Birthday Pool Party Ch. 41

"Hi, good morning! It's Stacey Martin." I say into the phone. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"No, you didn't." he replies quickly. "I'm replacing your door now."

"Oh! You are?" I ask in surprise. "What about the police tape?"

"They told me I could take it down." my landlord grunts. "You can pick up the new keys in my office in a couple hours."

"Okay, thank you!" I reply. "I really appreciate you taking care of it so quickly."

"No trouble." he says right before hanging up.

"Uh, okay, bye." I roll my eyes as I set my phone down on the table.

"His usual charming self?" April asks.

"Yup." I shake my head. "At least he works fast. We can get the new keys soon."

"Great!" April smiles as Lexi returns.

"Everything okay with your sister?" I ask the redhead.

"Yeah, she just wanted to make sure everyone was okay." Lexi nods, sitting back down. "She says she's glad you girls are okay."

"Thank you." I nod appreciatively.

"Are you sure you aren't going to school today?" April wonders. "You don't have many more days of high school left. You'll miss it someday."

"Miss everyone thinking I'm a whore? I'm a, a cum dump..." Lexi mumbles quietly before finding her strength again. "No, I don't think I will."

"I'm sorry." I say in a small voice.

"Was it really that bad?" April follows up with. "I mean, I know you had a rough time with, with that guy... but the others?"

"Keith. You can say his name." Lexi replies with a small smile. "I guess it wasn't terrible. I mean, I was mostly ignored. I had a reputation, and some girls wanted to keep their boyfriends away from me out of fear I'd spread my legs."

"That's horrible!" April exclaims. "I was just a shy nerd in high school."

"I'm the class cum dump." Lexi sniffles, and I can tell she's trying not to cry. "It's only recently that I made friends."

"You found amazing friends." April smiles kindly. "You're lucky to have them."

"I really am." Lexi agrees. "The guys at our school actually aren't that bad. I mean, the football team actually beat up David for what he did."

"I can't imagine the guys at my high school doing anything like that." April snorts.

"Yeah, I was really surprised." the redhead agrees.

"Why are you so quiet, Stacey?" April inquires. "It's okay, we know you had a charmed high school life."

"I did not!" I object a little too loudly.

"Bullshit." Lexi giggles.

"Well, I mean, I got asked out a lot..." I admit. "And, uh, I guess I had a lot of friends."

"Charmed." April says in a sing-song voice.

"Hey!" I exclaim. "You had a boyfriend! You spread your nerdy, little legs on prom night!"

"And how many high school guys got to see those big titties of yours?" Lexi asks.

As I open my mouth to reply, likely with a comment about how slutty Lexi and April are, Steven saves me the trouble by returning to the room. He smiles at all of us before returning to his seat. Lexi then gestures for him to explain.

"Okay, so, long story short," Steven begins, "you don't actually need an attorney to file a temporary restraining order. One definitely helps, though. Fortunately, Paul Jacobs has some time today, and has agreed to take the case."

"Great!" April nods, placing her hand on mine. "What's next?"

"We need to move fast." Steven answers. "Normally, if you file early you can get an appointment the next day. Due to Barry's attempt at breaking in, Paul thinks we might be able to get the order today. That's contingent on us submitting the paperwork by 10:00AM."

"Uh, it's after 8:00AM already." Lexi points out.

"I know, that's why we need to get to the courthouse." Steven explains. "Get dressed. We're leaving in five minutes."

Three women get ready in five minutes? I think Steven is dreaming, but somehow we manage it. April and I are dressed in casual clothing, while Steven has a suit on and Lexi is in a dress. The four of us pile into the car and start the drive. I worry we're under dressed, but Steven assures us that we won't be going before a judge until later in the day. This is just to submit paperwork.

On the drive, we fill Steven in about the door being fixed soon. He agrees to take us to the apartment after we finish up at the courthouse. I can feel myself getting nervous, my palms are sweaty as I mentally return to last night. To Barry trying to break in.

To my surprise, we don't go to the courthouse. Steven explains that we need to get a copy of the police report first. We enter the police station, and I give my name. I can't believe it; the police report is ready. Don't these usually take days? Whatever, I'm not complaining.

Back in the car, Steven calls Paul Jacobs and puts him on speaker phone. We end up having a meeting over the phone, where the lawyer asks us to give him all the details. It turns out that Paul needs to write the application himself. The application will explain all relevant facts, any applicable laws, why the situation is so urgent, and how the other party will be notified.

I find myself remembering why I hated my Business Law class. No numbers, no spreadsheets. Boring. In either case, Paul lets us know that he'll print out the application and meet us at the courthouse. He'll file, and we'll hopefully be told we can come back later today.

"Uh, Steven?" I ask when he hangs up the phone. "What do we owe you? You know, for Paul's services?"

"Don't worry about it." Steven says smoothly.

"You have to let us give you something!" April protests. "You've done so much for us already."

"It's my pleasure." he insists.

"It's our pleasure." Lexi corrects. "You're family."

"Thanks, Lexi." I reply, reaching up from the back seat and squeezing her shoulder. "You guys really have treated us so well."

"You have no idea!" April giggles, waggling her eyebrows at me.

"I'm being serious, you perv!" I respond, my smile removing all force from the reprimand.

"Sex is serious." the little blonde reasons.

"So, anyway," I roll my eyes, "what are we doing after the courthouse?"

"I'll take you back to your apartment so you can pick up your new keys." Steven offers, quickly changing the subject. "Then, maybe we'll grab lunch before heading back to the courthouse, depending on when the appointment is."

"Sounds good, thank you." I reply.

"Hey, Steven?" Lexi suddenly asks, her voice unusually small. "Do you think there will be another reason to go to the courthouse someday? You know..."

"Uh." Steven says eloquently. "Um, I mean..."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up. I know we haven't been together long. I guess I just..." Lexi's voice gets smaller and smaller.

The awkwardness in the car is stifling as Steven tries to think of something to say to diffuse the situation. I really can't blame him, I'm sure he loves Lexi, but it's a little early to think about marriage. Panicking, I stealthily elbow April and mouth at her to do something.

"Courthouses are boring, you don't wanna go there!" April speaks up.

"That so?" I ask with a smirk, wondering where the nerd is going with this.

"Yes!" April declares. "I wouldn't wanna just go down to some stuffy courthouse. Only the best, girliest church wedding for me and my number one bitch! Or maybe a beach!"

"Oh." I giggle as April leans toward me and kisses me, glad the tension is broken.

"Also," April adds, "Mr. Moneybags can afford the best of the best, so Lexi should settle for nothing less."

"April definitely has a point." Lexi smirks, tapping her finger on her chin as she considers the matter.

"Okay, okay," Steven laughs, "how about you finish high school first, my love? Then, we can think about a million dollar wedding."

"I'll hold you to that." the redhead teases.

We fall silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I'm imagining April in a beautiful white dress. A flowered arch in front of a sandy white beach, the sun beaming over us, all our friends in attendance. Steven smiling. I imagine our ceremony. My mind flashes forward. April is sitting beside me, smiling at me while she rubs my pregnant belly.

Oh.

I let out a long sigh. I love her, I really do. I'm still in love with Steven, but I am happy with April. I'm happy with the way things are. Right now, at least. I can't imagine not having babies. And, I can't imagine them being the product of cold science. I know some people do, and there's nothing wrong with it, but I just, I just can't.

In addition, while I'm still young, I won't be forever. I'm definitely beyond the stage of dating just for fun. What can I do? I want to have children who are half me and half my life partner. Shit. Overwhelmed, I reach out and take April's hand. She looks over at me, slightly startled. I smile weakly, squeezing her small hand. A tear runs down my cheek.

"What is it?" April asks, her voice a whisper.

"Later." I shake my head. "It's fine."

April nods slowly as I use my free hand to wipe away my tear. Wanting to avoid thinking about my own future, I spend the rest of the ride contemplating Steven's. Will he really marry Lexi? My concern isn't just about my own feelings; their age difference is a huge issue. Will Lexi leave him for a younger man when she's in her late thirties, and he's in his sixties?

Also, what do they really have in common? Lexi doesn't give a shit about finance or business. Is Kayla holding the two of them together? If so, what happens when Kayla moves out and has her own family? Plus, Steven is even dating Lexi's sister, and having a baby with Hazel! Is he heading for a world of hurt?

"We're here." Steven announces, drawing each of us out of our ruminations.

"Do you want me to wait in the car?" Lexi offers. "You'll be discussing some personal stuff."

"You had your tongue up my twat, how much more personal does it get?" April asks with a sly grin.

"You know what I mean!" the redhead laughs.

"I know, I know. It's fine. Thank you for offering." April replies, finally acting serious.

"By the way," I begin, unable to help myself, "why did you and Kayla never get a restraining order against those pieces of shit who hurt you?"

"It's come up a few times." Lexi answers with a sigh. "Keith is in jail now, so it doesn't matter. Part of the problem for David is that he goes to our school. I'm more worried about Stephanie and Kelsey. At least he was told to stay away from all of us."

"Also, David is just a high school student." Steven adds. "Barry is a lawyer. It's a lot more important to have a paper trail for someone like him."

"I guess that makes sense." April says.

"David hasn't tried to contact any of us outside school, as far as I know." Lexi continues. "Unless that changes, nothing will probably happen. I just hope the trial is scheduled soon so we can put all this behind us."

"I understand." I nod seriously.

Our group heads into the courthouse, and I quickly realize that April and I really are under dressed. Everyone is in formal attire. At least we aren't going before a judge right now. We girls just follow Steven as he looks around for Paul Jacobs.

Once we meet up with the attorney, he sits April and I down so we can read the application. April and I sign it as Paul Jacobs finishes going over the police report. With all the paperwork done, Paul files it, and promises that he will call us once a hearing time is set. It should hopefully be today.

Before saying goodbye to Paul, he actually makes a point to ask April and I to wear more formal clothing to the hearing. We promise we will, then the four of us return to Steven's car so he can drive us to the apartment. April and I pick up our new keys at the office, then lead Steven and Lexi up to our place.

"What now?" April asks as she sets the overnight bag down on the table in our kitchen.

"Now, you girls need to put on pretty dresses and high heels." Lexi states with a nod.

"Ugh, fuck that." April groans.

"You probably should." Steven says. "Then we'll go out to lunch. You don't wanna have to rush around after."

"They're right, April." I agree. "Let's go change."

A few minutes later, April and I return to the kitchen clothed in dresses and heels. Our hair is pulled back, and we both have sparkly earrings dangling from our ears. Steven says we are lovely, while Lexi makes a comment about wanting to fuck us senseless, then we lock up and leave.

We agree to a restaurant where we can have lunch, and hopefully talk about last night. My lovely girlfriend and I decide to take my car, so that we won't have to rely on Steven to take us home later. Giving April a quick kiss, we get out of my car and meet up with Steven and Lexi before entering the restaurant a few minutes after they open.

"Good morning!" the hostess greets us with a friendly smile. "Table for four?"

"Yes, please." Steven responds politely. "If it's not too much trouble, could we get a quiet table in a corner?"

"Um, yeah, okay." the hostess says as she checks the layout. "I have the perfect spot. Right this way."

The bubbly hostess leads us to a booth for four in the corner. There are other booths nearby, but since it's so early, they are all empty. The waitress, a pretty college-aged woman, comes a few minutes later, and we order drinks, as well as potato skins to share.

"Any chance we girls can convince you to split the check?" April asks cutely.

"Nope." Steven smirks. "It's on me."

"Fine." April sighs theatrically. "As long as you don't expect us to put out in return."

"I get all I can handle without paying for it, thank you very much." Steven quickly replies.

"You haven't gotten me." April winks before sticking out her tongue.

"Yet." Steven grins slyly.

Lexi and I are both giggling as we watch our partners shamelessly flirt. Those two are absolutely going to fuck each other silly one day very soon. I can't wait! Sadly, however, the waitress returns with our drinks, putting a stop to the flirting.

"April, was your supervisor upset that you called out?" Lexi asks to make conversation.

"Nah, he didn't care." April answers. "I never miss work, so it wasn't a big deal."

"I let my boss stick it in me, so he can't fire me." I point out with a satisfied smile.

"Wow, he sounds like a pervert." Lexi comments.

"He really is!" I giggle. "I mean, he's an old man, but he still wanted to put it in my butt!"

"He would also like to remind you that we really can't miss work tomorrow." Steven interjects in a monotonous voice, changing the subject. "We have that meeting for the YouInvest acquisition."

"Blah blah blah, boring." Lexi rolls her eyes. "Let's go back to talking about butt sex."

"Speaking of sex," April says nervously, "was last night a one time thing?"

"I don't know." Lexi admits with a sigh before putting her straw to her lips and taking a sip.

"How does everyone feel about what happened?" Steven asks.

"Horny." Lexi answers simply.

"Still?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, yeah," the redhead continues, "I mean, I got some amazing pussy, but no cock. Sometimes a girl just needs to get bent over and nailed."

"Mm, I get it." April hums, a dreamy look in her eyes.

"You two really are insatiable." I say affectionately.

"Can we be serious, ladies?" Steven wonders with a small shake of his head.

"It's called making jokes to lighten the tension, Fuckface." Lexi responds with an eye roll.

"Language!" he admonishes.

"You've been in every hole of two out of the three women at the table, and you're calling out language?" Lexi stares at Steven, blinking slowly.

"I am." he nods.

Our completely unproductive conversation is interrupted by the arrival of our appetizer. Based on her flushed cheeks, I believe the young woman knows what we're talking about. The waitress sets down a long plate of steaming potato skins, along with four small plates. She then takes our lunch orders before leaving us to enjoy some greasy goodness.

"Let me know if you need anything else." the waitress whispers, leaning forward to display her cleavage to Steven.

"Thank you." he replies with a polite smile.

"My pleasure." she purrs before making her exit.

"That waitress barely acknowledged you until she found out you boinked two out of three of us. Interesting." Lexi observes with a contemplative expression.

"Can we have a serious discussion now, please?" Steven asks while placing a potato skin on his plate.

"Probably not," April shrugs, "but we can try."

"Steven's right." I say as I use my fork to cover my potato skin with a layer of sour cream. "We have two romantic relationships, and several friendships. They need to be respected. This is important."

"What's really important is that you stop doing that right now." Lexi retorts, giving me a look of pure revulsion. "Sour cream is fucking disgusting."

"So, don't put any on yours." I suggest as I cut a piece.

"At least we managed to acknowledge we're all friends." Steven chuckles.

"Friends. Family. Fuck buddies. Sexy bitches." April adds with a smile. "Oh, and then there's Steven."

"Hey! Steven's a sexy bitch, too!" I say with a straight face.

"I'm not sure if you're helping or not." Steven looks at me with a deadpan expression.

"I'm sorry." I mumble, staring down at my place. "I guess I'm just really nervous..."

"You're worried you'll never be able to have sex with Steven again." April observes.

"Yes." I mutter, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Are you still in love with Steven?" Lexi asks plainly.

"Yes." I confirm in a small voice, my eyes still locked on my plate with the half-eaten potato skin.

"Are you in love with me?" April wonders.

"Yes." I say yet again.

"How can you be in love with two people at once?" my nerdy girlfriend asks.

"Talk to Steven about that one." Lexi snorts, rolling her eyes.

"I guess I deserved that." Steven winces before popping his food-laden fork in his mouth.

"I'm just teasing, relax." the redhead smirks. "I did give you permission. Oh, and to answer your question; love is love. I mean, a mother can love all her kids equally, right?"

"Romantic love is different though." April protests weakly.

"Is it?" Lexi challenges. "There's a passion to it that shows up more than in other types of love, but that doesn't restrict it to one person. This is the twenty-first century, poly relationships are becoming more and more common."

"My love for Steven doesn't diminish my feelings for you, April." I insist firmly.

"I guess I just never saw myself in a relationship where my partner also loved someone else." April admits as she pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"And I never saw myself in a relationship with a woman." I point out. "Life is full of mystery, and you never know what's gonna happen next."

"Are you okay being in a relationship with a woman?" April inquires.

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be." I answer right before I start babbling. "In the interest of open and honest communication, I am afraid. I'm not sure what's gonna happen, I want to have babies with my partner, but I can't make babies with you since you have lady parts, and I'm scared."

"I don't know what's gonna happen either." April sighs, placing her hand on mine. "You're the only woman I've ever had real feelings for, and I never thought you'd ever feel the same. Right now? I'm still overwhelmed with happiness that you actually love me. For the future, who knows? I guess we just take things one day at a time and see what happens."

"That's all anyone can do." Steven adds with a nod. "We can make plans, we can hope, but the future isn't something that we can totally control. The future worries me, too. It's completely understandable."

"Why are you worried?" Lexi asks her boyfriend.

"Lexi. I had it all." Steven points out. "Then, I lost it. I lost the love of my life, my daughter's mother. It's scary to let myself be completely happy again. Also, I'm twenty-two years older than you. I love you very much, but what do I do when you want a guy your own age? When you get tired of people constantly talking about us? Sure, it doesn't matter what they think, but it can make life difficult. So, yeah. I'm worried about the future, too. I just do what I can to not let it poison what I have right now."