Candice tried to take it from me, and I just gave her my Cat imitation: curling my lips and hissing at her. She laughed, and let me carry it for her.
Back at the house, I put her luggage in our bedroom – I knew that there wasn't any possibility of her sleeping alone that night.
Kelly and I took the opportunity to give Candice a proper welcome: she happily dueled tongues with both of us, and willingly reciprocated when we went on to molest her a bit. When we'd gotten properly reacquainted, the three of us sat down before Kelly told her that the rest of the crew would be over in a couple of hours. Candice thanked us for giving her a little time to catch up from the flight; Kelly just told her 'Of course we did, you silly', with a mild version of the Goober look tossed in.
Candice just smiled, and told us 'Yeah, you would. I'm just not used to people thinking like that, is all.' Kelly and I could see it as she visibly relaxed, knowing that she was home, after a fashion.
While the two of them chatted, I went in to get us all some drinks
Candice opted to have a beer with me while Jan was content with a soda.
Candice had heard about our trip, so I went to get the photos while Kelly started telling her about it. Cat showed up to welcome Candice, lying in her lap to be petted while purring her happiness. By the time Mabel told us that Jan and the others had arrived, Candice was pretty well caught up on all that had happened during our trip.
I sat back and listened as Candice and the other four quickly got each other caught up on what had been happening in their lives. After Cat had gotten some attention from each of them, she disappeared under the couch for a nap. The others were wearing some of the jewelry we'd brought back – the silver from Baguio – and noticed that Candice kept looking at it.
They finally paused long enough to tell her where they'd gotten it which reminded Kelly and me that we hadn't yet given Candice her gifts.
We didn't waste any time before rectifying the situation; Candice was the only one surprised when Kelly and I handed her the wrapped packages holding the things we'd brought back for her. First to be opened was the batik scarf Kelly had found for her. Though Indonesia and Malaysia were better known as batik sources, it was an art/craft that was practiced in the southern Philippines, as well. This particular scarf was a brightly colored representation of a sunset; the scarf was of medium size, so it could be used over her head or as an accessory for other clothing. All of them made noises over it, and Candice looked delighted with it. Next was some seashell earrings and necklace that Kelly and I had picked out – the pastel colors of it served to emphasize her light skin tones.
The last thing to be opened was the belt I'd selected for her in Baguio – made up of small silver disks held together with fine silver links, it molded to her hips wonderfully when she tried it on. I was relieved to see that I'd had the silversmith add enough length to it to let the end of it hang down in front of her a little – emphasizing her curves most delightfully. With the silver unpolished, it was just a shade or two different than her hair, setting a wonderful counterpoint.
From the noises the others made, Candice knew that it made her look good, but I don't think she really appreciated the effect – until Kelly took her into the bedroom so she could see herself in a mirror. When they came back into the room, Candice looked at me in awe before telling me 'I'm going to have to take you shopping with me some time – you know what would look good on me better than*I* do!' – making the others laugh at her comment.
I asked if anyone was hungry, and learned that they all were. I told them to keep going, that I'd take care of supper. Kelly thanked me with her eyes before I went into the kitchen to warm up the leftover barbeque we'd gotten our first night back. We always ordered more than we needed for just one meal – the stuff was good enough that it tasted as good reheated as it did fresh. There was more than enough of it for us, so when everything was ready, I took it into the den. While the others were helping themselves, Kelly got drinks for all of us – sodas, by unanimous vote. Of course, the smell of the food got Cat's attention, and she made a reappearance to see if she could get a handout. She got a couple tastes of barbeque sauce, and even a small piece of pork. Satisfied, she went back under the couch to sleep it off.
It was closing on 10:00 when Candice couldn't help yawning. That seemed to remind the others that she'd changed a couple of time zones and almost certainly had a little jet-lag. They quickly made their excuses and left, after giving Candice their own goodnights – which seemed to require tongue duels and no small amount of reciprocal fondling.
When they were gone, Candice came over to give Kelly and I a hug, thanking us for letting her get caught up. We both assured her that she was most welcome.
I saw them giving each other a look, and told them 'You two go on – I want to stay up a little while to think some things over.' Both of them knew I was telling them to go ahead and have some private fun together, and both kissed me goodnight before heading back to the bedroom.
I actually did have things I needed to work out, so I stayed in the den and listened to music while I was thinking. I knew the two of them would be at it for a while, so I had plenty of time to get the things I needed to do all planned out. It wasn't until well after midnight that I finally decided that they were probably finished ravishing each other, and headed back to go to bed.
When I went in, I could see that Candice was dead to the world – her face still shiny from Kelly's juices, and a smile of contentment on her face. Kelly was half-asleep, as well, but woke up when she felt me getting into bed next to her. She woke up enough to tell me 'Thanks, Dan.', and hear my reply of 'Glad to, Kelly.' When she saw that I was going to lay next to her, on the other side from Candice, she quickly pushed at me, saying 'No, go on – lay between us. She'd love to wake up next to you.'
As I started to lie down next to Candice, she rolled over onto her side, facing away from me. I didn't hesitate to lay on my side behind her, spooning with her as Kelly moved to do the same with me. I put my arm around Candice, cupping her breast; she gave a happy, contented sigh and moved closer to me.
That was how I fell asleep: my wife snuggled against my back as I held our dear friend and lover in front of me.
I woke up the next morning to find that I'd moved to my other side, and had Candice spooning against my back. I could feel her firm breasts pressing against me, and the slight touch of her pelvic fleece against my butt. Candice must have already been awake, because when she felt me start to move, I heard her say 'You don't have to leave if you don't want to, Dan. Its nice being able to hold you like this for a little while.'
'Let me make a pit stop, and I'll be right back', I promised her. She pulled her arm from around my chest, and watched me as I made my way to the bathroom.
Back out again, I noticed that she watched me again as I made my way back to bed. When I climbed in, she indicated that she wanted me to lie on my back. When I did, she scooted herself next to me; continuing to lie on her side, she moved to rest her head on my shoulder as she leaned against me with her arm on my chest. I put my arm around her to hold her as I put my other hand on top of hers.
We were still like that when Kelly came in – dressed and bearing two cups of coffee. She smiled when she saw us, and told me 'I already called Sarah, and told her you'll be in later. I'm going on in to finish up my work. The coffee is set up again, so Mabel can turn it on whenever you want. You two have fun, and I'll see you later.' She set the coffee on the nightstand, kissed each of us on the lips, and left.
Neither of us had said or done anything while Kelly was with us; it was only when she was gone that Candice told me 'She is such a dear – both of you are.'
I gave her a gentle hug, and the two of us were content to just lay there for a few minutes – until Candice said 'That coffee just smells too good. I think we'd better drink it before it gets cold.'
I agreed, and she rolled away from me a little so we could both move up to lean against the headboard of the bed. She was closest to the coffee, so she handed me a cup first, then took her own. I lifted my arm, and she happily snuggled into my side, giving a sigh of content when I put my arm around her. Neither of us felt any obligation to say anything as we sipped our coffee. We were friends and lovers that both knew we cared for each other very much.
I finished my coffee first; when Candice saw me sitting there holding an empty cup, she took it from me and set it on the nightstand, along with her own unfinished cup.
With her hands free, she turned and raised herself to sit on my lap, facing me. I put my arms around her waist, and the two of us shared a good-morning kiss. When it was over, she leaned back a bit to tell me 'I've missed you,
