"She looked up suddenly."In truth you never met my Papa, did you? I am still a bit confused."He smiled gently and removed her hand from its fidgeting ...of the lace."No, I never met your Papa, at least not while he truly lived. Well, I did see him, but I never received a formal introduction to him. We met for just the briefest of moments that one time when I brought you to him after you hurt your chin. However, I do not believe that he paid me much attention. He was quite concerned, and rightly. "Dave went back in girded mode.She went on, "You've met Athena. She told me about finding you and the others all making love here on the patio a few nights ago." She whispered, "She said fucking." Her voice returned to normal, "She's very scared of sex, and I've had some long talks with her about it. I would like you to give her the experience that you gave me. You changed me so much for the better, and it was a colossal and beautiful experience in my life; the best event I've ever had. I want. "Tami's hand was on the back of my knee, and she gave me a squeeze."And I'm thankful for a Mom who's finally stopped cringing when I say the L-word."Mom smiled and gave me a small nod."I'm thankful for a mother-almost-in-law who's been like a second mom, and who's just as accepting. I'm thankful that we're all healthy and that those who aren't here with us tonight my grandparents, Tami's dad, Mikee, Kelly, and Peter's mom and dad and brother are safe and healthy too."And finally, since Mom. I had a good idea about what Valentina would do. She was an assertivewoman. That was a good part of why I hired her in the first place.She helped me manage my employees better than any assistant I ever had,since she made sure to hold peoples' feet to the fire on my behalf.Her assertiveness was another reason why I had chosen to arrange toexpose my secret to her first. I was sure that she would use it tomaximize her leverage over me. I was banking on that, since I knewexactly how I wanted to.