Yalta and Tehran

Chapter 5

Slowly and carefully, you turn into the short driveway leading to your house. The whole drive you have been talking with Denise and planning your future. You both realize that there is a lot, a lot of work ahead but what you have already achieved with your words and a quick fuck in the car is to plant the confidence in Denise that these challenges can be overcome. You have to admit that you are looking forward to a peaceful time until school starts again and you have so much to do in the short time you have left until the seriousness of life starts again.

One of those pleasant tasks that make up your life now sits on the small staircase that leads up to the front door of your house.

"What is Maureen doing outside?" wonders Denise, but you can't give her an answer.

"We'll see," you say and turn off the engine. The unloading of things is done quickly and then your big sister is already standing in front of you.

"Are you all right?" she asks, running her fingers inconspicuously over your arm. Then she looks at Denise. "What are you doing here honey?" She sounds puzzled but before you can answer she sees the bag, backpack and gym bag.

"Mom is going to kill you" she grins but then looks at Denise. "But I'm happy for you. Enjoy it while Mom still leaves him in one piece."

"It's complicated" you just mumble with your look saying 'I'll tell you later'. Maureen understands and takes the gym bag from Denise. "So what are you doing out here?" you ask while putting a hand on the smaller girl's shoulder.

"Funny you ask," comes the voice from behind you. You turn around. Maureen hasn't moved from the spot. Your big sister seems nervous. Not only for you everything is different since the week at the lake. Still, she manages her crooked grin which has already become her trademark.

"Denise." You pull your girlfriend to your chest and as if automatically her arms close around you. Your lips touch the roots of her hair and as you kiss her cheek you taste salt. "Go on in and stow your stuff upstairs, okay?" Denise nods obediently, realizing with wide eyes that she's home. "Let Millie and Megan help you."

"Okay." You watch Denise knock on the door and immediately Millie pulls her inside but not before flashing a bright smile in your direction. Then you turn to Maureen.

"What happened?" she asks you in a moment. You just look at her. "For how long?"

"Forever." Your sister's eyes grow big, too.

"That bad?"

"Worse. This family..." You shudder at the thought. But that's over now. Nothing will be able to separate you from Denise, and Maureen is another welcome battle in the war to prove yourself worthy of your angels. "What about you?"

"With me? Nothing." She grins even more wryly, but can't fool you. She quickly tears down the wall she's put up as Maureen realizes who she's talking to. "If Denise can do it, I can do it as well. Don't worry about me little brother." You return her smile and grab her hand, her fingers closing gratefully around yours.

"But I'm your boyfriend too honey. I love you and I want you to feel the same way. Shit... Denise got it really bad, I can tell you that." You shake again, "but you're just as important to me as anyone else here."

"I know," Maureen mumbles, and even seems to pout a little. "My father's just a jerk, not a monster." She hesitates for a moment, then looks at you firmly. "Are you really sure you want to deal with me too? I'm happy to stay with him for another week or two..." Your lips silence her. In cruel ignorance, you've decided to show Maureen you love her in front of your home. The kiss is fleeting but has an effect and you can't get enough of your sister licking her lips afterward. "Okay, little brother. Point taken."

"You will never be alone or overlooked again, do you understand?" Her eyes widen even a little more when she hears your stern tone, but then her features fill with warmth.

"All right brother." It takes a few more seconds before you manage to let go of each other and take on the roles of a brother and sister who don't know each other well and have just learned to trust again. The sex has definitely improved your relationship, the tears as well, but above all the love you have discovered between you has ensured that you now only play these roles. As you walk through the front door you feel overwhelmed by the opportunities your girls are giving you.

Inside, a sight you didn't see coming awaits you. In fact, your living room isn't much different from the one in the home of the Van Buren family, who now have one less child. Maybe it's a little brighter, but that's just your imagination. In any case, the apartment is more familiar to you. Only the many people standing in a large circle in the living room surprise you.

Of course, your parents and your sisters are to be expected. Denise is standing, flanked by Megan and Millie in the circle of her new family, who don't seem as shocked as expected, meaning they haven't yet been enlightened about the day's developments. In one corner are your sisters' bags, the things of Denise are nowhere to be seen. Maureen has only a few items that all fit into your backpack. So it can't be Denise who is preventing your parents from turning to you and Maureen. As the two of you approach the group, you realize the real reason for the limited space in the room.

"What are you doing here?" you ask Emma, who is talking to your mother and immediately bite your tongue. It doesn't take much and you almost rush towards her to give her a hug and Emma also takes a step towards you when she sees you, but pulls herself together.

"Emma is keeping us company," your mother explains cheerfully. Then her gaze falls on her eldest child. Today, many eyes go wide with amazement. "I'll get another set of dishes," she mutters, turning toward the kitchen. Next to you, Maureen exhales softly, a sound you unfortunately already know well.

"Emma couldn't get enough of her friends," your father says, giving Emma a smile that makes her blush. Megan suppresses an eye roll and Millie giggles. Apparently everyone thinks Emma is here for Megan. And judging by the looks your parents give Denise, they only see your kitten as a friend of Millie. It takes you some effort to suppress a revealing grin, and in the end, it only works out of pity for your parents, who now have to make up for your cock-controlled and love-filled adventures at the lake.

"Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you" you start your explanation and not only your parents but also your sisters, Denise and Emma look at you excitedly. Megan grins like crazy and squints anything but inconspicuously at Emma who has her head slightly lowered in preparation to hide it behind her hair.

"Shouldn't we all sit down first?" your dad asks, nodding vigorously toward the kitchen.

You decide it would be a bad idea to object now even though the words are already on the tip of your tongue, burning like white phosphorus. It takes a while, but finally you are all sitting together around the dining table, which suddenly seems much smaller than usual. While Megan deals with Millie, your parents sit at one side of the table, your two younger sisters next to them. You, Denise, Maureen and Emma sit across from them. Between you is a plate of cut fruit which is quickly cleaned off by Megan, who smiles encouragingly at you. Next to you sits Emma, one hand under the table on your knee, on your other side Denise has taken a seat, so close that your shoulders touch. Your mother's eyes grow more urgent.

"Don't you think I should make some more food?" she asks out of instinct, which you find kind of sweet. "Have you had anything for lunch yet?

"Mom, it's almost eighteen o'clock" Megan laughs in her usual annoying way when talking to your parents.

"Something for dinner then." Your mom is about to jump up, but is held back by your dad.

"Now let your son say what he wants to talk about" he laughs good-naturedly and winks at you. Your mother just nods and sinks back into her chair.

"A lot has happened in the last week" you begin, looking to the girls next to you "Almost all of them were good things."

"Almost?" your mother asks, looking right over at Maureen, which gives you a little pang in your stomach. Maureen already wants to retort something but Megan, grinning broadly, offers her a piece of pear. While your sisters, with their friendly behavior, make your father almost **** on his orange juice, you clasp your elf's hand.

"Mom, Dad..." You take a deep breath. "Me and Emma are a couple now. We're together." You exchange glances with your girlfriend as silence settles over the table.

"That's a great thing," Megan announces with amusement. She and Millie understand the secrecy all too well.

"That... yes Megan... that..." stammers your mother and your father looks from your sisters to Emma who has two Japanese flags on her cheeks again. Still, an infinitely satisfied smile graces her delicate lips and finally she even lifts her head to look at your parents. Only a single strand of hair falls over her face, making her look adorable. "Finn, that's wonderful!" your mother finally exclaims, clapping her hands. Emma looks relieved.

"We became very close this week and...yes...one thing led to another."

"It was all thanks to me," Megan grins. Your father looks at her fondly.

"You did good my boy" he turns to you "I'm so proud of you." Then he turns to Emma. "You are always welcome in our family Emma." Your elf slaps her hands in front of her face, showing everyone your own hand still clasping hers. Your mother almost melts, jumps up from her chair, rushes around the table and hugs you tightly. Then it's the turn of Emma, and while your 'only' girlfriend hangs in your mother's arms, your father winks happily at you. "And I'm proud of you too Megan" he grins knowingly.

"Someone has to take care of my stupid big brother," your wombat says and just shrugs. Next to you, Emma mumbles something incomprehensible into your mother's chest.

"It's about time," your father says to you again and raises his glass of orange juice to toast you, "We've all been waiting for you to finally get your act together and put it behind you." You stumble a little, but before you can think about it your dad is already turning to Megan and Millie. "You two did a good job, too. I have two brave daughters."

"Oh that," Millie waves off. "We're happy for Emma and BB." Then your mom dismisses Emma and she staggers over to you a little dazed but is intercepted by your dad.

"Welcome to the family" he laughs and hugs Emma as well. "You're one hell of a smart girl Emma. You'll push my son in the right direction." Emma grunts sheepishly and looks over your father's shoulder.

"It's a family tradition" your wombat explains. "We all get you sweaty. Like at the lake." Now even Maureen has to chuckle.

It takes a long time for the situation to calm down and everyone is back at the table. To break the ice, your father, as head of the family, demanded that you kiss Emma to prove it to your parents. Not only Emmawas infinitely embarrassed... for about half a second. Then your lips melted together and Megan had to throw a napkin in your face so you could break away from Emma.

"This calls for a celebration!" your mother exclaims joyfully. All eyes of the young ones at the table move to Denise.

"Wait with that," you say seriously. "There's other news."

Your parents' expressions darken with every minute that you talk about Denise in a monotone and low voice. As the girl nervously pokes at her fruit salad, you report on her situation.

"She doesn't have anywhere else to go and we've become friends over the week" you end your talk, noticing that your voice has become firmer. "I like her a lot and she feels comfortable with us. It's the right thing to do." Your parents think about it for a long time, both are careful people with a lot of experience and you have always benefited from the kind of both of them. But now you are very worried that your luck might run out just when you need it so badly.

"Is that why you told her to take her things upstairs?" your father finally asks. You look at him in surprise and a little guilt. "Don't be surprised son. I know everything that happens in my house." Well, hopefully not everything... Then his face softens considerably. "As far as I'm concerned we have a new guest in the house honey." He turns to your mother and shows you that it wasn't you who first made a woman give in by stroking her hand.

"How can I possibly object?" your mother finally murmurs, then turns to Denise, now grabbing her hand in return. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you like honey," she says, then looks to you "On one condition. Finn goes to therapy with you and..." You already want to agree, isn't that the best idea anyone has had yet in regards to Denise. Just sleeping with her and making her your pet might have been good in the short run, but in the long run? "And I want you to finish that little devil off."

"Damn you mother!" exclaims Megan loudly.

"No curses!" counters your mom, then has to grin.

"I really love you mom," Megan then says, looking to Maureen.

"I love you too honey. All of you." Your mom looks to her oldest daughter as well, obviously thinking that's the end of this unpleasant topic.

"That's a good thing mother," Maureen murmurs. You take a deep breath and want to stand by her, but then realize that she is doing just fine.

"So Denise... and you too?" the lady of the house finally asks after Maureen has presented her situation.

"And Emma comes to visit us often too" adds Millie.

"And Emma comes to visit us often too..." mumbles your mother. You just can't blame her, you've put three more mouths to feed in front of her now. And she doesn't know about Karen, Susan and Claire.

"Mom, I know this is all a bit much to take in," Maureen says sympathetically.

"You think?" laughs your mother, not sounding as miffed as usual when this daughter's name is mentioned.

"We had a great time and I understood that I didn't always...okay, actually never really fit in with the family." A good idea, you think, and you watch intently to see how Maureen handles her situation. You've already shot your arguments for Denise and are a little angry at yourself for not being able to help Maureen now. But help still comes from a rather unexpected direction.

"We really hit it off," Megan steps up to her big sister's side. "She tried really hard, and you also know that I wasn't always the best daughter either."

"But I was worse," Maureen says.

"Wait a minute," your father interrupts. "Are you working together right now to take the guilt off your shoulders?" You have to grin as your sisters agree with him. "Okay..." He just shrugs.

"I really don't want to go back to dad. I want to stay here."

"The house is already full dear" your mom tries to save herself.

"She can sleep in her old room," your dad says.

"Thank you...honey." A sigh, a surrender. "What the hell. Fine by me."

"Really?" Maureen can't believe it. But neither can you. That was really easy.

"Yes. After all, you're my daughter, too, and... Oh crap." You've never seen that kind of laugh from her before. "And I'd like to see you more often, too."

"What the fuck?" breathes Megan.

"Megan Lynchwood! Language!" And with that, you - and everyone else - have arrived home.