Chapter 54

As the limo made it's way through the streets of New York on its way to the venue for the award ceremony Angie did her best to suppress her nervousness. As these awards were not the ones the mainstream audiences cared about there would be no television crews broadcasting it live. That would happen tomorrow night at a larger venue with more current celebrities in attendance. Tonight's ceremony would be filmed of course but she had no concerns about that. Her worries were about Greg and how he would act out.

NO! She would not think about that!

To take her mind off of that she looked over at Ed and smiled at how amazing he looked. The tuxedo made him look sophisticated and mature. The new black winter coat over it added to his already impressive size.

For such a large man he had such a gentle touch. This morning she'd surfaced from a blissfully restful and deep sleep to gentle kisses on her face. When he noticed she was waking his kisses moved from her cheeks to her neck and tingles raced up and down her body. He nibbled her earlobes and she sighed. Ed's lips trailed kisses down her chest and he kissed every surface of her tits without touching her nipples until she was going mad with lust. He sucked a nipple into his mouth as he squeezed the flesh in his fingers. She felt like she might cum right then but his mouth moved on to bring the other nipple to the edge of heaven.

"Ohhh Ed! Such a wonderful way to wake up!" she moaned.

When he made it down to her pelvic bones he was up close and personal with the tattoo she'd had done in her impetuous youth. The large set of red lips on the front of her right hip with a long tongue curling down to just above her clit. He grinned and began to kiss his way along the tattooed tongue. Angie knew where the tattoo ended so she was trembling in anticipation as he got closer. This time he chose not to tease her but gave her what she wanted.

"FFFFUUUUUUUCCCKKKK!" she cried out as Ed's tongue stroked across her wet pussy lips. He gently nibbled on her clit with his lips as he slid a finger into her depths. Angie clung to his head and pulled him tighter against herself. "OHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCK!!!" she panted as he added a second finger and pumped them while sucking on her lower lips, flicking her clit with the tip of his tongue.

Ed pulled his fingers out and stroked his cock making it slick with her juices. She was very wet this morning and his chin was almost dripping. He quickly wiped his face and hand with the sheets and climbed up the bed until the head of his cock slapped against Angie's clit.

"OH!" she squeaked. Ed made a quick adjustment and his cock was sliding into the wonderful heat of her body. "OH ED! YES!"

Ed drove himself deep into her as he knew she could take him down to the base. When their bodies slapped together Angie wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. He rocked back and forth making her chirp and moan into the kiss.

"You feel so good so deep inside me!" she said looking into his eyes. He appeared to be a little dreamy eyed and she smiled at seeing his pleasure so clearly on his face.

Then he began to stroke in and out, slowly at first but increasingly faster and stronger until he was pounding her against the springy mattress.

Angie was in heaven. The pleasure was threatening to obliterate her ability to think. She clung to him and panted as her release raced up at her. She felt his muscles begin to clench and tremble indicating he was close as well. Suddenly his hips went to double speed and it was too much.

Angie screamed as her orgasm exploded through her senses and her legs wrapped around Ed's hips to hold him against her as tightly as she could as her body shook and trembled. He was so fucking deep, filling her with his cum. She loved that feeling!

"Angie! That's so good! You're so incredibly beautiful!" he breathed as his own orgasm washed over his mind. He kissed her hard and she felt herself lifting free of her senses for a moment then every tingle and spark came crashing back to remind her of the bliss she was floating in. She held Ed's body against her and basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

It took a good ten minutes for her to return to the here and now. Ed was resting on his side next to her, gazing at her with a sweet smile on his lips.

"What?" she asked looking over at him.

"Nothing. I was just lying here thinking how lucky I am to be here with you!"

She smiled and he returned it. He leaned over and tenderly kissed her. She felt new sparks firing through her nerves and pulled back with her head spinning.

"Oh my god Ed! You're such a great kisser!" she sighed.

"Only because your lips are so amazing to kiss!" he sighed.

She grinned at him and they got out of bed to walk into the large bathroom. The shower would accommodate both of them so they showered together. They didn't make love again but they did share a long, passionate kiss. Ed washed her hair, massaging her scalp during the rinsing out of the shampoo and conditioner. Toweling dry was an excuse to touch each other's bodies but again they held back. It was enough to just enjoy the intimacy.

They'd had a leisurely breakfast in the room sitting at the little table by the window and Angie had pointed out landmarks they could see.

Once they finished, they went out to visit Rockefeller Centre to see the huge Christmas tree and the ice skating, visited Macy's, took a carriage ride through Central Park, and managed to get in a little shopping in Soho before they had to return to the hotel to get ready for the ceremony.

Angie came back from her memories as the limo pulled up before the red carpet.

Ed recalled Rachel's excitement when they walked up the red carpet at the gala dinner at home. Angie didn't look as excited. He got out the moment they stopped and walked around to open Angie's door. He noticed there was a group of paparazzo behind a security barrier but they looked cold. He helped the lovely blond out of the limo and the flashes started popping. Ed offered his arm and Angie smiled at him demurely as she walked up the carpet to the door. She handed the doorman a card and they went inside.

After they checked their coats Ed and Angie walked into the salon and she accepted some champagne. Ed decided he'd stick with water this evening as he wanted to stay sharp to protect Angie from this Greg guy. He could feel Angie's hand trembling a little on his arm so he stopped and turned to face her.

Troubled eyes looked up into his.

"I won't let him near you and if he tries anything stupid trust me that he will regret it. I'm not going to do something stupid like get into a fight with him but I will deal with him. I'm here for you." Ed said firmly, holding her eyes with his.

Angie visibly relaxed and her smile spread across her lovely lips. Ed gasped at the sudden flash of her beauty and her eyes twinkled with joy at his look of awe.

"Angie!"

They turned to see Taj and Lakshmi approaching with two stern looking men following in their wake. Ed took in their sour expressions and guessed these must be the husbands that chose not to join them the night before.

Reg Saxon was a big man. The drummer was not a tall man but he'd been muscular once. His body was wide and thick and his arms still looked powerful. His receding grey hair was cropped close to his scalp and his mustache and beard looked like it had just recently been groomed into submission. His black rental tux was ill fitting and he tugged at the collar unconsciously. Taj's red leather dress popped against his wall of black.

Theirry Dumas was the polar opposite of Reg. Tall and almost skeletally thin, the keyboardist had long flowing grey hair to mid-shoulder and a clean shaven face. His hands had strong looking, long fingers which made sense to Ed considering his choice of instruments. He'd chosen to wear a deep violet intricately patterned silk Nehru jacket with black silk pants to compliment his wife's lovely hot pink sari.

Angie grinned and hugs and kisses were exchanged. He saw both men soften and lighten up as Angie kissed their cheeks. There was obviously some affection for the blond in both men and for a time their animosity towards each other took a back seat.

Ed shook Thierry's hand and barely managed to get his hand back intact when he shook Reg's. He grinned at the mischievous look on the shorter man's face and scored some points with the drummer.

"What a pathetic group of misfits this is!" boomed a voice from behind them. The group turned and looked at the grinning speaker. Tall, maybe two inches shorter than Ed, dyed jet black hair to his shoulders on the side but tied back in a man bun on the back. Broad shoulders but soft in the middle, his tuxedo looked a little rumpled like it had just been carelessly and quickly pulled on. The collar was open and there was a streak of pink against the white.

Ed noticed the woman standing behind him. Her eyes looked a little glassy and her face was flushed. Her lovely violet and black striped dress was crisp and tidy and her dark plum lipstick didn't match the pink on the collar.

"Hey Greg." Reg said without much enthusiasm.

"Hello Jillian." Angie said, ignoring Greg.

"Hey! Where's the love? Where's my hug and kiss, Angie?" Greg's voice was a little too loud for the space and eyes were turning in their direction. Greg surged towards Angie with a leering grin on his cruel lips.

Ed felt Angie's fingers dig into his right arm as his left came up and planted his palm on Greg's chest with the force of a battering ram. Greg staggered back and looked incredulously at Ed. His rage built quickly.

"Who the fuck are you to touch me?" he bellowed.

"Angie doesn't wish to 'hug' or 'kiss' you. You will keep your distance tonight." Ed said calmly looking the man in the eye. He could smell the booze on Greg's breath. That wasn't a good sign.

Jillian gripped Greg's arm to pull him back. Greg yanked his arm away from her. "Let go of me you stupid cunt!" The woman shrank back from him. He turned to look at Ed. "This isn't over junior. I'll be seeing you around." Greg leered once more at Angie and headed for the bar at the far side of the salon. Jillian immediately followed him into the crowd.

"He's such a prick." Reg grunted.

"Then why the FUCK didn't you say that to his face and move to protect Angie yourself?" Taj growled. Reg looked at her in surprise then a guilty look flashed over his face. He glanced at Thierry who also looked guilty. Both looked away. "I thought so. All words and no action." Taj stormed off with Lakshmi and Angie in tow towards the bar at the opposite end of the salon. This left Ed with the two men.

There was an uncomfortable silence. Ed needed help understanding if he was going to protect Angie. He looked at the two men. "If you don't mind, could you tell me why Greg is so fixated on Angie?" Ed asked. Their guilty looks just got worse. It was Thierry who finally managed to break past that.

"Greg and Danny were rivals for Angie when the group was just starting out. We were all so young and stupid then. Greg brought Angie to a party and Danny wooed her right out of his hands. It was love at first sight for Danny. For Greg, she was just another conquest. Angie picked that up pretty quickly so Danny won but Greg holds grudges. He said he would have her. We became famous, we let it all go to our heads and we got into the drug scene pretty bad. It was years after that first party on a night Danny was out of town and we decided to have a little fun. Reg and I were the ones who convinced Angie to join us. Truth is, we all loved Angie as she was the heart of the band. Danny was the brains but Angie kept us all together." Thierry paused and Reg struggled to swallow.

"Greg spiked our drugs. The ladies worse than us. He raped Angie while she was unconscious. We did nothing as we were stoned as well but we saw it and did nothing. He threatened to do it to our wives if we said anything. I've never been so ashamed of myself but Greg scares the piss out of me. Always has. He's dangerous in that 'I don't give a shit' psychopathic way. Scary as fuck! He's also a mean drunk and he never gives up. He wasn't satisfied with his conquest as she wasn't conscious but Danny never forgave him or gave him another chance at her. He was the only one who protected her. The band broke up after that."

Ed was stunned. "The strength it must have taken for Angie to come here and face him… She's incredible!" He immediately left to be at her side. Greg would not get near her again.

Thierry shared a look with Reg. "She's shown more strength than either of us."

Reg nodded. The shame had become too much to carry any longer. "We need to apologize. About everything. To Angie and our wives."

Thierry nodded and the two men followed Ed into the crowd.

Greg slammed back his drink and watched the two cowards follow the big kid towards the other end of the salon. He followed at a distance knowing the annoying little bitch was still behind him. Why he'd married her eluded his mind. Nag nag nag. At least she stayed out of his way when he wanted to have a little fun like that young server he'd fucked in the storage room.

They'd made it all the way up to the bar area and there was his target. God damn it if she didn't look even more beautiful than she had when he'd fucked her. He wanted to fuck her again but this time she'd be looking up into his eyes and calling his name as he blew his load into her and choked her out. Taj and Lakshmi looked pretty good too but Angie… fuck she was a sweet piece.

He just had to get her alone. The kid she had with her was a solid fucker. His pole arm to the chest really hurt.

Greg patted his pocket ensuring the blade was still there. A quick punch to the kidneys with the knife and junior would be out of the picture. He wouldn't have any trouble with the cowards but the ladies would be noisy. He'd have to wait until Angie and the boy were separated.

"Greg?"

He sighed. Fuck.

"What is it now?"

"Maybe- maybe we should just go. Go home I mean." Jillian whined.

"Why the FUCK would I want to do that?" he growled as he glared at her.

"I- I could do that thing you like," she said timidly.

"For fuck's sake. You can't even say it. Anal. You're so useless. Why don't you do something helpful for once and try to draw Angie away from the others so I can talk with her," he sighed.

She nodded at him with big eyes and rushed forward. "Good little cunt," he chuckled to himself.

Thierry and Reg were each holding one of Angie's hands and were speaking quietly with her. Angie was smiling and she had tears in her eyes. She suddenly pulled the two men forward and hugged them. Taj and Lakshmi were also looking like they needed to cry. Once Angie released them their wives immediately rushed forward and hugged them. The big one was handing Angie a tissue which she used to dab her eyes. It looked like the perfect opportunity to speak with Angie. Jillian moved forward.

"Angie? Could- could I speak with you?" Jillian asked timidly.

"Sure." Angie said and turned to face her. The big man faced her as well.

"Uh, could we speak alone- in private," she stumbled over the words.

"No, not until you've broken free from Greg's control." Angie said firmly.

Jillian flew into a rage as she always did when others spoke ill of Greg. "You don't know what you're talking about! Greg doesn't control anyone! He's not like that! How can you be so mean?"

"This is what I was talking about Ed. She's become his puppet." Angie said sadly to the big man, Ed.

Ed looked at Jillian. "If you want to talk I'll talk with you."

"Greg doesn't want to speak with you," she barked.

"I thought you said you wanted to speak with Angie. Were you just going to bring her to him?" Ed asked.

Jillian saw she'd fucked up. Greg was going to be so angry with her. Her face dropped. She looked at the sympathetic but sad look on Angie's face.

Angie turned and looked towards the washrooms. She looked at Ed and patted his arm. "I have to use the ladies room while it's still empty." He nodded and they left.

Jillian was trembling. She couldn't go back to Greg empty handed. She turned and rushed back to where he was waiting.

Greg was looking at her in disgust. "You couldn't even do that one small thing."

Jillian squirmed under his scorn. "She's gone to the ladies room. It's empty. I can draw Ed away as he said he would talk to me. That leaves Angie alone."

Greg jolted in surprise. She'd come through. He smiled at her and Jillian felt the world spinning off its axis. He was happy with her! She basked in that glow until he gestured for her to move. She quickly headed for the ladies room to draw Ed away for Greg and he followed at a distance.

She saw Ed standing by the entrance. She began to cry and walked up to him. "You said you'd talk with me?" she whimpered.

Ed saw her tears and wondered what Greg had done to her. "Are you ok?" he asked with concern.

She saw it was working so she closed her eyes and shook her head like she was really upset. She took a step then two, slowly moving away from the entrance and her shoulders shook like she was really crying. Ed went to check on her.

Greg smiled to himself. Jillian was really outdoing herself with the tears. He'd have to do something nice for her… later. He slipped past the big guy and listened to the noises from the washroom. It was really quiet. He'd never have another chance like this. He slipped inside and walked briskly down the hallway. He pulled the knife from his pocket and flicked it open. Stepping around the corner he saw Angie standing by the sinks with a smile on her face. Standing right in front of her was a female police officer. Spotting the knife the cop went for her gun. Greg spun and ran for the exit. As he shot out of the hall into the salon he ran straight into Ed's outstretched arm which clotheslined him across the neck.

His feet went out from under him and he went down on his back, hard, slamming his head against the floor. The cop burst from the hall with her gun drawn and saw Greg on the floor, dazed. She radioed for backup and glanced at Ed. He smiled at her and bent down to flip Greg onto his stomach. The officer put the cuffs on him as her backup arrived. Ed stood up and walked over to Angie who was standing by the entrance of the ladies room.

Ed smiled at Angie who actually looked more relaxed than she had all night. "How did you know he'd do that?"

Angie smiled at him. "It's how his sick mind works. He's a predator. When I saw the police woman standing outside the entrance of the ladies room I knew I could catch him because I knew Jillian would tell him where I went. As I wasn't drugged this time he'd have to have a weapon on him. Where's Jillian?"

Ed was still looking at Angie in awe. She was incredible! "Oh! Uh, when I went back to the doorway she shrieked and ran off."

The officer who'd cuffed Greg came over to speak with Angie as her partners took the groggy prisoner with them.

Ed went to stand with the others.

"Where did you learn to take someone down like that?" Reg asked Ed with a big grin on his face.

"I played football in high school. Our quarterback taught me that move. It's a nasty tackle but it seemed appropriate to use it here." Ed confessed.

Reg and Thierry chuckled and nodded approvingly.

Jillian was completely lost. Everything had gone wrong! Ed didn't stay away from the hallway for more than a few seconds to listen to her pretend to cry and when he left her to go back to the hallway she panicked. Greg would be caught in the women's washroom. When she got her wits back she returned to see the police leading him towards the front door. She ran to the coat check and got their coats. Inside an inner hidden pocket in Greg's jacket was a small handgun. She could still save him. She hustled outside and saw the police walking him down a service lane towards a police cruiser. She ran after them and called out to Greg.

The group stopped.

"Stop right there!" one of the police yelled. He couldn't see the gun in Jillian's hand as Greg's coat was draped over her arms.

"Greg! I'm sorry!" she cried.

"You stupid slag! You're fucking useless and you led me right into a trap. This is all your fucking fault!" Greg screamed at his wife.

"I didn't know-"

"NO! You know what? We're done! I'm done supporting you're dead weight! Consider this notice that our marriage is officially over! I never want to see you again, stupid cunt!" Greg growled.

"Sir! Shut the fuck up!" one of the police said.

"But- but I love you! I need you!" Jillian gasped.

"I don't fucking care. I don't love you. Who could?" Greg laughed.

The first bullet went through the right ventricle of Greg's heart, the second through his neck, severing the carotid artery. Greg toppled to the ground, dead before his face hit the pavement. The police dove in opposite directions and pulled their guns.

"DROP THE WEAPON" they screamed at the woman who stood looking at her husband. Dead. She was lost once more. Her reason for living, gone. She lifted the gun one more time and followed her husband into the darkness.

The lights flickered and the guests made their way into the hall oblivious to the tragedy just outside the walls.

Ed sat next to Angie with two open seats next to him. Soon the lights dimmed and the ceremony began.

Three hours later the lights were coming back up and Ed was exhausted. He'd managed to stay awake for most of the presentations and had actually joined Angie, Thierry, Lakshmi, Reg, and Taj on stage while Angie accepted the special award for her husband's achievements. The band also received a special award and Thierry and Reg gave heartfelt speeches and hugged on stage. Taj and Lakshmi had tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Ed hugged Angie and she rested her head on his shoulder.

After that excitement Ed struggled to remain conscious through award after award to people he didn't recognize. Mostly the unsung heroes Angie explained quietly.

Now they were able to leave and they made their way back to the salon. The bar was still open but Ed wanted to remain sharp in case Greg returned. They were standing by one of the tables posing for pictures with their awards. Several photographers from the press had been invited in to take photos for the papers. One pushed forward to speak with Thierry and Reg.

"Were you aware that Greg Hahn was murdered this evening just prior to the award ceremony?" the reporter asked.

"Greg's dead?" Thierry and Reg blurted. The three women and Ed all wore shocked expressions and a photographer caught that image as the lead image of the entertainment pages.

"Hey, we saw him being taken into police custody! Who killed him?" Reg barked at the reporter.

"His wife. A murder-suicide apparently. Happened in the alley next to the building."

"Jillian's dead?" Angie gasped and she began to cry.

"Do you know why she-" the reporter began but they'd had enough of the questions. They headed over to get their coats. A stretch limo was brought around and the six of them climbed in. They went to the hotel Taj and Reg were staying in because there was a great bar on the top floor that was quiet, private, and open late.

They found a lovely space to sit with three plush, leather loveseats around a low coffee table. The waitress brought them drinks. Ed was allowing himself a scotch since his bodyguard duties were apparently over.

When they were finally alone Reg released a heavy sigh. "I know this may be a tasteless and crass thing to say but I don't feel bad in the slightest about Greg being murdered. There is a kind of cosmic balance to it. I feel bad as shit about Jillian but you know Greg is completely responsible for that as well. What he did to that woman bent her mind completely out of shape."

Thierry leaned forward to look Angie directly in the eye. "No one here tried harder than you to free Jillian from Greg's control. There is NO need for guilt or self-recriminations from you on that front. I know you are taking on that guilt but please understand that I'm calling bullshit on your guilt."

Angie snorted hearing prim and proper Thierry using such coarse language. The others chuckled as well.

Ed smiled seeing Angie's spirits being lifted by her friends. Here was a family Ed wasn't even aware that Angie had. He was so happy for her.

The drinks arrived and Reg and Thierry saw Ed savoring his scotch. "How does someone so young pick up the knowledge of drinking scotch like seasoned professional old farts like us?" Reg asked.

"Hey!" Thierry protested being included in the 'old fart' reference.

The ladies giggled.

Ed smiled at them. "I was instructed in the art of appreciating good scotch by my mentor Dale Grant."

Thierry's eyebrows went up. "Dale Grant? That wouldn't happen to be Dale Grant of Envirolypsis Inc, Grant Logistics, or DGEnergy would it?"

"I don't know. He said he's created many companies and ran them until they ran themselves. Those could be some of them," Ed mused as he sipped the scotch.

Thierry and Reg shared a look and laughed. "The lad rubs elbows with the rich and famous and walks away unaffected!" Thierry teased.

"How should I be affected?" Ed asked curiously.

That just led to more laughter. Angie leaned over and kissed Ed's cheek. He smiled and heard a song begin that he used to hear Shirley sing so long ago. "Can we dance?"

"Sure!" she smiled.

They went out onto the empty dancefloor and swayed to the golden tones of The Flamingos singing 'I Only Have Eyes For You'. Ed didn't have much of a singing voice so he didn't try to sing along.

Angie smiled up at Ed, her eyes twinkling with her joy. They glided around the dancefloor, their bodies fitting together perfectly.

The song ended and they found themselves swaying to Etta James' 'At Last'. Angie rested her cheek on his chest and they just rocked together.

"Would you mind if we went back to the hotel now Ed? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by everything that happened this evening. As horrible as it might sound, the pressure I've felt all these years is gone and that feels so good! I'm glad it's over but how it ended has shaken me badly."

"Of course! Anything you need!" Ed said.

He walked her back to their seats.

"Ed and I are going back to our hotel. I'm done in," Angie announced.

Everyone got to their feet and hugs and kisses were exchanged. Promises were made for getting together in the New Year and they took their leave.

Once they got back to the hotel they just got ready for bed and slipped under the covers. Angie needed to snuggle and Ed had no problems with that.

In the middle of the night Ed woke hearing Angie crying out in her sleep. He gently woke her and she broke down in tears so he wrapped her in his arms until she slipped back into sleep. He stroked her back until he slipped into sleep himself.

Ed dreamt of Shirley's skilled mouth on his cock as he slept and jolted awake when the sensations became too real. Angie looked up at him from his hard cock.

"Oh good! You're awake!" she grinned.

He grinned back at her. Angie climbed up on his body and rubbed her wet pussy lips up and down his hard cock.

"Oh Geezus Ed that feels so good!" she moaned.

She lifted herself up and positioned the head of his cock against the outer lips of her pussy. She moaned a little at how good it felt to press his sensitive flesh against hers. So hard yet soft and hot!

Angie began to drop down over his cock and Ed's head dropped back on his pillow as it felt so good.

"Oh Angie, it's too good!" Ed moaned. He reached up and put his hands on Angie's large tits, feeling the heavy, soft flesh in his fingers. He took her nipples between finger and thumb gently, rolling and pulling the stiffening buds as Angie threw her own head back in ecstasy. She dropped the rest of the way over his cock and her pelvis slapped against his.

"Ohmygod!" Ed groaned as he felt his balls tightening up. Angie bounced up and down on his cock driving him deep inside her as he squeezed and caressed her tits.

Tiring, she leaned forward and a curtain of white blond hair fell forward around Ed's face until all he could see was Angie's beautiful expression of bliss. Her lips were parted and her fine brows were just slightly drawn together in concentration as she gave herself completely to the sensations coursing through her body.

Ed's hips were moving on their own driving upwards as he got closer and closer to his release. It was becoming too much for Angie and she sank down over his body, pressing her gloriously soft tits against him. He took her face between his and kissed her deeply as he slammed his hips upwards, wet slapping noises filling the room.

"Ed!ED!FUCK!OHGODED!I'MCUMMING!FUCKI'MCUMMING!CCCUUUUMMMMIIINNNNNNGGGG!!!" she squealed as her pussy clamped down on his piston-like cock.

"FFFUUUUUUCCCKKK!!!!" Ed growled as his own orgasm ripped through him. He pulled her hips down against him desperately to feel her heat squeezing his full length.

They gasped in each other's faces as the each rocked through wave after wave of pleasure. Finally both went limp and just rested, entangled.

"Ed, you make me feel so alive!" Angie sighed happily.

Ed kissed her cheek tenderly and hugged her. "You make me so very happy." He pulled back to look into her eyes. "I also want you to know how impressed I am with you. You were so brave coming here and facing Greg. I can't get over how strong you are to have done that! I hope I can show that much strength one day."

"They told you." Angie said quietly.

"Yes. Thierry and Reg were really ashamed of what they'd done. They told me. I'm so glad they were able to follow your example and find the strength in themselves to speak to you and their wives about it. They seemed so much happier afterwards," Ed said with a warm smile. He liked Thierry and Reg. And Lakshmi and Taj for that matter. They were good people!

Ed looked at Angie with a serious expression. "I'm glad Greg is dead. Were you dreaming about him last night?"

"No. There's nothing left of Greg in my mind. He's dead and I'm grateful to Jillian for that. My tears last night were for her but you saved me from wallowing in that misery. I felt so much better this morning. I felt lighter than I've felt in years."

"Oh! Maybe we should order you some breakfast then." Ed said.

"Spiritually lighter, silly man!" she grinned and he smiled as he got his mistake.

"When is our flight home?" he asked.

"Not until 2PM."

"What time is it now?"

Angie craned her neck to look at the clock beside the bed. "It's only 8:30AM."

"Good!" he said and rolled them both over until he was on top. He tenderly kissed her lips and pulled back to smile at her. "Because I still have a few other ways to show you how much… I love you."

Angie looked into Ed's eyes and there it was. He loved her.

"Ed, you can't… you can't be in love with me. You're in love with Grace! I saw how much you love her!" Angie said carefully.

"I do love Grace! Very much! And I'm also in love with Rachel. It was Grace who made me realize I was. I'm not really good with people stuff. It takes me a long time to recognize the significance of my emotions. Gauging the depth of emotion is not one of my strongest skills. For the longest time I only had Grace and Shirley but now I'm surrounded by wonderful people and you're all so different! Each of you is so amazing and loving!" Ed dropped his eyes and continued in a more subdued tone. "I can't stop my heart from feeling what it feels for you but I'll understand if you don't feel the same way. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or put you on the spot."

"Are you in love with the others too?" she asked quietly.

"I know with Stephanie and Carolyn it's love. They know too as I've told them," he smiled fondly at the memory.

"What about Zoe?"

Ed's expression twisted and he carefully rolled off of Angie to lie on his back. "I- I'm so confused about Zoe. My brain itches when I think about her. It's like… it's like there's another… person inside me. And that person fiercely, desperately wants Zoe… but I don't know who that person is. And I don't know what his need means! Is it love? Is it some kind of obsessive madness? I don't know if any of this makes sense! It frightens me when I think about it. I don't want to think about it now if you don't mind. I guess… I'm not as strong as you after all," he said glancing at Angie sadly.

"Ed, you're plenty strong. Zoe pushes the men she's involved with… in directions they're sometimes not ready to go. She used to pick men who were already moving in those directions and that led to her being very badly beaten a number of times. She almost lost her life on at least two occasions. Give yourself time." She paused to see how Ed was reacting.

"I'm going to need time as well to see if I can adjust to the idea that the man who loves me is also in love with others. It's not… what I'm used to. Danny was a one woman man all the way," she said with a sad smile.

Ed nodded. "I'm going to take a shower."

"I'll take mine after yours," she said and saw Ed's shoulders drop slightly. "I'm sorry, Ed."

"No, it's my fault. I hurt our relationship by pressuring you. That wasn't fair of me. I'm sorry. Like I said, I'm really not good with people stuff. It's ok." Ed gave her a bright but brittle smile and walked into the washroom. The door closed and she heard the shower start.

He was quick in the shower and minutes later he came out with his towel wrapped around his waist. "The bathroom is all yours," he said with a smile. He pulled some clothes out of his suitcase but waited for her to go into the bathroom before he dropped the towel and got dressed. He looked at the clock. It wasn't even 9AM yet. He sighed. He wished Grace had been here to stop him from putting his foot in his mouth. He needed to talk with her and Rachel.

It was going to be a long morning avoiding the elephant he'd introduced to the room.

They went down stairs to have breakfast in the restaurant where they didn't have to deal with the silence. They checked out and went to the airport early. Ed spent time in the gift shop picking up a bunch of small gifts and spent some time in one of those photo booths. Shopping for Christmas gifts in the city had been a bust for him.

Angie kept her nose in her book and Ed people watched until it was time for the flight. He was miserable with himself for making Angie so uncomfortable around him. They barely spoke a word on the flight home and during the drive from the airport. She gave him a hug at her front door and he drove home in tears. He went in the side door from the garage and Grace squealed with glee hearing him come in. She rushed to meet him in the hall and screeched to a halt when she saw his reddened eyes.

"What happened?" she gasped. Rachel followed her into the hall and saw he was upset. She gathered them both and led them into the living room where she sat them on the couch and she took the ottoman to sit in front of him.

"Edward, start at the beginning," she said calmly.

He began to talk. And talk. He left nothing out… aside from the intimate details of his sex with Angie of course.

Rachel and Grace gasped when he told them about the murder suicide. He finally got to the colossal mistake he'd made this morning and he looked at them expecting them to tell him what a huge mistake he'd made. Rachel and Grace just waited. He sat looking at them.

"What?" Grace asked.

"What happened next, Edward?" Rachel asked. He continued and described how uncomfortable he'd made Angie.

Comprehension appeared in their eyes at last and Ed felt relieved. He wasn't so good at describing people stuff either it seemed.

"You didn't do anything wrong Ed." Grace said holding his hand.

Rachel placed her hands on his knees and looked him in his eye. "Edward, look at me. You love me. You love Grace. You love Stephanie and Carolyn. We are all aware of this and none of us are upset or uncomfortable in your presence. Just the opposite in fact. So Angie is having difficulty accepting the idea of your loving her and others. This isn't your problem or your fault. It's her issue."

"But if I'd just kept my mouth shut she would still be happy!" Ed exclaimed.

"Would you still feel the same way about her if you hadn't said it?" Grace asked.

He blinked at her. "Of course."

"I'll talk with her-" Rachel began but Ed reached out and took her hands.

"No! Please, she said she needed time. Can we just give her some time? I don't want anyone to feel bad. I've done that enough for Angie. Please." Ed looked into Rachel's eyes beseechingly and she had no choice but to accept his wishes.

Rachel would give Angie time. Just not forever.