This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.
The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or publication of this story is allowed, except by the web sites to which it has been posted, without the consent of the author.
All of us enjoy the stories here, so please, support Nifty. Like any other Business, it takes resources to keep it running.
I appreciate you, and I know Nifty appreciates your support!
Mark Stevens
Chapter Sixteen
Britt walked into his mother's living room and took a seat. He listened as Catherine spoke.
"What in heaven's name is going on with you, Britt Williams? You never cease to amaze me." Catherine took a seat across the room from her son.
Britt leaned forward in his chair. "A lot is going down this evening," he told her. "At least I hope so," he added.
Britt began filling his mother in on the plans for the evening. When he had finished, he said, "As you can see, we should place the last piece of the puzzle together tonight."
"You still believe Justin is guilty," his mother said shaking her head.
"I do, Mom." A tender look appeared on his face. "I know how much you like the man. I like Justin myself. At least I could if I didn't believe he's our killer."
"I hope you're wrong, Britt."
"Me too, Mom."
The doorbell rang and Britt stood to his feet. "That will be Alice," he said.
Britt hurried to the door. Alice was indeed standing on the porch. He invited her inside, saying, "Glad I reached you in time, Alice."
"What's going on, Britt?" Alice asked following him into the living room. She walked over and gave Catherine a hug. "Hello, Catherine."
"Hello, my dear," Catherine greeted.
Britt asked Alice to take a seat. He began filling her in on the plans for the evening. When he had finished explaining, Britt added, "I think for your safety you should spend the evening here with Mom."
Catherine looked at Alice and agreed with her son. "I wish all of you could spend the evening here," she added. "Let the police take care of things."
Alice looked alarmed and said, "Police? Brian's going to be there. Oh, dear!"
"Brian will be okay," Britt hastened to assure her. "After all, he certainly knows how to handle himself with something like this."
"I know. I just worry about him." Tears formed in Alice's eyes.
"My dear, you really care for that young man, don't you?" Catherine asked.
"I do," Alice answered softly.
"Then I'll make sure nothing happens to him," Britt assured her.
"I suppose Devon will take care of you?" Catherine asked her son.
Britt forced a grin to appear on his face. "Of course he will."
"Who will take care of Devon?" Alice asked.
"We'll take care of each other," Britt declared.
The doorbell rang for a second time. When a puzzled look appeared on his mother's face, Britt said, "That will be Devon. The plans have changed somewhat. We thought it would look better if two of our cars were parked in your driveway, Mom. Since the three of us come from three different directions in town."
"Was that Brian's suggestion?" Alice asked.
Britt grinned at her and said, "You're boyfriend is very intelligent, but I'm afraid this was my idea. Sorry," he ended with another grin.
"He's not my boyfriend," Alice protested.
"Nonsense, my dear," Catherine spoke up. "We've all seen the look on your face when you are with that young man. There's no use in denying the fact."
Alice's face turned bright red, but she didn't speak. She couldn't protest without turning the words into a lie.
Britt hurried to the door and let Devon inside the house.
"It's about time," Devon greeted. He leaned over and gave Britt a warm kiss. "I thought I was being ignored."
"Never," Britt declared. "Just doing a little explaining to the women folk." He walked into the living room with Devon beside him.
"Hello, dear," Catherine greeted the man lovingly. "It's so good to see you."
Devon leaned down and gave the woman a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Always a pleasure for me, Catherine," he said.
An hour later found Britt and Devon leaving Catherine's home.
"Please be careful," Catherine warned them.
"And take care of Brian," Alice added.
The two men jumped into Devon's car. As Devon backed out of the driveway, Britt said, "I think it might be a good idea to drive through the neighborhood, Dev. I realize Justin could be hiding anywhere watching us, but let's drive around a few moments and see for ourselves."
Devon did exactly that, but neither of them saw anything that looked suspicious. Devon drove back downtown, and they searched the streets there. When the area appeared to be clean as well, he drove the two of them to the McKenzie Mansion.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Catherine Williams set a plate of sliced ham on her kitchen table.
"Alice, I apologize for not having more to offer you. Normally I am better prepared than this." Catherine placed some bread and a jar of mayonnaise there as well.
"Catherine, there's no need to apologize to me for anything. I'm sorry that I was pushed on to you."
Catherine frowned. "Nonsense, my dear. I love having you here." Britt's mother took a seat across from her guest. "It's always a pleasure."
Alice reached for a slice of bread. "I hope there is no trouble tonight."
"I have faith in Brian. He will do the right thing. As will my son," she added.
Alice picked up a piece of ham. "We are lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives, aren't we?"
"We are," Catherine agreed. "Things are becoming serious between Brian and you, I see."
Alice gave a nod and said, "I think so. He makes me very happy."
"It's plain to see you have the same effect on Brian as well," Catherine pointed out.
"I just wish his job wasn't so dangerous."
"You have to admit that Porterville is usually a very quiet place to live," Catherine reminded. "This is not the norm for our little town."
"I know. Still, I am worried."
"Let's think positive thoughts and help our men get through this situation," Catherine said.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Brian Poteet pulled off the main road and followed Devon's vehicle the rest of the way. The garage door went up, and Devon drove inside the garage. Brian pulled in alongside him.
"Perfect timing," Britt said getting out of the car.
Devon quickly brought the garage door back down, closing them off from the outside view. "We'll go out this way," he said leading the way to the back of the garage.
Once outside, the three men hurried across the lawn. When they reached an entrance on the side of the mansion, Devon pulled out a key. Seconds later the three were inside.
"Seems awfully quiet," Brian said as he followed Britt and Devon down a short hallway.
"I called earlier and gave the staff the evening off. They won't be back until late tonight," Devon told him.
"Good call, Devon," Brian said. "I'm glad you thought of that."
"You think there will be trouble?" Devon asked.
"He has killed once," Britt reminded.
"Very true," Brian agreed.
Devon led the way to the kitchen. "Edna made sandwiches for us before she left."
Brian looked at Britt. "Edna?"
"Our cook," Britt answered.
Brian's cell rang. The police officer retrieved it from his pocket and took the call.
"What's happening, Chris?"
Britt and Devon stood beside the officer in silence as he listened to his caller.
"I appreciate this, Chris. Keep me posted. Later." Brian ended the call and looked at the two men. "I have an officer hidden by the entrance to your drive," he told them. "He's going to give me a call should any visitor arrive."
"I was wondering if you were going to have any sort of backup," Britt said.
"You didn't think the three of us could take care of things?" A grin appeared on Brian's face.
"No doubt at all," Britt replied. "Still, always good to have reinforcements."
"There's beer in the frig," Devon said. He reached for the tray of sandwiches and gave them to Britt.
"You guys can have beer," Brian said. "I'm officially on duty, so I'll take a soft drink if you have one. Even water for that matter," he added.
"We should probably have soft drinks too," Britt decided. He pulled three soda cans out of the refrigerator.
They carried their food and drinks down a long hall. When they reached a staircase, Devon led them to the top of the stairs. He opened a closed door, and suddenly they were standing inside the room where Britt did most of his writing.
"Nice place," Brian complimented.
"I love this room," Britt said. "It's very good at giving me inspiration when I need it."
"It looks like a very comfortable room," Brian said looking around. He closed the door behind them.
"And I thought I was responsible for your inspiration," Devon said. His lips formed into a pout.
"All the time," Britt said. He leaned over and kissed Devon lightly on the lips.
"Hey, I don't need to see how you get inspired, Britt," Brian declared.
"You might enjoy it," Britt said and gave him a wicked grin.
"I'll pass." Brian reached for a sandwich and took a seat on a couch that faced Britt's desk.
With food and drink before them, the men began their snack of a meal. For a while the conversation bounced back and forth between Britt and Brian. Devon ate his sandwich in silence, listening to the other two talk.
When Britt finished his second sandwich, he said, "You're awfully quiet, Devon. Are you worried about tonight?"
Devon shook his head. "Not really," he said.
"Okay." Britt drained his soda.
Silence surrounded them for a few moments and then Devon said, "Brian, may I ask you a question?"
"Anything." Brian also finished his drink.
"Does it ever bother you that Britt and I are together?"
Brian Poteet's mouth dropped open. For a moment he couldn't speak. Finally he said, "Does it bother me that the two of you love each other? Is that what you're asking?"
Devon nodded, but remained silent.
"Where the hell did that come from, Devon?" Brian asked.
"I just want to know. I know that Alice is growing to love you, and I don't want her hurt in any way."
Britt sat at his desk, listening to the conversation between the other two men. He was kind of curious himself what Brian's true feeling might be concerning the two of them.
"First of all, where Alice is concerned, I could never hurt her, Devon. I love that girl. I've realized the fact for quite some time now. Do you think I would hurt her because the two of you love each other? If you believe that, then we have a problem, I'm afraid. Devon McKenzie, I am a firm believer that we are free to love whomever. Love comes to you from the heart. I believe you and Britt truly love each other; the same as I love Alice. And I hope like hell we never have this conversation again."
Devon focused on the empty plate before him. When he raised his head, he looked Brian in the eyes and said, "I appreciate that. You have my word; Brian, I will never bring this subject up again."
Britt watched the police officer stand to his feet. He walked over and stood before Devon. He told him to stand up, and when Devon did, Brian hugged the man to him. When he pulled back, he grinned and said, "I promise not to go all mushy on you again, but if this is the only way I can show you that I highly respect you, not only as a friend, but as a possible brother- in- law as well, then so be it."
Britt stood up from his desk and joined them. He reached his arms around them both. "Group hug," he said.
"Okay, enough said," Devon told them. "I'm good if the two of you are."
"I'm good," Britt declared.
"As am I," Brian chimed in.
Britt walked back to his desk. Taking a seat he said, "Let's discuss this evening and what the plan will be. You do have a plan, right, Brian?"
"I do. Let's talk."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Britt looked at his wristwatch. It told him it was one minute away from being nine o'clock. The room was completely dark. He was sitting in the big chair behind his desk. Brian was sitting on one end of the couch and Devon, the other end. Brian had told them earlier that if anything transpired that evening he was the one to take care of it. He told them he didn't want to put them in any danger.
In the dark room Brian's cell suddenly rang. He quickly picked the call up. Seconds later he ended the call. "We have a visitor on the way," he said. "Take your places."
Britt stood to his feet. Devon jumped up from the couch, and the two of them headed for a closet. Brian landed in Britt's chair and turned with its back facing the front of the desk. The chair was high back, and the officer hoped it would keep him hidden from their visitor. Even if the intruder turned a light on, Brian would still be hidden out of sight. The fax machine was on a bookcase located at the rear and to the left of the desk.
Britt followed Devon into the closet and pulled the door after them. He left a crack so the two of them could see what took place in the room. Brian, of course, had his police issued revolver. Britt had a gun as well. Only Devon was unarmed. Brian had warned Britt that he was to use his gun only in case of an emergency.
From somewhere in the mansion a sound could be heard. The creaking sound of a floor board.
"Did you hear that?" Devon asked softly.
"He's close by," Britt whispered into Devon's ear.
Suddenly the sound of a door opening could be heard. Britt risked a look through the crack in the closet door and discovered a thin ray of light coming inside his office.
"Our visitor is standing in the doorway of my office," he whispered.
As the two men watched from the closet, someone carrying a flashlight made their way inside the room. Their visitor began waving his flashlight around the room. When the light rays landed on Britt's fax machine, a shadow slowly made its way across the room. The shadow came to a stop before the fax machine.
Per their plan, Britt silently made his way from his hiding place to the light switch on the wall. When his fingers found the button, he pushed it in. The room was suddenly flooded with light.
"What the hell?"
Their visitor suddenly turned around. Britt was staring into the face of Justin Reynolds.
The chair behind Britt's desk suddenly came to life as Brian Poteet turned to face the man.
"I'm so glad you took our bait, Justin Reynolds. Allow me to read you your rights." Brian stood to his feet, his gun aimed directly at their intruder.
Justin looked down at the fax machine. "I take it there's not a fax coming in, is there?"
"Nope. Nothing. Nada." Britt spoke the words as he made his way across the room to his desk.
"I should have known you'd be in the middle of this." Justin spit the words out bitterly.
"You shouldn't have messed with our nice little town," Britt told him. "That was your first mistake."
Justin looked from Britt to Brian. "It doesn't matter, because I got what I wanted."
"And what was that?" Brian asked as he reached for a pair of handcuffs.
"The bitch paid for her mother's mistake."
"And that makes you happy? That an innocent woman paid with her life for something she had no control over? You are one sick son of a bitch." Britt fought the urge to spit in the man's face,
"Oh, I'm damned happy," Justin assured him.
Brian finished reading the man his rights and threw some keys at Britt. "Would you mind bringing the cruiser around to the front of the house, Britt? It's time we get our guest to his room."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"I'm so glad this is all over," Catherine Williams said. Britt and Devon had returned to her home. Brian had come later, after his business with Justin Reynolds was finished. Now they were all sitting around Catherine's kitchen table enjoying hot chocolate.
"For Justin, it's just beginning," Brian pointed out.
Catherine shook her head. "It still amazes me that I was so wrong about that young man."
Britt gave his mother a warm smile. "You trust everyone, Mom," he told her. "You only see the good in people," he added.
"Which is a good thing," Devon hastened to assure her.
"You are a good person, Catherine," Brian agreed.
"Still, I don't think I would have ever seen the man for what he really was."
Alice leaned over and placed her hand over Catherine's. "As you said, Catherine, it's all behind us now.
Devon looked at Brian. "What will happen to Justin now, Brian?"
Brian shrugged his shoulder. "Who's to say? He'll be tried for murder, so unless he pleads guilty, which I'm sure he won't, he will have a jury trial. It could take months, perhaps even years before it's finished, but in the end, Justin Reynolds will get his just due. Of that, I am damned sure."
"As he should." The words were spoken by Catherine.
Britt looked at his mother, his eyes full of surprise. "Mom, you surprise me."
"I may trust everyone that I see, Britt. But when that trust is broken, I'm done."
Devon drank the rest of his hot chocolate. "I hope I never do anything to lose that trust," he said smiling at the woman.
Catherine gave him a smile. "I never expect that to happen, Devon McKenzie."
"So, what's next on the agenda?" Alice asked.
Catherine got up to refill their cups with hot chocolate. "I can answer that," she said. "I'm having a dinner party next Saturday. I want all of you to be here."
"What's the occasion?" Britt asked his mother.
"No occasion," she answered. "I just want the family to be together."
"Does that include me?" Brian asked.
"Brian Poteet, I'll box your ears! Of course you are included. You are family."
"I'll help with your party," Alice said.
"Nonsense, Alice. I am perfectly capable of pulling a simple dinner party off." Catherine eyed the police officer sitting at her kitchen table. "Something tells me that by next Saturday we'll be having a real celebration."
"You know something we don't know?" Britt asked his mother.
The woman shrugged her shoulders. "Time will tell."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Saturday evening Britt pulled into his mother's driveway. He and Devon hurried up to the door. Britt pushed it open and stuck his head inside.
"Hey, Mom," he called out.
Catherine called out a greeting from the kitchen. "Out here," she said.
The two men walked through the dining room and joined her in the kitchen.
"Your table looks nice," Devon praised.
"Thank you, kind sir." Catherine's face was radiant.
"Everything does look nice," Mom, Britt said. "Anything we can do to help?"
Catherine looked at the clock on the wall above the sink. Her guests should be arriving soon. "There are a couple of things you can do. Alice and Brian didn't come with you?"
Devon shook his head. "My sister has been gone most of the day. I'm not sure what the two of them have going on."
"Brian picked Alice up this morning around ten o'clock," Britt said. "We've not seen either of them since then."
Catherine's face took on a flushed look. "I see." A smile appeared on her face, but she said no more.
"What do you know, Mom?" Britt studied his mother closely.
Catherine shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing. Here you go, Britt." She handed him a large salad. "Put this on the dining room table."
The doorbell rang a bit later, and Britt went to answer it. When he opened the door he was surprised to discover the aunts, Mary Nell and Sarah on his mother's porch.
"Ladies, do come in," he greeted them with a warm smile.
"Hello, Britt, Sarah White greeted. "It's so good to see you." She stepped inside, followed by her sister, Mary Nell.
"Good evening, Britt," Mary Nell said. "I hope you've been well."
"Welcome, ladies. The aunts are here, Mom," he called out to Catherine.
Catherine hurried through the dining room and greeted her guests warmly. "I'm so glad the two of you could come," she said.
"We wouldn't have missed it, dear," Sarah said. She smiled warmly at her hostess.
"We're always glad to see the family," Mary Nell said. "Sometimes I think the young folks forget about the rest of us."
Devon gave each of his aunts a hug. "Aunties, you know that will never happen. By the way, do you have our telephone numbers?"
"We don't want to be a nuisance," Mary Nell told him.
"As if either of you could ever be that," Britt said.
"Is Alice here?" Sarah asked looking around the room.
"She will be shortly," Devon answered. "She and Brian are coming together."
"Brian? Is she still dating that police officer?" The question was asked by Mary Nell.
"Oh, yeah," Devon said.
"We are looking to see—"
Britt was interrupted by the door opening. Suddenly Alice and Brian were standing among the other guests.
"Are we late?" Alice called out.
Catherine walked across the room and pulled the girl into a hug. "You're right on time," she told Alice.
Catherine turned to Brian. "Hello, Brian. I am so glad you could make it this evening." She gave him a hug as well.
Releasing Brian, Catherine said, "Give me five minutes and we'll sit down at the table. There are drinks in the living room, should any of you want one. Otherwise, coffee and tea will be served with the meal."
A few minutes later Catherine came into the living room and announced the meal was ready. She invited them to follow her into the dining room. There she told them to sit anywhere they chose.
After the food had been passed around, Sarah White praised her hostess, saying, "Your meal is delicious, Catherine. You should not have gone to so much trouble, my dear."
Catherine assure her it had been her pleasure. "I love family gatherings," she said.
"You have done an excellent job, Catherine," Mary Nell assured her.
"Everything is wonderful, Catherine," Alice praised.
"Thank you, dear. I have a feeling the rest of the evening will be just as wonderful as the first of it has been."
Alice blushed and looked at Brian who was sitting on her left.
Catherine saw the look, and her face suddenly beamed.
Britt looked across the table at his mother and remained quiet.
"What?" she asked when she saw the look he gave her.
"Nothing, Mom. Just taking everything in."
"Eat your dinner, Britt Williams."
Beside Britt, Devon suddenly grinned. He looked at his sister. "Call it a `twin' thing, but I think I know the reason for your red face, sister dear."
"You don't know anything," Alice told her brother.
Talk turned to the latest solved mystery in Porterville. It was Mary Nell Thomas who brought the subject up.
"I understand you found the person responsible for killing that young school teacher, Mr. Poteet."
"Please call me Brian. Yes, with the help of everyone around this table, we have done exactly that."
"What is this world coming to?" Sarah White asked. "Porterville, of all places," she added.
"It just goes to show that no place is perfect," Brian pointed out.
"Yet, I can think of no other place I would rather live," Catherine said.
Britt gave his mother a smile. "I agree with Mom. The best people in the world live in Porterville. I lived other places, and I can assure you, there is no place better."
"I agree," Devon said saluting the others with his tea glass.
As Catherine was preparing to hand out the dessert, Alice said, "Before we enjoy our dessert, Brian and I have something to share with you." She turned toward Brian and said, "You tell them, Brian."
It was Brian Poteet whose face turned red this time. Giving the wristwatch on his arm a twist, he said, "I've spent most of the day with this young lady, and I finally convinced her to marry me."
There was a sudden stillness in the room as everyone took a surprised breath. All eyes were on Brian and Alice.
Alice had a chain around her neck. She ran her fingers underneath it and slowly pulled it upward. At the bottom was a ring with a shiny diamond setting. She removed the ring from the chain and gave it to Brian.
"This afternoon Brian asked me to marry him. He gave me this beautiful ring. I wore it until our arrival here. I asked him if I could put it on a chain until we could tell the rest of you our news."
"And what news it is," Catherine said getting up from her chair. She hurried over and gave the two of them a big hug. "I'm so happy for the two of you," she said.
When it came time for Alice's elderly aunts to give their blessing, Mary Nell Thomas said, "Young man, if you don't take good care of my niece, I can assure you there will be another murder in Porterville." Even though a smile appeared on the woman's face, no one in the room doubted her words. Especially Brian.
"I just know the two of you will be very happy," Sarah told the young couple.
Britt looked at his mother. "You knew this was coming, didn't you, Mom?"
"I did. Not that anyone said a word to me," she added. "It was just a feeling I had."
"And a truthful feeling it was," Devon added.
Brian looked over at his future brother- in- law. "I realize I've said this before, Devon, but I'll say it once again. I will work as hard as I can to make your sister happy."
"I know you will, Brian. Because if you don't, I can assure you, Aunt Mary Nell will have an accomplice to help out with her murder." Devon brought a smile to his face, hoping to take some of the sharpness from his words.
"I know it's rather early, but have you discussed a date yet?" Catherine asked.
Alice looked at Brian and said, "We've thrown the month of June around, but nothing solid yet."
"A June wedding. How nice," Catherine said and smiled.
"Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks," Britt reminded. "Why not then. We'd all have something to be thankful for," he laughed.
"What about your family, Brian?" Catherine asked.
"My dad lives close to Ft. Smith. He's the only family I have. No brothers and sisters. My mother died a few years back."
"So we're looking at a Thanksgiving wedding?" Britt said.
It was Devon who spoke. "I don't think so. I lost a lot of years knowing my sister. I'm not going to be in any hurry to let her go."
Alice touched her brother's hand. "Do you think you will be ready by June?"
"Probably not, but I'll give it my best shot." He smiled tenderly at his sister.
Britt stood to his feet. "I'm sure Mom has a delicious dessert for us. However, I would like for us to go into the living room and drink a toast to these two. How about it, Mom? Can we come back to the table for dessert?"
"Of course, Britt."
A few moments later the guests stood in the middle of Catherine Williams' living room with a glass in their hand. Together, Devon and Britt gave the toast, and the guests drank to it.
After that the evening flew by. Alice insisted on helping Catherine clean up the kitchen. By eleven o'clock the party had ended and everyone was back in their own homes. Devon had invited Brian to come in when he brought Alice home.
"You're not going to ream the man out, are you?" Britt asked on their way home.
"You never know," Devon answered. "I can be a mean son of a bitch, Britt."
"I don't believe that, Devon."
Devon was driving, and his eyes remained on the road in front of him. When they reached the mansion, he parked in front of the rambling structure, and the men hurried inside.
"Seriously, what do you plan to do?" Britt asked as he pulled his coat off.
"I think you'll be happy with what I have to say, Britt. Other than that, you will have to wait and see what happens."
A short time later Brian returned with Alice. He walked her inside. Britt and Devon were waiting in the room Devon liked to refer to as the drawing room.
"Come on in," Devon invited.
Alice took a seat, and Brian sat down beside her.
"Britt, would you mind fixing us a drink? I realize we had one at Catherine's, but I honestly think you can handle a second one, Brian. If not, we have plenty of room for you to spend the night."
"I'll be fine," Brian assured him.
Britt soon returned with a try of drinks. He passed them out and then took a seat in one of the big wingback chairs.
"I know we toasted you guys at Catherine's, but I'd like to pose a toast of my own." Devon picked up his glass. "Brian, I know I seem obsessed with my sister's happiness, and I suppose I am. Perhaps not obsessed as much about it; yet I want very much for her to be happy. I kid you a lot, but I have known for some time now that you love Alice. I only ask this of you: it will be your business to make her happy. However, I ask that you allow her to remain close to us, if at all possible. I sort of made light of it earlier, but I do resent the years the two of us lost as not only brother and sister, but twins as well.
"I love my sister very much, and you're growing on me as well. So, Brian Poteet, welcome into our family. We love you, Brother! I love you."
Devon placed his lips on the glass, and the others followed suit. Silently they drank to the toast. Devon sat his glass down and walked across the room. He pulled both Alice and Brian to their feet and hugged them as one.
"Britt and I will always be here for you guys," he said.
"Yes, we will," Britt said making his way over to them. He gave them a hug as well.
Brian looked at Devon. It was a moment before he spoke. Then, "I realize how much you care for your sister. How much both of you love her," he added taking Britt in with a glance as well. "I promise to take as good care of her as humanly possible. You both have my word," he said.
"We know you will," Britt said. "It's going to be a pleasure loving you the way we love Alice. Welcome to our family, Brian Poteet."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Later as Britt and Devon were getting ready for bed, Britt said, "I'm really proud of you, Babe."
"How's that?" Devon asked as he stripped his shorts off and crawled between the sheets.
"I know you feel like you're going to lose Alice. But you won't; lose her, I mean. She will always love you, no matter where she may be."
"I know that. I also know that Brian loves her very much, and that he will take good care of her. I just don't like the thought of her moving away from here."
Britt crawled naked in bed alongside Devon. "They could live here," he grinned. "Hell, there's room enough for an entire army to live here and not get in each other's way."
"There is. However, if you were Brian, would you want to live here? In this monster of a place?"
Britt appeared lost in thought. "Probably not," he finally said.
Devon suddenly sat up in bed. "Britt, are you happy living here? With me?"
"Of course I am. Why would you even ask me that?"
"You agree that Alice wouldn't want to live here."
"Alice probably wouldn't want to live here with her husband. Me, I'm fucking happy living here with my husband."
"Am I the husband?" Devon lay back down, his head against the pillow.
"Depends on who is doing the fucking," Britt answered with a grin.
"Then come, husband me, Britt."
Britt took the man in his arms, "husbanded" him, and for the time being, they lived happily ever after.
THE END