Widowed Teachers

This story is truly fiction. It shows coincidences or parallels between two couples and how surviving spouses come together.

It is fantasy! No need to overthink it. It is for entertainment only.

There are five narrators: Jim Clark, Sandy Cline, John Clausen, Betty Clark, and an unseen Narrator.

It is written as two parallel stories, so you will see similar plots... plus a mature love story thrown in.

I included a list of main characters at the end. At the end because I did not want any spoilers.

Widowed teachers

Parallel lives until they meet, and love takes over.

Chapter 1- Jim:

1993

I am James Clark, Jim. My wife Suzanne Clark (née Campbell), Sue, and I were high-school sweethearts. We met freshman year, just before homecoming. We went to the homecoming together, and never looked back.

Everyone said we were meant for each other. We were each other's first kiss, first date, our first restaurant date, observing our eighteenth birthdays in March (they were just a week apart), senior prom date, and we lost our virginity to each other on prom night.

1996

At Arizona State University, Sue and I were both education majors. I was on the golf team and Sue played soccer. Neither of us would be called first string, but we played every match and game. Sue and I worked our educational asses off. We kept our estrogen and testosterone in check; we were very careful with any lovemaking we did. Sue used birth-control pills, and I rubbered up, well latexed up, every time we made love. We resolved to conceive our kids on our timeline.

1998

I asked Sue to marry me during our Thanksgiving break during our sophomore year. We married that following summer and moved into an off-campus apartment for our junior and senior years; we continued to practice safe sex every time we made love. We worked hard in our classes and graduated with honors. We made the newspaper as one of two married couples, where both partners were graduating with honors. The other couple was named Clime, or something like that.

2001

Sue and I started teaching. We were teaching at Washington Middle School. Sue was teaching science, and I was teaching social studies. We attended many school activities, and were involved in many school functions.

Our intimate time was great. Sue was a tiger in the bedroom. We would both shower, most times together, and would give each other oral in the shower. Sue's breasts were big B-cups, and she loved me pinching her nipples while I licked her clit. After a shower, the love was always hot; sometimes, we had to re-shower!

2002

The real estate in the Arizona market was favorable. Sue and I made a bid on a four-bedroom house, and we got it, and the loan to go with it. We loved the master suite. We set the house up with the smallest bedroom as an office. We set up a boy's and a girl's bedrooms with the other bedrooms.

The way we decorated each room showed how different and how alike we were. Sue decorated the boy's room, and I decorated the girl's room. Sue's idea was a Spartan design-- bins instead of a chest of drawers; posters of baseball, football, hockey, science-fiction heroes, and video games. Sue was designing for a little stud...

My girl's room had pictures of characters from children's books and a Cinderella-type canopy bed, oh, I girl-ed it up royally. I was designing it for a princess, my future princess.

After we saw each other's ideas, we toned it down (just a little).

Three years into our marriage, we decided to start a family. Sue came up pregnant almost right away, with a due date at the end of July.

We left the hospital with Patricia Suzanne Clark, Patty, three days after her birth on July twenty-fifth.

We were the average American family-- a mom, a dad, and a daughter.

2006

My dad, George, was so happy to hold his first grandchild. Unfortunately, my mom, Elizabeth Clark, Betty, became a widow just two months after Patty was born. Dad was killed in a freak accident on the freeway, a car flew off the I-10 ramp at the 202 freeway and landed on his truck one hundred feet below.

We lost Sue's parents five and seven months after Patty's birth; they did get to see and hold Patty. Sue's dad had a heart attack, and her mom died of takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a broken heart, the doctors said it was also known as The Widowhood Effect.

Sue and I started our master's programs. My widowed mom loved to babysit Patty while we were in our grad classes. It was therapy for mom; she was a doting grandmother.

2008

When Patty was about three, we started to try for another child, but nothing was happening. After about thirteen months, Sue was feeling fatigued and went to the doctor to find out why. We found out why we could not conceive again. Sue was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, and my world came crashing down. Because there is no method of early detection for pancreatic cancer, it was too late by the time Sue felt the symptoms. The cancer did not directly affect conception, but her body knew better, no egg would implant.

In eight months, Sue left us. It was shocking to see Sue's demise from a healthy twenty-eight-year-old loving wife and mother to the shadow of herself at twenty-nine. Patty was five years old. I was then a single parent. Mom sold her house and moved in with Patty and me.

2010

After my bereavement leave, I went back to work, and sanity returned to my world.

I continued to teach at Washington Middle School for the next five years. My students excelled at the District Scholastic Fairs. Parents would request their child be in my class.

During the years since I lost my Sue, I plunged into teaching and being the best dad for my Patty. I read to Patty nightly. I coached her powder-puff softball team (coaching little girls is like herding cats at times). I had to watch out for single moms of players on the team. I'd get some unwanted attention; I was just not ready for a new woman in my life, my Patty was my world.

2012

I let mom, Patty's grandma, handle girl-type stuff. Patty's bed was covered with a million plush stuffed animals; there was never a night she did not have at least a dozen in bed with her. She added boy-band posters and posters important to her, that was 'Animal Rescue', 'Backstreet Boys', and 'Eat Tofu', which was on the wall above the wastebasket, containing McDonald's hamburger wrappers in it most of the time. Hey, she was ten.

Chapter 2 - Sandy:

1993

My name is Sandra Ann Clausen. My husband, Roger Cline, and I met late our freshman year in high school and became high-school sweethearts within a week. Our summer was historic (well, in my eyes, it was). Everyone said we were a couple made in heaven. We were each other's first everything-- first movie date, first car date, first kiss, we were each other's Homecoming date sophomore year and beyond, we celebrated our eighteenth birthdays together in April (Roger April tenth and me April twenty-ninth), we were each other's senior prom date, and we made love for the first time senior prom night.

1996

When we attended Arizona State, Roger and I were education majors. Our freshman and sophomore years, Roger and I worked diligently, we kept our hormones in check, and we were very careful with any lovemaking. We decided to plan when we would have our children.

1998

Roger asked me to marry him during our Christmas break, our sophomore year. We married that following summer. We moved into a married students' condo (just a fancy name for the university-owned apartments), and for our last two years, we made love regularly. I was on the Pill, and with Durex condoms, we stayed childless. We graduated with honors, and our hard work in our classes assured that. We made the news as one of two married couples where both partners were graduating with honors. I think the other couple's name was Clark, or something like that.

2001

Roger and I started teaching. We were teaching at Franklin Middle School. I was teaching science, and Roger was teaching social studies. We were held in high esteem in the school community. We got involved in school activities. My Roger was a thirteen-year-old trapped in a twenty-three-year-old body. He was kind of a clown to my Miss Serious at times, and I loved it.

We would call each other 'Oxy', short for oxymoron because we were so different at times, but we fit together like adjacent jigsaw pieces. And boy, did we fit together often. I am sure I often sang my praises for Roger's loving techniques. Our intimate time was fabulous. Roger was a stud in the bedroom. We would start in the shower and would make each other 'feel' good; Roger had magic hands, and my breasts were B cups. Roger loved sucking my breasts; I almost would cum from just his sucking (along with his expert fondling of my pussy and clit).

2002

We were saving for a house. We started out using the second bedroom as an office. After three years of teaching, we decided to start a family. I became pregnant right away, with a due date in July. We welcomed Michael Roger Cline, Mikey, on July seventeenth. We 'moved' our office to the living room.

We were an average family-- a mom, a dad, and a son.

Roger and I started our master's programs.

2006

Roger had lost his parents during our college years. He was stoic and never showed any grief until my miscarriage.

I miscarried during my next pregnancy, I was stressed because of the sudden and surprising death of my mother, Abigail Clausen, Abby, from heart disease, she never knew she had hypertension; in other words, high blood pressure! X It hit me hard-- Mom was my best friend, my confidante! I went to my mom when I needed help understanding married life. My dad was my strength, he lost his wife and was still unflappable. Dad did do a lot of talking to Mom; he had a bench placed at Mom's grave so he could sit and talk to Mom.

2007

Roger and I handled our grief over the miscarriage 'well', we did go to counseling, and it helped me greatly. Roger didn't 'need' as much counseling as I did, just the way it was with guys, I thought.

My widowed dad, John, loved to babysit Michael, while Roger and I were doing our post-grad work.

2009

My world ended as I knew it, when Mikey was in kindergarten. Mikey was being watched by my dad. Roger and I were at the river, floating on inner tubes; Roger found a rope swing. He swung out over the water, and the branch broke! It was a substantial branch, and it hit Roger on the head. He went under the water, and several people tried to save him...

The medical examiner's report listed it as an accidental drowning, but the medical examiner told me later that the branch hitting his head would have been fatal in itself, if he had been on dry land.

I was a walking zombie; I took care of Mikey and barely took care of myself.

Dad invited Mikey and me to live with him. I was able to get out of the apartment lease. After my time to mourn was over, my return to teaching was a lifesaver.

2010

I continued to teach at Franklin Middle School. My students led the district in science competitions during our Middle School Scholastic Bowls.

In the years since I lost my Roger, I dove into my teaching and being the best mom Mikey could have. When Mikey turned eight, I was his cub scout den mother. I used my teacher's voice many times. Other mothers would tell me how surprised they were that I was able to keep the eight- to ten-year-old boys in line. I deflected a couple of fathers' attempts at flirting; I was not sure if they were married or not.

2012

Instead of 'The Little Builder Tool Set', Mikey got real tools that his grandfather and I got him. Dad gave him some space in the garage for his own tool bench. Mikey liked to build birdhouses and bird feeders, oh my gosh-- did I have birdhouses and bird feeders. He has said he wanted to build a desk next.

Chapter 3 - Narrator:

1999

Sandy was a cheerleader until she was told she HAD to date a football player and NOT Roger, who was a cross-country runner; she switched to gymnastics.

Jim was on the golf team and never dated a cheerleader, but Sue played soccer, so they just fit together.

2015, Spring

So, you have the back story of Jim and Sandy, two single parents who experienced losing a spouse. The widowed parents' lives finally became 'normal' with the help of family after about five years.

Their district had started to build a new middle school back in 2013, Constitution Middle School. The principal was then hiring for the school and was allowed to pick from the present employees of the district. Both Sandy and Jim were leaders in their subjects, so they were tagged to be department chairs.

Sandy and Jim met each other professionally at organizational meetings for the school, but did not spend any time talking to each other. BUT! In passing, Jim 'noticed' Sandy, and Sandy 'noticed' him. They had known each other's deceased spouses because of the subjects they taught.

2015, Summer

Because of departmental and other meetings associated with opening a new school, Sandy and Jim did not officially meet until the day before the first day of school. The principal held a department chair meeting-- science, math, English, social studies, electives, and physical education-- and that was how they sat in the conference room. The gods were not ready for Sandy and Jim to fully meet yet, but they were 'curious',' to say the least, with each other.

2015, End of August

When the class lists came out, Jim found out that Mikey Cline was in one of his classes, the same class as his own daughter, Patty.

Sandy found out that Patty Clark was a student of hers in the same class as her Mikey.

2015, September

The first week was a short one, starting on Wednesday, September 2nd, with Friday being the 'Meet The Teacher Night'. 'Meet The Teacher Night' was where students and parents followed the student's schedule. Because Sandy and Jim had to be in their classrooms, the grandparents accompanied Patty and Mikey.

Their grandparents bumped into each other at the first classroom they visited. The two widowed grandparents knew each other! They had attended the same high school and college. They never dated because they had fallen in love with their respective spouses in high school, just like their kids had done. They decided to visit the rest of the grandchildren's classes together.

Patty and Mikey kind of put up with the grandparents' 'mature style' of 'flirting', not knowing that was what the grandparents were really doing. They first visited Jim's class, where Patty walked in and hugged Jim. Jim had the students whose last names started with 'C'. Jim liked it mainly because he could be there for Patty. Sandy liked it for the same reason with Mikey. When they walked into Sandy's classroom, Mike, as he then wanted to be called, said, "Hi, mom."

Both Sandy and Jim met up with the grandparents and their children at the end of 'Meet the Teacher Night.' The grandparents told, the parents! they were going to go out for ice cream.

Jim's mom told the two of them, "Why don't you two go get a bite to eat because Patty and I have eaten already." Sandy's dad seconded the idea since he had already fed Mike.

Sandy and Jim looked at each other and shrugged their collective shoulders, and said, "Okay."

Jim said, "I'll follow you home so you can leave your car at home, and we can ride together to the restaurant."

"Okay, sounds good," Sandy replied.

Jim followed Sandy home. Sandy jumped into Jim's pickup truck.

Jim asked, "How about Olive Garden?"

Sandy answered, "Oh, I love their salad and breadsticks."

They, by the luck of the gods, had a quiet booth. Sandy and Jim fell into a delightful conversation. They both knew that they had lost their spouses the same year. They talked about single parenting and its pitfalls, joys, and heartbreaks. They praised their parents for stepping up to help them and their children. They laughed that the parents knew each other, and it looked like there might be a spark between them.

Jim asked, "Have you been alone since... 'you know'...?"

Sandy answered, "Yes, how about you?"

"Yeah," was Jim's reply.

Sandy then asked, "Do you have friends always trying to set you up?"

Jim retorted, "Oh, tell me about it!? I have almost stopped accepting dinner invites."

"Me too!" Sandy replied, with a smile.

With almost a schoolboy tone, Jim added, "Well, I am glad you accepted this one."

Sandy had a sparkle in her eyes. "How do you like that our parents set us up?" Sandy continued.

They laughed a little too loud and got a couple of looks.

They did not know, but a couple of students of theirs were in Olive Garden with their parents.

Sandy got a text from her dad.

DAD: Mike is going to Zzz he says good night, and he loves you <3,

SANDY: thx, dad B home soon.

DAD: You don't work tomorrow or Monday, stay out as long as you want. BTW tonight was fun meeting Betty again :-),

SANDY: Dad, do you like Betty?...

And within seconds of sending.

DAD: You just have fun tonight, Bye.

Her dad quickly ended the text.

Before Sandy was done, Jim got a text from his mom.

MOM: Patty is going to sleep. She says 'nite, nite,' and she loves you, big time.'

ME: Mom, I'll be home soon.

MOM: No work tomorrow! Stay out. Have fun, honey. It was gr8 seeing John again :-). Have fun. You have Monday off too ya no.

Jim looked at Sandy and said, "Mom said have fun."

Sandy said, "My dad said the same thing."

Jim showed Sandy his text, and she showed him hers.

They both broke out laughing.

Jim replied, "I think our parents want us to spend time together, my mom is such a matchmaker."

Sandy added, "Or they want time together, themselves!"

Jim sang, "John and Betty sittin' in a tree... K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"You know they might be wanting to sing that song to us," Sandy interjected.

"Well, would you like to do this again?" was Jim's inquiry.

In her best Scarlett O'Hara, she said, "Why, Mr. Clark, Y'all plannin' on takin' lil' ol' me out on a date now?" with a giggle.

Jim replied in his best Rhett Butler, "Well, darlin' Miss Sandy, I'd be downright tickled to have y'all join me on a future date, ya' know?"

They could not speak, they were laughing so hard.

Jim composed himself, "In other words, YES! I'd like to see you again."

Sandy, with bright eyes, replied, "Okay."

They left the restaurant, and Jim drove to a scenic lookout point, looking over the valley. They were not some young teenagers just parking and making out; they were thirty-six-year-old parents and upstanding members of their community. They talked for two hours more.

They found out a lot about each other, Jim found out Sandy liked chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, and so did he. She found out Jim liked cherry pie, apple pie, and pumpkin pie in that order, and so did she.

They made a date for Saturday night; they would confirm later.

It was about 12:30am when Jim dropped Sandy off, giving her a chaste kiss goodnight.

Chapter 4 - Jim:

2015, September

As I walked into my house at about 12:45am, Patty was standing with arms folded, tapping her foot, dressed in her Cinderella nightgown.

"Do you know what time it is?"

Being a no-nonsense but smart-ass dad, I replied, "Time to buy a watch?"

With a smile on her face, she asked in her sweetest voice, "How did your date with Ms. Cline go?"

"It was not a date, we just had dinner."

Patty said, "For five hours!? Where did you eat, New York City...? I like giving you a hard time, Daddy, I love you. By the way, I like Ms. Cline."

She scurried back to bed before I could give her a hard time about being up at almost 1:00am.

Well, as third degrees go, that was easy. Both Sue's mom and my mom were third-degree experts.

I retired to my king-size bed, sat, and reviewed my evening.

Sandy was a beautiful thirty-six-year-old woman. Bluest eyes and natural blonde hair (I think), she had a body that seemed like it should be on a younger woman. Curves in the right places, her smile glistened. And her voice was the sound of a mature, sensuous woman.

Oh, I did get some kudos from my students' parents that night (no big deal). I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

When I woke up Saturday morning, well, I did not just get up, I dragged myself out of bed! I got up to start my weekend chores-- mow the lawn, weed Sue's garden. She had flowers that bloomed all year long; well, not all bloomed all year long, some bloomed in the spring and some in the fall, some in the summer, she even had some that bloomed in the winter; that's the way it is in Arizona.

Mom was sitting at the kitchen table. "James, we need to talk."

Oh, crap, the words 'We need to talk' and my proper name, I must be in trouble.

"Mom, I am sorry for coming in late last night, the time just got away from us."

"Oh honey, I am happy you were able to get out and be with a beautiful and intelligent woman. This has to do with me. Your dad has been gone now for five years, and I'd like to start finding some friends to do things with. John has asked me to go to dinner next Friday night; you don't have anything planned, do you?"

"Well, mom, how would you like to have every Friday free? I just asked Sandy out for Saturday night."

"Really? You asked Sandy out?" Mom inquired.

Ah... well... Yes. John asked you out?" I answered, with a chuckle.

Mom continued, "Mmm, this will work. I can have Fridays, and you can have Saturdays. Works for me."

"Thanks for watching Patty, mom."

Chapter 5 - SANDY:

2015, September

As I came in, my dad was sitting in the kitchen, just like he did back when I was in high school.

"Hi Daddy. You know you don't have to wait up for me, I am thirty-six years old."

John answered, "Honey. You are still my baby; did you have a nice night?"

"Dad, he is such a gentleman, smart, and dad... he is not bad looking either, reminds me of a younger you."

"Now, what do you want? Sounds like you are trying to wrap me around your little finger. Like always."

"DADDY, WOULD I DO THAT?"

"Yes, and you have, honey," Dad answered.

I finished with, "Look, I am tired, I need to hit the hay. Thanks for watching Mike."

"I'll talk to you in the morning."

As I walked into the kitchen Saturday morning, my dad said, "I am going out Friday night."

"You are!? I am so happy, Dad. Who?" I asked.

"... I have to mow the yard."

And he hurried outside.

Mike dragged himself into the kitchen and asked me, "Mom, when did you get home last night?"

"Oh, it was late. I am glad you didn't stay up."

"Mom, do you like Mr. Clark?"

Saved by the bell... Sandy received a chime on her phone, signaling a text.

Chapter 6 - Narrator

2015, September

Jim texted Sandy right away.

JIM: Well, bless my heart, Sandy! I reckon it'd be a real treat to take you out to a nice eatin' place this Saturday around 7 o'clock, sugar.

SANDY: I was about 2 txt u 2 tell u. Fri Dad is going out, 1st time since mom passed.

JIM: I think he is going out with my mom.

SANDY: Really!

JIM: Maybe we could do something with the kids Friday while the Grands 'Play.'

SANDY: Do U think the kids like each other?

JIM: Let's just take them & C

JIM: How about Miniature Golf?

SANDY: Sounds good to me.

Chapter 7 - Narrator

2015, September

On Monday, the whole school knew that Mr. Clark and Mrs. Cline were on a 'date' Friday night. They started eating lunch together, and they got looks and giggles from students. The faculty knew their backstories, so they just left them alone.

2015, Mid-September

The next weekend (Sandy and Jim, Betty and John) started their dating 'schedule.' Jim picked up Sandy and Mike on Friday. They went to the miniature golf course and asked the kids how they'd like to play-- family teams, gender teams, or age teams. The kids huddled and said, "Kids versus old people."

Jim, with a scowl, bragged, "Old people!? We will kick your butts!" Jim then suggested, "How about we put a bet on it? If we old people win... Patty, you will have to do the dishes for a week, if you 'babies' win, I'll do the dishes for the week!"

Sandy pulled Jim aside, "I have never played golf in my life!"

Jim whispered, "Did you forget I was on the golf team?"

Sandy made her bet, "Mike, you have to help your grandpa mow the lawn and edge the walks and throw the lawn trash out. If you win, I'll help him."

"Mom, you'd do the mowing?" He chuckled.

Patty and Mike huddled and talked strategy.

Jim heard the word 'distraction'.

Jim whispered, "Sandy, I think they are going to try to distract us."

Jim stated, "Kids, Ladies first! How about Mike's mom plays first, then Patty, Mike, and I'll hit last."

Mike and Patty said okay. They did not know that the low score was supposed to hit first. It was a psych; Jim would use the motto-- "Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance."

(Don't look at Jim that way, the kids need a lesson to be taught. Old people, my ASS).

The first hole was named, "The Straight Shot," but if you hit past the hole and into the wood border, it will bank off the board at an angle.

Sandy hit it too soft, and it stopped a foot from the hole, Patty hit it a little too hard, and it ended one foot beyond the hole. Mike hit it too hard, way too hard, and it bounced over the board. He had to bring it back and add a stroke penalty. Jim took his shot and made a hole-in-one.

Patty was closer and ringed the hole and rolled three inches from the hole. She tapped it in for a three. Sandy took her shot and was about two inches short. She tapped it in for a three. Mike ended two inches short and tapped in for a four.

Jim announced, "Old Farts four... The Kids seven."

For the rest of the holes, use your imagination on how the holes were, with these names-- "2. The Loop"; "3. The Waterfall"; "4. The Barber Pole"; "5. The Dogleg Right"; "6. The Golden Gate Bridge"; "7. The Up And Down Ramps"; "8. The Moon Rocks"; "9. The Hills"; "10. The Speed Bumps"; "11. The Slopes"; "12. The Dogleg Left"; "13. Lighthouse Rock"; "14. The Train Depot"; "15. The Windmill"; "16. The Islands"; "17. The Dark Woods".

As we went into the eighteenth hole, it was close-- Old Farts 102 and The Kids 105.

"18. A Hole-In-One Wins A Prize!" (Yes, that was the hole's name, hey it is miniature golf!)

Mike got a hole-in-one., Patty two-shot the hole, Sandy two-shot the hole also, and Jim banked his ball off two-boards for a hole-in-one.

Jim announced the score of the final was, "Old farts 105, the kids 108."

They took the kids to the ice cream parlor. Jim had a chocolate milkshake, Sandy had a hot fudge sundae, and the kids split a monster banana split.

When Jim dropped Sandy and Mike off, Mike gave Patty a fist bump, saying, "It was fun 'Almost'."

Patty answered, "Yes, it was 'Almost'."

Sandy and Jim gave each other a friendly hug, and both of them said, "Talk later."

Chapter 8 - Jim:

On the way home, I asked Patty what the 'almost' thing was.

"Can't tell you, Daddy. It's a secret."

"Okay, Patty. Oh, honey, I am still going to help you with the dishes, I had an unfair advantage."

"How, Daddy?"

"I was on the golf team in high school and college."

"Ah, daddy, you stinker. I still love you, Daddy."

I answered back, "I love you, too."

"I love you more," Patty sang out.

At the same time, we both said, "I love you most."

We were laughing as we pulled into our garage.

Patty said, "Grandma's not home yet."

"Your grandma is fifty-four, we don't need to be her parents. Now, you go take your shower so we can get up for church."

"Dad, you know Mike and Ms. Cline go to our church? Just to the earlier service."

"Are you asking if we can go to the earlier service?"

"Well, I just thought since Mike, Ms. Cline, and Mike's grandfather go early, we could, too. Think grandma would want to also?"

"Leave grandma a note--"

"Daddy, is Ms. Cline your girlfriend?"

"Honey, we are friends, and we have just started to get to know each other."

"Daddy, if you and Ms. Cline were to get married, would Mike be my brother or just a friend?"

"Honey, slow the train down, it is too early, we have only had one date, and you and Mike were on it with us!"

"Well, Daddy, I like Ms. Cline, she knows science-stuff like mom did."

The note-- Grandma, Daddy and I are going to the earlier church service tomorrow, I'd like you to go with us. By the way, Mike, Ms. Cline, and maybe Mike's grandfather will be there. Love Patty

Chapter 9 - Sandy:

Mike said, "Mom, I like Mr. Clark, he knows a lot of stuff, like Dad did. He is so cool; all my friends think he is as cool as you are."

"You think I am cool?" I said, with raised eyebrows.

Mike seriously said, "You're my mom. Moms are not cool."

"Okay, wait until Monday, in class, when I'll call you sweetheart!" I retorted.

"No, no, Mom, you are very cool, very, very cool!"

"Oh, I thought so... sweetheart, you are cool, too," I said, with a big smile on her my face.

Just then, I received a text from Jim.

JIM: Hey, we will see you tomorrow, early service at church, I understand you go to Old First Church. We went to the second service for years. Patty and I, and maybe Mom will be there too.

SANDY: Ok

"Hey, Dad, guess who will be in church tomorrow?"

"Who?" John inquired.

"Jim, Patty and... BETTY!"

Chapter 10 - Narrator

2015, September

Sunday morning, found the Clark family and the Cline/Clausen family in church in the same pew. Jim and Sandy, John and Betty, Mike and Patty.

At one point, Mike and Patty were quietly giggling, the parents gave them the PARENT LOOK, and both straightened up.

At the end of the service, they all walked out and shook the minister's hand.

The parents headed for the parking lot, but the eleven-year-olds kind of dawdled, and Patty gave Mike a quiet but angry earful, "Listen, Mike Cline, if you ever make me laugh in church again, you'll be laughing out of the wrong end, how could you even think our grandparents doing, ah... ah... 'the nasty'... and don't say anything about our parents either. I am not going to get in trouble because of you!"

"Patty, it was a little funny...?"

"Well, yes, but who ever heard of grandparents doing, you know, er... 'the nasty'...? And you said it in church!"

When Patty and Jim were alone, Jim asked her, "What was so funny in church?"

"Daddy, I am sorry I'll never do it again."

"Patty, what was 'It'!?"

Patty bit her lip and swallowed hard. "Well, Mike wondered what Grandma and Mr. Clausen did on their date. I think some of the older boys have been talking to him."

"Oh, I see..."

This was a conversation that Grandma should have had with Patty, BUT it involved Grandma!

Jim called Sandy.

"Sandy, sorry to call you on Sunday, but something has come up, and I need your help."

"Jim, I need your help, too."

Jim said, "Okay, you first..."

Sandy continued, "Remember when the kids were giggling in church? I found out; I had to threaten to 'beat' it out of Mike! They were talking about Betty and Dad's date, specifically sex!"

Jim chimed in, "Yep, that's what Patty said. I usually let mom have the 'girl talks,' but since it involves mom, I guess I will have to do it (gulp)."

"Same here, dad has been my go-to for sex talk conversations. What the hel-- I mean, heck, what can we do?"

"Da-- Darn, this was where I thought Sue would do the talking..."

"Me too, I thought Roger would be doing that talking also..."

Jim exclaimed, "Wait! I have an idea. Why don't you have a girls' night with Patty, and I'll have a guys' night with Mike, and we'll explain some birds and some bees to each other's kids. If mom and your dad want to help, and I think they just might, we can put an end to the kids wondering about what family members do... well... on a date."

Sandy added, "Let's meet tomorrow and draw up a game plan."

Sandy and Jim met, and Sandy brought along a book she would be using when they covered sex-ed. The book was great, and after they finished their powwow, they realized they agreed on almost ninety-nine and forty-four one hundredths percent of what they would tell their precocious pre-teens.

That night, Jim talked to Mom, Jim thought, "I now knew how Dad felt when he talked to me about sex!" Betty was a little red-faced when Jim said, "It is time... Patty will have two loving women helping her... You know Patty likes Sandy."

Sandy had the same talk with her dad.

They decided that Wednesday would be the day, so John and Jim talked on the phone Tuesday. John almost wanted to tan Mike's hide, but Jim talked him out of it (Jim hoped). Sandy and Mom did the same thing, but there was less suggested violence.

John and Jim chose the baseball field, and they all had their mitts, and they threw the ball around. They had a great conversation, Mike apologized, and they found out that one of Mike's fears was that Betty would take some of John's attention away from him. He didn't say it that way, but that's how they understood it. John assured him that no matter what happened with Betty, Mike would always be in his heart.

Chapter 11 - Jim:

When I called Sandy that night, we realized both kids had the same questions and fears, AND we both handled it the same way, PERFECTLY, if I say so myself.

One thing-- Mom called and talked to John for almost two-and-a-half hours, and had a great big smile when she hung up.

Having that all behind us, our lives progressed right along.

On Fridays, John and Mom would go out, and on Saturdays, Sandy and I went out. Sandy and I would do something with the kids Friday night. And the grandparents would do something with the kids on Saturday night, spoiled kids? Naw, we kept it real with our kids.

Mom and John's romance blossomed, and Sandy and my relationship did too.

2015, October

Sandy and I became the sweethearts of Constitution Middle School. Oh, we were very proper while at school.

Sandy and I had some romantic nights, BUT we wanted to take it to the next level...

Mom sat me down and told me that she and John wanted to have some romantic time. Damn her! Mom was talking about getting it on with a boyfriend! Yes, moms do it, but this was MY mom! Right then, I knew how our kids might feel.

The grandparents created a 'Movie and Game Night' schedule, where the kids would have a movie-and-game-night sleepover in the family room at either house, and whoever was on a date, would go to the other house for romantic dinners, romantic movies, or romantic 'whatever' (to get the full impact of this 'whatever,' imagine an eye roll while saying it).

When we talked about it, the four of us, the grandparents, treated it like a military campaign! I would not have been surprised if they had synchronized their watches! We consulted the school calendar because if one, or both, of the kids had a concert, bake sale, fun fair, or game that would overrule 'romantic', we all would be there with the kids. During this meeting, the grandparents were indirectly pushing for the romantic idea; after all, they had known each other for thirty-or-so years, and Sandy and I were just starting a relationship. But believe me, Sandy, and I would know how to synchronize our watches when the time came.

Mom and John's first date was Friday. The women planned that any intimate behavior would be at the woman's home.

Later, it was explained to me that if there was anything that had to be cleaned up, the woman of the house was there.

Sandy's and my first real date was the Saturday after the grandparents had their first date on the schedule.

Chapter 12 - Jim:

2015, November

We dated at least two nights a week. We had a big Thanksgiving day dinner. Mom and Sandy worked in my kitchen and made a meal fit for royalty.

Mom and Sandy had started a wonderful friendship that lasted until Mom left us.

Sandy and I found that we could talk about our late spouses in positive and loving terms, and not feel any more pain or remorse.

2015, December

Sandy and I started our intimate relationship during Christmas break. Mom and John decided to take the grandchildren to Disneyland. Mom and Patty shared a bed, and John and Mike shared the other at the hotel. The kids said it was like camping, but indoors.

We decided to have dinner at my house. Sandy and I cooked the meal together; I had the meat, one side, simple for me, steak petite cut, garlic mashed potatoes (just a hint of garlic). Sandy made a small salad, fried zucchini, and apple pie. We had mojitos to drink.

As we finished the pie, we retired to the living room. I had Alexa play some romantic slow-dancing music. We 'danced' and held each other for about thirty minutes, and then Alexa played Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love."

As I held Sandy, I began singing along with the king. "Can't Help Falling in Love" had been Suzanne's and my first dance song at our wedding. I was not lamenting over it, but it was like I was receiving permission from Suzanne to fall in love again. I could feel my eyes start to get misty.

The next song was Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing". This had Sandra crying softly. (I found out later it had been Roger and Sandra's first dance song at their wedding!)

As our eyes dried, we continued to dance; we held each other closer and closer with each verse of the song; we began to kiss. Our bodies seemed to become one mass of passion. Before long, I had pulled up Sandy's dress behind her, and I was squeezing Sandy's beautiful ass. At first, I thought she was not wearing panties, but I did find out she had on a thong. Sandy was rubbing against my then-hard cock.

With a smile, Sandy said, "Why don't you just pull it off?"

So I did, she had on a very sexy bra with a matching thong. Sandy's hands quickly unbuttoned my pants, pulled down my zipper, and pushed them down. She straightened up and pulled my shirt off.

We broke our kiss, and I whispered, "Would you like to take this into the bedroom?" I kissed Sandy and led her to the master bedroom.

It had been a long time since we both had been intimate with our spouses, or anyone. "Sandy, I may not last long, it has been a long time."

"Jim, we have three days."

"Sandy, would you like to start in the shower?"

"Yes!" was Sandy's one-word reply.

I led her into the bathroom. The shower was a little bigger than a double shower; it had been one of the selling points when Sue and I bought the house. I grabbed three towels (I remembered that Sue liked to have two towels), and we began kissing in the bathroom and gently pulling each other's remaining clothes off. When I saw Sandy in all her glory, I almost couldn't speak, she was beyond my wildest dreams of how she would look. I looked at her, from head to foot (I did make a few stops with my visual express).

Yes, the bluest eyes, a mouth that I wanted to kiss, I hoped 'til my dying day. Her breasts were nice B-cups; her areolae were alluring, and her nipples were a little larger than a quarter of an inch; she had no belly, it was delightfully flat. Her mons was trimmed to look like what they called a landing strip, and I wanted to make a landing. My cock was beginning to show its appreciation of her body. I adjusted the temperature of the shower and held my hand out to help Sandy into the shower. She sat down on the built-in bench. The water was pulsating on my back and sending rivulets down my chest from my shoulders.

Sandy took a hold of my cock. "Jim, you are nice and hard." She then took it in her mouth and proceeded to suck the hell and anything else out of it. I reached down and began to tweak her nipples; she moaned around my cock. The harder I pinched her nipples, the harder she sucked.

In a few minutes, I felt the tingle in my taint and told Sandy, "I'm about there."

Sandy did not stop, but pumped my cock with the head in her mouth; I came with a moan. Sandy wiped up some cum that had escaped her mouth. I sat down on the bench next to her. I took a deep breath and coaxed her to stand. That put her pussy and clit at lip level; I grabbed her ass and pulled her to my waiting lips, as I first touched the hood over her clit. She gave out a small whimper, and as I took her clit in my mouth, she let out the cutest sigh and whimper. As I tongued her clit, my fingers did the walking straight to her pussy lips. I spread her outer lips and gently stroked her inner lips; she moaned in appreciation, and I entered her with two fingers.

"OH, Jim, I have wanted this since our dinner at Olive Garden... But I am glad we waited. It has helped me love you, instead of only lusting for you."

"Sandy, if you only knew the cold showers I have taken."

Sandy added, "Did you know that cold showers are bad for you? We will have to take warm showers to counteract the effect, and I'll help you." We both laughed and melted into a hot kiss.

We had been in the shower for just about the limit of the hot water tank. So, we stepped out. After drying each other, Sandy took the third towel and wrapped it around her hair (see, I knew what I was doing).

Chapter 13 - John:

Let me tell you about me. I had owned a franchise convenience store. My name is John Clausen. I was a husband to Abigail Clausen, Abby, a grandfather to Mike Cline, and a loving father to Sandy Cline (née Clausen).

2009

My grandson is my shining light. When his dad died, I was able to BE THERE for both Sandy and Mike (Roger was showing off. I haven't told Sandy how mad I was at her dead husband for his actions, but the way he acted was one of the things Sandy loved about him.)

2010

With Roger's death, I became Mikey's male role model, and I have been doing my best since then. Mikey would look at me with such adoring eyes whenever the 'Fire' signal would sound; you see, I was a volunteer fireman. When Abby died, I sold the store and retired so I could help Sandra and Mikey, but I remained a volunteer fireman. When I had Mikey with me, the Women's Fire Auxiliary would always be there to look after Mikey when there was a call, until his 'hero' returned' (Mikey told me I was his hero, it was a hell of a job to live up to). One time, I was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after I gave my mask to a little boy I had to carry out of a burning house, the little boy was Mikey's age and one of his classmates.

Chapter 14 - Sandy:

2012

When Dad woke up in the hospital, Mikey, me, and Billy, the little boy he carried out, were at his bedside. The little boy was one of Mikey's second-grade classmates.

Oh, the fire chief, the boy's parents, the mayor, the police chief, and a couple of local politicians came by later. He downplayed his heroics, but still received an accommodation from the city. Mikey would show it to everyone who came to visit our home.

2012

A couple of days after he left the hospital, he got a call from Mikey's principal asking him to come and give a talk on fire safety at Mikey's school. He agreed because Dad had given talks before. Dad was directed to park in the principal's parking space. The principal walked him to the backstage of the auditorium. It was like a movie, one light was on the stage next to a chair.

The principal told him to go sit in the chair, and as his butt hit the chair, the lights of the auditorium turned on like the light from a lightning bolt and with a roar from the then-visible audience. In the front row were Billy's parents, myself, the mayor, the fire chief, the police chief, the secretary of the state, and even our Senator from Washington. There was TV and radio there.

The Senator came up on the stage and received some loud applause. He shushed the audience. "I don't need applause, please hold your applause for John Clausen." Turning to Dad, "We have some things we want to give you. First, from The United States Senate and the State of Arizona, we would like to give you this citation for your bravery; next, I'd like to give you a handshake, people say I am a hero, but you are the hero we're honoring today. I also have two young men who want to present to you another award, MEN." He beckoned to the young men.

Mikey and Billy stepped out on the stage, carrying what looked like a blanket. The Senator helped unfurl it. It had a very good caricature of Dad, and it had all the signatures of every student in the school except for two, every teacher, every maintenance worker, every bus driver, and every cafeteria worker. With the words, 'OUR HERO', there were three spaces open for signatures, the Senator signed and handed the indelible ink marker to Mikey. Mikey signed and handed it to Billy. Billy signed. Both Mikey and Billy hugged Dad, and the microphone caught both boys saying, "I love you. My hero."

Betty:

My son and granddaughter are my pride and joy; if it hadn't been for my son and Patty, I don't think I would have made it past George's death. Patty had given me a reason for living. I have become Patty's female role model, heroine, idol, and mentor since we've lost Suzanne. It is a hard job, but it is good for both of us. I always loved the name Suzanne, but James always called her Sue. And James always went as Jim.

2012

The more time I spent with John, the more he entered my heart. I thought I knew a lot about John, but when Mike told me that his grandpa was a hero, I had an almost schoolgirl crush on him.

When we had a family dinner a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving at Sandy and John's house, I got caught up with Mike's hero worship. Mike was so proud of his grandpa.

Chapter 15 - John:

1978

I had known Betty in high school. Back then, many couples would marry right out of high school, and that is what both Betty and I did with our spouses.

2008-2010

We both lost our spouses around the time of the birth of our grandchildren. Betty's granddaughter and my grandson became the children of single parents when a parent for each died about five years later.

2015

We grandparents were fifty-four and fifty-three, our first date was to a nice restaurant and then to a movie. You'd think we were teenagers when we kissed goodnight. I did remember what Sandy had said about the night Betty and I tricked Jim and Sandy into going out.

"Dad, he is such a gentleman, smart, and Dad, he is not bad looking either, reminds me of a younger you."

We had been single for five and seven years without a person to share our lives with. Hey, we were in our fifties and looking to have someone, so we would not be alone, and if we loved them, all the better, for sure!

I had felt a strong attraction for Betty, since the back-to-school night, er... I meant to say, "Meet The Teacher Night." We had already met some of our grandkids' teachers, and two of the teachers were OUR kids!

Let me tell you about Betty, for a woman over fifty, compared to a woman twenty years younger, it would have been no contest (to tell the truth, only my Sandy could hold a candle to her. Don't tell anyone I said that I am not perving on my daughter). At five-foot-seven, she did not look even 130 pounds. With her weight, she had curves in all the right places, her ass was proportional to her weight and age (yes, I did check out her ass when the grandkids were not looking), her breasts looked like they were a nice handful, natural as the world is was round. Blue eyes that looked like the Caribbean Sea. Lips, no Botox for her, oh my god, they looked so kissable!

I thought Betty liked me, too. Gosh, how much like a teenager that sounds. Well, neither of us had gone on a first date since we were in our teens!

What was embarrassing was that I only had my daughter to ask, "Do you think she likes me?" As I said, it had been thirty-nine years since I fell in love the first time. One thing I had to remember was that I thought my daughter 'liked' (or stronger) Betty's son; Betty, and I had eleven-year-old grandchildren! We had to set a good example, as Charlie Brown would say, "Good grief!"

Chapter 16 - Betty:

2015

Am I allowed to say, at fifty-three, someone has given me wet panties? Hell, I am a grandmother, a widow. I had been married almost thirty years to my high-school sweetheart!

I was very attracted to John, and I thought he liked me, too. Oh shit, I sound like a lovesick teenager. I was so glad that I was there to take my granddaughter to 'Meet The Teacher Night'. Even with the grandkids, it felt so romantic.

On our first date, John took me out to a nice restaurant and then to a movie. We did a lot of talking in the car while we drove to the restaurant; we talked between the restaurant and the movie theatre, AND we talked between the movie theatre and my house. We kissed goodnight in the driveway and again at the front door. The car kiss took, I bet, ten minutes, and the one at the door, well, it was like a movie kiss, it was so romantic my leg lifted behind me like you see in a romantic movie.

Of course, the movie we saw helped the mood; John found a theatre that was playing "Titanic", a retro night, my favorite romantic movie of all time. We had another date coming up; I was as giddy as a girl going to a high school Homecoming Dance. OH shit, I just may need to shop for new date clothes. Oh god, I remembered I had an almost pubescent granddaughter. I could feel my face flushing as I thought of another date with John.

Enough about my "maybe love life."

Chapter 17 - Jim:

2015

Mom came home from her date with John; she had the biggest smile. I thought, "I wonder if I'll have a smile on my face after my first official date with Sandy?" She just gushed over the night, "Jim, he is such a gentleman, smart and son, he is not bad looking either, looks to me like an older you." (Yes, there seems to be a theme coming out of this) I then had a direction to take my romance (as if there was any other way). I then thought what I had done during my dating time with Sue, but that was years ago.

Okay, I went to Google to get ideas, but Google was the new thing only a few years ago. Most of the ideas were for younger people. Hey, I was a Generation Xer, and most of the ideas were aimed at Millennials. I was starting to feel old. I went to the library and looked up dating tips for 'Baby Busters'. Yes, 'Baby Busters' was the name of Generation X before the alphabet became popular. I read books and magazines, and there were some very schmaltzy ideas, I thought, but I figured since the articles were written by women, they must know, and they did know!

I put the ideas into my dating plan, and THEY WORKED! Within a year, we were in a FULL-FLEDGED ROMANCE, (Yes, I know I sound like a thirty-something teenager! I don't give a damn!)

2017

Sandy and I had started to talk of a permanent solution to our relationship (in other words, marriage).

Okay, here was the idea that led to my proposal... (well, read on)... and more!

Sandy's best friend, Kimberly, the music teacher, Kim, was doing West Side Story in class; she had her chorus learn "Tonight," which was sung by Maria and Tony in the movie.

So, just before the last class of the day ended, the chorus teacher knocked on Sandy's door and marched her chorus in, and they sang "Tonight" a cappella.

The classes were quiet as church mice. My class had followed me down to Sandy's room and had slipped into Sandy's room (yeah, middle schoolers slipping in quietly; they did, though! Well, the principal was with us, as he also brought Patty and Mike with him). I was told they sang beautifully; I was too nervous to hear.

When they finished, I walked up to Sandy with the bouquet that Mom had delivered to me just ten minutes earlier. She also handed me her engagement ring, which I had forgotten to take with me when I left for school that morning. When I had told Mom of my plan to propose, she had not asked if I wanted to use her ring, BUT DEMANDED I USE IT! (I did want to.)

When the chorus finished, I fronted up to Mrs. Sandy Cline, handed her the flowers, and went down on one knee. The whole room, and even the multitude of students in the hall (by that time), held their collective breaths.

I asked, "Sandra Ann Cline, will you marry me?"

The silence was deafening!

Sandy had tears running down her face, when she said, "Yes!"

Both Patty and Mike ran up to us; Patty hugged Sandy and said, "I LOVE YOU, MOM!"

Mike gave me a man hug, and said one word, "DAD!"

The students shouted and cheered so loud that the PE classes heard it out on the track! The principal dismissed Sandy and me, and we ran out to my car, but we were met by the limousine that John had rented for us. It took us to City Hall, the long way, and the city judge was waiting for us.

A couple of Sandy's friends were waiting for us also, and took Sandy to the Judge's chambers and dressed her like a princess, my princess. Sandra had the most beautiful ivory dress on; it was not flashy, just flat-out beautiful.

I had only planned up to the proposal, but Mom, John, Patty, Mike, and a few teachers at school had done the rest. The band director, Bill, a good friend, handed me a tux, my size exactly. We assembled in the largest courtroom. Kim had slipped on a beautiful gown, Bill put on a tux, Mom put on a ravishing gown, and John had a tux on. The fire marshal must have miscounted because I believe there were more people in the courtroom than what the sign on the wall allowed. He could have closed the wedding down. We left the courthouse on a fire engine!

The engine drove us to the Firehouse, where it was decked out for a reception, and the whole town seemed to be there.

Sandy threw her bouquet right at Mom, and she caught it. Sandy grabbed my proposal bouquet and threw it right at Kim (she was dating Bill; they made beautiful music together). We were handed personal leave authorizations for a week from our principal, and tickets to Hawaii, from John and Mom... They had our suitcases in the fire engine.

The firefighters used the siren 'til we got out of town, then turned it off, but left the flashing lights 'til we arrived at the airport, twenty-five miles away! The airport police directed the fire engine right to the airline building. We had a little time, so a skycap directed us to a private room, so we could change into more suitable 'airplane clothes'. When we boarded the plane, we fell into our seats, it was then when it hit us we were married-- man and wife, married couple, bride and groom, mister and missus; we embraced and kissed like no one had ever kissed before.

Chapter 18 - Sandy:

2017

It was many weeks after Betty and Dad asked to switch so they could go out on Saturday night, and Jim and I switched nights.

Friday at school, I was finishing up my lesson with my last-period class. There was a knock on my classroom door, and my best friend, Kim, the music teacher, came with her chorus. I was told later my eyes were like saucers, and my eyebrows had moved clear off my forehead.

Kim was doing West Side Story in class, and she had her chorus learn "Tonight," which was sung in the movie.

Kim marched her chorus in, and they sang "Tonight," a cappella.

The students were quiet as church mice. Jim's class had followed the chorus and had slipped into the back of my room; the principal entered with Patty and Mike. The chorus sang beautifully; I was too confused to do anything but stand there. When they finished, Jim walked up to me with a bouquet and handed me the flowers. He dropped down on his knee, and the whole room, and even (by that time) the multitude of students in the hall, held their breath.

Jim asked, "Sandra Ann Cline, will you marry me?"

I had tears running down my face when I said, "YES...!" Both Patty and Mike ran up to us; Patty hugged me, and said, "I LOVE YOU, MOM!"

Mike hugged Jim, and said, "DAD!"

The students shouted and cheered so loud the whole school building shook. The principal dismissed Jim and me, and we ran out to Jim's car, but we were met by the limousine that Dad had rented for us. It took us to City Hall the long way, and the city judge was waiting for us. A couple of my friends were waiting for us and they took me to the Judge's chambers and dressed me in a beautiful gown.

The band director, Bill, a good friend of Jim's, helped Jim put on a tux that fit him exactly. We assembled in the largest courtroom, Kim had slipped on a beautiful gown, she was my maid of honor. Bill had put on a tux, and he was Jim's best man.

Elizabeth, I couldn't call her Betty just yet; she just looked like royalty when she put on that ravishing gown. Dad had on a handsome tux. The courtroom was packed! Luckily, we had firemen there; they were in their dress uniforms. A fire engine took us to the firehouse for the surprise reception. We left the firehouse on a fire engine, but not before I threw my bouquet right at Elizabeth, and she caught it. Dad had a big smile. I grabbed my proposal bouquet and threw it right at Kim, yes, my maid of honor (she was dating Bill, you know,, the best man and band director).

We were handed personal leave authorizations for a week, and tickets to Hawaii from our parents. We boarded the fire engine; they had our suitcases in the cab. The siren sounded 'til we got out of town. They then drove to the airport, twenty-five miles with the red and blue lights on, and we got an escort by the airport police right to the airline building. A skycap took us to a private room so we could change into travel clothes. When we got into our seats, Jim kissed me like I never had been kissed before. We were then Mr. James and Mrs. Sandra Clark. Wow!

Chapter 19 - Betty:

2017

The more time I spent with John, the more he entered my heart.

I thought I knew a lot about John, but when Mike told me about his grandpa, he was a hero. Mike was so proud of his grandpa.

When we had a family dinner a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving at Sandy and John's house, I got caught up with Mike's hero worship.

My love for John increased after the wedding. John had spearheaded the kids' marriage ceremony and the honeymoon.

We spent the week at Jim's and now Sandy's home. On the first day, between John, myself, Mike, and Patty, we moved Sandy's and Mike's furniture into the house, and we moved my furniture into John's house. The grandkids did not catch on that John and I would be then living together.

When we told Mike that his room was the boys' room in the house that was already set up, he thought that was the neatest thing about Jim and Sandy getting married. We set up two of John's bedrooms, so the grandkids could have their rooms when they visited us.

Jim and Sandy's house has a wonderful setup, with three bedrooms at one end of the house and the master bedroom at the other end.

After we put the grandkids to bed, Patty, with the innocence of a child, said, "The bed in the master bedroom was so soft when I was little, Daddy let me sleep in it when I was afraid. You can sleep with my new grandpa if you get afraid."

John and I looked at each other, and smiled.

It had been a long day, and the kids had hit the wall and were asleep within minutes. John and I retired to the master bedroom. I went into the bathroom and got into the shower. The warm, pulsating water felt so nice. I felt cool air and looked at the door; John stepped into the shower. My god, John had the body of a mature Greek god; at fifty-four, he could give men twenty years younger a run for their money. I could not help myself, I reached down and took a hold of his cock. It had been years since I had held one. John began to kiss my neck, his hands began to fondle my breasts and down to my waiting pussy. Oh my god, John's fingers were educated. I loved John before we decided to move in with each other, but right then, I knew I would always be satisfied romantically, lovingly, and sexually. I wanted to return the loving and the fondling. I felt that, as of that night, I had won the loving and orgasm lottery.

Chapter 20 - John:

2017

We had spent the day after the wedding rearranging the two houses, Jim and Sandy's, and mine (soon to be Betty's and mine). The grandkids were spent; they had worked so hard helping set up our home, and they were excited about having new rooms. Patty got Betty's room here, and Mike kept his own room here. At Jim and Sandy's house, Patty got her room, and Mike got the room originally set up by Patty's late mom.

Betty and I retired to the master suite. Betty and I fell asleep in each other's arms. In the morning, we were woken up by the new step-siblings. Betty and I fixed Patty's and Mike's breakfasts.

Patty and Mike had a discussion that only siblings could have about rules and behaviors at home and school. As they got older Mike fell into the big-brother role; he was only days older. He, in no uncertain terms, told her what boys to stay away from. Patty let Mike know just what girls he had to watch out for.

They both agreed that at school, they were just siblings; they had friends there, but at home, they would be 'good' siblings helping with the housework, homework, and studying.

Betty:

2017

I had a dilemma-- I was a grandmother, and here I was, shacking up with my boyfriend in front of our grandchildren. After catching Sandy's bouquet, John said we could make it a real thing. That dilemma was solved one month later when John and I quietly invited the family to a wedding-- our wedding. We took a quick honeymoon to Maui. I felt thirty years younger, and our wedding night was measured but passionately romantic. If I hadn't had the change of life, I would have sworn we could have gotten pregnant!

We started having the grandchildren over once a week.

My co-workers threw me a 'grandchild shower', and since Patty and Mike were almost thirteen, it was themed, "How to Grandparent a Teenager!" and there were a few books about "grandparenting teens". Some were serious books and some were outrageously funny.

Epilogue - Narrator:

2017

Jim and Sandra settled into wedded bliss, and so did Betty and John, the best grandparents in the world according to Patty and Mike.

Patty and Mike became best friends, siblings.

Both Betty and John lived past eighty and died within a week of each other.

Jim and Sandra both went on to get their doctorates, and Jim became the principal of Freedom High School and Sandra became the principal of Constitution Middle School.

Patty and Mike played sports in high school and college, graduated with honors in, yes, you guessed it, education, and yes, they made the newspaper with reprints of the article about their parents. They began teaching at Liberty Bell High School, Mike as a math teacher and Patty as an English teacher.

Patty and Mike each married a teacher and gave Jim and Sue two grandchildren each.

Then, it was Jim and Sandra's turn to spoil the grandchildren. And spoil them they did!

_______________

Sue Clark, (Campbell) -Science Teacher -Deceased

James Clark, Jim -Social Studies Teacher

Patricia Clark, Patty -Jim Clark's Daughter

Elizabeth Clark, Betty -Patty Clark's grandma. Jim Clark's mom

Roger Cline -Social Studies Teacher -Deceased

Sandra Clark, (Cline, Clausen), Sandy -Science Teacher

Michael Clark (Cline), Mikey, Mike -Sandy Clark's Son

John Clausen -Mike Cline's grandpa. Sandy Cline's dad