they were the right things to do. You're right, I do love you. And your Momma. But I don't know if it would be the right thing for me to make love with you, now. Please understand – as much as I love you, I am still not sure that this is the time for that.'
Marilyn nodded, almost as if to herself, and got up. She started down the hall, and I looked over to where Kelly was sitting. The two of us looked at each other for several long moments; Kelly was about to say something when Marilyn came back into the den with an envelope in her hand. She gave it to me and said 'Momma said that if you told me 'no' that I should give you that, and have you and Tita Kelly read it. When you are done, there is something else that I have to tell you.'
With that, she calmly sat back on the couch, obviously waiting for me and Kelly to read whatever was inside the envelope.
I opened it, and was surprised to find it contained a letter in Marlyn's handwriting.
I started to read it, and understood why Marilyn had waited to give it to us…
Dearest Dan and Kelly;
I think that if you are reading this, then Marilyn has asked you to make love with her, and you have refused.
Before she left here, she came to me and we talked about what happened that night she asked you to make love to her before. We talked about it very much, and I know that she understands that it was right for you to have refused her then. But I also know that she has done much to grow up since then – not just in her body, but in her heart and her mind, too.
I do not know exactly why she has asked to make love with you. SHE will be the one to do that. But I can tell you why she is NOT asking such a thing. She is not asking it because she thinks that she is paying a debt for the kindness and love you have shown her. She is not asking it because she is still hurt or angry because you refused her before. She is not asking it because she thinks that it is something that she 'must' do for any other reason like that. I can tell you that she is asking for no other reason than because she loves you – just as I do, and for the same reasons.
Perhaps you are worried that I would be upset with you if you made love with her; or that Ted would be angry with you. Honestly to say, I would not be angry. I would be very happy for her, and for you, if you are able to make love with her because I know that you would do such a thing only because you and Kelly love her, just as I do. I have talked to Ted about this, and he understands about it, too – and he wants me to tell you that he knows you would be kind and gentle with her if you do that, and it would make him happy if she is happy.
So I ask you, Dan and Kelly, please do not refuse her until you hear what it is that she would like to tell you.
Your friend and lover
(signed) Marlyn
When I finished reading, I handed the letter to Kelly and sat there thinking as I watched Marilyn. She remained calm, waiting patiently for Kelly to finish the letter, too.
When Kelly was done, she carefully folded the letter up and tucked it back into the envelope before giving Marilyn her full attention.
When we were ready, Marilyn started speaking again, telling us 'Tito Dan, I want you – and Tita Kelly – to know that I want to make love with you because it is what*I* want. I don't want to share my body with you because of the things that you have DONE. I want to share myself with you because I love you, and because of the kind of people that you are. Inside of you – both of you! – I know that there is great love, and that you are honest and caring people. I want to make love with you because you are what*I* want to be like: strong, and loving, and generous. If that is not a good reason for us to make love, then I would ask you to tell me what IS a good reason, and I will do whatever I can to give it to you.'
I looked over at Kelly, and I could see a tear making its way down her cheek; I have to admit to feeling a little choked up, myself. Kelly looked at me, and I knew what her answer was.
I gestured to Marilyn that she should come over to where I was sitting. She got up and moved to stand in front of me. Taking her hands in mine, I gently pulled her down into my lap, and then loosely held her in my arms. Looking into her eyes, I told her 'Marilyn, you have just given me the only reasons there are to make love with someone: because you love them, and like the kind of person they are. If you want us to make love, then that is what we will do.'
On hearing that, Marilyn got an absolutely radiant expression on her face before she told me 'Oh, thank you Tito Dan!'
Marilyn turned to look at Kelly when she heard her ask 'Marilyn? Would you like to be with just Dan first, or would you like to have me there, too?'
Apologetically, Marilyn answered 'If… if you don't mind, Tita Kelly, I would like to be with Dan only. Then I would like to be with you, just the two of us, if that is okay.'
Kelly answered 'That's fine, Marilyn. I would like that, too.' in reassurance.
'When would you like it to happen?' I asked, thinking I already knew the answer.
Somewhat bashfully, Marilyn answered 'Tonight? Now?'
I smiled, and told her 'That's fine, Marilyn.'
She hesitated a moment, then looked at her lap as she told me 'Tito Dan, I have… saved myself for you. You will be the first one that I ever make love with.' Her tone of voice told me that she was worried that the admission she'd just made would somehow change my mind.
I put my hand under her chin, and gently tilted her head back up so that I could look into her face as I asked 'Why would you do that, Marilyn?'
I could see the nervousness in her eyes as she told me 'Because I love you, Dan. Even since before that night I asked you to make love to me before, I have loved you. I have always known what a good person you are, and I promised myself that you would be the first person to know my body. There have been boys that have been cute, and nice – but none of them were like you.'
Hearing that, I knew, then, that what Marilyn had told me was true: that she did want to make love with us for the very reasons she'd told us.
Looking into her eyes, I told her 'Thank you, Marilyn. Not for saving yourself that way, but because of what it tells me I mean to you. I am honored that you would want to do that for me, and I will do the very best I can to be worthy of the trust and faith that you are showing me.'
She cried a couple of happy tears before she replied 'I know, Tito Dan. THAT is why I wanted you to have me first.'
Taking her into my arms, I hugged her and then kissed her softly on the lips, letting her know that I loved her, too. When our lips parted, I could see the love and happiness that were plain on her face.
With only a gentle nudge from me, she slid off my lap and stood in front of me. I stood, too, and she looked up at me with no trace of fear – the only things I could see in her eyes were love and trust.
I spared a glance over to Kelly, who simply gestured that I should go ahead – smiling, her eyes told me that she loved me, and Marilyn, too.
Taking her by the hand, I walked with Marilyn down the hall; when we got to where the door to her room was, I stopped and asked her 'Where do we go?'
She understood that she would be welcome to use either her room, or Kelly's and mine – and chose her own, telling me 'Momma told me how happy you made her in our room that night. I would like to be happy there, too.'
I nodded, and let her lead us inside – and then close the door behind us. She told me 'I know that Kelly would not bother us, but I do not want our time together interrupted by the children if they have to get up during the night. And I think that what will happen tonight is for us, and not something that they are ready to know about yet.'
I nodded, and moved to stand behind her, putting my arms around her before telling her 'Tonight is for you, Marilyn.'
She gave a small shiver in my arms, then took my hands and lifted them to place them over her breasts. I
