This is a suddenly floor that has been bouncing around in my brainiac for a while. It's a story of pure dearest, 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 constitutional part of the game. The story is always more crucial to me than meaningless free sex. I hope you enjoy. Senorlongo

> > > > > >

"The best laid plans…."That was just about all I could think. My married woman Beth and I had planned our retreat for twelvemonth and had everything ready for my sixty-second natal day. But Beth had been experiencing what she called minor periodic abdominal pain for Sir Thomas More than a year. She had spurn my requests that she see her doctor, claiming it was heftiness 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 time she saw her gynecologist. Uterine cancer is easily treated if you get to it early enough. Beth's genus Cancer had spread through almost all of her reed organ by the time of her surgical process. She lived for six more days—nowhere near enough to separate her how much I loved her and how practically I would miss her -- then I laid her to rest following to our son, Thomas, who had been killed while serving his state in Republic of Iraq. As I stood there looking into the bass grave I realized that I was truly alone…alone for the kickoff prison term in more than thirty year. To narrate this story correctly I have to go back, all the way to the beginning.

Albertus Magnus Cochran, III—who the infernal region tags a moniker like that on an barren infant ? My sadistic founding father and mother, that's who ; then they couldn't understand why I was in so many fights in unproblematic schoolhouse and third-year 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 goliath footfall, but I fooled them—my Church Father, anyway.

Grandfather—never Grandpa or Papa—passed just before my eighteenth birthday, leaving me a trust investment company that gave me an allowance of $ 1,000 a month until my thirtieth birthday. I went to see an attorney the day he died to learn on a sound procedure then cut schooling on my birthday so I could go to court to get my name changed. From then on I was Bert M—no point, just like Harry S Truman—Cochran. My parents were livid. They refused to mouth with me and when I joined the U. S. US Army instead of going to college I was disowned. I still had the faith fund -- they couldn't jot that -- but everything else was gone. I didn't care even a petty. My childhood had been spent with nurse and at boarding school day until I had intentionally flunked out. My mother was almost a total unknown. My Fatherhood was even less.

I served six twelvemonth in the United States Army, reaching the rank of serjeant-at-law showtime Class, and it was the trump time I'd ever known. I'd seen legal action in Kuwait and Al-Iraq. Then I used the GI placard to attend college—not my don's alma mater—a state university where I studied Department of Education and worldly concern science. I was hired for a emplacement in a middle schooling and, once again, my father viewed me as a bankruptcy."Can't even teach in the big league ; I guess you're not smart enough for high schoolhouse,"was the first matter he said at what was supposed to be a rapprochement meeting—my grandmother's funeral. I turned on my heels and walked away, never to return. nookie him ! fucking them all !

Truth was, I loved working with the younger kids and it showed. I never had a discipline trouble and many of my bookman returned to the middle school to speak with me after moving up. It was at that school, during my third year, that I met Beth. She was a new teacher in the art section. We had lunch together during twenty percent menstruum so we chatted along with the other teachers.

What turned out to be my chance came when the science department decided that every scholarly person should do an experiment and enter it in a school-wide skill fair. I wasn't terrified, but I was concerned. I knew absolutely naught about art and even less about putting together an aesthetic demonstration so I went to see her after shoal, my hat in my hand."Elizabeth ? Help !"

I knew I'd need help with her. She was drop-dead gorgeous—tall at 5'9"and slender with boastfully succulent chest, a narrow waist and coxa, but a firm beat buns. Her hair was contraband as auction pitch and long—almost half-way down her back—and her optic were the hopeful blue devil I'd ever seen. Did I reference that she was gorgeous ? She wore slack most Day, I guessed because of the need to move around in class. Yes, she was a beautiful sexy woman while I was an ordinary bicycle man—six feet even and slender although I was still in fantabulous condition after my years in the U. S. Army. My wakeful Robert Brown tomentum was short—maybe an inch at about with no part and no curlicue. It was a military cut that I kept because it was gentle to care for. Hell…most times I cut it myself with a trimmer from Walmart.

I still call back the look she gave me. She put down the handful of clay she was carrying and turned to me with a lovesome welcoming smile."What's the problem ?"I explained and she laughed."I'm sword lily you're having this undertaking 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 fellowship of a dozen early instructor. I'll be glad to help you, but there's a price."She laughed again when I gulped."You have to guide me to dinner ; nothing fancy—pizza will do -- and you have to talk to me all evening."

"All eventide ?"

"Okay, almost all evening. How about Fri night ? Do I have to nibble you up, too ? Do I have to deal ?"She looked inexorable, but began laughing a endorsement 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 Iraq -- I couldn't see going to college when I graduated high school day. constituent of it was getting even with my asshole parents."I explained, starting with my silly name which made her giggle, how I had changed it, and my parents'chemical reaction."They had me down to be a lawyer from the day I was born, just as I was supposed to attend Harvard. My father went there, so did Grandfather ; me, I went to SUNY Stony brook. I gave up trying to please them when I was in junior high at boarding school. Sometimes I got pitiful mark just to worsen them. I also wanted to get out of the boarding school they had sent me to and into public 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 keep you so late."

"Am I a captive here ? I don't think so. Truthfully, this is the well good afternoon I've spent since I came to work. My fellowship is from just Confederacy of Albany 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 XXIII 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."

"Ruining ? Would you come with me just a s ? I need some service in my storeroom."She walked to the rear of the classroom and I followed. To my surprise she closed the room access then folded herself into my arms and kissed me. It was entirely unexpected, but I do think of responding. She stepped back a minute later, smiled, then moved back in for another, working her tongue into my backtalk, pressing those antic white meat into my chest, and rubbing her fork into my thigh.

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

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

"Not far…about five miles east."

"Are we coming back this way for dinner ?"

"Yeah, if you don't brain there's a enceinte pizza joint down in the village and a great sandwich shop, too."

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

"You need to trust me."I led her to my truck and a minute later we were on the highway driving toward our destiny. I pulled into what had once been a farm lane and was still a constrict unpaved rutted driveway. Luckily, after three years I knew the location of every one. I twisted and turned up what should possess been a straightaway stumble, stopping at live in nominal head of a pocket-sized one-story house. The ceiling formed a four-foot overhang, making a narrow covered porch that ran for the entire nominal head of the building.

"Nice !"

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

"Private, I like."Beth took my hand as I led her into the living room. There wasn't much, just the combination living/dining/kitchen country in the entire front of the house with a short hall off to the left leading to the undivided bedroom on the rightfulness and bathroom on the left.

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

"It belongs to the parents of a former scholar. I was chatting with the kids for a minute at the end of class one day my 1st yr and a educatee asked where I lived. I was in a boarding house—Mrs. McIntyre's—down in the Greenwich Village. I told the kid it was o.k., but not very individual. The next day I found a note in my mailbox asking me to headphone his parents. They offered the place to me and I moved in the next weekend. I've been here ever since."

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

I may get been a individual man living on my own, but that didn't mean that I was a slob. Habits learned under rigid US Army discipline lasted a long time. Beth turned once she had reached the double bed and moved to me. We kissed again, her gentle plump lips pressing firmly into mine. Her candy kiss were the gratifying and hot I'd ever had—her tongue the most dynamic and wondering. I'd dated occasionally in high schooltime. Losing my virginity to Ginny doorkeeper early in my senior yr did marvel for my self-esteem. My experiences once I was in the United States Army were very different. I'd met a few local young lady during my training in Texas, scoring more than half the time. Once I was deployed my sexual outlets were restricted to leaves which I usually spent in Eastern Europe—Prague and Budapest were my favorites where beautiful girls flowed like H2O. I was always deliberate, using a condom and getting tested for STD's regularly. The nature of my combat duty assignment meant that I was often away from large outstation for extended periods. None of my interaction with the Iraki's were what one might call"friendly."

I never dated in college. For one affair I wanted to end as quickly as possible, taking as many classes as I could possibly deal and attending between the steady semesters, as well as summertime. Truthfully, I found the antics of my"classmates"childish. Then I graduated and found a job teaching one-eighth grade earth science in nearby Northport, a beautiful Village on the North shoring of Suffolk County, Long Island. Even though I had only a undivided object lesson to prepare every day, teaching is a lot of work—much more than most people think. I socialized occasionally, mostly with other teachers from my school. My sexual easing came entirely from my right hand.

Beth took the initiative, breaking the kiss to polish off my sweater and shirt. I responded by unbuttoning her blouse and dropping her slackness to her foot. I marveled at her titty. I couldn't believe that the tenuous textile of her bra could be secure enough to support them. They were bigger and solid and sound than I'd thought and they looked to be perfectly harmonious. Her mammilla were extremely spiritualist as I rolled and pinched them while she moaned in ecstasy.

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

I moved quickly between her ramification. She helped me by raising her knees and wrapping her legs over my back. Between my pre-cum and her nectar I thought we'd have plenty of lubrication. My cock found her entree and I eased forward into her velvet vise. I was in maybe an column inch or so when I found immunity. My head jerked up and I looked into her eyes."You're a virgin ?"

"Yes…shameful isn't it ?"

"Maybe we should pace back and think about this. I don't want to ruin what should be a special function for you."

"Believe me, Bert—you'll make it special, not ruin it. Please…do me ; I'll explain everything later."She batted those long eyelash at me and I could see her desire and need in her eyes. She rubbed my balls then tightened her legs'clench on me. Her hired man moved me back into her tunnel and she drove her hips up, ripping her maidenhead in a second. She was breathing hard as she moved up to meet me. If I didn't know punter I would have thought her to be extremely experienced. She did everything right hand as her hot stringent kitty-cat flexed around my needy cock.

I know I'm not the longest tool ever seen—not by a long jibe. I'd guessing I carry about six and a half inches, but I am unusually thick—almost two inch in diameter. respective womanhood in Europe had told me that's what really counts. Beth told me that she wanted it difficult so I pounded her pure kitty-cat like it belonged to my worst enemy. In my thinker I was taking no captive, but Beth apparently loved it. If I'd read her correctly she came twice before my cock erupted, bathing her womb with my foxy sister juice.

"Oh diddlysquat,"I thought. I hadn't asked her if she was safe. This could make for a very embarrassing spot at schooling. Beth must own read my judgment because she smiled then whispered,"Not to vex ; I have an implant under my armpit. I have to severalize you…it was well 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 slut ? No, anyone who's a Virgo the Virgin at 23 is no hussy, but I am mystified. Why me ? You know nothing about me."

She laughed until her body shook then spoke softly."Oh, but I do, Bert. I know almost everything about you. I've known for a recollective time -- years, in fact. I've known that you were named Albertus Magnus, but changed your name when you were eighteen. I've known that you defied your parents by going into the Army. I've known that you were deployed in Al-Iraq where you were a sniper in exceptional force out ... a very successful sniper, probably the proficient the army's ever had. I know you won a silver star, a bronze principal, and a distinguished Service mark for the second engagement of Al Basrah and you were injured twice, earning the Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster."

I leaned back to admit a finisher looking at at this woman. My concern showed on my expression. Had she been stalking me ?

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

"Elizabeth…Beth."

She was laughing and raising her eyebrow when she said,"sustenance going."

"Okay, Elizabeth II 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 ; Major General Mark Walter is your founding father ?"

"Yup…I'm a genuine Army brat. Usually, there's a lot of sex between terror, but not when your dad is infrastructure commander. about male child were deathly afraid of me. Do you call in that we actually met when I ran into my dad's federal agency ? You were a corporal then. I was in out-and-out awe of you—a rattling war zep. All Daddy did was sit behind a desk."

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

She continued a moment later."I thought I recognized you the get-go time I saw you at orientation back in August—your haircut is sort of a giveaway -- and then Mr. Fazio introduced you as one of the most outstanding youthful teachers in the schooltime 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 good afternoon. Incidentally, I live at that same boarding house. He had your jacket pulled and gave me all of the particular. He liked you when you were under his command and he likes you now, based on what I've told him about you. Everybody at shoal passion you. They all think you're an unbelievable instructor and an even better individual. I get a lot of your bookman every day and they're always so excited about your class. I hate to accept it, but I've been pumping them for information."

She raised her read/write head and kissed me again and again then pushed me off, rolled me over, and climbed onto my body. Rubbing those grotesque tits into my chest did the job on me. I was hard again in a second and into her incredibly tight heaven an jiffy later. I had to laugh softly as she began to sway. Hands on my shoulders, Beth was working her clit like a madwoman for almost ten minutes."Not too shabby 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 serial publication of convulsions ripped through her slender body. Beth collapsed onto my dresser, her breathing deep and rapid as her orgasm slowly ebbed. I held her tightly, my hands roaming over her back and seat, my still hard tool embedded deep within her. I wasn't going to cum…not so quickly after the first time, but that was sanction. Just holding this tremendous woman—feeling her incredible cushy skin -- was more than than enough.

She must receive lain on top of me semi-conscious for twenty minutes, at least. A goofy smile greeted me when she sat up."I've read floor online and in ‘ Cosmo'about how great 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 O.K. ?"I smiled. It sure as inferno was. I didn't realize at the time, but Beth had made a hope she would keep open for the rest of her life.

We walked into the privy naked, my tool dripping come and pussy juice, my new fan with gobs of ejaculate running down her leg. We looked at each other and laughed then we pulled each other into an embracement that ended only when I turned on the water. The shower here was one of the mansion's best features. It was located over an old bathtub on legs ; it was much bigger than vat are today. There was a shower curtain that ran 360 degrees around the tub on an oval rod that hung from the ceiling. It was our first shower together—the first of many to come.

Once we had dressed I drove Beth past schooling down into the village. At this hour there was no difficulty finding a parking spot rightfulness in front of the village Sandwich Shoppe. Holding her hand I walked up to the parry."Hi, Sal—how's the sept ?"

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

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

"She looks like a substantial good booster from here."I refused to let go of her hand in spite of his jibe."rebel rouser tonight ?"

I pointed to the sign that hung against the plump for wall. Beth read the factor and nodded."Two, Sal and can we have some outflow coke with ice ?"

"Geez ! You always come in here and ask for Coke. You know damn well that we have Pepsi. Why you always got to wear out my testicle ?"I just laughed the way I always did and led Beth to a corner table.

"We go through that bit every clip I come in here, but you made a keen choice with the Rebel Rouser. It's my favorite, by far."We made diminished talk and Beth asked about the science experiments the kidskin would do.

I laid out my preliminary plan for the students and she agreed with most of it, but did suggest introducing the presentation early on in the process. She lost me when she got into baptistery way and sizes, but assured me that she'd deal with that in her grade to digest me. We were well into our discourse 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 sub sandwich was supposed to cause four slices of Virginia ham, four slices of turkey breast, four slice of provolone and four of Francis Bacon before being placed into the oven so the cheese would melt and meld the sandwich together. Sal always gave me—and now Beth—double, and all because of what I'd been able-bodied to do with his son who had been an uninspired bookman until he took my class. Then he learned to love skill and it carried over to his other course of instruction, as well. He had gone from a"C"student to straight"A's."


> > > > > >

That was the offset of my relationship with Beth. We saw each early every 1 day, spending metre working on our deterrent example or grading tests at my old enameled sword kitchen board. We cooked and ate in nigh Clarence Shepard Day Jr., making love every individual eve. Beth always left my place by 9:30 so she could get home base to the boarding house. We spent every second of the weekends together, making love two, even three, times a day. We were always totally proper and professional in schoolhouse, never revealing our true relationship, and that's the way affair stayed until the second week in January although I did go with her to visit her parents and brothers over Christmastide. It was either that or expend the vacation alone as I'd done every one of the past five years.

Her father welcomed me, giving me a big smile and a firm shake in greeting. Mrs. Walters hugged me. We talked for hours and that's when I learned that Beth had been an accident late in life, but one they had never regretted. It was almost fourth dimension for dinner when Beth led me upstairs to her room. She laughed like pit 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 creative thinker that I am twenty-three and an adult who pays her own way. And, by the way, I expect you to do me every Night and as many morn as we can, too. I'll have to be tranquil than usual, but that's okay as long just as we can arrive at love."Damn—the memories I have even after all these class are just incredible. For Christmas I gave Beth a pendant—small diamonds shaped into a heart on a sterling silver mountain range. She gave me a warm woolen cardigan. I still wear that stock sweater when I want to finger especially last to her. She'll wear that pendant until the end of time.


> > > > > >

I had read while in college that schools are"microcosms of lodge"which essentially means that whatever problems exist in the residential district will also be found in the schools. Problems of drug and alcohol misuse sometimes manifested themselves in schooltime, but the biggest problem was clearly divorce. divorce exerted a terrible devastating price on kids. The toll on parents wasn't lots better.

The Peterson family line had split up over the Christmas/New year's break and Mr. Peterson understandably hadn't taken it well. His married woman had served him with divorce papers and a restraining order of magnitude on Christmastime Eve in what I thought at the time was an unnecessarily cruel act. He came to school on Wednesday, Jan 17th, in the Hope of seeing his son for the first of all clock time in almost a month. Mrs. Peterson, however, had brought a copy of the restraining rules of order to the corpus and the staff was under strict orders to impose it. He went berserk when he was refused, running out to the hallway when threatened with the police if he did not give up the shoal priming coat immediately. Instead of leaving, he pulled a shooting iron from his coat and ran into the dear classroom which just happened to be Beth's.

I was walking down the dorm on my way to the place when I heard the commotion. Dottie, the principal's secretarial assistant, summarized what had happened in a series of prospicient run-on prison term punctuated with hanker breathless pauses showing that she was obviously under a great flock of strain. All I knew was that the charwoman I loved was in grave danger.

The police were on their way ; I could get word the femme fatale in the length, but anything—absolutely anything -- could happen before they had the place under controller. Everyone was trying to stay on out of any line of fervour, hiding either in lock post 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 neck, the pistol aimed carelessly at her head. The students cowered in their seats. More than half were crying.

Peterson spoke first, his spokesperson cracking under the straining."Who're you ? What…what are you doing here ?"
I ignored his restiveness, speaking clearly and calmly in an attempt to defuse the situation."I'm Bert Cochran. I teach scientific discipline here in the midriff school. You can use me as a hostage, but you've got to let these small fry go. You have too many surety here. trustfulness me ! You don't need XXV whiney kids here. They'll drive you crazy in a few minutes."I turned to the bookman."okay, kids get up and take the air out quietly. make you're in a flak drill. There are teachers outside to help you."

Students are conditioned to surveil orders. All of these students were also mine which helped a lot. half of them were out the room access before Peterson even reacted."What the perdition are you doing ?"

"You will suffer a lot easier clip dealing with the two of us than with those brats. I'm not going to commit you any problems. This is the woman I love more than anything. I want to spend the repose of my life with her so I'm going to join forces fully with anything you say."I sat on a table, apparently relaxed as I tried to pack on a conversation with our"captor."

After about ten second I had convinced him to let Beth sit. There was no need to strangulate 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."tinker's damn, I'm so stupid ! Your son is Danny Peterson, right ?"I continued once he had nodded."He's in eighth grade scientific discipline with me and this is his dejeuner catamenia. Beth, why don't you walk over to the cafeteria and play Danny back so he can see his dad ?"I gave her a short jog. She rose and walked slowly to the classroom door. A second later she was safe.

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

"Oh, sorry,"he said as he swung the barrel away. I had been sitting on the table apparently relaxing, but I sprung into action in a flash. My left hand went to his wrist, my right to his elbow. I pushed violently with the left and pulled with the rightfulness. All of the striving went to the decrepit office of his arm. His elbow broke with an audible walkover. The pistol dropped from his useless manus and I caught it before it hit the floor.

Using my body for purchase I pushed him against the wall while I ejected the cartridge clip and racked the swoop to afford the natural action. I wasn't at all surprised when a chambered cycle fell to the story. I wanted that, but first I needed to let the arse know who was in control."I'm going to flex down for that bullet. If you do anything stupid you'll be in a world of damage. I could defeat you and nobody would fault me."To emphasise my period I shoved his foreland into the rampart. 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 first cop we met was about to sprain his arm behind his back, but I stopped him."Hold it ! His articulatio cubiti is broken. He needs medical exam attention."Two officers led him away then I handed the weapon system and ammunition to one of the remaining cops.

I had just fished the bullets out of my pocket when Beth rushed up to me, her limb wrapping around my body. She was bawling, her breath coming in gasps, her eubstance vibration as her emotions, barely held in check-out procedure earlier, rushed to the airfoil. I pulled her straits to my shoulder joint, holding her near and running my finger 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 OK. I just had to calculate out a way to get you out of there…out of risk. That's all I was worried about."
Beth pulled back a bit, her optic looking into mine. She stared for just a second as though looking all the way into my soul before asking,"Did you really entail what you said in there ? That you fuck me ? That you want to drop the rest of your life with me ?"

I looked around. The lobby was filled with people—police officers, our administrators, more than a dozen instructor, and Beth's entire class. This wouldn't have been my choice for the sentence or place to profess my love for her, but it would have to do. I hesitated for a second before replying."Well, I have to confess—I did tell a few prevarication in there, but not about you. Yes, I do call back saying that and I meant every word, if you'll have me."I expected some sort of reaction, but it was even Sir Thomas More than I had hoped for.

"YES ! YES ! YES ! lamb GOD…I lovemaking 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 best approximation you've had all year, Jeremy."I looked down at my fiancee and land my lips to hers. We held the buss for almost a minute as everyone applauded, even the cops. Then I was led out to an ambulance for a quick check-up.

They checked my parentage pressure—109 over 60—and my pulse—58. My pupil 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 have told him that my slow pulse and low profligate force per unit area led me to winner as a sniper, but it wasn't his business organization. I buttoned up my shirt, took Beth's hand, and returned to solve. fountainhead, I tried, but as soon as we entered the building Beth and I were told that the school was closing early. Parents were being called and the buses were on their way. Our class would be covered until they arrived. Mr. Fazio took us aside."You both need to go dwelling house. Take as much time as you need. This was a disk experience and I know you're both under a lot of stress. I'm sure the police will want a argument, but I'll try to hold them off until tomorrow."Then, with a smile,"I didn't have a hint you two were seeing each other and I don't think anyone else did either. congratulation !"I thought he was going to keep on, but his eyes misted up and he walked away. Beth grabbed her coat from her classroom and we walked out to my truck.

"What about my car ?"

"parting it. We can get it later if you want."I drove away, Beth's trembling script in mine. We reached my house about ten second later. I walked around the truck to open her door then led her into the firm. It was a dusty day and I had left my pelage in my schoolroom. Even with her coat Beth was visibly shaking. I had a open fireplace, but used it only occasionally. Today would be the exception. I opened the flue, started the ardour and brought some belittled log in from the porch. A few hour later the fire was roaring.

I had bought a drinking glass cover with two doors and a blower grate, essentially a set of hollow steel pipework that held the fire and were connected to a blower fan. Once the firing was going I could set about the fan and hot air would blow into the room. It was enough to make the total room warm and toasty, even on the inhuman day. I brought a thick comfort from the loo and laid it on the story in nominal head of the fireplace. Then I helped Beth out of her clothes. Once we were naked I lay next to her—holding, caressing, loving this incredible woman. I jumped up a minute later.

"I almost forgot."run into my sleeping room and back I held out what I thought was a beautiful doughnut. It was a declamatory black pearl surrounded by a circle of baseball diamond in a 14-K yellow atomic number 79 stage setting."This was my grandma's…my mother's mother—the only fellow member of my family line I ever spoke with. She left it to me when she died. I want you to have it. I'll buy you an engagement ring, too."

Beth took the annulus."It's beautiful, Bert. Aren't you supposed to put it onto my finger's breadth ?"She held out the 3rd finger's breadth on her left hand 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 wedding ceremony band. This is a wonderful ring. I love it."She leaned forward to buss me. We held it for several minutes until Beth climbed onto me. We had been fan for almost three month. We knew each other's physical structure well. Beth leaned forward, bringing her mammilla to my mouth. I loved suckling and nibbling her nipples almost as much as Beth enjoyed my doing it.

In all our time together we had never engaged in oral examination sex. We'd talked about it spate of clip and knew it would occur one of these days when she wanted it. Truthfully, we were having too a good deal fun making have sex together. Today must deliver been the day because she spun around, presented her sweet pussy to me as she leaned forward to snog the well oral sex of my throbbing cock.

Next thing I knew, Beth was licking the entire surface of my organ and driving me furious with luxuria. My rooster lurched up and down with every touch of her brim and tongue. I groaned as I moved up to inhale Beth's meat. I'd smelled and tasted her before, but only on my fingerbreadth. There was something about her smell that drove me crazy—as though it was laden with pheromones that short circuited my mental capacity. My natural language found her labia as I licked from her clitoris 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 sensible and receptive to vaginal foreplay whether with my cock or my fingers, or—now—my tongue. She was the only charwoman I'd ever met who was adequate to of vaginal climax. I easily brought her to her first orgasm and I hadn't even touched her button yet. My spit found that special crude area just inside the top of her tunnel. I knew I was getting to her when she began humping my mouth. Meanwhile, she was taking fantabulous care of me. I knew that she had never tasted cum so I also knew that I had to warn her when I got close and I was there now."Beth ! Beth, I'm going to…."And then I did. Beth somehow managed to sop up it down her pharynx. She released me, kissing the reddish imperial head word before turning around to commit her forefront on my shoulder.

We lay there in the heat of the fervour relaxing…recovering. Eventually, Beth spoke."I can't believe that you risked your aliveness for me. You're so brave. No wonder I love you so much. pappa used to laugh at my crush, telling me that cipher would ever come of it. Who do you cogitate is laughing now ?"

"That reminds me ; you need to phone your folk music. You need to assure them that we're engaged and also that you're okey. That panorama with Peterson is sure to hit the Major news canal and I'm confident that we'll be named. I'm surprised the press hasn't already tried to stick a track to my door. The school district won't release any information and I don't have a regular headphone so there's no listing. 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 honey.

I'll never leave how she opened the phone 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 seconds while her female parent responded."It happened this aurora and that's another reason why I'm calling. Bert saved me and twenty-six of my scholar from a man who had taken us hostage."Beth went on to tell her mom everything. Okay…not quite everything—she didn't honorable mention that we were naked in front of a ardour in my living room -- but almost. They spent more than half an hr talking and then her dad joined in.

Beth had just ended the call when I had an entry. It was from the police. I made agreement to meet with them early this afternoon for our program line. We were at the precinct for to a greater extent than an hour and met with the spiritualist in the meeting room. I was more than willing to blab about the incident and even my calling in the Army which was mostly world information anyway, but I clammed up in a rush when they wanted contingent on our relationship."We became engaged right after I captured Mr. Peterson. That's all you really need to know."Grabbing Beth's manus we thanked them and left, walking to my truck.

I restarted the fervency and we climbed naked back onto the quilt. We lay there quietly, caressing and loving each other. I was comfortable with the quiet, but Beth spoke."I liked what we did, Bert. I don't understand why your penis is so soft and smooth on the outside and so hard inside. I love the head ; it's so spongy. Do you know why ?"

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

"Was it okay for you ?"

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

She had her"exasperated"locution on her case as she said,"Bert !"Then she smiled and leaned down to kiss me. She spoke again once she had broken it."There was only one thing I didn't like. How can you stand getting hair in your mouth ?"

"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 shave ? I'd do you and then you could do me."She had that like goofy smiling on her face when she was done.

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

"Why not tell them the truth ; that your girlfriend…I mean value, fiancée…doesn't like tomentum in her lip ?"

"You know…some of these guy wire will probably experience you."

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

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

We stayed there for more than than an 60 minutes and, had I known what having my orb sucked on would feel like, I would have shaved them a long, long meter ago. We dragged ourselves up from the bed and drove down to the Village Sandwich Shoppe for dinner. This prison term Sal refused to have my money."The tarradiddle is all over township, Bert. You're a blame zep and I understand that Beth is a bit more than than a good Quaker now. Congratulations !"He came around the counter to rock my hand and hug us. Before long all of the other supporter joined him. I was totally embarrassed. I was trusted my face was beet red.

Beth stayed overnight at my family after picking up a alteration of clothes and we returned to put to work the following morning. I was embarrassed again at the response I was given. The teachers applauded when we walked into the principal office. The kids applauded in the hall and in each of my classes. I didn't care about that. I was worried about Danny Peterson. He was in my one-sixth period class right after lunch so I arranged for him to be called to the function at the get-go of lunch. I closed the door when I saw him in the office with Mr. Fazio, the head."Danny, are you okay ? I'm really sorry that I had to injure your dad."

"It wasn't your fault, Mr. C. Mom threw him out because he was always drink and he hit her when he was. He even hit me when I tried to blockade him. It was hard to have got Christmas without him, but it had to be done. He punched me and my slight babe, too."

"Are the other Kid giving you a firmly prison term ?"

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

Then, a calendar week later on Friday good morning Beth walked into school and I could see that she was upset."It's Mrs McIntyre, Bert. She's dead…heart attempt Monday afternoon. Her children want to deal the mansion. They're going to kick all of us out."

"well, I think you should impress in with me. We can get married soon."

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

Well, we did get married the go Sat in June and spent a week in Bermuda on our honeymoon. I had always been thrifty—okay, maybe cheap would be a intimately description -- so I had satisfying investiture that I used to buy us a real house. I enjoyed the footling farm planetary house, but it was no billet to raise a family and Beth and I agreed that we didn't want to waitress. She had her implant removed two workweek before the wedding.


> > > > > >

The wedding itself was distinguished. What else would one expect for the only daughter of a highly decorated ecumenical ? There were more than three hundred guests—twenty-four from school, not even one from my kinfolk, four from my summertime job, and the rest period either Beth's congeneric or associates of her celebrated father. It was held in a huge cathedral upstate. We were both Catholic so we had to endure an stallion masses. I had stopped participating while in the Army. It's punishing 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 southerly Irak and a counterattack from the Republican safety was a possibility. In venom of that, almost all of the troops and all of the tank and ordnance had already left the city en route to another farther North. We had fewer than a C men remaining—nothing to a greater extent than a skeletal frame crowd, mostly supply personnel, and nowhere near enough to withstand off a determined attack. My spotter and I had taken station on the roof of the highest construction still standing. I had my Barrett .50 gauge M82, the fine sniper rifle ever made in my opinion and five thousand stave of ammunition. The heavy .50 caliber bullet had a muzzle velocity of 2,799 feet per second base, more than two and a one-half clock time the speed of sound. By the fourth dimension you heard the write up you were dead.

My spotter Dan picked up effort to the East as the sun rose—smart move, at least it would receive been if my scope hadn't been specifically equipped to deal with the glare and cleverness of the sun. With almost of our combat troops gone I knew it was up to me to contain off any flak until reinforcements could come. I began shooting at 1800 beat, just over 1.1 miles—actually at the limit of the effective range of the rifle. Mostly the first three were ranging shots—shots I used to help influence the burden of the wind which was negligible that daybreak. I mowed down more than a hundred over the succeeding four hour. They tried to approach in hand truck and their equivalent of a jeep, but a .50 quality bullet will destroy a radiator and even dismount or crack an full railway locomotive stop of almost any vehicle.

When they moved a tank up to the channel I was able to adjust the ammo belt so I could sack a few tracers—bullets made with a pocket-size pyrotechnic charge built into the projectile so I could see it all the way to the target. On a machine gun every one-fifth round is a tracer. That's the just way to see exactly where you're firing, although in my guinea pig I could tell by the chain reactor of deadened Iraqi's in the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin. Aiming carefully and squeezing the induction slowly as I exhaled I was able-bodied to fire the first tracer into the petite slot the number one wood used to wait forward. The .50 caliber slug is so deadly that it will keep on moving at deadly speed even after passing through a mortal's body. Apparently, that was what happened here because the tank blew up only a second after the bullet had entered. I surmised that the hot round must have ricocheted into one of their cannon eggshell in the magazine. Once one goes the balance follow in an instant. The burst was so violent that the cooler's gun enclosure flew more than than fifty feet into the air surrounded by the flame from the burst. Their attempt evaporated less than a bit after the gun enclosure fell burning into the backbone. Dan's formal theme the play along morning confirmed 117 kills plus the armored combat vehicle and its crew. Our reinforcements also found three trucks loaded with ordinance and another filled with diesel fuel hidden behind the dunes in addition to the four fomite I'd damaged. The enemy never came within 1500 one thousand of our position before they lost meat and retreated. I was credited with stopping their advance and given the Distinguished Service hybrid a month later. A month after that my tour of duty was up. The army wanted me to re-enlist, but I was burned out. I'd had enough of killing. Now I wanted to assist build life not put down them.

I recall standing by the altar with Dan as my best man while General Bruno Walter walked slowly forward with Beth on his arm. It had been decided over my dissent that the men in the wedding party would wear thin dress uniform, the mess dress uniform to be precise. ecumenical Walters had one, of course of instruction, as did his three sons—all officers -- but mine, and Dan's, had to be custom made with the insignia of our sometime ranks. I even supplied all of my inspection and repair ribbons and a lean of the citation 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 handgun commendations, the highest ranking of what was more commonly known as a sharpshooter's medal.

Beth was ravishing beautiful, so beautiful that one look and I was ready to enthrall her. Her gown was strapless and form-fitting with tiny pearls sewn into the bodice. Her segmentation was even more entice than usual. Her yearn bootleg hair was pulled back into a French twist. I still remember exactly what I whispered to her when I took her hand from the general—"You're incredible…beautiful. You look good enough to eat."

Beth giggled then whispered back,"THAT will give birth to wait. We should move. 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 face, squeezed my hand and we turned toward the priest. An hour later we were in the limo on the way to our mythological reception. At various times I was introduced to the escritoire of the Army as well as several other dignitaries—a couple of congressman and a senator -- I forgot almost immediately. They all claimed to know me—my service record, anyway. bounty booze flowed like water and the food was great, too. Best of all was Beth. Other than the terpsichore with her father and mine with her mother, she never left my face. I knew I was the luckiest man on the planet.


> > > > > >

We flew that evening from Albany to JFK in New York where we spent our honeymoon night in an drome hotel before catching a plane to Bermuda. We made the most beautiful love off and on for time of day until Beth and I were exhausted. It was the first meter that Beth offered me her ass. Of course, I was terrified that I'd hurt her, but she promised to assure me if she did. She laughed as she told me,"I've been practicing with cucumbers. It's toilsome to find one that's just the right size and shape."All that practice paid off. The experience was intense—our climax were to die for. We fell immediately into a deep sleep until our wake-up birdcall at 6:00 the following morning.

We spent a calendar week frolicking in the warm take in sea and making confection love every sunup, every eventide, and most good afternoon's, too. We had a honeymoon package that entitled us to attend the nightly gratuitous cocktail political party where we quickly learned to love rum punch. There was nightly local anesthetic entertainment and we even tried our hands at the hotel's executive golf course. We sucked, but we had a good time, all the same.

Once Beth lost her virginity she seemed to make up for lost fourth dimension. Now that we were married there was absolutely goose egg that was off the table—any physique of sex and any position. But, first, we attended to the important business at hand—impregnating my wonderful wife. Her Doctor of the Church had told us that she might not suit fertile again for several months…or it could be a matter of workweek. There was no way of telling. Beth was taking no opportunity. We had made love every day since our first confrontation with one exception—the night before our nuptials when she stayed with her parents while I was in a nearby motel.

Something must deliver worked because Beth was fraught by the time we returned to school day in September. I was thrilled, but her parents were ecstatic. None of Beth's three erstwhile chum were married so this would be their start grandchild. Unfortunately, Beth miscarried just after Yuletide. I was gladiola that I was abode with her when she awoke with pain in the neck in her abdomen and blood ooze from her vagina. I rushed her to the hospital where her MD confirmed the bad word. We were devastated, but we agreed to try again.

We did and four calendar month later Beth was pregnant again. This clip her medico suggested she pass the last four months of her term in bed. We agreed and Beth took emergency medical examination leave. We weren't worried about money. I had turned thirty on September 1st and had gone to my father's office staff right after school to sign the necessary paperwork to receive my inheritance—Grandfather's trust monetary fund. Of course, I expected fuss from him so I brought my own attorney, the one man who had bested my Father of the Church in courtyard many times—his archway opposition, Jane Seymour capital of Virginia. Beth and I had walked in holding hired hand and, not surprisingly, my begetter 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 late live on Night ?"

I remained still, but my eye 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 wife, Beth. She's an art teacher in my school. I'm sure you've heard of her father—Major general bell ringer Bruno Walter. By the way, do you have any idea what I did in the U. S. Army ? I was a sniper, and a darned good one. I could put a bullet into your eye at a thousand chiliad, easy. I'll do it, too if I ever hear you insult my married woman again."Then I saw my begetter do a two-fold payoff. I smiled for the first metre since entering his government agency. Sy Richmond was here."I think you already fuck my lawyer. howdy, Sy—how are you ?"

"Looking forward to pummeling your father once again ; I tell you, Bert -- some morning time I really bask getting up on the wrong side of the bed."I had anticipated my beginner creating some roadblock in the way of my inheritance and I wasn't disappointed. I had brought Sy along as my policy policy. He would have done it for nothing, but I paid him anyway. They had sparred for more than an hour when Sy placed a call on his cellular telephone. Five min later an attractive immature lady entered the conference room, walked up to my beginner, and announced,"You are served."

"What the ass is this ?"

"Bert is suing you for fifty million dollars for denying him his inheritance…his legal right. Come on, Bert—no sensation in wasting any more than time here. We have a day of the month with Judge dick Tues morning. I'll be worry in hearing what you have to say to Saint Peter the Apostle, Albertus. Why don't I take you two grass parakeet to dinner ?"Beth laughed and I joined her. We laughed even harder when my father slammed the conference room door in frustration.

I spoke to Mr. Fazio Monday break of day to tell him why I would be late on Tuesday. The audition was scheduled for 8:30 so I was hoping to be back at school by lunch time. Beth and I talked and we agreed that I'd go alone. There was no substantial reason why Beth should escape time from her students.

It was a pleasure watching my Father of the Church squirm in forepart of Judge Peters. Sy had an prescribed copy of my grandfather's will and the language couldn't have been cleared. Additionally, there were the phonograph record of my monthly thousand dollar bill stipend and my functionary birthing credential. I knew that shaft hated my father and with dear rationality. He'd caught dear old dad in a lie—presenting pretended evidence—that had led to a six month suspension of his license and a conviction for contempt of Margaret Court. The listening lasted less than thirty instant.

I received the full amount—what had been twenty million twelve years ago and was now just over 40. I didn't get any money from my lawsuit, but the judge did make my father pay my lawyer's poster. I thought that was just perfect.

Having a lot of money was reassuring, but we still wanted to continue teaching. People complain about having to work, but I had always found that workplace gave my living meaning. I had defended our land while in the Army and now I helped shape young mind, 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 MD sent her to bed. sorry than the boredom, Beth was furious that we were not able to take in love.

I hired a nurse to come in every morning at 7:30 until 4:00 when I was certainly to be home. I cooked dinner every Night except those when I brought in—either Chinese or Italian or Hellenic language. We always ate in bed, using special mesa with al-Qaida 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 small price to pay for your safety and for the prophylactic of our child."Then I'd snog her and throw her in my arms. I'd carry the dishes to the kitchen, put them into the dish washer and put out the trash. Then Beth and I would lavish and give back to bed to look on TV or bring card or a instrument panel game. Ever play landing strip cribbage ? We did at least once a week.

Beth was due sometime during our Spring break in April. I knew she was looking forward to having the baby, if only so she'd be able to resume her normal activities. She went into British Labour Party in the wee hours, her first muscle contraction coming at 2:16 a.m. Her forte moan scared me until I realized what was happening. I recorded the metre in my annotation pad and did everything I could to comfort my love. I told a few prank and even sang a few songs. Beth couldn't assistant but laugh. I couldn't sing for doodly-squat and we both knew it.

We had discussed everything with Beth's doctor so an 60 minutes later I phoned his service and also a private ambulance. We were at the hospital by 5:00 that morning. Our son Saint Thomas Mark -- named for Beth's granddaddy and founding father, was born at 11:17 that morning, but not until Beth had struggled mightily. There was a problem with the delivery and the Doctor decided at the last instant to deal the sister by caesarian. Because of the problems she'd experienced Beth decided to have her tube-shaped structure tied. She cried when she made that decision, but all I cared about was her well-being. We had one child and we had each other. That was more than enough for me.

However, Beth had other melodic theme. Tom had just turned two when I returned home after school to line up my wife holding him and beaming, that same goofy smile showing her perfect teeth."I had a great idea today."

"Let me guess—you want to adopt a child."I leaned down to snog my cuticle 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 marvellous 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 Rebel rouser. Beth got to do work on the adoption the very following day.
Unlike virtually couples, we didn't want an infant and we didn't care about race or sex. In fact, we preferred to take a child that others didn't want. No baby should feel unwanted. We flew through the preliminary interviews—together at offset at the social services situation then separately at base. I took Tom out to the park during Beth's interview. Finally, the three of us met with the social proletarian, again in our habitation. I sat on the story with Tom, minding him while participating as full I could. I just hoped it would be good enough.

Apparently it was because we were asked to fill at social services again late on a Tuesday good afternoon. They had a child—a girl who was two old age old and the merchandise of an interracial family relationship. Her white-hot father regularly beat his lightlessness wife and even struck the girl until Child Protective Services removed her from the menage. ‘ She's deathly afraid of men,"the social worker told us."Would you like to meet her ?"Of course, the solvent was yes.

She was the most beautiful fry I'd ever seen. Her cutis was the gloss of mocha and her face was a perfect oval, surrounded by nappy black haircloth. She cowered behind the prole until I sat on the story."Do you like Babar,"I asked, pulling a account book from my bag. Tom climbed into my lap, but Aaliyah was hesitant."Why don't you find a place where you'll be comfortable,"I suggested."Then I can scan the story and I'll display you the pictures. She found a topographic point about ten feet away. I read the story, pointed out the pictures to Tom and turned the book to Aaliyah so she could see them. Soon she was six invertebrate foot away then four and before I finished the book she was in my lap with Tom. We repeated the Saami kind of sojourn later in the week and on Saturday Beth and I took Aaliyah, Tom, and the societal prole out for ice cream. She let me hug and kiss her when the visit was over. When the doer asked if we would charter 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 Wednesday so I could become a father for the indorse time. Beth and I were thrilled, but apparently not as much as Tom. Holding her manus he led Aaliyah to her room.

I won't William 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 problem with a few chairs from our dining room. Aaliyah was also subject to nightmare. Either Beth or I always responded immediately, soothing her by rocking her in a chairman that had been handed down from Beth's grandparents. It always put her right to sleep.

We put Tom and Aaliyah into glasshouse school when they reached three. It was only a half-day political platform, but it did wonders for their social growth. At four they knew the alphabet and numbers, even some simple adding and subtracting, and recognized a surprise number of countersign. 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 school Beth asked if we could adopt another. We agreed on an aged child—one who had slight prospect of being adopted due to age. We welcomed Francois Jacob, a black boy, into our family line. His school had been unelaborated, but he picked up everything quickly and was soon well into competition with his sib. I must say we attracted a lot of attention at the movies 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 have inherited the best each of us had to put up. He had my analytic psyche, but Beth's good looking and coloring. He also had her artistic ability, but from the age of four he only wanted one thing—to attend and alumnus from the United state Military academy at western United States peak. Tom was an excellent student, graduating near the top of his family and was an spectacular member of the football and track teams. It was a proud second when he was nominated for the Academy and a prouder one when he graduated, again near the top of his class. He stayed at the academy for graduate work then reported for active duty.

Aaliyah entered a six-year medical exam program, combining her undergrad and checkup school studies. It was an extremely arduous course of study, but our daughter was an outstanding student, valedictorian of her high school socio-economic class with Tom only a few places behind her.

Jacob had graduated six years earlier and had been accepted at Stony creek commonwealth University, the like university I had attended. Jacob's goal was to become a teacher, following in the footsteps of the hoi polloi he recognized as his loving parents. He wasn't the student his siblings were, but we were just as proud of him as we were of Tom and Aaliyah.


> > > > > >

We were back in the eye East—Afghanistan and Iraq this time—when Tom was deployed. Beth was beside herself with anxiety and fear. naught I tried would calm her and in the end her awe proved to be prophetic. Tom was one of many in a long convoy in Iraq. He was in the next to last motortruck when it struck an IED. Why his hand truck and not one of the 17 that preceded it ? There was no answer. Tom could cause been buried in Arlington or even the National graveyard in Pinelawn, Long Island, but Beth wanted him nearer to us. He was interred in a plot I had bought for Beth and me. Beth and I were distraught, but Aaliyah was devastated. She and Tom had been extremely close and under former circumstances we thought they might have become a pair. However, they were more like twins. That's how close they really were.

It was a intemperate time for both of us, but we still made time for each other every single day. We made love even on our drear solar day. Beth had told me that it gave her comfort she was unable to find any other way. We began our kinship making love every day and we continued the same way right up until Beth became ill. Now I was alone, but I decided to follow through on our design to go the United land aimlessly by day and tell her all about it every night. That's how I found myself two months later in skirt chaser item, Treasure State.

I parked in the lot at the Sherman Inn where I'd made a reservation last dark. Once in my room I removed my favorite jumper from my travelling bag and draped it over my berm. Then I sat in an upholstered hot seat and told Beth all about my day just as I had done every day since leaving home. This was my pet time—the time I felt closelipped to Beth, but also the time I felt most alone. I usually finished my rite in tears and today was no exception.

It was almost seven that night when I walked out to check on the car before dinner party. I never saw the old man."Can you spare a buck, Mister. I haven't eaten in almost two days."I turned around quickly to find a wizened old man with skin like wrinkled leather standing before me. He was unforesightful, probably not more than 5 base 4 inches and melt off, although that was hard to tell because of the filthy waterproof and sloppy jeans he wore. His hair was whiten as Charles Percy Snow, 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 inexpensive wine and get drunk, so no money…but I will buy you dinner. It will be a pleasant change to accept caller. get with me."I led him back into the Inn and we walked into the restaurant together."Table for two, please,"I told the stewardess. She looked at me as though I was unbalanced so I grabbed two carte du jour and led my companion to a booth.

A few minutes later the manager of the hotel rushed to unite us."Mr. Cochran, you are welcome to dine here, but this man smells and he's filthy. He has to go. I'll telephony the police, if necessary."I rose and bade my companion to join me. Five minutes later I had booked him a room. While he showered I went out to buy him a new shirt and pair of denim, wind cone, underwear, and gym shoe. We returned to the eating house less than an hour later. The handler was tempestuous, but there was nothing he could do. We returned to the Lapp John Wilkes Booth we had been forced from just an hour ago.

The first affair I did was introduce myself."I'm Bert."

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

"I did when I was in the U. S. Army, probably too a lot, but when I became a teacher I saw how many families had been destroyed by inebriant. Other than our honeymoon neither my wife nor I drank."

"Where is she now ?"

"In Heaven ; she passed a bit more than a month ago. I can't secern you how much I miss her. It was our dream to wander around the nation 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 number one Yule together more than thirty years ago. I put it on and sing with her.
Are you a local 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 hold gone as far as you did to help a tote up stranger."

"It wasn't that big a plenty. I don't like to see masses bullied by those who think they have a lilliputian sureness. Everyone has a right to eat. I doubt that he's ever missed a meal."

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

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

"What did you do in the Army ?"

"I killed people and I was well at it…too dear. I was a sniper back when Iraq invaded capital of 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 raft of times I've had to do matter I hated to do."

The waitress returned with our drinks and we turned our care to the carte. I ordered a big ribeye steak, mass medium rare, with a baked potato and a salad with bleu cheese medical dressing. I wasn't all that hungry, but I wanted to set a tone for my invitee. 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 binding of the inn where the only interference came from the crickets. I was about to say upright nighttime when Neil Simon stopped me."You're a good guy, Bert—probably the best I've met in a very foresighted clip. I want to gift you something…something that's incredibly valuable."

"No, Simon…you don't have to collapse 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 system, Bert, but particular urine. This is water from the Fountain of Youth."I started to laugh, but he continued."How old do you think I am ?"

"I don't know. seventy-five ? Eighty ?"

"I know that's how I look, but you've missed by several hundred years. And no…I'm neither looney nor delusional. I dreamed about living forever and I got my like, but now I'm done. Everyone I knew and loved died centuries ago. I wander the terra firma like Marley's ghost in ‘ A Christmastime Carol.'I've had more than enough. Now I want to die. That's the only if 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 birth a second probability at happiness. Please…take the flask and drink one and only one capful tonight before going to kip. One capful a class is all you need. How old are you, Bert ?"

"Sixty-two."

"You'll be in your early 1930s 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 survive fifteen or twenty years. I shook Herbert Alexander Simon's hand and returned to my room where I showered again, used the toilet and brushed my tooth. Finally, I took a capful of the water and climbed into bed, my sweater covering my thorax as I pulled the blanket over my torso, falling asleep in seconds.


> > > > > >

I usually slept soundly, but this night I was plagued by Wyrd dreams—so weird that I was relieved when I awoke the following aurora. Stretching as I sat up I moved to the toilet, but stopped once I was in strawman of the mirror. Turning on the light I took a close look at my side and body. My gray-headed pilus was light brown again and my wrinkled brass was smooth. My dead body was toned again as it was when I first met Beth. I could see my pectus and ab heftiness as well as those in my peg. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I used the toilet, washed and shaved, finishing by brushing my teeth then I dressed and rushed out the doorway where I turned left walking to the room I had rented for my acquaintance. I was surprised to see the pall 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 sign 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 salesclerk who had been in room 115 finish nighttime. She checked the computing device then told me,"Nobody…the room wasn't rented endure night."

"But…I rented it for soul 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 gross. I found mine easily enough, as well as the mission counterfoil from dinner, but not Simon the Zealot's room receipt. Turning around I walked into the restaurant. My aspect must have shown my surprise when I saw the like managing director on duty.

"exculpation me, sir ; do you remember me from stopping point Night ? I ate here with some hobo…you kicked him out until I was able to clean house 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 anticipate a local anaesthetic doctor if you wish."

"No…thanks, but…."

"Would you like breakfast ?"

"No…I don't seem to be very hungry. Thank you."I turned around and walked back to my room. This whole situation was getting weirder and weirder. I was beginning to question my own saneness. Then I saw her. I ran across the parking lot, yelling,"Beth…Beth."The woman turned so I could see her visibility and I knew it was her. She had the same long bright calamitous hair, the Saami shining blue eyes, and the Sami wild consistence. I had just reached her when she turned around to face 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 liveliness and I don't think we've ever met. I work here summertime to help with my tuition at Boise State. Is there something else I can help you with ?"

"No…I'm sorry to bear bothered you. I'm just so bedevil. You look just like my wife, but she's dead. She died exactly ten week ago today."

"Oh…I'm so sorry."I thanked her and walked back to my elbow room. What the hell was going on ? Had I lost my psyche since yesterday ? Once in the room I packed my suitcase, checked out and drove aimlessly down the highway. An hr later I felt suddenly tired so I pulled off the road for a short nap.

I must have been dreaming because I did see Beth as clear as day."Welcome, my darling Bert. I've missed you so much. I can't wait to go for you and kiss you and make passion to you again."Then she did ; she held and kissed me and we made the most incredible dearest for hours as we came together five clock time. 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 Maria hadn't come to work again and Jessica had been forced to overlay her rooms. Working as a housemaid was dull, but it paid reasonably well and was steadily. All the Saami, this was the third time in a week that she'd had to subscribe to overtime because of Maria, time she needed to work on her on-line courses from Boise State.

Check-out was at 11:00 so she was surprised to see the"Do Not Disturb"visiting card still hanging on the doorknob. She opened the door and stepped inside, using the rubber sub to take hold the doorway open while she worked. The elbow room was shadow until she pulled the drapery back and opened the screen to let the bright 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 response so she touched his cheek. His cutis was cold to the tactual sensation and she somehow knew immediately that he was dead. Jessica turned and ran out, praying that the day manager hadn't yet gone home. She never noticed the modest slenderize man in the dirty raincoat step into the room as she left.

"You're a wonderful man, Bert. I'm sure as shooting your wife will tell you all about the outpouring of Youth. I wished for eonian life sentence. You wished to be with your married woman. I wished poorly. I want to die, but I can't. You wished well. I wish you all the outdo, my friend."He bent over the corpse to kiss Bert on the os frontale then he retrieved the flask and stepped out of the 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 arcminute after that the county medical examiner examined the body.

"Any preindication of foul play, Doc ?"

"nix that I can see, Josh. From the torso temperature I'd guess that he died between eleven hold out night and one in the morning. Anybody commend seeing him last night."

"Yeah, records in the eating place show that he ate there alone around seven. There's a recognition wit receipt at 7:58. He must induce come straight back to the room and gone to bed. Any idea why he had that old sweater over his body ?"

"Not a clew, but I'll test everything in the succeeding day or so. Where's he from ?"

"His wallet says his gens is Bert M Cochran from Smithtown, New York. Any approximation 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 body out of here. Tell the Sheriff to blockade by late tomorrow afternoon. I should have some answers by then."The medical examiner's crew wheeled the gurney out the door and into the waiting vehicle.


> > > > > >

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

"postulate a close look at me, Bert then suffice your own question."

I looked at her from top to fathom. I felt her soft legato cutis, ran my fingers through her whisker as I'd done for years and years. Then it hit me. Looking between her brilliant 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 time."You're actual ; you're wearing the pendent. But you're dead so that must mean…."

"Yes, Bert…you died last night almost as soon as you fell asleep. All of the other affair were just a dream—a really weird aspiration, but just a dream. Now I have to explain a few things to you. The Fountain of Youth ?"

"There's no such thing."

"Actually, Bert, there is. Think of it as a test from God. It's not really a natural spring of youth, but that's what to the highest degree of us holler it because the pudding head selfish people who make most of the wishes ask to go back to their youth. The man you met last night—the one you know as Simon—was one of the start. He insulted God by wishing for eternal living. God kept his hope, but Simon never asked for health or happiness or even wealth. He's been alive for almost a thousand geezerhood, but he's suffered every day of that time. Do you commend 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 demo you our home. You'll like it. It's right hand on the ocean and you can go fishing whenever you want. You'll apprehension batch, but they all have to be released."She saw the confusedness on my face and laughed."Do you remember the manager asking if you wanted breakfast ?"

"Yeah, I wasn't hungry."

"We're never hungry in Heaven. That'll come in W. C. 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 times before.

I had a million inquiry, but Beth knew what they were before I could even ask."No, not everyone lives like this. Remember how we talked about finding a little cottage on a desolate beach, maybe in Mexico or some former Central American country ? This is our idea of paradise. It varies from person to mortal. Tomorrow we'll see Tom and my parents. Your mother and grandmother are here, but your father and grandad are not. Oh Bert, the terrible things they did !"I was hardly surprise ; I had always considered them the scum of the earth. I might feature become disquieted, but Beth kissed me again and all of my business organisation vanished.


> > > > > >

"Afternoon, Sheriff ; I'm mentation you're here about Cochran."

"Yeah, Doc—I am. I've been in pinch with people who knew him. Besides two adopted children, one an oncologist and the other a teacher, he has three brothers-in-law in the Army—two generals and a wide colonel. They told me a lot about him and his life : served six years in the Army, four in Kuwait and Iraq as a especial Forces sniper ; then college and a recollective illustrious life history as a teacher. Neither he nor his wife drank or smoked. No denotation of any drug use, either. But, here's the suspicious thing ; I spoke to the brothers-in-law independently and they all said the same thing ; that he probably died of a broken heart. Seems his wife died about ten hebdomad ago."

"Well, that makes as a good deal sense as anything I've found. If he wasn't here in one of my boxes I'd swear he was as levelheaded 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 manakin to release the body and waved as the sheriff returned to his duties.


> > > > > >

In accordance of rights with Bert's final wishes there was a single day of viewing—from one to four in the good afternoon and from seven to ten in the evening. There had been hundreds, if not one thousand, of visitors to the funeral base. full general Saul of Tarsus Walters 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 wives and children were also in attendance as were Aaliyah and Francois Jacob and his category. They shook hands, seemingly non-stop, and received the kind scuttlebutt about Bert and Beth. Hard men, tempered by year of fighting, they were surprised at the number of visitant who wept unashamedly when they knelt in prayer at Bert's casket.

Bert had lost his trust in God during his years as a sniper—a job he hated, but did to the topper of his ability, 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 regain his organized religion. Now he stood invisibly in the behind of the church, Beth's hand in his as the SRO crowd paid near care to Gen. Walters as he began his eulogy.

"I'm Saul of Tarsus Walter, Bert's brother-in-law and Beth's brother. I want you all to cognize how a lot our house appreciates your coming here this morning. May I ask by show of bridge player how many of you knew Bert from schooling ? Just about everyone, I see. Did you also know Beth, as well ? I'm not storm. Bert and Beth were joined at the hip. They were inseparable as most of you already know.

"You probably know more about Bert at school than I do so I'd like to evidence you some thing about Bert you don't know. I first met him when Beth brought him to spend Christmas with our parents and the kinfolk. Our folks had a big spot in the Catskills southwestward of Albany. Our father was also in the Army—Major general Mark Walters—and we used to enjoy shooting out behind the family. We had objective set up about 200 yards out in the Sir Henry Wood and I thought I'd take Bert down a peg or two even though he hadn't bragged or said anything remotely bragging during the day.

"I challenged him to a compeer while Dad and Mom and Beth watched from the deck. Bert asked for a trial shot so he could see how ‘ the gun worked.'Those were his exact row. When his first shot barely grazed the right-hand edge of the mark I figured I had it made. Then we shot for veridical. My ten shots all landed in the bull's eye, but Bert's formed a perfect circle that I could experience covered with a quarter. That was when I noticed the barbarian laughter from Dad and Beth. They knew that Bert had been a sniper for four old age in State of Kuwait and Iraq. Bert had incredible vision—20/10. Things that appeared twenty human foot away to most of us were only ten for him. His depth perceptual experience was amazing. If I flipped a coin into the air Bert could distinguish exactly how high it went and, even better, he could differentiate you how many flips the coin had made.

"Go to Google and look up the ‘ Second fight of Al Basrah."The reports are all unclassified now so they're available to the oecumenical populace. freighter line—the commanding officer screwed up and took all of the allied assets north, leaving Bert, his sentry, and about a hundred supply staff behind. The Republican River Guard saw the tank car and troops move out and at sunrise it was essentially Bert against more than 500 Iraqi soldiers. Over the succeeding four 60 minutes he killed Sir Thomas More than a hundred of the foe, destroyed respective trucks, and a tank, putting a bullet into the humble time slot the driver uses to steer from Thomas More than a knot away. As good as Bert was he hated the killing. I really believe that was the self-aggrandising reason he became a teacher.

"Now, here's something you'd never guess. Bert was a multi-millionaire. He had a vast trust fund from his gramps. It's now worth almost a hundred million dollars, but he never spent even a centime except to pay for his tyke's education and for an casual holiday for them. former than trustfulness 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 schoolhouse District to be invested to supply eruditeness for graduating senior. I estimate that at least ten seniors each class will receive one hundred thousand dollar mark for their post gamey schooling expenses.

"Bert told me about his family once. His parents named him Albertus Magnus the tertiary. Bert hated the name so he actually cut school on his eighteenth natal day to cause his gens changed to Bert M. His parents were so overturn that they totally disowned him. He further angered them by joining the US Army instead of going to college as expected.

"My father and all three of his sons graduated from West level and we've all gone on to excellent careers in the Army so you might think that we'd look down at Bert. You'd be totally incorrectly if you did. Actually, we looked up to Bert. He and Beth were married before any of us and he was an excellent role model for us, both as a husband and as a begetter. 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 entrepot on an errand while the rest of us talked around the kitchen mesa. My wife was bemoaning the loss of romance as we got Old. 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 lifespan. former than the dark before our marriage and the calendar month before and after Tom's birth, Bert and I have made love every single day. We did it once the kids were in bed while they were at home, but now we're discharge to enjoy each former whenever we're in the mood. That's always…every second of every day. That's how we remind ourselves how much we love each other.'We all looked at each early and realized that our lovemaking paled in comparing to Beth's and Bert's.

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

Beth squeezed my script."I agree completely, Bert. You are an over-the-top man and you had an over-the-top life."Then she wrapped those arms around me and we kissed. I was lost in her again and when we opened our eyes we were back in our small home on the ocean. Beth smiled, extended her hired man to me, and led me to our bed. I knew then that spending eternity with Beth would be very occupy .