We drive back to the house and the girls talk non-stop. I join in a little but mostly I feel content to listen to them chattering happily to Andrea. We turn into the driveway of the house and they both stop talking and stare at it in awe.

"Is this your house?" Caroline asks, at the same time that Cassidy asks, "are you rich?"

Andrea laughs, "I would never have bought it for myself. I inherited it."

"Can we explore?" Cassidy wants to know.

Andrea looks at me and I nod discreetly, wanting her to feel like she can talk to the girls.

"How about we have lunch first, and then you can explore?" she suggests.

"Can we go out on the lake?" Cassidy begs, with eyes very much akin to our old dog, Patricia. She is always the one that prefers outdoorsy activities whereas Caroline is much more artistic and wants to be in fashion like me.

Well, like I was. I'm not sure what I am anymore.

"I'll take you out in the boat if you like," Andrea offers, "but you have to promise me one thing before you go running around outside?"

"What?" they both ask in unison.

"You stay away from the boathouse, without me, and you don't go anywhere near the water. Ever. Not without a life jacket and an adult, ok?" She is sterner than I expect from her, but I know it comes from a place of caring. She worries as much for their safety as I do.

"Yes, Andy," they meekly reply, and then they open the doors, getting out the car hastily in their excitement to see the house. She calls them back to come and collect their bags, and I realise just how spoiled they have been up until then. I think that having Andrea in their life will be a shock to their system, but I know that they would do anything possible to impress the woman they look up to so much.

I make us a coffee and pour the girls a juice each, and we sit in the kitchen and wait for the girls to finish touring the house.

"I would like to tell them, Andrea, about us. Are you comfortable with that?"

"Are you kidding? I would love that!"

She is so enthusiastic that I cannot doubt her. She wants this and wants us, and hope for our future blooms in my chest.

"Then we will tell them together."

Caroline and Cassidy choose that moment to enter the kitchen, and the house seems to have their approval. We are informed they have chosen where they will sleep, insistent on sharing, despite the number of available rooms. They look curiously proud as they turn to Andrea and inform her that they have already put their luggage away.

"Awesome! Well done, girls," she tells them, and I watch as they preen under her praise.

"Girls, sit down, please. We have something to talk to you about," I request, pointing to the seats opposite us at the table.

"Mom, there's no need," Cassidy informs me smugly, before she raises her eyebrow at Andrea, much like I am sure she has seen me do.

"No need for what?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her. My daughter looks at me smugly and I can tell she thinks she knows something.

"We don't need 'the talk', it's kinda obvious," and she grins at Caroline, who cuts in, "we're not little kids anymore," and then they both roll their eyes at us in tandem.

"What's obvious, girls?" Andrea asks, looking at me to see if I know. I shrug because honestly, I have no idea what they're talking about. They can't possibly have guessed, can they?

"You want to tell us that you're together?" Cassidy tells us, smiling broadly. Well, at least I don't have to worry about their reaction, I realise as I watch her face.

"Oh. Well, yes," I confirm, as I fail to find any further words. My girls are scarily smart sometimes, and far too perceptive for their years.

Andrea speaks up, looking between them curiously, "but how did you know?"

Cassidy turns to me, "Mom, you put your hand on Andy's leg in the car, so that was a giveaway. Your luggage is in one room, but your robe was in Andy's when we looked around."

"Oh, and only the shower in Andy's room had been used this morning," Caroline informs us grinning.

"Not to mention the way you keep looking at each other," Cassidy laughs, and then they turn to each other and both declare it as, "gross, Mom."

Andrea laughs then, and I see the tension dissolving as she realises that the girls are genuinely ok with this development between us, "we can't get anything past you two, can we?"

"So you are together then?" Cassidy wants us to confirm.

"Yes. Are you both ok with that?" I ask because I need them to say it. I have become finely tuned to their reactions over the years though, and I know I don't need to brace for what they say next. I see a nervous smile appear on Andrea's face and I reach out to take her hand, squeezing gently, offering quiet reassurance.

"Are you kidding? When we were nine we asked Santa if Andy could be our Mom too," Caroline laughs sheepishly, "I think we stopped believing in Santa that year. Santa failed us!" she declares sadly, shaking her head, but a smile is creeping on her face, belaying her despondent words.

Cassidy gets up from her chair and launches herself at Andrea, who catches her, giggling.

"I'm very happy you both approve," she hugs Cassidy tightly and then reaches for Caroline who joins in the hug.

"Does this mean that you're gonna come and live with us?" Caroline asks as I sit there inwardly panicking, not quite knowing what to say. Andrea and I have not discussed our future very successfully yet, and now is probably not the time to start, in front of the children.

Andrea, of course, is the one to take the lead, "well, we only just got together, and we haven't talked much about what we're going to do yet. Your Mom is no longer at Runway, and I can assume since I took off without notice, that I no longer work there either. So we have a lot of things to think about when we get back home, and this is one of them." Andrea looks at me, and I think she is worried about her answer, but it was perfect.

"Andrea's right. We have much to decide, but for the moment, let's just enjoy the days that we have here before we have to return home."

"You girls hungry? I was thinking we could have lunch, and have a quiet day today, and then tomorrow we could maybe have a day out?" Andrea asks them.

"We're always hungry, Andy," Cassidy grins, before teasing Andrea, "what are you gonna make us, 'Mom'?!"

"Oh dear, we've unleashed little monsters," Andrea grins back at my daughter, and my heart is glowing with love for them all.

Andrea makes us all lunch, with two very willing volunteers, and I sit back and watch them all at work. It's plain to see how much she adores my children, but it's not one-sided. They are so at ease with her, and they casually joke around, like they have known her their whole lives. Like she has been this person to them, their whole lives.

I didn't have doubts about their reaction, but it is still a relief to see them all together and to know that the future will be ok. She is the perfect addition to our family; for them and for me.

After lunch, the girls want to have some fun, so Andrea shows them the theatre room which they fall in love with immediately. Somehow we get roped into watching a Harry Potter marathon and I'm not sure who is happiest about it. Andrea? Or my girls?

The girls insist that we all pile onto the bed that's in there, and I am secretly pleased because it means I have an excuse to be close to Andrea. She takes up position in the corner and I go straight to her, curling myself into my favourite spot in her arms. She pulls the blanket over us, and I want to sigh with bliss.

I notice my girls look at me strangely, but it's not with disgust, just surprise. They have never seen me be physically affectionate with anyone before, and certainly never seen me 'cuddle', so of course, they are a little taken aback.

That's all it is though, because they both just shrug, smile, and get themselves settled under a blanket. I don't pay much attention to the movie, but I am relaxed and just let myself enjoy the company of the people around me. Now and then I look up, and see a child wandering around a castle, waving a pointy stick and speaking incantations. I remember offhandedly that the one with the jagged scar is called Harry, but I'm unable to concentrate for long enough to take in any of the other details.

Andrea's hand, the one that isn't around me, lands on my thigh, and her fingers start to circle patterns onto my skin, under the hem of my skirt. I turn and glare at her playfully, but she just smirks, because of course, she understands entirely what she is doing to me.

She gets more and more daring throughout the movie but never takes it too far. She seems to know that I have a boundary that I won't cross with my children in the room. However, her teasing is driving me crazy, and I can feel how wet I have become.

She leans in close, and whispers in my ear, "I really want to fuck you right now," and I clench my thighs together, almost positive that her words alone have the power to make me climax.

Well, two can play at this game, I think, so I move my lips to her ear, and whisper back to her, "if you're lucky, Andrea, I'll let you ride my face."

Andrea snorts, and then coughs to cover it, as the girls turn around with frowns, shushing us.

"Oh, you're gonna pay for that, Priestly," she whispers once more, slipping her hand further up my leg. She is so close to where I need her now, that it's almost impossible to think straight. I have to clench my fist to stop myself from taking her hand and thrusting it inside my underwear.

"Drink! I need a drink!" I declare, jumping to my feet.

"I'll help you carry them," Andrea says smoothly, "you girls enjoy the movie. Want cocoa?"

"Yes, please," they reply, not even taking their eyes off of the screen. I know they won't even notice that we are gone.

We leave the room together, and I can see the smug grin Andrea has on her face. As soon as we get to the kitchen, I push her up against the counter, "fuck me, Andrea. Please, I need you" I plead pathetically, before kissing her urgently.

She seems to understand that we have very little time if we don't want to be disturbed, and her hands are up under my skirt and removing my briefs before I have finished speaking. She pockets them, and I wonder if I'm going to get them back, but I don't think about that for long, because without preamble she has entered me with two fingers and is fucking me deeply.

I moan, and she whispers for me to be quiet, or we will get caught, and nothing is so simultaneously terrifying and erotic at the same time, as that thought. Andrea brings one of my legs up around her waist and holds me securely in place, as I wrap my arms around her tightly so I don't fall. I am on the precipice, feeling how deeply she is inside me now, as she adds another finger, curling them up inside of me.

She adds her thumb to my clitoris, and within seconds I am crying out as my orgasm overtakes my body. I stand there, as she holds me tight, riding out the waves of pleasure, and I am shocked at my actions. She has so much power over me, and she makes me so desperate for the pleasure that only she has ever given me. I come down from my peak, and dip my head, averting my eyes, cheeks flaring with heat.

"Don't be embarrassed, Miranda. It's ok to want these things and it's ok to ask for what you need. Do you know how good it makes me feel, to know that you want me this much? That you are so desperate for me that you have no choice but to ask me to take you, right here and now? It's amazing."

"I'm not used to this. I've never been like this before and I hardly recognise myself," I confess quietly.

Andrea wraps her long arms around me, and we stand there for a moment, just caught up in a moment of love and longing. She is the first to pull back, and I remember we are meant to be making drinks.

She winks at me, "I would normally make you walk around without these." She holds up my underwear proudly like it's a treasure she has found, "but not when we have to go and sit with the girls. Go and put a new pair on, my love, and I'll make our drinks."

"I love you," I tell her as I snatch them from her hand and make haste to go and change.

In my room, I catch sight of myself in the mirror and I wonder who this stranger is who is staring back at me? My cheeks are flushed, my hair is mussed and my lipstick is no longer just on my lips. I look, in place of a better description, like I've just been fucked. I blush at the thought and wonder when I started using words like that. Not just out loud like I did with Andrea, but also just in my head.

I use the bathroom quickly and put on fresh underwear, this time choosing a La Perla thong which I'm sure Andrea will like to see me in. It's a heady thought, dressing for my lover, and hoping she will like what she discovers.

She is waiting for me in the kitchen and kisses me softly. It's an affectionate gesture and not one with the intent to escalate, but it's so full of love that I feel emotional. We walk back to the theatre, Andrea carrying cocoa for the girls, and I have coffees for us.

For the rest of the movie, we are well behaved and keep our hands to ourselves, but I am looking forward to tonight when I will have the time to touch her too. I can see from the way she shifts in her seat that she is still on edge after our earlier teasing. I can't help but grin to myself, knowing I am responsible for spiking her libido. I had no idea until we became physical with each other, that I could have that effect on someone. It's a glorious thought, and incredibly empowering.

It's soon time for us to stop for dinner, and Andrea insists on making homemade pizza, which of course the girls are over the moon about. I allow it because we are, I suppose, to all intents and purposes, on holiday.

I adore all these nuggets of information that I am uncovering about my new lover. Simple things that I haven't had the chance to discover yet, like the fact that she is more than competent in the kitchen. I file it away with all the other information I have gleaned from her since we left Runway and embarked on this new adventure together. She is even more amazing than I had thought, and whilst I am unsure how that is even possible, I feel so lucky that this is true.

With both of my husbands, it seemed that the more I knew about them, the less I liked them, and eventually I couldn't tolerate them at all. With each new piece of information I found out, the closer I got to the tipping point where I just couldn't be with them anymore, and divorce was on the cards.

With Andrea, the more I find out, the more I fall in love with her. I am excited to discover all the unique things that add up to make her who she is, and she is so much more than the sum of her parts. I can't imagine that there is anything about her that would ever make me feel differently about her. She is 'the one' for me and I know now why I never settled fully into life with anyone else. I think my heart knew I was waiting for her.

I insist after dinner that we do something different. I am fidgety after sitting and watching movies since the girls arrived. Andrea has a games cupboard and lets the girls take their pick, which of course they argue about, but we have time to play both of their selections.

The evening seems to stretch out endlessly because as much as I enjoy spending time with my daughters, I can't wait to be alone with Andrea. I feel like I have been starving all my life, and suddenly I have been presented with a feast, but I'm not allowed to partake.

Luckily the excitement of the day has tired them out, and at 9:30pm I can tell them to go to bed. I can see that they want to argue with me, but Andrea speaks up and reminds them they will need their energy tomorrow if they're going to go out on the water with her. It's all the prompting they need. They kiss us both on the cheek, say goodnight, and finally we are alone.

"Andrea, it's time for bed for us too." I stand up and reach for her.

She gives a wide fake yawn, and stands up taking my hand. "You're right, Miranda, I'm soooo tired," she says, drawing it out dramatically, but I can see the playfulness in her smile. She wants this as much as I do.

We tidy up the kitchen; Andrea loading the dishwasher, while I clean down the countertops. When we are done we head to our room, but we decide to sleep in the master bedroom, purely because it is furthest away from the girls. They are sleeping on the other side of the house, but since I have found it nearly impossible to remain quiet so far, we decide it is for the best.

I have found my confidence now, so I take charge and start to undress Andrea. There is nothing slow about my actions, I just want her clothes off. Now.

I push her onto the bed, and she props herself up on her elbows so that she can watch me remove my clothes. I put on as much of a show as I can but impatience gets the better of me and I practically rip the remaining clothes off of my body. I crawl onto the bed, hovering just above her.

I have been thinking of this moment all night. A million different scenarios have played out in my head, but then I know exactly what I want to do first. I lay down, and pull her on top of me, kissing her so fiercely I wonder if our lips will be bruised. My hand dips down between us and I can feel how wet she is, so I lean close to her ear and whisper.

"I want you to straddle my face, Andrea," and the sheer lust in her expression tells me just how much she likes the idea. She kisses me again, before pushing herself up on her hands and knees. She carefully manoeuvres herself up the bed until her knees are on either side of my head.

I don't want to waste time. I have to have her, right now. So I pull on her hips until she lowers herself down towards me and I get my first taste of the night.

"Miranda…" she breathes out, and it is music to my ears.

We spend hours making love, though at times it is almost animalistic and primal. We continue until neither of us can take anymore, and we barely have the strength to put something on in case either of the girls needs us in the night. They may accept Andrea, but they wouldn't be happy walking in on us naked, I'm sure.

As now seems so normal and so right, she pulls me into her arms and I relax when I hear the soft 'thud thud' of her heart.