Tour of the house.

Marlissa hooked her arm with her mother-in-law's arm as they walked down the few steps from the sidewalk to the garden level of the brownstone townhouse.

"The kitchen and dining room needs to be to updated to contemporary standards," Catherine noted as she showed Marlissa the layout of the floor. "There is a small bedroom for guests and the door to our very small yard."

"It's bigger than the zero yards most New Yorkers have, mom," Ryan chuckled as Marlissa stepped out to the neglected yard with just two lawn chairs and a potted plant.

They headed downstairs to the cellar.

"You've renovated!" Ryan exclaimed at the rec room with a small cellar at the back.

"If you had visited us more often you would have noticed your father's 'man cave,'" Catherine scolded.

"I'm surprised you didn't convert this to an apartment," Ryan wondered, checking out the home theater with leather armchairs.

"Well, there's no mortgage since we inherited the house from my parents and we have tenure..." Edward replied.

"This could be yours," Catherine suggested. "The two of us do not need such a big house but you may want it when you have children..."

"Mom..." Ryan protested.

Marlissa smiled and patted her mother-in-law's hand. "Thank you, mom, for your offer but perhaps we can discuss this after we come back from Paris."

"That would be splendid, dear," Catherine smiled.

"Let's continue the tour," Ryan suggested, wanting to change the subject as soon as possible.

"You have already seen the living room and here is the library," Catherine said as she guided Marlissa through the first floor before heading upstairs.

"Here is Megan's old bedroom," Catherine said.

"Who is Megan?" Marlissa asked, looking at the feminine decor.

"My sister," Ryan solemnly answered.

"Where is she?" Marlissa asked innocently.

Ryan took his wife aside and whispered, "She had a falling out with my parents when she after graduating high school. I'll fill you later about her."

"This is my office," Catherine smiled, seemingly unfazed by Marlissa's questions about her estranged daughter, proud of how organized everything was that would put a drill sergeant to shame.

"Do we have to show my office?" Edward asked.

"Yes, dear," Catherine laughed as they headed up the stairs.

"How do you manage to open the door with this mess, dad?" Ryan gasped at the sight of the books strewn around the floor

"I nudge them aside," Edward grumbled, pushing some old books away with his feet to make some space to walk into room.

"And let me show you the master bedroom, dear," Catherine suggested, taking her daughter-in-law's hand.

"Do you love her?" Edward asked his son after he thought the two women were out of ear shot.

"Of course I do, dad!" Ryan exclaimed.

"I just don't want to see you hurt again..."

"I... I know you do, dad," Ryan sighed. "But I assure you that Sam won't cheat on me."

"But will you cheat on her?"

Ryan paused, thinking of all of the other women he had fucked since he had summoned Marlissa -- it was not cheating if she had not only approved but magically persuade and alter the women's libido.

"No, of course not," Ryan shook his head. "Our marriage is bound by love and contact." Of course, he could not reveal nor explain that he had summoned a demoness and **** her into, a pact -- let alone the existence of dimensions beyond our known universe.

"Love, your parents' bedroom is beautiful! You should let your mother decorate your... I mean, our bedroom!" Marlissa giggled.

"I am sure your tastes in decor is better than mine, dear," Catherine chucked.

"Let's show Sam the roof terrace," Ryan suggested, wanting to change both uncomfortable subjects.