After the aftermath

Authors Disclaimer: The reactions of characters to the ongoing situation in this chapter are not a personal attack on anyone, merely how I feel the characters would react. I apologise for the originally poor handling of story expectations, and I am making strides to improve that in the future, but I still wish to tell the story I originally set out to tell, warts and all.

Ash and I can only stare at Em, mouths agape. Em shrugs, then says, “Yup, pretty much my reaction too.” Forcing down the rush of conflicting emotions, I ask, “How do you know?”

“About three months ago, you guys all went out for a walk, but I didn't really want to go so stayed home. I had a bit of a nap, then decided that I wanted to use Mum’s bath whilst you guys were still out. It was only a glimpse, mind you, but when I walked into Mum’s bedroom, Mum was lying face down on the bed and a topless and possibly bottomless Lisa was straddling her. I panicked and backed out of the room before either could notice me.”

Ash and I share a look before Ash hesitantly says, “Honestly, sis, that doesn’t sound like they were having sex to me. Are you sure they weren’t just giving each other massages or something?” I nod, agreeing with my twin’s assessment, only for Em to slowly turn crimson as she continues. “See, that’s what I thought at first, too. The door was open a crack, and they hadn’t noticed me, so… I stayed and listened for a while.”

Emily visibly swallows, before continuing, “they were definitely talking dirty to each other… and… moaning, lots of moaning. And it wasn’t just that one time, either! They’d occasionally sneak off together whilst the rest of us were doing other stuff. You guys probably missed it, but as I was keeping an eye out for it…” Entirely pink now, Em stares down at her hands while Ash and I digest the revelation.

I couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy that I felt as Em told her story. What I could do, however, was call myself out on it. ‘So what if they were together? Neither Lisa nor Mum owes me a damn thing. If each could find happiness in the other, then who am I to complain? If anything, I’m the piece of shit here. I agreed to see where things go with Mum, only to start a relationship with not one, but two of my sisters? Well, Adam, time to crawl out of the hole you’ve dug yourself.’

I try to ignore the pit of worry in my stomach as a clear my throat drawing the girl’s attention to me. Anxiety fuelled adrenaline pumps through my veins as I contemplate what I’m about to do. Still, I can’t help the feeling that without transparency, our fledgling relationship is doomed from the start. I need to come clean, and it needs to be now.

It only takes one look at my guilt-ridden face for both girls to catch on. They give me a flat look as Ash deadpans, “Let me guess, you’re fucking one or both of them too?” I sigh, then reply, “Errrm no? at least not yet?” at their raised eyebrows I hasten to add, “Look, earlier this evening when Mum and I talked, she sorta… confessed her feelings for me? I told her we could see how things went.”

Through pursed lips, Ash asked, “And Lisa?” I shrug sheepishly, then answer, “I honestly don’t know where I stand with her but… we kissed.” I look down at my hands as Ash says, “Just… can you give us a moment, Adam? Em? A word?” I twiddle my thumbs, trying my best to ignore the whispered conversation as my new and potentially soon to be ex-lovers decide my fate.

The conversation stretches on, first for one minute, then for two. I quickly get antsy, so begin planning a speech in my head. ‘Come on, Speech Skill, time to shine.’ Taking a deep breath, I look up at the girls, my speech ready, only to pause as I see them turn back to me, their conversation clearly over.

Em pouts, then says, “Fiiiiiiiiiine, I’ll share. But we totally get first dibs!” The girls see my look of bafflement, causing both to giggle at my expense. When they've recovered, Ash explains, “Look, I’ve seen the looks that both of them have been giving you over the past couple of days, they weren’t quite as obvious as little miss thirsty over here,” “Oi!” “But it’s clear that they both have feelings for you. Whilst I don’t love them in quite the same way as I love you and our little brat,” “Heeeeey!” “I still love them as family and want them to be happy.”

Choosing to ignore an increasingly irate Em, Ash continues, “I want nothing more than to continue adventuring with everyone, and I can’t help but feel that these new feeling will get in the way of that unless everyone gets what they want. That being said, both of us are miffed that you said nothing, and you will make that up to us, understood?” I nod, a relived grin on my face as I answer, “yes Ma’am.”

Ash nods sharply, drawing a chuckle from Em and I, before saying, “good. Now, we’ve only got another three and a half hours to sleep, so we should probably get to that.” Not long later and we're all snug in the sleeping bag, Ash on one side of me, Em on the other. I smile contentedly, glad things didn’t go to shit, but glance at Ash as a thought occurs.

“Wait, three and a half hours? Why are you back early?” Ash grins up at me, her head resting on my shoulder, glances at Em (who also looks curious) snorts in amusement, then says, “Lisa couldn’t sleep, so she took over for me. Wait, you guys don’t honestly think you were at it for two hours, right?” Em and I share a sheepish glance, then I feel her shrug as she says, “Honestly, it felt so good that I sorta lost track of time. I swear sis, you’ve got to let him do that thing he does with his tongue, pretty sure I’ve never cum that hard in my life.”

“Oh, errrrrr… I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’m right here, guys.”

We must've drifted off soon after, although it only felt like moments later when the three of us were roused from our doze by the sound of the alarm. Honesty? I felt pretty good, not quite well rested, but pretty close. The other two? Not so much. Bleary-eyed, the girls moaned softly in protest as I extricated myself from the cuddle puddle. By the time I had my gear equipped. Both girls were mostly awake, Ash groggily looking at a screen only she could see as Emily watches, pensive.

“Well,” Ash mumbled. “Here goes nothing. Wish me luck!” Em and I do just that. Ash fiddles with her screen, takes a deep breath, presses one last button (‘I didn’t know these screens were touch screens? I’ve just been thinking at them. Neat.’), smiles wanly at the pair of us, then passes the fuck out. We take a moment to make sure she’s comfortable, before Em shoos me out of the tent.

Outside, Lisa is idly prodding the campfire with a stick, but looks up at me when I exit the tent. We share a small smile before I walk over and take the seat next to her. Cautiously, I ask, “So, Ash said you couldn’t sleep. Anything I can help with?” Lisa stiffens subtly, something I probably would have missed if I hadn’t been watching her carefully, and turns to look at me.

Seeing the look of genuine concern on my face, she relaxes slightly. Taking a moment to order her thoughts, she tentatively says, “I don’t know what to do, Adam, I really don’t.” she eyes me for a moment longer, then quietly asks, “Can I trust you, Adam? Can I trust you not to freak out, or delve too deeply into what I want to ask before I am ready to talk about it?”

Maintaining eye contact, I reply, “I promise I will neither judge you, nor dig into any questions that you ask.” She looks deep into my eyes, weighing my words, then in a small, shaky voice, she asks, “Is it wrong to love someone you are not supposed to love? To want to spend time with them… be intimate with them?”

I had been half expecting the question, so was already shaking my head by the time she finished speaking. Matching her soft tone, I reply, “To other people? Maybe? But honestly, why should you care what they think? You should pursue whatever, and however would make you happy.” Blushing, I add, “saying otherwise would make me a hypocrite.” Lisa's pupils dilate slightly, and she visibly swallows before looking down at her hands clenched in her lap. In an even smaller voice, she adds, “And if you love not one, but two such people?”

My heart melts a little as she sneaks a peek to gauge my reaction, eyes glistening with the beginnings of tears. Choosing my next words carefully, I reply, “then it would be important to communicate, so everyone involved is on the same page. As long as everyone is happy and consenting, then I can’t see any problems.”

She nods, treating me to a small smile. Her face freezes slightly as I hesitantly add, “Can I ask something in return?” Eying me wearily, Lisa nods. I take a deep breath, then ask, “Would some still be deserving of a person's love if they loved not 2, but 4 people?” I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting, but her breathing a sigh of relief was certainly not it.

For the second time that night, my baffled look is met by laughter. Lisa is rather more reserved than Ash and Em, and the sight of her trying (and failing) to supress her giggles can't help draw a smile from me. Eventually, she settles down, finally fully relaxing. Both of our cards were on the table now. Seeing that her previous worries were unfounded, she smiles beatifically at me, a warm, relived smile that makes my heart miss a beat. Amusement clear in her tone, she says, “We sort of figured it’d be a package deal. We’re happy to share, as long as they are too.”

It’s my turn to hide my amusement as I watch her brain catch up with her mouth, her eyes going wide as she realises that she’d totally just outed herself and Mum. I merely smile reassuringly, before saying, “I have a feeling that that won’t be a problem, but everyone involved should probably discuss it tomorrow morning, to make sure we’re all on the same page." Sighing, Lisa clambers to her feet as she says, “Probably a good idea, but I can’t think of a more awkward topic for breakfast.”

Chuckling at the absurdity of it all, I reply, “Right? It’s like ‘Mum, pass the ketchup, will you? Oh, by the way, I have romantic feelings for you and your daughters.’ Not the sort of thing you can slip into casual conversation.” Lisa chuckles at my joke before turning solemn. Quietly, she asks, “Do you really? Have romantic feeling for all of us, I mean?”

I climb to my feet to face her before replying, “I do, Lisa, I really do. We have a chance for a fresh start here, not a soul on this world knows what we actually are to each other. People may suspect, but we've left any proof behind on Earth. We’re free to do what we want, and what I want is to be openly and publicly involved with all of you.”

Wide eyed, Lisa replies, “Wait, we can do that? I… we always thought that we’d have to hide everything." I smile at her reaction, then reply, “not if I can help it.” I open my arms invitingly, and Lisa steps forwards, allowing herself to be wrapped up in a hug. She nuzzles into my chest before looking up at me. Her arms drape round my neck, drawing my face towards hers. The kiss is placid, with her and I simply enjoy the sensation of tongues intermingling.

Eventually, we pull apart, staring into each other’s eyes and grinning like a couple of love-struck fools. Soon, the moment passes, with Lisa pulling away from the hug. Suddenly nervous, she says, “this whole evolution business. Its not pleasant, right?” I shake my head, then reply, “I’m not going to lie, it fucking sucks, but you are more than strong enough to get through it.”

She sighs, then says, “bugger, thought as much.” Stepping forward to plant one final peck on my cheek, Lisa soon disappears inside her tent, zipping up the flap behind her. Left to my own devices, I plonk back down into a camp chair. Last time I had held off on notifications, not wanting to get distracted. But now? My senses were not only sharper, but I also had access to danger sense. Did I just want an excuse to find out what I had received after my encounter with Em? Absolutely! Was that going to stop me? Absolutely not! Chuckling to myself, I bring up my latest notifications.