Chapter 19

"Mom, Dad," Katie said as she engaged them with her eyes, "there is planning that needs to happen, and we'd like to talk to you about it." The four were in the middle of dinner, and the 'how was your day' niceties had been dispensed with.

"I don't suppose this has anything to do with the coming extraction, does it?" asked George, their dad, with a knowing smile. Karen, their mother, also smiled at them.

"Well, of course, it does," allowed Kevin.

"And you're starting to think about who you want to be in your family?" asked Karen. The twins nodded.

"You feel obliged to take us, right?" asked George. More nodding occurred. "But that doesn't sit well with you." The twins both hesitated before sadly shaking their heads. "You may not be entirely surprised to learn that we've been thinking about that, too."

Karen added, "Kevin, your dad going with you may very well be the only way he'd be invited." Tears formed in her eyes. "He won't go with you if it means that the four of us are your entire family. I've tried to change his mind but, so far, to no avail."

"We already know you two are going together," said George. That shocked the twins, who stammered and stuttered, trying to reply.

"Oh, Kevin," sighed a smiling Karen, "oh, Katie. If it weren't for birth control, you'd have a kindergartner by now."

"You knew?" they both exclaimed, stunned. Both parents nodded, smiling. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"We didn't really want to encourage you," said Karen. "We hoped you'd outgrow it."

"If we'd caught you in the act," George asked, "would you have stopped? We didn't think so. We thought if we brought it into the open, you'd just do it more." George and Karen chuckled. Kevin and Katie were mortified.

"But all that was before our world was turned upside down," said Karen. "Now, you're planning a family with yourselves in the center. We think that's as it should be. We want you both to be happy, and confident, and fulfilled. We don't see a place for ourselves in your family -- either of us."

When the twins started to protest, George held up his hand to still them. "Think about it, kids. If you two were at a surprise pickup, you'd go together without a second thought. If your mom was at a pickup, she'd go and we'd never see each other again. That's the way things are. That's the way things *should be*."

"If I went with you," Karen said, "I'd always be your mom, even when we both have babies, Katie. You need to build your own family, kids. Don't ask me to be part of your family."

Katie said, "You two have really put a lot more thought into this than we have. How do you see this playing out for you?"

"Your mom will be the motherly concubine for someone," said George, "and wind up being the den mother for the family. I figure there's a chance a female volunteer will want me over a high school boy. Probably a less-than-even chance, but still pretty good. If I stay, I stay. That's all there is to it. No other outcome makes sense to us." Karen nodded agreement.

"It's funny you should say that," said Katie with a coy smile. "We had an interesting conversation today with a student volunteer."

Kevin picked up the narrative. "She's taking her mother. She won't take her dad with her. He's not emotionally suited to be subordinate. She knows any boy she selected could father the children in her family. She really wants a *dad* for her children, not just a father. She's worried that the boy she might select wouldn't be up to the task of being a good dad."

Katie added, "Then she tactfully asked us about our plans. We told her we thought the four of us would be going together. She surmised that that wasn't what any of us really wanted."

"Then she shocked the hell out of us," said Kevin. "She offered to trade one of her female draft picks for you, Dad."

Now it was Karen and George who were stunned into silence. They looked between themselves, to each of the twins, and back again.

"There's an ancient Chinese curse," George finally said quietly, his eyes beginning to tear. "'May you have your wish.' I'm afraid I just had my wish granted."

Karen turned and wrapped him in a hug. "Honey, I think this was about the best we ever hoped for."

"It sounded good at first," Katie admitted. "Now it doesn't seem fair that Dad is the only one to lose his family, even though he gets extracted."

They were all silent for a time, contemplating. Kevin brightened and said, "There's another way to skin this cat. Mom, whose baby would you want, mine, or Dad's?"

Karen had a quizzical expression. "I thought I wouldn't have any choice. I'm ready to do what we must. You're a handsome man, Kevin, but my heart belongs to another," and she turned and kissed George.

Kevin turned to Katie. "Sarah's mom gets a new man in any case. Sarah talked about trading for Dad. How do you think she'd feel about trading *moms* as well?"

"Sarah Edwards?" Karen asked. The twins nodded. "So, you're suggesting that Sarah would take us both, and you'd take Gabby Edwards?" More nodding. The twins were grinning now. "I like Gabby. I think you'd get along well with her. I wonder how Gabby and Sarah will react to the suggestion?"

"I'm not sure," said Katie with a giggle, "but she did say she wants a test drive before she buys." Both Karen and George blushed at that. Katie caught her mother's blush but said nothing. "Kevin, maybe we should show them our photos of Sarah?"

The twins produced their cell phones and scrolled to the first picture on each. They handed one to each parent, with instructions on how to scroll through. Katie watched her mother intently. She could tell when the first picture of Sarah's tits came up. Karen giggled, but Katie could tell there was more than a little interest there.

"You're looking forward to that test drive, huh Mom?" asked Katie. Karen blushed crimson with a deer-in-the-headlights expression on her face.

"Come on, Katherine," Ellen said the following morning, "why don't you come with me to my office before you go home?"

They walked in silence for a time, each lost in her own thoughts. "Thank you, Ellen, and thank you to Bob and your whole family. Last night was all I could ever have hoped for."

"You're entirely welcome, Katherine," said Ellen. "We're all very happy for you. I know Bob is as proud of you as I am."

"I feel like Oliver Twist," lamented Katherine. "All during the night, it was 'Please, sir, I want some more'."

Ellen laughed so hard that she nearly fell down. When she recovered, she cackled, "It was an all-you-want buffet, Oliver, er, Katherine. I'm glad you got some refills. I had fun being right next to you and Bob. I know Bob liked it a lot. At least he made you do all the work the last time. I was hoping you'd tell me you were still hungry and go after me!" She laughed again. Katherine was blushing, but soon she joined Ellen in laughter.

In a more sober tone, Ellen said, "Katherine, you are welcome in our home at any time. You are welcome in any bed in the house any time you want. You got one cherry down and two to go." That shook Katherine, but she said nothing. "You may not fancy the other ways, but I recommend you try them at least once. Wait for your concubine if you like. For one thing, you won't have to go out of the lineup just because you have your period." Katherine blushed crimson at that thought.

"I'm gonna be stuck in my office pretty much all day today," said Ellen. "Have you thought about finding girls to swap with, like we discussed last night? Do you want to get started on that today?"

"I feel good about that solution," answered Katherine, "but I think I'd better find out what my mom thinks before I act. I might prevail upon Michael Martin to help me for a few minutes tomorrow."

They entered Ellen's office, turned on lights, and made coffee. "While the coffee brews, how about I fit you with an IUD?" Katherine nodded, and Ellen guided her to an exam room. Smiling, she said, "You know the drill, girl. Panties off, on the table, feet in the stirrups." Ellen went down the hall for a moment while Katherine arranged herself.

"I brought you a morning-after pill, too," Ellen said when she returned. "You weren't using any birth control that I didn't know about, were you?" Katherine shook her head. "Being the town doctor does have certain advantages," she said, smiling.

Soon they were pouring coffee for themselves. "Can we talk some more about what I might find when I come home at night? Do you have time?"

"Yes, Katherine, I have about fifteen minutes. If you need more time, I suggest you go back to the house and take it up with my family. They're as interested in your happiness as I am. You may have noticed?"

Katherine smiled broadly. "Everyone was wonderful last night, especially Julie. I'm sure they'd be glad to help me. They'd probably help me out of my panties first, though!" Both women laughed.

"But seriously," said Katherine. "I know I'm smart. I'm gonna like sex a lot, but I'm sure I'm gonna want the company of other smart people. At least *wise* people if not smart people. The only young people I know who are smart, or wise, are qualified to be volunteers. So, having even one ditz in my home will be burdensome for me."

"That will mean," replied Ellen, "that you will be by far the youngest member of your family. How do you feel about that?"

"That plays right into what is currently my greatest weakness," said Katherine. "Until this Program started, I was painfully shy. I still have to work to overcome it, but I am feeling as if some leadership is beginning to blossom in me. I don't worry that I'll become a drill sergeant, but I feel I can express my wishes and my demands better now than before.

"I can't really imagine what it's going to be like. We'll live in some kind of home. Will I work nine to five like people do here? Will I be deployed on a Navy ship for months, only to return for a brief visit? What will the concubines do all day, every day? Sit around and bicker with each other?"

Ellen shook her head. "I don't know, Katherine. I have no idea what we'll find when we get there. After six years, though, I would hope the Confederacy has the kinks worked out, so the concubines' lives are at least somewhat fulfilling."

They sat in silence for a few moments, woolgathering. Ellen said, "If you pick the right mom and dad, they won't be *your* mom and dad but they'll be a steadying influence on you and your family. Maybe you should let them help you find the one, or the three more females you'll need to take into your family. When you choose the mom and dad, make sure they will be deferential to you, but also make sure one or both of them will be able to manage the rest of the family."

"Would you like some more coffee, Dawn?" asked Jenny. Receiving a nod, Jenny refilled both of their cups. "I wanted to share a little with you about the coming extraction, and maybe find out if we can help each other."

Dawn Zender had been Jenny's friend for a long time. Jenny had watched Dawn's marriage crumble and fail. Small town attitudes constrained Dawn's efforts to find a replacement dad for her children. The very small number of eligible bachelors complicated matters. Dawn was dating a little bit. This morning, Dawn's children, Abigail, 13, and Noah, 11, were still at home, two doors down.

"Dawn," Jenny continued, "I'm not very good at beating around the bush. I'm looking for a friend to live with, to share the ups and downs of daily life. Michael needs to take a mother. He asked me. I already love Michael, and I know we get along well. I agreed to go with him. Michael's going to be gone a lot. Michael wants me to have a friend with me all the time. I think I'd like you with us. I think we like each other. I like your kids. What do you think about that?"

Dawn was nonplussed. She had only prepared herself for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat with her friend and neighbor. The surprise registered on her face. She took a moment to compose herself. "I hadn't really thought about myself in the extraction," Dawn said. "I kind of knew I would be asked to go, and that I would. Your offer means that Michael would father the rest of my children, right?" Jenny nodded, smiling. "I haven't been with such a young man since I was that young myself," she blushed.

"There are a couple of attractions, Dawn," Jenny said slyly. "You know about young men. He's ready to go again in a flash. His stamina is building. He's young enough to be trained into an incredible lover, very considerate and thoughtful." Jenny blushed deeply when she realized all she had just implied.

Dawn smiled wickedly. "It sounds like you began the training a little early?"

"Guilty as charged, Dawn," answered Jenny, blushing. "I've been divorced for six years. You know by now how hard that is for a woman in a small town. When he asked me to come with him, I told him I would but I needed time. The time turned out to be three days. It played on my mind something awful. I was climbing the walls."

"If you're gonna be together after the extraction," Dawn allowed, "I guess there isn't much sense denying yourselves beforehand, is there?"

Jenny giggled. "That's how I rationalized it, too! I'll tell you, Dawn, it's nice to have a man in my bed again."

Dawn laughed. "I don't think it's in your *bed* that's so nice, as somewhere else. I will admit that's kind of attractive for me, too."

"Why wait, huh?" giggled Jenny.

"I like you a lot, Jenny," Dawn said. "I've always thought of Michael as a boy, although he *is* a young man now. Abby and Noah would come with us, right?"

Jenny smiled broadly. "Of course Abby and Noah will come. I'm so happy, Dawn. I know you'll enjoy Michael as a lover. I know you'll fit in our family. Do you want to know about the rest of our planned family?"

"I suppose I ought to know," sighed Dawn. "Knowing you, I don't think I'll be terribly disappointed or upset, but I should know."

"Michael also asked Stacy," Jenny said. "Michael insisted that Stacy keep her options open, in case the man of her dreams came into her life. Stacy promised to do that, but she's wary of any other man. She knows Michael, and loves him. She knows Michael won't turn into something ugly after the extraction. Stacy has pretty much decided to join Michael and me. Well, now Michael, you and me.

"That would be our family unless Michael's CAP score increases by two tenths of a point or more. If it does, he has two more slots available. I don't think he or Stacy have spent much time thinking about that. It might be best to take two of Stacy's friends."

"So," said Dawn, "it would be you and me and three sixteen-year-olds?" Jenny nodded. "I think that sounds alright. Stacy's a pretty levelheaded girl. She'll pick girls like herself, I'm sure."

Jenny said, "You deserve, and Michael deserves, a test drive. I confess, I had a really hard time for the three days between when I agreed to go with him and when we first made love. I really couldn't think of anything else. If it's been a while since you got laid, Michael's in his room now. You wanna go ambush him, or bring him to your house?"

"Before I answer that," said Dawn, "maybe I better ask how far along Michael and Stacy have gone, and how far along you and Stacy have gone. Are you three trying to pretend there's nothing going on, or having an orgy every night?"

Jenny blushed. "We've all been very open with each other. Well, there's no sense trying to be coy with you now. We three have slept in the same bed for a week now. Stacy and I are lovers with each other as much as we are with Michael. Is that gonna bother you?"

Dawn shook her head. "I was hoping you'd say that. I realized that I'm only gonna get one third of the sex Michael gets -- unless I only get one fifth. It makes sense that we all bond together. There's only going to be one dick for us to share, but a female tongue is at least as good as a male tongue.

"The other thing I need to think about is how Abby and Noah are going to respond to this. Abby's too young to have sex, but she's gonna be very interested in the goings-on. I think Noah is just gonna want to get an eyeful once or twice and that'll be enough. Jenny, how would you handle it?"

Jenny was silent for a moment, thinking. "Dawn, when will Abby be fourteen? Wasn't her birthday a month ago or so?" Dawn nodded. "I don't know what the rules on sex are for those under fourteen. I'd hate to set rules now, and then have to be more strict later. On the other hand, she'll be a full-fledged woman in less than a year. Then, there will be five -- or seven -- adults in our family. I would like our family, and all the children, to feel that sex is part of life, and be open about it."

"Jenny," Dawn said, shaking her head, "ten minutes ago, we were having our usual coffee and talking about nothing controversial. We've gone pretty far, pretty fast!"

Jenny laughed. "When the topic of conversation turns to 'hey, wanna join a harem?'. The wraps come off pretty fast. I'm so glad you aren't 'only-in-the-dark, missionary-position-only' about sex. We'll get along great, Dawn."

"OK, Jenny," Dawn chuckled, "we can go see about that test drive now, but only if you're fully part of it."

"There isn't much demand for jewelry, John, with the extraction only a few months from now. Nobody thinks diamonds and gold will be useful when they get to the stars." Ezra Werth had owned and operated the jewelry store next door to John's bakery for a generation. Ezra had informed John over coffee in John's shop that the jewelry store was closing.

"So, what are you going to do?" asked John.

"Grace and I want to move to Arizona," answered Ezra, "and enjoy the last few years of our lives. Grace is too old to be extracted. I won't go without her."

"I understand," nodded John, sadly. "The town will be helping you make your lives more comfortable." Ezra's quizzical expression prompted John to continue. "Ezra, there aren't going to be enough people left to make a viable town anyway. The town has a lot of money reserved for the future that now will never be needed. The money is mainly in the pension fund for town and school employees, and in the reserves for road and city property maintenance. The few employees who won't be extracted would get a lump sum payout as their share of the pension. If we simply walk away from the town, all the money would go to the state. I figure the remaining members of the town could put the money to better use."

"You think I don't have enough money for Grace to squander?" chuckled Ezra. "I've done very well over the years. You do have a point about letting the state have the money. Some remaining townspeople will need the help. I'm sure Grace will find use for the money." John laughed heartily.

"So," Ezra continued, "what are you going to do with my store?" John was so shocked that he couldn't immediately respond. "That other side of that wall," he said, pointing to the wall separating the two businesses, "is my store. You oughta knock it down and expand your bakery."

"But, what about" John sputtered.

"You think there's any demand for retail space for a few months?" Ezra gleefully cackled. "Maybe someone will buy a building in the middle of a ghost town?"

John went silent, considering. "You know, I was thinking" he began, and then sank back into his thoughts. "We need a way to make it easier to match up new families, Ezra. I'm not talking about a bawdy house. But a lot of volunteers have needs they have to fill. A lot of people with CAP scores below 6.5 want to hitch a ride."

"My store would make a nice, quiet place to talk to each other, John," suggested Ezra. "Come on, let's go next door and take a look." Ezra unlocked the front door, turned off the alarm and turned on the lights. He immediately began removing items from the wall.

"Ezra, aren't you going to open your store today?" asked a surprised John.

Ezra was sheepish. "Today is the Sabbath, John, although I haven't let that stop me for the past thirty-some years. Do you suppose a few more days being open for business will make much difference to Grace and me, one way or the other?"

Together, they walked through the entire store. John went back to the bakery and returned with a measuring tape and a pad of paper. They worked together measuring walls and laying out the front area for use until Ezra removed his fixtures and equipment, the tangible evidence of a lifetime of work. John and Ezra moved everything from the front of the store to the rear, behind a sturdy door.

"You can use the expanded space by this afternoon if you put your mind to it," chuckled Ezra. "I will arrange to have everything out of the back on Monday," he smiled.

"What are you going to do with it?" John asked.

"John, John," smiled Ezra, shaking his head, "we're the only Jews in town, not the only Jews in the state. Besides, jewelers and jewelry wholesalers all work together. Don't worry about it. Plan on the entire space being available by mid-day Tuesday at the latest."

The friends shook hands and John went back to his bakery. He told his staff about the plan and, on a whim, took a marking pen and wrote on the soon-to-be-demolished wall:

COMING SOON!

THE BAKERY SLAVE MARKET

BUY, SELL OR TRADE CONCUBINES

No sooner had he finished than a number of his customers wanted to know more. His plan met with enthusiastic support. John found himself dividing up tasks and supervising. Soon, a carpenter showed up with his tools and a roll of plastic sheeting, which he hung on both sides of the wall to contain the dust. Before the wall was down, people led by Rev. Andy Evans were coming into the bakery carrying folding chairs.

John stood in wonder, watching the flurry of activity. Soon, the rubble that had been the wall was gone, the mess cleaned up, and the chairs placed. Ready for business, just like that.

Andy volunteered himself as moderator and facilitator. With a chuckle, he mentioned a prior commitment on Sunday morning, during which service he would announce the new facility. Andy didn't even have to wait for his first 'customer' once bakery patrons saw the facility was ready for use.

"Haley, come to dinner!" called her mother. Haley entered the room and sat down at the table. Haley had long since trained her mother that helping with dinner was not part of the job description of a beautiful young cheerleader. Her studies and her social life were far too important.

"Nick and I are going to a party at Chelsea's house tonight," Haley announced when dinner was underway. "We might stay the night at her house," she smiled coyly. It was only natural that the head cheerleader would be going out with the quarterback of the school football team. Nick Logan also played basketball and center field, but football was his first love. Well, his first love after Haley Tanner.

"And are Chelsea's parents going to be at home?" asked her dad, Joe.

"Dad," Haley answered, "what difference does it make? Would you be happier if we just went to the bar? I could bring Nick home and fuck him in the living room if you prefer."

Joe and Mary shared a look of long-suffering futility. By this time in her life, Haley's mom and dad didn't exert any real control over their baby girl. Haley was smart enough, popular enough and determined enough to get what she wanted, and damn the consequences for anyone else.

"Haley," her mother diffidently began, "we're wondering what your plans are for the extraction. Have you assembled your family for the future?"

"I'm taking Nick, of course," Haley answered. "I haven't really decided beyond that. I need a motherly concubine, and I want to take another one of the cheerleaders. I only get three." Turning to her dad, she said, "I love you, Dad, but I can't see sleeping with you."

"Haley!" cried Mary.

"Well, it's true, Mom," snapped Haley. "Have you always wanted to watch me fuck Dad? Do you want to carry Nick's baby?" Both parents blushed deeply and shook their heads sadly. In a more conciliatory tone, she said, "I love you both. If it weren't for the extraction, you'd be finished with your term of indenture when I graduated and you'd be able to live for each other."

There was more than a little truth to that statement. Mary for one shuddered at the thought of being Haley's personal slave for the rest of her life. Joe was mainly able to hide his exasperation and disappointment in his daughter. Intelligent and vivacious, Haley was very demanding. Graduation day had been anxiously anticipated by all three.

"Then," said Joe, "you wouldn't be devastated if we made other arrangements for the extraction?" Haley shook her head. "We'd like to go as a couple. Your mom's probably gonna go in any case. I'm the one most at risk of being left behind."

"That's not what I wanted at all!" Haley said emphatically. "I want you to be extracted. I just can't picture us sharing the same bed for the rest of our lives."

"Perhaps," said Mary softly, "you'll let it be known that a loving mother and father are available?" Haley nodded. "We'll begin making our own inquiries, too."

"Let's go have coffee and a pastry," said Sarah as she and her mother walked home from church. "I'd like to see what the new facility is all about."

True to his word, Rev. Evans had touted the newly opened meeting area in the bakery. He went to some length to describe its purpose and limitations. He modestly mentioned his involvement as moderator.

Gabby and Sarah bought themselves each a pastry and some coffee. Sarah was headed to the new area, but Gabby steered her to a table within the bakery itself. "Can we talk about this first, please?" she asked her daughter. They settled themselves at a table out of earshot of other customers.

Sarah smiled sadly at her mother. "Mom, I'm going to be a volunteer in the extraction. I already have a high enough CAP score to take a mother plus four concubines. I need to begin to identify those I will be taking with me. First, will you go with me?"

Gabby had resigned herself to the fact that she would be going. She nodded but said nothing. Sarah continued, "I am going to be the head of my own household. Do you see Dad as my slave? Do you think Dad could do that?" Gabby sadly shook her head.

"I don't think so, either," Sarah said. "I need a male to be a member of my family. I need that male to be a member of the family, and probably not even second in command, much less first. Mom, I want that male to be the *dad* for all the children we'll have, and not just the father. I don't think I'm willing to take a young man because the risk that he won't be up to the task of being a dad is too great."

"I understand," Gabby said as she watched herself stir her coffee. "But what will happen to your father?"

Now it was Sarah's turn to look away from her mother. "Mom, I can't be responsible for Dad. I love Dad. I love you. I can't change the way he is. I can't make him docile. I couldn't recommend him to any girl who asked me."

"I guess I don't blame you," sniffed Gabby. "When we are extracted, we won't see him again, will we?" Sarah shook her head slowly. "Then what will you do about a dad for the family? Who will you put into my bed?"

"I'm certainly open to suggestions, Mom. The man I want will be more nearly your age than mine. Whoever it is will be in my bed as well."

"Sarah, I'm a married woman in a very small town. I don't let myself get caught showing the least interest in other men, especially married men. And, in my experience, men in this town aren't married for a reason."

Sarah said. "I had an interesting conversation on Friday with Katie and Kevin Lasher. They're going to be extracted together. They feel obliged to take their parents, but that would mean the four of them: mom, dad, sister and brother. That isn't very attractive to them, but they feel stuck." She smiled coyly. "Do you know George Lasher very well?"

Gabby blushed at the connotations. "You mean, you want to know if I'd take George Lasher as my mate?" Sarah nodded shyly. "And Karen would go with Kevin and Katie?" Another nod. "And I'd be living in the same neighborhood as Karen, with her husband in my bed?"

Sarah was taken aback at that. "This whole process sure is harder than an instant pickup, isn't it?" Gabby nodded. "What should I do, Mom?"

"I don't know, Sarah," Gabby answered. "But there can't be too many possibilities. Can you try to go through them?"

Sarah sat and thought. "A single, mature man seems to be out, if what you say is right. I don't want problems. I don't want a young man, as I explained earlier. You don't want me to break up a married couple, unless they themselves want to break up. I think that that is one of the purposes of that room," and she cocked her head toward the newly expanded portion of the bakery. "The last possibility is" and she trailed off.

"�Is what?" Gabby asked. "You send me to another family and take both a man and his wife?"

"I wasn't ready to consider that possibility, Mom," said Sarah sadly.

"Sarah," Gabby said softly, "I'm going to be in a harem, with other women and a new man. You were always going to go on and live your own life, without us. I'll be fine, Sarah. Maybe we'll even live in the same neighborhood. That sounds like the best answer for both of us, doesn't it?"

Tears ran freely down the faces of both women. They sat in silence together for a long time. Sarah's cell phone announced a text message received, but Sarah didn't look at it.

Finally, Sarah pulled herself together. "Let's go back to the Lashers. They want to do something for their parents, and for themselves. They'll need a mother. Do you like the twins? Could you see yourself as their mother, as Kevin's lover, as Katie's sister?"

Gabby smiled. "If I thought about it for a long time," she said, "I might be able to think of a better pair of kids than Katie and Kevin. I would do that, Sarah, for you and for Katie and Kevin, and for Karen and George."

"Well, then," said Sarah, "shall we go trolling," and she cocked her head to the other room again, "or shall we take the bird in the hand?"

"I'm too old to begin dating again, Sarah," said Gabby. "Is it all right with you if we took the bird in the hand? How do you feel about George and Karen Lasher?"

"I think they'll work out just fine," said Sarah with a relieved smile. Sarah giggled as she looked at her text message. She turned the phone to Gabby and showed her the message from Katie.

"Welcome," said Kevin as he opened the door to Sarah and Gabby. "Glad you could make it on such short notice. Please come in."

"We haven't been home yet since church," said Gabby.

"Not to worry," said Kevin, "we're just dressed more casually."

They made their way into the living room, where they found Katie, George and Karen waiting for them. Warm greetings were shared all around. They had settled into their seats and fell silent for a moment, looking at each other. "This is hard," said Sarah with a sigh.

"You mean you've never interviewed a prospective sire before?" chuckled George. That seemed to break the ice. Both Katie and Sarah started talking at once. Both stopped, giggling nervously, and prompted the other to be first. Neither could summon the courage to begin again.

After watching the two struggle, Kevin began. "Sarah, I'm sure you remember the details of the proposal from Friday. We talked it over with the folks. Dad is interested, but he isn't keen on parting company with Mom."

Both Sarah and Gabby were visibly relieved. "I couldn't do that to you, Karen," said a blushing Gabby. "Sarah told me the plan, but I can't do it."

"That's actually heartening," said George. "Kevin, is it alright with you if I tell them the counter-proposal?" Kevin nodded. George turned to Sarah. "Sarah, Gabby, we wonder how you'd feel about Sarah taking both Karen and me, and Gabby would go with Kevin and Katie?"

Gabby was crying now, but enthusiastically nodding. Karen shot over to her and wrapped her in a hug. Karen's own tears were running freely. Sarah said, "That's exactly what Mom said we should do." She was smiling but tears ran down her cheeks as well. Katie mimicked her mom and wrapped Sarah in a hug.

When everyone had collected themselves, Karen and Katie sat back down. After a deep sigh, Sarah said, "OK. We have agreement in principal. Karen and George will come as members of my family, and Gabby will come as a member of Kevin's family. Agreed?" They all nodded. Sarah continued, "I wish this part weren't necessary. I wish my father wasn't such a butt hole. Kevin and I need to know you concubines are completely committed and will be obedient and loyal to us. Kevin, is it OK if we do the tests all at once?" Kevin nodded. Turning to the group, Sarah said, "Then I think all of the concubines need to undress."

Karen and Gabby looked at each other and shrugged. Both began to undress. George followed suit. Katie looked a question at Sarah, who nodded. Katie began to undress as well. "Kevin," said Sarah, "if you don't mind, I'm gonna undress as well. I need to see that Karen can allow George to be with me. I need to see that George is willing and able to be with me."

Kevin nodded and began to undress himself. "I think I'd better test Gabby and Katie, too."

Gabby had her dress unzipped and was about to pull it forward and off, but stopped. Looking at Kevin, she said, "I'm not a schoolgirl anymore, Kevin. I'm not young and pretty like Katie." Her lip quivered and she struggled not to start crying again.

"Gabby," Kevin said with a warm smile, "you're gonna look as young as Katie after the extraction. You're gonna have the body you always dreamed of. You're gonna want to flaunt yourself in front of us at every opportunity. It's your heart I want, Gabby, and your experience and wisdom. I hope we'll have the loving family we all deserve."

"Sarah," Katie giggled as she stepped out of her panties, "Karen's gonna be very disappointed if you don't test drive her, too." Sarah looked at Karen and found her blushing crimson. No denials were heard.

Six nude figures returned to their seats. "I'm glad to see that you two guys aren't nervous," giggled Karen and looking at George and Kevin's erections. Sarah and Gabby chuckled.

"Now, what?" asked Gabby.

"We'd better do this simultaneously, or we'll be here all afternoon," chuckled Karen.

They divided themselves into two family units and started with hugs and tentative kisses. The kisses weren't really tentative between the two pairs of Lashers and the two Edwards were inspired. "Are you going to be OK with the twins being together right here?" Sarah asked softly.

"We've heard them often enough," Karen cackled loudly.

"Mom!" squeaked Katie. The Lasher men both chuckled.

Soon they all moved to the floor. At first it was awkward for everyone, but they soon gave in to the moment. Karen eagerly showed Sarah that she had no reservations at all about girl-girl sex. Gabby wasn't eager, but she was determined and did a credible job with Katie. All the women got a mouthful of cock, but not enough to send either man over the edge. Gabby was penetrated first and had a nice orgasm, made better when Kevin released his spend deep within her. Katie went right after the cream pie.

Karen was first on their side, but George wasn't as spry as Kevin and would have taken quite a while to recharge. Sarah got Karen over the edge with her tongue. Sarah and Katie were taken at about the same time. For the first time, Katie felt no compunction to be still, and she sang out her orgasm with gusto. Sarah appreciated George's skill and consideration. She was unaccustomed to the stamina of a mature man and she had two powerful orgasms before George released himself deep within her, triggering still a third orgasm. Karen greedily collected as much of George's spend with her tongue as she could. Gabby dutifully followed suit.

"You're hired!" giggled Sarah when she had recovered enough to speak. They shared a three-way kiss that promised a bright future for them all.

Kevin was still atop and inside Gabby when he flashed a brilliant smile and said, "Gabby, will you be our mate? Will you help us make a family?" Gabby, tears running down the sides of her face but smiling brightly, emphatically nodded yes. Katie moved in to join him and the three kissed.

They returned to their seats, still naked, beaming at each other. "You four Lashers," Sarah said with a wicked smile, "will always wonder what it would have been like to be lovers. I hope you find out. I hope you like it." Wagging her finger at Karen and smiling, "Something tells me you've wanted to be double penetrated for a long time. Teach them about anal sex!" They all blushed, but nodded and laughed.

In a far more somber tone, and collecting Gabby's hand, Sarah continued, "We don't have the loving, affectionate home that you enjoy -- yet. Gabby now has a new mate, and an old mate, a future and a past. I don't envy her position. You three work out seeing each other over the next few weeks. Please be cognizant of her delicate circumstances.

"Some time soon, you three," referring to the twins and Gabby, "and we three" referring to Karen and George, "will have to meet somewhere to register our relationships with the database. Gabby and I have been away from home today for too long already. We should go."

The group casually dressed and lovingly parted company. Gabby and Sarah walked home. "What'll we tell Dad about where we've been so long?" asked Gabby.

Sarah sighed. "I'm not going to lie to Dad," she said, "but I'm don't wanna rub his nose in it if I can help it. I can already feel the adrenaline begin to run in my body. If I can't bully him into minding his own business, this might be the biggest fight Dad and I have ever had."

After they had walked in silence for a while, Sarah put her arm around Gabby's shoulder and squeezed. "You've got a tough row to hoe for a few months, Mom, but after that you have the future you always dreamed of."

When they arrived at home, they found Tony Edwards sitting at the kitchen table, reading the Sunday paper. "That must a been a long church service," he said, still reading.

"No, Dad, the service was the same length as always," answered Sarah.

"Then where ya been?" he said, looking up at Sarah.

"Dad, do we need your permission to be away from home together on a Sunday afternoon?" asked Sarah ominously.

"I'm not giving the third degree here," Tony responded with his voice beginning to harden, "I just asked where you've been."

"Out," was all Sarah said.

Tony looked hard at Gabby, silently letting her know that this wasn't the end of it between them. Sarah picked up the loaded look and, with an evil scowl said, "Are you sure you really want to know the answer to your question?"

"I'm a big boy now, Sarah," he said, leaning back in his chair, "I can take it."

"Well, Daddy," she said as she pulled out a chair across from him and sat, "there's gonna be a Confederacy pickup pretty soon. It's time to begin making arrangements."

"And what does that mean," answered Tony as he leaned forward and glowered at Sarah.

"Dad, I'm going to be a volunteer," she said, leaning right into his face. "I'm going to take five people with me. Mom's not one of them. You're not one of them. I'm making arrangements for who those five people will be. Mom's making arrangements for who she'll go with. If you want more of an answer for that, I'm not responsible for the outcome."

"Them's fighting words, Sarah," said Tony with softness emphasizing danger, "and I never shy away from a fight."

Sarah looked at him for a time, shaking her head slowly. "If I offered to take you with me, would you come? Would you be my slave? Would you be utterly obedient to me? Could you handle the complete role reversal?" Tony just shook his head. "Dad, you've been the head of your household for your entire adult life. I love you, Dad, but you don't have it in you to be subservient. I won't take you with me because you'd wind up dead. If any girl asks me whether she should take you, I'm gonna say 'no'. Would you have it otherwise?"

Sarah watched as all the fight drained out of her father. He slumped in his chair, looking away from her. "Daddy, I hope you kill lots of Swarm before you die." Sarah rose from her chair and, after watching her silent father for a moment, went into her room. Gabby followed.

Sarah raced into her mother's arms and began crying, wracking sobs punctuated with whispered "I'm sorry." Gabby shushed her, holding her until she had cried herself out. Sarah pulled her head away enough to see Gabby's own tear-stained face. Wordlessly, they hugged each other fiercely and broke their embrace. Gabby went into her own room and changed clothes. Sarah did the same in her own room.

It was preternaturally quiet in the Edwards household that evening. When they had gone to bed, Sarah listened to her mother's unusually loud responses to the very long, rough bout of sex with her father. She had nearly steeled herself to intervene when the noise subsided.

In the morning, Tony Edwards was gone. Gabby and Sarah never saw or heard from him again.