Sorry...This is the re-edited version that should have been posted, addressing a few points that are not in the 'original'. My apolgies.
As always, thanks to everyone who has been bearing with me! It ain't over yet! A special thanks, as always, to Kenji for his advice and editing skills. Thanks, as always, to Paolo who has taken time out from his days to proofread and give his advice. As always, your comments are helpful. I may be a few chapters ahead, but when I can make suitable changes, I have.
Chapter 84
Chrissie and Ems Date Night
I let the kids play for a while, and then started dinner. Chrissie and Ems showed up just as we were plating up, Chloe teasing them because we had authentic guacamole! It's the little things, eh? They scurried to the bedroom, coming out an hour later! They both looked stunning, just gorgeous.
Chrissie had redone her hair, plaiting it in my favourite French braid. Emily had braided hers, too, but as hers was still shorter, she had it the way she wore it on our date. They both wore loose linen blouses, not many buttons undone. Yet. They wore skirts, open and flowing. Emily had her trainers on, Chrissie a pair of pumps. They both looked elegant, but relaxed. The choice of jewellery accented their hair, and outfits. I smiled, and embraced them both, gently kissing them for fear of getting swatted for messing their lipstick! They hugged, and kissed the kids, telling them to behave. As if, eh? I walked them to the door, holding them both.
"You both look absolutely stunning," I smiled. "Have a wonderful evening. We'll see you as and when, okay?"
"We will, Tom...and thank you. I mean it. It HAS been ages since we've had a good girl's night out! Shall we...wake you when we get in?" Emily giggled.
"That's up to you. Just have a great evening, okay?" I said, and shooed them out the door.
The kids, and I had finished dinner, and washed up, so we were set.
"Movie night?" I asked.
They both shrieked a loud, 'Yes'.
"Get your jammies on, and we'll pick something out, all right?"
We watched a long film; Chloe fell asleep before the ending. The film was over, so I carried her to her bedroom, tucked her in, and then checked on David, kissing him goodnight.
I poured myself a nice whisky, pulled out a book, and went to the bedroom to read, and sleep.
Chrissie POV
A night out! With Em! Tom kindly mentioned that we hadn't had a night out in a while, so he suggested it. Our idea of a date night every week has gone out the window, but when we need it, it's there. We've been so busy selling our homes, planning the move, and getting to grips with these massive changes that we have forgotten how important these nights are to us all.
In any event, I said I would choose the restaurant, and Em would choose the 'afters'. Ever since Tom introduced me to Japanese food in London, I've had a craving to try more. I booked a lovely spot on the North Side, not really knowing what Em had in mind afterwards, but she didn't object, so I gathered whatever she had in mind was close.
As much as we all reveled in the time together, we all knew we needed this one-on-one time, too. Em looked lovely this evening, her slightly unconventional look so appealing. Tom and I both appreciated her somewhat unorthodox dress sense. I saw glimpses of it at work, but lately, she's certainly come out of any shell, and is
expressing herself more with her work attire. She has certainly raised a few eyebrows!
Arriving at the restaurant, we were seated in short order. It wasn't as, well, cosy as I had imagined, but her company would make up for that!
We started with cocktails. After all, it WAS a girl's night out! We ordered, me giving Em a few hints at what I remembered, but the waiter was terrific, explaining the menu to us. We surreptitiously held hands across the table, excited to be out together!
We talked a lot about the three of us, both curious how the other was acclimating to the new dynamic. I wanted to press Em on how she felt about the change, and if she had really thought it through. Tom had mentioned a talk he had with her, questioning if we were her 'rebound'. That phrase stuck
in my mind. We've all been there, right?
"You're genuinely sure about this, Em? It's not too late to back out, okay?' I asked.
"What...what makes you think I'm looking for a way out, Chrissie. This is exactly what I need...and want. You're not having second thoughts about...me?" she asked, her eyes hurting.
"God, no, darling. I think this, the three of us, is working so well. I'm just looking out for you, sweetie. I want whatever is best for YOU...even if it means it's not us, all right?" I said.
"Chrissie...I have committed to you and Tom, understand? I know what that means. Tom and I have talked about this a bit differently, but we have. I'm with you both for two reasons. Well, probably more, but...I need to love, and be loved. I need to feel this love, and I do every day. We all know there's always an inherent risk to our hearts, but I need to do this. The only risk to us is someone being unfaithful. I know that's not going to happen with you or Tom, so that lands on me, but I know that would break all of us. It's not going to happen, darling," she smiled, clasping my hand, 'til she picked up another calamari. "You will never have to worry about me, honey. This feels like it's all I have ever wanted, so eat up, and shush!" she giggled.
We talked about the program we were putting together, both of us bringing others in to take over when we left. I told her I would still like to do the exhibit on Klimt and Schiele that I had suggested, but Standen had turned the idea down.
"Fancy a long weekend in Vienna, anyway?" I giggled. "Strictly business, of course!
I can't get over the idea that Europe is an hour and a half away from us! I think we could talk Tom into a long weekend in Paris, hmm?"
"I've thought about that a lot, Chrissie. Did you ever imagine at our point in life, we'd be doing this...and doing it together!" Em beamed.
We shared our Hokkaido hotate scallops, feeding each other, not caring who would notice. I sucked her glazed finger into my mouth, accidentally, of course!
