Here is Part 6 of the series. The first Four Plus One', is in the First Time category: start there or just dip in and start where you like. A vote or comment is always welcome!
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"Mmm... yeah, who's that?."
"Hi Lanny. Do you mind if I come in? I know it's late, but I saw your light on and heard the music, But I don't want to disturb you..."
"Hi Andie, no, you weren't disturbing me. Come in and close the door. Keep the cold out."
Andrea came in to Atlantia's room. Soft, mellow music was playing. She breathed in the warmth and the closeness of the room and it disconcerted her slightly. Her head was clear before she came in, but now, the sight of her, the fact of her lying in her bed, where they had enjoyed each other's bodies and tastes recently; a fog of confusion was rising.
"Lanny, can I ask you something? Tell you something?"
Atlantia smiled warmly. "You don't have to say anything, Andie."
"I, I just wanted to say how good that was that afternoon with you. I really only wanted to make you feel better, and you were so down - and I really am a masseuse. But I loved playing with you. And I want to keep it that way because you're such a special friend, really special. I don't know..." She could feel herself babbling but didn't know how to stop. Absurdly, she felt tears coming. She thought she could hear it in her voice.
Atlantia could hear it. "Andie love, there's really no need. And besides, I've got –"
"But that's it! I love you, I want to be part of this crazy household, but I don't want to spoil it for you." Tears pricked her eyes like a schoolgirl.
"Andie, you're not spoiling anything. But you should know -"
Andrea choked. "I don't know what I should know!"
Then Danny sat up. He looked groggy, but he spoke softly and clearly.
"You should know I'm here! Hello Andrea. Atlantia nearly managed to tell you, but not quite.
Can I make an observation, you're overthinking this. We know you care, and you know we care. We all put into this crazy house, because we all care. It seems to be working, because we all care. You care. We care. Now, why don't you come in with us. You can have one half of this beautiful lady and I'll have the other."
Atlantia snorted. "Isn't that rich! You come into my bed, mumble something like 'God work was hard', then you just fall asleep! Now you've woken up and you're inviting your friends in! You're just lucky she was my friend first! Come in, Andie." She pulled open the cover and smoothed the sheet.
Andrea looked down at her two friends inviting her in. I'm gay, she thought. Here's one of my best friends, and a man I've hardly known, in bed together. It's just mad, but somehow it feels right to join them. She felt a huge, straining, over-wound cord loosen inside her. As it loosened it eased her breathing. It untied itself and released a warmth through her. Thank you God, she found herself whispering.
There was a lot of nudging and shuffling. Finally, everyone was arranged. Atlantia lay on her back, with one each side, on their side looking at her. Atlantia smiled broadly to herself.
"I was hoping to go to sleep early tonight. But something tells me that might be later." She got a murmur from both sides.
But then, a pause.
Atlantia could hear Andrea's whispering. The tiny, repeated prayer prompted her to speak.
"You can thank God from me too. I'm wondering if He's the one guiding us!"
"That's quite a radical thought." There was a deep mumble from the other side of the bed. "I'm not sure if the early church had this in mind, though."
"If I have faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." Andrea had first read this many years ago, She saw herself, all too clearly. "I care, I try to be generous, I CAN love, but I feel... nothing." Atlantia had given her a hint on how to move forward from this confusing place, with her unusual view on masturbation; suddenly now the lines made much more sense.
"That's very deep. I like it." She could hear the respect in Danny's tone. "And Paul also said, 'I am convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness'. I think it was him."
Andrea continued. "I can't work Paul out sometimes. On a good day he's humble and generous, and so hopeful. Next morning he's a grumpy, sanctimonious windbag."
"I know what you're saying. He's a classic new convert, I reckon. And he could probably talk the leg off a chair, that's why we have so many of his letters. I prefer Peter. But my favourite has to be Luke. Lux. Light."
Atlantia dimly recognised bits of the Bible in their conversation. She felt a cascade of joy run through her. Here are my friends, my lovers, discussing goodness and the Bible, in my bed. It's just wonderful. Is this love? It is love. Of the two of thèm? Yes. I love them and care about the two of them - the five of us. I get pleasure from their pleasure, I get excitement. God, how lucky am I. Thank you again. She almost laughed aloud. She wanted to squeeze both of them.
She could feel the urge to let this strange conversation continue. Part of her mind was relishing the idea of sharing great thoughts with them, including her new insight. Another part said, have you any idea how late it is? Sadly, that side won. She put a hand on a hip either side of her.
"I want this chat to go on and on. But I need to get up in the morning and maybe you two need to as well."
They both apologised and settled back. Atlantia felt a tiny twinge of disappointment: another part of her mind was thinking, two lovers, so... twice the fun?
Another pause. Atlantia realised she was idly brushing their hips under her hands. It stirred something in her. And in them.
