“Stephanie, I want to tell you something but don’t get mad at me,” Debbie probed. “I know you had a one night stand with some guy before you left for Atlanta. You cried yourself to sleep the last three nights you stayed here. Danny heard you crying and woke me up. I went in Mary’s room and rubbed your head as you cried and you talked in your sleep. I know the only reason you slept with someone was to try to forget Bruce, which was very stupid. I really hope you used protection,” Debbie finished and Stephanie looked at Debbie dumbfounded. That was the worst secret of her life and Debbie knew.
Stephanie started crying again as she said, “I’m a slut.”
“Say that again and we will have a problem in here,” Debbie warned her with iron in her voice. Stephanie stopped crying at the change in Debbie’s voice. “I wouldn’t invite a slut into my home, then, ask a slut to help with my kids and offer to share my family. Don’t disrespect me or yourself like that again please,” Debbie said.
“I’m sorry,” Stephanie said.
“Now, I’m willing to share Bruce with you but you take both of us. Do you accept that?” Debbie asked her. Stephanie just looked at Debbie like she had lost her mind. “Stephanie, would you do the same for me if the roles were reversed,” Debbie asked her. The question caught her off guard. She thought for several minutes then answered.
“I don’t know Debbie. I do know if Bruce said to I would,” Stephanie told her.
“I thought you might say something like that. Stephanie you have to get some metal in your spine. Mama runs the house and if she doesn’t then daddy goes crazy. You can’t just follow Bruce around blindly. I tried that and almost lost him. He’s still a man and we have to steer them a little. Not control but just steer them to the right choices. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Debbie asked.
“I think so, but Bruce is too good for that,” Stephanie told her.
Debbie dropped her head. Stephanie had Bruce on a pedestal that he could never be knocked off of. She would try to show her. “Back to my question, do you want to share Bruce with me? I’m not giving him up but I will share him with you,” Debbie told her.
“Debbie, don’t tease me like that. I can’t take it,” Stephanie replied not believing Debbie.
“I wasn’t kidding,” Debbie said with a serious face.
Stephanie just stared at Debbie then blurted out, “Fuck me.” Stephanie slapped both of her hands over her mouth with a look of shock on her face not believing she said that.
Debbie smiled at Stephanie asking, “Is that the first time you said that word out loud?” Stephanie shook her head no. “Second then,” Debbie asked and Stephanie nodded.
“Take your hands off your mouth,” Debbie said and Stephanie complied. “Well do you want to share Bruce with me?” Debbie asked her.
“I will take anything you give me,” Stephanie told her tears of joy in her eyes.
“Ok, now Bruce can never know this. We can tell him in a few years but not now. We have to warm him up to the idea taking it real slow. Bruce doesn’t like to be lead around, so you have to make him think of it,” Debbie told her.
“Bruce said that about boys on page 146,” Stephanie told her.
“Ok, now I want you to listen to that book and that is how you guide a man not just make him happy,” Debbie told her. Stephanie lunged forward locking Debbie in a hug knocking her back on the floor. Stephanie kissed her all over her face.
“Thank you Debbie,” Stephanie said crying and hugged her.
“It’s ok Stephanie, now stop crying, you’re one of Bruce’s women and we have to be a tough breed,” Debbie told her.
“I’ll be tough,” Stephanie said letting Debbie go and sitting up. “Debbie, I want to tell you I saw Bruce naked,” Stephanie told her.
“Okay,” Debbie said waiting on the rest of the story.
“He was coming out of the shower when I was bringing the kids in here to bathe them,” Stephanie said.
“You didn’t run away screaming?” Debbie asked giggling.
“No,” Stephanie said.
“First, Bruce doesn’t feel ashamed of his body and will run around naked. Our kids have adopted that habit and it has spread to Mike and his kids. Nancy is a borderline prude. It took me two years to get her to wear a bikini,” Debbie told her.
“Well, he shouldn’t be ashamed of it. His body is fabulous,” Stephanie replied.
Debbie smiled at Stephanie, “How much do you want to bet Bruce will shower with you?” Debbie asked knowing Bruce didn’t care who was in the shower.
“You just said we have to take it slow with Bruce,” Stephanie said.
“You weren’t listening. I said he doesn’t find anything wrong with being naked,” Debbie said.
“He won’t do it,” Stephanie told Debbie. Stephanie was secretly praying she was wrong.
“If I win, no more guilty thoughts from you ok,” Debbie said standing up.
“Deal,” Stephanie said standing.
Debbie went into the bedroom to find PJ assaulting Bruce with his empty bottle. Debbie grabbed PJ, then started shaking Bruce.
“Bruce, the alarm didn’t go off. Go get the shower ready for the girls,” Debbie said as Bruce jumped out of the bed. Bruce looked at the clock, Debbie, and Stephanie then ran to the bathroom. Debbie woke the girls and told them to head downstairs.
Debbie went to the bathroom, “Bruce, I’m going to feed the girls first. Let Stephanie take a shower with you so she won’t have to be cramped in with us later and don’t burn her with the water.” Debbie told him. Bruce just gave a halfhearted ok whatever. Debbie walked by Stephanie kissing her on the cheek as she walked out the door.
Stephanie walked into the bathroom and closed the door feeling like she was still in a dream. If this was a dream, when she woke up she was going to be pissed. She stripped down and opened the shower door and just stared at Bruce.
“Well, come on in and shut the door,” Bruce told her.
Stephanie stepped in shutting the door watching Bruce wash his body. When he got to his back Stephanie took the rag from him and washed Bruce’s back for him. She could feel the muscles rippling across his back.
She wrapped both arms around him acting like she was rinsing the soap out of the rag forgetting that there were three heads in the shower. When she let go Bruce turned around rinsing the soap off of his back. Bruce held out his hand and Stephanie just looked at it.
“Rag please,” Bruce told her. Stephanie handed it to him feeling very light headed as she stared at Bruce. Bruce put soap on the rag.
“Turn around so I can wash your back,” Bruce told her. Stephanie almost said no because she couldn’t see him then. The decision was taken from her as Bruce spun her around and started washing her back. When he was finished he held the rag under the head rinsing the soap out. Stephanie turned around and leaned toward Bruce.
Bruce thought she was falling and grabbed her pulling her into his chest. Stephanie wanted time to stop right then as Bruce held her.
“You ok little red?” Bruce asked her.
“Just got lightheaded,” Stephanie replied.
“You locked your knees out. Stephanie you never stand with both knees locked,” Bruce told her as Stephanie put more weight on him. Bruce picked her up off her feet putting her arms around his neck. Stephanie’s feet were inches off the floor but her head was in the clouds as Bruce held her with one arm trying to turn off the shower with the other.
“Stephanie, can you help a little? I don’t want to drop you?” Bruce stated. Stephanie wrapped her legs and arms around him to help out. Not exactly what he had in mind but Bruce would take it. Be damned if he was going to let her fall and hit the shower floor. He would never here the end of it from everyone. ‘Ewe she saw your Talley Whacker and passed out huh Bruce.’
Bruce stepped out of the shower with Stephanie stuck to the front of him. She may not be able to stand but she could sure hold on Bruce thought. “Stephanie, let go so I can dry you off and lay you down on
the bed,” Bruce told her. Stephanie shook her head no. Bruce wished Debbie would walk in to see what she caused. Bruce grabbed a towel and dried off Stephanie’s back.
“Stephanie, stand up. I will hold you up ok?” Bruce asked and Stephanie let go with her legs and slid off Bruce. Bruce held onto her holding her up then, he just gave up. Bruce picked her up in his arms taking Stephanie to the bed laying her down and he dried her off. Then Bruce dried himself off and was heading to the closet to grab some clothes.
Bruce dressed then kissed Stephanie on the forehead, “You ok?” he asked her.
“I’m good Bruce. Thank you for not letting me fall,” Stephanie replied as Bruce left.
Bruce walked into the kitchen and saw Debbie in her chair feeding PJ. Debbie looked up at him smiling and Bruce smiled back. He walked over and sat down in his chair and told Debbie, “Go check on Stephanie.” Debbie just looked at Bruce not knowing what he was talking about.
Bruce took the look as disbelief. “I’m not kidding,” Bruce said. Debbie stood up and handed PJ to Bruce and headed upstairs.
Debbie walked into the room and found a naked Stephanie lying on the bed. Debbie walked over to her and relaxed beside her. “You have teeth marks on your lower lip. If you tell me Bruce did that, I’m goin’ to kick his ass,” Debbie told her.
“No, I did it to myself,” Stephanie answered then told Debbie the whole story about everything she did.
“You had orgasms with him just holding your body?” Debbie asked, just a little jealous.
“I bit my lip so I wouldn’t yell,” Stephanie admitted.
“Wow, I’m glad you didn’t try for more,” Debbie told her.
“I’m not ready,” Stephanie said.
“No kidding, we would have to do CPR on you and I would have to tell everyone I set my husband up with his new wife, that he doesn’t know about yet,” Debbie said giggling.
Stephanie laughed then repeated, “I’m not ready Debbie.”
“Stephanie, it’s not that different than with another guy. Granted it will mean more because you love Bruce. Besides your little one night stand, how many guys have you been with?” Debbie asked her. Stephanie just looked at her not answering. “Are you fucking kidding me? You lost your virginity to some asshole on a one night stand?” Debbie asked sitting up. Tears started rolling out of Stephanie’s eyes. Debbie hugged Stephanie. “Stephanie, why didn’t you tell me sooner that you loved Bruce? That was supposed to be special,” Debbie said holding Stephanie as she cried. “You’re going back on your promise so stop it,” Debbie told her. Stephanie slowly stopped crying.
Debbie changed the subject, “Well, did you enjoy it?”
“That was the best thing ever,” Stephanie told her. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had,” Stephanie admitted.
“I’m not your friend anymore, I’m your wife,” Debbie told her.
Stephanie kissed Debbie and said, “Well, that explains it then. I just kissed my bride.”
“We have to get downstairs and see what stud muffin is planning today. He didn’t get a workout so he might be bitchy,” Debbie told Stephanie as she got off the bed heading to the closet grabbed her clothes and vest putting them on.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” Stephanie said.
“Come down, we’ll write in our journals after breakfast. I’m not allowed on this patrol,” Debbie told Stephanie as she headed back to the kitchen after getting dressed.
Debbie walked over to Bruce who just smiled at her. “She’s ok baby,” Debbie told him.
“That’s good,” Bruce replied.
Bruce handed her PJ as he stood up, “Ok, the community building is complete. Today we are hitting the school to get tables and a restaurant to get a stove and refrigerator for it. I will be taking out a patrol to shadow the scavenging group. We have twenty six more people we have found on patrols that have joined us, let’s make them feel at home. Danny, Jake, Matt, Mary and Buffy you will be staying here. I’m taking out a new patrol,” Bruce told them and he paused for the complaints he knew were coming.
Not surprised, Bruce saw Danny was the first one up. “What do you mean I can’t go? I’m the one that found those six people yesterday and I can kick ass. You can’t make me stay here Daddy,” she told him.
Buffy was next, “Daddy, since we’ve been together, I have always watched your back, now I can’t.”
Jake and Matt stood up and Bruce held up his hand, “I’m not saying now, nor have I ever said, any of you were not good. I consider each of you to be top operators but each of you are showing signs of exhaustion. In the last few days each of you have gotten sloppy. Not clearing a room right, loose patrol formations or not pulling into the correct ambush. If this keeps up one of you will make a mistake causing either your death or that of a team member,” Bruce told them as Stephanie walked in and sat down at the table.
Still not surprised Bruce saw Danny still standing. “Daddy, I’m not tired. I can keep going, you need us out there with you. Even the soldiers here don’t know what we know,” she said to Bruce.
“Danny, yesterday when we cleared the school you just walked the halls and looked inside the rooms. I had to remind you and several others to keep alert. Clear buildings like you’ve been taught, never relax,” Bruce told her.
“Ok, so I might’ve gotten a little sloppy but I knew nothing was there. I could feel it Dad,” Danny admitted.
“That’s good, trust your gut but it could’ve been wrong, never let that be your lone answer. I’ve made that mistake and lost team members for it. This is a very unique situation now, our army is our family, as well as friends. Danny if you lose a teammate it could be your brother, sister, Dad or Mom. Everyone makes mistakes Danny but mistakes from exhaustion can be avoided and that’s what we’re doing,” Bruce tried to explain to her.
Then Buffy started in, “Daddy, I know Danny is better than me but I have been beside you since you saved me. Danny and I can keep going.”
“I said no,” Bruce told her.
Danny and Buffy started talking at once to Bruce. Bruce closed his eyes and started rubbing his temples. He could feel two headaches coming on. One was seventeen the other one was twelve. Bruce slammed both fist down on the table causing everyone to jump and shut up. He looked at Danny and Buffy with anger on his face. How could these two do this to him? He did need them out there on patrol but they were going to get hurt if they kept up this pace. Bruce did not trust himself enough to talk so he just walked out on the patio heading to the machine shop.
Danny headed to the door to follow but stopped when Debbie spoke, “Danny, don’t bother your father right now.”
“Mom, he has to understand,” Danny told Debbie as she grabbed the door handle.
Debbie stood up tucking PJ under her arm, “Danny, if you open that fucking door I will break your leg.”
Chairs scrapped across the floor as everyone on that side of the table, tried to get to the other side, seeing the look on Debbie’s face. Stephanie was the only one heading towards Debbie. Not to stop her but to get PJ out of her arms. Grabbing PJ from Debbie, Stephanie cleared the area grabbing the twins who were still in their chairs watching with open mouths.
Not believing what was happening, Danny took a step back caught off guard but quickly brushed it off. “Mom, I have to make him understand. I’m tough enough,” Danny told her as she grabbed the door handle.
Debbie put her foot at the bottom of the door. “If you open that door, I’ll break your leg,” Debbie told her in a flat voice.
Thinking she heard wrong, Danny just looked at her mom. Danny knew she was bigger and stronger than Mama and could take her nine out of ten times sparing. She really did not want to hurt her Mom but she was going to set this straight with Daddy. “Mom, I don’t want to hurt you so move, before I move you,” Danny told her.
Danny never even saw Debbie’s hands come up double palm striking her chest, pushing Danny back several feet. Danny narrowed her eyes as she turned her body
sideways into a fighting stance ignoring the pain from the strike.
“Mama, move I’m going outside. I don’t want to hurt you but I will if I have too,” Danny warned her.
Debbie was just standing in front of the door with her arms at her side. Her body was relaxed but when you looked at Debbie’s face everyone could see she was pissed.
“Danny, if you threaten me again I will break both of your legs. I will care for you afterwards because you are my daughter and I love you, but I will break both of them,” Debbie warned her.
“Move Mom,” Danny said through clenched teeth.
“You are not going to bother your Father. So you can stay in your stance all day, my mission is accomplished,” Debbie told her.
Danny turned her body toward Debbie. Danny lunged forward to double palm strike Debbie in the chest and push her out of the way. Debbie just saw an attack coming. Again, Danny never saw her mother move.
Debbie snapped out with her right foot into Danny’s abdomen, forcing all the air out of her lungs and stopping her momentum. As Debbie’s right foot was pulling back, she jumped off her left foot snapping a kick into Danny’s chest. If Danny would not have had on her tactical vest, the kick would have broken ribs but it absorbed a lot of the energy. Enough energy came through to send pain through her chest reeling Danny’s body upright. Throwing out her arms, Danny tried to stop her movement backwards.
Debbie seeing Danny throw her arms out rushed forward grabbing Danny’s right wrist. Debbie rolled her body under the arm pushing her hip into Danny’s body. Flying over Debbie’s back, Danny landed on the table with a loud crash sending plates and glasses across the room.
Still holding Danny’s right wrist Debbie moved forward pushing Danny’s wrist into her armpit. Debbie put her right forearm under Danny’s elbow with Debbie’s right hand holding her left bicep. With her left hand, Debbie grabbed Danny’s right ear and a hand full of hair. Then Debbie leaned back applying pressure to the arm bar. When Danny tried to roll out of it, Debbie twisted her ear.
Blue Plague Survival Page 33