Chapter 6: Break into Two
The grand oak door creaked shut behind me as I stepped into the dimly lit foyer of my once-grand home. The air was thick with the scent of old books and dust, a silent witness to the years of sorrow that had seeped into these walls. I kicked off my shoes, the cool hardwood floor grounding me as I made my way towards the kitchen, the sound of my footsteps echoing through the cavernous house.
The kitchen, once the heart of our home, is once again clean.
It's orderliness a stark contrast to the chaos that has consumed my emotions. I pour myself a glass of water from the faucet and lean against the counter, sipping it slowly. I can hear faint sounds of the television coming from the living room, and I know that May is still awake. I should do something to thank the girls for all their help.
I look around the kitchen, my gaze landing on the bottle of wine I'd opened earlier. A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as an idea begins to form.
I grab three glasses from the cabinet and place them on the counter alongside the bottle of wine. I pour a generous amount into two glasses, the rich, ruby-red liquid shimmering under the harsh fluorescent light of the kitchen the third I fill with water.
With the glasses in hand, I make my way towards the living room, the cool liquid sloshing gently against the sides of the glasses.
As I enter the room, I find May lounging on the couch, her fiery red hair cascading over the armrest, her eyes glued to the screen. Liz is curled up against her, snuggling into her as they lay together.
The sight of them, so comfortable and intimate with each other, sends a pang of longing through me. I clear my throat, announcing my presence.
"Hey, Dad," May says, looking up at me with a warm smile. "We were just watching a movie."
"Hi, Mr. Thompson," Liz adds, sitting up and adjusting her shirt. Her cheeks flush slightly, and I can't help but wonder if they were doing more than just watching Tv.
"Here," I say, extending the glasses towards them, keeping the water for myself.
"I wanted to thank you both for all the help getting the house back in shape, and for getting me back. Having Robert to talk to was helpful to have some outside perspective, It was very illuminating. I'm glad I went to see him tonight. I think I finally understand what I need to do next."
May takes the glass of wine from me, her fingers brushing against mine. "Thanks, Dad," she says, her eyes meeting mine briefly before she takes a sip. Liz takes her glass as well, flashing me a grateful smile.
I sit down on the armchair across from them, cradling my glass of water in my hands. "Can we talk, May?
And Liz, you're welcome to stay, of course," I say, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. May raises an eyebrow, setting her glass down on the coffee table. "Sure, Dad. What's on your mind?" she asks, her tone casual but her eyes watchful. Liz sits up straighter, giving me her full attention. I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "I've been doing a lot of thinking, lately. About a lot of things. And I realized that I owe you both an apology," I begin, my gaze flicking between May and Liz. "I have been too focused on the past and not taken everything seriously enough. Its unfair to both of you." I pause, searching for the right words. "I've been distant, closed off, and I haven't been there for you, May, like I should have been. And Liz, I've been dismissive of your feelings and that was wrong of me. You said you love me, and I'm not ready to say that to you yet, but I shouldn't avoid it either, Alice wouldn't have wanted me to." I say to Liz before moving my eyes onto May. "May, How much did you talk to your mom about wanting to have a relationship with me?" I ask, trying to gauge how much she knows about her mother's feelings on the matter.
May looks at me, her expression thoughtful. "We talked about it a few times, actually. She knew I had feelings for you, even before...before she got sick. She told me that she understood, that she loved you too much to stand in the way of our happiness, even if it meant sharing you."
I'm taken aback by this revelation. "She knew? All this time, she knew?"
May nods. "Yes, Dad. She knew. And she was okay with it. She just said I had to wait until I was 18 before approaching you, and she didn't let me experiment with her unless you okayed it, she didn't want to feel like she was cheating on you.
She was very respectful of your marriage and your feelings. She wanted you to be happy, even if it wasn't with her."
I sit back in my chair, stunned. Alice had known about May's feelings for me, and not only had she accepted it, but she had also respected it. She had been willing to share me, to let May have a part of me, even if it meant putting her own desires aside.
"And what about you, May? What do you want? Are you looking for just a sexual relationship or something more? Like I told Liz I'm not ready yet, but I think I will be in the future." I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
May looks at me, her eyes filled with a mix of affection and determination. "I want it all, Dad. I want you, every part of you. I want to be with you, to love you, to support you. I want to help you heal, to find happiness again. And yes, I want the physical aspect of our relationship too. I want to explore that with you, to learn and grow together."
Her words send a shiver down my spine, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through me. I glance at Liz, who is watching our exchange with a soft smile.
"And what about you, Liz? Where do you fit into all this?" I ask, genuinely curious about her thoughts and feelings.
Liz takes a moment to respond, choosing her words carefully. "May and I have been best friends since we were kids. We've shared everything, including our bodies. When she told me about her feelings for you, I was surprised, but I supported her. Then, when she started talking about exploring her desires with you, I hoped to be a part of that journey."
She pauses, taking a sip of her wine. "I love May, deeply. But I know May would never be able to, but I would like to me Mrs. Thompson some day. Though May will always be my Mistress and I will be her pet, even if we get together, I hope you would be willing to share me with her like I'd be willing to share you with her." Liz's voice is steady, her gaze unwavering as she speaks.
I blink, taken aback by her words. Share her? With May? The thought sends a jolt of unexpected desire through me, followed by a wave of uncertainty. "You mean, like a...a threesome?"
Liz nods, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I know it might seem strange, or even taboo, but May and I have discussed it. I want you, I have for so long that no other man could ever compare, but Mistress is my life, even if you and her don't have that kind of relationship. I know its greedy but I want you both. "Liz says, her voice filled with conviction.
"I know it's unconventional, but I believe it could work. For all of us."
I lean back in my chair, absorbing her words. The idea of sharing Liz with May, of being a part of their dynamic, is both intriguing and daunting. I've never considered anything like this before, but then again, I've never been in a situation quite like this.
"What about you, May?" I ask, turning my attention to my daughter. "What do you think about all this?"
May looks at me, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and mischief. "I was ready to share you with mom, and to hopefully share her with you, I had a crush on her for longer then I did on you I think, She refused to touch me until She could share me with you though, we talked about it a few times, and she helped me with shopping for some of the toys Liz and I use.
She was very supportive of my sexuality, and I think she wanted to be a part of it, but she was always respectful of your marriage and your feelings.
I stare at May, dumbfounded. Alice had known about May's feelings for me, and not only had she accepted it, but she had also encouraged it. She had been willing to share May with me, to let us explore our desires together, even if it meant putting her own desires aside.
The realization leaves me speechless, a lump forming in my throat as I struggle to process this new information.
May reaches out, placing her hand on my knee. "Are you okay, Dad? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I clear my throat, blinking back tears. "I'm just...I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this. Your mom knew, and she was okay with it. She wanted us to be happy, even if it wasn't with her."
Liz chimes in, her voice soft. "Alice was an amazing woman. She loved you both so much. I don't think she would have let it be without her though.
She was always so caring and loving, even when she was sick. She wanted everyone to be happy, even if it wasn't with her.
May squeezes my knee gently, her eyes filled with empathy. "She really did, Dad. And she's still here, in a way. In us, in this house, in the love we share."
I nod, taking a deep breath to compose myself. "You're right, May. She is still here, in all of us. I'm not ready to commit to marriage yet, my heart is still too raw from losing Alice, but if you both are willing to be patient, I am willing to try things, It may be a while before I can say I love you in that way though." I say determined to try to make this work, this thing that Alice wanted and wanted for me.
May kisses Liz on top of her head before getting up, detangling herself from Liz and sitting on my lap facing me. "Dad, I want you, both as a man, and as a dad, I am greedy though, I want Liz, I want you, and I want both of you, I want you and Liz to be together too, not just all of us together but each of us together also.
I want you to be happy, and I want to be happy, and I want Liz to be happy. I want us all to be happy together." May says, her voice filled with conviction.
I look at May, her fiery red hair framing her face, her eyes filled with a mix of love and desire. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through me. I glance at Liz, who is watching our exchange with a soft smile, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"I want that too, May. I want us all to be happy. We need to be careful though, I don't want to ruin the love you both have for each other if things don't work out between the three of us." I say, voicing one of my main concerns.
May nods, her expression serious. "I understand, Dad. I don't want to hurt Liz, or you. We'll take things slow, and we'll communicate openly. If any of us feels uncomfortable or unhappy, we'll address it immediately."
Liz chimes in, her voice steady. "I agree. I don't want to lose May, or you, Mr. Thompson. We'll go at your pace, and we'll be honest with each other.
No secrets, no surprises," Liz adds, her gaze shifting between May and me.
I nod, appreciating their willingness to approach this unconventional relationship with care and consideration. "Alright, let's start slow. I'm open to spending more time together, getting to know each other better."
May smiles, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "That sounds perfect, Dad. I'm just glad we're finally talking about this."
Liz reaches out, taking my hand in hers. "Me too, Mr. Thompson. Can I still call you daddy? Or would you prefer something else now?" Liz asks, her voice soft and hesitant. I look at her, and realize that this dynamic shift will require adjustments from all of us, including the language we use to address each other.
"Call me whatever you're comfortable with, Liz. Daddy worked but let's not rush into anything. Let's take this slow, like we agreed."
May nods in agreement, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I like calling you Dad, but I also want to explore other names, other ways of addressing you. I want to find what feels right for all of us."
Liz smiles, squeezing my hand. "Okay, Daddy. We'll take it slow.
No rushing into anything. Let's just enjoy each other's company, get to know each other better. Maybe we can start with dinner tomorrow night? Just the three of us," I suggest, looking at May and Liz.
May's face lights up at the suggestion. "I'd love that, Dad. I would like to have you to myself for a night too, since Liz got to have you yesterday,"
Liz chuckles, "Well, I can't complain about that, If you are comfortable with it daddy.
I would love to spend some alone time with you too."
I look at May, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What do you have in mind, sweetheart?"
May grins, "How about a picnic? We could go to the park downtown, have a little adventure. Just the two of us."
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her suggestion. "A picnic? Really?"
May nods, "Yeah, why not? It's a beautiful day, and I think it would be nice to get out of the house, just the two of us. Plus, I promise to behave," she adds with a wink.
Liz smiles at that, "I'll stay here and clean the bathrooms while you two have a date night. Maybe taking turns having dates in our pairs would be good to keep us communicating and getting to know each other in this new way." Liz says, her voice thoughtful.
"That sounds like a great idea, Liz. Thank you for being so understanding and accommodating." I say, appreciative of her maturity and consideration.
May leans over and kisses Liz on the lips, "Thank you, Liz. You're the best."
Liz blushes slightly, "I just want us all to be happy, May. That's all that matters to me."
May turns to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, what do you say, Dad? Picnic tonight?"
I smile, feeling a warmth spread through me at the prospect of spending time alone with May.
"A picnic sounds lovely, sweetheart. Let's make it happen."
May claps her hands excitedly, "Yay! I'll pack some sandwiches and snacks. We can stop by the store on our way to pick up some fresh fruit and drinks."
Liz stands up, stretching languidly. "I'll leave you two to plan. I'm going to hit the shower and then tackle those bathrooms."
As Liz walks away, I turn my attention back to May.
"You have a very understanding Pet. Did you know Robert approves of the two of you? I am a bit upset he knew way before I did." I admit, running a hand through my hair.
May looks at me, her expression softening. "He cares about you, Dad. He saw how much I cared about you, and he wanted to make sure you were okay. He's a good guy."
I sigh, leaning back against the couch. "I know he is. I just wish he hadn't kept it from me."
May shrugs. "Maybe he was waiting for the right time to tell you. Or maybe he was worried about how you would react. Either way, he means well."
I nod, knowing she's right. "You're right.
I should give him the benefit of the doubt. I'll talk to him soon, clear the air," I say, making a mental note to reach out to Robert.
May smiles, pleased with my decision. "Good. Now, let's focus on our picnic. Do you have a favorite spot in the park?"
I think for a moment, memories of Alice and I picnicking in various spots throughout the years flooding my mind. "There's a little grove near the lake, with big old trees providing plenty of shade. It's usually quiet, not many people know about it."
May's eyes light up. "Ooh, that sounds perfect."
I smile at the thought of sharing my date spot with Alice with May. "I'd like that, sweetheart. It's been a while since I've explored the park properly."
May hops off my lap, her enthusiasm palpable. "Great! I'll go pack some stuff for our picnic. You should go change into something more comfortable too. maybe something easy to remove?" she says with a wink.
"I'll meet you downstairs in twenty minutes, okay?"
I watch as May bounds up the stairs, her excitement palpable. I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm, her energy infectious. I stand up, making my way towards my bedroom. As I walk, I can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the pit of my stomach. This is all happening so fast, and yet, it feels right. I push the thought aside, focusing instead on the task at hand - getting ready for my picnic with May. I jump into the shower to wash off the smoke from the bar, letting the hot water cascade over my body, washing away the remnants of my past. I take my time, enjoying the sensation of the water against my skin, allowing myself to relax and anticipate the evening ahead.
While washing my hair I hear someone in my room shuffling through my room. "Liz is that you?" I call out, my voice echoing in the bathroom. There's no response, only the sound of drawers opening and closing. I quickly rinse off and step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist. I pad out of the bathroom, my feet sinking into the plush carpet of my bedroom.
To my surprise, I find May standing by Alice's Closet, dressed in only a towel wrapped around her body and another wrapped around her hair, holding a leash attached to Liz's collar who is kneeling by her feet. She looks up at me, her eyes widening slightly as she takes in my appearance. "Oh, hey Dad.
I was just looking for something to wear tonight," May says, her voice casual despite the fact that she's standing in my bedroom, half-naked, with Liz kneeling at her feet.
I raise an eyebrow, gesturing to Liz. "And what's with the leash?"
May glances down at Liz, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Oh, this? Elizabeth is being a good girl right now, so my precious pet deserved a reward." May explains, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "what do you think of this?" May says as she pulls out one of Alice's summer dresses and holds it over herself. "Would you be alright if I wore one of mom's old dresses for our date?" May asks, her voice softening as she looks at the dress, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.
I walk closer, taking the dress from her and examining it. It's a simple sundress, one of Alice's favorites, with tiny yellow flowers printed on a white background. I remember her wearing it often, her laughter filling the air as she twirled around in the garden.
"It suits you," I say, handing the dress back to May. "She would have wanted you to have it."
May smiles, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Dad. I thought you might like the reminder of mom while you moved on." May says, her voice filled with emotion.
I reach out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "She would have been proud of you, May. You're strong, resilient, and so much like her."
May leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. That means a lot to me."
I clear my throat, stepping back slightly, blinking away a tear forming in my eye.
May wipes the tear from my eye, "Do you want me to wear something else?" she asks, concern etched on her face.
"No, sweetheart. That dress is perfect. It reminds me of your mother, and seeing you in it brings me joy. I just miss her, that's all," I say, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
May nods, understanding. "I miss her too, Dad. Every day. But she's still here, in us, in this house. And she wants us to be happy."
I take a deep breath, composing myself.