The Chambers House - Rm14 - Madam

Disclaimer:

The following story contains explicit content and is intended for mature audiences and open-minded people only. Reader discretion is advised.

This work of fiction includes themes of sexuality, romance, and adult situations and is not meant to be taken seriously. In fact some of my works may require you to suspend belief. It may contain scenes of explicit language, graphic depictions of sexual acts, situations of cheating and polyamory, group minglings, and other content suitable only for those over the legal age of consent in their jurisdiction.

All characters depicted in this story are consenting or willing adults and are works of fiction. Any resemblance to any real persons, living or dead, or both, is purely coincidental.

By continuing to read this story, you acknowledge that you are of legal age to access adult content in your area and that you understand the nature of the content provided and have an open mind for such things. The author assumes no responsibility for any actions taken by readers as a result of the content of this story. Further, the author accepts no responsibility if you are offended by what you have read.

If you are not comfortable with or legally allowed to access explicit adult content, please discontinue reading now.

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Amanda sat next to the bed, which she had been doing for several days. She had never been in a place so clean and so bright as the hospital room she sat in now, but she was getting used to it. Even at night, the room never got very dark. The small nightlight and the constant glow of the machines monitoring Martin were enough to keep the room in a subdued light.

She was even getting used to the constant hums, beeps, and chimes she heard throughout the room and the corridor beyond the door.

"When I was little," She had told Tiffany earlier when they had both been together in the room, "A doctor would come to see us, but we never went to a place like this."

Tiffany had told her things would be fine, and the doctors thought that whatever was wrong with Martin had to do with what she had called a "Chemical imbalance" and exhaustion. But what worried everyone was that he had not woken up in almost a week.

The morning she had found him on the floor, he could barely move, and when he did, it was to go to the bathroom, where he had proceeded to get very sick.

She had helped him to bed; in fact, she almost had to carry him, and he fell right asleep. But that evening, when she and Tiffany had tried to wake him up, he would not. He was completely non-responsive and barely breathing.

Tiffany had explained that she had used the phone to call something called '9-1-1', but Amanda did not understand that. Shortly after, a man and woman in uniform came and worked on him, said something about his heart, and took him away.

Amanda thought about this for a minute, but she knew that Madam would never have intentionally done anything to hurt Martin, so she brushed aside the idea that she had done this purposefully since he had completed his agreement with her.

She was reading a book she had borrowed from the library in the hospital called 'Salem's Lot' by an author she had never heard of. She found it hard to put down, but it had the downside of making her jump every time someone opened the door, which she did now as the nurse came in for her regular rounds.

"Hiya Amanda, how is our guy doing here?" The nurse asked in a practiced, cheery tone.

She looked at Martin, smiled, and said, "Still the same, he mumbles now and then, but has not awoken."

The nurse smiled, "Some times these things just need a little time to work themselves out, sweetie. The doctor said that the brain looks good and all the vitals are getting better." As she said that she took his blood pressure and temperature, then looked at the tubes going into his arms.

"You think he can hear us?" Amanda asked, returning her gaze to the pale figure lying on the bed.

"Oh, honey, I am sure of it." The nurse bubbled, "He just needs to keep hearing from you, sweetie, and that'll bring him home."

As the nurse left, she asked Amanda, "Honey, do you need anything?"

Thinking about it, Amanda asked, "Could I get a cup of hot tea?"

Smiling, the nurse said, "Sure thing, I will have the cafeteria bring one up."

"Thank you."

As the door closed, she gently took Martin's hand. It was cold, but she could still feel the life force within him.

Still holding his hand, she returned to her book and waited.

Martin walked through the emptiness, unsure where he was or how long he had been here. He found it amusing, in a dark way, that it reminded him of a show he had watched for a while called 'Stranger Things.'

He could see that he was surrounded by a grey-green landscape with small eddies of mist that seemed to disappear as he walked through them.

"Hello?" Martin called out, but his voice did not seem to carry; it sounded and felt flat, like something was absorbing the sound.

As he walked, he saw a shape up ahead. As Martin got closer, he could see that it was a door. The only problem was that it was a door standing by itself; it did not appear to be a part of any building, and there was nothing to show what it was a door to or where it went.

He felt tired and dizzy, and all he wanted to do was lie down and take a nap or sleep, but something was pulling him to the door.

Reaching out, he touched the knob and it shocked him. The pain seemed to shoot through his entire body as it knocked him down.

He lay on the ground, holding his chest in pain.

"Martin, get up, you are not done yet." Came a voice from somewhere, but the pain was too great for him to do anything about it as his vision began to tighten into a single, focused point, then blackness.

Amanda stood in the corner of the room, scared by what she saw before her. Martin had started shaking, and the machine had begun beeping strangely and quickly. Moments later, several people had come in and started working on him.

"Wha... What's happening?" She asked, too scared by everything she saw to even think about crying.

One of the nurses looked at her and said, "Mrs. Simms, you need to stay back, we are doing what we can."

The nurse calling her Mrs. Simms shocked her at first, but then she remembered that the only way the hospital would let her stay in his room and by his side was if they told them that she was his wife. Something about that comforted her as she watched them work on Martin.

As she watched, they gave him a shot and put something in the little bag that hung next to his bed, then, after several minutes, everyone calmed down and stood, watching him.

Taking a chance, Amanda asked, "Is he doing better?"

The lead nurse, a sturdy black woman with a nametag that said 'Sonia', walked over to her and smiled, "It looks like he had some kind of seizure, but the medicine we gave him seems to have it under control." Then she patted Amanda's shoulder and asked, "Would you like to go down to the cafe with me? Take a break?"

Shaking her head, Amanda said, "No, I need to be here with him, but I thank you for the offer."

"OK, but we are going to go ahead and leave this door open now, in case something else happens."

Amanda nodded her head as the woman smiled and left. Then she returned to the chair and retook Martin's hand.

It still felt so cold, and she thought she could feel him shaking ever so slightly.

Martin slowly stood back up, shaken. His chest hurt, but he reached for the doorknob again, opened the door, and entered.

He was back in The Chambers House, but it looked different. It looked like it must have been before the accident, before the girls died. It was beautiful.

There was a noise behind him, then he heard a voice, "Martin?"

He turned and saw a woman standing at the entry from the main dining room. It was the Madam, but she looked youthful, strong, and lovely. "Madam, where am I?"

He looked around again and saw Caitlin standing on the edge of the steps, down the hall, then looked back at Isabella. "Am I dead?"

She smiled sadly and walked to him, "No, my child, but you are close." She took his hand, "I made a grave mistake with you that night and took too much from you."

Martin's memory was fuzzy, and he did not quite understand what she was talking about: "Took from me?"

She reached up and touched his head, then smiled, "I must have taken more than I thought I did, dear, I am sorry, we will make it up to you."

Martin felt calmer as she touched him, but then felt that pain start in his chest again, spreading out to his arms and legs. He collapsed and felt the Madam and another set of hands help him to a chair as he closed his eyes.

Somewhere in the darkness, he heard the Madam's voice say, "Ladies, we need to work fast, we are losing him."

Amanda stood in the hallway with Tiffany. When the second attack happened, they rushed Martin up to the third floor. She had pulled out the little device that Tiffany had given her, and after a couple of failed attempts, including an accidental call to one of Tiffany's ex-boyfriends, she got her and called her back into the hospital.

"Did they say was is wrong?" Tiffany asked, scared, but also trying to be strong for Amanda.

Shaking her head, Amanda said, "Only that it was some kind of seizure and then that told me they saw me."

Tiffany looked at her, "Saw you?"

She nodded, "It did not make sense to me, either. They said 'We're taking him to I see you. Then they rushed off."

Despite the situation, Tiffany could not help but laugh a little, "It's called ICU, it mean 'Intensive Care Unit', it's where they can take better care of him."

"Oh." Amanda said, then after a moment grinned a little and whispered, more to herself than anyone else, "I see you."

"Come with me," Tiffany said, taking her hand and leading her to the nurse's station.

"Excuse me, Sonia?" Tiffany said, then nudged Amanda.

Amada cleared her throat and said, "I am scared. Could you please tell me what is happening to my husband?"

Sonia smiled warmly and walked to meet them, "I am sorry, we were caught up with getting him up there and then we had an auto accident that rolled in." She sat at her computer and began typing, then looked up at them, "He is in ICU and they are going to schedule a cranial MRI and CT." She looked at the screen and then at them again, "For now, he cannot have any visitors, I am sorry."

Amanda slowly nodded, scared because of the situation and because she understood almost nothing of what the woman said, then she let Tiffany guide her back to the waiting area and to a couch where they sat down.

"Hey." Tiffany nudged Amanda, "I know Marty, he's to stubborn to let this get him."

Looking up at Tiffany, her eyes red and bloodshot from crying and from getting almost no sleep over the last several days, she said, "I had a second chance and I met a man I really, truly, love and now I feel like it's being taken away from me."

Amanda fell into Tiffany's chest and started crying, deep guttural sobs.

Tiffany just held her and let her cry. The crying stopped after a few moments, and Amanda fell asleep.

Martin opened his eyes to find several people looking at him. Madam was the first one he saw, but then he saw Barbara, Caitlin, Zayna, Dominica, and Betty.

Looking at Madam, he asked again, "Are you sure I am not dead?"

She nodded, "Absolutely. But we need to do this quickly. I do not have enough strength to give you want you need, but between all of us, we can share some our strength with you."

Martin looked at the woman, then glanced at his groin and shook his head, "Madam, I don't think..."

"No, not that, silly." She pulled his arm and stood him up.

After Martin stood, Barbara approached him and pulled his head to her, kissing him deeply and passionately. It was an amazing kiss, and as she did so, he felt something flowing between them, like electricity. It was the most incredible feeling that he had ever experienced. Then he passed out.

When he opened his eyes again, he found he was on one of the chaise loungers in the first-floor parlour.

He sat up and saw Madam sitting next to him. "How long?"

She smiled, "Here or out there?"

"Either."

"In here, about four days, in your world, about a month."

He stretched, "Why the difference?"

She shrugged, "We just live here, Martin, we do not understand how it works."

"Is it going to do this each time?"

She shook her head, "No, six of the girls kissed you and shared a small amount of their energy with you already." She motioned for him to sit, "Now you are strong enough that you will live, but you have an unique situation, Martin."

He sat, his body aching, then he wondered why his body hurt if he was here and it was... wherever.

"What is that situation, Madam?" He asked.

She put her crocheting down and leaned forward, "You have been to both sides now. You exist in both your world and in this one." She said and spread her arms.

He looked around and noticed that Barbara had entered the room. "What does that mean?"

Barbara sat near the Madam, then answered, "It does not mean too much, but just that you are now a part of the house, just like us. But you live, while we do not. You can now interact with both the world of the living and that of the dead."

"Will I be able to return to, well... Amanda?"

Madam smiled broadly, "You are not dead, Martin. But your physical body needs time to heal. You will be here with us for a time, maybe only a few days as your..." She smiled and winked at Barbara, "Wife has been taking very good care of you and has only left your side for the most urgent of needs."

"Wife?" He asked.

Barbara repeated, "Amanda has been telling people that she is your wife in order for them to let her stay." Then she added, as if she knew what Martin was about to ask, "We can see things, but we cannot interact with her since she is not in the house."

He nodded. "OK."

Madam continued, "But since we have you here, I have a proposition for you, I think you would call it and agreement, of sorts."

He raised his eyebrows, "Really."

She smiled, "Indeed."

Amanda gently wiped Martin's chest with a warm washcloth, then raised one of his arms and cleaned under it, using a little extra pressure to ensure she cleaned well.

One of the things that she decided she did not like about Martin was his body odor. She found it, as she told Tiffany, "Particularly repugnant."

Having finished both arms and armpits, she was working on his abdomen and had not noticed his eyes flutter a little, but then she opened them slowly.

Martin watched her wiping the area around what looked like a scar on his side, and spoke, the words came out scratchy and choked.

"You can go a little lower if you like."

Amanda jumped, knocking the water bowl over and onto the floor and screaming.

"Marty!" She was instantly crying and trying to hug him through all the wires and tubes that were connected to him.

Moments later, a nurse and doctor came running in with what she learned was called a 'crash cart'. As they came in, the nurse named Rosemarie hollered, "Clear the way."

When Amanda backed away, the doctor and nurse were surprised to see Martin looking at them with a weak smile.

Martin tried to raise his hand, but his muscles were not working right.

"I... I can't move."

The nurse approached him and started checking things while the doctor checked his feet and arms, asking if he could feel what he was doing.

Martin nodded weakly, "Doctor I can feel everything, I just feel like my muscles are not working."

While the nurse started moving some of the equipment out of the way, the doctor explained, "You have been in a coma for almost two months now, Mr. Simms. There is bound to be some atrophy in your muscles, but nothing that physical therapy will not take care of."

"Two months?" Marin asked. "The Madam was wrong."

"Madam?" The doctor asked, then looked at the Nurse and said, "Schedule another Cranial MRI and a PET scan."

Over the next few weeks, Martin got to the point where he could stand with a walker and move around. Amamda was there with him through all of it.

She helped him eat, helped him move around and get dressed, and even helped him go to the bathroom, though she seemed to have a little too much fun with that, and the janitorial service more than likely did not appreciate her lack of skills playing Mrs. Fireman with Mr. Fireman's hose.

It was the night before Martin was to be discharged that they were sitting at the little table in his room, playing UNO, when right after he lost his fifth hand to her, he looked at her and smiled.

"Mandy?"

She slapped her cards down in victory and looked at him with a smug look on her face, "Yes loser?"

He laughed, "When I get out of her tomorrow... and you don't have to say yes now, take your time... but let's make it official."

She looked at him briefly as she stacked the cards and put them back in the box. "Official? Make what off..."

She dropped the cards and looked at him, already feeling the tears welling up.

"Amanda Cranston, would you be Amanda Simms?"

Amanda just stared at him, her mouth opening and closing a couple of times like a fish trying to breathe after being removed from the water.

"Honey, are you OK?" Another voice came as they looked over and saw Sonia coming in to see if everything was going OK.

Amanda screamed, "He asked me to marry him." Then she jumped, ran over, and almost tackled the poor nurse, hugging and kissing her cheek.

Sonia looked at them both and said, "She's NOT your wife?"

Martin asked her, "Would you have let her stay in my room this whole time if she had told you the truth?"

Sonia thought about it a moment, then said, "If it were my decision, yeah. But hospital pol..." Then she looked at Amanda, who was still grinning, ear to ear and bouncing, then said, "Girl, sit your ass down before I have you sedated." Then she left the room and, as she walked out, yelled over her shoulder, "Congrats, you two!"

Amanda came running back over and tackled Martin, hugging and kissing him tightly.

The next day, Amanda pushed Martin's wheelchair out to the car, smiling the entire way.

"Are you ready for a surprise?" Amanda asked.

He shrugged, "Sure."

One of the nurses opened the door to the little car and helped him get inside. He looked around and then heard a voice behind him, "Are you to date on your life insurance?"

He spun around and saw Tiffany in the back seat, "What? Who'd driv... Oh shit, no!"

As he said that, Amanda got in the driver's seat, closed the door, then looked at him and said, "I don't have my permit yet, but Tiffany has been teaching me how to drive, and I am driving us home."

Martin looked back at Tiffany, who had an evil grin on her face.

"Now, which pedal was the brake?" Amanda asked, and they both looked at her, but she was smiling and winked.

The drive to the house was actually pretty smooth, and except for an occasional case of too much pressure on the brakes, Amanda did well. But she did run into the curb outside the house, which both Martin and Tiffany ribbed her about.

"Mandy?" Martin asked.

She looked at him as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Yes?"

"I thought you said that Tiffany taught you how to drive."

She glanced toward the back seat quickly, then back at Martin, "She did."

"Oh." He nodded. "Because you drove really well and did not get honked at by anyone else along the way."

Martin felt a sharp pain as Tiffany slapped him in the back of the head and laughed. Then he opened his door and started to get out.

"No, wait, let me get your crutches." Tiffany said as she also got out.

"No." Martin grumbled, "I just need to take it slow; I do not need crutches." He exited the car and waited a moment while his legs adjusted. Then, he waited as Amanda came around and took his arm.

Slowly, they walked toward the house, and then Martin noticed something, several somethings, in fact.

"Hey Tiff?"

"Yeah Mart?" She responded while getting his bag out of the trunk.

He looked around some more and asked, "Where are all the storage containers and work trucks?"

She caught up with them and laughed, "Martin, we're done. The house is finished."

"Huh..." He looked up at the building and realized that the one gaping hole in the side, where Betty and Trisha's room was, was fixed, and he could not even see any sign that it had ever been there.

"The Mayor wanted to coordinate with you for a commemoration plaque to be installed at the front of the house and also wanted to know what your long-term plans were for the building." Tiffany was updating them as they walked, almost like she was back to work.

Martin nodded, then looked at Amanda, "Have you seen the finished product?"

"Not much of it, I have been spending most of my time at your side in the hospital." She replied, watching his feet as she helped him step up on the stairs.

He glanced over at Tiffany, "Were there any other issues?"

She nodded, "One of the contractors fell off the roof, but only broke his arm. Then there was an issue with the electrical in the attic. Also one of the contractors tried to force that door open in the attic and got a nasty electrical shock."

"So the door is still sealed?" He asked, looking between Amanda and Tiffany.

"Yes, and I spoke with Madam about it."

They entered the house, and as they walked in, He heard several people say, at almost the same time, "Welcome home!"

He looked around the foyer and saw Madam and all the ladies of Chambers House standing there, all dressed nicely and looking happy to see him.

Tiffany's niece was there too, and brought Martin a cup of lemonade as Amanda helped him into the parlour and sat him down.

As they stood around talking back and forth, Martin got Tiffany's attention, and she approached him.

"Did you get it?" He asked her under his breath. He noticed the Madam watching the interaction and smiled and winked at her.

Tiffany nodded, pulled a small box out of her pocket, hiding it from view, and handed it to him. "It was not where you said it was, and the jeweler had to make a couple of small repairs." Then smiled and added, "You know she's going to be a mess when you ask her!"

He chuckled, "I'm counting on it."

Martin stood and looked around, he could see all the ladies there, so he picked up a small spoon and tapped on the side of his glass of lemonade, the chiming of the crystal causing the room to fall into silence as everyone looked in his direction.

"Everyone," he started, "I want to thank you for letting me be a part of this house and for giving me the chance to prove to each and ever one of you that my intentions here are good." He nodded to Madam and continued, "I will be working closely with the Madam to map out the future of The Chambers House during my time here and beyond."

There were some mumbles, smiles, and then clapping from everyone there. After a moment, Martin raised his hands and continued, "Right now, there is something very important I want to share with you all."

Martin stepped from the table and looked at Amanda, "Amanda, please join me?" He said with a smile.

She grinned and approached him, putting his hands on her shoulders, and moved her right before him.

"I am afraid I cannot get down on my knee, as is customary..."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two women clutch their chests, and Isabella's hand came up to her mouth, eyes wide.

Martin pulled the little box out of his pocket, opened it, and presented it to Amanda. "Amanda, if you will have me, will you be my wife?"

She looked at him, then at Madam Isabella, who nodded while crying. Then Amanda looked at Martin and said, "Do you really have to ask?"

The ring was simple, but beautiful. A single pearl set between two fire opals on a gold band. He carefully removed it from the box, put the box back in his pocket, then took her hand and slipped the ring on it. Surprisingly, it fit perfectly.

"It was my grandmother's wedding band and my mother gave it to me for when I met the right woman." He leaned in and kissed her gently, and she returned.

The room broke out in more clapping, and they were engulfed as all the ladies came in and started hugging both of them.

Several of the ladies took Amanda away and started talking with her, probably making plans or something. He did not know, he just watched as they all huddled together, talking, then occasionally looked over at Martin.

"You have done well, Martin."

He turned to see the Madam standing next to him, "I think we all did pretty good, Madam."

"I owe you an apology, Martin. I never meant..." She started, but Martin cut her off as he raised his hand.

"You own me no such thing. It was a mistake and we got through it." He turned to her, "And now you and I have a further agreement about the future of the house, do we not?"

She smiled and nodded, "We do, and I thank you for that." She turned and looked at the ladies, who were now all giggling about something, "I have always felt that Amanda was the closest thing to a daughter I could have, Martin. I trust you will treat her well?"

He nodded, smiling, "You can trust me, I will."

There was a pause as they both stood there, watching the ladies, then she spoke again, "That is good, Martin, for one day I would like to finally move on." Then she rested her hand on his arm and added, "And now I feel like I can when it is your turn to take my place."

Martin nodded, waving at Amanda, who, still laughing about something said to her, waved at him and blew him a kiss.

"If you will, you and I need to complete one more piece of business." She said as he turned to her. "I have already discussed this with Amanda. Are you able to meet me in the attic, the office I kept there?"

He nodded, "Of course."

"Very well then, tonight after sunset."

He nodded again, "I will be there."

She smiled and then walked over to join the small throng of women chatting and laughing.

Stepping away from the party, Martin strolled through the house's halls. Looking at the finished work. Each room had small plaques repainted and replaced to represent the girl who occupied each room.

When he finished walking each floor, he moved up to the next level and walked that one. Occasionally, he would open a room and look inside, finding that, thanks to the team he had hired, the furniture had been masterfully redone to look precisely as it had originally. The only "new" things in each room were the things you could not see, the wiring, outlets, switches, and lights.

Reaching the third floor, he moved to Trish's and Betty's rooms to see how those ended up, and he was impressed. They were perfect.

"Hiya!" Came a voice from behind.

Recognising the voice, he said, "Hi Trisha." He said as he turned to face her.

She walked up and patted him on the chest, "That was a really classy thing you did, Mister." She grinned, "You and Amanda will be good for each other, you are just the type of man she needs."

"Thank you."

She nodded toward her room, "And thank you from all of us for the new toys."

Martin looked at the room, then at her. "Toys?"

She walked over and pointed to the small tablet sitting by the bed, "Tiffany got us all these little book thingies and I have been reading all about your time. I am even learning Italian."

He laughed, "Good, I am glad we could do that for you."

She came back over and hugged him, "Really, thank you Martin. This has meant a lot to all of us. There are even a couple of the girls that think they can move on."

He was surprised, "Really? That is wonderful." He paused, then added, "I mean I will miss them, but good for them. Please tell them that if they make that choice, they must say goodbye to me first."

She patted his stomach playfully, then grabbed him, which caused him to almost fall.

"Sorry about that, I forgot."

Martin laughed, then waved his hand, "It's fine, it will take some time."

Trisha smiled and bounced down the hallway and then down the stairs.

Closing the door, Martin returned to the first floor, where several women were still left, but some had already returned to wherever they went when not here.

Martin had been thinking about that a lot since his time in the hospital, and when he had met with the Madam and the ladies in that dream he had had, or whatever it was.

It was like they still lived in the afterlife in a version of the house. Martin hoped that some of the updates he had done here, at this time, would translate to what he had seen, but he was unsure, and trying to think about it gave him a headache.

Tiffany had some sandwiches and set them out, so he ate one. Then, he felt tired and walked over to where Amanda and Tiffany sat and talked with Aida.

"Mandy, Tiff... I am going to go lie down, I am tired."

Amanda stood and looked at the other two, "I will be right back."

She led him to their room and asked, "Are you OK?"

Martin nodded, "Yes, I am just tired and today was a little too much excitement."

She held him as they walked to the room, then opened the door. When he walked in, his jaw dropped. "What the..."

"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you, I had Tiffany change the plans around and remodel our room."

He looked around in awe. The room was done in dark wood with a four-post bed in the center. Beside the bed, on each side, were beautiful nightstands with what almost looked like Tiffany-style lamps. On the other side of the room was a large chest of drawers, and next to it was Amanda's little vanity from her room.

"This looked outstanding, Mandy." He said, amazed at how good the room looked.

She led him to the bed and asked, "Do you want to postpone your meeting with Madam tonight?"

He shook his head, "No, I am sure I will be fine."

She helped him take off his shoes and let him lie back. "Take a little nap."

He nodded and was asleep before she left the room.

When Martin awoke, it was dark. No lights were on, and he could feel Amanda's warm body pressed against him, breathing deeply and sleeping soundly.

The new bed was incredible; he did not want to get out of it, but he knew he had an appointment to keep. Slowly, he swung his legs out of the bed, sat up, and looked back at Amanda. She did not appear to wake up, but did turn a little and roll over, her hands hugging her pillow to her head.

Looking down, he was surprised to see that he was in his night shorts and a t-shirt. "I must have really been out of it to sleep through her taking my clothes off." He thought to himself.

Putting on his slippers, he quietly left the room and walked out into the hallway. Unlike before, the house actually felt lived in, it had a warmth to it that he had not noticed before. In fact, as he came to the second floor, he saw Aida and Betty in the tea room there, quietly talking and stopping long enough to say a quiet "Hello" to Martin as he walked past.

About mid-way down the third-floor hall, he came to a door he did not recognise. Opening it, he found stairs leading up and followed them into the attic. Only it no longer looked like an attic. There was a simple, white hall with two doors, one with a sign on it that said 'Storage', the other simply said 'Office'.

Curious, he opened the one labeled 'Storage', was greeted by a blast of frigid air, and saw that the room was just that, a long room, running the length of the house, with shelves and cabinets. He closed the door and walked to the other one. He reached out and turned the knob, then opened the door.

He entered the room and saw that, unlike the rest of the house, this room was just as he remembered it. The desk, chairs, and the Madam's suffragette memorabilia were all where they had been before.

"Good evening, Martin."

He jumped a little and turned to see the Madam standing behind him. She looked radiant and had her hair down, and she was wearing a delicate, light blue robe.

"Good Evening, Madam." He said, still not able to take his eyes off her.

She smiled and turned her head a little, "You flatter me, Martin. I thank you."

He nodded as she reached out and took his hand.

"Follow me, if you will, my dear." And she led him to the door that had still been locked the last time he had been up here.

As they went through it, he found himself in a well-appointed room. There were no windows, but paintings on all the walls, along with some tapestries and sketches.

One of the sketches caught his eye, and he walked to it. "Is this a Kollwitz?" he asked, looking back at her.

She nodded, "Yes, are you familiar with her work?"

He nodded, "I took an art class in college and had a chance to see some of her work." He looked at it and saw that it was a woman with her head bowed, holding a sign. She was wearing tattered clothes, and it looked like people were throwing things at her.

"She did that one for me special after she heard about one of our marches where the police mobbed us."

"It's wonderful, Isabella." He said as he looked at it, then looked at her and said, "But respectfully, something like this should be in someplace like the Woman's Equality center in Washington DC. They would kill to have something like this in their collection."

She thought about it, then said, "If you think it will be safe there, then I approve." Then she held out her hand, "Join me, Martin."

He returned to her side as she slowly undid the tie on her robe, then let it fall to the floor. She was completely naked except for her slippers, which she carefully doffed, and then looked at him. For a woman of her age, she was in excellent shape with only a little bit of pudge around the waist and large, full breasts that barely sagged. Her thighs and arms were muscular, like a woman who never shied away from an honest day's work.

Martin felt himself stirring and a moment later could feel the tent growing in his night shorts.

"You did not," she spoke as she closed the distance between them, "Think that I was going to stand idle and watch all my girls get to be with you, hear all those stories about you, and not partake of you myself, did you?" Her voice was seductive, almost intoxicating.

He exhaled sharply has her hand made contact with his member through his shorts, now completely hard and the head was poking out through one of the legs. She never broke eye contact as she gently stroked him through the shorts, her hand stopping to squeeze the head now and again gently.

"I promise you that I will take no energy from you tonight and will not return. Tonight will be an exchange." She stepped forward and brought her hand up, resting it on the back of his head, and pulled him to her, their lips meeting and their tongues dancing with one another as they fell into a deep and passionate kiss.

As they kissed and as she gently stroked him, he felt a surge flow through him, like someone had just plugged him into a live contact.

Martin reached around her and pulled her body to him, feeling her breasts pressed against him and the warmth of her body seeming to penetrate him.

"Do you feel it?" She whispered into his ear.

He closed his eyes as the sensation increased, feeling the warmth surround him and flow through him. "Uh huh." was all he could get out.

"Wonderful, it's going to get stronger." She said as she gently kissed her way down his neck, then along the top of his chest and worked her way up to his other ear and whispered, "It your turn now." Then she gently bit his ear.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he felt a flash of electricity, and could feel what felt like an electrical storm as she pulled him to her, tightly.

Again, she whispered, "It can be scary at first, but let it happen."

Martin felt his knees get weak, but not because he was weak; it was like something was making his whole body have an orgasm. Every ounce of his being was on fire, like a contact waiting to be discharged.

He felt his shorts fall to the floor as Madam held him, and when he opened his eyes, he caught a glimpse of Barbara holding them and setting them on the vanity. Another set of hands lifted and removed his shirt, then he saw both the other women leave the room together.

"What.. what's..."

Isabella kissed his lips and said, "Shh... let it happen."

He forced out, "What happen?"

Before he knew it, they were on the bed and she guiding him into her. His shaft felt harder than it had ever felt before, and as he entered her, he felt like that contact he was thinking about was about to be made, discharged.

She leaned forward and pulled him to her. He felt one of her nipples enter his mouth and he instinctively began sucking.

"Oh god." She cried out and pulled him harder toward her, "Harder, Martin."

She was thrusting herself back on his raging erection as hard as she could, harder than any of the women had before. She was taking all of him, and it felt incredible.

Martin alternated between breasts as she rode him, each moment that went by he felt more and more energy flowing between them, and felt that when he did cum, it was going to be the most powerful of his life.

Suddenly, she pulled her breast away from him and kissed him, her tongue forcing its way deep into his mouth, and he returned the effort. He was lost in a mental fog of lust at this point, and as she wrapped her legs tighter around him, pulling him even deeper, the energy between them changed, and he suddenly felt a sense of peace wash over him.

Isabella pulled away and met his gaze, "There it is. You feel it, don't you?"

Martin nodded, his body feeling that sensation you get when you stand on the edge of a cliff, with nothing to keep you safe, and you know you can fall at any moment. "What is it?"

A tear formed in her eye as she whispered, "The house is yours now." Then she arched her back and cried out as he felt the walls of her vagina contracting around him.

Martin felt like his balls had just exploded as he came too; his semen felt like fire as it left him, and he could have sworn he saw small flashes of blue and yellow light flashing around them as he poured more and more of his seed into her.

Their shared orgasm seemed like it went on forever, Martin still thrusting himself into her as hard as he could, and she impaling herself on him as she dropped her body onto his and held him tight.

He reached down and held her hips as he kept pushing himself into her. Did not want this to end; it felt so amazing, so he kept going, thrusting hard as she lay on top of him, moaning, her body submitting to him.

Madam started groaning as yet another powerful orgasm hit her, this time she felt a warm liquid flowing fron her pussy, running between them as she squirted. But she did not have the strength to do anything about it.

Feeling the new sensation, caused Martin to cum again, and it seemed like it was just as powerful as the first one, the cum almost hurt it felt so hot leaving his body.

Both spent, they lay there still wrapped in one another's arms as the afterglow faded.

Martin looked at her and smiled, "Are you OK?"

She rolled off him and exhaled, "I think I am more than OK." She moved enough so that she could rest her hand on his chest. "We both borrowed strength from the house, Martin."

He looked at her questioningly, then noticed she looked young again, like a woman in her twenties. "Wow," he said.

She smiled, "Wait until you look in the mirror." Then she pressed on his chest, "But not yet, relax."

He lay back and pulled one of the pillows to him. As he was adjusting it, he suddenly felt a warm cloth on his groin and looked down to see that Betty, Caitlin, and Carmen were in the room. Carmen was using the cloth to wipe him down, occasionally going back to the bowl of water to rinse the cloth and start again.

He looked over and saw that Betty was doing the same for the Madam. She had her legs up and spread as they gently cleaned her off.

"It feels nice to have other clean you." She said with a smile.

Martin smiled and groaned as Carmin was wiping his dick, the attention causing it to rapidly grow while she was holding it.

Carmen smiled, looked at Madam, and then at Martin, "I could take care of this if you like."

Before he could respond, Madam said, "It's up to you, child, if you like."

The other three women watched as Carmen stroked Martin to another explosive orgasm, with the thick ropes landing all across his chest and even one particularly large one in his eye and across his face.

They all laughed at this, then Carmen finished cleaning him off.

After the ladies left, Madam curled up with him and said, "Lie with me tonight, Martin. It has been a long while since I had a man in my bed that was not paying for my services in one way or another."

Martin adjusted and let her lie on his shoulder, her leg wrapped around his waist, and watched as she fell asleep. Soon after, so did he.

When he woke up in the morning, he felt great, better than he ever had before. Madam Isabella was still curled up against him and still sound asleep.

Well, maybe sound asleep was a stretch. He discovered that Madam had one of the loudest snores he had ever heard on a woman and was amazed that he had been able to sleep through it.

He also noticed that something else was awake. His 'morning wood' game had been over the top since he had been working with the house ladies, and this morning was no exception.

He watched in amazement as he throbbed, and then again as he watched a pearl of dew form on the tip, then dribble down. He noticed that this must have been happening for a while because he could feel a rather large puddle of dampness between his legs.

He had not noticed that the snoring stopped when he heard a voice ask, "Would you like me to take care of that for you?" Then Isabella reached out and took the shaft in her hand.

"Damn that feels good, it's so sensitive this morning."

She came up on an elbow and smiled, clearing her throat before she started talking again, "Well, you are younger today than you were yesterday." She said as she gently stroked him.

"Huh?"

She motioned to the nightstand, "There is a mirror there, look at yourself?"

Martin grabbed the mirror and looked. Sure enough, he looked younger. Not a great deal younger, maybe ten years or so. But the grey that had started to come in around his temples was gone, as was the grey in the stubble on his face.

"What?" He started, but Madam explained.

"I bonded you with the house, and with me. So we share energy from the house." She picked up her pace as she spoke, "You will still live a good, long life, but as per our agreement, when you die, you will take my place here until someone else comes to replace you."

Martin grunted as an almost comical jet of cum lauched from his dick, landing on Isabella's chest, as did the next four or five spurts. When he was done, they watched as he got soft.

He looked at her and said, "I can live with that."

Martin walked back down the stairs completely naked without worrying about workers or strangers seeing him. Occasionally, one of the girls would see him and joke with him, but he did not care. They were all his girls now, in a manner of speaking. When he got to his bedroom, Amanda was already awake and getting dressed.

"Well good morning, stranger." She said happily, then suddenly stopped, "Wait, come here." She grabbed his arm and pulled him to her.

Martin noticed that she was not just looking at him; she knew it was not just about the fact that he looked younger.

"She bonded you to the house?"

He nodded, "Yes."

She smiled, hugged him tightly, then suddenly backed away, "Oooh. You stink."

Again, he nodded, "Yeah, I am aware of that." Then he started laughing.

She motioned to the bathroom, "Go shower and get dressed, I want to go to Starbucks."

He laughed and walked into the bathroom.

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Epilogue

A Letter from The Madam

My Most Esteemed Reader,

Permit me the honor of introducing myself. I am Madam Isabella Crane, currently the mistress of the house you have come to know as The Chambers House.

As I put pen to paper, it is October 5, 2038--a date so alien to my sensibilities that I question my own sanity. Moreover, it marks the one hundred and thirty-sixth anniversary of my passing from this mortal plane.

Much has transpired since Mr. Simms assumed stewardship of the house, restoring it to its former glory. His endeavors have earned my deepest commendation and the gratitude of the women who have, and continue to, call this establishment home.

I founded this haven for young women in pursuit of their chosen profession and for those who found themselves without sanctuary. As you have undoubtedly discovered in your perusal, I also utilized this house as a center for my suffragette activities, striving for women's equal rights, pay, and treatment alongside their male counterparts. Observing the current state of your world, it appears that our efforts have borne fruit, though there remains much work to be done. I confess I am disheartened by some of the lunacy that has arisen as a consequence of these hard-won rights.

The manner in which my dear Amanda bridged the chasm between the living and the dead, joining Martin as his wife, remains a mystery to me. Nonetheless, I rejoice in her good fortune, as do the other residents of Chambers House.

Regarding the rest of us, following Martin's completion of the house and his successful navigation of my trials, a most extraordinary event occurred. We were all granted freedom. Those who wished to were able to pass on to their respective afterlives. To my great astonishment, only three of the girls chose to depart.

Stephanie was the first to leave, and this was anticipated. She was already contemplating a new existence when the incident occurred. She sought my blessing when she felt the pull to move on, and I willingly, though begrudgingly, gave it.

Carmen also decided to cross over, which greatly saddened me. I had known her since the house's inception, and she was, and remains, my closest confidante. Her absence is deeply felt, and I hope to reunite with her when I choose to cross over.

Lastly, Betty. Her departure was also expected, as she never seemed entirely content here. In moving on, she aspired to reunite with her family.

We held celebrations, of sorts, for each of the girls to honor their lives and their time with the house.

However, their rooms did not remain vacant for long. Even as I write, a new girl has taken residence in what was once Betty's room. She appears to be a lost spirit, also of our profession, who has found her way here. I suspect more will follow in due course, and it pleases me that The Chambers House can be a waypoint between worlds for some of these people.

A sorrowful discovery made by Martin and Amanda upon her return to mortality was her inability to bear children. Thus, they adopted two precious children. A little girl, a child orphaned by a dreadful automobile accident, was named Isabella in my honor. I am deeply flattered. The little boy, adopted at age five, was already named Franklin.

The children live here in the house, Isabella in the old housekeeper's quarters, and Franklin in the room that was once Amanda's. We reveal ourselves to them, engaging in games of hide and seek--where, as spirits, we hold an unfair advantage. We regale them with stories, perform card tricks, and find that their presence brightens the house immensely.

As for myself, I shall pass on in due time. Arrangements have been made with Martin, and upon his departure, he and Amanda will assume the role of spiritual custodians of this house and its inhabitants. At that juncture, I will move on to my afterlife. The house will be held in trust with Martin and Amanda's family, and also with Tiffany and her family, in the hopes that it will never fall into disrepair again.

Presently, Chambers House has become a unique bed and breakfast. Its haunted history attracts more visitors than even Martin ever anticipated, with rooms reserved months in advance.

The girls do not reveal themselves to everyone, but patiently await those guests who seem receptive to their company.

Therefore, should you find yourself in Oak Haven, seek out the grand Victorian called The Chambers House on Trundelle Street.

My blessings to you, esteemed reader, and thank you for allowing us to share this tale with you.

By the by. If you happen to visit, pay close attention to Martin and Amanda's wedding picture in the main parlour. There were only seven guests at the wedding, but when the photographer developed the plates, as Martin asked for the photos to be taken in a way that aligned with our time, you will see me and all the ladies there.

This disturbed the photographer greatly, and he reprinted the pictures twice before vowing never to set foot in the house again and refusing to take Martin's money for the pictures.

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A Note From The Author:

First, I thank you all for reading this series. This was my first "Novel-length" series for Literotica and I am overwhelmed with the support this site and its people have given me. It was a growing experience that has allowed me to grow as a writer and learn each step of the way.

I am happy that so many people became invested in the path of Martin, Amanda, the Madam, and the other ladies of The Chambers House. Your comments, suggestions, and even the people who voiced their concerns about the future of my characters leave me humbled. I thank you all.

Please know that if you do send me a comment, I will probably reach out to you in response.

Thanks again for reading!

Sincerely, CA Blanche Jr.