League of Extraordinary Women by Vark_Driver

“Same boat. Daniel is very supportive and loving, but I think he’s afraid to commit to the next level of relationship.”

“Jeremy, it’s back to you. Ready to take on fathering children for four different mothers?”

“Forget artificial insemination! I want the real thing!” Stephanie yelled.

That brought yet another laugh.

“There’s a lot to think about. You’ll notice I’ve not run out the door, at least not yet.”

“You’re just thinking about having sex with four different women,” Sheila said.

“Well, this is one way to get him to move on. He won’t have time to be depressed.”

Each comment brought a laugh, letting the tension in the air dissipate. We had bandied this back and forth pretty seriously, it was good to feel it settle down.

“OK, it’s time to come back to reality here. We’re waiting to hear from

Amber what Jeff has decided. I’ve got to prepare for a divorce. Sheila is still out there dating. Claudette has some serious discussion to do with Daniel. Jeremy, you’re off the hook for a while,” Stephanie said.

With that, the get together broke up and everyone headed to their cars. Amber lagged behind, stopping on the porch as the others drove away.

“I hope Jeff will step up. I just have my doubts. If it’s a “no, I’m not ready” I don’t plan to divorce him. I will move forward to have children, though, even if I have to do it on my own. I’d love to have you father my children. I’m not asking for support, other than what you already give. You could be “Uncle Jeremy”. It’s not like this is going to happen overnight. I need to get his answer, then talk with him about my plans either way. I’ve already thought of insemination from a sperm bank. It’s not a sin to want to have children.”

I gave her a hug, kissed her on the cheek and walked her to her car.

“I hope you don’t mind if I lean on you,” she said.

“I’m only an associate member of the League but I’m here for you.”

With that she got in her car and started it. “Thanks.”

She called four days later to say that Jeff hadn’t given her an answer. She had moved to another room in the house and was living apart from him. “I told him two weeks. He agreed. He reneged. It’s not OK.”

I invited her for dinner. I called Stephanie and told her the news. She had already heard as the jungle drums were beating a furious level. I invited her as well.

We sat down to dinner. I had barbecued on the grill and Stephanie had made a salad. Over dinner we talked about what was going on for all of them, excepting Faith. They both wanted to know how I felt about all of this.

I honestly told them it was a very complex issue in every sense of the word. We had a lot of talking to do.

Amber’s phone rang. She looked at Caller ID and said, “It’s Jeff.”

We sat quietly as she answered the call while at the table. She put the phone down on the table and said, “It’s a not yet,” in a quiet voice. We got up and moved into the great room, hugging her as we went. She began to quietly cry. Stephanie jumped to get some tissues.

“I’m going to hate that man in a few days. Right now I’m just numb but I know it’s in there. Damn him.”

“You can always stay here,” I told her. “I’ve got the room.”

“I may take you up on that. It might even be tonight.” With that she began talking in a low voice, “I’m going to go home and talk to him. I’m going to get a few things and come back here, if that’s really all right with you.”

I walked her to her car and gave her another hug. She drove away. When I walked back into the house Stephanie was clearing the table. Nobody really felt very hungry anymore. We washed dishes and cleaned up the kitchen, then I got out a bottle of wine, opened it, poured two glasses and we moved back into the great room. Stephanie cuddled next to me.

“I really feel for her. With me, it’s just taking the step of filing, then waiting until it’s final. I can easily support myself. I just need to make the plan and walk down the steps. You may have a boarding house here for a while.”

“You know you’re welcome, anytime.”

“I don’t know if I could do what she’s talking about doing, staying married but having a child with another father. That’s going to be a real pressure cooker of a relationship.”

“She’s going to need a lot of support if that’s what she decides to do.”

An hour later, Amber was back. I walked her upstairs and showed her a guest room and bath, then left her to get settled in. She came downstairs wearing a gown, robe and slippers. Her lower legs were bare.

“This is the most we’ve ever seen of you, Amber,” Stephanie said.

“I hope I don’t blind you with my white legs. Is there any more of that wine?”

I got up and got her a glass. She was talking in a low voice with Stephanie when I got back.

“He just sat there and didn’t say a word. I don’t think he took me seriously, as if I was just saying it to anger him or something. I told him I was going to stay at a friend’s house. He didn’t even ask who or where. I got my stuff and walked out the door. Not another word was said.”