Chapter 8

Late afternoon found Greg sitting in the shade reading a book while Traci was soaking up some sun.  Mandy asked them both to come in and help her with something.  When they got inside they saw that she had set over a dozen pieces of her work out, propped on the couch and chairs as well as the hearth.

“I can only enter six in the fair and I wanted to get your opinions on what to choose.”

Greg was having a hard time choosing.  Traci looked over every one of the drawings carefully, then turned to Mandy.

“One of the girls I had in my Psych class was an art major.  Would you care if she came over and helped us out?  I’m like Greg in that I think they are all good.”

Mandy was flattered but readily agreed to having another person look.  Deep down she really wanted to win some recognition since her parents were so against her drawing anything except religious things.

Traci hung up the phone from talking to her friend.  “She will be over about eight tonight.  I told her that a friend needed an opinion on her work, and she was happy to help.  What’s wrong?”

Mandy was looking at her carefully, and then shifting her gaze to Greg and then back again.  “I had an idea for one more drawing, but it would require both of you.  Would you be willing to pose together and let me put it in the show?  The pose I am thinking of will require that Greg have his hands on you in certain places that he normally wouldn’t, would that be alright?”

After her frustration last night the thought of Greg’s hands on her body sounded very enjoyable to Traci.  “It wouldn’t bother me if Greg doesn’t mind, or you for that matter.”

“It won’t bother me, I’m the one who suggested it.  And I don’t think that Greg will mind..”

For his part, Greg was of two minds on this.  His male side was more than ready to get his hands on Traci’s luscious body, even through her clothes.  His logical side was worried that he wouldn’t be able to control his reactions.  “I don’t mind, I’ll just have to control myself.  Such things I do for the advancement of my girlfriend’s talent.”

The dramatic way he said the last sentence, along with the melodramatic way he acted about it, broke the tension.  Both women laughed at his antics and Mandy got them into the pose she wanted.  Then she started sketching.

The two models stood in position she wanted, but both were feeling the sexual tension.  The pose was very erotic and Traci was becoming excited by the feel of a man’s hands on her.  Greg found himself wanting to explore the areas where his hands were.  Standing so close and the way Mandy had them posed, his head was next to her neck.  He could smell the faint traces of her natural scent combined with the fragrance from her shampoo.

They finally took a break.  Greg was glad to move to relieve stiff muscles as well as getting away from Traci’s sensual body.  Mandy went over to her previous drawings and pulled the nude of Traci that she had previously done.  They went over to see how the drawing was coming along as she came back.  Mandy had sketched in basic forms, getting the basis of the pose down but without the detail that she usually had.

Mandy came over to them with the previous sketch in her hand.  “I am making you both nude in the piece.  I need this to get the detail I need for you, Traci.  Greg, I think I can do from memory.”  She grinned at the last remark.

Traci stood looking at the painting.  Then she looked over at Greg, and finally to Mandy.  She was sure it was her frustration taking over, but she spoke up hesitantly.  “If it would be easier for you, and if Greg wouldn’t be too embarrassed, I don’t mind getting naked to pose.”

Greg was stunned.  It was hard enough to be in that pose with their clothes on, but touching her bare skin and being against her, body to body, he knew he couldn’t stop his natural reaction.  He knew that Traci had checked out his ‘package’ in his shorts, but this would be different.  “I’ll do it, but you know I can’t help getting an erection.  I promise not to try anything that isn’t welcome though.”

Traci smiled over at him.  “I would be worried if you didn’t have that reaction to me.  I would wonder if something was wrong with me.  But I know that you won’t do anything that I would be worried about.”

Mandy admitted that it would be a lot easier.  “It would be better drawing from nudes, but I didn’t want to ask you to do that.  That was too much to ask.”

“Well, now you don’t have to ask.”  With that remark, Traci started removing her clothing.  As she stripped off her shirt, Greg swallowed hard.  It had been one thing to see this gorgeous woman naked from across the room, but quite another to be this close to her.  He could see the fine hairs that were on her tummy that gave another dimension to her form.  He could see that her nipples were hard and almost feel their texture..

He shook himself out of his thoughts and started undressing.  He noticed that both Mandy and Traci were stealing glances in return.  When he dropped his underwear, Traci gave a quiet gasp as his semi-erect cock came into view.  He mumbled an embarrassed ‘Sorry’, but Traci just gave him a smile.

She got them posed and started to work.  Greg had his arms around Traci, one just below and between her firm breasts.  The other was covered by Traci’s hand and was just above and to the side of her pubic hair like she was directing his hand to her sexual center.  Her other hand was pulling his head to the side of her neck.  Greg was having trouble with his hands trembling; the feel of her smooth skin was causing him to grow very erect.

To get the expression she wanted, Mandy gave Traci some hints.  “Now think that Greg’s hands are your dream lover’s hands.  Think about how they feel moving across your skin, going toward the places where you most want to feel them.  How you would like them to travel up and play with your nipples and then move down and touch the skin on your pussy.”

Traci took her advice and closing her eyes, she let the thought and feelings take over.  She found that she was having trouble not moving.  What the other two didn’t know was that the lover she was thinking about was touching her right now.  She had been attracted to both of these people soon after she had met them, but had suppressed those thoughts.  Unfortunately, those feelings had grown rather than diminished after she had agreed to live with them.

Now having Greg’s hands on her was making her desire go through the roof.  Mandy had posed his hands close to where she ached to have him touch her and she wished he would move right to those places.  He could just push a little further down and she would be in heaven!  All too soon, Mandy told them they could take a break.  Greg must have been having the same thoughts because he lightly caressed her before he moved back.  The lack of his touch caused Traci to let a small groan of disappointment slip out.

Greg’s arousal was quite evident as well.  As he moved around easing the muscles that had been frozen in position, his hardon stood out proud from his body.  He tried to apologize, but Traci told him it was a compliment to her and Mandy just giggled and gave him a wicked look.

As they got into position one last time, Greg unconsciously let his hand go lower, his pinky just grazing the top of her cleft.  Traci squirmed from the touch, but held his hand in place when he started to move back to its former position.  As Greg moved his head back to her neck, he noticed the faint aroma of a sexually excited woman.  He decided to help her along a bit and started to kiss the side of her neck.  Just small kisses so he didn’t ruin the pose, but he could feel that they were having an effect.  Her womanly scent that assailed his nose just confirmed it.

Traci gave out a low moan, and Greg looked over at his girlfriend to see her reaction.  She had stopped drawing and catching his eyes, signaled for him to continue.  Traci was so lost in her thoughts she didn’t hear Mandy tell him to help her finish.  She did feel Greg start to be more aggressive with his mouth on her neck.  He was licking and kissing her skin from her shoulder to her ear.

As he did this, his hands moved as well.  The one that was under her breasts moved to start caressing them, teasing the nipples to even greater hardness.  When his other hand dipped down and touched her lower lips, she felt her orgasm building.  She started bucking her hips, sliding his fingers over her aroused clit in one direction and causing his hard cock to brush against her hip as she moved back.

“Oh God, please take me over,” she groaned, her pelvis moving rapidly.  He was happy to comply, and slid his hand over her sex, slipping two fingers into her opening and gently rubbing her clit with his thumb.

That was all she needed and pressing her hand against his to keep pressure on her pussy, she came with a loud groan.  Her body tensed then started to jerk in her orgasm.  As she lost her ability to keep standing, Greg lowered her to the floor with him sitting behind her.  She pulled his head around and kissed him hard.  This caused her orgasm to increase and she almost screamed in the release she felt.

She finally came down from her high and opened her eyes to see Mandy sitting next to her, rubbing her side and arm.  Greg’s arms were still around her still covering her pussy and one breast and supporting her at the same time.  Traci started to move, embarrassed that she had let go of her feelings that much, but Greg held her firm.

Mandy caught her attention.  “There is no reason for you to be embarrassed.  That was beautiful!  I have never seen another woman have an orgasm and it was fascinating and so sexy.  I have never seen anything like it.”

She started to sit up a little and she felt something on her left hip.  Greg looked a little embarrassed and explained that when she had her orgasm, he had one as well.  It was his semen that was on her hip.  She brought up her fingers and saw the evidence that what he said was true.  Without thinking, she brought her fingers to her mouth and tasted his seed.  She looked up at Mandy, realizing that she might not appreciate what she had done, but the other woman was smiling down at her.  “Yeah, I like it too.  He does taste good doesn’t he?”

Traci gave an embarrassed nod, agreeing with her.  The way they had ended up on the floor was uncomfortable for a long stay and they soon decided to get cleaned up then meet back in the living room to discuss how their relationship had changed.

By the time they had all cleaned up, the time was getting close for Traci’s friend to show up.  By mutual consent, they decided to wait until after she left to talk about what happened but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t on their minds.

Greg told Mandy to continue to work if she wanted and he would call in a pizza order.  By the time they delivered, they would have just enough time to eat before Traci’s friend would be here.

The doorbell rang just as they were putting everything away.  Traci went to open it and came back in with a tall very nice looking brunette.  “Karen, this is Greg Tolkin and Mandy Carson.  Guys, this is Karen Wilson, the friend that I told you about.”

They shook hands and Greg offered the woman something to drink.  She opted for a glass of wine and then they took her in to see Mandy’s artwork.

Karen didn’t say much as she studied each one of the pieces.  She did look them over carefully, moving up close then stepping back to get the full ‘feel’ of each one.  Finally she turned to Traci.

“You didn’t tell me how good Mandy is.  I just wish I was this talented.”  Then she turned to Mandy.  “My dear, you have a real talent for capturing the real emotion of your subject.  My work is more free form, but you should stay with literal interpretations.  Now as far as which ones to choose, I would make a suggestion that you go with a theme.  Maybe call it ‘Life’s Emotions’ and use the one of you pregnant, the one you are working on calling it “Passion”, The one you did with the man bent by the headstone naming it “Sorrow”, and so on.  A themed display always gets attention.”

Mandy liked that Idea and started working from there.  She was taking the rejected ones and putting them aside and was still deciding on a couple more.  As she was doing this, Karen was standing out of the way talking to Traci and Greg.

“She is very good.  I could almost guarantee that my professor would recommend her for a scholarship if he saw her work.  Has she done any work in any other media?  Oils, watercolors?  How about sculpture?”

“Not that I know of.” was Greg’s reply.  “She has only been free to work on art since she got away from her parents.  But even being restricted, she did some nice work.”

Karen then gets a grin on her face.  “I always wondered how you would look without clothes Traci.  An artist’s eye and all that.  Now I know.  Did she enhance Greg’s equipment?”

Both Traci and Greg turned very red, but Traci answered her friend.  “Actually she is very accurate.  She did draw Greg more flaccid, because they don’t want anything really sexual.”

“So Greg, you were more uhh... aroused than what was on the picture?”

Greg knew she was enjoying his embarrassment.  “Well, when you are standing with your arms around a gorgeous, sexy woman, there are some reactions that are automatic.  That her neck tastes so good doesn’t help.”  He leered at Traci grinning.

“Oh you’re awful, you pervert!” Traci slapped him on the shoulder playfully.  Mandy walked up then.

“Is my boyfriend being a letch again?”

“Yes he is,” answered Traci

“Well, if he gets too bad, just smack him again.”  She was grinning at Greg’s expression, which was one of indignation.

Karen handed her wineglass to Traci.  “I need to go, since I have a date.  Think about the scholarship for next year.  You might even be able to get some kind of apprentice program through your school.”

Mandy thanked her for her time and expertise.  Karen shrugged it off saying, “It was my pleasure to see your work.  I look forward to seeing your display at the fair.”

Karen left after telling Traci to give her a call sometime before school started and they would go out for the evening.  Greg closed the door and came back into the living room.

“Nice lady,” he said as he sat on the end of the couch.  Traci was in the middle with Mandy on the other side.

“Yeah, I was surprised when I first called her.  She seemed to be really happy to hear from me.  I guess I have a few friends at college after all.”

“You are an easy person to like,” was Mandy’s reply.

“I guess you’re right.  After being envied and despised for so long by other girls, it seems different.  They always thought I was going to steal their boyfriends and never got to know me.  Maybe it will be different, at least a little bit now.”

Mandy moved closer and took her friend’s hand.  “You know you don’t have to worry about that with me.  I think I am close enough to Greg to know that he wouldn’t leave me for you.  Even if he did get off just being next to you.”  She gave a giggle for that thought.

Traci looked serious.  “About what happened.  I want you to know that I REALLY enjoyed what happened.  I never expected anything like that and it caught me by surprise.  I just went with what you described, and when I felt Greg’s hands and thought about what I would like to have him do, it just happened.  I don’t want that to become a problem between all of us.”

Mandy patted the hand she held.  “You don’t have to worry about it causing any problems at least on my part.”  Greg nodded in agreement when they both looked at him.  “We still think of you as our friend.  After what you said last night, I could tell that you needed some release.   You didn’t notice, but I told Greg to get you off.  We both could tell you needed it.  Besides I don’t think it took much to get him to participate once he knew I didn’t mind.”

Greg moved over and took Traci’s other hand.  “I was more than happy to help you out, and not for the obvious reasons.  You are our best friend and you needed something I could help with.  That I enjoyed it as much as you did was just icing on the cake.  It just happened, but I have no bad feelings about it.”

Traci looked back at Mandy.  “Is that the way you think too?  It doesn’t bother you that he not only saw me naked, but brought me to a wondrous climax?”

“No it doesn’t.  If you need some help in the future, I have no problem with it happening again.  Just as long as I know about it.  Hell, maybe I could be in it as well.”

Now Traci was in shock.  Had she heard Mandy say she wanted to be intimate with her?  She was not adverse to such things, and she did find the pregnant woman attractive.  This was hard for her to comprehend.  She finally admitted that she did love both of these people and realized that they loved her..  “Before I say anything else about this, I need to confess that I have always found you both very attractive in a sexual way.  Does that make a difference to either one of you?”

They both replied that it didn’t make any difference at all.  Mandy summed it up for both of them.  “You didn’t think I knew you were attracted to Greg?  You would never have had the orgasm you did if it had been someone you didn’t care for.  You were probably thinking about how it would feel to have him making love to you when you came.  Am I right?”

Traci dropped her head.  “You are right.  He was making me feel so good, and when I felt his dick against me, I thought about how it would feel filling me up.  That’s when I came.”

“If you want, I am sure that he would love to make that come true for you.”

Traci looked between them.  “You mean it.  You would let him fuck me?”

“No, but I would certainly make love to you.  I care enough about you not to just want to get off with you but to enjoy something like that with you.”

Traci then looked at both of them with tears in her eyes but a smile on her face.  “I think I would like that very much”

Greg leaned over and gave Traci a kiss.  It wasn’t passionate, but one that gave her the feeling that she was loved.  When their lips parted Mandy gave her the same treatment.

As the two girls hugged, Mandy said, “It doesn’t have to be planned you know.  It happens when it happens.  Whenever you feel the need, just let us know.”

“Thanks for everything guys.  And not just for this, I mean everything.  I love you guys.”

They all sat there talking and touching until they all were ready for bed.  Traci decided that she was quite sated and retired to her own room.  Mandy had not had any relief and practically attacked Greg when he climbed into bed.  They made love then settled down for sleep; glad that the tension each had felt building for a long while was now in the open.

It was a week before anything else happened.  The mornings now started with kisses all around, each was happy with the way the others were taking the arrangement.  Traci did conspire with Mandy to tease Greg to the point that he was in a constant state of arousal at home.

It was Friday night when they all were able to relax since they all had the next day off work.  They had a nice dinner together, and went in to watch a couple of movies that Traci had brought home with her.  Mandy made some popcorn and they all snuggled on the couch with Greg in the middle.  The movie was a romance (of course) but with enough action in the story to hold Greg’s interest, at least at first.

When the movie was about halfway through and the popcorn had been dispatched, Greg sat back and put his arms on the back of the couch and his feet on the coffee table.  Mandy immediately snuggled into his side and pulled his arm around her.  Traci saw what was going on and at Mandy’s urging, did the same thing.  Greg let his left arm wander down until it was holding his girlfriend’s breast.  Traci glanced over, and seeing what was happening, pulled Greg’s other hand down until he had one of hers in his grasp.

Greg lost all interest in the movie as he compared the feeling of the two different breasts in his hands.  Mandy’s were larger right now and full.  Traci’s were not as large, but just as firm.  Mandy had the thicker nipples and the larger aureole, but Traci’s were as hard as his cock.

Traci was feeling bold and ran her hand up Greg’s right thigh to his crotch, where she found Mandy’s hand already there.  The two women looked at each other and grinned, then started taking turns squeezing and rubbing his erection.  

They teased each other for the rest of the movie and then with silent signals they all got up and headed to Greg and Mandy’s room.  Mandy went in first pulling Greg after her.  Traci hesitated for a moment.  She had been in their room before but never for this reason.  She suddenly was having doubts about whether they really wanted company this night.

Her reservations were eliminated when Mandy and Greg both took a hand and led her in.    Not quite sure on how to proceed, Greg pulled both women to him, kissing Mandy first then Traci.  Both kisses revealed just how ready he was. They took turns undressing each other and when nude, the women decided to do a comparison.  Greg was fascinated at the contrast between the two and kept silent as they stood face to face and compared breast size and shape, skin texture, nipple size, pubic hair (very little) and other attributes.  The show ended when Greg wisely told them both that they were both perfect as far as he was concerned.

Then Traci was led to the middle of the bed while the other two slid onto the bed putting her in the middle.  Mandy told Greg that since she had been without for a while, that he should concentrate on Traci.  He looked over at his love and she let him know that she meant it, so he turned his attention to the woman next to him.

Greg somehow knew that he should try and be as gentle and loving as possible with her.  He wanted her to remember this encounter fondly for the rest of her life.  His hands started to caress her back and sides as they started to kiss.  She was starting to imitate his movements bringing both of them to a higher level of excitement.

When Greg started on her neck and shoulders, Mandy whispered in her ear.  “Do you mind if I explore a little too?”

Traci smiled at the other woman and nodded her head in agreement.  There was no plan other than to make Traci feel as great as possible so they both just started to caress her body all over.  They took turns kissing her while the other trailed their tongue over whatever flesh was within reach.

When Traci started to really squirm from the treatment, Greg turned and started to work on her legs while Mandy continued to tease her breasts and kiss her with growing passion.  As he got closer to her mound he could smell her arousal.  The scent was stronger now and it caused his cock to become even harder than it was.  He licked along the inside of her thigh and she gave a groan and spread her legs up and out so he could access her hot, moist center.

After giving her thighs little kisses and nips on the way down, he zeroed in on his target.  Her outer lips were swollen and prominent, and her clit was making its way out from between them.  The entire area was shiny with her juices and it was intoxicating to him.  He started with the outer lips, licking her essence from them before working his tongue between and into her entrance.  He was taking long slow licks, probing her opening before making his way up and around her erect clit.

Every passage of his tongue was taking her closer to her release.  She was so excited that it didn’t take long until she tripped over the edge and gave into her orgasm.  Her body vibrated with her contractions and she let out a quiet, high-pitched sound.  As she started to come down a little, Greg left her clit to feast on the oils she was producing.

Traci reached down and was trying to pull him up on her.  She was moaning out his name and asking him to fuck her.  He had one moment of fear, and looked at Mandy mouthing the question, “Protection?”

Mandy answered that she was on the pill and that was all he needed to hear.  He shuffled up close to her body until the head of his cock was touching her labia.  Traci reached down and moved him into position at her entrance.  He slowly started to push into her tunnel, feeling the tightness and heat surrounding his cock as he pushed slowly into her body.

By now, Traci was very worked up.  She hadn’t come down from her first orgasm and another was starting to build.  He hips were starting to thrust up in time with Greg’s movements and she was gasping for air.  Mandy had moved so she could watch her lover’s cock sliding into another woman.  She found the sight very sexy, and she reached down and started to finger her own pussy in reaction.

Greg had been using long strokes on her, pulling almost all the way out before sliding slowly back in until he was completely seated.  Now he picked up the pace, only coming about halfway out.  She was meeting his every thrust reaching for the release that was coming closer all the time.

Mandy moved up until she could reach her friend’s nipples standing out from her breasts in her excitement.  She leaned over and took the closest one in her mouth and started to suck on it, using her lips to pinch and roll the nubbin.

This was too much for the coed and her body froze for an instant before she started to shake in orgasm.  Mandy released her hold on the nipple to move up and kiss Traci deeply as she rode the waves of pleasure that were consuming her.

Greg had though she was as tight and hot as a virgin before, now she clamped down on him with such force that he couldn’t move.  He really didn’t need to though as the walls of her tunnel gripped his shaft in a rhythm that followed her spasms.  He couldn’t take any more stimulation, and shoving all the way into her, released his semen in his own climax.

Traci’s orgasm seemed to last forever, but in reality, it was over fairly quick.  Her body relaxed except for little ripples of pleasure whenever Greg tried to move or Mandy’s hand would touch somewhere sensitive.  Mandy herself had climaxed when she saw and felt Traci go over.  Greg finally pulled out before he collapsed on the other side of Traci sandwiching her between the two younger people.

They were all exhausted and fell asleep in Greg and Mandy’s bed, their friend contentedly snuggled down between them.

Greg was the first one up the next day.  He woke up and at first, though he had dreamed the happenings of the night before.  When he opened his eyes he saw that Mandy was spooned into Traci’s back her hand over the other woman’s breast, he knew it had been for real.  He removed Traci’s delicate hand from his hard cock and slid out of bed.  As he stood in the bathroom, he started to worry about how last night’s activities would affect them all.

He was still mulling it all over when Mandy appeared followed a short time later by Traci.  Mandy was in her usual mood for the morning, but their friend seemed to be more quiet than usual.

She seemed nervous and finally asked Mandy if everything was still all right between them.  Mandy assured her that she had no problem and proved it by giving the older girl a kiss.

When she got the same treatment from Greg, she finally settled down.  They were drinking coffee when Traci started to talk.

“I must say - last night had to be the best I have ever felt.  It wasn’t just the sex, though that was mind blowing!  It was just so much special because you two really showed you care for and about me.  I want to thank you for that.”

She had tears in her eyes when she finished.  Mandy and Greg both hugged her and told her that they did love her and were glad to be able to make her feel that good.

“Was this a one time thing?”  Traci asked this with a bit of trepidation.

Mandy answered for both of them.  “Only if you want it to be.  I am more than willing to continue, and I will be willing to bet Greg is as well.  Like I told you last night, I’m not worried that you want to steal him away from me.”

“I would like that.  I was always taught that love and sex had to go together, but it wasn’t always like that in the real world.  Guys would act like they loved me and I believed them, then after they got what they wanted, they moved on, leaving me heartbroken.  Eventually I learned that the two can be separate, and would have sex just to take care of the need.  Last night, I found out that sex with someone you love and loves you back makes it so much better.”

Mandy agreed with her.  “You have that right.  There is a world of difference between what Greg does for me than what my ex-boyfriend did to me.  You think caring about the other person makes that much difference?”

Greg finally entered the conversation.  “What you just said Mandy, is the whole difference.  You said what I do FOR you and what your ex did TO you.  I love and care enough for you that I want you to have pleasure as well as getting mine.”

Traci looked like she had just heard the secret to life.  “I hadn’t thought about it, but you are right!  I think that you guys are the first ones to really care enough to make sure I enjoyed what we were doing.  And I wanted to return the favor, but unfortunately you wore me out so much that I didn’t get a chance to.”

She looked to Mandy now.  “When you started to suck on my boobs, I couldn’t believe how good that felt!  It was different from when a man does it.  A friend and I experimented a little when I was about fourteen, but we never got that far.  We would just lie next to each other and get ourselves off while watching her brother’s dirty movies.  After my roommate from last year took women as well as men to bed in front of me, I have been just a little curious about it.”

Mandy got a glint in her eye.  “Maybe we could satisfy our curiosity someday soon.”  She grinned over at Traci who returned the smile.

“Yeah, I think we could arrange that.  I am curious as well.”

They spent the day together, not doing anything in particular but just getting to know each other in the new phase of their relationship.  There was nothing overtly sexual that went on that day; rather they spent time giving sensual caresses, and loving kisses.  It was a fulfilling but emotionally exhausting day for them all.  Each of them ended up telling about their lives to the others, alternately laughing and crying as the memories were told.  That night they all went to their normal beds secure in the love and caring that had grown between them.

A few days before Mandy’s emancipation trial, Marina called them into the office to prepare her for the trial.  They were led into her office and were surprised to see Greg’s mother was there already.

“You didn’t seem to mind when Heather was here with you before, so I took the liberty of having her here again.  She will be figuring into the trial since technically you would be living in her home and under her supervision.”

Neither objected at all and Mandy even went over and gave her a hug.  Then they were seated and the prep began.

“Mandy, I know you are nervous about this, but I don’t see why you should worry.  You are very close to the age where it wouldn’t make any difference, and the facts are in your favor.  We also drew the one judge that is known in the family courts to be very fair.  He doesn’t allow an attorney to stray from the relevant facts in the case.  The attorney that is representation your parents is one of their church and in the past has tried to use ‘biblical’ law to make his position and this judge won’t put up with that.  Now let’s go over what you all can expect to be asked in court.”

She went over every angle that she could think of that could be thrown at each of us.  She had been up against the opposing counsel before and she gave them all different attacks that he could use.  By the time they all had left, they were more confident that they would be all right.

The trial went just about how they were expecting it to.  The judge asked Mandy if she understood what the emancipation would mean as far as rights and responsibilities went and if she still wished to continue with the petition.  She answered that she understood and that she did want to be emancipated.  Then the lawyers started in.

Marina led Mandy through the reasons that she wanted to be emancipated.  She went over the pregnancy, the incidents of abuse, being thrown out of the house, and what she thought would happen if she were forced to stay with her parents.

Mr. Nelson, the opposing council tried to rattle Mandy.  “Aren’t you just trying to get away from your parents because you got yourself pregnant and don’t want to do what your parents know is best for you?”

Mandy was prepared and remained calm.  “No sir.  After I was raped, they were the ones who blamed me, abused me, and then threw me out of the house and said they never wanted to see me again.”

“Well if you were raped, why didn’t you report it to the police?”

“I wasn’t allowed to.”

“Wasn’t the reason is because there wasn’t a rape at all, but that you seduced the young man?”

“No.  He held me down and raped me.  I was there, you or my parents weren’t.”

He tried to rattle her by attacking her as an unrepentant child, but he couldn’t get very far.  He did bring up that she had went to stay with Greg and tried to insinuate that he was really the father.  He couldn’t get her to change her story at all though.

Heather testified that she was willing to allow Mandy to continue to live in her house and that she would continue to take care of the living expenses.  Mandy’s school records were entered into evidence to show that she was continuing in school and doing well.

Greg finally took the stand.  He stated that he had known Mandy for years and that when she needed help, he had been happy to provide it.  They had not become intimate until well after the time she had first come to him.  Yes, he had offered to help her out, first out of friendship, but had come to love her.  And he was willing to help her with the responsibility of her baby.

Mr. Nelson tried to portray Greg as the real father of the child, that he only wanted her around for sex, and that he was the one leading her astray from the teachings of her parents.  Greg wanted to punch this guy out, but somehow held his temper.

Neither parent testified because that would have actually hurt their case.  Marina was going to call Richard, Mandy’s dad, if she thought it would be needed, but when she saw how the trial was heading, she left it alone.

When all the evidence was in, the judge finally spoke up.  “It is normal procedure to advise all parties of the court’s decision by mail in a few weeks.  The formal decision will be delivered in that manner.  However after looking at the evidence presented and the facts that the court’s investigation has revealed, I am inclined to render a verdict at this time.”

“Ms. Carson has proven that she has the maturity and the knowledge to know what emancipation entails.  Since leaving her parent’s influence, she has shown that she can in fact face the responsibilities of adulthood.  She is in a stable relationship, as stable as they are in this day and age.  It has been proven that she is taking the steps that are needed to care for herself and her child.  So it is the decision of this court to grant her petition for emancipation and from this day forward, she is to be considered an adult with all the privileges and responsibilities that are contained therein.  This court is adjourned!”

With the rap of the judge’s gavel, Mandy was now free of her parent’s control.  As Mandy hugged Greg, Heather, and to her surprise Marina, her parents left the courtroom.  Richard Carson was livid, but Mandy’s mother looked at her daughter with a sad expression.

They all went out to a local Bistro for a celebration.  Heather was surprised but happy that Mandy was going to keep the baby.  She started to make plans for a nursery and what was needed to keep the baby healthy and happy.

Picking up a piece of biscotti from the plate in front of her, she looked at them both.  “I haven’t spent the night at the house in months.  Adrian and I are quite happy in the loft we have downtown.  I heard from your father that he will not be coming back from where he is for any length of time.  Before you ask, we are not getting divorced, but we talked about it and we both are happy with our arrangement.  You don’t need to know the details, that is our business, but just know that we both agree to keep things as they are.”

“We both know that we have been poor parents to you Greg.  We have talked about it before.  But to kind of make up for that, we have agreed to continue to pay for the house expenses until you get out of college and established in a career.  After that, the house is yours, and your father and I go our separate ways.  Anyway, what I am going to do is come over and move the personal stuff out of the master bedroom.  I’ll send your father what he wants, and donate the rest.  There isn’t any reason for that room to sit empty.”

Soon after, they went their separate ways, the older women to their respective offices, and the young couple back to the house.  Greg had not said much since his mother had dropped her bombshell on him.  Mandy realized that he was upset and didn’t press for him to let it out.  But she hoped that his mood wouldn’t bring down the joys of the day as well.