Swan Song

         It was the late eighties and the darkest, lowest, saddest point in my life. I had attempted suicide a week earlier and now I existed in that grey aftershock of depression which lingers afterward. It was a year after my first hospitalization for a suicide attempt and being diagnosed with clinical depression. It had been a year of failures. I failed my first year of college, lost my job and was hopelessly a failure with the ladies. My first week was spent with my nose buried in a book, Dune, which a friend I've known since kindergarten suggested I read. THEY FINALLY witnessed what I now know as an angry manic episode. THEY, the nurses gave me Librium and put me to bed as the tranquilizer took hold. It was the first time I ever had a tranquilizer and I slept from three in the afternoon until seven in the morning.

         Morning brought new rays of sunshine to my heart and life as sunlight glinted off of HER dirty blonde hair. I was instantly attracted to her as I entered the cafeteria of the hospital psyche ward I was imprisoned for my own good. I was shy and terrified of her radiant beauty; doing everything to avoid her. From the mandatory group therapy session I learned her name was Sue Ann Johnson and she learned my name. She was more out-going than I and in that making-the-best-of-it sombre state of depression. Even without make-up or fancy clothes Sue Ann was heavenly to gaze upon.

On the third day of avoiding her we had mandatory group therapy where I could no longer avoid her. In group I barely paid any attention to anything others said until she announced to the entire group that she was annoyed by me avoiding her and she thought I hated her. I blushed and openly admitted I was attracted to her and very shy; in front of our psychiatrist group facilitator and half dozen fellow patients. After the group session I overcame my shyness and joined her across the cafeteria table with a coffee. We talked and began to get to know each other a little better. We both had gleamed information from listening to conversations we had with others. That was my first hint to her attraction to me; possibly even her annoyance at me for avoiding her. A woman that beautiful must not be used to people, especially men, avoiding her.

         That was the beginning of our relationship. Whenever I saw her in the cafeteria section I would join her at a table either across from her or beside her. After doing this a couple times, I thought she might think I was stalking her and sat at a nearby table or at the end of her table. She either invited me to sit near or beside her or she would join me at my table. That's how I knew we were friends and the attraction was mutual. Through our conversations I learned: that she was the single mother of a 3 year old daughter, she was suicidal after her boyfriend and her daughters father broke up with her, she lived with her mother in the same part of the city I lived and she was eighteen a couple years younger than I was; twenty. I was further along, more knowledgeable about coping techniques and ways to deal positively with stress than Sue Ann was at that time. Most of the time we simply enjoyed each other's company within the male/female separation which is normal on a psyche ward. Then came release day.

         Back then in the eighties a standard time for a suicide attempt was three weeks after being medically cleared to tackle the mental health part of their problem. Then, depending upon the patient, it was either more outpatient group therapy in the hospital. Or, in my case, group therapy in the community at a government funded mental health organisation. Sometimes for the more stable of us like the cyclothymic (a sub-type of bipolar disorder with moderate depressions and moderate euphoric manic highs) Sue Ann they get released a bit early and only see a psychiatrist at regular appointments. Luckily Sue Ann got discharged a day before I did.

         As Sue left, she asked for my phone number and address saying she would call in a couple days or so after I got discharged. I had nothing to lose and doubted she would call me. Beautiful five foot seven blonde nineteen year old Caucasian women with a great figure don't call an average or slightly less than average five eleven, black haired, brown eyed, one eighth Blackfoot mentally ill twenty year old man like me; Derek O'Reilly. After spending a day making appointments for counselling and marking my next shrink appointment, getting caught up on basic life I sat back to relax. Early evening just after supper time Sue Ann actually phoned me. She decided to come over the next morning and we would walk to a nearby marsh I raved about when we were in hospital together. Apparently my basement apartment was slightly closer to the marsh than her mother's house so I met her at the side door entrance to my apartment.

         I had my Canon AE-1 camera, a gift from my parents on my 16th birthday, along with a wide angled lens for scenery shots. We walked slowly with Sue Ann holding the hand of her daughter Sarah making it to the marsh in fifteen minutes instead of my usual ten minutes. I certainly was not complaining since I was walking next to a beautiful blue-eyed blonde wearing skin-tight slightly faded blue jeans, a thick buttoned white blouse, high-top running shoes with a friendship bracelet on one wrist and a watch on the other wrist. As we walked the wind played havoc with her high fluffy classic "80s hair". Once there we instantly saw a mated pair of swans and after I pointed toward their nests we saw the truly unique birds of this area; black terns. As we walked around the western edge of the marsh we saw other birds like herring gulls and mallard ducks. There were other typical marsh birds there also like red-winged blackbirds and some sparrows, chickadees and finches. Next was the beach.

         This marsh was only separated from northern shore Lake Ontario by a roughly ten metre strip of sand and well-rounded pebbly beach. As we walked along the wind-swept beach, little Sarah was having a great time chasing gulls and picking up pieces driftwood or beautiful quartz and shale pebbles. As we walked close to each other somehow our hands found the others and we were holding hands. Our lips were getting closer and closer, then as Sarah turned towards us Sue broke away from me running the couple metres ahead of us to see what suddenly got her daughter's attention. I was puzzled by the sudden cold shoulder as we were seconds from kissing. I decided to wait before asking why the kiss never happened.

         My chance came as little Sarah ran ahead of us. I stood in front of Sue Ann to stop her.

         "Why?"

         "My EX-boyfriend Jay, Sarah's father, is threatening to sue for custody. He already has my hospitalization against me. I know he still desires me despite breaking up with me. I'll use that to keep him from trying for sole custody instead of weekends only. Mother likes Jay more than she likes me, but it would break her heart to only see Sarah on the weekends. I DO want you to make love to me. We cannot show our feelings in front of Sarah in case it gets back to Jay or mother. Jay will be picking up Sarah soon, so I must get home and I promise to call you tonight. Maybe we can meet accidentally for coffee?"

         I nearly choked on my own tongue with that "make love" part. Whatever this angelic woman wanted was fine with me.

         "I get it and I understand the predicament you're in. Coffee sounds great."

         I watched as that beautiful ass went bouncing away from me. I could barely walk with the hard on I had from seeing Sue Ann leave and being so close to her a few minutes earlier. Later that night around midnight I was awakened by a phone call.

         "Meet us at the coffee shop on Cedar and Wentworth at 10 in the morning."

         "Who is this? Who is US?"

         "Sue Ann, have you forgotten me already? The US is my friends and I."

         "No, sorry I'm half asleep still. Okay, I'll see you and your friends at ten at Cedar and Wentworth in the coffee shop."

         I fell asleep to a wonderful dream of making love to three beautiful women. Then after a few minutes they vanished into smoke and out of a blazing light walked a naked Sue Ann. In my dream I made love to Sue Ann all night long. In the morning at ten I was at the coffee shop eating a breakfast sandwich meal sipping a coffee. We talked and before Sue Ann left we arranged to go on a couple walks on Tuesday and Thursday morning. She said that on Friday she would pretend to go to a cottage with these friends after Sarah got picked up by her father and instead of the cottage, her friends would drop her off at my place.

         Tuesday we walked along Oshawa Creek from Wentworth Street to Lakeview Park when Sue Ann had to return home. After the suicide attempt her mother kept her on a short leash time wise and where she was going. Thursday Sarah and Sue Ann came to my tiny basement apartment, we grabbed a couple of water bottles from my fridge and walked first to the marsh we were at last week where we once again saw the swans and black terns. We followed the trail from there to Lakeview Park on a surprisingly warm mid-April morning. When we parted at the marsh I could barely walk from how hard my dick was watching Sue Ann leave. It was going to be a very HARD twenty six hours when I would see Sue Ann again.

         Since I was on long-term disability from my slightly above minimum wage factory job I had time to get some candles and one of those flower smelling plug-in air freshener at a dollar store. I picked up some sparkling white grape juice since we both were on psyche meds and booze would make us seriously ill if taken together. I also got a small affordable bouquet of flowers and a cheap glass vase. At the last minute I almost forgot the condoms. I took a nap until my alarm clock woke me at five. A little after six Sue Ann was dropped off at my apartment.

         Sue Ann had picked up a large pizza for us. Our first time alone was awkward as we were unsure what we wanted to do or what the other wanted. I broke the ice by getting glasses and the chilled sparkling apple juice. That seemed to ease the tension. After only a single slice of pizza each our desire for each other got the best of us. The food and drink was soon forgotten as we made out on the couch. Soon, clothes began to come off in a frenzy until we were down to our underwear and my eyes widened as I gazed upon the barely visible rosy red nipples of her 36 C breasts through a black lace bra and a neatly trimmed natural blonde pussy barely hidden by matching black lace panties. I was only wearing boxer shorts and saw her looking down and only then realized the tip of my very hard dick was poking out of the waistband of my underwear. I blushed for a second and soon had my attention brought to where it belonged; on Sue Ann.

         Next off came the bra exposing her beautiful still firm breasts and, as I gazed at their beauty Sue Ann yanked down my boxers to reveal my seven inch hard dick. Sue Ann reached out and stroked my dick a few times. I moved her to lay back on the couch, pulled off her panties and began licking her already moist pussy. I must have been doing something right or it had been some time since she last had sex since she was cumming after only a short time. I let her rest a minute and then began to lick her to a second orgasm. She was moaning and bucking a lot; suddenly stopping. She grabbed my head, moved me up her body, kissed me passionately, grabbed my very hard dick, placed me at her entrance and then thrust upward forcing me into her. I got the message and eased into her sopping pussy inch by inch until all of me was completely buried in her hot young pussy. I was surprised how tight she was since she had given birth a few years ago and had a boyfriend some time ago. All thoughts of that quickly vanished as instinct kicked in and I began to fuck that beautiful natural blonde woman.

         We fucked seemingly for hours, but in reality it must have been more like a frenzied ten minutes, when I was close to cumming. I pulled out of that wonderful pussy and moved us into my bedroom where I positioned her into my favourite position; doggie style. I grabbed those wonderful full wide motherly hips, gave her pussy a few licks from behind and eased back into her. I stroked her beautiful olive skin of her back as I fucked her from behind and reached under her to fondle those gorgeous C cup breasts with their rosy pink nipples. When I was getting close I reached under her and began to gently rub her clit until she came. I tried to pull out to cum on her ass, but her clenching pussy had a death grip on my dick. I warned her I was about to cum and she merely responded by pushing back at me. I gave up on trying to pull out and after a few quick short pumps to get even deeper into her pussy I finally came.

         We collapsed onto the bed with me on top of her still buried in her pussy. I rolled us onto our side and began to slowly pump Sue Ann slowly until I regained my full hardness. Sue Ann pulled away from me, rolled me onto my back and mounted me looking me in the eyes as slowly rode herself to a long relaxing orgasm. She leaned forward and kissed me. After a minute of rest Sue Ann was getting a little dry and moved into a sixty-nine on top of me. I licked her to orgasm while she occasionally would suck my dick to keep me hard. She rested a minute and then mounted me again facing away from me. The sight of that wide beautiful ass moving up and down as Sue Ann rode my dick set me off. I warned her and she rode me harder, faster while rubbing her clit until I came shooting cum deep in her pussy. That triggered her orgasm and ended her ride.

         Sue Ann laid back against my chest exhausted as I lovingly stroked the side of her lean tall body, cupped her large round C cup breasts ending as I gingerly petted the blonde landing strip of hair above her pussy. Sue Ann shivered as I gently petted her and then I rolled us onto our side still connected. Neither of us were eager to disconnect from each other. I kissed her neck, wrapped an arm around her as we fell asleep spooning. I knew from studying symptoms she was experiencing hyper-sexuality and might disregard safe sex, but since she had seen the condoms I assumed she must be on the pill. I'm a young guy and a stiff wind can get us hard; especially a hot naked woman. Maybe I was also experiencing hyper-sexuality?
I was too new to bipolar disorder to identify individual symptoms and warning signs. Life was too short to dissect, examine and identify normal feelings from enhanced magnified bipolar feelings. I had a beautiful, kind woman who shared many of my own interests in my arms naked with my dick wilting inside of her. Who cares about what was real or not! I still had another day and a half to treat this special lady like the Queen I knew her to be. I could see what a struggle it was for her and how important it was for her to be a single parent while dealing with a newly diagnosed mental illness while keeping our relationship a secret. The next day and half this would be our little bit of "clothing optional paradise". I could easily imagine an entire life with her watching little Sarah grow up with maybe a brother or sister. That last pleasant thought sent me into dreamland.
I woke up to the smell of coffee and the sizzle of bacon being cooked. I was glad I had packed that tiny fridge full of food for this weekend. I was even happier that Sue Ann had found them and knew how to cook. I knew enough not to assume women knew how to cook. This was the more enlightened late 80s and not the backward 50s of my grandmother's time. Sue was still naked and was wearing an apron I had hanging on a nearby wall. I didn't see any reason to get dressed either.
We ate breakfast with some orange juice, took our morning meds and talked over coffee. We both seemed positive and happy how things turned out last night. I got up to help clear the table and wash dishes. Sue still had the apron on and as she collected dishes, she dropped a fork on the floor, bent over displaying that nice heart shaped wide ass; exposing her pussy to me. I was in the process of getting up to pick it up myself, but gazing at that ass and exposed pussy had me stumbling face first into her pussy. I grabbed an ass cheek in each hand to steady myself and began licking her to an orgasm.
Once satisfied, the dishes were soon forgotten, she tossed them in the sink and led me to the tiny shower. I lovingly washed her body with a soapy washcloth and rinsed her. It took all my strength not to fuck her before I soaped her up. Sue apparently had the same idea as she got on her knees and began to suck me to full hardness. Once satisfied with her job, Sue bent over against a wall of the shower, spread her legs and wiggled her ass invitingly in my direction. I got the message and fucked her in the shower until the water turned cold and I brought her to orgasm; followed by me a few minutes later. I eased out of her and eagerly dried her off. Sue returned the favour spending extra time drying my dick, balls and ass. Then it was back to bed.
Sue noticed the start of my movie collection as I had only recently joined a mail order movie club with discounts on new VHS movies. I couldn't afford cable, but my parents had given me a VHS player and I had a few comedies; along with Pink Floyd's "The Wall". My little TV could also get the local couple of Toronto TV stations and sometimes the Rochester or Buffalo PBS station which I loved for Dr. Who. Sue picked one of the comedies and cuddled in bed with me. It was great having that beautiful body pressed against my side. Her perfect pink capped breasts poked against my chest and side. Her warm pussy was pressed against my thigh with her right leg draped over my right leg. My right hand cupped her right ass cheek. Periodically I would bend down to kiss her lips until first Sue and then I fell asleep. I did have enough awareness to turn the tv off with the remote control.
I was delighted to be awakened by my dick balls being licked and then my dick sucked until I was close to cumming and I reluctantly stopped her. I pushed her head away and onto her back licking that beautiful blonde pussy to a quick orgasm. I was rock hard hearing her moans and the screams of passion. I entered her once more staring into her deep blue eyes which seemed to have hidden depths I would love to spend the rest of my life getting to know. Right now I pulled out all my tricks to give this heavenly beauty as much pleasure as I could. As I plunged in and out of her repeatedly I had to concentrate on Sue Ann to hold back my orgasm. She soon came from my efforts and recovered quickly as I continued pumping her until another orgasm racked her body with contortions of orgasmic pleasure. I switched to doggie style and she seemed extra passionate as she bucked her ass and pussy back at me matching each of my powerful strokes. She came again and I still held back my orgasm since I sensed we were building to something powerful and special.
Sue took charge now and like some blonde nympho demon. She had a wild look in her eyes as she grinned like a Cheshire cat pushing me onto my back, grabbing my still hard dick and mounting me in a single downward plunge of her pussy. Then in some sort of belly-dancing or sinuous undulating ride she possessed my dick and me. I was a happy slave to her desires as she bounced, gyrated and pulsed her way to giving me the most powerful orgasm of my young life. She also had brought herself to an almost equally powerful orgasm. Sue fell on top of me and as I cupped her ass cheeks she kissed me. We fell asleep again with Sue laying on me with my dick still in her and my hands cupping her ass.
I awoke several hours later hungry and disconnected from my tall blonde lover. I softly got up and in the dim light I peered at Sue Ann curled up like a cross between a fallen angel and a little girl. It was a little chilly, so I covered up my angel and turned the electric baseboard heater up a little. I washed the morning dishes, donned the apron, marinated a couple round steaks, peeled and cut potatoes putting them in a pot of water. I seasoned the steaks, put on a small pot of frozen mixed veggies and began frying the steaks in a pan with butter. I drained the potatoes and mashed them. I let the steak rest, sliced and fried a couple mushrooms, made a rue and then mushroom gravy. Sue was still not awake, so I took lettuce, cucumber, onion and green pepper to make a quick salad. I plated supper, put it on the tiny dining table my parents had given me and returned to the bed to kiss Sue to wake her. I helped her out of bed and led her to supper.
Sue smiled when she saw me in the flower print apron. We ate supper and Sue Ann was impressed that I could cook such a delicious meal. Sue told me what a wonderful time she was having despite never leaving my apartment. She went on to say she has never felt so comfortable and relaxed as she has been staying with me this weekend. She led me back to the bed, got into the doggie position, I ditched the apron and entered Sue in a long slow stroke. I began pumping her until she came. I was getting close also, but Sue pulled away as she felt me get close to cumming and got up and left the room. I thought I had done something wrong until she returned a few minutes later with an oiled up anus. She put me on my back, sucked me to full hardness and began to lube up my dick with her own juices facing away from my head and when she was ready; putting the head of my dick against her anus. She popped the head in and inch by inch she got almost all of me inside her back channel; sighing and stopping.
She told me to move us into the doggie position and apply more veggie oil to my dick without removing my dick from her ass. She told me to go slow and we'll both have fun. I did as I was told and an hour or so later Sue was cumming and I could hold out no longer spewing a tiny spurt of cum deep inside of her ass. When we were done I slowly eased out and gingerly led her to the shower to wash the oil and cum off of her. I thanked her for the wonderful experience as I dried her off and put a spare pillow under her tender sore ass. She thanked me also since she enjoyed it also and told me she likes it maybe once or twice a year for something different and if she finds a special guy like me. We spent the rest of the evening watching movies and talking. Then as the last movie ended we both fell asleep in each other's arms despite Sue's tender ass.
In the morning I made bacon and pancakes for breakfast; waking her with a kiss. After breakfast Sue sucked me to full hardness and while I was still seated she sat down on my dick burying me deep in her pussy in a long single stroke. She pumped me in that position until she came. She got up and I thought we were done, but she had different ideas mounting me facing me. Mashing her breasts against my chest Sue passionately kissed as she moved up and down on me in short quick strokes placing my hands on her ass. Sue put all the passion and lust she had left in this apparently last fuck of the weekend. We were so focussed on our kiss that when Sue came it surprised us both. I was next spurting my night's load deep in her pussy. We rested for a few minutes before I picked her up by her ass moving us to the shower.
I treated Sue as a queen one last time giving her a quick wash and rinse. I got suddenly inspired, turned off the water, got on my knees and licked Sue's pussy until she came. I hoped this would convince her to return for more sex sometime soon. I held her up and when she regained her strength again I soaped her up, rinsed and dried this lovely lady. We washed the dishes and then returned to the bedroom to make-out and cuddle. My alarm clock went off when it was close to her pick-up time by her friends. Sue dressed in her scruffy "cottage clothes" and I put on my jeans and a sweatshirt. We put on our coats and waited outside for them. A few minutes later they showed up and took her home.
At midnight Sue called me and wanted to meet at the marsh at nine thirty in the morning when she goes for a walk with her daughter. She told me it was very important. I went back to sleep and woke with hours to spare. I read a book while waiting. I got dressed and walked to the marsh. When I got close to the marsh I saw little Sarah and Sue Ann just arriving. When I caught up to them, Sue Ann sent Sarah out of hearing range. We were close to two beautiful white swans feeding in the pond.
Sue Ann burst into tears suddenly and between sobs said, "Derek, when I got home it turned into a disaster. Mom and Jay were there and sent Sarah to her room. They noted me walking gingerly and wincing a bit. I also smelled of a different soap than my friends whom I was supposed to be with, my clothes were not dirty and I seemed unusually cheerful; very peaceful. My religious mother called me a prostitute. Jay called me a slut and yelled at me for letting a "stranger fuck my ass". They both yelled at me and called you a pervert. They said they would call the police and have you charged with child molesting of my daughter. They said that nobody would believe either of us since we were both certifiable "crazy people". Jay also wants me back with him or he will sue for sole custody of Sarah if we don't move back in with him and if I don't sleep with him. Derek, we have to break up now. They let me see you one last time with Sarah as long as we don't have sex or make-out."
We hugged and had a quick kiss.
"Good-bye forever Sue Ann. I'll never forget our friendship, our walks and our special weekend together."
"Good-bye Derek. I'll never forget you. I don't want you going to jail and I don't want to lose Sarah. I'll do anything for those I love."
"Can I take a couple photos to remember you by?"
Sue Ann looked alarmed and then blushed.
I instantly realized I should have been more specific and clearer.
"Not that kind of photo Sue Ann! As much fun as that would be, I want a tame fully clothed and very PG rated photo."
I took a few photos of Sue Ann with a pair of swans in the background. The first one was of Sue Ann still blushing and then laughing. The last few photos showed her deep sadness. I also got a few pics of Sarah alone and with her mother. Sue Ann took a couple pics of me alone and holding Sarah's hand with the swans in the background. I got a second set of prints made and gave them to one of Sue Ann's friends to get to her somehow and someday. I had to hope. I never did see Sue Ann ever again.


Postscript
         Twenty years later there was a knock on the door of my Courtice, Ontario house I shared with my wife Elaine and ten year old son Shawn. It was a lazy summer afternoon and my only day off from the Eco products store I managed/co-owned and my cousin David the accountant/co-owner of the failing sporting goods store we inherited from our grandparents. The assistant manager ran the store for today only. My wife took our son to his soccer team's game at nearby soccer fields. That gave me time to relax and goof off; all alone.
I was just pouring some iced tea since I was still bipolar and still on medication; unable to have the cold beer I would have preferred. Ten years ago my psychiatrist had finally found the right mix of medication, exercise and therapy which kept me mostly stable. Life was exactly the way I had always wanted; a house, wife and child. The small successful business was a bonus. David and I managed to create a successful business from a failing one. David had the business sense and I had the knowledge from my Trent University degree in Environmental Science and a life-long love of nature. I met Elaine in University as she took a biochemistry degree with a couple classes I also had to take for my degree.
Despite getting married and loving everything about my supportive super smart wife Elaine I had never forgotten Sue Ann and her daughter Sarah. Everyone knew to leave me alone for a couple days every year in late April as I remembered Sue Ann and became severely depressed despite my meds and family support. I often wondered what became of them or if Jay had murdered them or not. The knocking continued and I was brought back to reality. I opened the door as two blonde young women were walking away.
I called to the retreating ladies, "Did you want something? If you're selling I'm not buying. Almost anything else I'm open to. Sorry for not answering sooner. I was day dreaming after pouring some iced tea."
The shorter and slightly older woman spoke, "Are you Derek O'Reily?"
"Yes, why? Do I know you?"
"You did twenty years ago. My name is... Sarah Johnson. You knew OUR mother Sue Ann Johnson. This is my very shy nineteen year old sister Danielle Johnson; YOUR daughter."
I stumbled and then in a panic ran past them.
I yelled, "Sue Ann! Where is she?"
Danielle answered, "Momma's dead."
Sarah put her arm around her younger half-sister and added, "Momma killed herself three years ago. Dad died a year ago from a fentanyl overdose and grandma died last month from cancer. That's when we found the pictures and momma's diary."
I suddenly remembered my manners. I invited them in and we sat in my living room to continue talking. I couldn't stop myself and began crying. I barely knew Sue Ann, but I did love her and now I had a daughter. I guess Sue Ann had not been on the pill or other birth control that special weekend. Sarah was a natural pacifier and placed her arm around my shoulder to comfort me. That brought me back to reality.
"Do you know what happened to your mother after she left me?"
Sarah said, "She returned to live and prostitute herself to daddy. He treated her decently for many years and always assumed Danielle was his daughter also. After Danielle began school momma began to stop taking her meds some times and refused to have sex with daddy every April when the anniversary of your walks. Her secret diary says that was also when you had a wonderful love and sex filled weekend; conceiving Danielle. Daddy began to beat momma whenever the first weekend in April came around and we were sent to stay with grandma. Strangely he never touched her any other time of year. Momma never stopped loving you and after five years daddy stopped beating her. He could never make her love him and simply neglected her. We had our friends, boyfriends and each other; momma had nobody. When she overdosed on tranquilizers she had been dead of a broken heart for years.
Daddy couldn't handle losing momma AND teenage daughters. He sent us to live with grandma and he turned to drugs which eventually killed him. Grandma soon after got cancer. She suspected Danielle was YOUR DAUGHTER; not daddy's. I think she found and read momma's diary. She hated you even more after momma's suicide. Grandma blamed you for her suicide instead of her bipolar disorder. A DNA test I'm sure will prove beyond a doubt that Danielle is your daughter. Looking at the two of you is proof enough for most. Momma wrote she refused to let daddy touch her for a week after she returned to him; two weeks after Danielle was conceived. Back then the pregnancy tests were not as accurate as today's tests. After the birth momma had her tubes cut. She wrote she never wanted another child; especially daddy's child. Momma was too afraid of daddy to go looking for you, but she did want to find you and in her suicide note she hid you from us. When grandma got cancer she hired a private detective who found you and she left this address in her will. Now we are here."
It was now my turn to speak.
"I'm glad you both came to see me. As you can see from the photo, you were an adorable little girl Sarah. I wanted to be your step-dad to love and make love to your momma for the rest our lives. I know I cannot make up for the lost years, but I can maybe help in some small way. I am a co-owner of a successful eco store, have a lovely wife Elaine who will love having daughters at last and my ten year old son will love having two big sisters; especially ones as lovely as their mother was. Where... is...your...mother buried?"
Danielle replied, "Momma is buried in Peterborough where we grew up. I'm glad to meet you ...Daddy Derek."
Sarah added, "Are you sure you're okay with all of this?"
I replied, "Yes, so will your brother and step mom. Elaine is smart and beautiful like your mother with as much love as your momma had. She's brunette, taller than your momma and just as sexy in different ways; bustier, more narrow hips and a little less passionate. AND about to walk in that door any second."
Chaos ensued almost on cue. My wife and son walked in the door and began to grill me about our guests.
I introduced, "Elaine, this is my daughter Danielle whom we just found each other and her sister, my step-daughter Sarah; their Sue Ann's daughters."
Elaine smiling said, "Welcome to this crazy little family. Your mother must be even more beautiful than that bad photo Derek took. You're both gorgeous young women and must have dozens of boyfriends."
A tiny voice blurted out, "I'm hungry!"
"Shawn, don't interrupt when we're talking and I'm sure everyone is hungry. Knowing Derek he was so shocked by your beauty and knowing he has a daughter that he forgot to offer you food. How about we all go to Teddy's Restaurant for dinner? First there's a little boy who needs a scrubbing and clean clothes before he goes anywhere."
"What do you think girls? Exactly as I described them, eh? Shawn's not big on girls right now, but he'll quickly warm up to you when he realizes it means more birthday and Christmas presents. Until now you only had each other and a sick mother. Now you have a large family with accountants and realtors to help with your father's and grandmother's assets or find a house to rent or buy. For now please stay the night. If you're living at your grandmother's we can go by there tomorrow and gather some things. We have two guest rooms you can stay in. I'll take the day off work and get our DNA tested at the Courtice Clinic. If you need jobs or want to go to college or University we can help. I missed twenty years of your lives and I don't want to miss another day."
Danielle said, "Okay to all of it daddy Derek. It will be nice to have a real home that is safe and loving. It will be great having a little brother too. Elaine is everything you said she was."
Sarah said, "Okay with me also. Thank you step-daddy Derek."
A few minutes later a cleaned and dressed little boy joined us to go out for supper.
Danielle asked, "What does this enamel and silver necklace of two swans mean?"
I showed everyone the photos I took and explained that the mated pair of swans were present every time we were there together; never when we were alone. It became a secret symbol of our love.
The girls did move in, sold their grandma's house, went to University and worked in our family business as it expanded across the region. The sisters worked best as a team until they met their future husbands and had a double wedding which was swan themed. They eventually moved away and started a family of their own forever keeping in touch with me and their new family. I did eventually make it to Sue Ann's grave site and replaced the grave marker number with a black marble headstone with two white swans. Elaine was a wonderful wife and did not feel jealous since she knew I loved her with equal intensity and passion. When we die, Elaine and I will be cremated and share the plots next to Sue Ann's plot so she will never be lonely and sad ever again.
The End