Consequences Pt 15A

Consequences 15A

Shocks and misplaced beliefs

Words: 8000 approximately

Tags: Relationships in Polyamory;

For the list of Characters fast forward to the end.

Author's note: All location information used has been obtained from online and map research or just imaginary, no opinion of real places is intended. The names and background of characters used are entirely fictitious and any similarity to a real person is entirely coincidental. This is a work of fiction and entirely the author's creation for the purposes of a story. The language, terminology or sayings used are intended to be International, this being the World Wide Web, but if any word or saying is new to anyone I would refer them to Google.

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Intro from 14C: David is trying to wind things up on St.Lukes and put together a team to investigate opportunities in the UK as well as visit with relatives. He still hasn't resolved issues back in Baltimore.

Big changes and new beginnings

David decided to try and contact Jane. She didn't answer his call so he sent her a message but no reply came. He consulted Tania but she claimed insufficient knowledge to advise him so he spoke to Ana.

"I really think you need to go home for a while, it's probably time you faced the issues head on." Ana observed.

He didn't want to but conceded that it was the only way forward. He consulted the whole group to check whether anyone needed to make a visit home. Lauren and Mei needed to leave so he spoke to Honor and decided to fly out as soon as possible, Ana then realised she should return too, having her own problem to finalise. It became clear that the only one remaining would be Jill and that didn't seem fair somehow.

David went to Jill and asked her feelings on the subject. "I haven't really been here long enough to get a complete handle on things. I gather that Gayle will help and Mei will talk to whatever agencies are involved but I could do with someone else to hold my hand on the technical and project management side."

"OK take it easy for a while and I'll see what can be arranged. Much depends on whether we can bring in our own contractors, they understand our needs, if not it might be that we bring over our foremen to take on local workers.

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When David and the others drove into Baltimore Retreat he thought a disaster had occurred and if it weren't for the security guard he would have been worried. Nobody appeared to be in the offices and after a search through the Retreat rooms the only person he came across is the Nurse, Sue, with the children.

"Where is everyone?" he asks,

"I have been sworn not to tell you, they didn't know you were coming until earlier today and then it was only because Honor had to make arrangements for landing. I've been told to make a phone call when you arrive, can you keep an eye on the little ones while I do?"

Satisfied that all is well, David was more than happy to spend time with the children, so he got down on the floor to play. Sue returned shortly, a smile written across her face, "they said to play with the little ones for a while then head for the office but don't leave for at least half an hour. Ohh! And take your camera with you."

The mystery grew, 'what can they be up to and why all of them? Perhaps they are holding a party," he thought.

Eventually, towards the end of a normal working day, David pulled into the office car park, it was full except for the one space with his name on. The mystery grew as he reached the level of his offices and they were locked, then he heard a woman's voice that he thought he recognised, from further up the staircase. So he decided to continue on up.

The office suite above his had lights on which contradicted what he had last heard, that they were moving out. He pushed the entrance door open and took one step inside now mystified.

There was a sudden uproar as women everywhere wearing long men's shirts, bras and panties shouted together "SURPRISE."

"What's the event?" he asks as each person greets him, there's Michael too and a few men he didn't recognise. 'They must think it's their lucky day, all these lovely women with so little clothing,' but nobody answered, the best he could get was 'it's a surprise' with a kiss and a huge hug from Bree, a similar greeting came from all the women he knew best, they were almost all there. He walked through a corridor of people on either side and he asked everyone that could hear "Where's Jane?"

A corridor opened up as if by magic towards an office at the rear. As he opened the door he felt the room go strangely silent as if expecting something momentous to happen. He stepped into the room and found it darkened compared to the main office area but he could make out a figure at the back so he closed the door behind him not quite knowing what to say. She looked wane and drained but he thought just as beautiful as ever and it reminded him how hurt he had felt.

The only thing he could think to say was "How have you been?"

Two eyes looked up in his direction from the gloom. "Well enough I guess."

"I've missed you."

She gave a weak smile.

"Truly I have missed you, every day we usually talk and share our lives. I have been feeling hurt but Ana, Lauren and Tania have made me realise there's more to life than my ego."

"I think I have been resolved to a change in our relationship but I haven't had time to prepare for your return. Have you seen the children yet?" asked Jane.

"Yes, they are growing so fast."

"That's so, but it's been a long time breastfeeding, I was beginning to feel like a milk cow."

"So are they all weaned now?"

"Bella is but I don't keep up with all of them, I expect Jo would know, of course there is a small age gap. Olivia still disappears occasionally so I have no idea about her. Susan will know of course."

"I will ask her later but now will you be offended if I kiss you?"

She looked pensive, unsure, determined not to weaken. "Ok," she eventually conceded but the kiss was restrained and he didn't push it.

"Shall we take the tour now, I am sure the others are itching to take you around, they have all been working so hard to please you."

"Please me?" he was surprised.

"Yes of course, who else?"

"I don't know, you maybe?"

"Don't be silly!, they might try to please me just to please you but that's it."

He accepted what she said without analysing it, it was comforting to know, yet scary as well, he was determined not to try to live up to his 'press' image.

As they stepped out of the room the people were indeed waiting for him. He recognised many of the faces but there was a good smattering of new ones who clearly just knew him as 'the boss' so he sensed an undercurrent of uncertainty. It led him to approach everyone of them. He turned to Jane, taking for granted that she would be there but only to find that she hadn't followed him.

He saw Jo and Bree, Louise, Rachel, Erika and all the others but it was Vanessa who stepped forward to introduce him to the newcomers then began to escort him around the offices. They now had the entire building thus giving the development and management teams two floors plus a small roof space area

Everyone followed except the people he had known longest and a worry crept up on him that all was not well in what he thought of as his home. The problem was that he didn't get a moment to think as he went from one explanation to another, they were all so proud of what had been achieved in such a short time. So he settled down to trying to remember what went on where and who did what.

As they came to the end of his tour a thought struck him 'How did we come this far from just a few lost women who came to stay with them? And then he felt a sense of sadness that Olivia had deteriorated so much that she wasn't part of this.

Eventually the tour came to an end and he felt he ought to say something to congratulate and thank them all. Spotting a stool he picked it up as they headed to where he came in. He stopped, stood on the stool and gathered them around, noting who was missing. "I see we have lost a few people along the way and I wanted to congratulate you all for what you have achieved. When I left here on the latest project, I could not have guessed what might happen in my absence. Well done everyone, hopefully our project in St. Lukes will help me to repay you in the future for all your hard work." There was an undercurrent of hushed voices, wondering what he could mean.

Vanessa voiced their questions, "They would like to know more Sir, if it's no secret of course."

He smiled at them all, "The place in St. Lukes may include a small retreat for Caribbean women and others." His brain was working fast, he had a sudden idea. "Essentially after being a business venture and short term retreat, it will be a place where our people can go and relax without worrying." He spotted Ana then and she was looking at him with a face that said, 'this is news to me.' He didn't blame her, it was news to him too he had only just thought of it.

"Obviously it's early days, but hopefully by the end of summer we will have at least the building works well underway. But, I'm afraid I'll be asking you to assist Jill, who is still out there, with anything they can't source locally, which may be a lot. As soon as possible we need to get one of the Hotel experts over there to look at what we might achieve as well as design our own staff complex. We also need someone to take over from Ana, she's got things underway already with the authorities but there are still important things to do like the Hotel and Staff Lodge as I said." Across the room he saw Ana, pass a hand across her forrard with what looked like a 'phew!'. He knew that there was no way she was going back in the foreseeable future, so he mouthed the words 'let's talk later' to her.

He was aware there was an undercurrent of murmuring so David turned to Vanessa with a questioning look. She smiled saying, "there's so many questions I can't keep up, but the underlying question is, how can we help?" He turned back to speak to them all, "As soon as possible, I'll arrange a meeting with you all, could you make a list of questions so that I can have all the answers prepared. There's a lot of balls in the air right now so give me some time, mean time perhaps Vanessa could collate the questions and anything that's urgent I will prioritise. At this point I will assure you that our proposed vacation arrangements will be all-inclusive, it's no more than you guys deserve." There was an even louder upswell of voices but he decided to call it quits while he was ahead.

David turned again to Vanessa asking, "where are the others?"

"I think they have been having a meeting in that room," she said pointing the way.

"Is it a regular business meeting?" He asked, not wanting to intrude uninvited.

"No, I think it's a meeting of the steering group, they are basically the women who have been with you the longest. I usually join them if staff matters are to be discussed, but today I am your guide."

"I see," he said and rattled off a few names.

"Yes, they are the ones."

He wondered what could be on the agenda if it didn't include Vanessa, Ana or himself so he went across and stuck his head inside and asked if he was intruding.

"You are the main subject on the agenda David, perhaps we should adjourn for now," replied Jane.

"No, no, I'm fascinated about what you could be discussing that would concern me but I wasn't to hear. But I'll expect a report later, I'd like to meet with you, perhaps when you all get home."

They stare at him, "They don't all live at the retreat any longer." said Jane, "Things have changed while you have been away again," she finished pointedly.

"Well damn well change them back because I want to see you all back at the retreat" he said firmly.

At that, everyone but Jane got up and left, giving him small weak smiles as they passed him. That left Jane seated at the far end of a meeting table and him stood at the other like a showdown in an old western.

"I came back to ask you and the other mum's to come to England with me, it's important."

"I'm needed here, I am really busy and of course there's our baby, you haven't exactly seen much of her lately."

"I've been making plans for us all and it seemed a good opportunity for someone else to take responsibility."

"What about Bree, Jo and Olivia and their children? Those little ones deserve your attention just as much."

"They are all included, but I wanted first and foremost to have you close to me after our recent 'disagreement.' I thought I'd given us both time to gather ourselves and heal. But even if that's not the case I would like all the four mum's plus Ana to head to England, although I wasn't sure whether you would want Olivia to be with us. Maybe Louise should be in the party too, as she's been with us a long time. Jeeze, I'd take every one of our 'family' if I could." He put fingers in the air to emphasise the word 'family' as being in inverted commas.

"To be honest, since the last episode with Olivia, she has been so well behaved I worry, it usually means that she is up to something. It's all just a fantasy for you, isn't it? There are always too many demanding your attention." Jane said.

"That's true, but I have to make a decision, as you pointed out. You were even telling me to burn you indirectly. Is that what you want and is it only the child that keeps you with me?"

Jane ignored his barb, saying, "Today is our office opening, it was supposed to be a surprise for you, earlier than intended as you weren't due back yet, but I did send you regular updates."

That was news to him, he said "since when? I have tried many times to talk or message you." She picked up her phone and her face went white."

She tried to dismiss the subject saying, "After today, things are never going to be the same again. Either you are going to spend your life with the people who love you and your children or you can expect us all to behave the way you do, you spend your time away at the drop of a hat, for as long as you like, having as many women as you like, orgies or multi-partner sex. Our world has changed David, we are no longer a little group of friends working together. You may have noticed for example that there are men working in the office, because now we don't have to keep our office a secret."

She stopped to think for a moment then continued, "I didn't want to take this approach with you, I wasn't sure whether you wanted our connection to be the same again but I've realised that I don't want the same occasional relationship again, an odd day for you to follow up a good site is understandable but I want to be treated like a wife or be free to do as I feel. I have had enough of you disappearing for weeks on end."

David is completely surprised on all fronts, when and how did they manage to obtain the remaining offices in the block and Jane's new approach threw him completely. He decided he needed time to absorb this information and he sat down. She looked at him blankly, disappointed that there was no response, even if it were anger and refusal.

"Your response is disappointing David, but I guess it's short notice because while we have been here working and wondering, you have been off in never-never land having a great time."

He bit his tongue to stop himself saying that wasn't true because at least a part was true. But so much had changed that he was completely caught off guard. It led him to make a sharp remark, "So you decided that we are probably finished and then have a meeting about me to decide my future and goodness knows what."

Janes hackles are up now as she replies, "Yes of course, we need to decide your future at the Retreat, you don't stay here long enough to justify the amount of space you have, you don't spend much time here before you go rushing off to avoid facing your responsibilities, namely me this time. Then you are gone, not just for a couple of days. Anyway I'm repeating myself, we have had an influx of women needing our help so we have put matters in hand to relocate you at your own house."

"And you didn't think I should be consulted on this?"

"I don't want to keep repeating my words David. You have your ultimatum, all the women, Bree, Jo, and others, are tired of being your cast off old clothes that you pull out of the wardrobe when you want a bit of sentimentality. Everything has moved on, and you made it that way. That's all I want to say on the matter. I believe the staff have booked you into a hotel so you might want to let Honor know where you are. I am sure she won't want to miss a chance of sex alone with you, it's so rare."

David felt appalled, completely, and utterly deflated and useless. He felt like leaving them all to it, pulling out his support and leaving them all to put together the inevitable mess; but what would that achieve? Eventually he asked, "So that's it, is it? There has been a unilateral decision to end our relationship and throw me out."

"Sounds harsh doesn't it, pretty much how I felt when I gave up Ron only to find you had run away."

That comment stung, it hit harder because he knew it was true, but he also felt annoyed. "Have you set this up without notice on purpose so that I don't have time to think and react? But to start with, nobody is moving me from my home, so if you have moved any of my stuff out you better move it back in right now. All of the buildings and land belong to the development company and I have the ultimate authority to deal with it as I see fit. Baltimore was a shared investment for our group and if you have extra people you better move them somewhere else. It doesn't matter what the organisation needs, it is my family house and I will pull the plug on everything before I allow you or anyone else to try to evict me."

Jane looked at him blankly, as far as she was concerned he had a misunderstanding about his powers once a retreat was handed over to a charity then it was the trustees who had the power over their use. She allowed a tiny smirk to show on her face that he noticed.

But it isn't what their aim is, his behaviour needs changing. She said, "Are you aware that the remains of an historic settlement have been found on our site next to a protected area. Right now, Sofia, Elle and Jenny, our Property agent, are up there trying to keep the local activists happy and the press at bay. Nina will join them as soon as she can. Emma is on the periphery but she's good so far, and has promised not to make a global issue out of it unless one of her competitors picks it up. I spoke to Mr Carlson at the University earlier, they are falling over themselves to get involved and are probably on their way right now.

David was becoming increasingly annoyed now and said "Sounds to me that you have purposely been keeping me in the dark. How could I possibly have known any of this?"

"Isn't that your intention when you disappear and don't call us?"

David has had enough and makes a big effort to calm himself before speaking. "Well let's get a few things straight shall we? We did not buy and build the Baltimore Retreat for the group. We bought it for us and I have not placed it in the hands of a Charity. It belongs to the development investors of which I am the decision maker and in fact the part that is the Retreat now belongs to me and those of the original group who also invested, it is my home and the home of you, Bree, Jo, Ana, and Olivia."

She looked him square in the eyes and said, "So you would rather we reject these people?"

"I don't know all the facts and the alternatives, so far I haven't been asked anything."