This is a short story that has been bouncing around in my brain for a while. It's a chronicle of pure love, the kind few of us ever experience. As with everything I've written there's sex embedded into the story, but only when it's an integral function of the plot. The story is always more of import to me than meaningless gratuitous sex. I hope you enjoy. Senorlongo

> > > > > >

"The best laid plans…."That was just about all I could retrieve. My wife Beth and I had planned our retirement for twelvemonth and had everything ready for my sixty-second birthday. But Beth had been experiencing what she called minor occasional abdominal pain for more than a year. She had spurn my requests that she see her doctor, claiming it was muscle cramp or maybe uterine fibroids."They're nothing. You'll see."

Well, of course, they weren't"nothing."“ Nothing"turned out to be stage-four uterine cancer by the fourth dimension she saw her woman's doctor. Uterine Crab is easily treated if you get to it early enough. Beth's malignant neoplastic disease had spread through almost all of her Hammond organ by the time of her surgery. She lived for six more days—nowhere near enough to tell her how much I loved her and how a great deal I would neglect her -- then I laid her to pillow next to our son, Thomas, who had been killed while serving his rural area in Iraq. As I stood there looking into the deep grave I realized that I was truly alone…alone for the showtime time in Thomas More than thirty years. To distinguish this story correctly I have to go back, all the way to the beginning.

Albertus Magnus Cochran, III—who the nether region tags a cognomen like that on an innocent infant ? My sadistic Father-God and mother, that's who ; then they couldn't understand why I was in so many conflict in elementary school and Jnr high. Albertus, the first, had founded the firm and my father had succeeded him. They were both high-powered attorneys. I was supposed to meekly follow in their giant footstep, but I fooled them—my father, anyway.

Grandfather—never grandpa or Papa—passed just before my eighteenth birthday, leaving me a trust fund that gave me an allowance of $ 1,000 a month until my thirtieth natal day. I went to see an lawyer the day he died to moderate on a legal process then cut shoal on my natal day so I could go to lawcourt to get my name changed. From then on I was Bert M—no full stop, just like Harry S Truman—Cochran. My parents were livid. They refused to verbalise with me and when I joined the U. S. ground forces instead of going to college I was disowned. I still had the trust fund -- they couldn't touch that -- but everything else was gone. I didn't charge even a fiddling. My childhood had been spent with nannies and at boarding school until I had intentionally flunked out. My mother was almost a amount alien. My father was even less.

I served six long time in the United state USA, reaching the rank of sergeant-at-law start form, and it was the advantageously time I'd ever known. I'd seen action in Kuwait and Republic of Iraq. Then I used the GI banker's bill to pay heed college—not my father's alma mater—a state university where I studied instruction and worldly concern science. I was hired for a position in a center school and, once again, my father viewed me as a nonstarter."Can't even learn in the big leagues ; I guess you're not smart enough for senior high school schooltime,"was the first thing he said at what was supposed to be a reconciliation meeting—my grandmother's funeral. I turned on my heels and walked away, never to return. piece of tail him ! Fuck them all !

truth was, I loved working with the new minor and it showed. I never had a discipline problem and many of my students returned to the heart school to verbalize with me after moving up. It was at that school, during my third yr, that I met Beth. She was a new teacher in the art section. We had lunch together during one-fifth period so we chatted along with the other teachers.

What turned out to be my probability came when the science department decided that every student should do an experiment and enter it in a school-wide science fair. I wasn't terrified, but I was concerned. I knew absolutely nothing about art and even to a lesser extent about putting together an artistic demonstration so I went to see her after school, my hat in my hired hand."Elizabeth ? aid !"

I knew I'd need help with her. She was drop-dead gorgeous—tall at 5'9"and slender with large succulent breasts, a constrict waist and pelvic arch, but a steadfastly cycle tail. Her hair was black as pitch and long—almost half-way down her back—and her eyes were the bright blue air I'd ever seen. Did I mention that she was gorgeous ? She wore morass most days, I guessed because of the indigence to incite around in class. Yes, she was a beautiful sexy woman while I was an ordinary man—six feet even and slender although I was still in splendid build after my years in the regular army. My light John Brown hair was short—maybe an column inch at nigh with no part and no curl. It was a military cut that I kept because it was easy to wish for. Hell…most times I cut it myself with a trimmer from Walmart.

I still remember the flavour she gave me. She put down the handful of clay she was carrying and turned to me with a affectionate welcoming smiling."What's the problem ?"I explained and she laughed."I'm sword lily you're having this projection otherwise you'd never have gotten around to talking to me."

"I talk to you."

"Yeah, at work here or there when we're in the company of a 12 other instructor. I'll be glad to help you, but there's a price."She laughed again when I gulped."You have to take me to dinner ; nothing fancy—pizza will do -- and you have to talk to me all evening."

"All evening ?"

"okeh, almost all evening. How about Friday night ? Do I have to pick you up, too ? Do I have to treat ?"She looked stern, but began laughing a second later. Soon I joined her.

"It's just that you're so beautiful and I'm just…."

"Isn't that for me to decide ? I understand that you served in the Army."

"Yeah, six years—four in Kuwait and Republic of Iraq -- I couldn't see going to college when I graduated high school. Part of it was getting even with my asshole parents."I explained, starting with my preposterous name which made her giggle, how I had changed it, and my parents'reaction."They had me down to be a lawyer from the day I was born, just as I was supposed to attend Harvard. My founding father went there, so did gramps ; me, I went to SUNY Stony Brook. I gave up trying to please them when I was in third-year eminent at boarding school. Sometimes I got miserable ground level just to aggravate them. I also wanted to get out of the boarding school they had sent me to and into world school."I looked at my watch and noticed that I had been talking to her for more than an hour.
I'm sorry ; I didn't mean to go on you so late."

"Am I a prisoner here ? I don't think so. Truthfully, this is the best afternoon I've spent since I came to work. My family is from just Confederate States of America of capital of New York so I don't know anyone here. I come to work. I go home, prepare example, eat, and go to bed. That's some life for a twenty-three year old."

"Maybe you'd like to go to dinner tonight. I'll still take you out on Friday, but I feel a little guilty about ruining your afternoon."

"ruin ? Would you fall with me just a second ? I need some help in my storeroom."She walked to the rear of the classroom and I followed. To my surprise she closed the door then folded herself into my arms and kissed me. It was entirely unexpected, but I do think back responding. She stepped back a minute later, smiled, then moved back in for another, working her tongue into my oral fissure, pressing those wonderful breasts into my chest, and rubbing her genital organ into my thigh.

She broke the kiss, looked into my middle, and suggested that we might get to dinner later…much later. Holding my hand she led me out of the closet to the schoolroom door. She still held me while she locked the door. There was not a one person to be seen, but even if there was we weren't doing anything wrong. We were both individual and, while staff romances weren't encouraged, they weren't against the rules either.

"How far is it to your home,"she asked me.

"Not far…about five stat mi east."

"Are we coming back this way for dinner ?"

"Yeah, if you don't intellect there's a great pizza joint down in the village and a peachy sandwich store, too."

"Sandwich ? I know I'm a gimcrack date, but…a sandwich ?"

"You need to desire me."I led her to my truck and a instant later we were on the highway driving toward our destiny. I pulled into what had once been a farm lane and was still a peg down unpaved rutted driveway. Luckily, after three years I knew the localisation of every one. I twisted and turned up what should sustain been a straight trip, stopping at last in figurehead of a small one-story star sign. The roof formed a four-foot overhang, making a narrow covered porch that ran for the entire front of the building.

"Nice !"

"It's a hole, but it's cheap and it's private."

"buck private, I like."Beth took my script as I led her into the livelihood elbow room. There wasn't much, just the combination living/dining/kitchen area in the entire front of the firm with a brusk hallway off to the left field leading to the single bedroom on the right and bathroom on the left.

"How on earth did you ever find this place ?"

"It belongs to the parents of a former student. I was chatting with the tiddler for a minute at the end of class one day my first base twelvemonth and a pupil asked where I lived. I was in a boarding house—Mrs. McIntyre's—down in the village. I told the kids it was okay, but not very individual. The adjacent day I found a notation in my mailbox asking me to telephone set his parents. They offered the place to me and I moved in the adjacent weekend. I've been here ever since."

"You are going to occupy me to bed, aren't you ? I've been waiting for this since the start of schooltime, but we can talk about that later…after."I felt like a deer in the headlight as she led me to my own bedroom.

I may hold been a undivided man living on my own, but that didn't mean value that I was a sloven. Habits learned under stern Army subject lasted a tenacious time. Beth turned once she had reached the double bed and moved to me. We kissed again, her indulgent plump mouth pressing firmly into mine. Her buss were the honeyed and hottest I'd ever had—her tongue the most active voice and inquisitive. I'd dated occasionally in mellow school. Losing my virginity to Ginny Porter early in my senior twelvemonth did wonder for my self-esteem. My experiences once I was in the army were very unlike. I'd met a few local anaesthetic girl during my breeding in Texas, scoring more than half the clip. Once I was deployed my sexual outlets were restricted to leave which I usually spent in Eastern Europe—Prague and capital of Hungary were my deary where beautiful daughter flowed like water system. I was always careful, using a condom and getting tested for STD's regularly. The nature of my fighting grant meant that I was often away from magnanimous outposts for extended periods. None of my fundamental interaction with the Iraqi's were what one might call"friendly."

I never dated in college. For one affair I wanted to finish as quickly as potential, taking as many classes as I could possibly handle and attending between the regular semesters, as well as summers. Truthfully, I found the prank of my"classmates"childish. Then I graduated and found a job teaching 8th form terra firma science in nearby Northport, a beautiful village on the N Shore of Suffolk County, Long Island. Even though I had only a single lesson to prepare every day, teaching is a lot of work—much more than virtually people think. I socialized occasionally, mostly with other teachers from my school. My sexual relief came entirely from my right hand.

Beth took the enterprisingness, breaking the candy kiss to murder my jumper and shirt. I responded by unbuttoning her blouse and dropping her slacks to her feet. I marveled at her breasts. I couldn't believe that the flimsy cloth of her bra could be strong enough to patronage them. They were bigger and unwavering and sonorous than I'd thought and they looked to be perfectly symmetrical. Her nipples were extremely raw as I rolled and pinched them while she moaned in ecstasy.

I carefully laid her back onto the bed, covering her with my soundbox. We kissed and held each other as I savored to softness of her perfect skin against mine. Her hand found my dick hard and ready, oozing slippery pre-cum ; mine found her sex wet and hot."No stimulation, Bert—not today, not now. I'm so hot for you. Just take me and have intercourse me hard. delight ! I need you so badly. I'm begging you !"

I moved quickly between her pegleg. She helped me by raising her genu and wrapping her legs over my spine. Between my pre-cum and her nectar I thought we'd have plenty of lubrication. My hammer found her incoming and I eased forward into her velvet vise. I was in maybe an inch or so when I found resistance. My head jerked up and I looked into her centre."You're a virgin ?"

"Yes…shameful isn't it ?"

"Maybe we should step back and opine about this. I don't want to bankrupt what should be a especial social occasion for you."

"Believe me, Bert—you'll make it special, not destroy it. Please…do me ; I'll explain everything later."She batted those long lash at me and I could see her desire and need in her eyes. She rubbed my lump then tightened her wooden leg'clutches on me. Her hand moved me back into her tunnel and she drove her hips up, ripping her hymen in a second. She was breathing hard as she moved up to match me. If I didn't know in force I would have thought her to be extremely get. She did everything right as her hot besotted pussy flexed around my needy cock.

I know I'm not the longest hammer ever seen—not by a foresightful shot. I'd shot I carry about six and a half inches, but I am unusually thick—almost two inches in diameter. Several women in Europe had told me that's what really counts. Beth told me that she wanted it severely so I pounded her virgin pussy like it belonged to my big enemy. In my mind I was taking no prisoners, but Beth apparently loved it. If I'd read her correctly she came twice before my cock erupted, bathing her uterus with my slick sister juice.

"Oh shit,"I thought. I hadn't asked her if she was safe. This could make for a very embarrassing situation at schoolhouse. Beth must have read my brain because she smiled then whispered,"Not to worry ; I have an implant under my axillary cavity. I have to enjoin you…it was well Charles Frederick Worth waiting for—better than I ever dreamed. You probably think I'm a slut for fucking you before we even have a date."

"A slattern ? No, anyone who's a virgin at 23 is no slut, but I am mystified. Why me ? You know nothing about me."

She laughed until her organic structure shook then spoke softly."Oh, but I do, Bert. I know almost everything about you. I've known for a long time -- long time, in fact. I've known that you were named Albertus Magnus, but changed your figure when you were eighteen. I've known that you defied your parents by going into the United States Army. I've known that you were deployed in Iraq where you were a sniper in extra Forces ... a very successful sniper, probably the in effect the Army's ever had. I know you won a silver principal, a bronze star, and a distinguished Service cross for the instant battle of Al Basrah and you were injured twice, earning the purple Heart with an oak foliage cluster."

I leaned back to take a closer look at this womanhood. My concern showed on my face. Had she been stalking me ?

"You probably think I'm a sneak, but I'm not. I know all of that and more than from my dad. He knows you personally and you know him."I must have looked confused because she continued."What's my name, Bert ?"

"Elizabeth…Beth."

She was laughing and raising her eyebrows when she said,"hold going."

"Okay, Elizabeth Walters."She raised one eyebrow as if to say,"semen on, dummy."I thought for a few minutes before the light went on."Oh my God ; John R. Major superior general Mark Walters is your father ?"

"Yup…I'm a genuine Army brat. Usually, there's a lot of sex between brats, but not when your dad is base commander. Most male child were deathly afraid of me. Do you recall that we actually met when I ran into my dad's office ? You were a corporal then. I was in infrangible awe of you—a real war hero. All Daddy did was sit behind a desk."

"I must have been 20…about nine years ago. Did you have braid and braces then ?"Her huge grin told me she did.

She continued a here and now later."I thought I recognized you the number 1 sentence I saw you at orientation back in August—your haircut is kind of a game show -- and then Mr. Fazio introduced you as one of the most spectacular youth teachers in the shoal district. That's when I was sure…sure I wanted you to be my first…and more. I was so excited that I phoned Daddy as soon as I got home that afternoon. Incidentally, I live at that same boarding house. He had your crownwork pulled and gave me all of the details. He liked you when you were under his bidding and he likes you now, based on what I've told him about you. Everybody at school loves you. They all think you're an incredible instructor and an even safe soul. I get a lot of your students every day and they're always so excited about your course of instruction. I hate to intromit it, but I've been pumping them for information."

She raised her head and kissed me again and again then pushed me off, rolled me over, and climbed onto my body. Rubbing those fantastic tits into my chest did the job on me. I was hard again in a indorse and into her incredibly sozzled heaven an flash later. I had to chuckle as she began to rock. script on my shoulder joint, Beth was working her clit like a madwoman for almost ten hour."Not too ratty for an almost virgin,"I joked."You must have watched a lot of porn."

"I did…oh, God…oh God, but now that I have you…oh, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck !"She shook wildly as a series of convulsions ripped through her slender consistency. Beth collapsed onto my chest, her breathing mysterious and speedy as her coming slowly ebbed. I held her tightly, my hands roaming over her spine and coffin nail, my still hard tool embedded deep within her. I wasn't going to cum…not so quickly after the number 1 time, but that was all right. Just holding this marvelous woman—feeling her unbelievable diffuse cutis -- was Thomas More than enough.

She must possess lain on top of me semi-conscious for XX minutes, at to the lowest degree. A goofy smiling greeted me when she sat up."I've read history online and in ‘ Cosmo'about how nifty sex could be, but none of them compare with what you've given me this afternoon."

"I think you had a lot to do with it. Just tell me that we're going to do it again."

"Is every day okay ?"I smiled. It certainly as hell was. I didn't realize at the time, but Beth had made a promise she would keep for the quietus of her life.

We walked into the john naked, my cock dripping semen and pussy juice, my new lover with heaps of come running down her stage. We looked at each other and laugh then we pulled each other into an embrace that ended only when I turned on the water. The shower bath here was one of the sign's best features. It was located over an old bath on legs ; it was much bigger than tubs are today. There was a shower bath drape that ran 360 degrees around the tub on an oval rod that hung from the ceiling. It was our get-go shower down together—the first of many to come.

Once we had dressed I drove Beth past schooltime down into the village. At this minute there was no difficulty finding a parking stain right in front of the small town Sandwich Shoppe. Holding her handwriting I walked up to the riposte."Hi, Sal—how's the house ?"

"Great, Bert ; Robert is doing really well in biology and next year you'll have Maria, our young. All I have to do is convince Fazio to put her into your class. Who's your Quaker ?"

"Sorry…this is my acquaintance, Beth Walter. She's a new art teacher."

"She looks like a real good admirer from here."I refused to put out her hand in spite of his shaft."insurgent Rouser tonight ?"

I pointed to the sign that hung against the back wall. Beth read the factor and nodded."Two, Sal and can we have some fountain Coca Cola with ice ?"

"Geez ! You always come in here and ask for nose candy. You know damn well that we have Pepsi. Why you always got to bust my ballock ?"I just laughed the way I always did and led Beth to a quoin table.

"We go through that procedure every clock time I come in here, but you made a great choice with the rebel arouser. It's my ducky, by far."We made pocket-sized public lecture and Beth asked about the skill experiments the tiddler would do.

I laid out my prelude plan for the students and she agreed with most of it, but did indicate introducing the presentation early on in the process. She lost me when she got into baptistery stylus and size, but assured me that she'd spate with that in her division to support me. We were well into our discussion when Sal brought our sodas and the sandwiches a few minutes later."My God, how am I supposed to eat all of this ?"I have to say—Sal always spoiled me. This ten-inch champion sandwich was supposed to stimulate four slice of Virginia ham, four slices of dud breast, four slices of provolone and four of bacon before being placed into the oven so the cheeseflower would melt and fuse the sandwich together. Sal always gave me—and now Beth—double, and all because of what I'd been able to do with his son who had been an uninspired student until he took my class. Then he learned to love skill and it carried over to his other socio-economic class, as well. He had gone from a"C"scholarly person to straight"A's."


> > > > > >

That was the kickoff of my relationship with Beth. We saw each former every single day, spending time working on our lesson or grading trial at my old enameled steel kitchen table. We cooked and ate in most mean solar day, making love every exclusive even. Beth always left my spot by 9:30 so she could get home to the boarding menage. We spent every endorsement of the weekends together, making love two, even three, times a day. We were always totally proper and professional in school, never revealing our true kinship, and that's the way things stayed until the endorsement hebdomad in Jan although I did go with her to visit her parents and chum over Christmas. It was either that or pass the holiday alone as I'd done every one of the past tense five years.

Her Father-God welcomed me, giving me a big smiling and a firmly handshake in greeting. Mrs Bruno Walter hugged me. We talked for hours and that's when I learned that Beth had been an fortuity late in lifespan, but one they had never regretted. It was almost fourth dimension for dinner when Beth led me upstairs to her room. She laughed like hell when I asked where I was sleeping."Right here next to me, silly unless you'd prefer to be under me. Hmmm, now there's an idea I like."

"You mean…your parents know about us…what we've been doing ?"

"Of course—they're not like your parents. Keep in mind that I am XXIII and an adult who pays her own way. And, by the way, I expect you to do me every night and as many dawning as we can, too. I'll have to be quiet than usual, but that's okay as long just as we can spend a penny love."Damn—the computer storage I have even after all these eld are just unbelievable. For Yule I gave Beth a pendant—small diamonds shaped into a heart and soul on a sterling silver Sir Ernst Boris Chain. She gave me a lovesome woolen cardigan. I still wear that threadbare perspirer when I want to experience especially cheeseparing to her. She'll wear that pendant until the end of time.


> > > > > >

I had read while in college that schools are"microcosms of society"which essentially means that whatever problems exist in the community will also be found in the school day. trouble of drug and inebriant abuse sometimes manifested themselves in schooling, but the biggest problem was clearly divorce. Divorce exerted a dreadful devastating toll on kids. The price on parents wasn't very much better.

The Peterson phratry had split up over the Christmas/New Year's break and Mr. Peterson understandably hadn't taken it well. His wife had served him with divorce papers and a restraining order on Christmas Eve in what I thought at the time was an unnecessarily cruel act. He came to school on Midweek, Jan 17th, in the Hope of seeing his son for the first time in almost a month. Mrs. Peterson, however, had brought a written matter of the restraining order to the principal and the faculty was under stern orders to impose it. He went berserker when he was refused, running out to the hall when threatened with the police if he did not vacate the school dry land immediately. Instead of leaving, he pulled a pistol from his coat and ran into the cheeseparing classroom which just happened to be Beth's.

I was walking down the manse on my way to the office when I heard the commotion. Dottie, the chief's secretary, summarized what had happened in a series of long run-on sentence punctuated with long breathless pauses showing that she was obviously under a cracking spate of stress. All I knew was that the woman I loved was in grave danger.

The police were on their way ; I could hear the siren in the distance, but anything—absolutely anything -- could happen before they had the position under mastery. Everyone was trying to appease out of any line of fire, hiding either in locked place or classrooms or behind furniture in the lobby—everyone, except me. I walked calmly into Beth's classroom. Mr. Peterson was there shaking as his arm was around Beth's cervix, the handgun aimed carelessly at her headspring. The scholarly person cowered in their seats. More than one-half were crying.

Peterson spoke first, his voice cracking under the strain."Who're you ? What…what are you doing here ?"
I ignored his nervousness, speaking clearly and calmly in an try to defuse the place."I'm Bert Cochran. I teach skill here in the middle school. You can use me as a hostage, but you've got to let these kidskin go. You have too many surety here. confidence me ! You don't need twenty-five whiney kids here. They'll drive you crazy in a few minutes."I turned to the students."okay, Thomas Kid get up and walk out quietly. make you're in a fire practice session. There are teachers outside to help you."

Students are conditioned to follow orders. All of these students were also mine which helped a lot. one-half of them were out the door before Peterson even reacted."What the hell are you doing ?"

"You will own a lot easier sentence dealing with the two of us than with those terror. I'm not going to give you any job. This is the cleaning lady I love more than anything. I want to expend the rest of my lifetime with her so I'm going to collaborate fully with anything you say."I sat on a table, apparently relaxed as I tried to carry on a conversation with our"captor."

After about ten second I had convinced him to let Beth sit. There was no penury to gag her. I could see how Beth was reacting. She was hyperventilating and close to fainting ; I had to get her out of here. Then it hit me. I slapped my leg."hoot, I'm so stupid ! Your son is Danny Peterson, right ?"I continued once he had nodded."He's in eighth tier science with me and this is his luncheon menses. Beth, why don't you walk over to the cafeteria and impart Danny back so he can see his dad ?"I gave her a little nudge. She rose and walked slowly to the classroom door. A endorsement later she was safe.

I turned my attention to Mr. Peterson."Would you mind pointing that gun in another counsel ? I know you don't want to bruise me, but I know guns…accidents can happen."

"Oh, sorry,"he said as he swung the barrel away. I had been sitting on the mesa apparently relaxing, but I sprung into action in a flashgun. My left hand went to his articulatio radiocarpea, my rightfield to his elbow. I pushed violently with the left and pulled with the right. All of the strain went to the feeble region of his arm. His articulatio cubiti broke with an hearable snap. The shooting iron dropped from his useless hand and I caught it before it hit the floor.

Using my body for leveraging I pushed him against the wall while I ejected the magazine and racked the slide to unfold the action. I wasn't at all surprised when a chambered troll fell to the trading floor. I wanted that, but first I needed to let the asshole know who was in control."I'm going to deflect down for that bullet. If you do anything stupid you'll be in a earth of scathe. I could kill you and nonentity would charge me."To punctuate my point I shoved his top dog into the bulwark. He stayed there while I retrieved the cartridge.

"OKAY, EVERYBODY,"I shouted."We're coming out. I have the pistol and all the bullets are in my pocket."Grabbing Peterson by the collar of his coat I pushed him out in front of me. The number one cop we met was about to wrench his arm behind his back, but I stopped him."Hold it ! His cubital joint is broken. He needs medical attention."Two officers led him away then I handed the weapon and ammunition to one of the remaining cops.

I had just fished the bullets out of my pouch when Beth rushed up to me, her branch wrapping around my torso. She was bawling, her breath coming in gasps, her body shaking as her emotions, barely held in hindrance earlier, rushed to the surface. I pulled her head to my shoulder joint, holding her close and running my fingers through her long lustrous hair."Oh Bert, I was so worried about you. I don't know what I would do if you were hurt."

"I'm okay. I just had to see out a way to get you out of there…out of danger. That's all I was worried about."
Beth pulled back a bit, her centre looking into mine. She stared for just a consequence as though looking all the way into my person before asking,"Did you really think what you said in there ? That you love me ? That you want to spend the residuum of your life history with me ?"

I looked around. The lobby was filled with people—police officeholder, our executive, more than a dozen teachers, and Beth's entire class. This wouldn't have been my choice for the meter or place to profess my love for her, but it would birth to do. I hesitated for a secondly before replying."well, I have to confess—I did severalise a few Lie in there, but not about you. Yes, I do recall saying that and I meant every countersign, if you'll have me."I expected some kind of reaction, but it was even More than I had hoped for.

"YES ! YES ! YES ! lamb GOD…I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, BERT !"

I was still holding her when one of our shared pupil, Jeremy Lane, yelled out,"Go ahead, Mr. C…kiss her."
"You know…that's the full idea you've had all class, Jeremy."I looked down at my fiancee and brought my back talk to hers. We held the buss for almost a arcminute as everyone applauded, even the fuzz. Then I was led out to an ambulance for a quick check-up.

They checked my blood pressure—109 over 60—and my pulse—58. My pupils were normal as was my ventilation. The EMT looked amazed."How can you be so calm after all that ?"

"It's just the way I am. I get excited emotionally just like everyone else, but my consistence remains calm."That was all I said. Nothing more was needed. I could give birth told him that my slow up pulse and low origin force per unit area led me to success as a sniper, but it wasn't his business. I buttoned up my shirt, took Beth's hand, and returned to work. Well, I tried, but as soon as we entered the construction Beth and I were told that the school was closing early. Parents were being called and the autobus were on their way. Our classes would be covered until they arrived. Mr. Fazio took us aside."You both need to go place. Take as a good deal prison term as you need. This was a harrowing experience and I know you're both under a lot of stress. I'm sure the police will require a command, but I'll try to hold them off until tomorrow."Then, with a smile,"I didn't have a clue you two were seeing each early and I don't think anyone else did either. felicitation !"I thought he was going to keep on, but his centre misted up and he walked away. Beth grabbed her coat from her classroom and we walked out to my truck.

"What about my car ?"

"Leave it. We can get it later if you want."I drove away, Beth's trembling hand in mine. We reached my house about ten minutes later. I walked around the truck to open her door then led her into the theatre. It was a cold day and I had left my coat in my classroom. Even with her coating Beth was visibly shaking. I had a fireplace, but used it only occasionally. Today would be the exception. I opened the flue pipe, started the ardor and brought some humble logs in from the porch. A few hour later the fervor was roaring.

I had bought a deoxyephedrine cover with two doors and a blower grate, essentially a set of hollow brand tobacco pipe that held the fire and were connected to a blower fan. Once the fire was going I could start the fan and hot air would blow into the room. It was decent to get to the entire room warm and toasty, even on the coldest day. I brought a midst quilt from the closet and laid it on the floor in front of the hearth. Then I helped Beth out of her clothes. Once we were naked I lay side by side to her—holding, caressing, loving this incredible woman. I jumped up a bit later.

"I almost forgot."Running into my bedroom and back I held out what I thought was a beautiful ringing. It was a large black pearl surrounded by a rophy of diamonds in a 14-K yellow gold stage setting."This was my grandma's…my mother's mother—the only member of my family I ever spoke with. She left it to me when she died. I want you to own it. I'll buy you an involvement ring, too."

Beth took the ring."It's beautiful, Bert. Aren't you supposed to put it onto my finger ?"She held out the third finger's breadth on her go forth manus and I slid it on. It fit perfectly as though it had been made for her."I don't want another ring, Bert except for a hymeneals band. This is a wonderful tintinnabulation. I love it."She leaned forward to snog me. We held it for several minutes until Beth climbed onto me. We had been lovers for almost three calendar month. We knew each other's bodies well. Beth leaned forward, bringing her nipple to my sass. I loved suckling and nibbling her nipples almost as much as Beth enjoyed my doing it.

In all our sentence together we had never engaged in oral examination sex. We'd talked about it mass of clip and knew it would encounter one of these 24-hour interval when she wanted it. Truthfully, we were having too much fun making know together. Today must make been the day because she spun around, presented her sweet pussy to me as she leaned forward to kiss the swollen head of my throbbing cock.

Next affair I knew, Beth was licking the stallion airfoil of my organ and driving me fantastic with lust. My cock lurched up and down with every touch of her sassing and tongue. I groaned as I moved up to inhale Beth's gist. I'd smelled and tasted her before, but only on my digit. There was something about her odour that drove me crazy—as though it was laden with pheromones that short circuited my brain. My glossa found her labia as I licked from her clit all the way up to her rosebud. Over and over I licked until Beth was trembling. Then I invaded her tunnel.

I'd learned early on that Beth was extremely sensitive and sensory to vaginal stimulation whether with my cock or my fingerbreadth, or—now—my tongue. She was the only char I'd ever met who was up to of vaginal orgasms. I easily brought her to her first gear orgasm and I hadn't even touched her clitoris yet. My tongue found that special rough in field just inside the top of her tunnel. I knew I was getting to her when she began humping my back talk. Meanwhile, she was taking splendid care of me. I knew that she had never tasted seminal fluid so I also knew that I had to warn her when I got airless and I was there now."Beth ! Beth, I'm going to…."And then I did. Beth somehow managed to suck it down her pharynx. She released me, kissing the reddish purple question before turning around to rank her head on my shoulder.

We lay there in the lovingness of the fervor relaxing…recovering. Eventually, Beth spoke."I can't believe that you chance your sprightliness for me. You're so brave. No wonder I love you so much. Daddy used to laugh at my puppy love, telling me that zip would ever fare of it. Who do you consider is laughing now ?"

"That reminds me ; you need to speech sound your folks. You need to tell them that we're engaged and also that you're OK. That scene with Peterson is sure to hit the major news channels and I'm positivist that we'll be named. I'm surprised the press hasn't already tried to work over a way of life to my door. The school territorial dominion won't release any selective information and I don't have a even phone so there's no itemisation. Of form, they could get the computer address from the DMV or Board of Elections."I reached for my slacks and passed the phone to my love life.

I'll never bury how she opened the call."Hi, Mom—it's your engaged daughter calling."We both laughed when her mother failed to recognize what she had said."Didn't you hear me, Mom ? I'm engaged. Bert and I are going to be married."She waited for a few indorsement while her mother responded."It happened this sunup and that's another intellect why I'm calling. Bert saved me and twenty-six of my students from a man who had taken us hostage."Beth went on to tell her mom everything. Okay…not quite everything—she didn't credit that we were naked in figurehead of a flak in my keep room -- but almost. They spent more than than half an hour talking and then her dad joined in.

Beth had just ended the call when I had an entrance. It was from the police. I made arrangements to meet with them early this afternoon for our affirmation. We were at the precinct for more than an hour and met with the media in the meeting room. I was more than leave to speak about the incident and even my calling in the Army which was mostly populace entropy anyway, but I clammed up in a hurry when they wanted details on our family relationship."We became engaged right after I captured Mr. Peterson. That's all you really require to know."Grabbing Beth's hand we thanked them and left, walking to my truck.

I restarted the fire and we climbed naked back onto the comforter. We lay there quietly, caressing and loving each early. I was comfortable with the silence, but Beth spoke."I liked what we did, Bert. I don't understand why your phallus is so balmy and shine on the extraneous and so hard inside. I love the point ; it's so spongy. Do you know why ?"

"I guess there's some reasonableness, probably tied into evolution."

"Was it okay for you ?"

Beth was so sincere, but I couldn't help myself."Was it ‘ okay ?'No."She looked so hurt until I smiled."No, Beth, it wasn't okay, but it was fantastic…incredible…and absolutely wonderful—just like you."

She had her"exasperated"look on her face as she said,"Bert !"Then she smiled and leaned down to buss me. She spoke again once she had broken it."There was only one affair I didn't like. How can you put up getting hair in your lip ?"

"I never really thought about it, to be honest."

"I have been thinking. I want to do it again, but do you think we could knock off ? I'd do you and then you could do me."She had that Saame goofy grin on her face when she was done.

I definitely wanted more blow jobs, but…."You know that I sometimes go to the gym. What would I say if someone sees me in the shower or footlocker room ?"

"Why not tell them the verity ; that your girlfriend…I mean, fiancée…doesn't like hair in her mouth ?"

"You know…some of these guy rope will probably get it on you."

"So ?"Beth stood and pulled me up with her. Next thing I knew we were in the privy. Beth used a pair of scissors to trim my pubic hair really finale then placed a hot towel over my pubic area."Don't headache, Bert. You know how much I love these matter. I think I'm going to suck your balls into my mouth once they're bare."

"shit,"I thought."Now there's an incentive !"Five proceedings later I looked down to see something I hadn't seen since I was eleven. Beth applied some of her sweet-smelling body lotion then stood on the towel and I took care of her. Then she rewarded me by taking me back to bed.

We stayed there for Thomas More than an time of day and, had I known what having my Ball sucked on would find like, I would have shaved them a long, farsighted metre ago. We dragged ourselves up from the bed and drove down to the hamlet Sandwich Shoppe for dinner. This time Sal refused to take my money."The tale is all over town, Bert. You're a goddamned hero and I understand that Beth is a bit more than a good friend now. felicitation !"He came around the counter to shake my hired man and hug us. Before long all of the other sponsor joined him. I was totally embarrassed. I was sure my face was beet red.

Beth stayed overnight at my theater after picking up a modification of wearing apparel and we returned to puzzle out the following morn. I was embarrassed again at the reception I was given. The teachers applauded when we walked into the main office. The kids applauded in the hallway and in each of my socio-economic class. I didn't care about that. I was worried about Danny Peterson. He was in my 6th menstruation form right after luncheon so I arranged for him to be called to the office at the beginning of dejeuner. I closed the door when I saw him in the position with Mr. Fazio, the star."Danny, are you okay ? I'm really sorry that I had to hurt your dad."

"It wasn't your error, Mr. C. Mom threw him out because he was always drunk and he hit her when he was. He even hit me when I tried to stop him. It was hard to have Yule without him, but it had to be done. He punched me and my little sister, too."

"Are the other Thomas Kid giving you a hard fourth dimension ?"

"No, they're okay."I shook his hand and led him over to the cafeteria where I cut the communication channel and bought him luncheon. A week later we were back to normal.

Then, a week later on Fri morning Beth walked into schooltime and I could see that she was upset."It's Mrs. McIntyre, Bert. She's dead…heart attack Monday afternoon. Her nipper want to sell the house. They're going to give up all of us out."

"Well, I think you should propel in with me. We can get married soon."

Beth just shook her drumhead and laughed."Men ! You have no thought. We'll be lucky to get married in June."Then she ticked off about thirty matter that had to be done—things I would never sustain thought about.

Well, we did get married the end Sabbatum in June and spent a calendar week in Bermuda on our honeymoon. I had always been thrifty—okay, maybe tacky would be a better description -- so I had square investments that I used to buy us a real planetary house. I enjoyed the little farm family, but it was no place to elicit a family and Beth and I agreed that we didn't want to wait. She had her embed removed two calendar week before the wedding.


> > > > > >

The wedding itself was grand. What else would one expect for the only daughter of a highly decorated full general ? There were to a greater extent than three hundred guests—twenty-four from school, not even one from my family, four from my summertime job, and the eternal sleep either Beth's relatives or associates of her famous father. It was held in a immense cathedral upstate. We were both Catholic so we had to brave out an entire Mass. I had stopped participating while in the Army. It's hard to believe in a God when you spend every day killing and I was especially proficient in that regard.

We had just taken Al Basrah in southern Al-Iraq and a counterattack from the Republican Guard was a possibility. In spite of that, almost all of the military personnel and all of the tanks and artillery had already left the city en route to another farther due north. We had fewer than a hundred men remaining—nothing more than than a skeleton crew, mostly supply personnel, and nowhere near enough to book off a limit flak. My spotter and I had taken place on the cap of the gamy construction still standing. I had my Barrett .50 calibre M82, the finest sniper rifle ever made in my sentiment and five thousand daily round of ammo. The heavy .50 caliber bullet had a gag speed of 2,799 feet per bit, more than two and a one-half meter the speed of sound. By the time you heard the composition you were dead.

My spotter Dan picked up movement to the eastward as the sun rose—smart movement, at least it would sustain been if my ambit hadn't been specifically equipped to contend with the glare and smartness of the sun. With most of our combat troops gone I knew it was up to me to halt off any attack until reinforcer could arrive. I began shooting at 1800 meters, just over 1.1 miles—actually at the limit of the good range of the rifle. Mostly the world-class three were ranging shots—shots I used to help specify the core of the wind which was negligible that morning. I mowed down more than a hundred over the next four hours. They tried to approach in truck and their equivalent weight of a jeep, but a .50 quality bullet will ruin a radiator and even dismount or crack an full railway locomotive blocking of almost any vehicle.

When they moved a tankful up to the parentage I was able-bodied to conform the ammunition belt so I could force out a few tracers—bullets made with a small pyrotechnic charge built into the projectile so I could see it all the way to the target. On a auto gun every fifth round is a tracer. That's the only way to see exactly where you're firing, although in my slip I could tell by the piles of dead Iraqi's in the sand. Aiming carefully and squeezing the trigger slowly as I exhaled I was able to fire the start tracer into the tiny slot the driver used to look forward. The .50 caliber bullet is so lethal that it will continue moving at deadly speed even after passing through a individual's body. Apparently, that was what happened here because the cooler blew up only a secondly after the smoke had entered. I surmised that the hot round must receive ricocheted into one of their cannon racing shell in the magazine. Once one goes the rest follow in an instant. The explosion was so violent that the armored combat vehicle's gun enclosure flew more than fifty feet into the air surrounded by the flames from the detonation. Their attack evaporated less than a bit after the gun turret fell burning into the sand. Dan's formal report the comply cockcrow confirmed 117 kills plus the tank and its crew. Our strengthener also found three motortruck loaded with ordination and another filled with diesel fuel hidden behind the dunes in increase to the four vehicle I'd damaged. The foe never came within 1500 yards of our place before they lost nub and retreated. I was credited with stopping their approach and given the Distinguished help Cross a month later. A month after that my duty tour of obligation was up. The Army wanted me to re-enlist, but I was burned out. I'd had enough of killing. Now I wanted to help make lives not destruct them.

I recall standing by the altar with Dan as my best man while General Walters walked slowly forward with Beth on his arm. It had been decided over my objection that the men in the marriage party would wear full-dress uniform, the mess garb uniform to be precise. full general Walter had one, of course of action, as did his three sons—all officers -- but mine, and Dan's, had to be custom made with the insignia of our former rank and file. I even supplied all of my service thread and a list of the commendations I had received. I was pleased to see that I had several that weren't on any of their jackets—the DSC and the Expert-Rifle and Pistol commendations, the gamy ranking of what was to a greater extent commonly known as a sharpshooter's medal.

Beth was ravishing beautiful, so beautiful that one expression and I was ready to enthral her. Her gown was strapless and form-fitting with tiny ivory sewn into the bodice. Her cleavage was even more enticing than usual. Her foresighted blackness hair's-breadth was pulled back into a Daniel Chester French braid. I still remember exactly what I whispered to her when I took her script from the general—"You're incredible…beautiful. You look good enough to eat."

Beth giggled then whispered back,"THAT will have to look. We should motivate. Everyone's looking at us."

"Let them wait -- besides I'm pretty sure they're looking at you. You're absolutely breathtaking."She kissed my cheek, squeezed my bridge player and we turned toward the non-Christian priest. An time of day later we were in the limo on the way to our mythic reception. At various times I was introduced to the writing table of the Army as well as several former dignitaries—a duo of congressmen and a senator -- I forgot almost immediately. They all claimed to know me—my inspection and repair record book, anyway. Premium booze flowed like water and the solid food was great, too. practiced of all was Beth. Other than the dance with her father and mine with her mother, she never left my side. I knew I was the luckiest man on the planet.


> > > > > >

We flew that evening from capital of New York to JFK in New York where we spent our honeymoon night in an drome hotel before catching a plane to Bermudas. We made the most beautiful love off and on for hours until Beth and I were exhausted. It was the first metre that Beth offered me her ass. Of course of study, I was terrified that I'd hurt her, but she promised to tell me if she did. She laughed as she told me,"I've been practicing with cucumbers. It's hard to regain one that's just the rightfield size and shape."All that practice paid off. The experience was intense—our orgasms were to die for. We fell immediately into a thick nap until our wake-up call at 6:00 the following morning.

We spent a week frolicking in the warm clear ocean and making confection erotic love every sunup, every evening, and nigh afternoon's, too. We had a honeymoon package that entitled us to attend the nightly costless cocktail party where we quickly learned to love rum punch. There was nightly topical anesthetic amusement and we even tried our hands at the hotel's executive golf game course. We sucked, but we had a blast, all the same.

Once Beth lost her virginity she seemed to make up for lost prison term. Now that we were married there was absolutely nil that was off the table—any form of sex and any locating. But, first, we attended to the important business at hand—impregnating my wonderful married woman. Her Dr. had told us that she might not go fertile again for several months…or it could be a affair of weeks. There was no way of telling. Beth was taking no chances. We had made love every day since our first of all clash with one exception—the night before our wedding ceremony when she stayed with her parents while I was in a nearby motel.

Something must make worked because Beth was pregnant by the time we returned to school in September. I was thrilled, but her parents were ecstatic. None of Beth's three older brothers were married so this would be their commencement grandchild. Unfortunately, Beth miscarried just after Christmas. I was glad that I was abode with her when she awoke with pain in her abdomen and bloodline oozing from her vagina. I rushed her to the infirmary where her doctor confirmed the bad newsworthiness. We were devastated, but we agreed to try again.

We did and four months later Beth was pregnant again. This prison term her doctor suggested she pass the final four calendar month of her term in bed. We agreed and Beth took emergency medical checkup leave-taking. We weren't worried about money. I had turned thirty on September 1st and had gone to my father's office right after schoolhouse to sign up the necessity paperwork to receive my inheritance—Grandfather's trust investment firm. Of course, I expected difficulty from him so I brought my own attorney, the one man who had bested my father in royal court many times—his archway enemy, Seymour Richmond. Beth and I had walked in holding hands and, not surprisingly, my Church Father opened with a string of insults."So, is this some bimbo you picked up on the beach ? Or maybe you found her walking some street recent go night ?"

I remained calm, but my eyes were steel and my tone was icy as I replied."You wouldn't know because you obviously weren't invited—not that you ever would be -- but this is my married woman, Beth. She's an art teacher in my schooling. I'm sure you've heard of her father—Major General scratch Walters. By the way, do you have any idea what I did in the ground forces ? I was a sniper, and a blamed dependable one. I could put a bullet into your eye at a thousand curtilage, easy. I'll do it, too if I ever hear you insult my wife again."Then I saw my father do a double take. I smiled for the first time since entering his berth. Sy Richmond was here."I think you already know my attorney. Hello, Sy—how are you ?"

"Looking forward to pummeling your father once again ; I tell you, Bert -- some dawning I really bask getting up on the wrong side of the bed."I had anticipated my Fatherhood creating some roadblock in the way of my inheritance and I wasn't disappointed. I had brought Sy along as my insurance policy. He would have done it for zero, but I paid him anyway. They had sparred for more than an hr when Sy placed a call on his cell. Five proceedings later an attractive young gentlewoman entered the conference way, walked up to my father, and announced,"You are served."

"What the fuck is this ?"

"Bert is suing you for fifty million dollars for denying him his inheritance…his legal right wing. Come on, Bert—no mother wit in wasting any Thomas More fourth dimension here. We have a engagement with jurist prick Tues daybreak. I'll be occupy in hearing what you have to say to Peters, Albertus. Why don't I take you two Melopsittacus undulatus to dinner ?"Beth laughed and I joined her. We laughed even harder when my father slammed the conference room threshold in frustration.

I spoke to Mr. Fazio Mon cockcrow to assure him why I would be late on Tuesday. The earshot was scheduled for 8:30 so I was hoping to be back at schooltime by dejeuner fourth dimension. Beth and I talked and we agreed that I'd go alone. There was no real reason why Beth should miss time from her students.

It was a pleasure watching my father squirm in movement of Judge tool. Sy had an official transcript of my grandfather's will and the language couldn't have been clearer. Additionally, there were the records of my monthly thousand dollar stipend and my functionary birthing certificate. I knew that Peters hated my father and with good understanding. He'd caught dear old dad in a lie—presenting false evidence—that had led to a six month suspension of his license and a conviction for contempt of tribunal. The earshot lasted LE than thirty minute.

I received the replete amount—what had been twenty million twelve years ago and was now just over forty. I didn't get any money from my lawsuit, but the judge did make my begetter pay my attorney's placard. I thought that was just perfect.

Having a lot of money was reassuring, but we still wanted to go forward teaching. People complain about having to figure out, but I had always found that work gave my lifespan meaning. I had defended our nation while in the ground forces and now I helped mould unseasoned minds, besides I'd be bored out of my mind if I didn't have a reason to get out of bed early. Beth agreed with me right up until the doctor sent her to bed. Worse than the boredom, Beth was fierce that we were not able to make love.

I hired a nursemaid to fall in every sunrise at 7:30 until 4:00 when I was for certain to be home. I cooked dinner every night except those when I brought in—either Chinese or Italian or Greek. We always ate in bed, using special table with home that slid under the bed."I hate this, Bert, but I love you."That's what she said almost every night.

My reply was almost always the same, too—"It's a diminished price to pay for your rubber and for the safety of our child."Then I'd kiss her and hold her in my arms. I'd carry the dishes to the kitchen, put them into the dishwasher and put out the deoxyephedrine. Then Beth and I would shower and come back to bed to watch TV or toy calling card or a plank game. Ever play strip crib ? We did at least once a week.

Beth was due sometime during our springiness Break in April. I knew she was looking forward to having the baby, if only so she'd be able to resume her normal natural action. She went into lying-in in the wee hours, her first contraction coming at 2:16 a.m. Her aloud groan scared me until I realized what was happening. I recorded the time in my note pad and did everything I could to console my love. I told a few jokes and even sang a few Song. Beth couldn't assist but laugh. I couldn't sing for dickhead and we both knew it.

We had discussed everything with Beth's MD so an hour later I phoned his avail and also a private ambulance. We were at the hospital by 5:00 that break of the day. Our son Lowell Thomas scar -- named for Beth's gramps and father, was born at 11:17 that morning, but not until Beth had struggled mightily. There was a problem with the obstetrical delivery and the doctor decided at the go minute to demand the babe by caesarian delivery. Because of the problem she'd experienced Beth decided to have her tubes tied. She cried when she made that determination, but all I cared about was her eudaemonia. We had one child and we had each former. That was to a greater extent than enough for me.

However, Beth had other ideas. Tom had just turned two when I returned place after school day to feel my married woman holding him and beaming, that same goofy grin showing her perfect teeth."I had a gravid thought today."

"Let me guess—you want to embrace a child."I leaned down to kiss my eggshell shocked married woman on her lips.

She responded as always then looked up to me and asked,"How ?"

"It wasn't so hard. I know you and I can see what a wonderful mother you are. So…tell me exactly what you're thinking."And she did ; all told we talked for more than an hour—so long that we wound up at the sandwich shop for a couple of Johnny Rousers. Beth got to solve on the acceptation the very next day.
Unlike most couples, we didn't want an babe and we didn't fear about race or sex. In fact, we preferred to take a child that others didn't want. No small fry should palpate undesirable. We flew through the prelude interviews—together at number 1 at the sociable military service office then separately at home. I took Tom out to the park during Beth's consultation. Finally, the three of us met with the sociable prole, again in our home. I sat on the floor with Tom, minding him while participating as best I could. I just hoped it would be good enough.

Apparently it was because we were asked to meet at sociable service of process again late on a Tuesday good afternoon. They had a child—a missy who was two old age old and the mathematical product of an interracial relationship. Her White person father regularly beat his black wife and even struck the girl until Child Protective Services removed her from the home. ‘ She's deathly afraid of men,"the social prole told us."Would you like to meet her ?"Of course, the answer was yes.

She was the most beautiful child I'd ever seen. Her skin was the colouring material of mocha and her face was a perfect oval, surrounded by frizzy smutty hair. She cowered behind the worker until I sat on the storey."Do you like Babar,"I asked, pulling a al-Qur'an from my bag. Tom climbed into my lap, but Aaliyah was hesitant."Why don't you find a lieu where you'll be well-fixed,"I suggested."Then I can read the taradiddle and I'll show you the pictures. She found a patch about ten human foot away. I read the write up, pointed out the word-painting to Tom and turned the Koran to Aaliyah so she could see them. Soon she was six feet away then four and before I finished the Bible she was in my lap with Tom. We repeated the Saami kind of visit later in the calendar week and on Saturday Beth and I took Aaliyah, Tom, and the sociable prole out for ice cream. She let me hug and kiss her when the visit was over. When the worker asked if we would take her we answered immediately—YES ! We bought some bedroom furniture that good afternoon and had it delivered Monday afternoon. I took a personal day on Midweek so I could turn a father for the instant fourth dimension. Beth and I were thrilled, but apparently not as lots as Tom. Holding her handwriting he led Aaliyah to her room.

I won't Tell you that there weren't any challenges, because there were. For one thing, Aaliyah had never slept in a regular bed and, like every other kid, she was afraid of falling. We solved that trouble with a few chairs from our dining room. Aaliyah was also subject to incubus. Either Beth or I always responded immediately, soothing her by rocking her in a death chair that had been handed down from Beth's grandparents. It always put her right to sleep.

We put Tom and Aaliyah into nursery school when they reached three. It was only a half-day platform, but it did curiosity for their societal outgrowth. At four they knew the ABCs and numbers, even some uncomplicated adding and subtracting, and recognized a surprise routine of words. Both were tested prior to kindergarten and we were astonished by Aaliyah's understanding. Tom had scored well, but Aaliyah was off the chart.

Once they were in shoal Beth asked if we could adopt another. We agreed on an older child—one who had piddling chance of being adopted due to age. We welcomed Jacob, a shameful boy, into our family. His schooling had been unelaborated, but he picked up everything quickly and was soon well into competition with his sibling. I must say we attracted a lot of tending at the picture show or in a restaurant—white parents, a black son, a half-black daughter, and a white son. Personally, we couldn't have been prouder.

Tom seemed to make inherited the best each of us had to provide. He had my analytic idea, but Beth's trade good looks and coloring. He also had her artistic ability, but from the age of four he only wanted one thing—to attend and graduate from the United United States Department of State Military academy at Occident stop. Tom was an excellent student, graduating near the top of his class and was an outstanding member of the football and track squad. It was a proud moment when he was nominated for the Academy and a prouder one when he graduated, again near the top of his course of instruction. He stayed at the Academy for graduate piece of work then reported for active duty.

Aaliyah entered a six-year medical examination program, combining her undergraduate and medical examination school day subject. It was an extremely arduous computer programme, but our daughter was an great student, valedictory speaker of her high school division with Tom only a few places behind her.

Jacob had graduated six years earlier and had been accepted at Stony Brook State University, the same university I had attended. Francois Jacob's goal was to suit a teacher, following in the footsteps of the citizenry he recognized as his loving parents. He wasn't the pupil his sibling were, but we were just as proud of him as we were of Tom and Aaliyah.


> > > > > >

We were back in the middle East—Afghanistan and Iraq this time—when Tom was deployed. Beth was beside herself with anxiety and fear. nil I tried would cool off her and in the end her fears proved to be prophetic. Tom was one of many in a long convoy in Iraq. He was in the next to last truck when it struck an IED. Why his truck and not one of the XVII that preceded it ? There was no answer. Tom could receive been buried in Arlington or even the national Cemetery in Pinelawn, Long Island, but Beth wanted him nearer to us. He was interred in a patch I had bought for Beth and me. Beth and I were distraught, but Aaliyah was devastated. She and Tom had been extremely near and under other context we thought they might have become a couple. However, they were more like twins. That's how close they really were.

It was a hard clock time for both of us, but we still made time for each other every exclusive day. We made get it on even on our darkest daytime. Beth had told me that it gave her solace she was unable to line up any other way. We began our relationship making fuck every day and we continued the Saame way right up until Beth became ill. Now I was alone, but I decided to travel along through on our plans to travel the United States aimlessly by day and tell her all about it every night. That's how I found myself two months later in Wolf level, MT.

I parked in the lot at the Sherman Inn where I'd made a booking last dark. Once in my room I removed my favorite perspirer from my suitcase and draped it over my shoulders. Then I sat in an upholstered chair and told Beth all about my day just as I had done every day since leaving home. This was my favorite time—the metre I felt secretive to Beth, but also the time I felt most alone. I usually finished my ritual in tears and today was no exception.

It was almost seven that dark when I walked out to check on the car before dinner. I never saw the old man."Can you spare a Pearl Buck, Mister. I haven't eaten in almost two days."I turned around quickly to find a shrunken old man with skin like wrinkled leather standing before me. He was short, probably not more than 5 metrical foot 4 in and thin, although that was hard to distinguish because of the nasty raincoat and baggy jeans he wore. His haircloth was White River as blow, but unkempt and his face looked as though he hadn't shaved in a week.

"If I give you money you'll probably buy some cheap wine and get inebriate, so no money…but I will buy you dinner. It will be a pleasant change to give troupe. Come with me."I led him back into the Inn and we walked into the restaurant together."board for two, please,"I told the hostess. She looked at me as though I was crazy so I grabbed two menus and led my companion to a booth.

A few minutes later the manager of the hotel rushed to join us."Mr. Cochran, you are receive to dine here, but this man smells and he's filthy. He has to go. I'll telephone set the police, if necessary."I rose and bade my comrade to join me. Five moment later I had booked him a room. While he showered I went out to buy him a new shirt and pair of denim, socks, underwear, and sneakers. We returned to the restaurant less than an hour later. The handler was fierce, but there was nothing he could do. We returned to the Same cubicle we had been forced from just an time of day ago.

The world-class affair I did was introduce myself."I'm Bert."

"Um…you can anticipate me Simon."We shook hands and say deglutition. I had iced tea ; he ordered a tipple beer."Don't you drink, Bert ?"

"I did when I was in the army, probably too much, but when I became a teacher I saw how many families had been destroyed by alcohol. Other than our honeymoon neither my married woman nor I drank."

"Where is she now ?"

"In Heaven ; she passed a bit more than than a month ago. I can't recite you how practically I miss her. It was our dream to meander around the country together until we had gone everywhere and done everything. Now I'm doing it alone, but I tell her everything I've done and seen as soon as I've checked into my hotel. I have an old cardigan she gave me on our first Christmas together more than than thirty old age ago. I put it on and talk with her.
Are you a topical anesthetic here ?"

"Here ? No, I come from a far off place and I travel around quite a lot—not quite like you, but I do meet a lot of interesting people…like you. There aren't many people who would have gone as far as you did to help a total stranger."

"It wasn't that big a deal. I don't like to see masses bullied by those who think they have a piddling authority. Everyone has a rightfield to eat. I doubt that he's ever missed a meal."

"How about you ? You ever miss a repast ?"

"Plenty of multiplication when I was in the Army ; it never killed me."

"What did you do in the Army ?"

"I killed people and I was good at it…too dependable. I was a sniper back when Iraq invaded Kuwait. I did my duty, but I hated it."

"I know."

"Pardon ?"

"I meant to say that I can understand how you felt. There are hatful of times I've had to do things I hated to do."

The waitress returned with our drink and we turned our attention to the computer menu. I ordered a big ribeye steak, medium rare, with a baked potato and a salad with bleu Malva sylvestris salad dressing. I wasn't all that hungry, but I wanted to set a tone for my Guest. I was pleased when he ordered the same.

We had an amiable meal then I walked with him back to our rooms. We were at the back of the inn where the only noise came from the crickets. I was about to say honest night when Marvin Neil Simon stopped me."You're a trade good guy, Bert—probably the best I've met in a very farsighted time. I want to give you something…something that's incredibly valuable."

"No, Simon…you don't have to return me anything. Dinner was my pleasure."

"No, you don't understand. This is something you can use, maybe even something you need."He pulled a small flask from his pocket."It's water, Bert, but exceptional water. This is pee from the Fountain of Youth."I started to express mirth, but he continued."How old do you think I am ?"

"I don't know. Seventy-five ? fourscore ?"

"I know that's how I look, but you've missed by respective hundred years. And no…I'm neither nutcase nor delusional. I dreamed about support forever and I got my like, but now I'm done. Everyone I knew and loved died century ago. I wander the earth like Marley's ghost in ‘ A Yuletide Carol.'I've had more than enough. Now I want to die. That's the but way I'll get peace."

"If it's so bad, why give it to me ?"

"Because you don't want to live forever and you deserve to accept a second luck at happiness. Please…take the flask and drink one and only one capful tonight before going to sleep. One capful a year is all you need. How old are you, Bert ?"

"Sixty-two."

"You'll be in your former thirty-something when you wake up in the morning."I had my doubts, but I took the flask. It was full and it looked like there was enough to last fifteen or twenty years. I shook Marvin Neil Simon's hand and returned to my room where I showered again, used the lavatory and brushed my teeth. Finally, I took a capful of the water and climbed into bed, my sweater covering my chest as I pulled the cover over my torso, falling asleep in seconds.


> > > > > >

I usually slept soundly, but this Night I was plagued by weird dreams—so weird that I was relieved when I awoke the pursual break of day. Stretching as I sat up I moved to the toilet, but stopped once I was in front of the mirror. Turning on the luminosity I took a close face at my face and trunk. My hoary hair's-breadth was sluttish brown again and my scrunch up font was smooth. My organic structure was toned again as it was when I first met Beth. I could see my breast and abdominal muscle as well as those in my ramification. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I used the lav, washed and shaved, finishing by brushing my tooth then I dressed and rushed out the door where I turned left walking to the room I had rented for my friend. I was surprised to see the drapes open and the bed made as though the room had not been used at all. I moved up to the glass to peer inside. There was no signaling that anyone had been in the room. Even the towels were exactly as mine had been when I first entered my room yesterday afternoon. I turned around and walked briskly to the lobby where I asked the clerk who had been in room 115 last night. She checked the computer then told me,"Nobody…the room wasn't rented last night."

"But…I rented it for someone I met in the parking lot. I have the receipt here in my wallet."Pulling it from my pocket I checked where I always keep the day's receipts. I found mine easily enough, as well as the electric charge butt from dinner, but not Neil Simon's elbow room receipt. Turning around I walked into the restaurant. My face must have shown my surprise when I saw the same manager on duty.

"excuse me, sir ; do you remember me from terminal nighttime ? I ate here with some hobo…you kicked him out until I was able-bodied to clean him up ? Remember ?"

"I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. I'm the day manager. I had yesterday off and only reported this morning at seven. Are you feeling okay ? I could holler a local doctor if you wish."

"No…thanks, but…."

"Would you like breakfast ?"

"No…I don't seem to be very thirsty. Thank you."I turned around and walked back to my elbow room. This unscathed billet was getting weirder and weirder. I was beginning to question my own sanity. Then I saw her. I ran across the parking lot, yelling,"Beth…Beth."The womanhood turned so I could see her visibility and I knew it was her. She had the like long glistening Negroid hair's-breadth, the same shining blue eyes, and the like fantastic body. I had just reached her when she turned around to confront me.

"alibi me, but what did you call me ?"

"Beth…either you're my wife or you're her exact twin."

"I'm sorry, but I must be the latter. I'm Jessica Landry. I've lived here all my life and I don't think we've ever met. I work here summers to help with my tutelage at Boise State. Is there something else I can aid you with ?"

"No…I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'm just so disoriented. You look just like my wife, but she's perfectly. She died exactly ten weeks ago today."

"Oh…I'm so sorry."I thanked her and walked back to my room. What the nether region was going on ? Had I lost my mind since yesterday ? Once in the way I packed my suitcase, checked out and drove aimlessly down the main road. An hour later I felt suddenly tired so I pulled off the road for a shortstop nap.

I must accept been dreaming because I did see Beth as top as day."Welcome, my darling Bert. I've missed you so practically. I can't waiting to go for you and buss you and make honey to you again."Then she did ; she held and kissed me and we made the most unbelievable lovemaking for hour as we came together five times. Beth lay exhausted on my chest as we fell asleep together again. I never thought this would ever happen again.


> > > > > >

It was after three in the afternoon when Jessica wheeled her cart to room 113. That fucking Calophyllum longifolium hadn't amount to function again and Jessica had been forced to cover her elbow room. Working as a housemaid was tiresome, but it paid reasonably well and was calm. All the same, this was the thirdly time in a workweek that she'd had to take overtime because of mare, time she needed to work on her online course from Boise State.

Check-out was at 11:00 so she was surprised to see the"Do Not Disturb"add-in still hanging on the doorknob. She opened the door and stepped inside, using the rubber eraser Italian sandwich to entertain the room access unfastened while she worked. The elbow room was dark until she pulled the drapes back and opened the blinds to let the hopeful afternoon sun into the elbow room. Jessica was taken completely by surprise when she saw the man lying silently in the bed."Sir ? Sir ?"She touched his arm and shook it, but got no reply so she touched his nerve. His skin was cold to the tinge and she somehow knew immediately that he was all in. Jessica turned and ran out, praying that the day director hadn't yet gone home. She never noticed the small thinly man in the filthy raincoat whole step into the way as she left.

"You're a tremendous man, Bert. I'm certainly your married woman will secernate you all about the outflow of early days. I wished for eternal life. You wished to be with your wife. I wished poorly. I want to die, but I can't. You wished well. I wish you all the estimable, my friend."He bent over the stiff to kiss Bert on the brow then he retrieved the flask and stepped out of the elbow room just seconds before the frantic Jessica and the manager ran hurriedly to the room. Five minutes later a deputy sheriff pulled into the lot. Ten minute after that the county medical examiner examined the body.

"Any signs of filthy frolic, Doc ?"

"goose egg that I can see, Josh. From the body temperature I'd supposition that he died between eleven end night and one in the morning. Anybody remember seeing him last night."

"Yeah, records in the eatery appearance that he ate there alone around seven. There's a course credit bill of fare receipt at 7:58. He must birth come straight back to the room and gone to bed. Any theme why he had that old sweater over his body ?"

"Not a clue, but I'll mental testing everything in the next day or so. Where's he from ?"

"His wallet says his figure is Bert M Cochran from Smithtown, New York. Any idea where that is ?"
"Long Island, I think ; I remember going to a seminar somewhere near there a few years ago. Okay, let's get the organic structure out of here. Tell the Sheriff to stop by late tomorrow good afternoon. I should stimulate some answers by then."The coroner's crowd wheeled the gurney out the doorway and into the waiting vehicle.


> > > > > >

I woke from my nap to find Beth smiling down at me."I'm really confused, Beth. I have been ever since I woke up this morning. I went to dinner live on Night with some tramper, but this morning there was no record. I rented a elbow room for him, too, but no record of that either. Then I was indisputable that I saw you in the parking lot, but it was one of the motel's maidservant. I don't even know if you're real. Are you ?"

"remove a close look at me, Bert then answer your own question."

I looked at her from top to penetrate. I felt her gentle smooth skin, ran my finger through her whisker as I'd done for age and long time. Then it hit me. Looking between her magnificent breasts I saw it—the pendant I'd given her on our first Christmas together. I'd placed it onto her neck before her casket was closed forever. I knew then that she'd wear it until the end of prison term."You're real ; you're wearing the pendant. But you're idle so that must mean…."

"Yes, Bert…you died last Nox almost as soon as you fell asleep. All of the early things were just a dream—a really weird pipe dream, but just a dream. Now I have to explain a few things to you. The jet of Youth ?"

"There's no such thing."

"Actually, Bert, there is. Think of it as a examination from God. It's not really a outpouring of youth, but that's what most of us call it because the dazed selfish hoi polloi who make most of the wishes ask to go back to their spring chicken. The man you met last night—the one you know as Simon—was one of the first. He insulted God by wishing for eternal life sentence. God kept his hope, but Simon never asked for health or happiness or even wealth. He's been awake for almost a thousand years, but he's put up every day of that fourth dimension. Do you recollect what you wished for, Bert ?"

"I don't think I really wished for anything. I did what I do…er, did every night—prayed for you and that someday we'd be together again."

"Yes, Bert—you wished wisely…unselfishly. Now, thanks to you, we will be together forever. Come -- let me exhibit you our home. You'll like it. It's redress on the ocean and you can go fishing whenever you want. You'll catch plenteousness, but they all have to be released."She saw the disarray on my face and laughed."Do you commend the manager asking if you wanted breakfast ?"

"Yeah, I wasn't hungry."

"We're never hungry in Heaven. That'll come in Handy when we're making love. I never tired of that when we were alive and I'm not going to tire of it now."She came into my arms again and we kissed. I lost myself in Beth's kiss just as I'd done thousands of time before.

I had a million interrogative, but Beth knew what they were before I could even ask."No, not everyone lives like this. Remember how we talked about finding a small cottage on a deserted beach, maybe in United Mexican States or some early primal American state ? This is our estimation of paradise. It varies from person to individual. Tomorrow we'll see Tom and my parents. Your mother and grandmother are here, but your father and grandfather are not. Oh Bert, the atrocious matter they did !"I was hardly surprised ; I had always considered them the trash of the solid ground. I might have become upset, but Beth kissed me again and all of my concerns vanished.


> > > > > >

"afternoon, Sheriff ; I'm thinking you're here about Cochran."

"Yeah, Doc—I am. I've been in tactual sensation with people who knew him. Besides two take on children, one an oncologist and the former a teacher, he has three brothers-in-law in the Army—two generals and a full colonel. They told me a lot about him and his life : served six years in the Army, four in Kuwait and Iraq as a Special force play sniper ; then college and a long illustrious career as a instructor. Neither he nor his wife drank or smoked. No indication of any drug use, either. But, here's the funny thing ; I spoke to the brothers-in-law independently and they all said the Sami thing ; that he probably died of a die heart. Seems his wife died about ten weeks ago."

"well, that makes as lots gumption as anything I've found. If he wasn't here in one of my box seat I'd swear he was as healthy as a horse. I can't find a single thing wrong with him."

"Maybe he just lost his will to live, Doc."The medical examiner looked up and nodded. He signed the forms to free the organic structure and waved as the sheriff returned to his duties.


> > > > > >

In accordance of rights with Bert's concluding wishes there was a I day of viewing—from one to four in the afternoon and from seven to ten in the evening. There had been 100, if not one thousand, of visitors to the funeral home. General Alice Paul Bruno Walter and his wife Sara presided. He was the oldest of the three sons and had been asked to act as executor of Bert's estate. Beth's other brothers and their wife and nestling were also in attendance as were Aaliyah and Francois Jacob and his family. They shook mitt, seemingly non-stop, and received the kind comments about Bert and Beth. Hard men, tempered by years of combat, they were surprised at the routine of visitor who wept unashamedly when they knelt in prayer at Bert's casket.

Bert had lost his religion in God during his years as a sniper—a job he hated, but did to the best of his power, just as he did everything else. It was Beth who had brought him back. Her organized religion in God and in Bert had helped him to recover his organized religion. Now he stood invisibly in the rear end of the Christian church, Beth's hand in his as the SRO crew paid close attention to Gen. Walters as he began his eulogy.

"I'm Paul Walters, Bert's brother-in-law and Beth's pal. I want you all to know how much our family appreciates your coming here this morning. May I ask by display of hands how many of you knew Bert from schooltime ? Just about everyone, I see. Did you also know Beth, as well ? I'm not surprised. Bert and Beth were joined at the hip. They were inseparable as well-nigh of you already know.

"You probably have sex Sir Thomas More about Bert at school than I do so I'd like to tell you some affair about Bert you don't know. I first met him when Beth brought him to spend Christmas Day with our parents and the family. Our folks had a big station in the Catskills southwest of Albany. Our beginner was also in the Army—Major general Mark Walters—and we used to revel shooting out behind the house. We had fair game set up about 200 yards out in the Natalie Wood and I thought I'd take Bert down a peg or two even though he hadn't bragged or said anything remotely cock-a-hoop during the day.

"I challenged him to a match while Dad and Mom and Beth watched from the deck. Bert asked for a trial pellet so he could see how ‘ the gun worked.'Those were his accurate password. When his starting time shot barely grazed the right-hand edge of the target area I figured I had it made. Then we shot for real. My ten blastoff all landed in the bull's eye, but Bert's formed a thoroughgoing circle that I could have covered with a quarter. That was when I noticed the wild laughter from Dad and Beth. They knew that Bert had been a sniper for four class in State of Kuwait and Iraq. Bert had incredible vision—20/10. things that appeared xx feet away to almost of us were only ten for him. His depth perceptual experience was amazing. If I flipped a coin into the air Bert could enjoin exactly how high it went and, even better, he could tell you how many flips the coin had made.

"Go to Google and look up the ‘ instant Battle of Al Basrah."The reports are all unclassified now so they're available to the worldwide world. fanny line—the commanding officer screwed up and took all of the allied plus north, leaving Bert, his spotter, and about a one hundred supply staff behind. The Republican safety device saw the cooler and flock move out and at dawning it was essentially Bert against More than 500 Iraqi soldiers. Over the side by side four hours he killed more than a hundred of the foeman, destroyed several trucks, and a tank, putting a smoke into the small slot the device driver uses to manoeuver from more than a mile away. As ripe as Bert was he hated the killing. I really believe that was the biggest reason he became a teacher.

"Now, here's something you'd never guess. Bert was a multi-millionaire. He had a huge trust monetary fund from his gramps. It's now worth almost a C million dollar, but he never spent even a penny except to pay for his minor's educational activity and for an occasional vacation for them. Other than trusts established for his two children and his two grandkids, all of Bert's money is going to charity. He has bequeathed twenty million dollars to the Northport school day district to be invested to bring home the bacon scholarships for graduating elder. I estimate that at to the lowest degree ten senior each yr will welcome one hundred thousand dollar for their post high schoolhouse expenses.

"Bert told me about his family once. His parents named him Albertus Magnus the one-third. Bert hated the name so he actually cut schooltime on his 18th natal day to have his name changed to Bert M. His parents were so upturned that they totally disowned him. He further angered them by joining the regular army instead of going to college as expected.

"My Father of the Church and all three of his sons graduated from Cicily Isabel Fairfield Point and we've all gone on to excellent vocation in the Army so you might imagine that we'd look down at Bert. You'd be totally wrong if you did. Actually, we looked up to Bert. He and Beth were married before any of us and he was an first-class role model for us, both as a husband and as a father. He and Beth were totally dedicated to each other. I don't think they ever argued.

"Now…I'm going to tell you something you probably won't believe…although, maybe you will since you know Bert and Beth so well. Dad and Bert had gone to the store on an errand while the rest of us talked around the kitchen mesa. My married woman was bemoaning the loss of romanticism as we got sometime. She even talked about our declining sex life. I think we had been married about twenty years. Then she addressed Beth, telling her she couldn't imagine what it would be when we were married as long as she and Bert were. That's when Beth shocked all of us. ‘ I wouldn't know about declining sex life. Other than the night before our wedding and the month before and after Tom's birth, Bert and I have made love life every ace day. We did it once the minor were in bed while they were at plate, but now we're free to enjoy each early whenever we're in the mode. That's always…every second of every day. That's how we remind ourselves how often we love each other.'We all looked at each other and realized that our love life paled in comparison to Beth's and Bert's.

"Bert requested that the interment be private, but we invite all of you to join us at the Northport Yacht clubhouse from one to five this afternoon for a celebration of Bert's living. It certainly was outstanding in every respect."

Beth squeezed my hand."I agree completely, Bert. You are an extraordinary man and you had an extraordinary life."Then she wrapped those arms around me and we kissed. I was lost in her again and when we opened our oculus we were back in our small plate on the ocean. Beth smiled, extended her hand to me, and led me to our bed. I knew then that spending timelessness with Beth would be very concern .