I've combined a few chapters on this one. It may be a tad long at 11k words, but I'm trying to wrap this saga up. I'll be posting the last ( I swear!) chapters, as soon as. I think 105 chapters is enough? Thanks for bearing with me on this. I understand how some are getting bored with it all, but I always remember what someone once commented to me, 'it's your story'. I hope it's been worth your time. If not, well... As always, thanks to Kenji for keeping it grammatically correct. I may not always listen to him, so, as always, any and all mistakes land on my shoulders. Thanks to everyone who has invested the time and patience in this. It is appreciated.
Chapter 99
Six Months Along, March, and Decisions
Tom, 34, Chrissie, 37, Emily, 35, David, 12, Chloe, still 9
Time, eh? Who'd have it? So much has happened that it's tough to recount. We've had our first Christmas together, and plenty of changes.
David and Chloe have acclimated beautifully, not only in school, but with the friends they have made, and to our unusual family. Chloe has taken to calling Emily, 'Mummy Emily'. Every time she'd call for mommy, two distinct voices would pipe up. Her idea was to keep things straight, and she came up with that. We all thought it was adorable, and her way of dealing with the dynamic. She has also begun to embrace the British dialect, another thing that makes us all chuckle. As I pointed out, she no longer has 'mommies' but 'mummies'. David is fighting his accent change, but it's changing, no matter how hard he fights it.
School is terrific for them. Both are doing well and are excited about it every morning, for the most part. David has joined the swim team, and doing exceptionally well. We all look forward to his first meeting. He goes swimming with one, or all of us, at least once a week. On the other days, he'll bike to the local pool with friends and swim. We've been kayaking a few times a month now. I encouragingly told him the benefits of his swimming, as the exercise is mainly upper body. He usually prods me to take him, so that bodes well.
David and Elaine had a baby boy, Simon, now! We couldn't be happier for them, Simon still a little bundle of proverbial joy. Emily had candidly been taking photos of them as the pregnancy had progressed, and now presented them with an extraordinary book of black and white images. They were extremely touched; their bond solidified, if it hadn't already.
Spring is upon us, so it's time for Emily to begin her transformation of the garden. Chloe is genuinely interested in how it will look, so Ems corralled her into the design process. She has given Chloe an A3 pad, and asked her layout how she would like it to look, and what flowers, and plantings. For a nine-year-old, Chloe has had a few good ideas! She and Emily have frequent trips to the local gardens to get ideas and spend some alone time with each other. Their bond has grown over the months.
One weekend, I told them I'd like to show them a garden in Sussex, and they were both excited about the day trip. David wasn't interested in the least, so he went swimming with his mother. We packed up a picnic and headed to Great Dixter in Sussex. The garden is in the arts and craft style, and has a wildflower meadow which I thought would give them both ideas. We all loved it. It was quite a drive, but my car made it more than bearable. We spent hours there, taking notes, talking with the gardeners, and taking photos. Chloe seemed to come alive there. She was free to wander, take pictures with her little camera and ask questions. Chloe would run over, grab my hand, and show me a new planting she had discovered. Emily and I smiled at her childish enthusiasm. Emily and I wandered through the meadows, Chloe just ahead of us, and held hands, basking in the day with just Chloe. I noticed a whimsical, but distant look in her eyes.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, darling?" I asked.
She looked at me, somehow knowing, and shook her head 'yes', put her hands around me, and leaned onto my chest.
I gently kissed the top of her head, and whispered, "Whenever you're ready, okay? All you have to do is say. We can do this, darling," I said, her somewhat glum face brightening.
"Soon, I think," she sighed, and we kissed.
We chased Chloe, and each other around, laid out our blanket and had a glorious picnic, sending David and Chrissie the obligatory photos. It was a special day for us. I laid back, shaded by a huge elm tree, and Emily and Chloe laid their heads on my chest. I embraced them both, relishing the day.
We bought a few plants, which was not a bad idea. Chloe eagerly grabbed Ems's hand, pulling her along with a gleeful, "C'mon, Mummy Emily!" laughing at how slow we were walking.
Grudgingly, we headed back to Richmond, the sound of the engine lulling Chloe to sleep in no time. Emily and I softly sang, held hands, and whispered about the day. I casually rubbed her stomach, and she only looked at me, smiled, and squeezed my hand.
Chrissie and David were preparing dinner when we finally arrived back home. I had to carry Chloe in gingerly whilst Ems grabbed the plants.
"Too much for one of you, hmm?" Chrissie smiled, as I laid her on the sofa.
"How was your day, darling," I asked as my arms embraced her.
"Wonderful, darling. David's getting quite good, you know? I've said it before, but he reminds me so much of you, Tom. It must be my genes, eh?" she giggled.
"There's nothing wrong with your genes, darling," I said as I swatted her tight-jean-covered ass.
"Or yours, I guess," she smiled.
Emily and Chrissie embraced, and helped with the rest of prepping dinner. I joined David outside, and chatted about the day, and what was happening next week at school. We had a wonderful dinner, and everyone happy to be back together.
After the kids were safely tucked up that evening, we had our still-regular Sunday night meeting. We were all happy that we continued to have these, as more often than not, one of us had questions. We were still working on the dynamic, even though we were so comfortable with how we were going. The honesty was shocking at times, but necessary, and we always grew closer because of our talks. These meetings were about sharing the hardships and finding solutions together so this relationship would continue to work. We realised quickly that healthy relationships often take more challenging work, especially poly ones. They were also about all the positives that we had brought together.
We kept our circle small as far as those who knew the extent of our relationship, and found they accepted us. Maybe it was because of where we lived, the socio-economics and general standard of living were better than in most parts of London, which meant a broader grasp of society and its norms, and a better level of education. The kids helped soften any disapproval, especially Chloe, who would run to Emily when school let out, crying, "Mummy Emily!" and jump into her arms. Ems had discreetly explained when asked why Chloe used that term. So far, there had been no backlash. I had carefully 'come out' at work, Jeremy's understanding and incredible support, even if none was needed.
So, tonight. Emily wished to talk first, choosing her words carefully, probably rehearsed over and over.
I sat between them, as usual, and she grasped my hand.
"I...I think I'm ready," she sighed, looking at us.
We didn't need to hear anything more. Chrissie jumped up, hugged her, her fingers untangling her hair, and kissed her. I hugged them both, Emily's small tears flowing down her face.
"You ARE talking about a baby, right?" Chrissie asked with a chuckle.
"Yes," she smiled. "Are you both okay with that?" she asked with hesitation.
"Absolutely, darling. Absolutely. I couldn't be happier, sweetie," Chrissie smiled.
I took her head in mine, lifted her chin, and kissed her.
"I thought as much, Ems. I couldn't be happier. Truly," I sighed, and held her comfortably.
"Okay...but, I won't be bringing in as much money. I'll be off work and so many other things," she sighed.
