Part 17 (1/2)

”No, baby. I hadn't told you because I had convinced myself that I wasn't going to fall in love with you. I didn't think I had the ability to love someone so different from what I was used to.”

”And I wasn't conforming to your idea of a dream wife.”

Janet swallowed hard around the knot forming in her throat and sinking to join her heart in her stomach. What if he woke up from feeling guilty about her getting hurt to realize he really didn't love her? What would happen then? She couldn't change who she was, and he obviously had different views on marriage than she did.

”Love doesn't know boundaries, Janet. Just because I had always gravitated toward one type of woman didn't mean that I was going to fall in love with that kind. I fell in love with you. It's you who I can't imagine spending my life without. You are the woman who's having our baby. I want to see you grow with that child and feel it kick and wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life.”

”I don't know what to say, Greg. I don't remember how I felt about you or Steven. I remember that we had our differences, but that's about it. Maybe we just need to start over as if I'm not going to remember and go from there.”

”That's a real good idea.” He bent over and kissed her.

His lips sipped at hers before he ran his tongue lightly along the seam. She opened her mouth, and he ate at her hungrily before settling down to stroke her tongue with his. When he pulled back, they were both struggling to breathe. She couldn't find fault with his kiss. That was for d.a.m.n sure. If he made love the same way he kissed, well then, she wouldn't mind finding out.

”What are you guys talking about?” Steven walked in, drying his hands on his jean legs.

”Have a seat. We need to talk about how we are going to work things around here.” Greg had recovered and was back to business.

”First of all. Janet and I think we should start over as far as getting to know each other. She may not ever remember anything, but if she does, then she'll have that much more information about us.”

”That's a good idea.”

”Janet, Steven and I have decided that from now on, someone will stay with you at all times. One of us will work and the other will be here to help you. You're going to need help this spring and summer with the baby coming.”

”What about the houses? You can't stop working. What about the others?”

”We're all in agreement. With both of you pregnant, we need to be able to help you first and foremost. With winter coming up, we won't be working on the houses that much anyway. In fact, we probably won't be able to leave the house for several weeks at a time from what everyone has been telling us.” Greg ran a hand up and down her arm.

”You'll get tired of us by the time spring arrives,” Steven added.

”I doubt that.” She wasn't sure how she felt about the fact that they were going to be with her all the time now. She felt a little like a child not being trusted to play by herself.

Yeah, look what happened when I was alone, and I don't even have a child to take care of yet.

”What are you thinking, Janet? We need to be honest with each other.” Greg squeezed her hand.

”I'm just thinking that I'm not sure how I feel about one of you being around all the time. I mean, I feel almost like you don't trust me.”

”Baby, it's not that.”

”Not at all, love.”

”We trust you, but without some help, you can't handle the garden being eight and nine months pregnant.”

”Even if you could do it somehow, you don't have to. We're here to help. That's why there are two of us, baby,” Greg said.

”Maybe you're right. I'm just sensitive about not being allowed to do things. I shouldn't have to have anyone's permission.”

Greg looked up at the ceiling then down at where his hand held hers. She watched as a barrage of expressions flew across his face.

”The thing is, you probably feel that way because I was very stern with you on your health and safety. I didn't want anything to happen to you and thought by telling you what you could and couldn't do that I could keep you safe. I was obviously wrong.”

”Maybe you weren't all the way wrong. Maybe we both need to give some. I'm not single anymore. I'm married, to two men, no less. That means that I have to take into consideration your views and needs as well as mine. I'm sure the blame isn't all yours.”

Greg smiled and kissed her knuckles. ”Thanks, baby.”

”We thought that for the first week, I'd stay here and Greg would go to work. Then the next week we would switch. How does that sound to you?”

”When do you start that?” She really hoped she would have them both with her for a couple of days. She needed to get used to them again.

”Starts on Monday. That's two days away,” Steven said.

She nodded and sighed. ”I'm thinking I need a nap before we eat. Do I have time, Steven?”

”You've got plenty of time. Do you want to go upstairs or just rest down here?”

”I'm going to go upstairs. I want something really comfortable for a change. That hospital bed was awful.”

”I'll walk up with you, baby.” Greg stood up and held out his hands toward her.

She smiled and let him gently pull her to her feet. Then she stood there for a moment to be sure of her balance before she headed toward the stairs.

”Come get us when it's ready, Steven.” Greg walked next to her as they slowly climbed the stairs.

Halfway there, she began to feel light headed. She held on to the railing with both hands. Greg's arm went around her waist.

”What is it?”

”I'm getting dizzy. I think I'm moving too fast.”

”I've got you, Janet. Just relax against me.” He easily picked her up and carried her the rest of the way up the stairs and into the bedroom.

Once he had laid her on the bed, he crawled up beside her and pulled her into his arms so they could sleep. Janet enjoyed the feel of him surrounding her. She felt safe and cared for. Loved? She wasn't sure how she felt about him yet, but he certainly seemed to love her. Only time would tell, and she had lots of time.

Steven finished setting the table and checked the meal one more time. It was almost time to wake them for dinner. He hoped Janet was getting some rest. She needed it after the long drive and then sitting up on the couch for nearly an hour. She had only been sitting up in bed for about eight hours now. Walking and climbing stairs had to be taxing on her strength.

He was a little jealous that Greg was getting to hold her while she slept but knew that his turn was coming. They would each have quality time with her from now on. Jealousy had no room in a menage relations.h.i.+p. He needed to keep that under control. Besides, Greg needed the extra time with her to convince her that he had changed where she was concerned. He didn't envy him that at all.

Checking the time, he hurried up the stairs and walked into the room to find them both sound asleep. They looked so comfortable, he hesitated at waking them. Janet needed to eat, though. She was eating for two and had a lot of making up to do. It was only stew. Still, she needed to start slow, according to the doctor.

Steven walked around to the other side of the bed and eased up on the edge of the bed to wake Janet. He didn't want to wake Greg and startle her.

”Janet, love. Time to wake up.” He kissed her cheek and smiled when she hummed. He tried again.

”Wake up, Janet. Dinner is ready.”

Her eyes opened just as Greg opened his.