Page 48 of Triplet Tease

When I stirred and realized why I was souncomfortable, I carried Siena to my bed. She woke and undressed, andI left her to get back to sleep while I got the other two to theirbeds. Then I returned to my room to sleep with our angel.

The next day, after a good night’s sleep, weintended to put Harry’s plan into action.

Harry called our father and arranged for us tomeet. He also booked the restaurant.

I took Siena shopping.

Decker had invited Finn up to the Brettonbrothers’ apartment, and none of us knew what that was all about.

We met our father and Mrs. Hardy, Siena’smother, at a restaurant in the afternoon. It was a public place, soit was neutral territory, and in the middle of the day, so we didn’thave to order dinner if we found we couldn’t stomach food with theconversation.

We sat at the table pretty much in embarrassedsilence, studying the menu while waiting for our drinks. Fortunately,the service was impeccable, and the drinks arrived quickly.

As the designated spokesman, I kicked thingsoff with the statement we’d agreed upon: “We’re sorry aboutyesterday morning. About the distress we caused you, and about theraised voices.”

“I’m sorry about that, too,” Father said.“You’re grown men, and I had no right to barge in and startshouting.”

“Thanks.” I looked at the others. “Weappreciate that.” They nodded their agreement. “Firstly, there’snothing between Finn and me; we’re not in the slightest bitinterested in each other in that way. You jumped to the wrongconclusion, because there is a simple reason why you found us likethat.”

I moved my gaze to Mrs. Hardy. “The thing is,you two are getting married, so you probably have sex, and, as yourkids, we don’t want to think about it. You shouldn’t think aboutour sex lives either, and that’s the problem when you walk inunexpected and see things you shouldn’t see.”

“I don’t understand.” Dad narrowed hiseyes.

“We’re all dating Siena. She has threeboyfriends. And that’s all you should have known. You didn’t needto know anything about our sleeping arrangements or our sex lives.”

“How would that work?” Siena’s mom shookher head in disbelief as she clung on to her glass as if it offeredher protection. She looked around at all of us, and then her eyesgrew wider and her eyebrows rose up. She must have begun to guesswith some surprise what had transpired before they’d walked in.“They are a huge improvement on that last boyfriend of yours,”she said, finally.

“Mom.” Siena’s face reddened, and sheraised her glass to her face and took a sip.

“You’re right, boys. I now have far toomuch of a picture.” And Dad’s face went red too as he, no doubt,tried not to imagine his sons and future daughter-in-law having groupsex.

“I met Decker this morning,” Finn said,saving Dad from his embarrassment by changing the conversation. “Hetold me you were pretty surprised to hear about how he and hisbrothers shared one wife.”

“Yes,” Dad nodded. “I met him yesterdayto talk about a film project, which we hoped to involve you in. Hisfather had told me one of his sons had married but had left it atthat. He must know about their arrangement, but when he spoke to me,he definitely implied the other two boys were still single.” Fatherlowered his voice and leaned forward. “That wasn’t the onlysurprise, mind you. I thought the other two boys were photographers;you know, professionals. I was surprised to find out they makepornography.”

I stifled a laugh, and I could see Siena hidinga grin behind her fingers.

“Well,” Finn continued. “We’re notgoing into porn, but we are planning to be a group like that — justso you know we aren’t the only ones. Anyway, Decker told me aboutthe grippingly interesting series of short films he’s making.”

“He’s a serious filmmaker at the start ofhis career. I’m pleased for him that he has this commission.”

“An educational film about working as anarchitect and other careers.” Finn rolled his eyes. “I guess theywill be useful for kids considering their future, and that’s thetarget audience.”

“That’s right. He has funding to make a setof films for career advice. It was nice of him to consider featuringHarker and Maxwell, and we’re very happy to help him out. He’sgoing to come up to New York and film in our office, and I suggestedto him that he spends most of his time with you, Finn. You’d beexcellent as the young face of our firm.”

“It would be better if you choose someoneelse from the firm for that role, Dad. My outlook on life haschanged.”

“I can see that,” Father’s expressionchanged. His brow furrowed, and he glanced coldly at Siena.

“I mean, my priorities have changed as aresult of Ecuador.”

“They’ve changed for all of us,” I added.“We’re planning to go away again. Not tomorrow, of course. Weneed to make plans and prepare.”

“And you’llbe here for our wedding,” Dad said.

“Yes, of course. We haven’t decided wherewe’ll go yet, butthere’s a big world crying out for volunteers.”

“Are you planning to go, too?” Mrs. Hardyput her glass down on the table. “And do volunteer work abroad?”

---