"The 43rd Notch on the Bedpost

   I had come back from a holiday where my sole objective had been to screw
a different girl every day - I succeeded.  But now it was time to work
again.  Despite my problems, I had managed to get a promotion, so I was
starting to earn more money than I needed to fund my lifestyle.  The
housing market was depressed at the time, so it was a perfect opportunity
to get on the housing ladder.  It was a beaten up dump, and when it came
down to it, I didnt have the heart to get on with making it habitable - I
liked my bachelor flat too much.

   It was 9am and I had a mountain of memos (remember those?) on my desk to
clear up, so I called the office secretary to come and help me.  Karen had
been working on my floor for a while, she an ordinary sort of girl, about
5' 6" with shoulder length auburn hair.  She was quite large hipped, and
had moderately large breasts, so I had noticed her.  In fact the
possibility of a liaison had crossed my mind more than once.  It had never
happened as either I was with someone else or she was.  The last I heard
she was with someone called Geoff.

   Karen came over to me wearing sunglasses.  `You cant do this with those
on' I joked to her.  She removed them, revealing a shining black eye.  I
looked at her closely and I could see she had a fat lip and a bruise on her
cheek covered by makeup.  `What the hell happened?' I asked as I shepherded
her into a private office.  Karen looked about to cry.  `What happened?  I
persisted.  `Geoff hit me'.  I could tell it had been more than once. 
`Why?' `Because...' Karen burst into heaving sobs.  `I told him I was
pregnant'.

   I asked her for the full story.  Geoff had lost his job a couple of
months ago and had started drinking.  Karen was holding the finances
together somehow but then missed a couple of periods.  When she started to
be sick I the mornings she had done a pregnancy test and it was positive,
so last night she had told him.  He wasn't as sober as she had thought and
he had lashed out at her.  He said she had done it deliberately to trap him
and smacked her around some more.  He took all the money out of her purse
and stormed out to the pub to get more drunk.  The story didn't end there.
When he came back in, he had decided to make it up to her by holding her
down, forcing her legs apart and having sex with her.

   `He raped you?' I couldn't believe it.  `you should go to the police'.
`They wont do anything - it was just a domestic' she replied bitterly.

   `Then you need to get out of there' `I don't have anywhere else to go.
No money either'.  Tears started to roll down her face again.

   I was so outraged that this bastard could get away with his behaviour,
the words came out before I could think about them.  `You can stay at my
place until you can get sorted' I said.  `Come on' I cleared another days
leave with my boss, then we grabbed out coats and went out to my car.

   Our first stop was the doctors surgery - they will always make room for
you if tell them a pregnant woman has had a fall and needs to be checked
over.  They naturally assumed I was the father and asked me if I wanted to
stay with her.  I went to say no, but Karen beat me to it - `Please stay'.

   Karen was told to lay down on the examination couch.  It was too early
to get a heartbeat, but an ultrasound would reveal if there was movement.
The nurse lifted up Karen's jumper and blouse.  There was an ugly bruise on
Karen's side, but there was also the merest hint of an enlarged stomach. 
After smearing on some lubricant, the nurse placed the ultrasound sensor on
Karen's tummy, then with a little searching she said `there's baby'.  It
was amazing.  There was a blob on the screen, but it had definite arms and
legs, and then it twitched.  I was enthralled and could have watched it all
day.  `Baby's fine' the nurse told us.  `I will just do a quick internal.'
I didn't really want to stay from this point, but I couldn't see what was
going on, so I just held Karen's hand and kept quiet.

   The nurse removed Karen's panties.  From what I could see, the nurse had
put some lubricant on her finger and was now feeling inside Karen's vagina.
Karen winced in pain a little.  The nurse obtained an instrument from a
cupboard and explained that it was going to be a little cold, but she was
going to use it to look inside Karen's vagina.

   She carefully inserted the speculum, flicked on it's light and after a
few adjustments she turned to me and called me over.  `Do you see these red
marks here and here?' I peered inside Karen's vagina and nodded like a
schoolboy.  `And can you see that the cervix is enflamed?' I peered
curiously into the depths of Karen's vagina at the small pink ring of her
cervix.  There was something distinctly like semen around it.  `These marks
are telltale signs of vigorous sex'.  Now that Karen is pregnant you must
restrict yourselves to gentle intercourse only.  I nodded my understanding.
`Providing you both take a little more care from now on there is no reason
why you shouldn't have a beautiful baby in 6 months'.

   Back in the car, Karen said `Sorry about that - I didn't mean for you to
take that crap from Florence Nightingale'.  `That's ok.  I have never seen
a cervix before.' Me and my mouth.  Fortunately Karen giggled.  `Where
next?' she asked.  `Back to your place to pick up some things'.

   It was a two bedroom flat in quite a nice area.  Karen explained that
they struggled to afford it when she and Geoff had first moved in, but when
he lost his job, there was no chance of hanging on to the place.  She went
round picking up clothes and a few odds and ends.  I looked over the place
out of curiosity.  There was nothing of any value here that Karen should
take, perhaps the TV and the video but that was about it.  I wondered into
the bedroom, and noticed some blood and semen stains on the sheets.  I came
back out again quickly.

   Karen left without looking back.

   We arrived back at my place.  As a one bedroom flat, it was perfect for
a young man living alone, but with two people in it, it was cramped.  I
showed Karen where she could put her stuff.

   `I can sleep on the couch until you get sorted.  You take the bed.' I
had a selfish thought for a brief second - this was going to seriously
cramp my style.  I banished the thought by reminding myself that this poor
pregnant woman had been raped and left virtually penniless by a complete
bastard.

   `I really ought to pay some rent or something' said Karen `We can sort
that out when you have some money.  You are my guest for the moment'.

   The following day, I took Karen to work.  She had not left a note for
Geoff - the removal of her personal things should be message enough.  The
black eye was receding a little, and could be covered with makeup so we
were able to work as normal.  When the day ended I drove Karen back home.
We didn't know that Geoff was following us back to my flat.

   Karen went into the house and sat down - her feet were starting to ache.
I started to cook something for us to eat.

   Then the hammering at the door started.  `Karen!'.  It was Geoff. 
`Karen!  Come out, I know you are there!'

   There was no avoiding it, so I told Karen to stay in the bedroom while I
sorted this out.  I opened the door.  `Karen doesn't want to see you' I
told Geoff.  `Karen!  Come back to me' he still seemed to think they were
together.  `Karen!  I love you' he was drunk.  `Geoff.  You beat her up,
stole from her and raped her.  She doesn't want you anymore' I said,
looking as threatening as I could.  He looked at me, dumbstruck for a
moment.  `I suppose you've had her by now.  She begged me to stop last time
I had her you know - she squealed like a pig when I held her down and
fucked her dry.  She probably still has my spunk in her cunt right now you
know.  Did she suck your cock?  - she's good at that.  Did you fuck her
arse - make her bleed?' He was trying to get a reaction from me.  He didn't
succeed so he took a swing at me instead.  I easily dodged his fist, then
landed a right of my own - I think I broke his nose.  Then I followed up
with a left to his ribs, and a final right to his chin.  He fell in a
bleeding heap on the floor, spluttering blood.  `Karen doesn't want you
anymore because you are an abusive rapist.' I whispered to him, tucking a
roll of £20 notes into his pocket.  `I suggest you take this and get very,
very drunk and never come back here again'.

   He staggered away.  I went back inside to find Karen sobbing.  `Has he
gone?' she pleaded.  `Yes' `Did you hurt him?' `Yes.' `Good'

   I completed the meal that I had been cooking - it was a little overdone,
but still tasted good.  We sat watching TV together for a while, then Karen
asked `Do you have a girlfriend?' This is always a tricky one to answer,
but I find the truth is usually the best bet.  `I did have, but it didn't
work out.' `So there is no one then?' `There have been a few since then,
but no one special.  I am not really looking for anyone right now'.  `Oh'
Karen seemed a little deflated.

   There was a pause as we ate, then she said `I have been thinking about
the sleeping arrangements' `Hmm?' I said in a non committal way.  `You are
going to get crippled sleeping on the sofa, and I can see I can trust you'.
`Ok' I said, smirking, `but no funny business'.

   Bed time arrived, and Karen went into the bedroom first to change. 
After a respectable wait, I retrieved some boxers from the bedroom and
changed in the bathroom.  This was a new experience for me.  I went back
into the bedroom.  Karen was reading.  I couldn't help noticing how heavy
her breasts were in her nightie - probably the pregnancy to thank for that.
I slid in beside her, feeling her warmth in the covers.

   `Are you ready to sleep?' she asked.  I replied that I was, so she
turned out the bedside lamp.  We laid next to each other in the bed, both
unable to slumber.  She sniffed a little.  `Andrew, can you hold me for a
little while please' she asked, tearfully.  `Of course I can' I snuggled up
to her, spooning from behind, my arm around her tummy.  She was warm and
soft and I could feel her bottom against the front of my boxers.  To my
dismay I started to get an erection.

   We laid there together for a little while, then Karen asked `Andrew, I
really would really like to make love to you' I paused.  I didn't want this
to get complicated - no way was I cut out to be a father to this baby. 
`Ok, but just as friends' I responded.  `I understand'.  She sat up and
pulled off her nightie, revealing her pendulous breasts in the moonlight. I
pulled off my boxers, leaving my penis proud for her.  She stroked it for a
little while, then lowered her mouth down to it.  Geoff was right - she was
good at it.  She sucked me until I felt about to cum, then stopped in order
to straddle me, slowly lowering herself down onto my erection with a gentle
sigh.  A pregnant pussy is like no other pussy - it isn't tight, but more
heavy and enveloping, and the pussy juice is slightly more sticky.  I would
recommend it as something for anyone to try at least once.

   I had listened to the nurse the previous day, so I didn't try anything
vigorous and I allowed Karen to pump up and down on me.  There was no point
in stopping myself from coming, so when Karen climaxed I allowed myself to
cum, pumping my seed into where Geoff's had been a couple of days before.

   The next morning, I woke up to find the bed empty.  Karen was downstairs
frying something up for me.  We sat down to eat together.  Karen seemed
very chipper.  I had to do something.  `Karen, I had hoped to bring a
friend back here later today' `Oh' She looked upset.  I leant forward to
her `What happened last night was just as friends' `Of course' she replied
brightly.  `So would you mind not being around until say, 10pm?' I asked. `
I can give you some money for the cinema or something'

   She looked rather crestfallen, but I had to get the message across to
her that we were not boyfriend and girlfriend.  I didn't actually have a
specific date lined up, but over the last few years I had established a few
former lovers who were happy to fuck again for old times sake.

   The evening arrived, and Karen took herself off to the cinema.  My date
arrived (Notch 17 if you are interested), and we took our time
reacquainting ourselves with each other's bodies.  Our lovemaking went on
rather longer than expected, and I was just leaving my load in `17' when I
heard the front door open.  `Its just my houseguest' I explained.  ` she
doesn't mind' `17' cleaned my dick off with her tongue, then climbed out of
the bed to get her clothes on.  `Have you seen my knickers?' she asked.  I
shook my head - I had hidden them under the mattress.  She had an amazing
short skirt which barely covered her bottom.  She kept looking but gave up
after a while.  I lead the way to the hallway, which was in full view of
Karen who was sitting in the living room.  '17' and I kissed goodnight
deeply and sensuously, then I grabbed her bare bottom under her skirt,
exposing it to the room and squeezing it.  It wasn't too far for my finger
to reach her shaved slit, which was wet with my cum.  I wiped a goop of
sperm onto my finger and offered it to `17', who licked it hungrily from my
finger.  `Mmm, goodnight honey - see you again soon' she whispered to me as
she left.

   Karen was doing her best to look unconcerned.  I felt like a bit of a
bastard, but it had to be done.  `Do you want me to go on the sofa
tonight?' I asked.  `No that's ok' she replied.  That night we snuggled up
together in the bed again.  We didn't have sex that night, but I still
enjoyed the warmth of Karen's sleeping body against mine.

   I had many other guests during the period that Karen was there, and she
never complained once.  It seemed unfair to ask her to make herself scarce
in the cinema every time, so in the end she stayed downstairs whilst I
fucked whoever it was upstairs.

   Karen had been there about 3 weeks which was about 2 weeks more than I
had envisaged.  She had had her salary by then, so we agreed that she could
cover the cost of the groceries and leave it at that.  The problem remained
of what to do about her living with me (I enjoyed the no strings sex, but
apart from the pregnancy angle I could have that with anyone).  Then I
realised.  I had my property waiting for renovation, and to be able to stay
in my bachelor pad was an added bonus.

   The next day was Saturday, so I took Karen to my property.  We arrived
at the house with boarded up windows, a hole in the roof and a dodgy floor.
`This' I explained `is your new home.' I went through my plans for the
place.  I told Karen that I would get the building fixed up and as she was
going to be my tenant, she could choose all the colour schemes and carpets.
I pointed out how one room would make a perfect nursery, another her
bedroom.  How the living room might look.  The kitchen units.  She looked
at me with tears running down her cheeks.  `Thank you Andrew, you are the
kindest person I know.'

   She had sex with me again that night.  I told her she didn't need to,
but she explained that even pregnant girls have needs - and it was a shame
to waste that lovely cock.

   The work started on the house a few days later, but it was going to be a
slow process.  I watched Karen get bigger, and took some amusement in her
ailments:
Firstly, the morning sickness: Ok this isn't amusing - just gross while

you are cleaning your teeth or having a pee.

   Then the swollen feet: I was happy to rub her feet for her, and if I
wasn't having a girlfriend around later, she would suck me off.

   Then the Piles: This was amusing.  Karen suffered in silence for a while
but eventually went to the doctors and came back with some medication,
which she handed to me.  `What do I do with this?' I asked.  `Use your
imagination.' she replied, as she pulled down her knickers and bent over
holding her bottom cheeks apart.  I took out one of the small bullet shaped
pills.  `How far should they go in?' I asked.  `As far as you can'.  I
tried to pull her red and swollen rosebud open slightly, then pushed the
tip of the suppository inside.  With my forefinger, I pushed it in, then
further and further in until I could get it no further.  `This would be
nice if it didn't hurt so much' she complained.  We did this every day.

   And the stretch marks: Karen was concerned she might look like something
from the mummy's tomb after baby arrived, so every night she asked me to
rub cream into her ever growing belly (I also noticed a strange brown line
appearing from her pussy to her navel - how weird was that?).  She would
usually blow me afterwards.  Impressive that she still did this even if I
had been inside one of my girlfriends earlier in the evening.

   The constant peeing, aching breasts and cravings for coal, raw sprouts
and turnips I couldn't really help with, but at least her final complaint -
that she couldn't see her pubes to trim them - I could help with.  She was
surprisingly definite about what she wanted `Short but not bare, but you
can trim down the sides so its just a little bush in the middle'.  I hacked
off what I could and told her it looked fine - she wouldn't know until
after the baby arrived.

   The house was making slow progress.  By the time Karen was 7 months
gone, the structural work was done, new windows and electrics installed and
the new heating system fitted.  The decorators had arrived to perform the
work Karen specified.  `It should be complete in a few more weeks' I
exclaimed happily.  `Actually Andrew, I was wondering if I could stay here
until the baby arrives - I don't want to be on my own'.  It was becoming my
nice guy catchphrase.  `Of course you can.' `There is one more thing'.  She
continued.  `would you be my birth partner?'

   Our routine continued mach as it had.  Some nights I spent with Karen
alone and others with a girlfriend.  `Notch 23' had suggested the Karen
join us, but she declined.  `Notch 26' had insisted in sucking me off in
front of Karen.  I apologised afterwards, but Karen said I was a free
agent, and there was nothing to apologise for.  Intercourse with Karen
reduced as she reach full term, but she still had my sperm in her mouth
most nights.

   The big day arrived.  I got back from work (Karen was on maternity leave
by then), to find Karen in the toilet.  `My waters just broke' she
explained.  I ran around the house like a headless chicken for a while, but
then she calmly explained to me that we still had hours yet.

   `There is one more thing you can do for me.  I want you to fuck me now
really hard and deep as you can.  I want as much sperm in me as you can'
Apparently she had read an article that said sex after the waters broke
could significantly speed up the birth.

   However, sex with a nine month pregnant woman is easier said than done.
We experimented with a few positions until eventually she perched on the
edge of the bed, legs spread wide.  I could indeed get really deep and
enjoyed thrusting inter her cervix as hard as I could.  She let out a moan
of pain each time, but then told me to carry on.  I finally thrust one last
time as hard as I could and emptied my balls into her.  She started to
orgasm, but then I realised it was a contraction.  It had started.

   `Slow down.  We want to arrive in one piece' she told me in the car
between contractions.  I knew there was still time, but it is hard not to
be in a hurry.  At the hospital we were whisked up to the maternity ward.
We were given a room, and Karen was asked to get into a gown.  `Are you the
father?' the young midwife asked.  I was going to reply yes, but Karen beat
me to it.  `No, he is my friend and is going to be my birth partner.  The
father isn't around'.  `That's fine' she said `could you lay down on the
bed and I will give you a quick exam'

   The midwife produced a speculum and I smiled as I was reminded of the
doctors surgery 6 months ago.  I hoped I wasn't going to get told off
again.

   She looked inside Karen's vagina.  `Did you have post amniotic sex?'
`Yes' Karen replied sheepishly nodding at me at me.  `Sounds complicated'
The midwife smiled.  `Its supposed to be on old wives tale, but I
personally think there might be something in it.' She spoke
conspiratorially to Karen `I will make sure each time I do an internal on
you that I spread the semen around your cervix'.  She slipped her fingers
into Karen's vagina, no doubt smearing my sperm around as she gauged the
size of Karen's cervix with her fingers.  I noticed she wasn't wearing
gloves and briefly wondered if that was ethical.  Karen seemed to be
enjoying the sensation.  At least until the next contraction started.

   `Five centimetres.  A little way to go.  Karen you mustn't start to push
yet'.

   There was time to fill, so the midwife started idle chatter.  After a
few minutes of the weather, politics, and the state of the health service,
she finally cut to the chase, talking to Karen as if I wasn't there.  `So
what's the deal with you two?  He is not your partner, but he did provide
the post amniotic semen?' `He is a really good friend and nothing more'
replied Karen.  `But he is Hot!' said the midwife in that conspiratorial
whisper.  `He has a lovely cock as well' grinned Karen `if you want some,
go for it'

   The midwife was pretty hot herself, and in the event she did become the
44th notch on the bedpost a few days later, but that is another story.

   After hours of contractions occurring ever closer together, the midwife
(still smearing my semen no doubt) announced `10 centimetres.  Time to push
with the contractions Karen'

   The labour continued.  The pussy that I had pounded so hard with my cock
a few hours before was now impossibly stretched around the top of the
baby's head.  I tried to offer encouragement `One more push!' but it really
wasn't helping.  Karen made one more monumental effort and the head popped
out, smeared with what looked suspiciously like my semen.  The baby's
shoulders were still within Karen's vagina, but the baby seemed alert and
looked at me.  I fell in love immediately.  `Its beautiful Karen.  One more
push and you really will be there!'.

   Karen was knackered, but she managed the last push and soon the purple
baby, covered in blood and goodness knows what else was suckling on Karen's
breast.  There was still the afterbirth and a few stitches to sort out, but
she had done it.  The midwife showed me how to cut the cord, then they
wrapped the little girl up and passed her to me while they attended to
Karen.  `This probably wont be the last time you have sperm on your face
young lady' I said to her as I gently wiped my semen from her.  She gurgled
at me sleepily.

   `What are you going to call her?' the midwife asked Karen as she
stitched her torn vagina.  `Andrew, what was your mother's name?' `Ida' I
replied.  Karen grimaced.  `Grandmother?' `I had a sister who died when I
was young.  She was Amber'.  `Amber' repeated Karen, considering the name.
`Amber it is.'

   Part 2: Amber makes her mark.

   When Karen was ready to leave hospital, I transported her back to her
new home.  The place was pristine, and I showed Karen a rocking chair I had
bought as a surprise.  `I understand it is perfect for feeding' I smiled
`Well, we had better try it out hadn't we Amber'

   It is an amazing sight to see.  Karen sat down and got comfortable, then
undid her blouse, unzipped her maternity bra and positioned Amber at her
large dark nipple.  Amber knew exactly what to do, and guzzled at the milk
flowing from her mother's breast with loud swallowing noises.

   Karen must have seen I was enchanted.  `Jealous?' she asked, grinning.
`Yes' I replied, watching the baby some more.

   Karen opened her blouse a little further and unzipped the other side of
her maternity bra, exposing her pale, strangely veined breast to me.  `Come
on, I know you want to' she told me.  A milky drip had formed on the tip of
her large, dark nipple.  I licked it, but it didn't taste of milk as I knew
it.  I licked again, but nothing happened, so I took her nipple in my mouth
and started to suck.  Nothing happened at first, then suddenly squirt of
warm milk hit my tongue.  It wasn't unpleasant.  Quite watery at first, but
then going thicker.  `Did you get some dear?' she giggled, ruffling my hair
as I suckled.  `Mmmhmm' I said, continuing to drink from her alongside
Amber.

   `I think Amber is going to have to trade sides with you' Karen asked me.
I reluctantly let her huge nipple go from my mouth, and Karen moved Amber
over to latch onto that side.  `I could really do with some fluids' Karen
said to me, a twinkle in her eye.  `What would you like?' I asked.  `Your
spunk' she replied, deftly unzipping me with her free hand and releasing my
now hard penis.  She started to suckle on me while Amber continued to
suckle on her, watching the spectacle with one eye open.  I hadn't been
with a woman for a couple of days and soon I gave Karen the copious fluids
she desired.

   I visited fairly regularly and was lucky enough to see Amber smile for
the first time.  As she grew up I saw another few milestones - her first
steps, her first words, her first time in big girls knickers, waving her
off for her first day at school.  If I came over in the evening, Karen
often would ask if I wanted to stay over.  If I didn't have a date that
night I would see to Karen's needs.  As Amber got older, she started to see
things maybe she shouldn't: She walked in on us fucking, so Karen had to
convince her she had something stuck in her tummy and Uncle Andrew was
trying to pop it out.  Another occasion she caught Karen sucking me off.  I
had just cum when Amber walked in.  Karen managed to convince her I had cut
myself and she was kissing it better.  `But what's that white stuff on your
chin mommy?' As quick as a flash Karen replied `That's special stuff that
grownup men sometimes bleed'

   I still had my own life to lead, and I made a few more notches in the
bedpost, but made sure I managed to watch as Amber grew up fast.  She was
as bright as a button.  I taught her to swim, play chess and some of the
finer points of cricket.

   Shortly after Amber's fifth birthday, we read in the local paper that
Geoff (described as a homeless man) had been pulled dead from a ditch,
apparently after a heavy drinking session.  We were both glad, and his
death went un-mourned - he deserved worse.

   But for a terrible event, that is where this story might have ended.  It
was nearly a year ago when I received a call at work from Amber.  `Uncle
Andrew, come quick!  Mum is on the floor and I cant wake her up' I told
Amber not to worry, it was probably just a faint or something.  I told her
I would call the ambulance, she would have to be brave and go with them to
the hospital and I would meet them both there.

   I rushed as fast as I could to the hospital and met the ambulance as it
arrived.  I could see Karen's grey face above the blankets as they wheeled
her in.  I hugged Amber and told her it would be ok, but I knew it was
serious.

   It was an agonising two hours waiting for news.  The surgeon finally
showed up.  The good news was that Karen was awake.  The bad news was that
a brain scan showed she had a large tumour on her brain.  An operation was
unlikely to succeed, so we as a family would need to decide how to proceed.

   Amber and I were shown in to see Karen.  She was awake, but had all
sorts of tubes coming out of her.  `Mummy!' Amber ran over and hugged her
mum as best she could.  `I need you to wait outside while I talk to uncle
Andrew, my love' Karen told her.

   When Amber was out of the room, Karen explained that she was not going
to get better.  She had a few weeks at most.  Then she hit me with it. 
`You are the nearest thing she has to a father.  I would like you to look
after her' I didn't hesitate.  `Of course I will, but will social services
go along with it?  I replied.  `You are her father in every way except she
didn't grow from you sperm.  Get them to visit me and I will get it
sorted.' Karen was right - the local authority didn't want to have the
expense of putting a young girl into care when she had a perfectly good
father who would care for her for free.

   It was two weeks later that I got the call that Karen wasn't expected to
survive the night.  I took Amber to say her last goodbyes.  Karen was
drifting in and out of consciousness, but managed a weak hug with Amber,
then looked at me and said `You do know I always loved you?' `Yes' I
replied.  `and I love you' She smiled briefly, then she was gone.

   Amber was 11 years old when her mother died.  She dressed in black and
threw some dirt on the coffin without shedding a tear.  Only after the
service, when everyone else had gone and the two of us were alone on a
bench in the graveyard did she cry.  `Uncle Andrew', she sniffed.  `Are you
my father?' I considered for a little while.  `I wasn't there when you were
conceived, but I was there for your first scan, when you first kicked
inside your mother, when you were born, when you first walked, and every
birthday party you have had.  That doesn't make me your father, but I think
it makes me your dad'.  `Do you know my father?' she asked.  `Not really.
He died when you were small'.  `Uncle Andrew', she sniffed again `Can I
call you Dad?' `Of course you can, but only if I can call you my daughter'
We sat cuddling together, both crying in our loss and our happiness.