AN HOMAGE TO VINCENT VEGA, SEASON THREE, SCENE 89: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: LINH

[littlebopeeper]

Nancy Friday's My Secret Garden.

[Babypants]

On 7/19/2025 at 10:20 PM, littlebopeeper said:

Nancy Friday's My Secret Garden.

Got it in one!  Thanks for taking part.

[mushy bottom]

I would have gone with The Story of O.  Spanking is an art form here, and Sofia has read it for sure

 

[Babypants]

23 hours ago, mushy bottom said:

I would have gone with The Story of O.  Spanking is an art form here, and Sofia has read it for sure

Sofia has definitely read the Story of O, but we don't know about Vickie.  We'll have to ask her in an upcoming scene.

[mushy bottom]

Neat idea.  Let the character speak for herself.

[Babypants]

On 7/25/2025 at 10:47 AM, mushy bottom said:

Neat idea.  Let the character speak for herself.

I agree.  I have rewritten part 2 of this scene to let Vickie talk about it.

[Babypants]

CHILDHOOD'S END, PART 2

WARNING: the sexual abuse that Babs, Vickie and Ian suffered as children is detailed in this scene.

SMACK!!

Priscilla jumped as the blow landed on her right buttock. Following Vickie's instructions to the letter, Francine had begun the session by warming Pris' rear end to get the blood flowing. Then, using both fingers and palm and maintaining a steady rhythm, she had peppered Pris' butt cheeks and upper thighs with a series of light but stinging blows. But Francie saved the punishment part of Pris' spanking for last, six heavy blows with a paddle that Rita had hanging on the wall in her bedroom. Priscilla started squirming with the second stroke, but Francie had her right arm pinned behind her back, and a firm grip on her legs. Priscilla couldn't escape, and with the third blow began to whimper. She was crying with the fifth, and begging for mercy. But mercy was not forthcoming. Priscilla needed to understand that Mommy Sarah's word was law in this household, and backtalk would not be tolerated, never mind outright disobedience.

The last two blows had left Priscilla bawling, but Francie finished with a gentle massage before repinning her diaper and pulling her baby pants and canvas cover back into place. When the lock clicked home, Francie swept Priscilla into her arms and showered her with kisses. She had taken her punishment well, Francie declared, and could look forward to a fun time the following afternoon. Once the sleeping arrangements had been worked out, the two of them would enjoy a lot of fun times.

Ian wandered off to the dining room to ready the fourth round of ouzo, but knowing how potent the liqueur really was, he delayed long enough to set out finger bowls filled with well salted kalamata olives. He had stayed up to watch the sun rise over the Lycabettus many times, often in Irina's company, his favorite haunt in Kolonaki Square keeping the ouzo and the olives flowing freely hour after hour. It was here that he planned to introduce Irina to Sarah and the rest of his entourage before wandering off to honeymoon at a quaint old hotel on Santorini, whose owner owed him a rather large favor.

Munching on olives while he poured, watching Vickie enthusiastically dive into a bowl, Ian knew that the hardest part of the evening now lay just ahead. Before Joyce put Babs over her knee and delivered a brutal punishment spanking, Ian wanted Babs to drink enough ouzo to dull both her senses and her inhibitions. Ian had felt Babs' anger on Thursday night; now he wanted to tap into her sense of remorse. Contrition might get her to open up once he gave her a lead to follow, then it would be up to Candy to start the healing process for Babs, Vickie and Ian alike.

Francie dragged Priscilla into the dining room, figuring that several shots of ouzo would take the sting out of her backside. Thinking along the same lines as Ian, Joyce led Babs to the table, but the young policewoman needed no urging as she started to knock back one shot after another. Rita's party was beginning to feel like a typical Saturday night at The Pig Sty, where Babs had been using hard liquor as an anesthetic ever since she joined the force.

The crowd gathered around the table quickly swelled, Suzie, Carlie and Reiko opting not to fall behind the others. Seeing that Ian was being overwhelmed, Sofia grabbed another bottle and began pouring, filling shot glass after shot glass, while Sarah took over setting out the olives.

Julia, Emily, Amy and Rita decided to stay out of the traffic. It was Rita who answered the door when Marilyn Marsden finally showed up with contract in hand, and a sufficiently healthy appetite to dive into the leftovers. While she munched, the others filled her in on the latest turn of events at the sorority.

Eight shots later, Ian figured that Babs was nicely tipsy, so he led the way to the fireplace and initiated the fourth round by emptying his glass and hurling it into the flames. One by one the others followed, but Sarah took Francie aside and passed her one of the four keys to Priscilla's diaper cover. In a few whispered words, Sarah made it clear that their baby girl was now Francie's responsibility. She would change the baby's diapers, bathe her, and give her her bottles. And from this point on, outbursts and backtalk were to be punished with serious spankings, twenty-five strokes with Rita's paddle for a start.

Francie was delighted. She was planning on transforming Priscilla Canon into little baby Prissy, a diaper slut with a ready tongue and a rear end eager to welcome Francine's strap-on. She would share the baby girl with Ian, but she wanted everyone else to keep their distance.

It was time. Joyce took her seat, pulled Babs' diaper cover and vinyl pants down to her ankles, and unpinned her diaper. On command, Babs slid over Joyce's knee, her backside fully exposed. Ian took a seat on the floor directly in front of her, with Carlie and Rita off to the sides. If Babs exploded, they were prepared to take her down.

“This will be a heavy punishment spanking,” Sarah explained. “On Thursday night Babs behaved abominably, insulting Ian in a public setting. She was crude and cruel, although Ian treated her with great gentleness. She even made two bets with him, knowing that if she lost this would be the price she would pay. And she lost both of them. Now, Joyce has spanked her before, but in private. Babs has asked to receive this spanking in public, and she doesn't want Joyce to hold back. This is her penance, and not just for hurting Ian. He appears to be the latest in a long line of Babs' victims, including Carlie Voight here, who has been sharing a squad car with Babs for the past three years. It is for Ian and Carlie to decide whether her apologies are sincere.”

“Vickie, how did you learn so much about spanking,” Joyce asked as she began massaging Babs' butt cheeks. She was also going to follow Vickie's instructions to the letter.

“I read up on the subject. The usual suspects … de Sade, The Story of O, My Secret Garden. Then I took what I was reading and put it into practice. If you're open minded, and pay close attention to your partner's response, you will get better at delivering a spanking. Pass on what you have learned to your partner, and he or she will get better as well. There are few things in life as intense as an erotic spanking, nor as humiliating as a punishment spanking.”

“True,” Sofia chimed in. “I pride myself on being able to deliver either as the situation requires. You and I have read the same books, it seems.”

“Did you teach Sarah? She's really good at this, and her punishment spanking is incredibly erotic.”

“Then she's still learning; the two should never cross.”

“I'll have to read up on the subject,” Sarah laughed. “Vickie is a very naughty little girl.”

A few light swats finished the warm up, and then Joyce got down to business. She started with her palm, delivering hard smacks first to one cheek and then the other. She wanted the nerves to be tingling before she brought the paddle into play. She likewise drummed Babs' thighs with her fingers, warming them up for the wooden spoon that would attack the narrow zone just below the buttocks, where the paddle would be ineffective.

Through it all, Babs' expression did not change. She didn't cry out, she didn't whimper, she didn't even moan. Beaten with a razor strap throughout childhood, she had a high tolerance for physical pain. Mister Holeywood had broken through her defenses, but Joyce had left it back at the sorority. Babs could only hope that Rita's paddle would prove sufficiently punishing.

SMACK!!

It was time to find out. Joyce lifted the paddle high overhead, and brought it down with full force on the meaty portion of Babs' right cheek.

SMACK!!

A second blow followed the first, delivered this time to the left cheek. Babs flinched.

SMACK!! SMACK!! SMACK!!

The right cheek.

SMACK!! SMACK!! SMACK!!

And again the left.

Babs whimpered. She was holding eye contact with Ian, neither her gaze nor his wavering. His expression was inscrutable. Was he enjoying her pain? The paddle did hurt; not as bad as Mister Holeywood, but it did hurt.

THWACK!! THWACK!! THWACK!!!

A searing pain erupted in Babs' right thigh, the long handled wooden spoon landing on a spot where the muscle had little fat to shield it.

THWACK!! THWACK!! THWACK!!

Joyce had her rhythm now as she moved to the left.

Babs hissed; she had been unconsciously holding her breath while Joyce pummeled her thighs, and she sounded like an old fashioned tea kettle letting off steam.

SMACK!! SMACK!!

Joyce slowed her pace, watching the skin turn fire engine red as the paddle struck home on each cheek. Babs was wiggling in her lap, trying to throw her aim off, but Joyce wasn't having it. She wrapped her legs around Babs' ankles, and squeezed tight, pinning her in place.

SMACK!! SMACK!!

SMACK!! SMACK!!

Left and right, left and right. The skin was crimson where the paddle struck home, with a hint of purple presaging the bruising soon to come.

THWACK!! THWACK!!

THWACK!! THWACK!! THWACK!!

Joyce did not want Babs' thighs to feel left out, so she returned to the wooden spoon to finish the first set, twenty-five very hard swats that were going to leave a highly visible mark for days to come.

Babs was gasping for air, whimpering, but she had yet to cry out. With a slight nod of the head, Ian signaled Joyce that they would continue.

Francie wrapped her arms around Priscilla, and pulled her close. “This is a real spanking,” she whispered, “which is what you are going to get if you cause me any trouble. Auntie Francine will not tolerate backtalk or bad behavior. You are a baby girl: my sweet, little Prissie.”

“No one calls me Prissie,” Priscilla growled. “No one.”

“Pris is a grown up name, and you are a baby. Keep this up, and I will spank you for real as soon as Joyce finishes up. Do you want that?”

“No, Mommy. I'll be good.”

“Mommy?”

“That's how I think of you … my mommy.”

“I like that. Mommy will spoil her darling baby Prissy rotten. We are going to have such a good time.”

Marge retreated to the kitchen to pour another glass of wine. She was having a good time, as she always did at Rita's parties. The entertainment was first class, and how people were reacting to the spankings fascinated her. Harriet and Marilyn couldn't watch, but Amy couldn't turn her eyes away. She was hooked. Suzie and Emily looked like they were taking notes, and Sofia looked like she had been there and done that a hundred times before. Julia and Carlie both looked like they were enjoying themselves; Carlie was even licking her lips. Sarah was right; Babs must have put her through Hell over the last three years.

SMACK!! SMACK!!

Joyce had resumed, the blows as heavy as she could make them. But she was spacing them out to let the pain settle in.

Babs cried out, but she had yet to shed a tear. “I'm sorry,” she called out to Ian. “I treated you like shit, and I meant every word of it. I couldn't stop, even when it became obvious that you were maybe the nicest guy I've ever met. You were so kind, and that terrified me because if I was wrong about you, then how many other guys have I misjudged over the years?”

SMACK!! SMACK!!

“And I've been such a bitch to Carlie-- never thanked her even once for taking me under her wing and training me to act like a professional. I'm sorry, Carlie, for all the trouble I've caused you.”

SMACK!! SMACK!!

“You and I … Vickie … we're all prisoners of our past.”

Ian had decided that the moment was at hand.

“I treated the male staff at Yokosuka and Tripler like they were thieves in the night. I'm thirty-three, yet you can count the number of guys I have called friends on the fingers of one hand. Amos is the only guy in this city I have warmed to. Wariness, distrust … that's the enduring legacy of a nine year old child who was raped and had to hide it from his mother because it would have cost her her job. The bastard stole my childhood, and a great deal more.”

Babs let go, tears finally beginning to flow as she cried out, giving voice to her pain.

Sarah gasped, and she and her mother exchanged horrified looks as cries erupted all around the room. Marge looked at Ian and nodded; she was the only person on the staff who had thought they were not probing deeply enough.

“Rita,” Ian continued, “I've been hiding behind this wall for more than twenty years. No more. I want to banish the bastard from my life.”

“I was fourteen,” Vickie confessed, “when my father … touched me. He wanted to know if I was still clean, and he wasn't prepared to take my word for it. Both my parents wondered if I was a slut. I wasn't, but I gave them what they called me. In high school I was the girl who put out. I slept my way through university, and over the last ten years I've picked up more guys in more sleazy bars than I care to count. And then I met Ian and we fell in love, and the Canons offered to adopt me, and I turned the page. Candy, I need your help. Like Ian said, I need to let go of my negative feelings towards my birth parents to get them completely out of my life.”

“We'll set up a schedule; Ian, I want to see you as well. I'll meet with you individually, as a couple, or you can join one of my groups.” Candy was already planning their respective therapies.

SMACK!! SMACK!!

Babs was close to breaking, Joyce was certain of it. She was another victim, but she couldn't begin to heal until she let go and brought it all out into the open. Ian was right: you had to confront the monster to defeat it.

SMACK!! SMACK!!

Babs screamed, and she bucked so hard that she slid sideways off Joyce's lap. She landed hard on the floor, their legs still entangled. While Joyce disentangled herself, Carlie and Rita rushed to Babs' side. She was pounding her fists into the floor, and still screaming at the top of her lungs. Crawling on her belly, she somehow managed to get to her knees. Ian was there in a moment, sinking to the floor, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, and holding her close. He wanted her to let it all out so that the healing could begin.

“He raped me when I was eight,” she sobbed into Ian's shoulder. “And it didn't stop until I was fourteen, and my mom was afraid that I'd … I'd ...”

Ian held her tight, but he didn't say a word. No one in the room said anything. Every woman present knew what Babs was talking about, and it spoke to their deepest fears.

“He left when he couldn't have me anymore, and he never came back. I feel so dirty. It's no wonder everyone has rejected me … no wonder.”

Babs' scream faded to the cry of a wounded animal, the pain cutting so deep, and now the source was out in the open, for everyone to see.

“You have friends, Babs; you really do.” Ian wanted her to reach out for help. “Now that you are standing, I promise you that there are a lot of people who will not let you fall.”

Candy dropped to the floor at Ian's side. She had a glass of ouzo in hand, and she held it out. “Babs, I want you to drink this-- drink it straight down.”

Babs complied, and her cries gave way to a fit of coughing. Ian gently patted her on the back, but he never loosened his grip.

Candy embraced him. “Ian, I'll take it from here, but just like Don and Phil, this young woman owes you her life. You are a remarkable person, and there are no words to describe how much I admire you.”

“Here, here,” Reiko exclaimed. “I keep telling you, he's samurai. Ian is defined by his loyalty to others. He is incapable of leaving others behind.”

“And we will not relent until we have brought his daughter home.” Sarah was emphatic.

“Too right,” Priscilla added. “We need to get to Athens and talk to Irina. Linh is nine years old, and very vulnerable. Deep inside, we all know what awaits her. We have to get there first.”

Joyce was on the floor, at Babs' side. She took over for Ian, holding her tight. Babs had never known love; that was going to change.

The babies have had a long day and an even longer night,” Sarah observed. “It's time to get them ready for bed. Francine, Joyce … take them into the kitchen, and give each of them some of the leftover pita bread. I'll fetch the aspirin. A couple of tablets, and two tall glasses of water, should settle their stomachs. Then it's off to the nursery. Babies need their sleep.”

“I don't wanna go to bed,” Vickie whined. “The party's just getting started.”

“Unless you want another spanking, you'll do as Mommy tells you.”

Pouting, Vickie bit her lip, but she did not want another spanking. At least she would have Priscilla for company, and sharing a crib with her new sister promised to be an adventure.

“Okay. I good baby, Mommy.”

“Can I change her?” Francine was eager to put her personal stamp on the household.

“Joyce may want to change Babs, but the other three are all yours. I'll help you with their mittens and pacifiers.”

Francine's eyes went wide.

“I have some booties that might come in useful in the morning. Ian can testify to their effectiveness.”\

Sofia had a smug expression on her face. Watching Ian crawl around on the floor, his diaper on full display, had been the highlight of her morning. She was sure that Francie would put the toy to good use.

“Can't wait,” Francie gleefully answered. “Prissy is a handful, so anything that will help me discipline her will be much appreciated.”

“You call her Prissy?” Julia was thunderstruck. The last guy to call her Prissy at The Pig Sty had ended up flat on his ass.

“Pris is a big girl's name,” Francie explained. “Prissy is what I call my little baby girl. And Prissy is such a cute baby. We are going to have so much fun together.”

Priscilla smiled broadly. She really liked Francine, and wanted to sleep with her. She was now certain that she was bi, but she wanted to confirm her suspicions with Francie before pulling the trigger with Sarah, Rita or Carlie. And it turned out that being treated like a baby was very much to her liking. Even using diapers was a turn on because diaper changes were erotic in the extreme. Joining Rita's exotic household, she now realized, was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

“Sarah, I can't stay, but before I leave I want to speak with you, your mother, and Emily in private.” Marilyn had donned her professional mask, so Sarah knew that it concerned the contract that Marilyn had brought along.

“Rita's bedroom,” Sarah told her mother. “Let me sort out the aspirin, and I'll be right there.”

“Okay,” she said when she joined the others, “what's up?”

“After what I heard tonight, I'm not sure that I should reach out to my corporate contacts on Monday.” Marilyn was deadly serious. “All of the CEO's are men, and at the top rung, all of these businesses are old boys' networks. You have to wonder whether such an environment would be emotionally healthy for Ian.”

“I agree,” Sofia said, “but there's a way out. Emily and her husband want to host a dinner for all of you, so why not let Ian and Andrew meet socially and get a feel for each other in a less formal setting?”

“Good thinking,” Emily agreed, “and remember that as faculty advisor to the Panhellenic Council Ian is going to be pressing a lot of flesh at cocktail parties and formal dinners. He's Fraternity Row's representative to the business community, which he will be hitting up for charitable donations to the scholarship fund. Sarah, you will be accompanying him to these affairs, but from time to time you will also want to send Vickie, Priscilla or Rita in your place. It's a social whirl, and you will be seeing the same corporate faces at every event. You can take the pressure off of Ian by making your wacky household the center of attention.”

“True,” Marilyn conceded, “gossip is the life's blood of a lot of these corporate wives.”

“Then let's stay the course,” Sarah suggested. “Go ahead as planned on Monday, but go for a group meet at a social event. There have to be at least a couple of functions at this time of the year where Ian can put himself into circulation. And Vickie would have a ball as his consort.”

“I'm on it,” Marilyn agreed. “Emily, give me a call tomorrow after you get home and can check your calendar.”

“Will do. I think we have something coming up Thursday after next, but I'll confirm it with both you and Sarah.”

“Then let's get back to the party,” Sarah concluded. “Poor Rita has her hands full.”

But the guests had broken up into small groups, and Ian was keeping the booze flowing. Harriet was helping Francine keep an eye on Priscilla, while Joyce and Candy together steered Babs clear of the glasses of ouzo that covered the dining room table. Rita and Julia were discussing the guest list for Vickie's adoption, while Suzie, Amy and Carlie were hard put to get even one glass of water into Vickie (she hated the stuff). It fell to Tippi to watch over Ian, while Reiko, Becky and Marge continued to work their way through the bottles of retsina. It went well with both the olives and the lamb, on which all three were happily nibbling. The consensus of opinion was that Ian was a sensational cook, and that Vickie would really have to watch her weight when she became pregnant.

“Right,” Sarah called out, “let's get the babies into their cribs. Vic, don't be a hard ass; down your glass so that we can get you ready for nighty-nights. Francine, you can do the honors.”

Leaving Babs in Candy and Carlie's hands, Francie grabbed Vickie by the wrist and virtually dragged her into the nursery. Stripping her down to her diaper, she strapped Vickie to the changing table. Her diaper was dry, so Francie set it aside to be reused in the morning. Francie slid one of the thick hospital diapers under her ass, then proceeded to powder her both fore and aft. Four pins held the diaper in place, but vinyl pants reinforced the pins, and the locking diaper cover sealed the deal.

Sarah came in with a loose t-shirt to serve as a nightgown, then she encased Vickie's hands in locking mittens. She finished up with a pacifier, but did not strap it tightly in place in case Vic vomited during the night. Still, as she moved Vic into her crib, Sarah warned her not to remove it, and advised Francine that she would be giving Vic a punishment spanking in the morning if she disobeyed. Francie was delighted.

Sarah led Priscilla to the changing table, and between them Francine and Sarah similarly prepared Prissy for her first night as a crib bound baby. Mittens and a pacifier completed her ensemble as well, and they also came with a warning not to remove the pacifier unless she wanted to receive a punishment spanking before breakfast. She could look forward to nursing on several bottles of breast milk, with Francine doing the honors while Sarah fed Vic.

When Sarah led Prissy to the crib that would be her new home, she left it to Vic and Prissy to work out the exact sleeping arrangements. However, as she had expected, Sarah watched as the two babies latched on to one another. Vickie ended up on her back, and Prissy passed out with her head resting on Vic's breast. Were it not for her pacifier, Prissy might well have ended up with Vic's breast in her mouth.

It was Ian's turn next. Knowing the drill by heart, Ian mounted the changing table. Francie changed him into his hospital diaper, but Sarah decided for Babs' sake to follow his baby pants up with his locking canvas cover. The mittens and pacifier in place, Sarah allowed Francine to transfer him to his crib. She would change him again in the morning, before Sofia took over his bottle feeding.

Finally, it was Babs' turn. With Candy looking on, Joyce led her to the changing table, put her in her nighttime diaper, and affixed her mittens and pacifier. For Candy, the moment of truth was at hand. Babs was locked into Ian's crib, where space was so tight that they had no choice but to sleep arm in arm. If Babs was going to panic, this was the moment.

And the moment passed, Babs settling into Ian's waiting arms as if she had been doing so for years. Candy had expected this. Ian was the loving father figure that the much abused policewoman badly needed. His love would be critical to her therapy. Between them, Joyce and Ian would give Babs a second chance at life-- a chance that she seemed eager to embrace. Candy returned to the living room with high hopes for all three of her new patients.

In Ian's absence, Sofia had taken charge of the food and drink, but it was Sarah who was hard at work. Could Joyce spend the Christmas holidays at the sorority, or would she need to go home to visit her parents? Sarah wanted her to know that she and Babs would both be welcome to join their sprawling household over the break. And if she did have to go home, they would care for Babs-- Ian would insist upon it. Tippi would be staying with the Carlsons, who also lived in the western suburbs, so her commute to Rita's home would be relatively short. Unless he was attending a meeting of the Panhellenic Council, Ian would have little need to visit the campus, and none at all when they all left for Athens after the adoption and the wedding. Did Tippi have a passport, and would she like to tag along?

"It's time to sort out who's sleeping where,” Rita announced. “Sarah and I can each share, and there's a couch in my office that folds out. It sleeps two. Marge gets the couch here in the living room, and Becky, Candy and Reiko all have sleeping bags stored in the garage. We have pillows and blankets for everyone else, and the living room floor is well padded and quite comfortable.”

“Rita, I'll take you up on your earlier offer,” Carlie said. She assumed that Rita still wanted to have sex with her.

“Suzie and Emily have a lot to talk about, so they should bed down in the office. Francine, there's a baby monitor in my bedroom, so I'd like you to join me.” Sarah was worried that one of their big babies might vomit in his or her sleep. Since the nursery was right next door, they would be able to respond without waking the whole house. For her part, Francine wanted to find out whether Sarah was also bi. This was a perfect opportunity.

“I haven't camped out in years,” Julia laughed.

“Camping is a way of life in the UP,” Sofia observed. “Bob and I sometimes go angling for walleye, and sometimes for trout.”

“My youngest was conceived in a tent alongside the Snake River in Idaho,” Emily laughed. “Andrew is a fanatic fly fisherman.”

“Tippi and I have crashed on the floor of houses all up and down Fraternity Row,” Joyce smirked, “so it's not a biggie for us. We'll make do.”

“I'll get by,” Amy murmured. In her book, sleeping rough took the form of a cheap motel.

“Likewise,” Harriet smiled. As a child, she had attended a Catholic summer camp outside Detroit Lakes. The occasional sleeping bag in a lakeside tent had been a big improvement over the usual cabins with their rickety bunk beds and thin mattresses. She wanted to stretch out near the fireplace, which was still throwing off plenty of heat.

Sarah caught Tippi's eye. “It's time for a diaper check,” she noted. “You and Joyce, both. We'll use my bed. Everybody else … keep drinking! We don't stop until we run out of ouzo!”

“You have a key to my diaper cover?” Joyce wondered how that was possible.

“Forewarned is forearmed,” Sarah smiled. “I collected a spare on Friday; you made it pretty clear on Thursday night that Babs wasn't going anywhere without you.”

“Wow! You really plan ahead!”

“Yes, I do. Case in point: if you have to go home over term break, Babs will be staying with us. Ian has made both of you our collective responsibility, and around here we take this sort of thing quite seriously.”

“So we can both stay here over term break?” Sarah had just provided the solution to Joyce's biggest problem: she would have to go home to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with her family, but she couldn't bring Babs, couldn't dump her on Bernice, and couldn't leave her alone.

“Yes, at least until after the twenty-fifth, when the five of us at some point will be traveling to Athens. But if Carlie stays over in our absence, you can camp out here for the duration.”

“I think I just soaked my diaper,” Joyce grinned. Sarah had just made her a very happy young woman.”

“Then let's get you changed. Tippi, how are you holding up?”

Tippi had been holding it, but she decided that now would be a good time to let go. Spreading her legs, she relaxed, and let her stream flow.

“You should check both of us for diaper rash,” she replied. Tippi had an itch that she couldn't scratch.

“Not to worry. Desitin to the rescue. But there's a paper towel trick that you need to practice to keep the cream from ruining your diaper. I'll teach you, and you should pass it on to Bernice. Now, let's get started. Reiko will sort out the bedding, and once the ouzo is finished, we can all get some sleep. Tomorrow's another day."

[Babypants]

Please take the warning seriously.  Babs, Vickie and Ian all detail what happened to them in childhood.

[CDfm]

Dang there was a lot of spanking going on and I don’t care much for that. Either receiving it or giving it. It did seem to serve a purpose though. It broke out some regressed memories that could be the start to some healing. One thing going on in the story is that I have no idea of who is wanting to sleep with who. At this point it almost seems like one huge orgy. 
Based on the number of updates I am guessing you are feeling better. I am happy to see that. I need to keep a close watch on the new posts. I missed one update. I am looking forward to seeing more. 

[Babypants]

On 7/28/2025 at 11:47 PM, CDfm said:

One thing going on in the story is that I have no idea of who is wanting to sleep with who. At this point it almost seems like one huge orgy.

In earlier scenes, we stressed that the household is modeled on the Kerista commune in San Francisco Vickie visited during the summer.  Ian has to sleep with each lady in a fixed rotation, but he can also sleep with any lady outside the rotation.  The ladies can remain celibate the rest of the time, or sleep with one another.  The latter is the preferred arrangement to avoid sexual frustration.  In a commune, this works best if there are no permanent couples.  Hope this clears it up.

[Babypants]

On 7/28/2025 at 11:47 PM, CDfm said:

Dang there was a lot of spanking going on and I don’t care much for that. Either receiving it or giving it. It did seem to serve a purpose though. It broke out some regressed memories that could be the start to some healing.

In Babs' case, the spanking was therapeutic.  Ian opened a door for her on Thursday night, and in this scene he walks through it and brings Vickie along.  But Babs needed a stronger stimulus.  The spanking is Ian's way of reminding her that being sexually abused as a child was the source of the anger that she directed at everyone around her.  If she doesn't bring the boogie man out of the closet and confront it, he will always control her life.  Suffering, physically here and later mentally in therapy with Candy, will set her free.   

[Babypants]

ANNOUNCEMENT: a twentieth tranche, consisting of scenes 56-59, is now up and running on the STORIES page of the site.  Once again, comments have been removed to enable readers to enjoy the story without interruption.  The balance of season 2 will follow.

[Babypants]

Quickie cultural quiz:  Ouzo is made in only two countries, Greece being one of them.  What is the other country?

[littlebopeeper]

Great spanking scenes.  Very educational.  Vickie is a spanking pro.

[mushy bottom]

Thought it was Turkey, but ouzo and raki are different.  Must be Cyprus.

[littlebopeeper]

On 8/4/2025 at 9:31 PM, Babypants said:

Quickie cultural quiz:  Ouzo is made in only two countries, Greece being one of them.  What is the other country?

Definitely Cyprus.  At the rate she's downing shots, you have to wonder if Babs is an alcoholic.  Something for Candy to explore in therapy.

[Babypants]

On 8/7/2025 at 3:32 PM, mushy bottom said:

Thought it was Turkey, but ouzo and raki are different.  Must be Cyprus.

 

On 8/9/2025 at 5:17 AM, littlebopeeper said:

Definitely Cyprus.  At the rate she's downing shots, you have to wonder if Babs is an alcoholic.  Something for Candy to explore in therapy.

Thanks for the suggestion about Babs needing therapy for alcoholism.  I'll play around with it.  And you're both right: Cyprus also produces ouzo.

[mushy bottom]

Folks into spanking should read this chapter because Vickie puts on a clinic.  Well done

 

[Babypants]

On 8/9/2025 at 5:17 AM, littlebopeeper said:

At the rate she's downing shots, you have to wonder if Babs is an alcoholic.  Something for Candy to explore in therapy.

 

On 8/10/2025 at 3:50 PM, Babypants said:

Thanks for the suggestion about Babs needing therapy for alcoholism.  I'll play around with it.

I've edited part 3 of this scene to start going down this path.  Thanks again for another great suggestion to strengthen the plot.

[littlebopeeper]

On 8/14/2025 at 6:25 PM, Babypants said:

I've edited part 3 of this scene to start going down this path.  Thanks again for another great suggestion to strengthen the plot.

Again, thank you for putting my idea to work.

[Babypants]

On 8/17/2025 at 10:26 AM, littlebopeeper said:

Again, thank you for putting my idea to work.

Although individual scenes in this story are now generating anywhere from 5000 to 9000 views each, it continues to receive few comments.  Feedback is important to any author, so I am grateful for the few of you who do comment, and for your suggestions.  I have used Guilend's and CC April's in the past, and this was a good one.  Please keep them coming. 

[Babypants]

The next scene, which is the last that I wrote before my stroke, is finished, but I have written not a word beyond it.  I ask readers to be patient because typing is the last skill that I have yet to remaster.

[littlebopeeper]

On 8/20/2025 at 5:19 PM, Babypants said:

I ask readers to be patient because typing is the last skill that I have yet to remaster.

Take your time.  Life puts a lot of stories on hold around here,

[Babypants]

12 hours ago, littlebopeeper said:

Take your time.  Life puts a lot of stories on hold around here,

Thanks for the encouraging words.  I am genuinely appreciatve.

[Babypants]

CHILDHOOD'S END, PART 3

“You're using a breast pump.” Francine was absolutely mystified.

“Every night before going to sleep, and at least three times every day.”

“But why, Sarah?”

“Francie, I have two babies to feed; maybe three. At this point I'm not sure about Priscilla.”

“You're going to breastfeed Ian and Vickie?”

“Of course. And even when I have a baby of my own, I still hope to produce enough milk for all of my little ones.”

“You won't need that machine when I'm here.”

“You want me to nurse you?” Now it was Sarah's turn to be thunderstruck.

“Of course. You have beautiful mounds. I can't wait to latch on.”

“Then let's begin. Take off all of your clothes, little one. Mommy will enjoy nursing you.”

While Francine stripped, Sarah removed the leads and turned off her machine. “Later, you can explore other parts of Mommy's body,” Sarah cooed as Francie crawled into bed. Sarah took her in her arms, cradled her, and drew her mouth to her breast. Francine latched on, and began sucking as if her life depended on it.

“Good baby,” Sarah sighed. And she meant it. It was obvious that Francine had had a lot of practice sucking on tits, and the machine had already made Sarah's breasts more sensitive.

“Are you a Lesbian, or bi?”

“Bi. You have no idea how badly I want to make love to Ian, but not tonight. Tonight, I want to make love to you.”

“And you shall. As for Ian, once you join the household you will join the rotation. But you will always have to share him with the four of us, and maybe more. This is a commune, and our numbers may grow still more over time.”

“Incredible. Would it be all right for Ian to give me a baby?”

“I would prefer it. But remember, you cannot have relations with anyone outside this household. You can partner with any of us who are willing, though you can forget about Vickie. When she is not sleeping with Ian, she prefers to remain celibate. She has an impressive collection of wands.”

“A pity. She's very beautiful, and so alive.”

“Yes, she's a handful. And since punishment spankings turn her on, I'll have to find a different way to discipline her.”

“Make her wash the dishes.”

“That's already in the works. Tomorrow morning, she's going to be busy. Tonight we used just about every pot, pan, dish and glass in the house, and there's a veritable mountain of silverware waiting for her. I'm serious about turning her into a proper housewife.”

Sarah settled back against the pillows and relaxed. Francine was an unexpected treat, and she intended to enjoy it to the full.

. . . .

Babs was snuggled up, her cheek resting on Ian's chest. They were both breathing gently, and Babs could hear the rhythmic beating of Ian's heart. She felt warm and safe, Ian's arm resting across her back, physical proof that he would ward off anyone who wished her harm. He was the big brother she had so desperately needed in childhood, as Joyce had become the caring mother she had never known. Even her diaper felt good, symbolizing as it did her rebirth into a world that for the first time offered her hope. To her surprise, Babs was also discovering that she loved the sorority, its warmth and camaraderie giving her a sense of being at home that she had not known since she was a very small child. She vowed to work harder to fit in, and to find some way to contribute to her new family. Joyce was a Senior, and due to graduate in a little more than six months, but perhaps at that point Babs would be ready to return to her own place, and make a home for them both.

Babs felt her bladder let go, and warm pee began to soak her diaper. She had had a lot to drink during the course of the evening, with two big glasses of water just before coming to bed. A week earlier, the wet diaper would have outraged the young policewoman, but now she barely gave it a thought. Her diaper could take it, and someone would clean her up and change her in the morning. There were worse things, she decided, than being a big baby. She didn't have to feed herself or dress herself; Mommy would take care of it.

. . . .

“Have you ever had sex with a woman before?” Carlie wasn't simply curious; she really wanted to know if this was Rita's first time.

“In my college days … junior year, to be specific. I was challenging everything conventional-- sex, pot, hair style, clothing … I really made a statement with my purple and green hair.”

“This I've got to see,” Carlie laughed; “got any pictures?”

“Yeah, in an old photo album, boxed up somewhere out in the garage.”

“And did you enjoy the sex?”

“It was hit and miss. A golden tongue one night, and sandpaper the next.”

“But no diapers, spankings, or other kink?”

“Nah, just oral. Tits and cunts.”

“And now you have Vickie and Priscilla, both in diapers and in need of regular spankings. You up for it?”

“Not a problem, but don't forget Ian. As you well know, there's a little girl inside him as well.”

“Who doesn't need a spanking. If you spank Ian, make sure that he's the one in residence.”

“We are all on top of that particular problem, and next week we want to try and put you in direct contact with Linh, if that's who we're dealing with. We'll put Ian under, bring the little girl to the surface, and pass her on to you. Ian has a set of carefully phrased questions for you to ask her. They'll help us to locate her.”

“Just tell me when and where. Now back to the present; what can I do that you would really enjoy?”

“Why don't we just take off and see where we land. Np particular flight path.”

“I sense that we're both Doms, so maybe we should take turns. As I'm not feeling particularly dominating tonight, I'll sub.”

“You sure? What if I demand that you spend the rest of the night in a diaper, and use it before we get up in the morning?”

“Not my thing, but I'd do it … and maybe return the favor when it's my turn to be on top.”

“Okay, no diapers. Normally, this is the hour when I use a breast pump, but I would rather nurse you. Then you can spend an hour or two eating me out. But be warned: my breasts are already sensitive, so I may cum while cradling you. That would be special, and earn you a big reward.”

“That would be mind blowing. If you cum, I'll want to do it again in the morning. Hope you're an early riser.”

“Count on it. Now strip, and come to me.” Rita propped herself up against the pillows, and spread her arms wide. She was confident that Carlie would give her a memorable night.

. . . .

“Tip, how's your diaper holding up?” Joyce and Tippi were curled up side by side, in the shadow of Rita's couch. Above them, Marge was snoring away.

“I'm fairly wet, but these diapers of ours can handle it. I'm more worried about tomorrow morning. The breast milk in the tzatziki is probably going to give me the runs.”

“Don't worry. Sarah has your key; she can change you.”

“She has yours, too. How's your diaper?”

“Same as yours … wet, but not a problem. But I wouldn't count on her changing us. She may send us home and leave it to Missus Miller to deal with us. After all, she's got four grown-ups in the nursery who will be wet and maybe dirty come the morning. She simply may not have time for us.”

“Think you can hold it 'til we get home?”

“No, and I won't even try. I'm more concerned about Babs. Leaving her to stew in a messy diaper is part of the punishment she's earned. But I'm scared, Tip. She broke down tonight, and that was a good thing, but now she needs to heal, and this may not help.”

“Baby her, Joyce. Become her mother for real. Clean her messy bottom, dress her, feed her … but above all love her. Talk to Candy in the morning, see if the two of you can convince her to take a medical leave of absence. I guarantee you that everybody in the house will pitch in. If ever I saw a Sister in need of help, it's Babs.”

“So she's a Sister now?”

“Absolutely. Ian's our Dad, and he's taken Babs under his wing. They're both hurting, and we can't look the other way. This is what the Sisterhood is all about.”

“I know, that's why I wanted to join a sorority in the first place. We have a support system that nothing in the dorms can rival. A dorm is a place to stay; the house is my home.”

“And now we can provide a home for bedwetters who aren't comfortable in the dorms, and send out fliers to high school counselors so that they can advertise what we have to offer. Who would have thought that having this crazy stunt of mine blow up in our faces would turn out so well?”

“So you're good with the diapers?”

“Yeah, they don't bother me at all. But it would be great if Dad and I could change each other. Maybe now that he's wearing that chastity thing Sarah will let him change me.”

“Me too. We all need some place to go on campus to get our diapers changed. His office would be the logical choice. It's private, and he's got a changing pad, powder … everything we need, really.”

“Good point. Let's bring it up with Sarah in the morning.”

. . . .

Reiko woke up shortly after six, rolled up her sleeping bag, then walked into the kitchen. There were three coffee pots on the counter, and with so many people in the house, she decided to get them all up and running. While she made a brief detour to the guest bathroom to wash her face and comb her hair, Suzie and Emily also wandered into the kitchen in search of coffee. They were relieved to discover that Reiko had beat them to it. Sarah was already awake, her normal routine being to rise and shine at five-thirty, but she didn't want to disturb Francine, who was still sleeping soundly. Her head was resting on Sarah's shoulder, and Sarah slowly eased herself higher on the pillows so that Francie's breath was tickling her breast. Would she latch on in her sleep, and begin to suckle as she had last night? She was an incredible lover, her oral skills almost on a par with Ian's, and her nursing had brought Sarah to the edge of a mind numbing climax.

Yes! Sarah had turned her body just enough to line up her teat with Francie's mouth, hoping that in her sleep the girl would latch on and begin to suck …

And it's happening! Sarah was ecstatic. Francie had already established a rhythm, and she was now nursing contentedly at Sarah's breast.

Is she another baby in the making?

Sarah thought that it would be great fun to have the diaper lady wear a diaper to bed every night. How to make it happen? Using the breast pump in her office three times a day, Sarah knew that she was fast approaching the point where Ian or Francie could get her off without ever going near her clit. In future, she wanted both of them at her breast at least once a day, and in the best of all possible worlds, she would nurse them simultaneously. She tried to imagine the resulting orgasm, but her brain offered her nothing by way of comparison. She would have to wait until she was in the moment.

Ian was still cradling Babs in his arms as they both began to waken. Happy where she was, Babs made no attempt to move, and Ian was content to go on holding her. In the other crib, Pris and Vickie were wide awake, each trying to use her mittened hands to comb the other's unruly hair. Even with their pacifiers still firmly in place, he could hear both of them giggling. Despite being trapped in wet diapers and housed in a crib, they were clearly happy, and Ian was happy for them. Her adoptive family would make it easy for Vickie to let go of the past.

Rita waited in bed while Carlie took a quick shower. She had enjoyed several nice orgasms the night before, and had just finished using her tongue to return the favor. Carlie was the type who sucked in her breath as she neared climax, then let it all out in a breathy rush when she came. Rita had left her panting, Carlie's body spent as she came and then came again. They were off to a good start, and Rita could only hope and pray that things would go as well with Priscilla and Francine. Their unlikely household would rest on a much firmer foundation if there were no rocky relationships in the mix.

Coming slowly awake, Francine began to realize that she was at Sarah's teat. She was thrilled, and opening her mouth still wider, she swallowed more of Sarah's breast and began suckling with greater intensity. Unless Mommy Sarah threw her off, Francie planned to keep going until Mommy climaxed. They had come close last night, and Francie was determined to nurse until Sarah peaked. A woman who could achieve orgasm without vaginal or clitoral stimulation was a pearl beyond price.

Sarah sank deeper into the pillows, which lifted her chest. She wanted to make it easier for her new baby girl to stay latched on. She was getting close to a thunderous climax, so close that she didn't even want her little one to change breasts. Idly, Sarah began to run her fingers through Francie's hair, massaging her scalp. “Such a good baby,” Sarah murmured. “Mommy loves having you at her breast. You make Mommy feel so good.”

Redoubling her efforts, Francine reached out lightly to pinch her other nipple.

“Harder,” Sarah urged. She was so close.

Taking Sarah at her word, Francine squeezed harder.

“That's it,” Sarah yelled. “That's it!” Moaning loudly, Sarah came, her vagina feeling like someone had lit her up with a blowtorch. She was on fire, and Francine was still stoking the flames. “Enough,” she gasped. “That was incredible, but now we have work to do … bottoms to clean, diapers to change, and babies to feed before we put them to work.”

Reluctantly, Francie lifted her head. “Tonight is for Vickie, but Tuesday night you will be sharing Ian's crib. His fingers and his tongue are golden, so make the foreplay last, and enjoy it to the full.” Sarah patted Francine's cheek. “Incredible,” she repeated. “Incredible.”

. . . .

Herb rolled over and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He knew that the thick diaper he was wearing was at least as wet as the one Bernice had changed when he finally returned to the house, but she had assured him that this monster wouldn't leak, no matter how much he peed. He vaguely remembered waking in the wee small hours to let fly, then instantly falling back to sleep. While the diaper still felt strange, it had saved him from getting out of bed to use the toilet for the first time in years. He felt well rested, and ready to take on whatever the day threw his way.

The night before had been largely uneventful. A large group had come out of the house with drinks in hand, but he had successfully shooed them back inside. One of the guys had come out later with Cindy and some of the other ZAP girls, and they all wanted to drive to Moby's. He had put a stop to that, promising that the drunken driver would be spending the night in jail. They had ended up ordering a limo and making the trip in style. After that, a few couples had emerged to walk back to one or other of the houses. No one had passed out on the sidewalk, and he had returned to ZAP a little after one when the street had been quiet for almost an hour. Bernice had changed his diaper, treated him to a glass of cranberry juice, and after brushing his teeth he had finally called it a night.

He didn't know how many of the girls had made it home, but he proposed to join them for breakfast. Julia would swing by later to pick him up, and then they would be off to the mall to purchase the diapers and vinyl pants that were about to become a fixture in his life. Come Monday, his coffee cup would be coming out of hiding, resuming its rightful place on his desk. It would see plenty of action during the course of the day. Diapers and coffee in, and endless trips to the toilet out. It was not, he decided, a bad trade off.

. . . .

“Vickie, you're first,” Sarah said as she entered the nursery. She lowered the side of the crib so that Vic could hop out and climb onto the changing table. “Francie will change you, then come out to the living room and I'll feed you your bottles. After that, you are going to have a busy morning washing all the dishes and silverware that we used last night, and we expect you to take care with the wine glasses. Wash them first, then the silverware. I know you aren't familiar with the drill, but what touches our lips gets priority in the cleanup.”

“Pris, you're second. Your job is to dry everything and put it away in the drawers and cupboards. Your Mom will give you your bottles after Francie changes you. Ian, you're third. Somebody will feed you after Francie gets you cleaned up, then we'll see what you can whip up for breakfast. Babs, you're last in line; Francie will change you, but after that Joyce will see to your needs. If you want to help out, there's plenty more to do. We all pitch in and get the house back to what it looked like before we trashed it. Item number one is getting all the glass out of the fireplace.”

“Joyce and I will deal with that,” Babs volunteered.

“Then let's get to it,” Sarah finished as she left to warm up the bottles of breast milk. They had a lot on hand, but on Monday she would have to visit the hospital's milk bank. With three babies in the house, she needed a larger supply.

Unlocking Vic's diaper cover, Francie got to work. Since Vic was wet but not dirty, clean up was a breeze, and it took her only a couple of minutes to get the good Doctor into her mall bought daytime diaper. Francie examined it closely. It was well made, but would not hold up well in their industrial washers. Since the other three were also wet but not dirty, Francie quickly finished. Priscilla and Ian also went into the boutique diapers, but Babs got one of Lullaby's own. If the two sorority girls were changed before driving home, they would also be wearing Lullaby's finest. Business was booming.

Sarah walked into a crowded kitchen, with scalding hot black coffee the big draw. Reiko had taken charge, setting out mugs and cups as well as cream and sugar for the faint of heart. Sarah had to fight her way through to the refrigerator, and when she retrieved six bottles of breast milk, she was surprised to hear Suzie volunteer to feed Ian.

“Suzie, I'm grateful for the help, but I have to say that I didn't see this coming. What gives?”

“When Ian collapsed on Wednesday night, I took over for Bernice. I cradled him in my arms, and fed him his bottles before we put him to bed. And I loved it. He's the most complicated person I've ever met. I know that he can have a strong command presence, but the Ian I know is soft and gentle, warm and giving. He inspires a maternal feeling inside me that I didn't even know was there. If I were to have a baby, I would want him to be the father.”

“You too? Last night, Francine asked me if it would be okay for Ian to give her a baby. I told her that all of us want to get pregnant and for Ian to be the father, so she would be joining an already large club. We all know where you're coming from, Suzie; Ian is kind and generous, and will definitely be a hands on father. But of course the CIA hopes that the children will inherit their father's gift for languages, so later this morning I'm going to take Francie aside and explain the facts of life in a fishbowl to her. There's a price to be paid for loving Ian.”

“Good. Elaine explained the facts of life to me. She has three daughters, thirteen, eight and five. For security reasons, the two oldest have to attend a private school that has security guards patrolling the grounds. You're right; there's a price to be paid for loving people like Donnie and Ian. And it takes a special kind of woman to step up and freight the bill. For all that he's lost, Ian is very, very fortunate to have the four of you in his life.”

“Thanks, Suzie. Ian says that you're beautiful and smart, and he doesn't understand why he hasn't fallen in love with you. Priscilla says that he just needs to give it more time. If it happens, we'll work something out.”

“Thanks, Sarah, but I can't have a baby without giving up the house. It's my whole world.”

“Suzie, like I said, if it comes to it we'll work something out.”

“Ian, the couch. Suzie will feed you. Vickie, my bedroom.” Sarah pointed down the hall.

With Suzie laying claim to the couch, Julia got down on the floor near Suzie's feet and leaned back against it. Priscilla laid her head in her mother's lap, and began nursing on a baby bottle just as she had in her first months of life. For Julia it was a wonderful moment, summoning up warm memories of how she had cradled Pris in her arms and fed her as a newborn. Her longing for a grandchild was becoming more and more pronounced, and she realized how pleased she was that Pris had chosen Ian to be the father. He was a wonderful man, he made her daughter incredibly happy, and he would make a great father. The pluses far outweighed the absence of an engagement ring on Priscilla's finger. This was real life, which sometimes took a detour from a parent's best laid plans.

As Ian nursed, his head cradled in Suzie's arm, it began to dawn on her that there were choices in life that she had never really considered. Was Sarah right? Could they work it out? Suzie knew that time was running short, and she would need to act soon if she was to act at all. Did she want a baby badly enough to undertake a complete change of lifestyle? She had occasionally counseled girls in the house who came to her seeking advice for a surprise pregnancy. She had always recommended adoption if the girl was not ready to be a parent, but she had also urged them to talk to the boy and consider his feelings. She did not favor shotgun weddings, but she strongly believed that the boy's opinion should be taken into consideration. It never ceased to surprise her how many of them were ready to tackle the responsibilities of fatherhood.

“I love sharing these moments with you,” she whispered. Ian was looking up at her, and his gaze was warm and accepting. Her hand drifted down to his crotch; was he hard? It was difficult to tell through the diaper, but he made no attempt to push her hand away. Was he ready to make love to her? Should she have that conversation before deciding whether or not to have a baby, or afterward? Her well organized world was collapsing all around her, and it did not help that he was reaching up to grasp her arm. Ian's touch was so comforting, and it dawned on her that she had fallen in love. She had arrived at the fork in the road, and now she would have to choose.

When she finished feeding him, Suzie leaned over and kissed Ian full on the lips. She wondered how he would taste with breast milk coating his tongue and lips, but she was honest enough to admit to herself that this was merely an excuse. Would he welcome the kiss-- that was what she really wanted to know.

For his part, Ian held the kiss, neither withdrawing nor upping the ante, although he did reach up gently to grasp her shoulder. Eyes wide open, he continued to meet her gaze, still warm and accepting even as she pulled back to assess the situation. But he did wonder how everyone else in the room was processing what they had just witnessed.

The signals she was receiving, Suzie instantly decided, were mixed. Was Ian simply being friendly, or was he quietly telling her that he was receptive to her overtures. She had to know. “We need to talk,” she decreed.

“Agreed,” he replied in his usual pointed way. Ian knew exactly what Suzie's kiss was inviting, but he was not at all sure how he should respond. They did indeed need to talk.

“Sarah told me that, if we do this, things will work out. But I know you have doubts.”

“You've spoken with Elaine, so you know the score. Any woman who becomes involved with me is going to find herself surrounded by a security detail. I won't ask anyone to do this.”

“No, it would be my decision. The girls would be thrilled to have a well dressed, heavily armed security guy on the premises. Think of the gossip mill that would kick off.” Suzie was smiling impishly.

“We need to talk to Vickie. She wasn't happy when you stumbled into my life.”

“Yes. Ian, Vickie and I are Sisters, and ours was a friendly rivalry. I am really happy for her, and I wouldn't do anything to hurt her. If she says 'no', that's the end of it.”

“Talk to her while you're here, if you can.”

“Count on it.”

“Then, fair maiden, please escort me to the kitchen. I need to get started on breakfast, and inventorying our stock of breast milk is job one.”

“Hi ho, gallant knight, to the kitchen we go!”

. . . .

“My God, there must be a couple of hundred dirty plates,” Vickie moaned.

“Not to worry, sis.” Having her diaper changed by Francine had left Priscilla in an upbeat mood. “Remember, I'm drying and then putting everything away. Put on these rubber gloves, and let's get to it!”

“Just don't get in the cook's way,” Suzie warned. “Ian is making breakfast for twenty! Vickie, we need to have a chat.”

“Priscilla is driving Tippi, Babs and Joyce back to the house. Mom's taking you, me and Amy. Private conversation?”

“Very private.”

“Yeah, I guess it would be.” Vickie had a pretty good idea what Suzie wanted to talk about. “We can talk at the house. Mom and Pris are planning to take Dad shopping at the mall, get him the same diapers and vinyl pants that Pris and I wear … Ian too. No more cleanup in the entryway.”

“That works.”

“Speaking of work … Vickie, get to it!” Ian was already hard at it, whipping up the breast milk biscuits that he intended to serve with butter and fig jam. He had the kitchen under control, but he needed clean bread plates in the dining room. Reiko had been a big help, getting the coffee brigade up and running as she so often did on the morning after one of Rita's parties.

“Yes, Sir,” Vic called out as she offered him a passable salute. She began scrubbing away on the glassware, with the silverware looming just over the horizon.

“Pris, bread plates go straight to the dining room table. We need knives and napkins.”

“On it.” Major Grady was in charge, and for the moment she and Vic were mere Privates in his platoon.

While the biscuits were baking, Ian worked up the batter for his breast milk pancakes. Meanwhile a steady stream of ladies visited the guest bathroom, each one trying to make herself presentable while wearing yesterday's clothes. One by one, they returned to the dining room in search of coffee, but they were also taking in the wonderful smell of biscuits in the oven. When Ian set them out on a cookie sheet, a mad scramble ensued. Abandoning her reservations about breast milk, even Harriet dove in. The pancakes soon followed, Ian stacking them three deep on every dinner plate in sight while Rita set out honey and blackberry syrup.

Soon, with bellies pleasantly full, it was time for some of the ladies to begin saying their good-byes. Harriet and Francine were the first to go, and they were soon followed by Emily and Marge. Tippi and Joyce opted to stay in their Godzilla diapers for the ride home since both were wet but still not dirty, but Babs delayed their departure. She was down on her hands and knees cleaning out the fireplace, and she refused to get back on her feet until the job was done.

“Rita,” she finally ventured, “thank you for inviting me into your home. I needed last night, all of it.”

“This is the direct line to my office,” Rita replied as she handed Babs a business card. “We strongly recommend that you put in for a medical leave of absence so that you can see Candy on a regular basis. This particular therapy is quite intense.”

“I'll support your application,” Carlie added. She didn't add that she was prepared to go to the mat on this one.

“Ian,” Babs finished, “last night I think you saved my life. There's no way that I can ever repay you except by becoming a better person. Any time you think I'm falling down on the job, talk to me.”

“Give the girls the lowdown on their probation officers. Above all, do what you can to keep Cindy out of the deep end. I worry about her.”

“Consider it done. I'll talk to them individually, and make sure that they know how to game the system.”

Ian smiled. He and Babs were on the same page.

When Priscilla left to make the drive back to the sorority, Julia and her party were hot on their heels. Left to her own devices, Julia was not at all certain that she could find her way out of the forest that surrounded Rita's complex. Reiko, Candy and Becky lingered to help with the cleanup, but when they finally departed, Ian was still not quite alone, and not at all sure what to say to the four ladies who remained. It was Sofia who stepped into the breach.

“I thought last night went remarkably well,” she began. “Ian, you have a remarkable gift, and I'm not talking about your command of all these languages. Your methods are unorthodox, but you save people whose lives are on the brink. That young woman was drowning, and you and Joyce rescued her. Now, step away and let Rita and Candy do their jobs.”

“I will, but Rita you and Joyce need to team up to dry her out.”

“I'll talk to Oncology in the morning, and have them send Joyce up to my office. I'll call Candy in, and the three of us will come up with a game plan.”

“Did everybody sleep well,” he asked.

Sarah giggled in a very girlish way. “Francine and I became well acquainted. When she moves in this afternoon, she will join the rotation. Vickie will partner with you tonight, and Francie on Tuesday. I'm setting Monday aside for Vickie to put you under, and pass you to Carlie. We need to learn more about this female persona of yours.”

“Before this goes any farther, I want to talk with Francine about the downside of getting involved with me.”

“She wants you to give her a baby. So, yes, by all means talk to her.”

“Carlie and I also spent a pleasant evening,” Rita volunteered. “We're all learning, Ian, but things are going well.”

“Sofia, you good with how our communal lifestyle is working out?” Ian was genuinely curious about his future mother-in-law's take on things.

“Delighted. I've worried for a long time that marriage would destroy the bond between Sarah, Vickie and Rita, so from my point of view you have stumbled upon the ideal solution to the problem. Now Ian, get to work; I want a grandchild.”

“Comin' right up,” he laughed. “Now, who would like to change my messy diaper?”