Chapter 53: Epilogue: Part 2: Packing (Afternoon)

“Is it normal for you four to forget that others are present with your ‘speech’ sis?”

“Oops ... yeah. Sorry. It used to annoy me from time to time when they did it, and now I’m doing it too.” She turned to Andy. “Can you bring a few more boxes into the bedroom? I’ll bring these two in once I’m done with them in here.”

“Sure.”

“On second thought ... can you help Mama` finish out here? I have questions to answer apparently.”

Andy laughed, then handed a stack of folded boxes to Vanessa. “The perils of having a kid. No problem.”

Vanessa nodded her head and dashed into the room. “Okay, what’s...”

“Mama Vanessa, what’s” Isa interrupted, and started pointing to one thing after another in rapid succession.

“Okay, let me take them one at a time, okay? It’s a lot of to explain.” Isa nodded her head as Allison and Kara entered the room. “So, that’s my computer.”

“It doesn’t look like Mommy’s or Daddy’s.”

“It’s probably much fancier than the one your mommy has. And Daddy’s laptop is meant to be very different.”

“Is it good?”

“It’s very fast and good for playing all sorts of games on. And the fans light up pretty colors too.” Isa’s eyes went wide. “I’ll show you when we get back and I set it up, okay?”

“Okay! And those books? They’re backwards.”

“Those are called manga.”

“Mon-gha?”

“Yes. They’re something like comic books, only they’re from Japan. So you read them from right to left instead of left to right.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s how Japanese is written. And before you ask, I’m not sure why it is.”

“Oh. And those big books up there?”

“Those are my role playing game books. They have rules and information for all sorts of fantasy places.”

“Are they fun to read?”

“Some of them. The games they help you make are much more fun though.” Can I, Manny?

If you don’t now, Isa is going to ask some question soon that will require you to answer. Sure.

A secret Manny? Allison began to tease. Another one?

This is one I don’t even know, my muse.

“Really? How do you know?”

“Because I run a game for that one” she pointed to one of the fatter books “once or twice a month. Your daddy is one of my players.” Has been for years.

Wait Manny ... is that what you do for those dates when we go out, but you stay at home? The ones where we’ve always dropped the kids off at one of our Moms?

Exactly Precious. Vanessa’s been my storyteller for a long time now. Wait ... that’s it!

What’s it?

I’ve been trying to figure out a good nickname for you since last night. And I think I just figured it out. Narradora.

Yeah. I like that. Vanessa glanced at Isa, her face scrunched up in a familiar, yet funny fashion. “What is it Isa?”

“I want to play that game! With Daddy!”

“I’m sorry Isa, but that’s not possible.”

“Why?!”

“That game has a lot of material that you wouldn’t understand yet. Some of it is meant for adults. But there is a game you can play.”

Isa’s pout quickly transformed into a smile. “Which one?”

Vanessa pulled a smaller, skinnier book from the shelf. “This one. It’s designed for kids. You could even invite your friends if their parents allow it.”

“How?”

“How would you explain it?” Isa nodded her head. “You can tell your friends its like the make believe you do at recess already. If you want, I’ll run a game for you and Petra first.”

“Okay!”

Allison started pulling books of the shelf, and began loading them into one of the boxes. So, how long have you been into this Honey? Is this why you got so into out first scene?

Vanessa laughed softly, shaking her head. I should have figured that would be the case.

And if you think about it, family game night will be a good thing for the four of us. “Even if it’s just some board games.”

“So I should drop off the ones you’ve had me keep in the basement all this time then?” Maria asked from the doorway.

“Sure. Some of them are even family friendly if I’m remembering correctly.” Isa’s eyes lit up. “Although, chances are you may already have some of them.”

“Unlikely, Honey. We only really have one, and neither of them are really into it.”

Vanessa knelt down in front of Isa and Petra. “Which game?”

“Candy Land. It’s boring!” they replied in unison.

Vanessa felt a tug on her sleeve. She glanced down at Petra, pointing at his sister. “Mama Vanessa, what’s that?”

“Yeah, what is Isa holding sis?”

“Can you field this one Mami`? In all your roles, I’m sure you’ve seen something like that before.”

“Not quite that rounded, but the general shape is unmistakable. That’s a play weapon of some kind; I’d guess a long sword of some kind from the length and guard. Now, the real question is why do you have that?” Or the small pile back in that corner, for that matter?

“Those are for another kind of role-playing game; a live action one, specifically.” Isa swung the foam sword at her brother, giggling as it bounced of his arm; then looked up questioningly at her. “Unlike the ones on the book shelf, where you say what you want to try to do, that’s for the kind of game where players have to act out what they want to do. If I want to fight someone, I have to hit them like you just hit Petra.”

“Did that hurt Petra?” Miranda asked, a worried look on her face.

Petra shook his head. “No. It was like the balloon ones at Marcy’s birthday party. Can we play with them?”

“Only after I teach you how to use them, okay? For now please give them to Daddy next time he comes back up, okay?” They nodded their heads and quietly started to lay the foam pieces on the bed. I didn’t ask them to do that, but it works.

Allison smiled. They’re good kids.

“Wait...” Maria started, putting down the picture she finished wrapping “you’re an actress?”

“Local theatre only, and its been awhile since my last role. I’m not trying for another one until these two are born and I’ve lost the belly.”

“You don’t want to be type-cast?”

“Not in the slightest. The roles that I could get would be horribly boring and not worth the time.” Really, I’d only get pregnant characters, who never do anything interesting in the local plays, or ‘fat’ characters who are usually terrible stereotypes in the first place.

Makes sense to me Mami`. Even though I think your belly is incredibly sexy.

Show me that again later tonight.

Gladly.

“So, when is that picture up there from? You look a lot younger in it, so...” Vanessa watched her mom glance back and forth between the photo and Allison “you’re in it too, aren’t you dearie?”

“That was the fall play of our senior year of high school. It was a performance of Twelfth Night, but with a special twist.”

“It was done with bathrobes?” Miranda asked.

“Nope. We were all naked. The makeup artists had their work cut out for them for those performances.”

“How so?”

Kara grinned, labeling another box. “We needed more than just the makeup that helped identify who each of us was supposed to be; that was already more than usual because of the lack of clothing. We also needed the base that every actor gets to stop the stage lights from washing you out. And being naked, we needed a lot more of that too.” She handed the marker back to Andy. “It was a lot of fun; more than I was expecting it to be. And that was after all the fun I’d had in improv class up to that point.”

Andy grabbed the last stack of books from Vanessa, then giggled softly under her breath. “Naked again?”

“Not every class, but enough of them. It was honestly the class I most looked forward to every day.”

Vanessa glanced at her mom for a moment before beginning to pack up her computer. Heads up, my loves. ‘Difficult’ question incoming.

Suitably warned. Thank you Honey.

“So, if I hadn’t insisted that we help, you’d all be naked right now?”

Allison nodded her head. “We’d still be wearing what we are; work like this isn’t fun if your breasts are exposed to every movement of every box or item.” She looked down at Isa for a moment. “You’ll experience it for yourself when yours grow in. It’s not always fun being naked.”

“Okay.”

She turned back to Maria. “That said, it has been hard enough work that I would have stripped off my shirt an hour or two ago.”

“You can if you want to. My husband is the only one who might have an issue with women walking around in their bras.” A subtle smirk crossed her face for a brief moment. “Unless you two are doing what I think you are.”

Allison smirked back. “And if we are? Then what would you suggest we do?”

“I’d be inclined to dare you to prove it. Before the men come back up.”

Allison’s smirk grew to a grin. “Manny won’t care either way, and your husband’s reactions are on you. Are you sure you want to dare us still?” Maria nodded her head, an equally big grin on her face. “Okay, you gave your permission.” Vanessa watched her unceremoniously pull her t-shirt off and toss it onto the bed. Are you joining me Darling?

Working on it. I like these maternity tops, but they don’t quite allow for that kind of ease. Kara’s shirt quickly followed; making Miranda’s already open jaw drop even lower. “Something you weren’t expecting?”

“I ... I was wondering what could be making those stand out as much as they are. I wasn’t ... I mean...”

“Miranda, my love ... we’ve talked about what those are before, remember?” Andy started, their hand reassuringly stroking Miranda’s back; Miranda nodded her head. “I’ve never seen ones so pretty before though.”

“Just what are those, anyway?” Maria began “they’re kind of like a piercing, but I don’t see the bar that would indicate one on either pair.”

“These are...” Allison began.

“Mommy’s special jew’ry!” Isa interrupted, a huge smile on her face. “Mommy said I can have some when I’m older.”

When did she...

I felt like wearing mine one day when they were just four. It was the first time in a while that my nipples weren’t too sensitive to wear them they weaned. Isa toddled in just as I’d put the second one on, and well...

I see. Typical Isa.

Exactly. “They’re nipple shields. Basically pretty jewelry you wear around your nipples, without the need to have them pierced.” An exaggerated look of pain popped up on Isa’s face. “Exactly Isa. That hurts more than your ears did.”

“People like that?”

“Some people like how they look, and for some the pain is worth the prettiness.” And the extra sensitivity for some too. “These are nice for people who want the pretty, but don’t want the pain. Like your old earrings.”

Right Vanessa started as she boxed up all of the computer’s accessories she had clip-ons for a little while last year. I’m just glad my mother doesn’t seem to have a sense for what they’re actually for.

They are for the purpose I said. We just like the added bonus, that’s all.

“Do you have a pair too sis?”

Vanessa watched two pairs of young eyes turn towards her. “Yes.”

“Why aren’t you wearing yours Mama Vanessa?” Isa asked innocently.

“I like to wear mine for special occasions. Not moving like this.” Especially since I NEED my bra.

“Can we see them?”

“They’re somewhere safe right now. I’ll show you later, okay?” Isa pouted for a moment, then nodded her head. “What else is it Isa?”

“You’re still wearing your shirt.”

I am a little warm with all the moving around. No harm, right?

Most of them have seen you in a bra before I’m sure.

That’s true Mami`. Vanessa smiled at Isa and pulled her shirt off as the men entered the room. Perfect timing, huh?

Kara grinned. The higher power, or however you want to think about it/them, strikes again! As always.

“I told you something like this was likely to happen eventually.” Who was the architect this time?

My mama`.

Unexpected.

“Yes” Ricardo started, clearly panicking as he tried to find where he could safely look “you did. I should have trusted you.”

“I know my wives very well after ten years of marriage.” Vanessa watched him turn toward them. “Do you have anything else ready to go for us Nessa?”

“The stuff on the bed. Be a little careful with the boffers.”

“Okay. I’ll take care of those.” Which car do you want the computer in?

Ours if there’s room. In fact, take Mom with you to sort everything else. I think she just finished with the last of the decorations.

Can do. “Senora, if you’ll come with us please.”

“Of course. Let me just grab that bookcase.”

“Is this everything sis? Or is there somewhere else we need to check?”

“The hallway closet has cleaning supplies, but that should be it.” Kara, can you and Allison do one last check of the other rooms? If you don’t find anything, then we can start cleaning.

Let Kara handle that. I’ll help bring stuff to the cars.

Sure. I’ll do the check with Kara then. Vanessa turned and knelt near Isa and Petra. “Have you two helped Mommy or Mama Kara with folding sheets before?” They shook their heads. “It’s okay. Aunt Miranda can show you how to do it.”

“Okay!”

Vanessa followed Kara out through the bedroom doorway, and started working through the rooms. “None of the cushions out here are mine. And it looked like you did a good job with the kitchen...”

“Food aside. We forgot to bring cold bags with us.”

“I’m willing to bet Allison’s going to come up with some. Mama` always has some in the trunk. Anyway, the living and dining rooms look good, and I really didn’t have that much in the bathroom.”

“I saw that box before Allison closed it. That should be clear ... but I’ll check it again just to be sure.” Babies and bladders...

Understandable. Vanessa watched Andy leave the bedroom as Kara dashed off for the bathroom, walking straight toward her. “Is everything okay in there?”

“Yeah. I wanted to ask you something while Maria’s downstairs though.”

“Go for it. As long as I can keep doing my quick sweep.”

“Of course. Are your wives really just wearing those shields for decoration?”

Vanessa shook her head. “You’ve never beat around the bush. No, they’re not. In case it’s not already abundantly clear...”

“Our Allison is a major exhibitionist. And we both enjoy the subtle teasing these provide.” Right, my pillow?

Any more arousing, and I’d need a pad from the bathroom stuff to keep from having to change my panties again.

Just think how much fun it’ll be when we all wear ours at once! Maybe with the ben wa balls too...

Do you need a few moments to rub one out, Matron`? Or can you wait until we get home?

We’ll need to wait until the kids are asleep. But I’m okay with that.

“Wait ... you know, and ... you four can do more than just speak telepathically. I’m sure of it. One pair of shields isn’t enough to set a girl off like...” Andy glanced away, a deep ruby blush on their face “sorry. I sometimes get like this.”

“Has Miranda figured it out?”

“She shouldn’t have yet. Vanessa can confirm how oblivious she can be sometimes.”

“Andy’s right. Our secret should be safe for now.” She glanced at the living room, and the empty space where the entertainment system once was. “We can continue this as we clean.”

Andy nodded their head and grabbed some cleaning supplies. “Sure. So, just how much can you four share?”

“Thoughts, feelings, even what we can see. And before you worry too much, Vanessa ... I’ve been paying attention to everyone’s auras as best I can. Your mom is amused, and your dad simply embarrassed. I can’t quite get a read on Miranda ... her colors are shifting too much; kind of like how your energy was at first. And...” Vanessa watched her look at Andy “I can not say what I see on you, if you’d prefer.”

“I’m pretty sure I know what you’re going to say. It’s fine.”

“I see three different colors. They’re swirling about much like ours do...” she paused for a moment, changing the pad on the dry mop “except that they seem to be fighting each other for dominance. At the moment, none of them are winning though.”

“You’re seeing the parts of me I can best describe as ‘things that are masculine usually’, ‘things that are feminine usually’ and ‘confusion for everyone!’. I’m ... kind of surprised you haven’t asked about my sex though.”

“Does it really matter? Your voice has a sweetness to it that I tend to associate with other females, but I’ve heard from gay men before on occasion. And whatever other secondary sex characteristics you might have are toned down enough that I can’t really tell. But your sex should have no bearing on how I treat you.”

Tears began to form in Andy’s eyes; they dove forward, pulling Kara into a warm, happy hug. “So many of the people I interact with can’t look past my breasts and hips, as subtle as they are. Even Miranda sometimes ... although I know she tries not to for my sake. How do you find it so easy to ignore?”

“Allison accepted me for who I was that first week; even though frankly ... I was being an ass. Where we all were at that point, she had every right to tell me to fuck off; but she didn’t. I tried to do the same for Vanessa when she started to question everything she knew to be true. And to be perfectly honest, becoming Mama to those two little hellions reinforces the need to accept people for who they are every day; not who society would say they should be.”

Andy turned their head to face Vanessa. “I’m glad you’ve bound yourself to her. She’s a real gem.”

“As is Allison. I’m very, very lucky.”

“Yes you are” Allison replied with a grin as she started back toward the bedroom. “By the way, a bald guy with a supremely boring looking tie caught me in the hallway. He said he needs to speak with you ASAP.”

“Where was he last?”

“Just out in the hall.”

“That’s ... my landlord. I’ll go talk to him now.”

“Okay. Don’t forget to put this back on first!” Vanessa caught the shirt that Allison threw at her. Unless you want him to see your sports bra.

The shirt is a good idea. I don’t think most of the people in this complex would understand, but I’m sure he wouldn’t.

She slipped the shirt over her head and stepped out into the hall. “Ms. Gonzalez, good of you to come out so quickly. I wasn’t sure if that ... woman would give you the message properly. If you’ll join me in the meeting room on this floor...”

Matron`, he was about to call you a slut. “Whatever it is, we can talk about here, or inside my apartment. Today is a very busy day for me.”

Can I punch him? Please?! It’ll be an improvement to his face, I swear.

“I’d say so. Your boyfriend and family visiting at the same time, your car nowhere to be seen, even bringing in noisy brats ... all without the proper passes for a large gathering. Those aren’t that difficult to come by, you know.”

Sorry Mami` ... as much as I’d love to see that, it’s a really bad idea. He’s the type of person who wouldn’t think twice about getting you arrested for assault AND trespassing. Let me deal with him. “If I was planning a large gathering, then you can be assured I would have informed the main office and picked up the appropriate visitor’s passes. This is not a gathering.”

“Clearly not. Gatherings don’t involve large portions of your things leaving your apartment and going into multiple cars. Will you be expecting a large number of deliveries later in the week? Because if so, you know that you’re required to inform the head office of that too.”

“No. A few hours from now I expect to be handing in my keys and other passes for good after you conduct your final cleanliness tour of the apartment. I’m moving somewhere else.”

His face scrunched up as the anger began to build in it. “Have you forgotten about the three months notice you are required to give in that case? I hope not; because I’d hate to remind you of the penalty you’ll face for doing so.”

I HATE dealing with this asshole. “The security deposit? We both know that only applies if the tenant

has at least that much time left on their lease. I have two at most, and was planning to inform you as soon as possible once we finished loading the cars. Besides, you’re required to return the deposit as long as two conditions are true.”

“Yes, yes ... the apartment must be in the condition it was at the beginning of the lease or better, and the tenant must be no longer be a member in good standing for reasons outside of their control. What excuse do you have?”

“As of a few hours ago, I am no longer an employee of Robertson, Klinefeld and Emmets. Therefore, I no longer meet the required monthly salary to remain a tenant here, and am required to have my things out and the apartment ready for its new tenant by the end of the day. Unless you wish to give me a temporary extension on that requirement...”

His voice dropped to a low whisper. “You know that only happens under very specific circumstances. So no, there will be no extension.”

“In that case I’ll call the main office as soon as I’m ready for your inspection. We need to be somewhere by seven pm anyway, so it won’t be much later than five or six. Probably sooner, honestly.”

“See that it isn’t. I too have things I need to be available for by then.”

I don’t want to remain here any longer than I need to. And I highly doubt your ‘things’ are quite as important.

Honey, that’s not very nice. Even if the man is low-key scuzzy.

Vanessa nodded her head and walked back into the apartment. He was intentionally staring, right?

Yup. I so badly wanted to break his nose for that. He does that to you too I imagine.

All the time. Just because mine are so big doesn’t mean I want everyone focusing on them. She stripped off the shirt and tossed it onto the couch. Anyway, how are we doing?

Well, I just finished loading the cold stuff from the fridge and freezer into the bags your mom gave me. Kara reported that the last boxes should be ready to be come out of the bedroom, and the hallway closet had some of your winter gear in it. That’s on its way down right now.

Perfect! That means we knock out the cleaning while Manny and Papa` finish bringing things downstairs. Unless you want to help them still Matron`.

No, I’m good to stay up here.

Okay. In that case... Vanessa glanced down as she felt a tug on her pants and glanced down. “Yes Isa?”

“Aunt Miranda said to ask what we should do next.”

“Have you and Petra helped Mommy and Daddy clean the house yet?” Isa nodded her head vigorously. “Okay, what have you done?”

“Dusted! And the little vacuum.”

“Then you and Petra can help Aunt Miranda with the dusting. I don’t own a little vacuum, but...” she pulled the dry mop out of the closet “maybe one of you can try to use this? It works kind of like a vacuum on floors without carpet.”

“Just push and pull?” Vanessa nodded her head. “Okay! Petra can do that.”

I would ask how she knows that ... but she just asked him, didn’t she?

About the dry mop? Yeah. The only reason he hasn’t tried using the main vacuum yet is because it’s too heavy. Where do you need me?

Bedroom. “Isa, can you go tell Miranda that you can start with this room?” Isa nodded her head and dashed into the bedroom. The bedroom really is the only room with any serious amount of carpeting. We shouldn’t need the vacuum for long.

Okay. I’ll grab one of the dusters too and bring Andy in there.

Vanessa quickly stepped into the bedroom as Kara turned on the vacuum. “I wasn’t sure how loud yours would be, but ... this is just enough to keep the kiddos from easily listening in on us.” They watched as the shadows near the doorway shifted and Andy and Allison stepped inside. “You wanted to talk with us?”

“Can we close the door first? I don’t think this is something your kids should hear.”

“They’ve probably heard worse, but sure.” Allison closed the door then started dusting one of the wall shelves. “Is everything okay?”

“Uhm ... Miranda’s the only other person who knows what I’m abou ... about to say, but...” they paused, taking a deep breath in “here goes I suppose. I don’t know why I ... no, you’ve probably heard that before...”

“A lot more than you might imagine” Allison smiled softly “and as long as whatever you’re about to say isn’t something that Manny would be legally required to report, you don’t need to worry. Go ahead.”

“Uhm, okay. I must seem like a mess right now, right? No, don’t answer that; I’m sure I’m stammering like crazy. I...” they took another deep breath “I’m having some difficulty with everything that’s happened today. I’m so used to people wanting nothing to do with me because my gender makes their lives more difficult, and people I’ve never even heard of before just accepted me the moment they met me. I mean” she looked at Vanessa “I’ve thought for a long time now that you and your parents only really put up with me for Miranda’s sake, not mine. That’s how it was with every one of my exes. And last night we found out that we’d be helping you move in with someone, and since Miranda’s so impatient sometimes, I thought maybe with a long term boyfriend or something. Not ‘the one who got away’; especially when you introduced those two. That sort of ... I don’t know...”

“Take a deep breath Andy” Vanessa calmly cut in, resting a hand on their shoulder “and calm down for a moment, okay? You’re safe in this room.”

“Okay ... I’m having a hard time accepting that this isn’t some wonderful dream that’s going to end with our alarm clock going off. There’s only one thing that’s keeping me from thinking that’s the only possible explanation.”

“Why?” Kara asked, turning off the vacuum.

“Because I see how you all are with those ‘hellions’, and how quickly your little girl just took my identity in stride. She had absolutely no reason to, short of that being normal to how she was raised. You three as moms are ... well, the complete opposite of my own.” Kara began to open her mouth again; Vanessa shook her head, then nodded back at Andy. “My parents, really. Neither of them was ever proud about anything I ever accomplished or happy with me ... no matter what I tried to do. That included pretending to be their ‘beloved daughter’ until I couldn’t anymore. I was just sixteen; when I revealed who I knew myself to be, do you know what they told me?”