My usual thanks go out to Kenji, editor extraordinaire, and to Paolo for his unstinting support and advice! Hopefully, all my 'carriage returns' are sorted, but I ain't holding my breath! Things will be slowing down, and I'll be skipping ahead days, weeks, and months. There's still a bit of the story to be told so... Thanks, as always, to all who have read, and commented on the storyline. It's appreciated.
Chapter 80
Meeting Janet
's Parents
Another day, another...
After talking with us, Emily had a slightly increased offer on her house, and accepted the offer. It was her decision, but it was nice that she asked for our opinion. We had been invited to Janet's house for dinner, her parents kindly asking the kids to join us, too. Chrissie talked with Mathew at the V&A, just checking in with any progress. Their paperwork would be sent by the week's end. We anticipated leaving Chicago at the beginning of June, so she set a start date for the beginning of July, thinking four weeks would be enough time to settle in. She had received paperwork and applications for the Richmond schools, so those were filled in, and fees paid. She just needed to get the kids' transcripts before we left.
We headed to Janet's after we all settled and caught up. Chrissie had met them several times over the past five or so years, so we wouldn't be going in blind. We grabbed the address from Janet, put it into the satnav and set off. We pulled into a quite spacious drive, and a lovely three-story brick house. Janet was waiting beside her car, and led us in, her arm wrapped around the kids.
"Mom? Dad? We're here!" she yelled out.
They both appeared down the hallway, Janet saying, "You remember David and Chloe?" she asked.
"Of course we do! How are you both? We haven't seen you for a while now. How was your birthday, Chloe?" she asked.
"It was good," she smiled up at Janet's mom.
"Mom, Dad,...you remember Chrissie? This is Tom, and his...partner, Emily. This is my mom, Anne, and my dad, Steven," she introduced us.
We shook hands, hugged everyone, and headed to the front room. Janet prepared
G&Ts for everyone, and we sat on the comfortable sofas, the ordeal of small talk beginning. We all relaxed, and the conversation began to flow easier. It was all pretty comfortable, them checking us out, as much as we were them. They seemed an affable couple. We were called into the dining room, and had a lovely spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread, which was terrific!
Steven dug right in. I liked that about the guy.
"So, Tom. You want to take our daughter away to London, eh? My first question is 'why'?" he asked, straightforward.
"Well, Steven, Chrissie can probably explain that a bit better than I would. Chrissie?" I said.
Chrissie laid out our plan, the how's and why's, spelling out what we were looking for. At the end of the day, it was for the kids to make their transition easier. She explained, in quiet tones, that they had just lost their father, and the turmoil they were understandably in. He understood that. Chrissie showed the house video, going over where Janet's annexe would be. We made it clear that she was a child-minder only, understanding that her coursework had to come first.
I talked about how we would be her sponsors if the government needed that. We would help her with everyday expenses, pay her a living wage, and pay for her flight to get to London at the end of summer. I stressed that we would watch out for her. She would be under our roof, and we would be responsible for her.
"Steven, Anne, she would be a member of our family, and would be treated as such. We're in the lucky position to help, so we'd like to...if that's all right with you both?" I said.
"You know that if we hadn't known Chrissie for as long as we have, we'd be saying 'no' to this. We'll be trusting you with our only daughter, you know that?" he asked, seriously.
"Dad? Really? I'm twenty-three. Sheesh! I'll be in the safest hands, dad. Mom? You've known Chrissie for years now. Do you really think she'd see anything bad happen to me? These three are THE most genuine people you will ever meet. I couldn't be safer, or more cared for anywhere," Janet smiled.
"Steven, I have always treated her as one of my own. I think you know how I feel
about your daughter. And the kids!" Chrissie smiled.
I had a second helping of the spaghetti, as the conversation drifted to the culture, and benefits of studying in the UK. I decided not to offer the financial assistance to pay the school fees, as it looked like they could afford it.
"Okay...let us talk about this offer, then we'll get back to you, all right?" Steven asked.
"Whatever you're comfortable with is fine with us. Just let us know, and we can get things started," I said, deciding these were not the kind of people that would take my quip about not selling their daughter into white slavery well.
We spent the next hour easily chatting, the 'interview' going well, I thought. We needed to get the kids home, and in bed, so we made our excuses, hugging, and shaking hands as we left. Chrissie and Ems chastely kissed Janet goodbye, me just lightly hugging her.
We headed home, careful what we were saying with the kids in the car. We had laid out our plan, so it was up to them now. I still thought the opportunity we were offering her was terrific, and Janet had a bright future in front of her, either way.
We arrived home, so Chrissie and Ems sorted the kids whilst I poured the drinks. I wasn't relegated yet, so I could read to them both before lights out. I had asked Janet if she would take David on a tour of the ancient vases at the Institute, and maybe the Oriental Museum. He still was intrigued with mine, so I thought he'd like a tour sometime. Janet knew more about this specialised field, but was sure Chrissie would join them. I kissed them both goodnight, and went to the front room with trepidation!
The three of us sat on the sofa, and sipped our drinks, another step taken tonight. Chrissie thought they'd agree to our offer, thinking, as we all did, that they'd be silly to pass on the offer. There was no teasing tonight! We 'ticked' a few more things off our list, but added a few more!
"Tell me, do you think you two would be able to share a car in London? We should start looking at what you'll want," I said.
Chrissie and Emily looked at each other.
"I...I think we could share, sure. I mean, are you getting a car for yourself?" Chrissie
asked.
"Probably. Not that you two wouldn't be able to drive it, but we do need a, dare I say, family car. Have a look and see what appeals to you. Maybe an MPV of some sort? That may give us more room, and easier for trips out. It doesn't matter, as long as we can all sit comfortably, okay? I'll buy the car, all right? But you two are responsible for the insurance, and upkeep, okay?" I said.
"Don't tell me you're getting your car back from Ben?" Chrissie laughed.
"If he'll sell it to me, yes, BUT no, I haven't talked to him about that!" I laughed.
"So...how much can we spend?" Chrissie asked, tentatively.
"You choose a couple of cars, and we'll talk about it, all right?" I said.
Chrissie and Emily just smiled at each other. "Tom, we want you to have your car back. If we can help, we will, okay?" Chrissie said.
"That's very kind of you, darling. It's not that important, but thanks," I said.
They both laughed at me. Yeah, I didn't buy it, either!
We turned everything off, and made our way to bed. Chrissie's stomach was playing her up, so she wanted an outside place tonight, and Emily greedily grabbed the middle. Cleaned and changed, we all slipped in, kisses and hugs all around, and we were set.
I lay there thinking about how natural this was all becoming. We just seemed to work so well together in so many ways. Not that Chrissie and I hadn't, but this was a different connection, somehow more effortless, and more profound.
Chapter 81
Catching Up and an Awkward Encounter for Chrissie
The rest of the week went well. Every day, I was thankful for these two. I could give them parts of our growing list, knowing everything would be sorted. Chrissie found that it may be more cost-effective to keep her furniture and have it all shipped. Emily could keep any pieces she wasn't sure about, instead of selling things off. They had found a firm that would pack, ship, and set everything up in our new home. We would just need a diagram of the rooms, and stickers saying what went where. We'd save money on a rental, and get into the house as soon as we landed.
Ems was signing paperwork to get her house sale going. Chrissie had a viewing on Wednesday, and it seemed to go well, but no offer was forthcoming yet. I called Ben from work, and caught up with him. I apologised for not getting a hold of them when Emily and I were in town. He understood, which didn't surprise me. Then the BIG news! Elaine was pregnant! It was their first, and both were overjoyed. Chrissie was walking by the room when he told me, so I called her in, and told her. She shrieked and grabbed the phone from me, congratulating him, and asking to speak with Elaine. For the next fifteen minutes, I sat there, as I'm sure Ben was, and listened to the one-sided conversation. It was still early days, but all was well. It was wonderful to catch up with them both. I missed his companionship, he being my closest friend over there.
We hadn't heard from mom and dad yet. I was in two minds to head over on my own, try to talk some sense into them, but put that off for a few more days. We were invited to Emily's parents tomorrow, Friday evening. Ems was pretty blasé about it. After all, she's a mature thirty-five-year-old woman! She was going to mention it Thursday evening, so we would just be filling in some grey areas Friday night, although there shouldn't be any! Emily had spent Wednesday night at her place, keeping it dusted, and ready, and rethinking what pieces of furniture to bring. Chrissie and I had a relaxed evening in bed, talking, and touching. I couldn't resist my touches getting more insistent, and amorous as the evening wore on.
"I...I really shouldn't, Tom. Another day or two?" she asked, shyly, not something she was comfortable talking about, even at thirty-six!
I...I don't care, Chrissie," I said. "There's no reason for you to feel awkward. I don't. I...I won't go down on you, but there's no reason we can't make love, darling?" I explained.
"Really? You would seriously...you know...even now?" she asked, surprised. "It's a bit...oh, forget it! You're just trying to embarrass me! Stop it, Tom!" she sighed, getting frustrated.
"Chrissie. Look at me," I smiled. "I'll make love to you anytime, darling. You still don't understand how bloody desirable you are to me, do you?" I asked.
"Oh, I get that, Tom!" she chuckled. "But...now? I...I'd be happy to just blow you...
if that would help?" she asked, shyly.
"It's not about me, Chrissie," I laughed. "It's about us, okay? I know I shouldn't say this, but...you DO know it's you, don't you? As close as I am getting with Ems, it's you. I love the dynamic between the three of us, but no one will ever be closer to me. I understand what Ems is bringing to us, but it's you," I sighed, leaned over, and kissed her. "Chrissie, it's NOT about me getting off. It's me making love with the woman I love. If you don't want to, fine. I can wait, believe me. I just don't think something like that should hold us back, understand?" I asked.
She cupped my face, kissed me chastely, and whispered, "Perhaps I should grab a towel then?" she coyly giggled.
