“That's all it takes." She Looked away dejectedly as if the world had already come to an end. My father shook his head slowly in disapproval. They didn't have to ask if Cherys was continuing to sleep with me. We all knew.

“What?" I half-shouted in confusion.

“It's not like I'm going to steal Cherys from Danielle."

“I did it," my Dad said quietly.

“Huh? ALL three of us younger folk exchanged confused glances before returning our attention to Dad.

He reached out and held his wife's hand.

“I stole your mom from another woman ."*

Danielle and I sat back, stunned at this little bit of information about our parents we had never known. Cherys, on the other hand, leaned forward in curiosity. Then the story came tumbling out.

Mom had grown up bisexual, dating boys but playing with girls. It was the sixties and lots of people were experimental. She met her girlfriend in college and they were together through their late 20s. Mom's lover was fully lesbian, but Mom herself started getting the itch for a man.

About two years after they all graduated, Mom began sleeping with Dad. He was a mutual friend from college who'd long had a crush on Mom. He knew the rules: he was there for physical pleasure, a fuck-buddy, and nothing more. Mom and her girlfriend were the couple.

But Mom wanted a family, and lesbian relationships just weren't socially acceptable in their day. She fell in love with Dad and even though he didn't intend to steal her, Mom chose him.

Mom's ex-girlfriend won't even talk to them now.

“She's your sister, David," Mom pleaded.

"You don't have the choice of not speaking to each other."

“It wouldn't come to that, Mom. This is different." My voice was confident and patient. My parents just didn't understand.

“This isn't a situation like yours," Danielle put in.

“For one thing, this is a different time. Cherys and I can raise the baby without the same social stigmas you would have gone through. And let me ask you guys a question: Did mom's girlfriend love Dad?"

Our parents looked at each other and Mom answered, “No.”

“I love David," Danielle said clearly. There was just a slight hitch in her voice as she tried to hold back some of the emotion, but I don't think my parents noticed.

"He's my brother. We understand each other."

My parents stewed on that for a bit.

“Fair enough," my dad said.

“It's a different world today and you are different people. I'm not saying it can't work out. It's just that three people... well, it's complicated. For now, you're just the baby's father, But in the future, will you also be Cherys' husband?"

The three of us looked at each other, gauging how much to give away. Danielle was the first to answer.

“The thought had occurred."