The next morning I was rudely awakened by Emily, who was shaking me likea maraca."Get the fuck up," she said."Stop!" I shouted, instantly, angrily awa...e, no trace of sleep dullnesswhatsoever.I did have horrible bed head, though. Not only did I catch a glimpse ofit in the mirror as I jumped up and went to my undies drawer and selectedsomething fresh to wear, but I could feel rooster tails bobbing all over.This would never do. I started to say, "I'm going to shower first and--"Emily interrupted. "Quad knocked on the door and immediately stuck his head into the room. "The motorcade's just waiting on you, sir."Corvus had only ever seen the inside of the New Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on TV. When he was actually inside, staring up, it turned out to be much larger than he'd gotten any sense of. A domed ceiling soared high enough that it seemed there should be birds flapping around and building nests in the eaves, but apparently the birds didn't dare.The ceiling was divided into. ”She added with little girl sincerity, “There have been almost 40,000 babies born that way. I know, because I looked it up on the internet.” Well then, if it’s on the internet it MUST be true!!Jill added pleading, “People won’t stone me in the streets for being a surrogate. Especially if we make it clear that it’s to save Willy’s life.” Then she added seductively, “And remember how horney I get when I’m pregnant.”I said, “I love you Jill and I want you to be happy, I even want Willy to be. Claire didn't seem to care. For her part she was absolutely drop dead gorgeous in a deep red one piece skirt that highlighted her body in all the right ways.She sits quiet a time, slowly moving her tumbler of gin and tonic in small circles on the table, staring at the slice of lemon suspended within. You could tell something was on her mind. You wait. She finally speaks up. “Listen Ted, I like you. I like you a lot...”You reach across and take her by the hand with a smile. Your big meaty mitt.