Chapter 68 — What is it you want?

_December 23, 2002, San Francisco, California_

🎤 Steve

{psc} "Do you always flirt with older men?" I asked with a smile.

"Do you always flirt with underage girls?" Emma asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Touché!" I chuckled. "I'll answer if you will."

"Not usually, but you give off this vibe that you're fun, approachable, and safe."

"I flirt all the time, but I also believe teenagers are adults, as I mentioned before."

"And how often do you sleep with underage girls, hmm?" she asked.

"This will be the second time on a plane!" I declared.

"Right, because _that_ is what I meant!"

"Oh, it was, but you left yourself free to switch to the euphemistic answer if I didn't react badly to the implication, which I didn't."

"Which actually proves you aren't a creep!"

"An interesting analysis," I replied. "Care to explain?"

"Three possible responses — yours, which is neutral; asking me if it was an offer, or assuming it was, which is creepy; denial in a way that makes it clear the accusation was accurate, which could go either way, but not be neutral."

"I'm not sure that analysis is completely correct, but it could inform a complete analysis. Consider, for example, someone who does sleep with underage girls, but doesn't seek them out because they come to him."

"My friend has this problem…" Emma smirked.

I laughed and said gruffly, "Your father has taught you well!"

"You're not my father, Darth! So, reading into your implication, I'm going to sleep with you, but you want to _sleep_ with me."

"Physician, heal thyself!" I chuckled.

"You think I want to _sleep_ with you?"

"Obviously. But wanting to do something does not imply that you would actually do it."

"Tell me that you didn't upgrade me to First Class because you thought I'd sleep with you, and I don't mean on the plane."

"I didn't upgrade you to first class because I thought you'd sleep with me."

"Smart Alec!"

"Always! That said, if you thought that was the case, you accepting the upgrade means you agreed to the transaction!"

Emma laughed, "Wow! Talk about turning things around! And you think that's true?"

"Just applying the same logic you did, and my analysis doesn't depend on my intent, only on what you thought my intent was, and of course, my thinking could change based on your response, and so on."

"Your denial was true?"

"I'll answer truthfully, if you will."

"Sure."

"I absolutely did not upgrade you because I thought you'd sleep with me, or to encourage you to sleep with me. Did I notice that you're sexy? Yes. Did I consider the _possibility_ it could lead there? Yes. Was it a _quid pro quo_? No. Was it done in hopes or expectations of a _quid pro quo_? No."

"For real?"

"For real. Your turn."

"I chose to sit next to you because, in addition to what I said before, you're handsome and in great shape. Only a blind girl wouldn't notice that! And when I asked you to sit next to you on the plane, I didn't think anything of it other than changing seats. But then you asked the agent for an upgrade, and you had to use your frequent flyer points, or whatever. When I heard that, I was positive you did that in the expectation that I'd sleep with you. I thought about objecting, but then decided to accept and see what happened."

"And?" I prompted.

"If I answer that, I'm basically committing myself!"

"No, you aren't. That is one thing nobody can irrevocably commit to under any circumstances. 'No' is always an answer, at any time, period, no mater how many times you've said 'yes' before that."

"I'll answer," Emma replied, "but you have to answer my question."

"A reasonable trade."

"When we left the counter, I decided if you asked, I'd say 'yes'. My question — DO you sleep with underage girls?"

"I have. But I'm not kidding about them approaching me."

"And you want to sleep with me?"

"I'm certainly attracted and intrigued. My turn for a question — now that you know it's not a _quid pro quo_, is your answer any different?"

"You mean do I now have a burning desire to drag you to bed? Yes! The same one you have for me!"

"And the fact that I'm married?"

"Is between you and your wife, but I get the sense from the limited information you've shared that your marriage isn't exactly traditional."

"Mind if I ask why your parents split up?"

"Officially, it was 'irreconcilable differences', but I found out what actually happened. My mom had an affair with a doctor. My dad and the doctor's wife found out; my dad divorced my mom, and the doctor's wife forgave him and took him back."

"How badly did it affect you?"

"I was really upset, and at eleven, I totally didn't understand why my dad suddenly moved out and then took the job in Chicago, with the divorce being final just after I turned twelve. They both worked hard to make me understand it wasn't my fault, but like most kids that age, I thought it had more to do with me than it did. I found out the details later, and that changed my views."

"I'm interested in hearing your take."

"Both of them are to blame. Mom for being married to her effing job, and not having enough time for my dad, which if anything, I would have expected he would have cheated because, well, you get the picture of what didn't happen."

I chuckled, "Most kids, even adult kids, are reluctant to consider their parents' sex lives. Sorry to interrupt; go on."

"So, in my mind, Dad actually had a reason to cheat, and mom didn't, because she was the one who was always working. Mom should never have cheated, and actually come home to my dad. I blame him for not being man enough to forgive her and for throwing away thirteen years of marriage."

"I'm not sure it's about being 'man enough' — some people are predisposed to being able to forgive, and others find it nearly impossible. And a lot depends on the person who cheated showing true «metanoia»."

"Greek, again?"

"Yes. And it means repentance, but includes the idea of turning around, or reforming one's ways, in addition to being sorry. If your mom was truly sorry, then I think you have firmer ground on which to stand."

"I think she was only sorry she got caught," Emma said. "Anyway, my problem with my dad not being willing to forgive her is that he was, from everything I know, a playboy before he got married, and I mean, he had more girls than you can shake a…stick at!"

I laughed, "Nice pause for effect to imply something else!"

"Thanks. Anyway, mom was a virgin on their wedding night and dad had slept with dozens of girls, including, I'm reasonably certain, my aunt right around the time he asked my mom, her younger sister, out."

"Aren't vows important?"

"Right, because there are no divorces in the world and every marriage is 'until death do us part'!"

"If you use the traditional vows, yes," I replied. "Not everyone does. And while I try always to be a man of my word, I can see circumstances where divorce might be the right course of action. And you're dancing around a subject that I know has to be floating in your mind."

"You mean sleeping with you when you'd be cheating on your wife?"

"That would be the one," I confirmed.

"That's between you and her. I didn't make any promises, and I'd only expect you to keep promises you made to me."

"And if your mom promised to 'forsake all others', which I assume she did?" I asked.

"I still say he should have tried to work things out with her. But it's water under the bridge at this point."

"So you'd be OK with sleeping with a married man?"

"Asks the man who is OK with sleeping with an underage girl! At least MY thinking isn't breaking the law."

"Two very different points. I personally do not care what society thinks, and so long as you aren't going to report me, the risk is infinitesimal. On the other hand, I do care about keeping my word."

"I may only be sixteen, but even I can figure out that if you're married, and you sleep with me, you're violating your vows!"

"Once again, your analysis is logical, consistent, and wrong!"

"How so?"

"It's more complicated than this, but allow me to give you the simple version. If you recall, I'm married to a trauma surgeon. We met when she was in medical school at Indiana University, and we lived separately, mostly only seeing each other on weekends, and during a pair of visiting student rotations. When we married, and she chased me, by the way, she said she wanted a husband who would, to quote her, look good on her arm and curl her toes, but wouldn't interfere with her medical career. In exchange, she offered freedom to have what were called 'dalliances'. So, no, I wouldn't be cheating."

"That's really true? Your wife gave you permission to have sex with other girls?"

"Yes. So, as I said, I wouldn't be cheating. Does that make it less exciting for you?"

Emma laughed, "You think that was part of the thrill? Enticing another woman's husband into sleeping with me?"

"I have known a few young women who have had that idea, and one who thought doing so would lead to her replacing my wife."

"You don't have to worry about that! If I get married, it'll be a decade from now, or more!"

"What's in your future?"

"A flight to Chicago, sleeping with you, and then _sleeping_ with you!"

I chuckled, "An answer I'd give! I meant longer term!"

"Law and medicine are out! I saw enough from both my mom and dad to rule those out! I like nice things, so being a surf bum in Malibu is out, and the last thing I'd do is join the military."

"A non-answer! All you did is rule things out!"

"I haven't decided. I'm interested in computers, but I'm not sure I want to program for the rest of my life."

"So don't. My company has systems engineers who build, deploy, and maintain servers, as well as network engineers who design, deploy, and maintain computer networks. There are plenty of jobs in computers that don't involve programming, though that is what I prefer doing."

"How long have you been at your company? Well, you said you founded it, but when?"

"In 1985, right after graduation, four friends and I founded the company."

"That sounds like a Silicon Valley thing, though you'd have dropped out of college instead!"

"I could have, and could have even not gone at all, as I had a profitable computer business in High School with two friends, one of whom is on our Board of Directors, but was working on her Master's when we founded the company and prefers doing research at UofI to working for us. We sold that original company to pay for college."

"Computer company in High School is _totally_ Silicon Valley! I saw the top-level frequent flyer card and your Amex Platinum, so you're obviously successful."

"Or leveraged to the hilt!"

"I don't think that fits you."

"You seem to read people pretty well," I replied.

"You, too. My dad taught me to be a good judge of people by playing poker, staring when I was seven!"

I chuckled, "Let me guess, Texas Hold 'Em?"

"Yes. He plays in the World Series of Poker every year. He finished in the money a couple of times, but never made a final table. I take it you play?"

"Yes, with some friends a couple of times a month, but I learned to read people before I started playing Hold 'Em."

"How?"

"A mix of things, but being a karate instructor and working with teens and young adults, raising my kids, and, probably most importantly, having what we called 'rap sessions' which were basically groups of people discussing philosophy. I actually led some seminars at San Diego State and at UofC Medical School."

"So you _are_ a teacher!"

"Not the way you meant! I don't have a teaching job, unless you count being a karate instructor. I've led seminars, but as a layman, not a professional educator. The mother of two of my kids is a chemistry professor."

"I think it's time to fess up by what you mean by 'complicated'! I get the sense you haven't given me the whole story."

"Well, Alice, are you ready to step through the looking glass?"

"Given I already agreed to sleep with you in both meanings of the word, what do you think?"

"I think you're a very intelligent young woman who is easily my intellectual equal!"

Emma looked surprised, "Nobody has ever said anything like that to me!"

"Because, going back to what I said before, I treat teenagers as if they were adults, because they are! Young adults, of course, but still adults."

"And the answer?"

I smiled, pulled my wallet from my pocket, and removed the small plastic insert that contained my photos. Starting with the 'family' picture, which included my wives, all the kids, the other moms, and my girlfriends, I pointed to each person and identified them and the relationship. Emma was wide-eyed the entire time and shook her head several times.

"What did I walk into by sitting down next to you?"

"An alternate universe," I chuckled. "Through the looking glass, as I said!"

"And with all those hot women in your house, you need more?"

"A better way to understand it is to say that I reject traditional views about sex and monogamy, and have a very different understanding of what physical intimacy signifies."

"A theme, though not directly stated, in _Stranger in a Strange Land_ is that true intimacy is intellectual or spiritual, not physical."

"Exactly. If you got THAT from Heinlein, you're way ahead of the average person, and I might have been too cautious in saying you're my intellectual equal."

"Why?"

"Because if you figured that out at age sixteen, you're at least a decade ahead of me in terms of your philosophical journey, compared to where I was at sixteen. I mentioned my trip to Japan, which was in the mid-90s. That's when I achieved some semblance of enlightenment, so I was nearly twenty years older than you are. I bet you have trouble in school."

"I'd like to hear what you think before I answer."

"You've been told, at one time or another, that you ask too many questions or are 'too smart for your own good' because you challenge teachers and refuse to accept the pablum that passes for education. You get good grades in spite of your intellectual skills, not because of them, because you understand you have to repeat the pablum back, even if you don't agree. How close am I?"

"Spot on. Math and science aren't too bad, because there isn't any real disagreement about two plus two or the geometric proofs or chemical formulas. Everything else is a battle because my teachers are, and I'll say this to you, complete morons."

"Been there, done that, got the t-shirt," I chuckled. "My kids have the same opinion of most of their teachers because they've been trained in the Socratic method, and like him, are royal pains in the butt to people who pretend to know the truth when they couldn't find their butt with both hands or empty piss from a boot with the instructions printed on the heel!"

Emma laughed, "I say things like they couldn't make ice cubes if they had the recipe! And I bet anything you care to wager, you could find _my_ butt with both hands!"

"You'd win that bet! I want to ask a question and I hope you'll take it in the correct way, and understand that a truthful answer will not upset me in any way."

"What?"

"One possibility is that you feel completely safe in the airport and on the plane, so you're flirting with no intent, because it's fun and safe and you can. The other possibility is that you're serious. Well, or it's possible you're somewhere between those two positions."

Emma smiled, "Let me answer this way — unless you've changed your mind, or your stable of women object in some way, you and I will make the beast with two backs repeatedly before I fly home in early January."

I couldn't help but laugh, thinking back to saying that to Melanie Spencer during the summer of 1977, when we were on the way to the lake house where I'd met Michelle and Elizabeth Parker, and had taken the first real steps on the path of the sexual odyssey that was my life.

"What's so funny?" Emma demanded, though her eyes conveyed that she was teasing.

"I used that phrase, before you were born, with Trudy Spencer's daughter and she started beating on me in the back seat of the car. That might have been because her parents were in the front seat!"

Emma laughed, "Too funny. I take it you were teasing her and that Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were totally cool?"

"That is the correct take. Melanie stuck her tongue out at me and I told her not to do that unless she intended to use it, and she threatened to not sleep with me that night!"

"An empty threat?"

"Yes."

"Stick your tongue out at me!" Emma commanded with a twinkle in her eye.

I did as commanded and received the expected response.

"Don't stick it out unless you intend to use it!" she said with a smirk.

"Until you can't stand it!" I declared.

"And, of course, reciprocity is required?"

"Required? Never. Not that I'd say 'no', but my strategy, and it's been extremely successful, is to do what the girl wants, when she wants, and how she wants."

Emma winked, stuck her tongue out, then licked her lips and pretended to swallow. One thing was certain, this young woman did NOT need a mindfuck, and perhaps that was because SHE was the one engaging in the mindfuck!

"Always?" Emma asked.

"Always. I do have to ask — do you have a boyfriend?"

"Boys my age are complete idiots! And my mom would never understand me having an older, steady boyfriend!"

Which I could read in several ways, but all indications were that Emma had some experience, and that she'd dated older guys, which fit her personality and intellect.

"I've heard that lament before," I said. "Including from my teenage daughter."

"To answer your next question," Emma said with a smirk, "Mom put me on the Pill when I turned fifteen. Dad felt it was license, but mom felt it was common sense."

"I agree with your mom," I replied. "My girls know it's up to them, both in terms of taking birth control and how they conduct their lives. That said, we do have three firm rules, which nobody in the house may violate. The first is that everyone has to use birth control, which, for me, is covered by a vasectomy I had shortly after my youngest daughter was born. The second rule is that everyone has to have regular STI tests. The third is that everyone has to verify their partners have had recent STI tests."

"That sounds like my mom," Emma said. "She's a stickler for telling teens to get tested and ensure their partners are tested because, as she says, you are, in effect, having sex with anyone your partner has been with."

"Which means you have had and STI test?"

"Every year at my gynecological exam, most recently in late October, right after my birthday."

Which, of course, fit perfectly with being 'Luckiest Dumb Boy', which would only be enhanced if Emma were a virgin, but I did not get that vibe. Of course, with her personality, anything was possible, and I had no idea. In the end, though, that wasn't a particularly relevant point.

"I'm not sure I'd put it the same way your mom did," I said, 'but I agree with the sentiment. Your risk profile is based on everyone you have sex with, along with everyone they've had sex with, all the way down the chain, impacted by IV drug use, risky sexual activity, and before the late 80s, blood transfusions or open surgical procedures."

"I think my mom's comment is more effective for more teenagers."

"I agree, but I'm nothing if not pedantic!"

"I've been accused of that by a few teachers when I tried to make important points about what they felt were irrelevant distinctions. They were wrong."

"Now you sound like Birgit," I chuckled.

"Your eldest daughter, right?"

"We don't call her the Empress of the Universe without good cause! Of course, she's unable to completely bend the universe to her will, no matter how hard she tries!"

"Do you call her 'Princess'? My dad called me that until the divorce."

"No. I call her 'Pumpkin' because when she was a baby she had an orange onesie and looked for all the world like a pumpkin when she was curled up."

"And Ashley/Cinderella. Do your other kids have nicknames?"

"Jesse is 'Ducky' or 'Little Duck' despite being taller than me, because he was a fan of the _Mighty Ducks_ TV show and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks hockey team. Matthew is 'Foo', though we don't use it very often, because his little sister called him 'Ma-foo' when she began speaking. Stephie is 'Bunny Rabbit', because she was completely enamored with bunnies she saw at a petting zoo when she was little. Albert won't accept a nickname except from his brother fighter pilots when he gets his wings, so we don't even try! Michael never had a nickname, and I can't tell you why. We briefly called him 'Mickey' because he had a Mickey Mouse plush, but the name never stuck."

"And your nickname?" Emma asked.

"Jess calls me 'Tiger' and Kara calls me 'Snuggle Bear'."

"And your wives' nicknames?"

"I call Jess 'Babe' and Kara 'Honey', but they aren't nicknames, per se. Suzanne doesn't have one."

Well, Kara and Jess had called her 'hot college pussy', but I didn't think that was appropriate to share!

"What's my nickname?" Emma asked.

"As in, guess what it is? Or assign one?"

"I told you it was 'Princess', but I don't have one now. Assign one!"

"Hmm. Maybe Amelia?"

"Amelia Bedelia?" Emma asked.

"No, a double reference! One I think you ought to know, the other is more doubtful."

"Let me think a bit. What's the doubtful one?"

"The British actress Emma Thompson voiced a character named Amelia in _Treasure Planet_ which came out earlier this year."

"OK, how the heck do you know THAT bit of trivia?"

"Movie trivia is my thing," I replied. "You've heard me quote a few popular movies, but I could equally well quote more obscure ones. It's something we call 'Darmok' in my house."

"I can't place that, but I feel as if I should be able to."

"'Darmok and Jalad, at Tanagra'; 'Shaka, when the walls fell'."

She was quiet for about thirty seconds, then her face showed she'd come up with the answer.

"_The Next Generation_, right?"

"Yes. The race that spoke only in metaphor. We do that a lot at home, especially Jesse and me."

"I can't figure out the other reference for 'Amelia'."

"It's actually backwards. You're probably trying to think of some trait or something you said, or that you look like someone with that name."

"And can't come up with anything."

"The name 'Emma' is a diminutive form of 'Amelia'. I bet your name is actually 'Emma', right?"

"Yes. Are you Steve or Steven?"

"Stephen, with a 'ph' instead of a 'v'. You being named Emma is similar to someone naming their child 'Larisa' after the female lead in _Doctor Zhivago_, when her given name is 'Lara', and 'Larisa' is the diminutive. If you don't like Amelia, I can come up with something cute or sassy."

"I'd be very curious to hear a sassy one!"

"Well," I smirked, thinking quickly, "How about 'Charms'?"

"Charms?"

"They made lollipops, or what my dad would call an 'all-day sucker'!"

Emma laughed, "In your dreams!"

"Hey, a man can dream, can't he?! And he'd be happy to reciprocate, simultaneously, even!"

"I bet! Try another!"

"Adriel," I said with a smirk.

"OK, no clue on that one."

"Promise not to hit me?" I asked with a grin.

"NO!" Emma declared.

"It's Diné, that is, Navajo, for 'beaver'."

Emma slugged me in the arm, but she was laughing.

"As if you'd get it after calling me that!" she threatened.

"Melanie Spencer's exact reaction after the 'beast with two backs' comment! Want to try for a third one?"

"You're just thinking these up on the fly?"

"My wit is as quick as yours!" I replied. "Let's try something that won't get me hit! How about «κάστανον» (_kastanon_) or Rayleigh?"

"The first one is Greek, right?"

"Yes. And it means 'chestnut', the color of your hair; the second one is the scientific reason your eyes are called 'hazel' and change colors."

"Talk about going in the opposite direction!"

"I said I wanted to avoid being hit!" I chuckled.

"Not that I could use them, but are your nicknames accurate?"

"Reports suggest they are," I replied. "You never did tell me your evil superpower!"

"You'll find out!" she smirked.

I laughed, "Should I be afraid?"

"I don't know, should you?" she asked with a smirk.

"As I said, a quick wit, rapier-like, even, who holds her own in a wide-ranging conversation!"

"You mentioned food, and I'm a bit hungry."

"Let's see what they have. It's usually a limited buffet, with cold cuts and finger food, along with cookies, and sometimes other desserts."

I realized we probably wouldn't get a meal on the plane, so I suggested to Emma that we eat, but then eat again just before they picked up the buffet, which would be about 9:00pm. Given the selections, I wouldn't be able to completely avoid carbs and get enough to eat, so I took a tablet of fast-acting propranolol.

"Mind if I ask what that was?" Emma inquired.

"It's propranolol, a beta blocker, which I take for a minor health problem. Basically, my body doesn't regulate hormones properly, and eating sugar in any form, including complex carbohydrates, exacerbates the problem. If I avoid carbs, there is literally no effect. Because this buffet doesn't cater to low-carb, I took a fast-acting version of the drug to counteract the effects."

"So why not just take the drug all the time?"

"You know the vibe you mentioned earlier that I give off?"

"Yes."

"It attenuates that."

"So, if you take it, you don't attract teenage girls who want to make the beast with two backs?"

"An accurate assessment, but it also makes me feel a little sluggish, which I don't like. I'm generally opposed to using any kind of drugs, legal or otherwise, and because I can maintain my health by modifying my diet, I do that instead. A chef friend has developed a number of recipes to help, including cake made with almond flour and Stevia, a plant-based sweetener that is not glucose or fructose. I can eat any meat, any green vegetables, berries, salads, and so on. It's not a boring diet by any means, but it does mean no grains, including pasta, potatoes, or corn."

"We eat a lot of stir fry at home, mostly chicken with different kinds of vegetables and sauces, and brown rice. It's easy to make, and healthy. Dad is more into steaks and burgers, which are OK on occasion."

We took our food back to our seats and sat down.

"How long before the vibe stops?" she asked.

"It's fast-acting, so minutes. Don't ask me how or why, because the doctors don't know."

"So when it wears off, I'll change my mind again?"

"I don't know, actually. What makes you think you might?"

"Because what I told you before was only part of what I felt. I also heard this voice inside my head screaming 'you _need_ to sleep with this guy' and I had a physical reaction!"

"I suppose all you can do is wait and see."

"How long does it last?"

"Twenty or thirty minutes," I replied. "And the pill's effects last about two hours."

Emma laughed, "Braggart!"

"The proof of the pudding is in the tasting!" I declared.

"And you want me to taste your pudding!" Emma smirked.

"You are really quick with those comebacks! Skipping to the end, how do you propose to get together while you're in Chicago?"

"Dad will let me do my own thing," she said. "So I can pretty much come and go as I please, so long as I'm with him for Christmas."

"Where does he live?"

"A condo on the Gold Coast."

"Has he re-married?"

"No. He has a girlfriend, so I'm sure he'll be happy if I make myself scarce. I don't particularly like her, but then again, I don't like my mom's boyfriend, either. Where do you live?"

"Kenwood, but we often say 'Hyde Park' because more people know that's the neighborhood around UofC, where both Jessica and Kara work, and where my girlfriends attend college and four of my kids the Lab School."

"I take it you have someplace private we could be together?"

I actually did, as the NIKA apartment was not being used. I had reserved it for my parents, but they were staying with Al Barton, and everyone else had booked hotels.

"I do," I replied. "Let me just confirm."

I pulled out my Blackberry and send a message to Kimmy who responded in less than a minute, saying nobody had asked about the apartment and nobody was going to be in town.

"All set," I said. "My company maintains an apartment we use for staff who come to Chicago from out of town, and nobody is there between Christmas and New Year's."

"I don't think my dad will accept a sleepover."

"No surprise, and that works OK. The only days that are completely out right now are Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. How about Saturday?"

"Pick me up at 7:00am and have me home by 1:00am?"

"Sounds good. Breakfast together on Saturday?"

"Sure."

"Great!"

I gave her one of my business cards that had both my work and home details, and then entered her dad's address and phone into my Blackberry, which would sync them to the server in the office.

"I'll be in the lobby at 7:00am on Saturday," she said. "I'll call if there are any complications."

"Same here," I replied.

When we finished eating, we both elected to read, stopping to get more food before they closed the buffet, and finally making our way to the gate at 10:00pm for the 11:15pm flight. Fortunately, there were no further delays, and we boarded first, stowing our bags in the overhead bin, then sitting down with me in 4A by the window, and Emma in 4B by the aisle.

After takeoff, the cabin crew immediately handed out blankets and pillows, then turned down the cabin lights so everyone could sleep. I reclined my seat and pulled the lightweight blanket over me, and Emma did the same.

"Don't I get a good-night kiss?" she asked.

I nodded and turned so we could kiss. We allowed our lips to touch briefly, then both made ourselves comfortable to sleep.

_December 24, 2002, Christmas Eve, Chicago, Illinois_

"I enjoyed sleeping with you!" Emma declared after we deplaned in Chicago.

"Same!" I agreed.

"We should probably say 'goodbye' now, rather than have my dad be concerned."

"How do you want to say 'goodbye'?" I asked.

Emma's response was to put her bag down, step very close, and put her arms around me. I dropped my bag, put my arms around her, and pulled her tight against me. We exchanged a soft kiss, but didn't linger too long, nor turn it into a French kiss, to avoid making a spectacle. She broke the kiss and moved her lips next to my ear.

"I think I'm going to REALLY enjoy _sleeping_ with you!" she whispered.

"Same!" I replied.

We hugged tightly, exchanged another quick kiss, then made our way to the secure exit, where Emma saw her dad and hurried to him without glancing back. I knew I had to play it cool, so I didn't turn my head, but watched from the corner of my eye as they hugged and moved towards the baggage claim. I headed for the airport tram, rode it to long-term parking, got into my car, and headed home.

Forty minutes later, I pulled into the driveway, happy I'd made it home and not been stuck longer in California. I grabbed my bag, got out of the car and walked into the house where I was nearly bowled over by a young woman throwing her arms around me and hugging me.

"Cuddle time!" Birgit declared.

"Will Her Royal Highness deign to allow me to greet my wives, girlfriends, and other children?"

"I suppose," Birgit replied. "I'll take your bag and start your laundry while you do that."

She took the bag from me and I went to find the rest of the family, who were all in the dining room eating breakfast.

"Hi, beautiful wives!" I exclaimed. "Hi young ladies, and kids!"

My wives, Natalie, Yuriko, Stephie, and Ashley all got up to hug and kiss me, but Albert, being his usual self, simply acknowledged me and stayed sitting.

"How was your flight?" Jessica asked. "Could you talk to Ghost?"

"No. They rebooked him on a flight this morning. I think they were considering canceling the flight altogether, because they ran over crew time limits, but then they decided they needed the equipment here in Chicago, so assigned a new crew."

"Did you have breakfast, Steve-sama?" Yuriko asked.

"No, but I was accosted by a certain Empress of the Universe, and I believe if I eat before I cuddle her, I won't live to see Christmas!"

Everyone at the table laughed, and I went to the sunroom, where my eldest daughter joined me about a minute later.

"I missed you, Dad!" she said as she snuggled close.

"I missed you, too, Pumpkin!"

"Rachel invited Tiff, Naomi, Hannah, and me to come to Saint Martin with her and Javon during Spring Break."

"Before I respond on point, have you discussed this with your moms?"

"Yes, and I am _not_ looking for a different answer! Mom said I needed to discuss it with you!"

"OK. I thought you were going to New York."

"I can change those plans, and Marcella will understand. She has a girlfriend now, so it's not like it was before."

"Then I don't have a problem with you going. After all, you're going to Japan next Summer! What do you need to discuss?"

"The girls all asked their parents, and all three sets said that in order to go, adults would have to go along, and Javon and Rachel don't count, even though they're eighteen and nineteen. I thought you and Mom would go."

"I'll discuss it with your mom," I said. "I could take my vacation then."

"Yes! I'd like Bob to come along, but his parents need to talk to you and Samantha."

"The picture becomes clear now," I chuckled.

"Oh, stop! And besides, you don't know the _real_ reason!"

"What's the real reason, Pumpkin?'

"Tiffany, Naomi, and Hannah will all be fifteen by then! You'll have a VERY good time!"

"Pumpkin…" I warned.

"I didn't do anything!" Birgit protested. "It was Hannah's idea once Rachel suggested we all go with to Saint Martin! Hannah asked me ages ago about you, and I told her she had to talk to my moms; she talked to Mom yesterday."

"I sense a conspiracy!" I chuckled.

"Oh, please! You know Tiffany wants to and her mom even said it was OK!"

"Not quite, but she also didn't object. And that's enough of this discussion, Pumpkin. You know the rules."

"Honest, Dad! No coupons and no encouragement. They heard from Rachel how awesome it was! I'm jealous, but I know your answer, so Bob will have to substitute!"

"Let me talk to your moms and we'll let you know."

We cuddled for about ten minutes, then I went to the kitchen and Yuriko served me a breakfast of bacon and eggs, and then I went up to my room to shower and change, something I should have done right away, given I'd been in the same clothes for over twenty-four hours.

"How was San Francisco?" Kara, who along with Jessica and Suzanne, had come upstairs with me, asked.

"Great! Keiki and I had some very good talks, and she's ready to start at Stanford in the Fall. She did mention wanting to visit over the Summer."

"Of course she did!" Jessica said, laughing. "I suppose that will work because Yuriko is going to Japan and Natalie is going to Russia."

"I also met a new girl," I replied. "Her name is Raven."

"Mindfuck?" Kara asked with a smirk.

"Yes, then the other kind."

"And?"

"A fun, twenty-two-year-old virgin who is now a subversive. Her dad owns the livery company that provided rides for me and for Stephanie and Liz."

"Tiger strikes again!" Jessica declared. "Is there an investment opportunity?"

"Steve already made several deposits!" Suzanne teased, causing the rest of us to laugh.

"I didn't meet her dad, but it's a going business and they seem successful, so at this point, I'd say 'no'. That said, if I get a hint from Raven that they need capital, we'll talk. I did have an overnight with her, though it wasn't planned, and only happened because of the meeting yesterday morning. By the time I knew, it was after midnight here."

"I don't think that's a violation," Jessica observed. "It's when you would otherwise be with one of us and didn't ask that it would be a violation of our agreement."

"And yet, I'll report those near transgressions to ensure we don't have any miscommunication."

"We appreciate that!" Kara declared. "Anyone else?"

I chuckled, "My reputation precedes me. I met a sixteen-year-old girl while waiting for the flight. She struck up a conversation, and we spent several hours talking. I upgraded her seat so she could sit with me in First Class and she wants to see me while she's in Chicago."

'_Another_ mind fuck?" Suzanne asked.

"If so, she was the one administering it! I commented that she was very intelligent and at least my intellectual equal. It would be like someone meeting Birgit in that way."

"Loki help them!" Kara declared, causing the rest of us to laugh.

"Speaking of our eldest daughter, she asked about Saint Martin."

"Did she tell you Hannah came to speak to me yesterday?" Kara asked.

"Yes."

"It's perfect, Tiger! Those three girls get what they want, away from prying eyes!"

"Except Kara's!" I chuckled.

"A girl can dream, right?" Kara asked impishly.

"She can, but you know that can't be a condition."

"It wasn't, Snuggle Bear. I didn't even mention it."

"I think we can go," I said. "You'll need to talk to their moms, and you need to speak to both Naomi and Tiffany."

"Hannah said Naomi will come speak to me, but Tiffany doesn't turn fifteen until March."

"I think you can make an exception to what Suzanne told her," I said.

I finished in the shower, dried off, and then got dressed.

"Our usual Christmas celebration tonight adding Suzanne?" Jessica asked.

"That's what I intended," I replied. "I did change my dinner plans for last night to Friday, and I plan to meet Emma, the girl from the flight, on Saturday, unless there are any objections. Not an overnight."

None of them had any, so we left the room and went downstairs. We'd just reached the landing when I heard a knock at the front door and went to answer it.

"Can I help you?" I asked a man who looked vaguely familiar.

"Maybe. My name is Steve Samet, and I'm looking for Ray Adams, whose name is on the deed to this house."

"That's my dad, but he doesn't live here. I'm his son, Steve. May I ask what's this is about?"

"If you'll indulge me another question first?"

"You can ask, but I can't promise I'll answer."

"It's actually a few questions. First, is his birthday August 27, 1917?"

"Yes," I said warily.

"And his birth name was Lewis Betram Tobias?"

"I can't answer that question," I said quickly and firmly.

"And he went by Lewis B. Hano before changing his name to Ray Charles Adams?"

"Again, I cannot answer that question. What is it you want?"

"My birth name is Steven Marc Hano, and my dad is Lewis B. Hano, who was born Lewis Bertram Tobias. I'm absolutely certain you're my half-brother."