LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
PART ONE of TWO
~~~
PLANS CHANGE
Author's notes: This is a long two-part story about married couples swapping spouses for the first time. If that doesn't appeal to you, read no further.
If you like this story, you may like stories I wrote under the pen name, "pellucidbard." After a long hiatus from writing, I couldn't remember login's, etc. and had to reestablish under a new pen name.
Please enjoy "Land of the Midnight Sun."
PROLOGUE
My wife and I own an architectural firm in New Hampshire and serve the northern part of New England. We make a pretty decent living, but the business is very demanding and we typically work six days a week. Every second month we take a 4-day 'weekend', typically, to go hiking or snow skiing according to the season. Once a year, we take a two-week vacation and every second year, that vacation is taken with my wife's brother and his wife. This story is about our last biennial vacation with them -- a ski trip to Sweden.
In business and in life, I have learned you don't know what the next hour, day or week may hold. You make plans, develop routines, and have expectations. Frequently, however, a turn of events catches you off-guard and is unwelcome. But on rare occasions, the unexpected can be desirable, even life-changing.
This story is about one of those times. But it doesn't start that way.
INTRODUCTIONS
I'm Sean, 46. My wife, Lynn, is 42. We enjoy outdoor activities and keep fit by running regularly -- 5-K together, three times a week; and once a week, I do a brisk 10-K (my knee-limited distance). My wife faithfully adheres to a substantial fitness regimen. I do stretches, sit-ups and push-ups each morning, that's it. I lack the patience for long work outs.
Lynn is a sultry, statuesque brunette -- She has a medium, olive brown complexion owing to Moorish-Sicilian ancestry. Her oval face is highlighted by full, dark eyebrows, dark brown eyes, a slender, medium length nose and moderately full lips. Her dark brown hair hangs to the small of her back, is worn straight and often tied in a loose ponytail draped in front of one shoulder.
At 5'-11" and 135 lbs., she is tall and shapely, with an elongated hour glass figure (38-25-36). Full C-cup breasts nicely fill out her slightly broad chest. With her trim waist, flat stomach, medium hips and firm, shapely derriere, she has an amazing body. But I think her long, perfectly shaped legs are her best physical attribute.
The first time I saw her was from behind. She had on a short, snug-fitting skirt which highlighted her rear and nicely displayed her long, shapely legs. I thought, if she looks as good from the front, I will have to marry her.
She did. And I did. (After much begging and conniving on my part.)
I'm an average to handsome guy -- depending on whom you ask. My once blond, now dirty-dishwater-blond hair is worn in a standard business cut, combed to one side and back. I'm clean shaven (can't grow a decent mustache or beard). I have average facial features, a moderately strong jawline and chin, and an average-sized nose that is slightly crooked from being broken. I've been told my 'bedroom' eyes are my best facial feature. I don't know. I have two. They are blue.
Women are probably attracted to me more for my body than my face. I'm 6'-3', 210 lbs. and fairly powerfully built. If I was shorter, I would be called stocky. Although I don't have the classic V-shaped upper body and cut physique of a bodybuilder, a fair number of women have found my body appealing. My wife says I 'reek' of 'manliness'. So, I reek. Oh, she also says I have a great ass. I'd rather be known for a handsome face, but I guess I'll take what I can get -- 'ass' and 'reek'. At least she didn't put the two together.
I. PLANS CHANGE
Our biennial vacation with my wife's brother and sister-in-law was two weeks away. As usual, Lynn was stressing: What are we forgetting; what arrangements didn't we make; what's the weather going to be; what to pack; tickets, passports...
I do the same thing, only I wait till the last day when it's too late to fix anything.
I was assuring my wife we were on track when her cell phone chimed with her sister-in-law's number. She answered cheerfully, but her smile quickly faded.
"I'm so sorry...No...Of course...Don't worry about it...Yes...No...Mm hmm...Okay, you just take care of Ricky...Love you, too. Keep us updated...Mm, bye." Lynn looked crestfallen.
"What happened? What about Rick?"
"He's in the ICU in serious but not life-threatening condition. A speeding car t-boned his in an intersection. He will require several surgeries. Needless to say, they have to cancel their trip with us. What now? Do we cancel...?"
I interrupted, "Honey, we can't cancel. Our son wasn't in an accident. These things are non-refundable. I feel terrible about Rick and our in-laws, but two years have gone into planning this vacation. And it's also for our 20
th
anniversary."
"I know, I know. And that's exactly what Charlotte said. I just have to adjust to it being only us."
"Charlotte's right, honey. And, hey, why can't we considerate it a second honeymoon."
A slight grin appeared, and she replied, "Mmm, a 'romantic' vacation for two might be just what we need. Romance has waned a bit, lately."
"Second honeymoon it is!" I replied as she wrapped me up in a warm hug.
For the past eight months, we've been adding and training new staff to ultimately reduce our own workload, and in the interim, working very long hours. As a result, we've had very little quality time for romance and sex. However, we were able to complete the training and restructuring of our operations before this vacation, so we are looking forward to a less stressful future, with more personal time.
At 20 years, we have an active sex life, and we've developed tried and true positions and techniques to optimize pleasure, but sex has started to be a bit routine. It needed some spicing up. We tried various things, until we recently hit on something that added some variety and excitement -- fantasy roleplay. It turned out we both liked liaisons with imaginary couples. My wife also enjoyed a girl-on-girl fantasy (I got pretty good at being the girl...don't get the wrong idea.)
Our fantasies were certainly based within the realm of possibility, but not probability. We knew we would never have the combination of opportunity and collective nerve to act on any of them.
II. PLANS CHANGE...AGAIN
Four days before our departure, we were all set. My wife was satisfied with preparations and we were getting excited about our romantic trip for two.
Charlotte's number chimed. She had exciting news.
No, they couldn't go. Yes, Rick's first surgery went well. Oh, but guess what? This is so great! We found someone to use our reservations and tickets! Oh, you'll love them.
They're a nice young couple...
All this with my wife barely talking, staring into space and biting her lip. Then with feigned enthusiasm and the normal pleasantries, she hung up and stood there.
I asked, "Well?"
"You're not going to believe this, but Sam and Charlotte found a couple to take their place. They will meet up with us in New York."
"So much for our second honeymoon," I groused, "at least someone we know and like, I hope?"
"No," she shook her head, "she's sending their info. Apparently, our travel dates coincided with this couple's spring break and by adding a week, they could join us."
I lost it. "Spring break?! How old are they, 19?"
Obviously upset herself, Lynn answered, "Honey, I don't know. All she said was they're a 'nice young couple'. she's sending an email with their info." She flopped on the divan and I slumped beside her.
We never had children, so never experienced parenthood. We sure as hell didn't want to start now! I put my arm around her and muttered, "We're screwed."
III. THE 'NICE YOUNG COUPLE'
When we got the email, we were somewhat relieved. The couple turned out to 26 and 23, respectively. Greg is a grad student training to be a forensic pathologist, and his wife, Jessica is an astronomy major in her senior year. According to our in-laws, both are very smart, mature and well grounded. They didn't sound bad, just young. And you had to wonder, what could we possibly have in common?
We flew into JFK the day before our flight to Stockholm and checked into the Courtyard Hotel, next to the airport. Our new travel mates were taking over our in-laws' room and would meet us at the hotel, later that day.
We arrived around three p.m.; they were scheduled to arrive around six. We got a quick bite to eat, relaxed till five, then freshened up and changed. While relaxing, we discussed the changes to our vacation and resigned ourselves to the situation. We would make the best of it.
If life gives you limes, find someone with tequila and...Hey, I know it's lemons, but whoever heard of tequila and lemons?
We made reservations at the "144 Restaurant" for 8 p.m. At 5:30, Greg called to let us know they had arrived, were checking in, and needed a few to freshen up and change their rumpled clothes. They'd had a long flight from SoCal. We agreed to meet them in the cocktail lounge at 6:30.
We arrived at the lounge not knowing what they looked like, so we looked for a 'nice', young couple. Turned out, there were several youngish couples there. As we eyed each one, none eyed us back. Before we appeared to be cruising young people, we took a seat and waited. Shortly, a handsome couple entered and headed right for us.
"Hi. Sean and Lynn, I hope?"