Chapter 25: Equilibrium

Except for the heat storm in August, life for the three of them has been humming along quite wonderfully since their mountain holiday. They had installed the backyard spa, of course, and the three of them used it constantly. Paradoxically, when the air temperature was over 90°, simply adjusting the spa down from 102° to 98° made the bubbling water seem cool and refreshing.

In their intimate life, what surprised Gabe was the unexpected way they implemented the once-a-week plan for Lucia.

To begin with, in the first few days after they returned from their trip, things were just about the same. Lucia was still in her bedroom, and Mia slept with Gabe as usual. Because the trip had been so active, they didn’t have sex, though.

The plan was that on Friday, five days after they returned, Lucia would join them for “her” day in bed with them. But Wednesday evening, at about 10 p.m., there was a light knocking on the couple’s bedroom door.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure, Mama, what... what’s wrong?”

Lucia was weeping.

“I’m sorry! It’s just ... I MISS you. I miss you both. I can’t sleep. I’m feeling lonely, worse than before. Not about the sex, exactly; it’s that, oh, I don’t know. I can’t explain it! I’m just miserable.”

Mia swiveled her head between her mother and her husband. She had no idea what to do. Gabe, however, was impatient.

“Lucia, come here!” he growled.

“Get into bed. Yeah, right here between us. Look, I had a terrible day at work, and tomorrow is going to be worse. I have to get up at 4:45 a.m. because some asshole screwed ... Never mind. I don’t have any patience right now.

“So, you are going to stay here and cuddle, and let us hug and love on you the way you know we do. And you, Lucia, are going to shut the fuck up so I can get my damn rest. And if you do that, then on Friday I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re going to see bluebirds flying around your head when you come. Now kiss me and go to FUCKING sleep!”

Despite his harsh and intense words, Gabe put his hand behind Lucia’s neck and drew her in gently for a soft, open-mouthed kiss. Then he relaxed and closed his eyes. Lucia could only relax herself, and they were all asleep quickly.

After that night, Lucia’s bed was often vacant. Lucia honored the once-a-week rule, with Fridays being the constant choice. On other days of the week, Lucia seemed to be detecting when she might be the third wheel and retreated so Mia and Gabe could enjoy each other in privacy. However, it was also true that many times, Mia and Gabe would happily invite Lucia to watch them fuck, followed by a warm three-way cuddle that led to sound sleep.

Lucia then initiated a cunning campaign she called “Special Events.” Perhaps once a month, Lucia would decide she was feeling extra-horny and consult the nationaldaycalendar.com web site. Then, at dinnertime, she would brightly announce some non-sequitur as an excuse to enjoy a non-Friday threesome.

“Gabe, Mia, September 7th is National Salami Day and National Acorn Squash Day. To celebrate, I want your salami in my squash.”