul had secretly admired the Rolex Submariner Jeff wore on his left wrist. He had figured it was old since it did not sport the date feature. Before Paul thought it had probably belonged to his father or he had picked up in a pawn shop. Paul had sometimes fantasized about sporting a Rolex watch himself someday. Just to show the world, and his family especially, he had “made it”. Right now, he couldn't even imagine casually dropping a couple of grand on a used watch. His Walmart special was functional and it would not precipitate a financial crisis if it turned up lost, broken or stolen.

Realizing there was nothing that should have clued him in, he considered the man himself. Jeff definitely did not give off any mega-rich vibe. Neither did his Aunt or Uncle. Uncle Raymond had seemed maybe a bit more sophisticated than some other ranchers. Though Paul had seen him in both a professional and personal mode and besides sophisticated didn't necessarily mean snobby. Jeff's Uncle Raymond was anything but snobby. No, Jeff and his family related to and treated everyone with dignity and respect. Paul slowly began to realize that there was no difference in the man he loved before the “financial disclosure” and the one he now knew to be a “BILLIONAIRE”. The figure Jeff had cited was some inchoate concept that meant there would be no struggles, or at least no financial struggles. Paul suddenly realized he had moved from being relieved Jeff wasn't in financial distress to being just plain overwhelmed.

When he again focused on Jeff's face he clearly saw the anxiety his lover was feeling. Paul quickly fell to his knees in front of Jeff's chair. He framed his lover's face with his hands. “Babe, did you think I wouldn't love you when I found out? You had to know this wouldn't make a difference to me. You're still the man I fell in love with. I was prepared to hear you say you were broke. I was ready to live with you, me and Maria along with Uncle Joe and Aunt Mellie in a rented house until we could do better. I still love you, I’m just overwhelmed.” With that, he brought his lips to Jeff's in a lingering kiss intended to express his heartfelt love.

Jeff got the message loud and clear along with an aching hardon. He pushed Paul back just enough so he could stand. Tugging at the man until Paul got the message to take the seat Jeff had just vacated. As soon as Paul was seated, Jeff began kissing his lover with greater insistence and passion. His hands were busy unbuckling Paul's belt. Paul aided his efforts by raising his ass and shoving his pants down toward his knees. His freed cock slapped loudly against his belly and drooled a gob of precum. Jeff smeared the precum around Paul's cockhead while Paul moaned loudly into their kiss.

Jeff broke the kiss and tried to swallow Paul's cock on the first try without so much as a lick. Paul heartily approved the effort and lifted his ass to plunge even further into Jeff's throat. With his foreskin stripped back, Jeff's warm, moist throat spasmed around his corona as Paul went loudly insane. He sprang from the chair, holding Jeff's head with both hands. Jeff was forced to plant both his hands behind his back to keep himself from falling. Paul was only aware of one thing; his urgent need to furiously fuck Jeff's throat. Jeff knew, for the moment, he was simply a means to an end. It was exulting to realize he had brought his lover to this state of uncontrollable desire. Shifting his ass backwards, Jeff was able to free his painfully swollen cock. Surrendering to Paul's onslaught, he began to stroke himself toward that same maddening plunge into ecstasy.

The in and out movement of Paul's cock became erratic and more desperate. Jeff was first made aware of Paul's imminent orgasm by his shouted announcement and the swelling of the already too large invader. The first and subsequent surges of cum went almost unnoticed straight into his gullet. Only the pulsing action of Paul's cock let him know he was being fed. This notion pushed him over the edge and he sprayed a massive load onto his and Paul's clothes.

Only after Paul extracted his cock did Jeff draw an urgently needed breath. Even so, his own focus was on tasting the last remnants of Paul's cum. This time Paul readily collapsed into the chair as Jeff continued to clean his cock. “I’m sorry. WOW! That was incredible! I’ve never done that… had anyone do that… WOW!” After a short pause to catch his breath, “Did I hurt you? I mean… that was the best ever. Seriously, did I hurt you? I couldn't control myself. I’m not sure I could've stopped. It was just so intense.” This time Paul waited for a response.

Jeff moved his hands in a flourish to highlight his cum coated clothes. “Does it look like I was in significant distress? It was a complete turn on to make you lose your shit like that. I’m not sure how, or even if, I breathed through that. But, I can tell you flat out, I have never enjoyed giving a blowjob more or been as excited. We’ll definitely be doing that again if I can remember what made it happen like that. Now, let's get up, get a shower and go to bed.” Then with a big grin and a glance at his cum covered clothes, he said, “I feel suddenly drained.”

Once they were in bed and Jeff turned out the light, he asked, “Paul, are you ok? I mean about the money. You know, I would rather be with you and Maria and be flat broke than have all this money and be alone and lonely like I was.”

Paul, who had just settled into the cradle of Jeff's arms. Raised his head up and answered, “Jeff, I hope you know that I feel the same way about you. As for the money? Our future now looks a lot less grim than the one where I envisioned you were broke and we were struggling.” With that, he gave Jeff a peck on the lips and turned his back. Paul then snuggled against his lover and pulled Jeff's arms around himself.

Jeff sighed softly into his lover's hair. Inhaling that lemony, woodsy scent he so loved, he realized he had to trust in Paul's love for him to help the man adjust to what surely must be a whole new world. By the time Jeff relaxed and surrendered to sleep, Paul was softly snoring in his arms.

The next morning was Christmas Eve and Jeff woke up alone. His heart surged at his fear that Paul had left him during the night. He calmed himself with the thought that he trusted Paul's love for him was strong enough. His morning hardon led him to the bathroom where he relieved the pressure on his bladder. His need to find Paul overrode thoughts of a refreshing shower. Instead, he dressed in jeans and a tee shirt and pulled on a pair of socks.

As he neared the kitchen he smelled the enticing aroma of bacon and coffee. In the kitchen he found all the guys and Maria, sitting around the table. Rosarita welcomed him and sat a mug of coffee at his place at the head of the table. Paul seated to Jeff's right, pulled him down and greeted him with a quick kiss. At Paul's simple gesture of love, Jeff released the tension he had not even realized he had felt. Moving over to Maria, who was seated on his left, he greeted her with a loud kiss on the top of her head. All the men chuckled and Maria looked up at him in contempt, “Daddy Jeff did you blow spit in my hair?”

Jeff, giving her his most contrite look said, “Darling, I would never, ever do something so gross to you. You are my princess and I love you. Besides, tomorrow is Christmas and Santa will be watching very closely. I don't want to be a bad boy and get ashes and switches for Christmas.”

“I believe you and I love you too Daddy Jeff. But, I expect DJ will get those ashes and twitches cause he doesn't believe in Santa. He asked me not to tell anyone at school he doesn't believe cause it might hurt their feelings or make them mad at him. You don't even want to know what he said about the Easter Bunny. He talked about pages and oysters. He said those holidays were just to make it easier to believe in orgasmed religion. I told him I didn't believe in that, I believed in God and Jesus and Santa. I told him I wasn't too sure about a rabbit laying chicken eggs anyway. So he might be right about the Easter Bunny. I told him he didn't have to believe like I do, he is my friend and he can believe whatever he wants. I just hope he isn't too upset when he gets only ashes and twitches tomorrow. I’ll share some of what I get with him.”

Jeff looked pleadingly at Paul, who blanched noticeably. Paul scanned the table to see everyone focusing on him to see how he dealt with this. Even Rosarita waited to take her seat beside Fred after dropping off platters of bacon and scrambled eggs. He was grateful no one burst out laughing at the “orgasmed religion”.

Paul tried his utmost to convey his sincerity, “Honey, I hope DJ’s daddies encourage his imagination in other ways. Personally, I still like to imagine what Santa will bring me. There's a thrill I get finding presents under the Christmas tree. My heart races when I’m tearing into the wrapping to find something new and exciting. It’s the most magical time of the year.”

Jeff felt a surge of deja vu, it was his first day home and Rosarita was telling him “Christmas is a magical time…” Glancing around the table he was sure everyone there was touched by his daughter’s innocence and acceptance and the magic of Christmas.

Paul stood and walked around the table and knelt beside his little girl. “Honey, I hope you always believe in Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas”. He then framed her head in his hands and stared lovingly at her face, trying to capture the moment. It wasn't a watershed moment when children’s illusions are stripped away. It was a heartwarming reaffirmation of the wonder that only a child can share.

As he lovingly looked upon his family, Jeff was sure his heart grew three sizes that day.

The conversation became lively as each discussed plans for the holiday. Jeff, Paul, and Maria would have dinner tonight at their Uncle Joe's. Rosarita was planning a big dinner here for some close friends as well as the in-house bodyguards. Christmas morning, Joe, Mellie, and Raymond would join them here for an early breakfast and opening presents. They would all be sharing Christmas dinner at Uncle Joe's.

When it was determined that Paul and Maria had no pressing plans for the day, Jeff asked them to join him in an Adams family tradition. The fire station collected toys, canned goods, and cash while the local grocers donated hams and turkeys to be given to the poor. While they gave cash each year, his family also picked up whatever wish lists were left and went shopping. This year they would have to literally do some last minute shopping.

Paul was pleased until he thought about Fire Chief Bumpkis being put in charge of giving cash to the poor. When Jeff asked about the sour look on his face Paul told him exactly what he thought. At first, Jeff tried to reassure Paul that there were oversights in place that protected contributions. Paul remained unconvinced.

While Rosarita took Maria to help get her dressed and her hair “done up,” Jeff led Paul into his office. Moving the picture and opening the safe, Jeff pulled out a single stack of one hundred dollar bills. Paul noted the wrapper was a hideous mustard color. Looking into the safe he noticed a lot more stacks with the mustard color band along with multiple stacks using brown and violet bands. Jeff explained that was how they came from the bank. The mustard for one hundred dollar bills, the brown denoted fifty dollar bills and the violet was for twenty dollar bills. Each bundle held one hundred bills of the designated denomination. Paul refused to count the stacks. He simply admitted that had to be the largest sum of cash he had ever seen, even in a bank. Each mustard band represented $10,000.00. Paul was pretty sure he could live off the investment income that sum could provide. He was also pretty sure he would never have to eat Ramen noodles again.

Jeff broke the band, took ten bills and handed them to Paul. Stunned, Paul simply stared at the $1000.00 Jeff was trying to give him. Jeff didn't force it on him he simply said, “Please. You’ll spend most of it shopping for toys. Consider a small step. Half of all I own is yours.”

Paul stumbled back as if he'd been struck. Jeff dropped the cash and reached for his lover. Jeff led him to a chair and made him sit. He could tell from Paul's sweaty brow and trembling hands he was having a panic attack. Jeff lifted Paul's head up to meet his gaze. “Paul, Babe, you’re having a panic attack. Have you ever had one before? Do you have any medication?” Jeff cursed his good intentions for having turned in his leftover Xanax to a free clinic in Chicago.

Paul thought his heart was going to explode. He could hear Jeff, but he really had to focus to make sense of what he was saying. When he heard “panic attack” he would have laughed except he couldn't seem to catch his breath. He focused on the look of near panic on his lover's face. He reached up to touch the face with those vivid green eyes. Slowly his breathing calmed and the trembling subsided. It took much longer than he expected to regain his voice.

Finally, he took a deep, cleansing breath. “I’m sorry. I’ve never done that before. Jeez, I thought my heart was going to rip itself right out of my chest. You helped me get control of myself. Thank you, Babe.”

Jeff, still on his knees pulled Paul into a crushing embrace. “You shouldn't be thanking me. It's my fault for causing it in the first place.”

“Jeff, let me loose. I’m still trying to catch my breath.” Paul chuckled when Jeff released him and sprang away from him as if he'd been burned. “You didn't cause my panic attack or whatever it was. I just got overwhelmed by all the changes my life has undergone. Give me some time and I will adapt. Hell, may as well start adapting right now. Give me the money, I may as well get used to being a man of means.”

Jeff looked skeptical in spite of Paul's determination. Still, he gathered the thousand dollars and offered them to Paul. This time Paul accepted them with no sweating or shaking and stashed them in his wallet.

Jeff got them both a bottle of water from the fridge, then moved around and sat at his desk. He then counted out two stacks, with three thousand dollars in each stack. He asked Paul to use his phone to record the individual serial numbers in one stack while he recorded the other stacks serial numbers. He then used his phone to call his Uncle Joe. Activating the speaker he laid the phone on his desk. When Joe answered, he was in a meeting with Raymond and Ilya. Jeff asked him to put his phone on speaker. Jeff then explained Paul's concern about giving cash for the poor to Bumpkis. He verified that Ilya's team was still monitoring Bumpkis with sound and video. Jeff explained that he and Paul were each giving three thousand in cash to the Fireman’s Christmas Fund. He asked Raymond and Joe to give also and record the serial numbers of their cash donations by making a video using their phones. If things went according to Paul's expectations the poor might have a merrier Christmas than they might otherwise have had.

This time Paul accepted the stack of hundred dollar bills with absolute calm. They then gathered Maria, Sam and Dave to head into town. They invited Rosarita but she insisted she keep Fred company, to which Paul snarkily observed, “You know Jeff, maybe we should invest in soundproofing insulation. When the wind picks up at night it sounds almost like a woman's high pitched screams. Maybe we can check on that while we're in town.” Fred blushed, Sam burst out laughing and Rosarita gave Paul her best “eat shit and die look”. Dave had already gone out to start the Suburban. As soon as Sam got his seatbelt fastened he told Dave about why Paul wanted to check out “soundproofing materials” while they were in town. When he conveyed Rosarita and Fred's reactions, Dave had to dry his eyes before he could drive away. Maria looked at Paul with a face full of questions. “Princess it's some of the stuff you’ll understand when you get a little older.”

Maria harrumphed like an old man. She then observed, “I bet it is something about

making babies and sex stuff.” Upon hearing that, Dave lost it so completely he had to stop the vehicle, pull out his handkerchief and wipe away the tears. Sam wasn't in much better shape. Paul's chin was practically resting on his chest and Jeff's eyes bugged out in shock.

It took a few moments and Jeff reaching over and pushing up lightly on his chin for Paul to respond. His jaw snapped shut with a sound heard by everyone in the SUV. “Honey, you know we talked about growing up and growing into understanding too. These are some of those things you’ll grow to understand. It's like training Pup. He just had to grow to understand some of the things you've trained him to do. Well, you're like Pup except he’s a young dog and you're a young human. It took longer for you to grow to learn to go to the bathroom by yourself than it took him to grow to learn to go outside to potty. Someday you will grow to understand grown-up stuff like you had to grow to learn to color inside the lines and to learn to write. Some things you just can't understand until you grow.”

Maria got a look that told Paul she accepted his answer, but she didn't like it. Suddenly her head snapped around and she carefully examined Jeff from head to toe. Just as quickly she snapped her focus back to Paul. Again, just as she examined Jeff she visually measured her father with the same intensity. Apparently not having arrived at a satisfactory solution she began, “Daddy?”

With as much caution as a soldier traversing a known minefield, her father responded, “Yes, Honey”?

“Member we talked about how dogs make puppies and bulls and cows make calves and stallions and mares make colts? Member, you said daddies and mommies make babies pretty much the same way?” Staring fixedly, she waited for an acknowledgment before delivering the coup de gras.

Fearfully, Paul simply nodded. Dave didn't wait. He simply pulled to the side of the road, turned on the emergency flashers, pulled out his already damp handkerchief and waited. No one questioned his actions.

Maria released a heavy sigh. Paul understood this meant she held little hope of getting a straight answer to her as yet unasked question.

For a split second, he recalled the moment before he began to tremble and sweat, in Jeff's office. He took a calming breath and waited, along with every other man in the SUV. Calm, but fearful, he nodded again, encouraging her question.

“Member we talked about how two boy dogs or two bulls or two stallions or even two daddies can't make a baby?” She paused and, again, sighed, “Well D J has two daddies and he says he's gonna have a little brother soon. I didn't want to upset him but that isn't possible, is it?”

The tension in the Suburban seemed to peak as the others awaited Paul's professional observations regarding successfully mating and breeding of two human males.

Paul caught Jeff's expression. It showed fear and sympathy. He certainly showed no interest in tackling this particular subject. Paul figured this wasn't anywhere near as simple as a five-year-old’s vision of Santa Claus.

Taking his last deep breath, Paul dived in, “Well, Honey, I am not sure, but one of the ways that D J’s little brother could be born is that his daddies could hire a temporary mommy. That means they would take this mommy and go to the doctor and take seed from either or both of his daddies and put it into the temporary mommy, making sure her egg was fertilized. She then would give birth nine months later. D J’s daddies would then take the baby and love and care for it because it was their son. Does that make sense?”

Seemingly satisfied she simply nodded and relaxed into her booster seat. Dave, with a resigned, almost disappointed air, shut off the flashers and pulled back onto the road. Jeff exchanged a look with Paul that clearly showed how proud he was of his chosen mate. A few miles down the road Maria tugged on Jeff's sleeve. When she was sure she had his full attention she asked, “Daddy Jeff, can you and my Daddy hire a temrary mommy and make me a little sister. I’ll even take a little brother if I have to.”

Jeff audibly gulped and stared at his partner’s “it all on you, this time” smirk. Jeff felt beaten down as those innocent, pleading eyes begged him for a positive response. “Princess, that is a decision your Daddy and I have to discuss and agree upon as adults. You can't be involved in those discussions. It's one of those “grow into things” y’all were talking about earlier. Your wishes will be considered by both of us. But, you have to trust us to decide what's best for all of us, including what is best for any baby or babies we may or may not decide to have.”

Reaching up she pulled Jeff into a vicious hug, complete with grunting to show her enthusiasm. She wouldn't release him until she had planted three noisy, sloppy, wet kisses on his cheek.

“Well thank you Princess, but I only said we would talk about it. No decision has been made yet.”

“Oh, I know, but last night Miss Julie told me if you didn't say no, it would mean yes. She said Daddy would be thrilled with the idea as soon as he heard about it. She said if you didn't say no, right off the bat, whatever that means, you would agree with Daddy.”

Jeff searched Paul's face in time to watch the thrill being hidden behind a placid mask. “Too late, I saw that look. I know what that means.”

“I don't know what look you're talking about. This topic requires a lot of serious discussion. The three of us need to get used to being a family before we add anyone else to the mix.”

“Can I name it when it gets here?”

With what he hoped was his most serious parental stare Paul said, “Young lady, there will be no more talk of babies in our family until your Daddies have discussed it and reached a decision. I promise you, you will be the first to know once we decide yes or no. You are not to talk to anyone, that includes me and Daddy Jeff, about babies until we have made our decision. And I will be having a strongly worded conversation with Miss Julie. In fact, we’ll have lunch at the diner today. I can't wait to give her a piece of my mind.” He looked up only to find Jeff staring pointedly out the window. Paul could see just the edge of a Cheshire Cat grin. He was certain that Jeff knew more than he was letting on.

“Oh goody! She said she would save back one of those mixed meat pies you and Daddy Jeff liked so much. She said she was more than happy to listen… “ Maria broke into a giggling fit. When she settled down she managed to blurt out, “She said she'd be happy to listen to your whiny excuses.” Then it was back to giggling.

This time when he looked over at Jeff he saw so much love he forgot all about Miss Julie and babies and everything. As he focused, his vision just seemed to blur around the edges of that heartwarming smile.