A/N: This is the remainder of the previous Chapter, which was way too long, but it is not E/S/N. It pulls some memories of the events that followed Chapter 14 and offers some explanation for why events in Chapter 15 occurred. Explicit again.

Ms. Harris is the owner of all the characters.

I again owe Mariaterese a big hug for her careful editing. All errors are mine, introduced post-edit. (sorry!).

Finally, writing this story has lead to the most amazing exchanges with so many of you. It has been a wonderful experience to meet so many members of this E/S community. I love hearing from you.

San Francisco c. 1979 Spring Break (continuation)

P3.

Alone in his bed in the condo he owned downtown, Sven wondered what was happening at his house tonight after his phone call to his wife. Would his timid brother never make a move? How many more months would he need to find excuses to return after midnight before Eric worked up the nerve to start the process rolling? Not that he expected Eric to 'go all the way' without him present, but he felt again he'd done his bit, and now was waiting, at great personal cost, for events to fall into place. He remembered the conversation he'd had with Sookie before that first dinner with his family after bringing Eric back home from the hospital. It had been an amazing exchange between the two of them, a way of making their way together back to the truth.

Eric had slept on the drive back to the house. Pulling into the garage, scene of their most recent blow-up, Sven felt guilty once again. Eric had been very ill. He'd made it worse, he was certain. Since Eric wasn't jumping out of the car with his usual effortless energy, but in fact was still snoozing, he left him to awaken when he felt ready, carefully closing his car door to muffle the sound.

He strode purposefully into the house, calling her name when he reached the kitchen. Not finding her, he headed up to their bedroom. He noticed the house was in acceptable condition for his family. He did not like clutter.

The bed was empty, but he heard her splashing in the bath. He turned to lock the bedroom door behind him. 'No need to seek out trouble', he thought.

Her eyes were closed, her hair in a tight ponytail, damp and slicked back from her forehead. She spoke.

"Missed you."

His eyes fluttered over her naked form. She was exquisite, far more enticing than any water nymph he'd ever seen in print or rendered in oils. He felt the familiar yearning in the center of his being. To call the sensation an 'ache' was to demean the emotion behind his need. He thought again of the consequences of losing this woman and how it would affect him. He shuddered. But to keep her, he would have to give up part of her. Pain either way.

The sound of the water parting as she rose to greet him, her form resplendent as the bathwater sloughed off her creamy skin, the foam from the bath beads she had used wreathing her breasts and nether regions to frame them for his eyes only, reminded him of his resolution in the silent car after Eric slept.

"You are mine, yes?" Spoken carefully; he did not intend to spoil the languorous atmosphere.

She smiled provocatively, seemingly well aware of her effect on him as she stood dripping for his inspection. "Always, my love." Her hand drifted to below her breast, slowing curving under its shape, cupping it as an offering to him. He was on fire, and the flame was forming between his thighs.

The logical part of his brain was advising him to go slowly and don't forget the explanations about Mia and Celia sharing Ander, but the animal part, the true nature he could only control through enormous effort, which was held in place by the veneer of civilized behavior to which he adhered, was shouting in his head.

He was tearing off his slacks, finding them an annoying impediment that restrained his race to her side. If married life was always like this, he'd never survive the first year.

Reaching her, one part of his mind noticing her satisfied expression, he physically pulled her from the tub and lowered her to the floor, her legs wrapped around his already, her eyes beginning the slow surrender that signaled he was the one she wanted, always wanted, would always need.

Sookie was a goddess to him in that moment. He satisfied himself inside of her, rough and pumping only a short time, and was only peripherally aware as he felt his feet arch and his legs spasm as he jerked his release into her that she was making pleased sounds as well.

After they had recovered, covering each other with kisses of satisfaction and joy, he took her precious face into his palms. "I love you so; my heart fails when we couple like that."

She stretched beneath him. Her reply was pointed, but music to his ears. "Then why were you gone so very long?"

Oh, yeah, he remembered Eric now, still sleeping in the car. Remembered the family about to descend upon his sanctuary. Remembered the family 'secret' he must begin explaining.

"May I carry you into our room? I know you hate it, but indulge me today?" She'd nodded in response; probably not a resistant bone left in her body after he'd lost control like that. He knew without asking, no confirmation needed, that revealing his out-of-control emotions at times pleased her. She seemed to want to know all about his inner life. Maybe he should learn to start sharing a little more of it with her, if he could.

Lying locked together, face-to-face, her luminous violet-blue eyes inches from his own, he hated ruining the intimacy, but still had to begin. Maybe being in bed would make the revelation of the big family secret more palatable to her?

As there was no opening he had been able to imagine that would gently lead to the bold truth, he'd resolved to just tell her. He hesitated, and she helped out by speaking first.

"Why does your usually open countenance look so troubled now? Is something wrong with you? Did you and Eric fight again in the car? Tell me. I care what happens to you." She locked arms with him, elbow-to-elbow, using the moment to begin dropping butterfly kisses on his knuckles, her eyes telegraphing her love for him.

"No, no more fighting, I told you. Let's talk of Eric later; he's toasted, stayed in the car while I parked. I'll go rescue him soon and put him into bed. He's still feeling the effects. We have a few items of his to unpack for his stay here."

He paused, eyeing her now in frank assessment of what her reaction might be to his news.

"You've heard that Joran is our brother, yes?" She agreed, continuing to drop her lips to his skin, lightly licking the tips of his fingers, and tracing the outlines of his nails.

"He is only our half-brother…"

She interrupted. "He looks so much like the two of you. Which parent does he share with you? Was it a divorce or did one of them die? That doesn't make sense."

Not making this easier on him, was she? He silently barked his displeasure that Eric was not here to assist. He recalled now that he'd given up attempting explanations of the parental unit's motivations to the curious when he reached puberty and realized what his father had wrought. This was his moment. Time to give it up.

"We share our father, but his mother is Celia, my mother's sister and my father's second wife." Watching realization dawn in her eyes, he felt glad he was free of at least one burden. He was pleased she wasn't screaming, or screeching out questions. Instead, she remained quiet, perhaps waiting for him to elaborate. Since she still wasn't speaking, he'd say some more about it.

"This is not a religion-driven practice, you understand? It is truly just their choice." Since she was giving him space to gather his thoughts, he continued on a little more confidently.

"I really have not shared as much of myself as I should have with you prior to our marriage. I have no excuse, but maybe we can work on the sharing part together? In this case, it really isn't my secret to share. It is just accepted as normal," a raised eyebrow from her, but he plowed on, "or at least not remarkable, in our family now."

"Isn't this part of being a Mormon? I've done some reading since I remembered Eric's family, umm, your family, was L.D.S., but I think I recall the Church doesn't condone taking multiple wives any more. How does this work in your family? You have never expressed any interest in your Church around me."

She suddenly looked as if she was thinking of a less than appealing future, where she might be one of several wives to him. He had to stop her.

"Sookie, I was still a young child when Ander took Celia as his second partner. I've respected their privacy by not asking the 'whys' and the 'wherefores' of it. Our mother, Mia, is pleased to have Celia in their lives. They are half-sisters as well as being exposed to the earlier practices of the Church. It doesn't seem strange or odd to them." He gathered his thoughts, not really ready to continue. But he knew he had no choice but to finish the explanation. She broke into his thoughts.

"So, you have a sister, Tara, yes? Whose child is she?"

"She is our adopted sister. She was adopted by Mia and Ander when it appeared they would have no more children. They wanted to offer what they had to a child who wasn't born into the privileges we took for granted. She is of mixed race, half Asian and half African, or black. She is such a great part of our family. I hope you will grow close to her and see her as your sister." He unconsciously scooted a little closer to her, feeling the heat emanating from her body, drawing him as life attracts life, his urge to rub his hips into softer, smaller ones driving him to touch her.

A genuine smile now spread over Sookie's face. "I think I already like your family very much. Is Tara coming tonight as well?"

"No, she left to return home with her spouse. They won't be back unless Eric has a relapse, or we invite them to stay, until the next major holiday mandatory assembly." God, it felt amazing to talk about this with her, so freely and not worrying about her censure. He was tempted to continue on, speaking of other things he had been holding back.

She was now looking very steadily at him, clearly ready to speak if it was her turn. He nodded, trusting her to say whatever was in her heart.

"I'm good with the plural marriage. It doesn't bother me; it is a choice, but not mine to judge. You might have told me sooner, but I even understand why you might have hesitated. I guess it does explain so very much, about you, about Eric, about secrets."

"But, Sven, can we make a pact between us? I'd like to know that you are feeling certain of me, of my love for you. I'd like to believe that you will share your secrets eventually, even if you can only do so over time." He nodded, grateful now, feeling a little more tension ease, tension he hadn't realized he was holding inside.

"I agree." His turn for some passionate kissing now, and he indulged the odd feeling, a humming maybe, floating around his ribs. She broke off the kiss first to speak.

"Where is Eric? If we are sharing secrets, maybe I have one for you. It is my turn." The humming dimmed and then disappeared. He felt he knew what was coming.

"Don't tell me anything you don't wish to share, my lovely wife. I've thought a lot about what has happened between us, and even more about what has happened over the last few days. We will always have our Barbados memories. They will have to sustain us, I think." She made to speak again, but he dropped his fingers over her lips, his eyes boring into hers now, willing her to remain silent.

She shook her head and pushed back from his gesture of silence. "It is time I share this with you. We can weather it, I'm sure." Her face was grave, but her voice was strong.

"I never wish to be parted from you, but I have felt something rekindle in me that I felt certain was gone." Was this what it felt like if your heart literally shriveled in your chest? He couldn't ask her to continue; it just wasn't in him.

"I'd like to say I can suppress it, but in light of what you've told me about your family, maybe you can understand. This changes nothing between us, but because my actions have been so erratic around him, could we please not have Eric move in with us?" It was so totally unexpected, Sven was unable to respond, the question hanging in the air as he assessed his reactions.

"Just tell me the 'why' of it?"

"It's better if I don't." Her hand moved out of his, and stretching the length of her arm, she rested her warm palm lightly against his muscled shoulder, slowly beginning to stoke down the length of his arm to his hand, then reversing her motion to caress the dusting of curly hairs on his arm. It and the hair on his head and face was the only body hair he did not regularly shave, sometimes resorting to shaving as much as once a day to keep his skin silky for her touch.

She slipped her other hand from his grasp, and moved it to cup him, gently smoothing her fingertips over his softened skin, starting to rub circles over his testicles, the sac first overflowing her delicate hand now shifting to position his body for embracing a woman. Lost in the sensations, he felt he was becoming a little sappy. He raised his eyes from watching her movements; he'd been mesmerized, no doubt. Was she actually manipulating him to avoid answering his question?

"Yes, we are both trying for some truth today. Why is it better if Eric does not move in with us?" He tried for the dominant voice he sometimes used on her, but once again the humming started up, floating around his ribs. He was going out on a pleasure buzz, all of her making. His voice that came out was gentle, loving, so not what he had intended.

"Ok, you asked me. I'm attracted to him. Is it because he is your identical twin, and my body and my hormones think it's you? Or, is it because I had something with him that time and distance didn't erase as I had hoped?" Her expression was determined, as if she was thinking that she had been forced, but she wouldn't shy away from it since he had insisted.

"I wish I knew the answer, Sven. But it doesn't change my love for you. If anything, it just confuses me."

He now knew what it felt like to be both pleased and miserable at the same time. It was a weird, shifting sands sort of feeling. Made it easier to say what he was going to suggest to her, but the necessity of it hurt his heart as well.

"Would you like for him to stay with us if we could…." He could not say it, yet.

Her eyes were wide now, a question forming. He needed to cut it off, afraid she would ask for more than he could give right now.

"He needs to stay with us, Sookie. He just needs to do so. I won't send him away based on what you are telling me." His heart was racing; he could feel it thumping wildly in his chest. He loved her, but more than that, he wanted to keep her. He never wanted to see that she was unhappy with him.

"Sven, just what are you offering?" Delivered in the softest of tones, her eyes were downcast. Her hand had dropped away from him, her other arm also no longer stroking his but now pulled in tight against her stomach, a protective gesture.

This was harder than he'd ever imagined. He rolled onto his back, not facing her. "I've made a decision. I can only hope you will agree with me. No one of us can control the other. You let me be the dominant partner in our marriage; I would never be able to enjoy what you have given to me otherwise. So, in this, you also control how we go forward. I've come to this point; I cannot watch you every second. You do feel something toward my brother. Maybe it is the reason you responded to me so quickly when we first met. That isn't something I'm proud of as I may have taken advantage of you because of it. Not saying that I did for sure, you understand."

She merely listened, making no sound.

"So I've told you about our parents. I've even gone so far as to check in with Eric, now that he has finally decided to break out of his rotten marriage. He and I have discussed…."

Sookie evidently finally found her voice. "Stop, just stop. Don't say anything further, I cannot stand it. I just cannot bear you doing something that I know you don't really want. This isn't really you. This is me; I've caused this. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm just so sorry." Much to his horror, she had begun weeping and now an anguished cry came from her, the sound similar to that made by a small, soft, furry animal caught in a trap from which it realizes it cannot escape.

Thinking his heart might finally be breaking, Sven did stop. Instead of pulling her against him to comfort her, though, he sat up, taking a large gulp of air. Was he feeling weepy, as well? Damn, sublime to the shits déjà vu.

"My love, I'm the sorry one. I've caused you unnecessary anguish and I've been selfish about it. I'm going to shower and then check on Eric." He winced, saying his name. Sookie's face was now buried in the pillow, hiding from him.

"Let's just table this for now. My family is coming over to meet you in a few hours. We'll just get through this and tomorrow we can look at it again, if you wish to do so?" It was a question, after all.

She astonished him by first raising up on her elbows, her face now dry of tears, then twisting around to face him, sitting Indian style, her hands on her knees. "I'm not being honest with you or myself. You asked. So, yes, I do want Eric to live with us. I want it very much. I'm curious about how your parents and Celia interact tonight. Maybe something similar would work for us, someday. But since we are still technically in our honeymoon phase, I'm not ready to make any decisions just now."

She paused, voice now a little breathy. "Why don't you go collect Eric and have him cuddle with us, just this once?" Her chin was very firm, her look determined. "Just cuddle. I suspect he could use some affection after all he has been through. But keep in mind, Eric will be feeling the fallout of his divorce. We can comfort him, but until he is whole, he should not become part of us, of what I share with you."

"Are you going to act on my suggestion?" she asked. He knew the silence between them had been stretching out as he pondered what she'd said from several angles. She was right, of course. It would be taking advantage of Eric's neediness to bring him into a partner-sharing situation right now. Possibly only make the divorce worse for him. They all needed some distance, but his brother could use some affection just now. Some skin-on-skin time. He could accept that; it would be an easy way to start, to see if he could live with the sharing, tame his possessive streak. See if there was enough to go around, his thoughts now crude and yet vivid. To make the images disappear, he moved from the bed, took a robe from the closet and his slippers, and then unlocked the door. He turned to see Sookie sitting still upon the bed, watching his movements, expression uncertain now. Well, he was off to collect his little brother and try to ease his loneliness.

________________

Unfortunately, before he could rouse Eric from the front seat of the car and move him and some of his possessions into the house so they could begin the experiment between the three of them, Mia and Celia had arrived. The family gathering had begun.

Looking back, it had been an uncomfortable several hours. Luckily, the moms had hit it off with Sookie immediately, bound together in the act of preparing the foods Sookie had spent several hours that morning gathering from various venues. They had started slow, first each woman taking time to coo over Eric and make certain he was comfortable. After all three were reassured he was fine, just sleepy, Sven had walked him into the bedroom, helped him undress and covered him up for a continuation of his nap, sitting with him until he drifted off, breathing even and undisturbed.

Now feeling guilty at leaving Sookie alone for what was certain to be some lightly veiled prying, he'd returned to find all three enjoying each other. When they saw him, first Mia then Celia had gathered him in their arms, to hug and smooch him as if he were a ten-year-old with skinned knees. It was another show of affection, clearly signaling that they were pleased with his choice of wife. He felt good; Sookie had that effect on people. They'd immediately warmed up to her, recognizing her as a good, decent woman. His woman, he reminded himself as he gently disengaged and went over to plant kisses on her neck and mold his body against hers, shyly pleased to be able to demonstrate his love for a woman of whom his family openly approved. Of course, there was still the Ander hurdle. He had no false hope Ander would be pleased with her, at all, if ever.

Of course not. He was the bastard who'd sacrificed Eric's happiness on the altar of his social ambitions. The Pregnancy had just been a convenient excuse.

Yes, that night Ander's behavior had been everything Sven had expected, and more. He now had unpleasant memories of Ander's rather pointed questions to Sookie about her family and her unsure glances at him for help as she tried to answer reasonably. He writhed a bit recalling thereafter Ander's clipped sentences, implications obvious to everyone present about her unappealing lack of connections, further underscored by Mia's grim expression as the evening unfolded. He'd thanked Mia afterward that she had tried, unsuccessfully, to distract Ander with physical affection, usually a good bet.

Sven now focused on the aftermath of that evening in their bedroom. Everyone finally gone and the house put back to the pristine condition he needed it to be so he could fall asleep, he and Sookie were alone under the covers, the lights off and the alarm set. The dogs were in their room and Eric had retired much earlier, a rather sad expression on his face as he said goodnight. Sven wondered if the fact of his new single state was being borne home as he would be spending the night alone, camped out in the spare bedroom.

She had started it. "Eric was going to come in for some comforting before your Mom and Celia arrived. Are you still thinking about what we discussed?"

It wasn't easy, but he'd nodded.

"Unable to talk about it, huh? Well, then, it seems we better just let it go for now. None of us will be jumping anyone's bones anytime soon."

Forcing the words from his mouth, he said, "What was your conclusion about the relationship between Ander and our mothers?"

"Sven, it is really late and we've both had a busy day. I don't condemn them, as I told you earlier. In fact, I really think I'll come to love Mia and Celia and Joran as family. Your dad has issues with me. Did you know he wouldn't like me?"

Oh, that assessment was so clear-headed. She couldn't be so cold-hearted about Ander's disapproval. It had to hurt just a little.

"He'll come around once h gets to knows you. Mia and Celia will work on him."

"I think I even like your Grandpa Alrick and maybe Mimi. He seemed happy we are married. I was sorry for Eric as he clearly does not approve of his pending divorce. At least they didn't have children." She shivered slightly. "Mind if I ask you a question." Why not? Everything was on the table as it were. "Does he approve of your three parent's situation?"

"He loves what came of it, Joran. I really believe he likes Joran best of all of us. And the answer is 'no'. He's just come to accept it as he has no choice."

"What would he think if you, Eric and I became involved in something similar?""

"He would most likely have the same reaction."

Neither one moved or spoke for quite some time. Thinking she'd fallen asleep, he made to roll over on his side, mind focusing on what he'd need to do tomorrow. Still awake, she'd whispered. "Let's just see what develops over the next few months. I won't deceive you about anything. Let me be clear for you, my love. I never want to lose you, Sven, no matter what happens. We won't talk of it again for awhile. Let's help Eric overcome the divorce fall-out, and then we'll see which direction the three of us wish to take. I just have a feeling we all will be together, if that is what you wish."

Hating himself for his duplicity in agreeing to something about which he was so torn, he'd murmured his agreement, kissed her and finally fallen asleep, but not before speculating about the odds that Eric might have opted for a vasectomy during his hateful marriage to the FW. It would almost serve him right, he thought sadly.

__________________

Pulled from his musings by the sound of a police car siren headed down Market Street, Sven wondered again if tonight would be the night. If not, he might have to arrange a little scene between the three of them. Or, at least start talking about it, all three of them together. He could not believe Eric would be able to hold out much longer. If he'd believed in a god, Sven would have prayed for guidance.

Instead, checking his watch, and noting they should be back from dinner, he impulsively decided he couldn't wait any longer; the waiting was worse than the deed itself. He'd gather them in the bedroom and go over his plan for the three of them, give them both a chance to voice what he suspected was already in their hearts.

He also understood that he wanted his brother and his wife to acknowledge it was going forward with his permission. That could help to make the reality of it more bearable, maybe. How had Mia survived it? He'd have to call her soon for advice.

He slipped out the door and took the elevator to the parking area. Locating his beloved Porsche, he unlocked the door, started the engine and roared out of the garage space. Maybe he'd tell Sookie about this condo after all; it would be just another secret he'd share that would bind her to him. It could come in handy when they'd need to slip away from Eric in the future for some private time for the two of them.

A/N: Well. What can I say? The next chapter will pick up where Chapter 15 ended, plus a major mystery will finally be solved. It is an action-packed chapter.