The following day they went to talk with the lawyer to set the wheels in motion for dealing with both matters. Back at home they talked with Sara. At first she seemed more surprised and amused by their proposal and took some convincing. But Norman was able to make her see the advantages of his solution and, in the end, she agreed.
Then Neil told her, "It means that you'll live with us at least until after the birth. We are looking for a bigger house, with at least one more bedroom, which will be yours at first, and then it will become the child's room. Anyway, you can stay with us until you find a good job and a suitable apartment. Is this all right with you?"
"You two are so crazy that I like you. But what if I then wanted to keep the child? Have you thought about that?"
"If you wanted to keep the child, he'd be yours, no doubt about that. And we would try to help you just the same."
"No, I was only being silly when I said that. I will willingly leave the child to you. I don't want a child from that... When have you decided we'll marry, Norman?"
"As soon as possible. We'll go and do the necessary paperwork right away. Possibly, by getting married, you'll also be able to be reconciled with your family, won't you?"
"Maybe. But I'd rather not see them again, after the way they've treated me."
"Anyway we'll throw a little party, and if you want to invite some of your friends -- somebody dear to you -- we'll invite him, or her..."
"Will you invite your friends?"
"Yes, three couples who are our friends."
"Gay?"
"Yes... does that bother you?"
"No, not at all. Especially if they are as nice as you are. But don't you think they will be surprised by this marriage?"
"Possibly. Especially as we don't intend to say anything about the real reason..."
"No? And why not?"
"Because that's what our lawyer advised us. Anyway, it has to be clear to everybody that it was Norman who made you pregnant. And that the child, therefore, is really his. Do you agree, Sara?"
"Yes, I understand... I also think it will be better this way... Will you accompany me at the ceremony, Neil?"
"If you want me to, I will. We also have to think about witnesses. Do you have somebody you'd like to be your witness, Sara?"
"No, nobody."
"Then we'll ask two of our friends, if it's all right with you."
"Sure."
While they were preparing the paperwork and booking the ceremony at the town hall, Neil called his friends to tell them the news. Their reactions were mixed, but in the end everybody accepted the news at face value -- Norman had experienced a moment of weakness and was now taking responsibility for his actions... Neil was being really generous to have forgiven him...
At the ceremony the mayor and the other people present there, seemed rather surprised to note that eight man and no women surrounded the bride. But of course nobody said anything. They all went to a small restaurant in Kent for the wedding lunch. Norman and Neil wanted a proper wedding, perhaps unconsciously to "legalize" the entrance into the family of the soon-to-be-born baby.
A week after the wedding the money from their lottery win was deposited into a bank account in Neil's and Norman's names jointly. So, at the end of January they were able to sign the contract to buy their new house. It was a nice three-storied Victorian house in Highgate, very close to Parliament Hill, with a small garden in the front and a slightly larger one in the back. They decided to move at once, just buying a new bed for Sara and taking the furniture from the old apartment with them. They would furnish the new house bit by bit, once they were living in it.
On the first floor there was a spacious living room with a real fireplace and a bay window, a large kitchen and a bathroom. On the second floor were three rooms, a double room large enough for the two of them; a smaller one where the child would sleep -- to be used initially by Sara; a bathroom; and a large room, also with a bay window at the front, which they decided to use as a study-sitting room. On the third floor there were three more rooms and another bathroom. They decided that the really nice central room would be a guest room and that other two -- smaller, with sloping ceilings and small windows just big enough to give them some air and light -- would be used as storage areas. First of all they renovated the kitchen, which opened onto the back garden, with very modern and functional furniture and all-new electric appliances. The three of them went together to choose the furniture, the new floor coverings and all the other bits and pieces. Sara's pregnancy was proceeding nicely and Norman often took her for her check-ups.
Norman was very solicitous toward her, so much so that Sara once said him half-seriously, "It's a shame you are with Neil and that you love each other... otherwise I would have courted you..."
"Do you regret having me as a husband... in name only?"
"No... I think I will be thinking twice in the future before marrying... or having any other children. I've been foolish!"
"But isn't it a problem not having... sex?"
"In my condition? No. Possibly the urge may come back later. If I fall in love... But a scorched cat, you know, stays far away from the fire..."
In February they completely refurbished the three bathrooms. On the first floor they pulled out the bathtub and installed a large shower area; on the second floor a large tub with a jacuzzi; and on the third floor another, smaller, shower.
Neil, meanwhile, rented the old apartment in Lewisham so that with the rents from the two apartments and the shop they were able to pay all the expenses of furnishing the new house without having to touch the lottery winnings that still remained in the bank.
In March they furnished the living room with furniture vaguely in the sixties' hippie style that Norman liked very much. It was a cheerful room. Norman also wanted to double the size of the bay window with a door in the center, thus making an octagonal all-glass area where they put lots of plants like a greenhouse. In fact they also installed an air conditioner in the area to keep the plants luxuriant and green all year long. It really was a little masterpiece. And the greenhouse didn't reduce the light in the living room at all, as there were also more windows on another wall.
In April they did nothing because Sara was now approaching the end of her pregnancy. Ned Sawers Simpson was born on April 12th 1985. At the General Registry Office they were surprised at the child's middle name, but Norman and Sara both insisted and the clerk registered these names. This was a surprise that Norman wanted give to Neil -- his family name as the boy's middle name, so that he would have both of their family names in his name. Neil was touched by the gesture.
Sara remained with them until the middle of May then, having found a good job and a small apartment, went with Norman to prepare the divorce documents. Sara declared to the judge that she didn't intend keeping the child who was, therefore, entrusted to his father's care.
When they accompanied her to her new apartment, all three were emotional, even though they tried not to show it. Norman told her that if she wanted to see the child, she was always welcome to do so. Sara thanked him but said that she preferred to break off all contact, as it was better both for herself and for the child.
"And if one day he asks you who his mother was, tell him that she is dead..."
"If that's what you want, Sara. I'll be sorry not to see you any more, as I was growing fond of you," Neil said.
"Me too. Anyway, if you change your mind, you know where we are," Norman said, embracing her.
"Thank you. You've both been real angels. You've given me back respectability, and given me support and love. I don't know how to thank you."
"You've thanked us enough by making it possible for us to have a child; our child. We will never forget you!"
"Nor will I forget you, boys. Be happy... all three of you."
In June they furnished both their room and Ned's. Then they invited their friends to visit their new home. At that point they realized that Norman and Sara had divorced, just four months after their marriage, and that the child was in his father's custody.
Francis then said, "I've been wondering how Sara could stand the fact that you two love each other... It was evident that Norman had make his choice -- her or Neil..."
"I never doubted that Norman would remain with Neil anyway." Patrick said. "But it's curious. I never wanted to mention this before so as not to embarrass Sara, but the girl with whom you thought you'd created problems was another girl. I don't remember her name now, but she couldn't be Sara as she would given birth one year before..."
"Right," Norman said, but added nothing.
"And it seems odd to me that after deciding to live with Neil, whom you love, you got into trouble with another girl..." Robert insisted.
"So then?" John asked, curious now. "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing. I was wondering where you found Sara, and how you convinced her to leave you the child..."
"He is my son. What's strange about that?" Norman answered quietly.
"Yes, by law, he is." Robert said.
"That's what counts, isn't it? And anyway it's not only by law -- for us, he IS our son." Norman answered.
Robert smiled. "Alright, you two. And the boy's middle name is Neil's surname... it's all very clear to me..."
Then they told their friends the whole story about Sara and Ned, asking them not to tell anybody else.
In the end Edward said, "I think you are the only gay couple in London and its surroundings that have a son! It's wonderful. Congratulations Dads!"
In the summer months they took their holidays at different times to allow them to stay with Ned, which meant that they didn't leave London. They also completed furnishing their home. Both of them had become expert in caring for the child -- they changed his nappies fast and well; prepared his bottle; played with him and watched him grow up before their eyes. Their friends often came to visit them as now, with the baby, they couldn't get around as much. At times Edward babysat Ned, so that they could also have some leisure -- going to the movies, out dancing or to the theatre. Edward often made himself available and soon their friendship blossomed.
So, in October they decided to hold a little party at their home to celebrate Edward's birthday. The evening was really cheerful and, apart from Norman who had to leave for work, they all drank quite a bit. Norman left at around 10.30. At around midnight Patrick and Robert also said goodnight and left. John had fallen asleep on the sofa and they weren't able to wake him up.
So Neil said to Edward, "Why don't you sleep here. Tomorrow morning when John's sober, you can take him home."
"Yes, Neil. I don't really feel like driving, now. Can I sleep with you?"
"Sure. Anyway I'm alone and the bed is big enough. I'm sorry if I disturb you tonight when the alarm clock rings for me to feed Ned..."
"Don't worry. I don't think that even cannon fire could wake me up."
They went to bed and both at once collapsed asleep. During the night Neil woke up, dazed, and fed Ned. He went back to bed, lay down and was almost asleep again when Edward, in the dark, started caressing him.
"Eddy, what are you doing?"
"Caressing you," The young man answered, drowsily, but without stopping.
"You shouldn't be doing that, you know," Neil said, his head still heavy and confused from the alcohol.
"Of course it's OK, we're friends..."
"That's true, we are friends, but... what about Norman?"
"I'm his friend too. Be quiet, now..." Edward said and kissed him.
Neil thought in confusion that he should put a stop to it... but it was pleasant... he didn't have to... and surrendered. They made love, caressed, kissed, united in a passionate sixty-nine, both trying to give vent to their excitement. Then Neil tried to penetrate Edward and the young man urged him on, pressing himself against Neil. But they fell asleep before being able to unite, still intertwined in that vain attempt to reach orgasm.
The following morning Neil woke up to a very pleasant feeling -- Edward was sucking his hard member. But when he realized that it was not his Norman but Edward, he felt as though his heart had stopped.
He pushed the other away saying, "No, no, what are you doing? No, Edward. Please..."
"Come on... let yourself go, Neil, I want you so much. I've been dreaming about being fucked by you for months."
"No, Edward, no... And anyway, John is still downstairs and I don't want to do this to Norman... No."
He finally managed to move away from him and got up out of bed, naked and still aroused.
Edward lifted and spread his legs in invitation, "Just once, please, just once. Fuck me, put it right inside me, please..."
"No Edward. Norman and I want to be faithful to each other. We've never done it with others."
"Are you sure? Sure about Norman?"
"Yes, as sure as I am about myself."
"You are still hard... at least let me give you head..."
"No. Let's dress."
"But last night you almost took me... You didn't pull away... you enjoyed it..."
"We were both half-drunk. Alcohol plays those tricks. And you are exciting. And I would love to lie on top of you and fuck you, even now, but I won't. I'm with Norman and I'm interested only in him."
"You don't have to tell him..."
"Yes, I do. Let's dress, come on. Nothing irreparable has happened, provided we stop here."
"I understand. I'll go to the toilet to bring myself off, then. I cannot stop just like that -- half-way..."
When Edward returned, Neil had already dressed.
"You'll tell Norman?"
"I can't do otherwise."
"I was so excited, I lost control. Please forgive me. But if you tell Norman, he won't want to see me any more, and John will know that there's a problem -- he's so jealous... You know, it's the first time since I've been with John... Believe me..."
"We'll make sure that John suspects nothing. And Norman won't change toward you, provided you just don't try any more."
"No, I won't. First the alcohol, then the excitement of waking up naked in your arms... If I'd been sober I would never have tried it, believe me."
"I believe you. But then... it would be better to drink less. Now put your clothes back on, quickly!"
Neil went downstairs and John was still sleeping. At around eight 'o clock Norman returned home. Neil had decided to tell him everything, but after their friends had gone. When John woke up, around eleven, he went to wash, apologized and then left with Edward.
They had just left, when Norman asked Neil, "What happened last night? Did Edward try it on with you?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"I could see plainly how embarrassed he was."
"In fact he almost succeeded," Neil said and told him everything.
Norman smiled and tenderly caressed his man's cheek, "Something like this is always a possibility -- don't make a big deal out of it. And even if you had gone to... to the end, this morning..."
"Anyway... anyway we'd better furnish the guest room soon. If it had been ready, this would not have happened."
"Alright. We'll furnish it with twin beds... But I wanted to tell you something else -- I discovered, after the other time with Steven, and last night's events confirm it, that I'm not at all jealous of you. At the most I might be envious -- you're breaking a lot of hearts. And yet you complain you're an old man!" They smiled at each other, then Norman added, "I presume that you're still a little bit horny... Why don't you undress me and we'll make love beside the fireplace? I'm very horny, if you only knew..."
While they were making love Norman asked him, "Was Edward beautiful?"
"Yes."
"More so than me?"
"I don't know. When I look at you, my eyes blur, and I don't see anything else. I like making love with you so very much!"
"Take me, go on... yes, like that... push it all inside me... ooohhh!"
"Oh, Norman... that's great..." Neil panted -- in heaven -- while he started pumping inside his lover in a joyful rhythm full of passion and love. "I love you..."
"Yes..."
They had barely finished and were caressing each other tenderly, sated for the moment, when they heard Ned whimper upstairs. Both of them ran up, still naked, and Norman took his son in his arms. Ned settled down at once, snuggled against his father's naked chest and with his lips he searched for his nipple and started sucking it.
"Oh, my baby, dad has no milk to give you... poor thing. But now dad Neil will fix your bottle and feed you. Wait just a moment, darling..."
When the bottle was ready all three of them lay on the double bed and, while Neil fed Ned, Norman fell asleep with his head resting on Neil's chest and a blissful expression on his face. Then Ned also fell asleep, snuggled between Neil's chest and his arm. He looked at them and felt happy -- he was there with his lover and his son, all three of them naked. He tenderly caressed both of them, and Norman also unconsciously snuggled against him in his sleep. Happily it was Sunday; he had no commitments and could lie there doing nothing, contemplating and enjoying his two gems.
Later he slowly and carefully slipped out of bed, put Ned back in his cot, and went downstairs to make something for lunch. The telephone rang -- it was Edward.
"John's gone out to buy cigarettes. Is Norman there? How did he react?"
"He's sleeping now. He took it well, as I told you he would. Don't worry, neither of us will tell John."
"And... neither of you is pissed off with me?"
"Norman isn't."
"And you?"
"No, if we're able to keep things just at the level of being friends. After all it was also partly my fault -- I didn't have to let you sleep in my bed. Anyway it won't ever again happen. So don't worry, what happened hasn't caused any problems."
"Thank you. Anyway, I envy you both -- telling each other everything like this, and being so much in love."
"Yes, it's really beautiful -- it's true. I'm really lucky having Norman as my lover."
"And he is lucky having you."
"I hope so."
"Well, bye for now. And... thanks."
"For what?"
"For having taught me something. Bye."
Norman's night shift was proving rather tiring for him. Neil suggested that he stop working -- after all, the rents he got from Lewisham were equivalent to a more-than-adequate salary.
"Just for one and half more years, Neil. I can cope for that long."
"But I see you becoming more and more tired, love. I'm sorry. You don't have to work for the next eighteen months. Then as soon as they accept Ned at the nursery school, you can start working again..."
"For the moment I'd prefer going on this way. What's the matter, are you by any chance complaining that I'm less proficient at making love than I used to be?"
"No, not that. You're always fantastic. I'm just worried about your health. I don't want you to have a breakdown."
"No way, don't worry. We wanted a son, didn't we? This is part of the choice we made, isn't it? And each day I feel happier having this son, our son. It is a wonderful thing. It's worth making some sacrifices for -- believe me."
"I believe you, yes. I am happy too and feel as though Ned is our child just as if we'd really made him ourselves; as if you or I had given birth to him. We were lucky going for a walk on that snowy night!"
"Yes, some sixth sense must have guided us. Like when I asked you for money in Charing Cross station, that night. I'm really beginning to believe that someone up there loves us. He even made us win the lottery and, as a result, we have this beautiful house. What more could one ask of life? Love, a son, a beautiful house, health... And just think that two years ago I was almost in despair..."
"And just think that two years ago you had only contempt for gays..." Neil added jokingly.
"Who knows what the next two years will bring, and the next two, and the next two after that..."
"Has it ever occurred to you that there's the same age difference between you and Ned as there is between you and me?"
"No, there's a year more between me and Ned."
"It doesn't make a difference... When you are my age, Ned will be yours..."
"You're not by any chance foreseeing incest, are you?" Norman said jokingly.
"No. Ned will possibly marry and we'll become grandparents. Won't you like that?"
"And possibly he'll be ashamed of us and won't ever have us meet his new family..."
"We'll see... Even if it that's how it turns out, so long as I'm with you, I'll be happy. You come before everyone and everything -- even before Ned; even before me, anyway."
"You too, my love. But then, who knows what our future will bring? Let's just enjoy the present to the full. That's the really important thing."