[[[-IF5-P15.TXT-]]]


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Island Fever 5: Family
Written by: JeremyDCP@hotmail.com

M/F, F/F and a whole lot more
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Chapter 15: "Nonpareil"
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             -*-  Sunday, March 27, 2016  -*-
                -*-  Sandvika, Norway  -*-


   I stared at the spreadsheet on my laptop computer, but the
numbers, unfortunately, did not change.  Things had not 
improved at all in the past few months.  Perplexed, I rubbed
my bleary eyes and sat back in my chair.  If not for the
vast resources I had at my disposal from past financial
successes, this farm - the place where our family home was
located - would be out of business now.  The reality was that
with me at the helm, it was losing money at a steady rate.
   How did Kristof, Kristanna's father, turn a healthy profit
nearly every year for three decades with this farm before
retiring in 2013 and passing the family business onto his
daughter and yours truly?  I fully understood that farming was
a very tricky business and I was still new to it, yet I hated
losing money with any venture or project.  My original goal
was to take this farm and mold it into something much bigger
and better, yet that was the furthest thing from my mind at
this particular moment in time.  Right now, I would be happy
with turning a profit.  Any profit - even a few coins.
   Oh, I was not worried about losing so much money that our
family would one day have to alter the way it lives.  I had
enough in reserve, as well as investments elsewhere; we would
never run out of cash and/or resources.  The farm would
forever be safe and secure, a part of our family, as long as
I was alive.  But that was not the point.
   The cutthroat shark in me - the same shark who procured
billions of dollars in the mid-to-late 1990's - hated failure
when it came to business.  I detested it.  So, it was a pride
thing for me right now.  Losing money with the family farm
really did not hurt me (or us) financially.  It just hurt my
pride.  I really needed to turn things around and show a
profit with the farm.  For my ego.  Any profit would suffice.
   Perhaps it was finally time to break down and ask Kristof
for help?  Bah!  Kristof was 73 years of age; I preferred to
let him enjoy his retirement and not burden him with any work
issues.  It would be different if our family and its long-term
stability was at stake, but that was not the case at all.  I
needed to do research, learn more about the farming business.
I really wanted to accomplish this on my own.
   I heard a knock on the door to my home office.  Who could
it be?  I had plans of going to the ice cream parlor here on
the farm and reviewing the annual board of health inspection
checklist, but I surmised that could wait for now.  Still, it
had to be done soon.  I certainly did not want to be hit with
a hefty fine for some obscure safety code violation.
   "Who goes there?" I said, opening the door.
   "Me.  Just little old me," Amy returned, beaming.  I had to
take a second or two to focus.  This was a pleasant surprise,
as I was under the impression that Amy was still out shopping
at the grocery store.  I could definitely use a bright spot
right about now as I struggled with these numbers.  "What are
you up to, Jeremy?"  Amy wore denim jeans, a white t-shirt
and black jacket.  She looked super casual, yet hot as hell.
   "Hey," I smiled at her in greeting, gesturing behind me.
"I was just getting some bookkeeping done."
   Amy tilted her head.  "Oh.  I know how you are when you
go into business mode, Jeremy.  The girls are having a
little celebration right now downstairs since Ariel was
released from the hospital this morning.  Your dad is with
them and so are most of the kids.  Alison too.  But I just... 
I don't know, I wanted to see you.  And say hi.  So... hi.
But I will let you go back to your bookkeeping work."
   I took Amy's hand and pulled her into the office.  Amy
was babbling somewhat, as she occasionally did, and it was
downright adorable.  "You should say hi in here, though."
   Amy's green eyes danced with glee as I closed the door
behind us and placed my back against it.  I wrapped an arm
around the slim curve of her waist and drew her close to me.
   "So, hi," I greeted her again, taking the initiative
myself.  "You look really nice, as usual.  Your hair is
even in a pony-tail today, I see."  Spools of vermilion-red
plunged around her photogenic face, the pony-tail showcasing
her elegant and smooth, slender neck.
   Amy glanced upward at the mention.  "Yes, it sure is."
But her focus shifted immediately toward my mouth.  I could
tell that she wanted to kiss me.  Sure enough, Amy began
drifting closer.  But my words stopped her.
   "I like it when you wear your hair in a pony-tail.  Adds
a very soft, very different edge to you, your appearance."
   "Yeah?" Amy mused, trying not to let the comment deter
her, her mouth a whisper from mine.  When her lips parted
and I saw the tip of her tongue, I spoke again, even as she
continued to inch closer and closer.
   "I mean, it looks really good on you."
   Defeat.  Amy stepped back, a frustrated, yet incredibly
sexy pout upon her face.  "You're killing me right now."
   I was enjoying this little game that I was playing.  I set
my hands on either side of Amy's hips and eased my thumbs up
her sides to the bottom of her rib cage, falling just short of
her breasts.  Amy hitched in a breath, knowing full well that
I held all of the cards between us, and I wanted it that way.
   "So in closing, I vote yes on the pony-tail."  And that was
the final thing I said before I smashed my mouth to Amy's with
a truly hot, sweltering kiss that left both of us momentarily
breathless.  Still, our tongues jabbed and dueled between our
pressed mouths, each tasting, enjoying the lush recesses.
   I loved the high I got from moments like this with not only
Amy, but the rest of my wives as well.  I could kiss any of 
them and be eternally happy.  Amy and I continued to drift
with our kiss, sinking further into each other with every
passing second.  Our bodies, pressed firmly together, caused
quite the wondrous sensation which nearly overtook me.
   "I'm so glad that you and Krissy are back home," Amy said
once our lips finally parted.  "Ariel too.  You don't know
how happy all of us were this morning when news came that the
doctor was allowing Ariel to return home from the hospital."
   "No one was happier than Kristanna," I advised her.  "Trust
me on that one.  She spent 72 hours straight at the hospital,
staying round-the-clock with Ariel in the pediatric intensive
care unit.  Absolutely refused to leave the hospital until
our little daughter was allowed to go with her."
   Amy smiled leisurely, her arms sliding around my shoulders.
"Krissy is a great mother for both Kaden and Ariel.  I felt
sorry for her earlier, though.  She looked so tired, so beat
up, when you all walked in from the car."
   "It's been a rough couple of days for the both of us," I
conceded, frowning.  "Krissy really took the news of Ariel
being sick and having to go to the hospital hard.  So did I,
obviously, but I suppose I have a better way of dealing with
it than she does."  I frowned again.  "At least outwardly."
   "I know it's rough for you too, Jeremy," Amy said.  "You
seem to put up that brick wall of sorts around you in times of
crisis though, which is both a good thing and a bad thing.
It is good in the sense here that I think Krissy has really
needed your strength and support these past three days.  You
have been there for her, putting your own well-being aside."
   "But you know, Jeremy," Amy added, "if YOU ever need a
little strength and support, as it pertains to Krissy and
Ariel... please know that I am always here for you.  I speak
for everyone in the family when I say that.  We are ALL here
for you.  Just... don't be afraid to come to us if needed.
You're our husband, and we all love you.  We worry about you."
   "Oh, I know, Amy.  I know."  I hugged her a little tighter
to me.  Amy was special, as was everyone else in our family.
This family meant everything in the world to me.
   "One other thing," Amy gently offered, stepping away.  "I
think it's time you find Alison and have a talk, do whatever
you need to do, with her."  Alison?  This was certainly random
from Amy and out of left field, so to speak.  "What's it been
since you and Alison had sex together that one night?  Two
weeks?  More than two weeks.  I know your life has been awful
since then, Jeremy, with Ariel in and out of the hospital.
Krissy has been sick.  You had to deal with Scarlett and
explain to her why you had sex with Alison on your wedding
night.  Scarlett is pregnant and hasn't been feeling well at
all.  But you haven't really talked to Alison since that night.
I think she is starting to wonder if something is wrong."
   I sighed in exasperation.  My life had been way too hectic
lately.  I could not devote the proper amount of time to each
of the women in it, as well as my children.  It was damn near
impossible.  "Nothing is wrong with Alison, Amy.  I just... I
don't know.  I've been so busy."
   "I know that, and so does she," Amy assured me.  "But I
think you should set aside some time for Alison, Jeremy, and
talk about what happened that night.  She is genuinely unsure
whether or not you are angry at her."
   "Why would I be angry at Alison?" I blurted out.
   "Alison kind of blames herself for what happened between
you and her that night," Amy responded.  "She is worried that
it caused some sort of rift between you and Scarlett, though
we keep telling her that it didn't.  Our family does not work
that way.  Alison thinks you may be angry at her because of
all the constant flirting she did with you in the days prior
leading up to the wedding, and then the night of sex."
   "If there is anyone to blame, it's me," I told Amy.  "And
Scarlett is fine, at least as far as I know.  She wants
Alison to join the family just like the rest of you do."
   "Will you please have a talk with Alison for me?" Amy
reiterated.  "Talk about that night, talk about your future
with her, if in fact you plan on having her stay with us
long-term.  I think it would clear up a lot of concerns, a
lot of doubts, that she seems to have right now.  The poor
girl has been in the dark for over two weeks.  I don't think
Krissy or anyone else in the family would be upset if you
took Alison out for a few hours, spent some time with her.
Maybe after dinner tonight you and her could sneak out?"
   "I'll see what I can do," was my promise to her.  "Hey,
dinner.  It's a holiday - Easter Sunday.  What do you plan 
on fixing for us to eat tonight?"
   "It's for Krissy, so you'll have to wait and be surprised
with everyone else.  I don't want her to know what I have
planned."  I gave Amy an overly sorrowful look, which brought
forth a laugh from her.  "Don't look at me like that, Jeremy.
I have a weakness for you, and you know it."
   I smiled triumphantly and again wrapped my arms around
Amy's waist, locking my fingers together behind her.  "I'd
like to hear more about this... weakness."
   "No way," Amy refused.  "Have to keep the mystery alive."
   I brought a hand up and trailed my index finger down the
front of Amy's t-shirt and jacket, between the deepened, lush
valley of her breasts.  At the touch, Amy's eyes widened and
darkened, clearly infused with desire.  Hot was not a good
enough description for the visual, and suddenly I wanted my
hands in other places on that amazing body of hers.
   Amy shook her head a bit, trying to rebound.  "I think you
and I need to get together again.  Soon."
   "You do, huh?"
   "Go out with me tomorrow morning to breakfast at that
little diner we like so much over in Oppegård?" Amy asked,
almost pleading with me.  "Me, you and Dani Grace?  Maybe
we could even ride the ferry boat over the bay instead of
driving the entire route?"
   I hesitated.  While I would love to spend some quality
time with Amy and our baby daughter, Dani Grace, tomorrow
was Devon's birthday.  But I relented.  There would be plenty
of time to take a boat ride across Oslofjorden and spend the
morning and part of the early afternoon in Oppegård, one of
Amy's favorite, quaint, little towns in the area.  Devon's
birthday party was not scheduled to start until 4:00pm.  She
could surely stay busy with the others while Amy and I
enjoyed some private time out together with our daughter.
   "I'd love that, sweetheart."
   Amy's eyes flashed with happiness.  "It's a date.  Now get
back to work with your bookkeeping and pretend that I never
interrupted you.  You're always so damn serious when it comes
to work and business.  It's kind of cute, actually."
   I shook my head at her.  "You do realize that pretending
you were never here would be impossible for me?"
   "I'm sure you'll manage."  Amy gave my left hand a little
squeeze, then turned and exited the home office.
   Indeed, I had been out of character as of late.  All but
ignoring Alison since our lone night together, shoving many
(if not all) of the other women in my life to the wayside as
I concentrated on Kristanna and Ariel.  Even Scarlett, who
needed me now more than ever before.  But what other choice
did I have?  For the past two weeks, Ariel (and Kristanna)
had taken total precedence over everything.
   It was time to get back to my old self.  With Ariel home
from the hospital, I made a promise to myself that I would
return to the dedicated and thoughtful husband (and father)
who these women had grown so accustomed to over the past
three years.  And it was going to start tonight with Alison.
While I wasn't her husband, I hoped that one day, I would be.

                           * * *

   With the temperature a tad bit warmer than it had been in
recent weeks, Alison had the passenger side window down, her
hair blowing in the breeze, as I drove up the steep hills on
the southern side of Sandvika.  I glanced over at Alison, who
had not said much since we left the mansion several minutes
ago, but she placed her palm outside the vehicle and there was
a smile on her face, indicating that she was enjoying herself.
"Are you going to tell me where we are going, Jeremy?"
   "You'll see soon enough," I promised her.  I was not quite
sure what to do with the influx of flutters and tingles that
seemed to be multiplying exponentially within my body at the
moment due to Alison's mere presence.  With our little talk
earlier, where I invited Alison out with me for the evening
after dinner, I was now in the process of being reminded why
I was so incredibly attracted to this remarkable young lady.
"Just relax, honey.  Settle down, and enjoy the scenery."
   "Oh, I am," Alison said quietly, her gaze fixated on me.
So not helping with the flutters and tingles.
   A short time later, I brought my car to a stop at the one
location I knew to be the most breathtaking in the whole area.
From our vantage point in the front seat, we could see all of
Sandvika beneath, the lights of the city twinkling in the dusk
almost as brightly as the stars overhead.  There was a garbage
scow and a cargo barge cruising along Inner Oslofjorden further
beyond, its water rippling and sparkling in the moonlight.
   "Oh my," Alison smiled, sitting up straight and taking
notice.  "You can see everything at once."
   "Exactly.  Which is why I thought you may like it."  But
Alison was already out of the car and on the move.  She walked
over to the edge of the cliff and took a long, deep breath,
allowing the beautiful surroundings to sink in and register.
At the same time, I exited the car myself.
   "Careful, honey," I said, pointing toward her feet.  "The
edge may be a bit slippery there with the snow we've had."  I
reached out, wanting to reel her back in a bit closer.
   Alison turned to face me in calm amusement.  "I'm perfectly
fine, Jeremy.  I just wanted to see it all.  Just look."  She
stared back down at the city, her eyes full of awe.
   I retrieved a heavy blanket from tonight's car of choice,
a 2014 _Aston Martin DB9_, and tossed it across the hood.  I
slid up and onto it.  "It's beautiful up here, which is why I
wanted you to see it.  Believe it or not, sometimes I come
here by myself just to relax, clear my head.  Always at night.
It is so far removed from everything, it seems, yet it's right
here in our very own hometown."  I gestured out with my hand
and ended, "This is what perspective looks like."
   Alison joined me on the hood of the car.  Music was softly
playing from the speakers in the background.  "You're not easy
to predict, Jeremy.  I would have never believed you were the
type to come to a place like this and meditate your anxieties
away.  Just when I think I have you figured out, I don't."
   "Good."  I stole a glance of Alison and then looked away,
intimidated by the attraction I felt for her.  Like her sister
(and my wife), Lindsay, Alison was stunning.  "I'm glad that
you don't have me figured out.  Of course, some would say
that I don't have myself figured out.  Me included."
   "But I want to figure you out," Alison retorted.  "I want
to know and learn everything there is about you."  I was at a
sudden loss for words, so Alison took notice and sat up a
little straighter.  "Let's just enjoy the evening and this
beautiful view for what it is.  Because I, for one, am happy
to be here with you.  Thank you for bringing me here."
   Alison was close, I realized.  Very, very close.
   My hips brushed against hers and I was vaguely aware of
the faint scent of lilac perfume.  The song on the radio
switched to a slow love tune.  As we listened in silence,
staring out at the city below, I felt as if this was one of
the more romantic settings I had experienced in some time
and, quite simply, it made me notice Alison all the more.
   Alison's mouth was somewhat bow-shaped and full in the
most wonderful way.  And then there was that dimple on her
right cheek.  God, that dimple did things to me when it
showed up.  Ridiculously beautiful, I decided, that was
Alison.  I was nearly blown away by her.
   "What's going on over there?" she asked quietly.
   I shrugged my shoulders.  "You."
   "What about me?"
   "I'm not supposed to like you."
   "I remember.  I'm not supposed to like you, either.
You're my sister's husband.  But I'm not supposed to like my
sister, either, you know - be attracted to her the way I am -
but that has not stopped me in the slightest."
   "Alison," I said in a voice so hoarse and throaty that all
she could do now was stare into my eyes.  I cupped the back of
her head as my gaze zeroed in on those pink, succulent lips.
I had never wanted to kiss another woman so badly in my life.
Alison was a crazy mix of forbidden fruit and vulnerability
and altogether sexiness.  I could not get enough of her.
   Alison's hands clutched at my waist and ventured up my
torso and chest, and all I could do was grit my teeth at the
excruciating torment.  Because I knew before anything else
happened between us, there was something I had to say.
   "I'm sorry you and I haven't really talked since what
happened on my wedding night with Scarlett two weeks ago," I
offered, referring to the first and only time Alison and I
had sex together thus far.  "It's pretty horrible of me that
I haven't taken the time to approach you and talk about it.
That was a major event for us."
   Alison spoke just above a whisper.  "It's okay, Jeremy.
It really is.  You have had a lot on your plate since that
night.  You had to deal with Scarlett, who was obviously mad,
and then Kristanna was rushed to the hospital in the morning
and had to go through an emergency birth.  Ariel was in the
NICU for a few days, Kristanna was sick and frantic... your
world was turned upside-down.  Pamela was still dealing with
the loss of her grandmother.  Then, when everything seems to
be settling down and getting back to normal, Ariel has to go
right back to the hospital and gets admitted for three whole
days.  Kristanna has been a wreck ever since Thursday."  
Alison shook her head.  "You have seven wives, six kids.  
You need to make time for everyone.  Me?  I'm just trying
to fit in, find my place, a home here.  I'm the new girl."
   I frowned.  "I've treated you like an afterthought since
that night, Alison.  Look at what I did to you.  I persuaded
you into having sex with me, then I don't really speak to
you again until today - a full 15 days later.  What does that
say about what type of person I am?"
   "That you're human.  That you make mistakes and have
regrets.  You have a lot of women in your life to try and
keep happy."  She returned her hands to my waist and lovingly
patted its sides.  "I don't feel like an afterthought.  I know
you don't view me as one either, Jeremy.  I can see it in your
eyes when you look at me."
   "You're not an afterthought to me," I assured her.  "You
are very, very special.  Extremely special."
   "I know, Jeremy."
   "Everyone in your family is special to me, honey."
   My gaze took another pass at Alison's mouth and I felt as
if I was going to burst if I did not kiss her soon.  She
dipped her head and stared at me, those lips so tantalizingly
close to mine.  We were breathing the same air.  The tension
was so incredibly thick; I could feel it surrounding us.
   "I also realize that you're still a bit apprehensive about
me because Lindsay and I are sisters," Alison added in another
hushed whisper.  "Trust me, it took me awhile to come to grips
with my feelings about the whole situation, and accept them.
But what do all of your wives in the family say?  What happens
in the family stays in the family.  If it makes us happy..."
   "But you know what I want, Jeremy.  Right now, the ball is
in your court.  I'm willing to wait if needed."
   "What is it exactly that you want?" I asked.
   Alison smiled.  "I want to marry my sister's husband and
wife - you and Trish - and marry Lindsay herself.  And all
of the other amazing women in this family of yours, too."  I
sighed at those words and hitched in a deep, ragged breath.
"But right now?" she swooned.  "I just want you to kiss me."
   I smiled into the darkness and ran my fingers throughout
Alison's silky blonde hair.  I turned carefully within the
circle of Alison's embrace, ignoring the gorgeous view of
the city beneath us, only concentrating on her.  My lips
parted and moved in for what I so desperately needed.
   Our mouths came together in such a natural, wonderful way;
not too fast, not too timid, but easy, relaxing, perfectly
fitting.  I tasted fruit punch from dinner on her lips,
breathed the crisp frost in the air, and felt the amazing 
sensation of Alison suddenly wrapped all around me.
   The kiss intensified and I relished the warmth of our
combined heat.  Breaths, shared more often than stolen,
became shallow.  I cupped Alison's cheek in my hand,
tracing my thumb across the smooth skin.  Everything about
Alison was smooth; her skin, her lips, her personality.  I
could easily lose myself in this girl forever.
   "Wow," the 19-year-old sighed in the aftermath, once our
lips had finally parted.
   I chuckled, not feeling the need to further elaborate on
what Alison had just said.  I agreed with her wholeheartedly.
There was nothing left to say following that splendid kiss.
   Grinning, I leaned my back against the windshield and
pulled Alison gently down next to me.  The evening was
getting more chilly by the moment and I could tell that it
was starting to negatively effect Alison.  I took my leather
jacket off and blanketed her with it, warming her up but now
causing myself to experience the shivers.  There was another
jacket inside the car, but there was no way that I was going
to move from this spot right now.  The fact that Alison slid
her arms around my waist and settled her head upon my
shoulder helped warm me up instantly.
   We lay there on top of the vehicle, under the stars,
listening to the music with the quiet sounds of nature all
around us.  Somehow, this felt right.  I wasn't supposed to
be drawn to Alison but I was, and there was no need to fight
or deny it any longer.  None whatsoever.  Our family was very
unique and unconventional to begin with.  My life was so wild,
so incredibly crazy, that it only seemed fitting that there
were a pair of loving sisters in it.
   Right?...

                           * * *
                           
   "I'm not like Trish," Lindsay said to Amy the following 
morning, very early, as I entered the kitchen.  "I don't have
ripped abs six weeks after giving birth and people don't ask
me what my secret is to looking like this, but that's okay."
   "I have a pooch where my belly is and hips with a new
amplitude that I would have never imagined in a million
years," Lindsay continued.  "I have stretch marks and my
belly feels like a squishy waterbed with stretched skin that
bounces up and down as I move.  I have dark pools under my
eyes, my hair is falling out, and finding time to brush my
teeth in the morning is sometimes a monumental chore."
   "You know what, though?  This body was the house that
helped develop and nurture a tiny human being for nine whole
months.  This body is able to provide all of the nourishment
that tiny, little human needs to grow bigger and stronger.  I
am choosing to love this body for all that it is capable of,
and not worry about what it looks like for the time being."
   "Do I want a flat tummy again?  One day... and I know I
will get there with exercise and nutrition.  But right now, I
am in no rush."  Lindsay hitched our six-week-old daughter,
Kaylee, up in one arm and splayed her face with affectionate
kisses.  "This little chick is my priority.  As for the time
between, I am choosing to be proud of my postpartum body...
not ashamed of it.  Kaylee is well worth it to me."
   Amy smiled in response to Lindsay's honest, poignant
comments about being a new mother.  "You've got nothing to
worry about, sweetheart.  Do you have any idea how beautiful
you look to me right now, holding your little girl, there at
the kitchen table?  You look... amazing.  Absolutely radiant."
   Lindsay actually blushed at those kind words from her wife.
"Thank you, Amy.  Having a baby is a lot of hard work and it
has definitely turned my world upside-down, but I would not
trade my daughter for anything."  Lindsay turned her head and
finally acknowledged my presence.  "And good morning, Jeremy."
   But I decided to ignore Lindsay for the time being and jump
past the morning greetings to the heart of the matter.  "Who
made this?"  The cinnamon roll I was currently eating, fresh
off a baking tray from the kitchen counter, was delicious.  It
was _beyond_ delicious.  "I need to meet this person now."
   Amy, half covered in flour, giggled and playfully snapped
me with a towel.  "I did.  Who do you think made it?"
   I rubbed my arm.  "Ouch.  Mean.  For real?"
   "Yes, for real.  Today is Devon's birthday and you know
how she loves cinnamon rolls.  I thought I would make a big
batch of them so Devon and anyone else who is interested can
have them for breakfast, or throughout the day."
   I glanced at my wristwatch, curiously.  "You thought you
would make cinnamon rolls at five o'clock in the morning?"
   Amy nodded.  "Before everyone is awake.  Even Dani Grace."
   "What are you doing here at such an unholy hour?"
   Lindsay squinted her eyes and chuckled merrily at me.  "I
was awake when Amy got out of bed, feeding Kaylee.  I thought
I would come down here and keep Amy company while she baked."
Lindsay titled her head and smirked.  "The real question,
Jeremy, is what are YOU doing awake right now.  You should be
in bed, resting.  Old people like you need their sleep."
   I nodded at her.  "Very funny.  Not."  I glanced over at
Amy for an instant and responded, "The unmistakable smell of
cinnamon rolls woke me up.  Anytime this gal gets her _bake
on_ here in the kitchen, my senses immediately take notice.
Day or night, it doesn't matter.  I can't stay away."
   "I was hoping you'd find a way to be nice to me," Amy told
me with a grin.  "Now it's my turn to be nice to you."  And
with that, Amy poured a full, generous glass of lemonade,
added a handful of ice cubes and topped it off with a fresh
strawberry.  She then presented the glass to me.  "Here you
go.  May you start your morning off right."
   "You are an angel.  Thank you."  I took three big gulps
from the glass before staring at Amy for several seconds, my
taste buds dancing.  "You made this yourself.  Didn't you?"
   "Of course I did.  I would never give you instant."
   "It's simply amazing how anything you fix or prepare is
always delicious," I offered in all sincerity.
   Amy placed her hand over her heart and chuckled lightly.
"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
   "Psssssh.  I've said nicer stuff."
   I then turned and focused on Lindsay.  She wore a white
tank-top and a pair of pink shorts, her blonde hair partially
clipped back with the rest shimmering down her shoulders.
Fresh-faced and demure, Lindsay certainly did look radiant,
just as Amy proclaimed earlier.  No.  More than that.  As I
stared at Lindsay, tending to our infant daughter, time seemed 
to stand still.  It certainly was an amazing visual to behold.
   "How was your so-called date with Alison last night?"
   Lindsay seemed to perk up at Amy's question directed at
me.  "Alison was telling me all about it late last night.
Jeremy actually took her to Point Pleasant - you know, the
cliff-side that overlooks the city and the fjord below.  I
believe the Norwegians call that spot _Punkt Hyggelig_."
Lindsay bit her lip and smiled as if she was a shy, little
girl.  "Alison also said there was kissing."
   Amy's eyes met mine.  "Kissing?"  She lifted one shoulder
and let it fall helplessly.  "Why wasn't I invited?"  Amy
laughed at her own words, then asked, "What else happened?"
   "We kind of drove around for awhile and talked," was my
response.  "Got a few things out into the open.  Alison
realizes my life has been super hectic these past few weeks,
but I will not use that as an excuse for putting her to the
side like I did.  I promised Alison that I would devote much
more time and effort to her from now on, so our relationship
can hopefully progress and move forward.  I know it's what
everyone in the family wants to have happen."
   "Just thinking about you and Alison kissing, Jeremy, has
me thinking how nice it would be if I were to kiss Lindsay
right now," Amy mused, a gleam in her eyes.
   Lindsay looked at Amy and her lips parted ever so slightly.
When she spoke, her voice was quiet.  "Oh yeah?  What type of
kiss would it be, Amy?"
   It did not require much thought on Amy's part to come up
with a suitable answer.  "Soft.  The kiss would be very soft
and slow, like the early morning hours are around us right
now.  I would ease my hands into your hair and pull you in
much closer to me."  Lindsay closed her eyes at the sensations
conjured within her as Amy kept talking, "I'd feel how warm
your skin is and lose myself in how wonderful you taste.  I
would tell you how much I love you... how special you are to
me.  And then, there would be no stopping us."
   Lindsay opened her eyes and held Amy's gaze for several
long seconds as pure, raw heat just openly pulsed between
them.  Finally, Lindsay glanced down at our daughter and then
focused on me as if an idea was taking root within her mind.
"Jeremy, come get Kaylee.  Take her away from me please."
   Kaylee gave me her best scrunchy face and reached outward
with one hand, her fingers twirling about, as I gently took
her from Lindsay's loving arms.  I held Kaylee with both of
my own arms, her face upon my shoulder, as Lindsay proceeded
to shift all of her attention onto Amy.  And rightfully so.
   Amy smiled and got rid of her dusty baking apron as Lindsay
stood up and moved toward her.  She leaned in and paused just
a mere whisper away from Lindsay's succulent, enticing lips.
"I said it would be soft at first."  Amy barely brushed 
Lindsay's mouth with hers once, but then deepened the kiss.
"I think I also said it would be slow."  Amy slid her hands
from Lindsay's face into her hair and pulled her in yet again.
And Amy kept that promise, reveling in the kiss, taking her 
sweet time with it.  She clearly was savoring the awesome 
experience that kissing Lindsay inevitably was.
   There was a noise from the entranceway to the kitchen.  Amy 
pulled her lips from Lindsay's just in time to watch Alison 
place a hand over her own mouth, her other hand on the open 
door.  Alison stood there, red-faced, having stumbled upon her 
older sister and biggest crush, Lindsay, in an intimate moment 
with one of her beloved wives.  Was she, perhaps, jealous?
   "Oh, sorry, guys.  Didn't mean to interrupt.  I was awake
and thought I would come down here to get a drink from the
refrigerator.  But I can come back another time."  Alison
was wearing pajamas and appeared as if she had just gotten
out of bed.  Her hair fell around her shoulders in messy,
haphazard waves.  And there was that no make-up look that
emphasized how natural and vibrant Alison was, only adding to
the ultra beautiful thing she always seemed to have going on.
Catching myself, I jerked my eyes back toward Alison's face
after they had absent-mindedly trailed down her body.
   But it was too late.  Alison's blue eyes widened in
recognition of what I had just done, and a slow smile took
shape on her face.  It seemed to invigorate her further.
   "You're not going anywhere," Lindsay said to her younger
sister, closing the distance between them and then latching
onto her arm with a hand.  Alison accepted the invitation
without a second thought, smiling that devastating smile of
hers yet again.  The power it carried was immense.
   Amy pulled out a chair at the small table.  "Sit down and
relax, honey.  How about a cinnamon roll?  They're fresh from
the oven just ten minutes ago, and laced with yummy icing."
   "Oh, I guess if I'm not intruding," Alison shrugged.
"That sounds fantastic.  I'm a total icing fan."
   "No problem.  Oh, and there's lemonade."  Amy promptly
poured a glass of the down-home goodness and set it in front
of her.  Amy was fawning over Alison and attending to her
like she was a long-lost member of the royal family.
   Lindsay, however, had other ideas.  Alison sighed and
inhaled noticeably as Lindsay moved next to her and leaned
over, dipping her head so her lips were just a heartbeat from
hers.  The way Alison's eyes fixated on Lindsay's mouth left
little doubt that they were on the same page here.  They
hovered there for a moment, sharing the same space.  Lindsay
then darted her head forward, her lips making contact with
Alison's, and the two sisters shared a slow, tender kiss.
   "Good morning, beautiful," Lindsay greeted her.
   "Morning," Alison fluttered in response, their kiss over.
   "I love you."
   Alison smiled.  "I love you, too."
   Nearly lost in the last two weeks of my private turmoil
and chaos (the ongoing situation with Kristanna and Ariel),
the image of Lindsay and Alison sharing sweet kisses was
nothing new.  They had become closer in the past two weeks
than ever before, exploring their forbidden feelings and
desires for each other while also bending the religious
boundaries both had grown up with as daughters of a minister.
   Alison had finally set in motion her life-long fantasy -
the opportunity for a romantic relationship with her sister.
Lindsay, meanwhile, saw our family as the best opportunity
that Alison had of ever being truly happy in life.  There
were many other variables in the mix and contributing here,
but the simple fact of the matter was that Alison wanted
Lindsay more than anything, and Lindsay, with her submissive
and caring nature, wanted to make Alison happy.
   Oh, Alison had her eyes on others too - namely myself, as
well as Trish.  I could tell that Alison was attracted to
Kristanna and Pamela, too.  The rest, I am certain, would
all fall in line eventually.  But make no mistake about it -
Alison's primary focus was Lindsay.  That much was clear.
   Indeed, watching Lindsay and Alison kiss each other was
nothing new for me.  It had become quite commonplace in the
past two weeks.  Still, my whole world stopped every damn
time it happened.  I mean, come on.  Watching these two hot,
exquisite sisters, the pure essence of youth and blossoming
maturity, hug and kiss on each other nearly blew my mind.  I
knew that it was wrong.  Yet, how come it seemed so right?
   They had not done much else together yet (save for that
evening right here in the kitchen, when Lindsay brought
Alison to orgasm with several skilled fingers).  Still, it
seemed only a formality that Lindsay and Alison would
consummate their budding relationship in the bedroom.  The
only question that remained was... when it would happen?
When would these two have full-blown, all-out sex together?
   Her mouth just a breath away from Alison's, Lindsay smiled
at her sister following their exchange of lips, tongues and
heartfelt words of love.  "Would you like to kiss Amy, Ali?"
   A hot blush came to Alison's cheeks and Lindsay released
her hand, smiling.  Had Lindsay smiled specifically at the
blush?  Perhaps the thought made Alison all the more
embarrassed because her face seemed to heat up even more.
She was definitely not prepared for such a question.
   "Alison hasn't kissed any of the other girls here yet;
only you, Lindsay," Amy said to her wife, taking a step back
and speaking calmly.  "She has preferred to take things very
slowly here, which I can understand.  While I would love to
kiss Alison right now, I can wait.  I think her first kiss
outside of you and Jeremy, Lindsay, should be with Trish.
Alison seems to be further along - and more attracted - to
Trish right now than any of the other women here.  And I
honestly think that Trish deserves that honor."
   Lindsay glanced at Alison intently, and again she blushed.
...Wait a minute!...  Did Amy really just say that?  Amy
passed on the opportunity to kiss Alison?  The same Amy who,
just three years ago, would have simply rode Alison's nose
and mouth until she felt satisfied if given the chance?
   I smiled at Amy as an intense mixture of love and pride
for her began to envelop my soul all at once.  Indeed, Amy
said that.  My Amy.  Our Amy.  The same Amy who, just three
short years ago, was so lost, had been battered by life so
much.  Mentally unstable.  Lacked social skills.  Amy thrived
on shocking people, getting reactions out of them.  Was very
rough and cruel in her early dealings with Lindsay, culminating
with a series of intense sexual couplings that included severe
bondage and pain (in Amy's defense, Lindsay enjoyed them too).
Amy was later diagnosed by a psychiatrist in Peru, only after
I convinced her to seek professional help, as a nymphomaniac.
Amy simply could not control herself, her emotions, her urges.  
She did things maliciously, without thought.  Why, at one 
point, Trish and Amy actually hated each other...
   Oh, how times have changed.
   Three years ago, Amy would not have thought twice about
going over to Alison and kissing her.  Not only would she kiss
her, but Amy would demand more, most likely tugging at Alison's
clothes and, if she had her way, eventually having her sprawled
out across the kitchen table as if she was a human breakfast
buffet.  Amy would have feasted but still wanted more, trying to
take it... with little to no regard for Alison or her feelings.
   Yet just now, Amy politely declined to kiss Alison.
   This was a prime example of the great strides Amy had made
as a person in the time she and I had been together.  Amy was,
without question, the most domesticated of all of my wives.
Amy found total, complete joy in being a traditional housewife.
She ran our family's home, doing the majority of cooking and
cleaning, the laundry, always making trips to the supermarket
to buy whatever was needed to make sure everyone was taken
care of and comfortable.  Her focus was not only me, but her
other wives as well and, of course, our daughter, Dani Grace.
Amy cared and loved for Dani Grace like nothing else.  Amy's 
past exploits of wild parties and drinking, often waking up 
with a hang-over in the bed of a stranger, were history.  
   And yes, Amy still took the anti-depressant medication the
psychiatrist prescribed for her nearly three years ago in Peru 
at the same time every day, without fail.  For years, Amy had 
suffered unknowingly from cyclothymia and hypomania, both of 
which were considered lesser forms of bipolar disorder.  But 
with a daily dosage of _Lexapro_ (and a very warm and loving,
nurturing environment), Amy no longer exhibited any negative
symptoms.  The medication helped even out her mood, which at
one point was quite volatile, and kept her on steady ground.
   Amy, in fact, had become the picture-perfect wife.  Gone
were the days of schizophrenic mood swings and the uncaring
nature toward those around her.  She was very polite and
soft-spoken, tender and loving, always putting others and
their feelings well ahead of her own.  Amy was the least
selfish, most non-materialistic wife I had.  All she wanted
to do each and every day was make others around her happy.
Amy simply wanted to do what was right.
   And what was more right than Amy declining to kiss Alison,
theorizing that she should save her first kiss with another
woman, outside of Lindsay, for Trish?  Three years ago, Amy
would have jumped all over that opportunity.  But not now.
   Amy saw on a daily basis just how much Trish and Alison
got along, how they enjoyed flirting with each other.  Plus,
there was a history between them.  How many times had Alison,
while still living in the United States, hooked up with Trish
and Lindsay over video chat on the Internet to play their
video games together?  Or simply hang out and talk?  It only
seemed right that Alison save that special kiss for Trish.
   "Did you really just say no to kissing Alison?" Lindsay
asked Amy, clearly having the same thoughts I did.  And it
was a beautiful thing.  Amy had become the ideal person, the
ideal wife.  She had made such tremendous strides...
   "I did," Amy nodded with conviction.  "I'm with Krissy,
Pamela and the others when it comes to this particular boat.
I can wait.  We are letting Alison go at her own pace."  She
turned toward Alison and gave her a reassuring smile.  "You
have been here for what, two months now?  Wait two more if
you like.  Just go at your own pace, honey.  We all want you
to be 100 perfect comfortable with whatever you choose to do.
No one is going to force or coerce you into anything."
   Alison was blushing again.
   "Alison," Amy gently offered, "it's normal for a girl like
you to feel very strange right now.  It's not easy for someone
to just come here and fit in with our family right away.  It
took Pamela a few weeks when she first moved in.  Scarlett...
it took her several months.  Please, take your time, too.  You
are Lindsay's sister and we all want to love you, take care of
you.  You're very comfortable around Lindsay and Jeremy, not
afraid to be with them, show your affection for them.  In due
time, we want you to feel that way with all of us, too."
   "I..."  Alison paused, then gulped her throat.  She seemed
shy, embarrassed; a bit uneasy.  How many times had that same,
exact look from Lindsay - those blushes deepening to crimson -
in the past simply drove me up the wall?  Alison had them, too.
"I..."  Alison hesitated again, but then gulped her throat and
forged onward, "I... I love this family.  Everyone is so nice."
   "And everyone in this family wants to love you too, Ali,"
Lindsay advised her.  "I promised you that when you came here.
I promised you true, unrivaled happiness."
   Amy tilted her head and inspected Alison closely.  "Can I
ask you something, honey?  What does the idea, the thought, of
possibly being in a relationship where you have eight lovers -
Jeremy, Krissy, Pamela, Devon, Trish, Lindsay, Scarlett,
myself - does that... does it intimidate you?  Seem too much?"
   "A little," Alison admitted, casting her eyes downward.  "I
never really thought of being in a big group relationship, or
a group marriage, until I found out a couple of years ago about
the wild life that Lindsay leads.  With my deeply religious
upbringing, the thought... never really crossed my mind.  I...
I didn't even know people could... people could be... married
to multiple partners, until I learned about Lindsay's life."
   Amy nodded her head and smiled knowingly.  "I bet you'd be
happy if Jeremy and Lindsay were the only ones in your life."
   Alison seemed a bit squeamish now.  "Maybe?  But I... you
know, I don't want to cause any problems.  I would never do
anything to cause harm to Lindsay's marriage, her life.  I
could never hurt any of you that way, either."
   Amy looked at Lindsay, then me, before switching back to
Alison.  "You know, back in the day, Pamela only wanted to
be with Jeremy.  And Trish, for awhile, only wanted to be
with Lindsay.  They both bought into the family concept over
time.  I think with time, you will too, honey."
   "It's not that I'm against the idea or anything," Alison
said.  "Being with eight people at once seems... overwhelming."
   "Take it one step at a time," Lindsay suggested, patting
Alison's wrist for emphasis.  "Instead of going on these fun,
little dates with Jeremy like you have, why not go with some
of the girls?  Go for a walk in the park with Pamela.  Go see
a movie with Scarlett - she loves superhero films.  Why not
ask Devon out for lunch today?  Take her out for her birthday."
   "I heard you've been itching to go shopping for some new
clothes," Amy said to Alison.  "Wanting to fit in a bit more,
not look so American with your wardrobe?  You can go shopping
with me if you want.  I've been wanting to buy Dani Grace some
new baby clothes for the upcoming summer months.  I'd be more
than happy to have you tag along with us, Alison.  We could go
to whatever store or outlet you want.  Grab lunch, hang out,
have some fun.  And get to know each other a little better."
   Alison smiled sweetly at the idea.  "I'd like that, Amy."
   "I think Amy already has plans for today with Jeremy," 
Lindsay chimed in.  "They are going on a ferry boat and having 
breakfast across the bay.  Why not ask Devon out, Ali?  It's 
her birthday.  Just go out and talk to her.  Nothing more."
   "Devon is really nice," Alison nodded with a grin.  "I 
guess it would be a good way to get comfortable with everyone.
Most of my time, I guess, has been spent with you, Trish and
Jeremy.  Maybe I need to branch out, and things won't seem so
intimidating, so overwhelming to me, anymore."
   "Let's you and I go to _Sandvika Storsenter_ tomorrow," 
Amy proclaimed, referring to the super-regional shopping mall
right here in our hometown.  It was home to 197 businesses.
"C'mon, it will be fun.  You can buy whatever you want.  You
can tell me all about your family in Cincinnati, what it was 
like growing up there.  You know, I'm from Cincinnati, too.
Most of all, you can tell me some embarrassing stories about
Lindsay from when she was growing up.  I want to hear them!"
   Alison bit her lip and smiled.  "Okay.  It's a date."
   "Lindsay," I announced, motioning with my head for her to
come to me.  When she did, I passed Kaylee off to her.  Very
tenderly.  And then, I simply could not help myself.
   I closed the distance between Amy and myself, then took her
hand and threaded our fingers together.  Our lips were just an 
inch apart, but that was suddenly way too much.  I leaned in 
and kissed Amy gently, lovingly, but that only made me crave 
her more.  I just wanted to lose myself in this woman, and 
soon.  Amy had changed so much since 2013; it was incredible.
   "How are you so perfect?" I asked her.  "Just look at you."
   Amy held my gaze.  She was confident.  Assured.  Happy.
Glowing.  "Because you make me feel that way, Jeremy."


                <<<- End of Chapter 15 ->>>


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"Island Fever 5: Family"

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