Chapter 3

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As the summer rolled around, Michael and Gina went to Rick and Jill's house for a summer pool party. The five couples made it a point to get together at least once during the summer for a day of barbecuing and enjoying the sunshine. Michael was a bit nervous, this would be the first time he had seen the group since losing the Super Bowl bet. He wore his new swim trunks that hung down to his knees and an over-sized Hawaiian shirt.

"Whoa big guy!" Brent called out as the plus-sized couple walked into the backyard.

Mike flushed as the four couples drew around them, each remarking about his larger size.

"Looks like Gina here's been feeding you good," Rick observed.

"C'mon, let's see the damage," Sarah urged.

"Take it off! Take it off!" the group started to chant.

Gina just stood there with a smile so wide her face looked like it might split in two. Grumbling under his breath, Michael grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. The other couples laughed and cheered as he revealed the new round belly that now hung over the waistband of his swim trunks.

"Wow, I had no idea you'd get so fat so fast!" Jill exclaimed.

"Hey, why didn't you tell us that Gina had knocked you up?" Ted chortled.

"Seriously," Stacey agreed. "We might have to buy some sturdier chairs for the next Super Bowl party. Gina's gonna have you huge by then!"

"Alright, alright," Michael waved his hands to quiet everyone. "Yes, Gina's been taking full advantage of winning our little bet. Let's just move on, shall we?"

"Okay," Brent said. "Let's start the grilling."

Rick looked Michael up and down. "I just hope we got enough."

They all laughed at that, then the men walked over to the grill. The women grabbed seats by the pool while they waited for the men to get the meat started.

"So Gina," Bridget turned to her. "Are you having any regrets? Michael's really packed it on a bit, is he getting too big for you?"

"Nope," Gina smiled. "I intend on seeing this through for the full two years. Trust me, this is skinny compared to how he'll look by the time I'm done with him."

The women giggled at the thought of Michael being considered skinny with his new paunch.

"Truth be told," Stacey admitted. "Ever since that night I've been looking forward to seeing Michael again. I've wondered before what it would be like if Ted ever put on a few. For some reason I kinda like the idea, it's like it says that he's comfortable and happy with our relationship."

"Oh, I fully endorse it," Gina smiled. "I've been hoping for a while that Michael would eventually relax a bit. I happen to like the way a man looks when he's got a bit of a gut on him. That Super Bowl was just the perfect opportunity to move him along a bit. Plus, not that it's ever really bothered me, but I feel like we make a better pair when we're both a little . . . um, heavier."

The other women smiled and nodded, each looking rather thoughtful. Meanwhile, on the other side of the pool the men were warming up the coals and having a similar conversation.

"So, Gina really wasn't kidding about feeding you up," Gerard commented, poking Michael who had put his shirt back on.

Michael chuckled. "Nope, she really wasn't. But I have to say, it really hasn't been that bad."

"Not that bad?" Rick echoed in disbelief. "No offense man, but it's only been like six months and you've already got a belly. How much have you gained, like 20 pounds?"

"More like 25," Michael replied, patting his bulging midsection. "But I mean it's like . . . I dunno, kinda nice to always have Gina taking care of me. She's like happy to wait on me hand and foot now, always giving me good stuff to eat. I mean, I'm happy being with Gina, and I'm not gonna leave her. So if it makes her really happy to see me pack on a few, why should I be against it? I mean, who am I trying to look good for?"

"Huh," Rick mused. "I didn't think about it like that. I work out a lot and try to eat pretty healthy for the most part, but I dunno if I'm doing that for Jill or for me. Heck, I just assumed that Jill always wanted me to stay thin."

"Well, you gotta do what works for you guys," Michael replied. "All I know is that this happens to work for Gina and me. I certainly wasn't thrilled when I first lost that bet, but now I'm almost glad. I've never seen her happier."

The other men seemed to consider that as they turned their attention to the heated grill and the variety of steaks, ribs, burgers and brats waiting to be prepared. A little while later the table was covered with all the meat plus potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, cole slaw and watermelon. The five couples gathered around and ate, with special attention paid to Michael and Gina.

Michael endured a big of good-natured teasing as he endeavored to match Gina plate for plate. The guys cheered on Michael while the women kept urging Gina to eat him under the table. Gina was wearing khaki shorts and a sleeveless cotton shirt over her one-piece bathing suit. She had to admit that she was impressed by Michael's progress, he matched her for every bite until her shorts were unsnapped and she feared that her bathing suit might split a seam.

Michael had to loosen the drawstring on his swim trunks, eating until his belly swelled out into a taut, round ball. Finally the couple called it quits, sitting back in their chairs and rubbing their respective bloated bellies.

"I take it you two probably want to wait a while before eating the strawberry shortcake," said Jill, laughing when they both groaned and clutched their stomachs.

The five couples spent the rest of the day eating, swimming, eating, playing some games, eating, chatting and finally . . . eating. The food was plentiful and good, the lion's share definitely going to Gina and Michael. The pair practically waddled out at the end of the day, their heavily gorged bellies protruding out in front of them.

The other couples said they were looking forward to seeing them again for the Super Bowl. Gina promised that they'd see "a lot more" of Michael.