I've submitted this in the romance section because that what I believe it is. A Romance which toys in part with erotic couples and group sex. But ultimately it is the story of the conclusion of a thirteen year romance.
This is the third part of this story - I strongly recommend you to read the previous parts first, it's not going to make a lot of sense otherwise.
I am aware that my understanding of medical education is based on my own experiences in the UK. I have played fast and loose with the USA system to fit the story for which I apologise.
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On the road.
The weather had been kind to us as we left the town of Cherokee and I had the Aston's top down. The road was cutting through the hills and valleys. Before winding its way through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This was just what the Aston was built for, and she purred around the bends and growled along the straights.
We'd stopped south of Cherokee for a late breakfast at a little family diner. We sat side by side in a booth, and ordered the breakfast special. They had a Wi-Fi connection so we'd made a call on the iPad to Mila and Sally.
Mila was bouncing around the screen with her news. The hospital had agreed to let her start her year of unpaid leave at the end of the week. She was going to book a flight to Denver for the middle of the following week.
"I just can't wait to see both of you, I want the pair of you to fuck me senseless" she said. Thank god we were using head phones to talk. I really don't think that the rest of the diners at Terry's Diner needed to know about our girlfriend's sexual need. Zoe choked on her drink and I patted her on the back.
She whispered to me, "Is she always as blunt as that?" I nodded.
I got her travel plans from Mila and then spoke to Sally, "How long do you think it will be before you can join us?"
There was an anxious look on her face when she replied, "Things are going reasonably smoothly with Clive. We should have the paper work signed and submitted to the courts by the end of next week. The solicitor expects that we should get the decree nisi after a couple of weeks. Clive is applying on the grounds of desertion, and I've moved out of the house and into Mila's flat. Then we need to wait six weeks before he can apply for the decree absolute. I don't need to be here for the decree absolute."
"So what's the issue, there's something you are not happy about?" I asked her.
"It's not the divorce, that going as smoothly as I could hope. I'd hoped that the hospital would give me a leave of absence the same as Mila, but they are saying no. I'm going to have to resign and that makes me sad. This is the only job I've ever had and I'm really going to miss it."
There were tears trickling down her cheeks and I tried to wipe them away on the screen. She held out her fingers to touch the screen and mirror my action, and we both had tears.
She took a deep breath and said, "I have set a date to be with you, in six weeks I will be by your side. Can I put my stuff in storage with yours please?"
"Of course, so can Mila."
"Oh by the way I've sent you some house details by email. There's one in Buckinghamshire I really like, I know it's a long way from here but I think I've fallen in love with it."
"Where in Buckinghamshire?" I asked.
"Hang on let me get the papers...it's on the outskirts of a village called Brill. It's to the east of Oxford"
I thought for a moment, "I think I know it, Linda and I had a few holidays in that part of the country before the twins were born. Let me have a look and I'll get back to you."
"Please do, I love you and I can't wait to see you."
"I love you too, and you Mila," I said as Mila's head appeared beside Sally's. They both blew me kisses and said goodbye to Zoe, then we signed off.
I opened my email and found the links Sally had sent me. I opened a couple before I found the one she was talking about. It was a lovely place set in two acres of mature gardens. The details said it had been built in the 20's and had been fully modernised ten years ago by the present owners. There were enough bedrooms for all of us and a guest suite, it even had its own tennis court and swimming pool. I showed it to Zoe and she poured over the details.
She said, "It's lovely, where is it?
"It's near Oxford in England. I think it's where I'd like us to live when we go back to England after my two years are up."
"We, does that include me?" She said softly.
"Of course you, that's if you want to. All of us, you, me, Sally, and Mila."
"But what about my MD, can I practice in the UK? I don't want to waste all the time and effort I've put in."
"I'd never ask you to. It should be possible. I think you'd need to take some exams when we get there, I can check for you. In any case we are not talking about moving for at least two years."
"I need to think about this, but it doesn't mean I'm not interested. It would be a very big step for me. I know I love you and I'm sure you feel the same way about me. But until we are all together I'm not sure of my place."
"I'm sorry, and you are an idiot. Your place is with us for as long as you want."
Zoe looked at me then a smile flitted across her face. "Kiss!" She demanded, holding her face up and parting her lips. I couldn't resist my little elfin girl and my mouth joined hers in a sensual kiss that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
I needed to make a call to the UK so I got up and walked outside. I found the number I needed and called it. It was fifteen minutes before I rang off and walked back inside. Zoe looked at me questioningly so I told her I'd been talking to my family solicitor.
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The dappled sunlight flowed across the car and us as we drove along the winding road as it descended through stands of tall pines. It had taken us almost two hours to reach the highest point.
Zoe sat beside me, the little gusts of wind that crept around the windshield tousled her hair, moulding her tee-shirt to her bra-less breasts. Her shoeless feet were propped up on the dashboard. I kept glancing down at the junction of her tanned legs and hint of her white panties visible below the raised hem of her denim mini skirt. Her sunglasses clad face was resting against the back of her seat enjoying the sunlight and breeze.
The radio was tuned to an oldies rock station. I was contemplating the depressing fact that I'd seen almost all the bands they were playing in my youth. Pink Floyd at Wembley, Genesis at the Dury Lane theatre and the Eagles to mention a few. I recalled that it was a similar warm sunny day that I'd seen Queen in Hyde Park. Who was the girl I'd gone with, Jackie, Jane, no Jo, that was it pretty Jo. We'd both been drunk and got sunburnt that afternoon.
I was brought back to reality by the fingers of her left hand tracing lazy circles on the flesh of my leg below the confines of my shorts. The opening bars of Joe Cocker's 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' started playing, and I started to sing along with the Sheffield growler. Zoe grinned at me and pulled her top off. She stole the baseball cap I was wearing and put it on.