Surprisingly, Faith was calm and relaxed. I expected lots of tears with her burying her face against my chest. I was also wondering why my emotions were relaxed. Maybe it was a relief that our relationship would be out in the open. I was about to ask what happened, when Faith took my face in her hands and kissed me softly. As she pulled away she smiled.
"I love you, Sam. I have always felt safe with you, protected by you. I'm glad that my parents know."
I motioned for Shannon to join us on the couch. I pulled her close as she sat down next to me.
"Tell me what happened."
Shannon spoke first. "Things were going so well. Both of us were so enthusiastic about what we were proposing. I kept thinking that there was no way this could fail."
"Yeah," said Faith. "I felt that too. Mom and Dad kept smiling and nodding as they listened to us. I really thought that they were all for it."
"And then they dropped the bomb," said Sharon.
Faith rested her head against my shoulder. "I never saw it coming."
"Neither of us did," responded Shannon. "With big smiles on their faces, they told us that they had been thinking about enrolling us in school in Tokyo. International studies would be valuable for both of us. They just could not understand that we don't want to leave."
My heart sank. I never saw that one coming either. I felt like I had failed them both because I didn't think about how the tables might be turned on them.
"We tried to convince them that what we wanted was to stay here and go to school. But there was no changing of their minds." Shannon's eyes started to tear up.
"And then I told them. I wasn't emotional. I was actually very calm," said Faith. "I told them I loved you and that I would not leave you. And then I walked out of the house."
"I didn't follow Faith out right away," said Shannon. "They immediately were asking who this Sam person was. I almost laughed out loud. I told them that Faith was talking about you. They appeared shocked. And then I told them that I didn't want to leave you either and I walked out to join Faith."
"Are you both ok? That could not have been easy."
"I'm fine, my love. But I'm worried about Shannon."
Shannon lifted her head and looked at Faith. "You're worried about me? Why?"
Faith lowered her eyes. "I guess it's because you've lost your parents once before. I feel like I dragged you into this."
"Whoa!" I said. "Neither of you have lost your parents yet. Let's not be premature."
Shannon smiled at Faith. "You didn't drag me into this, Faith. I'm here for two reasons. One is that I love you and I don't want to be separated from you again." Shannon paused and looked at me. "The other reason is that I love you, Sam. I know you're not ready to say that back to me, but I don't care. I want to be here. And like Faith said earlier, I also feel safe with you. I don't want to lose that."
I smiled at Shannon. I lifted her chin with my fingers and leaned over and kissed her lips. Shannon pulled back after the kiss and slid off the couch. She knelt before me. Faith, sensing what was happening, slid off my lap and sat next to me.
"I've wanted to say this for a while now," said Shannon. "I have had but one regret when I have been in this house. I regret the way I talked to you when we met. You have always treated me with respect ... and love. Maybe you didn't say it, but I always felt it. I want to be yours. I want to give myself to you. I want you to possess me and everything about me. I want to serve you and give you pleasure. Please accept me, my body, and my spirit as yours."
I reached down to stroke Shannon's cheek. "The gift of yourself to another is the greatest gift anyone can give another. I am humbled by what you ask and what you wish to give to me. I will be proud to call you mine, Shannon."
Shannon's eyes begin to fill with tears again. But this time, they were tears of happiness. Faith joined Shannon on the floor and hugged her. And then she began to cry too.
"I love you Shannon," said Faith. "I could not be prouder or happier with what you just did."
I helped them both to their feet. "Come on. I'll fix you some lunch. Or I'll be in tears too." And then I chuckled.
As I prepared sandwiches for them, I finally spoke of the one subject that we had all avoided.
"We need to talk about your parents. You've told them you will not leave with them. But now what?"
"I don't know, but I won't get into an argument with them." Faith sounded quite firm and sure of herself. "I don't even plan on sleeping in that house again."
"Whatever you decide, don't cut them off. You'll regret it, my love." I really did fear the possibility of the girls relationships with their parents could end. And then I made a decision. "I'm going to talk with them."
Both Faith and Shannon stared at me with surprise. "You don't have to, Sam," said Faith. "This is not your problem."
"Oh yes it is. Your happiness is my concern. You may be upset with your parents now, but I can't allow you to break the tie with them without trying talk with them. This is all of our problem."
Shannon shook her head. "I don't know. I can't see either of them even willing to speak to you. I can see you trying to talk to them and all they can think of is you fucking their daughters."
Faith laughed. "Oh yeah, that'll work real well. 'Hi, I'm Sam and I love to tie your daughters down and fuck them.' "
I gave Faith a look, but couldn't hold it. I cracked up and started to laugh. And then all three of us were laughing.