AN: trace619/IBME - re: "Olivia's awkward sex talk with Lena"... In this story, I see Lena as that older woman/motherly figure you always hoped would be in your life to help you through things when you were growing up that wasn't your mother. Even though she talks about the awkward stuff, she's cool with talking about it and doesn't make a big fuss. I see Liz being similar with Alex, especially after Miriam's "talk" in this chapter (expect awkwardness for all! To quote Lena: Poor Jungs!) Bkwrmchar - re: "Is there a reason Miriam is so bitter or is that just her delightful personality?"... A little from column A, and a little from column B ;-). Although, something Liz said in ch5 explains a lot ;-) "Why does Miriam keep shoving that dress at Alex?"... Retribution. All I can say is Alex will take Liz's suggestion. That dress is gonna do a Disco Inferno (Burn baby burn!) ;-) LBM - re: "Miriam is working my nerves"... Me too. Lucky this will be the last chapter we'll see of her for quite some time :-D. Bkwrmchar/keonquil - "Rumspringa"... This chapter ;-) Don't forget to breath - re: "I wasnt really sure at first about reading something so AU but you got me hooked!"... Thankyou! I have to admit, even when the idea came to me and the muse took over, I was a little worried too, but I took a chance and I'm glad readers have too :-D. "What I dont get is why Lena and Liz chose to comeback, wouldnt it have been easier to stay in the city?"... It would've, but then it would've been difficult to write the story ;-). I look at it in terms of why do most real Amish return after their own Rumspringa? I guess the "English" world can be a somewhat scary place compared to what they know and have lived with for most of their lives. What they know and have been brought up with is "safe" for them. Anyway I've addressed why I think Liz and Lena stayed in the Village in this chapter, so I hope it makes things clearer :-). Besides, maybe Liz and Lena will eventually leave? ;-)
AN2: A very large chapter this one, much longer than I originally anticipated (side note: a huge chunk has even been moved to the next chapter seeing it was so big). Thankyou to all those that read, comment etc. I appreciate each and every one of you :-)
"You want me to..." Rafael swallowed and stared at his father, who had entered his room only moment earlier and said he had some important information to tell Rafael that needed to be known before Rumspringa. "Could you repeat that?"
Jorge gave his son a pained expression. He didn't want to talk about this any longer than necessary. He'd said it once, wasn't that enough? "When you... lay with Olivia... you just... you stick it in..." he cleared his throat. "You do it right... in 9 months time you'll be a proud Papá, like me!"
Rafael didn't know what to say other than to choke out a very uncomfortable: "Ok?"
Jorge beamed with pride, "I'm glad we could have this very important Papá and son chat."
"Yeah, me too." Rafael replied monotone shock, consciously attempting to fix one of his pant braces adjusters to take his mind off what had just occurred. He didn't want to think of... that, especially with Olivia!
"It's the exact same chat my Papá gave me before my Rumspringa with your Mamá, and I'm sure you'll give it to your son before his Rumspringa. If you have a daughter, well... Olivia will take care of that... talk, just like Mamá will with Carmen." Jorge patted his son's shoulder and left Rafael's room.
"Well, that was informative." Rafael muttered to himself, wondering if Trevor would subjected to the same unhelpful information. All Rafael wanted now was to to look in to Trevor's blue eyes and be held in his strong arms.
Mirit paced back and forth in the privacy of Trevor's bedroom before clearing his throat. "Trevor, over the years on the Langan farm... you've seen the stallion in with the mares to make foals, yes?"
"Yes?" Trevor wondered where this conversation was heading as he was sitting on the end of his bed, only mere moments earlier attempting to remove his boots. Any farming talk was done during the day out on the farm, not at night inside the house.
"And the bull in with the cows to make calves?"
"Yes?"
"And the ram in with the ewes to make lambs?"
Trevor hoped his father would get to whatever point he was trying to make soon, "Yes?"
"And the boar in with the sows to make piglets?
"Yes?"
"And the rooster in with the hens to make chicks?"
"Yes?" Trevor knew this conversation was getting weird.
"Well then... I take it you know what to do to make babies with Alexandra. Goodnight!" Mirit walked back over to the door.
Trevor shook his head, trying to comprehend what had just taken place. "What?!"
Mirit opened the door, "Don't ask any questions, son. I've told you all you need to know, just like my father told me. You'll figure out the rest, just like I did."
"What the?! That was... enlightening?" Trevor flopped back on the bed after Mirit closed the door, a shudder running through his entire body. He wanting nothing more than for Rafael to hold him to get rid of the mental images of what his father had said he was supposed to do with Alexandra.
Alexandra opened her window and stepped back to allow Olivia to enter her bedroom for possibly the last time before Rumspringa, now only 2 sleeps away including this very night. As soon as Olivia was inside the room, she reached up and removed her bonnet before stuffing it in her apron pocket. As always, Olivia's hair was unpinned, hanging loose and long unlike how she wore it during the day. Alexandra was sure Olivia removed her bonnet in such a way that always messed her hair, but even if Olivia had just slid it off, Alexandra would always take the time to run her fingers through the dark hair to tidy it.
"Are we going to pick a new book to start reading?" asked Alexandra, hooking that stubborn lock of hair behind Olivia's ear. She always kept that until last before ghosting the tips of her fingers down Olivia's cheek with a featherlight touch. Doing that little ritual never failed to make Olivia smile.
"Not tonight. We'll pick a new one on Rumspringa. Your choice this time."
"Deal. So, what about tonight then?"
"Tonight, I want us to lay together."
Alexandra's jaw dropped at what Olivia had just said. Olivia corrected as she saw her best friend's reaction and realised what she'd just said, "I want to lay on your bed together and hold each other, maybe kiss for a while? It's just that I won't come over tomorrow night seeing we'll be leaving early to get to Rumspringa House the following day with Daett, Maemm and Elizabeth."
"I like the sound of that," Alexandra scooted to the left side of her bed to leave the gap on her right for Olivia. "Although, that first suggestion... not too much longer now. I'll get my other present."
Olivia lay down on the bed as Alexandra propped herself up on her right side to look down at the brunette, "Your present in already here... me."
"We must think alike. Your present is me... and the best part of you being my present is I get to unwrap you!" Alexandra slipped her left hand beneath Olivia's dress to rest on the brunette's left knee. As she pressed her lips to Olivia's, she lazily walked her index and middle fingers to the mid thigh area that Olivia deemed to be high enough so as not to break the rules. As Olivia deepened the kiss, Alexandra walked her fingers higher expecting to be chastised... but the chastisement never came.
Panting heavily, Alexandra reluctantly broke the kiss. "You're not stopping me?"
Olivia caught her breath, "You noticed."
"Why aren't you?"
"Who says I want you to..." Olivia voice became huskier, "... Alex?"
Alexandra's eyes widened, "That's forbidden until Rumspringa!"
Olivia gave a lop sided smile, "I thought we'd better start practicing to get used to it... Alex."
"Liv," was all Alexandra whispered before claiming the brunette's mouth and inching her hand even higher, as Olivia's right hand reached up and gently squeezed Alexandra's left breast. The brunette's left hand wove through long blonde long hair as both females deepened the kiss. Just as Alexandra's hand cupped the material of Olivia's pantalette bloomers between her legs that made Olivia moan throatily, there was a sharp knock at the bedroom door.
"Alexandra! Are you awake?"
Panic set in for both Alexandra and Olivia at the sound of Miriam Cabot's voice. She was never awake at this time of the night, she was always sleep! Nor would there be any explanation accepted whatsoever for Olivia being in the bedroom. In a flash, Olivia jumped up off the bed to make her way to the window.
"No time! Under the bed, NOW!" Alexandra words were barely audible, but the panic was evident. As Olivia disappeared in the space under the wooden bed, Alexandra made her way over to the bedroom door, thankful that the double bed quilt Olivia had made her was large enough to reach the floor on the single bed. "Coming, Mother!"
"You took your time!" Miriam instantly said as the bedroom door opened.
"I'd been reading and must've dozed off," Alexandra indicated the book on the bedside table. Miriam closed the door behind her and sat down on the edge of bed. Olivia shrunk back far as she could and held her breath, not daring to move a muscle. If she could somehow sink through the floorboards, she would.
"I guess that explains your messy hair," Miriam said with distain. "Alexandra, I need to talk to you about what you and Trevor will do on Rumspringa... in the bedroom."
Alexandra felt her stomach twist in knots as she tidied her hair, "Mother, you don't need-."
"I need to tell you... things. It's the same thing I was told by my mother and it's very important for you to know. Mothers need to tell daughters these things. I'm sure Olivia won't be told this by her... Maemm," Miriam's sarcasm was clearly audible as she mocked the old Village term, "... seeing Lena Petrovsky's not her mother."
"Mother, don't speak like that." Alexandra pleaded as she sat on her little bedroom chair.
"Alexandra, no matter how much you dislike it, I'm just stating the truth! Serena Benson died, and because of the barn raising accident, Lena Petrovsky will never truly know what it's like to be a real mother... neither will your Aunt Elizabeth. I'm sorry if you don't like hearing it, but it's the honest truth."
Under the bed, Olivia fumed. Serena may have given birth to her, but Lena was effectively her mother, the best Maemm anyone could ask for. Olivia couldn't think of anyone else she would've wanted to raise her to be the young woman that she was. She was thankful Serena had entrusted Lena (and Donald) to raise her. Also, to say that Elizabeth didn't know... Miriam may have given birth to Alexandra, but Elizabeth was more Alexandra's mother than Miriam had ever been or would be!
"Tell me what you need to tell me," the younger Cabot prompted so this conversation could end as soon as possible. She didn't want her mother speaking ill of Olivia, Lena or Elizabeth. Especially seeing one was under the bed, and another was just right next door.
"If Elizabeth hadn't had her way, this conversation would've been a lot easier when I suggested Trevor stay the night after your betrothal announcement... however that's in the past, we focus on your Rumspringa now. Alexandra, when you share your bed with Trevor... I'd expect this the first night you and he are at Rumspringa House, no less... it may sound odd, but... you just lay there and let him do all the work. He'll kiss and cuddle you like he's no doubt done before... but then he'll have his way with you for a few minutes. After that, he'll roll off from on top of you and go to sleep. Now you know what to expect, so don't be afraid with what happens."
Mouth agape, Alexandra just stared at her mother. "His... way... with me?!"
"I think that's the best way to describe it... laying together, I mean. Your father didn't put much effort in to it though, and it took a couple of times... but you're here now! The one thing he did right before he walked out. Anyway, enough about him. You and Trevor will make beautiful babies, and make me a grandmother! Any questions?"
"No! No questions. I understand."
"Good! I'm glad we could have this special mother and daughter talk. And Alexandra, pick up your bonnet off the floor!" Miriam stood up and indicated the bonnet near her feet, partially hidden under the quilt edge binding.
"It must have fallen off the bed," Alexandra said as she reached for the white organdy head covering. She felt the blood drain from her face when she saw the thin, short chin ribbons as she went to place the bonnet on her bedside table.
Olivia's bonnet, not hers.
Had Miriam noticed?
"I'm sure I taught you to take better care of your things than that, Alexandra! You're not on Rumspringa yet!" Miriam said as she opened the door and exited without a backwards glance.
Alexandra quickly crossed the room to close the door, seeing her own organdy bonnet on the little hat stand on her dressing table on the far side of her room. She fell back against the door and let out a long, shaky breath. Miriam hadn't noticed, thank goodness. Returning to the bed, Alexandra flipped the edge of the quilt, "It's safe now."
As Olivia reappeared from under the bed, Alexandra handed back the bonnet to the rightful owner. "I'm sorry you had to hear what Mother said."
"I'm not, because after what she said... I want to... have my way with you!" Olivia said with a twinkle in her eye, placing her bonnet on her head.
Alexandra groaned in humiliation, "That's not what I meant."
Olivia took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Alexandra, "I know what you meant. I don't care what Miriam said. Well I did at the time, but not now and I'll care even less the day after tomorrow. I'd better go home though."
"Already?" whined the blonde.
"Nearly getting caught is close enough for me!" Olivia pressed her lips to Alexandra's forehead before giving her a long, soft kiss to her lips. "Goodnight... Alex."
"Goodnight... Liv," Alexandra reciprocated with her own long, soft kiss. Closing the sash window, Alexandra whirled around at the sound of a light knock on her bedroom door.
"Alexandra? May I come in?"
"Aunt Elizabeth?" Alexandra allowed her aunt to enter her room before closing the door.
"Is Olivia here?"
"No," Alexandra lied smoothly. Well it wasn't a lie, she'd just left.
"She's not hiding in the wardrobe? Or under the bed?"
"Why would she be?"
Elizabeth ignored the question as she sat down on the bed before indicating for Alexandra to sit beside her. "I take it Miriam was here a little earlier giving you the... talk?"
Alexandra sat down, "If that's what you want to call it. It sounds... horrible!"
"I know. I got the same one from mother too... 'just lay there and let him have his way with you'. How about I tell you some things that might be more helpful for you and Olivia?"
Alexandra quickly brushed aside the offer, "No thankyou. I know what to do!"
Elizabeth stood up, "Well... if you think you know it all and need no help from me, I'll leave you to it then. Goodnight Alexandra."
"Wait!"
The older blonde could see the younger one struggling with trying to make a decision regarding the delicate subject matter. She waited silently for her niece to make her decision, Alexandra's eyes almost pleading for Elizabeth to make the decision for her.
"Alright, I'll listen your suggestion Aunt Elizabeth." Alexandra hoped this wouldn't be as awkward as Miriam's 'words of wisdom'.
Elizabeth sat back on the bed beside Alexandra, "Have you ever pleasured yourself?"
"Oh my!" Alexandra groaned, grabbing then burying her head in a pillow in embarrassment. The words were muffled, but still able to be heard. "I can't believe you just asked me that. I can't believe my aunt just asked that!"
"It's just a question with a yes or no answer," shugged Elizabeth.
"I refuse to answer that question!"
"On the grounds you might incriminate yourself?" Elizabeth rebutted. Alexandra peeped from behind the pillow she was clutching and gave a glare that made Elizabeth chuckle, "Channeling your inner Donnelly, Alexandra? I've seen that scowl many times throughout my life on Miriam's features... definitely a Donnelly trait. Well, if you're going to refuse to answer the question..."
"How would you like it if I asked you that question right now?"
"What? Do I pleasure myself? I'd answer truthfully, which is yes I do when Lena's unavailable. Hmm... maybe that's why Miriam's like she is, she hasn't pleasured herself in years? I guess..."
"Argh! Stop!"
"... that'd make anyone..."
"Just stop!" pleaded Alexandra.
"... uptight and bitter like she is."
"Please stop! Please stop talking about Mother and her... pleasuring herself! Urgh!"
"Alright then, we'll stop talking about Miriam, and go back to the initial question."
"Yes! I've pleasured myself!" Alexandra said with exasperation before realised dawned on her. "Oh my goodness... I can't believe I've just admitted that to you! I'm glad Olivia wasn't still under the bed to hear all this!" She clamped her hand over her mouth in shock. Surely she'd be in trouble for admitting Olivia had been in her room.
"How about we ignore what you just said, and instead talk about you and Olivia might do in bed?" Elizabeth suggested.
Alexandra nodded.
"If you know how to pleasure yourself, then you'll have a good idea how to pleasure her. Now, my best advice to you: use your 5 senses. Look, listen, touch, smell and taste. Look at Olivia, tell her what you see and be honest about it... Listen to her, hear what she says and any noises that she makes. These are very good clues and cues for you... Touch her everywhere she wants and allows you. Don't just use your hands, use all of your body, your breasts, your lips, your teeth, your tongue... Smell her, she'll smell different at different times and I guarantee you'll want to commit all those glorious scents to memory... Taste her all over. Her lips, her skin, her sweat, her own unique essence... But above all those: talk to her. Ask her questions, have her ask you questions. Find out what you each like and dislike. And don't put pressure on yourselves, take things at your own pace. Tell Olivia if your nervous, unsure or even afraid, because I bet she'll feel the same way. Being naked in front of someone for the first time can be daunting even before you start being intimate."
"Are you sure about all this?" the young blonde chewed her bottom lip.
"I hope so, otherwise I've been doing it wrong with Lena all these years. You'll be fine! I bet Olivia's having the same feelings as you right now. I know Lena and I did. "
"We want it to be perfect. Was your first time with Lena-"
"More memorable than perfect, I have to admit. If we based our entire relationship on our first time being intimate... it would've been over before it began." Elizabeth ignored the curious look her niece gave, "But Lena and I learnt from each other and we're still together now, even if we have to keep our relationship secret from everyone... well, almost everyone."
"Aunt Elizabeth, why didn't you and Lena leave? Go and live with English world? It could be so much easier."
"We talked about it and seriously considered it in the last few weeks of our Rumspringa, but after the Village lost Leonard Briscoe, John James McCoy, Maxwell Greevey, Michael Logan, Joseph Fontana and Nora Lewin... would it have been the right thing to leave, too? Lose an entire generation of Villagers, if you will. We decided to stay... old family 'duty' I guess being a Donnelly, and Lena said she wouldn't leave without me. So we continued our relationship in secret under the assumption we were mourning our husbands-to-be. 2 young women that were best friends that understood what the other was going through wouldn't raise suspicions with Villagers. Don't get us wrong, we were mourning... but mourning our friends. Serena Benson had hinted that she might leave before she left for her Rumspringa with Miriam and Forsythe, Lois and Harold. We thought if Serena left, we would too... she was our best friend after all. As fate would have it, we were to remain in the Village when Miriam and Forsythe returned not even 2 weeks after their Rumspringa began. Miriam took much glee in telling me she was positive she was pregnant. Maybe she had been and lost the baby? Maybe she was late in menstruating? Who knows? You know most Villagers don't talk about 'those things'. Anyway, a few months later she was pregnant with you. If Lena and I left after that, I'd never see you grow up. When we found out Serena was pregnant when we picked her up from Rumspringa House, she said she would still leave after the baby was born because English life was for her. Lena and I spent as much time as we could with Serena in the last few weeks before Olivia's birth, helping Serena prepare to live with the English, knowing we probably wouldn't see her or her baby again... other than perhaps maybe in passing in Main Town. Fate stepped in again the day Olivia was born, and the rest is history. Maybe one day Lena and I will leave, but we couldn't ever do that until after you and Olivia were grown up and made your decision to stay or leave."
"I'm glad you didn't leave... unlike Father."
"Alexandra, I'm sure there's more to him leaving than we realise."
"He was disappointed-"
"No."
"Mother said-"
"I don't care what Miriam said to you. I'm telling you the truth, and the truth is that your father doted on you. Don't ever forget that, Alexandra! You mightn't remember seeing you were only 6 at the time when he left, but he loved you more than life itself... I think he loved you more than he even loved Miriam. I should know, seeing Forsythe and I raised you. Miriam barely lifted a finger but took all the glory for being a wonderful mother. If I knew the whole story of why your father left, I'd tell you. But I don't know the whole story, only 2 people do. One won't speak about it and the other isn't here to do so... and speculating only muddies the truth. You should know by now that Miriam, being the gossip that she is, lives by the phrase: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."
Elizabeth broke the heavy silence after a few minutes, "Do you remember the name he used to call you?"
"Umm... something like... schl... schlof... scholf-something."
"He called you his 'schlofkopp'... his 'sleepyhead'. Whenever he held you as a baby, you'd fall asleep so easily and peacefully. Every night without fail after reading to you, he'd say: 'Gutennacht schlofkopp'... Goodnight sleepyhead. Now, I should do the same and let you get some sleep. You've got sorting and packing to do all day tomorrow seeing you're going for the year. Trevor will bring your chest tomorrow from the workshop, so you'll be able to pack what you want to take with you in that. Rafael will do the same for Olivia."
Alexandra hugged her aunt tightly, "Thankyou Aunt Elizabeth... for everything."
Elizabeth pressed a kiss to Alexandra's forehead, "I'm always here for you, Lena too. We're here for you, Olivia, Trevor and Rafael."
The day before the 4 young adults would leave for their Rumspringa was chaotic as ever. Not only did they all have to pack what they wanted to take with them for the entire year, including winter clothes, they all still had to complete their normal household and farmyard chores. Donald had gone to Rumspringa House to ensure the water, gas and electricity mains were turned on so everything would be in working order when they arrived the next day (they had been turned off when Elliott and Katherine left several weeks earlier). As expected, Trevor and Rafael delivered the birthday chests by mid morning to their respective 'tentatively betrothed'. Miriam couldn't contain her glee when she saw the chest and commented that Trevor should make a double bed to match as soon as they returned from Rumspringa, but was stunned to silence when Trevor replied 'Hopefully I won't lose my skills for the whole year we're gone then!' He saw the shocked look on Miriam and added, 'Didn't my mother tell you? I told her that Alexandra and I mutually decided to experience the English world for a year after our betrothal announcements. Mother and Father thought it a little excessive seeing they went for 8 months, but a year is normal these days and gave their blessing for us to enjoy the year away'. Miriam muttered she would've remembered if Mara told her and expected Olivia and Rafael to take the year, not Alexandra and Trevor, but eventually gave her blessings seeing Mara and Mirit had.
The last dinner with their respective families at home was a large feast, with whatever leftovers remained to be taken with the young adults for their lunch and dinner at Rumspringa House, ensuring their mothers that they would be well fed for at least the first day. After that they would be on their own, but like every mother in the Village past, present and future, they always cooked plenty for their last dinner together. Lena came over to the Cragen house and cooked for Donald and Olivia, insisting that Olivia didn't help seeing she'd been working and packing all day. What she didn't tell her Maedel is that she'd been cooking all day and had made several batches of cookies, cakes, snacks, loaves of bread and even a pot roast that would just need reheating. With all those and the sweet preserves from Eileen, Lena knew they would be well fed for the first few days with all the other leftovers.
At the break of dawn, Donald prepared a wagon for Ruth to carry the chests and food supplies in crates and a large ice box, and the enclosed buggy for Moses for passengers. Donald would drive Ruth, and Lena would drive Moses until they picked up Trevor and Rafael and their travel trunks. At that time, Trevor and Rafael would each have a turn driving Moses until they reached Rumspringa House. Leaving early would ensure they would arrive well before lunch. Even though this was the first day of Rumspringa, the young adults were still required to wear Village clothes, hats and bonnets... although Alexandra and Olivia weren't required to wear their aprons.
Eventually turning off the main road that led to Main Town, they followed Donald on a dirt road for some minutes before he stopped at a gate. Allowing the enclosed buggy through, the 4 young adults saw a large white house looming in the distance. Drawing nearer, they could see it was a double story house with a large porch sweeping around the entire building. Lena and Elizabeth had explained the layout of the house during the ride. There were 2 bedrooms upstairs (these were considered to be the 'master' bedrooms with double beds and an ensuite bathroom each that only had showers; one bedroom located on the eastern side, one on the western side), and a lounge room separating the 'master' bedrooms to each side with a sliding glass door that led to a balcony that overlooked a small lake; 4 bedrooms downstairs (2 with double beds, 2 with single beds, again located on east and west sides of the house, along with a large bathroom including a big bathtub that would easily fit 2 people), a large lounge area that had a fireplace, recreation room, kitchen, pantry and laundry. There were also a few English 'gadgets' within Rumspringa House: a rotary dial telephone, a radio, vinyl record player, cassette player (including various LP records and cassette tapes purchased over the years), a television, a VCR (with some tapes to watch), a toaster, and a new addition: a microwave. The back of Rumspringa House overlooked the small lake with a defined barbecue area on the left, and a bonfire area on the right. Elizabeth said the lake was great for swimming in and to take advantage of it with it being spring now and summer not too far off.
The Elder women also took the time to remind them that no Villager had permission to enter Rumspringa House during their stay unless they were invited inside (themselves included) until the last day when they returned to the Village. Also, that no Villager was allowed to approach them in Main Town (not even their own family or friends), but the 4 young adults were allowed to approach the Villagers if they wanted to. Elizabeth pointed out this lore especially applied to Miriam. If they wanted to visit the Village at any time during Rumspringa, they may do so in English clothes (hats and bonnets were preferred, but not necessary). If any of them were thinking about maybe getting a job to earn some money while they were on Rumspringa, Lena and Elizabeth mentioned they would be in Main Town in 2 weeks time to take them to meet with a man that could help. This particular man could also help with other things, like fake IDs... if they were interested. This tidbit of information definitely piqued their interests with the legal age of the state being 18.
With the wagon unloaded, trunks and chests placed in the middle of the upstairs lounge and the food crates in the kitchen, Donald sought out Olivia.
"I'm going to miss you, Olivia."
"Daett, I promise I'll approach you if I see you in Main Town. We all might even come and visit the Village a couple of times."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know," Olivia said with a smile.
"This is your year to experience English life and have fun with your friends and Rafael. I never approached my parents when I saw them, neither did Margory, but she and I only stayed here just shy of 6 months. Rafael, Trevor... I know you'll both look after Olivia and Alexandra while you're here. Anyway, I know you 4 don't want me sticking around any longer. You're on Rumspringa, enjoy it!"
After an extra warm hug from Olivia, Donald bid everyone farewell, knowing that Lena and Elizabeth were continuing to Main Town for cooking supplies as soon as they left.
Being the eldest of the 4, Trevor opted for the master bedroom on the west wing for himself and Rafael, leaving the girls with the east wing. While Olivia and Alexandra prepared their beds with new bed linen, Lena and Elizabeth said they would help the boys, seeing making beds was deemed 'household chores'.
"That's alright. I had to learn to make my bed when Mamá was pregnant with Carmen," Rafael said as Lena and Elizabeth entered the room and closed the door.
"Actually, Elizabeth and myself wanted to speak with you both."
"Oh?" Rafael placed the pillow down.
"This is possibly going to be awkward for all of us, but I know we're all mature enough to deal with it. We take it your fathers would have given you a helpful pep talk of what you're supposed to do... here in the bedroom."
"Oh yeah, as helpful as teats on a bull!" Trevor drawled.
"Did he ask if you'd seen the drake in with the ducks to make duckling?" Rafael asked before laughing.
"Stop it! You weren't there! Then again, I guess I could've been told to just stick it in like you were."
Rafael ceased laughing immediately. "Oh, don't remind me!"
"Farmyard analogies and barely basic, wonderful!" Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Lena and I don't know of any males like us in the Village, so it's a little difficult for ourselves to help like we've talked to Alexandra and Olivia. However, we don't want you to think you're on your own to work things out. We know it's not ideal, but we thought this might make things a little easier for the both of you."
Trevor and Rafael peered inside the brown paper bag Lena handed them which she'd removed from her apron pocket. A book: The Joy of Gay Sex.
Lena explained, "From what we understand, there's supposedly only one way for 2 men to express their love and to be intimate with each other. Probably similar to what your fathers tried telling you. We both assume you know how to pleasure yourselves?"
Both boys groaned, blushed and covered their faces, neither admitting or denying anything.
"I'll take that as a yes. Well, that's a start of knowing how to be intimate with each other. That book shows there are many different ways and different things you can do."
"You've read it?" asked Rafael, avoiding eye contact.
"Elizabeth and I both did so we knew what we'd be giving you. We thought it foolish to give you a book that we didn't know what the contents were ourselves, then we'd look really foolish. We suggest you read it and learn together."
"We also thought these could be helpful too," Elizabeth passed over another paper bag from her apron which the boys peeped inside of.
Trevor spoke up, "What's all this?"
Elizabeth replied, "Lubricant and condoms... it's all in the book. A little tip: both are flavoured. We hope... strawberry... is acceptable."
Both boys cleared their throats and offered murmured thankyous.
Lena took over, "Something that we do know and thoroughly recommend to you, seeing as we told Olivia and Alexandra too: talk to and listen to each other. There might be things that one of you likes that the other doesn't."
"Why wouldn't we like... everything?" Rafael questioned.
"I won't go in to details, but when we're intimate, there are things that I like more than Elizabeth does and vice versa. But neither of us would know about it if we didn't tell the other."
Elizabeth added, "And don't rush things if either of you aren't ready for it. Now, do you have any questions?"
Rafael shook his head, "I don't think so. Trevor, we might look at that book after dinner tonight. What do you think?"
"I think that's a good idea. Lena, Elizabeth: thankyou for not making that more awkward than it could've been."
"Oh, if you want me to ask if you've ever seen the billy goat in with the nanny goat to make kids, you should just say so!" Elizabeth teased before she gave a groaning Trevor a pat on the back.
"Maedels! Jungs!" Lena called from the upstairs lounge room after stocking the pantry and refrigerator with food.
"What's in the bags?" Alexandra indicated the 4 calico bags on the floor in front of Lena and Elizabeth as she wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist from behind, pressing her body against Olivia's back, and resting her chin on Olivia's right shoulder. The boys were much more reserved in displaying their affection in front of the Elder women and only held hands.
Elizabeth handed each bag to their respective owner, "In these bags are a few changes of English clothes from your families... outerwears and underwears. Don't worry Alexandra, I chose your clothes, not Miriam. These clothes will help you with sizings when you go decide to go shopping for English clothes. Most Villagers go to the thrift shops in Main Town to start with until they get a job, because you can get quite decent clothes at very reasonable prices. The only things we suggest you don't buy at the thrift shops are underwears and swimwears... always buy those brand new."
"Also inside those bags are purses and wallets each containing several hundreds of dollars cash from your families. That should keep you going for quite a while, but don't go crazy and spend it all. You each have a key to Rumspringa House... and there's nothing left for us to remain here now. You're all on Rumspringa."
The 4 young adults emotions were a mixture of sadness and excitement. They were free and on their own, but the 2 women that had helped them the most these last few years wouldn't be around any more... unless they saw them in Main Town, they visited the Village, or invited them over to Rumspringa House. Olivia and Alexandra walked Lena and Elizabeth back to the buggy as Trevor and Rafael hitched Moses up.
"We've watched you grow up as individuals, and grow as couples. To us, you are our 'Maedels' and 'Jungs'," Lena said before giving each young adult a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead, leaving her own Maedel until last with a much longer hug and kiss.
"Live this year to the fullest and make us even more proud than we already are of you!" added Elizabeth before she also kissed and warmly hugged each young adult, leaving her Maedel for last as well.
Truth be told, Lena and Elizabeth were just as sad and excited as the young adults were as Olivia, Alexandra, Rafael and Trevor once again thanked Lena and Elizabeth profusely for everything they had done for them and waved goodbye.
"I.. ahh... cut my hair last night," Elizabeth leant closer as Lena hopped back inside the buggy and slapped the reins for Moses to start trotting, after closing the gate to Rumspringa House.
"Did you now? I must admit I did too... it's Rumspringa after all. Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? Maybe..." Lena didn't bother to mask her desire as she devoured her lover with her eyes,"... roll in the hay afterwards, Liz?"
Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow, "Why wait until tonight? We've got an enclosed buggy with a big back seat that's begging to be used. We could take the scenic route on the way back from Main Town."
"Can't we do both? Besides, who said we need to go to Main Town?"
"Darling, I thought you told Donald you needed to go shopping for baking supplies?"
"Just a ruse. What I need is some alone time with you, my love. You might be interested to know I have the key to the old Petrovsky farm with me, and a packed picnic lunch... if you're interested?"
"Hmm... I think we'd better check on farm. Make sure the farmhouse is still standing... even though we checked on it a couple of months ago."
"You won't be be the time I'm finished... having my way with you!"
"I like the sound of that!" Elizabeth laughed and slipped her hand under the hem of Lena's dress.
Lena growled, "Liz! If you don't stop creeping that hand higher I might crash the buggy!"
"Looks like you're going to have to concentrate, Lena. You know how we both get during Rumspringa!"
"I swear you will be the death of me one day, Liz Donnelly!"