An Unexpected Gift

Author's Note:

It's funny how stories develop as you write them, they often take on a life of their own. This has turned into much more of a slow burner than I had imagined. That's mainly because the characters are writing their own story, I'm just following their lead. But never fear, we are moving ever closer to James and Jessica achieving their goal.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and the likes you've been giving the chapters, as I've said before, that's what motivates me to keep writing.

Thank you so much, take care.

Dansak

---

“I’ve been thinking about something you said,” James said in the car on the way to the homeless shelter.

“Oh, what was that?”

“I know we’re going to discuss this with Dani, but what sort of rules were you thinking of? And what sort of consequences for breaking them?”

“I haven’t given it much thought, but first and foremost there has to be some agreement about our safety. For instance, I think we need to be clear that we can’t have sex with anyone outside of the Harem, not just for our health but to keep the nature of the harem itself intact. Beyond physical safety, we need to think about our personal lives. I’m proud of what we’re building here but I’m not sure that our friends and family will think of what we’re doing in a positive light. We’ll need a ban on speaking about the harem to anyone not in it. They may sound like pretty basic necessities but they’re important, breaking any of those rules should mean you leave the harem immediately.”

“Okay, I see your point, that makes sense.”

“To be fair though, when I said rules, I was thinking on a more practical, everyday level.”

“Like what?”

“Like household chores for example. While it’s just the two of us I’m happy doing all the housework, especially as you’re spending a lot of time working on Whittaker IT. But with six of us in the house we’ll need to be organised and have some sort of system. Although having said that, I really can’t see any issues with that sort of stuff, I can’t see us inviting anyone to join who wasn’t a good sort of person and willing to do their bit around the house. What was on my mind was more to do with the harem itself and the nature of your patriarchy.”

“Sorry to repeat myself, but like what?”

“I don’t know exactly, but much of this will depend on you and what you want. Would you like us all to be naked around the house? Or can we just wear what we want? Would you like to give each of us a day of the week when we can have sex with you or would you prefer more of a free-for-all? Will we have free time to pursue our own interests, or will we be serving you twenty-four-seven?”

“I hadn’t given it any thought.”

“Well I’d start thinking about it if I were you, this is happening.”

“Yeah, I’m beginning to see that. My instincts are though to keep it fairly easy going, I’m not sure I like the idea of going around punishing people for silly little things.”

“That’s fine, we can make that work,” she said with a smile.

---

“There you go, enjoy,” said Jess, dishing up the last of the food.

“That was a busy one,” said Sarah, who had been serving the food with her.

“Times are hard for most people right now and I can’t see it getting better anytime soon. I think we’re just going to get more and more busy.”

“Jess, can I ask you something?” said Sarah, moving the leftovers into one corner of the hot plate for those who might want seconds.

“Of course, you can ask me anything.”

“What’s the deal with you and James?”

Jess knew where Sarah was going with this question. She looked out through the serving hatch and saw James and Lucy walking around together filling glasses with water and talking to the guests. They seemed to hit off straight away and since they’d arrived at the church hall the two of them had been inseparable.

Jessica didn’t blame him for being so taken with Lucy. The sweet little girl Jessica remembered as a child had matured into a beautiful young woman. Lucy was nineteen years old, short with a petite frame and shoulder-length dark blonde hair. But it was her pretty face and her cute-as-hell smile that stood out the most. Combined with a lovely personality, the overall effect made Lucy simply adorable.

Jessica pondered a reply but not for the first time that evening she was distracted by the wet patch in her knickers. Sarah sensed Jessica’s hesitation and spoke again before she could reply.

“I don’t mean to pry, it’s just that James and Lucy seem to like each other and I thought perhaps there may be something between you and James?”

“It’s okay, it’s a fair question, you’re only looking out for your little sister, I’d do the same in your shoes. You’re right, there is something between me and James.”

“I thought so.”

“It’s not what you think though, well, it is and it isn’t.”

“This sounds interesting, is it a casual type of thing?”

“No, it’s more formal than that. We’re in a poly of sorts.”

“A poly! I thought you’d sworn off all that after Cambridge?”

“I did, but James is quite special.”

“Who else is in the poly, anyone I know?”

“Dani.”

“Dani Van Der Hass?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Wow, James must be very special indeed to bag you two. Anyone else?”

“Not yet, but we’re looking for others to join.”

Sarah stared out through the serving hatch at Lucy and James, then back at Jessica.

“And you think Lucy might fit the bill?”

“No, well, yes, maybe. I don’t know…sorry, it’s complicated.”

“When are polys ever simple?”

“True. But this is not your usual type of poly.”

“Oh?”

“Sarah, I know what you’re going to ask but I can’t really say any more. I promised James and Dani we’d not discuss this with anyone. It’s only because we know each other so well and you’ve got Lucy’s best interests at heart that I’ve said as much as I have.”

“No, it’s okay, I know the score, you and I have been there before. Look, Jess, I trust you. I know you’d never do anything to hurt Lucy, that goes without saying. If you think she could be a part of your poly, or whatever it is, and she wants to join you then I’m fine with that.”

“You are?” Said Jessica, not hiding her surprise.

“We had a blast when we did it at Uni, and if Lucy was going do something like this then I couldn’t think of anyone I’d trust more than you to look out for her. Besides, I’m her sister, not her mother, it’s not up to me to say what she can or can’t do. In any case, Lucy is more than capable of making up her own mind. Trust me, she’s not as sweet and innocent as she looks.”

“I thought I saw a bit of a twinkle in her eye,” said Jessica, rubbing her thighs together and enjoying the wetness in her knickers.

“If only you knew. She’s a little firecracker that one, trust me, she’s been giving our mother nightmares. Maybe something like this is just what she needs.”

“Okay, well I’ll speak to James and Dani and see what they think. I’ll keep you up to date.”

“Oh don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look after her. If you need me for anything then of course let me know, otherwise it’s best I don’t know the gory details.”

“Plausible deniability with your mother?”

“Something like that,” smiled Sarah. Then she saw one of the guests come up to the serving hatch.

“Hello Minty, coming back for seconds?”

The skinny, dishevelled man smiled behind his beard, “Just a little, please,” he said, but it was Jessica he was looking at when he spoke.

Sarah served him a portion of the remaining hot food and as he walked off she turned to Jessica.

“He’s been eyeing you up all evening, I think he might have developed a crush on you.”

“What, Minty? No, he’s been coming here for years, if he was going to crush on me he’d have done it already.”

“If you say so. Right, time to clean up,” she said and took the empty serving dishes to the dishwasher.

Soon enough most of the guests had left, leaving a handful of stragglers and the staff cleaning up. Jessica was running a broom over the floor while James took the rubbish outside. Sarah was putting away the last of the kitchen things when Lucy came bouncing in with a wide smile.

“You look happy,” said Sarah, “I wonder why that is?”

“It’s because tomorrow I’m finally moving into my own place. I love my niece and nephew but seriously, I can’t take any more of them waking me up a five o’clock in the morning. And your sofa is doing my back in.”

“At least you can move out, I’m stuck with the little terrors. So your good mood has got nothing to do with a certain young man then?”

Lucy blushed, “Maybe a little.”

“Has he told you much about himself?”

“A bit, but he’s worryingly coy about his relationship status though.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you,” said Sarah with a broad smile.

Lucy poked her in the ribs, “You know something! Tell me!” she said, digging her in the ribs again.

Sarah jumped out of reach of her little sister, just as James appeared by the serving hatch.

“Erm…” he muttered sheepishly, “Is there anything else I can help with?”

“No, I think we’re just about done here. But, if you’re free tomorrow you could come and help me move Lucy into her new flat if you like?”

Lucy went bright red and began to protest, but before she could speak a word James said, “I’d love to."

"Good, we’ll pick you up from Jess’ house around ten if that’s okay?”

“Sounds good to me,” he said, grinning widely.

“Thank you,” said Lucy who was uncharacteristically bashful.

When the last of the guests had left James and Jessica said their goodbyes to everyone and made their way to the car.

“So, you hit off well with Lucy then? I hear you’re helping her move into her new house tomorrow.”

“Is that alright? I didn’t think you would mind and…”

“James, you really need to get used to being in control. Of course it’s alright, you’re the patriarch, remember. Besides, as candidates for the harem go, I think Lucy would be perfect.”

“You do? I thought she was too…I don’t know, she just doesn’t seem the type.”

“Too innocent?”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Well according to Sarah she’s a little firecracker.”

“She is? What else did Sarah say?”

“Lots. She said that…OH MY GOD! MINTY, YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME.”

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t see Minty, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Instinctively James placed himself in front of Jessica.

Minty was carrying a black rubbish sack, identical to the ones James had but in the bins behind the church hall.

“Here, this is for you,” he said, placing it on the floor and stepping back a few paces.

“What is it?” said Jess, stepping out from behind James.

“A gift,” replied Minty.

James bent over and opened the bag and they both peered inside.

“It’s stuff from my bedroom?” Said James and stood up straight, “How did you…”

Minty was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did he go?” Said James, scanning the street.

Looking around Jessica said, “I’ve no idea, but we’d better get out of here.”

“I just need to see what’s inside first,” he said, rummaging through the bag.

“James, please, we need to go.”

“Fuck it, it’s not here.”

“What’s not there?”

“The picture of my mother. There are all sorts of things from my bedroom, but no picture. How the hell did he…”

“James, we need to leave before anyone sees us.”

“Why are you so…,” Then it dawned on him, “Yeah, okay, let's get out of here.”

---

“You really think he broke in and stole them?” said James, in the car on the way home.

“Well I can’t see him having a nice cup of tea with your father and politely asking for them.”

“Fair point. He just doesn’t look capable.”

“Let me tell you about Minty, it’s a sad story but a very common one. He was recruited into the army as a teenager and left fifteen years later with a chest full of medals and serious PTSD. He couldn’t cope with his trauma and civilian life in general so he turned to ****. He’s been clean for a while now but is still living on the streets. Anyway, back when he was using he would fund his habit with burglaries. Apparently, he was very good at it, the police called him a one-man crime wave.”

“So that’s why you wanted to rush off, because he stole my stuff?”

“Exactly. They may be your things, but technically we’re handling stolen goods, and dangerously close to the scene of the crime too. I wanted to get out of there before anyone saw us, if the police are investigating the burglary then…”

“There’s no way in hell my father would call the police, I wouldn’t worry about that. But still, it’s better to be on the safe side, you were right to get us out there.”

“I’m sorry your picture wasn’t in there.”

James didn’t reply, he just stared out of the window.

“So, do you want to know what Sarah told me about Lucy then?”

“Yes please,” he said, raising a smile.