Chapter 537

The Retreat

... Kei was headed for the bathroom when she heard her mother gasp. Oops, she has seen her attire for the day, Kei thought. Fighting a giggle, she hurried to get out of sight before Aiko came complaining.

It didn’t do any good. Kei was barely under the water when Aiko entered the room, amazing Kei that her conservative mother would come in while she was showering. But Aiko did stand with her head turned while Kei continued her shower.

“I cannot wear this ... this clothing you have put out for me. I will wear my kimono until I am able to purchase suitable clothing. Apparently, that ship thing somehow cleaned it for me even though I was wearing it at the time.”

“Yes. Jeff says it tends to remove any extraneous materials from our clothing when we go through the airlock. But ... you are going to have a hard time finding your kimono,” Kei said as she worked shampoo into her hair.

“What?” Aiko gasped out.

“I hid it. Mother, just give up. You are around people who will soon, if they do not already, love you. You are my mother, and I will be the wife of Jeff Matthews. You really have no concept of what that means, and to be truthful, I am only beginning to realize it myself. No one will make fun of you, and you might as well make up your mind that you are going to have to accept some changes. Several of Jeff’s wives are young. They think nothing of wearing bikinis that are little more than imagination. They display their bodies for their husband and as I said, they feel safe with the other Alphas here at the Retreat.

“Mother, I walked into the living room and found Arlene sitting in Jeff’s lap, and... he was nursing her breasts. Arlene and her mother, as well as Susan, all have milk that they either have to express or have their husband nurse them. Although, I have been given strict instructions never to mention that he nurses his wives, but rather to say that he sucks their titties or nipples. Apparently, it is not masculine to say that a husband nurses his wife. There are other women here who also have milk, and none of those women have had babies – well, other than Diana. Arlene is, after all, Diana’s daughter and Susan’s granddaughter. Arlene said she would explain, but so far we have not had the time. I admit that I find it very sexually stimulating to think about having my husband nurse milk from my breasts.”

“I ... I do not know what to say,” Aiko almost whispered. “Everything is so strange here. But, I cannot wear what you have put out for me. I just can not.”

“It is either that or go naked,” Kei said, her voice final as she began rinsing her hair. “Oh, come on, Mother. I am proud of my body, and mine is practically a duplicate of yours. Those clothes will fit well enough until you can purchase your own.”

“I have just realized that I cannot purchase anything. I have always had to have approval from your father, and even then, the servants held the credit cards and checkbook, and paid for everything. My husband would never trust me with money without supervision – supervision that required me to spend within very strict limits.”

“Well, I have ample money in my account from my business and my half of the sale of my house. You can purchase what you need, but ... I suspect that Diana will soon have a credit card for you that the Matthews will pay off every month. Neither she nor Jeff will ever allow you to spend conservatively, but will expect you to buy the best of anything you should decide to purchase.”

“I cannot use their money. I barely know them.”

“You are my mother. Jeff will demand that he take care of you, and Diana will see to it.”

When Kei stepped out of the shower, Aiko quickly averted her eyes. “Kei,” she scolded. But Kei was blushing as much as her mother.

“Diana tells me that I have to learn to be nude around my sister-wives, and not only that, she also says that they are all present when they make love.”

Forgetting, Aiko turned with her mouth hanging open to stare at her daughter. After suddenly realizing what she was doing, she snapped her gaze away. “That is absurd ... among other things. But surely...”

“From what I am told, and I have no reason to disbelieve it, he makes love to all his wives at the same time. Some kind of mental attachment when they touch each other physically. How else could he make love to sixteen wives? Your turn,” she finished while stepping out of the way so Aiko could shower.

After Aiko had showered and both women had dried their hair, Aiko still had a towel wrapped around her.

“Now, go put your new clothes on, Mother, and let us see what you look like.”

A moment later, Aiko stood holding her bra and panties up. “But the bra,” she complained as she stared at the frilly garment. “And those ... those panties barely cover anything.”

“Be thankful they aren’t thongs,” Kei said deadpan.

Aiko’s gasp indicated that she at least knew what a thong was. “Surely they do not...”

“They do,” Kei assured her.

“I had the AI wake us later because of our late night and also because I would not be able to be in the kitchen to help with breakfast since my fiancé is not supposed to see me before the wedding.”

Aiko had finally put on the bra and panties – turning her back, of course – and was now sitting on the side of the bed trying to pull on her jeans. “They are too small,” she complained.

“Let me see the size tag,” Kei told her mother. Aiko leaned forward as Kei managed to pull the back of the jeans out enough to see the size. “Sorry. But those are the same size I wear. They should stretch to fit.”

Red-faced, Akio finally managed to pull the jeans on and easily fastened the waist catch. “They feel...”

“Sexy,” Kei finished for her. “I really like that bra, too. I will have to get one similar to it. Now, try on your top.”

“I thought you did not wear bras here,” Aiko grumped as she pulled the top over her head. “At least I am permitted that.”

“ ... For the time being,” Kei responded. “The women here only wear them when outsiders are present, as there will be tonight. Jeff has invited his team as well as the Security officers. Of course, you may go without your bra until then if you wish,” Kei said with a grin.

Aiko, who always wore a bra, glared at her daughter. “I have no idea what you mean about Mr. Matthews’ team or his Security, but I am certainly not going without a bra.”

“The uniformed men and women you saw briefly on Ship were part of his Security team, and apparently there are many more that I am not aware of.”

When they were dressed and ready for the day, Aiko called the AI. “Would you please tell Diana that my mother and I are up and dressed?”

“Message delivered,” he returned a few seconds later. “Arlene said to tell you that your meal will arrive momentarily.”

“Thank you,” Kei returned.

“I was allowed the use of a computer for some selected household purchases, but I never knew there was any such thing as an AI. Is that not what you called it?” Aiko asked.

“The Matthews are trying to decide on a name for it. They are debating several names, but from what Arlene says, James or Charles are both high in the running. I have an idea, but I am hesitant to offer it to the Matthews.”

“What is it,” Aiko said as they sat on the couch in the living room to wait for their meal.

“One of my college instructors was a bit, well ... arrogant, I suppose would fit as well as anything. Anyway, he had his full name followed by Ph.D. on his office door, and in gold lettering, of course. His middle name was Mansfield, and it seemed a bit pretentious to put the full name on the door, but somehow it fit him. I think that Mansfield would fit the AI perfectly.”

“So, why do you not tell the Matthews before they choose something else?”

“Because ... if I tell them, they will probably choose that name just because I am new to Jeff’s ... harem. I had rather they choose it because they liked the name more than the others they have already thought of.”

Then Aiko said something that astonished Kei. “If this AI is so intelligent, why not let it choose its own name, or at least ask it if it likes your choice of names better than the others you mentioned?”

“Computer.”

“Yes, Kei. How may I assist you?”

“You have certainly heard that the Matthews are thinking of choosing a name for you.”

“I heard your discussion, but it is not my prerogative to choose a name for myself.”

“Perhaps it should be,” Kei said, almost to herself.

“I like James better,” Aiko said, momentarily forgetting to worry about her attire.

Kei smiled at her mother. “Why?”

“Well, the butler in an old movie I saw long ago had that name. Since then, I have always thought of any liveried, somewhat pretentious butler as being a James.”

“I am not pretentious, and since I am presented as a face only, I cannot be liveried, either,” the AI said, then instantly apologized for entering the conversation without an invitation.

“Oh, but you are pretentious,” Kei insisted with a giggle.

Before their conversation could continue, Arlene and Ann came through the door, each pushing a serving cart. “Good morning, Mrs. Tanaka,” they said in perfect unison before turning to Kei to do the same thing.

As the two uncovered the food and began putting it on the big coffee table, Arlene went on, “Mrs. Tanaka, the dress shop lady has sent out several dresses for you to choose from. Should they need alterations, she and her people will be here this morning and will do that. And ... Diana said for you not to even think about costs. You are our sister-wife’s mother. There is nothing too good for you. After all, Kei would not be here were it not for you.”

Before Mrs. Tanaka could answer, Ann asked, “Do you like the casual clothes we left out for you? They look good on you.”

“I, uh, do like them,” Aiko said, blushing. “I must admit that I have never worn jeans before, though.”

“You look great in them, and you’ll love them once you get used to them,” Arlene injected.

Aiko had expected the young wives to leave, but they poured themselves coffee and began filling their own plates. When they sat, Arlene said, “We thought you might want company during your first full day here, and I am certain that your daughter would appreciate your input as she makes decisions about her wedding.”

Aiko took a sip of her orange juice as she looked at the two bubbling teenage wives. They are so young, but they conduct themselves as if they are much older. However, they are certainly wrong about my helping my daughter make decisions about her wedding day. Obviously, they have not even heard of the old ways, let alone given them a second thought. Everyone seems to think that I am going to live here, but I am so terribly out of place. Just look at them. I can see their jiggle and their nipples are prominent. My husband would beat me if he ever saw me wearing such. Or not wearing, as the case may be. Will I ever be able to learn to live the way Kei describes? But, I cannot go back to that evil man. He will kill me if I do.