Chapter 20
Go West Young Man
Taryn woke up the next morning snuggled up to Veronica with Owen and Karen snuggled up to each other right next to her. Rosina had made it to her own bed and managed to set her alarm before she passed out. That next morning she was the one to make sure that everyone got up to get the day started. As was tradition and the rule within the family nothing was said about Veronica dominating Taryn for a portion of the previous evening. Veronica did not brag, nor did Taryn complain, and the next morning, all went back to "normal" with Taryn as Mistress and Veronica as Slave. That rest of the weekend progressed like any other but with a few key differences.
For one, a real estate agent was called to list the business, which included the building, for sale and the whole experience, was a little scary and real for Karen. While Karen liked her Spa, she didn't love it. It was a hobby which she had started years ago and because of the divorce it became something she couldn't stop. Despite the fact that she neither loved, nor hated it, it was still something which had been in her life for a very long time. While it was not grand one, it was indeed a comfortable and known existence, and selling it made the whole move real to Karen. The most surprising thing to Karen was seeing the six-digit figure the real estate agent and Veronica came up as a price for the Spa.
For another Owen focussed on doing all the little jobs which needed to be done around the Spa yet never quite got done. Owen switched from Lawyer to handyman as he scraped, painted, repaired and touched-up almost every area of the Spa and apartment. The physical work seemed to do Owen good both in mind and body. He enjoyed the chance to give back to Karen and take care of her in a real way and also was a good workout. This handyman work continued on into the next workweek for Owen.
On Monday morning, the ladies all submitted their change of name forms together, changing their last names to "Stronge." Rosina then convinced the other women to add a middle name of their respective Slave-Names. Taryn was the most reluctant but agreed to it as long as she didn't have to change her middle name, which was her grandmother's name.
Veronica and Rebecca took a longer lunch than usual and went to a nice restaurant around the corner from their work. They had not seen each other since work on Friday, and so there was a lot to talk about. Usually they snuck away for some private time over lunch but today was different. You see it was during this lunch that Veronica planned to break the news to Rebecca about the move and that is exactly what she did. By the end of it Rebecca was in shock, her mind filled with a mix of emotions as she sat there sipping on her coffee trying to process what she had just heard.
"Moving? Across the country?" Rebecca said in a quiet voice of shock as she looked deeply into Veronica's eyes.
"It's a great opportunity not just for Master, but for all of us," Veronica said as she said in a comforting manner as she looked back into Rebecca's eyes. "A chance to start over, and let everyone see us as the one family we now are . . . isn't that wonderful?" she added with a happy tone to her voice as she squeezed Rebecca's hand.
"I know, and I agree, starting over somewhere far, far, away is a nice thought, but . . . my children, what about them?" Rebecca said with a mixture of happiness and fear as she looked to Veronica for support.
"Do you get to visit them now? When did you see them last?" Veronica asked in an empathetic manner while she showed her genuine care and concern for Rebecca.
"Harold won't let me near them and thanks to that stupid divorce papers I signed, he doesn't have to. The last time I saw them was when we took them to the pool," Rebecca said with a sad look in her eye.
"I remember, wasn't that fun?" Veronica said in a warm tone of voice with a smile to match.
"Yeah, it was," Rebecca replied and the two women smiled warmly for a moment before the mood turned cold.
"I'm sure Master can do something about that, he wanted to do so before . . ." Veronica added in a chipper and eager tone of voice before her words trailed off, both women knew the rest of the sentence.
"Before I ran away again, again" Rebecca added as she hung her head in shame.
"That was then, this is now. I don't see you running away this time," Veronica added as she put her hand on Rebecca's shoulder and squeezed.
"Am I ready? Am I ready to meet Sir?" Rebecca lifted her head and asked with hope in her eyes.
"Yes . . . but I was going to introduce you on Reformation Day . . . remember?" Veronica replied in a nervous and uncomfortable manner.
"Yes, Mistress," Rebecca said submissively and paused for a moment before she added, "But, what if you move before then?"
"Don't worry, I won't leave you behind," Veronica said with a warm and comforting smile before their lips were drawn together for their first semi-public kiss . . . ever.
Late one night that week when the house was quiet and still Veronica was still up. She was deep in thought over what to do about Rebecca; when was the best time to tell the family about her. Veronica was in the living room cleaning and tidying up what was already clean and tidy, simply needing something constructive to do with her hands, since she was not able to sleep. Taryn came in and took one look at the busy Veronica and knew something was up, with a sigh she walked towards her.
"Dee-Dee, what is it?" Taryn asked as she walked into the living room.
"Nothing," Veronica said as she dusted a clean bookshelf.
"C'mon," Taryn said as she grasped Veronica by the shoulders and directed her to sit down on the couch.
Veronica wasn't sure about what to say, how much to tell Taryn. Should she tell her friend, family member and Mistress about Rebecca? Or should she try to probe Taryn and find out how she felt about Rebecca? Could Veronica find out more information than she gave up?
"It's silly," Veronica said in an embarrassed manner, looking down and away.
"No, it's not!" Taryn said as she wrapped her arms around Veronica and pulled the woman into a cuddle on the couch. That cuddle left both women lying beside each other and Veronica's head on Taryn's shoulder. "What is it?" she asked as she began to stroke Veronica's hair while Veronica sighed contently, loving the embrace.
"I . . . I was just wondering about Rebecca," Veronica said in a worried tone. "Where is she? What is she up to? What about . . ." she added but her words drifted off before she finished the sentence.
"Master's child? I know, I've been thinking about her too," Taryn said in an equally worried tone of voice as she squeezed Veronica tighter.
