Hi all - I apologise for such a long break between sections. I'd run into a mental block with the characters, and wanted to find a way to keep it fresh. Then of course life gets in the way. I think I've found my way through now, and have a few new chapters I'm currently editing. This one is a shorter amuse-bouche to set the scene for their continued growth and love. Thank you to those who have waited so long!
We somehow made it through the exam period and despite the distractions of a three way relationship, Lydia had managed high marks in her subjects, and Flick got the high distinction average she'd hoped for to get into Honours. I'd been able to finish my exam marking and prep for the summer semester subject I was teaching (fortunately not til after Christmas). And then came something unexpected.
'Guys, I think need a break before starting Honours.' Flick was browsing the subject choices for the course. She'd been doing that a few times the last week, with increasing apathy. 'Just a bit burnt out.'
Lydia had her course book (a hard copy - the Law school could be a real throwback sometimes) on the kitchen table. I was pretty sure there was dust on it from how little it had been read.
I'd been thinking about this too. I'd come off the back of finishing the second draft of my PhD. In theory, I had six months left. I'd been teaching a full course and with the summer subject wouldn't get much downtime. Lydia had done a year of Law - intense at the best of times, let alone when beginning a new relationship (two, really).
Standing by the sink I looked out the window for a bit before responding.
'Fuck it. Let's all take next semester off and go travelling.'
'Excuse me? Mister Studious?' Lydia was coming out of the bathroom and caught what I said.
'Are you kidding me?' Flick said as she laughed. 'You're nearly done with your PhD.'
'Yeah well. 18th century French literature isn't going anywhere quickly. I can probably do bits of it while we're away anyhow.'
I turned around properly. 'Wait! Let's start in France.' They laughed at me in unison, that silvery tinkle I so loved. 'No, I'm serious. We love French food, art, and it's amazing in the winter.'
They looked at me a bit sceptically. They looked at each other. They looked back at me.
'John, how would we afford that?'
My mind was running ahead of itself. 'Well, our lease is due in February. I've got a fair amount of savings - it's not like we lash out on extravagant clothes and holidays in general. And we can do it on the cheap. Backpacking is great fun!'
'Sure, I guess... You mean we'd need to move out of here?'
'Why not? I've been here since I was a student, now I'm working a lot more, plus my stipend, we could get a nicer place anyway. And I'm all but promised a permanent role once my thesis is accepted.'
I had a brainwave. 'You know what?' They laughed at my excitement. 'Let's do a house sit! We could stay in the country for a month or two, or if we get really lucky find an apartment in Paris.'
I could see Flick and Lydia starting to smile. Slightly disbelieving smiles, but they were there nonetheless.
'Look. None of us have passed the cut off date to enrol for next semester. I've not committed to teaching a subject yet. We've got three months to wind up here, find a place, book flights, finish off my summer intensive. Let's do it.'
Flick stood up and walked over to me, kissing me firmly. 'I love you. Let's go to Paris.'
Lydia was still standing in the doorway. She looked a little skeptical. 'Are you guys sure? I mean, it's a big decision to make, defer for six months, leave our home...'
The two of us nodded at her. 'Definitely.'
She grinned. 'We're really going to do this?'
'Yes.'
'Oh my god. Ok. Ok. Yes. This is good. Travelling with my two favourite people. Sex in France.' She stopped. 'Wait! Art galleries! Can we go to the Louvre?'
'I wondered how long it would take you to ask that,' I replied, grinning. You could take the art history out of the girl's degree, but not out of the girl.
So within three days we had handed in our notice to the real estate agent, booked one way flights to Paris, and started to search for a house sit.
And in the meantime, just before Christmas, we had our first anniversary for our threeway relationship.
_____
Flick and I still went for a drink, or a nice dinner on our anniversary, but we had largely let that be subsumed by our joint relationship with Lydia. A week before the date, I was heading to yoga with Flick. We didn't do it together all that often, but I liked to add a session in from time to time.
'So John, I have a few ideas for how we can spoil Lydia for our anniversary.'
'Oh yes? Do tell.'
The next few minutes were highly enlightening. And fortunately I had enough time to let my erection subside before walking into the yoga class. Although she deliberately chose to lay her mat in front of mind, which made downward dog particularly fascinating.
____
The day of our anniversary we had a few lovely messages from our friends who knew about us, and the twin's parents. Li's contribution was a risquΓ© gif of two women from the waist down, their legs entwining with a man's on the bed, followed by a party hat emoji. If only she knew.
That afternoon Flick distracted Lydia by taking her out for a 'couple's massage'. I almost envied the masseuse, though I revelled in the knowledge that they shared each other with only myself. While they were out, I spent a bit of time preparing the bedroom. Stashing some things around the place. Setting up a surprise or two.