It had been a few months since we returned from vacation when my phone went off. I was sitting at my desk when Jen's happy voice put a smile on my face. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this call, Jen?"
"It's done! Once the distributor saw the rough cuts, they were all over the editing. I know it's been three months, but that's a fast turnaround for two movies of this quality. I'm so fucking excited I can hardly stand it."
My smile got bigger. "So, what's the plan?"
Her giddy laugh made my day. "Premier party, of course! This Saturday at True Colors. It will be by invitation only, but all the regulars will be invited. We have the place from opening to closing. Please tell me you and the girls can make it. It won't be a premier without you."
Tina's residency at the hospital was the first thing that occurred to me. She had started a week after we returned and was working ungodly hours. We had barely returned from vacation before moving her in with us. Lisa, Rachel, and I were doing everything possible to make her life easier. "I'll have to check with Tina. She's in her residency. When she's not in surgery, she's working emergency. I'll check with her and get back to you as soon as possible."
We caught up a bit, then let each other go about our business. I was first in the door that evening. I poured a few fingers of single malt and settled on the back deck to wait for the arrival of my loves. I shook my head at the wonderful strangeness of my life. Tina's revelation about her education and pending residency had been a pleasant surprise. When Rachel, Lisa, and I talked about it, we decided we weren't all that shocked. We knew there was much more to Tina than her vivacious sexpot persona. Our time with her had revealed depths that were the basis of our relationship. We loved the sexpot but were in love with the deeper person.
Lisa made it home first and joined me on the back deck with a glass of wine in her hand. I stood, took the glass from her hand, set it on the table, and gathered her in my arms. We fell into a long and very pleasant kiss. I loved seeing her hardened nipples when I handed her back her glass. She took a sip and gathered herself. "Hello to you too, dear. Do you have any idea how good it feels when you welcome me home?"
"Do you have any idea how good it feels to welcome you?"
I wanted to kiss her again, but I knew that if I did, we would be all over each other. Rachel would come home and find us in bed, where she would quickly join us. None of those things were unwelcome, but I did have news to share. I wanted to get that out of the way before we distracted each other. "When is Tina due home?"
"She's working twelve-hour shifts and won't get home till around three in the morning."
I nodded. "Do you know when she will have some time off?"
"Yeah, she finishes up Friday morning and doesn't return until early Monday. She'll be in surgery all next week."
"So, she'll leave for the hospital early and be home for dinner. That's great news!"
Her look was questioning. "I'll admit that it is good news. What makes it great news?"
I smirked and took a sip of my scotch. "You'll have to wait until Rachel gets home."
Lisa picked up her phone and began texting. She set her phone down a few minutes later and sipped her wine. "She should be here shortly."
I raised an eyebrow in question, and she waved a hand at me. "You know how focused she gets at work. Sometimes, she needs a reminder that it's time to come home.
"I might have hinted that you had something to tell us. I figure that right about now, her panties are soaked, and she's trying not to get caught speeding."
"How did she get from me having something to tell her to wet panties and speeding?"
Lisa's hand stroked my arm. "Because, Hubby, your surprises are always so much fun. Neither of us knows the details, but we do know sexy fun times are coming."
I shook my head and put on my disappointed face. "Wow, are you guys going to be let down. You should probably text her back and tell her I wanted to discuss the remodel."
During evenings and weekends, I had been working on the expanded bathroom. That had grown into a bedroom expansion. The last few nights, two of us slept in the living room while the others slept in the guest room. I was highly motivated to get the job done. I missed our group snuggle, among other things.
I took the last sip of my drink and stood. "Well, I'm going to change and get started. I'm sanding the drywall tonight. I'll paint tomorrow night, and we can move back in on Friday. I'm taking that day off so I can meet the delivery guys bringing our new bed."
I loved the confused look on her face. "That's it? You stir shit up and just walk away?"
I held my chuckle until I got to my clothes in the workout room. I was in the master bedroom, draping plastic and taping it down, when Lisa and Rachel walked into the bedroom. I pretended I didn't see them until they put their hands on their hips in exactly the same way, at exactly the same time. I stifled my laugh, but they picked right up on the fact that I was shaking with suppressed laughter.
Rachel gave me a wry grin. "Spill it, mister! We're on to you now."
I turned and shrugged like it was no big deal. "I don't know what the big deal is. You two need to pick up the bathroom faucets tonight, or the bathroom won't be finished in time for us to move back in here."
They just stared at me and waited. "Well, there is one other little thing. Hardly worth mentioning."
Two feet began tapping the floor, and the glares started. "Okay, fine..."
Rachel stomped her foot. "Dammit, Gary! Stop fucking with us and spill it!"
I dropped the pretense and walked over to them. I gave Rachel a steaming hello kiss and let her go before she lost all patience with me. "I talked to Jen today. The movies are finished and ready for distribution."
They were very excited, but not so excited that they didn't see the other shoe about to drop. Lisa gave me her patented fake glare. "Don't make me ask you again. You're facing a spanking as it is."
The chuckle I started faded out when I saw the look on her face. I had a strong suspicion she was serious about the spanking. "Okay, okay, relax. I'm getting there. You know what happens when a new movie is released. Jen is holding a premiere party at True Colors on Saturday. It's invitation-only but includes the club regulars. All of our friends will be there.
"I'm sure that Ken and Scott will be too."