Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter nine of "Turnaround." This chapter introduces Dino and his girlfriend. It has lots of Podcast/Phoebe and Gary/Callie. There is also sexual content. Like before, do not read it if it makes you uncomfortable. Otherwise, you may read at your own risk. Stay tuned for chapter ten.

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Chapter 9: Unpacking Stuff/So Much Love

Clouds covered the midmorning sky above Downtown New York City. Trees dipped and swayed in the wind. Some branches looked about ready to snap off. A rock pigeon sat on the roof of the building that Dana and Oscar once lived in on the Upper East Side. It ran its beak through its chest feathers. It bobbed its head twice before chirping in a soft manner. It spread its wings and flew downward. It landed on a fourth-floor windowsill.

The pigeon looked inside to see several open and unopen boxes scattered throughout the living room in which it happened to be part of Dana's old apartment. It contained a couch, two armchairs, two pine end tables, and a glass coffee table. A flat screen TV hung from the wall in front of the couch. It was connected to a DVD player and a cable box sitting on a wooden stand below it. The compartment had shelves filled with DVDs and books.

Forty-six-year-old Dino walked into the room. He happened to be Caucasian and was quite tall. He resembled Trevor, but his black hair was longer and tied up in a ponytail. His eyes happened to be hazel. His frame was somewhat muscular. His skin was so pale that he appeared to be a ghost. His face had a few wrinkles. He approached a box sitting near the stand. He opened it, taking out an elephant figurine.

Dino looked the elephant over with a small smile. It happened to be gray and covered in red gemstones. It had its ears out and its trunk curled back and against its head. Its mouth was wide open. He ran his finger over its back and down each of its hindquarters. He went to the stand and placed it there. He nodded in much satisfaction. He returned to the box and pulled out three books.

Forty-five-year-old Mina Lang walked into the room with a coffee-filled mug. She happened to be Asian. Her skin was somewhat tanned. She came up to Dino's shoulder. Her eyes were blue. Her black hair was long and straight. It was up in a bun. A few strands stuck out. Her frame was lean with some muscle. She approached her boyfriend, who looked at her and smiled.

"Here you go, honey," she greeted.

"Thank you," he replied and sipped the cream-filled coffee. He nodded in approval. "It is perfect as always."

"Thank you," Mina said and noticed the books in his hand. "You found more of my books!"

"They were in this box along with my elephant figurine," Dino said and gave them to her. He pointed his finger at the elephant while furrowing his brow. "You remember that?"

"I do," Mina admitted. She ran her hand over her face and smacked her lips. "You bought it at the Nashville Zoo's gift shop three years ago. It was pretty then. It is pretty now."

"Not every pretty thing is expensive," Dino whispered and snorted in a quiet way. "That's for sure."

"Yeah," Mina agreed. "The best thing about having lots of money is being able to go wherever we want—"

Dino chuckled. "Do whatever we want, move wherever we want—"

Mina winked at him. "Eat wherever we want."

Dino smiled and kissed his girlfriend's forehead. He rubbed it very gingerly before cupping her chin in his hand. He rubbed noses with her. She suppressed a yawn. She tried again with another one, but she could not help herself. He took a deep breath.

"It doesn't feel like six years since we started dating," Mina admitted, warmth echoing in her voice. "It feels like only yesterday."

"It's not every day a man snags a wealthy woman," Dino whispered matter-of-factly.

"It's not every day a wealthy woman snags a man who has excellent carpentry skills. My parents loved everything you built for them," Mina said and ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.

"Then they died in a plane crash while they were flying from Worcester to Milwaukee. You inherited their huge fortune and the Lang Computer Company. You worked for them for years," Dino pointed out.

"Then you won eighty million dollars in a Powerball lottery," Mina added, chuckling to herself. "I decided to hand full ownership of the company to Joey Parks, so I could retire early. My parents were training him to be my partner."

"You sold your parents' house for a hefty price. We decided to move into this apartment in New York City. It has been owned by a number of people over the last few decades," Dino said, looking around the room. He sipped more of his coffee. "We gave the majority of your parents' things to your sister."

"Anna never wanted any of their money," Mina murmured, giving a shrug. "She kept saying no when I offered her some of the fortune. I even begged her to take it."

"Her husband does own a thriving gas station. She has written some bestselling books. She is pretty well off," Dino said, his eyebrows raising.

"But she has not written anything in a while," Mina said, seriousness showing in her voice. "A little extra money doesn't hurt anyone."

"No, it does not," Dino agreed. "Evan Locksmith is a good guy. He and Anna will be fine."

Mina went to the coffee table and laid her books down. Dino came to her side. He put his coffee next to them. He walked behind her. He wrapped his arms around her before kissing her temple. He rubbed her stomach so lightly that it seemed he was not even touching it.

"It has been seven years since your divorce from Callie," Mina said, clicking her tongue twice.

"I noticed it yesterday. It is her fault that I don't have a bond with my son anymore," Dino muttered angrily. "I never bonded with my daughter. She was very weird."

"What do you think Callie is doing right now?" Mina wondered, looking up at him.

"It is likely she and the kids are living in poverty in Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised if they got evicted from several apartments. She never managed money well," Dino explained.

"You told me her married friends kicked her out of their social circle because she was a divorced woman," Mina commented.

"She is going to be alone for the rest of her life. Men hate dating single and divorced mothers. They carry too much baggage," Dino answered firmly. "They want younger and prettier women."

"There are some exceptions with the first part," Mina whispered with a giggle.

"That is true. You ae definitely prettier than Callie is," Dino agreed and planted another kiss to her temple. He touched the top of her head. "I am satisfied with not having any more children. Two was enough for me."

"I have never wanted children," Mina admitted and bit her lip. "That's not to say I don't love my niece and nephew."

"Mara and Meeko are good kids," Dino murmured and cleared his throat. "We don't see them often."

Dino released his hold on Mina, who walked six steps away from him. He cupped his chin in his hand. He seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly, an idea clicked in his mind.

"Why don't we go out to dinner tonight?" he suggested.

"I think that is a good idea," she responded eagerly and turned around. "Where would you like to eat?"

"How about Hobbie's Place?" Dino asked.

"I heard that restaurant is really nice," Mina said, nodding fast. She walked up to him. "Let's go there."

"Great," Dino said, pinching her cheeks and speaking baby talk. He chuckled at her pulling his hands away and placing them at his sides. "Not one for baby talk right now, are you?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

"Maybe later?" Dino wondered.

"Sure," Mina replied with a wink.

He kissed her. "Great."

Dino grabbed his coffee and took a long sip. He put it back down and went over to another box next to the doorway to the kitchen. He started unpacking it. She went over to help him.

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Phoebe moaned loudly at Podcast's moving inside her on their bed in their room at the Firehouse. She was on her back while he hovered over her. He kissed her very possessively. He plunged his tongue into her mouth. He smiled into it when she groaned softly. She slid her hands up and down his back at a steady pace. She brought them to his shoulders and squeezed them gently. She did it again, but it was harder this time.

He kissed down to her neck with a lustful growl. He planted butterfly kisses on it. She leaned her head to the side in which it gave him better access. She sighed ecstatically when he sucked on it. She got louder at his blowing on it gently. She slid her hands over his chest and stomach. He nibbled on it lightly. He moved up to her ear to trace it with his tongue. He gave it a gentle blow. She sighed very pleasurably.

He returned to her lips and kissed her fiercely. He thrusted rougher and faster into her, his body tightening with every passing second. He plunged his tongue into her mouth to trace every inch of it. She moaned, her head rolling back into the pillow. He trailed kisses to her pulse point. He moved between sucking and blowing on it. She whimpered, grabbing at his shoulders very tightly. It was as if she was trying to keep herself from going over the edge.

Podcast kissed Phoebe's lips once more. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, and she emitted a quiet moan. He moved his hands up and down her body at a slow yet steady pace. He started kissing her neck again. She nibbled on his shoulder before licking at it. He growled intensely, his hands grabbing at her hair. The fire within him was building to such a strong point that he seemed about ready to lose it. He had no doubt it was doing the same in her.

He pulled away and stared into her eyes. He grabbed her wrists, pinning them at her sides. His thrusting grew rougher and faster. The fire in both of them was reaching its peak. He increased the tightness of his grip on her somewhat. She whimpered so quietly that he didn't even hear it. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I can't hang on any longer, Podcast," she whispered.

"I can't either, Phoebe," he answered seductively. "Fuck."

Podcast kissed his girlfriend as he upped the intensity and speed of his thrusting. He tightened his grip on her even more. Their climax was almost at its peak. He broke the kiss to press his forehead against hers once more. She cried out in much ecstasy. She captured his lips in a kiss. He plunged his tongue into her mouth. She groaned, and he smiled into it.

He finally released himself into her. She echoed her release to him with no time in between. They broke the kiss and stared deep into each other's eyes. Their pants came hard and fast. Their bodies trembled quite a bit. He loosened his grip on her. They managed to catch their breath. They swallowed hard before taking deep breaths.

"That was amazing," Phoebe said, giggling.

"Yeah," Podcast agreed. "Whoo!"

Podcast kissed Phoebe before pulling out of her. He laid on his side as she turned on hers. They pulled the covers over their bodies. She placed her other arm behind her head.

"Damn. We will qualify in the sex category of the Olympics if we keep going like this," she said and chuckled breathlessly. "Then again, I wouldn't mind if we did."

"I wouldn't mind either," he replied with a snort. "We just couldn't keep our hands off each other as soon as we woke up."

"We've heard my parents go at it many times, but we've never minded it," Phoebe commented. "We always tease them about going at it like rabbits when we see them."

"We made love four times last night. Three of those times were after I woke you up. We made love twice this morning," Podcast said, moving his hand toward hers. He entwined their fingers. "That's six times in less than twenty-four hours. We definitely have been going at it like rabbits."

"Yep. Of course, I did not mind one bit. The lovemaking was incredible," Phoebe said happily. "It always will be."

"Thanks for saying that," Podcast said with a smirk. "If you hadn't, I would've tickled you until you did."

She growled playfully and kissed his forehead. She kept her lips there for thirty seconds before pulling away. He tightened his grip on her hand. He brought it to his lips for a kiss. He formed a small frown on his face.

"It sucks we won't be able to be sexually intimate for several weeks after Gabrielle arrives, Pheebs," Podcast grumbled.

"I know, but it's doctor's orders. I need to follow them," Phoebe replied, blinking twice. She giggled in a quiet way. "That doesn't mean we can't make out."

"That would be nice as long as you are feeling up to it," Podcast commented and pressed his lips together.

"Thank you," Phoebe whispered and groaned annoyingly. "Some men make their women be intimate, even if they are sick. That's not right."

He took his hand out of hers to cup her chin in it. "I know. When we do resume sexual relations, we will use protection this time. We don't want to risk another pregnancy so soon."

"Mm-hmm," Phoebe agreed with a nod. "In the old days, some girls were as young as fourteen when they married. They had three children by the time they were eighteen."

"Three may not seem like a lot, but it is for teen girls," Podcast murmured, his heart skipping a beat or two. He touched her stomach. He smiled at Gabrielle moving against it. "Gabby is active right now."

"Since when did you call our daughter Gabby?" Phoebe teased.

"Since now," Podcast responded and bit his lip. "Wasn't Gabrielle's nickname Gabby on Xena: Warrior Princess?"

She nodded. "Yes, it was. It is a good nickname. Just don't call her Gabs. That is a stupid nickname."

Podcast nodded in agreement before kissing Phoebe's forehead. She sniffled, causing him to look at her. He touched her cheek, a concern look crossing his face.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I hate how my birth father treated me when I was a kid. He often accused Mom of neglecting Trevor when she paid attention to me," she mumbled, a sob rising in her throat. "I was younger than he was. It makes sense she'd give me more attention."

"Younger kids usually require more attention than the older kids do," Podcast commented. "Sometimes, the reverse happens."

"Yes," Phoebe agreed. "If I see that bastard again, I fear I will punch his lights out."

"I do not blame you," Podcast whispered in sympathy. "I have similar feelings. No one treats my girlfriend like crap and gets away with it."

"How did I get so lucky to have you as my boyfriend?" Phoebe asked, tickling his nose.

"Ah-choo," Podcast joked and snickered under his breath.

"Bless you," Phoebe said with a soft giggle. She became very serious as she touched her stomach. She felt Gabrielle move against her hand. "I have a feeling he would accuse Mom of letting me become a slut if we ever saw him again."

"You are not a slut. I am the only boy you have ever been with," Podcast responded while playing with one of her curls. "Besides, slut describes a sexually promiscuous person, especially a woman."

"It also describes a very unpleasant person. I could call Dino a slut. He was cruel toward me," Phoebe said, a smirk crossing her lips.

"I agree," Podcast said, running his finger down her cheek. "I imagine your parents snickering if they overheard you calling him that."

"Yeah," Phoebe agreed. "I will occasionally blurt out stuff, especially in fits of anger. I am so much like my grandfather."

He kissed her on the lips very tenderly. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. She sniffled softly, a tear falling from her eye. She wiped it away, her breathing turning into shudders.

"No matter what happens, I will never leave you and our daughter, Pheebs. I love you," Podcast said lovingly.

"I love you too," Phoebe replied with just as much love. She kissed him very softly. She made eye contact with him. "I don't know about you, but I am getting hungry. Let's go see if we can help out with breakfast."

He nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Podcast and Phoebe threw the covers off. She placed her feet on the floor and touched her back. She stood up slowly as he got out quickly. They grabbed their clothes and proceeded to get dressed.

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Callie moaned while moving up and down on Gary on their bed in their room. She let out a lustful growl. She leaned toward him and kissed him hard. She slipped her tongue into his mouth. This made him groan loudly. She traced every inch of it. He let out another groan. She tried not to smile into it, but she couldn't help herself. Their tongues fought for dominance.

"Oh, Gary," she whispered in much seduction. She slid her hands up and down his body slowly. "I just want to be with you here."

"I feel the same way with you," he replied. He groaned at her kissing his neck. He got louder at her sucking on it hard. "Damn. Shit."

Callie licked at her husband's neck and blew on it. She trailed kisses to his jaw. She nuzzled it before licking at it. She nibbled on it. She was gentle at first, but she upped the pressure. She pulled back and kissed him hard. She plunged her tongue into his mouth with a fierce hiss. He tried to hold back a groan, but he couldn't help himself. She ran her hands up and down his body at a steady pace.

He sat up, a fierce hiss coming from him. He slid one hand into her hair and the other to the small of her back. He thrusted upward into her. He was rough and fast. He kissed her neck before licking at it. He sucked on it hard, and she moaned excitedly. He gave it a hard bite. Her wincing was music to his ears. He moved his hands to her breasts to fondle them slowly. She threw her head as she sighed ecstatically. He pinched her nipples hard. She screamed excitedly when he teased her left nipple with his tongue. He repeated his action with the right nipple. They felt the fire climbing to such a point within them that they believed they were about to explode.

Callie hissed huskily and pushed Gary on his back in a rough way. She kissed him hard. She slipped her tongue into his mouth. He tried to hold back a groan, but he couldn't help himself. She trailed kisses to his ear. She traced it with his tongue. She nibbled on it. She upped the pressure a bit. He laid his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them tightly. She kissed down to his chest. She rolled his nipples in her hands. She smiled at his moaning headily. She used her tongue to tease the left nipple. He growled lowly yet intensely. He became louder at her repeating her action on his right nipple.

Gary and Callie felt the fire within them reaching its peak. She came to his eye level. She pressed a possessive kiss to his lips. Their tongues fought each other for dominance. She broke their lip lock. She pulled back and looked at him. She braced her hands on his chest, her movements growing rougher and faster. He grabbed the lower part of her arms while clenching his teeth. They stared deep into each other's eyes.

"Shit," he groaned in much ferocity. "Damn it! Yes!"

"Good boy, Gary," she said with a smile. "Shout it all out."

Callie sped up her movements. Gary tightened his grip on her arms. He groaned at her getting even faster. She threw her head back with an excited yell. Her climax took her. This triggered his, and he came while moaning loudly. Their bodies trembled quite a bit. They panted heavily. She leaned down to press her forehead against his.

"Wow," Callie whispered.

"Yeah," Gary agreed with a chuckle. "Wow."

Callie kissed Gary and moved off him. She laid her head on his chest as she snuggled up against him. He pulled the covers over them before slipping his arms around her.

"I never imagined you would wake me up to make love to me," Gary said, moving her hair out of her face.

"I couldn't resist after watching you sleep for a few minutes," Callie replied sweetly.

"Then I can't resist doing this," Gary teased and reached down to pinch her butt.

"If you do that again, I will give you a knuckle sandwich," Callie threatened playfully and presented a fist.

"Okay," Gary whispered and stifled a snicker. He gave her butt another pinch, this time being harder. "Oops. My hand forgot." He pinched her twice and laughed softly. "Oops. My hand forgot again."

"Okay," Callie said, sitting up along with him. "You asked for it."

Callie pressed her fist in between Gary's eyes. He groaned in a loud way. He fell on his back and spread his arms out eagle style. He twitched twice before losing consciousness. She leaned closer to him, swallowing hard. She screamed when he sprung to life and grabbed her. He pulled her on top of him. She slapped him on the forehead lightly.

"You are such a meanie!" Callie yelled in mock anger.

"I am proud to be a meanie," Gary said with much pride. "Don't try to change me because you can't. Nope, nope, nope."

"Are you Ducky now?" Callie teased and giggled.

"I'd love to be Ducky," Gary answered, happiness showing in his voice. "You can be Ducky too."

"I hope you don't get the idea of throwing me into a mudhole," Callie joked and snickered under her breath.

"If I get that idea, I will carry it out!" Gary growled in much playfulness. "Yep, yep, yep."

She ruffled his hair with a mock-annoyed growl. She laughed at his imitating her with hers. They shared three soft kisses. She returned to her head to his chest. She slid her hand over his stomach.

"I am amazed that we've been married for over ten months. It feels like only yesterday when we had our wedding," Callie exclaimed.

"I have similar feelings," Gary agreed and stroked her shoulder. "We've had the occasional argument, but we are quite happy."

"I was happy with Dino at first. Things soured after Phoebe was born. He hated it when I gave her any attention. He saw Trevor as more deserving of it," Callie growled disgustingly.

"What kind of a father hates it when a mother gives her daughter attention?" Gary asked, hints of anger lining his voice.

She snorted. "A bad one, that's what!"

"He didn't deserve you," Gary said bluntly as he ran his hand over her hair. "I mean, he got one of his mistresses pregnant."

"Like Trevor, I have no sympathy for that mistress over her miscarriage. You don't go after married men and not expect any consequences," Callie hissed, flaring her nostrils. "You just don't."

"Don't forget married women," Gary pointed out.

"Of course not," Callie agreed.

He smiled as she took her head off his chest to look at him. "Good for you."

He kissed his wife's forehead. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. He felt tears to come to his eyes.

"I feel so lucky to have you as my wife," Gary whispered, sniffling.

"I feel so lucky to have you as my husband," Callie responded, smiling.

"Your kids are just as lucky to have you as their mother," Gary said, running his finger up and down her nose.

"They are just as lucky to have you as their father," Callie commented.

"They may not be part of my blood, but I don't care," Gary murmured while wiping tears from his eyes. "A man can make a baby with a woman, but it takes real guts to be a father."

"Many people warned me not to start a relationship with you because of the kids. They said Trevor and Phoebe would be disappointed if things did not work out," Callie explained.

"You ignored them," Gary said, proudness showing in his voice. "You decided to take the risk."

"Look where we are now. We got married. You adopted Trevor and Phoebe," Callie said, sighing contently. "We are a very happy family."

Gary and Callie kissed in a very tender way. They pressed their foreheads together and inhaled each other's scents.

"I love you so much, Callie," Gary said lovingly.

"I love you just as much, Gary," Callie whispered with just as much love.

"There is one place I'd like to make love with you in the future," Gary commented as she pulled away from him.

"Where is that?" Callie wondered.

"It would be next to a fireplace in a remote mountain cabin," Gary said with a smile.

"I'd love that," Callie murmured with much love. "Everyone says you have to make love down by the fire."

"I know," Gary agreed. "To me, it is the most romantic place to be."

"I feel the same way," Callie replied with a soft snort. "I hope it happens very soon."

She ran her hand over his hair before playing with a strand of it. He touched her hand and pulled it away. He placed it and his on his chest. He squeezed it with much gentleness.

"I don't know about you, but I am ready to get out of this bed," Gary admitted.

"I am too, but I want to have one last intimate moment with you," Callie answered.

He smiled. "Your wish is my command."

Gary and Callie kissed in a very passionate manner. Their tongues fought each for dominance. They groaned very loudly. He trailed kisses to her neck while growling in a lustful manner. He proceeded to lick at it. She leaned her head back and sighed in ecstasy. Their heartbeats sped up quite a bit. Electricity raced through their veins.

He kissed his wife hard. He turned their bodies until he was on top of her. He settled in between her legs. He kissed down to her neck. He licked at it and gave it a hard blow. She moaned softly when he nibbled on it. She planted kisses on his shoulder. She blew on it in a gentle way. She traced it with her tongue. He let out an intense growl. Their hands wandered and groped everywhere. He pulled back and stared into her eyes. The familiar fire began to build within both of them.

"You belong to me," Gary whispered seductively. "You always will."

"Yes," Callie said huskily. "You belong to me as well. You always will."

He aligned his cock at her entrance. He entered her quickly and roughly. He began thrusting in and out of her immediately. He was rather rough and fast. He leaned down to kiss her. He plunged his tongue into her mouth. He smiled into it when she groaned loudly. She wrapped her arms around him. He traveled to her neck to kiss it hungrily. She leaned her head to the side. This gave him better access. She screamed ecstatically when he traced her ear with his tongue. Their grunting and groaning mingled together.

"Shit," Callie yelled in much intensity. She whimpered at his growing rougher and faster. "Damn! Fuck!"

"Good girl, Callie," Gary growled in fierceness. "Get it out of you."

Gary kissed Callie hard while thrusting rougher and faster into her. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and traced every inch of it. He smiled into it when she moaned headily. He trailed kisses to her pulse point to suck on it. She kissed his shoulder before running her tongue along it. He growled intensely while grabbing at her hair. The fire within him was building to such a strong point that he thought he would lose it right there. He didn't doubt it was doing the same in her.

He pulled away and stared into her eyes. He grabbed her wrists to pin them at her sides. He let out a fierce growl. He upped the speed and intensity of his thrusts. The fire in both of them was reaching its peak. He tightened his grip on her. She whimpered in a quiet way. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. Lust filled their eyes.

"I can't hold on any longer," she whispered.

"Me neither," he hissed. "Me neither."

Gary kissed his wife very hard. His thrusting became rougher and faster. He increased the tightness of his grip on her. Their climax was almost at its peak. He broke the kiss. He pressed his forehead against hers again. She whimpered in an ecstatic way. She captured his lips in a kiss. He slipped his tongue into her mouth. This caused her to groan softly.

He finally released himself into her. She echoed her release to him three seconds later. They broke the kiss to stare into each other's eyes. Their panting mingled together. Their bodies trembled so much that it seemed they wouldn't be able to stop. He loosened his grip on her as well. He brought his hand to her cheek. He stroked it with his thumb very lightly.

"That was amazing," Gary said.

"Yeah," Callie agreed. "Now, I am ready to get out of this bed."

He chuckled. "Me too."

Gary and Callie climbed out of bed. They gathered their clothes somewhat quickly. They proceeded to get dressed.