In Love with Us

CHAPTER 4: AMY CLEANS HOUSE

Sunshine spilled through the slats of the closed window blinds, made bright horizontal lines across the hardwood floor, hopped up onto the large rug placed under the King's bed, then jumped up onto the covers of Tom and Kate's bedspread. They crept downward toward the foot of the bed as the sun slid above the trees that lined the split-rail fence at the end of their lawn. Tom would have been able to continue sleeping except for a tiny gap between the top slat and the enclosed spindle and support rod assembly.

At 8:32 AM, the sun's rays penetrated that gap and hit Tom's eyelids at an incredible speed of 300,000 kilometers per second. Sunlight allows people to see things, so that's why sun scientists decided to label that speed c. Fortunately, photons don't have much heft and so all that happened was that he woke up.

Tom rolled over to look at Kate. Her chest rhythmically rising up and down, the peaceful look on her perfect face, her silky hair cascading down just past her shoulders... Tom was at peace just looking at her.

But breakfast wasn't going to cook itself, so he quietly slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen. First came coffee.

As the pot brewed, he got out eggs, bacon, and... hmm, what else? Maybe some toast. Pulling some bowls out from the cabinets, he heard Kate's phone ding. He looked around for a place to put the bowls, and tried to do it quietly without clanging them together. The phone dinged again. Tom speed-tiptoed into the bedroom and grabbed Kate's phone off her nightstand so it wouldn't wake her with more dings. He knew she needed the sleep. He crept back into the kitchen and checked the lock screen to see who it was. He saw it was Amy. It dinged again as he was holding it.

A: Good morning love :)

A: Last night was... omg

A: IDK if we'll ever have sex that hot again but I think we should keep trying, let's discuss ;)

Tom unlocked her phone and texted back.

T: This is Tom on Kate's phone, she's still sleeping so I grabbed it off her nightstand. Some ho keeps blowing it up.

A: Oh, ok, sorry! She probably needs the sleep, lol

T: Yup. I'm surprised you're up this early.

A: We forgot to close the curtains and the damn sun shined in my face. Curse that wretched fireball!

T: Ha. What's Mike doing?

A: shower

T: Ya'll eat yet?

A: Not yet

T: Want to come for breakfast? It's as easy to cook for four as two and I've already started.

A: Maybe, let me ask him

T: k

A moment passed.

A: Be there at 9:30?

T: Perfect. We'll feed you before you get to work, that only seems fair.

A: Uh...?

T: You are cleaning the house today, remember?

A: Fuck. No I didn't remember. I'm still in my robe.

T: No worries, we have your uniform pressed and ready ;)

A: Fuck. Ok, lemme hop in the shower with him real quick since I guess I don't have as much time today as I thought.

T: Ha, don't get distracted, your shift starts at 10:00.

A: Fuck

After suppressing a loud laugh, he sat Kate's phone down and updated his menu plans. From the pantry he pulled flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a roll of parchment paper. For quietness, he went ahead and tore the rectangle of the paper he knew he'd need in a few minutes. From the fridge he pulled a carton of buttermilk and a stick of butter. Today was going to be biscuits and gravy day.

"Preheat oven to 350." Check.

"Sift flour." Screw that, he just dumped it into the bowl out of the measuring cup. He would challenge anyone to identify a biscuit made with sifted flour vs. dumped from a cup.

"Cut butter into cubes and use fingertips to mix into flour." Five minutes later, check.

"Add baking powder, soda, salt, mix with hands." Check.

"Pour in buttermilk a little at a time and use hands to mix until it just comes together." Check.

"Turn out onto clean floured surface. Flatten into disc, fold over twice, press back into a disc. Repeat five times. Dust with flour as needed if the dough is very sticky." Five minutes and a goopy set of hands later, check.

"Flatten final disc to about 1 inch thickness and cut into 2.5 inch circles. Re-knead remnants and repeat until dough is used." Check.

"Place on baking sheet lined with parchment. Cook at 450 for 15 minutes."

Tom slid the pan into the oven and started the gravy. Biscuits need gravy. Some heretics prefer butter or jelly, even in Texas. But the intactness of their southern souls was in their own hands, not Tom's. He provided the gravy font, and if they chose not to drink of it, on their own heads be it.

Gravy is pretty easy. Put in one tablespoon of butter per diner, melt it. Add one tablespoon of flour per diner and stir until it forms a paste. Shouldn't be too runny nor have dry chunks. "Mix it until it looks right," as his grandmother once told him.

Add a half cup of milk per diner. Add a pinch of salt and a shit ton of black pepper. Stir it until it comes to a simmer, then turn heat off. If you want it a little creamier and a whiter color, add a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream to it. Stir occasionally as it sits. Check for final seasoning, hell, put in some more pepper just in case, then put it in a gravy boat or just a bowl and serve.

He whisked up the eggs and left them in the bowl to cook last. The bacon went into his square cast iron skillet, with a splatter guard on top.

Oh damn, the coffee! He went and poured himself one, and filled up another three mugs with hot water to get them primed. The clock read 9:17.

Kate's eyes lazily opened to their halfway point. She smiled broadly at the ceiling, with the aroma of coffee, bacon and... something baking... in the air.

She got up and walked around the end of the bed, through the dining room, and into the kitchen. She stood silently and watched Tom work, his back to her. She leaned against the refrigerator and just... admired him.

He turned, saw her, and smiled. She beamed at him in that way she had, never failing to melt his heart.

She walked to him and threw her arms around his neck. They shared a deep, loving kiss. The first kiss of the day, a completely unnecessary but completely sublime way to reaffirm their love for another day.

"Go shower. Breakfast ready in 15. Mike and Amy are coming. Aren't you glad to have a weekend off from cleaning things?"

Kate looked at him blankly for a second, then her eyes got wide and her jaw went a little slack. "Holy SHIT! I completely forgot about that! Ha!"

She had a thought. "But wait -- you never specified what she was going to wear, did you?"

"I took the liberty of acquiring uniforms for her service today."

"Oh my God, did you really? Where is it? I want to see it! Where did you get it??"

"Patience, I want it to be a surprise. In the fullness of time, your curiosity will be satisfied. So that your mind wanders a bit, I'll tell you that I got them from Amazon, but I got some ideas at Frederick's of Hollywood."

She looked up sharply. "Wait a second -- 'them'? You got more than one?" She gaped at him.

"I couldn't make up my mind so I got two. I figure clean half the house in the first outfit, and on her lunch break, she can change into the other one. Twice the fun! By the way, I'll need a list from you of the tasks you want done, and specifically which ones require leaning over to do, and if any require a hands and knees approach. That may impact the order I put the uniforms in."

"Holy shit..." she breathed. "How did I ever land a man like you?"

"Blowjobs."

She smiled up at him. "Pretty smart, huh? And to think my mom told me not to!"

"Go shower, coffee will be ready for you."

"Oh, how did you know what size to get?"

"Come on now, I can tell a set of 36Ds at fifty paces."

"OK, fair, and I guess you did get a pretty good look at them on Wednesday. But for the rest of it?"

"Asked Mike!" Tom had a big grin. "He was more than happy to oblige, provided that he got to participate."

She darted her eyes to the side for a second, standing with her mouth open, pressing her tongue against her front teeth. Her gears were clearly turning. Calculations complete, she tiptoed up and kissed him again, this time with some tongue.

She pulled back. "I fucking love you so much."

Kate scampered into the bathroom, turning on the shower, not bothering to close the door.

Tom could not believe she felt that she was the lucky one in the relationship. He knew for a fact that he was. Maybe that's what made it work so well.

Kate was just stepping out of the shower when she heard the doorbell ring. She hurriedly toweled off her hair and body. While she brushed her teeth, she could hear Tom and the Smiths talking in the kitchen, probably getting a cup of coffee. Tom wasn't going to leave his nearly-done breakfast unattended, so kitchen conversation it would be.

She grabbed her terrycloth bath robe from its hook and shrugged it onto her shoulders as she walked through the bedroom and into the kitchen. She made sure to time it so that the last glimpse of her breasts vanished into the robe just as she got fully into the room. The exhibitionism, and the prospects for fun today gave her a tingle that was almost a shiver.

"Morning, Smiths!" Kate smiled brightly at everyone in the room. She walked behind the chair where Mike was sitting and rubbed his shoulders for a second, then leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. She went to Amy's chair and rubbed her shoulders for a bit longer than a second, then ran her fingers through Amy's hair, fluffing it out a bit onto her shoulders. Tom and Mike were interested in the fact that Amy got a kiss on the cheek, too. Amy reached up to her shoulder and squeezed Kate's hand, holding her there for an extra moment. Kate whispered something into Amy's ear while she was in place to do so. Amy didn't look up but she did give a small smile at whatever Kate had said.

Kate slid gracefully into the kitchen table chair next to Amy. She had not put on any makeup, but honestly -- she didn't need any. She was a natural beauty, and all present reflected on her perfect face, some longer than others. Even when she did put on makeup, which wasn't every day, it was always very light and understated. Her mother had taught her well about makeup, if not about blowjobs and their uses -- if you use enough makeup that people can tell you have some on, you have used too much.

"How are you guys feeling this morning? I feel like today is the most wonderful day I have ever had in my life. Well, maybe except my wedding day!" She looked at Tom and winked.

Kate continued, "I am just... damn man, I am full of this buzzing energy and I cannot wait to see what today, and tomorrow, and the days after that, hold. I am honestly just about as happy as I have ever been."

Kate's statement made Amy suddenly realize something that she hadn't considered before in the frenzied last few days. In her professional work as a physician specializing in the area of sexual health, she was familiar with what Kate was describing. The "buzzing energy", the obvious euphoria and overall happiness Kate was showing -- all a normal reaction to the upswing of dopamine that is very typical of a person who is newly attached to a partner. In other words, Kate really

was

in love anew. Amy had no doubt that Kate was forever attached to Tom as his life partner, but... scientifically speaking, she wasn't exaggerating when she said last night, "I'm in love with us."

Amy couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of it before. Then she had another thought -- her own symptoms were almost identical to Kate's. The only conclusion she could draw as an MD was that she herself was truly in love with someone new, or in this case two someones, as well. She excused herself of her lateness of realization by virtue of her own hormones causing her to disregard everything except the intense emotions she was feeling. That, and being brought to several orgasms of an intensity that she had hardly believed to be possible this time last week.

Amy could not deny, nor would she want to, that she was also "in love with us." A thought skittered across her mind... two long-term monogamous couples falling in love with each other physically and emotionally... that would make an interesting journal article.

Dismissing that idea as "not currently feasible", she returned her attention to the others at the table. Kate was telling Mike about her plans to put up some trellises on the front of the house (well, her plans to get Tom to do that) and put some Bougainvillea on it, and then some roses in the planter beds in front of it. Purple creepers with a mix of red and white roses should look nice, Amy thought.

Tom had dished all the plates and began serving. First, plates, forks, knives, napkins. Next, a plateful of scrambled eggs, bacon piled up on one side. Lastly, a platterful of biscuits, the gravy boat, softened butter, honey, and jelly.

"Buon appetito mi amici d'amore!" Tom sat down next to Kate, across from Mike. Amy took the spot at the end of the table. Everyone dug in and found Tom's breakfast up to his usual standards. It was a happy feeling for everyone, just sitting and having a leisurely breakfast with their best friends.

After the breakfast was finished, Tom and Mike took the dishes to the sink. "Guys, ya'll want to go do something tomorrow? Maybe a picnic, or go to the brewery in McKinney?" Kate asked with upbeat enthusiasm.

"Why not both?" Mike asked, returning to the table. "We could picnic over at the lake and that's nearly halfway to Tupps."

"I love it, how bout it guys?" She looked from Tom to Amy.

"Count me in. What for the picnic?" Amy thought it sounded like a great idea.

Tom piped up, "Yeah, sounds good. How about tuna sandwiches, and I can devil some eggs if ya'll want em. Bag of chips, bottle of wine, badda bing, badda boom."

"Perfect! I think we have all the food stuff, Amy if you and Mike would like to bring a bottle... or two... of wine, and your picnic tablecloth, we can take care of the rest." Kate was bubbling over with enthusiasm.

"Consider it done. Leave here about 11:00?" Amy, too, was getting excited for the day. Incidentally, she had kind of forgotten about her tasks for today.

Mike said, "Yeah, sounds good, there's a picnic area right on the water down on the little peninsula, we should be able to get there around 11:30."

Tom said, "Sounds like a plan. Excuse me for a second." He walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

Amy looked at Mike and smiled at him. She was warm and fuzzy. She looked at Kate and drew in her breath. Kate's robe had opened a bit so that Amy, and only Amy, could see her entire right breast, nipple stiff. Kate took a sip of her coffee without acknowledging that Amy had looked her way. Amy let her gaze linger for just a brief second, then looked away back toward Mike, who had a little smile on his face as he watched her.

Tom opened the door and closed it behind him, taking his seat back at the table. "I'm so glad you two were able to have breakfast with us this morning. It's always good to get the day started off right. I make it 9:55 AM, which should be about enough time for you to get into your uniform and begin your shift, Amy."

Oh... oh, damn. Everything was so pleasant and comfortable, too... fuck.

"I... um... well..."

"No way, Amy! If I had lost you would have had me scrubbing your tub and mopping your floors, don't deny it! And I've have done it cheerfully and without complaint... because..." Kate leaned over with a grin to look directly into Amy's eyes.

"A bet..." she pecked a kiss on Amy's lips. "...is a bet."

Amy sighed. "Fuck. OK, where is this 'uniform'?"

Tom said happily, "You will find everything you need laid out for you on our bed. Feel free to change in there. We'll be in the living room. Come out and see us, and Kate will give you your task list for today."

Kate interjected, "Oh, don't be mad Amy, the bet payoff is an important part of our games. The thrill of risk and reward makes everything more exciting, more adventurous, don't you think? When you and I were desperately racing to make these boys come, the adrenaline of the competition was a big part of what was making me quiver.

"...But if you truly don't want to do it, we will let it go. Since we love you so much. And since we don't want Amy to be unhappy with her cleaning duties. And we want Amy to always get what she..." As she went on, her voice became more and more like she was talking to a puppy.

Amy cut her off sharply, "Oh shut the hell up, I'll do it, I never intended to back out. I'll do it cheerfully and without complaint. Because..." she leaned over and kissed Kate on the lips, in reciprocation for what Kate had just done to her.

With her nose an inch from Kate's, their eyes locked, "I'm going to win my fair share of these if not more, and you bet your sweet ass Mike will have you scrubbing tubs in a t-back thong and not a stitch else." Kate's eyes got wide but she couldn't suppress a big grin at Amy's gamesmanship. The tone of Amy's voice was level, but her big eyes were soft and Kate could tell she was trying to hold down a giggle.

Amy stood up. She said with as much dignity as she could muster, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get to work."

She walked into the bedroom and closed the door. Tom silently held up three fingers to the others, then two, then one, then from the bedroom --

"OH MY GOD YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"

All three erupted in laughter.

The door opened a crack and Amy stuck her face out. She made eye contact with all three of her friends with a nondescript look on her face.

"Amy, I swear to God I don't even know what it is. Tom did this 100% himself. I have not seen, and he wouldn't tell me, so I'm as excited as the boys are." Kate winked at her with a broad smile.

Amy pursed her lips. Finally, she sighed and smiled. "OK, fine. I know, I know, it's more fun if I own it. I'm gonna rock this motherfucker..." The door swung closed.

The three stood up and spent two minutes rinsing dishes for the dishwasher. Dishes go pretty fast with three people in a cleaning assembly line. Finished, they adjourned to the living room. Tom and Mike flopped down on the couch while Kate took the recliner.

Their chatting about this and that was periodically interrupted by a shriek of disbelief, peppered with the odd "WHAT THE FUCK TOM?!"

After a longer time than what Kate or Mike would have expected, they heard the bedroom door swing open, then a tantalizing click-clack of someone walking on the kitchen tile in heels.

Amy strode into the room without pause. She didn't creep in, or slink in, or show any sign of embarrassment. She walked confidently into the middle of the room and stood facing them, one hand on her hip, with a little shift in her pelvis that had the pleasing effect of emphasizing that wonderful curve between hip and waist.

"Amy Smith reporting for duty, lords and lady."

Tom sat with a grin. Mike just stared, his mouth ajar, his eyes wide as they scanned up and down his wife's body. Kate's eyes were wide as well, her lips parted slightly as she looked Amy up and down.

Standing before them was the sexiest French Maid any of them had ever seen.

This particular French Maid outfit featured a black corset with attached lacy bra cups that rose to just above her nipples. To help support it, lacy straps ran from the top of each cup, across the tops of her breasts, around her shoulders, and tied together against the back of her neck. The corset cinched her waist enticingly to contrast with the provacative curve of her hips. It covered her sides and back completely, but was laced together in the middle of her belly to provide some viewing opportunities of what lay directly below her breastbone. A lacy white... thing... (Tom didn't know what to call it) was wrapped around her waist outside the corset like a miniature apron. Black strapless thigh-high stockings stretched up past her knees, ending about mid-thigh with lacy trim. Around her neck was a choker tied into a bow at her throat, with two flaps spilling down her neck as if trying to reach those breasts. Completing the ensemble was a pair of 4-inch matte black heels which Tom was sure would let her look him eye-to-eye.