Marsha was standing there waffling between hopeful and scared. Ari was in Beverly's arms, almost asleep. Bev had that determined CEO look on her face. When he didn't say anything, he saw her start to tremble. Then he grinned."Well, so it shall be. I leave it to you girls to decorate it."He turned to Marsha. "You understand what we're offering you?"As an answer, she flew into his arms and cried her heart out. Bev put a sleeping Ari down and joined the hug. He left them a few minutes later, going into the living room to sit on his favorite recliner. He tried to understand how his life had changed so much in the last twenty-four hours.Beverly came down a few minutes later, surprising him by joining him on his oversized recliner. Once she got comfortable, she started talking softly while gently stroking his chest. "This changes everything, doesn't it? I'm going back to the old house to pack what I need. I'm taking Marsha with me to help, so you're on Da .

They woke with a smile and a plan to their personal little alarm clock. It occurred to Beverly when they were intimate they'd have to make sure the door was locked. She giggled at the thought. Marsha didn't quite know what to think, and Ari had no clue about the changes coming into her life. She hustled them into the car for a trip to the mall. She showed Marsha the type of clothes she needed to maintain a professional appearance, and she chose well. Then she told her to pick some non-working clothes. There were a few miniskirts that she wanted approval for, and four or five pair of very well fitting jeans. She picked up some basic tees and a couple of cuter tops, and then she was set. Beverly sent her to pick her own underwear, telling her to bear in mind how it would look under her professional clothes. She then concentrated on Ari. It was all a wonder to her, but it didn't take long before she was giggling and cooing as Beverly had her try on several outfits, as well as some reall

Beverly hugged her hard, trying not to ruin her makeup by crying. "It's me who should be thanking you. I had just about lost everything. My career was going up in flames, my husband had left me, and I had nothing left. Then I came to that cookout to make one more effort to get my life back. I not only got my husband back, I got a family as a bonus. Have I told you how much I love you and Ari, and how proud I am of you?" Marsha laughed. "Every day. It'll probably take another thirty or forty years before I get tired of it. Now, straighten that face! It's almost time." She walked through the door to the cheers and claps of their friends. The reverend of the Episcopalian church they had been attending for the last fourteen months was standing at the bower, smiling. Their friends from the age appropriate group they had joined were there. Jen had even flown in with her husband and five month old son. Sol stood beside Dave, while Susan, dressed to match Marsha and Arianna, took her place

Story Title: AN UNEXPECTED REACTION Read And Enjoy.... *************** I knew there would be trouble when they walked into the bar. Not physical, getting somebody's ass whipped trouble, but emotional, I don't want to hear this shit trouble. Up until a few months ago, I would have considered them friends. Even when things went to hell, if they had just kept their mouths shut they would have been fine. The ones I found knew about her affair I dropped like a rock, making it very clear they were no longer my friends. Of course, they tried to argue, they didn't want to take sides, they hoped she'd figure out it was destructive behavior, she still loves you, blah, blah, blah, didn't cut it with me and I told they so. It took a couple of meetings and some pretty intense confrontations before they realized I was serious. To this day, if one comes up and tries to talk, I either turn my back or leave. I think they finally got the point. The few others I still associated with got the poin

"Well, call and tell her now. Tell if she's interested, I'll call next Thursday." "I will, I will. I wasn't thinking." I thought later many times about my next statement, and how true it turned out to be. "Relax, Cindy. She's your friend. Of course you want to protect her, help her be happy. I understand. Gotta go." She was still talking when I hung up. I did call Thursday, and she chattered happily. We made a date. She wanted to go to a movie and then back to what she called 'our' club. I threw in dinner. We had a really great time. The movie sucked, one of those vapid tearjerkers some asshole was making a fortune writing, but the dinner and the dancing was great. By the time we left the bar she was firmly under my arm. I surprised her by not coming in when I dropped her off. She looked disappointed until I explained why. "I'd love to, honey, but Allan and I are working tomorrow. We're almost over the hump. This account and another we're courting will make us pretty secure, s