The sky outside remained a silver gray. The sun shone through at some spots, although it was still gray, dark. Emily tossed and turned, opening her eyes. She yawned a bit, as she turned over. She looked up seeing Bev sitting on the side of her bed. Bev wore a black, silky, Victoria's secret bra. Bev's breasts looked bigger to Emily. Emily noticed. "Good morning, Emily". Bev said in a lower, suggestive, yet serious register. Bev was gentle, however, she wanted to grapple with this issue together. Besides, she felt Emily had the maturity, and the upright mind to hear it. "I was hoping we could talk". Bev said. "As you know, your father and I have been having sex". The sheets rustled as she said this. Emily seemed confused. Sex? What was that? What was it? She heard the word before, from Paula.
Emily winced, concerned. "Shh, it's ok". "It's ok, sweetie". Bev comforted. "Sex is the process by which a man, and a woman, when they are committed, join penises, and create a Euphoric feeling". "Your father and I love one another very much". "Ed is a great man, and when two people love one another, they tend to do things". "I understand this is a lot for you to comprehend". "We are glad you are part of our family". "Your opinion matters, and you are welcome to make any decisions as part of the process". The sheets rustled, the bed made a creak as Bev spoke. "Did you understand that?". "Did you get that?". Bev asked, pursing her lips. "Yes". Emily said. "Do you have any questions, or anything you'd like to talk about?". Bev asked. "No". Emily said. "Good, because I'm pregnant". Bev said, gently.
"What is pregant?". Emily asked. "Pregnancy is the process of a woman having a baby". Bev said, gently. "You are going to have a baby?". Emily asked. "The baby is inside you?". "He is". Bev said, gently. Emily seemed awestruck. She didn't know what pregnancy was. She didn't know what was happening, or why Bev was having a child. "Mommy is having a baby". She thought. She would get a new sibling. Emily seemed perturbed. Paula was having a baby, and so was Bev, her mom. Emily seemed hit by new emotions. She didn't know what to do, or what to say next. "I understand this is a big change for all of us". Bev said, gently. "We'll figure this out". "As a family". Emily sat, trying to comprehend what had just been said. She was clearly confused. "I love you, sweetie". Bev said, gently.
Emily tried to forget what she had seen, and heard. Although, she couldn't. Now she was part of their process. She was part of the plan. Now, it was going to be different. Things were going to be different. She was glad, however. She was glad her parents loved each other, and that they got along as a family.
Emily went to get ready for breakfast, and got dressed for school. She was a bit perturbed, although she felt happy Bev and Ed were starting another chapter in their lives.
After she got dressed, she went outside on the porch, seeing Bev smoke. Emily held Bev's wedding ring in her hand. It was the ring that slipped off when Bev had sex with Rocko. "Mommy". Emily said, giving Bev the wedding ring. "Oh, that's good you found that, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "I took it off to water the flowers". Bev lied. "It's pretty". Emily said. "Daddy gave me that wedding ring the day we exchanged vows". Bev said, gently. "I might get it polished for our renewal". "Ok". Emily said. Bev's lip twitched a bit. She kept silent, as she was never telling Emily she had an affair with Rocko. Emily sat, eating her yogurt. She would never know of the sinful things that occurred.
The sun curled up in the clouds, then peeked around for midday. Bev and Paula sat out on the porch, smoke billowed from their cigarettes as they talked. "It is a dramatic process". Bev said. Her deep, raspy voice could be heard. "Usually, cravings don't come until later". "I had them frequently when I was pregnant with Ralph". "Mmm, they haven't come that often yet, but I have been having sickness". Paula said. "Mmm, that should come a bit later for me". Bev said, blowing out smoke. "Your man has taken good care of you, for the duration of it". "Mmm, he is a bit of a novice at anything, compelling". Paula said, blowing smoke from her E-cigarette. "I've had to nudge him once or twice to do some things". "He's not stubborn, though he is organized". "Hmm". Bev nodded. "I'm sure his ### is pretty nervous on its own". "It is". Paula said. "He pushes regularly, although he just presses just so, when he slaps it". "He's trying at least to be sexy, but, I do give him credit". "He's not uninhibited, but, he is grounded, which is someone I need".
"Ed's pretty grounded, although as a man, he is elusive". Bev said, blowing out smoke. "He's pushed very hard, and lingers, usually". "He can be uninhibited, but he takes care of me". "Mmm, Filburt's taken care of me as well". Paula said. "He booked a beach house for us this weekend in Marco". "Mmm, he spoils you". Bev said. "Ed usually spoils, although it is the simple things he appreciates". "He's very frugal". "He doesn't mind raising Emily". "Surprisingly, he is patient with her".
"I would think it's arduous". Paula said. "Wouldn't you split the temperaments down the middle, and him as a disciplinarian?". "Emily is very self reliant". Bev said. "She has maturity beyond her age level due to her traumatic experiences". "She knows when she does something wrong, she's very selfless, Ed and I have decided to indulge her because she had minimal care as an infant". "She does have her moments that render her disabled, but, she is very trustworthy". "Ed pampers, just as I do". "She is very mature". Paula said. "We set boundaries, although she knows what our limits are, and what the consequences will be, but she never gives us a hard time". Bev said. "She's very humble".
Paula smoked her cigarette. "My uterus has been killing me these past couple of days". "Mmm, I feel so tight". "I haven't felt tight yet, but it does feel odd". Bev said. "I've noticed I've lactated more". "Mmm, I've lactated some, but, Filburt's usually interested in my V". Paula said. "That's what Ed likes, but, he can be an eloquent man who notices". "Usually he knows if my uterus is doing something nasty". Bev said. "My uterus has been a ####". "It's 56 years old, and it still gives me problems". "I'm surprised it's still young enough". "Mmm, mine's been weird as well". Paula said.
"Ed's a simple man". Bev said, as a cloud of smoke surrounded her. "He indulges in what he can afford, but he's not stubborn". "Any man that has the drive to impress, impresses". "He tries his best". "Filburt's impresses, usually". Paula said. "But, he's a grounded man". "Mmm, any that have impositions are". Bev said. A cloud of smoke sat around the women, as their cigarettes sat in the ashtray. Bev felt her vagina get hard, as it became tingly. She was having an orgasm.
Bev sat, thinking about her man. Ed. his limber, strong, body. The way he was so...manly, and aggressive. What a great father he was to Emily. This attracted her to him. She wanted to have sex with him again.
Paula, unbeknownst to Bev, had an orgasm as well. She loved the way Filburt spoiled her. She loved how insightful, how wise he was. Paula wanted to go on that trip with Filburt that evening.
The door inside opened, as Ed, and Emily came in. Ed had just picked her up from school. Emily came outside on the porch to see Bev. "Hello, my dearest love". Bev said, as Emily came outside. "Mommy". Emily said. Emily was happy upon seeing Paula there. "Hi, Ms. Paula". Emily said. "Mm, hey Emily". Paula smiled a gentle smile. "How are you, sweetheart?". "Good". Emily said. "That's good to hear". Paula said, gently. "How was school today?". Bev asked, gently. "Good". Emily said. "I saw a doggie, and I pet him". "Mm, did Cody come back in, today?". Bev asked. "Yes". Emily said. "Mm, that's lovely". Bev said, gently. "Sweetie, that's so cool you're doing good in school". Paula said, smiling.
"My teacher said I work hard". Emily said. "That's really good, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "Your teachers have always loved you". "Yes". Emily said. "Mm, Emily, I have a surprise for you". Paula said, gently. "I've been thinking about you, lately, and how much you love chocolate". "I got you, these". Paula took a bag of Brookside chocolates from her purse. "Thank you". Emily said. "Of course, sweetie". Paula said, gently. "Filburt got me some a while back". Emily stood, looking down at Paula. "Chocolate's really good, huh?". Paula said, gently. "Chocolate". Emily said. "Mm hmm". "This is just for us". Paula said, smiling. "Why is it called, Brookside?". Emily asked. "Sweetie, that's the company name". Paula said, gently. "Brookside is the name of the company that makes the chocolate". "Oh". Emily said. "I hope you enjoy these, baby girl". Paula said, rubbing Emily's hands. Emily sat down in the other chair.
"Love, we can enjoy some when we go away this weekend". Bev said, gently. "Me, and mommy, are going to the beach". Emily said. "That's cool". Paula said, gently. "Yes, I'm taking her away this weekend for some time". Bev said, setting her cigarette down in the ashtray. "Mm, is it just a bonding, experience, or…?". Paula asked. "I just decided it'd be nice for her and I to take some time to ourselves". Bev said. "That's neat". Paula said. "I remember taking trips with my dad when I was younger". "You went with your daddy?". Emily asked. "Mm, yep". Paula said. "We went to Ft. Meyers when I was your age". "Ft. Meyers is a vacation spot that's just a bit south of here, by Tampa". "My grandparents originally bought the Timeshare there in 1962, and they vacationed there for years". "When my parents were married, the Timeshare was given to them as a wedding gift".
"Ft. Meyers is historic". Bev said. "Ed and I used to take anniversary trips there each year, although with the rising prices, and the indeterminate stock options, we chose another place, San Rico". "They still have the Timeshare, but, they've refused to give it to me, and Filburt". Paula said. "They're nuts, my mom goes: there's no way you're handling something that's worth 3,000 and backing it up with your payoff". "It's just not happening". "She never even once considered that the money I make, goes into whatever we can do for fun". "Even if it is Timeshares". "That's just how she is". "She never thinks before she says anything".
"At least, she and Roswell got back together". Bev said. "Yes, they've been separated for ten years, but they slept together, and somehow worked things out". Paula said. "It wasn't easy on my sister and I, but, we made it work". "Why did your mommy, and daddy break up?". Emily asked. There was a bit of a pause. It was sort of a deep question. "Mm, well, they had some struggles for a bit of time". Paula said. "They were married young, but they kept a lot of things bottled up for some time". "At first, my mom contemplated breaking up with my dad, she of course had a plan, but, then I learned it was mutual". "It was hard because their relationship was the rock we based our familial solidarity on". "They were the ones we relied on the most".
"My mommy, and daddy love each other". Emily said. "Yes, Ed and I are doing very well". Bev said. "He is an excellent man, that I am thankful to have each day". "He is attractive as well". Bev smiled a sneaky smile. "I'm very happy to spend the rest of my life with an incredible man". Bev felt her vagina become even more tingly. She felt it crawling. She wanted to go in, and have sex with Ed, badly.
"That's wonderful". Paula said. "Filly and I plan to have a long, happy marriage". "But, we're still young, we still may not have the experience yet, but, it is a line of respect that goes both ways". "Respect given, is respect earned". "I'm aware that even if it does take a lot of work, we'll pursue it together". "My mommy is having a baby". Emily said. "I heard about that". Paula said, gently. "Your mommy, and daddy are so lucky to bring their own bundle of joy into the world". "Are you excited to have a new brother, or sister?". "Yes". Emily said. "She is very excited". Bev said, as her cigarette sat between her fingers.
"Ms. Paula, is there a baby in your belly?". Emily asked. "There is". Paula said, gently. "The baby has to grow". "Ok". Emily said.
"Ms. Paula is a princess". "Mr. Filburt is a prince". "That is true". Paula said, smiling. "He is my prince".
"I'm a maid of honor". Emily said. "Are you?". "That's wonderful". Paula said, gently. "Are you in a wedding?". "Ed and I are getting our vows renewed". Bev said. "We consecutively decided to make Emily our maid of honor". "That's great". Paula said, cheerily. "I'm so happy for you, Emily". "Thank you". Emily said. "She's made such a difference in our lives, we cherish her, and are so thankful to have her with us each, and every day". Bev said, gently.
"Mm, that's lovely". Paula said. "Will she wear a special dress for the vow renewal?". "We might have her wear her Easter dress". Bev said. "We'll have it in Emily's church, so it will mainly be upscale casual". "Then we'll just have a nice bunch afterwards". "We're not going above our budget, as Ed gets commission twice a week".
"That's something big to plan on". Paula said. "It quite is". Bev said, smoking her cigarette. "My parents were planning on having a vow renewal coming up here". Paula said. "Hmm". Bev nodded. Bev's lips were seen, as she sat with her cigarette. "They've thought about having a ceremony in the short term". Paula said. "They were going to Marco Island for that".
"What was it like when you were little?". Emily asked Bev. "Well, sweetie, I'm not as young as I used to be". Bev said, gently. "When I was your age, things were simpler". "There wasn't as much technology, or anything really, as there is now". "My family was a simple family". "We were right there in the middle". "We weren't necessarily rich, or poor". "We just made our own way". "I remember both of my parents were good to my sister and I". Paula went to get the rest of her peach tea.
"I remember we lived just outside of Lake Placid". Bev said, gently, beginning her story. "It was in Sebring, do you know where that is?". "What's a Sebring?". Emily asked. "Sebring is a place right near Fort Meyers, in Lake Placid". Bev said, kindly. "Sebring was an ok spot, although it was very economically comfortable in it's day". "It was a nice place by Lake Placid, there was a lot of space". "We may not have been the richest, but, I'd like to say we had what we needed". "Ok". Emily said. "I remember we only had three people that lived beside us, because our spot was very isolated". Bev said. "But, it was a nice house". "My sister and I lived there until we were 19".
Paula came back from getting her peach tea. "Grandma and Grandpa was your mommy, and daddy?". Emily asked. "Yes". Bev said, gently. "I was born to them, and grew up through the years into the old lady I am now". Bev chuckled. She still kept her dialogue simple for Emily to understand. "Was Grandma nice?". Emily asked. "She was good to us when we were younger". Bev said, as her cigarette shortened to a dud. "She was very sweet, although, like most parents, she worked her hardest to bring out the best version of her kids". "Did she get mad?". Emily asked. "She never hit us". Bev said. "There was name calling, we were grounded at times, although our parents never laid a finger on my sister and I". "you never get mad at me, mommy". Emily said. "Sweetie, you're a good girl". Bev said, gently. "You never give us any trouble". "Perhaps the worst you've done is not tell us about your homework". "I don't want to do it". Emily said.
"I know, it's no fun, huh?". Paula said, drinking some of her peach tea. "Was Mister Ralph bad?". Emily asked. "Oh, dear". Bev said, sucking in air. She shared a look with Paula, then a chuckle. "Where do I begin?". Bev said. "He was fine when he was younger, although, when he was a teenager, he made some very poor decisions". "He was very rebellious at that age". "He and Ed used to fight constantly". "He was a teenager". Paula said. "We all do dumb things at that age". "I remember, even I was a bit stunted as a teenager". "I met Filburt at 17, when Rocko introduced me to him, he and I became close, and I was sexually active at that time".
"My first time was with Filburt in my old bedroom". "I was at that age, as well". Bev said, blowing smoke. "My first time was in a roaring bathtub in Jiles Bentley's mansion". "He was a rich man, although he was very pompous". "Mmm, you went with an older man?". Paula asked. "I did". Bev said. "We dated for three years while I was High School, he owned several private charter's, and had access to many things". "He was arrogant". "I wanted someone with real values". "When I met Ed, he didn't value material aspects". "He had security in himself, and valued a true woman he could have a conversation with, trust in, and spend the rest of his life with".
"That was what I wanted, and fortunately, that was what I got". "What did you do, mommy?". Emily asked. "As a teenager?". Bev clarified. "Yeah". Emily said. "I did a number of bad things". Bev said. "I slept around, I drank when I was younger, I went out". "I remember, when I was 16, Jiles and I decided to take a bus to the city, we got so hammered, we couldn't remember what we were doing, and took the wrong bus home". "Of course when I got back, my parents knew the next day, I had a few". "It scorched immensely, making it difficult to concentrate on anything". "Ugh!". "It was terrible".
"The worst I've done was skip a class inadvertently to work a double ECR". Paula said. "I was suspended for it, but, it wasn't the worst thing".
"I hope I'm not bad when I'm a teenager". Emily said. "Sweetie, I'm sure you'll have no trouble at all, but even so, you're growing each, and every day". Bev said, gently. "As you grow up, you'll have your own opinions, your own ways of learning, you'll be coming into your own". "What I've learned throughout these experiences, is that children will always be their own unique person". "The worst thing I've found, is that I've looked more and more like my parents each day". "That is the worst". Paula said. "I'm so glad I look like neither of them". "Mmm, I'm sure they're cute when they're young". "When they're older, they're stress". "It's a learning experience". Bev said. "As time goes by, you hope your kids turn out to be good people". "They'll do what they want, either way". "It is a wonderful experience, although I'm thrilled to be doing it again". "It'll be an experience, but, I'm ready for it". Paula said. Smoke billowed, as they sat, drinking peach tea, talking about having kids.
Ed came outside sitting down. "Emily, sweetie, I talked to Mr. Dupette today, he's very excited to meet you". Ed said, gently. "He goes to the Rotary Club meetings, and has been to the Interact Club talent Show, he's seen you sing". "He'd like to be your manager". "Man-a-g-a". Emily tried to pronounce. "Manager". Ed helped her pronounce the word. "Man-a-ger". Emily said. "Yes, sweetie". Ed said, gently. "A manager is someone who helps someone get their talent off of the ground". "Your talent is singing". "Mr. Dupette". Emily pronounced. "That's it". Ed said, gently. "You're doing so well, sweetheart". He kissed Emily's cheek. "Anyhow, Mr. Dupette can't wait to meet you". "I set something up with him for next week". "Ok". Emily said. "I'm very excited for you". Ed said, gently.
"Mmm, your boss wants to meet her?". Bev asked. "Yes, I agreed to bring Emily to lunch with him for Monday, if that's alright". Ed said. "Perhaps this will be good for Emily". "She could pursue this as a hobby, and maybe as a potential career choice". "She'd still be sheltered, of course, although, she'd have something at least". "True". Bev said. "Mmm, she is beautiful". Paula said. "She is". Ed, and Bev agreed. Bev stroked Emily's cheek. "Sweetie, would you like some cheese, or some green apple?". Bev asked, gently. "No thank you". Emily said. "Mmm, well, Filburt wants me to pick up some Chinese". Paula said. "It's been nice". "Of course". Bev said. "I'll talk to you later". "Sounds good". "I'll give you a buzz". Paula said.
The clicking of heels was heard as Paula stood up, walking out. Bev's heels scraped against the porch ground.
Later that night, they ate dinner, talked, and for the rest of the week, went about their lives. Although, Bev did have an excursion planned for Emily that weekend.