Watching Out for her Baby

By J.W. Smith

WATCHING OUT FOR HER BABY

A Short Story by J.W. Smith

I forced myself to quietly lay my sculpting knife on the table. Slowly and intently, I wet a cloth and wrapped it gently around the clay I was working on. My mother ignored the message I was attempting to convey by my actions as she continued the furious clacking of her knitting needles. I washed the mud off my hands and arms and then took a wash cloth and wiped down my chest, belly and legs. I get totally involved in my work and I knew the only way to get it all off was to get in the shower and scrub.

She was saying, "You should have gone with them. I tell you, Davy, there is something going on between those two." Only my mother and my lover dared to call me Davy. Dave Atchinson is my name. Joe, my lover, sometimes calls me Atch. I won't tell you what I call him when he calls me that.

Suddenly, I'd had enough of my mother's suspicions. I was already imagining an affair going on between Joe, my lover of seven years, and his childhood friend Tom. I didn't need my own mother feeding these suspicions. I shut off the water, grabbed a towel to dry my hands, and turned on her. "That's enough, Mother." I said through clinched teeth. Damn, I was twenty-six. You'd think that she'd realize I don't need mothering any longer.

"I'm only watching out for your best interests."

"You know they've been best friends since they were little boys and haven't seen each other for nearly fifteen years. They have a lot of catching up to do."

"All you have to do is watch how that Tom looks at Joe to know there is more than that," she countered. The way she said, "that Tom" made him sound like a male cat on the prowl.

"As I said," I snapped at her, "that is enough. I'm going for a walk. If Joe comes in looking for me tell him I'm up on Lookout." Lookout was the only hill on our property that had a view of the upper bay. It was one of the reasons I'd been so set on buying this land, besides the privacy it provided and big rambling house.

The piece of property was a hundred and forty acres of rolling hills. The lower part of each hill was shrouded in live oaks their tops covered in tall grass. There was a small spring-fed creek that ran down the little valley in which the large old rambling house had been built. It had taken a bit of convincing to get Joe to agree to the purchase. I'd just finished three large commissioned sculptures. We had the money to buy it right out. At first, Joe who was city born and bred shied at living in the country even though we were only thirty-five miles from down town San Francisco. The point that convinced him was that at least seventy-five percent of his clientele live in nearby communities.

It didn't take Joe long to become a nature boy. The moment he got home his clothes came off and wouldn't get put back on unless we had company or he was going off the property. Me? I've always been more comfortable with wearing a pair of loose baggy shorts. Of course, we both wore boots when out hiking around these beautiful hills.

I let the screen door slam and sat down on the edge of the porch to slip on my soft doeskin boots. They didn't need socks they were so soft. I set off hiking up the edge of the creek. I headed off the trail directory to the summit so I had to duck under big oak limbs as I started climbing the hill, and soon I was above the tree line wading through the tall golden grass to the apex of the hill. I took in a big deep breath and slowly let it out as I gazed out over the bay. Little white sails were skimming over the smooth blue water. The view included the air port but we couldn't see downtown from there. I sat down and lay back , just relaxing and putting my mother and my suspicions out of my mind.

It's strange how sounds can carry on the breeze. I could swear I that I heard Joe's voice. I sat up and listened. At first nothing and then again I heard him and Tom laughing. He and Tom had come in earlier saying they were going for a swim. They had invited me, but I had declined. I was involved in my work and didn't want to stop. The sound was coming from the direction of the pool.

The second year of living here, Joe and I had dug a big hole in the middle of a little clearing that the spring fed creek ran through. Joe had landscaped it. Being a professional landscape artist he had everything he needed to make it all appear beautifully natural. An urge to be near my lover swept over me and I headed down the hill towards the pool.

The breeze carried the small sounds I might have made away from the direction in which I headed. Joe and Tom were oblivious to my approach. I stopped behind a big bush and watch them cavorting in the water like a couple of kids. Tom was built; wide muscular shoulders, long torso, narrow hips and again long legs. His cock looked to be as long a Joe's. The pelt of fur on his chest and belly rivaled mine. I felt a jolt of envy bordering on jealousy as I looked him over. Damn, his ass was fine, not too much of a bubble butt, but definitely muscular. My cock stirred in my shorts as I admired it and I wondered how Joe could not be hard they way they touched as they grappled, trying to dunk each other.

Tom succeeded in tripping Joe, but Joe grabbed him as he went down and pulled him under with him. They both popped up gasping for air. "Enough," Joe yelled and headed for the bank. As his body cleared the water I could see that he wasn't unaffected by the close body contact. My cock started to rise. Seeing Joe naked in an excited state always has that effect on me. He's long and lean . There's hardly any fat on him. His muscles he'd gained from hard physical labor doing his landscaping. I compared his body to Tom's. Tom definitely worked out in a gym. Although he was gorgeous to look at, and I definitely wouldn't throw him out of my bed, I still preferred my lover. Joe was perfect in my mind.

He collapsed on the grass covered berm. I felt another jolt in my shorts watching his cock flop onto his hard flat belly. I thought about showing myself at that point, but Tom chose to lay down next to Joe and say, "Damn I've missed you, Joe. You know I love you still, right?" He laid his hand on Joe's chest.

Joe picked up his hand and kissed it. "I've never stopped loving you either." He laid Tom's hand on the grass between them. "But I've sworn my love and fidelity to Dave. I can't break my word."

That made me wonder whether it was his love for me or the importance of keeping his promise that held him back. I could barely make out the words as Tom mumbled, "I wouldn't want you to." He heaved a big sigh and rolled onto his back placing his hands under his head. "I guess I should disappear," he said.

Joe rolled onto his side an placed a hand on Tom's chest as if to keep him from evaporating into thin air."You can't do that. We've only just found each other again. I can't lose you again."

"Joe, you don't need me messing up you life. I don't know Dave's mother, but I can tell you that she watches me like a hawk every time we're in proximity of each other. I'm sure she will be planting seeds of doubt and suspicion in Dave's mind. My staying around will only mean trouble."

"When did you first realize you love me?" Joe asked out of the blue. I had wondered that too, and eagerly awaited Tom's answer.

Tom looked at Joe for several seconds before he answered. "I think I first realized how much you mean to me when you fell out of that tree and knocked yourself silly. I knew it that moment that my life wouldn't be complete without you in it. What were we....ten? Man, I was scared that you'd killed yourself and I was left without my best friend."

"You never said anything."

"Say anything? About how I was feeling at that tender age? You've got to be kidding. I was scared to death about how I was feeling.

Joe rolled onto his back and placed his hands under his head just like Tom."Yeah, I know. I was feeling the same thing and scared shitless, too."

Neither man said anything for a couple of minutes and then Joe said, "I'll never forget how devastated I was the day the movers came to take your stuff away. And then your mom loaded you and your sister into the station wagon and left me standing on the sidewalk. That was the worst day of my life.

"Mine too,"Joe muttered and then asked, "Why didn't you ever respond to any of my letters?"

Joe turned his head and looked at him. "You never figured it out?"

"I wouldn't ask if I had."

"Tom, you never gave me your address and you never wrote it on any of the letters I got from you. "I answered everyone of your letters and mailed them to Tommy Porter, San Diego, California. They came back every time marked. 'Undeliverable.' I saved all the letters until I moved out to go to college. I kept hoping that you'd eventually send one with your address. But you never did and then the letters stopped coming and I gave up."

"I didn't realize I did that. Kinda dumb, huh?"

"Huh."

"Well, we were meant to meet again anyway. So where do we go from here?"

"I don't know, Tom. I don't want you to leave, but I can't give you what you want. I guess it has to be your decision."

Tom stared at Joe for a long time, neither man uttered a word until Tom said, "I gotta think about it."

Tom closed his eyes and Joe watched him for a bit and then rolled away from him and sat up. "I've got to go talk to Dave."

Tom opened his eyes and watched him as he pulled on his Levi's and boots. Joe stood with his t-shirt in his hand and studied Tom who simply gazed back at him. "I've missed you so much," he said. Tom gave him a little smile in response. Joe pulled the t-shirt over his head, swooped up his straw cowboy hat plopped it on his head and headed down the valley toward the house.

I sat there behind that thicket, deep in thought, unaware of Tom until he yelled out, "Shit! This just ain't right." He got to his feet and wandered over to a tall sapling tree that Joe had planted, grasped it above his head with one hand and lean against it. With his head hung down he stayed that way for what seemed like several minutes. I wanted so badly to go to him and comfort him. But I couldn't do it, and then he pushed away from it and wandered up the trail along the little creek.

At that point I stood and stretched and headed back to the house. I was in a quandary of what to do. My lover was in emotional pain., his childhood friend was in pain and it seemed that I stood between them. I had to figure out how to relieve that pain without doing something to cause either one of them more. I loved Joe. And with no doubt, I knew he loved me. But what to do with Tom. Joe loved him, and to have Tom walk out of his life I knew would affect our relationship almost as adversely as if he stayed. What to do? What to do?

As I approached the door to my studio, which I'd built behind the house, it flew open and Joe came flying out as though he'd been catapulted. He was almost running as he went into the back door of the house. Rather than follow him, I stepped in to the studio. My mother was sitting in the rocking chair, her knitting needles still clacking furiously while she ignored my presence.

"What did you say to him?" I asked in a quiet calm voice. I was anything but; it was taking all my effort not to explode at her.

She still didn't turn to look at me as she picked up her yarn bag and rammed the piece she was working on into it. "Most likely it was exactly what you are imagining. If you can't protect your own interests, someone has to."

"So you have taken it upon yourself to protect me? No, Mother, your just putting your nose where it doesn't belong. I don't know why you can't come to visit for more than a week without nosing into my private life. I think it's time for you to go home."

She stood and glared at me. "I'll go pack my bags. I'll be gone with in the hour."

"Don't be silly. I'll arrange a flight for first thing in the morning. I'll take you to the airport myself." I whirled and headed for the house to find Joe.

"Fine." I heard her yell. " But don't expect me to come back."

After wandering through the whole house calling Joe's name, it dawned on me that the logical place to look for him when he was upset was in his greenhouse. I went out the front door and walked across the lawn. His form was visible through the whitewashed windows. I stepped into the outer room and found his clothes in a pile next to the door into the greenhouse. I quickly shed my shorts and boots and entered. He was totally involved in replanting one of his babies as he called his hothouse orchids. Damn, he is just so beautiful. I watched the muscles move in his back and then I dropped my eyes down to his small masculine butt. I made a little noise to let him know I was there, before I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around him. My hard cock laid between his legs just below his small crevice.

" I love you, Joe."

He nodded his head and continued working on the potted plant.

"I don't know what she said, but she was completely out of line saying anything. She's leaving in the morning."

He nodded is head again.

I kissed his back just below his neck and let go of him. I had thought that he'd turn around, but he kept his head down and continued fussing with the plant. I heisted my butt onto an empty area of the long table behind me waiting for him to come around to talking. I guess my mother had really gotten to him; he continued to keep his back to me. I sat there and admired the sinewy muscles moving in his back while he continued to ignore my presence.

I finally broke the silence by saying "I think I have a solution to your problem." He straightened up and froze. "But I need a couple of questions answered first," I said.

It took him a moment before he nodded again. He put the pot down and gripped the edge of the table.

"How does Tom feel about me? I mean he must have said something to you."

Again a few seconds passed before Joe turned around resting his butt on the edge of the table as he crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest. His body language was loud and clear. "Why are you asking that?" he asked.

"Like I said, Babe, I may have a solution."

"And why do you think there is a problem?"

"Okay, let me be right up front here. I got tired of mom nitpicking at me and went for a walk. I climbed up Lookout. I heard you and Tom. So I started down to join you. I got as far as the thicket just below the pool. I stopped and watched you two playing in the water. Tom is as beautiful as you in his own way. And then you got out of the water and I again started to join you, but I was stopped by Tom telling you that he still loves you. After that I couldn't move until you headed down the hill."

Joe had his head down. He nodded. "So you know I still love Tom."

"Yes, and I know you love me. And you know I love you."

Still staring at the ground he asked, "So where does that leave us?"

"Joe, look at me." He raised his gaze. I could see the love and I could also see a great sadness. "Joe," I said, "I love you enough to share you with Tom."

Anger flared in his eyes. "What the fuck do you mean?"

"If Tom leaves, you know that is going to have a negative effect on you. which in turn will had a negative effect on our relationship. If Tom stays, status quo, I don't think that would work for any of us."

Joe raised his eyebrows and chewed on his lower lip as he looked askance at me.

"So answer my question, Joe. How does Tom feel about me? What comments has he made?"

"Well, he said I'm a very lucky man to have you as my mate. He thinks you're very sexy and that if you were available that he'd make a strong play to win your heart."

I grinned at him. "What would you think if I said the same thing about him?"

Joe studied me as though he thought I might be joking. "You're really serious, aren't you?"

I nodded. "After you left him at the pool awhile ago I sat and watched him grappling with the problem. His face was an open book. Joe, I..... fell in love with him. He is a beautiful being." I could see in Joe's countenance that he felt the same way about Tom. I smiled and added, "And he's sexy, too."

Joe grinned, grabbed me around the neck and pulled me into and embrace. "I love you so much, my little teddy bear. What do you say to us going to find Tom and lay this proposition before him?"

"You mean ask him to marry us?" I asked, grinning mischievously.

"Yeah."

We stopped to put our clothes back on so we wouldn't offend my mother with our wanton nakedness if we ran into her, which fortunately we didn't. We went back to the pool and found Tom's clothes laying where he'd left them.

"Where do you suppose he is?" Joe asked.

"Well, he was headed up the creek when I last saw him."

Joe started taking his clothes off and I followed his lead.. Naked, we went up the creek looking for him. I wish we'd had a camera when we found him, or that I was a painter instead of a sculptor. He was laying beside the spring asleep in a bed of wild flowers, looking like a god out of Greek mythology or a live version of Adam as painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. We stopped and took in his beauty.

"It's a shame to wake him." I whispered.

"When he hears what we have to say I don't think he'll mind."

Joe knelt beside him, picked a flower and tickled Tom's nose with it. Tom batted at the flower and hit Joe's fingers. He opened his eyes and smiled at him and then noticed me. The smile diminished. He sat up and asked, "What are you two up to?"

"We've come to propose to you," I said before Joe could say anything.

Tom looked back and forth between Joe and I. "What do you mean?"

I knelt beside Joe and glanced at him. He was smiling and looking absolutely happy. I looked back at Tom who was looking perplexed.

"Tom, will you marry us, love us both equally and let us love you the same?"

If I'd hit Tom with a two by four he wouldn't have looked more stunned. He glanced at the silly grin on Joe's face and back at me.

"I don't understand." he said.

"I don't know how to put more simply." I said.

"You're serious?" he moved to kneel in front of us.

"We mean every word I said."

"I ...I ...I don't know what to say."

I began to feel like Tom was watching a tennis match the way he kept looking back and forth between Joe and I.

"Just say yes, Tom." Joe growled.

"Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Hell yes." Tom voice rose in crescendo with each syllable. He grabbed us around our necks kissed me on the cheek and then kissed Joe's cheek. He turned back and looked at me a moment and then planted his lips on mine. As my toes began to curl he broke the kiss, turned and did the same to Joe.

Tom's joy was infectious. Joe was a little more reserved, but I could tell that I couldn't have given him anything that would have made him happier. My heart swelled with wonder and pride that this was occurring. We three had rampant roaring hardons at this point with all the kissing and caressing. "Let's go back to the pool," Joe suggested.

So back we went, cavorting, playing grab-ass, continually touching one another. When we neared the pool I ran ahead and dove in. I surfaced and turned to watch as Joe and Tom stopped for a hug and deep kiss. My heart did flip-flops seeing these two virile masculine men showing each other how they felt. I found myself being very turned on and at the same time I wondered if I had made a mistake. Was I going to be left out? Being short, I'm only five foot six inches tall while Joe is six three and Tom is two inches taller than him, I've always been a little insecure around taller men. Joe is the only man I've ever met that made me really believe that he appreciated my short stature. But at this moment I was doubting whether he really meant it. I swam over to this flat rock on the edge of the pool and crawled up on it.

Joe and Tom seemed to be totally involved with each other, standing face to face their arms around each other as they talked in whispers in between kisses.

My insecurities mounted by the moment. I could hear my mother's voice in the back of my head, saying, "I told you so." I stood and walked over to where I'd dropped my shorts, picked up them and my boots and started back toward the house. I kept praying that Joe would miss me and come running after me. It wasn't happening.

When I got within sight of the house I stopped and slipped into my shorts. Still, I kept hoping that Joe would realize I was gone and come pull me back. Dejectedly, I trudged on. When I stepped into the mud room I saw my mother standing in the kitchen with a glass of water in her hand. I looked at her and she raised an inquiring eyebrow. "Don't even start," I growled at her and headed upstairs to the master bedroom.

I threw myself across the big king-size bed. My mind was a complete muddle. I know I said I love Joe enough to share him, and I really do. But there was something about watching Joe and Tom that sent my insecurities running rampant. I lay there wondering where this was all going to leave me. Were they going to be so totally involved in each other that I would be left out in the cold? Should I have been a bit assertive and insisted that they give me some attention? Should I have to asked for it or demanded it? Shouldn't it be freely given on all sides to make this work?

I heard raised voices down stairs. I knew my mother had again said something to Joe. I thought about intervening, and found I didn't want to move. Let them solve the problem amongst themselves. I was too involved in feeling sorry for myself. The voices were now on the stairs.

"Mind your own business, Catherine," I heard Joe say.

"You just remember, Joseph Croft, I told you I'll cut your damned balls off you go hurting my son playing around with your childhood boyfriend," my mother said. My mother is three inches shorter than me standing at five foot three and may weigh a hundred and ten pounds. Joe is six three and a hundred and eighty-eight. Still my hair stood on end hearing my mother say something like that. I mean I know I'm her only son and that she has always been over protective, but....damn.

I leaped off the bed and threw the bedroom door open and yelled.

"Stop it. Both of you. Mother, go to your room and leave Joe to me. Joe, you and Tom get up here." No one moved. They all three stared at me like I'd lost all my senses. "NOW!" I yelled.

Still, no one moved, but they all started talking at once. Mother, again, saying she was only trying to protect me, Joe demanding to know why I had left, and Tom saying he was sorry, he didn't mean to cause all these problems. Well, so much for anyone listening to me. I marched down the stairs. As I passed Joe I squeezed his bicep. I gently wrapped an arm around my mother's back and led her down the hall to her bedroom. She passively went with me not saying a word. Opening her door I ushered her into the room and closed the door. She moved away from me and turned. Before she could say anything I said, "I'm sorry. Things have gotten a little tense. I should never have let it get out of hand. Things are changing, Mom, and if you'll just be patient and accepting everything will be okay."

"Davy, I apologize for being such a harpy some times. I just want what's best for you. You know that."

"Yes Mom, I know that and I really do appreciate your concern. My relationship with Joe is changing. And if you can find it in your heart to stop being suspicious of Tom I think you'll really like him. He's a wonderful man."

A look of horror came over her face. "You can't be breaking up with Joe. My god, you two have been together for seven years."

"No one's breaking up with anyone, Mom. If you can just give me time, everything will be alright. Now I've got to go talk to Joe and Tom. Please, let us have some privacy to work this all out."

"I don't understand."

"Right now, I don't expect you to understand. Please, just be patient. I'll explain everything to you later."

She nodded. I walked over to her, hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for caring, Mom. I need to go to Joe now."

I turned and left her room. Joe was still standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Where's Tom?" I asked.

He nodded toward the living room. I found him staring out the big picture window. I walked up to him and slipped an arm around his waist. He sighed. "I guess I'll get going. This isn't going to work. I'm sorry for meddling in your life."

I let go of him and pushed him around to look at me. "Tom, we both need some attitude adjustment. I was wrong in walking away earlier. I have some insecurities I need to deal with. You need to stop apologizing. We both love Joe and we both know that he loves us. You and I are going to have to develop the same love and trust in each other." I glanced over to see Joe leaning against the door frame smiling at me. I winked and he winked back. Turning my eyes back to Tom, I said, "I think a good way to start is by you giving me the same loving Joe was getting up by the pool." He looked over at Joe as if asking for permission. "Tom, we've already made you an equal partner you don't need to ask if it's okay."

Joe grinned at us, and Tom wrapped me in a bear hug. His lips met mine and I sought entrance to his mouth with my tongue. I may be short and sometimes have insecurities, but I am not a passive lover. At first, Tom was a bit surprised by my aggressiveness, but he didn't resist. I hoped this was indicative of him not being totally a top. I guess I shouldn't worry to much, because I don't think that Joe would let him get away with it.

As I ran my fingers thought Tom's hair I felt Joe's arm around me. He nudged my cheek and I turned my head a little and felt his tongue lick between Tom's and mine. We were quickly in a three way, hugging, kissing and groping. Joe finally pulled back and conspiratorially whispered, "We should take this upstairs before Catherine catches us."

We spent the next hour and a half learning each other's bodies. I lay back and watched Joe enter Tom for the first time and only felt excitement and love for both of them. Before Joe climaxed he pulled out and insisted that I fuck Tom, too. I was so excited from watching them I quickly came and Joe remounted him and he too soon climaxed.

The next round after we had caught our breath and relaxed was to let Tom fuck us. First, he entered Joe. I was thinking I would have a bit of a problem with that, but I found myself caught up in the love between the two men. I couldn't keep my hands off of them I felt Joe pulling me toward his mouth. As he sucked my cock Tom was sucking on my tongue. Suddenly, Joe was coming. Tom who hadn't climaxed yet started coming followed by Joe whose vocal vibrations on my cock as he moaned quickly brought me off.

We lay in a puppy pile recuperating. There was little talk, but a lot of caressing and kissing. It wasn't very long before Tom was asking to make love to me. I was eager to reciprocate. Tom's cock has an upward curve that kept the head in constant contact with my prostate. I came three times before he finally came. Joe was sitting on my face while kissing Tom when they both climaxed which brought me off again.

This time we slept, one of my big men on each side of me. Evening was approaching when I finally stirred. At first I was a little disoriented, but as I recalled the previous hours I realized I had a flaccid cock in each hand. Joe's head rested on my chest while Tom's face was snuggled into my neck. I turned my head and licked his nose. He squinched his face. I licked it again and he opened his eyes and smiled at me. "Hey, Davy, how are you doing?" he whispered.

I chuckled. "I couldn't be happier."

His expression turned serious. "I love you for what you've done. You must really love Joe to let me into your lives. You know I feel that I am falling in love with you, too."

Tears sprang to my eyes. "I feel the same, Tom. And it wasn't just that fantastic fuck. Although, you can do that again anytime you want."

"Dave, maybe at first I was fucking you, but after a bit I was making love to you. You really are something special."

"I felt the difference, you know."

He leaned over and kissed me. "Excuse me a minute, I've got to go relieve my bladder." He lifted Joe's hand from his butt and slid away and off the bed. Joe moved his hand to cup my genitals. With my freed hand , I caressed the top of Joe's head as it lay on my chest.

"He's absolutely right you know. You are something very special and precious," Joe murmured.

"It's nice you think that, Babe, but I would do anything to keep you happy. Even giving you up, if I had to."

"I will never leave you, Davy, so you'll never have to give me up. Why did you leave the pool?"

I hesitated a moment before answering. "I could say that it was to give you and Tom some privacy, but that's not true."

"So what is the truth."

"I have some insecurities that I have to deal with."

"You're not insecure about my love for you, surely."

"No, well, maybe a little. But it's mostly about being short. You and Tom are so tall. You don't have to bend down to kiss each other. You know all my life I have been kidded and taunted about being short. Short, in a lot of taller guys eyes, equates with being a fag. Even though I played several sports in high school and college I was called that a lot. I've never thought I was effeminate.

"There's nothing effeminate about you." He sat up and turned to face me. "And I love the fact that you are smaller than me. I love the way you fit my body when we snuggle. "

Joe's told me that a thousand times. I don't know why, but I was feeling slightly flustered. I rushed to finish my explanation.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you would find that you like making love to a taller man. And I was feeling ignored. I didn't have enough courage to step in and insist on a little attention, too. Which is what I should have done."

"Maybe, but you shouldn't have been put in that position to begin with." Tom injected having come back in the room and heard the last bit of our conversation. ""I'm sorry you were. We could make excuses, but the truth is we forgot about anything except the two of us for a few minutes."

"That is not entirely true," Joe said. "I really thought that you were just letting us do a little catching up, Dave. I was surprised and I will admit a little hurt to not find you waiting for us when we turned to included you." He pulled me into his arms and cuddled me against his chest. "Dave, not for one second have I forgotten that I have committed my love and life to you. I meant it when I said, 'until death do us part.' I told Tom that I would include him in our relationship only as long as you are happy with it."

I felt like an ass for ever doubting Joe. I couldn't keep the tears out of my eyes as I looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I really don't deserve you, Joe, but I am glad that I have you in my life. I love you so much. I've dealt with my insecurity. I promise I won't react like that again"

"Look," Joe said, "it's all in the past. Let's just make sure we don't let it affect us adversely. There are going to be times that any combination of the three of us might momentarily leave the other out. It's simply part of the deal." He stood up and held out his hands to Tom and I and pulled us into a hug. I felt two hands, one Joe's the other Tom's, slide between my legs and lift me up to their height. I grinned as they both tried to invade my mouth with their tongues.

"So let's shower and go fix some dinner." I suggested as we broke apart and they let me stand on my own.

I thought showering with Joe was delightful. With Tom joining us, it was even more so and took even longer. When we were finally dried off and dressed, Tom asked, "One thing, Guys. How are we going to deal with Catherine?"

Joe sat down on the bed. "God, I had forgotten all about her."

"I had a bit of a discussion with her a while ago," I said. " We apologized to each other. I hinted at what's happening. She's not dumb. I think that by now she's figured it out. And if it makes me happy, I'm sure she will be. She'll accept it even if she doesn't approve. So be yourselves and we'll just play it by ear."

Mom was just putting some foil wrapped potatoes in the oven when we stepped into the kitchen. Joe and Tom were on each side of me with an arm around me. Mom didn't even blink. "Joe, I hope you can forgive me for being so awful earlier. Would you will start the charcoal?" Then she turned to me. "Dave, if you'll create one of your wonderful salads, the steaks are marinating and we can soon have dinner."

Joe looked surprised as he glanced my way. He let go of me and headed out the door to the grill. I was as surprised as Joe that she was being so pleasant and acting like part of the family rather than a guest. I peeled away from Tom and headed for the fridge, leaving him and my mother looking at each other.

"Tom, come sit down with me. Would you like something to drink while we talk?"

"A can of Coke would be great," he said. I could hear the hesitancy in his voice. I pulled a can of coke out of the fridge and handed it to him with an encouraging smile.

Mom sat down at the table where she already had a cup of tea waiting. She patted the chair on the back side of the table indicating to Tom to sit there. I glanced over at them as I dumped a selection of vegetables in the sink. Tom looked a little frightened. She started talking to him. From the sink, I was too far away to hear what she was saying, but Tom looked calmer and more relaxed. Soon he was laughing along with her. I was dying to know what was being said. I was nearly through cutting up the tomatoes when they rose from the table. Tom walked over and kissed me on the side of my neck and then ducked out the back door to join Joe. My mother stuck her head out the door and yelled, "You remember what I told Thomas Griffin." Tom held up three fingers as if to say scout's honor.

She turned back to check the potatoes and said, "He is a very nice young man. I think he will make you and Joe a good partner. Don't you go letting your insecurities mess things up between you three."

I was watching Joe with his arm around Tom's shoulder as they watched the glowing charcoal. Joe kissed Tom on the cheek and came into the house. He winked at me with a big grin, walked over to my mother and kissed her on the cheek, saying, "Thanks, Kathy. I always knew you were a sweet heart under that gruff facade."

She slapped at him. "Well, seven years was long enough to hold a grudge for taking my baby from me. I really hope the three of you will be happy together."

I turned back to the sink and glanced at Tom poking at the charcoal and heard Joe tell my mother, "You should understand, I promised to love Dave until death do us part. I couldn't promise Tom the same thing. I promised him for as long as we all agree to stay together." Joe turned and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed the top of my head. "I love Tom dearly. I always have and always will, but it is Dave I committed my life to."

I glanced at my mother who wickedly grinned at Joe as she said, "I guess you can keep your balls then."

"Mom!" I squeeled.

"What? I'm only watching out for your own good."

Steaks were finally cooked and we sat down to eat. After a silence that seemed interminable ,I finally asked, "Tom what was it my mother said that you should remember?"

Tom looked up at me and then at my mother. He blanched slightly.

"You could have asked me," my mother said. "I told him the same thing I told Joe. I'll cut his balls off if he ever hurts you."

"Mom, I keep telling you I'm a big boy now. I can watch out for myself. You don't need to threaten my mates."

"What?" she said, "I'm just watching out for my baby."

The End

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