Loving Lacey Ch.39

***All characters involved in sexual activity are depicted as being over the age of 18***

Early October

Year 5 of Us

Thursday

I got out of the car and went over to Lacey's side. After I opened it, and helped her out, she smiled at me. "You're such a gentleman, my love."

I was warmed by her smile, as always. "I try to be with you and the others." I looked at her after I closed the door. "Nicholas Sparks wrote: You are my best friend as well as my lover, & I do not know which side of you I enjoy the most. I treasure each side, just as I have treasured our life together."

"Oh, Wyatt!" She grabbed me and gave me a hard hug. I looked down and saw a tear in her eye. I wiped it away gently.

"Why the tear?"

"You surprise me sometimes, and I shouldn't be. I know that you're strong, tough, and perhaps the most gentle soul I've ever known." She looked up. "Oh!" Her hand reached to my eye, and wiped away a tear. "See?" She smiled and raised up, wanting a kiss.

I kissed her gently, then she gripped my hair with a hand and held my face to hers as her tongue pressed into my mouth. She moaned, and so did I. I held her for a while, before she finally broke our kiss.

She smiled at me again, then released me. "We have a couple of places to go, mister"

"Oh?"

"Yes. I have packages at the post office, and I want to go to the cooking store."

"Why the cooking store?"

"Kim has a new set of knives she thinks we could use."

I laughed. "You like getting stuff for the kitchen!"

"Our kitchen, mister man, and yes, I do." She giggled, then took my left hand. "Post Office first. It's closer because we're going to need take things back to the car."

"Yes, Beloved," I grinned. She laughed, then led me to the street. We looked for traffic, then started across.

There were shouts, a scream, then several loud pops -- shots. Lacey cried out, then I was pulling her to the street, trying to cover her with my body. She was sobbing, then there were several more pops, followed by two, much louder, shots. I felt something strike my left shoulder, but I was more concerned with Lacey. I heard sirens in the distance as I risked a look, my right hand on the pistol at my hip.

"Wyatt!" Lacey cried. "Something hit me!"

I got to one knee, then looked at her. Her left upper arm was red, and my heart plunged. I scooped her into my arms, then scurried over to the car. I opened the hatch, then set her just inside it, her left arm close to me.

I took her chin into my hand and looked into her eyes. "Lacey. I'm going to pull your jacket down. I need to check your arm." She looked at me with glazed eyes. "Okay? I'm gonna pull your jacket down. It may hurt, and I'm so terribly sorry." She nodded slowly as someone ran up to the car.

I partially turned, my hand on my pistol as I tried to get between Lacey and whoever it was.

"Easy, Wyatt, easy!" I recognized Kyle Vinson's voice as I saw his badge, then relaxed a bit. "You guys okay?"

"Lacey's hurt," I muttered as I reached over to pull the first aid kit to us.

"Damn." He stepped away from us and I heard him talking on his radio. "You two are the next in order for an ambulance."

I nodded as I examined the wound in Lacey's upper arm. "It's a through and through wound, that doesn't seem to have hit the bone," I was talking for Kyle and Lacey. I wiped it down with a betadine patch, then began to wrap it. "She's bleeding steadily, and I hope that this bandage will stop it." I wrapped the wound with the entire roll of bandage.

"Why are you doing that?" Kyle asked as Lacey looked at me.

"Might as well." I looked into Lacey's eyes. "She's getting shocky, Kyle. Put that space blanket around her shoulders and wrap it over her. Stay with me, my princess, please."

Kyle did as I asked while I used my left hand to put pressure onto the wound through the bandage. "Where's that...?" I started as an ambulance stopped right beside us, the EMT's hurried out. One of them started asking questions, but I cut him off, giving all the information that I had.

His name tag read "Lewis", and he looked at me, nodded, then gestured to his partner. "Sit her up on the gurney!" He turned to me, then looked at Lacey. "Are you trying to reduce her blood loss with your *hand*?"

"Yes, I am." I looked at him, and he just nodded.

"Can you turn and set her onto the gurney?"

"Not if I want to keep pressure on the wound." I looked at the EMTs and Kyle. "Lower the back of the gurney and push it into the bumper." I looked at Lacey. "Take her under her legs and we can shift her onto the gurney."

"Sounds good." Lewis turned to his partner. "Do it!"

"Wyatt, I'm cold," Lacey muttered.

"I know, Beloved. We're going to get you on the gurney, then into the ambulance." I grinned at her. "At least we're closer to the hospital this time."

That got a wan smile from her.

"This time, sir?"

Kyle spoke up. "The last time they had to make a run to the ER, they were about twenty miles further out."

"Has she been shot before?!" Lewis' voice went a little high.

"No, I got my leg ripped up. Okay, let's lift her... And now, onto the gurney."

Once we had Lacey safely on the gurney and moving to the ambulance, Kyle spoke to me, very softly, "You need to get in, too, Wyatt. You're bleeding."

"No, that's her blood."

"On the back of your left shoulder?"

"What?"

"Take a breath. You're going to ride in with her, keeping her calm, okay?"

I nodded, then once Lacey was in the ambulance, Lewis tugged my coat down. "Yeah, you need to go in, too. There's blood but not much." He ran a hand over my shoulder, and I winced. "Found it. We'll cover it and then let the docs figure it out."

I nodded and climbed in, sitting right next to Lacey's head. Lewis whispered to his partner, who nodded, then hurried around to get behind the wheel.

"Wyatt?"

"Yes, love?"

I had my right hand on her left shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. I'm torn, though."

"Torn?"

"Yes, I want to hunt down whoever shot you and end them. I also want to stay with you to make sure you're okay." I guess I was intense, because Lewis looked at me, concern on his face.

"Stay with me, love. Please?" Lacey's voice was shaky as the ambulance pulled out.

"Always, Beloved, always."

She rested her head on my hand. "Wyatt?"

"Yes, baby?"

"My blouse?"

"Your blouse is pretty messed up."

"You got me this blouse."

"I know. I'll get you another one or three." I could feel her smile on the back of my hand. "I'm afraid to say that your jacket is shot, though."

That earned me a giggle, then she giggled again. I looked at Lewis. "Anything added to the I. V.?" I nodded to the bag hanging from the hook at the head of the gurney.

He nodded, then looked at my left hand, then handed me some paper towels. "You might want to try to get some of that off."

I looked down, seeing blood on the back of my hand. When I turned it over, my palm was completely covered by it. "I need my hand for a moment, Lacey," I said as I gently pulled my right hand from under her cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just need to get some blood off my hand."

"Oh. Okay."

Lewis handed me a couple of wet wipes, so I used them and the paper towels to get some of the blood off. When I finished, I put my right hand back on Lacey's shoulder. She murmured, then placed her cheek on it again.

A few minutes later, we stopped, then began to back up. "We're here, love. They're going to take you in without me."

"What?!"

"It's okay, really." I gently squeezed her shoulder as the doors swung open. "I'll be nearby. I love you."

"I love you, too," then they had her out of the ambulance and through the doors into the E. R. Lewis looked at me before he waved at a nurse. He spoke to her, she stared at me, then called for a wheelchair.

"I don't need a chair, Livvy."

She just snorted. "Yes, you do, Mr. Roy. You're very pale, and there's blood all over you!" I moved to the doors, then Lewis and Livvy helped me out.

"Most of this isn't *my* blood. I got it from Lacey after she was shot." I straightened up and the world spun, with Livvy and Lewis holding me until there was a wheelchair behind me. Once I was seated, she poked at my left clavicle. "Is that her blood?"

"Maybe not," I nodded.

She leaned closer. "Your friends know how tough you are, Wyatt, so there's no need to act that way. Okay?"

I nodded again, then they pushed me through the doors. "I need to call home!" I tried to dig my phone out of my pocket, but Livvy stopped me as I winced.

"It's okay, Wyatt. Kyle Vinson is taking of things." I was wheeled into a treatment area, then helped onto the bed. Lewis waved to me, then left. "So, what the hell happened?"

"The shooting in town?" Livvy nodded. "I don't know exactly. I heard a shot, Lacey got hit, I dragged her to the ground, and tried to keep my body between her and the shooter."

Livvy was helping me take my coat off, then we tried to pull my shirt off. That hurt too much, so she just cut it off. As I sat there, I started to hurt, and I still felt dizzy.

"I need you take your pistol off your belt. I'll call security to send someone." She looked at me, and I knew that she was checking my reactions. "They'll give you a receipt and lock it away."

"Okay."

I spent quite a while there, being examined by a doctor, getting my own I. V. started, and when they took me to the X-ray room, they were just wheeling Lacey. They stopped long enough for use to touch hands, then they took her away. "I love you, my Princess!" I called as I went in to get X-rays.

When I got back to the treatment room, Cathy and Mir were waiting for me. They both had terrified expressions on their faces. "I think that I'll live," I said as they started to move.

"Wait," said Livvy. "Let's get him back on the bed. Careful of the I. V." Once I was settled on the bed, she stepped back. "The doctor'll be in to see you in as few minutes."

Before she went through the opening in the curtain, I asked, "Livvy, where's Lacey?"

She smiled at me and pointed to my left. "Right next to you."

"So, that's where Erica and them went," said Mir.

"Who else is with her?"

The curtain slid back, and Travis looked through. "Me and Betty. Willi, Roni, and Toni are with the kids in the cafeteria. My folks are coming over to help."

"Lacey?"

"Yes, my cowboy?"

"I love you... and I'm sorry."

"For what, sweetheart?"

"That I couldn't protect you better."

"Oh, Wyatt... None of this is your fault. Besides, you did protect me." Her voice was loving, and it made me smile.

The curtain slid open, and a doctor walked in. "Mr. Roy? I'm Doctor Yun." He looked at the ladies. "You have two small objects in your shoulder. They're very close to the surface, and we might be able to remove them without major surgery. Are you willing to do it this way?"

I nodded as another nurse moved into the space, pushing a tray table. "Ladies, if you'll excuse us, please?"

Cathy and Mir gave me a kiss, then left. They dropped the bed back until I was nearly horizontal. There was stuff going on that I couldn't see, then Dr. Yun said, "I'm going to numb you, so you might feel a little stab." I didn't feel anything, but a few minutes later, he asked, "Do you feel that?"

"A little push feeling, but that's it."

"Good. This shouldn't take long, they're so close to the surface..." I heard a metal-on-metal sound, then a second one. He raised his voice a bit. "Officer Farrier?"

I heard the curtain open, then a new voice spoke. "Yes?"

"Here they are. Two fragments, one larger than the other."

"Thanks." There was movement, but I spoke up.

"Hey, Farrier?"

"Yeah?"

"They catch the shooter?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, thanks."

"You're welcome, Mr. Roy."

I laid my head back. "That's a relief."

"What is, Mr. Roy?" Dr. Yun asked.

"The shooter was arrested. That means I can keep a promise to my Beloved. I'll stay

with her instead of hunting him down."

There was silence, then Dr. Yun spoke again. "Okay, I'm going to give you a couple of stitches at one wound, and some tape over the over." He worked for a bit, then, "I'm done. Keep the wounds dry for a couple of days. Take some over the counter pain reliever. Come back if you get a prolonged fever, or start to bleed."

"Okay, Doctor Yun. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Mr. Roy," he said before he left.

Livvy came in as the other nurse left. "You up for company?"

"Yeah." As Livvy helped me sit up, the curtain opened and there she was. A little pale, with a different blouse on, but her smile was a bolt of electricity into my heart. The wheelchair was being pushed by Travis, with everyone else crowding in behind.

Livvy laughed a little. "Give me a few minutes, Lacey, and I'll get him cleaned up enough to hug."

"That's fine, Livvy." She smiled again. "I can see him, so my heart is better."

"How are you, my Princess?"

She raised her left arm, showing off the clean wrapping around her upper arm.

Livvy continued cleaning me, using wipes to get most of the blood off my skin. She repeated the doctor's instructions to keep our wounds dry for at least two days before stepping back. "I'll be back with a chair for you, Mr. Roy, and your discharge paperwork."

"Okay."

She stopped and looked at all of us. "Someone needs to help him stand, if that's what he wants to do."

Lacey started to giggle, and all of the ladies joined in.

"I think she knows you, Wyatt," Cathy smiled at me.

I looked around and found my jacket. "I may need some help getting this on," I said.

"You are not putting that bloody thing on, Mister Man. Especially if you want a hug from me!" Lacey was firm.

"Nor from any of us," added Erica as the others nodded. There were some slight smiles, but they all seemed pretty serious about me wearing that jacket.

"Well, then," I looked at Lacey, then at Erica. "What do you suggest I wear? My shirt had to be cut off."

Cathy licked her lips. "You could just strut around like that!" which caused the five women to laugh and nod their agreement.

Erica saved me, though. "Travis, you're a little bigger than Wyatt. Would you let him wear your jacket, until we get them home?"

"Of course," he grinned at me as he shrugged his jacket off, then handed it to me.

"Thanks, amigo!"

He just nodded as Cathy stepped forward and helped me into the jacket. Since Travis was six inches taller, with wider shoulders, the jacket was big, but at least it rested comfortably over my shoulder. I looked at Lacey, and realized that she was wearing someone else's blouse.

I knelt beside her to give her a hug, then I looked at her. "So, whose blouse are you wearing?"

Lacey giggled. "Cathy's." I realized that Cathy was wearing her coat closed.

She smiled at me and gave me a wink. "The lining feels nice on my skin."

I grinned as Livvy returned with an orderly, a wheelchair, and a sheaf of papers in her hand. "We need a few signatures, Mr. Roy, then you can go."

"I need to make a stop at Security before we leave."

Betty looked at me. "Why?"

"He needs to retrieve his pistol," Lacey said. "I heard it through the curtain." She smiled, then leaned forward and whispered, "Nobody took mine."

I simply grinned as I signed where I needed to sign, then Livvy sighed, shook her head, then left.

I retrieved my pistol, then we headed out. As we got to the exit, Kyle Vinson walked up. "Someone can get your car, Wyatt. The detectives are through with it and they're cleaning up the scene." He smiled at Lacey. "I'm glad that all you got out of it was that wrapped bandage, Lacey."

"I am, too," she smiled at him. "So, what happened?"

Kyle frowned. "Some punk tried to rob Kim's Kook Shop."

"Kim's!"

He nodded. "She handed over what cash she had, but as the guy came out, he ran into Mitchell Watkins."

"The retired Chief of Police?"

Kyle nodded, again. "The kid dropped the bag with the money, pulled a gun on Mitch and opened fire. He hit Mitch, there was an exchange of fire, including the bullet that hit Lacey and the one or two bouncers that hit you, Wyatt."

I looked at him before he continued, "From the videos, witnesses, and the angle of fire, the kid was the one that fired those shots." He shook his head. "He'll live, and he's facing some serious charges." He smiled. "Well, I'll let you get back home."

After we reached the van, we met with the kids and those folks who had been with the kids. Duncan and Sam needed lots of hugs and reassurances that Lacey and I were alright. I gave Jean a big hug, getting a few giggles from her.

Roni took my car fob, as Travis and Erica would drop her off to pick up the car. After getting all the kids into their seats, Lacey and I sat in the middle while Mir drove us home. Duncan and Sam chatted with us the entire drive, shifting from excited to scared, and back. Lacey and I tried very hard to reassure them both that things were fine.

I think that they both remembered when Tina had broken her arm. "Duncan?"

"Dada?"

"Are you scared?"

He looked from me to Lacey, then nodded. She reached over and gently patted his thighs. "It's okay, my baby boy." She smiled gently at him. "Mama has an ouchie on my arm. See?" She showed him her bandage. He nodded.

"Mama Catty and Mama Miryam were scared," said Sam.

"I was not!" Cathy sang, in a goofy voice.

"Yes you were!" Sam sang, with a big grin on her face.

Cathy turned as far as she could in the front seat, and struck her tongue out at Sam.

This caused Sam to laugh, which made Duncan laugh, followed by Jean. Haley and Olivia were sound asleep, so they just moved a bit in their car seats.

"Okay," Lacey said, giggling, "now that everybody feels better..." She looked at Sam. "You do feel better, don't you?" Sam nodded, then Duncan did, too. "Good! So, Daddy and I got hurt, but we're going to be okay. I have this ouchie, and Daddy has one on the top of his shoulder." She looked at them. "I'm going to ask that you both be gentle with our ouchie spots. Will you try?" They both gave her small nods.

"Good. As soon as we get home, I'm going to give both of my babies big hugs, and then we're going to cuddle with Daddy on the couch."

They both smiled. "I want cuddles!" Sam said.

"Me, too," added Duncan.

"Well, that's good," I said, "because I want cuddles with everyone!"

"Before cuddles, though, cowboy," Lacey said, "we need to get you into a clean shirt so that Travis can get his jacket back."

"I'll run up and grab a clean one for him once we get home," offered Willi from the far back.

"Thanks, Willi!" I said as the van turned into the drive. There was a car horn beep from behind us, and Willi laughed.

"Roni's behind us, and it looks like Erica is behind her."

I thought about it as the garage door rolled up, then nodded. "Makes sense."

"What does, love?"

"Different directions, but about the same distance."

"For what?"

"Us, from the hospital to home. Them, from the hospital, into town, then home."

Cathy laughed Mir brought us to a stop. "You've never ridden with Roni, have you?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"Lead foot. She was probably hoping to be here first."

"Ah." I grinned.

Once everyone was inside, true to her word, Willi dashed upstairs while we were greeting all the dogs. LB and Sherlock sniffed at Duncan and Sam, while Princess got to check on Jean. I lowered Haley down enough so that Charlie could sniff her and Mir did the same with Olivia and Teddy. Both babies and dogs seemed happy, which made me happy.

"Take off that jacket, mister," Lacey said with a gentle smile. "I want to see if it needs to be cleaned before we give it back to Travis."

"That really isn't necessary, Lacey," Travis said from behind her. I saw her smile before she turned to face him.

"It may not be necessary to *you*, but it's necessary for me to check!"

He grabbed her in a hug and lifted from her feet, getting Duncan and Sam to laugh and jump around.

I headed into the great room as Roni helped me get the jacket off. My shoulder twinged, and I guess it showed, because Lacey was suddenly beside me. "Are you okay, love?"

I nodded, then looked at her. "Are *you* okay?"

She gave me one of her bright smiles, and I instantly felt better. Taking her into my arms, I felt her start to relax. I kissed the top of her head as she sighed.

People moved around us, then I felt a tug on my pants legs. "We have company," I murmured.

"Oh, do we?"

I looked down and saw Sam with her hand on my leg. "Yes, we do. This very cute little brunette with her mommy's eyes." Sam smiled up at me as Lacey stepped away slightly.

"Funny. I have this handsome young man beside me."

"It's us, Dada!" Sam proclaimed. She raised her arms to me. "Up, please?"

I looked at Lacey, who gave me a gentle nod. As I crouched down to pick up Sam, Lacey said, "Be careful of Daddy's bandages, Sam."

"Yes, Mama!" Sam very carefully put her hand on my left shoulder, close to my neck. "This okay, Dada?"

"Yes, baby, it's fine." She rested her head on my right shoulder as I asked, "Couch?"

"Yes," Lacey answered. "It looks like this coat is..."

"Fine," interjected Erica. "Lacey, dear, go sit next to Wyatt and cuddle with him."

"Yes, mother," came the answer in a meek voice, followed by a giggle, then laughter from Erica.

I sat down, getting Sam to shift to sit beside me. She patted my thigh, then sighed. "Dada home. Dada okay."

Willi walked in, holding two shirts in her hands. "This is for you," she said, handing me one, then, "and this is yours." She smiled. "I think Cathy might like her shirt back."

We both laughed, and after I leaned forward, Willi helped me get my shirt on. I saw that Mir was helping Lacey do the same.

Once we had settled down, Erica came over and hugged me from behind, being careful of my left shoulder. "There's video, and you risked your life to protect Lacey." She kissed my cheek. "Thank you for that." She moved over to give Lacey a hug and kiss, and whispered something to her, getting a nod in return.

Willi stood in front of us, smiling. "Hot dogs with the fixings, or stew?"

Sam was nearly asleep, but she stirred enough to say, "Hot dogs!"

I nodded my agreement, as did a very sleepy Duncan and Lacey.

Erica chuckled from behind us. "Well, now that your meal plan for the evening has been settled, I think that Travis and I will be heading home." She kissed the top of my head, and did the same to Lacey. "Call if you need anything."

"We will," Lacey assured her.

Travis patted my right shoulder. "You've got to stop ending up in the hospital, Wyatt."

"I do," then I grinned. "I just can't help myself."

"Yeah, protecting is important to both of us. See ya later!"

I heard them leave, then Mir came over, holding Olivia. "You up to cuddling with your daughters?"

I looked at her, then smiled. "Always." She handed Olivia to me, then suddenly Haley was on my lap while Jean was lowered onto Lacey's lap.

"Covered with women. Again," Lacey murmured.

"It's my burden to bear."

She laughed softly, then patted my thigh. "You poor thing."

I wiggled myself into a more comfortable position and smiled as all of my daughters were sleeping with, or on, me. Lacey was beside me cuddling Duncan.

I must have drifted off, because the next thing I knew, I heard movement in front of me. I opened an eye and saw Mir standing on the other side of the coffee table. She was holding her phone up, taking a picture or two. I winked, making her giggle quietly.

She put her phone into her pants pocket and eased over to me.

Since Lacey had snuggled under my left arm and was sleeping, Mir was being very careful. She smiled as she leaned forward to give me a soft kiss. "You've been doing that sleep thing again, Wyatt," she said softly as she rested her hands on the back of the couch.

"What sleep thing?"

"Where you wake up a bit, check around you, then go back to sleep."

"He calls it 'commando napping', Mir," Lacey's voice was soft as she shifted her head on my chest.

"Oh. Lacey, I was trying to keep from waking you."

"It's okay, love. Your hair was tickling my nose, and I have to pee, but I have a little boy snuggled up to my hip and a little girl in my lap."

"I can get Jean," Mir said before she turned her head. "Cathy?"

I looked past Mir to see Cathy, who was on the right end of the couch, reading, look up. "Yes?"

"Wanna come get your little boyfriend so Lacey can go to the bathroom?"

"Sure!"

Mir gently lifted Jean, who murmured as she snuggled closer, then eased back. "Mir, why are you walking so gingerly?"

"You might not be able to see them, Wyatt, but there five partially sleeping dogs alongside the couch," she grinned, so I grinned back.

"I guess every kid has a dedicated dog."

Cathy came around behind the couch, so she avoided the dogs. She reached over the back of the couch and lifted Duncan. "Ooph! Little boyfriend, you're getting big!" she whispered to him as he wrapped his arms around her neck, getting her to smile.

"He still loves you, though," Lacey remarked as she stood up, making her way past the dogs on that side.

"Thank God for that," Cathy replied.

"Mama?" Sam stirred and looked around.

"It's okay, Sam, I just have to go potty," Lacey reassured her.

"Potty? I need to potty, too!"

"Okay, Sam," I said. "Go that way and Mommy will meet you there."

"Yes, Sam, come on over here!" Lacey moved to the end that Cathy had been sitting at, so Sam crawled over there, too. Lacey helped her to the floor, then they both hurried to the bathroom.

Suddenly, everyone was awake. Haley tried to sit up in my lap, Olivia opened her eyes, Jean began to fuss in Mir's arms, and Duncan said, "Potty! Now, please, potty!"

"Okay, Duncan, hang on!" Cathy hurried to the bathroom, giving the door a quick knock before she went in.

"Oh, my, Jean!" Mir said, smiling. "You need a new diaper!"

Willi reached over me to snag Haley, getting a squeal of laughter from her while I looked into Olivia's eyes. "And, little lady..." I started as she gave me a pinched expression. "Aha! You had to go potty, too, didn't you!" She gurgled up at me, clapping her hands together.

"Dang," said Willi from behind me. "Haley, too!"

"Roni?" I called.

"Yes?" I looked around and found her sitting in one of the chairs, tablet on her thighs.

"Would you grab the diaper bags?" I shifted my legs and got a little grumble from Teddy. "Oh, relax, little man. Your girl needs a new diaper." He hopped up and put his front paws on the couch cushion.

I felt another dog move away, and then I was able to stand up as Princess moved to be near Jean. When I glanced over to the bathroom door, I saw LB and Sherlock sitting there, eyes on the closed door.

Working together, we got all three little girls onto the floor while we quickly changed their diapers. As we finished, Olivia started to make another familiar face.

"Uh oh," I smiled at her, then at Mir. "Guess who's hungry first?" Olivia started to whine as I stood up. "Where do you want to sit?"

Mir smiled, as Haley started to make the same sound her sister had made. "Let me get into the armchair. I think the soft arms will help." I nodded as she stood up, Haley in her arms. As with Lacey and Cathy, I admired the grace that Mir showed as she stood. As she stepped to the chair, I followed. We exchanged baby girls, then Mir sat, opening her blouse so that Olivia could suckle.

Haley seemed annoyed, so I began to dance her around, humming to her as I did so. She smiled at me, and calmed down. As I moved, I saw the bathroom empty and heard Duncan say, "Dada dancing! Who!"

I saw him move off to one side, then he said, "It Haley!"

Cathy laughed softly. "All of his girls love to dance with Daddy, little boyfriend."

"Do you love dance with Dada?"

"Yes, indeed!"

Sam rushed closer, then stopped where I could see her. "Me next, Dada?"

"Maybe, Sam." I looked over at Mir, who nodded. "Mir says that you can have the next dance, I guess after Haley starts having her dinner. Can you wait?"

"Yes, Dada, yes!" She hopped a bit as Cathy slipped past her.

"I think that Jean is getting hungry, Cathy," said Willi, who was holding Jean on her knee, seated so that she could watch what was going on.

"Mommy's here, Jean," Cathy said lightly. Jean got excited as Cathy pulled her shirt over her head, then sat down beside Willi. I watched as Cathy lowered one cup of her nursing bra and settled Jean into place. I saw Cathy's face take on the same content expression as Mir's.

As Lacey came closer with Duncan, I smiled at her. "I recognize those expressions, Beloved." I nodded towards Cathy and Mir.

She smiled at me was I continued dancing with Haley. "Oh, do you?"

I nodded. "On your face each and every time you were feeding both of our little loves."

Lacey's smile turned tender as looked from our twins to Cathy and Mir. "I'm glad, my cowboy."

"So am I," added Mir. "If someone will take Olivia, I'll take Haley."

"I'll take her," said Tina.

"I'll do it!"

"No, Willi. You have to start getting our supper ready," Tina replied.

"Oh, yeah." Willi smiled as she stood up, giving Cathy a sweet kiss as she did. Willi winked at me, then headed into the kitchen.

As I moved over to Mir, Lacey said softly, "You're going to have to give her what she wants, Wyatt."

I nodded. "Eventually. Not tonight."

As Tina lifted Olivia, I handed Haley to Mir.

"Okay, fussy girl," Mir said with a soft smile. "Let's get you fed." After Haley had latched on, Mir looked at me. "Why not tonight?"

"I don't know if there's going to be *any* sex tonight."

"Why not?" Roni looked curiously at me as Tina rocked Olivia in her arms. Lacey laughed as I picked up Sam and started dancing with her, to music that only I could hear.

"Take a look at him, Roni. Wyatt, turn and face her."

When I did, Roni gasped. "Wyatt, you're very pale right now." I nodded as I kept on slow dancing with my oldest daughter. "What's wrong?"

I just shrugged as Sam rested her head on my right shoulder, her hands around my neck. She leaned back a bit and smiled at me. "Dada ouchie on his shoulder!"

"That's right my sweetie. Thank you for being gentle with me."

"Love Dada!"

I smiled as she rested her head again. "I love you, too!" I kissed her head.

Jean finished suckling, and Cathy looked up at us. "Sam, will you let your Daddy dance with Jean for a bit?"

"Is okay, Dada?"

"Sure, Sweetheart, if it's okay with you."

"Is okay. Dance with Jean!"

I lowered Sam to the floor, and she scooted over to where Lacey was sitting with Duncan. I lifted Jean up, cuddling her to my chest like I had with Sam, then began to move around. It didn't take long for Jean to doze off. I kissed her head softly, then looked around. Tina was still gently swaying with Olivia and Mir was standing, holding Haley.

Mir smiled. "I think we should put them down on the blue rug."

"Yeah!" said Lacey. "We can corral them with pillows and puppies!"

Cathy laughed, then pulled some of the pillows off the couch. It took just a few minutes, then all three of the littlest were sleeping on the rug. I watched as Princess, Charlie, and Teddy took up positions where they could watch their girls.

Lacey snapped her fingers softly. When all three dogs were looking at her, she said, "Watch. Guard. Stay," as she pointed at the sleeping girls on the rug.

Willi called from the kitchen, "Supper's ready!"

Once we were in the kitchen, I stopped when LB and Sherlock were sitting at their places, waiting for their supper. "Well, we messed that up," I said to Lacey as everyone started getting their hot dogs.

She saw the two dogs at their places, then nodded. "You're right. Get their bowls and I'll send them in to you."

"Okay." She left as I prepared the dogs' food. A few moments later, the three came in and took their places. I placed everyone's bowl down, then let them eat. It was amusing -- for the first time since they came home, the newer three gobbled their food as quickly as they could before heading back into the great room.

When Lacey came into the kitchen she was smiling. "Right back to their spots. I guess they trusted me enough to look over their girls."

I grinned as LB and Sherlock moved past the kitchen table when Lacey took my hand to lead me to the table.

Sam and Duncan were in their chairs, room for Lacey between them and I could sit next to Duncan. Supper was fun, although I noticed that Lacey looked like she was drifting off a bit. I kept my eye on her, and noticed that both Cathy and Mir were doing the same thing.

We made it through supper, then we went back into the great room. Roni took care of the cleanup, and when I asked her if she wanted help, she just shook her head.

Duncan and Sam played for a while, while I sat near them.

"Dada?"

"Yes, Sam?"

"Mama sick?"

I shook my head. "No, little love." She stood up and rested a hand on my knee as she looked over at Lacey, who was talking with Cathy and Mir. "Remember me telling you that she got hurt earlier today?" She nodded. "Sometimes, when a person gets hurt, they are very tired." She looked up at me.

"Mama tired?"

"I think so, Sam."

She nodded, then turned to Duncan. "Dunc?"

"What?"

"Mama tired. Bedtime."

He looked at her, then nodded. "But toys..."

"They can stay there, Duncan. It's okay. It's been a rough day for Mommy."

He stood up, then they walked over to Lacey. I could hear them from where I was sitting.

"Mama?"

"Yes, Duncan?"

"We tired, too. Go to bed?"

Lacey swiveled on the couch. "You're tired?"

They both nodded, then Sam said, "Yes, Mama."

Lacey looked over their heads to me, and I nodded. "Yes, babies. Let's go do bedtime stuff." She smiled, at all three of us. I gave her a wink, and she blew me a kiss as she stood.

The sleepers were lifted up as Sam and Duncan took Lacey's hands and led her to the stairs. I reached over and unlatched it, moving it out of the way. The nightly procession began, with mommies, babies, dogs, and friends heading upstairs.

Roni came up behind me. "Everything down here is secured, Wyatt."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I could see Lacey starting to fade at supper."

As I looked around, I saw that the only lights still on were those that either had timers or stayed on until the sun came into the room. I nodded, grinned at her, then gestured for her to lead the way.

"You just want to look at my ass!" Roni giggled.

"True, and I might just caress it." I did that, giving her a gentle rub, causing her to push her ass back at me.

"I know you're aching, too, Wyatt, or I'd ask you to pump into me."

"I know, sweetheart, and I thank you for that."

She reached a hand behind her, and then led me up the stairs.

Mir was standing in the hall, waiting for us. "We gave them quick washes with cloths, and they're waiting for us in the twins' room."

Willi was sitting between their beds, book in her hand. She smiled as I came in, and Lacey patted the floor beside her. As I lowered myself to the floor, I saw that the twins were watching Lacey. I winked at them, getting a smile from each as Willi began to read.

Lacey snuggled under my right arm, putting a hand on my thigh. "So, who decided that I was tired?" she asked softly.

"Sam was worried about you. She thought you were sick."

"Sam?!"

I simply nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Our daughter is getting to be more and more like you, Beloved."

"How so?"

"You seem to know when people need you most, or what they may be feeling." I could feel her smile. "You certainly knew when I needed you most."

"I couldn't help it, Wyatt."

She started to move her head, but I rested my chin on her. "They're almost asleep, love. Don't break the spell that Willi is weaving."

"Okay," Lacey said softly. I held her with my right arm, and I could feel when she started to drift off.

I looked up a few minutes later when Mir cleared her throat softly. The twins were asleep, while Cathy and Mir were leaning against each other. I nodded to Mir. "Nicely done, Willi," I smiled at her, and she beamed.

LB and Sherlock were dozing alongside the beds of their kid, with LB wagging her tail when I looked at her. "Good girl," I whispered to her.

"How are we going to do this, Wyatt?" Cathy asked me after she moved over to me.

I looked at her, then smiled. "Watch."

I twisted around slightly, then scooped Lacey up. She woke up, though. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I was going to try to lift you up, from here."

She looked into my eyes. "Are you nuts?"

"Kinda."

Lacey shook her head. "You're incorrigible, love."

"If it involves you, yes, yes, I am." She smiled and gracefully stood as I clambered to

my feet. "I'm glad that I didn't have to try doing that while carrying you."

She smiled again. "Let's go to bed," she said softly, leading us out of the room after we gave the twins soft kisses. Mir was the last one out, turning off the lights as she closed the door behind her.

At the door to our bedroom, we gave hugs and kisses to Roni, Tina, and Willi. When I kissed Willi, she was eager, slipping her tongue into my mouth. I didn't fight it, but I broke the kiss quickly. She ran her hand down my chest as she turned away, a small smile on her face.

I walked into the bedroom, shaking my head. Mir was just walking in from the crib room, and she was smiling.

"Wyatt? What's wrong?"

Lacey and Cathy were on the bed, already nude. They looked up and Lacey said, "What's going on?"

I sighed, then walked over to her as Mir joined us. "Willi. She keeps pushing and teasing." I looked at all three of them. "I'm just tired, I reckon."

"Uh oh," Lacey said.

"What?"

"I know that look, mister man." She reached out and took my hand. "Sit down, love."

With a firm grip, she pulled me onto the bed, then wrapped her arms around me.

Cathy got on my other side and did the same thing.

Mir slipped behind me, putting her arms around me from behind. "Is he...?" she started and then I began to shake. Mir gripped me harder and laid her head against my back.

"It's okay, love," murmured Lacey. "Everything's going to be fine." She kissed my shoulder and just held me for a moment.

"I was... I was afraid that I was going to lose you..." I gasped as I felt the tears come into my eyes. "I had failed you... failed to keep you safe..."

"Hush, love, hush. You did keep me safe. The cops said that the bullet that hit *you* instead of me could have been fatal." She lifted a hand and wiped away my tears.

"I think we need to get him all the way on the bed and just have a bare skin cuddle with all of us," Cathy suggested.

"Wonderful idea, Kitty-cat!" Lacey exclaimed.

With that, Mir reached down and grabbed the bottom of my shirt and began sliding it up. Lacey and Cathy leaned away, then stood. After Mir helped me out of my shirt, Cathy said, "Stand up a moment, Wyatt."

I did so, then they tugged my pants down, pulling my underwear down, too. I was able to get out of my shoes, then they forced me back onto the bed to pull everything off.

My emotions were in a turmoil as they urged me to put my head on the pillow, their hands soft but firm on me as I crawled into place. Cathy moved to my right stuff, forcing my arm up to rest behind her neck as she cuddled me. Mir mirrored Cathy, gingerly resting her head on my left shoulder. "Is this okay, Wyatt?" she asked softly.

"It's fine, sweetheart." Lacey reached over Cathy, taking my glasses, then disappearing from view. She returned to straddle my shins, before crawling up my body, avoiding both Cathy and Mir as she did so. "What are you doing, Lacey?"

She kissed the head of my cock before continuing her climb. "I'm going to rest on top of you, my love. Is that okay?" I nodded as she brushed her crotch over me, then giggled. "Perfect." I felt her slide her hands over my chest before she lowered herself onto me.

She purred a bit as she kissed her way over my chest. She raised up enough to give me a kiss and a beautiful smile. She rested on me, her hands softly caressing my face. "You're fine. I'm fine. We all love you, and you're safe."

"I didn't..." She stopped me with a finger on my lips.

"Hush." She rubbed against me. "I've heard that sometimes, after danger like what we went through, sexual energy increases."

"Beloved, are you horny?"

She smiled again, then nodded. "Very much so." She kissed me again, her tongue slipping between my lips as she held my head in her hands. Since my arms were around Cathy and Mir, all I could do was return the kiss. I was able to caress their backs, though, as Lacey and I kissed.

I heard purrs from both of them as Lacey broke the kiss, then they giggled. I opened my eyes to see Lacey grinning at me before she licked her lips.

"I'm going to get him ready for you," Cathy said as she slipped free and moved around on the bed.

"Thank you, Kitty-cat!" Lacey began to caress my face and neck, her eyes locked onto mine.

I felt Cathy's hands on my cock, and she giggled. "I won't need to do much down here!"

"Oh?"

"Just a few sucks and licks, maybe," Cathy as she licked the entire length of my cock. "I love the taste of his precum!" Then Cathy took me into her mouth, moving down on it until I felt her lips on the base of my cock. She began to move her mouth and throat like she was trying to swallow even more of me.

Cathy slipped me, and I think that we all heard the pop as her lips came free. I grinned at Lacey as Cathy chuckled. "He's really ready for you now, Lacey!"

"Are you, my cowboy?"

I nodded. "Yes, my princess, I'm ready. I really need you, love!"

"Good," she said with her wicked smile as she moved slightly back while Cathy helped get my cock lined up with Lacey's pussy.

The head was rubbed up and down Lacey's very wet pussy, then she slowly pushed herself down onto me. Her expression was delighted, then she sighed as she moved her hips. "That's what I need, love. Feeling you deep inside me."

She grasped at me with her pussy, and I moaned. "Oh, my sweet princess!" I pushed gently up with my hips and Lacey moaned in response. She leaned forward, resting her hands on my chest.

We moved together as Cathy and Mir played their hands over us, urging us on. Lacey began to shudder, moaning and talking. "Oh, God, yes! Fuck me, Wyatt! Fuck me good!" She threw her head back, then cried out as I felt her pussy clamp onto my cock.

I lifted up, getting her to settle down so that her cervix pressed against the head of my cock. I shuddered and groaned as I shot deep into her, filling her pussy with my cum.

I couldn't touch Lacey, but I got a double kiss from Mir and Cathy as Lacey began to droop forward. She lowered herself to my chest after they pulled away. Lacey rested her head on my chest, her fingers caressing me as we both calmed down.

We all cuddled together, then, our naked bodies pressed together.

"I'm next!" Mir giggled.

"Okay, Red, but I really need to rest first."

"That's fine, Wyatt, because I want you, too," added Cathy.

I nodded as I felt drained. "I love you," I said to each one of them as I kissed them.