Chapter 59: Epilogue: Part 3: The Collar

Oh... Kara started as Allison and Clara left the room that’s what you were talking about! As long as whatever Vanessa chooses isn’t TOO expensive, I say use the family card. We’ve been more frugal than usual this month with the discretionary portion, and Vanessa’s generous help means we have a lot more wiggle room than we’re used to having.

Okay, it might be custom made, so that could balloon the price a bit. I haven’t had a chance to look at the site yet, so I can’t say if it’ll be reasonable.

Vanessa sat down in one of the chairs and started to explore the site. Uhm ... the simplest ones start around $100, and ones that can actually lock without an obvious key hole are closer to $130. That’s for silver colored...

How about something prettier like rose gold?

$225 Matrón. But ... I kind of want something a little prettier than that.

She watched Allison step back into the room. Show me what you have in mind.

Vanessa pointed to the screen. “See that one? It’s big enough that it can be engraved and have the design be visible. I was thinking something with a similar motif to mine.”

“Let me see something then...” Allison sat down in the other chair and started to explore the site a little more. “I think I might have something” she exclaimed a little later, pointing at an example on the screen “differential darkening like that. It would make your flames really pop out and the additional price to do it isn’t too bad.”

“I mostly like the idea, but not in rose gold. It doesn’t look nearly as good on me as something like that shiny silver would.”

“That’s not bad then. $140 for the base, and about $35 for the engraving and ‘color’ work is still considerably less than my original idea. Are you sure that’s what would make you happy?”

“Well...”

“I saw your eyes drifting over to those little gemstones. As long as it’s not something like diamond or sapphire, a few should be fine.” Vanessa pointed to a reddish-orange stone. “Fire opal? The color and name is certainly right for you.”

“That wouldn’t be too much?”

“One on either side of the center isn’t bad.” Although, I have no idea if $25 is close to their actual value.

For what?

Fire opals. Two of them, small enough to fit in a half-inch metal collar easily.

From where?

Let’s see... Allison started to ‘laugh’ loudly Mexico, Darling.

Very. But...

No buts. Take whatever measurements you need to Ally, and place the order ASAP. And if for some reason she can have it ready by the time Manny’s on his way home...

Then we’ll let you know, and you can text him if you like. “Can you go near the sewing machine downstairs Honey? There should be a cloth tape measure in the little accessories box next to it.”

Vanessa nodded her head and stood up, “If you’re sure it’s not...”

“You ‘heard’ Kara. We won’t take no for an answer if this is what you really want.”

Vanessa grinned and dashed down the stairs. “Is it ... or would maybe...” Ally?

Yes?

Is there a knot work pattern available? If we’re doing the opals, then the fire design is kind of superfluous. She quickly found the measuring tape and started back upstairs. And the stones could be on either side of a pretty V in the center.

Let me see ... she has three standard patterns, actually. And if I’m reading this correctly, they tend to be in stock, so that would bring the cost of the engraving down considerably. “Plus” she added as Vanessa stepped back into the room “never mind. It looks like we can phone in the order.” Sit down in front of me for a few moments.

Like I did earlier?

Yes. Vanessa sat in front of Allison and held her hair up. “Assuming the same sort of fit as earlier...”

“Somewhere between that and last night? If it’s going to be all metal, then I’d want to feel more of it.”

“So...” Allison wrapped the tape measure around Vanessa’s neck “like this?”

Yes.

“Perfect. Which pattern?”

“B. Can I put the leather one away while you place the order? I suspect you have a surprise or two in mind, and I’d rather not spoil myself if that’s true.”

Go for it. Then could you start running a bath for us?

Sure.

Allison pulled out her phone as Vanessa stood up, then waited for a few moments as Vanessa made her way over to the nightstand. “Hello? Yes. I’d like to order a custom stealth collar ... yes, I’m aware it could take a little while depending on my choices...” Vanessa slipped the collar into the nightstand’s drawer, then stepped out of the room. “Okay, I’ll hold for a moment.”

Vanessa smiled and stepped back into the master bath. “If I was a bath bomb ... where would I be?” She started running the hot water, then began carefully looking around the room. She found them a few minutes later in small baskets on a nearby shelf. What scents do you have?

I don’t remember all of them off the top of my head. I think the third basket from the right is particularly nice though.

Let’s see... Vanessa grabbed one of the small balls from the basket and sniffed it carefully oh yeah, this is really nice. You just drop it in, right?

Yup. Wait until the last moment though.

Sure. She turned off the water and smiled. The bath is ready otherwise.

That’s fine. Can you come back here for a moment?

Sure. Vanessa quickly made her way back into her temporary bedroom. You need something else?

No, but I just finished with the details of the collar. “Uh huh ... no, I understand. We’re local, so picking it up in person isn’t a problem for us ... Sure; the last name is Lopez ... yes, part of that group. You’re in the scene too?”

That’s ... kind of a silly question.

I know her shop; it attracts a lot of different kinds of people. I always just thought she wasn’t one of us. “Uh huh ... yeah, one of us can stop by later tonight. Our husband needs to find a few specific kid friendly books ... oh, I wasn’t aware of that. That sounds like something the one of us can help with.”

I’ll see if Roberta doesn’t mind a partner pair at least. “Of course we’ll be there next week. All four of us ... yes, we’ll let him know that the other half of the payment is due upon pick up ... wonderful; hopefully we won’t need to take advantage of that, but it’s nice to know that’s an option if need be ... No, I’m not quite sure when he’ll be by; he sometimes needs to work overtime unexpectedly. But it’ll be within your standard open hours for sure ... same to you.”

“Okay, what crazy scheme do you have planned?”

“Nothing crazy, Nessa. I’ll fill you in while we bathe.” Kara, Darling...

I’ll let Manny know. Did you pay in full?

Allison stood up and started toward the open door, wiggling her butt suggestively. Nope. Manny will owe the other half. Can you make sure he knows?

No problem. Do you know who’s taking the kids home today?

Vanessa quickly followed. Not off the top of my head, no. I don’t know whose turn it is today. By the way, my muse ... am I right in assuming that the two of you are going to do something about that lovely buildup?

Of course! And a nice soak while we’re at it. Speaking off... Vanessa watched Allison dip a toe into the water and smile perfect! You go in first.

So I’m to be the big spoon then? Allison nodded her head, a huge grin on her face. It is a rather fun position. She carefully climbed into the tub, sighing happily as the warm water began to soak into her. Hopefully I didn’t draw too much water.

I don’t think you so, but if you did then we’re about to find out. Allison very carefully began to climb in, slowly lowering herself just in front of Vanessa; Vanessa watched as the water level rose another half inch then seemed to stop. Nope, we’re good! “By the way, have I mentioned lately how much I love the feel of your breasts pressing into my back?”

“Nope. Now ... try to sit still if you can.” Kara, you may want to put up a filter if you haven’t already.

Just did. Have fun!

Vanessa ‘smiled’, then brought her arms around Allison in a tight embrace. She raised them up to the surface, picked up some of the suds, then began to carefully work those into Allison’s upper back and shoulders. Allison’s breathing slowed slightly for a few moments; rapidly growing faster as Vanessa’s hands continued to her neck. A soft moan escaped Allison’s lips when Vanessa’s left hand traveled around the closest breast. Another soft moan accompanied the right hand doing the same. “Hmm ... I don’t think that’s enough soap. I may need to do another pass.”

“Do as many passes as you please my love. We need to make sure I’m nice and clean after all.”

Vanessa grinned and moved her hands back down into the water, making sure not to lift them from Allison’s body as she did. A slow swish around the surface of the water filled them with suds once more; moments later they climbed back up to Allison’s breasts, giving each a few more thorough passes. On the last of these Vanessa paused when she had each cupped in hand, then squeezed gently a few times before finishing her brush. Allison’s moaning continued to grow in volume, becoming a soft gasp with the first of the two squeezes. It seriously helps to feel what you’re feeling. I don’t think I’ve done something like this in the bath before.

Well, don’t stop now. Or do you need me to raise one of my legs first?

Yeah, let’s do that. But first Vanessa watched her pull forward, dunking most of herself underwater.

“Oops ... how clumsy of me. I’ve slipped and fallen under the water. I’m afraid I washed away all of the soap you so kindly applied to me.”

“I can do something even better.” Vanessa’s hands flowed slowly over Allison’s body again, lingering for a while over Allison’s breasts. More soft moans and gasps flowed from Allison’s mouth; the small wave of pleasure that had been growing in her rapidly gaining several feet of height. Vanessa’s hands eventually continued lower, bringing each leg up then back down again. Allison began to open her mouth; Vanessa shook her head softly and moved her hands under Allison’s legs. “I know Ally ... don’t worry. I’ll get there...” eventually.

No fair!

I can’t exactly clean her properly while she’s underwater, can I?

That’s true.

That’s why I need to do something else first. She glanced around, her eyes quickly falling upon the expected bottle. She reached up, grabbed it, then poured some into her other hand; putting it back up before working it into a lather. “Sit still for me, okay?”

“If I...” Allison started as Vanessa began to massage the shampoo into her hair and scalp “okay, not moving. Can you...” a soft scream from Allison’s mouth interrupted the thought “reach the conditioner okay?”

“I should be able to. Now shush and focus on what I’m doing.”

“As you ... wish.”

Vanessa grinned, continuing her massage for a few more minutes. Finishing, she pulled away her hands. “Close your eyes.” Allison nodded her head; Vanessa reached over to a small bucket she’d filled first, then carefully poured some it over Allison’s head. “Keep them closed for a little bit.”

A huge grin slowly grew on Allison’s face. “Gladly.” Vanessa felt her own mouth take on a similar grin, then readied the conditioner; taking her time transferring it lovingly into Allison’s hair. Two more soft screams escaped Allison’s mouth as she worked, each accompanied by a light shaking of Allison’s body. Vanessa reached for the bucket again, using most of what remained to rinse Allison’s hair. “Now?”

“Yes. Can you sit on the edge of the tub for a few moments?” Safely, of course.

No problem. See the handles on either side of that spot?

Very smart. She watched Allison center herself between the two, then nod her head; Vanessa nodded her own back and reached for the body wash. Normally I’d use what we already have here, but...

Vanessa ‘laughed’ softly. Understood. For now though, I have an Allison to focus on. Allison grinned; Vanessa poured some of the body wash into her free hand and carefully started to clean Allison. Moans from her mouth grew louder as Vanessa continued; interrupted only by a gasp as the last of the water rinsed the soap away. She carefully put the bucket down and ensured no more soap remained, then grinned back at Allison.

“Uh oh ... what mischief do you...” Allison started as several of Vanessa’s fingers gently pushed into her, curling upward part way through the thrust. Her attempted response was abruptly cut short as those fingers moved around a little, the wave of pleasure they both felt in her threatening to topple over as Vanessa found the spot she was looking for. A few ‘come hither’ motions later the wave did, sending its stored up energy rapidly through them. The expected scream and bursting pressure followed a few seconds later; Vanessa’s own equally powerful orgasm overtaking them both seconds after that. “En ... enough. I’m...”

Vanessa slumped back, her fingers sliding out of Allison effortlessly. “Me too. How much longer do you suppose we...” the ringing of the doorbell caught her attention “I think I might have my answer.”

“I’ll find out. Give me a moment.” Vanessa watched her press a button near a small screen she hadn’t seen before. “You’re right Honey. It looks like it was Luis’s turn today.” She pressed another button just below the first one. “I’ll need a few moments before I can come down.”

“I can let us in if you want. Olivia actually gave me the key this time. I hope I didn’t interrupt something important”

“That’s fine, and well ... I suppose you did. We were just about done anyway.” I can’t promise the same treatment, but I can get you clean at least before I go downstairs.

“We? It seems we have something new to talk about this time. Take your time sweetie.”

I’m good on that too. And honestly, I think I’m okay to wash myself. In fact, I probably should.

Allison seemed to focus for a few moments as she stepped out of the tub. “I see what you mean.” She reached for one of the extra fluffy towels hanging nearby and began to dry herself. “We definitely don’t have the time to inspire another round.” Vanessa watched her finish drying off, a wistful look in her eyes. “It would have been nice though.”

“Just how much clothing do I need to put on if I need to go downstairs?”

“As little as you want. Kevin might be a little uncomfortable, but Luis has only ever looked at Kara or I with a sense of artistic beauty.” Allison hung up the towel. “I am curious what he’d say about your body though.” I’ll probably see you downstairs. If my suspicions are right, then one of the monsters couldn’t hold it in.

She watched Allison step out of the room. Wait, what? After I cleaned everything beautifully?

No, not that. Think about it for a moment; they’re five and something super exciting just happened to them.

OH! Would Luis insist on meeting me?

I’ll know in a few moments. Are you about done?

Vanessa rinsed the shampoo out of her hair. Just need to do conditioner.

Perfect. And yes, you’ve been requested to make an appearance.

Wonderful. I’ll be down in a few minutes. Vanessa quickly lathered her hair with conditioner, then rinsed it out with the refilled bucket. Kara, how much should I be worried?

About Luis? Not at all. He’s a perfect gentleman.

Vanessa pulled the stopper up and slowly got out of the tub. Well, if you both say so, then I feel a little less nervous. Do either of you care which towel I use?

Nope. It’s sheets and towels day anyway, so I’ll be putting a load up in a little bit.

Okay. Vanessa grabbed the nearest towel and began to dry herself off. Okay, these are seriously soft towels. I mean, they looked super fluffy, but I didn’t expect them to be THIS fluffy. I don’t suppose you have another one?

In the linens closet somewhere. Ally...

Already thinking what you are.

Vanessa hung the towel back up and started toward her temporary room. I’ll be down in a moment. I just want to grab a skirt...

Do you want to, or are you trying to be polite Honey?

She sighed. The latter.

Then don’t bother. Luis really doesn’t care.

Even with the marks?

Sure, those activities aren’t his cup of tea, but he’s one of the few of the parents who isn’t uncomfortable looking at the evidence of our fun. Or were you concerned about the imprint the collar left behind? Because if that’s true, don’t worry; that’s already gone.

Vanessa started toward the stairs. Do you do the naked thing with any of the other parents?

There are a few of them that we can get away with no shirts, but generally skirts or pants are wise. Most of them aren’t quite as free spirited as we are.

Most? You mean... Vanessa started to think as she cleared the last step, then felt her mouth drop. “No, no es posible.”

[“No, it’s not possible”]

“Totalmente posible, Vanessa de los cabellos florecidos.”

[“Totally possible, Vanessa of the flowered hair.”]

“Wait, you know each other?”

“When little Isabella” Vanessa grinned at his pronunciation “started to go on and on about ‘Mama Vanessa’ I thought ‘it’s a common enough name. The chances she and the girl I remember are the same are so very slim’. I was wrong it seems though, no?”

“Yes, quite wrong.” She watched him study her for a few moments. “Well?”

“I told Raul that yours were real. He didn’t want to believe me.”

“Honey, there’s plenty of space on my towel” Allison pointed to the spot, then glanced at both of them “seriously though, how do you know each other?”

“Luis is from the same little town my family is from. But the last time I remember seeing him was nearly fifteen years ago. When we visited again the next year, his parents had moved away.”

“Moved? No, that is too gentle. Forced out. All because I was caught kissing another boy.”

Wait, I thought last night...

I’m lucky; my matriarch has already given her blessing to officially introduce the rest of you to the family. The matriarch of Luis’s family was never as accepting as Rosalina. “It makes sense now. I asked, you know? Why you’d chosen to move? No one was willing to answer me.”

“They all believe lying is a terrible sin, but you know how the families are there.”

“Yeah. With a few exceptions, none will even think of airing another family’s dirty laundry.”

“And the social pressure on those exceptions is not pretty.”

“Honey, I’m beginning to question if the visit is wise now.”

“Oh, you four should be fine. The bright side of all this is that the other families won’t say anything to any of you...” he looked at Vanessa “except maybe you, as long as Juanita shows her support. My grandmother couldn’t stomach the thought that her only grandson might be gay and made my parent’s lives miserable. So technically they chose to move, but really...”

“That’s still awful!”

“I’m mostly over it by now. But I haven’t been back there since, and I don’t plan to go back.” He turned to Vanessa. “If you teach Isabella Mexican before you go though, I really don’t think you’ll have any problems. She is one spicy little girl.” He turned back to Allison. “Isabella never mentioned any of you looking for a fourth.”

“She didn’t know we were. Well, Kara and I anyway. We were just waiting for the right time to happen.”

“No kidding.”

“Whatever it is you wanted to say” Vanessa started, staring Luis in the eyes “just say it.”

“You grew up exactly the way I thought you would. If Raul was here, he’d say you’re the perfect model for what a proper Mexican woman is supposed to look like.”

“Oh, that’s it? I’ve caught his gazes often enough to figure that out. I heard you had actual insight.”

Uhm ... Honey?

Remember the rivalry Mamá was talking about last night? This is an example of what it can look like.

“You want insight? Fine then. You look like you stepped right out of a painting; one of the old masters from home of course.” He glanced at both of them. “Things like this do not occur suddenly. Details?”

I’ll go first Ally. “I met her and Kara through Emanuel my senior year of high school. I thought I was straight then, and...”

“You were just hiding it, weren’t you sweetie?”

“From myself perhaps. Anyway, no more interrupting me. Understood?”

“You’ve joined the club all right! I know when I’m beat.”

“Good. A few days after meeting Kara, I realized I had to at least be bi, and well ... officially I was dating Manny while they were doing their trial marriage, but really I was dating all three of them at the same time.”

“You dated them for ten years and only now married them?!”

“Luis, you’re lucky I don’t own chancletas like Mamá, and that I’m naked right now. Like her, I wouldn’t miss. Anyway ... no, I wasn’t dating them for ten years straight. I went out on my own for the first two years of college, then they were all officially secondaries until just recently. My last business trip is what convinced me that I’d had my polycule right in front of me this entire time.” He started to open his mouth, then closed it; Vanessa nodded her head. “Go ahead.”

“Sweetie, if the screams I heard earlier were any indication, you can’t do anything straight. Just like I can’t.”

Vanessa watched Allison roll her eyes. “You’ve heard that joke before, haven’t you Matrón?”

“Yes. That’s one of his favorites. To add my bit to all this;” she paused for a few moments, listening carefully to the noises coming from the basement “mother’s paranoia ... anyway, Kara and I knew she’d eventually realize her home was here. That’s why we didn’t seem to be looking for a fourth. And she’s been around a lot more often than you might be thinking; hence why miss stubborn downstairs went straight to excitement.”

“Excitement is an understatement.” He turned back to Vanessa. “Two more questions and I’m good for now. Why have I never seen you over here, and are you planning to follow in Kara’s footsteps?”

“Soon enough. I want to enjoy married life for a little bit first. As for your first question ... I could ask the same of you!”

“To be fair, Kevin and I moved into the neighborhood only about two years ago. And unlike my wonderful husband, I work weekends.”

“Weekends have been the only times I’ve been able to be here in the daytime until yesterday. So I’ve only ever seen Kevin?”

“Sí. I would like to be very cross with him for not mentioning you, but I never told him we spent so many summers together growing up. For all he knows, you were just some random woman.”

“Random my ass! ‘Aunt Vanessa’ got thrown around enough by Isa that he ought to at least know that.”

“Yours is rather impressive.”

Vanessa started to open her mouth again as the basement door suddenly opened; all three kids standing in the doorway looking at them for a few moments before Isabella approached Allison. “Mommy, we’re going to play upstairs!”

“Thank you for letting me know Isa.” They watched Isabella and Petra run upstairs, Troy a few steps behind them.

“You can do that thing they do too, can’t you?”

“Everything. And then some.” She glanced toward the stairs, then back at him. “You know, I just noticed that he looks a bit like both you and Kevin. That’s a little unusual.”

“That’s because he is a little unusual. We could have simply adopted, or chose one of us to supply the sperm for in vitro and found a surrogate to carry him. But we both wanted any children we had to be biologically related to both of us ... and you know my sisters would never offer to donate eggs for something like that.”

“Or agree to if you asked I imagine. Even if they wanted to.” Mostly because it would mean leaving Mexico and going against the matriarch’s wishes.

It’s still wrong.

I agree. “So what crazy solution did you and him find?”

“Well, we were going to try that DNA combination procedure that was deemed safe a few years ago, but then Kev decided he’d prefer to carry our kid to term personally if possible.”

“That seems equally impossible. And he didn’t experience any dysphoria?”

“Do you know because of your own experiences?”

“A little. More so because Miranda’s partner is non-binary.”

“Ah. Kev would say he’s gender fluid.”

“How did you pull off the carrying? I haven’t heard of actual working artificial wombs being a thing yet?” Wait, do you know Matrón?

Yes, but...

His story to tell, I know.

“We still did in vitro ... we just used another bit of unusual tech. Have you heard about a company named ‘Altargen’?” Vanessa shook her head. “Kev found the name on the forums of a support group. They developed a machine that can read your genes and change you to the opposite sex something like thirty years ago, but they didn’t gain what limited governmental support they have until twenty years ago. It’s still hard to find a place that has a technician around here; we had to fly to Vermont from the City to get to the nearest one.” He paused for a few moments, taking a sip of his water. “After that, we checked into the nearest clinic and started in vitro. We got lucky; Troy stuck on the second round.” He turned to look at Allison. “Didn’t Kara mention you two were considering trying the combo procedure at one point?”

“She did. But it was still considered experimental when we decided to start trying the old-fashioned way, and none of us thought an eight hour round trip for the consultation made much sense. Especially if we decided to go for it and had to do several more of those over the next few weeks. If we’d known that the following in vitro would be guaranteed to work, it might have been worth it.” Once Clara figured out that Kara’s energy became part of theirs anyway, the last reason for why it might be tempting in the future went out the window. “And after I gave birth to those two, I decided that two was going to be enough.”

“Kev’s pregnancy was a little rough, but the birth was painless.”

That’s not how he described it to me. ‘Mostly pleasant’, but not painless.

“No birth is painless Luis. I’m surprised you still think that.” And yet...