Ch. 03a - How does someone...

This has been a LONG time coming, I promised a release waaaaay back in January but plans unfortunately change. This chapter is in a much better place than I had originally planned.

Overall, I had to split this chapter up into two parts for various reasons. The main reason being that the first half deals with the fallout from the previous chapter, while the second half introduces a new character into the fold.... And I have a feeling you all know who that is. (That and the chapter itself blew up to about 60-70k words total...)

As of this chapter going live, I'll be going through the last 2 scenes of chapter 03b. and rounding off the first Arc of Twice Linned.

Hope you all enjoy this first half of Chapter 3 =)

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Twice Linned, Never Forgotten - Chapter 3a: How does someone...

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*Tuesday 12th October 2021 - 10:45*

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*Linnea*

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With a few clicks on the keyboard and a press of a mouse button, Dominik Mikkel Tarpp was now checked out.

I giggled and mentally clapped myself on the back for a job well done. I let out a loud yawn as I stretched my arms forward, fingers interlocked, trying to get rid of the soreness in my back. I shot a small glare at my chest, glancing down at the two main reasons for said soreness. Over the years, I'd come to resent how big they'd grown -- the catcalls, the uncouth comments, all of it.

But last night, Michael told me he loved them, no matter how small they were or how big they'd become -- and somehow, that made it easier to live with them, even though I still thought of them as big, ugly cow udders...

Anyway!

To pass the time and stave off boredom, I started to sway while attempting to hum the melody Michael had sung to Dominique last night. I still couldn't believe that an unfamiliar song had calmed her down.

I've never heard of it before but I'm sure I heard Michael use some Norwegian lyrics. I'll have to ask him later.

I sighed as I looked over the front desk, noticing the reception of the Charter hotel was silent. Time tended to drag on quiet days such as this, and I really wanted my shift to end so I could get back to Michael as soon as possible. A quick look at the clock surprised me to see what the time was. I had to rub my eyes just to make sure. My shift was ending in just over an hour's time.

I work two long shifts, Monday and Friday, from 09:00 to 15:00, and three short shifts, Tuesday to Thursday, from 08:00 to 12:00. That way I could keep myself busy without the feeling of cabin fever from being inside the house while the girls were at school and Lindsay at work. While I didn't earn as much as I had in my previous job, the company -- or coworkers according to some yanks who'd visited once -- was a hell of a lot better than the toxic cesspool I had to deal with before.

I glanced behind me while still humming that unfamiliar tune, smiling while looking at a suitcase I had placed under the front desk. It was the one that Michael left in his room. When I went in to get it, I was surprised that other the small dent in the duvet where the suitcase lay, the room was spotless. As if he'd never used the room at all. At least it made the cleaning crew's job -- my job -- much easier.

My role at the hotel consisted mainly of doing small, odd jobs, such as restocking supplies, helping in the hotel kitchen, and even getting rooms prepared for the next check-ins, but this time around I had to plead to take on the job of getting rooms ready. Luckily Michael's room was the only one in the last twelve hours to have been checked out.

"Why don't you go home early, Linnea?" said a voice from my right side. My head snapped up to see my boss. "We're dead right now and the next round of check-ins won't happen until long after you've finished anyway."

"Are you sure that's okay? I can't just leave you alone on the front desk, I can always make up the time difference tomorrow or--"

"You'll do no such thing. I may be old, but I'm not disabled, and I think I can hold down reception for the next hour while you get off early."

I had no words. I was blessed with having such a great boss.

"Thanks a lot, Grace! And thank you once again for being so understanding about me resigning. I owe you so much for this!"

Yep, my boss knew about my plans to move. I did think about just dropping everything and leaving when the time came without so much of a word. I didn't want it to be known that we were going to move to Norway. But I just couldn't do that to Grace after working with her for nine years. So, the first thing I did after arriving earlier today was to talk to her about my intentions. I was surprised she was not only happy for me but supported my decision one hundred percent.

"Think nothing of it, dear. You've been a part of our family for nearly ten years, and in that time you've always been a ray of sunshine no matter the situation, especially the past year due to lockdown. But I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be sad to see you leave us," she said, gathering me into a friendly hug.

"Just be sure that when you do leave, you hold onto that man of yours." She whispered it into my ear, and her melodic laugh rang through reception when she saw the look on my face.

"H-how did you know?" I stammered out -- I'd only told Grace about trying to find Michael on social media to no effect, but I haven't told her that I found him - or rather we found each other.

"Oh, don't look so surprised, my darling! First a strapping gentleman arrives and asks about a booking transfer -- one that I had sorted out myself. Then not even a day later, you're here requesting help with your resignation while offering to clear up and checking out said gentleman while keeping his suitcase under the desk."

The sound of the doors opening and closing, showing the arrival of the midday shift. Grace got closer until her face was close to mine, not wanting others to hear.

"Also, today's date, it's usually the date you've always looked crestfallen and depressed, but this time around you're all happy and smiles is a dead giveaway. I might be getting on in my years, but I'm not so senile that I can't connect the dots."

She backed off a bit and held my gaze a moment longer before continuing, her voice no longer whispering.

"Just be sure to get your affairs in order before you leave Oakmere. I can always put in a good word for you wherever you decide to work next. God only knows that you and those girls of yours need the break after everything you've all been through."

A faint blush warmed my cheeks. Grace was one of the few people I could depend on. The others were Mamma, my besteforeldre, the girls, Lindsay... and now Michael.

That thought still felt foreign, that Michael had finally come back to us, and is now a permanent part of our lives going forward. Oh gods, I wanted to cry right now at how happy I was, and how life was finally going as it should've done all those years ago.

Michael was back, buffer and even more handsome that I remembered.

Both Dominique and Michelle took to him quicker than I'd anticipated.

And most important of all.

Michael was a sexual beast in bed. I still couldn't get over how easily my body submitted and reacted to his touch. He claimed that he hasn't had sex since Lindsay and me - and I believe him fully.

What unsettled me wasn't the idea that he'd done anything differently -- it was my own body reacting before my mind could catch up. It was as if my body was celebrating the return of the only man to touch me with a welcoming reward of hypersensitivity.

If he managed to make me feel that way, God only knows how Lindsay will feel when he works his tongue on her, and then when he eventually fills her up.

I unconsciously let out a happy sigh as the thoughts and feelings I experienced last night when we made love washed over me in droves. How we both pleasured each other. I'm still shivering at the way he used his tongue on me. And then his cock... just the thought of how much he filled me up started to make me squirm.

"Oh-ho!" Grace said, interrupting my thoughts. She had a smile plastered on her face with a knowing glint to it, "Thinking about him, aren't you? Dominik -- that was the name he used yesterday, wasn't it? I take it that Dominik has kept you fulfilled in bed as well. Judging by that silly smile you've had on your face all morning,"

She could see the blush creeping over my cheeks and let out another wholehearted laugh while she rubbed my shoulder in comfort.

"Ah young love, I remember having that exact same look when my husband was still alive. Now there was a man who knew how to use his tools to bring me to climax every night."

My mind decided right there to take that wonderful, sex-filled memory from last night, warp and mix it with Grace's recent words, and now in my mind I could see a much older Michael and myself making love, complete with loose skin, and the worst image possible... sagging boobs.

Kill me now...

It took a few more minutes of listening to Grace before she saw the awkward look on my face and stopped talking.

"I'm sorry, my dear. I didn't mean to take up your time with tales of my youth, I'm sure you have plans made."

I breathed out a sigh of relief, gathered my things and Michael's suitcase and made a beeline towards the front door.

"Oh Linnea, darling. One last thing before you go." Yelled Grace after me once more. I stopped and turned to her, hoping she wouldn't continue with her earlier "when I was young" sexual oversharing.

"Yes Grace?" I asked, my voice squeaking her voice out.

Seeing her approach me, a serious look now on her face, I gulped slightly. I knew she meant business whenever she showed this expression, but that's only when dealing with certain members of Oakmere's council.

"I see you have a lot of holiday time saved up. Since you've handed in your letter of resignation, I've decided as manager -- but more as your friend -- to give you an early farewell gift and you can have the next two weeks off, holiday pay included. But you must promise me to visit before you leave, all of you."

I nearly dropped my purse at that. I couldn't believe that I was handed such an amazing gift, this would mean more time with Michael. I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

My body reacted before thinking and I hugged Grace once more.

"Thank you so much, Grace. I promise we'll come back to see you before we leave,"

With that I turned and finally made my way out of the hotel, waving goodbye to Grace.

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*Tuesday 12th October 2021 -- 11:00*

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On the way home, I made a split decision to make a quick detour to the supermarket. My spirits were high due to the past twenty-four hours. Michael coming back to me, and now Grace and her generosity. So, I decided that was enough cause to gather some ingredients to bake a cake, maybe get some brus (pop) for the girls. As for us grownups? Maybe a nice adult drink. However, I was undecided on what would be considered as a "celebration" drink

While I do enjoy a nice, relaxing glass of wine on the weekend, I felt like wine wouldn't cut it for. I don't know what Michael likes to drink. Maybe he would like a stronger drink like whiskey, or brandy?

I did consider that maybe Michael had developed a taste for a more Norwegian drink, I have heard Mamma mention of a certain spirit that was illegal but legal to make, but I couldn't put my finger on what she called it.

Guess a strong sipping drink would do. It would be worth dipping into my reserves for something nice. Especially with a certain event that I now knew was coming.

Lindsay would be reuniting in a few days, and that would mean that the three of us would finally be together once more under the same roof. My body started to shiver and dread the implications of that.

While I didn't ask it of him out right, but I had a feeling that Michael believed Lindsay was dead, everything he said, the way he was talking about Lindsay in past tense, I tried to prod a bit more when telling him that a certain person aka Lindsay would love to see him again. But he mentioned Mamma instead.

I thought she was dead as well to be honest, hearing Mamma confirm it all those years ago when she came back the same day after dropping me off at my besteforeldre, she told me she was planning something but didn't tell me. We were all distraught after learning about Lindsay.

Mamma did tell me eventually what her plan was. She had every intention to convince Lindsay's Mamma to make it seems like Lindsay had run away, when in fact it was to smuggle Lindsay away so we would raise our children together.

Lindsay's "death" put a stop to that plan.

Time moved on as it does, 2012 was here and Dominique was soon ready for school. Unfortunately, the closest school was in Oakmere... Which meant that we had to move back in with my parents, and that meant dealing with pa... Jim. Luckily, he kept his distance, while Mamma doted on Dominique.

During our stay, I had gone through a few jobs, all were stress inducing as I always felt that I was the "hush hush" hot topic whenever I was around. Eventually, I landed the job at the Charter Hotel, which meant that Jim wanted both myself and Dominique out of his house within a few months, and find a place of our own.

As luck would have it! Michael's old house was for sale on the market, it was untouched ever since that night it seems. I checked the pricing and saw that the listing price was slashed by a couple thousand pounds every month, it seems that no one wanted it, not even during the great recession of 2008!

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth! I quickly grabbed the plot and paid for it in full! It only took a few short weeks in late spring to arrange things, but by the time June rolled around, the former Pratt household looked just as I remembered it. I nearly broke down a few times when I found nearly all of Michael's and Sarah's stuff untouched.

When we moved in, we got an emotional farewell from Mamma, and a slight grunt from Jim, but I didn't care about him! I was happy that Dominique and I have found a place to live that wasn't under the hawk eye gaze of my sperm doner.

Soon Dominique started school and I was worried for her for a while, as her growth was stunted, mainly due to the stress I during pregnancy, so I was happy to hear that she made a friend called Morgan. So, all was right with the world for a while!

But I still missed Michael and Lindsay, my mind back then was still puzzled and wondered as to why Lindsay would just kill herself, it just didn't make any sense!

It wasn't until one cold Friday a month into Dominique's first year at school that I found out the truth. Dominique came running towards me after class, dragging Morgan and her mother along with her, all happy smiles and excitement. I barely paid attention at first -- not until I saw the woman she was dragging with her, I let out a loud gasp when I realised who it was.

Lindsay

She was here, right in front of me. Alive. Supporting a scar on her face, but undoubtedly her.

What I thought would be a miracle reunion turned into one of the worst moments of my life. I don't like thinking about that day even now. We frightened the girls, made fools of ourselves. But somehow, in time, we patched things up. First for Dominique and Michelle (who went by Morgan when I first met her), and then for ourselves. A few years later, we were living together in Michael's old house.

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The supermarket was eerily quiet when I arrived, which meant that the manager was on her break, so here was my chance to...

"Linnea? Is that you dear?"

I blinked, then groaned. I had hoped to get in, shop and then get back out without being noticed. But I guess I had to have something bad happen to offset the incredible luck I've been having. Well... that's not to say seeing my Mamma is considered 'bad'.

I had hoped that she would be on her break, but apparently mothers have a sixth sense when it comes to their daughters.

Steadying myself I turned to face my Mamma, who just so happened to be the owner of this supermarket. Normally some would be asking me, "Linnea, your mother owns a supermarket, why didn't you work for her?"

Quite simple, I wasn't going to give the people of Oakmere more stuff to use against me and my family. Besides, seeing how Lindsay's dad got to his position due to nepotism and the effect it had. Pretty much, power corrupts, and Oakmere is seeped with corruption of that kind.

"Hello Mamma, just buying something good for the upcoming weekend."

"Oh? Any reason? I half expected you to buy your usual drink and locking yourself in his old room while drinking a glass. considering what day it is and all"

It was then I realised, that in all of the recent excitement, I hadn't informed her of Michael's return. Damn! Should I tell her now? If I do then she'll want the full details.

I looked at the time and saw it wasn't that late, Sod it, might as well, but I would rather tell her in Norwegian so no one would know Michael is back.

## Mamma, can we talk in private? I Have some amazing news to share with you. ##

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*Tuesday 12th October 2021 - 12:10*

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It took a while to tell Mamma everything, but by the end of it she was overjoyed for us. The only time I've seen her this happy was the day Dominique was born.

It did seem that Mamma was more overjoyed than I currently am after I told her about Michael, we hugged, we cried, and most importantly, she was happy that we were moving.

The both of us were now at the till, Mamma took everything and placed it into a reusable bag, she gave me a wink at the "extra" items that she suggested I use if I really wanted to surprise Michael with some Norwegian baking.

I said I was going to bake a simple cake... but I think Mamma may have gone a bit overboard with her suggestion... I mean a Kransekake? I don't think a layered almond ring cake would be necessary. Just a simple Victoria sponge would be enough, besides... using nearly half a day just to bake a cake? It's not as if I'm applying for the Great British Bake Off, Mamma.

We waved goodbye to each other, and I began skipping towards the door, to hell with anyone who saw me, I was happy and I want to show it.

"Oh, by the way Linnea, dear." Mamma said, stopping me mid skip "Your father told me to say Hello, and hope that you and Dominique could visit him someday."

I snorted at that. The old bastard decided to disown me when I was at my lowest and outright ignored me when I and Dominique had to move in with them for a while. And now he has the gall to request that we visit him?

"I hope you told him where to stick that request? I take it he said the same thing to you, Mamma? Has it finally hit him yet that he's all alone in that massive house of his?"

While the concept of divorce in Oakmere is a thing frowned upon, there was nothing stating that a married couple had to live together under the same roof, just that they couldn't annul or divorce. It was a loophole that Mamma found and fully exploited to its fullest many years later. During the pandemic, my besteforeldre unfortunately lost their lives. The inheritance Mamma received included their house and a large sum of money, which allowed her to act on her plan and she left Jim. She bought a nice bungalow not too far from where the supermarket is, and she's been happier since,.

"He did, but I'm not going to even humour him on that request. He had his chance and he buggered it up with how he treated you and little Dominique."

I nodded in agreement. And soon, he wouldn't have to worry about seeing me or Dominique ever again. An evil thought creeped in, if Michael could up and disappear without anyone finding him, then maybe he could do the same for us?

That would be a thought for a different time, right now I need to get back to my man.

"That he did Mamma, anyway, I need to get going, a certain someone is waiting for me at home, I'll tell him you said hi."

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**Tuesday 12th October 2021 - 12:30**

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"Dominik, hunnie! Jeg er hjemme!" (Dominik, honey! I'm home!) I sang out after opening the front door. It felt strange yet good to say that! Just like it should've always been.

The moment I stepped into the hallway I knew something wasn't quite right. The house was too quiet, I had expected Michael to be here. If not in the living room but walking about checking every room out.

The other thing was that soothing voice was calling out to me, telling me to be prepared. It didn't feel like end of the world bad, but it wasn't entirely good, getting a mixed bag of emotions.

But my earlier worry about the house being too quiet was weighing on me, Michael was always active, just looking at his muscular body last night confirmed that.

If he wasn't here making a sound...

That means he wasn't here...

which would mean he was taking a nap...

or there's the possibility that someone is in...

"Dominik?" I yelled out -- my voice now laced with a hint of worry -- closing the door behind me. I placed the deadbolt on the door and rested Michael's suitcase against it just in case. I made my way into the kitchen where the back door was and locked it as well.

"Dommy?" I called out once more, an icy feeling started developing in my stomach. This was starting to feel like one of those horror movies Lindsay forced me to watch -- and I hated every single one of them.

I clutched the bag of groceries I had in my hand harder, if any creep or stalker had somehow made their way in, then they'll be sorry for trying to scare me.

It was then I heard a muffled creaking above me. My brain worked into overdrive to figure out the "where". I crossed off the landing as it echoed throughout the house. It wasn't Michael's old bedroom as that was on the other side of the house. The only place that had a creak was...

Lindsay's room? But she wasn't due back until Friday. Unless...

My eyes widened, thinking about a possible worst-case scenario. I called out after Michael once more as I ascended the stairs. Making my way to the former guest room I saw the door was ajar.

Peering in, I saw Michael sat on Lindsay's bed, his back hunched with his head down, I placed a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at me.

"Michael, here you are, I've been calling you for a while. What are you doing in--"

I let out an audible gasp, my words dying on my tongue, I was hoping that I could've used the next few days to slowly ease him into this. But at times it's best to rip the plaster off.

"M-Michael... I-"

"Linnea." He said, cutting me off. His voice sounding distant yet aware. "When were you going to tell me that Lindsay was still alive?"

Oh god, oh god, oh god! What do I do now?

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*Michael*

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Linnea looked like a deer caught in a headlight, a moment I've seen once too often when driving in the dark of night in Norway.

"I-I didn't mean to keep this from you. I had a feeling you thought she was dead. I believed she was as well, remember? But it wasn't until a few years later when picking up Dominique from reception that I saw her."

"Lin-" I started to say but was cut off.

"I mean, I was just as shocked as you are now, five years after being told she was dead and then poof! There she was, out of the blue! Alive and well. I say 'well' but she's been through a lot, I mean her face looked like her dad's -- anger incarnate - and oh boy she looked pissed!"

I inwardly sighed, When Linnea tried to justify something after being 'caught' she would ramble out the whole story. I had forgotten she was like this.

I tried to interject "Linny-" but she cut me off again.

"The fight we had out in front of the infant school. It took mamma and the headmistress to pull us apart. Poor Dominique and Michelle, both were crying as they saw their mamma's trying to rip each other's hair out, that was NOT a good thing for any child to see-"

"For guds skyld... Linnea Archer, se på meg." (For gods sake... Linnea Archer, look at me.)

"Hæ? Hva? Oi unnskyld! (Eh? What? Oh sorry!) I started to ramble didn't I?"

I nodded, the picture frame still in my hand, I opened my mouth to ask again, but Linnea cut me off, yet again but this time it was with a hug, tears streaming down her face.

"I truly am sorry Michael, I thought I could slowly ease you into the possibility of Lindsay being alive.

"But it ended up being another one of my dumb ideas -- like suggesting we become a throuple in the first place. Sometimes I think none of this suffering would've happened if I hadn't. You wouldn't have had to escape to Norway, and Lindsay wouldn't have tried to end it all.

Her sob turned ugly fast, and she clutched herself against me as if she feared I'd up and leave. Part of me was annoyed at the deception -- another part understood why she'd tried to handle it this way.

When I saw her last, Linnea was not a girl who enjoyed deceiving people. If anything, she was the opposite. I'd known her for thirteen years before everything went to hell, and there wasn't a single cruel bone in her body. Mischievous, maybe -- but never malicious.

"Linny, I'll say this now, I never have -- nor ever will -- blame you for this" I said softly, "When you suggested the three of us being one -- you helped me."

Linnea's sobbing slowed down, her head tilted up, her eyes -- now red from crying -- were staring up at me.

"It's true. Even though you and I were exclusive at the time, you never excluded Lindsay from hanging out with us. Instead, you went out of your way to always included Lindsay in everything we did. I was worried that I would fall out of love with you, but I eventually found myself falling back in love with Lindsay while keeping the love I held for you stable, if not more so."

Linnea went still, listening now.

"It took me years to understand it, but those five years with you made one thing clear -- I couldn't imagine my life without either of you in it. I had my heart set on both of you and since this town has some fucked up rules, I couldn't come out and tell you both my feelings. Even if I did, I wasn't sure how either one of you would've taken it."

I paused to gauge her reaction. I couldn't see her smile, but I felt it when she nuzzled into my chest.

"But like I said--you helped me, Linny. You said the thing I was afraid to say. You took a gamble, and it paid off."

Linnea's body couldn't keep still, she finally pulled her head away from my chest, leaped up and brough my head down to meet hers and we kissed, she slipped her tongue into my mouth to meet mine and we made out for a while.

Linnea broke first, face flushed, wearing that smile of hers. Before she could speak, I lifted a hand and lightly smacked the back of her head.

"That was for hiding that Lindsay was alive."

Then I swatted her arse once and pulled her in closer, earning a yelp.

"And THAT," I murmured, "was for even suggesting you regret us becoming a throuple. If you hadn't, the three of us wouldn't have been blessed with two wonderful gifts that you, Lindsay, and I made together. I would go through every bit of hell again if it meant keeping Dominique and Michelle."

"I know, Dommy, on second thought, even after everything that has happened to us, I would do it all again, I love both Dominique and Michelle. I couldn't bear to think of a life without them." Linnea said, while letting off a happy sigh and embracing me once more.

Linnea's embrace became a bit more affectionate than usual, her hands and arms started to roam my body, she positioned herself with her legs straddling me in a way where my leg was between hers.

"You know, Michael..." she said, starting to grind herself against me.

"Normally a smack on my butt would make me horny. And as much as I want you to fulfil one of my fantasies right now..."

She quickly ended her grinding and took a few steps back, her face flushed even more as she twirled her over the shoulder braid with two fingers.

"But even I'm aware that it would be tasteless. So consider this as a future warning, when you smack my butt, I'm taking that as a green light to jump you."

Linnea took a deep breath, clearly trying to calm herself after being unintentionally aroused by a mere spank.

"That being said. Can we just lay down and snuggle for a bit?"

I couldn't deny her that. I extended a hand towards her to which she accepted. Linnea joined me on Lindsay's bed as we lay down, getting into a comfortable position as we started enjoying each other's warmth.

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*Linnea*

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As we lay in bed watching birds fly by the window, I took the time to reflect on the day's events. mentally, I was exhausted. I felt more tired than the previous day that was filled with a mix of physical and emotional baggage.

It must have been a few hours by now since we laid down on Lindsay's bed. Currently I was on my side, my body curled up against Michael. His arm wrapped protectively around my back, holding me in place as my head rested on his chest. I could hear the slow rhythmic beating of his heart with each rise and fall of his chest.

I wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep, but I didn't care to check. I was enjoying the moment and feel I could nod off just listening to the peaceful sound of his breathing.

## Sove du, Linny? ## (You asleep, Linny?) He spoke gently, I couldn't help but let out a small giggle, of course he would be awake.

## Nei, ikke du helle? ## (nope, you can't either?)

Michael shook his head and let off a big sigh, when his chest lifted my head up as he breathed in. I took advantage of that and lifted myself up with the momentum, stabilizing myself with a hand placed on his chest. I looked down at his face that was currently in what I remembered to be his 'thinking face'

I wondered if he was having second thoughts, now that he had time to think. Call it insecurity, but I didn't want Michael to have any reason to doubt or think I was having him on as a fool.

"Michael... I-I know I'm going to sound like a broken record. But..." Michael silenced me with a finger to my lips.

"Before you even think of saying what you're going to say, Linny. You have nothing to be sorry for. You've always been like this, even when we were little. You've always had the best intentions in mind when you come up with your half-cocked plans.

"But while we've been lying here I've been thinking, and there's something that doesn't make sense. And it has everything to do with Lindsay. If she's been alive for all this time, then why didn't she let me know? Why didn't she try to find me."

I looked at him, not really understanding where he was going with this. Why would he think Lindsay would know he was in Norway?

"Michael, if Lindsay knew where you were, you know she would've done everything she could to find you. But she didn't know where you were, hell I didn't even know where you were and I've been scouring social media on and off for the past decade."

Up until this point, I've never seen Michael show a hint of anger, I thought he was angry when he found the picture, but he turned out to be more relieved than angry. But seeing him now glaring at me as if I had betrayed him somehow or said something untrue.

"Linnea. Back when I thought Lindsay had 'taken her life' I let her know beforehand that I was traveling to Norway. Lindsay knew where I was, and I thought that information had died with her. Yet somehow knowing she's now alive, she hadn't tried to reach out or at least tell you about it. That's the thing that bothers me the most,"

A brief flash of irritation marred his face, as if he just remembered something else that was important.

"I even refused to change my phone for the better part of a year because I didn't want those last memories of Lindsay to disappear. If she had been alive then she could've easily sent me a message or tried to ring me up!"

I didn't know that bit of information. Lindsay and I had been back in each other's lives since our shaky reunion when the girls started reception. We'd spent six years living together in Michael's old house, and she hadn't mentioned anything.

I took another look at Michael. His set expression and focused gaze told me he was serious. Michael had never been any good at lying to me and Lindsay; whenever he tried, he'd burst out laughing.

Besides... that angelic voice from earlier was telling me that Michael was telling the truth.

But I had to make sure...

"Michael... are you sure you told Lindsay? I believe you but, I can't see Lindsay lying about not knowing where--"

Michael let out an expatriated sigh, grabbed his phone and opened it, the way he swiped and pressed on the screen without thinking about it, showed he knew what he was looking for.

"Linnea, for the time you've known me, would I ever tell you or Lindsay a lie? I know we've all changed these past fourteen years but that part of me had never changed."

A few more swipes later he turned the phone towards me, on the screen showed text messages, I took his phone and started scrolling. My face ran cold when I saw what these text messages were. They were from THAT night 14 years ago.

I finally saw what Michael was talking about. The texts messages were in front of me, clear as day:

Linds:

'I heard Dad talking to Mum, Linny's gone, her dad has disowned her and is shipping her off to her grandmother's first thing in the morning, I don't think she's going to come back... I'm.... I'm all alone now, Michael... please let me know where you are so I can try and meet you!'

Me:

"Norway. txt soon. love u!"

Linds:

"Norway?! That's so far... please say you're joking, Michael

I glanced over the rest of the texts, scrolling down until I saw something I wish I hadn't. I mean I knew about the scars, but seeing the actual moment she... oh god, I'm going to be sick.

Michael's phone dropped out of my hand and clattered onto the floor as I flung myself onto him, burying my face into his chest, letting my tears flow.

"Believe me now Linny?"

I nodded, my mind now racing a mile a minute, I don't understand... She knew? All these years and Lindsay didn't say anything... Then what the hell was that accusation about?!

"I-I can't believe it Michael. There must be a reason why she never told me. This doesn't make sense. When we had that fight in front of the school, she said we ran. That we chose each other and left her behind.

"Jeg er så dritt forbannet rett nå! (I'm so pissed off right now!)" I snapped, the words tumbling out in Norwegian before I could stop them. "We could've found you years ago!"

My thoughts were racing a mile a minute. That's when an idea formed. It might seem to be cruel, but I think it's time to fully confront Lindsay, there's no mistake now, we've been living with three different versions of that night. It's time we heard hers.

"Michael, there's no use sugar-coating this, but the three of us need to have a chat, best time is when she gets back. She's at a conference right now until Friday. And before you ask, no, Lindsay has no idea you're back. I've not so much as sent her a text message since she left for that conference yesterday. She hasn't even updated her Facebook status, and she usually does that every day."

He lifted himself up suddenly, bringing me along with him. Looking at his face I saw him go through several emotions, as if he were weighing options in a calculating way. It seems the past decade had changed him as well, but not enough from the person I love.

His eyes blinked suddenly and snapped his head towards me.

"What about the girls? Have they had contact with her since yesterday?"

My phone started ringing with a familiar ring tone cut me off before I could answer him. I fished it out as I knew who was calling me, Michael looked at me expectantly, but his face softened when I showed who was calling.

Dominique.

He nodded and I answered without hesitation.

"Heya sweetie, your daddy and I were just talking about..."

"Sorry Mummy but emergency! Are you home? An incident happened and Michelle is beside herself. I lost sight of her as she ran out of the school gates."

The sounds of a door handle shaking followed by a loud banging of the front door was heard. I made my way out of the room and down the stairs, Michael following quickly behind.

"She just arrived now sweetheart; are you close by or do you want your daddy to come get you?"

"That'll be great if that okay Mummy? I've not that long got out from the gate, but I'm carrying both mine and Morg's things -- they're VERY heavy FYI! But Morg... she's really upset Mummy, I was there when it happened but its best if she tells you first."

Getting to the front door, I unlatched the deadbolt and opened it to reveal Michelle, eyes red with tears streaming down her face. Her eyes looked beyond me, and she gently moved past me and into Michael's form, his arms wrapping around her.

"I'll come and get you. Your daddy is comforting Michelle right now,"

I looked at Michael while Dominique let me know where she was. He understood the situation, but the look on his face was clear,

"We'll finish our earlier discussion later, Linny. Go and get Dominique. and meet us in the living room."

He picked up Michelle and made their way into the living room, I smiled at that scene while grabbing my jacket and walking out the front door.

"I'm coming now, sweetheart, where are you right now?"

----------

*Michael*

----------

Michelle and I hadn't needed to wait long for Linnea and Dominique to get back, I greeted them both with a wave of a hand, poor little Dominique was red in the face and panting for breath her school bag resting on one shoulder with her jacket tied around her waist.

Linnea was right behind her, holding Michelle's school bag.

The two joined us in the living room after a while and we sat there in silence, Michelle's quietly crying as I held her protectively brought out a wave of recent nostalgia, the time I had comforted Sarah's eldest, Astrid, after a boy had tugged her hair hard enough that some strands of hair were ripped out.

"Michelle? Want to tell me what happened?" I asked. I had a feeling what she was sad about, but I needed to try and pry it out of her as gently as possible.

"Mamph mepfh bemmfphr" She mumbled into my chest, then she lifted her head up a bit and started again, "Sorry dad, I said, that bitch Jennifer,"

I said nothing, waiting for her to continue. I passed a glance towards Linnea who had her hand against her head in frustration.

"It all started earlier when Dee and I got to school. Both of us had that literal spring in our step, we were happy that you were finally here with us, so of course we would be happy! That went unnoticed by most of the students there, especially the year 11 girls..."

Michelle hesitated for a bit; she gripped onto my arms once more before physically relaxing.

"Then came the afternoon breaktime, throughout the day I've sent Mommy a lot of messages, mainly about you, well... not exactly you, just that I had a surprise for her waiting at home and that she should come home early.

"But she hasn't replied, not to a single one of my messages. I thought that she had seen the push notifications but was busy and that she would get back to me at lunch time. But whenever I checked, they're all still showing as delivered. I was sure that the last one would've gotten her attention."

I relaxed a bit, hopefully with some gentle persuasion along with Linnea's help I'll have her unsend or delete those messages, but considering the messages themselves were vague, Michelle really hadn't told Lindsay it was me.

"Dee and I were waiting outside the room where we usually have humanities class. And then came... Jennifer" she said. I noticed the way she dragged out saying Jennifer with disdain.

"She would usually begin her usual mocking of 'how're the bastards doing today' -- no Daddy, I'm okay with it -- Mommy taught me to ignore the taunts."

Michelle must have felt me tense up when she told me a bit of what she and Dominique go through. I'll admit that mine and the Lin's school time wasn't a walk in the park either, but with 14 years difference I've seen what the bullying in schools had evolved into. Not even the Norwegian schools were bully free.

"I was prepared to ignore her like I usually do and began checking my phone to see if Mommy had seen my messages, what I didn't expect was for Jennifer to snatch my phone. I tried to get it back, but she had her girlfriends hold me against the wall, Dee tried to help but they ignored her, they looked at her more of a pest than anything to be concerned at - Sorry sis but that's the truth"

Dominique shrugged as she smiled at Michelle, "It's okay sis, I know I'm pretty much useless in a fight, my short stature aside, I couldn't allow Jennifer to do what she was doing... even if I couldn't do anything."

Michelle waved Dominique over and they shared a hug. "I love you Dee, and that you tried to help me that's what counts."

She must have felt more at ease as she moved out of my lap and found a comfortable position beside me.

"What was it that she did to make you like this Michelle? By what I've seen you're a no-nonsense girl."

She grimaced but continued.

"Usually yeah, but Jennifer was extra bitchy this time around, she tends to make some snide comments and leave Dee and I alone, but this time she said she needed to teach us a lesson, and consider it payback for what you and Mom did yesterday"

"Something we did?" I asked, looking over at Linnea, she had a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

"Why would she teach you a lesson because of something I and Linnea had done?"

"Because you humiliated her dad, dad"

Okay... now I was even more confused. Other than making Jim scared for his life thinking I was Linnea's uncle. The only other person I had encountered since coming back here and somewhat humiliated was...

A cold pit formed in my stomach, there's no way.

"Wait. You mean to tell me her dad is..."

"Yes, daddy. She's old man Gerald's daughter." Finished off Dominique.

"Y-you mean to tell me that Gerald has a child?" The information made my thoughts run a mile a minute, there was something that wasn't adding up here.

"Hang on, you said she's in year 11, that means that she's 15-16?"

I turned to Linnea, disgust over my face "Linny, help me make this make sense, wasn't Gerald known to be one of the town's biggest bachelors? Who 'didn't want to get tied down to any money-grubbing women!' Who would want to have a child with.... That?!"

"Trust me Dommy, I was as shocked as you are when I found out, and I only found out due to sheer blind luck. He kept it hidden well until I saw him, Jennifer and his... wife when they were on holiday. Long story short, he told me to keep it quiet, and we could use the café as much as we wanted."

"Does anyone else know?"

"No, just me, Lindsay and the girls, and that includes you now. But Michael... there's something you should know, the consequences won't matter anymore but Jennifer's mum, you're never going to believe who it is."

"Try me Linny, at this point with everything that's happened and been revealed, there's not a whole lot that would shock me anymore."

"It's Laura." Deadpanned Linnea. There was not a single hint of her signature smirk or any mirth in her eyes. She was 100 percent serious about this.

I tried my hardest not to laugh, but couldn't help it, Laura Baxter, she was three years older than us and disliked Linnea and Lindsay with a passion.

She was our tormentor for our first two years in senior school. Not long after she finished school, she just upped and vanished. There were rumours going around that she accepted a full ride at a Collage and University program.

But if Jennifer is three years older than the girls. Then that would mean that... "Oh, don't tell me they..." Linnea nodded "But the full ride at College and University?"

"A whole hoax, it wouldn't look good for one of the town's most 'respected' people to be locked up for being a nonce.

"So, with the help of Barry and Jim, Gerald made a deal with Laura's parents, they got married in secret and waited for Laura to be nearly 20 and then she returns with a child, claiming the father had died, and they ran with the story that Gerald felt sorry for Laura and offered to marry her to stay true to Oakmere's customs."

"And the worst thing is? No one battered an eyelid at the absurdity of it. I still don't get what those two get out of it for helping Gerald, but I mean--"

The house phone rang, cutting Linnea off mid-explanation.

She sighed, stood, and headed into the hallway as the ringing continued. From the way the settee was angled, the three of us still in the living room could see her back as she picked up.

"Hello? Oh -- hi, Margret. Yes, she's here. I heard something happened, but... excuse me?!"

Linnea snapped her head towards us, her expression sharpening instantly as her gaze locked onto Michelle. Michelle tightened her grip on my arm, clinging to it for dear life.

"No, that little detail hadn't come out yet, but surely there has to be -- No, she's not here, she's at a conference. Yes, that one. Not too far out of town."

She began pacing back toward the living room, each step slower, heavier, as the voice on the other end continued. Her eyes narrowed.

"Isolation? Both of them? But why...?"

Her attention shifted to Dominique, who had quietly moved in and wrapped herself around my other arm.

"Oh, she did, did she? I'll be talking to her as well."

Linnea reached the living room now, stopping just short of the settee. Her gaze stayed fixed on Dominique as the call went on.

"But what about - She's recovering at home and will be away the rest of the week due to emotional distress... Oh great, at least some fairness came out of this." She drawled out, her jaw tightening with each word.

"I'm quite aware of who her mother is, Margret. You know damn well what she did to us. Herregud... you were more sympathetic back when you were just the school receptionist. Now you're enabling her daughter to pull the same shit a whole generation later?"

A sudden burst of noise crackled through the phone. Linnea winced and held it away from her ear.

She crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the opposite settee, her posture tense but controlled. Her eyes moved between both girls now, her expression softening just a fraction.

"I'm sorry, but that's bollocks and you know it. Not once in all their time at that school have they laid a hand on anyone -- and now you decide to act, the moment they couldn't take it anymore?"

A pause.

"Yes. They'll both be there tomorrow. I'll bring them myself, so there won't be any incidents on the way."

Another pause.

"Fine. Have a good night."

The line went dead.

Linnea drew in a deep breath and held it, her eyes closed for a long second. When she finally exhaled, she let out a line of explicates I've heard Sarah yell out a few times.

"Jævla dritt, forbaska drittkjerring! (Fucking hell, what a fucking bitch!)"

With her now seemingly calmed down, she opened her eyes and looked straight at Michelle.

"So," she said quietly, "care to explain the rest of what happened before we got off on a tangent, Michelle?"

There was an awkward silence.

Then Michelle spoke,

"When Jennifer got my phone, I tried to get it back, but as she was going to teach me a lesson, she decided to look through my messages and pictures... she made the usual insults of you and mommy, how the two of you and your sinful ways would never contribute to Oakmere's future. I mean she even tried to bait me by saying I was coming out of the closet with the message I sent mommy about how I had a surprise for her at home."

That brought up a question I had for Linnea, I'll ask her that later on when the girls were asleep, but for now I was fully focused on Michelle.

"Then she found my E-diary... that's why I ran home, it's what I wrote in there that I didn't want anyone to know, she got through halfway through my recent entry -- about Daddy finally coming home -- she said a few things that finally made me lose it."

"Which were?" I asked softly, already having a feeling where this was going.

"That I was daydreaming. That you were dead, more than likely from killing yourself rather than dealing with us. She also chipped in saying that even if you were alive, then no man in their right mind would accept me as a daughter. And that you did the right thing by ditching us.

"I saw only red, Dad, by the time I managed to shake myself loose, I found myself elbowing her in the stomach, but she still held onto my phone, so I-"

"So you?" I prompted.

"So I did something that finally made her let it go. I reached out, grabbed her boobs and twisted hard on them as hard as I could, and then ran until I got here."

Linnea exhaled slowly, frustration clearly evident on her face -- but I could see a small glimmer of pride, one that mirrored on my own. Michelle was just like Lindsay at her age.

"Alright," she said, "Thank you for telling us, Michelle."

Linnea turned to Dominique.

"What about you sweetheart? Because I was told that you did something I never expected you to do,"

All of us were now focused on Dominique, who I'd expected to be wilting under Linnea's stare, even Michelle looked on with curious eyes, wondering what her older sister had done.

"Well... Yes. It happened as you probably heard it Mummy, but she deserved it after what she said and did after Michelle ran -- by the way sis, while I should be PO'd that you left me like that, but I fully understand, you must have been in my shoes with how often I ran from them."Michelle reached over and patted Dominique on her thigh.

"Thank you, sis, but it's okay, it's weird that we're in each other's roles for once. A lot of crazy stuff has happened since daddy arrived, and besides, my head doesn't hurt anymore after she hit me."

"She hit you?! / Oh my god, sweetie, are you okay?! / That bitch! I should've twisted harder!"

The three of us shouted at once, scrambling over each other with our outrage and concern. The sudden barrage made Dominique's eyes go wide as she clapped her hands over her ears, wincing in pain.

"I'm okay," she said quickly. "It didn't hurt that much."

She gingerly placed a hand on the back of her head, rubbing the spot a few times before lowering it again.

I instinctively reached out, placing my hand where hers had been, gently feeling for any bumps or tender spots.

"I'm okay, Daddy. Mummy. Michelle," she reassured us. "That was nothing compared to what she got."

Linnea didn't look convinced, but she let Dominique continue.

"Well... after Michelle ran, she forgot her school bag. She'd dropped it on the floor." Dominique took a breath. "I was right behind her when Jennifer started telling her friends how this was proof that Daddy would never come home to us."

My jaw clenched.

"She also said - and I quote - 'Did you see what she did to me? Feeling me up like that! I guess the dyke apple doesn't fall far from the tree.'"

Michelle stiffened beside me.

"I felt angry Mummy, I was caught between wanting to do something and rushing after Michelle, but before I could decide, I felt a sharp pain on the back of my head," Dominique went on. "I knew it was Jennifer as she was the only one closest to me. She told me to run along like a little puppy and called me a 'mini lesbo', and her whole group laughed."

Her fingers curled into the fabric of the cushion.

"That's when I knew I had enough. I grabbed Michelle's bag and swung it. It hit her right in the face."

She paused, eyes flicking up to gauge our reactions.

"No one moved. They were all too shocked. And... I don't know why, but-" She swallowed.

"I wanted to get some revenge for what she said about you, Daddy. So, while I felt emboldened by hitting her. I leaned in and said -- just loud enough for her to hear,"

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice instinctively, as if reliving it.

"Our daddy loves us, at least. Can't say the same for your own, considering you were a one-night-stand mistake."

The living room was silent after that. No one uttered a single word as the reaction of everyone varied. While my reaction to what Dominique said was based on what I knew of her for the past day. Small but fierce when pushed.

Linnea's was stone cold shock, eyes wide with her mouth slightly opened in a small O-shape. I looked to my other side to look at Michelle, her face reflected Linnea's shocked but had the added effect of looking like someone who just won the lottery, aka a shit eating grin.

I was the first to break the silence, I gave her a hug, and a small pat on the head, something she leaned into.

"While I can't condone what you did Dominique, you protected your sister, you did a good job."

"Good job?!" Exclaimed Michelle, the excitement clear in the tone of her voice. "She's NEVER done anything like this before! She's always been the quiet type who would rather avoid confrontation."

Michelle leaned over my lap to bring her sister into a bone crushing hug.

"I'm so proud of you Dee! No joke! I wish I had stuck around to see that!"

"That would explain the emotional distress..." lamented Linnea, finally snapping out of her shocked state.

"I agree with your daddy though, sweetheart, I don't like that you resorted to physical violence to fight against words, no matter how derogatory they are."

Linnea got down from the settee and kneeled before our daughter, her hands cupping her cheeks while smiling at her.

"That being said, I'm VERY proud that you stood up for Michelle, and us. Just don't make this a recurring thing, okay? I believe you when you felt emboldened, your daddy has always had that effect, the same thing happened to me when I first met him, and him now being here may have given you that same reason."

I watched on as Dominique's face lit up in a smile that went from ear to ear.

"However, the way you two handled yourselves needs some form of punishment," Linnea's face took on a stern expression before it broke into a laden eyed smile.

"So, the two of you will be helping me make supper for tonight. Now, go up and get washed and changed, you two. If you're quick, then we can make homemade pizzas?"

The girls scrambled off the settee and made a beeline for the stairs -- Michelle's laughter echoing up the staircase, Dominique's a mix of joy and complaining, yelling for her sister to 'slow down'.

With them gone, it was just Linnea and me.

She took full advantage of the moment, sliding onto my lap and looping her arms around my neck. My own arms went around her waist automatically, like they'd been waiting fourteen years for permission.

"You're changing them for the better already, Michael -- and you've only been here a day." Her voice softened. "Our little Dominique... you've lit a fire under her just by being here. This is how it always should've been."

Always should have been.

The words lodged in my chest. What if I'd stayed? What if I'd fought harder, refused to go, refused to let Dad drag us to Norway? Would Lindsay and Linnea have still had to suffer just for caring about each other -- just for caring about me?

Thinking back to what the girls had told us... and the comment those women made last night... It didn't make sense, then what was last night between Linnea and me all about? I just had to know.

"Linny... are you and Lindsay together? As in -- in a relationship?"

I had to ask it that way. The three of us had been intimate before. If they'd carried on without me... if it had evolved... then I wasn't going to stand in the way of whatever they'd built to survive.

Linnea stiffened slightly in my lap.

"Well... yes and no," she said carefully, watching my face. "Depending on how you look at it. Why?"

Worry flickered in her eyes, like she was bracing for impact.

"Nothing bad," I assured her. "Just... after what the girls said today -- and what we heard last night -- I was wondering if there was truth to it."

I leaned in close, close enough that my words brushed her ear.

"Before you say anything... If the two of you have been together for a long time, I'm okay with that, it hasn't changed how I feel about you. About either of you. You've both been in my head since the day I left... and you still are. I just..." My throat tightened. "I hope there's still a place for me in your lives."

Linnea's breath caught, and then she smiled.

"Oh, Michael... you silly, wonderful man. Of course there's a place for you. You never lost it."

She then hesitated for a while, choosing her words.

"Lindsay and I... yeah, we're physical sometimes. Most of the time it's just... warmth. Comfort. A bed-warmer sort of thing." Her cheeks coloured. "There have been times we've made love, because we do love each other... but it always felt... incomplete."

She started to say more, then stopped suddenly when we both heard a door open.

Linnea leaned back a little, expecting to see the girls coming to us, but relaxed when she heard them head into the bathroom instead.

"That's when we got... creative," she admitted, voice dropping. "But to tell you what we did, I have to confess and let you know that I kind of told you a half-truth about my dildo."

She looked away for half a second, then back at me, bashful as a teenager.

"It's not just mine. It's a double-ended one that both Lindsay and I use on each other."

My eyebrows shot up.

"Those nights I told you about -- when I'm lying there with my toy still inside me?" She swallowed. "Lindsay has the other end in her... and we..." Her voice went even quieter. "We take turns pretending it's you that's fucking us, or on some nights, we're making soft love and finish up with cuddles afterwards..."

Her lips turned into a smirk, borderline grin when she saw the look on my face, mouth opened while a blush was forming.

"Yes, you! You pillock! What other man do you think we'd fantasise sticking his cock in us when we're slowly making love to each other?" She reached closer until her lips were right by my ear to whisper, "But we do on an odd occasion, have sex without any toys, if you get what I mean?"

I didn't think my face could get any more red.

"If you're wondering how long we've been together... Technically since 2015, and even then, it was under... unusual circumstances.

I raised an eyebrow at that; she caught it and giggled.

"No really, Lindsay and Michelle moved in with us about six years ago. Two incomes help when you're two single mums. We were living as friends first. It only shifted later."

Linnea's fingers traced the back of my neck, slow and grounding.

"But after being around each other for so long, with our history... I guess it was only a matter of time before we drifted into intimacy"

Her expression shifted, more serious now.

"I am worried about you, though, Michael. About that spark we had... you've been isolated for so long, and to be honest, until last night I didn't know if you'd still want me. Want us."

She held my gaze.

"And then last night happened." A small, shaky exhale escaped her. "You got rid of every doubt I had left."

My chest tightened at the way she said 'last night,' with that far away dreamy look on her face, as if she was experiencing what we did all over again...

"I'm sure you felt it too," she went on. "The way you took control. I've reached those heights before -- back when we were young." Her cheeks warmed again. "And it's nice with Lindsay, it is, we bring each other to a wonderful climax, but... neither of us reaches that level without you. I'm sure she'll tell you the same when you ask her."

Ask Lindsay.

Hearing it said so plainly made my heart pound, a simple task yet seemed like the impossible.

"I hope it goes as well as you think, Linny," I said, voice rough. "I loved what we did last night. I thought I would never be able to hold you and feel your skin under my fingertips once more. When I held you, made love to you, I felt something I hadn't in such a long time, as if there was a longing for us to be one. But it's as you've said, there seems to be something missing, like a piece of the puzzle left to be fitted, but now knowing that Lindsay's alive...

"The thought of hearing her voice again... seeing her, my soul might finally be at ease."

I swallowed. "Even now, it's dragging memories back up. Memories I buried when I thought she'd killed herself."

Linnea's grip tightened slightly.

"But maybe you're right," I started. "Maybe-"

"You thought Mommy was dead?"

Both Linnea and I snapped our heads towards the small voice that was Michelle, her mouth slightly open as she stared at us. Dominique was behind her.

What to do in this situation? Michelle is clever, hell, both my daughters have shown they're smart, so trying to treat either of them as the same age as my 6 and 5 year old nieces would only insult their intelligence.

"Daddy?" Prodded Michelle, her voice was light and quiet. Her face looked fragile right now.

"Yes, Michelle. For the past fourteen years, I had thought Lindsay was dead. It's one of the reasons why I've been away until now. When I first met you, I thought you and Dominique were both Linnea's. You'd said you were born ten minutes apart, so I assumed..."

Michelle showed a small smile while Dominique let out a soft "oh, Daddy."

They tentatively approached us, Linnea had now moved off my lap and sitting by my side.

"So, you thought Mommy was dead?" Asked Michelle, a hint of curiosity now showing "how and why did you think that?"

"Well, it started fourteen years ago when I found out both your mums were pregnant with the two of you..."

----------

And so, I told what I knew, everything that happened on that day from my perspective.

How her granddad, Barry gathered people for a manhunt just to get me, because I got his daughter pregnant.

How my parents decided to relocate us to Norway.

My worry when Linnea got cut off, unable for me to contact her, and the line of text messages between myself and Lindsay.

Michelle wasn't silent during my explanation as she did have questions of her own. She even asked Linnea a few times if what I said was true.

Thankfully Linnea backed me up, even told her about seeing the proof I provided to her earlier on. I wasn't offended that she asked for a second opinion as teenagers always question the whole world even when facts were staring them right in the face.

Michelle's face went white when I came to the final photo Lindsay sent, one that left me with nightmares that plagued me every night since.

"Those weren't from an accident she said they were from." she gasped out.

I nodded, "I can understand why she would pass it off as an accident. How would you have felt knowing she tried to kill herself while she was carrying you?"

"And you didn't think to check? Not even to see if she had survived?" Michelle pressed. Not accusing -- just searching.

"I did try. But Barry sent a voicemail. He said Lindsay was dead. That it was my fault. That he would do everything he could to find me. I know the way I handled it was cowardly-- running away instead of facing them. But after hearing that voicemail, I chose to live on in spite of him. To live on in your mum's honour."

Michelle inhaled slowly, absorbing what I said. Then exhaled and forced a small smile, a smile I knew all too well, as I used that exact same one for most of my life in Norway.

"So!" she said, turning her attention to Linnea, "You promised homemade pizza's Mom? I think both Dee and I are ready now."

She turned back to me, her hand extended out in invitation "Would you like to help as well, Dad? We can make a pizza together while Mom and Dee make their own? We can even compare later to see who has the better Pizza!"

I took her hand and we headed into the kitchen together, with Linnea and Dominique hot on our heels.

---------

**Tuesday 12th October 2021 - 19:00**

---------

I think I bonded even more with Michelle tonight. What had started as an awkward revelation gradually turned into light-hearted chatter and fun. For the pizza competition, we created what we thought would be a winning dish of Pepperoni and Pineapple, but Linnea and Dominique trounced us with their Mushroom and ham combo. How did they win? Michelle had a change of heart and sided with her sister and Linnea... traitor!

As we settled down to eat, I looked upon this hand I was dealt, slowly but surely, I was getting used to having a family of my own, that wall I had built up long ago was nearly gone. Just one keystone remained and that was Lindsay. Despite all the talks that Linnea and I had to this point, I was nervous, how would she react when she saw me? Hell, how would I react to actually seeing her? Only time would tell.

Michelle had excused herself to go upstairs after we packed away the leftover pizza and did the washing up, but instead of hearing the door to her and Dominique's room opening, the landing floorboards creaked as she headed towards Lindsay's room, followed by the tell tail sign of a door opening and closing and an impact of a body dropping onto a bed. It seemed logical that she would find solace in Lindsay's room after everything that was revealed.

Only minutes passed before there was a faint rumbling overhead, I couldn't hear it at first but both Linnea and Dominique noticed it.

"What's that sound?" asked Dominique, her head snapping back and forth trying to find where the sound was coming from.

The sound stopped, then the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs revealed Michelle holding my phone. I forgot that Linnea and I had left it there when Michelle came home.

"Dad, I found this in Mommy's room, it stopped ringing when I found it. Nearly drove me mad trying to find it but it was under her bed." The phone started vibrating in her hand once more. She took a look at the screen "It's someone called Sara."

My face went ice cold. I had forgotten the time difference between here and Norway.

"Faen! It's my sister -- your aunt. I promised her that I would Facetime her tonight. Seems like she didn't want to wait for me to ring and decided that now was the time. I love her and all but this is not the best time."

I dreaded this phone call. Because I knew that Sarah would be annoyed that I hadn't talked to her at all since landing here. I managed to quell her anger when I texted back earlier on, but no excuses this time.

I felt a small tug on my sleeve, bringing me out of my thoughts, Dominique was looking up at me, wide eyed while holding onto the arm of my jacket.

"Daddy, could we answer the phone please? I really want to say hello and let her know that we're her nieces." Pleaded Dominique,

An odd request, but one that might work out in my favour, I really didn't see a problem with that, plus maybe seeing two teenage girls when she would be expecting me should hopefully take the wind out of Sarah's righteous speech - if she had one prepared.

Why the hell not? What's the worst she can do? Throttle me?

I nodded, which got both girls happy. Michelle joined Dominique on the settee, both sitting side by side with both of their faces wresting for the most central position of the camera.

"Here girls, use this," commented Linnea, reaching out with a selfie stick, that Michelle took and fixed onto my phone in quick succession. She gave the stick to Dominique to hold onto as she reached forward and swiped on "Svar" (answer).

I looked on from the side as the call connected, just out of sight for now. From my vantage point I saw Sarah's face was looking to the side, and by the sound of things, she was in the middle of a conversation.

"--I know, Mom. I just hope he answers soon. If he doesn't then could you take over trying to call him on my laptop? I'm desperate for the loo and the jævle dust (fucking idiot) promised he'd ring up later, so I hope he... Michael! Finally, you idiot! Do you have any idea how long I've... been... wha?"

Sarah's voice died on the spot, I could see the look of shock on her face, as she stared awkwardly at the girls. She blinked her eyes and shook her head, snapping her out of her stupor.

"Oh, er... Must have rang the wrong number.... sorry" The video chat ended suddenly.

Both Michelle and Dominique looked confused. It took a few seconds, but then both Linnea and I burst out laughing.

"Is it really that funny Mummy? Daddy?" asked Dominique, she mustn't have been expecting that reaction at all.

"It's okay sweetie," comforted Linnea, your auntie usually has a calm head on her. But this must be the first time I've ever seen her at a loss for words. Michael?"

"Pretty much, but don't take it too personally, you two. In a sense, I'm glad this happened. That way when she does ring again she should be calmer."

Dominique nodded at that, satisfied with our explanation. She jumped from the settee and ran towards and up the stairs. I looked over to Linnea with an eyebrow raised who was waiting patiently.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs once more and Dominique appeared, holding the same Teddy bear she held last night, I swear it looked familiar somehow.

"I'm okay, Daddy." She said, making her way back to her spot on the settee. She noticed me looking at her and the teddy and let off a smile "The teddy has been a sort of anchor for whenever I feel overwhelmed. I guess what happened earlier finally caught up to me. But don't worry. I do this with Mummy, mum and even Michelle at times."

I looked over towards Linnea, who smiled and nodded in confirmation.

Before I could even talk, my phone lit up. "Sarah" once more. I decided to be part of the conversation from the start, so I took over the phone and sat between the girls. Michelle looking curiously while Dominique had half her face hidden behind the Teddy.

I took a deep breath and took the call; I could feel both the returned excitement and the apprehension of their aunt talking to them.

It took a few seconds for the video call to connect, a different face popped up this time around. I silently chided myself when I remembered Sarah mentioning she needed to go to the toilet after the last phone call.

It was the elderly face of my mother.

"Oh Michael, you finally answered. Your sister and I have been so worried that something happened. She must have been desperate for the loo as she mentioned ringing a wrong number, and there were two girls on the other end..."

It was then that she noticed that I wasn't alone, she looked at the three of us sitting there smiling, I could see in the small screen in the corner that both girls timidly wave hello.

"Oh my, she must have had the right number after all. Why hello there, who might you two beautiful girls be?" She asked, going into grandmother mode. She was like this with both Aurora and Frida whenever Sarah brought them to visit.

"I'm Michelle."

"D-Dominique"

"Such lovely names, is my son looking after you two while your parents are busy?" She asked,

They looked at each other, then at me, and over to Linnea before grinning and looking back and their grandmother.

"You could say that, but both my mummy and daddy are here." Piped up Dominique, Michelle nodding in confirmation.

"My mommy is currently away, but I think you know my dad very well."

Mum blinked once. Then again. Her smile faded a bit while her eyes darted back and forth a bit, trying to recall who.

"I'm... sorry, my dear," she said slowly, her voice suddenly careful. "I'm not sure I know who your father is."

"You don't?" she asked, her voice taking on a hurt tone. "I'm surprised you don't know him, as you're looking at him right now.

Dominique leaned closer to the screen, gripping my sleeve.

"Daddy finally came back to us" she said softly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I could almost see the cogs turning in Mum's head.

"Do-Dominique, was it? W-when you say 'daddy' you mean?"

Dominique nodded her head softly, the teddy no longer hiding her face.

"He's our daddy, daddy. Nan."

"Mum, remember the message I sent to Sarah? The one that said that something BIG had happened. Well... it's been fourteen years but, here are your granddaughters." I said as both girls wrapped their arms around me and nuzzled into me as much as they could, it was hard to try and position my phone so Mum could see the three of us.

There was no movement or sound from Mum's side for a while. I was worried for a moment that the connection was failing due to lag. Mum's face was frozen in place.

It wasn't until I heard movement in the background. That I realised what happened on Mum's end. She was in shock.

Mum didn't answer her as she was still staring at me, well, at Michelle and Dominique. Her eyes were wet and her middle-aged hand was trembling against her mouth.

"N-Nan? Y-you called me Nan. Michael! A-are they really? Does that mean you found--"

At that moment Linnea decided to make her presence known and walked in from the side of the video call to stand behind the settee. I couldn't have planned that better myself.

"Hello Marie, it's lovely to see you again. Hope you've been faring well."

Poor mum, seeing her face pale, looking as if she saw a ghost, she blinked a few time as she was attempting to register everything at once, not that I could blame her. It WAS a big info dump that landed on her lap. She snapped out of it when Sarah's voice called out to her from the side.

"Mum! Have you had any luck? I take it by you being quiet that it was no luck? Oh well, I can take over once more now that I'm finished with the toilet.

"I still don't understand that last one, I must have accidentally rang the wrong number as I had two girls on the other side--"

"Linnea?" Mum half asked, half pleaded.

There was a faded sound of a glass smashing in the background followed by a ##Faen i helvete!##

Another quick round of footsteps on the wooden floor and my sister came into view from behind Mum.

"What did you say mum? Linnea?! Did Michael find her?!"

Her gaze fell on us and her face shifted to elated joy. She sat beside Mum and tried to get a closer look, her mouth shooting off a mile per minute.

"Linnea?! Is that really you?! Oh my god! It's so good to see you again! How have you been? And more importantly, how on earth did my idiot brother manage to find you?!"

'Well thanks, Sarah. Love you too...' I thought, even in these sorts of situations, she'll always try and crack a joke at my expense... and to be honest? I liked it when she's like that.

Linnea giggled at Sarah's attempt at 20 questions, she relaxed into me from behind, wrapping her arms loosely around my neck before talking, waving a hello towards the women on the screen.

"Hi Sarah. Yes, it's really me. It's so good to see you again. I've been okay... but a lot better now that Michael's here. As for how he found me?"

She paused briefly, gathering her thoughts. "It was purely accidental. But I like to see it as it was meant to be. You have NO idea how thankful I am that Michael has been returned to me, to us. And I have absolutely no intention of letting him go again."

Sarah's eyes started turning red, her hands lifted to just before her mouth.

"Just keep holding onto him, Linnea. Please. He deserves happiness after everything he's been through. All those years watching him walk around pretending he was fine... but seeing the two of you side by side once more..."

She broke down in tears, and Mum brought her into a hug as she cried. I felt light pressure from both sides as the girls leaned into me, wordlessly creating a hug of their own. We didn't say anything but let Mum comfort Sarah for a few minutes before she composed herself enough to focus on the screen once more.

"I'm sorry, what was I thinking? Breaking down like that. *sniffle* I'm so happy for you two, you have no idea."

Sarah took the time to take us in, her head alternating looking at Michelle and Dominique, then it dawned on her.

"Hey, weren't you two the ones that answered earlier on? I'm sorry on how I acted, I thought I was talking to the big lug sitting between the two of you and thought I rang the wrong number."

"No worries. Everyone makes mistakes." Answered Michelle.

"It-it's okay" whispered out Dominique, she gripped her teddy bear a bit tighter. Sarah did a double take, opened her mouth in a response, but muttered out a "nah, can't be." Before she looked both girls over once more, taking them in.

"I'm guessing by the looks of things, she's yours and Michael's." she said pointing at Michelle "And the other one is yours with someone else?" She concluded while pointing at Dominique.

I sighed, I had hoped to approach this subject a bit later, but ah well...

"Actually, Sarah" piped up Mum before I could correct her. "That's Michelle, and she's Dominique," she confirmed, pointing to each girl individually. "They're both Michael's girls, just look at their eyes."

"They're blue, just like... Well I'll be damned! You went ahead and fathered twins Mike? But they're not identical. So they're fraternal like we are?"

She leaned in a bit more, her eyes flickering between Michelle and me, and then from me to Dominique.

Some sort of realisation must have clicked, as her eyes widened. She clasped a hand over her mouth and let out a small, startled sound. "Nei! Det er faen ikke mulig!" (No! That's fucking impossible!)

"Sarah, what's gotten into you?" Mum asked, but Sarah ignored her, her face now close to the screen, her eyes boring into mine.

"Michael... this is important. Tell me the truth as I know if you're lying. That hair." She said, pointing towards Michelle, "Is Michelle... is she yours and--"

"--Yes, sis, she is" I said, cutting her off gently while nodding as I confirmed her suspicions.

My mind though was racing. How the hell was she able to see it that quickly?

"But Sarah... how did you--"

"Herregud..." Sarah whispered.

She pushed the table back with her feet and stood up, walking off screen completely ignoring my question. she reappeared briefly from behind mum and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Faen i helvete!" Was heard echoing in the background, as we looked at the back of Mum's head, who was currently looking over her shoulder as the creaking sounds of cabinets opening, glasses clinking, followed by the cabinet closing with a wooden slam.

Sarah showed up once more, this time holding two whiskey glasses and a bottle I recognized as Bjørn's Hjemmebrent.

"Sarah, what are you--"

"Not now, Mum. I think you should sit down for this."

Mum looked on perplexed as Sarah poured a generous amount of the Norwegian moonshine as the four of us watched from the other side of the video call.

"Sarah Louise. That's enough, what is going on here?" Demanded Mum, annoyance now clear in her voice.

Sarah didn't say a word, only looking up towards the screen as she poured herself a drink, our eyes met and hers had that "you'd better explain, and fast!" look that I was used to seeing. An ocean apart and our connection was still strong.

"Okay, ready. Michael, I hope you have a good explanation for this, as I can only imagine what your thoughts are right now." She said, while saluting with her own glass before necking the whole thing in one swig.

Mum's eyes were now focused on me; I sighed as I decided to just get to the point.

"Mum, Michelle is my child. With Lindsay."

I'm not sure if it was due to her earlier annoyance at Sarah, or if it took a while for her to process what I said, either way her face shifted to one of anger. Sarah took another look between me and Michelle and shook her head before pouring herself another glass of hjemmebrent.

"Michael Dominic Pratt. If this is your idea of a joke, then it's not funny." Mum chided. The glass shaking in her hand nearly spilling the contents.

"No joke, Mum. This is the last thing I would ever joke about." I said, making sure she knew how serious I was.

"Y-you're serious, oh my god..." Mum's face became pale and she took a long sip of her drink;

Sarah took a deep breath before taking a swig of her own drink.

"Well..." began Sarah, "I'm not sure what to say about that. I mean don't get me wrong. I should be happy that Lindsay is alive, but we all saw--" she trailed off, not able to finish her thought.

"I know, Sarah, I know. I'm still trying to accept it myself, and I found out earlier today."

Mum found her voice, after she had taken another long sip of her drink.

"But where is Lindsay now? Is she behind the phone and is about to come into view as well? If that's the case, then just bring her in now. As surprising us with her would be too cruel, even for you Michael."

"Mommy is out right now" said Michelle, Sarah and Mum's attention now on her.

"She's away at this multi-day meeting thing she signed herself up for, I think she called it a conference. Whatever it is, she hasn't used her phone since she got there. And she doesn't know Dad is even here."

"What kind of conference requires her not to look at her phone once?" asked Mum.

She had a point, to be honest. I'd been to conferences before --not including the one I was supposed to be at -- and none of them had strict policies about leaving phones, tablets, or laptops at the front door.

Linnea suddenly gripped my shoulder hard.

"She's not at a conference," she whispered, low enough that only I could hear her.

My head turned towards her at once.

She gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth. My gaze bored into hers, and she at least had the decency to look sheepish.

"I'll tell you later, I promise," she murmured.

My eyes stayed on hers, her silent pleading clear enough. I was just about to push the issue when Sarah finally yelled at me -- apparently she'd been saying my name for a while.

"Yoo hoo! Michael? Save that lovey-dovey stuff for later. We have more important things to worry about. Like the whole Lindsay-being-alive thing."

I sighed in frustration and turned back to face Sarah and Mum. From the look on Sarah's flushed face -- and her sudden silence -- she clearly hadn't heard Linnea.

But she was correct in a way. Sarah was affected just as much as I was by Lindsay's presumed death, so I had to tell her what I knew. The talk with Linnea I can have later tonight, one way or another I'll make sure there aren't any other surprises hidden away.

"Yeah, I hear you, before we begin, Lindsay doesn't know

"Bro, that doesn't make sense. Lindsay knew where we..."

"Yeah I know, It's complicated, sis. So be quiet and let me tell you both what I've gathered so far."

----------

I went through everything I'd experienced since coming back to town -- meeting the girls, being mistaken for a stalker, seeing the old oak and Lindsay's carving for the three of us, reuniting with Linnea, exposing Gerald, and learning that Michelle and Dominique were my daughters.

Mum and Sarah were overjoyed when I told them we were planning to move everyone to Norway in two weeks' time. Sarah immediately offered to talk to Bjørn, and through him Eirik, about arranging plane tickets.

From there, I took them through everything else, leaving out only what had happened later that night after I'd missed Sarah's first attempt at calling. I doubted either her or Mum needed a report on Linnea and me having sex. So instead, I told them about the morning after -- running into Barry and Jim, neither of them recognising me, and finding Anne's grave while I had been searching for Lindsay's. Mum cried when I told her that part.

I kept going after that, telling them about finding the photograph of Linnea, Lindsay, Dominique and Michelle, about Linnea's years of trying to find us through social media to no avail, and finally about the conversation we'd had just before they rang. Both Mum and Sarah looked disgusted and appalled when I explained the truth about Gerald, though Sarah seemed the most creeped out after admitting he'd been overly friendly with her a few times.

Before we knew it, three hours had passed. The only reason any of us realised how late it had become was when both girls let out matching yawns, followed a moment later by Mum trying -- and failing -- to suppress one of her own on the other side of the screen.

I brought the selfie stick closer and tapped the screen. 22:45. So that meant it was nearly midnight in Norway.

I looked at Linnea, who nodded back at me. As much as we wanted to continue our chat with my mum and sister, it was time to get the girls to bed.

"Sorry to cut this short, but it's nearly eleven and these two have school tomorrow, I promise that we'll talk again, after Linnea and I have spoken with Lindsay."

Mum let off a stretch and rubbed her eyes. "Oh goodness, I guess with all the excitement, we did lose track of time. It's time for this elderly lady to get some sleep. Michael, Linnea, I'm hoping that everything goes well with Lindsay. Knowing how you three were back then, I'm sure you'll get down to the bottom of things."

She turned her attention to the two very tired girls, who were currently using my lap as a makeshift pillow.

"Goodnight my two beautiful granddaughters. Nanny is looking forward to meeting you both in person." She blew a kiss and got up, leaving us with Sarah being the only person sitting on the settee on the other side of the screen.

"I guess I have to head off as well, but a few things first if that's okay with you?" Sarah asked, turning her attention to the girls.

"Dominique? You have a cute looking teddy. Could I see it for a moment please, before you head off to bed?"

So, it wasn't just me that had a feeling about Dominique's teddy. Dominique groggily raised the teddy towards the phone and turned it from side to side for Sarah to see. Sarah spent a few seconds looking before letting out a small sob.

"Mr snuggles." she got out. That was when it clicked. Mr Snuggles had been Sarah's teddy since our fifth birthday. She'd taken that damn thing everywhere -- it even had pride of place on her pillow. During that first fragile week in Norway, when everything still felt like it might fall apart, losing it had nearly broken her. I'd ended up becoming a substitute comfort more than once, her stand-in Mr Snuggles whenever she needed anchoring.

"How did you? I thought I lost him when we--"

"Dominique found him under the bookcase that was turned over when Mamma came with us to look over the house. The whole place was a mess, I had half expected things to be worse, but it looked like no one wanted anything to do with this house, as if they left it to rot." Explained Linnea.

That would explain why most of my stuff was still in my old room, and nothing was ransacked.

"B-but it's been fourteen years, I thought everything would've been taken, or worse, burned to the ground..." started Sarah, only stopping when a thought crossed her mind, "hang on!" she exclaimed, a light sparkling in her eyes "Does this mean that you found-"

"Yes, I found it. I'll show it to you later." I got out, cutting her off before she gave anything away in front of Linnea. I honestly thought that she forgot about the rings, but she's just as perceptive as she ever was.

Dominique squirmed a bit, rubbing her eyes, looking at Mr Snuggles. "I'm sorry, I can give it back if you want him Auntie Sarah?"

Sarah blinked while opening and closing her mouth a few times, unsure of what she was going to say. She took another look at Dominique, who was looking at the teddy forlornly, and she smiled.

"Aaawww I can't say no to that face, consider him yours now, Dominique. Take good care of him for me, okay?"

Dominique's face lit up, nodding eagerly "I promise Auntie Sarah, I can bring him with us and let you hold him when we meet."

"I'll hold you to that squirt." She said, returning the smile Dominique was sending her. A snore was heard and we all looked down at Michelle who had her eyes closed and was sleeping on my lap.

"Well, I guess it's time for bed for you and your sister, little lady. Michael, could you help me carry Michelle up to their room?"

"Actually, Linnea. There's something I would like to ask before you go off. Michael, could we have some privacy for a girl talk?"

An odd request, but I don't see why not. Before we left, both Lindsay and Linnea had these kinds of talks. Even in Norway, Sarah and Aurora used to have these talks too.

"Yeah, sure, I can make myself scarce for a while." I said, reaching towards the phone and detaching it from the selfie stick. Linnea accepted it from me and went to sit in the comfy recliner in the corner of the room.

"Thanks, lil bro! you're a star!" I heard her say from over the other side of the room, followed by the sound of the kiss being blown in the air.

Shaking my head at her now obvious drunken antics, I gently lifted Michelle into my arms and brought her up to me. She shifted slightly and curled into me so her arms went around my neck and shoulders while her face buried into the crook of my neck.

Dominique held onto my spare hand, now looking like she could pass out at any moment, we made our way out into the landing and towards the stairs. I could hear my sister and Linnea chatting animatedly behind me.

"Oh my God, girl! You look amazing! Motherhood suits you so much! I mean your tits are bigger than mine!"

I shook my head at Sarah's unfiltered thoughts as I made my way into the girl's room. I'll spend time with the girls in their room before I head down, a good thirty minutes should be more than enough.

----------

*Linnea*

----------

**Wednesday 13th October 2021 - 00:10**

----------

I must have lost track of time talking to Sarah. I heard movement above me, followed a few minutes later by the toilet flushing. I guessed Michael had decided enough time had passed and was finally on his way down.

"Is it Michael?" she said, grabbing my attention once more. I nodded in response. "I think he might be on his way down."

I looked at the living room clock and gasped at how much time had gone by.

"Oh Lord, it's just past midnight here. I'm sorry to have kept you so long, Sarah."

Sarah shook her head, letting out a yawn. "Nah, don't worry about it! It's been great catching up with you. I'm really happy that you two are back together again. When we're properly reunited, we can have a ladies' night out to celebrate." She brought her empty glass to her lips, "Faen... tomt. (Shit... empty.) I really need to get Bjørn to make some more. Why did I have to give the last one away to-"

Her slightly glazed eyes lit up when she paused mid rant. During our hour-plus chat she continued to drink from the bottle she had with her, mixing it with fizzy drinks. She called it hjemmebrent if I remember correctly, and whatever it was, it had gotten her very tipsy.

"Linnea," she asked, her attention fully focused on me, "Quick! Before he gets down here, could you tell me how much is left after the two of you 'celebrated' your reunion?"

I frowned. "I'm not sure what you're talking about, Sarah. We haven't had anything to drink. I didn't even know he had any on him. He only had his backpack when he arrived, and that just had Jonathan's ashes in it. His suitcase was left at the hotel, and when I cleared out his room it didn't look like he'd touched it at all."

"Didn't touch what?"

I nearly jumped out of the chair when I heard Michael's voice. Looking up over the phone, I saw Michael coming into the living room, heading towards one of the settees.

"Well, Mikey, your sister wanted to know how much of this hjemmebrent you've got left."

He stopped halfway through sitting down and stared at me, confused.

"hjemmebrent? What is she talking about? I don't have any-"

Michael straightened himself and made his way out to the hallway. He came back not too long after, dragging his suitcase behind him.

I watched him open the suitcase, then got up and made my way over, leaving his phone on the armrest.

"Oh shit... is Michael there? Linnea? Linnea!" yelled Sarah from the other end of the call.

I ignored her for now as Michael rummaged in his suitcase, pulling out a thick woolly jumper wrapped tightly around something.

It didn't take Michael long to unwrap it, revealing an unopened bottle of alcohol.

He turned it in his hands, inspecting the label. I caught sight of a bear on one side as he rotated it.

Michael unscrewed the cap and his face twisted instantly.

I had to cover my nose as the smell hit me a second later. It was strong enough that I had to fight not to cough.

"Sarah..." Michael said, his voice taking on a dangerous tone. "Could you tell me why there's a smuggled bottle of Bjørn's homemade moonshine in my suitcase? Do you have any idea how much shit I would've been in if they'd searched me at the airport? Luckily, he's licensed to distribute his own stuff in Norway, but British customs wouldn't know that..."

Michael trailed off, shaking his head in realisation as he blinked at the bottle. Then he looked over at his phone.

"Hang on... when the hell did you even get the chance to slip this in without me noticing? I know I didn't put it in, and you didn't have a chance either when we were at the train station."

"I asked Bjørn to do it... when you made your quick stop at the Bergen branch, he slipped it into your suitcase while you were talking to Eirik." Sarah's resigned sigh was heard from the phone. "I did it knowing that if you ran into someone who dragged up the past, you'd want something stronger than anything you'd get in an English pub.

"And before you get on my back about "how did he have a key to your suitcase?" You borrowed one of my locks, remember? They all have two keys in case of one going missing. I gave Bjørn the extra key, along with the moonshine and asked him to place it in."

I could see Michael trying to piece something together in his mind. He closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

"Sarah... I... thank you. I know you're looking out for me. But still..." He turned the bottle around and scanned the label quickly "Jesus Christ, Sarah! This is from Bjørn's strongest batches of moonshine! Are you trying to make me legless or something?"

Sarah let out a laugh that echoed in the living room.

"Do give me some credit, after all these years of being each other's support, I knew you would drink responsibly no matter how much shit went down. And now you have an even better excuse to drink it!"

Another loud yawn was heard, I reached over and plucked up Michael's phone, Sarah was currently stretching as I brought her into view.

"Okay you two, I'm going to head off and get some much-needed beauty sleep. With Bjørn in Bergen until Friday, I have to play "responsible parent" tomorrow when I pick up the girls from their grandparents. Linnea, I want yours and Lindsay's contact info as soon as possible. You can get mine from that big lug there."

Sarah let off another yawn before settling her hands under her chin, her elbows propping her up as she looked at us, her grin was now from ear to ear.

"Awwww, look at the two of you. I can't help wondering what might've been if all this shit hadn't happened to us. But anyway, that's in the past now, and in all seriousness though, best of luck when you two have that talk with Lindsay. And keep us informed, I hope it's nothing too serious that the three of you can't get through. G'nite! Love you both!" she finished by blowing a kiss.

"Good night, Sarah"

"Good night, Sis"

We said at the same time before the call ended.

Michael's phone immediately showed its displeasure at being used for so long by flashing that it had less than ten percent battery left.

"I've got a wireless pad in the bedroom you can charge your phone on, if you want." I suggested, waving the phone in front of him. A thought made itself known in my mind as I waved it back and forth.

"Oh! I'll quickly do this, before I forget." I navigated to his contacts and quickly created four new entries. One for each of his girls. Then I pulled out my own phone, brought up Sarah's details, and saved her to my contacts.

"There! Done. Now you've got no excuse not to ring or message one of us if we somehow get separated again. You're stuck with us now, Dommy."

I tossed the phone towards him. He caught it after it bounced off his chest and into his open hand, his other still holding the bottle of hjemmebrent.

"I wouldn't mind that at all, Linny. But should we turn in for the night as well? We have to be up early if Dominique and Michelle are going to their first day in isolation at school."

I let out a small groan as I remembered the earlier phone call from Margret. I stepped into his space and buried my face in his jumper, gripping the fabric for support as the events of the day came back to me.

"It's only a little longer, Linny. We've got this. The sooner we talk to Lindsay and get to the bottom of this whole thing, the sooner we can start packing and get out of here."

I nodded against his chest. I knew he was right. Once we got this little bit of drama sorted, there'd be nothing left to stop us.

"Yes, you're right." I lifted my head and rose onto my tiptoes to kiss him. "Shall we then? We can leave the booze by Jonathan," I said, nodding towards the backpack containing his father's remains.

He nodded and bent to place the bottle carefully beside it. Then we turned towards the stairs.

I made sure to add a little extra sway to my hips as we climbed, knowing Michael's eyes would be fixed right on my shapely butt.

When we reached the top of the landing, I turned and smiled, waiting for him to reach me. Then I slipped behind him and gently steered him towards my... OUR room.

"Remember what I said last night, Michael? I wasn't joking when I told you that you have a permanent place in our bed. I can't bear being alone in that big bed anymore, and sleeping beside Lindsay only does so much. Last night was amazing, and I've never slept so deeply that I woke up late before. That's how safe I feel with you, Michael. I need my strong, handsome man's arms around me, especially now that you're back in my life."

He let himself be guided as he held my hand. I couldn't help noticing how strong and calloused it felt, and yet there was still something soft and kind about it. I hadn't felt any roughness at all when that same hand had touched me everywhere the night before.

Once inside the main bedroom, Michael rested his suitcase against the bed. I pointed to the pad sitting on the bedside table.

"There, Michael. You can charge your phone on that. It's wireless, so you won't have to mess about with a cable."

I held out my hand.

"Now, give me your suitcase. I'll unpack your things while you go and freshen up."

Opening it, I rummaged around until I found his wash bag. I handed it to him, and his cologne drifted up the moment I pulled it free.

"Here. I think you might need this. I'm sure your teeth have been screaming to be brushed since yesterday, especially after eating only dinner... and me."

I finished with a grin and a playful waggle of my eyebrows. At least Michael had the decency to grin back, though not before his eyes widened with belated understanding.

"I'll get ready for bed once you're done in the bathroom. I need to freshen up too if we're going to cuddle properly."

"Linny..." Michael said, his hand catching my shoulder as I turned to unpack his suitcase. "What did you mean earlier? About Linds not being at a-"

My heart started hammering. Even though he couldn't see it, my hands had begun to shake, so I clasped them together to still them. Then I turned fully to him and kissed him quickly, cutting him off before he could finish the question.

"I swear I'll tell you. Please, Dommy... could we have that conversation while I'm in your arms? I always feel calmer when you're holding me."

I grabbed his suitcase and hurriedly dragged it across the room before he could answer. Glancing back over my shoulder, I had to stifle a laugh when I saw him lift a hand to his mouth and then wrinkle his nose.

A brief look of disgust crossed his face before he turned and left the room. I finally let out a suppressed giggle when I heard the bathroom door close.

----------

**Wednesday 13th October 2021 - 01:00**

----------

I couldn't calm myself down. My heart felt like it was trying to beat its way out of my chest. My own "freshening up" had taken longer than I expected, though I had good reason for it. I could already imagine Michael making some smart-arse remark about women always taking forever to freshen up.

Alright, maybe he'd be right most of the time -- but this time I had a purpose.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror.

For once, I didn't pick myself apart straight away.

My hair fell loose over my shoulders, my cheeks still held a bit of colour, and when my gaze drifted lower, I found myself pausing at my chest instead of glaring at it. There had been a time when I'd hated the attention it brought me -- the comments, the stares, the vulgar little remarks from passing idiots. I'd been so close to going through with a reduction once. But Michael's words the night before had done something to me. He loved every part of me, even the parts I'd spent years fighting against. So if he loved my girls as they were, then I could live with them too.

My eyes moved further down. I was grateful I'd had Dominique when I did, because now, at thirty, I hadn't ended up carrying my body the way so many women in Oakmere always complained about. No sagging skin, and definitely no heavy paunch. An achievement I was proud of.

I looked between my legs and felt heat rush through me again. Freshly shaven and smooth. No hair. No stubble. Nothing to interrupt the little plan I was quietly hoping might work.

I no longer needed to seduce the man I loved.

But that didn't mean I couldn't still surprise him.

At last, I turned, glancing back at myself over one shoulder. My butt had filled out over the years, but not in a bad way. Exercise had seen to that.

What was it the kids called it nowadays?

Thicc?

My hands slid over both cheeks, holding them firm as I looked at myself from that angle, baring the most private part of me to my own gaze. Only two people had ever seen me like that.

Michael.

And Lindsay.

My breath caught as memory flashed through me. Michael's touch there -- brief, teasing, enough to make my whole body tense before he came inside me. The thought alone made heat rush through me so fast I could have sworn I saw myself twitch.

I'd never really thought about that side of myself before. Not with Lindsay. Not even alone. With her, we always used the double-ended dildo, giving each other pleasure as we ground our pussies and clits against each other, and I'd never once thought to ask for more.

Until now.

"Maybe I can convince Michael to take my butt..." I mumbled to myself. I felt a rush of heat come over my face and the implications.

Would it hurt?

Would it feel good?

The questions alone were enough to make my pulse jump.

And then, as if my mind had decided to betray me completely, the thought shifted into something even dirtier: I'm lying on top of Lindsay, our breasts rubbing against each other as she gently thrusted up into me with our toy, our clits brushing against each other.

Michael's mouth and hands would be exploring my behind, taking his time with his tongue to lick and prod with his fingers until I was begging and trembling, ready to let him explore the one new thing he'd stirred awake in me the night before.

I snapped out of that dirty daydream when my butt twitched once more, right as daydream Michael started pushing his cock into me.

Releasing my butt, I let my cheeks fall back into place. I picked up my bathrobe and pulled it on. Making sure that the cord was tight and wasn't going to loosen as I walked.

----------

I smiled as I stood in the doorway, looking at Michael in our bed. The duvet covered him to the waist. My already horn-fuelled mind dragged my gaze straight to the bulge beneath it. Seeing that bulge twitch and grow, thinking what it did to me last night...

"Linny? You there?"

I nodded absently; my eyes still fixed on the bump. "Yeah, I'm here, sorry I took so long Dommy, I... I was deep in thought, about Lindsay... about us."

A white lie. I was thinking about us. But a future where the three of us are exploring everything we should've done these past fourteen years.

I closed the door behind me and made my way to bed, shedding my bathrobe in the process. A small thrill of triumph ran through me when Michael's gaze looked downwards, my pussy started to quiver. I know I'm being a horny slut right now, but could anyone blame me? In the past few days, my love came back, wanted to be with me, didn't shut me out when finding out about Lindsay, and wanted to be part of his daughter's lives, despite being out of it for so long.

I fully intended to make love to this man, be fucked by him, and surrender myself to him for the rest of my life. That was how much I loved him.

Michael lifted my side of the duvet, exposing his hardening cock to my wandering eyes.

"See something you like, mister?" I teased as I climbed onto the bed on all fours, making sure I added a little sway to my movement, so my breasts rocked from side to side.

I draped myself over his chest before pressing my bare pussy against his now fully erect cock, trapping it between us against his stomach. I'd teased him like this once before, back before everything went to hell. I leaned down to kiss him, then rolled over and spooned myself back against him, dragging one of his arms over me, making sure it was against my breasts.

We both let out the same quiet, contented sigh. His might have been more of a groan because of the way my butt was pressing into his cock, but I wasn't about to complain.

"So Linny, about what you were saying earlier? What did you mean?"

The moment he asked about Lindsay, all that giddy heat I'd wrapped around myself began to crack. Way to dump cold water on the mood there Pratt... I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out.

Why? Why can't I get out what I wanted to say? I could feel my heart pounding heavily; my fingers tightened around his arm where it rested over me. What was wrong with me? I could flirt with him, say sweet and seductive things to him and tell him that I love him to the moon and back, but why was it so difficult to tell him about... about...

Lindsay?

There it was again! Even thinking about Lindsay was causing my eyes to well up with tears, I shook my head trying to blink them back, but they wouldn't stop coming.

"Linny?"

Oh god! This was just like earlier when I found Michael with that picture frame, but much, much worse!

"Linnea?"

I-I need to answer him, I'm not afraid, I need to say this to him.

"M-Michael, I-I..."

I couldn't help it. My voice cracked, shaky and small, and the tears I'd thought I'd blinked away spilled freely at last. My whole body started to tremble.

Then suddenly I was being turned around and lifted into Michael's lap. He cradled me against his chest, one arm wrapped tightly around me while the other cupped the back of my head, gently patting and soothing me.

"It's okay, Linnea," he murmured. "I've got you."

And then, underneath Michael's warm voice, came something else.

Michael is with you now. Let it go.

My body reacted before my mind could make sense of it. It started slowly, like the first drip before a storm, and then the floodgates gave way.

"M-Michaaaaeeellll!" I sobbed.

It was then that everything I had walled up -- that mask of stoicism I'd worn for so long, holding in my resolve, the promises I'd made to Dominique, to Lindsay and Michelle, and to Michael -- finally broke. All the hate, all the stress, all the bullshit that had plagued us for years rushed through me in waves.

Each horrendous moment, each ridicule, and yes, even the heartbreak of not being able to find Michael dragged another sob out of me. Somehow, Michael always knew when the next one was coming. He held me through every bit of it, my rock through the worst of the storm.

By the time I finally calmed down, I had no idea how long I'd been crying. But I felt lighter. Washed out in the best possible way, as if something poisonous had finally been dragged out of me.

But there was one part that still needed addressing, something that until earlier had been staring me right in the face.

"Linny?"

That warm, soothing voice of Michael's... how I missed it! The way he could calm me so easily, whether I was sad or angry... gods, I could've had this again years ago.

I took a deep breath through my nose, drawing in his earthy scent. I felt my body relax just as it was starting to become wound up once more. I shifted slightly so my cheek and ear rested against his chest. The beautiful sound of his heart calmed me even more. My eyes started to flutter shut when I felt Michael gently pulling me in closer.

"Linnea?" he said once more, quieter this time, "Oh, I guess you wore yourself out and fell asleep."

"I'm awake, Michael," I said softly. "Sorry, but that was something that needed to happen. Looks like everything that built up over the past decade finally decided to break free. This was a long time coming."

Michael pulled me in once more, but I gently pushed back.

"I'm okay. Just give me a few moments to calm down, then I can let you know what I meant."

"Linny..." he murmured after a moment, his voice softer now. "Are you sure you're up to talking about this now? We can always talk about it tomo-"

I placed a finger against his lips. Even now, he was still thinking about me. Looking after me. Gods, was it even possible to love someone more than I already did?

"I'm okay now, really. I need to say this, and waiting until tomorrow will take the wind out of my sails. I'm done putting that mask back on. You shattered it for me, my love... thank you."

I took a deep breath and then let it all out.

"Earlier, I said she wasn't at a conference. I still can't believe it took me this long to see it, but too many pieces are lining up now. And there's one part of it I've only just realised. I've just worked out what she's really doing."

My voice came out smaller now.

"I think she's out there looking for you."

Michael went still as he held me in his arms. I looked up at him, enough to be able to see his face.

His face became a wall of stone, unreadable and deep in thought. Then, unexpectedly, a laugh slipped out of him.

It unsettled me for a second. I'd thought he'd be annoyed that I'd kept this from him, but his brow wasn't furrowed. His mouth had softened. Whatever that laugh was, it wasn't anger.

"That's what was eating at you?" he said quietly, more to himself than to me, his laughter still caught between the words.

"I thought it was something much worse, you duust," he murmured. "You had me worried." He added, fondling one of my breasts and tweaking a sensitive nipple, making me jump slightly.

"Don't be a meanie," I said with a pout, relief washing through me. I pressed against him, bumping his erect cock firmly against me. I felt a shiver of pleasure run through me. The faint groan that slipped out of him felt like a small revenge for my poor nipple I'll get him to kiss it better later.

"Is the thought of Lindsay looking for me what wound you up this badly? I know her knowing has something to do with it, but-"

"But nothing, Michael," I said, cutting him off, "it's not just the thought that Lindsay might be looking for you. It's that she knew where you went. We could've been working together, looking for you in Norway instead of me wasting all these years searching for you on my own."

I took a breath.

"When I found you with that picture, and later when you showed me those old messages -- proof that Lindsay knew you'd fled to Norway -- it threw me for a loop. I realised there was a lot more going on than I thought, and you were the missing piece."

"Earlier, all I could think was that Lindsay knew and never told me. But now... now I can't stop thinking about the way she left. The last-second conference. The silence. The phone. And I keep asking myself why I didn't see it sooner."

"I feel like an idiot now. She only started going to these so-called conferences a couple of years ago, and I never stopped to question it. She nearly caught me once doing my anniversary search for you, and somehow I still didn't put it together. Her work doesn't even really have conferences. She mostly works from her bedroom, which she's set up like a home office. I'm sure you saw the PC setup in the corner? She arranged it like that so she could avoid Barry as much as possible. Helvete, I should've seen something was off."

I paused briefly to catch my breath, getting wound up wouldn't help matters in this case.

"That's why I reacted the way I did. It all hit me at once."

"All I want to know is why she kept your location silent. Why she decided to look for you on her own when we could've been working together. You could've been back in our arms years ago!"

"That's also why I didn't want to say it in front of Sarah and Marie. You've all lived with the belief that Lindsay was dead for all these years... I didn't know how they would've taken it, and the last thing I wanted was for the girls to witness the conversation turning into something bigger during their first time meeting your family."

"I know. It sounds ridiculous now. But so much has happened and come to light since you dropped back into our lives... I didn't want to just blurt it out. You must have had the same thought yourself when you cut Sarah off after she mentioned Lindsay knowing where you all were."

"Yeah, I did. On purpose. It would've become a long, drawn-out conversation, and Sarah would've started spewing theories. It wasn't something I wanted our daughters remembering the first time they talked to their aunt and Nan."

"Even more reason to talk to Lindsay, I feel we can get to the bottom of this, Michael. I really do!"

I gave him one of the biggest hugs I could muster, even to the point where our bodies were one and the same. A moment I revelled in, and I nuzzled myself in even more, my breasts pressed against his chest. It was then that I felt something wet and sticky.

I looked down and saw the mess I'd made on Michael's chest. I hadn't noticed until now just how hairy he'd become. I loved the longer hair, along with the beard and moustache he had, it really did complement him. But looking down at the mixture of tears and snot that had run down and mixed into his chest hair, along with a few strands of my own hair, I could only think: God, that looked vile.

"Oh god, Michael. I'm sorry, let me clean that up." I said, panicking. All thoughts of Lindsay fled my mind. I turned over and reached to the bedside table to grab some tissues, wincing in pain as I felt the strands of hair leave my skull. I didn't realise that, when I turned over to reach for them, I'd left myself shamelessly exposed to Michael's gaze. My bare pussy and rosebud were right within his reach.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a warm hand touching my peach. I gasped at how good his hand felt massaging my newly shaved pussy.

He removed his hand and then, a moment later, I felt something long, hard, and hot rubbing slowly up and down my butt. I shivered so hard I nearly came, somehow managing to hold off even as I grew wetter with every stroke of his rod along my backside. I didn't know how much longer I'd last with the broad head of his cock rubbing, pressing, and even knocking against that sensitive ring of muscle.

"Ooooh, Michael... you naughty, naughty man. Just where do you think you're putting that nice, thick hard cock of yours, eh?"

I didn't get a response. So I upped my game a bit and lifted my hips again, chasing the feel of him, nearly losing my mind at the drag of those thick veins over my pussy. But just as I started to enjoy it, the heat vanished.

"Aaawww... where did my cock go?" I whined, turning my head with a pout already forming.

My breath caught.

Michael was looking down at me with an expression that made my stomach flip. He wasn't angry, nor cruel, but dark and deliberate, like he'd finally decided to stop playing nice. His cock stood hard against his stomach, one hand already raised.

Before I could say a word, his palm cracked against my right arse cheek.

I jerked, a cry jumping out of me before I smothered it with my hand.

Another slap landed, this time on the other cheek. I felt his cock slap down over my crack once more before he dragged it slowly over me. Then his hand buried itself in my unbound hair and tugged me up, his bare chest pressing against my back, his cock once again trapped between my butt cheeks.

My heart started to race. My pussy was dripping, my butt clenching helplessly around him. This was exactly what I'd wanted him to do -- but I'd planned on easing him into it.

So what had changed? Surely he wasn't actually angry about the mess... was he?

"M-Michael?" I stammered. "W-what are you doing? Are you that angry about the mess? I-I was only getting some tiss--"

"Linnea," he said, voice low and steady in my ear, "if you think this is about the mess, then you're sadly mistaken. I'm talking about you bending over in front of me like that -- bare, open, and waiting."

His grip tightened slightly in my hair.

"You've been tempting me since you walked into this room. So tell me, Linny... what was your plan? To seduce me all over again? To make me take you like some old Viking or something?"

My eyes widened. My mouth dropped open. And for one mortifying second, I was sure I'd wet myself.

"You see, I was worried that you were taking a long time and fell asleep on the toilet like you've done plenty of times before in the past, but imagine my surprise when I heard you, happily talking to yourself."

Holy shit! Did he really hear EVERYTHING I was saying out loud in the bathroom? I could only slap myself mentally. I'd been so giddy while shaving myself for him that I hadn't even realised I was speaking my thoughts out loud!

Oh goooood! This is embarrassing as hell!

##No-no-no, Michael, honey. I-it's not what you think...## I tried to explain; my nervousness and embarrassment reached that threshold where I would stammer out Norwegian instead.

##Not what I think?## he repeated, I don't know whether to be scared or turned on by the way he spoke Norwegian, ##You were in there shaving yourself bare for me, talking about being taken like some Viking bride, and now you want to tell me I misunderstood?##

##I-I...##

His hand tightened its grip in my hair, he started grinding his hard length up and down once more, he leaned closer to the side of my head, his teeth nipping my earlobe, throwing my head back into his embrace.

##No, Linny. You've done enough talking. You wanted this, and I'm going to give you exactly that.##

Before I could gather another thought, he shifted his grip and lifted me properly, a startled cry left me as the room tipped upside down.

##Since you went to all that effort for me,## he said, breath warm against my bare cunt, ##the least I can do is make sure you're rewarded for your seduction attempt, ##

With me still stuck upside down, he lifted both of us up effortlessly. From what I could make out, he was now standing in the middle of the room, his arms wrapped around my torso while my legs locked around his head instinctively to make sure I didn't slip. This had the added effect of leaving my pussy pressed firmly against his mouth, his prickly beard brushing against the freshly shaven skin and making me even more sensitive.

The feeling of his breath suddenly on my bare pussy made me quiver with excitement. I couldn't help but let out a small moan.

But this whole being upside down thing? I was cursing myself for not tying my hair up in a loose ponytail beforehand. Hanging there made it spill over me, and worse still, my breasts had fallen up toward my face, making it difficult to see anything and leaving me feeling even more helpless in his grip.

The only silver lining in all of it was that his cock was within licking distance. Seeing the swollen head of it pointed straight at my face made me lick my lips without thinking.

I stuck my tongue out to sample the small bead that appeared at the tip, already anticipating the taste, but I didn't get the chance before Michael went to work on his prize.

##oooooooh! Michael! My Viking lord! Your bride has been naughty! Please punish her by taking it out on her pus- mnph!## My face jerked towards his stomach as he dug his tongue deeper into my depths.

I thought last night was amazing, but oh my god! This was even better!

I was pretty sure I was starting to see stars. Michael's tongue was buried in my pussy while his nose pressed lightly against my asshole. I was suddenly very glad I'd given myself a proper wash down there as well, because every breath he pushed out through his nose made my butt clench around nothing. It was wonderful. He brought me to orgasm after wonderful orgasm, and through it all I could hear him lapping up my juices as I leaked all over him.

I was so far gone that I barely felt us turn towards the bed. One of Michael's broad hands slid to my ribcage, then the other joined it. He lifted me slightly off his face, enough to reposition me, and before I knew it, I felt like I was floating in mid-air, only to land on the duvet a second later. I was a quivering mess, my butt in the air and my legs shaking.

I barely managed to lift myself up before turning my head to look behind me. Michael had unbound his own long hair, which now framed his face, making him look even more feral.

I came without him having to touch me.

Michael quickly joined me on the bed. He propped one foot against my hip while the other stayed planted on the floor. He took hold of my hips, lifted me slightly, and started rubbing his length up and down my pussy. Every pass of his cock over my exposed clit sent jolts of pleasure running through that sensitive nub, and with it came more juices, slicking his cock completely.

I came again, shuddering so hard I thought my legs might give out beneath me. I couldn't help but think how good this all felt. Oh god! I hope that Lindsay hadn't taken a leave of her senses, I really want to share this with her!

"What did you say Linny?" he asked, speaking in English once more.

"Oh fuck, did I do it again?" I replied, slipping back into English.

"I-I hope Lindsay hasn't taken a leave of her senses, I really want to share THIS, us with her."

I felt his cock slap hard against my butt, making me shiver once more.

"Forget Lindsay, she'll get her own punishment when she comes back."

The words sobered me a little, and I looked back at him to see if he was serious. I relaxed at once when I saw the smile on his face.

"For tonight, this is about you and me. I love you, Linnea, and I want to share this with Lindsay as well, if she'll still have me, that is."

I arched up my hips and back before shifting backwards, reaching out with my hand to angle his cock towards my hungry pussy.

"Michael, trust me when I say that Lindsay misses you just as much as I do. I know she'll want this big monster in her once more," I said, guiding him deeper with each word until I bottomed out on "monster."

I savoured the feeling of being filled before rocking back and forth. The scrape of his cock against my insides brought small squeaks of pleasure out of me.

"And just imagine," I managed, pausing for a moment because I wanted to get the thought out before the pleasure overwhelmed me. "When the three of us have figured out everything, it'll be the three of us in this bed every night. Just like how we were supposed to be."

Michael let out a small moan as I leaned a bit too far forward, accidentally dislodging him from my pussy. I reached back to eagerly guide him in once more, but he held my hand firmly and redirected his cock towards a different destination.

My heart started hammering in my chest when something cool splashed against my asshole. I glanced upward and saw a thin trail of spit falling from Michael's mouth. He looked at me and then used his thumb to coat the ring with his spittle, completely ignoring the incredulous look I was giving him.

"I look forward to that, Linny, but for now, let's continue with your punishment. You said you wanted me to take your butt?"

I let out a moan. Of course, he would've heard that too... ah well, in for a penny, in for a pound. So, I nodded, a little too eagerly, as I really wanted to experience it.

That was all he needed. He placed his cock at the entrance of my rosebud and began to push, gently at first, pressing in before pulling back and trying again. Each slow attempt stretched me a little more. The tension started to leave my body, and despite myself I found a flicker of humour in the faint "kissing" sound his slick cock and my lubed-up hole made.

Then I let out a guttural moan as the ring gave way and the head of his cock made its way inside me.

----------

**Friday 15th October 2021 - 15:20**

----------

I stared into the saucepan, humming softly to myself as I watched the chopped sausage mingle with the diced carrots, spring onions, leeks, and potatoes, cook -- Lapskaus -- Mamma and Bestemor used to call this. A Norwegian-style stew.

I decided that something simple and easy as lapskaus would be the best thing to eat today without ruining it, as my thoughts were all over the place today.

All with good reason.

First, mine and Michael's relationship -- I was worried that we would fall out of love after a few days. But as it turns out, Michael and I had quickly fallen back into the role of boyfriend and girlfriend as if not a day had gone by.

A small wince graced my face as a pleasant ache flared between my legs. Not the bad kind, mind you. Michael had taken me to and beyond everything I'd hoped for a few nights ago, and my body still remembered it fondly. Even while acting on my fantasy of the Viking ravaging the helpless dame, he'd still broken out of it to check on me, especially after taking my anal virginity. I hadn't been able to sit properly for a while afterwards, but that too had eased with time.

There was still a small part from that night that stayed with me, not the sex I mean, but earlier when I broke down and let it all out in front of Michael, there was that other voice...

It had sounded angelic, I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before...

And for some reason, the image that came to mind when I thought of it was a woman with impossibly vivid green eyes and red hair that surrounded her frame like an aura...

Aurora.

Nah... it couldn't be... Michael did tell me about Aurora, how she built him back up before her tragic death, but was she guiding him still, even in death?

I've come to be more in touch with my "gift" that many people online have called it. The ability to feel the unknown and superstitious. I could find out if it was Aurora, but only if Michael had something that belonged to her.

But that's something I'll have to ask him about later.

Whether it was Aurora, fate, or simply the man life had shaped him into, something in Michael felt... gentler. More grounded.

And nowhere was that clearer than in how quickly he'd taken to his daughters.

It was both a surprise and a pleasure to see how quickly the bond between Michael and his daughters had grown. You wouldn't have thought he'd only met them for the first time four days ago, and yet he'd taken to being their daddy faster than I ever could've hoped. Maybe it helped that he already had hands-on experience with Sarah's girls.

But for all the happiness of the last few days, one thing still hung over us both: Lindsay.

Michael and I had planned thoroughly how to 'interrogate' her, so to speak. At first, we'd thought about confronting her straight away, laying all the cards on the table so she'd have no room to wriggle behind excuses, leaving her with no choice but to tell us why.

But gradually we came to the same conclusion: we needed to be gentler with her. The more we talked, the more we both realised this wasn't like Lindsay. There had to be an explanation for why she'd been keeping this to herself and going about it in secret. Besides, I liked to think I was good at noticing changes in people -- or at least I thought I was -- but Lindsay hadn't changed enough to explain a full-blown personality shift.

Michael and the girls should be back soon, and once we've had supper, Mamma would come pick them up to spend the weekend at Bestemor and Bestefar's old house. Even though Mamma has her bungalow in Oakmere, she uses the house as a weekend getaway on and off while waiting for my uncle's restraint order against Jim to be lifted.

The girls protested at first, as they both wanted to be here to help us when Lindsay arrived.

"We need to talk to her as a team, Mom," Michelle had begged. "Mommy doesn't like being ambushed like that, and you know it."

She had a point, but Michael and I gently turned that idea down, we both agreed that the fewer people there were, the better.

The front door opened and closed with the slight sound of keys jingling. Sparing a glance at the clock showed the time, by the sound of footsteps, I guess the girls are playing outside while Michael made his way in, perfect! I need to go over with him a few more things for tonight. I just hope he's doing okay, he hasn't seen Lindsay for all this time, so I hope he's not a nervous wreck with the timer counting down on Lindsay's return.

"I'm in here sweetie! Just finishing up this lapskaus ready for tea tonight."

The footsteps approached me in the kitchen and stopped behind me, I was fully prepared to let Michael encircle his arms around me like he'd been doing the past few days whenever I did the cooking, pushing himself into my backside like the horny man that he was.

I tensed as I felt slender hands wrap around me instead, along with two round objects pressing firmly into my back.

I let out a shirll as I dropped the spoon and turned around, to see the shocked face of Lindsay.

"Wow! Sorry about that Linnea, I didn't think you'd be jittery with me saying hello like that!"

My mouth dropped, turning my head towards the clock to double check I didn't read the time wrong. Nope, the time was 15:25.

"L-Lindsay, I thought you weren't arriving until later tonight?"

A brief confused look flashed over her face at my stammer before her lips curved into a long smile, made longer on the one side due to that horrific scar.

"Well, I couldn't help myself! I have some news to share with you! Where are the girls? I would've thought that they'd be here by now, with school finishing early on Friday."

The girls... Michael, I had completely forgot about them! I made a step towards Lindsay, and that pleasant, linger flare of soreness returned at once, my face flushed as even moving my thighs together made the simplest of movement against my sensitive flesh send shivers up my spine.

"Linnea? You're looking flushed, do you need to sit down or something? I can take over if you're under the weather."

That's when the front door opened once more, this time the sound of Michael's low grumbling, followed by the concerned mumblings from Dominique and Michelle were heard.

Fuck!

----------

*Michael*

----------

**Friday 15th October 2021 - 15:05**

----------

The girls and I walked down the back-alley hand in hand, both were still ecstatic that I'd turned up to pick them up on my own after Isolation, and I was happy to see their faces light up as they came running out of the front door and the gates to my side, finally happy to be away from the receptionist, who gave me a long glance before going back in.

It was a hassle in the beginning, having those eyes on us as Linnea and I delivered them on Wednesday.

It was strange seeing the familiar faces of old classmates from back then. All were married of course, but it was who they ended up with that made my head spin.

There was one close encounter with Laura and her daughter that nearly erupted on the playground, but it died quickly enough once Laura gave me a long, appreciative look.

"I may hate the bitch, but damn Dommy, you're a lady killer now that you've grown up" Linnea had teased.

Currently, both were chatting my ear off a mile per minute. After the first pick up on Wednesday, we'd made it a game to get to know each other better by asking questions, open-ended with complete transparency. It was Dominique's turn to ask me a question; she bit on her lower lip before her eyes widened with a possible question.

"Da-Dommy, what's it like over there? In Norway, I mean, I remember stories from great granny before she died that there's lots of snow there! Is it true?"

I laughed at her enthusiasm. "She was correct Dee. But not all of Norway is blessed with having snow. The place we ended up at -- Geilo -- has snow all over the place, usually for a whole year's worth."

At that she started to shake with excitement, a movement I could feel when her hand started vibrating in my own. "You may be excited now, Dee. But give it time and you'll be sick and tired of it before long. The novelty wears off after a while."

I don't think my words reached her as she silently chanted a "snow, snow, lovely snow!" Mantra as she dropped my hand and happily skipped onward, leaving Michelle and I together.

I felt a tug on my arm as we turned a corner, my head turned towards Michelle who had stopped in her tracks. She looked deep in thought, so I stopped and positioned her, so I paid attention to her while keeping an eye on Dominique who was still skipping along.

"Morgan? Is something wrong?" I asked,

She sighed, her free hand scratching the side of her neck. Whatever it was, it was clearly bothering her.

"Dad... what happens if Mommy doesn't react the way you and Mom have planned? You must know she doesn't react well to surprises. I mean, you should ask Dee what happened on Mom and Mommy's joint thirtieth."

Dominique was still in her own little world, thinking about the snow waiting for her. Even with her input, Michelle had a point.

"That's a tough question to be honest Morgan," I answered honestly. I had no real answer, only the stubborn hope that I'd somehow get all of us back to Norway together and we'd figure the rest out later. "It all depends on..."

The words died on my lips as Dominique's skipping came to a halt, the gravel under her shoes crunched as she slid on them. Looking over Michelle's head, my mouth went dry, my eyes hardening as anger began to build at the sight of a lone figure standing a few yards away.

Dominique hurried back and gripped my left arm, shaking in fear, while Michelle's face hardened as she turned to look the same way we were.

I didn't know their reasons for fearing him, but I knew exactly why I'd started shaking with anger.

There was only one person from my past I hated more than both Jim and Barry combined, and one I'd have preferred never to see again, mainly because I might have slaughtered the prick right there and then.

And here he was, standing with his back against the wooden fence, face buried in his phone. Even after fourteen years, I knew him at once. The crooked glasses, the pot belly, and the clear burn mark on his cheek were enough.

At Dad's behest -- when he was still alive -- I'd tried to let it go. He always said that harbouring anger toward people who were so easily swayed by money and status would lead nowhere, and that people like him would get theirs in time.

I did my best to hold some restraint, but seeing the prick standing a good yard or two in front of me nearly caused my promise to Dad to go flying out the window. The only thing stopping me was my daughters, and I didn't want them to view me as a man who loses his shit.

So much shit was happening at once, as if everything was just lying in wait for me to get back.

Linnea,

my daughters,

Lindsay...

and now this piece of shit standing within my grasp.

"Girls, let's go through the cockshutt. If I'm not mistaken, it should bring us out by the old Oak, so we can take the scenic route home. Sound good?" I suggested. My eyes still focused ahead. If memory served me correctly, then we hadn't long passed the gate that led into the local woods.

Both of them were still frozen in place, scared he would see them if they made any sudden movements. It was Michelle who reacted first.

"Oh... yeah, let's go that way."

She turned back and got to my side, trying to hide herself, lightly dragging Dominique with her.

"Let's go through the cockshutt, Da-Dom, quickly, please -- before he sees us."

Hearing Michelle sound that desperate -- the girl who normally gave this town the finger with a smile -- told me just how genuinely rattled she was.

Despite my own suggestion that we make a diversion, my body refused to move along with the plan.

My anger grew the longer I looked at him, but before I could do anything, both Michelle and Dominique were now leaning and nudging me towards the side path and away from the prick.

Both girls pretty much had to drag me towards the path that led to the cockshutt. It wasn't until we'd been walking for a few minutes that I finally calmed down. The sound of leaves and general stillness of the area calmed me down eventually.

"D-Daddy... are you okay?" asked Dominique, still quivering, but now more concerned for me than for herself.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Just... I promised myself that I wouldn't get mad at... him... but it's difficult to do so after the thing that he did."

"You mean he was just as much a pain in the butt back then as he is now," Michelle muttered.

"Michelle, Vennen min (sweetheart), the reason I've been gone for nearly fourteen years is because of him."

Both girls looked at me with wide eyes. I really didn't want to talk about this outside; we really needed to get back to the house before anything else happened.

"Let's get home and we can go through all of this properly. I don't think your mums know about his involvement, but the three... five of us need to discuss it in detail. For now, let's calm down and enjoy the trail."

Dominique was still shivering slightly. It took a hug from both Michelle and me to make that go away.

"You feeling better now, sweetie?"

She nodded, her breathing easing back to normal. "Yes, I'm okay now. I-I never liked him. He always felt... off... now I know why..."

The walk through the cockshutt was another trip down memory lane that I never knew I needed. I could recall the last time I was here; it had been a family outing once, with Lindsay and Linnea invited along.

Mum and Dad would be out in front, leading the way with Sarah not far behind them, while the three of us would purposely lag slightly behind, enjoying each other's company along with the scenery. Sarah would occasionally take a peek towards us, our eyes would meet, and we'd smile at each other before she turned back.

It wasn't long until my nostalgia trip bled into the here and now, seeing my parents and sister fade away as the exit to the cockshutt came into view.

The thing about any cockshutt in general is that it's not as large as a proper wood or forest trail, so you get a good five to ten minutes from beginning to end before you're out the other side. I was happy to have done this with my daughters, even if it was unintentional and only meant to get away from...

"Aaah, so it was you two young ladies I thought I saw disappearing into the cockshutt."

Sigh... speaking of trying to get away from someone...

The person in question was standing right there, as if he'd been waiting for us. I had forgotten that there were many ins and outs to the cockshutt, and of course the prick had decided to choose this exit.

Simon Bathsworth.

I tried to keep that bellend buried in the back of my memory, but even fourteen years couldn't erase the betrayal. This fucking prick was the one who set off everything that led to me leaving England, Linnea, Lindsay -- pretty much everything.

Dad had held a small family meeting a few years after we found our stride in Norway. That was when he finally told Sarah and me who the "little shit stain" had been -- the one who tipped off Barry and Jim that I was having sex with Linnea and Lindsay.

Simon.

I was beside myself at the news. Other than the girls, he was the one I'd always confided in back then. He'd even saved me from an accident once, which left him with that nasty burn mark on the side of his face -- one that still hadn't healed properly, judging by the look of him now.

"Haven't seen you around in Oakmere before," he continued, seeming oblivious to the look of disdain on my face. "But I'm not one to be rude in this situation."

He reached out towards me with that greasy pocket-warmed hand of his, palm open.

"The name's Simon Bathsworth, I work for the councilman who oversees Oakmere. And you are?"

I looked down at his offered hand, wondering if I'd get an infection just from being this close to him, let alone touch it.

"He's mummy's out of town friend. He's from Norway." stammered out Dominique, my little girl was trying to defend me. I needed to make sure I defended her back in kind.

So reluctantly, I took his hand and shook it. Remembering what I did to Gerald earlier on in the week.

"Dominik," I drawled out, my mission was to make sure this prick never caught on to who I was and to make him think I'm just a harmless foreigner.

##Hyggelig å treffe deg... Simon,## I tried to rein in a smug grin and not partake in the pleasure at seeing his face curl up like I had just insulted his mother.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" he asked. I was pretty sure I saw a twitch develop over his eye.

"Oh! Sorry! Too much Engelsk luft (English air). I say, 'Nice to meet you, Simon.'" I put extra emphasis on his name this time with as much Norwegian I could muster. It was worth it to see that twitch of his getting bigger.

You see, what some people don't realise is that vowels shift between languages. It was something that stumped both Sarah and me for a while before we started school.

So, for Norwegians, "I" isn't pronounced "eye" at all -- it's closer to an English "E." Which meant that while "Seemon" sounded perfectly normal in Norwegian, to English ears I was basically calling him semen. Quite fitting, really, considering he was a literal spunk stain.

The silence after that became tense, the look on his face changed a few times even though we were still shaking hands. Simon tried to pull back, but his hand was still trapped in my grip. I could see panic rise on his face before I decided to let go, a vicious smile on my face as he rubbed his hand.

"Quite a grip you have there, not surprising considering you're from... where was it again? Norway?"

I nodded, clenching my hand as tight as I could into a fist while popping my knuckles in the process.

"Fucking foreigners," he muttered. I could've chosen to feel insulted and do the same to him as I did to those two pricks at the conference, but seeing his panicked face would do for now. He'll get his before I leave. I guarantee it.

"Well, girls, I best be heading off. Got a lot of work to do for your granddads, and you know how they get." He started to turn, before stopping and swinging back. He bent down to Michelle's level, a slimy smirk now present on his face "You'll be seeing me around a lot more if lady fortune smiles on me. Tell your mum I said 'Hi' and that I'll be seeing her quite soon enough," he finished with an arrogance I really didn't like the sound of.

He laughed as he walked off. I let a primal growl escape my lips when he disappeared from view. As much as I wanted to knock seven bells of shit out of him, I had more pressing matters. And that was Lindsay.

"C'mon, you two. Let's get back home."

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Normally, back in the snowy mountains of Geilo, I took time to absorb my surroundings -- to feel the rush of wind against my face and enjoy the stillness in the air. It was something I'd grown accustomed to over the years.

Oakmere gave me no such luxury now.

A slight nagging feeling quickly took root and festered into something that left a cold pit in my stomach, so I had no time to enjoy the wind in my face as the girls, and I hurried back towards the house.

I lifted Dominique up onto my shoulders, keeping one hand locked around her leg and the other gripping Michelle's hand, practically dragging her through the last stretch as we ran for the house.

Dumb? Maybe so.

But that comment Simon made. The way he'd spoken about Lindsay to Michelle... fuck. I hoped I was worrying over nothing, and that whatever game Simon was playing at wouldn't come to light until much later, preferably with me and my four ladies ten thousand feet in the air and flying far away from this place.

I skidded around the last corner and saw the row of trees that acted as a barrier for the house's back garden. Dominique was laughing while Michelle let out a small protest, but as we tore towards the front of the house, I saw a car parked on the driveway.

Seeing it triggered something in me, putting me on full alert as years of guarding myself and bracing for the worst came back with a vengeance.

"Don't tell me he's here," I grumbled, my body tensing up for an encounter I felt was long overdue.

I wasted no time getting to the front door and shoving it open, only setting Dominique down and releasing Michelle once we were safely inside.

The hallway was quiet, much to my dismay.

"Where is he..." I muttered, my eyes darting around the entrance, keeping an eye out for any ambush.

"You're talking about Simon, aren't you?" Dominique asked, concern creeping into her voice. Her hair was now untidy from the quick rush home, and her schoolbag hung off one shoulder.

I nodded as I made my way further inside. Michelle cut in front of me, her own hair also untidy, though not nearly as much as Dominique's.

"Forget that prick." She said, straightening her hair. "Everything he said to me was pure bullshit. He knows he's not welcome here, especially after what Mommy did to-"

A pair of hurried footsteps stopped her short.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Lindsay came into view. Most of the tension in my body eased, but my heart tightened further.

I'd spent the better part of this week trying to prepare myself for this moment. Seeing her in the flesh... she was breathtakingly beautiful, the years had been kind to her, just as they had been to Linnea. That group picture of them and the girls didn't do them justice.

Many would call me scum for being in love with two women, but I couldn't help it. Lindsay and Linnea had always fit together in my heart as one whole. And if Linnea was right -- if everything she'd tried drilling into my head this past week was true -- then Lindsay was still in love with me.

"MOMMY?!"

Time snapped back into place at Michelle's outburst as she launched herself at her mother.

Dominique and I stood there, watching the two of them together. Both were smiling, holding onto each other. Lindsay began peppering Michelle's face with kisses that brought tears to Michelle's eyes.

What I hadn't planned for was my own reaction when Lindsay began laughing under Michelle's clumsy kiss attack.

That laugh... oh God, that laugh of hers... I'd missed it so much.

"There's my baby girl! Mommy's missed you so much!"

In that moment, fourteen years of wondering whether I'd ever see her again or hear her voice shattered the carefully constructed plan Linnea and I had spent this past week building.

Linnea arrived just in time to see me sink to my knees, tears already spilling down my face.

Fuck!

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End Chapter 03a

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I know! Another cliffhanger! But c'mon! this is 03a and not a full chapter! Cut me SOME slack on that! =P

As I mentioned at the start, I'm in the last part of writing up 03b, hopefully it should come soonish!

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