Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2021 18:22:55 -0400
From: Richard McQueen <mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com>
Subject: Cinderfella 2: A New Life, Chapter 8 Making A Family

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 8 Making A Family

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your
donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story
ends and all the others! That would be a crime!



Making A Family

Our lives changed drastically when we had the boys. I never closed our door
to our room, there was always the occasional need that would arise. Little
people would let you know there was something going on. That was also
manifested with a visit at night. Toby would have the occasional nightmare
and come in Seth's and my room for comfort and reassurance. Seth and I both
knew that.

"What if we're making love?" Seth asked me.

I shrugged. "What if we are? Do you want him to think we're doing something
wrong?"

"No, but..." Seth almost whined. "What if he sees something?"

I grinned. "What? Your manhood? My manhood? He's got one
too. Well...boyhood for now. If he asks, we'll tell him that's what adults
do when they love each other." I said kissing Seth. "We do, you know?"

Seth nodded. "We do." But he still wasn't comfortable about letting Toby
see us loving each other. Until it happened. Toby was now about two and a
half. Seth woke up one night and began touching me, which I can say was
just fine. I responded and started touching him back and we were kissing
and well, Seth had asked me to make love to him. I was literally in him
when I felt someone else on the bed. It had been too cold to be outside the
sheets and cover, so, fortunately, we were both covered up. And it was
dark. But that really bothered Seth. Toby didn't see anything, nor do I
think he suspected what we were doing or if he saw would know what we were
doing. I simply pulled out, pulled my nightshirt down and gathered Toby up
as Seth pulled his nightshirt down. Then Seth and I had our first near
argument! But neither one of us did anything wrong!! It was dark. I had to
light a lamp so Toby could see me speak to him and he could sign back, and
I could see him.

It took a few minutes for Toby to be comforted, he lay between Seth and me
a while, settled down and I took him to bed. By the time I came back, Seth
was either asleep or he wanted me to think he was. I let it go, until when
I felt Seth get up in the morning.

"Are you going to say anything?" I asked him. He stiffened, his back turned
to me. "We should talk about it."

Seth looked at me sadly. "What's to talk about? You were there."

I nodded, sitting up. "I was, but it affected you more than me. He didn't
see anything."

Seth nodded. "No, he didn't."

"But it bothered you."

Seth sighed, sitting on the bed. "It doesn't make sense, but it did bother
me."

I shook my head. "We weren't doing anything wrong."

Seth threw his hands up, "I know! But it bothered me."

"Is there a part of you that thinks we were doing something wrong?"

Seth thought a moment. "Lovemaking should be between two people. In this
case, you and me."

"Our lives have included two more lives." But I had sensed it before a
bit. "Are you regretting that we did take them in?"

Seth got up and began pacing a little. "There are times." He saw my mouth
drop. "Like last night! It used to be just you and me."

I nodded. "And I talked you into them."

Seth sat down quickly. "First, no one ever talks me into anything." He said
with his finger pointed at me. Then he waved his hands out. "I said from
the beginning, I never even considered the idea of having children." Then
he looked at me pleading me to understand. "You saw me. I was hideous! You
hate it when others say how ugly I was it. Someone to be willing to do that
I never had someone touch me to have children and no one, until you, would
have even tried!"

I frowned. "You married me because I was willing to touch you!?"

Seth blew a breath in exasperation. "I married you because I loved you,
damn it!" He shouted, "I kissed you first!"

I smiled at that. "Wow." He was pretty angry about it. That was, in fact, a
little sexy. "That's good to know." Then I chuckled. "I believe you."

"Good!!" Seth shouted again.

"So why are you shouting?" I asked almost as loud.

"I'm mad!" Seth shouted again. "Why does it bother me if my son comes in
when we're making love? I don't know!" Now he was fuming. "I'm mad at
myself for feeling what I do. I know that doesn't make sense." He pounded
his finger on his head. "In here, I know it really."

I got up and brought Seth back to the bed. "Think about it. What were we
doing?" I put my arms around him.

"At the moment, you were making love to me." Seth griped.

"Making love," I said. "Love. Don't you think it's okay for our sons to
know their Dad and Daddy love each other?" Then I looked at him in the
eye. "Would have mattered if you were making love to me?"

"Who cares!? We were having sex!" Seth said emphatically.

I chuckled. "I was there. Isn't that a key part of making love?"

Seth nodded. "I know."

"You're acting a lot like Christian did when confronted with the fact that
he and Ella have sex and we knew it."

Seth grinned remembering. "Did I turn red?"

I smiled. "Not quite. So, what do we do to deal with this?"

Seth shrugged. "I guess we need to schedule some time for us. No kids."

"Us time. Okay," I smiled as I kissed him gently.

Seth got up. "I need to work on a couple of those heaters, so I better go."
He started to walk away. "I miss the spontaneity before the kids."

I heard Doris enter the boys' room. That's when I grabbed Seth and threw
him back on the bed,. pinning his arms above his head. "Not before I finish
what we started." I ripped open his nightshirt and began sucking on a
nipple.

Seth didn't resist...much. "Toby's up!"

I looked down at him. "So are you now." My fingers ran down his manhood
making it harden even more. I traced his trail of hair from his navel to
the thick patch of black hair over his manhood. Inhaled his scent and
engulfed him easily making him moan. A few times and Seth was gripping the
sheets as he shot in me, and I took every drop. Then I flipped him over, I
quickly inserted myself deep in him. A few slow in and out and I shot deep
in him.

"What if he'd comes in?" Seth asked in a hoarse voice.

"Doris and Grace come in together. I heard Doris enter the boys' room." I
grinned as I kissed him deeply. "This is us time."

Seth grinned up at me, "I guess the spontaneous parts of our marriage
aren't quite over."

Smiling back, I kissed him a little slower, taking my time as I probed his
mouth, almost feeling each tooth with my tongue. Then I sat up, patted him
on the chest. "We'll just have to be more careful."

Then Seth gently pushed me aside. "One of the things needed when you first
get up...from sleep." He grinned, "I gotta pee." And he rushed in the
bathroom.



Our day began again. Dennis was now seven months old and charming everybody
that met him. All Royal Valley knew them on sight and loved them both. Toby
was adorable. Now, however, Dennis was bound and determined to say
something to someone. I came down to the kitchen, greeted Grace who was
fixing both Seth's and my breakfast. Toby was busy with his finger
breakfast and juice. Dennis was having a good time with his spoon, banging
it on his highchair and making sounds with his voice. Nothing wrong with
his lungs.

"Coffee's over there," Grace said automatically pointing to the stove.

"Something Seth usually needs," I said calmly walking to the table. I
kissed Toby and Dennis as I sat with them. "Good morning, Toby, Dennis."

Then I swear, Dennis looked at me, smiled when he pointed and said, "Da."

I sat back in my chair. "What?"

Dennis smiled even bigger, "Da!"

Seth walked in whistling, "Morning all!"

"Seth!" I picked Dennis up from his chair. "I think Dennis just called me
Dad!"

Seth's eyes widened as he sat down, "No way."

I nodded. "Well, it was Da, but he said it twice, looking right at me." I
looked at Dennis, "Say it again."

"Da!" Dennis said with confidence.

"See?"

Seth grinned. "It could be he's just making sounds. Trying it out?"

I smirked, then pointed at Seth. "Who's that?"

"Da da!" Dennis said with no guessing.

"Hear that!?" I turned the baby to me smiling at him. "He knows the
difference. I'm Dad and you're Daddy."

Seth shook his head. "He's only seven months old!"

I grinned at Seth. "He doesn't know that, but he knows who we are."

Seth nodded getting up. "I guess he does." He looked for the
coffee. "Elixir of the gods." He got his cup and poured the brown, steaming
fluid and inhaled deeply. "Ambrosia." Then took a careful sip, sighing
almost as if he'd just had great sex!

I grinned at Toby who was watching Seth intently. I turned Toby's head and
leaned toward him. "Daddy acts strange with coffee."

Toby just nodded.

I heard the door being knocked on. "I'll get it." I put Dennis back in his
chair who proceeded his drumming of the chair with the spoon and almost
singing. I kissed his head. "Keep things in order, Dennis."

Dennis looked at me happily. "Da!"

Chuckling I went to the door and opened it. Garth stood there a little
sheepish.

"Hello, Erik," He greeted with a small smile and wave. "I hope it's not too
early for you."

I smiled at him. I've only seen him at festivals and parties. We've spoken
only in passing. "Not at all, Garth. Is there something I can help you
with?"

Garth nodded, but he was turning pink. "Well...I need some advice." Then he
looked very sheepish. "From you and Seth, if he's still here."

I swung the door wider, "He is, come in."

As I may have said, and I know I did...Garth was a nice-looking man in his
late thirties. His work on his farm had shaped him nicely. Sandy colored
hair that lightened in the sun.

"We're in the kitchen. Do you think you would want something to eat?" I
asked as we walked back. "Coffee?"

Garth nodded. "Coffee would be great."

Seth rose as Garth came in and shook hands with Seth. They were almost the
same size.

After he got his coffee, Garth looked at the two of us. "Can we speak..."
Garth looked around. "...in private?"

Now I was curious. "Sure. There's always my office."

Once seated, Garth looked even more embarrassed but took a deep
breath. "You know...I've been spending a lot of time with Bent. Dating,
really."

I grinned at him. "I do know. How's that going?"

Garth brightened. "Great!" He chuckled. "So great..." he looked up at Seth
and me. "...I'm thinking of asking him to marry me."

Seth smiled wider. "That's amazing! It's going that well?"

Garth nodded as he chuckled. "It is. I never considered marrying a man,
but...after Carrie died a few years back." He hesitated. "Then when you
guys married and came here...and then it was okay for men to marry
men....and we had that...whatever it was festival...I gave him that box of
candies..."

"I remember," I grinned. "Why do you need our advice?"

Now, Garth was beet red. "I'll just say it." Then he sighed. "We've only
kissed. We have held hands and all...but we've never..." he hesitated at
the word.

Garth was charming! It made him more appealing. He was so bashful and
easily embarrassed, giving him a boyishness that was attractive. He was a
very nice man. After a few seconds, Seth laughed lightly. "...had sex?"

Garth nodded. "That's it."

I frowned at him. "We didn't until we were married," I explained about Seth
and me. "Of course, we didn't have the long courtship you and Bent have. We
met and married in a month. Is your question about the how's or something
else? You do know what to do, right?"

Now Garth was almost glowing red. "Is that dumb? I know what and I can even
figure out how...but...is there some things I need to know?"

Seth sat forward touching Garth's arm. "Well...yes. I knew about sex
between two men having seen two men have sex before. Erik did, too. But a
lot we sort of had to figure out ourselves."

I nodded. "More important, what do you see happening with you and Bent? Do
you fantasize about what you'd do with Bent?"

Now Garth got up. "Only every night! Now all I do is think about Bent and
my manhood stiffens, and I make myself shoot so often...I've not done it
that much since I was a teenager!"

I stood and put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax. That means he attracts you,
but we knew that since you were the one that started the courtship." I
smiled. "That was very brave."

Garth smiled and shook his head. "I was terrified. The only one I was ever
with...that way was Carrie. Now there's Bent. I don't want to mess it up."
He smiled shyly.

"You won't." I nodded. "Do you love Bent?"

He nodded and smiled more to himself. "Oh, yes." He said softly.

Seth grinned. "Have you told him?"

Garth gave a shrugging nod. "Not in so many words, but I was going to
today."

"And how do you think Bent feels about you?" I asked.

Garth nodded. "I believe he loves me." Then he smiled again to himself. "In
fact, I'm certain he does."

"And your family?" I asked.

He laughed. "The kids love Bent. They're often asking when he's coming over
and why won't he stay." Then he looked at me seriously. "I want to do
things right."

Seth rose and walked over. "If you mean marrying him first, that's fine."

"How did things work with you and Carrie at first?" I asked.

Garth was again turning pink. "Well...we talked....it was about a week
before we actually did it right. She'd never even seen a man before." He
grinned. "Naked, I mean." Then he shrugged. "I'd never seen a woman naked
before. We were teenagers."

"But you came to someone to help," I said smiling. "Someone that may know
because they've done it? That's a pretty good step in the right
direction. Again, very brave."

Then Garth smiled at me. "Well, Dad said, if you want something bad
enough...no question is dumb if you want something bad enough." He
grinned. "I want Bent."

Seth grinned at Garth. "My advice is, take it slow. After the wedding if he
says yes...and I have a feeling he will say yes."

"You can start with just touching," I said. "But talk to him. Let him know
how much he means to you and what you want to do, and what you want him to
do to you."

"If at first, it's just making each other shoot, that's fine," Seth
added. "When you're ready for more, tell him. But he will be doing the same
to you, telling you what he wants to do to you, and for you to do for him."

"Let there be no taboos between you," I said. "Nothing can be off limits
between you. If he wants oral satisfaction, can you do that?"

Garth nodded. "That one of the things that make me want to shoot all the
time! My making him shoot by..." he indicated what with his hand and mouth.

Seth chuckled. "Well, Erik is great at it for me."

I laughed, putting my arm around Seth. "Seth is great at it himself." Then
I looked serious at Garth. "But if he wants to penetrate you?"

Garth nodded. "I'll let him. But I want to do that, too."

"Again, we're good at that, too." Seth chuckled. "In fact, I almost enjoy
having it done to me more."

Garth looked surprised. "Really?" Then he shrugged. "Why am I surprised
about that?"

"Because we're trained as little boys what we are to do," I answered. "Men
are to be in charge, on top." I shrugged. "It's okay to be on the
bottom. That's a woman's place. But it can be very enjoyable. There are
some sensations that will amaze you."

Garth nodded. "And the smell? I mean, it is...you know."

Seth chuckled. "That's always a risk, but we've done well. There are things
you can do. The most important thing is lubrication."

"Lubrication." Garth nodded. "Where do I get that?"

"There are oils and gels, we can tell you about what they are. They can be
gotten at the new Parisian Shoppe with soaps and things. There are
cleansers you can get to cleans you out. There is massage oils you can use
to get the mood started." I said, then I shrugged. "If not, there's always
spit."

"Spit." Garth frowned. "That's sort of..."

Seth nodded. "You'll need something if you want to have sex, and there is
now lube, you may reconsider. Even those that are in couples involving a
man and woman use a lot of these things."

Garth nodded. "Carrie and I tried some."

"So, it won't embarrass you to buy some?" I asked.

Garth nodded. "Of course, it will. But it will be worth it."

I nodded. "Good answer."

Seth frowned. "You live on a farm. Do you make lard?"

"Sure," Garth nodded. "We make it."

"A little goes a long way," I said.

"Will it hurt?" Garth asked.

"At first, maybe," Seth nodded. "I'm guessing at the size of your manhood
when excited..." he pointed at me. "He's pretty big."

I shoved Seth lightly, "And you're not!?"

Seth shrugged. "I'm just saying!" He defended squeezing me close again.

I put a hand on Garth's arm. "But the very important thing is talking to
him. How else are you going to find out?"

Seth reached out and hugged Garth, then I joined him in the hug.

"I know the two of you will be very happy," I assured.

We waved to Garth as he left.

Seth grinned at me, "So, I'm big, am I?"

I rolled my eyes. "Sort of." Then patted Seth on the chest, "Leave it to
you to only hear that part." I shook my head and walked back in the kitchen
backward, grinning at him.

"It was significant!" Seth called back.

Our day did go on, but I should have known. It was afternoon when I was in
the winery and Bent came in nearly out of breath.

I looked up. "Bent?" I couldn't help but smile at him knowing what we going
to happen, or about to. "Is something wrong?"

"He asked me to marry him!" Bent said so loud the others looked up as
well. "Garth asked me to marry him! What do I do?"

"Answer?" I suggested. "Which would be?"

Again, Bent looked a little flustered. He wasn't a stupid man or simple he
just wasn't confident about relationships especially one like this one.

"Don't you want to marry him?" I asked worried he might not want to.

Bent was almost panicked, "I've never...he and I have never..."

I took Bent toward a portion of the winery where we could talk with more
privacy. "I know." I grinned. "Don't be mad, but he saw Seth and me this
morning and told us."

Bent's brown eyes grew. "He told you!?"

I nodded. "He was as terrified as you are now."

That made him smile, "He was?"

I nodded again. "I'll ask you again. Do you want to marry Garth?" I
shrugged. "I think it's a great idea! Personally think the two of you are
made for each other. I've always been on your sides."

Bent grinned, "Yeah?" And he started to calm down.

Then my eyes grew to wonder what he said to Garth. "Wait. When did he ask
you?"

Bent waved back to the town. "Just now."

"And you just left him!?" I grabbed Bent's arm. "What did you say to him
before coming here?"

Bent shrugged as I drug him along. "I panicked! I didn't tell him
anything!"

I shook my head. "Not a good plan, buddy." I worried Garth may think he'd
been rejected. I knew he would be. "Do you love Garth?"

Bent nodded, "Yes."

As we hurried, I nodded. "Good. Do you want to marry him?"

"Sure," Bent replied.

I saw Garth getting in his wagon, looking for all intents and purposes like
he'd lost everything. I even saw him wiping his face. "Then tell him!!" I
shoved Bent forward who stumbled a little. "Garth!!!" I shouted.

Garth looked up at us, and his face told me the hurt was so painful. He
just knew he'd lost Bent. I felt a pain in my heart at the pain I saw it on
Garth's face.

"Garth!!" Bent saw Garth's pain too and ran over to the wagon. "I didn't
say anything, because...I'm stupid! I didn't know..." He was saying it so
loud everyone around heard him but Bent didn't care. "I do love you, Garth!
I love you!. I'm in love with you!!"

Then I had to smile, Garth's face changed, from such pain to...I can't
describe it...like he'd seen the face of God!

"I want to marry you!" Bent said stressing, "If you still want me."

The wagon was a problem because Garth couldn't get down fast enough. Garth
leapt down grabbing Bent in a kiss! I mean it was a mighty kiss and so hot
it would have melted iron! I wanted Seth here so bad right now.

I shook my head, "Kids." Even though they were both older than me by over a
decade when it came to love people just...reverted.

Things in Royal Valley had most definitely changed, for now, the people
around on the street and sidewalk were not shocked as they smiled at their
newest, happiest, about to be married, couple.

I watched Garth help Bent in the wagon and about to drive off.

Bent turned back, "And you have to come to the wedding!" He told me. "Be my
best man?"

Garth looked back also, smiling. "And Seth can be mine!"

I chuckled waving at them. "And the wedding will be where and when?"

"Tomorrow? Town Hall at three o'clock?" Garth asked. "Is that good?"

"We'll be there!" I promised.

Bent frowned. "What's wrong with today?" He asked Garth.

"We need to at least go home and tell the kids," Garth explained. "They'll
want to be there."

Bent acted shocked but was grinning. "You have kids!?"

Garth rolled his eyes, then kissed Bent again, then spurred his horse on.

I couldn't stop laughing at them. Then turned around, almost into a man I
had never seen before. Have you ever seen a person and just knew they were
not the kind you wanted to get to know? That was this man. Naturally in all
black. He was about forty, bald, not because he lost his hair, but shaved
his head. Blue eyes like ice. The man wasn't ugly in the face, but
just...well...there was no light in his eyes. Cold.

"Did that man just propose to that man?" The man asked, not looking at me,
but at Garth and Bent. "And did the other man agree?"

I frowned. From his question and tone, it was clear he didn't
approve. "They have the right to do that here."

"In this town?" The man asked.

"In all of Blethos," I said. "The fact that you don't know that tells me
you're not from anywhere in Blethos."

The man smiled, but there was no warmth at all. "No," He said. "Just
passing through." Then he shook his head. "I heard the king here married a
man and that started the whole thing. Men marrying men." He said with
disgust.

"An adult can marry any adult that consents." I clarified. "I take it, you
don't like that idea."

He smiled even bigger, but it got meaner looking. "I don't see why any man
would marry a man."

I shrugged. "Love?"

The man laughed. "Love." Then he spits, literally, right there. "That's
ridiculous."

I nodded. "Then...you'd best be on your way." I said about to walk
away. "We have many here that won't meet your approval." I was never scared
of the man. "I'm married to a man." Then I did walk away, but I knew he was
following me with his cold eyes. Only I didn't go back to the winery, but I
needed to let the mayor know about this man and let the men we used to
patrol the town know to watch this man. I had a bad feeling about him.



Keith Davidson, the mayor looked out the window at the man as I pointed him
out as he passed. "Do you think we should run him out of town?"

I shrugged. "For not liking people who are FSE?" I asked. "It's not a
crime."

Keith looked puzzled a moment. "FSE?" Then he nodded. "Oh, right. Friends
of Seth and Erik." He chuckled. "Well, I'm not married to a man, but I hope
you consider me to be FSE."

I grinned with a chuckle. "Keith!" I feigned shock, "Are you propositioning
me?"

Keith smiled, not bothered in the least. He rubbed his midsection, as I
said before, he loved his wife's cooking too much. He wasn't fat. He just
liked to eat. "This would be too much for you." He shook his head and belly
he knew was too big but didn't really care. "Besides, a young buck like you
would probably kill me."

"I bet you can be quite the wild animal when the time comes." I narrowed an
eye at my friend.

He chuckled but looked back at the man. "No clue as who he is?"

"He said he was passing through. He isn't from anywhere in Blethos, he
said." Then I shrugged. "He seems to think Seth is still on the throne. But
he could just be uninformed."

"But he didn't know you?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so."

Keith nodded. "I'll have a couple of our guys follow him." He walked into
another part of the building. In a few minutes, he was back. "They'll
follow him."

I nodded. "Well, you'll be busy tomorrow."

Keith's eyebrows rose in question.

"You'll be asked to perform a wedding at three tomorrow. As the only other
person besides Seth, me and one other with the authority. You'll have to do
it." I smiled. "Seth and I are best men."

Keith smiled. "Who?"

"Bent and Garth."

Keith grinned. "Those two have been sniffing around each other for a
while. It's about damned time!" He nodded.

I headed back to the winery. "They'll talk to you soon."

Going back to the winery, I was approached by several of the workers.

"Is Bent marrying Garth?" One woman asked excitedly.

"They are so precious!" Another held her hands heart the way women do when
the say, isn't that so sweet.

"I thought they were married." A man griped. "They acted like they were."

I pointed to the first woman. "Yes." Then the second. "They are." And to
the man. "Tomorrow."

The man chuckled shrugging. "Okay. Any reason for a party."

I looked out the window and the vineyard beyond for Seth but didn't see him
when Jennifer came up.

"Erik, there was a strange man here earlier."

I looked at her. "Strange man? Bald, wearing black?"

She nodded. "He sort of gave me the creeps. He always did."

That alarmed me a little. "You've seen him before?"

She nodded. "He used to come to see Mr. Thorne. I never met him, though. So
I don't know his name."

"Did he know Seth?" I asked.

She shrugged. "The old Seth, I think. He was asking about the house and who
owned it now. I didn't tell him except to say the new owner owned it and
the winery and vineyard. But I had just started working here, so..."

The threat the Thornes left made me worry again. I needed to tell Keith and
the others. I needed to find Seth. I headed back to the manor. Entering I
saw Seth drinking some water as he munched on a snack. Relieved to see him,
I smiled at him and walked over, taking what he was eating away from him
and kissing him passionately. His response was instant as he returned the
kiss. When I parted from him, he smiled at first. Then grew concerned.

"What?" Seth asked.

"Do you know a man, almost your size, about forty and bald?" I asked. "I
was told by Jennifer he used to visit Arthur Thorne."

Seth's eyes darted as he thought. "He doesn't ring a bell. Then again, back
then I wasn't one Arthur would introduce unless asked about. But Arthur
told them about my curse. No one bothered me."

I nodded. "It could be nothing, but a man was asking about the new house
and who owned it."

Seth frowned. "But you didn't see him."

"Actually I did," I said. "Only he was in town when Bent agreed to marry
Garth."

Seth brightened a second. "He did!?" Then frowned again. "Why is that
important about this man?"

I shrugged. "He just gave me the creeps. He reacted badly to seeing Bent
and Garth were getting married." I told him about telling Keith and that
men were following him.

Seth listened and nodded as he heard. "Well, that was unsettling, but I'm
glad about Bent and Garth."

"Tomorrow at three o'clock at the Town Hall. We are to stand in for
them. Me for Bent, you for Garth." I smiled at Seth as he grinned
bigger. "You should have seen the kiss Garth gave Bent, that would have
melted anyone, except that man." I shrugged. "Like I told Keith, just
because he doesn't like people like us is no crime. It could be nothing."

Seth nodded. "But you don't believe that." He said knowingly. "Otherwise,
you'd have shrugged him off."

"He just...was unsettling."

Seth pulled me up and walked me into the room we used as a family. "But I
know you can see more about people that just what they look like." Seth
grinned as we sat on the sofa. His eyebrows wiggled when he said that.

"Seeing a diamond in the rough like you is one thing, seeing rough in a
diamond is different." I shook my head. "And he didn't even look like a
diamond at all."

Seth shook his head. "I didn't see him." Then he shrugged. "But you've been
right so often...."

I shook my head. "There is something, but..." I shrugged. "He just might
have had a hard life. And this is guess work anyway." Then I leaned against
Seth, then moved to face him better. "Are you done in the vineyard?"

Seth grinned. "Why?" He smiled. "There is a few more hours of sunlight
left. What did you have in mind?"

"I like spending time with you. We could do anything. Doris is leaving in
an hour." I smiled. "There's time for a little one on one."

Seth smiled wider. "One on one...is that what it is? I thought you meant
sex." Then he pushed me back on the sofa leaning in to cover me with his
body. We were chest to chest and he began moving his pelvis against me.

My body responded quickly, as my manhood began to push against the fabric
of my pants. My arms went around his neck as I pulled him even closer. "I
can feel you know what I was talking about." Feeling his manhood against me
growing harder. "It would be a little easier if we went to our room."

The kisses between us were always good. Many times they were very, very
good. This was building to one of those very, very good times. Then he got
up reaching down pulling me up. "Let's go."

He might have resented our children for the interruption of spontaneity in
our sex life. But there was nothing wrong with a little planning. And I
liked our sex times in the daylight! I could see! To me, Seth offered me a
lot to see and I loved everything I saw about him physically. He seemed to
enjoy what he saw, too. And we just got better and better at it.



The next day, Seth and I walked to the Town Hall at two o'clock. There were
found several people obviously for more than a chat with our wonderful
mayor Keith Davidson. I saw a table set up in the great hall where most all
of Royal Valley gathered for meetings, now had foods and sweets. There were
some others arranging flowers and other things. Well, why shouldn't it be
looking nice? Garth and Bent were getting married.

Seth smiled at a few people gathered we knew. Hell, we knew just about
everyone, but they were all friends of Garth or Bent. Both? One lady smiled
at us as we came closer.

"I say it's about time." She said. "Garth is such a lovely man and has been
all alone since Carrie passed. I'm glad he found someone as nice as Bent."

I nodded. "I couldn't agree more."

That was the consensus with everyone who knew them. I smiled when Bent and
Garth came in, dressed up! Bent often dressed alright, but now he'd gotten
dressed like he was going to church. So was Garth. Hair combed and
washed. And both looking not comfortable at all.

I chuckled at Seth. "Looks like it's the moment the best men are needed."

Seth chuckled back. "Well, I've got Garth."

"I'll deal with Bent." I gave Seth a quick kiss and walked over to
Bent. "You look great!" I hugged Bent.

Bent looked down, then smiled. "I thought this was appropriate. Seeing how
I'm getting married." Then he looked at me. "Should I be scared like I am?"

I shrugged. "It is an important event in a man's life. Some fear is
sometimes a part of it." Then I put my hand on his shoulder. "What are you
feeling?"

Bent shook his head. "I don't know." Then he gave this head movement that
showed he was really uncertain. "It doesn't make sense. I love Garth,
but..." he looked a little lost. "I don't want to make a mistake."

I frowned. "How can marrying the person you love to be a mistake?" I
asked. "You just said you love Garth. Do you doubt he loves you?"

Bent shook his head. "No. I know he does. I want to be the person in his
life. I want to make him happy. I hope I can."

I nodded with a smile. "Marrying him will do that. Trust me. You're the one
person he wants. He's yours. It'll be fine."

The ceremony was short, almost anticlimactic. But they exchanged vows, no
rings and pronounced married by Keith and then we had our little
celebration. Garth's two daughters, the eldest was ten now and the youngest
five. His only son was eight. But they were there to share the addition of
a new father and it was clear that they loved Bent. Bent was moving to
Garth's home, he was moving his things from town to the farmhouse.

Seth grinned as Garth, Bent and Garth's children rode out of town. "I
wonder who cooks?"



Things were not always rosy. It was not but a few days later we had another
visitor. A very deadly one.

"Measles!" A man cried in the town square. "We've got measles in Royal
Valley!"

When Grace told me about it, I felt the pierce in my heart I often got when
something dreadful like this happened. Not for me, but Toby and Dennis. I
had had measles as a child of eight. But Dennis was under a year and
Toby.... well, he was a child only approaching three. I heard that children
under five were hit the worst. It could be quite deadly. The problem was,
no one seemed to understand how it spread, but I knew even those of us who
had it, couldn't get it again, but we could spread it. Seth had the disease
before, too. We were both fine. But Doris and Hannah both had small
children, were they carrying it? As much as I hated to, I separated both
Dennis and Toby. The problem was, if Seth and I interacted, even in a
conversation where we were breathing the same air, we could affect both our
children. The two doctors in Royal Valley were very busy now. As if they
weren't already, but now they were extremely busy. They were spreading the
nasty disease, too. Even they were subjected to superstition and ignorance
of people. Old cures that never worked. Adults got it as easily as
children. Then the deaths came. Then the horror I felt when Toby was
dragging because he seemed to have no energy and he was coughing. It was
just a day later; Dennis was doing the same thing. The measles was here!

I couldn't ask Doris or Hannah to come in, they were dealing with their own
sick children and one adult! Hannah's husband had never had it, but now he
did!

"Demetrius!!" I screamed as I put Toby to bed. Seth looked over from
Dennis' bed. There was no longer a need to separate the boys.

"You know we can't undo injuries or illness," Demetrius said in great
sadness, then coming out of the wall.

I spun on him. "I understand that" I said, but I was desperate. "There are
things you know that we don't. What can I do? And don't give me God won't
let you shit!"

Demetrius sighed. "There are." He nodded. Then cringed when Toby
coughed. "He needs to drink a lot of water. Keeping him hydrated is
important. Steam."

I nodded. "Steam, we can do that."

"And keep his fever down," Demetrius said.

My eyes widened. "How do I do that? He acts like he's cold!"

"Cold water of course. Ice is better." Demetrius nodded. "As his fever
rises, he is more prone to cold. I know, this area doesn't have ice now. I
can bring you some as I did with Seth." Then he reached down, feeling
Toby's head. He nodded. "It's started already. The blotches should show
themselves soon." Then he waved his hand and a bucket of ice materialized.
"I'll keep you supplied. Put these sacks of ice under your children's arms
and at their necks. The brain swells in some."

"Steam and ice?" Seth questioned. "That's two different things and
impossible to keep at the same time."

"Difficult, but not impossible." Demetrius corrected. "The steam is for
what's going on in their lungs. You don't want them to get pneumonia, that
will kill them. The ice is to keep their body temperatures down." Then he
frowned at both of us. "This is going to be hard on both of you. I don't
envy your week to come."

Seth looked out the window at the town below. "We've already lost four
children since we heard about it. Is there nothing we can do for them?"

Demetrius shook his head. "I could see that there's ice available, but
they'd want to know where it came from. And they need to know how to use
it."

I waved his concern off. "Get it," I asked him. "Let them think it was from
God, I don't care. Just be that mysterious source of a possible treatment.
Seth and I will tell them how to use it and about the steam."

Demetrius nodded. "I can do that. If you put a few of those big wooden
things you use to put grapes in to squeeze the juice out, I'll make sure
they're full of ice every day. In the town square?"

I nodded. "I'll get it done." But I didn't want to spend a lot of time
doing it. Both Seth and I were needed with our own children.

Zeke and Gabe were helping with that. They'd both gotten measles and
couldn't get it again, so I got them to head up getting the big vats to the
square. Then I sent a notice, saying it was a treatment from A'Dore. But a
lot of people were just beginning to be able to read so I had Zeke and Gabe
along with some others go door to door. Those in the farther parts of town
would have to walk to get the ice. I couldn't help that.

Demetrius was right. Seth and I had a very rough week. Toby couldn't wake
up much to see what I would tell him, Dennis wouldn't either. Seeing those
two precious faces with the red blotches and hair matted on their sweaty
foreheads...I felt a pain in my heart. I would have done anything to keep
them from suffering, but I couldn't do much. Seth and I took turns with our
supply of ice and boiling water for the boys to breath. But we had to do
it. These two were our children. We alternated rocking them and applying
the ice. Getting them to breathe the steam. Getting the boys to drink water
or juice was a major job. Sleep was the last thing Seth, or I could get
much of, but we worked well together. Seth was suffering as I was, you
could see it in his face.

Then came the knock on our door. Thinking it could be Gabe or Zeke I nodded
at Seth as he went to answer the door. Both of us had not really bathed
much or shaved, but our appearance was not a concern. I listened as Seth
answered the door.

"This isn't a good time," Seth said just as he opened the door.

"Are you the owner of this..." the other voice asked. I remembered the man
who spoke to me a few weeks past.

"I am," Seth said back. "In case you don't know. We have measles in Royal
Valley and in this house. I don't have time to deal with whatever you
want."

I came down a little. There was the bald man at the door.

The man nodded. "I wondered where everyone was. The whole town looks almost
deserted." Then he smiled. Again, it wasn't a happy smile. "What happened
to Arthur Thorne's place? I heard he died."

Seth sighed. "I don't want to be rude, but I have two sick children right
now. What part of me saying I don't have time didn't you understand?" Seth
growled and was about to shut the door, but the man put his hand out and
stopped the door.

"My name is Candor," He said. "I was....an associate of Arthur's. He owes
me money."

Seth stepped closer to the man. "Remove your hand, or I break the arm." He
growled. "Arthur is dead. His debts are his. I don't owe you anything."

Hearing this, I went to Seth's and my room and quickly dug out my sword.
Then came down the stairs.

"I'm owed money," Candor said not backing down. "The man that owned this
winery and vineyard owes me; I intend to collect."

I came up behind Seth, raising my sword. "My husband and I want you to
leave. Seth told you Arthur's dead."

Candor looked at me, his eyes widened briefly. Then he looked at Seth.
"This is the guy you're married to?" He asked me. "And you're Seth?"  He
stepped back a little looking at Seth's face. "What happened? The curse is
gone. No scars."

I walked closer, the sword going past Seth's shoulder, pointed directly at
Candor's throat. "I'm pretty good with this. Want to find out?"

"Children?" Candor laughed almost as if he hadn't heard me. "You have
children? How? Which one of you had them?"

Seth pushed the man back so hard Candor almost hit the ground. "Leave!!
Don't come back here again! Erik's deadly with a sword, but I can deal with
you, too."

I put my sword against the man's throat. "In fact, I suggest...no, I demand
you leave Royal Valley." I pulled Seth back. "Let's go back upstairs."

Seth nodded and walked with me, slamming the door, and locking it behind.

"I intend to collect, Seth Thorne." The man said loudly from the yard.
"You'll see me again! I'LL BE BACK!!"