LAST SUNDAY, EARLY MORNING
I lean against the kitchen counter, my biceps flexing as I grip the edge. The sleek, modern cabinets and appliances gleam under the dim lighting, bathing us in a sensual glow. The forty-two-inch countertop is the perfect height, allowing me to effortlessly support Allison’s hips.
My ears pick out the song on the sound system as it greets the chorus of “I think I love you . . .’ before the heat of the moment drowns it out.
Allison’s breath hitches as I position myself between her thighs. My heart pounds against my chest, matching the frantic beat of her pulse. I tease her slick entrance with the head of my member, feeling her anticipation coil tightly in her core.
With a slow, deliberate thrust, I push forward, my thick shaft parting her folds and sinking deep into her welcoming heat. Allison gasps, her head falling back as I fill her completely. Her walls clench around me, drawing me in further.
I begin to move, withdrawing until only the tip remains before thrusting back in. Each stroke builds a steady rhythm, driving into her with increasing fervor. The counter creaks beneath us, the only sound aside from our labored breaths and the slap of skin on skin.
I feel the telltale tightening of Allison’s inner muscles, signaling her impending release. My own orgasm approaches as I pull back for a couple more deep thrusts.
“Allison, I’m…” Her response is a lingering, “Yeeeesssssss.”
BEEP!!! BEEP!!! BEEP!!! BEEP!!! BEEP!!!
My eyes fluttered open as consciousness slowly crept back in, greeted by the faint glow of early dawn seeping through the curtains, the chorus lightly playing across my lips, “I think I love you. . . .” Beside me, Allison stirred, her golden hair splayed across my chest. I smiled, remembering where I was – and more importantly, who I was with.
She sleepily said, “What did you say?”
“Oh, just some song I was hearing I think.”
“You know, we’re going to miss the best waves if we don’t hurry,” Allison murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep. She propped herself up on one elbow, looking down at me with a mischievous glint in her eye.
I chuckled, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face. “I was having the most incredible dream though… something about a certain California girl, the kitchen counter and . . . “
Allison’s hand slipped beneath the sheets, finding my already hardening length. “A Cali girl, you say?” she purred, stroking me with tantalizing slowness.
I inhaled sharply, my hips involuntarily lifting off the bed. .
In a flash, Allison straddled me, her blonde locks cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. “Well then, I think we need to give you some inspiration for next time,” she said with a wink, before taking me into her mouth.
A low moan escaped my lips as I felt her warm, wet lips enveloping me. My hands found her thighs, caressing the soft skin, moving higher until I reached her core. I traced her folds with a feather-light touch, eliciting a gasp around my member. Slowly, teasingly, I circled her sensitive bud, feeling her quiver above me.
Allison pulled back, her blue eyes blazing with desire. “My turn,” she whispered huskily, before positioning herself over me and sinking down in one smooth motion.
I groaned, my hands gripping her hips as she began to ride me with deliberate slowness. “You’re going to break this mount for sure,” I panted, drinking in the sight of her above me, hair wild, breasts bouncing with each movement.
She leaned down, her lips brushing my ear. “Just riding my cowboy,” she breathed, quickening her pace.
Our lovemaking became frantic, passionate, a tangle of limbs and moans and whispered endearments. When we finally climaxed, it was in unison, a shared ecstasy that left us both trembling and spent.
Much later, after a quick shower and two green fruity drinks, we finally made it to the beach. The sun was high, the waves long past their morning peak. But none of that mattered. Today, we had each other, and that was enough.
As we floated, momentarily holding hands, I kissed her before saying, “This is going to be the best wave of the day.”
Last Tuesday, 8:05 AM
I sat in the plush love seat across from Dr. Downs, my long legs stretched out in front of me, hands folded in my lap. The psychiatrist’s office was bathed in a warm, inviting light, the decor a mix of modern and traditional elements that somehow managed to feel both comfortable and professional.
“So, Lukas,” Dr. Downs began, his Scottish brogue soothing and warm. “I’d like to discuss something we have not touched on recently. How are you adapting to the events surrounding the Four Hoursemen’s attack.”
I shrugged, my broad shoulders rising and falling beneath my black t-shirt. “It’s been… tough, I guess. Losing my powers, having to step down as team leader. The fact Affinity almost died due the mistake I made. It’s been a lot to process. Elevate is a decent leader, but it just felt so . . . abrupt without real cause, and I feel like I can do better.” I sighed, running a hand through my shaggy blond hair. “So, yea, tough is an understatement, but I’m trying to stay positive. Focus on the good things, you know?”
Dr. Downs nodded encouragingly. “Such as?”
“My research, I think I am getting close in the simulation of combining this alien berry to a raspberry that would be extremely heat resistance and grow in areas of the smallest amount of rain. I think it could do wonders in areas of the world where a lot of hunger goes unchecked.”
“Also, Senator Graham is apparently back in town this weekend at a state conference on underserved Homocon populations, so Lindsay will be back. She and Alani and Allison and I are going out to dinner somewhere on the coast.”
“Anything else positive to report?”
Hesitantly, “I think things with Allison have gotten better.” I could feel a faint blush rise up my neck, and I ducked my head, grinning shyly. “We struggled a lot during that final stage of the Horsemen and the days after, and I thought we would break up, and she nearly died because of my mistake, but thanks to Elevate cutting my skin off, well you know, we seem to have come to a new . . . equilibrium I guess.” A sad sound escapes before I can bury it, “I don’t think, well never mind. Its been tough though, we haven’t had a chance to prove we can do it since I haven’t been given the chance to lead again, but we have managed a better separation between Rangers and personal stuff, at least I think so.
I shake my head to get back on track a little bit, before continuing, “Mainly I am super excited for Lindsay to meet Allison, even though Alani had lunch with us both once at the Asian place within the Center. I think Lindsay’s really going to like her, in some ways they are similar. I mean, they don’t have the same powers obviously, as Lindsay’s are enhanced strength and speed, or at least that’s all I know she has, whereas Allison’s are mentally based, but surfing, martial arts, those are what are similar. There are more differences than similar but at least there is something they can talk about they both enjoy.”
I paused for a few seconds before I hear my mouth speaking faster than my brain is consciously thinking, “You know, Allison was the first person, well first person, I met here that became our team I mean. I saw her when I came to the academy when Lindsay dropped me off, she was working out with Mick in the Gridiron, on all this fancy martial arts stuff, and you could tell they had been at it awhile, when she came out she was soaked in sweat, hair pulled up in a pony-tail but also sweat soaked, and still she smiled like meeting you was the best thing of the day. I don’t know if it was love at first sight but it was definitely, at least for me, attraction at first sight. Getting to know her just made it worse, better? Funny, nice to everyone, smart as hell.”
“Lukas, all of that brought a smile to your face, except when you stopped, you frowned. Care to discuss what prompted that?”
I look down at my hands as I try to stifle my irritation at myself, or well, “I, well honestly, I was hoping I had moved past it but my room is next to Felix’s, and so . . . it was disappointing when she chose Felix. I had,” a deep breath as I try to relax, “hoped she would see through Felix’s charm, I mean, I know he’s got this hot bad boy look, but that’s all it is, its easy to tell he’s out for one thing, his personal instant gratification and to add another notch to his bed-stand or wherever he keeps track.” I bite my lip for a moment, “I was hurt, obviously, since we had been flirting too, but also I really didn’t want Allison to be hurt by anyone, especially someone that’s on our team.”
“Your feelings are not unusual, and I know that doesn’t make one feel better, but I am glad that you have made enough progress that you are finally willing to share those here, its a huge step forward in actually letting loose of the resentment you have for Felix and Allison.”
My head rises of its own accord, it seems, “Wait, I didn’t say I resented Allison. Felix, yea, but not Allison.”
Downs smiles comfortingly, before asking, “Didn’t you just say you felt hurt when Allison chose Felix?”
I reply with a slow, “Yes,” and I know Downs hears whatever everyone says my accent roll out, but it sounds normal to me.
“So don’t you think that at least some of that resentment is targeted towards Allison? Unless of course you believe Allison had no decision in the matter?”
I don’t know what makes me flush, shock or outrage or something else when I retort, “Of course Allison made that decision, I mean, we were all in our rooms so she had to walk over there, and even then I am certain that Felix would never force anyone. Hell, he blinks and all the women seem to swarm him not that that means, well,” I stutter, “I mean, you know, ugh,” a deep breath inhaled and slowly exhaled, “In no way do I think Felix did anything with Allison that night without consent from her, its,” another deep steadying breath, “its just that, I guess, I mean, ” I pause, and Downs let’s me gather my thoughts, “I wanted to be the first choice, not the, ” I feel my cheeks burning, “the consolation prize.”
I steadied my breath, feeling somehow lighter as if a burden I hadn’t been aware of dissipated, at least momentarily. I knew therapy worked, it had helped me rebalance and move thru the grief when Mom died, but I had never really discussed my . . . relationships with a therapist while in the middle of that relationship, it was usually just after and my mind spun in multiple directions as the Doc scratched along in his notepad.
“If you were hurt at that time, how did you feel about Allison and Barbe’s relationship?” Downs asked me, proving I still couldn’t anticipate where they questions would go, as I hadn’t really thought about it recently.
So, I cleared my throat before answering, “You know, in a way, while I was really, really angry with Barbe when she initiated the sexual relationship with Allison, I mean really angry, especially since it was so public, on the elevator and basically, it echoed. For a bit, I really hated Barbe, I mean, she knew how much I was into Allison, and, yea, I know, it takes two to tango and all that, but even though I was really, really hurt, for a few days I thought that meant Allison and I had another connection, and that with time, when she realized that both the bad boy and the bad girl didn’t really care for her and were using her for their own reasons, that we could connect on multiple levels and eventually, maybe she would see me the way I saw her. At least that’s what I remember thinking anyway.”
Downs kept writing for a minute or so, before gazing directly at me, and while it was difficult to meet his eyes, I did so. “What additional connection did you believe you now had?”
Confused, I thought back to what I had said, “Oh, well, that she was interested in both women and men, that she was bisexual. I mean, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone, almost everyone is on a continuum of sexual identity and preference,” I halted myself realizing I was veering off track as normal when I wanted to shift the topic, “I mean, I had offered to discuss her new-found feelings with her if she wanted to, you know, confide in a friend.” Another deep breath, “We were supposed to meet one evening and she had seemed thankful, but then when we did, she assured me she didn’t need to talk, that she was adamant that she wasn’t into girls, and I think she said something along the lines of, “I’m not like . . . that.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“I understood her denial, it happens a lot after, you know, initial experimentation. So I let it drop.”
“Lukas, you know that’s not what I am asking. You know we can’t move forward without actually describing the feelings and its always better to come back to it if necessary.”
I did know that, Downs had said it to me often, although my previous therapist had allowed me to write it out, but yea I was younger then. I could hear my Dad saying, “You can’t expect honesty from other people if you can’t at least be honest with yourself,” while my mother had repeatedly said that “no feeling is bad, its just a feeling, its how you deal with your own feelings that leads to understanding of others,” and she had been a powerful person in developing and sharing understanding with all kinds of people.
“Lukas?”
“Sorry, Doc, I was just thinking. I felt a little like she was condemning people who are bi-sexual.” I grimaced, there I said it.
“What did you do with that feeling, that thought?”
“I decided to do nothing with it, if we ever got together then I would figure out how to explain my own attraction if and when it became necessary.”
Downs, writing, “So then you have discussed it with her now that you are seeing each other?”
“You know, it feels like dating an empath who can feel your feelings would be easier than just a normal relationship,” It felt like the AC wasn’t working in here when I replied to his actual question, “I mean, kind of. Some of the details sort of slipped out in this truth drinking game we did a while back.”
“I don’t believe that is quite the same thing, Lukas.”
I sit back into the couch, but I can’t help answering, “I know, on top of that I think Allison was pretty toasted and didn’t remember anyway.” Then I just realized what I had said, sitting up in alarm, “You aren’t going to report that are you?” I could just see Barbe and Felix and their anger if I got them in trouble again.
“Lukas, whether or not, you and your team are drinking on occasion is not really my concern here, unless of course it becomes a real problem, addiction or affects behaviors at school or missions.”
“Oh, thank the gods.”
“How about this, we have about twenty minutes left in our session, so I will ask a different question, and since you started with what you thought was going well, how about we discuss one thing that is not going well?”
Fuck a rabid cow on ice, we still had that much time? I was already emotionally drained from discussing what I thought had gone well and where it lead to discuss this, so I took a couple minutes to think about it. I scowl while looking at the ceiling with my arms on the back of the couch as I try to buy time. There really is only one thing that warrants discussion.
I finally answer with resignation ringing through my body, “The leadership question.”
“Specifically, what about the team leadership, do you mean Waverly?”
“No, not Elevate per se, but kind of. I can’t help feeling like I failed in some big way that the Director won’t tell me about. The only reason Elevate is part of the equation is that she replaced me, and she had only been with the team and at the academy a short time. I mean, I also get it because Cosmik was in a coma, so there also wasn’t really a choice, although I think its possible both Ba’acho and Affinity could do a decent job, its just that the Director didn’t give, I mean there wasn’t a lot of justification, and he did it before I took on Ethan’s curse by trying to help heal him, a curse that had ultimately been directed at me. I didn’t think I had made any real bad decisions before then, and we, I mean the team stood up for me, and tried to both comfort me and fight the Director on it. I don’t know what Myriad said exactly but it was loud and I really appreciated it.” A deep calming breath before I continue, “and “I just try to help Elevate where I can, but I also strongly feel I can do a better job, again not because she’s bad because she’s not, she’s actually pretty good.” Another deep breath before I take the real plunge, “I just feel like there is something personal in the Director’s decisions, like because Allison is his niece, because he doesn’t seem to care about Barbe and Chayton, and he didn’t seem to care about her . . . relationships with, well, you know.”
Downs pencil scratched, before he gazed directly at me, “Do you think there is some outside factor or reason the director has for giving you what seem like a different set of standards?”
Pondering for quite a bit, I finally admit, “I don’t really have a clue. I just haven’t been able to figure anything else out, and that was the only direct thing the Director said to me, I mean a leader being involved with a team member. Allison and I have talked about how we need to separate us and Affinity/Voltaic during missions and team mechanics, but I haven’t had another chance to lead nor has Mick given me anything else to go on, so we haven’t been able to prove it really other than the mission to Japan that got aborted by the space mission when Zee woke up and Gleam Shimmer retrieved us, and Affinity wasn’t with us in space because she had agreed to bring the aircraft back from Japan and we didn’t really know that we were going to be immediately taken to an alien plant, because her abilities were definitely missed.” Boy, that was a lot of info in one breath. I really didn’t like this conversation.
“Why do you think the director has a different set of standards for you?”
I shrugged, waving my hands, but in the end, knowing how these sessions go, “I honestly just don’t know.”
“Come now, Lukas, you are almost always very inquisitive of your instructors, and really just everyone, are you uncomfortable with asking Director Jones?”
A stubborn look tightens my jaw before a deep breath, “I . . . I have asked. Once immediately when I was removed, but the only thing mentioned was that the Director thought it was impossible to lead the team and be involved with another team member, and that really team members shouldn’t be involved at all. Then, Barbe blew up at me when I relayed the info to the team members who were curious, even though I told her I only brought up Allison and I, although I guess I did say that Mick must know about them, or you know, the others. I just have a difficult time understanding the Director’s comment because the logic is flawed, I mean you put half a dozen teenagers together and they are relatively isolated from everyone else and nobody’s going to get involved?” I’m not even sure Downs hears the last comment as I muttered it, not purposely, at least I don’t think I did.
“Have you asked since?”
“Yea, once.” More slowly and with confidence draining with every word I say, “The Director said this wasn’t the military or law enforcement where the changes are automatically a negative, like getting relieved or something, that it was just a change.” More quietly, “He also didn’t say what I needed to improve on to get another chance, or even if I would get another chance.” Chewing on my lip for a moment while looking down at my hands, before adding, “Its just so damned frustrating, I do well in all the simulations and the leadership studies so I feel like he’s letting it linger until I choose. Either leading the Rangers or staying in a relationship with Allison, the two things I love most.”
Downs responds, “So if you are feeling forced, which will you choose?”
Anger surges through me, red blossoming in my cheeks as I move to the edge of the couch, almost standing as passion flows through me, “I won’t. It’s a false dichotomy to make me choose between a black or white decision. These types of questions are what people used to prevent women or homosexuals join the military, or even get more than entry level positions at corporations. I’ve been researching and there is actually no scientific study that proves or disproves that failure or success is assured because a leader and a team member are or are not involved in an emotional or physically intimate situation. It’s just complex and people, especially institutions don’t like complex or messy. The same situation could happen if a teammate is a better or worse friend or even if they didn’t like someone. It’s messy and complex and it’s just another factor. So I won’t play a game that’s rigged, not over something as important as leadership or the need for humans to love and feel loved,” more impassioned gestures, ” who are attached to the group or another person. I mean, friendship and/or family are potential places of love too.”
Downs jots down a few notes, “Do you view the Rangers as a military equivalent.”
“No, not really,” I respond, “I’m just saying my research to find studies was using military, law enforcement or business. It all came back roughly the same and generally focused on perception by others.” I hesitated, briefly before continuing, “About the Rangers, I don’t really know. I’d guess it’s a combo of all three?” My inflection hopefully indicating doubt or confusion, “Our classes involve a lot of combat training and physical training beyond just powers training. We train for tactical situations and use of comms. I don’t see where that would have a civilian application other than protection of people or property. We’ve had training sessions with stealth and movement types of things. We sure as hell didn’t get anything like that at a regular school. Even when we first came on board it seemed like the Rangers were formed to eventually learn how to protect ourselves and others. It may not be military but it’s not civilian. Maybe paramilitary or something similar or if this was a government program like some kind of combo thing that has some of all of it including like spy shit. Military would be more artificial discipline but whatever this is it’s not just plan old civilian school.”
Downs taps his pencil for a moment, before stating, “It’s interesting that you don’t definitively associate the Rangers with the military, yet use it as a basis for your research. Do you WANT the Rangers to be more militarily-based?”
“No, not really, or not even at all. I guess it’s just family background given what my family has always done. Somebody has to be in charge, whether that’s during projects, or missions or ever group school projects. That doesn’t mean they have to issue orders like a soldier but somebody has to be the leader.” A pause, as I organize my thoughts back to the question, “I know that I can do other things such as science and research as a way to be of service before I came to the academy so I didn’t have to join the military or the police for service as the family prefers, especially the direct line of heirs. I guess I just didn’t have any directly similar organization or school to be able to draw research corollaries from and I figured I’d need something to try to refute the Director’s opinion if I wanted a chance at leadership again. Given that was all the reason I’d been given, especially given that Allison is HIS niece.”
“If you feel like the director is basing his decision on metrics you don’t agree with and, as you put it, won’t play in games that are rigged, yet find yourself continuously trying to participate in the race for a leadership role, do you ever feel as though you are self-sabotaging yourself?”
“I don’t know what the director is basing his decision on, only that he’s only given me the one answer. I don’t even see how that can be a metric, more like a flat arbitrary base requirement that is flawed.” I think for a few more moments, “I know that we clashed a bit when he provided what I believed had been far too much punishment for the team after the first mission in space. Although at the end of it, I also thought that gave me a bit of respect, for standing my ground in what I believed in. Its hard to say with Mick because he’s just so damn closed up. I guess I am hopeful that I can use logic and science to convince him to give me another chance, or at least give me actual performance metrics to be measured by or with. If that won’t work, I guess I will continue to try to prove he’s wrong somehow. I can still do the leadership training, at least in the Gridiron, classes, whatever. Keep trying to prove myself to him, that even though I love Allison,” I hiss as I take a deep breath realizing what I just said again, “that either the team will advocate for me, or the other instructors or something.” Again, I pause, before looking the Doc in the eye, “Is that self-sabotage? I thought that was persistence, not quitting or something similar?”
“If you are given another chance, how do you and Allison plan to ensure that there is no perception of favoritism or some other negative perception?” Downs questioned.
Lukas’s brow furrowed. “II know its going to be complicated. We’ve agreed to keep things professional when we’re on missions, but it’s not always easy. I mean we should be doing that whether I am the leader or not and I think we have been recently, at least in comparison too . . .” I stop before I finish and re-direct, “I think we are going to have to be transparent with the team, especially with some of the comments that have been directed as us both. Allison won’t discuss it but I know she has been especially hurt by some of the things Barbe has said, although Waverly has diffused a lot of that. Honestly, its been more about how Allison agrees with me on many decisions I made, but I think again, and I don’t know why, Barbe glosses over or ignore the times she has disagreed with me. I know some of the disagreements were not in front of the team, which I appreciated at the time because it spared me embarrassment but I have also realized since then that those disagreements can’t be secretive between Allison and Lukas, they need to be in front of the team or at least some of the team as Affinity and Voltaic. That’s the main thing I think we need to accomplish., so they can see most if not all of my thought processes and decision-making, at least when there is time and not an actual battle of some sort. That we would need to likely review after or the next day some how and ask for actual participation and feedback.”
Dr. Downs leaned forward, his expression supportive, “How do you feel you will, or the two of you will, be able to handle this test if it occurs?”
“I believe its doable, and I think Allison does too, but its a moot point for now until the Director allows me, allows us, to give it a shot. The real issue will be Felix, I just haven’t been able to get to what makes him tick, although obviously a big part of that is Katie i know now, but I was already volunteering to help reduce her pain before I knew that, and Allison has done even more since we were provided with that awareness. I mean, there has to be more than Katie, lifting weights and how many girls he can sleep with, and, of course he has an even bigger head that before since he’s been bragging since Sunday night about how he was so good he got chosen to go on a mission with part of the Alliance. The problem is I believe him, he is good, if maybe not as good as he proclaims all the time. Barbe’s prickliness is a huge pain in the ass but food is a big way to her heart there. I also think she believes, at least for the most part, I make good decisions. I need to talk to everyone a bit more, preferably individually to pick their brains on specifics of issues they may have. Or maybe a group approach, although that went to shit last time.”
The last comment Downs made to me in response to my answer was the end of the session as well, “Well, if the group conversation is where it all went wrong, that may need to be your real way back. To show that you are willing to confront the issue head on, perhaps?”
I really wasn’t sure what I thought about that.
Last Thursday, 6:00 PM
I push the door open and stop within the frame, filling it completely, and stare at the most beautiful sight, “Uhm, while, I think I’d prefer you wear that, might not be the best choice to meet my sister. I applaud the thought though.”
“Shut it, obviously I’m not ready yet.” She turns, obviously frustrated to glare at me with the power of the sun. “Get out!,” the growled command made me wince.
“I know the right response is to leave, and I will but with Mick keeping us late for an extra combat session, we are already going to be late and the Uber is at the center,” her face is trembling, so I hurry, “so, a suggestion?” At her resentful nod, “Wear the orange one. Its your favorite color, you look even extra amazing in it, and Lyndsey likes bright colors, always has, and Alani has already met you and I know she likes you.”
“Give me ten more minutes,” Allison replies, with a bit less tenseness.
“I’ll tip the guy some extra to wait,” I say and then turning to leave, “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
It was a little more than ten minutes but I was right, she looked amazing.
We were late by more than twenty minutes, but I had texted Lindsay, and they were opening their first bottle of wine so it didn’t really matter. Plus the traffic prevented us from getting to the actual drop-off point unless we wanted to wait longer, so we got out and walked the last three blocks along the sea-rail looking over the hillside cliff to the ocean below. At least that seemed to alleviate nervousness and when I “accidentally” kicked a rogue chair and almost fell, and laughed with her at my inherent clumsiness when walking I could feel the tension leave the hand that I held. I really wasn’t sure why she was nervous, this wasn’t like meeting my grandparents, especially my grandma. I mean, I hoped that sometime that would happy eventually, but nobody really went before the matriarch unless they were really sure, but at least my babushka was much kinder than my maternal great-grandmother in the Whitaker line, at least according to everyone from Babushka down thru Mom and even Lindsay. For a later time though.
I knew where they were, a table indoors but with a great view out to sea. Which would be nice, Allison loved the sea, if not being submerged deep below it. As we walked up to the table I put my arm around Allison’s shoulders and she leaned into me just briefly in what I assumed was appreciation as we walk. As soon as Alani saw us, she touched Lindsay’s shoulder, and they both stood up to greet us.
I dropped my arm from Allison, and introduced her, “Lindsay, this is Allison, Allison, this is my older sister Lindsay,” I refrained from saying much much older as normal, while Lindsay didn’t care, usually, Allison might.
Lindsay stood their for a moment, looking up at me. My sister was tall, but she was still only six feet tall compared to me seven. At least Allison was close to her, although Alani was half a foot shorter than Allison. I suppose I had a really goofy grin on my face as I could see her lips twist momentarily in return although I guess she was trying to portray the normal Whitaker matriarch attitude for introductions and I could almost feel Allison getting nervous although she reached her hand out, and in close to her normal voice, “Hello, Allison Hensley, its very nice to meet you,”.
For a moment I thought Lindsay was going to make her wait to shake hands but then she moved forward ignoring the hand and hugged Allison while saying, “Anybody that makes my baby brother grin so extremely goofily gets a hug.”
From there, it went great. Lindsay, Alani and Allison talked an awful lot about surfing, while also both being proud of teaching me, and making fun of my efforts at the same time, Allison fit right in. Pretty sure several times I made comments about this not being the pick on Lucas dinner but honestly, their jokes didn’t mean anything and it mean everybody liked each other. Allison talked with Lindsay about martial arts, with a few comments from Alani, but Alani and I talked about genetics, especially since her medical and research at the center was all about human and Homocon genetics, and I of course talked about my own genetic plan research and not only Affinity’s Star, which had been sent to Grandma for planting at the ranch for full testing before a launch, I had filed the patents on both the technique adaptation I had used, and Affinity’s Star and the particular rose itself and everything associated. While the patents hadn’t been fully approved, as the US government took forever to do that with any type of plant modification, and while many disagreed with that, I actually did because creating something that at least had the potential to be an invasive species needed a lot of verification. Phase III had been completed at the ranch, so now my aunt had a new rose in her greenhouse. Eventually the flower itself would be the first to bring in money but the technique would eventually be the real money-maker. As agreed by the contract I had to sign to get the lab in the first place, a quarter of all profits would go to the Paragon Center and the Academy. No real idea how that would be split and didn’t care. As the inspiration, I had awarded Alliston a quarter as well, although I hadn’t told her since everything wasn’t final, although of course the contract was. The remainder, half would go to me for my personal research fund, although part of that went to the ranch as participants. Ten percent would just be mine, although that might as well be part of the research fund, but it was nice to be able to contribute instead of just take in regards to the accounts I got from being heir, of course most were in trust, but the ten percent would go to keeping the ranch whole. The last fifteen percent I had designated for charity, a couple actually, one for underserved Homocon citizens, the largest amount to the charity that was trying to serve the Aberration population, although I really hated that term.
I felt Allison’s had on the side of my face as she pulled me around to face her and give me a quick kiss. Confused, I responded, “Hmm, that’s nice but what was it for?”
It was Lindsay who answered, “Because we had been trying to get your attention for the last three minutes and we felt it would be nicer than finally having me kick you under the table.”
“Yea, right, I’ve been paying attention.”
It was Alani’s turn to speak apparently and she did, “Then what were we just talking about.”
“Our combined genetic research,” and all three laughed.
With a look in her eye that I know boded ill, Lindsay retorted, “Nope, we were asking how good my baby brother is in the sack,” which of course made them laugh even harder when I blushed bright red and said, “the fuck you say.” I looked at Allison expecting her to be mortified but instead she was laughing just as much.
Alani decided to save me, “Well, not really, but we discussed the whole plan of telling you that after we ordered. Allison even ordered for you.”
Allison finally stopped laughing, “I was actually telling them what an amazing chef you are and how you cook for our octagonal section suite a lot of the time, and a lot of distinctive palettes.”
I took a huge breath, and then said, “You are all assholes.” Which, of course, generated more laughter.
We had a great time, and shared an Uber back to their apartment, and walked home from there.
Although it was very late, I knew when Allison led me into her bedroom that the night had gone very well. I agreed completely and enthusiastically.
Enough so that the leadership question could be, not forgotten, but put on the back burner a bit. The end of the quarter was a month away, and that would give us more time to settle into a routine. If I hadn’t heard anything by then, I would have to setup a meeting with the Director. For now though, life was getting good.
Last Dreams 