True Love Conquers

Luke and Victoria bonded in college, what began as study partners, turned into best friends. At the time Victoria was in a long-term relationship with Marcus, and everyone thought their romance was destined to be forever.

Victoria, returned from a cancelled class and caught her betrothed in a 69 with another student in his dorm room.

Victoria didn't scream and holler or cause a commotion at all, she simply, quietly backed out of the room shutting the door and went to find her friend Luke.

Victoria found Luke in his dorm room, Luke's genuine compassion and heartfelt empathy effortlessly morphed into them becoming lovers.

They became inseparable, shared everything, extremely happy; Victoria was confident she'd found her soul mate and knew they were destined to grow old together.

Married soon after grad, they started a well-balanced life together, the first few years were amazing, full of love, laughter and joy, they weren't growing older they were growing closer.

Time is a sneaky quiet bandit, not taking everything at once, it erodes silently, commonly unnoticed or overlooked, occasionally recognized but ignored as love is blind, in more ways than one.

The minor cracks often remain dormant for months even years, but imperceptibly, ever so slowly are widened by subtle, appearing insignificant things, an overheard whispered harsh word, a snide comment, or a misinterpreted insignificant indiscretion.

Communication, or lack thereof then becomes an accomplice, rearing it's ugly head, becoming the real thief, responsible for most losses, not properly dealt with becomes a killer.

Weeks became months, those unnoticed cracks became wedges, separating, splitting as the years passed they were fractured.

Luke and Victoria's marriage became broken.

Spontaneity declined, routine replaced surprises; silence filled the spaces where laughter used to blossom.

Careers became more important than relationship; screens distracted from conversations, job related stress nibbled away, deadlines replaced date nights.

Bedtime cuddling and pillow talk unwitting evaporated; their closeness covertly drifted effortlessly into predictability and boredom. Intimacy, passion diminished, desire dwindled.

Tired and sore became normal.

None of this happened in a dramatic way, bit by bit, unrecognized, their happiness faded away.

Everything combined, gelled into emotional and physical exhaustion, resulting in exasperation.

Their frustration sparked undeserved disagreements, regrettable harsh words, unspoken resentments went, unresolved, yet remained supressed and festered building barriers.

Neither noticed the silent slide as it was happening, but now Victoria could see it.

Luke's brother, Lee and Sally's divorce woke Victoria, she realised her own relationship paralleled Lee and Sally's and they too were heading rapidly toward divorce. Actually Victoria felt they were on a runaway express train to divorce as well.

To Victoria it was now as apparent as the revolving beacon of a lighthouse; looming as large as a huge elephant in their bedroom; had it become too big ... too large to get rid of.

Victoria was at her dressing table brushing out her thick wavy blonde hair, Luke was already in bed.

"Luke, are we too far gone? Do you want to stay married?" Victoria put down her brush moved to sit on the side of their bed, took hold of Lukes hand between hers, her eyes, connected to his.

Luke flipped back the covers and gestured for his wife of 8 years to lay beside him.

"Of course I do Vicky."

Victoria removed her shiny satin blue robe and swung her legs onto the bed, laid her head on his shoulder and rested her arm across his chest, hand on his far shoulder.

"Then we've got to change our habits, we need to make a concerted effort to focus on us, we need to set new priorities if we want to save our marriage."

Pulling the blanket up to her chin.

"I love you so much; I can't imagine life without you beside me." She tipped her head up to gaze at him, her lips curl into a pleasant smile.

Luke caressed her neck, a tender finger massage.

"What should we do first to correct our course?"

"We need to leave work outside, our home is for us, we need our date nights back, make time for just the two of us and our conversations need to include sharing feelings and emotions."

We cuddled for several minutes, and silently it became intimate, turned into passion, we made love, leisurely, lovingly; first time in months Victoria felt Luke's love, Luke was on top, between her outstretched legs, her nails raked his back, when she climaxed it was with tears of elated joy.

That was months ago ... Victoria recognised Luke had made progress, he typically left his work outside, he occasionally tabled a call or checked emails.

He'd been attentive and involved in conversations since their attempt at counselling; however they were mostly one sided, he hadn't really opened up and didn't share his feelings as Victoria did.

Their sex life hadn't progressed, although Victoria had ventured several different approaches, his sexual responses were infrequent and still far from adequate to satisfy Victoria.

Sadly, Victoria could count on one hand the number of orgasms in the past year with Luke. No there's no one else, she relied on her impressive selection of toys purchased a couple years ago, when their sex life first began tapering off, and they've been her only source of suitable sexual satisfaction since.

Victoria's self confidence caused her to blame her appearance on possibly being Luke's disinterest, she changed her hairstyle, dressed more provocatively, behaved more promiscuous, to no avail.

Victoria then joined a gym, working out nearly everyday not only got her feeling much better, but her body was now nearly back to what it was when they met in college; back when he couldn't keep his hands off her and fornication seemed his foremost priority.

Victoria's mindset became Luke wasn't striving to save their marriage, his effort hadn't been what she'd anticipated and doubt prevailed, she even wondered if he had a mistress; no matter, she was still going to forge forward.

She loved him, and as she held their wedding picture, she recalled the ceremony as clearly as if it happened yesterday... she vowed for better or worse.

Victoria bought a very enticing, risqué lingerie set, in hopes to enthuse Luke; to possibly fan those smoldering embers of passion into the roaring fire she remembered from the early years of their relationship.

Victoria donned the lacy lingerie in the bathroom, as she posed in the doorway she called to Luke to get his attention, then seductively sashayed toward the bed. His eyes were wide like saucers, she felt sexy, desired. Victoria stepped on top of the bed stood with one foot on either side of Luke's hips, hands caressing her torso, she peered down at him.

"How do you want me?"

Victoria leaned over, cradled her boobs and shook them, then seductively slid her fingertips inside the sheer panties, a leisurely teasing stroking, a slight squishing sound, an upward swipe and she revealed her glistening digits.

"I'm extremely wet," Victoria closed her eyes,

"I'm so horny." She sucked her fingers and moaned.

Luke was bewitched, panting, eyes focused on Vicky's salacious action, his fingers were wiggling under the covers.

Victoria bent at the waist, removed her panties, she flipped the covers off.

"Want me to straddle your face and suck you off ... how about a cowgirl ride?"

Victoria squatted rubbing her wet crotch against his hand wrapped around his pecker,

"Maybe doggy style, you can shove that big meaty cock into me from behind." She leaned to kiss him.

Victoria wiggled her bottom, covered his face with hers, forcing her tongue into his mouth.

Luke let out an all too familiar grunt; one Victoria knew; and one she was frustrated to hear so soon. Luke's jism was squirting on her crotch and inner thighs.

"Sorry, Vicky, you're so damn sexy, and your aggressive behavior got to me."

{Well, it was my intention to shake things up, to add a little spice to get him aroused; on the positive side, I now know I can still turn him on.}

Victoria rolled to her side of the bed, removed the sexy top, Luke turned off the side lamp, pulled the covers to his shoulder, on his side, back to Victoria, he was soon asleep.

Victoria found herself once again in an all to familiar position, legs parted, fingers playing with her taut teats and aroused clit.

Eyes closed, rolling her nipples, while gingerly rubbing her highly sensitive kernel, sticking out like a tiny penis, begging to be stroked. Victoria simultaneously pinched both protrusions between her thumbs and forefingers, tenderly stroking the bean, her other fingers left her tit, and two fingers inserted into her waiting, wet pussy.

Sighing with the enjoyment of being serenely finger fucked for just a moment, sliding in and out just enough times to fully coat her fingers with the slick secretions, moved the wetness to her puckered anus, smearing the juices over the dark wrinkled skin.

A gasp escaped at the sensuous pleasure stimulated her, easing off on her clit play as she almost climaxed, and her intent was to stave off orgasm as long as possible.

Luke's deep breathing was too distracting; Victoria opened her toy drawer and selected her favorite remote controlled 7" Jack Rabbit vibe, the one that rotated and pulsed with vibrating rabbit ears.

Also, a slim, chrome, 6" that has an ultra high speed that really hums. Victoria's eyes caught sight of her two headed dildo, rarely used, only on special fantasy endurance afternoons, where she wanted multiples over an entire afternoon, something Luke hadn't given her since their first year of marriage.

Picking it up as well, she headed for the spare bedroom.

Tossing the toys on the bed, she stacked the pillows, so she'd be slightly upright as she loved to watch herself. Victoria got comfortable, knees bent, feet near her bum.

She started with the thin, high intensity vibrator, turned it to medium and ran the humming device over and around her hard, sensitive, erect nipples. Squeezing them and pulling on them harshly, making her body tingle with an even more heightened desire as the device titillated her dark distended tips. She didn't need much stimulation, she was highly aroused before she chose the toys, the anticipation of her impending orgasm had put her to a state of extreme desire.

Pressing the vibrator's tip firmly against her blood engorged clit, held down with as much force as she could bear. Victoria's hips began to writhe, pushing up, commencing an erotic gyrating dance. The intensity of the vibrations on the sensitive nub, combined with the exploring motions of her fingers on her labia was intoxicating, elevating her to the point of involuntary moaning.

Two digits disappeared inside her velvety vagina, searching diligently, feeling the walls tighten and start to suck them in, she closed her eyes and moaned, tightened her thighs around her hands, humping steadily, revelling in the fantastic feeling.

Victoria wiggled the vibrator over the sensitive bean while her left hand intensified to enthusiastically fuck her sopping cunt, making squishy, slurping sounds adding to her snowballing fervor.

Then, it was happening, no stopping the surging sensations now, Victoria could taste the impending orgasm, she could feel it escalating, she had to go for it.

The reverberating tingling sensations started in her vaginal opening and clitoris, filling her pussy with prickly sparks of electricity; surging outward, down throughout her inner thighs to her toes, then bouncing back instantaneously, travelling at lightening speed up passing through the depths of her ass, exploding through her torso, beneath, around and into her breasts.

Her mind's eye seeing a kaleidoscope of exploding colors, as she stiffened.

The trembling sensations continued, her fingers furiously plunging, the humming vibe stimulating her clit and labia; toes curl, her legs tremble and quiver, her body tensed, convulsed, her nipples ached, the kind of pain that is welcomed with utter elation, dropping the slim silver pleasure device she aggressively twisted her nipples, bit her lip and groaned loudly.

Gasping, she took her fingers from her cunt and brought them to suck on, she tasted her juice, moaning as she cleaned her fingers and tweaked her nips.

Relishing in the blissful afterglow a few moments, she knew that wasn't enough to quench her raging libido; she required a second, a third, maybe more.

Her eyes remained closed, and her right hand searched the bed for her favorite toy, the dildo with ears. Locating it and the remote, she curled her right fingers around the shaft, deftly drove it deep into her gaping hole and flipped on the power with her left; a slight adjustment and the bunny ears were wriggling along either side of her love button.

A deep sigh as everything aligned, the familiar feelings of ambiances that this titillating toy always produced. Victoria made a couple minor remote adjustments to the toys actions to suit her current mood, clenched her thighs tight, grasped the bedding in her fists and awaited the inevitable with an elongated moan.

Virginia's clit pulsed and throbbed, she tweaked her taut nipples; the concentrated stimulation of the rabbit ears alongside her extremely sensitive clitoris, the rotation of the dildo against her G spot was exquisite, but Victoria craved something more.

She left her extended nipples and relocated the silver vibe, once its humming at its utmost speed she touched the tip against her puckered star and purposefully pushed it until her fingertips touched the aroused surrounding wrinkled flesh, scarcely retaining a grip on the exposed end.

An immediate tumultuous shiver coursed through Victoria, she rolled over biting the pillow to stifle her powerful release of pleasure, her body spasmed uncontrollably. Yelping into he pillow her fingers on her tits her body twisting, and turning, convulsing involuntarily as if she'd been tasered; a mere minute later, she had to hastily remove both toys as the intensity was too fierce to withstand any longer.

Victoria laid quivering, the intensity subsiding and when her breathing returned to normal and her heart rate stabilized, she sighed, relishing in afterglow.

Thinking that was gratifying enough, she opened her eyes... laying just beyond the pillow, staring back at her mere inches away, was the two headed dildo.

The thought of having yet another climax with both holes full was exhilarating, overwhelming, irresistible.

Victoria grabbed the double dong dildo and stacking the pillows again, rolled onto her backside, propped up to view her bottom. She hastily bent her legs, tucked her heels near her bum, widened her knees as far as possible.

Her right hand shoved a full six inches of the fake phallus into her cunt; a few strokes and she flipped ends, coating the entire dildo with her slippery, scented secretions.

While wiggling the dildo in her pussy, she spread her ass cheek with her left hand from beneath; bending the device she pressed the cone shaped end against her back door.

Victoria's asshole although, lubricated, was only slightly open and relaxed from the slim silver vibrator, it wasn't fully prepared to invite its thicker silicon guest inside.

She worked the knob against the tight orifice delicately, until the tip popped past her tight little asshole.

An enormous sigh, a shudder, an prolonged pause as her sphincter adjusted to the rather large invasion. Once the mushroom shaped head popped past the sphincter her asshole grabbed onto it, in its own attempt at capture and muscle it upward, luring it in further.

Victoria took a moment to relish in the pleasure of her expanded DP pressure; a gentle twist and she injected the larger end further into her gaping cunt. Left forefinger tracing around her labia then settled with delicate pressure on her clit. She unhurriedly sunk the conjoined shafts inward as her hips rose to greet the absorbing assault until the connected portion of the toy pressured her perineum, it took very little effort and now both her holes were simultaneously stuffed to capacity.

A deep gratifying sigh escaped Victoria as she laid motionless, pausing her eagerness, savoring the sensations as long as possible, feeling the fulness the silicone shafts had induced, she didn't want to rush the approaching carnal pleasure.

Victoria could taste the desire, that aching wait, she shivered with expectation, the anxious anticipation of the double fuck, she remained motionless, as she was already on the cusp of orgasm but knowing the journey rather than the destination would be tremendously rewarding.

The intense craving for a DP fucking had every nerve receptor on high alert.

Her heart pounded her breathing was ragged; she started a slow rhythmic double plunging, in unison at first then alternating the deep in out lunges.

Her ability to maintain control of the thrusting was promptly lost to lust; rationality evaporated.

Victoria unravelled, beyond reach, beyond reason, her right-hand speed intensified, her back and forth plunging became furious, chaotic, a mere blur, slamming her bottom with the counterfeit cocks.

Victoria emitted sounds she didn't recognize; grabbing her tits, harshly squeezed, pinched and tweaked her hardened nipples, she pulled them and stretched them outwardly until they were as contorted as her face.

Her wild abandon sent her further into an erotic frenzy, bucking and twisting her entire body as the tsunami of intensity arrived.

Her body arched, stiffened, her legs shook, she convulsed and twitched as she wailed undeterminable murmurs of profanity.

Rolling, writhing, twerking, ramming, twisting, tugging as wave after wave washed over her, intense tingling sensations vibrated, reverberated through her.

Victoria awoke spreadeagle, with the silicone dildo still embedded; doubtful she moved after her last orgasm subsided.

When she checked her bedroom, Luke was gone, there was coffee made and an empty cup beside a plate with toast crumbs on the table.

Had he seen her naked with the double dong stuffed deep?

Victoria felt a pang of embarrassment; then thought maybe that might be what Luke needs for a wake-up call, and she certainly satisfied for a change.

Victoria sat at the kitchen table nursing her morning coffee, deep in thought about their marriage.

She was at her wits end, tired of wishing and hoping, she was doubting Luke would change; for the first time, she truly weighed the options of a divorce, last night proved she needed change, she needed to find some semblance of happiness.

Victoria did a mental recap of her marriage, as she sipped the warm brown comfort liquid.

It had been months since we vowed to rebuild our relationship. We tried couple therapy, minimal effort was observed on his part. My pleas for verbal acknowledgement, that I needed whispers of endearment, kisses and caresses throughout the day, craving any intimate gesture, something as simple as holding hands when walking or cuddles on the sofa. I craved intimacy, he heard my requests for foreplay, that I needed to be seduced before lying in bed. Occasionally he had remembered, but never enough to arouse me; our sex life hadn't improved, it'd been at least 2 years since he sexually satisfied me.

Victoria refilled her coffee ...

I've put in an enormous amount of work trying to get him back on track for over a year. My career was definitely lower on my list likely around 5th place, therefore I only work part time now ... his work still creeps into the house far too often, last week he even answered a text while in bed ... Luke still struggles with 'EVERTHING' that we vowed to change, even our conversations, he doesn't openly participate.

Date nights did start again, but aren't consistent, he often finds excuses.

Maybe he doesn't care to fix our marriage, maybe he's got a mistress, maybe he's too complacent.

Maybe it is time to consider getting a divorce and focus solely on my happiness?

Lee sort of invited himself over for supper Friday night, that's kinda the way he is, won't see or hear from him for months, then 'boom' there he is, shows up unannounced, acting as if he was just here yesterday.

They were all on the sofa, wine in hand, sharing a joint Lee brought. Luke and Vicky used to toke regularly, that too was dropped a couple years ago when their date nights diminished.

Victoria was between the brothers, so as it was passed back and forth, she took full value, toked twice as much as either of them, so she was really feeling the relaxation and giddy effect.

They engaged in light conversation, mostly listening to Lee sharing his exciting newfound single life.

Luke's cellphone chimed.

"Oh-oh, work emergency," Luke got up.

"I gotta take this." Luke went toward the hallway.

Lee heard my deep exhale.

"Uh, I take it you two are still struggling."

Victoria wanted to blurt out all her frustrations, but Lee's not a therapist and she already divulged everything to a professional to no avail; she turned to gaze into Lee's eyes, Victoria sighed again, gazed with a frustrated expression.

"I'm at my wit's end, he doesn't seem to care; I can't get Luke to open his eyes and recognize the fact I'm ready to leave."

Lee, twisted on the sofa, took my hand,

"You're stunning Vicky, and maybe he can't see that. Why don't you buy some sexy lingerie and attack him, make him notice how stunning and sexy you are."

Victoria chuckled,

"I tried that a week ago, hell teenagers don't premature ejaculate that fast."

"What." Lee gasped, his brow furrowed.

"How long has it been Victoria,"

He held my hand, sincerity in his voice and genuine concern in his expression.

"How long since you've had satisfying sex?"

Lee's eyes showed compassion, understanding, his fingers moved to Victoria's knee, and she felt a jolt of warm energy surge through her like an electric shock.

WOW, she hadn't felt anything like that in 3 maybe 4 years.

Possibly it was because of the weed, maybe because it had been so long since anyone touched her intimately, but Victoria's relaxed inhibitions, caused her to be instantly aroused and she instantly fantasized Lee forcing her over, fornicating on the sofa when Luke returned.

Victoria bit her lower lip, trying to dismiss her carnal fantasy.

"Does with my toys count." I left the words hanging as I lowered my gaze in shameful, guilt.

Lee's voice was soft, comforting, his fingers slid slightly higher and gently squeezed her thigh.

"Well, I would certainly ..."

"Sorry," Luke interrupted Lee as he returned.

"All good, it wasn't as bad as they thought." Luke sat down next to Victoria again.

Lee reached past Vicky, grabbed Luke's phone. Lee screamed.

"LUUUKE"

Lee threw Luke's phone into the hallway.

"Look at Victoria, ree-aally look at your stunning wife."

He again raised his voice.

"ASSHOLE ... WAKE THE FU-UCK UP!"

Lee glared at his brother,

"Your wife should be the emergency you need to deal with; she needs you more than your fucking job does; and you fucking well need her."

Lee stood, took Victoria's hand, assisted her to stand, twirled her like a ballroom dancer.

"Damn it Luke, look at this gorgeous gal;"

Lee stood behind her, facing Luke, rested his chin on her shoulder.

"She's been trying to tell you ... your relationship is failing."

Lee's hands rested on Victoria's hips squeezed a slight bit tighter.

"I neglected Sally's pleas for months also; even when she told me she would find someone that really did desire her, I didn't listen."

Lee hugged Victoria from behind, crossing his arms around Victoria, not like a brother, his arms enveloped her as a lover; he rubbed his cheek against her neck, warm and comforting.

Lee looked over Victoria's shoulder, making eye contact with his brother, speaking to Luke as his left-hand caressed Vicky's back and bum.

"Every woman needs recognition, craves to be desired. Victoria deserves to be pampered, to be loved like a goddess and treated as a queen, devoured by someone who desires her, that's you job Luke."

Victoria sighed, feeling a surge of sexual excitement, Lee's embrace felt damn good. Wrong or not, if he were to pursue Victoria sexually right now, she knew she would succumb.

Lee swayed from side to side with Victoria tight in his arms,

"Don't be a fool and make the mistake I did. I lost the love of my life and in this past year I learned why."

Lee kissed Victoria's cheek.

"Vicky deserves happiness, if you don't want to treat her like she deserves, I'll happily take her. I've learned from my mistakes; I'll treat her right."

Lee kissed her neck and released his hug.

Victoria was flushed, aroused, but equally embarrassed as her husband was present, she sat close to Luke, silently asking forgiveness, even though she did nothing, her guilt feeling was profound.

Lee remained standing he leaned to Luke.

"LUUUKE, for every woman not receiving passion from their partner, there's several other's waiting and willing to bestow it."

Lee sat on the chair across from us.

"Luke if you don't smarten up and give Victoria what she needs ... someone else WILL."

Lee reached in his shirt pocket, produced another joint, lit it.

"Vicky, write down what Luke needs to do to keep you from divorcing him."

Lee toked, passed it across to Victoria, blew tiny smoke rings.

"Luke your lackadaisical complacency has gone on far too long. Vicky's about to walk out of your life."

Lee went back beside Victoria's side,

"I'll be back tomorrow to help you meet your requests."

He kissed her cheek, as he moved toward the door, he looked back.

"I'll bring refreshments."

That night Luke hardly said a word, Victoria hoped he was deep in thought, pondering what lee said. She didn't pry; simply went about her normal nightly routine, donned her unflattering, cotton pj's and got under the covers.

Luke kissed her cheek.

"Good night," he turned on his side, turned out the lamp.

It was Saturday so Luke slept in, Victoria made coffee and biscuits, sat at the table, and jotted down a list of things she'd hoped Luke would have already changed by now.

Luke came to the kitchen, mumbled a

"Mornin."

"Good morning," Victoria replied, but Luke didn't even make eye contact, as he poured coffee and sat across. Victoria finished her coffee, she couldn't think of anything more to add to the list.

Luke silently ate two biscuits an drank his coffee.

Victoria, disgruntled, left the list on the table, hoping Luke would read it and say something. She started her day with kitchen duties.

The silence spoke loudly.

Luke went to the sofa and opened his laptop.

Victoria did laundry.

Lee never specified a time he was coming over, so mid afternoon Victoria surmised Lee would most likely be arriving for supper and asked Luke to go to the store for a few items.

Lee showed up so soon after Luke went for groceries, it was as if he was waiting outside, watching for him to leave.

Lee didn't knock and he snuck quietly up behind Victoria, who was prepping supper at the kitchen counter. He wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her as he the previous evening, and kissed the bare nape of her neck.

Victoria was slightly startled, she instantly knew it was Lee, not Luke, but at this juncture she didn't care, the feeling of someone wanting her was thrilling, exhilarating, sexually arousing.

His warm breath made the fine hairs on her neck stand up; goosebumps tingled on her arms as she covered his hands with hers.

Victoria had seriously pondered Lee's words last night after he left; she'd spent most of today deciding she was done with Luke. Still, she felt guilty, that this was cheating; but Luke wasn't giving her what she needed; and Lee gave the impression he wanted her.

Victoria was perplexed, should she surrender to her desires.

Victoria intertwined Lee's fingers with hers.

"Did you mean what you said yesterday,"

Victoria leaned her head back on Lee's chest.

"That if Luke doesn't give me what I deserve, you'll take me?"

Lee whispered ever so softly.

"Just say the word." He nibbled her ear.

Victoria held his hands as he raised them to cup her breasts.

"Lee, I really want to, but no, please don't." She breathlessly murmured.

Lee turned her, and he pressed his body to her, pinning her against the counter, they intimately kissed.

"No, I mustn't." Victoria was battling ... her entire body... every nerve receptor was screaming yes, yet her rational mind was saying NO.

"Let's not rush into this," Victoria placed her hand on Lee's chest and held him at bay.

"I know you're more than ready; I am too ... but let's see how this evening plays out with Luke."

Reluctantly and with a deep exhale, she pushed Lee away and turned, resumed prepping supper.

"You can get us both a cold beer from the fridge, and if you brought more weed, I'd partake in that too."

Lee fired up a joint placed it between Victoria's lips and pulled two beer from the fridge.

He took the joint and she took a beer, they tapped bottles and both took long chugs.

As if on cue, they heard the front door, and Luke entered with three bags of groceries and two packs of beer.

The three of them shared the joint, sipping beer as the brothers set the table, Victoria finished the food prep.

The conversation lulled while eating, Lee asked.

"Did you make the list Victoria?"

Victoria reaches into her pocket, produces a paper, unfolds it and places it on the table beside Luke.

Lee sets down his fork, takes a swig of beer.

"Luke which of those do you feel you've made acceptable progress on?"

With a heavy sigh Luke puts down his utensils and picks up the paper, doesn't read it, just shakes it toward Lee.

"We did this with the psychiatrist; I don't think it helped then, I doubt it will now... and you're not a professional, so why repeat it."

"Luke" Lee stated with a slightly raised voice,

"I learned this activity because I also did counseling, and I was stubborn, like you, I didn't participate, and I lost my wife; and I regret it. If you don't do the work Luke, you won't reap the benefits."

We all took a breath and calmly resume eating. A few moments later Lee took a gulp of his beer and asked.

"Do you want to keep Victoria or are you comfortable to let her go?"

Lee looked at both of them.

"Luke, Victoria is frustrated and has expressed her desire to move on to again find happiness in her life."

Lee chugged the remainder of his beer.

"I'm prepared to give her what she needs, and she's indicated she's ready to accept."

Luke pushed his plate ahead, took a swig of beer, looked at Lee, then stared at Victoria.

"No, I hadn't given up, but I couldn't catch up, last night I accepted the fact I am too broken;"

Luke's voice quivered, he gulped and went on,

"Vicky you deserve more, I don't know why you're still trying to change me."

Victoria glared at Luke, slapped her hand on the table, causing a loud whack; she raised her butt from the chair, emphatically, with an elevated, angry tone, exclaimed loudly.

"You haven't changed, because you didn't fucking participate, so here we are a year later and you're still indifferent to changing, let alone even putting forth an adequate effort."

Victoria threw her napkin across the table.

Luke nodded at Victoria,

"I've been, stubborn, maybe stupid, I realize that."

Luke pursed his lips, a strange expression, not anger, but a fierceness Victoria had never seen.

"You want me to share emotions and feelings; those are things that I can't even identify ... so, how the fuck can I share them with you."

Luke exhales deeply.

"I was devastated when you threatened to leave me, it broke my heart; and for the past year I've been trying to fix everything all at the same time... me and us, juggling work stress, don't fucking tell me I wasn't trying."

Luke finished his beer sighed deeply,

"It was so much easier for you, you already identified your emotions, you knew how to share your feelings. You also had the luxury of being able to semi retire, allowing you time to focus on you, time to relax, getting a makeover, joining a gym. You righted yourself quickly ... I didn't have any of those options."

Luke stood, went to the fridge returned with three cold ones, opened one set it in front of Vicky, returned to his chair.

"Juggling everything for me became impossible, work, counselling, finding feelings, identifying emotions, it all became so overwhelming, unmanageable; driving me into depression, my self worth was being beaten down."

Luke swallowed hard.

"Then you added the stress of sexual performance. You became sexually aggressive, overly promiscuous, you scared me ... I never struggled at sex until then... that embellished my inferiority. Then you proved you didn't need me you used toys to satisfy yourself, how could I compete with that. I felt I was unable to perform at every aspect you and the counsellor requested."

Luke took a swig of his beer.

"I know I've become a disappointment to you, I know I can't satisfy you sexually ... that mental anguish became the final straw, so I don't try anymore."

Luke was tearing up, but his confession was precisely what Victoria needed and wanted, he was opening up, finally sharing, feelings emotions.

"... yeah, I've given up on everything; I just can't handle it anymore."

Luke chugged his beer; looked defiantly at Lee, belched, set that bottle on the table and opened the other.

"Guess I'm no better than you were Lee; so, if Vicky needs you, maybe after a time of being a single, divorced man... I too, can become as good as you are now and who knows maybe I'll find some discarded woman."

Luke turned to peer at Vicky. Lifted his beer in a silent salute.

"I know I'm unable to meet your needs."

Luke with eyes glazed, peers at Lee, taps his bottle.

"She's outgrown me in so many ways." Luke's eyes welled up with tears he rose to his feet, turned leaving the kitchen.

Victoria started crying, Lee took her hand shuffled over to put his arm around her shoulders, in an attempt to console her.

"Well, now you know."

Victoria started sobbing, putting her face to Luke's chest.

"I do, I know he still loves me, and I love him even more that he opened up, I heard him finally share his feelings and emotions. I can't quit now, I can't let him quit. I need to support him now more than ever."

Victoria wiped her tears on her sleeve

"For better or for worse."

Vicky turned to Lee, tears streaming down her cheeks, she caressed his left cheek, kissed his right.

"Thank you, Lee, you did great, now go home, I need to be alone with my husband."

Lee left.

Vicky went to the sofa, snuggled beside Luke.

"Luke, I love you so much, we can weather this, you finally expressed to me your feelings."

Her fingers grazed his cheek, went behind his neck.

"That was what I needed, now we can work on them together."

Victoria gave him a tender kiss, lifting his arm around her shoulder, snuggled in.

"I'm not leaving... ever, and you have identified your concerns and shared them, so now let's work as a team on fixing your brokenness. Which stress is worst, your feeling of sexual inadequacy or your work? We can work on either one until you're ready to work on the next?"

Vicky gazed up at Luke, with a smirk, she placed his hand on her boob.

"Luke, no expectations, I promise I won't pressure you... and my toys will go in a sealed box, you can hide them wherever, or discard them. I'll go easy, we'll go at your pace until we solve that inferiority dilemma. Luke we'll become lovers again, don't pressure yourself."

Victoria twisted, gave Luke an enthusiastic French kiss.

"Luke it's you I want. Let's bring a new improved version of Luke into our relationship."

Luke picked up his phone, Vicky was instantly discouraged, she was expecting him to be intimate, maybe even romantic.

Luke texted and set the phone back down.

Luke looked at Victoria with a mischievous grin.

"I just sent H. R. my demand for an open-ended mental health leave."

Luke kissed Victoria passionately, pushed her prone on the sofa, his hand remained on her boob.

"Should we book a trip to an exotic vacation spot or make our own holiday magic right here."

Luke kissed her cleavage.

"I'm feeling better already."

Victoria moaned,

"Mmm, me too."

Her fingers combed into his hair as he undid her blouse buttons.