Life takes turns and slides and stumbles.. all is well but been busy.. soo busy.. Benn doing a lot of internet social media stuff.. too much going on in the country to keep quiet about... I did manage to have a bit of fun and marshaled the Pan Am Conference Crew Club dragon boat race a couple of weeks ago..
It's getting to the final couple of chapters.. hopefully it's still enjoyable... thank you all who have stayed with the story.. I cherish all of you.. I won't leave it unfinished nor will I give up on the fandom.. I have a couple of stories that are on deck after this one.. I didn't want to write two at a time.. But they've been banging around in my head a while. Marsupial knows.. she might tell you about them if you bribe her..
I owe reviews to one lovely fellow.. I haven't forgotten but I haven't had the focus to do you justice..
Love you all... thank you again.. and now.. on to chapter 38.. only 2 more to go.
Naomi groaned loudly. Her body quickly acquiescing to its need for Emily's hunger. The other side of it. It was no longer about meeting her needs with control and rigidity, or with sensory alteration and stimulation. No rather it was about her body giving way, giving permission to receive, to delight. To feel. To be itself willing to be vulnerable.
Banyan - Chapter 38
"Take a swig.. bigger one.. there you go lad.. have a seat.." Kieran sat in one of the garden chairs as Rob drank from the glass he was handed. He sat, still somewhat dazed at the words he'd heard in the other room. He looked at Kieran a couple of times with an open mouth as if to say something. But he simply would close it and drink until he finished the glass. The Irish man scratched at his beard as he drank from his glass. He poured each a refill and wondered how he'd walked into this conversation. "Kids yeah? They mess you up something awful.. one minute they're defiant little shites and the next they're older defiant little shites.. but you still carry them in your heart like they were indefensible." He took another drink. "I've no biological ones.. not that I'm aware about.. but that blonde one inside.. the younger one.. she's like my own.. has been since college.. Her mum and I.. well we hit it right off regardless of how she may act.. the lass loves me as much as I love her.. and that.. it transfers you know.. to the sprout." He took another drink and scratched at his beard again.
Rob was still silently drinking and staring off at the house. There was a multitude of things going through his head and he couldn't add two of them to make a whole. He felt mute and confused. He was barely following what was being said but understood that in some way they were in similar spots. Or at least he thought the man was trying to get them to similar spots.
"See.. Rob.. the girls.. our girls.. they're a special lot aren't they?" He knew he was stalling but he wasn't exactly sure where to start his explanations. "So I fucking stepped in it and flung it about the room in there didn't I? I'm sorry about the way it came out.. I was confused and didn't realize what the conversation was.. I didn't mean to be a twat and spring things like that." He cleared his throat. "So the girls.. they have this business.. and it.."
..
"There wasn't any need to scare the life out of Cookie that way Jenna. I will not have you be disrespectful to any guest in my home." Gina handed the seething woman sitting on the couch a small glass full of tequila. "I dispensed with the salt and lime.. I'm sure a bit of ice will be enough." She sat next to her, her own glass in hand.
"Don't patronize me Gina." She took the glass and sniffed it. A tentative sip and grimace later, she took a deep breath. Gina was the picture of calm as she sipped at her drink. "Now.. in plain language, what the hell has your daughter and that Stonem girl.." She stopped mid-sentence as Gina set her eyes on her. There was a fury behind them that only another mother would recognize.
"Let's clarify some things.. my daughter Naomi and Elizabeth did not involve or coerce your daughters into anything. Your daughters are fine young women with cool heads and their own determination. What choices they make are their own and no one else's. As for what they do. Simple. They run a house that caters to certain predilections of the sexual variety. They serve a psychological need present in some people and are making a career of it presently." She took a longer sip as she let Jenna digest what she'd said.
..
"Sex work.. it takes on a variety of forms.. and it's easy to be appalled.. to be shocked beyond reason that women would decide to use their bodies to make a living.. how it debases them and objectifies them.. and maybe there is a certain objectification.. but frankly they're taking control of themselves of their choices." Kieran tried remembering some of the words he and Gina had used when discussing everything in private. He had been a little more colorful but was trying to be coherent and a bit milder. The funny colors that came and went on Rob's face as he talked urged him in that regard. "They aren't actually having sex.. not that I know.. not that I've asked... it isn't my business. If they are, it's their body." He looked over at Rob who had stopped drinking. He touched the bottom of Rob's glass and lifted it towards his lips. "You want to keep that going if you want me to keep talking."
He took a longer pull and shook his head. "I'm not sure.. if I want to hear more or not... it's not.." He felt like he was lost in all of this.
"It's not what you imagined your girls doing.. I get that. I do. But it isn't up to us is it? You raised them. You think you did a good job?"
"Aye but.."
"No buts.. you either raised them well or you didn't. And given that they're not in prison.. and that you've moved away and let them govern themselves as well you should.. then you are certain you raised them well." Rob didn't have a rebuttal to Kieran's simple line of thought. It made sense.
"Are they safe?"
Kieran paused in his own drinking and instead topped their glasses off. "They are now." He felt the eyes boring into him. "My other.. indiscretion in there.. about the doctor..Keep drinking.." He took a deep breath and began telling Rob about Foster.
..
The knock to the door disturbed the girls. They weren't expecting anyone to come up for air from the peace talks for a while. Naomi hopped off the bed in a flash and opened the door to a slightly pale faced Cookie.
"Oi.." He walked in. "Next time you ask for a delivery mate.. Best meet me outside.. Or tell me to wear bloody armor.." He looked at the twins. "Met your mum girls… I can see where you get it." He plopped on the edge of the bed as Effy chuckled and the rest of them stared at him.
"You brought the tequila.." Naomi asked.
"What were they talking about?"
"Was there yelling?"
"Was Dad with them or was he still out with Kieran?"
Cook put his head in his hands. "Fuck.. slow down.. Yes, I brought the tequila.. Your mum has it blondie. Feel free to go get it yourself." He met Emily's eyes. "No yelling." He turned to look at Katie. "No Dad.. fuck.. Thank Christ for that.. I don't think I can handle him if he'd anything like your mum.. As for what they talked about.." He shrugged. "Haven't a fucking clue. I said I worked with you and your mum was 'bout ready to kill me. Gina gave her the Vulcan death grip and kept her on the couch."
Naomi made a face at the word work. And Katie grimaced. Emily gave him a warm smile and reached over to touch his hand. Effy simply closed her eyes and swallowed back her urge to walk down and talk to Jenna herself. As scared as she might have been at any moment of the fallout, she couldn't take the twins' parents being upset about any of it. She knew Rob might come around to some form of understanding but she was more concerned about Jenna and the effect it would have on Katie. She opened her eyes and looked at her twin who was busy worrying her thumb now.
"Alright it's been ace girls but I have to go.. I've a date." Cook nodded and got up.
That perked up their ears and Katie jumped to block his exit.
..
"They're not whores Jenna." Gina had finished her first glass and they were both half through the second. "You're being singularly minded in this. It doesn't make them dumber or worth less or make them any less complicit in the economical struggle of the times. They chose their career and are rather successful at it. It makes them a contributing member of our society in many ways." She took a drink and noticed that Jenna's cheeks were rosy thankfully. "It doesn't take away the teachings you've bestowed upon them.
"I didn't teach them to... I mean honestly Gina." Jenna knew her words were a little slurred. She looked at the glass and knew the taste of it had gone away. It no longer caused her to cringe. "They're.." Gina fixed her with another look. "Not whores.." She whispered it. "They're... I don't even know what the word is but they're still using their bodies.. sex.. to make a living."
"You aren't much of a feminist are you?" Gina waved her hand through the air. "Aside from what you aren't. They are simply using their understanding and perspectives of their bodies, and the psychology of it to facilitate a further learning of humanity in a very intimate setting. I don't claim to grasp everything there is to know about it. I'd be a fool to think I could. But I am beyond confident they don't take it lightly... what they do... they appreciate the person who comes to them as having special needs.. whether it is physical or mental.. and they help them keep going.. they help with the process of acceptance."
..
The bottle was on its last drops and Kieran was happily warm and proud of himself. While he was seeing a blurry version of Rob, he was still seeing him. He had melted into the garden chair instead of trying to launch himself off it in search of his girls. The moment Kieran started telling him a slightly edited version of the events that led them to the not so good doctor attacking the lot of them, he'd began almost retraining him until the alcohol, and he hoped his words, had a calming effect. He knew it was mostly the alcohol but he'd take the win regardless.
He couldn't imagine finding out months later if something happened to Naomi. She might not be his biological child but he saw her as his. It was bad enough getting the call that she'd been hurt. He and Gina had a moment of horror between them and as always, his rock pulled both their heads out of the muck and they came back. He smiled as he thought about all of them. His brood had expanded. He smiled.
"So... the.. the.. doctor.." Rob shook his head. Everything was fuzzy but he wasn't panicked any longer. He'd seen his girls. They were whole. They were alive. There was a sense of guilt at not having been there, at not being enough of a parent. But he couldn't change the past. He had to accept it and keep moving. He thought about going to them, but he felt too heavy. "He's gone.. no more.. no dang.. they're safe Kieran?" He knew he'd already asked but he needed to hear it again.
"They're safe Rob..." Kieran finished off his glass and set it down.
"Okay then.." Rob put his head back and looked up at the sky. Before long he was snoring away. Kieran wasn't far behind him.
..
"Hold it there.. A date? Not getting your dick damp?" She gave him a look that meant to whither him into opening his mouth and spilling.
"Crass Katie.." Emily said it but she was also looking at Cook with interest. He wasn't his usual self. He seemed nervous in a different way.
"Yes a date.. Now out of me way." He tried to nudge Katie but Naomi stood next to her. "Hold on there Cookie.. Since when do you go on dates?" She put a hand on his chest. She was curious about his demeanor. She thought it was a side effect of meeting Jenna but there was something else.
"I go on plenty dates thank you very much.. " He made a shooing motion and the girls ignored him and locked arms.
"No.. you don't.. You meet girls.. You do.. Yeah.. questionable things.. And then you escape.. There's no 'dates' Cook. Not in all the time I've known you." Katie made air quotes and cocked her head.
"Well maybe I'm turning a new leaf.. Becoming a new man and all.. Now get.. I'm getting a shave and a haircut before I go.."
"A shave and a haircut?" Effy piped up but didn't move from where she sat. "Hmm.. that's definitely a lot of effort." She crossed her arms and looked at him up and down, almost taking him apart. It was a good distraction from the current.
He looked at her and held up a hand, pretending to block her eyes. "Oi.. don't do that.. no getting the mystery eye shot going.. I don't need your magic touching me."
"Did you shave your chest? Your.." Naomi asked and pointed to his crotch.
He covered it with his other hand as if she could see him naked. "Really blondie.. This the thanks I get? I face the Kraken.. Sorry girls.. Your mum's lovely I'm sure.."
"No.. Kraken works." Emily said it but Katie nodded her agreement.
"But anyhow.. I come here.. Get almost killed for speaking.. politely mind you.. and you're putting me down? Nope Cookie isn't answering.. And leave little Cookie out of it."
Naomi was surprised and felt her mouth open and close. "Seriously cook what gives.. Since when are you so closed mouthed about a girl?" He'd never not been one to keep quiet.
"I know who it is." Effy spoke but there was no malice or mischief in her voice.
His head whipped around. "No.. you do not Effy.. You do not know anything about anything." She saw his eyes and could see actual concern. She tilted her head and gave the smallest almost imperceptible nod. Cook was relieved and took a deep breath. Then he faced the other two. Katie was trying to gauge the energy and information being passed between her girlfriend and Cook.
"Oh she knows.. She definitely knows.. Spill it Eff." Katie glared at Effy who was busy looking at her nails now.
Naomi looked at Cook and then moved Katie. "Come on Katie.. Let's give the boy some space. He'll tell us all about it after the fact wont' you Cook." He smiled and nodded at her.
"My hand to god blondie.. If it goes well.." He was practically beaming. "Then i'll need some of your help.. cause she's.. fuck.. she's something.."
"Open the door for her.. Get her chair." Emily piped up not even contemplating who but she could see there was an electricity in him that he didn't always carry. It warmed her heart.
"Aye.. I will babes.. promise.. I'll see you all tomorrow yeah?" He let himself out and Naomi could see the barest of blushes on his cheeks as he damn near ran out of the room and down the stairs.
"Damn.. When did Cookie grow up?" Naomi voiced and Katie took her hand, squeezing it.
..
"Jenna.. for fuck's sake.. The process of self expression. I won't say it's something every parent wants.. cause I'm certain it isn't. But it isn't up to us. It is up to our children to choose their path in life. Wherever that may lead. We can guide. We can support. Listen."
"Listen? Only if they actually tell you."
"Be there for them. But ultimately.. it's their life.. their choices.."
"This isn't a.."
"Hush now." She slapped the table solidly enough to startle Jenna into silence. They had moved into the kitchen for refills and ended up staying there. The bottle of tequila was half gone and Gina could see Jenna listing like a boat going over. She needed to finish this quickly. Gina took a breath and gave her a small shake of her head. "I can only speak from my own perspective and my daughter. She's changed.. she's grown.. is it all having to do with the work she does? I don't know.. I've not asked her to explain who she is because it isn't up to me to judge or ask for such things. If she wants to share, I'll listen and then perhaps inquire if so afforded the chance.. But I know that as a child she was temperamental.. bossy.. unyielding.." She smiled at the memories. "She would shut out that which she found undesirable ..without giving an opportunity to actually understand about it all.. without trying to see the other side of things. Now... now she does.. She does.. she listens.. she speaks.. she helps.. she heals.." She met Jenna's eyes. "And she allows herself to be healed.. Your daughter.. Emily.. has had a hand in that.. You've raised brilliant women.. accept them."
..
Grace had mentioned a 7pm pick-up time and Cookie felt a little odd at her calling all of the shots. But it was a momentary feeling. He smiled to himself and looked in the mirror. He'd showered after the hair cut and added extra moisturizer to his face after. The hot shave had felt amazing and he reminded himself again to do that more often. He'd taken a habit of getting a good shave on his birthdays for a few years now. He'd made it a point to come to Bristol to do it. Something about the trip form London making it all the more special. He told himself he enjoyed it every time but he would promptly put it aside until the next birthday. After the move back to Bristol for Stonem House, he'd thought about doing it weekly but he never took the time. He'd given the barber a shock when he made an appointment.
Now he stared at his half naked self and rubbed a hand over his chest. He'd shaved it recently and it was still smooth. No need for another razor's pass. His balls had passed the test in the shower itself. Not that he expected anything. Not from Grace. He'd imagined it in the shower though and realized little Cookie was not going away. With a nod of his head and a shrug from his shoulders, he gave in to the imagination and released any and all energy before his date. Twice. He'd surprised himself but knew it was a good thing. At least now, he could concentrate on being nervous about the date and not worry that something unexpected would pop up in the middle of dinner.
He put on his shirt and did the buttons and gave it more thought, her taking charge. It wasn't much different than what he did at Stonem House. He gave himself to others, women. He catered to their whims and desires. His brain hit a stumbling block. Grace was part owner of the house now. Could they go on a date? Was it sexual harassment? Could he have turned her down? He shook his head at that. Cook knew he wouldn't have been able to turn her down. Not because she was part owner, but because she had made a huge impression on him. He threw the stupid thought about this being some form of sign-on bonus for her purchase price. While he knew that some people could be petty like that, she wasn't that kind of person.
The girls had been right. He wasn't one to go on dates. Not formal ones anyhow. His version of a date meant setting time, place and meeting there. Usually a shower and a shave of the important bits, not necessarily including his face. A quick trip to wherever, a few drinks and then a shag or more. Sometimes they didn't get past the bar's bathroom stalls or the back alley, though much further down past the dumpster smell. If the so-called date went well, they'd end up at the girl's place with a pizza. Indian if she was stacked. Knowing Grace, what little he had managed to find out, he expected she would need more than pizza. He blushed at the thought. He wasn't thinking about shagging her in a dirty stall. He was thinking about what he could offer her as a person. He wasn't too articulate when it came to real conversation and doubted she would like to hear about his tales of naughtiness. He was feeling nervous and almost called Naomi. He also thought about calling Liv. But neither would be able to help. He had to be his own man.
Cook had managed to get himself ready save for the tie which he was having trouble with when there was a knock at his door. He froze. Grabbing his phone as he walked to the front door, he saw that it was 7 on the dot. He gulped and reached the door in less than a second. He barely heard Katie's voice in his head about looking through the peephole or asking who it was. Even if this wasn't the house, she'd been adamant they paid more attention to their security. But his butterflies knew who it was. The door swung open and he started babbling.
..
"I'm not judging.. I swear but..you were happy to bury your head in the sand.. run off to Scotland and let them live their lives.. and now want to act outraged? Because your daughters aren't under your supreme control and tutelage?" She shook her head once as she tucked Jenna into the couch. They'd moved again in time for the full effect of the tequila to hit Jenna like a ton of bricks. Gina was still on her feet but was feeling rather tipsy. "No. You don't get to act this way. You are not superior here. Emily needed your understanding before.. Katie too.. Do you want to lose them? Do you want to further the damage?"
Jenna looked at her with a mix of emotions floating in her eyes. She swallowed. "No." She didn't say more. She had neither the bravado nor the false righteousness to try and say anything to oppose what Gina said. She knew she was right. It wasn't often she admitted her wrongs but this was as close as she would. At least with a stranger. She put her head down on the pillow offered to her. "I love my girls."
"I know dear.. and you can tell them that when you wake." She leaned down and placed a kiss on Jenna's temple like she would a small child.
..
"You didn't call.. no text.. I looked.. I had the volume turned up too.. no music.. and I never get dressed without music.. but I didn't want to miss your call... but you never called." He held the phone up as if to show her proof. Her eyes captured his and he finally took her in. She wore a silver gray short sleeved top with a matching skirt that went past her knees. A bit form-fitting. A sheer wrap was over her shoulders and a small matching purse to finish the look. Her hair was up but loose so it framed her face. "Blimey.. you're fucking ace.." He slapped a hand over his mouth. "Sorry.. sorry.. I wasn't thinking.. it slipped out.. What I meant.. is.. shit.." He closed his eyes a second to avoid hers. When he opened them, she was still looking at him but there wasn't a hint of anger or annoyance. Her eyes were smiling at him. He was sure of that. "You look stunning." He gulped and felt the butterflies doing cartwheels. He was absolutely happy he'd taken care of himself a second time.
She gave him a smile and raised her hands to his neck. Her fingers worked on the tie as he stood there dumbstruck. "James.. I didn't call.. or text. Saw no need. We had a set time. I know where you live and this is.. much more personal don't you think?" She flipped his collar down and patted the perfect knot on his tie. "Dashing."
"There's a jacket too." He pointed behind him into the sparkling clean apartment. A team of professionals had come in while he was getting his haircut. While he was no longer living like a derelict, he knew it wouldn't pass muster for most women.
"You'd better get the jacket then. We have reservations." He hopped to and snagged the jacket off the couch. His wallet and keys were on the counter and he stuffed those in his pockets. He looked for his phone and frowned when he couldn't find it. Then he realized it was in his hand. He looked somewhat sheepish when he returned to her in the doorway. Thinking he should have asked if she wanted to come in was coloring his cheeks even more. "I should have asked if you wanted to.."
She put a finger on his lips. "Maybe if dinner goes well, you can give me a tour later." She took his hand and tugged on it gently. As they made their way out of the flat and eventually the building, the silence between them was good. It was light and not nerve wracking. It was comforting. She never let go of his hand. "YActually.." She handed him her keys. "I'm glad you think I look stunning." He pushed the alarm button and the doors to her vehicle unlocked. He opened the door for her. As he helped her into the seat, she turned and looked at him up and down. "But I think I prefer fucking ace to be frank." Her smiled was both lovely and seductive. He let out a howl of a laugh and nodded. There was a spring in his step as he made his way to the driver's side.
..
There was a soft knock on the door before it opened. Gina popped her head in. Naomi and Emily sat on the floor playing cards while Effy let a sleeping Katie curl up around her on the bed. She was awake and running her fingers through her hair. Gina stepped in and walked to the bed as all of the open eyes looked at her. Her cheeks had a healthy glow but her gait wasn't that of someone drunk. Naomi lasered in on her. "Mum.. did you drink all of my tequila."
"My darling daughter." She sat on the edge of the bed. "It's in my home which means it's my tequila.. but no.. there's a fair amount left. More than the boys left of the scotch." She looked at her girls and felt proud. "Jenna is much more manageable when a little liquored up.. just a future point of reference." She giggled. "I can't say I'm all that sober but certainly not passed out on the couch or on the garden chairs out back." The girls put the cards down and turned all of their attention to her. Effy didn't move more than her hand as she continued stroking Katie's hair. "Upside to it.. your parents are up to date on all that's pertinent.. hopefully some of it sunk in more than other things and life will be a little rosier in the morning. Save for their hangovers.. but that's part of the plan."
Mum.. getting her parents drunk is.."
"Perfectly brilliant." Effy said softly.
"Not brilliant.. don't encourage her." Naomi shook her head and imagined the volcanic eruption to be had in the morning.
"Naoms relax.." Emily touched her hand. "Thank you Gina. I don't know that Katie or I would have been able to.. tell them everything."
"Luv but that's something the two of you need to work on." Gina smiled and knew she wasn't quite done imparting wisdom. "You two are amazing young women.. It's not easy to face your mum.. She's formidably stubborn." She giggled. "But it doesn't take away from being your mum and it shouldn't stop you from saying what you need to. I'm a mother." She looked at Naomi who was glaring. "I remember what it's like to be in the dark... it's not often easy. And what's between my little bundle of joy and I is different in some ways.. it's not that different." She looked at Emily then turned her eyes to Katie whose eyes were still shut.
"Mum says mean things." Katie mumbled against Effy who smiled at her response.
"Well isn't that an understatement but it doesn't mean she doesn't love you. It just means she needs help understanding a different life than what she's used to.. what she's imagined and dreamt of... not all parents know what to do with their children. I'm still sorting it out with my own."
"Hey.. right here you dozy.." Emily slapped at Naomi's thigh and she yelped. One look from her redhead and she closed her mouth.
Gina laughed. "Oh I do love that you can put her in her place little one. Anyhow.. Tomorrow.. the two of you will sit with your folks and fill in whatever blanks are there.." Katie grumbled and buried her head into Effy. "Oh quit it.. There's a fierceness to the two of you and you'd better tap into it. Your parents deserve the best of you and it's time you showed them how good you really are... they also deserve to understand what you've gone through to get there." She looked directly at Emily when she said it. "I'm going to my bedroom and passing out a while. I imagine it'll be my own misfortune to suffer a bit of a hang over in the morning.. nothing like Jenna's I gather but still.." She stood and walked to the door. Turning as she held the doorknob. "Never let anyone bully any of you... no matter who they are.. there's strength in you.. use it." She left the door open and walked across the hall into her room. "Do be loves and get the boys blankets will you? I don't need them catching their death."