Tammy was in the kitchen getting our morning coffee.  She was in her prettiest night clothes, nothing.  She smiled at my noticing her body as she handed the cups to me.

“You know how to make a woman feel good without touching her, Hank,” Tammy whispered.  I handed her a cup.

“Tammy, you know I love your body and what you do with it.  But I love you most for the woman you are.  Are you nervous about talking to Father Ryan?”  I sipped my coffee.

She finished sipping her coffee, “Yes, and no.  I’m a little, I guess, embarrassed to tell him I can’t fulfill all of my duties as a wife.  But I know he will help if he can,”  Her expression was a little sad.

“Tammy, you have always fulfilled your duties as a wife, and not just in the intimacy.  You are always there for me, you know when to hold me and how to scold me.  You are everything I have dreamed of in a woman.  My happiest day was our wedding day,”  I brushed her cheek with my hand.

She held my hand against her face, then kissed it.  “My Lord and Protector,” Tammy sighed.

We stayed in bed as long as we could; the last Service is at eleven, so we had to move a little bit. 

We made the bed together, I went to get a quick shave and my other morning duties, Tammy was in the kitchen trying to increase my waist size.  I heard her call from the kitchen that breakfast was on the table.

When breakfast was finished, Tammy went to get ready, and I finished the KP duties.  I joined her in the bedroom and started to put my briefs on.  Tammy giggled.

“What’s funny?”  I asked as I pulled on my first sock.

“Us getting dressed on a Sunday instead of, well you know,” she giggle and patted my cock.

“Woman, we have all afternoon and evening when we get home.  So just let that little fur baby rest now, because when Daddy comes home, he’s gonna be hungry,” I growled at Tammy.

“And that’s what I love about you, Hank.  You make a promise and you never break it,” Tammy patted her little coochie and grinned.

It took a few minutes to find a parking place at St. Ignatius’.  It looked like everyone in town was here.  I dropped Tammy off by the front door and continued my search.  After another drive through the lot, a car was pulling out. FINALLY!  I pulled into the spot and beat feet to meet up with Tammy.

Father Ryan gave a wonderful sermon.  He is very big on family and community.  Today, he said there would be a second collection next Sunday for the Little Angels Orphanage.  Tammy and I looked at each other.  Fate or coincidence?

After his Service, Father waited outside the Church to thank the parishioners for attending.  We were at the end of the line, and Father Ryan noticed.

“Good morning, Tammy, Hank.  It’s good to see both of you,”  Father shook my hand.

“It’s good to be here,” Tammy stammered.  “Hank and I would like to talk to you.”

“By the expressions on your faces, I think we should go into His office instead of mine.  Come on in,” Father said with a comforting tone.

Father escorted us to a pew in the back of the Church.  He sat in the pew in front of us and turned to face us.

"Now let’s see what we can do to lighten your hearts,” he said, his voice so gentle.

Tammy started from the beginning, how Vera had punched her in the stomach, which caused her to hemorrhage.  That was as far as she could go. Tammy collapsed into my arms, and I filled in the rest of the details.  Father Ryan listened; he was visibly upset.

Tammy tried again, “I know this is selfish, but most of our friends have babies and I want to give Hank...” Tammy lost control again.

Father gave her a little time to calm herself and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Tammy, wanting to have a child is a natural feeling and emotion.  From what I understand, women who want children, especially in your case, want to share the love they have in their hearts for a child and her husband.  You are not selfish, I don’t think you are selfish, and neither does He,” Father Ryan looked up.

“Father,” I spoke up, "we understand you may have a way to help us.  Is there a way we can adopt?” Mentally, my fingers, toes, and anything else I could think of were crossed.

Father Ryan smiled, “Yes, I have an option.  ‘Our Adoption Option’.  Okay, I admit it’s corny, but what can I say?  I have a friend who’s a lawyer.  His wife works closely with an organization that helps young girls who have made a mistake. 

Most of the girls love their baby, but a few just do not want the child.  That’s so sad.  The good side is that there are Unselfish people like you who would give anything to have a child, but they can’t,” Father smiled at Tammy.  “That’s where Carl, our lawyer, and I enter to give Him a hand for His little babies.”

“What do Tammy and I have to do?”  I’m ready to commit to almost anything. “Do you need proof of financial stability or references, or anything, Father?”  I said a little too loudly for Church.  I kind of sat back in the pew, Father laughed.

“A financial statement would be helpful, as far as references, I see most of them every Sunday,” Father smiled.

“Is that a hint, Father?” Tammy smiled at him.

“Well, yes, yes, you could call it that.  I have a job to do, you know,”  Father Ryan had lightened the subject.

“I’ll have my tax man put together a report and I’ll get it to you,”  I offered.

“Father, about how long before we know?”  Tammy’s voice was anxious.

“To be honest, it varies. This sounds cold, but it depends on availability.  We are never sure who He will send us,”  Father patted Tammy's arm.

“I hate this part,” Father’s voice was quiet.  “There are some monies involved.  Carl asks for five hundred dollars; almost three hundred of that goes to filing legal papers. 

We do ask for some small donations for the organization and the young girl.  That’s up to you.  For me, He gives me a pat on the back, that’s good enough for me.”

“Hang tight, I’ll be right back.”  I left the Church and went to the car. 

I had a spare check hidden in case of necessity; this was as good as any.  I filled it out and went back into the Church. Father Ryan and Tammy had a puzzled look on their faces.  I handed Father the check.

“I hope this is good for a start.  Use your discretion.”  Father Ryan looked at the check, and his jaw dropped.

“Hank, this is for two thousand dollars,” he stammered.

“Maybe the young girl can use an extra pair of shoes,” I winked at him.

Father Ryan shook our hands and expressed his gratitude.  He said he would call Carl right away and keep in touch with us.  Before we left, he asked Tammy if she wanted a boy or a girl.  Tammy just answered, “Yes”.

As always, I opened Tammy’s car door.  She slid in, looking up at me, her eyes still red.  I got in, and she rolled over on me, crying and hugging me.  She said ‘thank you’ a thousand times.  I wrapped my girl in my arms and held her tight against me.

“Can I buy my wonderful wife dinner at the Kopper Kettle?  I think we should have a little celebration,”  I kissed her softly.

“Yes, I would like that,” Tammy smiled.

We found a nice little corner table.  We didn’t see Emily, but George waved hello.  A young man came up to our table with water and menus in hand.  He introduced himself; Harry was to be our server.

Tammy and I ordered George’s prime rib and a bottle of red wine.  Harry was good; he poured a taste for me, and when I nodded, he filled Tammy’s glass, then mine.  He brought our order and served Tammy first.  His tip was growing.

We were still enjoying our meal; I poured the last of the wine into our glasses.  A few minutes later, Harry came by asking if we wanted another bottle.  We agreed he was back in a minute with a new bottle.

After we had finished, Harry waited just long enough to clear our table.  We sat back and continued to talk about the meeting with Father Ryan.  When the second bottle of red was empty, we settled up with Harry and made sure he knew we were delighted with his service.

As we walked out, George waved at us.  He put his arms out to the side; I guessed he was asking about Harry.  I gave him two thumbs up, and George clapped.

At home, Tammy was getting out of the car.  She looked at me and embraced me.  She was hugging me as hard as she could, then sighed happily.

“Hank, you have indulged me all day long.  Would you let me push my luck a little further?”  Tammy had a very happy expression on her face.

“Sure, Baby.  What do you want?”  I kissed the top of her head.

“Would you take your shower, then give me a few minutes to take mine?  Would you wait in the living room until I call you?” Tammy had her finger in her mouth like a little girl.

“Not a problem, Sweetie,”  I said and kissed her again.

I tossed my clothes in the hamper and went to adjust the water.  Tammy was watching like a little girl wanting to surprise her Dad.   When I got in the shower, Tammy closed the door and started her plan.

I didn’t hurry, but I didn’t waste any time.  I wrapped a towel around me, then opened the door.  Tammy was not in the bedroom.  I listened, and nothing was coming from the kitchen.  Then I hear her rustling in the second bedroom.

“Tammy?” I called her.

“Don’t come in here! Please!  What are you wearing?”  she asked.

I wasn’t sure where this was going.  With Tammy, imagine that.  “A towel.”

“Hang it up and go to the living room. Have a beer, but don’t come in here,” she demanded, then chuckled.

I did as she asked.  I grabbed a beer and put on some music on the radio – and waited.  I went for another beer and sat down again.  I was almost finished when Tammy called me.

“Hank, would you come to the bedroom?”  That’s a silly question.

When I walked in, Tammy had the room dark except for three candles.  She had romantic music playing on her phone.  Tammy had the covers pulled down in a triangle.  She was lying on the sheet, her sheer pink gown was partially open.  Her hair and makeup created a seductive atmosphere.

“Join me,” she said in a seductive tone.  “Maybe I can’t give you a baby in the way two people create a baby.  But I want to give you all of the love a woman can give a man, short of that,”  Tammy pulled her gown over her side, exposing her body.

“Baby, you give me that every minute of the day.  As far as I’m concerned, we are about to create our baby with our love.”  I got in bed next to Tammy and took her in my arms.

Tammy looked up at me, her eyes filled with love.  Her smile was soft, so the corners of her lips pointed to her eyes.  I leaned over her, she lay on her back, and we kissed deeply. I held her head in my hand while the other traced her soft back.  Tammy sighed and whimpered through our kiss.

“You make me feel, oh so female when you touch me.  Every muscle in my body just melts in your arms.  When you caress my body, I know your strong hands could crush me.  I feel so helpless but so protected,” Tammy was looking into my eyes, her voice was a mere whisper.

Departed Soul