At last, here it is—the final chapter. Thank you so much to everyone who stuck with me to the end. God willing, there will be more to come, and I greatly look forward to it.
Mutely, in a dream-like state, Peter and Davy watched from the window as Shannon opened her door to let Michael in. Their wrist watches seemed to stop in mid-second. Someone had put a hold on the progression of time. The stillness was on the edge of spectral.
They turned their heads, and their eyes locked. Later, Davy believed Peter may have come to the same realization that he did in that moment when they spoke with their eyes only—lips not forming words.
In their shock, they'd forgotten all about Micky, who sauntered over to the window to see what was so interesting.
"What's Mike doing over there?" he asked innocently.
Neither one could answer him. Not that they would have known what to say anyway…
Davy beckoned to Peter, and they moved away from the window. More stunned silence followed. Micky had to have seen how they both looked like they were swimming in a fog, because he unobtrusively slipped by them, patting them each briefly on the shoulder in a commiserating gesture of solace.
Davy nodded his thanks to Micky for not questioning or pestering them about it, then directed Peter toward the stairs.
Almost instantaneously, Davy had altered his way of looking at their position when he reflected on how Mike had acted in those few seconds Davy had viewed him. He was reasonably certain Peter had too. It was clear—so very crystal clear. So obvious… and why hadn't he realized it before? Michael's actions said it with more volume than any words could have. Mike had simply walked over there. He hadn't looked as if he had anything to hide. He'd been casual when he'd gone up the stairs, relaxed, not hurried. No furtive looking over his shoulder, no scurrying into shadows, no sneaky attitude. And in the light of day…just like last time. The epiphany had hit Davy hard enough to almost knock him off his feet. The clarity of it blinded him.
What fools they'd been. What the hell had they been thinking? No two ways about it.
They'd let their emotions get in the way.
In the jolt of the lightning bolt moment, he knew he and Peter had over reacted in a huge way. They were both so over-the-moon about Shannon, so possessive, that they'd imagined their roommate, bandmate, and good friend had unsavory intentions! And Shannon too! Unthinkable… beyond belief. Shame wracked Davy.
"Thanks for coming, Mike. I hate to bother you… you probably have plans," said Shannon, feeling as if she were imposing on him.
"No, not really. I was just going to take a nap a little later, before our gig tonight. What's up?"
"Well, it won't take long. You came to me for advice about Gretchen, which I must say I'm thrilled to hear had great results, and now… I need advice from you," she smiled. "Is that okay?" Mike nodded as they sat down.
"Anytime," he said.
"I was just wondering if you've noticed any… unusual behavior from Peter and Davy."
Mike returned her smile, not being able to help remembering how perfect things were between Gretchen and himself. Thanks to Shannon, things were even better than they'd been before.
"Saying thank you just doesn't seem to be enough for your help with Gretchen and getting me to see things for what they really were, and what a dope I was being. But about Peter and David, not really, why?"
They've been too embarrassed around me lately because I know their secret, thought Mike. The two had more or less avoided much direct contact with him except at practice, where evading him was not possible. They weren't sure how he felt about the threesome, much less the part about the two of them together. It was pretty easy to deduce that from their behavior. So, rationally, he really wouldn't have noticed anything obviously out of place because of that.
"Well, there is one thing, now that you mention it. We finished practice early today, as you can see. I didn't see any motivation from those two to continue, and that killed my own motivation. David and Peter really sucked. David has superb timing, and he was half a beat off consistently today; Peter was lackluster as hell, like he was on a major downer, and when I'd stop the playing to make adjustments, or suggest something with the music, Peter kept forgetting what song we'd been practicing. I had to remind him over and over. I finally gave up and we came home. So yeah, now that I think about it, they seem troubled."
"Okay, so you confirmed my findings. They acted like that with me too," Shannon looked wistful, and Mike felt a pang of compassion, and a little guilt too, because he and Gretchen were so happy. He wished he could help Shannon as much as she had helped him.
"Peter, I'll explain later, but we need to go over to Shannon's …while Mike is still there," Davy shoved Peter toward the direction of the door. Micky, sitting on the couch, tried to act like he was watching TV, but turned his head slightly to keep one ear on the other guys' conversation.
Women…women seemed to cause so much strife among his friends. Micky seemed to be the only immune one. The only one who had managed to stay clear of the turmoil, the misunderstandings, the chaos, the commotion that plagued the others. That was why he steered away from getting involved with anyone other than one-night-stands. Well, he'd seen Rita quite a bit lately…oh gosh, was he headed in the same direction?
"What…? David…" Peter tried to protest, but he knew it was no good to even attempt it. Davy was determined, and when Davy was determined, you'd better be prepared for action. The guy didn't know the meaning of the word "no."
Peter followed Davy willingly, knowing that if he didn't, Davy would drag him over there, and he'd die of embarrassment if Shannon looked out the kitchen window and witnessed it. A vision flashed in his head of Davy lassoing him with a rope, dragging him across the street like a rogue calf. Coming face to face with Mike and Shannon though, was even more humiliating, in its own way.
When they got to the gate, Davy unlatched it, closing it firmly behind them, giving Peter a steely warning glare as they started up the steps. The glare told Peter that if he made a run for it, Davy would be right on his heels, pulling him back. And you couldn't outrun a virtual cheetah. Davy knocked confidently at the door, his back ramrod straight with resolution. Peter fought back panic even as he admired Davy's pluckiness. Shannon opened it in short order, looking puzzled and a little on the disconcerted side.
She, however, invited them in, and the three of them entered the living room. There sat Mike on the couch, placid and only mildly interested to see who had come to the door. There wasn't a trace of guilt in his expression, or tension in his demeanor.
"Hi guys," he said in his laid back Texas drawl, perfect control written all over him.
"Looks like you two caught us," said Shannon, grinning. Peter winced. Davy advanced to the couch, sitting on the opposite end of it from Michael, leaving space for Shannon and Peter in the middle. They awkwardly took their places.
"I'm not supposed to be here," said Mike without any inflection in his voice.
Duh, you think so?
Peter was amazed at how matter-of-fact Mike was.
"You can say that again!" Peter surprised himself by spouting the words out loud.
Shannon started to laugh. At first it was a tiny giggle, but morphed into a full belly chuckle that threatened to go to hyena level.
"You guys aren't serious?" she leaned forward, looking back and forth between Peter and Davy.
"Of course not. We know there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for Mike being here," offered Davy in his best, full-of-confidence theatrical tone. He sounded so cocksure to Peter, and Peter started to realize Davy's devotion was the catalyst for bringing the both of them over here. Davy was making a point, and he wanted Peter to see it. Davy was so dauntless and self-assured without being offensive, that Peter couldn't fail to make the connection. Davy wasn't trying to "catch" Mike and Shannon—he was trying to prove to Peter that Mike's visit was innocuous. And the best way to do that was to let Peter see it with his own eyes.
Mike looked to Shannon, a quiet quest in his eyes. He was leaving it to her to explain. She knew why—she'd asked him to come over, he hadn't come on his own, and he wasn't about to reveal why he was here.
Mike's heart lurched a little when Shannon returned his steady look. Silent understanding passed between them. Mike admired her, and had grown very fond of her. Peter and Davy were damn lucky guys.
"Okay, the reason Mike is here is because… well, I asked him over because I wanted to know if he knew why you two have been acting so… weird lately. I was going to tell you guys, of course… but not until after I found out what was up with your strange behavior."
"And I was here another time too…"Mike chuckled faintly." Just so you don't think I'm holding anything back. I needed advice about Gretchen. I asked Shannon not to mention it to you guys."
As one, Davy and Peter sighed long and hard. Shannon keenly took note of that.
"Oh, well, we knew it was nothing to worry about. We just wondered what happened to you when you didn't come back inside the Pad. Did you find your wallet, mate?" Davy managed to sound so beautifully casual.
"Yeah, it was under the front seat."
"He was out there looking for it when I ran over and asked him to come over," Shannon saw the continuing relief flooding her two lovers' faces.
"Well, I guess I'll be going. The three of you have things to talk about," and Mike got to his feet. They all walked him to the door, and he hugged Shannon warmly, then exited with dignity, touching Shannon's shoulder with charming lightness and unspoken encouragement as he mounted the steps. The guy has class, the other three were thinking collectively.
"Thank God for Shannon," Mike said as he and Gretchen snuggled on her couch.
"Shannon? What do you mean?"
"I…I went over to her house. I needed to talk to someone about you in the worst way. She set me straight. She didn't give me the actual words to say, but she got me to thinking, and it paved the way. I don't know if I'd have said the things that you needed to hear otherwise."
"Ohhh…I see," Gretchen smiled. He'd gone to the trouble of talking to Shannon. Her heart went out to him. It showed her he cared—a lot. Soon after the words were out of his mouth, Gretchen began stroking him softly, her fingers trailing, first on his face that was starting to sprout stubble again… funny how fast it happened… then his lips, neck, his chest… his belly, and finally, through his jeans. So lovingly that this heart seem to have a constricting band around it. She was doing something sensual to him, yet the tenderness and love she put into it were the sweetest part.
Mike's stomach jumped into his throat as her hand rubbed, and he felt himself harden. He thought about fighting his excitement, but it was in vain. There wasn't a single reason to fight it. Not anymore. It would be a losing battle. But he didn't mind losing this kind of battle.
"So you guys doubted the reason Mike was here? I mean, you thought he was here for another reason? Are you kidding me?" Shannon's eyes were wide, disbelieving.
Peter and Davy were so glad that things were not what they had appeared to be that Davy figured they might as well go for broke, and explained how they had seen the hug from behind the treehouse during their run.
"Oh my!" Shannon's hands flew to her cheeks. "I can see how that would look bad! He was just thanking me for my advice." It was funny, but at the same time, distressing that the guys would wonder about Michael and herself. If they didn't know how she felt by now…
"But we didn't really think that, not really," explained Peter. "We both knew you wouldn't do that. It was just that we freaked. I guess it was kind of one of those primitive male reaction things."
Davy was impressed with Peter's explanation. The bassist smoothed it over so Shannon wouldn't realize just how upset they'd really been. After some more talking, Shannon finally fully understood. The guys were trying to tell her that they had panicked, in a way, fearing they'd lose her. It wasn't that unlike the situation between Mike and Gretchen, now that she thought about it. They discussed it, examined it, inspected every nook and cranny, until they were all satisfied. It had all been speculation. It was really very simple when you looked at it sensibly. But… they should have shown more trust.
"Why didn't you guys just ask me?"
Why were men so complicated?
They both shrugged helplessly. Both were immensely relieved they had somehow dodged the bullet. Davy remembered how, in the very beginning, he'd been on the receiving end of Shannon's scorn. He didn't want to be there again.
Peter offered her that heart stopping child-like smile that made her breath hitch in her chest. She wondered if he knew she would do anything for him when he smiled like that. Davy's smile was more on the sultry side. They could wear her down so easily—way too easily. Her vision seemed to waver and she felt a tremor of something that seemed to come with the territory when she was alone with the two of them. Desire, need, consumed her. She was transfixed on the feeling that swooshed through the room, coating everything in its path.
Her lips taunted Peter. Come over here. Kiss me. You know you want to.
Peter cleared his throat, discernibly unsettled. He knew what her lip gloss tasted like. Strawberry. Her hair was a little wild today, more wavy than usual. The humidity must be higher. Tendrils of it fell over her forehead and at her temples. He wanted to bury his fingers in it. She looked a little breathless, her breasts moving gracefully up and down with each extended breath, accentuating her cleavage. He needed to graze his fingers over her flesh. Her cheeks were pinker than normal—flushed, splashed with… what? Desire? Dared he hope?
Davy sensed the intensity, the suspense. Each time she met their eyes, moving her head from side to side because they flanked her, he experienced a jarring bolt of electric current that seemed to crackle in the air.
Should she keep them at bay for a while because they had questioned her visits from Mike? They should know better! Anger was about to manifest itself when Davy spoke up.
"You know, we both love you," Davy said. His voice held an implication of a quaver. Shannon gasped at his blatancy.
This was serious… really serious. It couldn't be taken lightly. She wet her lips and tried to form the words. She had to be straightforward about this.
"I can't…I can't afford to fall in love… with two men…"her voice was thin and strained.
"No, don't go sounding like Mike… er, how Mike used to sound." said Peter. "He always said he didn't possess the boldness or the application to fall in love. But now, I suspect, he knows that what I told him is true. Love is the summit."
Davy and Shannon felt the breath leave their lungs. Peter's words were so earthy, so raw, so undeniably true. There wasn't a single, possible argument.
Shannon knew she didn't deserve what they were offering her. She thought about the future…how would it work?
Davy was still amazed that he no longer wanted the wild, carefree life. He had thought it would pass, but his feelings seemed to be cemented in his heart. He wanted solidarity, the dedication, the enterprise of the love of only these two people. .He wanted Peter's vibrancy and innocence. He wanted Shannon's tenderness and sweet devotion. Even the struggles… the everyday challenges. He wanted it all. And he wanted it all wrapped up in a brightly colored ribbon called love.
Shannon knew her attempt at denial would get the better of her, sooner or later. It was difficult to admit it to herself. Even more difficult to articulate it to Davy and Peter. But she couldn't keep it shored up forever. The shoring wasn't strong enough to contain it. She'd known for some time that it would come tumbling down. And the time, apparently, was now. The hole in her previously loveless heart was filling up.
Taking a firm hold on herself, she surrendered. Right then and there. She spilled her guts about loving Davy. She wept; they held her. She admitted how she'd lost sleep at night with thoughts of the three of them, sharing a deep and lasting love. She hadn't known if it were possible, and still didn't, but the time had come to look at it realistically and see it for what it was. As she professed her love for the two of them, right there on her couch, the guys shed some tears of their own. It was one ethereal moment.
When everyone was at last dry-eyed, she thought they would devour her whole. Kisses were rained on her face, her hands; words of love peppered her. The loving feelings overcame the three of them until Shannon was convinced it would fill her house, seep out from under the doors, and ensnare the rest of the world in it, allowing everyone to experience it. How she wished that were possible.
Shannon felt things transforming . The tender loving feelings wandered languidly to a greater depth, slipping into sensuality, then, just as slowly, into jagged desire. The three of them found themselves standing in front of the couch, holding hands, in a circle. All that was touching were their hands, but the current zipped through the guys and into her, and the feeling left her in awe. Wrapped up in the warm, mutual affection, the smoky wisps of charged passion were thrillingly rapturous. What was once reined in, had almost broken free.
Enthralled, entranced, Peter and Davy allowed her to immerse them, pull them under, cast her spell on them. Peter's eyes looked glossed over, Davy had vulnerability in his gaze, dropping his natural tendency toward reserve. She absorbed all their attention, basked in it.
There were pieces of love scattered here and there, willing her to pick them up and combine them, put them all where they belonged. The taboos needed a rough reminder they would not be tolerated tonight… or any other night. So she shoved all censors aside, and welcomed Peter, Davy, and the love in. Peter casually picked her up, slipped her over his shoulder, and carried her to bed, something that always brought her delight. Davy following solemnly.
Once in bed, Peter shocked both of them by saying, "Who the hell cares what society thinks?" He had read her mind-her earlier thoughts.
"I'm trying to banish those thoughts, Peter. And I'm doing a pretty good job of it," she winked at him as she hovered over the two of them, on their backs, as they lay side by side, glorying with the thought of letting her do whatever she wanted with them. After removing their shirts, her fingers smoothed over their bare chests, full access to them at her fingertips. Their nipples hardened into tight nubs at her mere touch, and even though their chests heaved with their desire, these two were never crudely pushy or demanding. They took the time to make her feel comfortable, allowing her to advance on them, knowing her desire climbed steadily with every brush of their skin against hers.
"Off with your pants," she commanded with such obvious tenderness that it was, instead, a gentle request. When their pants were off, she nudged them together tightly, both still on their backs. Then she urged their cocks together, until they touched. No way could she take both of them in her mouth at the same time, but she did the next best thing by tonguing both heads in turn. Tremors ran through them. She'd wanted to do this for as long as she'd had fantasies about being with both of them, but couldn't quite figure out how to accomplish it.
They gasped as her tongue lashed back and forth across the tips, now and again dipping into the slits, Peter and Davy's bodies jerking in reflexive spasms. Both were soon moaning and pleading for her not to stop, pre-come spreading steadily on her tongue. Her tongue was everywhere, ball sacs grainy and tight under it, swirling, her mouth ravenous. Her soft hair brushed their upper thighs, making the experience above and beyond sensual.
Shannon began to suck each one individually now, going back and forth every couple of minutes. Peter avidly bunched up the pillow under his head so he could watch. Davy was still not quite bold enough, but he would be in no time, Shannon was certain. Peter had no shame, and it was steadily rubbing off on Davy. Men were such visual beings, she mused blissfully as she continued to pleasure them with sweeps of her tongue on the sensitive areas just below the heads of their cocks. She knew what lit their individual fires well. When both were very close, Shannon sucked Peter and stroked Davy with a free hand so that their climaxes happened at almost the same moment. They seized onto each other when it happened, bucking , thrusting, gyrating wildly. Shannon threw herself down on them, and the three of them celebrated their love in a massive hug that repeated itself over and over.
On their way into the gig that night, after all the equipment was in place and all they had left to do was to tune the instruments, Peter was walking on Shannon's left side, Davy on her right, only half a step behind her. On a sudden whim, she reached back and grasped Davy's crotch for a brief second. She wasn't surprised to feel that his cock, easily located in his thin band pants, was already partially hard. He was steadily becoming as sexual as Peter—quite an achievement. She made sure no one else caught wind of her scandalous action. Oh, how she'd wanted to massage it too, but reluctantly, she had to drag her hand away. The surprise in Davy's eyes was priceless… until he found his voice and uttered his notorious, "Oou!" then melted with muted giggles. She'd swim oceans to hear that giggle…
On break, Peter and Davy had vanished, and Shannon knew they were up to something. She found them behind the building, fully clothed, in a passionate kiss.
Peter couldn't believe he was doing this. Between the three of them, they'd had no fewer than about a dozen orgasms before they'd had to start getting ready for the gig tonight. Yet, here they were—Davy willingly pinned to the wall, both as horny as before they'd gotten into Shannon's bed.
Peter rubbed his erection against Davy's through the band pants, and felt a powerful masculine surge. He could come like this. He could make Davy come too.
"Come on, you guys! Can't you wait until we get home?" Shannon's voice cut through the thick desire that enclosed them. They snapped out of it, aware that they should never have done this behind the club. They could have been discovered should someone have wandered back there. Peter seemed to crave taking risks in public where sex was concerned. Shannon made a mental note to satisfy that craving very soon. She could think of a few things the three of them could engage in that would indulge Peter very nicely. But this… this was too risky.
Nevertheless, Peter pulled Shannon into them. "Mike told me he and Micky are cool with it—he actually said it!" said Peter proudly to Shannon. I was kind of celebrating with David…" and his look was sheepish, yet pleased.
They're acting funny.
Gretchen's attention was on Shannon, Peter and Davy as they walked back into the club after break. She was used to Peter's brazen displays of affection for Shannon, and Davy's more subdued ones lest someone discover their secret, but there was something else going on, or had been going on… something she couldn't quite pin down.
Her mind working furiously, memories flooded Gretchen's and way they were always seeking body contact. If the guys were standing around talking, Peter always seemed to work his way around so that he was standing next to Davy. As close as he could get. Their bodies would actually touch very often. They could hardly stand to be apart—even a stranger would notice if they really paid attention. The two shared looks between them—looks that, now that she thought about it, reminded Gretchen a lot more of lovers than good friends, and although they tried to subdue it, Gretchen had subconsciously detected it some time ago. On occasion, she'd seen them both put their arm around each other the way Mike sometimes did, but it was the way they did it—not like Mike did. A tiny caress would be thrown in, the hand lingering before it was removed. As if it was a great effort to tear away from each other. It was surfacing now—all the evidence she'd seen. They reminded Gretchen of two cats on the prowl. Primal, feral, lusty, but they had never allowed the animal in them to completely reveal itself.
That's it! Peter and Davy!
No, that was just preposterous. But it was slowly dawning on her that she'd seen everything played out right in front of her without really seeing. Oh my God! Could it really be…? But, when she thought further about it, they slept in the same bed with Shannon—made love to Shannon in each other's company. It wouldn't be that far-fetched for them to be physical with each other as well. But no… the Monkees all touched each other. It was just the rather unconventional way these particular four guys interacted. She shouldn't be reading more into it just because of the threesome. Still… Peter and Davy had a communication going on, almost a running silent dialogue, and it sure didn't look platonic. Not if you were especially observant. Back and forth her mind went, not quite believing, but not able to disbelieve.
She simply had to know. She had to talk to Shannon on the next break. She and Shannon were close enough that she knew Shannon wouldn't mind her asking. Gretchen took care to watch Davy and Peter's behaviors on the stage, just to reassure herself that she wasn't imagining things, and they smiled at each other far more often than Mike and Micky smiled at them, or at each other. And it wasn't a casual, virtuous smile. It wasn't above suspicion.
Later, alone, when Gretchen asked Shannon, point blank, Shannon hesitated, and that was as good as admitting it directly, in Gretchen's mind. Gretchen merely smiled and said, "You don't need to say a word. All I needed was confirmation, and your eyes gave it away."
"Does it freak you out?" Shannon asked.
"No…no, it doesn't. It kind of makes sense, actually. Do Mike and Micky know too?"
Shannon nodded. "They know it all. We didn't tell them, but they found out."
"Yeah, I guess they would have to, sooner or later."
"They've been so understanding about it. First they only knew about me and Peter, then later on they found out about me and Davy, along with Peter, and just recently, Davy and Peter's involvement with each other."
Gretchen was amazed that the other two didn't beat Peter and Davy up, or make them move out. Most straight guys didn't have a lot of tolerance for that kind of thing. But then, the Monkees were very close friends, and had been for years. Gretchen's admiration for Mike and Micky rose ever higher. Their friendship was obviously more important than something shocking like this.
"You mean, Mike didn't say anything about Peter and Davy?" Shannon had thought maybe he had, and had sworn Gretchen to secrecy.
"Not a word. He probably figured you'd end up telling me anyway." They both smiled knowingly.
Out of their minds in love with Shannon and each other, Peter and Davy somehow went about their daily routines, all the while counting the hours, minutes, seconds, until they would be with her again. The touch of her fingertips was all it took, and they were done for.
When Peter and Davy showed affection for each other, no matter how small the gesture, Shannon almost burst with delight. She loved to watch.
"You like that?" asked Peter playfully.
"Seeing you two together really does it for me," was her ready answer. Peter and Davy were overjoyed to hear of her pleasure of their demonstration of their love and passion for each other.
The soft suckling sounds of their lovemaking at night when Shannon had been asleep caused her to wake with a burning need. Sometimes a need to watch, sometimes to participate. Things were certainly never dull.
They talked about the future. Peter repeated his desire to have a kid or two. Davy shocked not only the other two, but himself also, when he readily agreed.
"One from each of you," Shannon said.
Mike and Gretchen were having similar discussions. The thought of having Mike's baby someday gave Gretchen very good butterflies in her middle. No one knew for sure how things would evolve. But one thing they all agreed on-the Monkees would remain a band. Gretchen and Shannon had talked about going to college part time—something they'd wanted, but had not been able to afford. The guys had heard them discussing it, and encouraged them to go for it; now that the band was growing in popularity all the time, the money flowing more freely, it was entirely possible. The guys also mentioned the girls might think about cutting their hours back at work so they could devote more time to school, and, selfishly, more time to the guys. The guys had plans to eventually talk the girls into quitting work altogether. They knew the girls would love the extra time to do things women enjoyed—going to movies, shopping, reading even more than they already did, and spending long nights being romanced, taken out to dinner or dancing.
Summer was fading away, and fall arrived at the beach, nudging its way in gradually, the ocean breeze becoming nippy. Shannon, Peter and Davy stayed cozy on the couch with a throw over their laps, or in her bed, cuddling. Before it had gotten cooler though, Shannon had lured Peter and Davy outside one night and made her intentions clear. They hadn't thought she'd dare go through with it.
Peter, of course, had been delighted when she had brought it up. Davy had been horrified at first, but the more he'd thought about it, the more the idea appealed to him, until he reached the point of actually craving it. Shannon felt her power as a woman when she realized they were both as erect as they could possibly be when she spoke of it. It had taken close to a week for Davy's defenses to come down, and by then he was intrigued, and so sexually aroused that he knew the exact day he would announce his surrender. However, he didn't have to…
Shannon had already sensed it—she'd known he was willing by the darkened, sizzling look in his eyes that night. He might appear mysterious, but she had grown to recognize his arousal even before it showed physically. She'd been deliriously hungry for them tonight. It was getting so that the three of them could almost read each other's minds. Just the way Peter and Davy had operated for the last few years.
No one had said a word, but everyone had undressed, and Shannon had kissed them both senseless, sucking on their tongues, driving them mad, then leading them outside onto the deck. Instinctively, Shannon knew Davy was ready. And even if not, she knew he'd absolutely enjoy the show if only she and Peter participated. So she really couldn't lose, no matter how you looked at it.
The night air, the muted lights in the house outlining their bodies caused Davy to think back to the time he'd seen Shannon and Peter doing just this on that very early morning months ago. Never had he thought he'd be a part of it someday.
With her womanly wiles, she took their power completely away. No struggle here—they willingly gave it up to her. The atmosphere hummed with searing desire. Both guys were hard as granite, their raging emotions clear in their eyes. When she touched them, it was as hot as if she had burned them. Her tongue, her mouth—they were both off balance, shaky with need. Knowing her intentions, they stared at her lips. A robust lick of arousal swirled around Davy's spine as she approached them slowly...
"Oh my gosh!" exclaimed Peter, his eyes showing incredulity and a blush of slight embarrassment, "We're a trio of voyeurs and exhibitionists!"
Davy and Shannon laughed and laughed until they couldn't catch their breaths, Peter joining in. Hearing the words in Peter's solemn, unimpeachable voice, was somehow hilarious, but in essence, Peter was right. And that was even funnier…
The atmosphere turned deadly serious again. Shannon went down on both of them. Out there in the soft breeze, totally in tune with nature, it felt so natural, so right, so essential. Her soft mouth started out excruciatingly slow, teasing with her tongue, building the tempo, sucking harder as she went. They were so full of love on top of sexual tension that no inhibitions remained. They cried out her name when they orgasmed, and she swore it shook the world…
Epilogue
Seven years later, a young lady, all of four years old, took her three year old brother's hand and led him down the steps slowly and carefully to the backyard. She was a vision of beauty—long blonde hair, blue/green eyes that sometimes showed a hint of hazel, fair skin, a dimple in her right cheek, and a daintiness about her that was deceiving, for she was also tough as nails when she needed to be. Her brother had an olive complexion, brown hair, and big, sparkly brown eyes, and he was already almost as tough as his big sister.
The little girl slid into one of the swings that was mounted to one of the trees, gesturing to her brother to claim the other swing. They giggled in the warm spring California sun as they began to swing with abandon. Shannon, Peter and Davy watched them from behind the sliding glass door. Extreme pride showed in three sets of eyes.
"Aren't they the most beautiful children in the world?" asked Shannon.
"You're just saying that because they're ours," teased Davy.
Geisha, now sixteen years old, rested in the dappled shade of the trees on the deck, looking very regal and satisfied as she watched Jack Nicholson, who, not exactly a spring chicken himself, batted at a leaf half-heartedly. They were both more inclined to take a lot of luxurious naps these days.
Michael and Gretchen entered from the kitchen, Gretchen very unwieldy , waddling comically with her very pregnant belly. She was enormous.
"Hi, you guys!" Shannon ran to Gretchen to hug her, then Mike. She rubbed Gretchen's belly lightly.
"Not much more time, huh?" Every time Shannon saw Gretchen, she asked the same question, which was daily. It was now a running joke. Gretchen's official due date was in five days. Shannon was every bit as nervous as Gretchen was.
Gretchen gave Shannon the same answer she always did, "Any day now," and wearily sank down onto the couch.
"I wonder if the baby will be born with big, wide sideburns?" Peter covered his head with his hands so Gretchen's hands wouldn't bat him.
"I hope not—especially if it's a girl!" she cried.
Mike gently caressed Gretchen's shoulders. Shannon had never seen him look so domesticated as he'd been since Gretchen had announced her pregnancy. He'd always fawned on her, but now it was even more pronounced.
Shannon had married Peter five years ago, and referred to herself jokingly as Shannon Masters-Tork-Jones. Davy was here to stay. If there wasn't a law against it, he would have married both of his lovers. But the three of them were happy with the arrangement. As far as they were concerned, they were all married to each other.
Gretchen and Mike had gotten married about six months after Shannon and Peter had.
"You sure can tell who the fathers are of those two darlings out there," Gretchen indicated the kids swinging below.
"Yeah, it's kinda obvious, isn't it?" Peter said, looking very pleased.
Shannon had broken the news to her father several months after Davy had joined herself and Peter permanently. Davy had moved in, so there was no point in keeping it hidden any longer. Phil had been overwhelmed, and had taken it badly at first. But as time had gone on, and he'd gotten to know Davy as well as he knew Peter, and found him to be just as devoted to his daughter, he had eventually come to accept it. These two young men were exceptional, and Phil could recognize that.
Mike and Gretchen had bought a house with three bedrooms near the Pad and the treehouse. Micky now lived alone, but everyone was at everyone else's house so often that it hardly made a difference.
The Monkees were fast becoming famous, and had to be very careful when venturing out. They often went out in disguise. Shannon and Gretchen didn't want for anything, and it had taken them a while to get used to having so much love and attention heaped on them.
Now the kids began to sing something, and everyone paused their conversation to listen.
"Hey, hey, we're the Monkees!" followed by lots of giggles, one of them sounding uncannily like Davy's.
Life was good.
