Chapter 3

Jake walked out of the bedroom onto the rear patio at ten until seven. He spotted his wife and made a beeline over to her. Melissa was wearing a pair of Calvin Klein Jeans that hugged her stupendous ass perfectly and a vee-necked sweater that showed just the right amount of newly acquired cleavage.

"Wow, you look good enough to eat, Mrs. Turner," he whispered in her ear.

Melissa turned to him and gave him the smile that always melted his heart.

"Promise, promises," she whispered back as she kissed him.

Jake made a sweeping gesture that included the party tents, caterers, band, and party lights.

"You went all out for this, didn't you, Muffy? It has been a while since we boogied down out here."

"She gave him an amused look, "Boogied down? Are you having a disco flashback? Cause if you are, I happen to know for a fact that the band can play some music for us to dance to."

The arrival of his parents, and his little sister, Julia, took Jake off the hook for an answer. His father, Charles, was now in his late sixties and holding up well. He stayed active in his retirement playing golf and working on his yacht. Helen, Jake's mother, was fifty-six but Buckley genetics made her look fifteen years younger. Julia could have been Helen's clone instead of her daughter -- except for a couple of things. One was that, at five-nine, Julia was a few inches taller. Julia's eyes were the other thing. Julia Buckley Turner had the most amazing violet eyes Jake had ever seen. Of course, the rest of Julia was worth noticing also. She was drop dead gorgeous and built like the proverbial brick shithouse.

Jake kissed Helen on the cheek and told her how beautiful she looked then shook hands and hugged his dad, Charles. Jake pulled Julia into his arms and gave her a little kiss. She hugged him back and seemed reluctant to let him go.

"I worried about you, Jacob; I'm glad you are home," she said softly.

"Thanks, Julie, I'm happy to be back," Jake whispered next to her ear. Then aloud he asked, "Where's Joe?"

Helen gave Jake the look, "Joseph is picking up his date; he will be here soon.

Jake gave his mother a grin, he knew she still dislike anyone calling her children by a name other than the one she gave them. It was a game they had played since he was old enough to talk.

"Cool; who's he dating? And where are Angie and Debs?"

"I believe he is bringing Bill and Victoria Greer's daughter, Jacqueline. I don't know about Deborah but Angela is on her way, Mr. Smarty Pants," Helen said trying to suppress a smile.

Helen and Charles wandered off leaving Jake and Julia alone for a minute to chat. The twins were sixteen now and high school juniors. Joe was following his brother's footsteps, excelling at both baseball and football. Joe had been the starting quaterback this year and had broken all the school's records for passing and scoring. Scouts were already buzzing around him. Julia played on the school's tennis and golf teams. Julia was a very accomplished amateur golfer. She played a round with her dad every week. She had been driving off the same tee and soundly trouncing Charles since she was thirteen.

"I swear, Julie, you are prettier every time I see you," Jake said.

"I'm glad you think so, big brother; that will make things easier."

"What things easier?" he asked in a fog of true confusion.

"The O'Buckley things, Jacob; I claim my right to have you be my first, ' she said.

Jake was speechless for a second; he had not given a thought about the next generation of Buckley women claiming their birthright.

"What do you know about that?" he asked.

"I admitted to Debbie that I had the hots for you and she told me all about our family. I thought she was putting me on; the story is just too fantastic to be true. So, I asked Nina about it. She confirmed everything and even added more. Nina told me she claimed her privilege when she was sixteen, even though you tried to talk her out of it. I was still uncertain until she said that you were Donna's first also. When she said the Ice Queen still talks about you, I knew right then I was going to ask."

Julia's Ice Queen was Contessa Madonna Renaldi, nee Donna Murphy. Donna had married the dashing Count Giorgio Renaldi, heir to an Italian wine and automobile fortune. Donna was living the life she had always viewed as her entitlement, jet-setting around the world with Europe's elite. Jake had only seen her once since her wedding.

"Let's talk about that in a few days, ok?"

"Alright, but I know your tricks, bro, and I'm not going to let you put me off too long."

Jake shook his head to clear it as his sister walked off. She was just like her mother all right, poised, determined, and way too smart. Jake wandered back to where Melissa was standing. He slipped his arms around her from the back and kissed the top of her head.

"Hi Wifey, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Hi, yourself; nope, everything is under control. How are your folks and Julie?"

"They're all fine; Joe is picking up a date and will be here shortly."

"Ok, Baby. There are the Johanssons, go see them while I get the buffet set up," Melissa said.

Jake sauntered over to the outdoor bar where Sven, Helga, and Erik stood. To the Johanssons, Jake was family and vice versa. Sven had formed his own ad agency in 1980 and brought his biggest clients with him. He was still Jake's personal publicist and media consultant. Sven and Helga were aging gracefully; exercise, diet, and an active life style were keeping them youthful. Jake was happy to see Erik, it had been over a year since he had seen him last. Erik was another of his group from high school to make it big. He was in his fourteenth season as the starting right offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders. Nick-named the Ironman, Erik had not missed a start in his long career. With ten Pro Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl Rings, he was a shoo-in for the Football Hall of Fame. Erik had come to terms with his bi-sexuality, although, with the threat of AIDS, he was seeing only women now.

Sven and Erik shook Jake's hand and Helga gave him a lingering hug. She told Jake that it was as if her own son had been off in the Gulf. She also told him that she had used his absence to do a little work on the bungalow and wanted to be there to show him the next time he visited it. They made plans for the following Monday. Jake was planning to take two weeks off before going back to D.C.

Jake was still a member of the House of Representatives. When his unit was activated, he had approached the House Leadership about resigning his seat so he could deploy with his troops. The Speaker and the Minority Whip both nixed the idea. At the time, members of Congress were rated below used-car salesmen in public opinion polls. The Speaker and Whip thought that it would be good press if one of their own were off defending the nation. It was a public relations bonanza for them as they decked out the Capital Building in yellow ribbons and invoked his name at every opportunity.

Guests were steadily streaming onto the patio now and Jake was kept busy greeting them. It was a joy for him to see each and every one of them. They all held a special place in his heart. Jake spent time with everyone catching up on the lives of those he cherished. It amazed him how time had flown during the eighties and how much everyone had changed. His friends from his youth were now all adults and most were successful in their own right.

Jake was very happy to see Nina Murphy McDonald there with her husband Pete and their three children. Nina was pregnant again; she and Nina Mallory Murphy seemed to be in competition as to who could have the most children. Pete McDonald was a good man and doted on his pretty little wife and their growing brood of children. Pete ran the residential construction unit of Thornton Development. When Pete and Nina became serious about each other, both Jake and Nina's father, Sean, had taken Pete aside for the talk. Jake explained to Pete how important Nina's happiness was to everyone and how disappointed he would be if Pete were insincere. Sean Murphy was not quite as subtle.

"Hurt my daughter and I'll cut your balls off and feed them to my dog," he said.

Carl and Dianne McClelland were at the party, so were Dianne's daughters Hope and Faith. Carl considered Jake the son he never had and, in his absent-minded professor's way, loved him to death. Dianne was now the Superintendent of Schools for the county. She had used her own and Bill Greer's ideas, along with a good-sized chuck of Turner-Thornton community-assistance money, to turn her school district into the top system in the state.

Faith Phillips was the director of the Middle East Project, a think-tank funded by the Turners. Faith, even though she was only in her early thirties, was acknowledged as one of the top Middle East scholars in the country. The Middle East Project specialized in involving women from Arabic nations in finding solutions to their countries ills.

Hope Phillips was a cellist in the Central Florida Symphony Orchestra and a music teacher at Rollins College. Hope never really lived up to her potential as a musician. She discovered cocaine in 1976 and became a counter-culture protégé of Andy Warhol. She tuned in, turned on, and dropped out. At Faith's behest, Trish Wellington got Hope out of that scene in 1977 and into rehab. Hope struggled for years to stay straight. She eventually moved back to Florida and went back to school. She was now in a committed relationship with the symphony's publicist, a cute and bubbly little woman with a strong submissive streak.

Although they were identical twins, somehow Faith and Hope, after the age of sixteen, took paths in polar opposite directions. Faith was the beautiful academician, always perfectly groomed, and stylishly dressed. Hope was the bohemian musician, down-playing her looks behind short hair and long granny dresses.

Faith was still devoted to Jake and Melissa. She owned a beachside condominium but spent much of her free time at the ranch.

Girlish giggling announced the arrival of Ray and Leslie Robinson. Jake had a huge special spot in his heart for Leslie and her family. When Leslie fell in love with Raeford Robinson, Jr., Jake was equal parts happy for her and sad that she had left his immediate family. Leslie tearfully explained that as much as she loved Jake, she wanted a family of her own. Well, she did get that family, and then some, as she and Ray were the parents of four girls ranging in age from five to ten. Ray desperately wanted a boy but it was not meant to be. Their daughters all loved their 'Uncle Jake', especially the oldest, Patricia. 'Patty Cakes', Jake called her, much to the young girl's delight. Patricia had recently told her mother that when she was old enough she was going to marry 'Uncle Jake'. Leslie had to bite her tongue to keep from saying, "been there, done that".

Patricia Wellington came over to say hello to her daughter Leslie, and her grandchildren. Trish still lived at the ranch, although she was gone most of the time crusading for true equality for everyone. Trish was one of the most respected people in the United States because of her message and her seemingly uncanny ability to foresee parts of the future. It was Trish's warning that saved the space shuttle Challenger, for example. Trish also predicted the insider trading scandals of the mid nineteen eighties, saving investors billions of dollars and hastening Michael Milken's arrest.

Jake's son JJ, and his brother Joseph arrived at seven-thirty with their dates. Joseph and JJ double dated quite a bit. Joe was the only Buckley-descended male with blonde hair. Joe's date, Jackie Greer, favored her mother. She was tall, slender, and small breasted with thick chestnut hair and big brown eyes. Jackie told Jake that her folks were up in Gainesville watching Bill junior play basketball. Billy Greer was a freshman at the University of Florida and a six foot-six inch forward on the Gator's basketball team.

JJ introduced his date to Jake. She was a very pretty young woman named Cecelia Benson. Cecelia reminded Jake a lot of Erika when she was that age. Of course, that might have been what attracted JJ to her in the first place, Jake thought. JJ took Cecelia over to meet his mother. Joe and Jackie headed over to where his sister and Mikayla were standing.

Jake circulated as more guests arrived. Stopping at this group or that, chatting with folks as they ate, he was a social butterfly. He found Sean and Mary Murphy sitting with a bunch of their grandchildren at two picnic tables they had pulled together. Sean and Mary were terrific grandparents, which was a good thing because they had a bus load of grand kids. By last count, Nina Mallory Murphy had five, Nina McDonald had three, and Jennie Flynn had two. Claudia Johnson had a set of twin boys plus the three Vietnamese girls they adopted. Wendy Nguyen Johnson was an Engineer at Thornton Development and her sister Mindy Nguyen Johnson Bradford was a kindergarten teacher. Mindy was expecting her first child any day now; Claudia would be a grandmother at thirty-eight. The third girl, Claudette, became a nun, went to nursing school, and was somewhere in Ecuador running an orphanage.

Michael Murphy was an investment banker knocking them dead on Wall Street. If the Murphy family had a black sheep, it was Michael. Michael was too fixated on money to think of a family. Donna's twin brother Daniel was a very talented and successful interior designer that did all the high end jobs for Turner Furniture. It took Sean a few years to completely accept Daniel's homosexuality, but he eventually did. Daniel's orientation did not matter a whit to anyone else; he was a good guy.

Jake was pleasantly surprised to see Louisa Diaz and her daughter Anita come strolling in with Ramon and Carmen. Anita, now twenty, was a second year midshipman at the Coast Guard Academy. She was home for two weeks on spring break. Anita was a sturdy young woman, exotically attractive like her mother. Jake was the second most important man in Nita's life after her Poppa Ramon. Louisa was the assistant manager of the ranch; Ramon had been grooming her as his replacement for years. Ramon was about to turn sixty and was easing out of running the daily operations of the ranch. TnT Ranch had grown to over five thousand acres over the last two decades. TnT grazed more than a thousand head of cattle along with nearly one hundred horses.

Louisa's personal life was not as successful as her professional one. She had married a sheriff's deputy in 1978 and spent three miserable years trying to make a go of it. Louisa worked hard at being the wife that Daniel Garcia wanted, but Garcia was a misogynistic womanizer and Louisa was too proud to stand for his abuse. In 1982, Louisa moved back in with her parents and reassumed her job working with the horses. Garcia came over soon after she moved in drunk and belligerent. He made the mistake of threatening Ramon and Louisa in front of Quincy Nobles and two of Ramon's caballeros. Some of the ranch hands none-too-gently evicted Garcia from the ranch.

When Melissa got wind of Garcia's behavior, she called the County Sheriff. Sheriff Bert Jenkins was elected with a lot of support from the Tuners and Thorntons. In addition, grants from Turner and Thornton Holdings were helping him modernize his department. Sheriff Jenkins called Garcia in and handed him a letter of recommendation for a position in the Miami Police Department then asked for Garcia's resignation. Daniel Garcia learned a lesson that Jake's long-time friend and former coach Billy Martin use to preach: 'Money talks and bull-shit walks'.

Jake opened his arms and Nita flew into them. Jake gave a little 'oof' when she hit him. Damn, she was solid. Anita Diaz was as much a daughter to Jake as Mickey was. Jake swung her around and set her down.

"Hi sailor, new in town?" he asked her teasingly.

"I might be for the right guy," Anita answered in a mock sexy voice.

Jake laughed and hugged her again, Jake was almost certain Anita was gay. Jake wondered how much Anita knew or suspected about her mother, him, and Melissa. Jake hugged Louisa as he had Anita and received a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"I'm glad you are home, Gallo Grande," she whispered near his ear in her Carmen Miranda accent.

A chill ran down his spine when she did that and he started to grow erect. Louisa just smiled and walked away; she knew the effect she always had on the Big Rooster.

Jake and Melissa ended up sitting to eat at a table with Melissa's relatives, Maria and Marisa (Tigger) Thornton. Tigger had joined her mother's law firm right out of law school and was the firm's chief litigator. Tigger had a fearsome reputation in the courtroom and seldom lost. Her name on a lawsuit provoked many an out of court settlement. Tigger dated some but had not found the right man to settle down with yet. Jake and Melissa tuned Tigger up a couple of times a month and suspected that a basic problem could be she had not found a man who could keep up with her in bed. Maria thought she was being too selective in finding a father for the grandchildren Maria yearned for.

Tyler Thornton, Maria's son, was not in town because it was pro football draft season and, as one of the top sports agents in the country, he was representing six of the top ten college prospects. Tyler ran his operation from Miami Beach and was considered about the most eligible bachelor in Dade County. Tyler owned a fabulous house on South Beach but still managed to visit his mother at least once a month.

Chip Thornton, Melissa's brother, was also sitting with them. Chip had settled down and was now an active partner in Thornton Development. Chip, once he had removed his head from his ass, turned out to be an excellent businessman. Chip's wife, Laura, was inside breast-feeding their six month old son, Russell the third. Laura Holman Thornton was a former tennis pro who had been one of Tyler's clients. She was ten years younger than Chip and damned good looking.

The final person at the table was Jake's sister, Angela. Angie looked as good as Jake had ever seen her look. She was elegantly slim and her flame red hair was loosely flowing down her back. She was wearing skin-tight jeans and a maroon and gold Florida State University sweatshirt. She was a far cry from the fashionably dressed business executive Jake usually saw. Angie leaned over and whispered in Jake's ear.

"I'm not wearing a bra under this shirt, do you want to check?"

Jake just shook his head and grinned at her.

A number of people Jake adored were conspicuous by their absence.

Debbie, Tiny, and Claudia were not there. Jake guessed that Tiny was having his homecoming in private. Rebecca Doane, her sister Katherine, and LaMonte Dupree were not there either. They had all moved to New Orleans. Rebecca bought an old gothic mansion on St. Charles Street in which all three lived. LaMonte still edited for Rebecca while Katherine taught philosophy at Tulane. Katherine's petite redheaded daughter, Rachael, was a freshman at Tulane. Rebecca was part of the vibrant literary scene in New Orleans that included Anne Rice. Rebecca's son Joshua was eleven. Jake sure missed having Rebecca nearby.

Another absentee was Cindy Sorenson. Cindy was off on location in London where her latest movie was being filmed. Cindy was married to Tom Crouse the dashing leading man and action-adventure hero. It was a marriage in name only as Tom was a whole lot light in the loafers. Tom and Cindy met working opposite each other in the movie 'Thunderous Days', a role Cindy won from Nichole Kidmont. Cindy and Tom struck a deal; they would have a very public romance and marriage to quell the rumors about their respective sexualities. Tom and Cindy had a perfect marriage in that they were best friends who had their own careers and did not have to worry about pleasing their spouse. Tom's real love was his personal assistant Rick Sidel. Rick lived with Cindy and Tom, as did Cindy's long time personal assistant Laurie Cunningham. Cindy was a frequent visitor to the ranch and was still in love with Jake. Tom often visited with her and had a small crush on Jake himself. The elaborate machinations made Jake dizzy, although Shakespeare would have made it into a play.

Oh yeah, and Cindy had a baby, Tom junior. TJ had blue eyes like his mother and black hair like his father. But unlike his parents, who were both short, TJ was tall for his age and ruggedly built. Jake had once again provided the genetic material for a male heir to a family. Late in Jake's life, another man would provide the same services on a grander scale. The man became famous for being the progenitor of a completely new branch of mankind. Jake would live to see the day when his remarkable ancient bloodline would merge with the progenitor's amazing offspring. And so it goes.

Mo Turner was not at the party either. Major Morris Turner went straight from Desert Storm to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Mo was still on the fast track having been selected for below-the-zone-of-consideration promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Actually, Jake had been on the same promotion list but was allowed to pin his rank on early when his unit deployed for the war.

Larry and Jennie Flynn were at Camp Lejeune and could not make the party. Larry was a Marine Corp Harrier pilot waiting to be promoted to major. Jennie was a nurse at the base hospital. Larry and Jennie did not get to Florida often enough to suit Sean and Mary.

Doctor Beth Owens had planned to be there but a baby who could not wait to be born had changed her plans. Beth was in practice with Janice Pritchett. Doctor Jan was still active in her practice but age was slowing her down. Beth had become a very close friend of the Turners. She was married to her career in the manner of Jake's sister Angie.

Chuck and Vivian Birch did make it to the party. Chuck and Vivian were instrumental in kicking the computer industry in this timeline five years ahead of Jake's original life. Moving computing forward was a tough nut regardless of fore-knowledge. Jake had never been anything more than a fairly competent computer user, so the concepts he remembered were mostly incremental improvements on technology that already existed. Chuck did take an idea from Jake about an icon-based operating system that pushed forward personal computing and slowed down Microsoft's take-over of the industry. Data on Time became a big player in the personal computer market by selling nice systems by mail order at just-above-cost. The idea was to get the systems out there, so that talented people could figure out how to improve them.

The band cranked up after dinner. Jake watched in amusement as the younger people all moved off to the side to party away from the old folks. He stopped being amused when he figured out that he was one of the old folks. Melissa came up to him and slipped into his arms.

"It seems like it was only last year that we were doing this at the end of the football season in 1972, doesn't it, Hubby?"

"That's what I was thinking, Muffy. Now we are the old fogies ruining the party for the teenagers. Man, that sucks."

Melissa laughed and kissed him.

"Poor baby, over the hill and all washed up at thirty-four."

Jake shot her a self-deprecating grin, "I sound pretty sad don't I? Come on, let's go join them and show them we still know how to party."

The party broke up at midnight. Jake was about danced out by the time the band packed it in. It had been a great evening. The caterer packed up and left, as did the band. The final guests departed, leaving Melissa and Jake alone on the pool deck with Mikayla. JJ was staying over with Joe after they took their dates home. Jake and Melissa were sitting side by side with a drowsy Mikayla curled up in Jake's lap. Mikayla was a happy young lady because her Daddy had noticed and commented on how nice she looked in the sun dress she wore. He had also danced with her and treated her just like the older teens. She sighed in contentment, snuggled closer to him, and drifted off to sleep.

Melissa slipped into the house and came back with a camera. It was too good of an opportunity for a mother to pass up. Melissa snapped a couple of pictures then Jake picked Mickey up and carried her to her room. Jake went to their bedroom while his wife got Mikayla into her jammies and tucked in for the night.

Jake was already in bed when Melissa came into the bedroom. Melissa went into the bathroom and returned five minutes later in one of her trademark white negligees. Jake swept back the covers and she slipped into the bed and lay on his arm facing him.

"Our little girl is growing up," she said.

"I know, it kinda makes me sad. In another year or two, she will discover boys and I'll be history. Then boys will discover her and I'll be worried all the time. Which reminds me, she kissed me today much differently than usual, in fact, she did it twice."

Melissa gave a throaty chuckle.

"She is curious and she's experimenting on the guy she loves the most and feels the safest with. I remember how that feels. Don't make a big issue of it. She does not feel good about herself with anyone but you; if you push her away, she'll be crushed. You must know that sooner or later she is going to get the urges that all your female relatives have for you."

"I had not given that a thought until tonight when Julie cornered me about 'exercising her birth right'. I might not have a choice with Julie but by the time Mickey is old enough I'll have that monkey of my back. Corrine's son Patrick is almost fifteen, as soon as he is eighteen I am proclaiming him the O'Buckley. He is the rightful heir to the title anyway and you know how intelligent and mature he is already."

"I understand how you feel, Hubby, but Mikayla might have other ideas. I knew it was only a matter of time about Julia. Debbie told me they had a talk. Julia was concerned that there was something wrong with her for lusting after you."

Jake slid his hand up and cupped one of Melissa's breasts.

"These are still a surprise, Muffy. They are nice; but, you know, I thought you were perfect the way you were. You sure did it right, they are not so big that they look unnatural and they feel like the real thing. Still, that was a lot to go through."

"There is a story behind these, Hubby. During my last check up, Beth found a lump on my breast."

Icy fingers gripped Jake's heart. Melissa saw his stricken look and hastily continued.

"The lump was benign, Baby, just a fibrous cyst. But it was surprisingly big. You know I've been self conscious about my breasts after Mikayla stopped nursing; the lumpectomy gave me an excuse to do something about it. It was not that painful and I like the results. Now I'm a large B cup so my figure is more in proportion with my big ass."

Jake smiled weakly at her attempt at a joke. He took a breath and tried to calm his thundering heart beat.

"Are you telling me everything?" Jake asked.

"That's all there is to tell," she confirmed. "Now I believe you have some unfinished business to attend to."

Jake kissed her and rolled her onto her back. He pushed the negligee up and she doffed it. Jake started at her forehead and kissed his way down her body, stopping to lavish attention on all his favorite places. When Jake reached the juncture of her thighs he lightly kissed his way down to her knee. Jake loved the color and texture of her skin. But then again, he loved every atom of this woman.

"Umm, I missed this so much, Hubby Bear. I love the way you take your time with me still."

"I missed it too, Muffy. I can't think of any place in the world I would rather be than here worshiping you."

Jake swooped his head between her thighs to emphasize the concept for her. Melissa cooed in delight as he burrowed his tongue into her. Jake never grew tired of her sweet taste and tonight she let him lick to his hearts content. After coaxing three strong noisy orgasms from her, he crawled up over her body.

"Let me on top, Baby," Melissa said.

Jake obliged her by lying on his back. She poised herself above him and transferred some of her wetness onto his shaft. She closed her eyes and sighed as she lowered herself until their groins were tightly pressed together. Jake knew this was Melissa's favorite position when she wanted to talk and she did not disappoint him.

"So we are back in circulation, huh, Hubby. That will make for some happy women. I know Louisa needs a work out and Faith is climbing the walls. We need to take care of them pronto. I think your little sister is interested in both of us as well. I have to admit that the feeling is mutual. She kissed me in the kitchen tonight when no one was around. I wonder if Debbie just told her that most Buckley women were bisexual or if she actually showed her. I'm pretty sure Debbie was Joe's first. She probably would have been Jakey's if Erika hadn't beaten her to it."

That got Jake's attention. He looked at his wife in amazement. Melissa caught his look and laughed.

"I should have known you wouldn't know about that, you are so oblivious sometimes. I am certain that our son got something nice from Erika on his birthday. They are just too comfortable around each other now. I think we'll question Erika about that next time she joins us. In the meantime, you need to have the talk with your son, Julia says he is going through the girls at JFK like the measles."

Melissa had never missed a stroke during her monologue. When she was on top of him like this, her voice took on a husky, sexy timbre that drove Jake wild. She could have been reading him the farm report and he still would have cum for her. Jake shuddered, thrust up into her, and erupted like Mount Vesuvius. Melissa moaned and came with him. She fell forward on top of him as they recovered from their climax. When he caught his breath, he rolled her over, still embedded, still hard. Melissa giggled in delight as he put her silky legs over his shoulders.

Jake slept in until eight the next morning for the first time in months. He had slept very well after romping around until after one with Melissa. Jake slipped out of bed and pushed his pillow against his wife's back then made a bee line to the bathroom. After five months in the desert, indoor plumbing was a welcomed luxury. Jake took care of business, brushed his teeth, and took a quick shower. By eight-twenty, he was in the kitchen checking if Tanya had whipped up breakfast yet.

Boy, did she ever; all of Jake's favorites were arrayed on the counter top and stove. Biscuits and sausage gravy, crisp bacon, home fries, and grits all vied for his attention. Tanya told him she would have everything on the table in five minutes and handed him a cup of coffee. Jake grabbed a biscuit and a piece of bacon and wandered over to the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the large family room. He was sitting there reading the paper when someone crept up behind him and covered his eyes.

"Guess who?" Mikayla said.

"I don't know," Jake answered, "But with that sweet voice it must be an angel."

"Nope," Mikayla grinned as she climbed up on a stool next to him, "Just some tall skinny chick with potential."

"A slender young beauty with lots of potential," Jake corrected.

"If you say so, I believe it, Daddy. I just hope it happens soon. I'm one of the tallest girls in my class -- but the only one without boobs. Dressing out for gym embarrasses me to death."

Jake turned to her and took her hands in his.

"Mickey, you know that you are a year younger than the rest of those girls because you skipped a grade. Trust me, in a year or two, all those girls are going to wish they were you. Besides, I think you are beautiful on the inside and the outside is catching up fast."

Mickey leaned over and kissed him on the lips. The kiss was soft and lingering.

"Thank you, Daddy; but all the girls already wish they were me because of you."

Mikayla was talking about the one hundred sexiest people survey in People Magazine that Jake and Melissa had been on for the last two years. It was an embarrassment to Jake that he was on it and bogus to him that Muffy was not number one.

JJ came in just as the food was hitting the table. He had an uncanny knack for ferreting out food. He and Mikayla were skinny eating machines. JJ slipped onto a stool next to his dad.

"Morning, Dad, Mike. Man that smells good and I'm starving. Mom must be cutting you some slack because you just got home."

The adult women of the house were all health nuts so this meal was a special dispensation. Jake wondered how long it would be before it was back to the Grape Nuts and fresh fruit.

Jake and his kids yakked as they ate. Jake asked them about their plans for the day. Mikayla said that she had some friends coming over to horseback ride and swim. JJ related that he was going to work out and hit the lap pool. When JJ became serious about his swimming, Melissa had a twenty-five meter lap pool installed out past the regular pool. Jake asked JJ if they could work out together and talk. His son agreed and said they could start at ten. Jake used the hour he had to make some phone calls. It was time to start his campaign for the Presidency.

In the bedroom, Melissa Thornton Turner was just waking up. She stretched her arms back over her head and sighed in contentment. Golly, did she feel good. She pulled Jake's pillow to her face and inhaled the slight residual fragrance of his after shave. The owner of that scent was the reason she felt so good. Her man was home where he belonged. She had slept like a baby with him back beside her in their big old bed and this morning she ached delightfully from their love-making. Melissa turned her head and looked at the digital clock on her nightstand. It was already five till nine, but Saturday mornings were by tradition lazy and relaxed at the TnT Ranch.

Melissa marveled once again that she and Jake were still so insanely in love. They had been together for almost twenty years, yet loved each other more than ever. "Somehow," she thought, "I just knew he was right for me; that's why I instinctively ran to him for help the first time my life was in danger. The one man in the whole universe that could protect and shelter me while letting me develop my own life and my own business skills. And then top all that with a perfect and perfectly exciting love-life. The entire country needs his leadership - and I have a lot of family and friends that can and will help."

Joe J

Chapter 4