Dorsai - Taxi

Elisse spoke up to say "I never bothered to think about anything past that, like Gina said. The information we got on artificial insemination said that sometimes it takes several tries before it 'takes'. I… I guess that means that you might have to… BE with us more than just once, doesn't it?"

Smiling, I answered "That's a distinct possibility. I certainly don't mind, if you don't – but it's just one of those things that it's best to be aware of ahead of time, don't you think?"

Both of them smiled briefly before Gina said "I think we asked the right person to help us. Not just because of what kind of guy you've shown us you are, but because you really do use that philosophy stuff you talk about to think about things. If we know what's good for us, I think we'd better find out what you think we should do, first – then we can start talking about it, and working things out."

Elisse voiced her agreement, and I told them "Just to make it clear, I am not trying to dictate terms or conditions, here. All I'm trying to do is toss out some ideas as kind of a starting point. Okay?"

They both voiced their understanding, and I continued "Since we aren't going to get all, or even most, of the little detail stuff taken care of in just one or two meetings, how about if we use them as part of the 'easing into it' process? I can come over here, or you're certainly welcome to come to my place, and we can get to know each other better, and get comfortable, while we get things worked out?"

Both said that was a fine idea, and I went on "Since we're looking at handing this off to a lawyer, it would seem like a good idea if we wrote things down as we think of them and get them settled – maybe even all three of us initialing or signing each thing, so we can make sure we're all saying the same thing? I was thinking that maybe we could get together a couple times a week at first; then more or less often once we get an idea of how things are going."

Taking a breath, I said "Something else I want to make clear is that the 'easing into things' with you is only going to happen how and as fast as YOU want it to. I'm already comfortable with the idea of being with a woman; what happens between me and you, and how, is entirely up to you – I'm not going to 'test' you, or push you, or anything like that. To make it as plain as I can, you're going to have to make the first move, and be the ones to move things along between us: if all you want is for us to hold hands, then the only place my hand will be is in yours… until you put it somewhere else. If you need to go back a little bit, that's fine – but if you don't let me know that things have changed, don't be upset with me for not knowing, either. Okay?"

Looking considerably relieved, Elisse and Gina both nodded before telling me that they appreciated my understanding. I simply told them "You said you chose me partly because of they kind of guy you think I am. I'm just trying to live up to that standard."

The next thing I had to say to them was "Of course, all the talking and discussion and the rest of it is pointless if you two don't end up pregnant. That's something that can only happen when your bodies make it possible. I've said that I'm not going to pressure you about the rest of it, and that applies to the getting pregnant bit, too: if you only want to try on the one day when you're most likely to catch, that's fine with me. If you want to try and increase the chances of it happening, I can do that, too – it's your call. And just to make it clear, it's also your choice whether I'm with just one, or both, of you; I've been with two women before, and what you do with each other won't shock or offend me, and I won't interfere with you, either."

They were both plainly surprised, and it was Elisse that asked "You've been with lesbians before?"

Smiling, I answered "No, they're not lesbians. They're bisexual – they prefer each other most of the time, but think I make for a nice alternative."

It was Gina that asked "How did you meet them? Who are they?"

"One of them is a regular fare that I got to know casually; when she was having a problem one night, I helped her out. Along the way, I got to meet her friend, and the three of us got to know each other even better. I still see them, every now and then", I answered.

From the way I was talking, I think both of them realized that there was more to the story (and situation) than I'd let on; the way they were looking at me told me that I'd not only surprised them, but given them – particularly Elisse – some reason to think (or even hope) that my time with them might not be as bad as they had feared it could be.

It was Gina that got us back onto the subject at hand by saying that there were a couple of things that had occurred to her since they'd first talked to me. After she'd told me what they were, and the three of us had reached agreement on them, we went on to other things, as well. It was nearing ten o'clock when we finally called an end to the evening. On my way out the door, I said that I'd get a notebook to write everything down in before inviting them over to my place. After only a little discussion, we settled on them coming over three days later.

Their first visit to my apartment went off about as well as I could have hoped.

I was ready when I heard the doorbell, and after they were inside, I could see that they were more than passingly surprised at the place: somewhat sparsely furnished, simply decorated, and (of course) my shelves of books. As they were looking them over, Elisse said "I've only heard about some of these. And you've actually read all of them?"

I laughed before answering "Yeah, I have – these are just the ones I've wanted to keep", causing her eyes to widen. Gina looked at me with a hardbound copy of Plato's Republic in her hand and asked "You read this stuff for fun?", in disbelief.

"Not for entertainment, like I would Mark Twain or Shakespeare; but for enjoyment, yeah", I replied. She just looked at me like she wasn't entirely sure she believed me.

We were able to chat for a little while before supper. I told them that I wasn't about to try and compete with the spread they'd put on for me at their place, and both of them laughed when I said that they'd just have to settle for something within my limited capabilities.

After dinner, they went to check out my books again while I got the table cleared; by the time I got in to join them, both were sitting on the couch, with my cat Demosthenes on his back between them. Elisse was rubbing his ears while Gina petted his belly; the resulting purr sounded like a diesel truck engine with no muffler.

After getting the notebook I'd promised, I sat down across from them and went over the things that we'd already talked about, getting a consensus on how to phrase what I wrote down. It didn't take us long, and when I was done, all three of us initialed each item. Then it was on to other things – casual conversation between brief periods of discussion when one of us had a question or thought to share. After a while, Demosthenes opted to come over and park himself on my lap, which didn't leave me much space to write. Elisse took over the journal duties while Demosthenes draped his heavy and oversized carcass across my lap and purred at me in response to being petted. Elisse and Gail both looked on in amusement.

When they were ready to go home, I had to lift the limp form of Demosthenes off my lap and deposit him on my chair so I could escort them to the door – something that they found highly entertaining. We easily agreed on the time and date of our next meeting (at their place), and both surprised me by giving me a hug and brief kiss on the cheek before thanking me for having them over, and telling me that they'd actually enjoyed themselves.

That pretty much set the pattern for the next few brainstorming sessions we had. Alternating between their house and my apartment, it didn't take long for us to realize that we enjoyed each others company – and that we had common ideas and opinions about how we wanted things to work out between them, me, and 'our' kids.