LTD, Malissa's Academy, 2
By: Malissa Madison
It's the beginning of the first full school year, as Malissa begins to
prepare for the arrival of new students as well as the return of older
students. There are a few surprises in store as things get underway.
Summer break had come and gone, and Malissa and Donnie were spending
much of their waking hours in their offices preparing for the beginning
of the next school year.
Nona sat at her desk sorting through all the student records. Returning
students by grade, new students by grade. "Miss Malissa, I have a
student application here that needs your attention."
I stepped out of my office to retrieve the folder.
Loving, Theresa Ann, age fifteen, student transfer from, the
information from there on was smudged to the point of being illegible.
I searched my mind trying to place the name.
Well I would find out by tomorrow at any point, that was when the girls
were due to begin arriving. I was curious because all student records
should have a picture attached. I licked my finger to turn the page and
tasted salt. Now more curious I let my finger brush lightly over the
page, the feel of powdery fine residue, looking at my finger I saw what
could only be dried salt.
My intercom buzzed. "Yes?"
"Ma'am there is a Ms Rainier here to see you," said Nona. "Please have
a seat young lady. Would you kindly remove the restraints," I heard
Nona request. Stepping to the door I took in the scene.
A middle aged woman stood in front of Nona's desk, two slightly younger
women flanked a young girl in restraints. Turning to the girl the older
one said, "Sit, do not even think about trying to flee."
"Ms Rainier, please remove the restraints so that Miss Loving can join
us," I directed.
"She's a runaway."
"She cannot attend, let alone process into my school in restraints," I
held my ground asserting my authority.
"Very well," she made a motion and the other two began to remove the
leather restraints.
Holding the door open I motioned the two into my office. But when the
two who were obviously guards started to follow I said "You will wait
out here." I closed the door.
"Theresa, please have a seat, and tell me why you wish to attend my
school, please." I requested.
"Because it is either here or back to Mophra Juvenile Detention," said
the woman.
I looked at the stress on the girls face, noticed her ears moving, her
lips parted as if she were panting for breath. The woman took a seat
and I saw the thin almost invisible tube under her nose.
Stepping around I looked to see that Ms Rainier had gills behind her
ears. "Where is Miss Loving's breather?" I asked.
"She's fine as long as she remembers to move slow. Miss Rally will stay
close to see she gets what she needs to function."
Pressing my intercom I said, "Nona, please have Miss Rally give you
Theresa's breather, then bring it to me please." I stared at Rainier to
see if she was about to challenge my authority. "Miss Rally will not be
staying at the school."
"Once you sign for her, you can do whatever you wish."
I grabbed the papers from my her hand and scribbled my name on it then
handed it back.
"Miss Malissa the woman Rally says she must have forgotten and left it
in the transport," advised Nona.
Reaching out I snatched Ms Rainiers breather handing it to Theresa.
Rainier was instantly gasping for breath as I pushed her back into her
seat.
"I, I'm a duly appointed, trans, transport officer," she gasped.
"Who has no authority on my school grounds. I will not now, nor ever
allow a student under my care to be abused." I opened the door to the
outer office and snapped my fingers at the two young women. When they
stepped through into my office I said, "You will surrender your
breathers to me now!"
They looked about to protest when another person entered the outer
office through the wall.
"Miss Nona, I saw the transport from Mophra was here," began Miss
Tessie. I had a feeling that she had entered conceal and had been
listening.
Now seeing the full grown Phase Spider the two quickly complied.
"Ma'am," greeted Tessie. "Ahh, Ms Rainier. I see you are running true
to form, Astrid told me you would bringing us a new student." Seeing
the already signed form in her hand she suggested, "You might wish to
leave now. I'll have one of the Queenling's guardians return your
breathers before you leave the planet."
"Miss Rally you will return to where you came from. Your presence here
is not required," I said.
"Thank you Tessie," I said as the three left the office.
"Malissa we need to get her to the pool right away, she is too
dehydrated," and then she took hold of Theresa's hand and we three were
suddenly on the edge of the indoor swimming pool.
Theresa responded by diving under the surface racing in circles then
shooting up to splash down again. It took her several minutes to get it
out of her system and she wound down to glide easily over to the edge
where Tessie and I sat waiting.
When she climbed out I handed her a towel. "Take your time, and when
you're ready come to my office and we'll see what we have to offer you
to help your education, and Miss Tessie will show you to your
Dormitory."
"You, you're just going to leave me here on my own? What if I run
away?" she asked.
"Are you planning to run away?" I cocked my eyebrow at her.
"Ummm, no," she answered. Brittany and Brandy entered then and saw her.
"Oh We'll come back later, Sorry Ma'am," they said. Then before anyone
else could speak Brandy said, "I hope we can learn to dive like she
does."
She leaned over to dry her legs and they saw the webbing between her
toes. "Oh man that's so cool, could you teach us to swim like you do?"
"Brit, Bran?" interrupted Lita. "Oh I was afraid you'd started without
me."
Turning to Tessie I said, "Come, we'll let them work things out
together." I set the time on my watch and we stepped back into my
office. "Will you help Nona sort out the first year students. I'm going
to get some dry clothes on."
I stepped through my office closet into my bedroom closet, only to find
Corra and the twins playing hide and seek with Sophie.
"Now where can they be?" I heard her saying. They giggled. "Are they
under the bed?" "No? Maybe they're in here?" I heard her turning the
knob as they scampered behind me.
She jumped and yelped in surprise, "What happened to you, how did you
get all wet?"
"Helping a new student," I answered with a grin.
"Is she a special case?"
"I think so," I answered.
"The only thing that came through the portal today was a prison
transport from Mophra," she said. Of course she would know, she'd
appointed herself as the planetary representative for the Jennifer
Grant Extension Program. Only it was funded by the two of us, and we
sought Jennifer's advice when needed.
I quickly changed into dry clothes, scooping up Corra in my arms I
kissed her cheeks as she giggled. Then I stooped down to kiss Donnie
and Dotty, "And where is Becca?" I asked.
I heard her giggling and looked up to see her and Norish hiding in a
web hammock he'd spun for them. I blew them both a kiss and stepped
back into my office only to have the three youngest follow me through.
They raced out the door to Nona's desk knowing she kept a bowl of
different candies on it.
"Pweez," I heard them begging her.
"Now Miss Dotty, have you three had your dinner yet?"
"P, peeze?," I heard as I started through the door to tell them not to
pester Nona. "Mo, Mommy peeze?" rushing forward I scooped little Corra
up in my arms.
"If you promise to behave," I said.
"Yes, Yes Mommy."
"Can you say Daddy?" I asked her.
"D, Da, Dada," she tried hard to form the word in her mouth.
"Da," I Promptd.
"Da"
"Dee," I completed.
"Dee," she giggled.
"Da, Dee," I said.
"Dadee," she ran it together.
"Daddy, daddy," she finally squealed reaching for someone behind me.
"You're talking just as young as Becca was," Donnie said from my office
door.
"Here you are sweetie, you two as well," Nona offered them a sweet.
Donnie took Corra up in his arms, cuddling her as he kissed her cheeks.
After a few minutes of kissing and tickling he set her down to race
ahead of Donnie and Dotty back through the closet to home.
"So Col Pierce, how can we be of assistance today?" I grinned.
"Sarah Holt, I need her right away."
"Sarah?" I gasped in surprise. "Why? Donnie she is no longer a feeder."
"I know that Love. I want to offer her a job. My coordinator isn't up
to the task. I need someone with experience to oversee things. I'm
getting another nine cadets, and Devon just resigned," he explained.
I picked up my phone. "Nona could you get me,"
"Sarah Holt? Yes Ma'am right away," "Oh, Miss Loving is here," she
said.
"Send her in please,"
She came in wide eyed seeing Donnie there with me.
"Theresa, this is my husband, Col Pierce." I introduced them. "Please
have a seat." When Sophie had mentioned knowing about the Mophra
Transport it had triggered my memory. She wasn't a grant recipient, but
she was here on a special scholarship of sorts.
I'd talked with the Unicorn, Ariella at length about the possibility of
offering scholarships to young juvenile detainees whom she felt might
better benefit from attending school here. She had mentioned choosing
one from each facility to see if they could be turned around before
their future was destroyed by their own actions.
Mophra was but one of those institutions. And I remembered now that it
was for Water breathing beings like Theresa. I suspected I could expect
to receive girls from the other four major facilities before the week
was out.
"Donnie, Theresa Loving is a student here at Ariella's request. She is
a Merr, and a very pretty one at that." I said.
"You, you think I'm Pretty?"
"No child, you are 'Very Pretty'," I told her.
"I, no one ever told me I was pretty before."
Tessie joined us then, "Theresa I have your class schedule, and your
Dorm assignment whenever you're ready."
"Tessie, have you given her any physical activities?"
"I thought perhaps she might like to try out for the swimming team. We
still need a good diver," Tessie dangled it in front of her like a raw
steak in front of a hungry wolf.
"You mean me, swimming regularly?"
"Theresa, how much do you know about why you were chosen to come here?
And what coming here means for you?" I asked.
"I, they didn't tell me anything, just that I was being sent to another
Juvenile facility. But when I was talking with Brittany and Brandy and
the Centaur girl Lita, they talked like they weren't being detained
here."
"They aren't, and neither are you," said Tessie. She looked at me then
for confirmation.
"You know, I think that it is probably an omen that this arrived with
no other legible information than your name." I held up her folder. "It
has long been the policy of the school from which this one was modeled
after to start each new student with a clean slate. No one else will
know what you did before you came here, or even from where. Your future
is ahead of you now, unrestricted by your past," I smiled.
"Of course it might take us a day or two to get your student allowances
figured out. But until then I'm sure that Miss Nona can lend you a
temporary card so you can go out with the other girls tonight. Miss
Tessie will explain the rules to you that everyone here lives by."
I heard a nickering outside and knew that Lita was there waiting as
they left.
"Ma'am you sent for me?" asked Sarah in the outer office.
"Yes please have a seat. The Col has a job offer for you. One I think
you are more suited to than working in the kitchens."
She now looked wide eyed at Donnie.
"My feeding coordinator has resigned his position. I was hoping that
you might take it over since you've done such a fine job here before
Miss Early arrived." Miss Early was my new feeding coordinator who was
taking over the task this year.
She looked from Donnie to Me. "You mean like, be a Real Feeder
coordinator? But I don't have my license."
With a huge grin he pulled an envelope out of his pocket handing it to
her. "You do now, you scored a hundred Percent on your exam, as well as
got a few high ranked recommendations from those who admire the way you
have performed since Miss Correll left for vacation."
Her eyes were huge, "But what about school?"
"You can fit it around your schedule," assured Donnie. "My cadets are
more disciplined in their feeding times. And you will have two junior
coordinators under your supervision." After a moment he added, "Your
tuition is included as a 'bonus' to your coordinators pay."
"Can I come by tomorrow and meet the feeders?" she asked.
"Yes you certainly may, Coordinator Sarah," he grinned.
After she left I asked if he had a few minutes to take a stroll with
me.
It was fun seeing the few girls who had stayed the summer and those who
had showed up way early, watching us as if we were a fairytale. He in
his uniform, me in my dress and high heels. The orchids in my hair, my
hand holding his elbow as he escorted me toward the current dining
hall.
During the summer we switched each week so that they stayed ready to be
used once the students returned.
The Lycan twins had arrived three days earlier and now stood with Lita
and Theresa pointing up into the sky. Following their fingers I saw
what looked like a shooting star, moments before the flames vanished
and she spread her wings, gliding straight for the Academy. I noticed
that she wasn't alone either.
"Crista's back, look that's Crista Darklight." They pointed excitedly.
As the two dragon girls landed in the quad I began to size up the
younger one, watching as they transformed to their human form. Crista
had removed the two trunks that she had been carrying before she took
human form and I had to admit I was impressed. I doubted that Sugar
Lightfoot could have carried even the smaller of the two.
They were quickly ringed by the other girls welcoming them.
"Miss Crista, who is this you've brought with you?" I asked.
"Darya say hello to Miss Malissa, and her husband, Col Pierce." She
told the younger girl.
"Hello Ma'am. Are you going to be my new teacher?" asked Darya.
"I'll be one of them," I answered caressing her cheek. "Crista, I'm
happy to see you returning this year. I got the impression that you
would probably be one of those who waited to the last minute."
Sheepishly she blushed then responded with, "I was planning to, but
then the more I thought about it, the more I missed being here. And
then Momma asked me to bring Darya, she's my cousin, and show her
around before school started."
"Crista, is that your cousin Darya?" asked Miss Trudy as she joined the
group.
"Yes Ma'am," both girls curtsied.
"I'm happy to see that you came early, how would you like to help
tomorrow with getting the seventh graders sorted out into their rooms?"
"M, me Ma'am?"
"Yes, Miss Myra won't be back until Wednesday. So I need someone to
fill in until then, it would be a big help to Miss Clair if you could
fill in. we won't be starting the actual classes until Millday." Trudy
said.
I was still trying to get used to a nine day week, and we'd let the
girls suggest names for the other two days. What they came up with by
popular vote between the three Academies was Sunday, Monday, Millday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Tellday, Friday, and Saturday.
The fact that it was only Tellday brought both excitement as well as
uncertainty to Crista's eyes.
"You'll do fine Dear. Go help Darya get settled and then see Miss Clair
for a student list of who you'll have to watch for when they begin to
arrive, then you can join the others of your class. I think they're
going to take Theresa Loving into town to find her some new afterhours
clothes and help her get her uniforms." Trudy told her.
"Thank you Ma'am. Excuse me," she turned to Donnie. "Sir my brother
asked me to tell you that he'll be there tomorrow morning."
"Thank you Miss Crista," he responded.
As the girls rushed off to help the new arrivals find their rooms I
continued my stroll with Donnie. Seeing a little path that led between
some tall bushes he raised an eyebrow at me.
"It is a 'Quiet Study Retreat," I said. "Would you like to see it?"
He responded by leading me along the path to find the two little
benches set up in the tiny cleared space. To one side sat a small
picnic table. Overhead was a clear, almost invisible weather shield.
"Are you sure it's wise to have such a place like this? You know how
tempting it would be for young girls to get up to mischief in a place
like this?" he asked.
Pulling a cushion off one of the benches I blushed as I said, "You mean
like this Col, Sir?" I knelt on the cushion as I unzipped the fly of
his uniform trousers, my hand pulling out his wonderfully hard cock.
"Damn if there'd been places like this at Clara's?" he stopped speaking
as my mouth covered the head of his cock.
"W, what if someone catches us?" he said as I began bobbing my head
back and forth, sucking hungrily. The thoughts of getting caught only
acted to fuel both our desires as he grabbed the back of my head and I
slammed my mouth down, taking him deeper and deeper into my throat. I
could feel the tears as they ran down my face, my husband's cock
fucking deep into my throat until suddenly he stiffened and began to
jerk as he began cumming deep in my throat.
I backed off to catch my breath and let him finish in my mouth but it
escaped for a moment, blasting a jet of cum out and over my face before
I could recapture it. When I was finished he lifted me to my feet and
kissed my face licking me clean.
So?" I asked with a giggle. "Do I need to fix my mascara?"
His arms around me he kissed me deeply before saying, "No I think that
it was good you used Rachel's waterproof stuff this morning." He was
talking about the mascara that Rachel had bought me, saying it would be
less embarrassing if Sophie and I didn't always have smeared mascara
that made it look like we'd been sucking cock when her friends showed
up at the house. "Where ever did you get the idea to create places like
this?"
"Silly this is almost an exact copy of Clara's, there were lots of
places just like this scattered around." I answered.
"You never took me to any of them," he accused.
"Silly, we never needed them. You were always so good at getting us a
motel room." I said. "Besides, aren't there places like this at the
Academy?"
"No, there aren't," he answered.
"Oh really? What about the Artillery Bunker, and the firing pits, and,"
he placed his fingers over my lips as the sound of voices coming our
direction interrupted us. I had heard that there were a few young
Centaur males that were being sent to his academy this year from
several other Centaur Clans on other planets. There had even been a
couple who migrated here seeking Centaur wives who were more free
thinking than in their own home clans.
Misty Clearwater, one of the Cheyenne maidens stepped clear of the
entrance to the hidden retreat leading a young Centaur. "This is where
we can meet, and no one will," seeing us she stopped talking to him,
her face suddenly flushed red with embarrassment.
"Misty, I trust your chaperone's are right behind you," I raised an
eyebrow.
"Oh umm, yes Ma'am."
Just then her brother, Trout and a Centaur girl named Leaf stepped into
the clearing. "Oh," Leaf gasped.
"Remember Ladies, Adhere to the courtship rituals," I reminded them.
At the blank stares Donnie said, "I do not believe they've read those
yet."
"Yes but school has yet to begin, so I think we can let this slide so
long as they have a chaperone." He was about to ask if I thought to
pairs of hormone driven teens could be considered adequate to chaperone
each other when a nickering preceded Miss Clair who now joined us.
"Clair, how wonderful to see you, have you been keeping track of these
four?"
"Yes Ma'am. And I will see to it they are briefed on the proper rituals
of courtship before the young gentlemen leave, 'before' nightfall." She
Emphasized.
"Yes we have to be back to the herd's by midnight to stand our watch,"
admitted Trout.
Grinning as we left them behind Donnie pulled out a pen from his pocket
that he'd gotten from the Col. "I believe you mentioned some place at
my Academy where we could be alone," he twisted the pen then taking
hold of my hand he stepped forward as he clicked the button on the end.
There had been three numbered rings, like on the combination lock of
his brief case.
We emerged in the middle of the Artillery Bunker and I threw my arms
around his neck. Looking around I didn't see anyone else so I slowly
sank to my knees with a giggle of delight.
I'd just gotten his cock out when we heard, "Hurry, before someone else
shows up." just before Laura, Gretchen and Randy stumbled inside.
"Close the door," I said as I leaned forward for my reward.
"Uhh, are you sure we aren't disturbing you?" giggled Laura. Already
Randy was guiding them to the bench across from us.
"Laura, you're neglecting me," pouted Gretchen as she lifted her skirts
before laying back on the bench. I heard a soft smack and Laura's yelp,
and giggle as I began slurping on Donnie.
Soon I was lost in what Donnie and I were doing together, happy for the
chance at some one on one time together with him. I knew that once we
got home our children would be wanting attention.
Forty plus minutes later as we were getting ready to leave I smacked
Gretchen on her ass. "I know you can swallow it deeper than that," I
giggled. As we stepped outside Donnie twisted the rings on his pen and
we were in his office.
I raised up and kissed his cheek, "Wait here. I'll send Sophie to y,"
Corra was suddenly in my arms. I smiled as I said, "Home." then turned
the knob and stepped into our home closet.
"Sophie, where are you?" I called out.
"In the kitchen, where else?" she answered.
I walked up behind her and squeezed her bottom, "Donnie wants to show
you the Artillery Bunker."
"The What?" she was momentarily confused.
"I'll ride herd on the kids, you deserve a stress break," I kissed her
cheek. "I already made you a cream pie for desert after the kids go to
bed. Now go make mine."
She kissed my lips passionately then rushed off for our bedroom closet.
"Momma, where's Momma Sophie off to like a school girl on prom night?"
asked Denise.
"She and Daddy will be home for supper," I said. "Now whose turn is it
to set the table?"
"I'm on it Mommy, called Sherry from the dining room."
Rachel stepped in and hip bumped me at the stove with a giggle. "It's
my night to cook Momma," she was busy taking out pans and ingredients.
"I'll be in the family room if you need any help," I offered. "And
Rachel? Thank you."
In the family room I got down in the floor with Corra, Dotty and David.
Then just as I remembered my twice Great Grandma Nada doing, I began
teaching my younger children our tribal legends and family histories.
"One of the greatest war chiefs of the Sioux Nation was a young boy of
the Oglala Band," I began. "His name was Crazy Horse. But he started
out as an ordinary brave like the rest of his people trying to live in
peace. They followed the buffalo herds as they crossed the great
plains."
"But his life changed when he was still very young, while he was off
hunting with a small party to find food for the hungry tribe, a cavalry
troop swept in without warning and killed everyone they could find.
Riding down unarmed Women and children, and the warriors who were old
and past their prime. Then left the rest to die in the cold of winter."
"Together with his brother warriors Crazy Horse gathered the survivors,
and raised scaffolds for the dead. His entire family were among those
left behind in the burial grounds. It was four days to find the nearest
tribe where they banded together with other survivors of unprovoked
attacks."
"Why did they attack them Momma? Why?" asked Becca.
"Because white prospectors had trespassed into tribal Holy Grounds and
discovered gold. But they were on our holy grounds and when they were
caught our warriors brought them before the tribes for justice. But our
justice was considered murder, so they decided to make a show of force,
and provoke a war in hopes that they could claim our holy grounds for
themselves. such is the white man's greed." I concluded the first part
of the tale of Crazy Horse.
"Very good Child," clapped Grandma Night Bird. "You have learned much
in your short years," she praised. "But do you know where he was born?"
she lit her pipe and took a puff waiting to hear my answer.
"He was born on the banks of the Snake river in South Dakota," I said.
"Are you sure of that child?"
"The Snake Creek, not river. He was born on the banks of the Snake
Creek."
"Good, and who did he seek for his advice?"
"The Shaman, Sitting Bull," I answered with a grin. "The greatest
Medicine man of the people."
With another big puff and a chuckle she said, "He was but one of the
greatest child. But he was the greatest of the Sioux Medicine Men. Each
of the Seven Nations had their own chief Medicine Man. So tell me why
is it that they teach that Sitting Bull was the greatest?"
I smiled now, "Because when the Seven Nations finally united the
council of chiefs elected Sitting Bull as the Medicine Chief."
"I thought he was a War Chief Gramma," said Tiffany.
"You've been reading the white man's history books," I said making a
mental note to have the editions corrected as soon as possible.
"And which War chief was once a Medicine Man of another Nation?"
"Geronimo," I answered with confidence. "He became a warrior after his
wife and child were murdered along with the rest of his band. And he
sought out the Apache. But his greatest feat was calling down
Shodajiji, the Spirit warrior."
I sat quietly after that and let Grandma tell the tales. As I watched I
noticed one of the lizards crawling along her shoulder, they had grown,
nearly doubled in size since we arrived here. I knew that some things
would change, but hadn't realized that the environment would let the
lizards get this large.
Continuing to watch I saw what appeared to be a dragonfly buzzing
through, as she followed it with her head her tongue slithered out
tasting the air. Another lizard this one nearly the same size, only
with a fatter belly raised its tail on the back of the sofa. The scales
lifted up as the tail shook in the air the wind through the raised
scales making a Whoop, whoop sound. Now my eyes shot open wide,
Mountain Whoopers, had been nearly extinct even before my childhood.
Of course I'd known that Skinks were a woodland relative, but they
didn't get as large as the mountain lizards.
Now I wondered what would become of the other creatures brought along?
And what of those that were being brought by the second Earth convoy?
I'd looked into their cargo knowing some of it was intended for my
school.
May Longcreek, it was still difficult to realize she was married now,
was bringing a shipment of Cryogenically suspended Embryos for the
Terraformers in her second trailer. She was carrying Deer, Turkey,
Bison, and all sorts of wild food animals to be raised and seeded into
the local ecology on the different continents. Jason was bringing their
natural Predators Mountain Lions, more Wolves, Coyotes, even hawks,
owls and six pairs of Bald Eagles.
It would be ten years before we were allowed to hunt the new game
animals. But until then we had those that were already established long
before we arrived. Wheries were an ostrich sized flightless bird very
much like a turkey. And there were Gaels, a close relative to wild
Goats or Elk. They were found in the mountain areas, and some of the
warriors had already been hunting them. These two were favorite prey of
the Dragons who often visited, and the Phase Spiders who served here as
protection for the Academies and those who lived here.
It was strange knowing that my two oldest girls, and Danny were
married. But until they graduated school they were required to live in
the dorms during school, or at home. Rachel and Greg had their own
separate place in the pool house. Erika and Daniel spent their free
time going back and forth between our two families. And Danny, was
riding with Rose Wyoming and Longreach Lightfeather. Denise and Lindsey
traded back and forth as well.
Now that summer was drawing to a close Becca and Norrish were spending
more time at home. Of course he was right across the street, but they
shared that mental connection which made it easier to keep her at home.
She often would be out of bed at daylight to go help him milk the ten
goats his family now kept. I was a bit surprised though that I hadn't
had to tell her to come home for supper.
I hadn't realized how long I'd been lost in thought until Rachel called
out. "Dinner's on the table."
Looking up I saw Donnie and Sophie stepping out of our bedroom, right
on time. I had to chuckle to myself, knowing what they'd been doing.
Of course my plans for after dinner got interrupted by the ringing of
the phone.
"Hello Pierce residence," answered Sherry. "Just a minute," "Mommy it's
Miss Adams," she announced.
"Yes Joyce," I answered taking the phone.
"Ma'am, there's some sort of Transport sitting at the end of the Delphi
Portal junction. They say they have a delivery for us, but are not
authorized to come any further than the five mile turnaround."
"I see, has anyone gone to meet it yet?" I asked. "Any identification
on where it originated from?"
"No Ma'am, none. Just an urgent message to please send someone to pick
up the Students."
"Thank you I'm on my way," I hung up. "Donnie?"
"Right behind you, I'll bring the family bus in case you need extra
room," he said.
It was unusual to have a transport that was restricted to the five mile
turn around limit. Of course there were a few possibilities, and I was
curious to find out why. Stepping into the garage I got behind the
wheel of Julie and began opening the garage door.
It was a two hour drive to reach the Delphi portal going the speed
limit. But I also used the time to enjoy driving my car. I tried to
raise the transport on the radio but didn't get any answer, even more
curious.
At first I thought they'd built a greenhouse at the turnaround, but
then I realized it was the transparent dome over the top of a huge
transport. The inside looked like a rain forest, I could see figures
moving around inside and several moving toward the door near the front.
The thing resembled a bullet train section rather than a truck though.
"Please step inside Miss Malissa. We wish to greet you and introduce
you to your new students," said a voice as I approached it.
Donnie sat patiently waiting for me.
"Please accept our apologies for not venturing further," began the blue
furred woman at the air lock. Three young girls behind her giggled with
excitement, but they had soft tan skin instead of Blue fur and a tail.
"That's quite alright I assure you. and you have my assurance that you
will be welcome at my academy any time," I said.
"You mean that you would welcome 'Tanks' into your world no matter what
race they are from?" said the one who had welcomed me aboard.
"I assure you I have no idea what or who Tanks are, but there are none
here who would harbor ill feelings toward any of you." I was fairly
certain now that the woman in front of me wasn't a natural born
Genefren, she wasn't casting off pheromones as a true Genefren would.
"Malissa, is everything alright?" asked Donnie over my lapel pin.
"Yes Donnie, everything is fine. I'm trying to let them know that it is
safe for them to drive to the school."
Just then the tollbooths activated and from five miles away we could
tell it was a truck convoy coming through.
"We should stay here, they will not like finding us beyond the five
mile limit from the portal," said the older man behind the wheel. "See
they are already slowing down."
Sure enough the trucks were slowing down, then the two out front spread
apart making a pathway between them. I couldn't help myself as I gasped
in surprise at seeing the little Semi-tractor, barely as large as one
of the Mustangs, racing up the center line.
"Hey TooTall," I heard Donnie say. "Is that Little Mack?"
"It sure is Mr Pierce, this is his first time out on the real roadway
though. He hasn't gotten his radio's sync'd for actual verbal
communications outside of the other trucks yet," answered TooTall.
"Do your friends need assistance? We can have them send a tow truck if
you want," asked Darlene.
"No that's alright we just came to meet them and lead them in so they
don't get lost," I said.
"Want us to call ahead to the Inn so they have rooms ready?" asked
Sugar. "I'm sure they'll be happy to know they're welcome. Not many
races along the Starway allow Enhanced Persons to mingle. But I'm
really happy that we don't practice that here."
Suddenly I knew what they had meant by the term 'Tank'. They had been
born in a laboratory in what were call Invetro Tanks until they were
about five years old. Then they were trained as slave labor. Only in
the Cyber war of 2395, the tanks had freed themselves, and now living
in ships capable of both space and Freeway travel they lived in small
family groups. But their children were still born the same way as their
parents had been because no other race wanted them to be able to pass
themselves off as 'Freeborn'. Only they were planned and born one at a
time rather than by the dozens. The nice Term for their kind was EEPs,
for Enhanced Engineered Persons, the more modern term was FEEP's or
(Freeborn Enhanced Engineered Person). The most common was 'Tank', and
the most derogatory term was 'Nipple Neck' due to the Neural Uplink
scar left at the base of their skulls.
We finally convinced them to follow us, and led them to town stopping
first at Brightfeather's so they could get fuel, and see how friendly
everyone was.
'Shorty, Midge, and Bounder' were happy to meet other girls who would
be going to school with them. Of course not all of the excitement was
over meeting them.
"Little Mack," turned out to be the biggest fuss of all. It isn't every
day that a new truck is born of the union between two older trucks.
Even my own children had to show up to greet him as he raced around the
parking lot greeting every vehicle that pulled in off the highway.
It was clear he wanted pictures and murals like the bigger trucks. And
I could feel Mackenzie's sadness as she told him 'No, not until he was
big enough to begin pulling a load of his own.' Only to sigh in
resignation as Daffodil and Talia began to paint the sides of his
sleeper with feathers casting out rays of light.
"I am Little Mack Lightfeather. See how they shine?" he was excited
showing off the feathers painted on the side of his little sleeper.
"Hob, please bring your families to join the celebration," Old Elk and
Tim Wyoming encouraged them to come out of their transport and join
everyone at the diner. Once the majority had stopped to say hello and
welcome they followed me to the school.
Their family made their living going planet to planet doing IT Tech
work on different systems that they were more particularly suited for.
When I led them into the main office they looked around in wonder at
everything. Then they became suspicious when I said we should get them
set up with their ID's and student accounts.
I explained the different sections of the ID. Race was listed as
Humanoid. There was a classification for any sub classification that
might be needed for medical emergencies or special needs. I called over
Lori, then showed them her classification, 'B' and 'S'.
"Lori is Draconian, so she requires fresh blood from a feeder three
times a week, and the 'S' in red was a warning that she was highly
allergic to regular soap.
"Why would that be a problem?" asked one the mothers.
"We have developed several methods of punishment for unlady like
language. The one I grew up with," I produced a bar of Dial soap, "Was
to sit for ten minutes with one of these in my mouth," I explained.
"For Lori, five minutes would put her in a hospital, ten would be
fatal. And we do not wish to cause any student any real harm. So we
like to warn our faculty ahead of time so no one makes any mistakes."
Holding out my hand to Rachel she handed over her ID. "We have two
Designations for Gender, GG and TG. GG's are those who are Genetically
born Female, or Genuine Girls. TG's like myself and my daughter Rachel
here, are Transgendered Girls, those who have either chosen to become
girls or were born incorrectly."
Shorty and Bounder looked nervously at the card.
"Why would people need to know that?" asked Bounder.
"Most TG's like myself take hormones. If I start having problems they
will know automatically to check my levels. It's a safety thing, of
course most of us realize that we're actually special. We don't take
our womanhood for granted," said Rachel.
"But what about in the dorms?" Shorty now asked.
"There are no distinctions or segregations within the dorms," I said.
"All my girls here are young ladies, and conduct themselves as such."
"Look Mom, there's Tanks here," we heard from across the room.
"And to think you were doing so well." Laurina Felloni said taking
something out of her purse.
"M, Momma please," Desrita began.
"Five minutes, and to think you were doing so well." Laurina held the
round soap gag until Desrita had bitten down on it, then she fastened
it behind her head. "Minoli, Help your sister over to the bench then
you can go find Lita and Miss Clair.
"Thank you Momma," Minoli tossed her head in agreement. And Laurina
nickered in response. Before coming our direction.
"Hello I'm Laurina Felloni, I'm so pleased to meet you folks," she held
out her hand.
"What was that about?" asked Teela, Midge's mother.
"I'm terribly sorry, my stepdaughter had a bit of a different education
before I met her. But she's learning acceptance, slowly but surely."
She explained.
"You, you're part Centaur?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it came as bit of a surprise to Desrita. But it was
her love for her little sister that helped her begin to accept others."
"Here you are Dears, we have your room assignments right here,"
interrupted Crista. "High, I'm Crista Darklight. Which of you is
Bounder?"
"Oh that's me," she said.
"Cool, we're roomies. Come on I'll show you where our room is," Crista
said.
"Midge?" called out another student. "Is Midge here?"
"Oh, I'm over here," she waved to a group of other young girls. But
then her eyes got big seeing the one who stepped out past them.
"Hi, I'm Shasstine, I missed you when your family stopped in to refuel
on T-6. Momma was going to let me ride with you." said the Terrellian
girl. "We're supposed to be roommates this year."
"Shasstine, Princess you shouldn't run off like that. what would your
mother say if something happened?" chided a slightly older Terrellian
girl with a Vershang slung across her back.
"Marra, you are cramping my style. Guardians are to be seen and not
heard."
"Shasstine, that is enough. Marra is just trying to do her job, and she
is very nervous. She is the first Guardian her age," "Oh hello are you
Midge?"
"Uhh, yes your Highness."
"Oh, I'm not the one in line for the throne. That would be your
roommate Shasstine. But I am one of the Teachers here, I'm sure I'll
see you in class."
"B, but I saw you on the news videos. You were the Queen for a while,"
Marra looked confused.
"Excuse me Ladies," a Terrellian officer said. "Love, I will see you at
our Quarters tonight." They kissed deep and passionately. Then he knelt
and kissed her stomach, a look of great joy on his face.
The girls had begun to arrive, and they were getting to know each
other. I was happy to see that everything was flowing along smoothly,
too smoothly.
I'd no sooner started making my rounds of the dining facilities than
Nona began paging for me, a note of panic in her voice. "Miss Malissa
there is a Transport inbound from Creameria Two."
I heard several young girls gasp in shock. Desrita began to
hyperventilate, a look of purest fear on her face.
"Ma'am the Dreadlock has called ahead that they are on approach,"
announced Curwen our head gate guard.
"Curwen, which facility does the Dreadlock come from I asked calmly.
"The Helix Academy Ma'am," he answered.
"Col Winters, please meet Curwen at the gate to escort the Dreadlock to
the Administration building," I called her. I knew that she would have
her girls and the rest of the bodyguards on alert. I was puzzled
because I wasn't notified of any student transfers from the Helix
Academy, the most secure as well as feared Juvenile Facility in the
known Universes.
Students and faculty alike scattered into the buildings out of sight as
the big transport pulled to a stop in front of the Admin building.
Standing at the foot of the steps I waited to greet the new arrivals.
A short balding little man stepped off to thrust a clipboard at me.
"Miss Malissa Pierce"
"Yes and you are?"
"Percival. Please sign for the transfer."
I took the clipboard and scanned it quickly. The first page stated that
I was accepting full responsibility for Helix Academy Student
J957492319 in her current condition. And that she had arrived in
acceptable attire and in good health.
"Excuse me, Percival is it? I do not sign documents without seeing what
I am signing for." He made a motion with his hand and two women guards
stepped off pulling on chains. A second later a very haggard, scraped
and beaten looking young girl stumbled off. Her forward motion held in
check by the chains held by the two who followed.
I looked at the dirt smudged face, the bruised arms and legs, the rags
she was wearing, and how she squinted against the dim evening light.
I don't know who reacted first, me or my staff. But we suddenly moved
forward to her. "Let go of the chains now or we will remove your damned
arms at your elbows," growled Col Winters. She was jerking the chains
away from the guards.
"You have to sign first," insisted Percival.
"Nona," I looked around to see my assistant standing in shock. "Nona!
Call Mr Correll Now!"
"We've got her Malissa," said Col Winters as she finished removing the
chains.
I grabbed up the clipboard and tapped for the next page to see the
route of the Dreadlock. There were five other girls on the transport
who had been picked up enroute to be returned to the Helix Academy.
Detention Student J957492319, Juliet Stray, had escaped every detention
facility in the known universes. To include the Helix Academy. Then I
noticed something else. It was the five other girls who were supposed
to be transferred to me, not Juliet.
"Stephanie, we have five more onboard still," but before we had a
chance to react Astrid, Ariella and Darklight were there along with
Drew Correll.
Juliet broke free from the bodyguards who were escorting her toward the
building and threw herself toward Ariella, kneeling at her feet.
I'd never seen a mad Unicorn before. And I'd actually only seen three.
There were two with the students due to arrive in the next day or two.
Ariella dipped her head touching her horn to Juliet's forehead and the
bruises were gone. "Rise child, you have done more than you were tasked
to do."
"Thank you, I tried to reach you to give my report."
"Shhh, you did far more than you were asked to do. And you will be
rewarded." Ariella said.
"Ariella, the Wraith is on its way," said Darklight.
Astrid made a motion and a full dozen Brown Widows dropped their
camouflage. "Ariella, you are a creature of Peace and Love, please
allow me to deal with the transgressions at the Helix Academy."
"My Sons have already secured it for you, Astrid," said the First
Dragon.
"P, Please I have to know," said Juliet. "What will happen to the
others there?"
"They will be divided among the other Academies, and encouraged to
strive to overcome their pasts. I believe Miss Malissa has set a
precedent in dealing with young wayward girls." Said Ariella.
The guards from the transport were quickly taken into custody by the
Wraith, and the Dreadlock was driven away. But the five other young
girls were still frightened and unsure.
"Desrita Felloni, please report to Miss Malissa's office," I had Nona
announce.
She was worried as she entered the outer office. Looking around she saw
the other five, then looked at me half afraid.
"Desrita, I understand that you have experience with the Helix
Academy."
"Yes Ma'am," she answered unsure.
"Would you please be kind enough to reassure these girls here that they
have nothing to fear here? Oh and help them get their room assignments
and uniforms. It will look good in your file to show that you are being
helpful."
"I, I, Yes Ma'am." She turned to the other girls and began speaking in
a crude slang filled universal tongue. Though my translator disguised
as an earring was translating into my ear I knew that she was being
honest with them in a language they could understand.
"Desrita," I said quietly. "Please explain to them you are only being
allowed this breach in proper language to explain to them that they are
not to use such vulgar terms and words, please."
She blanched realizing my translator had caught everything. "It's ok
dear, I understand that it's needed to get through to them. But I won't
continue to tolerate it by the end of the week." I caressed her cheek.
"Your Momma will be so proud to know that you are helping others to
adjust."
"Y, yes Ma'am. Thank you."
"You're welcome dear," I said.
"Aren't they afraid we'll run away?" I heard for the second time this
week. I snickered to myself, knowing that it would only be a matter of
time before they realized they were more free here than they'd ever
been. All they need do was learn to follow the basic rules of society.
I followed casually as Desrita led them to the uniform supply office
where they would get the standard issue of uniforms. In a week or two
they would be given their Student expense cards and be allowed to buy
other items in town. The uniform supply office was my own addition, for
girls who didn't have the opportunity to get uniforms before arriving.
I also had made an agreement with both Donnie and Mistress Gwendolyn
that we had worked out with the Universal First Beings.
Those being brought here from the juvenile corrections facilities would
be offered a chance to choose after they had learned that their future
was ahead of them, unhindered by their past. In addition we would
provide the education for the Kittenettes living at the Shelter, with
the agreement that they also had the freedom to choose for themselves
when they came of age.
I sat in my office going over the records that I had finally gotten. Of
the five newest I saw that one, Maleeza, had been made legally a girl
during her time in a Juvenile home. She was transgendered but not
getting the hormones to help her develop properly. Well I would soon
fix that. I continued to skim through the rest. I had nine new Trans
Girls, and I was determined to make sure they were getting the proper
care.
I wondered how many would still be here this time next month, when they
were offered a free choice. Our initial orientation was due tomorrow.
And I planned to have my own Welcome via Video to the Common rooms in
all the Dorms. But it would be broadcast from one of the freshman Dorm
Common rooms. I just had to decide which one, of course I would be
making my rounds through all the dorms personally.
I wandered over to the Freshman/Sophomore dining hall chatting with
everyone possible along the way.
I was visiting with Laurina Felloni, Miss Clair and Spirit Woman Fire
when we suddenly heard the blast of Air Horns as a truck passed through
the main gate. Then there was a massive rush of young girls toward the
main parking lot. We looked at each other in surprise as we began
hurrying to find out what was going on.
We found Butterfly pulling into the lot, his trailer changing into a
walk in boutique even before he had fully stopped. I couldn't help the
grin that covered my face knowing what it was that May had brought
along with her on her return to school.
"Gather round everyone, please don't fight over anything. I assure you
we brought enough for everyone. But I wish to allow those who weren't
given a chance to shop before they arrived, to have the first choice."
As the girls from the Detention facilities, and other less fortunate
students began coming forward I saw Theresa standing unsure with the
five new arrivals from Creameria.
"Ma'am," she reached out toward me.
"You are being given the opportunity to choose first, do you have your
ID's with you? They will give you access to your student Expense
account until you get your Expense cards," I explained.
"You mean we can really go in there and choose things, buy them for
ourselves?" asked the young girl named Maleeza.
"Of course, here I'll go with you." As I led the way up the steps May
gave me a hug.
They looked at everything, their fingers caressing the fabrics in
wonder. "Go ahead try some on." Suggested May.
"What are they for?"
"To sleep in, and to wear after school hours," Desrita spoke up having
joined us as their student guide. "And on weekends when we go into town
to shop and have fun," added May.
It was clear they'd never had such fine or fancy lingerie. But they
quickly gave in to their own feelings and soon were giggling and buying
their first ever pretty lingerie.
"We never got to have anything like this in Juvie," said Maleeza. She
was still trying to get used to her two inch pumps, and stumbled
against me. She'd had her face buried in the silk, satin and lace
inhaling the scents of the different fabrics.
When I reached to steady her I realized that her pupils were dilated.
Juliet asked, "Maleeza, have you been inhaling the Silk?"
Her response was a very frightened look, "S, S, Silk?"
Then it hit me, she'd had her face buried in the silk stockings. Juliet
took them gently. "Yes Honey, didn't you realize these stockings are
made of silk?"
"You're high as a kite," giggled Theresa.
"Ma'am, we'll take care of her please don't be mad she wasn't aware the
stockings were silk," apologized Anna the oldest of the five who had
arrived with Juliet.
"Maleeza is Saurian, they have a reaction when they come in contact
with Silk," it was explained. "Inhaling makes them high. Physical
contact stimulates a need to umm, uhhh,"
"Have sex?" I asked amused at their trying to explain it. "She isn't in
any trouble. But I think perhaps we should keep an eye on her until she
is more steady on her feet." touching my right ear I said, "Nona, I'll
be with "Maleeza and Anna in the Dining hall if anyone needs me."
"Ma'am you might want to warn Maleeza that a lot of the materials Miss,
I mean Mrs Longcreek brought are made of Silk," warned Nona.
"Thank you Dear, we already found out."
"I'm sorry Ma'am," Maleeza was now frightened on the edge of tears. "I
won't let it happen again, I promise."
"Maleeza, you aren't in trouble," I tried to assure her.
"Th, then why are we going to the dining hall? That's where every place
else does their punishments."
I looked around at the others who had fallen into step with us, and saw
the confirmation in their faces.
I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, "Maleeza, when and if there is
a need her for punishment, it is done either in my office or your dorm
mothers room. Unless it is for unlady like language, and then it is
done in full view of everyone else. Just ask Desrita, she can tell you
from her experiences last year."
"But why are we going there then?" asked Maleeza.
"To get you some Milk. I've found that Milk counters the effects of
most naturally occurring stimulants. On my world the largest used one
was an herb called Marijuana. Just like silk it's fairly harmless in
it's natural form, and the effects are quite similar."
I drew them each a large glass of ice cold milk and watched as Maleeza
drank hers. Within minutes she was back to her normal self. Then I saw
how the others had taken to the milk. They'd drank three and four
glasses each.
"Where does this come from?" Asked Maleeza.
"This comes from Cows, that are raised and milked twice a day. This
over here is Goats milk, much higher in butter fat than cow's milk. But
with its own flavor."
"Can we see some cows and goats?" they were all excited.
"Yes you may, one of our field trips next week will be to one of the
Dairy farms," I said.
"Field trip? You mean like leaving the school grounds?"
"Yes of course. Haven't you ever been on a field trip were you go to
learn about different things?" I asked. "Like how things are made or
about different cultures?"
"No, that's what they always called it when we were taken out to work
the farm fields, picking food for the kitchens."
"Well then, you are in for a real treat. You won't be required to work.
But I'm sure if you wanted to try they'd be happy to show you how to
milk a cow or a goat."
We talked for a bit, and I had them trade nylon stockings with Maleeza
for her Silk ones. "Just read the little labels on anything else to see
if it is made of Silk. And read the stocking and tights packages too.
but I don't think wearing it would be that big of a problem for you.
most silk garments are made of a blend with other materials."
The others had left for their own rooms already. "Maleeza, I'll read
the labels for you," offered Anna. Maleeza looked at me frightened now.
"I'm sorry, I'm, I'm stupid, I can't read." She said.
I gathered her in my arms, hugging her tightly. "Maleeza, never being
taught to read doesn't make you stupid. It makes those who failed to
teach you, stupid and incompetent teachers."
"B, but I can't, I, things get turned around in my head," she began to
cry.
Pointing to a box of tissues I said, "Wipe those pretty eyes." She
reached first in the opposite direction. After blushing and apologizing
she looked up at me with pitiful tears still filling her eyes.
"Anna, I noticed you never point, you always tell her right or left," I
started.
"Because if I point she sees it as the opposite direction." She
confirmed my suspicions.
"She has a visual condition called Dyslexia. One that can be easily
corrected." I smiled at her, "Let's put your things away then we'll go
into town and visit a friend of mine. If I'm right you just need a
simple pair of glasses to help correct how your eyes see things."
I ended up helping her learn how to fold everything to be placed in her
drawers. Then instead of going to the dining hall I picked up their
room phone. "Nona, I am taking Maleeza and Anna with me to see Dr
Shields. I'll get them dinner in town so tell Miss Clair and Miss Trudy
where we are before Dinner, thank you."
They were thrilled at getting to ride in Julie, and they asked lots of
questions. Then at Dr Shields, she looked into Maleeza's eyes then had
her draw what she saw on the eyes charts. Sure enough the letters were
backwards. After taking another reading of her eyes, Dr Shields put
some calculations into her computer and then led her to look at frames.
"I'm sorry that we can't give you Contacts for your condition but we do
have some pretty frames."
"But I'll look," she began as I took my own reading glasses out of my
purse and put them on to go over her bill knowing what her initial
thoughts were.
Looking over the top of my own glasses I said, "I think she needs to
have two regular pairs, a pair for gym class and a pair of swim
goggles. That way she won't be left out of any activities." I signed
the bill so that it would get paid right away.
She ended up picking out frames like mine for her regular glasses and
stiff frames for sports. Her swim goggles would taked another two days.
"Her parents should be ashamed letting her go this long without getting
her eyes checked," said Dr Shields.
We pulled into the Brightfeather's Diner and I treated them to dinner
and desert. They'd never had Ice Cream before.
On the way back to school she began to cry, and I said, "Julie take
over please."
"Yes Malissa," answered my car.
By the time we reached the lot in front of her dorm I'd already made up
my mind. I just needed to broach the subject with Donnie and Sophie
first. I decided that I needed to look into Anna's records in a little
more detail as well, the two were a lot closer than friends, they acted
more like sisters. And Anna knew a great deal more about Maleeza, I
also noticed that she had herself avoided the Silks.
As Maleeza got out in front of her dorm it was like watching a whole
new person. "This is Freshman, Dorm One," she giggled tracing the 'F-1'
at the door.
"And you know which room is your's right?" asked Anna.
"F-1, 203," she giggled as she drew it out with her finger on the
glass.
"Yes Maleeza, you drew them right even." Anna praised her.
"Anna, you better run along so you can finish getting your room set up.
I'll help Maleeza with her room," I promised.
I was helping her with her room and helping her to read the fabric
labels. Explaining that she really needed to know it to properly care
for her clothes when she washed them.
"Anna always did that for me, she says that's what sisters do," she
stopped suddenly looking frightened.
"It's ok for her to be your sister here," I smiled taking a wild shot
in the dark. "No one is going to take advantage of either of you here."
"I, I don't have to pretend to belong to her?"
I wrapped my arms around her hugging her tightly. "No Sweetie, you can
even call her your sister in front of everyone else."
We spent a bit of time with me helping her to learn to read things
correctly now that her eyes no longer turned everything around
backwards. Suddenly we were interrupted by Corra as she jumped into my
arms. A moment later my phone rang.
"Sophie, sorry I'm with a student." I said.
"Does she have a name?" asked Sophie.
"Yes her name is Maleeza, she's,"
"Saurian, and her half-sister is named Anna. And Anna has been looking
out for her since she was five and Anna was six," finished Sophie with
more information than I had. "I think you should bring them home
tonight, Donnie and I would love to meet them. And school doesn't
officially start until tomorrow anyway."
I turned to Maleeza. "Would you and Anna like to meet the rest of my
family?" I asked. She looked hopeful yet scared.
We walked two buildings down to find Anna anxiously waiting. I set the
dial on my watch to 1:00, then held their hands as we stepped forward
and I pushed the nob in.
Then I led the way through my office to the closet.
Everyone was waiting in our bedroom to welcome them, and they began to
relax and just have fun. Before long, the long day began to show.
Maleeza yawned, and then Anna yawned.
"Girls would you like to spend the night here?" asked Sophie, everyone
else chimed in with encouragement.
Denise and Erika found them both nities and they sat up watching the
lizards playing in their terrarium, until they fell asleep. In our bed
I lay between Donnie and Sophie.
"Well what do you say Love?" Donnie asked Sophie.
"Maleeza is really sweet, and she definitely needs us. Anna needs us
more than she realizes too. She's too used to being the strong dominant
protector."
"I agree, now the only one left to put her two cents in is you my
love," said Donnie squeezing my hand.
"What?"
"Please don't act like you hadn't already planned to ask." Sophie said
nibbling my ear.
"When do you want to ask them, and what about our other children?" I
finally asked.
Someone tapped on the door, and then it opened as the rest of our
family filed in. "Yes," "Yes," "Yes," "yes," "yes," one after the other
they each said adding their vote. Even David and Dotty added their yes,
and little Corra cooed happily. The only one we hadn't heard from was
Danny, he was with Rose and Longreach, but due home in the morning.