Chapter 22

(Author's warning: this chapter contains some mm sex.)

"Eric, Steven, welcome!" said the always nude Julie as she answered the door. "Come in, I'll introduce you. Dinner's almost ready." They came into the living room and found a grinning Bob with an obviously comfortable twin on each side of him. "Bob, this is Eric and Steven." Bob rose and shook hands with each.

"I'm pleased to finally meet you both," said Bob. "This is Mindy, and this is Mandy. The urchin yonder is Sandy. Kathy, Julie and Mickey are in the kitchen." Sandy was also nude but Bob and the twins were dressed.

"Stay here, Bob," said Julie. "I think they're going to be setting the dinner table once introductions are over." Before Bob returned to his seat, he asked each of his three companions whether their beverages should be refreshed. They politely declined.

"Kathy, I'd like to make introductions. "This is Eric and this is Steven. Kathy was Bob's wife until she generously shared him with the rest of us. This is Mickey, the twins' mom."

"We're pleased to meet you," both boys stammered out.

"It looks like Bob and the twins are the only ones dressed here," said Steven as he began to undress. Eric quickly followed suit.

"We're going to be family," said Kathy. "Do whatever makes you most comfortable."

"May I serve you a beverage?" asked Julie. They settled on rum and coke again. They shared small talk while Julie prepared and delivered the beverages. The boys were soon volunteered to set the dinner table. Ellen arrived while the table was being set and dinner completed. Soon everyone was called to dinner.

"Steven and Eric, I guess I should explain a bit," said Julie, "so you don't think I was operating under false colors. The Julie you saw when we first met is very much a part of who I am. That persona was once entirely who I was. With the love and aid of first Ellen, and now all the rest of our family, that persona is fading. But she will always be there. She is able to build pressure within me to come out. Sometimes the stars align properly and she can come out. I had a truly wonderful time, and I hope you did, too."

"I did wonder," allowed Eric, "how you could change so much. Thanks for the explanation. If she wants to come out in the future, we'll be glad to play." Julie nodded agreement.

"As you can see," said Ellen, "our family is much larger than just the two of us you visited the first time. I told you that our family would be large. We will be adding four more women to our family, along with an unknown number of their children. Already, there are ten of us living in this house, plus you two. We don't know whether any of the four women will have to move in with us. We would like you to begin to come over here quite often because we have to get used to each other. Are you willing to live with your current families until the extraction?" Both boys nodded.

Ellen continued, "The idea of an enormous family and the reality are sometimes very different. I invited you to join our family. In an instant extraction, my offer and your acceptance would be final. In the present situation you two have the opportunity to take the time to decide whether this family -- this tribe -- is right for you."

"Thank you, Ellen," said Steven. "We appreciate your consideration. We're already sure we want to join any family you head."

"Besides," said Eric, "no one else would take us."

"I don't know about that," said Bob. "You may be right. I guess you'll never find out, will you?" Both boys nodded and smiled.

During the rest of dinner, the talk centered around the Program and how the boys were doing. Both had recently had their CAP scores re-tested and each saw a small increase. The boys were delighted with the two forms of shooting and felt they were making good progress.

Bob volunteered to clear the table and clean the kitchen. He was pleasantly surprised when the twins began to help him. Travis and Becky disappeared into their room. The rest of the family adjourned to the living room.

"How do you want to divide the work in here?" Bob asked the twins. They were pleased that he had asked their opinion. Mandy said, "If you'll put away food, Mindy and I will wash and dry the dishes."

In the living room, Sandy and Mickey had bracketed the boys on the sofa and were eying the stiff cocks standing at attention. The boys each had a hand on the other's thigh. Ellen sat across from them. "I don't think we got an answer on whether you need to move in here any time soon," she said. "How are things going at your homes?"

"Pretty much the same as usual," said Eric, "as far as I can tell."

"My folks have mentioned in front of us that they expect that Mom and the little ones will be extracted," added Steven. "Dad seems resigned to that." Eric nodded agreement.

"As I said at dinner," Ellen continued, "this house is crowded already. There is a risk that one or more of the four women will need shelter. I don't want you to think you are less than full members of our family, but your current living situations seem to be working. I want you to come over often so you can integrate yourselves into our family. If you're willing to join this tribe, then I think you ought to tell your folks." Both boys nodded.

By this time, both Mickey and Sandy had a hand on the other thigh of the boy next to them. The boys' cocks noticed the attention. Both bobbed with the rising heartbeat of its owner.

"I haven't discussed you with the family," said Ellen. "I think you should do that. Bob and the twins should be present. I think they'll be in here shortly. You know about Julie and me. I think I'll let Mickey share with you a little about herself. Mickey, can you do that?"

Mickey sighed deeply. "It'll be good for me to say it out loud, won't it?" Ellen and Julie both nodded. Mickey looked down into her lap. "I had a hard life until Ellen and Bob rescued me. My old man beat me something fierce. There wasn't any such thing as me saying 'no' to sex, anytime, anywhere. He used to bring his friends over and they'd all fuck me, one after the other or in two's and three's."

"I've seen her with three cocks in her at once," said Mindy from the doorway, "and a cock in each hand." Tears were running down the cheeks of both the twins, but they both had their arms around Bob.

"At least I was able to protect the twins," said Mickey, her own cheeks wet with tears.

"You took your full share of abuse and all the abuse that would have come to us," said Mandy. "We're all safe now. It's like we're born anew, living in such a loving family that it was beyond my wildest dreams."

"Yes," sighed Mickey. "We three are on the road to recovery. I think we will be ready to lend a hand when the next batch of battered women joins us. We'll care for them just as our new family has cared for us." She smiled as she spoke, her evident joy and contentment juxtaposed with her free-flowing tears.

"And now I'm horny," she giggled as she grabbed Eric's cock and began gently stroking.

Sandy followed suit with Steven's cock. "I was hoping, Mickey," she said, "that you'd teach me how to give a blowjob. I'm not going to be able to fuck tonight." She held up the string that came out of her vagina. Without a word, and without letting go the man meat in her hand, Mickey positioned herself between Eric's knees.

"You don't have to do that," said Eric.

"Don't you want a blowjob?" asked Mickey.

"Do *you* want that?" asked Eric in reply.

"I wanted to welcome you into the family," said Mickey gently. "Sandy wants a lesson. I'm OK with it."

"Isn't that just what the old you would have done?" asked Eric. "Mickey, we want to be part of the healing and not part of the old way. You haven't let us tell our story yet. Would you settle for a hug now and we'll figure out the rest later?"

Mickey was deeply touched by Eric's thoughtfulness. She rose on her knees and let Eric wrap her into a hug. Before the hug ended, Mickey managed to plant a kiss on his lips. She returned to her seat beside Eric.

Bob and the twins found seats and waited for Eric and Steven to tell their story. The twins cuddled up under Bob's arms.

"Ellen read us like a book," Steven said. "She somehow knew all about us."

"We're shy," said Eric. "We don't really understand girls, and we never had enough courage to deal with them."

"We found each other," said Steven. "We hit it off right away. One thing led to another and now we're lovers. Ellen caught us fooling around at the big party and invited us to join her family."

"We visited Ellen and Julie," said Eric. "We had sex with a woman for the first time. We'll leave it to Julie or Ellen to fill in the details. We had sex with each other while Ellen and Julie watched. It was way, way outside our experience. We both enjoyed ourselves a lot. We want to do it again."

"We can add and subtract," said Steven. "We know that there'll be eleven women and just Bob and us two. We don't know if we'll ever be fully comfortable asking any of you for sex. We don't even know if we'll be able to tell if a woman is horny or just feels sorry for us. We don't know about the level of sex drive of a girl our age," and he looked at Sandy, "or a mature woman," and he looked at Kathy.

"We're boys," said Eric. "If we had the opportunity, we'd have sex several times a day. Maybe that'll slow down if we actually *can* have sex several times a day. We liked sex with Julie, and we want to have more sex with women. Even if we become completely comfortable with women, we'll still want each other sometimes. Does all that make sense to you?"

Ellen smiled at them. "That's exactly where I thought you'd be, except I'm impressed that you had it within you to question a blowjob. I think you'll feel more comfortable after you've had sex with everyone a few times. You have our support for your attraction to each other. If you want to have sex with each other, you're welcome to do so, in private or not. You have established your credentials with all of us. No one is going to offer you a mercy fuck. If you get offered sex by anyone in our family, it will be because she *wants* sex with you. Are you OK with that?" Both boys nodded.

"Now," she continued, "you must have some expectation of what will happen here tonight. You probably have a somewhat different wish for what will happen here tonight. Can you share both of those with us, please?"

Now the boys were on the spot. They looked at each other, both blushing furiously. Each in turn tried to stammer out an answer but couldn't.

"Before you answer," said Mickey, "I can add and subtract, too. Right now, not counting you two reluctant lovers, we've got one man and four women. It looks to me," she said as she looked at her daughters, "like we'll soon be six women. With all this pussy available, there's not much ass fucking goin' on. I happen to like it in the ass. If no one else, I'm sure you guys understand that." The boys blushed but nodded agreement.

"The other thing is," she continued, "I've never seen two guys get it on. I'm pretty sure the rest of us, except Ellen and Julie, haven't either. Maybe you oughta get that out of the way so it's as normal to us as all the rest. I suggest you either fuck each other up the ass, one after the other, or do a sandwich with you two and me."

The blushing boys looked at each other and, one after the other, nodded and smiled. "We've never done a sandwich before," said Eric. "That's too good to pass up."

Eric and Steven turned to each other and began to kiss and caress each other. Mickey and Sandy were forced to withdraw their hands. Julie came and whispered in Sandy's ear. She stepped back and watched Sandy consider, then nod. Grinning, Julie next kneeled between Mickey's knees.

Sandy stood and came around to stand beside Mickey. "We're gonna get you ready," Julie told Mickey. Julie's eyes sparkled. She gently pulled on Mickey's hips, causing Mickey to slide downward and out.

As Julie began to caress Mickey's thighs, Sandy lifted Mickey's chin towards her and approached for a kiss. "I'm so glad you're my sister," breathed Sandy. That alone sent a tremor through Mickey. She willingly closed the gap and kissed her. Sandy used both of her hands to caress Mickey's face.

Julie knew that Eric and Steven wouldn't need much time before they were ready to go, so she wasted little time getting her mouth on Mickey's pussy. Mickey groaned and shuddered at the touch of Julie's tongue. Julie went to town on Mickey, trying to raise her level of arousal as quickly as possible. Sandy contributed by kissing Mickey deeply while caressing her breasts.

Eric and Steven were kissing each other deeply and each stroked the other's cock. They broke their kiss and looked around. They found a smiling Ellen holding a tube of lubricant. She tossed it to them. Eric doled some onto his fingers and began to apply it to Steven's ass. They resumed kissing as best they could in their awkward position.

Kathy appeared to be struggling to keep her hand out of her crotch. The twins had each taken one of Bob's hands and placed it on her breast. They had Cheshire Cat smiles as they stroked the tops of his thighs.

At Julie's signaled instruction, Sandy reached over to collect the tube and handed it to Julie. After pulling Mickey even farther out, she applied a liberal dose of the lubricant onto -- and into -- Mickey's sphincter.

"How are we gonna do this?" asked Eric. Rather than answer, Julie stood and raised Mickey to a standing position. Eric and Steven also stood. Julie had Mickey bend at the waist and beckoned Steven to approach. Julie parted Mickey's ass cheeks. Steven needed no further prompting. He slowly but surely sank his cock all the way into Mickey's ass. Mickey groaned in pleasure.

Eric was next. He didn't need prompting either. Soon he was fully embedded in Steven's ass. At the same time, Julie guided Sandy onto her knees in front of Mickey. Soon Sandy was laving Mickey's pussy.

"There's two ways you can do this," Julie said. "Maybe the easiest to begin with is to have Eric almost out of Steven. Steven can pull away from Mickey and onto Eric's cock while Mickey and Eric stand still. If that doesn't seem right, then both of you guys pull out and plunge in at the same time. Eric would have further to go on each stroke."

Ellen knelt between Kathy's knees. "I've seen this before," she whispered to Kathy as she nudged her hips outward. Ellen began licking and sucking Kathy's pussy. Kathy was at first distressed, but Ellen's tongue felt so good that she relaxed and enjoyed herself.

A 'sandwich' sounds great but is hard to do. Mickey was getting regular, if arrhythmic penetration from Steven and an expert tongue-lashing from Sandy. Her passion rose steadily.

Eric had moved back and was letting Steven do all the work. Steven pushed his cock forward into Mickey and then his ass backward onto Eric's cock. After a few moments, the boys got the hang of it and something of a steady rhythm was established.

Julie was hovering around them, trying to make sure it worked for all three. None of the three was properly positioned for exchanging kisses so Julie moved from one to the other with deep, loving kisses.

With double stimulation, Mickey hit her peak first, keening and shuddering. She was able to remain standing and Steven's penetrations continued. Sandy backed off her tongue-lashing for a bit and then resumed her work.

Steven wasn't far behind. He howled out his orgasm and flooded Mickey's bowels with jism. He kept up his stroking through his orgasm and was able to continue without losing his erection.

The orgasms of his two lovers were finally too much for Eric. He held Steven's hips while slamming his cock deep into Steven, blasting gobs of his spend.

Julie rushed away but quickly returned with three warm, wet washcloths and three small towels. First Eric stepped away, accepting Julie's proffered cloths, then Steven followed. Julie handed the third set to Mickey. After cleanup, they all found their seats again.

Just as they were getting themselves comfortable, Kathy's explosive orgasm overwhelmed her. She screamed and quaked. Ellen watched her thrashing, with a look like the cat that ate the canary.

Joe awoke on his back and discovered that his cock was buried in Chrystal's pussy. Chrystal was straddling him, her tits hanging down almost in his face. "You're insatiable," he chuckled as she began to post on his cock. She smiled coyly.

"I'm afraid you've awakened a part of me that I was never able to explore," she softly said. "I've wanted a husband and family all my life. I want to wring every ounce of pleasure before I awake from my dream."

"Oh, it's no dream," said Katherine. Joe and Chrystal turned their heads and found Katherine and Mary standing near the doorway, both nude, arms around each other's waist, and smiling approvingly. "But you have a lot of lost years of love and lust to catch up on. Ride him all you can."

Joe reached up and began fondling her breasts. Soon he captured a nipple in his mouth. Katherine and Mary approached and began stroking Chrystal's back. The sheer joy of having a lover again after all these years was wonderful. Having her daughter and her lover's wife watching made her lust rocket skyward.

Mary wet her index finger in her mouth and began exploring Chrystal's ass crack. Chrystal responded with a surprised "eek" but allowed Mary to continue. Mary stroked from the top all the way down to the spot where Chrystal and Joe were joined. Mary collected lubricant and her finger began its return to the top, depositing the liquid atop Chrystal's sphincter along the way. Mary repeated this several times until there was sufficient lubrication at the target.

The additional stimulation was having the intended effect on Chrystal. Soon she was huffing down the stretch toward her release. Mary jammed her finger through Chrystal's sphincter. Chrystal exploded in orgasm, screaming, keening, thrashing and quaking. It was all Joe and the spectators could do to keep her from falling off. She felt the jets of Joe's release deep within her and another orgasm ripped through her. She came to rest lying on Joe's chest, panting.

"What did you *do* to me?" breathed Chrystal.

"Liked that, eh?" chuckled Mary. "Next time, I'll penetrate you with my tongue." Chrystal shuddered at the thought.

"You'd better get up and get moving if you're gonna take me to church today," Mary told Joe. "Cuddle with Chrystal first. That's important."

"I haven't been to church since Katherine was born," sighed Chrystal. "Would you like some company?"

"That would be wonderful," said Mary, "but Joe and I need to go home and change clothes, and we haven't had any breakfast."

"Let's go to the bakery for breakfast," said Katherine. "That will save some time. What time does it start?"

"Mass begins at 10:30," answered Joe.

"Mass? I didn't think of that," said Chrystal.

"Chrystal, our names are Joseph and Mary," giggled Mary. "Which church did you think?"

"There aren't any churches where we're going," chuckled Katherine. "I'd like to say I've been to mass at least once in my life. Can I go with you?"

"Me, too," blushed Chrystal. "I'm sorry I let my surprise let me be rude."

"Not to worry," said Joe. "Father Murray will be glad to see you, too."

"Well hello, Susan," said Ben as he answered the door. "Come in."

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," said Susan, "by dropping in unannounced."

"Not a problem," answered Ben. "The house is a little cluttered is all. There's fresh coffee. Will you have a cup?"

"I would like that," she said. The coffee was served and they seated themselves in the living room. "Jean Stevens told me that I ought to speak with you."

That took Ben aback. "Did Jean tell you that she'll be taking my three children in the extraction? I can't tell you how grateful I am to her for doing that."

"She did tell me that," allowed Susan, "and she's very pleased and, I think, very proud. But that's not what I came here to talk to you about.

"I'm going to be a volunteer in the extraction. You know that my kids are grown and gone. Wayne and I have been married for a long time. We really don't have a lot in common anymore. Wayne doesn't qualify to volunteer. I'm not going to raise another family with Wayne. So I'm looking for a dad for my children and for the children of my two female concubines. Do you know anyone who'd like to father and, more importantly, be the dad for a whole lot of children?" She wore a sly smile as she asked the question.

Ben was poleaxed. He sat in stunned silence, trying to collect his thoughts and regain his composure. Finally, he was able to answer. "I had no idea this was an interview, Susan. You haven't come here on a lark. Would you have me if I offered?"

Susan smiled brightly. "I will if you pass a few simple tests and can live with conditions between now and the extraction." Ben nodded vigorously. "You have children in your care until the extraction. I presume you'll continue to care for them?" Ben nodded.

"I really don't want to start a big fight with Wayne before the extraction. He's not the sharpest pencil in the box, but he probably knows he and I have no future together. Will you object to me carrying on the same sham marriage I have lo these many years?" Ben shook his head. "And can you keep our agreement under your hat until the extraction?" Ben nodded and smiled broadly.

"Lastly, knowing you as I do, I cannot imagine you a bad lover, but forever is a very long time. Your children all go to school all day?" Ben nodded. "Can you take a couple hours off your work during school hours to meet me here?" she grinned wickedly.

"I am your willing slave," answered Ben with a smile. "You name the date and time, and I'll be here."

"I've always wanted to have a 'nooner'. Let's say tomorrow at noon." She rose from her seat and stepped into his embrace.

"Bob," said Ellen, "I'm hungry for a pastry. Will you come with me to the bakery?" Bob nodded. The rest understood the true nature of their visit. "We'll bring pastry back to share," added Ellen as they left.

Ellen and Bob each got a cup of coffee and a pastry at the counter and turned to look for a place to sit. Ellen guided them into the new addition, which now comprised the entirety of the former jewelry store.

"Good morning, Father Murray, "said Bob. "How are you today?"

"I'm fine, Bob," replied Frank with a smile. "Thanks for the honorific. You know my name. Good morning, Ellen."

"Good morning, Frank," smiled Ellen. "How are things going in the slave market?"

"Pretty well, actually," answered Frank. "Mostly now folks are letting us know that either he won't be taking the wife with him and he wants to find a replacement, or she's available because he doesn't qualify to volunteer. We don't want to flag their status because it would cause trouble at home. It's more than a little delicate."

"It occurs to me that those women who're about to be jilted are going to be scrambling come extraction day," observed Bob. "That's not good."

"This is another perverse result of a slow-motion extraction," sighed Ellen. "This can't be a shock to most of those women. They have to know their marriage isn't wonderful. I suppose you've tried to persuade the husband to come clean on his decision?"

"Well, of course we have," said Frank, "but it doesn't do any good. The men are consumed with the prospect of teenage girls in their beds."

"Every one of them will need a mother concubine," protested Bob. "Have they forgotten that?"

"For the time being, anyway," acknowledged Frank.

"I have an idea," said Ellen. "All or almost all of the women will be extracted, anyway. If these men want to form their new family groups now, maybe they can be persuaded to trade with other men in similar circumstances. Then, with women who know they are concubines, the men can invite his other concubines to join them."

"This is gonna get messy real fast," said Bob.

"Pardon my french," said Ellen, "but we'll have a clusterfuck on our hands at the extraction if we don't do *something*. I don't know if my idea will work or not. Any other ideas?"

"Your idea has merit," allowed Frank. "Can I have some time to think about it?" Ellen and Bob nodded. "OK if I discuss with Andy and others?" More nods.

Ellen and Bob parted company with Frank and moved back into the main section of the bakery. They refilled their coffee cups and began to look for a place to sit. At a table as far away from the slave market as possible sat a lone woman concentrating on her coffee cup. She was dressed for church but she wore little makeup and her hair wasn't well-tended. Her hands were rough, a sign of hard work and inattention to their appearance.

"May we join you?" asked Ellen.

"Dr. Waters," she said, "of course. Please sit down." Bob noticed that she didn't look either of them in the eye.

"Laura Ferelli," Ellen introduced, "you probably know Bob Minter. Bob and I are both going to be volunteers. We have combined our households. I told Bob I wanted to invite more women to join our family but, until this moment, Bob didn't know any other particulars. I have some knowledge of you because I'm your doctor. I need your permission to talk to you outside the doctor/patient relationship." Laura simply nodded, still not looking at Ellen.

"Your children are in Sunday School?" asked Bob softly. Again she simply nodded.

"Have you made any arrangements for the extraction?" asked Ellen. Laura shook her head. "Have you thought about what you want to have happen?" Another headshake.

"Laura, Bob doesn't know anything about you. I don't really want to discuss your situation aloud in a public place. Let's just say I'm aware of your difficulties. Bob and his Kathy have a loving, sturdy family. Bob and Kathy have allowed me to use their strength and love as a foundation for our new family. Bob and I are assembling a family of people that, shall we say, need more loving care and attention than usual. You fit in that category, Laura. Will you join us? Will you help us make a loving, healthy family for ourselves and our children?"

Finally, Laura willed herself to look at Ellen. Tears streamed down her cheeks but she smiled and nodded. She tried to speak but couldn't. Her lips quivered as she struggled to control her emotions. Ellen simply covered Laura's hand with her own. It was plain that Laura wasn't ready for any further show of affection.

"Then it's done," said Ellen firmly but softly. "You will be my concubine, and you will bring your two children with us. Bob will father your many children and we will all love and nurture them." Laura now nodded vigorously, smiling in relief and gratitude. She still couldn't look Bob in the eye. Now, Laura," Ellen continued, "being decisive isn't your strong suit, but I need you to tell us what you want for living arrangements between now and the extraction. We're living cheek by jowl in Bob's house already. We have room for more. You and your children can join us, or you can remain with Bart until the extraction. Which would you prefer?"

Laura quailed at the question. She finally was able to look at Bob. "I don't want Bart angry with me if I can help it," she said. "I'll stay where I am for now, if it's alright with you?"

"That will be fine, Laura," answered Ellen. "I would like you to come visit your new sisters in our home. I'm afraid you're gonna belong to a tribe, not a family. At the extraction, there will be fourteen adults and a bunch of children. Six of your sisters are at home all or most of the day."

A second trailer containing eight more CAP testing centers arrived on Monday morning. There being no med tube, there was space for two more CAP test stations than the first trailer. After some discussion, it was decided that the two centers would be operated side-by-side but independently. No easy method of connecting the trailers was evident. No one wanted the testees to wait long for a single exit interviewer and with that many stations a backup was likely. In addition, virtually none of the adult evening Program participants had been retested even once. This led to the realization that more exit interviewers were needed, and longer hours for the testing stations would be required. Jean said she would round up some 'army volunteers'. Brian was responsible for arranging longer hours for the Confederacy equipment.

Otherwise, the day was quite normal, if hectic. All of the students were showing real improvement in all areas. Teamwork was the key to most of their tasks and every team pulled together. As hoped, different team members demonstrated leadership in various segments, both off campus and on. The adult Program participants were also showing much improvement.

At mid-day, Laura Ferelli stopped in at Bob and Ellen's house. If she was shocked that Julie and Sandy were naked, she didn't show it. Laura was welcomed into her new home. Over her feeble protestations, her new sisters fed her lunch. Julie was flippant early in Laura's visit, but later became serious. Julie and Mickey shared a bit about themselves and heaped praise on the Minters and Ellen for creating such a loving, nurturing environment. Laura returned to work deeply comforted in her new fate.

At Ellen's request, Bob arranged his day in order to be available and in her 'office' at 2:00.

"May I join you?" Janice asked Jeff and Liz.

"Why, sure," said Jeff. He moved some things, giving her room to set her lunch tray on the table. She sat down with a smile.

"I understand you're taking applications," Janice said with a blush as she began to eat. "I'd like to apply for myself and my daughter, Natalie."

Jeff and Liz looked at each other and back to Janice. "We spoke to Andy," said Liz. "He told us to expect to be contacted by the student. You surprised us, is all. You want Jeff to take you and Natalie into our family?"

Janice nodded but couldn't bring her eyes up to meet theirs. "Natalie is, was, a ninth grader. My Erin is a seventh grader." Now she willed herself to look at them. "Yes, I want us to go with you in the extraction. I think we would make a good addition to your family."

"Janice," said Jeff softly, "we're both still living in our parents' home. Both of our dads will be volunteers and will take our mothers. We don't have a good place for a test drive. Will you take it on faith that we'll all be compatible?"

Janice nodded shyly. "My home wouldn't be a good place for a test drive either. Tim doesn't qualify to volunteer. I would rather keep a low profile for myself and Natalie until the extraction occurs."

"What will you tell Natalie?" asked Liz. "She might make her own arrangements if she doesn't know your plans for her."

"Natalie knows," answered Janice, "that I would like to go in the same family as her. I'll just tell her that I've found us a place. She doesn't want to hurt her dad. It's gonna be hard enough leaving him. I don't want to punish him between now and the extraction."

Liz looked to Jeff for approval, received his slight nod, and turned to Janice. "You may want to take his baby with us to the stars," she smiled.

Janice was suddenly radiant. "I wouldn't have dared ask that of you. What a wonderful gift you have given us."

"Nicole Brown is in the lobby for you, Dr. Waters," the AI intoned.

"Thank you," replied Ellen. "Please ask her to come back here." She turned to watch Bob's reaction. Nicole Brown sauntered into the room like she owned the place. The pose and the attitude were an odd juxtaposition with such a slip of a young woman. Nicole was hardly five feet tall and couldn't weigh a hundred pounds. She looked to be about twenty-four, but the years had been hard on Nicole.

"Hello, Nicole," said Ellen. "I'd like to make sure you know Bob Minter."

"I just know Bob well enough to say hello," said Nicole. "Hello, Bob. I'm glad to see you again." Bob simply smiled and nodded. "You wanted to see me?"

"Sit down, please," said Ellen. "Have you made any arrangements for the extraction?" asked Ellen. Nicole shook her head. "Have you thought about what you want to have happen?" Another headshake.

"Bob and I are both going to be volunteers. We have combined our households. I told Bob I wanted to invite more women to join our family but, until this moment, Bob didn't know you or any other particulars. I have some knowledge of you because I'm your doctor. I need your permission to talk to you outside the doctor/patient relationship." Nicole nodded, on alert, looking from Ellen to Bob and back again.

"Nicole, Bob doesn't know anything about you. I don't really want to discuss your situation aloud. Let's just say I'm aware of the cards that life has dealt to you. Bob and his Kathy have a loving, sturdy family. Bob and Kathy have allowed me to use their strength and love as a foundation for our new family. Bob and I are assembling a family of people that, shall we say, need more loving care and attention than usual. You fit in that category, Nicole. Will you join us? Will you help us make a loving, healthy family for ourselves and our children?"

"You haven't told him, have you?" Nicole asked, near panic.

"Nicole," Bob said, "I know less about you than you know about me. Whatever your secret is, it is safe unless you decide to share it with me." Nicole was only a little relieved at that.

She turned to Ellen. "You think I'm damaged goods, don't you? You think I can't take care of myself and my children, don't you?" Tears ran freely and she was deeply distraught.

"No, Nicole," answered Ellen softly, "I would never say you can't defend yourself. I've seen what happens when someone is foolish enough to fight with you. I've seen what happens to you when you won't quit, when you get up and start fighting again and again."

"Then why do you want me?" she asked, now nearly sobbing.

"I would like you to see and be an equal part of a family that doesn't do drugs, doesn't shout, doesn't beat, doesn't prey on the vulnerable. Nicole, our family will be fourteen adults and a bunch of children. Eleven women are going to put us knee-deep in diapers. Except for Bob's Kathy and their daughter Sandy, every one of us will be damaged goods, including me, and including you if you join us."

That shocked Nicole. "Dr. Waters, you seem perfect to me," whispered Nicole.

"I won't be 'Dr. Waters' to you anymore, Nicole, whether you join our family or not. My name is Ellen. My life hasn't been as hard as yours, Nicole, but I'm damaged just the same. The difference between you and me is that I'm on the road to recovery and you're fighting to hold your own. Starting to heal feels *good* Nicole. You'll like it. I'll tell you all about it while we're on our way to the stars."

Nicole turned her hard gaze to Bob. "I don't want nobody feelin' sorry for me," she sniffed. "I'm just as good as you are. I can make it on my own, I always have."

"I don't doubt that for a moment," Bob smiled gently. "We're not focused on who we were. We're focused on our family."

"What about Tiffany?" asked Ellen.

"My sister?" squawked Nicole. "What about her?"

"Has Tiffany made any arrangements for the extraction?" asked Ellen. "Would you like to be in the same loving family as Tiffany?"

"Aw, Ellen," said Nicole sadly, "you don't fight fair. Of course I wanna be with Tiff. Are you askin' us both to join your family?" Ellen nodded. "And my kids and Tiffany's kids?" Another nod, and a smile. Nicole turned to Bob. "And you're gonna be the father of all our kids?"

"The dad," Bob answered. "Any male can father children. I'm gonna be the dad for an army of happy, safe children."

Nicole looked back and forth between Ellen and Bob, tears running freely down her cheeks but smiling. "Sign me up, then. Sign Tiffany up, too. I'll tell her and she won't worry no more."

"Then it's settled," said Ellen firmly. "You and Tiffany will be my concubines, and you will bring your children with us. Bob will father your many children and we will all love and nurture them." Nicole nodded again and again, smiling.

Ellen continued, "I need you to tell us what you want for living arrangements between now and the extraction. We have ten living in Bob's house already. We have room for more. You and your children can join us, or you can remain where you are until the extraction. Same thing is true for Tiffany. What do you want to do?"

"I'm not used to being given a choice. I usually have to scrap to get my way," she smiled. "My old man's not so bad," Nicole said. "Y'all sound like you're pretty crowded already. We'll just stay livin' like we are until it's time to go. I'll tell Tiff to do the same."

"You've got six sisters already living in Bob and my house, plus one who's going to stay with her husband until the extraction. I want you and Tiffany to start going over there -- often -- to get to know them."