Finally, this chapter is done! It's taken forever but ran into insurmountable problems. And now it's here. A fun chapter that I thank Black Angus and Ranger Baldwin for VERY much with lots of help.

Rating is definitely T

Chapter 14

My Kingdom for a Kiss.

Peg opened the door to Peter Gunn's bedroom and took a deep breath before crossing over the threshold, her shoes sinking into the soft depths of the carpet.

Shutting the door firmly behind her, she could see the small flicker of a night light coming from what she assumed was the bathroom, the rest of the area bathed in the shadows of darkness

Slowly her eyes adjusted until she could see the outline of a lamp to her left and she reached down to flip the switch.

Standing with her green eyes closed for a moment, she opened them to find a nicely furnished room much neater than she had expected for a man. But then he did dress very nicely without having a woman lay out his clothes.

The second thing she noticed was the bedside table and bedside table, and the gold medal statuette that stood next to the lamp. Picking it up she saw there were words carved on the bottom but even if she had been wearing her glasses she couldn't have deciphered them; it appeared to be a language they didn't speak in this part of the world. ('Where did they speak it?' She wondered.)

Mike's brother Charlie had been the head of the Religion and Culture Department at some university in Kenya for five years and had brought home several similar items that he said were mainly prayer and fertility god

Looking at what she was holding in her hand she wondered which one this was; prayer or fertility? And why anyone would want such a thing in the bedroom? It looked at her with his empty eyes and. she wondered how it got so lucky to live upstairs. It was bad enough that the man had all kinds of these ornaments downstairs in the living room and thereabouts but to have one right here in the bed room seemed close to sacrilegious. And did these gods work better when they were ugly? Not that she believed they worked.

She yawned so hard it made her jaw hurt and she sat the statuette back down in its place. There would be plenty of time to look around and ask questions tomorrow. Right now, she needed to take a shower and get ready for bed.

The light switch for the bathroom was on the opposite side then what she was expecting, but soon the lights over the medicine cabinet came on and one in the center of the room. She walked over to the mirror, looked at herself for a long moment and couldn't decide if she wanted to laugh or cry. Well, it wasn't anything a shower and a good night's sleep wouldn't cure.

Not sure what to do with her clothes and remembering they didn't have their suitcases, she laid her dress, hose and cardigan on the chair outside the bathroom and threw her underwear in the hamper.

There was a basket that contained washcloths sitting on the windowsill and she took one over to the bathtub, pushing back the shower curtain and turning on the tabs. The warm water caught up quickly and after stepping in she stood under it for several minutes indulging in the feel of the spray as it fell over her body. Finally reaching for the washcloth she had put over the curved rod, she picked up the soap and started to wash herself.

Mama smiled at the scent of the Ivory soap, a favorite of hers since childhood. Her mother had used it to give her and her siblings' baths when they were babies and she had done the same with her two. She loved the fresh clean smell and the way the water seemed to bounce off the bar. When Ben and Edie were little, she would give them each a good-sized piece and they would have races to see whose was fastest since the soap floated. Then they would see if they could sink each other's. It had been good, messy, fun if not wet!

Spying two bottles of shampoo on the rim of the tub she grabbed one and poured some out in her hand, running it through her hair. It was thick and made your hair feel luxurious from the start, not something she would except to find in a man's bathroom, especially one who kept his hair cut so short. It had a nice orangey smell that she knew her men would never use and suddenly she was hit with a desire and dread to pick up the other bottle.

It was the same size and had the same color lid but when she flipped it to the other side it said Fitch's across the front. With a heavy sigh she put it back in its place, finished washing her hair and turned the water off.

The towel was thick and absorbed the water off her body easily and she liked how soft it was. She and Mike still had the same towels and linens they had gotten for wedding presents 36 years ago and they were well used. Every now and then she thought about getting new ones but except for the guest room she just never had.

She rubbed her hair vigorously until it was mostly dry, and then took another towel to wrap around herself as she made her way to the sink.

Peter Gunn had said there was a toothbrush in the medicine cabinet and she found it exactly where he said it would be, a tube of Pepsodent lying beside it.

After brushing her teeth, she replaced both items, and took a quick look around the shelves but didn't find much of anything. A bottle of aspirin was on the top shelf beside a box of Band-Aids and an unopened bottle of Mercurochrome; a box of razor blades that were sitting unopened on the bottom shelf, a man's razor and a can of Barbasol along with a shaving kit. Two prescription bottles sat on the top shelf, both of which had Peter Gunn's name on them; the contents of one expired six months ago.

The vanity area around the sink was nice and neat, a pretty blue color that she had seen somewhere before. Two toothbrushes sat in the holder, a tube of the new Colgate with fluoride in between them. A half-used bottle of Aqua-Velva stood nearby as did a spray bottle of Right Guard Deodorant for men, and a bottle of Ban Roll-On designed for women.

One vanity drawer held fingernail clippers, two nail files and a pair of tweezers. She also saw a small container of hair pins, a couple of headbands and a pair of small silver hoop earrings. Another small plastic container held some change, a beautiful pair of pearl earrings, a key and a $5 bill.

The second drawer had a box of Kleenex, an unused cake of Life Buoy Soap, a box of tampons, a bottle of vitamin B-12, an electric razor, clear nail polish, a box of Motrin and a small calendar with the days marked off.

A yawn escaped that made her jaw hurt and she wondered what time it might be. She couldn't remember what she had done with her watch but if Edie wasn't home yet it had to be around 2. She really needed to get some rest, she could think about all this tomorrow. And she needed to think of what to say to Edie, to make her understand why she had told Peter what she had. But right now, another yawn insisted she see about getting to sleep.

Checking the first drawer she found a plethora of men's boxers and socks; the former all in black and brown, the underwear in typical blue or white but some had stripes and polka dots and one with squiggles that made her giggle. She'd have to get Mike a pair that's all there was too it, and yes, she would make sure he wore them!

Back in the corner she found two pairs of briefs that would leave little to the imagination if worn by the right man and she stood staring off into space for a moment before she hurriedly crossed herself and prayed forgiveness for thinking such things.

The drawer beside it was full of bras and panties of various colors and kinds. Most were the comfortable cotton ones that Edie had always preferred but it was the silky ones that caught her attention. She picked up one, wondering what the point to it was. It certainly wasn't going to cover anything, and the matching panties would barely do the same. A man wouldn't even have to remove them, if he didn't want to take the time. For some reason, that thought made her blush and she shook her head hard.

She couldn't help but think that Mike wouldn't have objected to seeing her in one of these outfits at one time. Knowing her darling husband he wouldn't mind now. He was always telling her she hadn't changed at all from the day he first saw her, but she knew from experience the Irish were great flatters.

She picked up a pair of the white cotton briefs and put them on, continuing her search. Two drawers over Edie's pajamas and nightgowns were sharing space with Mr. Gunn's night clothes and again that strange feeling washed over her.

It was silly she knew but the items looked settled and together like they had been sharing that drawer space for a long time. Why couldn't they each stay in their own bureau and if they must just come over and visit sometime. Why did they have to come here and stay? Wasn't the dresser drawer they came from missing them?

What was she doing? She needed some sleep. At the bottom of the pile she found a very plain blue nightgown with long sleeves and pulled it over her head.

Just because it was there and so was she, she opened the bottom drawer finding shorts, sweatpants, t-shirts from various places, socks with holes, an old pair of slippers, a very ragged bathrobe and a baseball cap that said Peter Gunn: Man for Hire in white stitching. She picked it up and looked at it, then tossed it back in the drawer. She had to admit, it was kind of cute. But now it was time to turn in.

For the first time since coming in to the room she turned and looked at the bed. It was a very nice-looking queen size covered with of all things a double wedding ring pattern quilt and two pillows covered in yellow cases sticking up over the top of the covers. It looked so comfortable she thought as she pulled the quilt back revealing a butter colored blanket and sheets that matched the pillow cases exactly.

Mama started to climb into the bed when she remembered the statuette and decided she'd rather not sleep beside it. While walking around to the other side of the bed, she noticed a small tin lying on top of the bureau. She didn't want to look but she had too.

The head of a solider from Roman or Greek times was stamped on the red lid and underneath him were the words Improved Trojans. The bottom of the tin stated the price and the amount which was twelve. And here they were sitting right out for anyone to see. What if her father saw these or, or Mr. Gunn's father, for that matter? Peg started to set them back down but then had the overwhelm0g desire to open the lid.

There were five condoms left in the tin, not even half. From the time these had been bought and brought home, seven of them had been used. Seven times her daughter and that man, and she looked at the bed. Questions she thought she would never have about her daughter or anyone else for that matter flooded through her mind.

How long did it take to use seven condoms? Half a month? Seven days? Three days? Edie had been home Friday, Saturday and Sunday and she had told her father that Peter Gunn had been dehydrated or something but this was Tuesday, technically Wednesday but oh was her head starting to hurt.

She stared down at the Trojans, counting them once more, suddenly opening the top drawer of the bureau and throwing them inside. Surely someplace in here there were clean sheets.

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It was 2:45 when Edie's key turned in the front door and she quietly entered the apartment. The first thing she saw was Sam sleeping soundly on one half of the pullout couch, the way his eyelashes fell across his cheeks looking very much like Pete.

Across the room her father was sleeping, his light little snore so nice to hear. Sherlock was curled up on Michael Hart's back, happy and content; she knew he'd stay there awhile. Walking over to stand beside the couch, Edie reached out and touched the feline's nose, his answer to open half an eye- glad to see it was his "Pete's Honey

She watched Papa sleep for several minutes before leaning down to kiss his cheek. No matter what excuse her mother had cooked up for being here, she was so glad to see her Papa. She hadn't gotten to see him near enough when she'd been home. And even though she was upset with Mama she was glad she was here too, not that she was ready to forgive and forget quite yet.

Taking off her coat she placed it on the chair nearest the door, and then put her shoes on the floor beside it. She noticed a light was still on in the kitchen and he headed there. Hadn't she told Pete not to wait up? She should be angry but thrilled was the word.

Sure, enough he was sitting at the table still in his clothes from the pizza lunch, holding a cup of coffee in one hand, a cigarette in the other.

"Hi." She said heading for the chair next to his. He hurriedly put both the cup and cigarette down, and pulled her onto his lap instead.

"Hi." He answered, placing his forehead against her temple, one hand resting on her knee. "I'm glad your home, I was getting lonely for you."

Edie felt her stomach give a delicious flip at his words. "What with a house full of people?" she teased.

"Don't even joke." He kissed the side of her neck letting his lips linger against the skin. The blonde sighed deep in her throat and he obliged her by doing it again only this time closer to her ear.

"Let's get out of here." He whispered against her skin. "They'll never miss us."

"We can't do that." she shook her head firmly but reluctantly. "They are our visitors."

"Yes, but they're asleep." He insisted, the hand on her knee moving to her inner thigh.

"Pete! No! "She protested, her eyebrows rising in that familiar way, her teeth biting into her lower lip to keep from laughing. Managing to get off his lap she headed over to the cabinet for a glass.

He was up and taking her in his arms before she could reach for one, his lips moving softly down her cheek, lingering at her ear, his tongue tracing the delicate bones, then his teeth gently grazing the lobe before moving down her neck, until he knew her body was one giant duck-bump. Her voice was still protesting but she was leaning against him heavily.

"We've got five people in this apartment now." He explained in between kisses. "And we barely have enough food for you and me. I checked the frig, two mushy apples, a bowl of spaghetti, a pack of crackers and a half quart of butter milk. I figure it's the least we could do to go out to all the night A&P and pick up a few things."

"Is that what you figured?" she asked him, her hands playing with the ends of his hair. "You just thought we should do that at 3:00 in the morning?

For an answer he put his fingers against her cheek and pulled her face to his giving her a kiss that made her head swirl and the world go with it, his lips clinging to hers until she couldn't think or breathe.

I'll be right back." She finally said in a breathless voice when his mouth left hers.

"I'll get the keys."

Edie took the stairs two at time, flinging the door open before she remembered that Mama was there and would be asleep.

But instead of finding her mother sound asleep, Margaret Hart was coming out of the bathroom carrying a pair of coral sheets, the yellow ones lying in a pile by the foot of the bed.

"Mama, what are you doing?" she asked, going over and taking the sheets out of her mother's arms and laying them on the bed. "I just changed the sheets yesterday morning; there isn't anything wrong with them."

"I had no way of knowing that." Peg told her, spreading the bottom sheet out on the mattress cover. "You had no idea we were coming and you wouldn't have had time to make up the bed or put up fresh towels. But that's alright, because I found the fresh sheets and it won't take but a minute to put them on."

"Oh Mama." Edie shook her head, trying not to be frustrated at her mother's kindness. "Here let me help you." The singer said taking the other end of the sheet and securing it to the upper left corner. "Did you find everything you needed?"

She nodded at everything her mother was saying but she knew she wasn't paying attention. Her mind was only on one thing right now.

"Edith June are you hearing anything I've said?" She heard her mother's voice cut into her amorous thoughts and she truthfully shook her head.

"No Mama, I'm sorry I haven't really been paying attention. I guess I'm just tired. "

'It's no wonder.' Peg wanted to say thinking of those seven missing Trojans. "I was just saying that I dragged your Papa here against his will so I could apologize to you and Mr. Gunn about what I said and did Sunday night but when we get here we find out that some other woman has been living in your apartment and you just haven't been coming over to check on him, your living here."

"Yes, Mama, I'm living here. And please don't get the idea that I'm only here because Pete doesn't want to be alone. I stayed here while he was in jail." Edie spat out the last word-she had really come to hate it, "because it made him feel closer to me. I'm here now because yes, he wants me to be here but also because this is where I belong. I'm not here as a nursemaid or his protector. I live here with him because this is our home.

As for Lynn, she's a very good friend who needs a place to stay and I have one. Now, Pete and I are going to go out to the all-night grocery and get a few things for breakfast. We can talk more tomorrow I promise. "

"Go on." Mama waved her hand toward the door. "Like you said we can talk more tomorrow."

"You found everything you need for now?"

"I think so."

Edie hugged her mother and said she'd be back soon. Casually she glanced at the top of the bureau on her way out, hoping she could pick up the red and white tin without her parent noticing. Except that it wasn't there! Edie felt a little panic in her chest as she looked carefully, knowing the tin had been there last night and she was sure she had seen it this morning. She hadn't really paid attention, it had lain there for a month or maybe longer- the last time they had used one was the day before she had left for Virginia which was a good six days ago but, a whole container of Trojans just couldn't walk off!

Closing the door behind her, she once more took the stairs in a hurry, finding Pete by the bar ready to go, holding out her shoes and coat. She put her shoes on and Pete helped her with her coat, the two of them taking hands as they walked towards the back door shutting and locking it quietly behind them.

"They weren't there." She told him as they stood on the first step. "I didn't have a lot of time to look around, but I know they were lying near the Kleenex box and now they're gone." she said much more calmly than she felt. "I know it's been several days, but I'm sure it was still there this morning, unless you moved them before Sam came up."

"No," Pete shook his head. "I didn't know Pop was coming remember, so I wouldn't have had time if I had wanted to, which face it, he knows I'm a big boy."

"I was probably just too anxious." She sighed, as they walked into the laundry room itself. "It just surprised me when Mama was awake. It was a very nice idea, though."

"Did you think we were giving up?" Pete gave her a smile that melted her bones. "That's not an option here."

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After her daughter left, Peg finally climbed into bed, closed her eyes and tried to relax. It wasn't the bed's fault she thought rolling over with her face toward the door. This was one of the best mattresses she had ever lain on and she wondered if there might be some way to find out what kind it was, as they were planning on buying a new one soon.

Maybe coming here hadn't been the best idea but then again it would have been much better if the plane had left on time and they hadn't lost their luggage and if Edie had been at her own home like she should have been.

What had the man done that he gone to prison in the first place? She honestly couldn't remember. And wasn't he a detective.

The clock on the bedside table on her side had a glow in the dark dial and she saw it was 4:30. Where was that girl anyway? How long did it take to pick up some eggs and bread and bacon?

It was darker in the room than she was used to and she missed Mike's gentle snore. Switching on the lamp, Mama made her way to the bathroom hoping. she might find a magazine while she was in there but the only things besides a vase on the windowsill was a book called Ten Ways to Find Yourself.

Deciding against that one, she headed back towards the bed a huge yawn splitting her head in two. She had to get some sleep or she wouldn't be worth a thing tomorrow.

Leaning over to turn the lamp back off, she spied two books and a pair of glasses lying on top of the bigger coffee table type one. Curious she picked the glasses up noting they were black but feminine in cut and she wondered when and why her daughter had started wearing them. Holding them up to her own eyes everything looked a little fuzzy.

She retrieved the smaller one first it being closer, shaking her head at the title-A Correspondence of Two Souls. Where in the world did the child come up with such books? Mama's eyes crinkled in amusement as she put it back and then she reached for the other one. The cover was slick and when she grabbed at it, it fell open to the center page causing Margaret Hart to think she was going into cardiac arrest.

Surely, she had not seen what she thought she had. 'You're very tired Peg.' she told herself. 'Remember that.' Taking a firm hold of the book, she brought it up on the bed to get a better look. And oh, was she sorry she had.

A woman in lingerie was lying in a bed, a sultry look on her face as she stared up at the man lying on top of her. It was obvious he was naked, even though the only part you could clearly see was his behind, one of her hands posed seductively on it.

What kind of book was this? And why was it here? Not bothering to read the article that followed, she blindly flipped three or four pages; this picture making her heart beat even more wildly. Again, there was an attractive girl in lingerie, even skimpier than the one before, her hand clearly inside her partner's boxers reaching for the bulge inside.

"Oh, Holy Mother." Peg crossed herself, not sure what to do. She laid the book on the bed beside her, batting at the page of the woman with the grabby hands when the next page rolled over. The background was a bluish black and if you looked at it just right, you got the impression of hot water steaming down. Across the top in large bold letters it said SHOWER SEX.

Shower sex? Sure, she and Mike had made love in some places you might call different or strange she supposed. She'd never forget the night they broke in the backseat of their first new car. They'd been married three years, and they had saved every extra cent for that car. Ben had just turned two and they had paid their next door neighbor a dollar to watch him. That had been a magical night.

Or the time they had been out in the hammock in his sister Marcie's backyard on a crisp fall day and of course the couch more than once when they couldn't or wouldn't make it to the bedroom. But shower sex? It didn't sound appealing to her at all! Turning the page, she saw several illustrations of various sexual moves with water running down on top of them. Who would do such a thing?

Were Edie and that man doing things like this? Or maybe this -she wondered as she turned the next page showing a naked man standing against a wall an equally naked woman wrapped around his middle, his hands on her hips while they, well they, she slammed the book shut. "Not with my daughter you don't!"

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"Options?" Edie asked, slipping her arms around the PI's neck. "I like options."

"Yeah, I thought I heard some place that you might." He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close.

"You did?

"I did."

He kissed her slowly and deeply, her hands curling on his neck, her fingernails digging in to his skin. "I like the way you do that." She told him, resting her head against his shoulder

"Yeah?"

"Maybe we should try it again."

Three kisses later, they stepped from the laundry room and out into the garage.

He opened the door for his love to get in the car smiling down at her face. He was trying to ignore that cold chill that kept washing over him far to often these days.

"Pete?" Edie touched his hand. "Everything okay?"

He smiled and nodded. "Tell me how did you get to be so pretty?"

"Beats me." Her eyes shining. "My Papa said I was born this way."

"Well, I guess we can't question Papa, can we?" He grinned as he pushed her body gently against the car door and began to nibble her neck.

She could have easily stood there all night with her lover's arms around her, his hands caressing her behind and his mouth and tongue doing exquisite things to her neck and ear lobes. But they really should be going.

"Pete. You know the sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get there and we could. " she whispered something in is ear that earned her a provocative grin.

"You really think that?"

"You'll never know if we don't get going."

"Hmm," was the only sound coming from him, his lips lightly touching the skin along her collar bone.

"Honey, remember I told you when I left Mama upstairs she wasn't asleep yet which means she could still decide she needs something. And she'd not have one problem coming straight down here to tell us what it is either."

The PI gave her one last lingering kiss on the lips and then moved her away from the car door, opening it and helping her slide on to the front seat. Hurriedly he went around to the other side, slipping in beside her and put the key in the ignition. A few seconds later they were on their way. She'd have to remember that, she couldn't help but smile. It worked like a charm.

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Pete stopped the car in front of the Rexall Drug and told Edie he'd hurry. She nodded as he kissed her quickly.

He was hoping to get what he wanted and leave but seeing that Jerry Molinari, a longtime acquaintance was the pharmacist on duty he knew he'd have to pick up a few extra things. Hurriedly he threw some items in the basket, casually picking up a magazine before approaching the druggist with his request.

Jerry nodded very solemnly at the PI's request and went to the back to retrieve the item, giving out a chuckle as he turned the corner.

The Pete Gunn he knew from five years would have dreamed asking for such a thing at 3:30 in the morning, nor would he have had much reason too. This Pete Gunn was a much-changed man for the better. "I'm out of your usual brand so I hope these will do." He handed the other man a tin of Durex that said in embossed letters it contained 36 items. "Just ring them up." The PI said and taking his bag ran back out to the car.

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Pete pulled the car into an empty spot at the marina and turned to Edie. "Are you ready?"

She rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek.

Taking hands, they walked along the boardwalk stopping at a midsize yacht. After making sure she got on board safely he took a key out of his pocket and opened the door to a small but nice-looking stateroom; switching on the overhead light. "Welcome aboard Miss Hart." And he did a little bow that made her giggle.

The blonde took a quick look at their surroundings seeing a deep, comfortable chair that looked a lot like Pete's Barcalounger and a couch that was more like a love seat.

There was a coffee table in front of it and it looked like there was a bar against the wall but it was hard to tell with Peter Gunn's warm hands caressing her neck and shoulders as the man slipped her coat off and let it fall to the floor.

She let out a happy sigh as his lips came down hard on hers; tongues meeting and then he sucked hers into his mouth, kisses so deep, breathing was next to impossible.

Edie shivered with desire, meeting each kiss stroke for stroke. She helped him shrug out of his coat which allowed better access to that long, lean, body, firm chest and his erection that laid solid against her stomach.

She reached for his fly but his hands pushed hers away, holding them tightly against her side. "Weren't you the one who told me patience is a virtue?" He smiled.

"I was a fool." She answered back, wrangling one hand free. "I had no idea what I was talking about."

"I see." He smiled again, his hands wandering underneath her blouse arousing sensations that made her forget everything else. She threw her head back and closed her eyes reveling in the feel of his fingers that outlined her stomach, moving on to count each rib, then heading to her back, fumbling with the hooks of her bra, the full breasts tumbling out against the material of her blouse as the undergarment fell to the floor.

He never could resist her nipples, running his thumb over each one, feeling them growing taut under his palm and he smiled with satisfaction as a soft moan escaped her throat, and he grew harder knowing her panties were now more than a little damp.

They knew there wasn't time for more of the play they loved so taking hands they walked over to the chair, Edie sitting down to remove her shoes and blouse, while Pete removed his trousers, taking the condom from his coat pocket he had placed in his pocket earlier on the arm of the Barcalounger.

The hook on Edie's pants got stuck, and Pete swore he'd bite it off if he had to, but they finally got it loose, tossing the garment to the side.

After making sure she was comfortable, her lover laid down over her, their kisses even hungrier than before if such a thing could be possible; his legs falling in between hers.

Edie unbuttoned his shirt putting her arms around his neck slipping her hands under the collar, his skin warm to the touch. She took a small taste of his earlobe finding it salty and much to her liking.

He groaned low in his throat, placing his hands around herd sde buttocks, pushing her into him. Even through her panties he could feel how wet she was and he couldn't resist slipping two fingers down past the waist band, moving in the warm wetness until she cried out in her pleasure.

"Pete," her breathing thready. "Please now."

They pushed her panties down to her ankles, her left foot looping them from the side and flinging them out somewhere.

Next, they pushed his boxers down, Edie loving the hot and heavy feel of his erection against her hand. Knowing they needed to hurry she went straight to the Durex placing it where it belonged making sure it fit snuggly.

Taking his hand, he separated her knees, lowering himself into that special place reserved only for him-the soft, wet caves of her body holding him tight inside.

Edie grabbed his shoulders as he went in slow at first and then deeper, and she closed her eyes as she felt the warmth invade her body as the orgasm washed over her. Feeling like she could fly, she hung on to Pete's shirt, wanting to bring him along with her.

His arms tightened around her as he felt her completion, and he squeezed his eyes shut burying his head in her shoulder.

He let out a groan as all the feelings rushed through him. This is where he wanted to be, the way he wanted to feel for the rest of his life.

Just her and him and the indescribable pleasure he felt when he was with her this way. He lost all control as he felt her tighten around him that wonderful light-headed sense of completion and pleasure taking hold. He never knew life could be so wonderful until he had met this woman. Did he deserve her? No! But God or whomever had blessed him anyway.

Clinging to one another they lay on the chair for not near enough time, slowly getting up to face life.

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The couple ran into the all-night A&P hurriedly pulling foodstuffs off the shelf hoping what they were getting made sense together. It was well past 5:00 a.m. when they headed back to Pete's apartment and they knew they should be in more of a hurry but they couldn't make themselves care.

"Whose yacht did we christen?" Edie asked with a smile, her head against his shoulder. She smelled so good he wanted to ravish her all over again and he had to grip the steering wheel. Seeing the swell of her breast through an unbuttoned opening in her blouse he almost did regardless of the time.

"Do you remember Mike Garvin?"

The man who saved your life in the scuba incident?"

Pete nodded. "I'll tell you how I got it sometime."

They came back into the apartment the way they left, making sure the backdoor was locked and bolted for safe keeping. But instead of finding their fathers asleep, Mike Hart and Sam Gunn were sitting at the kitchen table, eating cake and drinking coffee while they laughed over Mike's story about six year old Edie wondering if trees got lonely when the leaves fell off.

"Papa!" Edie smilingly protested as the couple walked in carrying three bags each. She started putting the items in her bag away, the fact that she knew exactly where everything went, not escaping the fathers gaze.

"One of us could have gone out in the morning," Sam said noticing his usually impeccably dressed son had a shirt tail sticking out. He gave Mike a pointed look, who nodded when he saw what Sam was referring too. "So, it was very nice of you."

"We figured no one should have to get up early. " Pete stated matter of fact putting a loaf of bread in the bread box. "We can all rest easier now."

"Glad you made it back before the storm kicked in" Papa Hart remarked innocently, now noticing his daughter's curls were laying in tangles against her neck and Pete's hair was standing straight up in the back.

"Oh yeah, its miserable being out in the wind and the rain late at night." Sam picked up. "I'm sure this time of year, the wind would be especially brisk, coming up underneath your coat and ruffling your hair."

"Well there's not a cloud in the sky but I am very tired so if you gentlemen will excuse me." Edie had a confused look on her face. "I think I'll turn in."

"Good night Bug." Her father reached out his hand and she squeezed it with her own. "Sleep well Papa, you too Sam."

"I'll be right back." Pete told the men. "I'm going to walk this young lady to her door."

As soon as they were headed for the stairs, Mr. Hart and Mr. Gunn rolled their eyes and muttered "kids."

"Thank you for this evening. " Edie said in between kisses on her lips, neck, and throat.

"Oh no, thank you." He smiled laying a kiss in the middle of her mouth. I had a very nice time."

"As did I."

They shared one last kiss, ending it reluctantly before Pete handed her the condom tin and opened the door for her.

She slipped the tin in her coat pocket and shut the door behind her. All the lights were out and Mama was laying on her side of the bed, facing the wall. Carefully, Edie hung her coat up in the closet, put her clothes and underthings in the hamper and took a quick shower.

Groping in the dark so as not to awaken her mother, the younger woman opened the top bureau drawer reaching in for underwear when her hand hit something round and smooth. She inwardly groaned and felt a mixture of anger and amusement welling up inside her. That was Mama's m.o. all right, out of sight, out of mind.

She found a pair of panties and a nightgown, crawling quietly into bed beside her parent, closing her eyes and thinking about what she and Pete had shared that night. She loved that man so much it made her crazy, she smiled to herself.

Suddenly the light came on and her Mother's hand touched her back. "Edith, I need to talk to you."

Edie rolled over to face her mother. "Please not now Mama, I'm very tired. And I'm sure you must be too. I promised you we could talk tomorrow."

"This isn't going to wait until tomorrow." And she pulled the large glossy Illustrated Encyclopedia of Sex from under her pillow.

"Mama, where did you get that book?" Edie sat straight up, reaching into the drawer of the bedside table and pulling out bobby pins, putting her hair back with them.

"It was on this table over here." Peg explained. "There were two books and pair of glasses sitting on top of the larger one. I picked up the little one but it was physiological stuff." And she wrinkled her nose in a way that always made Edie smile. "So, I picked up your glasses and this book fell on the floor. Honey, please tell me, why do you have this book?"

Before Edie could think of what to say, her mother opened the door book to a page of what up at the top said in a bold font. HOW's Your SIX NINE? And touched her daughter's arm."Edie, you know I don't approve of what is obviously is going on here but this book? Graphic pictures and details of…." She lowered her voice. "sex acts."

"Mama, what's your point?

"Does he?" she indicated down stairs. "Does Peter not satisfy you? Do you not, um you know...? Does he not know how to have proper sex? Is that why you have to have this book?"

The singer closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud. No one would ever believe this if she told them. Oh, how she loved her Mama.

"No, Mama, everything is fine in that department. Pete had a magazine on model trains and we saw the ad for this in the back along with the sea monkeys and invisible glasses. We thought it sounded amusing so we bought it. It's mostly just for fun."

"But why does that page in the back have the corner turned down? "

"Which page?"

Peg turned to a page in the back with the corner creased that read across the top So You're Pregnant, Now What? "Are you thinking of having children with this man? Because that would not be a great idea at this point especially with no chance of marriage apparently. Would you want that man for a father?"

"Mama, I'm not pregnant. I'm not even close to pregnant. And I'll stay that way if you stop hiding the condoms." And she gave her a pointed look. "Pete told you before and I agree, that our life is our business and not anyone else's unless we decided to share. Someday we will have kids, but not now, we aren't ready. And no, I don't want Pete for a father, I want him to father my children."

"Don't be cute missy." Margaret answered back. "You've moved in here lock, stock and barrel. And yes, I did find the condoms and not even hidden away this time. But then I found this book and I already told you my first concern but when I saw this corner creased and found out you've been sleeping beside a fertility statue for who knows how long."

Edie gave her a questioning look. "I called your Uncle Charlie and asked him and he said yes, that's exactly what it was, not that it matters because I don't believe in that hocus pocus anyway but I just wanted to tell you that if you do get pregnant and have a child, there isn't any way you can leave.

"Mama, I love you. But, this is my life and Pete's life and what we do or don't do is our business and no one else's, not even yours or Papa's or Sam's. Now can we please turn off the light and get some sleep?"

Mrs. Hart placed the book back on the table and turned off the lamp, settling down into her pillows. Why was her daughter so headstrong? Ben wasn't this way.

Edie rolled over, her head sinking down into the pillow. Not even Mama's words could take away the glow of making love with Pete completely. But she was tired and the only thing worse than not being able to sleep on her own side of the bed, was knowing that the person in her spot wasn't Pete. She fixated on a bump in the ceiling and thought about their evening.