It's Only One Night

(This story is the property of its author, H. K. Smythe. Any unauthorized reproduction or reprint without the express authorization of the author is strictly prohibited.)

It's Only One Night

Manford Symington

I wondered how often, the disturbing sounds of 'We have to talk' were followed up by 'It's only one night. I guess it doesn't matter. What matters is it happened to me. I still wonder if I did the right thing. I probably didn't. Maybe if I had stood up for myself and made it really clear that I wasn't happy about this. Maybe. But I didn't. Instead I concentrated on both of us understanding what was really going on. It was clear that it didn't mean the same thing to us. It was clear that she didn't consider the effect it would have on our family life.

I had met her at the Student Union on the State U. campus. The Union cafeteria was crowded at lunch, and she asked if she could share my table for two. I would have agreed even if she hadn't been one of the sexiest women I had ever met. Her body was not in your face but her personality was. She got the maximum mileage out of her 34B-23-34 body with personality plus. An easy smile and a way of turning her head to complement the smile when she wanted to show appreciation for one of your comments.

We dawdled over lunch for over an hour, and I asked her out for the Friday night Union Dance. She already had something going on, but she was available the following week for that week's dance. After that things progressed slowly to where I was getting to second base on our semiweekly dates. Finally, one night at my apartment, I got to home plate. When I asked her to go steady, she agreed. I guessed she did appreciate some of my bon mots. I graduated but I got a job in our University town, and she moved into my apartment. The next year we got married and the next year she graduated. We then moved to a nearby city where the job opportunities were more plentiful. I got a job in a larger office of the same engineering consulting firm, and she went to work for a management consulting firm.

Marla seemed to love her job and love me. She took maternity leaves for the birth of our children but continued to advance at her job. At age thirty, I had become assistant manager of my firm's office. We had been married for seven years and felt like we had a complete family including Harley, 5, Judy, 3, and Dennis, 1. We both seemed to have adopted well to our suburban lifestyle until one Tuesday night, she spoke the dreaded words, "Honey, we need to talk."

After the children were put to bed. She sat me down at the kitchen table with a beer, while she sat with a glass of wine and we had our talk.

She smiled her endearing smile with the little tilt of her head, and broadsided me with, "I would like to have a date Friday night."

I replied, "Sure, where would you like to go."

She straightened me out quickly with, "No, honey! I want to have a date with someone else!"

I managed to splutter out a "What?"

She enlightened me, "It's just one night! I thought it would liven things up for us. It will spice things up for us."

I was stunned, "Our love life hasn't been good enough?"

She said, "It's not that. This will just be to add a little spark. Something that we can share Saturday when we're back together."

I responded, "I'm all for sharing, but this is beyond anything I've ever thought about."

She explained, "I know this is a big surprise for you, but think of it as a good surprise. I'll love you just as much, but I'll be a more exciting woman for you when I come back to you."

I inquired, "I thought you were happy with our love making."

She continued, "We're already having steak, darling. This will be just to add a little spice. It's to make me a more exciting partner for you."

I suggested, "Marla, I have absolutely no complaints about you being my partner. I'm a little concerned about what seems to me to be a big change in our relationship."

She answered, "Manny, I have no complaints, either. This is not a big deal. It's just one night and it's just to add a little spice to the good relationship we already have. It's more of a nudge than a change."

I replied, "This is all new to me. I'm assuming that your date will continue well into Saturday morning."

She said, "That certainly is a possibility."

I responded, "I suspect probability might be a more accurate description."

She admitted, "I guess so."

I continued, "I don't know who your date is with. If it goes into Saturday morning, I hope you will be using a condom."

She stated, "I will keep myself safe."

I summed up, "I know what you want, but I haven't agreed to anything yet."

She concluded, "We can talk again tomorrow."

I didn't know what to say or do. Marla was my life, or at least a major part of her. I didn't like her spending an evening away from me, much less an evening that will probably end up with her fucking some pussy hound. We didn't have the type of relationship where we gave each other ultimatums, although her asking permission to step out on me, came pretty close. Our relationship was undoubtedly going to change, and I was very much afraid I wouldn't like the change. Was I being a fool to accept her saying that it was a one-time thing. I decided that the best I could do was put my expectations and unhappiness out there but go along for this one time. Was I being foolish with the assumption that it was one and done? I wouldn't know until afterwards. Then it might be too late for us. I thought of the little three innocents that were totally dependent on us.

Again, we sat at the table with our drinks of choice.

I started, "I assume you've already planned this thoroughly."

She replied, "Yes, Rod is picking me up at 7:30."

I explained, "We might avoid explaining this to the children if he picked you up a little later."

She conceded, "I'll tell Rod to pick me up at 9 so that I can kiss my children good night."

I continued, "Do you understand how unhappy this is making me?"

She responded, "Why? It's just one night. I love you now. I'll still love you after Friday night. You have nothing to be concerned about."

I answered, "I don't know this Rod. I don't know if you'll be safe. I don't know if you'll really come back to me. Maybe you'll like him better. You've already put his happiness ahead of mine, at least for this one night. I have a bad feeling about this."

She explained, "You have nothing to worry about. This is a one-off with a friend. He's safe. Your love is safe. You'll see. Saturday things will be back to normal, with just a little extra spice. I'll be happy, and I will do my best to make you happy. You'll see. Everything will turn out even better than before."

I told her, "I wish I had your confidence."

She replied, "Sweetheart, I love you. Everything will turn out okay. I know you're not completely happy with this, but it's just one time, and our relationship will be even stronger afterward. You'll see!"

She kissed me and that was the last we talked about it until Friday evening. She informed me, "Rod will be here at 9. I want you to help me pick an outfit. I want it to be a little sexy but not slutty. Will you be a dear and help me out. A head tilt with smile was all it took to get my cooperation even though I felt like a hand was squeezing my stomach. I knew my discomfort would not be less until I was sure she was back home, emotionally and physically. The minutes seemed like hours. We worked together to put the children to bed around 8:30. It was actually a little later than usual, but we hoped that would mean they went to sleep quicky.

She already had the matching garter belt, stockings and panties on. I helped her with the matching bra. I then zipped up her little black dress that showed plenty of cleavage and leg, hitting her mid-thigh when she didn't bend over or twirl around. I helped her into her four-inch heels. She touched up her makeup and lipstick. and then served herself a glass of wine in the living room. I sat with her on the sofa, for the last ten minutes before Rod's planned arrival.

She reassured me, "Honey, it's going to be all right. You'll see. I'll come home happy, and I'll make you happy, too. This is just a one time thing. It's nothing for you to worry about. I'll be home and be your happy wife in almost no time. Now give me a smile."

I said, "Smiling on the outside, crying on the inside."

She replied, "Don't be grumpy. I love you. Even more because you agreed to this. I know you didn't want it, but I guarantee I'll make you happy that we did this. Just remember, it's for us, not just for me, even though it doesn't seem that way now."

I pointed out, "I didn't agree to this; I feel like I'm holding on for dear life to a runaway freight train!"

She replied, "Don't be silly. You'll see in the morning. Everything will be even better than it already is.

The doorbell rang. Rod was a little taller than me, not as handsome as I thought he would be. He did seem to have the expected smirk, as we shook hands. Neither of us was very enthusiastic about it. She kissed me on the cheek, whispered, "I love you, " and they were gone. It was 9:03 and the beginning of one of the longest nights of my life. I finally found a soccer game that was a little distracting from what was happening wherever the love of my life was.

Around 10:30, I got a bulletin by text, "Dinner was great! Going dancing now. XOXOXOX. Marla."

The soccer game ended. The home team had scored the winning goal in the eighty-third minute. I watched the news with my fifth beer of the evening. At least I was able to keep track.

Shortly after midnight, another bulletin arrived, "Rod's a great dancer. Going to his place for a nightcap. XOXOXOX. Marla."

Wonderful! Maybe I could find some cuckold porn on the internet. Two more beers and it was 3. No further bulletins had arrived when I toddled off to bed and passed out. I woke up just before six to a happy wife singing in the shower. At least someone enjoyed the night. I checked my phone. At 5:15, "It was a great night. Everything I hoped for. Headed home. XOXOXOX. Marla."

At least she was considerate enough to wash some of the sweat, cum, and other accumulated fluids off before coming to bed. When she finished her shower and dried herself, she came to bed, nude, and pulled herself against me. I feigned sleeping as she lay her arm across my side. I went back to sleep with her arm around me. I woke up around 8 and went downstairs to fix breakfast for the kids and coffee for myself. Marla came down around 11 as I was preparing to go out and cut the grass. She poured herself a cup of coffee and motioned for me to join her at the kitchen table. Harley and Judy were in the backyard playing, while Dennis was trying to stand up in his playpen.

She said, "Let's talk."

I replied, "Okay."

She explained, "I had a great time last night. I will tell you as much as you want to know, but the main thing is that I want you to reclaim me this afternoon."

I replied, "Do you think you should be dictating what happens now?"

She answered, "Not necessarily, what do you want to happen now?"

I told her, "I'm feeling a little estranged. I'm still not sure how to deal with this."

She reassured me, "It's not a big deal. I understand you might feel some estrangement. That's what the reclaiming sex is for. To help us both get over any negative feelings about last night. I think we both need it. Don't you want it, too?"

I spoke directly, "I felt so alone last night."

She admitted, "I was a little concerned about that. I hoped my text messages would help."

I didn't know what to say, "I guess they helped a little."

She continued, "Manny, I want to be completely open about last night, but I don't want to give you more information than you want. I too feel a little estranged, which is way I want the reassurance of making love to you again. I still love you just as much if not more than before last night. I hope you still love me, as well."

I decided that sulking was not a viable option. It was time to buckle up and be a man, even if I was a recently cuckolded man.

I assured her, "I'm looking forward to being your man again. This afternoon's good for me, as well. I'm thinking I should take care of business after I cut the grass. Can you entertain the kids while I do the backyard?"

She replied, "Sure, baby. I'll be ready and waiting as soon as you have your shower."

And so it was, that I joined her in the boudoir after my shower. She felt pretty much the same. If anything, she seemed more enthusiastic than usual.

She told me after our first impassioned kiss, "Manny, I love you so much. There were times last night when I wished I was with you instead of Rod. Please make me completely yours."

I kissed her deeply, and told her, "Marla, I love you. I don't know if I could live without you." I hoped I never had to find out. I went down on her. Damn, her taste was a little off. I guessed her douche in the morning hadn't been as thorough as it could have been, or maybe it was just my imagination. I still sucked her clit to completion, as she cried out, "Oh God! Oh Manny! You are so good to me! Oh-h-h! Ah-h-h-h!"

Breathlessly, she added, "That was so good, Manny!"

She pushed me supine and flat onto the bed. She mounted me and was soon going to town. As she repeatedly thrust her pelvis against mine, I squeezed her breasts and pulled her nipples. It was as good or better than anytime in the past. She called out, "Oh, God, it's good! I love you, Manny! No one's as good as you! I'm cum-m-m-m-ming!"

As we lay together panting, she told me, "No one is as good as you."

I couldn't help myself, "Not even Rod?"

She replied, "No, of course not. He was good, but mainly he was different. You're the best, Manny! I could live without Rod, but I can't live without you!"

I didn't know what to say or think. Maybe our little experiment would work out okay. So far, so good. Maybe in a while I could even listen to her tell me about her date. I knew for now it would be too much information.

After resting a while we made love again. This time I was slow and gentle in the missionary position and then later the doggy, ending up in the flatiron. She had three orgasms to my one, but that was okay, as long as she was back.

Things seemed to be on an even keel for the next several weeks and then we had another Tuesday evening sit-down. She explained, "Manny, my love, I would like to have another date with Rod."

I immediately replied, "I thought that was a one-off."

She admitted, "That was my intention, but I'm having a bit of an itch for a different scratching."

I stated, "You mean you want to fuck Rod again!"

She responded with irritation, "It's not like that. It seemed to work last time, so I just thought we could do it again."

I responded, "So instead of being a one-time only, it's to be monthly now."

She answered, "Not exactly, I just would like to have a little extra something in my tea, if you will."

I told her, "I was unhappy with a one-off. I'm even less happy with you having a monthly reaming, if you will."

She said, "I'll make a note of your objection."

This went on for two months, and then she decided she wanted biweekly time with her lover. This only lasted a month and then she decided to have a weekly night with her lover. I told her that was the absolute limit and cautioned her there shouldn't be any in-between times or other violations of our agreement.

She seemed happy with that arrangement for several months.

Her next proposed modification that she have a monthly weekend along with a continuation of the weekly night out.

I told her it was time to decide if she wanted to continue our relationship. I suspected she was having sex at least as frequently with her paramour as with me. I had been suspicious of her nights working late for some time. I made a counter proposal of three nights a month, and unless they were consecutive, she should be home before first light. She asked me who did I think I was to dictate terms to her.

I replied, "I am the husband of the woman who has been dictating terms to me."

She said, "I can dictate terms because if we break up, I will get primary custody of the children and you will be lucky if you have them two weekends a month."

She knew she had me there. I had to suck it up and say a philandering wife was easier to bear than severely curtailed contact with my children. My erstwhile love was turning to hate, but I didn't believe Marla really cared.

I tried to maintain civil relations with her. Finally, I asked her if there was any way she would agree to a divorce with joint custody of the children or even giving me sole custody with liberal visitation for her. She told me she would consider it. I had noticed that she had apparently modified our agreement to be semi-weekly, rather than weekly. For a reasonable amount of money paid to a PI, I learned that she now had two lovers on the side, which explained why she had all but lost interest in sex with me. I was a little concerned but being demoted from second place to third place was much less painful than my earlier demotion from first to second place.

I thought further expansion of her affairs was being hindered by the high cost of child care, although I was providing some relief every weekend. That seemed to be a useful pressure point. I offered her the house and one hundred dollars a week separate maintenance for two years, if she let me have primary custody of the children. She agreed. I knew she would sell the house and probably only want the children once or twice a week. It meant that for a while I would be living in a three-bedroom apartment with four children, but they really didn't mind as long as it was swimming weather and the apartment pool was open. Shortly after the divorce was final and I got a promotion and an excellent raise which helped immensely with after-school child care, and accumulation of a down payment for a more appropriate dwelling.

Marla was able to arrange a flexible schedule and started picking the children up from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, taking them to school the next morning. That was very good because it gave me two free nights and also a reduction in childcare costs.

My year-end bonus finally put me over the top on putting together a down payment on a five bedroom house. It was small but had the luxury of allowing each child a separate bedroom although they had to share bathrooms. I got another raise which coincided with the end of the separate maintenance payments and I was able to not only comfortably make my mortgage payments but hire a part-time nanny/maid to bridge the gap between the ending times of school and work on days other than Marla's Tuesday and Thursday, allowing a massive reduction in payment to the childcare facility.

Marla tired of picking the children up from school so I ended up paying Gloria to take care of the children on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Marla's house, which became a three-bedroom condo when she sold the house. Gloria continued as before on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

You can do a good job as a domestic worker without investing in your clients. No one told Gloria that and it was easy to tell that she loved my children as her own. Hers were older, either in high school or working post-graduation. She was always smiling and seemed incredibly happy all the time. I would have been on her like white on rice had I not met her husband, Juan, and seen how much in love they were. No wonder she was so happy all the time and even had extra love for my children. She had become more of a mother to our children than Marla was.

Then Gloria introduced me to her younger sister, when she invited my family to an afternoon fiesta with her family. Felicia was even more beautiful than Gloria and had no Juan's hanging around. I was told later that all the adults thought our instant attraction was cute, although I don't think either of us were aware of how many eyes were watching every smile, stolen glance, and touch of the afternoon. I asked her out for the next Friday night and was quite pleased with myself when she accepted.

On the way home, I was surprised when six-year-old Judy asked me, "Is Miss Felicia going to be our new mommy?"

Stunned, I managed to say, "You have a mommy, Judy. Besides, I think Miss Felicia might be a long way from becoming a mommy."

Eight-year-old Harley then added, "I saw her looking at you like a tiger about to pounce. Besides, we need a full-time mommy."

I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing.

Monday night I called her to firm up our plans for Friday night. She offered to pick up the whole family and take us to a street festival. She thought it would be fun for all. Then we could have some adult time after the children were put to bed. I told her, "I'm sure Harley and Judy are on board with your idea. Dennis hasn't spoken to me on the subject but he's only four. I'm sure he'll be happy to be included."

The kids all seemed to be excited to see Felicia again and go to a street festival. I was a little embarrassed when Dennis ran to her and wrapped his arms around her leg, leaving little doubt about where he stood. She looked at me and shook her head with a smile. I took it to mean she was a little embarrassed, but happy with his attentions, nevertheless. We had a great time at the fair, enjoying the street musicians, food trucks, and other vendors. Everybody left the fair with a trinket of some sort: a turquoise necklace for Felicia, castanets for Judy, a ukelele for Harley (or was it a miniature guitar?), a small sombrero for Dennis, and a serape for me.

It was late enough to put the children to bed when we got to our home; I was sure the children were full of the plentiful snacks at the fair. It still a while to get them settled as they were still excited about the many wonders of the street fair. After the children finally were settled into their beds, Felicia and I sat on my living room sofa, sipping cerveza, and I stole a little lip-to-lip kiss. When I leaned back, she didn't release her embrace and our next kiss included lots of tongue and passion. I was a little late to the party but did my best to make up for lost time. It was a truly memorable trip to second base complete with plenty of back rubbing and squeezing chest-to-chest as well as wet sloppy delightful kissing.

When I started fumbling with her bra fastener, she backed off and whispered, "Not tonight!"

I then asked, "How would you feel about dinner and dancing tomorrow night?"

She looked at me and smiled, "Let me think about that." She paused for a minute. "I've thought about it, and the answer is," another pause for effect, "I'd love to go dining and dancing with you." She added, "I have to go home now."

She gave me another too short but very hot kiss and then left me with high hopes for the next night.

Gloria was happy to babysit, provided that she could bring Juan along. He seemed almost as taken with my children as Gloria was.

Gloria and Juan arrived just before Felicia. Felicia had a short but multi petti-coated little black dress. She took me salsa dancing and she was one of the prettiest ladies there. Salsa dancing was not my forte but I think we both had a great time with her trying to teach my two left feet the proper steps. At the end of the evening she gave me a kiss, and said I was competition ready. I doubted that, but I was proud to hear her say it anyway.

We drank some beer at the salsa club, but not a lot, and we were home by eleven. We said our good nights to Gloria and Juan. She knew I would add the babysitting on to her Monday evening paycheck for the week ending Sunday.

We sat down on the sofa and began to make out. Soon I had her down to panties and stockings and I was down to pants only. I didn't lose my pants until she pulled them off in the master bedroom as I sat on the bed, preliminary to her sucking my cock. She knew what she was doing and I was more than ready to go.

I raised her to her feet and then took her stockings and panties off. I laid her back on the bed with her buttocks hanging off the bed, giving me a wonderful angle of attack for some fellatio. Her pussy had a bit of flavor to it, but it was very nice. I liked the way she tasted. By alternating between her clit and her slit, I was able to bring her to orgasm. I then took advantage of her position to nail her in the drop box position.

She kept crying out, "¡Ay dios mío! ¡Oh joder! ¡Jesus Cristus!"

I translated all that to mean, "You're doing good!"

I think she had three orgasms before I asked, "Where should I cum?"

She replied, "Inside! Inside!"

Cumming inside her was delightful. I pushed her further on to the bed so that only her lower legs dangled. I kissed her and then told her, "That was wonderful!"

She kissed me back and whispered softly, with a smile, "It was, wasn't it?"

Ohmigod, I thought, she really is even more wonderful than Gloria!

She touched my semi-flaccid cock and inquired, "Are you coming back already?"

It seemed that each touch made my joy rod a little more ready. She smiled and kissed me while firmly grasping my manhood. I knew I was falling for her. She just kept coming. She also kept cumming after my love organ became fully erect and somehow ended up inside her. She had the biggest smile as she began banging me in the cowgirl position. Her boobs weren't huge - but they made nice handfuls. It just seemed that everything about her was just perfect, at least in my eyes. After a few more orgasms, the last one almost perfectly synched with my ejaculation, she lay down beside me. We lay there cuddling with an occasional smooch and both went to sleep.

It was light out when I awakened to someone wanking me. She turned around and indicated that she wanted it doggy style, so I gave it to her doggy style. I couldn't see her face except in my mind's eye, but I was sure she must be smiling, as I continued to ram my manhood into her love channel. I loved the way that her body convulsed when she came. I think it was on her third climax that I planted my baby juice in her. We lay beside each other kissing and then we heard a knocking at the bedroom door.

Felicia pulled her panties on and grabbed my robe. I put on a fresh pair of boxers and a T. I went to the door and all three of my children piled into the master bedroom. Dennis ran to Felicia, wrapped his pudgy arms around her and said, "Mama!"

Judy then asked, "Are you our new mommy?"

Felicia responded, "I haven't been asked."

Quickly leaping into the breach, Harley inquired, "Will you be my mommy?"

I informed him, "Harley, I have to ask that. You can't ask it yet. You're not old enough!"

He quickly replied, "Well, ask her then! We've been waiting for a long time."

Judy added, "Do it, daddy!"

I tried to explain, "There's a few things I have to do before I can ask anyone to be your new mommy."

Felicia interjected, "What do you have to do, Daddy?"

The four-fold attack was getting to me, I stuttered, "I-I-I have to write a speech! I have to get a ring! It's not that simple!"

Felicia was hell bent on torturing me, "I don't think you really have to do all those things first. Girls like to have rings, but they like to be asked, even without a ring!"

I extemporized, "Let's get breakfast! It's pancakes today! We can talk after breakfast!"

Harley and Judy each took one of Felicia's arms, and Dennis grabbed the hem of her robe and they guided her in the kitchen. I could do nothing other than follow them. With Felicia's help or interference, I wasn't quite sure which, I prepared the promised pancakes, and everyone was buys for a while with their mouths full of pancakes.

After breakfast Felicia said she had to go home for a shower and change of clothes, slightly disappointing the children in their efforts to recruit a new mommy. I asked her back for Sunday supper of open-face sandwiches at six, and she agreed to return, seeming to imply that our antics of the previous evening had pleased her. She wore casual clothes but also brought a small suitcase. She explained that that was just in case she needed to go to work from our house.

After supper we all played board games and when Dennis got bored, she played with him alone, while I continued with Harley and Judy. I would have never thought of these activities as being part of a seduction but it worked quite well, and Felicia and I enjoyed another passion-filled night. She admitted that before coming back to our house, she had discussed me with Gloria and based on the night that we had, Gloria must have given me a very good report. Monday morning, she kissed each kid goodbye and then I kissed them and walked them to the nearby bus stop. Before we each left for our respective workplaces I asked her about that night, and she deferred to Tuesday night citing her need to clean her apartment and do her laundry. I agreed that we could miss one night, even though I would have preferred not to. By the end of the week, we were beginning to talk about her moving in with me and sharing my bed every night instead of almost every night.

By the end of the second week, we were exchanging 'I love you's, and I was beginning to think about what my budget for a ring should be.

A few weeks later I was about ready to pop the question. I finally cornered Gloria as she was preparing to leave for the day on a day when Felicia appeared to be running a little late, I asked her flat out, "Isn't there anything wrong with Felicia? I ask, because she's nearly perfect, and seems to be totally out of my class yet she seems to be into both me and my kids."

Gloria sat down at the kitchen table and said, "Manny, Felicia is my sister and I love her very much. I also love you and your family. Manny, has she ever mentioned Reggie to you?"

I was dumbfounded, "Reggie?"

Gloria said, "I was afraid of that. Reggie was her fiancé. I'm not going to tell tales on my sister. But I'll give you this advice. Ask her about Reggie. Don't tell her I told you, though. Let me think about it a minute. Her jewelry case. You've seen it, haven't you?"

I told her, "Yes, it seems very nice."

Gloria continued, "It cost a lot of money and was a gift from Reggie. Just ask her about it very casually, like it's just idle curiosity. If she lies about it, you've got a problem. I won't tell you any more than that unless she lies to you. I better go. Juan will wonder where I'm at!"

I expressed my appreciation for her candor as she left.

I knew nothing about Reggie. I decided I would follow Gloria's advice exactly. Saturday morning we were getting ready to take the kids to the zoo. I was in our master closet getting a lightweight shirt since I knew it was going to be a hot day.

I opened with, "Felicia, I was just looking at your jewelry box. It's really a very nice piece in its own right."

She replied, "Yes, a friend gave it to me."

Ding, Ding, Ding went the alarm bells. I gave her a second chance, "It looks very expensive."

She responded, "I should have said an ex-friend. Actually, it was my former fiancé."

I continued, "I didn't know you had been engaged. Was it a long time ago?"

She answered, "About three years ago. He almost left me at the altar. Everything was planned for our wedding. He ghosted me less than three weeks before our wedding. After a few days, his mother told me there would be no wedding. I sent my engagement ring back to his mother. I never had any further contact with him. We had very few common friends so it's very rare for me to ever hear about him. I did hear over a year ago that he was engaged, but I never heard of a wedding. It's possible he treated another fiance the same way he treated me."

I told her, "I don't want to pry but I would like to know more. How did you feel about it?"

She teared up a little, "At first, I was devastated. I finally decided that it wasn't my fault and he was just an asshole. An asshole that I thought I was in love with. Maybe I was, but I think I was in love with a cipher, someone who didn't really exist."

I said, "Interesting. That's somewhat the way I feel about my ex-wife. The woman I loved and married didn't really exist. It took me a few years to realize that."

She explained, "There's two ways that I feel you are significantly different than him. The first is I trust you. I feel like you are the person I know. Even after only a few weeks, I trust you. Another thing you have going for you is that you're the best lover I have ever been with. Reggie was a selfish lover. When we had sex, he was only interested in his getting off. If I got off, great. If I didn't get off, it was no biggie. I feel so much more confident of your love for me. Reggie hurt me badly. I don't think you would ever hurt me like he did. It doesn't mean that we will be together twenty or thirty years from now, but I don't think you would ever suddenly just ghost me."

I spoke of my feelings, "I hope I'm a better man than that!"

She kissed me, "I believe you are."

The rest of our day was wonderful. Every day I saw more evidence not only that she loved me but also that she loved my children. I began to plan my proposal seriously. Gloria and my children helped me plan the big reveal. I bought her a nice diamond ring. I hoped it was big enough to impress but not big enough to attract jewel thieves.

The bid day arrived. It was another two-family cookout at Gloria's place. It would be one family if things went according to my children's and my plan. Everyone was standing around talking, drinking cerveza, and hanging out. The fires were stoked, but cooking hadn't begun. Gloria distracted Felicia while I and my children got into place kneeling behind Felicia.

Gloria spoke loudly so that many of the family could hear, "Felicia, I think you should turn around!"

Felicia turned around as all eyes were on her.

I spoke first, "Felicia, will you marry me?"

My well-rehearsed children then asked, "And will you be our mommy?"

Felicia kneeled in front of us, crying like there was no tomorrow. She did her best to gather us all in one hug, and said, "Yes, and Yes! Just when I think I can't get any happier, you have to go and make me even happier than I ever thought I could be."

That was over fifteen years ago. I believe Felicia and I love each other more now than we ever have. Our three girls are all doing well in their respective elementary, middle, and high schools. Harley is married and working as a computer engineer. Judy is about to graduate from college and Dennis is doing well in college. Felicia is happy as a stay-at-home mom with our three and Gloria and Juan continue to love all six of my children.

Marla continues to show up at major events like Harley's wedding and the graduations of our three children. She has no interest in Felicia's children and has shown less and less interest in her own three children as the years have gone by. She is now on her fourth or fifth marriage and I don't think any of them has lasted as long as ours did. I am so glad that we couldn't agree on appropriate behavior for wives and that I was able to find Felicia with Gloria's help. I tell all of my six children, "Treat your marriage vows seriously and be faithful to the one you love and with the right person, you will be happy for your whole life."