Chapter 3 - Forming a New Family

The AI must have special programming because the door to my new home opened as soon as I reached it, and allowed me to enter before closing again. I looked around and the front room was empty so I headed to the movie room where I found a distressed looking Sophie trying to keep Alex calm. I was wondering what the problem might be when Amber noticed me and ran towards me with a cry.

"Daddy! You left us!" she told me as she wrapped her arms around me. Alex noticed the scream and followed, throwing his arms around me as well.

I looked over at Sophie and gave a nervous smile. "I did not leave you forever. They have rules here and one is that daddies have to have a private visit with the doctor. I'm back from that now."

Amber giggled. "Daddy, why are you naked? Mommy isn't here."

I growled when I realized that Amber must have peeked in my bedroom some night while Missy was still alive. However, I took a deep breath and spoke. "Another new rule for daddies. Don't worry; I'll have something on in the future. Meanwhile, you and your brother shouldn't bother Sophie so much. She's your older sister now."

Sophie's eyes widened, but Amber and Alex merely dashed over to give her a hug. I quickly got the children interested in a game and soon Sophie was giggling as she and Amber tried to defeat their brother.

We were still playing when Traci and Theresa wandered in. Both looked remarkably similar to how they had looked before entering the medical bay, although Traci was holding her glasses. Sophie looked up and smiled at her sister.

"Sis? What happened to your glasses?" Sophie asked.

Traci smiled. "My eyes have been fixed, so I don't need them, and wearing them gives me a headache now. I found that out while walking back here."

"Any other changes for you?" Sophie asked.

Traci looked over at Theresa who smiled. To my shock, Traci removed her clothing and slowly turned around, showing a tight form body with no scars or hair below her neck."

Sophie gasped. "But what about all the scars from dad's punishments?"

I looked over at Theresa who smiled. "I had all that removed. We have a new life here and Traci didn't need those reminders." She then turned over to Traci. "Lover, why don't you go and get a shift from the replicator, and get a loincloth for David. Seeing you naked is nice, but we don't need it all the time."

Traci vanished from the room for a moment, returning wearing a white shift that stopped just above her knees and handing me a loincloth. The cloth did not cover much, but I felt much happier knowing that some level of modesty would be preserved. I think Theresa was about to say more when Alex started complaining about being hungry, and everyone decided that it was time to eat.

After dinner, Theresa led us on a tour of the whole pod. The large bedroom on the lower floor she immediately claimed, and we found space upstairs for all three children. Alex and Amber proved to be tired, and happily settled into their new rooms for naps. Sophie said she wanted time to think, and returned to the movie room leaving Traci, Theresa and I standing together.

Theresa smiled. "I guess it's time," she said.

I looked at her. "The last room on this floor works for me. I'll just bed down there." I started to walk away when Theresa put a hand on my arm.

"No, come with us," she said softly. "I need... I mean we need... I mean...." Her voice was suddenly quiet and soft and I looked at her in shock when Traci came to her rescue.

"David, please come with us. We told you that we are both lesbians, but you belong. And we were told that the medical pods did something to make sure I'll get pregnant tonight. So I'm supposed to have sex with you tonight anyways," Traci said. She blushed and put her arms around Theresa who had tears in her eyes.

I nodded, and Theresa led us back to the large bedroom. Once inside I sat on the bed as Traci slowly removed Theresa's garments, giving her teasing kisses on each area of exposed flesh. Traci made the disrobing a slow seduction and I groaned as I watched Theresa relax.

As soon as Theresa stepped out of her panties, Traci pushed her onto the bed next to me and removed her own shift, displaying her naked body. I gasped and Traci smiled at me before putting her lips to Theresa's breasts.

I sat there quietly as the two ladies exchanged kisses and caresses. When Traci relaxed and stopped kissing Theresa's breasts, our mistress grabbed her long time lover and spun her onto the bed. Moments later Theresa's lips were drifting down Traci's body and eventually teasingly touching Traci's pussy.

The long moan that Traci emitted brought my cock to full hardness in seconds. I wanted to touch the ladies, but they seemed to be engrossed in each other and I sat quietly as Theresa put her tongue deep inside Traci. Traci was writhing around, as her lover attacked her clit.

Finally, Traci gave a long gasp and sank into the bed. Theresa giggled and knelt back, smiling up at me. "I love when Traci cums. Its so quiet and yet so intense."

I just nodded, but Theresa crawled over Traci and then lay down on the large bed. "David," she said to me. "I'm not quite ready for you to take me, but how about if Traci licks me and you take her. Be gentle, she's never done it before."

I sat there shocked as Traci slowly used her arms to sit back up and then turned to give me a kiss. She must have seen something in my eyes because she smiled. "It's okay. You know that Theresa and I used toys, so I'm not worried about you hurting me. Just be a little gentle. I'm still scared."

Traci positioned herself so that her tongue was at Theresa's clit. Her ass was in the air and I crawled up behind her as I removed the loincloth. I reached down to Traci's pussy and found that Theresa's ministrations had left it wet, so after encouraging Traci to spread her legs just a bit more I slid my cock into her surprisingly tight pussy for the first time.

Traci gasped as I entered her and then gave another moan. "Oh god! That feels so good."

Theresa whimpered as Traci stopped tonguing her clit. "It feels like Old Reliable right?"

I figured that she was naming their favorite strap-on, but Traci surprised me by giving a combination of giggle and moan. "No, it feels so much better. I never imagined how much better flesh would feel over rubber."

I started slowly pumping into Traci as she tried to concentrate on Theresa's pussy. At first my slow movements worked for Traci, and kept me from cumming too quickly, but Traci's long moans inspired me to slowly raise the speed. As my speed increased Traci started giving little squeaks of pleasure each time I thrust deep into her, and she raised her head, ignoring Theresa as I worked on making her cum.

Theresa looked a bit surprised, but noticed my motion and pulled her body back, openly fingering her pussy as I fucked Traci.

"Oh god! Please, harder. Plleeeaseee... Oh fuck! I never imagined.... David, you are a master at this," Traci was now screaming. I could see the awe in Theresa's eyes as I finally let go and fucked Traci hard, until I came deep inside her. Traci's head had dropped back to the mattress and she was sighing quietly as I relaxed and allowed my cock to soften inside her.

Theresa just smiled. "Wow! I didn't enjoy the three times I was raped, but Traci, I do think you enjoyed that."

Traci opened an eye as my cock slipped from her pussy. "Yeah. It's different from our old toys. He can do me again anytime if it's always that good."

I huffed, pretending to be annoyed. "That's me, the local piece of meat."

Theresa giggled and reached out to put a hand on my cock. "And it's a rather handsome one." My cock twitched as Theresa ran a finger up its length.

"David," Theresa said quietly. "Look, I told you that I was raped, and claimed to be a lesbian, but I think you know that's partly a lie. I don't find men disgusting or anything, I just... don't trust easily. After tonight, I know I'm going to want you, but not tonight, please."

I laughed. "Mistress, you just offered me a true compliment and you worry? I might be a man, and everyone thinks men aren't sentimental, but the look in your eyes is gift enough for now. Please, take all the time you and Traci need. Until then, friends?"

Traci managed to roll over; she had a glow about her and was smiling crookedly. "Friends? I think we've started something more than a friendship here," she said. "David, I think you have a hint about how I felt about men from Sophie's comments. My father was brutal, and it made it hard to relax around men. Especially with how aggressive a lot of boys are at school now. Tonight, you were just perfect. Thanks."

I was blushing as Theresa put her arms around Traci. "Now," Theresa said. "Think you can just try to get some sleep so that I can get my lover here to show me a bit more attention."

Traci giggled and turned around to kiss her lover. I smiled and climbed up in the bed to find a pillow and go to sleep.

The next morning, Theresa woke us up and we started organizing the pod a bit more. Theresa discovered that the plan was to train her in Naval Weapons and Tactics, with the idea of putting her to service on ships based at Borneo. There was a lot of simulation training and she asked us to sit in occasionally to watch and perhaps comment. Beyond that, we were warned that Foxfire was not going direct to Borneo, but would have another stop, where about half the pods would be dropped before continuing on to Borneo. This would extend the normal trip by three weeks.

Sophie was the biggest problem in the household at first. Traci had recovered from some of the hurt caused by her father during her one year at university, but Sophie had not only lived through the terror, but also the very nasty divorce. She tended to talk back to Theresa freely, and regularly ignored her sister. There were times I was tempted to smack her, but instead I patiently waited out any tantrums and then guided her into the movie room for long talks.

Traci struggled a bit with the inactivity. Since Sophie was still angry with her for abandoning her, and she was uncomfortable with the children, only Theresa and I were willing to talk to her much. Theresa was busy with her studies, so I ended up spending quite a bit of time with Traci.

I discovered that Traci was a rather lonely lady. During that first week, Sophie spent a good deal of time sulking in her room and with Theresa involved in training, Traci would wander into whatever room I was in with Amber and Alex to talk. She was a bit nervous around the children, but had an insatiable need for company.

"I'm sorry," she whispered once as I helped get some food ready for the children. "I seem to be trying to take up so much of your time."

I had Alex on my lap as he tried eating some cereal and just smiled. "Have you heard me complain?"

Traci blushed. "You should. Theresa and I have kind of ignored you in bed, and then I constantly need to talk to you. We're not being fair."

I shrugged and looked over at Amber who was eating some fruit from the replicators. "Traci, I had no illusions about the situation. You and Theresa have a very special connection. Frankly, I'm honored you have both allowed me in this close."

Traci smiled. "Well, we kind of had to let someone in close, but it's hard. I've never had a friend I could trust before Theresa. So I don't know how to act."

I just smiled and reached out to Traci. She leaned in to take my hand. As she looked into my eyes I spoke. "Traci, we have a family here. Yes, Sophie needs to relax a bit and forgive you, but we are a family."

Traci blushed. "But you are being 'Mister Mom'. I'm not helping there."

Amber looked up. "But you are just the aunt who spoils us rotten when we pass tests. Daddy said so."

I burst out laughing at the expression on Traci's face. She turned to glare at me, but then started laughing herself. "Oh, David, you'll get it for that someday."

The laughter helped bring Traci and I closer together, and that night she would coax Theresa into adding me to their sexual play for the first time since I got Traci pregnant. We also talked to Theresa that night and found ways that Traci could help in her studies and not feel quite as left out.

After that, the journey to Borneo was surprisingly quiet in the pod. Theresa met quite a few of the other volunteers who were traveling to Borneo, but overall our world remained the pod and the six people within. Fortunately my long talks with Sophie had finally helped her forgive Traci, and the young lady became a participant in many of the activities. This was a great help to Traci's morale.

Traci did prove to be pregnant; something that she confessed both distressed and thrilled her. Long ago she had given up on the idea of having children because she could not approach men, but she really was not looking forward to losing her figure. Theresa merely smiled and found a bit more time to cuddle with her lover.

Theresa had not forgotten me either. It was a slow process getting her to fully relax, but after thirty days in the pod, we found ourselves in each other's arms one morning. My sleepy kiss was returned with passion and two hours later Theresa finally rolled off me with a smile that would not leave for the rest of the day. It proved to be the last thing necessary to bring the six of us together, and by the time we arrived at Borneo, we knew that we were very lucky to be together.

Sadly, our arrival at Borneo opened up a new issue. The AI tested Theresa shortly before we emerged in the Borneo system, and as the Foxfire maneuvered into orbit to drop its pods, Theresa received orders to report to the corvette Park Avenue for a six-month tour as Weapons Officer. We ended up gathered in the movie room shortly after this announcement.

"Its rather simple," Theresa said. "Once the pod is dropped, I have one day before I have to report to my new station. The orders are a bit vague, but it appears that the Park Avenue is assigned to conduct a single ship scouting tour of a dozen systems along the current front between the Confederacy and the Sa'arm. I am allowed to take one concubine, but..."

Traci sighed. "I'm pregnant, so I can't go, and David is really the only one who can be trusted with Alex and Amber for six months."

Theresa nodded. "God, I'm going to miss both of you more than you know. And Patrician class ships don't have any way to communicate once they jump out of a system. I'm going to spend six months alone and out of contact."

I frowned. "But won't you have the other crew, and their concubines? I mean, I can't speak for Traci, but I'd understand if..."

Traci blushed and nodded as Theresa laughed. "From you I can understand that, David, but I doubt it will matter. I hope to be too busy to get that horny." Theresa blushed and then looked down. "Besides, Traci and I talked and we agreed. We might have other women lovers, but your cock is the only one which will ever enter her or my pussies," she whispered.

I sat there in shock. Our lovemaking had become quite tender as time went on, but I was still half convinced that Theresa was not truly happy with it. As I tried to reconcile her words, Traci giggled. "Oh, I know you'll get horny," she told Theresa. "Just come home to me."

Theresa smiled. "I hope to be back in time to see the baby born."

That idea brought a cheer to everyone in the room. We spent the rest of the day in a subdued celebration of the landing at our new home.

The landing was quick and quiet. The AI informed us that we were being dropped into a township that was populated only by female led households. Theresa had not requested it, but the AI stated that the military governor of Borneo had been spreading out the townships and that having all-female townships was something he felt helped overall discipline. Unfortunately, we did not have time to introduce ourselves to any of the neighboring pods before Theresa left, but she established some standing rules, which allowed Traci and I to wander outside the pod when we wanted to.

Theresa departed, and the rest of us tried to make the next six months pass quickly. Traci and Sophie finally had time to sit and cry together, remembering their shared childhood, and the terror their father engendered in both of them. I was able to make myself scarce for this, but afterwards Traci sought me out to cry on my shoulder.

I found myself acting as the head of the household without Theresa there. Traci clearly lacked any confidence in her own abilities, leaving me to organize meals and to teach the children. Her advancing pregnancy made her more than a little uncomfortable, and I spent a few hours every day giving her massages and just reminding her that Theresa loved and missed her.

Time passed and Traci grew closer to term. Finally, the AI announced that the Park Avenue had entered Borneo space and Theresa would be home in another day. Everyone was overjoyed and the next twenty-four hours were spent cleaning and decorating the pod for a huge homecoming party.

Of course, the party ended up cut short when Traci went into labor, but that only made the homecoming extra special as Theresa and I watched Traci bring forth our daughter Tanya into the world after a short, but exhausting labor.

Theresa announced that she had only three weeks leave before the Park Avenue would be heading back out. The ship was being attached to the screen of the carrier William Pitt. Theresa was full of entertaining stories about her new crewmates, and took time to introduce us to Martha, one of her crewmates. Martha was the only other female on the Park Avenue and lived in the same township was we did. Her two concubines were quiet and retiring. We enjoyed the chance to speak with some new people, and it was a rare day that we did not spend at least an hour visiting or entertaining them during the short leave.

I think those three weeks ended up being some of the best days of my life. Traci had to refrain from penetration, but Theresa had pent up lust to spare, and our nights tended to begin with a couple hours of kisses and caresses and end with Theresa covered in sweat and cum. I found myself happy, especially when Traci admitted that she wanted another child in the future.

Theresa even assisted me in getting a grill. I ended up impressing Martha and her two concubines with a small outdoor grill party a week before the Park Avenue was due to leave.

It was another idyllic time, broken only by Theresa's decision to take Traci with her on the next cruise. Traci was a bit sad to leave Tanya behind, but we all agreed that it would be best for Theresa, and her happiness was important to all of us.

So, I found myself left alone in our pod home with Sophie and the three young children. Sophie had turned thirteen during Theresa's first tour, and was worrying about her CAP testing. I found myself enlisted as a teacher and tutor for Sophie as she tried to improve her chances of a good score, but even she seemed resigned to her fate, as I found one day about a month after Theresa and Traci had left.

"It doesn't matter," she said as I reviewed some math problems with her. "We know I'll do fine on the portions that test intelligence, but that won't be enough. My father damaged me too much."

I put my arms around the young lady. "Don't worry, if you don't score high enough Theresa will allow you to stay. She loves you."

Sophie nodded into my shoulder. "But what if she dies?" she asked. I thought back to a moment a week ago when Sophie and I were outside relaxing and watching the children play in the small sandbox that I had convinced Theresa would be another good addition to our household. We were enjoying the afternoon when a trio of unfamiliar men walked past us, heading to a pod further down the lane.

Since the township was composed of female led households, this was quite unusual. At the time there were only one hundred occupied pods, and all of the volunteers in the township served on ships attached to Borneo, so usually fewer than twenty were actually living at home. I had also learned that the vast majority of the sponsors in the township did not like having sex with men in general and about a third of them had no male concubine, choosing to invite a male marine over when it was time to get one of their girls pregnant. Most of the concubines in the township were female and tended to keep to themselves. It was a major surprise to see three men walking together. Two were clearly marines, but the third wore a gray uniform that Sophie and I had never seen before and he had a worried look on his face. We ended up watching silently as the trio stopped at the pod belonging to Wilhelmina, a woman who was serving as a fighter pilot for the carrier Andrew Jackson. Her ship was out on maneuvers, but when the men reached the door it opened.

"Come out!" the man wearing the gray uniform shouted into the open pod. Sophie had wanted to approach them, but I held her back and we remained close to our home pod as Winifred, one of Wilhelmina's concubines appeared in the doorway. She was obviously confused and looked around for her mistress.

The man seemed to be speaking to Winifred, and I could see her shaking her head. It was obvious that she was trying to reject what the man was saying, but suddenly she collapsed to the ground sobbing. A moment later one of the marines disappeared into the pod. Sophie and I stood there confused until the man returned leading Winifred's two sister concubines, and carrying the two young children who had been living in the pod, while two older children held their mother's hands.

The man appeared to ask the marine a question, and once happy with the answer turned and began walking back towards us. One of the marines helped Winifred to her feet, and then beckoned her sister concubines to help her follow them back past our pod. I was still standing there confused, when I could finally hear Winifred whimpering. "No... she can't be dead... what will I do? What will become of us?"

Sophie gasped, but I waved to one of the marines who slowed enough that I could shout. "What happened?"

The marine stopped and looked at me. "Their sponsor was killed in a training accident this morning. We are moving them to the unattached concubines barracks for now."

His answer left me standing there in shock. We all knew that military work could be dangerous, but Traci, Theresa and I had been isolated from that part of military life so far. I wondered what might happen and how Wilhelmina's male concubine would be returned, since it was clear he had been with her on the Jackson when the accident occurred. Sophie was even more worried. Her growing comfort with me was apparent but she was terrified of most men. She never left the pod alone, and while Theresa was home, hid behind our confident mistress whenever we encountered other men, during any outings.

After that incident, Sophie came to me for comfort at night. I just held her tight as she cried out her fears and worries. The poor girl tried so hard to remain happy and playful for Amber and Alex during the day, but her nightmares drove her into my arms every night. I began to worry about how to help her heal from the terrible emotional wounds her father had inflicted.

I think the biggest surprise for the rest of the ladies in the township was how well organized Theresa's pod seemed. I never gave an order to Theresa or Traci, but both ladies listened to me, and provided me with all the support I needed to forge a smooth running household. It helped that Amber and Alex were already comfortable with me, and thrived with the attention that Sophie and I showered on them. I often heard female sponsors walking by express more than a little surprise at the little touches I put around the pod to make it feel like a home, and by the sheer joy on the faces of Amber and Alex as I played with them.

It was part of the strange new culture being created. Obviously, households composed of one sponsor who was in charge and a number of subordinate concubines who were expected to obey the sponsor, was a change for the mostly western men and women who inhabited the island township, but over time I noticed that the long absences of the sponsors often left concubines confused and alone. There were a few households with three or more concubines in the township, but most had two, and while the sponsor was away, a single concubine was left at home with all the children. I said little, but it was clear that some concubines had not been selected for their ability to handle children, and some sponsors arrived home to problems.

This was made clear to me one day when I had decided to grill some replicated chicken. The AI could have recreated it for me in grilled form, but stepping outside the pod and having a barbeque always seemed to cheer up Sophie and Amber, so I decided to reward them for a great day at lessons.

The grill was just finishing heating up and I was placing the first pieces over the fire when I heard a voice speak. "Now this is just so like a man. Out cooking and ignoring your real duties."

I looked up to find a stern looking redhead glaring at me. She was staring at my loincloth, but I merely gave her a polite bow and turned back to the chicken. "Actually, my mistress is on the Park Avenue. They are attached to the William Pitt and left Borneo three weeks ago. She took my sister concubine with her. I just have the four children to watch over, and thought to reward the older ones for finishing their studies."

"Really?" the woman said scornfully. "I'm supposed to believe that you aren't trying to run everything?"

I shrugged as Sophie came out pushing a pram containing a sleeping Tanya. She smiled at me. "Dave, Amber wanted to know if you'll kick around a soccer ball after we eat. She says she hasn't had enough exercise today."

I looked over at Sophie who winked at me and shook my head. "She trying to teach you to wrap me around your finger too?"

Sophie giggled, but a cough from the redhead caused both of us to look over at her. "And who is this?" the woman said acidly.

Sophie just glared at the woman. "Its not your place to ask. I'm still a child, and only need to follow instructions from our mistress Theresa."

"Sophie!" I said with a gasp.

The lady growled more. "You can't even control your own daughter? Is this household totally out of control?"

I turned back to the woman, but Sophie burst out laughing, causing Amber and Alex to appear in the doorway. "Oh, that is priceless. I'm not his daughter. Although I have to admit, I wish I was."

The lady looked at me and I shrugged as I closed the grill to allow the chicken time to cook. "Sophie's older sister is Theresa's senior concubine. And I'm trying to help her overcome a bad childhood. Its nice to see her willing to stand up for herself."

There was a bit of silence and then Amber and Alex ran over to collect hugs before Amber began organizing the table we had. The woman looked around our little setting and sighed.

"This looks like a simple backyard. How did you get it?" she asked.

I looked around at the sandbox, table and grill, as well as the small plastic soccer goal we had set up. There was no grass, but it did look quite a bit like a backyard back home. "I never thought about it much. I thought it would be nice to have these things and asked Theresa about it when she was here on leave. She supported the idea, and the next day, everything was here."

The woman looked at me. "And you said you are instructing the kids?"

I shrugged. "I'm probably not doing a perfect job. I wasn't a teacher back on Earth, but I try. Sophie turns fourteen in seven months, and I hope she can become a sponsor herself."

Sophie giggled. "I won't. I'm too timid, and would make a terrible mommy, but David refuses to give up on me."

I was opening the grill back up to check on the chicken when the woman surprised me by holding out her hand. "I'm Stacy. Do you think I could meet Theresa when she returns?"

I looked over at Sophie, but stepped over to the lady to shake her hand before quickly returning to the chicken. "That would be up to Theresa. I understand you can leave her a message via the AI, and she'll receive it when she returns. I'm merely her servant and slave."

Stacy shook her head. "No, somehow I think you are more than that. You could teach my concubines how to handle the pod. I have to admit I'm surprised. I'd never have thought of setting up something like you have."

I shrugged as Sophie disappeared inside to grab some fruit via the replicator. "Just trying to insure that my mistress is always happy. If the household runs smoothly, she has more time to relax."

Stacy laughed at that. "And yet, how many concubines do that?" she asked as she walked away.

I had to turn the chicken then. With the children needing attention I pretty much forgot the conversation, to concentrate on the household.

There was one last special moment during this all too short happy period. I had just finished helping Sophie with a series of science lessons, when she asked me to wait in the room and dashed for the upstairs part of the pod. About five minutes later she returned with a flat package. She was blushing as she carefully placed it on the table.

"Theresa told me to give this too you. She and Traci wanted to do it together for your birthday, but with Tanya being born only two days before everyone forgot. She told me to hold it until I found the right moment and I think its now," she told me.

I picked up the package wondering what it could be. It was wrapped colorfully, much like the little things we had given to Amber and Alex on what we thought were their birthdays. Finally, I managed to part the tape and pull out the mosaic that Theresa must have made for me. I looked at it silently as tears threatened to blind me.

One of my greatest regrets in becoming a concubine was that I had to leave all my belongings behind. Once we had settled onto the Foxfire, and I was in the loincloth, my original clothing vanished; along with what items I had been carrying. I did not mind leaving the majority of my possessions behind, but there had been three pictures from my happier times with Missy that I thought lost when my clothing disappeared. Somehow Theresa have saved those pictures and mounted them together.

I could see Sophie just look in me as tears fell freely from my eyes. She looked at the photos and looked back at me. "Who is she?"

I sighed as my fingers gently rubbed the most erotic of the three pictures. I had taken it one night after Missy and I have spent several hours cuddling. She was wearing a pink bra and panty set that contrasted perfectly with her tan skin. I remembered that night and the come-hither look Missy gave me as I took the picture. We had planned a night out, with Amber and Alex spending the night at a neighbor's, but the picture taking got us both so hot that we never left the bedroom. I tapped the picture lightly one last time and looked at Sophie. "She was Amber and Alex's mother, and for six wonderful and unforgettable months, she was my lover."

My fingers traced the mosaic down to a picture that I remembered was taken at a picnic we had, after we had been together for about two months. It was one of these crazy block party events that I had never attended with Janice. Missy insisted that I get to know the neighbors, so we attended and were surprised just how much fun we had. At one point we competed in a three-legged race and came in second. Right after crossing the finish line we had wrapped each other up in a hug. A friend from down the street took a picture just at that moment, and when we wandered over to see the results, I immediately asked for a copy. The photo captured the love Missy and I had in a romantic and special way, and I sighed, thinking of how much I had lost.

Sophie seemed sad. "Why did she not come with you?"

I looked at her. "I forget, I think I explained to Theresa, but never to you. Missy was killed in a pickup related riot, exactly three weeks before the pickup where I became Theresa's concubine. I'd promised to protect Missy's children just before she died, so I felt I couldn't refuse Theresa's offer."

Sophie pointed to the center picture in the mosaic. It had been taken during a trip to the local amusement park. I had Alex on my right arm, as my left hand held Missy close, and Amber walked in front of us pushing Alex's stroller. I smiled sadly as I remembered the apologetic man who ran up right after his wife took the picture, afraid we would be upset at the shot. When we saw how perfect it looked, we insisted that the couple e-mail it to us, and both Missy and I carried a copy from that day on. Sophie looked at me. "I can't imagine a family being that close. My father hated my mother."

I sighed. "Sophie, your sister and Theresa can never replace Missy in my heart. But I feel almost as strongly for them as I once did Missy. And I know Traci feels strongly for you, although perhaps not in a sexual way. Don't believe that love and respect are fantasies just because your father refused to show it."

Sophie giggled. "That's what my sister keeps saying. And why Theresa told me to give this to you."

"You knew what it was?"

Sophie shook her head. "No. Theresa refused to tell me. But she did say that it would help me understand why Theresa and Traci refused to listen when I tried to talk them into replacing you with a girl. They said that you meant too much, and understood what they needed. Now I guess I have an idea what they meant."

Sophie gave me a hug, the first time she initiated any physical contact with me other than the nighttime cuddles to ward off her nightmares, and then dashed off. I sat there quietly before going into the movie room to set the mosaic on the wall. That night I drank a quiet toast to my lost Missy, and to Theresa and Traci who were now my new family.

Unfortunately, life is not all happy moments, and that lesson was brought home with brutal force. I had spent a quiet morning entertaining the children, and was now setting up a lunch for everyone when the door to the pod opened suddenly. I turned around in surprise to see Theresa standing there. I took a step towards her, but stopped when I noticed the shattered look on Theresa's face. She looked up to me and threw herself forward into my arms with a wail of agony.

"Oh god! David! Traci... Traci is dead!"