All characters are over 18. All characters events and places are fictional. This is a work of fiction.
Christmas Gifts
As our tradition had evolved, this Christmas found us, my love Niki and I, Rik, resting on the couches in Mal and Susan's living room. Our simple tradition was to gather and share a dinner together, usually the weekend before Christmas. It had become more and more something we must do as time had moved on. We had shared most of our lives together, camping, boating, vacations and more. I had known Malin nearly all my life. Our wives had become fast friends and when we met Patrick or Pat as we called him and Calista or Cali, it was like we had known them forever too. This year marked our seventh year we had done everything together and the eighth anniversary that the tree couples had met for our Christmas feast.
Dinner was over. Everything was cleaned up. The wine was poured. The fire was bright and warm in the fireplace lighting the room. The multi colored lights on the tree and other decorations added festive accents to the otherwise flickering romantic atmosphere. Three cozy couples sipped wine in silence. It was Pat who finally broke that silence.
"This is practically perfect!" He said.
"I have to agree with Pat." Niki cuddled in a little closer. "This is practically perfect!"
I concurred.
We all watched the fire dance for a moment until Mal almost in a whisper said, "Well, almost perfect..."
He seemed to trail off in his thoughts as he sipped his wine. Susan sat a little straighter reaching for her glass and smiled a winked at him. I could not let the "Well, almost" comment pass unnoticed.
"What do you mean, well almost, Mal? There's a warm fire, snow falling at the window, a few candles and lights are off. It's romantic. We are here with our beautiful wives and among our closest friends. What could make this more perfect?"
"Well..." Mal started but Susan's eyes caught his gaze. They shared a long look until Susan took another long sip of her wine, Mal continued. "If it were perfect, I would have already removed Susan's clothes."
Susan closed her eyes and slowly shook her head.
"Well, I would have." Mal looked at her matter of factly.
"I know." Susan blushed and buried her head in his shoulder.
"I think that sounds even more perfect, romantic and so wonderful!" Cali said dreamily. She was looking back and forth between Susan and Niki.
"I'd join you." Almost in a whisper Niki added her head still on my shoulder.
"Really?!" Susan looked directly at Niki. And again she said, "Really..."
"Well, I'm just saying..." Niki raised her head but was cut off by Cali.
"I'd join you too, Suz." Cali had perked up as she joined in.
The other two men were probably thinking what I was, that things really could get better! But like me, were afraid to say a word. Wisely we let the women take the conversation. This would be their idea. But our smiles were giving us away and Niki noticed.
"They must think it is a good idea. Look at those smiles!" Niki looked at each of us and led the gaze of the other woman to do the same. I started to say something but Niki gave me a soft "shhhh".
"I'd be too, well shy, embarrassed." Susan had cuddled in closer to Mal, his arm wrapped around her.
"You have nothing to be embarrassed of, your gorgeous girl!" Cali was serious and she was right. These three women were beautiful and looked amazing all the time.
"I don't know, it's, it's ... Susan hesitated.
"Really, I'd join you." Niki didn't hesitate and neither did Cali.
"Suz, were all friends, it seems somehow right. I can't explain it, so yes I'd join you too, really!" Cali had also sat up but took a long sip of her wine as she peered out at us over her class.
Again Susan started with, "It's, well, things like this can ruin friendships and I would never do anything to hurt or make any of you jealous or even the least bit uncomfortable. I just wouldn't."
"No jealousy here Susan. It seems natural to cuddle with our hubbies here and I think we are all perfectly comfortable with each other." I felt Niki's poke as she finished, my cue to say something.
I was the first man in the group to speak, "No jealousy here, just good friends becoming closer, sharing beauty. If Niki is comfortable and this stays with us, I am ok with it too, no jealousy."
Cali rose and filled our glasses as she went from person to person we all agreed there was no jealousy and we're all comfortable and even a little excited. She filled Susan's glass last.
"You're an amazing woman and good friend. You and Niki, you are as close to family as I have. No jealousy, no competition, no problems, only love, support, excitement, acceptance, seems natural to me to be with all of you. I have wondered why we have not tried this before now. Really, we've all been in swim suits, bikinis, this really isn't too big of a step. Well, ok, it's a big step but...We are all dressed about the same so we can just take turns... maybe I'll just stop. If you're ok, I am too." Cali sat feeling a little embarrassed and cuddled back in with Pat who kissed her and held her close. She curled her legs on to the love seat leaning closer against him.
Mal held Susan close and gave her a big loving squeeze. "If we are serious and going to go on there is one thing we need to do first."
Mal stood and walked to the hallway and stopped. There he adjusted the heat and in a moment we heard the soft blow of the vents letting more heat into the room. He raised the comfort level in his home allowing for what ever happened next to happen in comfort. Then he crossed the room, turned the dimmer on the lights just a little and added some light to the room. Now standing in front of his wife and took her by the hands helping her to her feet. This time he took her in his arms and held her tight in a loving reassuring hug. He placed his forehead on hers and they looked deep into each other's eyes.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
She nodded, "Just a little nervous."
After unwrapping his arms from around her Mal held her face in those strong hands. Kissed her and moved his hands to the buttons of her blouse. Carefully he undid the top two and stepped back.
"It's up to you Love." Mal sat down.
"Niki..." Susan said.
"Whatever you want and whatever you do, I'm in." Niki was breathless in her response.
Cali said a soft, "Me too."
With that Susan began at the third button and undid them each in turn. She then unhooked the top of her skirt and pulled the bottom of her blouse out from where it was tucked in. She continued until it hung open. She stopped, bit her bottom lip slightly and looked at Cali, then Niki who both wore reassuring grins. For a moment we had only a glimpse of her white lacey bra. With a small shrug and a tug she helped the blouse slide down one arm, then the other until she held it in her hand.
The candle light and the fires flames flickered on her skin giving her an almost unearthly glow. She then ran the zipper down from the top and side of the skirt and let her skirt drop to her feet. Stepping out of the skirt that now lay crumpled on the floor she took the few steps to reach Mal and held the blouse out to him. Mal taking her by the hand stood and escorted her back those few steps. Both were now in the center of the square space created by their large three sided sectional sofa where we were all seated. Mal bent down and retrieved it the skirt then walked over to a nearby chair and hung both the skirt and the blouse over it.
Mal stood there facing her for a moment admiring his lovely wife then in a few steps took her into his arms and they kissed. Susan backed away from him as he let her go. She made the motions to begin removing her bra. But Niki stood and stopped her.
"My turn." Was all she said.
Susan was led by Niki to Mal and she sat on his lap, legs up on their section of the sofa and her arms around his neck. Again they kissed. Niki took her place. Niki had on a sweater and jeans. With both hands she grabbed the bottom of her sweater, winked at me, then over her head it went. Her wonderful blond hair flew in all directions landing in a soft curled mess but her smile and eyes seemed to glow in blazing flickers. Everyone chuckled a little and the tension that built as Susan undressed seemed to vanish.