[2016] In Good Time

by Aqua Allsopp

  After hopping up to visit the girl’s room, I returned and this time sat on Andrew’s lap. What a sweetheart, I love him so much. This whole new idea of getting closer to him was really quite touching and I felt thankful. He hugged me and kept me close. We all felt grateful, truly on top of the world. I let them chat and occasionally softly ran my hand on his face, exploring his sweet cheek and chin, or caressing and holding his hand.

  “I love you guys,” I said sappily against a pinking sky. Andy tightened his squeeze.

  Cash spoke. “Holly, you’re the sweetest thing. You’re the best, babe.”

  Our first night went on this way with gushing and chatting and cuddling and squeezing. The three of us were just basking in the glory of what we had formed after all these years without even knowing it, or trying. We could have gone on as friends, or moved on to seek out other things in life, but instead we took something so rich with goodness that we’d cultivated and lived in, and allowed it to blossom. We were in awe of the fact that we were even here and all of us were just loving every minute of it and loving each other.

  In the morning I made breakfast for us all and we lounged around in robes, talking about how to decorate the place. We were gifted with an exquisite all-white suite that was quite elegant, but I had blues and golds dancing around in my dreamy head.

  We thought to take it up a notch and fancy up the place. Andrew said he’d have someone come over and show us some options, a designer friend of his. He was busy, though, in getting in with this law firm and so was off to work right away, but looking handsome while doing it. Cash was into the thick of it right away, too, ready to take on the world. It wasn’t long before the random calls would come in where he’d just hoot and yell all of a sudden and then saunter over, grinning, to announce a multi-million dollar investment deal. The boys were rolling in success in no time and I was all about town just as quick.

  It didn’t take long for me to discover a few favorite cafes, but what I really loved was that New York is filled with so many choices. Things always felt new to me if I looked hard enough or went exploring in a different direction. I kept myself on a pretty keen schedule between jogging, shopping, Pilates, shopping, and other forms of working out and shopping.

  And then there was mom. One of the best parts about moving to the city was that mother lived here and I had only seen her on visits for the last three years since she moved for work. We would meet up quite regularly for lunch, tea, gallery perusing, openings and events, and you name it. It was great fun all except she flat out refused to go shopping with me, something about putting her time in already in years past.

  The best part was that she eventually did stop pestering and prodding me about Cash and Andy. I made the mistake early on of being honest with her and she pretty much flipped out. But after some time, she came to see the idea as more casual as I did, and what might almost be called acceptance seeped in. It was a good thing because I couldn’t stand choosing if I had to.

  In that way we had all been blessed to have all of our parents come to terms with our decision. We joked that they all probably figured it was a phase that would blow up eventually, but we knew we had something more special.

  It wasn’t long before Cash proclaimed we were going out for a celebration dinner and said he’d have a car around that evening at 7. It was about 11 in the morning when I’d gotten that message and so off I went to shop for something new and special to wear. We were going to one of the city’s finest restaurants and hotspots, Restaurant Daniel.

  My jaw dropped in the dressing room when I put on this one gown, a Carolina Herrera silk tuxedo gown. The all-black gown was pure silk, a sleeveless halter, accented with satin lapels and trim, and featured a train at the back hem. Divine, and exactly what I was looking for.

  *****

  We would all be arriving separately but I had a feeling the guys would already be there. To my surprise I was told no one had. I was escorted to our table, which was nestled in an obviously specially reserved spot, a quite sophisticated and sexy Venetian tented enclave. I sat happily and started a glass of wine, admiring the fresh flowers for only a few moments in anticipation before hearing the familiar suave voice of Cash ring out before it neared. Both men entered our little tented area.

  I rose to kiss them on the cheek, “Quite the table, hotshot,” I said as I greeted Cash.

  “You look absolutely stunning,” he said and pulled my hand up to half twirl me to each side to admire my gown. “You look like you own the town, and I feel like we’re starting to!” he said, full of himself just slightly.

  Andy just stood smiling waiting for a turn to greet me properly. He kissed me on the cheek and whispered into my ear, “You look so beautiful.”

  “You are a sweetheart,” I replied almost bashfully before regaining confidence, “and one of the luckiest,” and touched his chin and smiled.

  I have to admit I knew I was a knockout, the lipstick didn’t hurt either. We had the most decadent feast and loved our table. It was on that first night there, that we decided that would be one of ‘our spots’, and since then it surely has been. It wasn’t just the fine food that made it so memorable, though. Something about how ecstatic Cash was to have landed this deal, coupled with Andrew’s latest win gave them a surge allowing them to throw back and indulge. That and the wine gave way to our most sensual evening yet as a triad.

  The conversation teetered between business, comedy and flirting all night.

  “You know what I’m wondering,” Andy said swirling wine in his glass. “Who gets the first kiss?” This was completely off topic which went perfectly along with how our conversations were going. I put my head in my hands with elbows on the table and gazed dreamily at the thought of it. He glanced at Cash and back at me and back at his wine.

  “Hmm,” Cash thought, “I’m ready.” We laughed.

  “I’m ready,” Andy made sure to speak up. And almost comically they turned to me. I broke from my gaze and sat up to think, looking sensationally kissable.

  “Should I have to choose?” I said, pouting.

  Cash reached into his pocket, “Let’s flip,” he said with a rising gleam in his eye staring down Andrew like it was some sort of competition.

  Andy leaned in ready to step up to the challenge and spoke, “We have to. Tails.”

  “What?!” I said. “Has it come to this?” And let a big grin come across my face, feeling so ready to touch lips with my boyfriends.

  “Is that okay?” Cash said, genuinely giving me the right to object. I wet my lips nervously and nodded slowly thinking of what was to come next. We had to face it. The reason we had been together for this long and even through living together and hadn’t done anything sexual at all was because of the ‘who’s first’ factor. It was time to find out.

  He flicked the coin up and I put my hands over my eyes and smiled. “Oh!” I heard them both laugh and when Andy said, “I should’ve known” I knew the coin had fallen heads.

  Cash sat quite close to me already but I took over, Holly-style, and after a deep breath slowly stood up. I walked over to Cash like a cat, slow and with tigress intent. Ever so slowly I bent down until I was at a sharp angle at him and stroked my nail from his neck to his chin and lips as I neared. Continuing in slow motion, I let my ready lips touch his, which were so much softer than I imagined they would be.

  We kissed. It was a soft kiss, and another, and another, and our mouths opening for what our hearts desired, and another. Just like that, I was backing away and he opened his eyes, bringing his hand down on the table hard and letting out, “Dear God, take me home now.”

  I smiled and strolled, flirting around with the tips of my fingers on the tops of the chairs and walked around to the other side of the table meeting eyes with my Andy. Andrew’s blue eyes were smiling more than his mouth and his face had turned pink as I neared.

  Cash was still in shock but now it was Andy’s turn. I motioned for him to pull his chair out a little and sat myself acros
s his lap. Gently and slowly caressing his chest on the way up to his neck I softly pulled him in closer, sitting up completely straight, and brushed his cheek to chin towards mine as our lips met lovingly where they wanted to. He put his hand around the top of my waist holding me.

  Our lips just locked and savored and kissed for a moment, my other hand instinctively found it’s way to his shoulder, holding him close. I stood up, almost dizzy and jokingly shook off, trying to breathe for a moment, making my way back to my seat.

  I raised my wine glass and said, “To us.” Both fellows managed to get hold of their glasses and oh, so agreed, “To us.”

  *****

  The weeks of fading summer would seem to have no end, and the three of us each found balance within our home, the city, and ourselves. We all stayed busy but found times at home relaxing, indulging in sharing gourmet meals. Times out were fun-filled, exciting and fanciful. The physical side of our relationship had become somewhat of a game, each of us discovering the desires that had been buried deep within our creative and wanting souls.

  Depending on where we were or what we were doing, there were opportunities for pleasurable fun, and I was the self-proclaimed leader in this dance, and I mean that literally.

  Both Cash and Andy surprisingly agreed to humor me and join me for dancing lessons. Once a week I went, and they alternated weeks as my partner. It was Cash’s week when I showed up in a cute little short light pink and black short-sleeved Fendi jacquard-style dress with a point collar, inverted skirt pleats and piping detail along the cuffs, bodice and hem. It was a dream dress for a dancing doll and I rocked some embellished silver heels with the look.

  Our days went on like this and no one was jealous and no one was left out: balance. Sure we got questions and comments from outsiders here and there, but most of them were just in awe of what we had going on and we kept our private matters untouchable. Actually, the lot of us were quite shocking in just that we didn’t hide what we were, but didn’t flaunt it either. Anyone who came to know us quickly saw how natural the whole thing was and couldn’t see us any other way more than we ourselves could not.

  It was winter when Andrew was invited to a big party and was expected to bring his significant other. This was our first big date out somewhere. I felt we would be in the spotlight, but as the night went on laughter and honesty and love led us to nothing but a perfect evening. Eventually by word of mouth, and us making the rounds meeting people, folks did want to know who the lady was with the two fellows, but before they even knew to wonder that, they wanted to know who was the lady in the red dress.

  The gown I wore to this occasion was just stunning, a gorgeous bright red Zac Posen silk faille strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and shape-enhancing effect heightened by a sweeping full hem. Honestly, I felt that in a gown like this, it was only right to have a man on each arm! It was a delightful evening and good practice at us being us out, which we are somehow great at, and managed to also have fun doing it.

  By the next summer we were nearing our first year living our new life and had become quite good at it. I was happy to have the house to myself most days, though I rarely stayed in, except for once a month.

  As it turned out I developed a bit of a ritual. When I had my time of the month come around, since I didn’t have any work obligations I set aside this time for myself and didn’t make any plans. I would literally stock the fridge and stay in and watch movies for a few days. Occasionally it would happen I was off a day and had to cancel lunch with mom, but for the most part I was pretty good at predicting and freed myself up to lay around and be resting womanly-me for the time being. It only took a first day of this for the guys to get the message I was on my ‘vacation’ as they called it.

  One day that summer Cash called me and asked if I was ‘back from vacation’ yet, I told him that yes, I just was. He said that he and Andrew had been planning a little something for me and if I was okay with it they were going to take me away for a couple of days. Andrew was picking up a new car just for the occasion. Of course I agreed and went to pack a little bag and spruce up.

  Midday, they came in to grab some things and we all piled into this hot white convertible Porsche with Andy at the wheel and I took the front. I wore a super short and short-sleeved belted silk dress, black with a tropical infused print in yellows, oranges, reds and whites, and sunglasses. It was good to go for a drive, and good to get out of the city.

  We drove to a beautiful cottage in the Hamptons where we stayed for a whole week and took walks on the beach, dined al fresco and swam in the pool. They guys put their heads together and arranged a few extras like our own personal chef preparing meals, a butler, a helicopter ride over the ocean, and our own private shark dive. I remember feeling so thankful with every moment and telling them both so. Thanking them for doing so good and being so good and for taking such good care of me and loving me.

  On one of the nights there was the first time that I felt a bit torn, though. I wanted to be so close to both of them and didn’t want to pull away from either of them. I asked if they’d just both sleep next to me that night and they said okay, neither of them wanting to let me go either. Respectfully and in love, we cuddled up and slept through the night.

  What a glorious morning it was waking up to the ocean waves and sunlight with these two sleeping angels next to me. My heart was made to love this much, loving the two of them was so easy.

  Back home, we had more nights like this but not all the time, just when I made a point with a true special request, but it became not unheard of, especially after parties or nights out at clubs where were stumbling in and I’d just pull them both to my bed.

  *****

  By fall and into winter of our second year, our shared love was the underlying theme of our existence. We still went about our daily lives but I loved and lived for the flirting and teasing, the love making, the fiery heights, the romance, and the spontaneous ways we would surprise each other.

  I started to buy designer lingerie and there were many days where I made sure I was home and got myself all dressed up. I would sometimes send a picture to the guys, just to show them what they had to come home to. It was so much fun wearing these beautiful things, and the guys loved it.

  The first thing Cash said when he walked in was, “You’re so good to me.”

  I asked, “Want some more?” and stood up on my tip-toes in my heels stretching out my legs tall to kiss him, letting his hands trail across my back.

  Our lives weren’t all romance and fun, though, and it wasn’t all work and city. As their work became more secure, our chats about what to do with the money became more serious. Cash was big on investment properties and planning on some trips for the winter to check out different locations. He wanted to buy us a few homes so we could have somewhere nice to spend winters, which none of us liked. His list of properties to look at was all over the globe and he wanted us to come along, if we could, to look at some of them.

  Andy was working out a big trip for himself, though, it seemed our trip to the Hamptons reminded him of his life-long passion for diving. He’d gotten together a couple of divers and was planning a bit of an expedition where he’d be away and in the water for nearly two month’s time.

  I on the other hand, while having complete access to funds, wasn’t feeling any pull towards any big ventures outside of our home and so I felt my interests and purpose would grow in time.

  That winter was long and it was a good thing Cash had us off on what turned out to be mini-vacations so we could rejuvenate and soak up some sun. Buenos Aires was divine—like the Paris of South America, so romantic. The people were so friendly there, like family. We enjoyed our stay but didn’t find it necessary to buy the place we looked at, even though it was a slice of heaven.

  I always thought that long walks on the beach were cliches, but I found time to beach comb among the rocky shoreline, and explore with both Cash and Andy while we were there. I could show off my Burberry swimsuits, tuc
k a hibiscus flower behind my ear, and enjoy the sunsets with each of my handsome loves.

  Costa Rica was a dream and I adored the place we looked at in Playa Flamingo. I also adored having coconuts cut for me and all the fresh fruit was just what I needed, that and the sunny shore.

  We all decided right off it was a perfect place to retreat to, and this became our first home purchase on our own. The place was a lot smaller than the Penthouse, but the layout was open and airy, just what you’d want in such perfect weather. The pool and gardens were so serene and deliciously private, so calming.

  I truly loved the country and the weather so much that I felt like from then on, I was only humoring Cash going along to other locations. I felt if I had time to get away, it would be there in Costa Rica that I would want to spend my time. On the beach we saw a few children playing a ways down. I remember thinking how peaceful and healthy they all looked. Just doing what kids should do; digging in the sand, playing in the water. The beach was really all about relaxing, the sun and water, and play. I loved how it brought the child out in me and made me want to just let go and enjoy.

  These thoughts wandered to where I reasoned when I had children of my own that I would want them to have a childhood somewhere like this. The soothing and inspiring thoughts brought on a calm, but was closely followed by a seed I accidentally planted out of anxiety. I wanted a family, but how?

  How could I ever have children in my current way of living? We were a star trio, but our lifestyle could be too complicated for a family. So much of children’s security and success lies in their family structure, the foundations, and what about how they’re treated by outsiders? I couldn’t bear the thought to ever think I’d be selfish enough to drag a child into unknown territory. The whole idea of living the way I was, seemed to make me feel like I was trapped between living for myself or sacrificing to maybe someday be a mother. I didn’t mention these thoughts to the guys, but only let them sit a while and figured things would sort themselves out in time.