0 comments/ 37055 views/ 2 favorites Journey Resumed Ch. 1 By: Charly "Francesca?!!" "Uh...yes?" The voice was vaguely familiar. But, Francesca couldn't quite place it. She disliked phone calls that started with this guessing game. It made her uncomfortable - someone familiar enough to use her first name, but not quite recognizable. "I'm just calling to see if I'm still the only person who is allowed to call you 'Frannie'?" "You're kidding me! Emma?.. Not good old Em? It can't be you,.. really?" She felt a strange excitement mixed with incredulity. Emma, her best friend from... how many years ago... Twenty, twenty-five? "Yes!!" "Good grief, how long... How long has it been? I guess it is, can it be...twenty years? I remember you as an annual post card from Paris, or Timbuktu. Good grief, how are you? I mean, where are you. How did you find me? All those questions!!" "Well, I am back in the USA. I just visited the old home town, found your Mom still there and 'Voila', here I am practically on your doorstep! And stop asking me how long it has been, you snot, it will make me feel old! And I'm not, by the way. Bet you're not either, right?" Emma had been her best friend up until the age of 17 when her family moved to, first, Texas, then Paris, then someplace in the Far East. They had long since lost any real touch with each other. Francesca thought of her sometimes, relishing the memories and sometimes feeling creepy about the "growing-up" insecurities they had shared. All the old neighborhood childhood games; going to camp together; figuring out boyfriends together; it sprang back easily and sometimes uncomfortably, but mostly it was a warm place to retreat to. She missed that kind of friendship in adulthood. "Right! I'm still just the same, haven't gained a pound or formed a wrinkle. Lucky, eh?" Their easy laughter still came bubbling to the surface quickly, easily, like a warm friendly spring flooding over them. "Well, where are you, Em? Are you really here? Here in Chicago? Where? How can we get together? You better not be kidding me!" "It is a little strange, babe, but we just moved here; here to Chicago. I live about ten blocks south of you! I just walked in the door and couldn't wait to call. Can you come over here? Can you come now? We need to catch up, big time! I'm literally dying to see you. Say you'll come!" "Why not, I really planned to get at that laundry, but I guess I could break the date! How do I get there?" The taxi ride was a short one. Just ten blocks down Outer Drive Parkway. Francesca passed her mind's eye over a fairly normal childhood of fond memories - slumber parties at Emma's house, sharing intimate details and questions huddled on her bed in the big pink bedroom that had been their home and haven from the world. She felt a strange tingling as she thought of it. Really, Emma had probably been the first person she really felt love for -- probably only recognized now, from the vantage point of maturity and a well-developed understanding and appreciation of life. Yes.. love, that was definitely the word for it. "Now what is it going to be like. God, what if we hate each other? What if we are bored? Think of all the memories sullied!" She couldn't get over the excitement of seeing her again. "Mustn't raise the hopes too, high," she thought. We've both gone off and found our part of the world, both changed in god knows what ways." The door to Apartment 1510 opened immediately and a still willowy, now blond, grown up version of her friend Emma wrapped her in a welcoming bear hug. "Frannie - you look wonderful," a big kiss followed. "I promise that's the last 'Frannie' I'll utter. Promise!" "Emma, look how you grew up. God, you're a Vamp!" She led the way to an opulent sunken living room with deep pile rugs scattered over a white carpet. Emma handed her down two steps and into the arms of a large curved sofa so soft and plump that Francesca felt engulfed. "How about something to drink?" Her smile was just as it was when she was fifteen -- wide, full of teeth and warm. "Yes, please, white wine would do fine?" Over a bottle of Chablis, their conversation sprang immediately back to life in spite of the years that had passed. It was amazing, especially considering that they were seventeen years old the last time they were together. It soon seemed as if there had not been a lapse and, really, they filled in the gaps with fast talk between reminiscences. In a pause between stories, Emma finally said: "You know, I worried that we would have trouble talking after all these years, or that we would have grown in completely different ways! But, look, we haven't stopped talking and it's already eleven o'clock. Especially since our prime interest the last time was sex and boys, sex and boys!" Her peels of laughter were infectious. 'Right, and look we haven't even talked about that. How's your sex life, Em, wasn't that the way we used to say it?" Emma got up to get more wine and Francesca couldn't help admiring the full beautiful curve of her bottom under the tight white slacks. It was simply a beautiful bottom, an artist would kill to be able to paint the curves. Francesca shook herself. 'Whoa, what is that about?' she asked herself. She also noticed that two buttons on the silk blouse were unbuttoned. "Weren't they buttoned before?" she wondered. "Well, since you ask, pretty good, I'd say. James and I have been married for lo' these past fifteen years; fairly compatible, I'd say. You've not married? How about lovers?" "Well yes, they've come and gone, haven't found one yet I couldn't live without I guess! No one I found worth giving up my privacy. Some very nice people though, for the most part. Maybe I'm too fussy?" "Ugh, can't be too fussy about that subject! Anyone currently?" "Not at the moment, I seem to need an occasional celibate season, I guess that's what I'm in. Sound crazy?" "Nope, being married has its down side, though I think we are fairly happy. It is a long time between... well, how should I say it... You don't get exactly stale, but something like that. Sometimes you want something new and different to happen and it usually doesn't. At least you can pick your poison -- even change it!" she laughed. "Yes, go onnnnnn! That sentence sounds like it needs a "but..." at the end." "Well, it doesn't matter really whether you are married or not, if your bod says 'I want a new adventure', you will eventually do it, won't you? I mean it just makes it a bit more complicated to be married, eh?" Emma was getting borderline philosophical. She laughed and shook her head. "What is going on, Em? Come on, you can tell me." She slipped off her shoes and swung her feet up on the couch, slipping her nylon covered toes under Francesca's thigh as if seeking warmth. They had each done that same maneuver back in the old days; a sign of affection and intimacy. Francesca felt the same warm glow it had given her years ago. She waited for Emma to continue. "Oh, never mind, what are we getting serious about? Remember when we were twelve, you were trying to decide to let Billy Bowman play with your boobs or not? We sat there and play-acted for practice and I played Billy? Then I put my arm around your neck like in the movies and put my hand on your tit?" "Yes, then we fell on the floor giggling so much that your mother came up and wanted to know what was so funny?" "Yeah, I was afraid she'd decide to throw a bucket of water on us!" Emma guffawed. "You must have been good, though, because I remember that on the next Saturday, Billy got his dreams fulfilled! I thought he was going to have a heart attack, he was so surprised!" Francesca squeezed the arch of Emma's foot, strangely attracted by the sleek nylon and warmth of her friend's foot. She withdrew her hand quickly, regretting the squeeze a little. Then, embarrassed at the feeling, she put her hand back and squeezed again. They looked at each other and smiled happily. "It is nice to be together again, isn't it, Francesca?" "So, how about this James guy you married?" "Oh, You'll like him; I'm sure. He's a true Texan. All oil man, as they say. He's funny, easygoing, and actually quite sexy. This sounds like a joke but is actually true. The only compatibility problem we have had is size!" Emma giggled wildly. "Size?" "Yes, size, you remember when you had that theory that a boy's penis size could be predicted by the size of his pointer finger? Well, wait 'til you shake hands with James!" They fell about laughing on the couch, ending in a mutual hug. Francesca was aware of her breast brushing Emma's and felt her nipple bristle at the touch. It was strangely erotic, touching this old friend even in this casual way. At least it should have been casual. "But why this ticklish feeling in my stomach," she wondered. Francesca had her coat on, ready to leave, when the door swung open and the Texan himself strode in like the Marlboro man stepping off his billboard. "Hey, howdy, where y'all headed? I'm James, and you would be the famous... Fran...cesca????" He waited expectantly, his big open smile and craggy good looks immediately making her feel comfortable, to say nothing of the sincere blue eyes smiling into hers. He held out his hand and she took it. Its size dwarfed hers and she turned to Emma to greet the expected laughing face. She slipped her hand around his pointer finger and squeezed. The two women laughed and leaned against each other, weak from giggling while James stood by with a quizzical look. "Inside joke," Francesca, managed to gasp. "Good to meet you, James. I'm too embarrassed to explain, but I'm sure my best friend won't be able to keep her mouth closed, so next time we meet I'll be embarrassed again!... Promise you won't hold it against me." They nearly had to hold each other up with laughter as poor James stood helplessly wondered what the hell was going on. He felt strangely left out. "Hey Frannie, remember when we had the sex lecture at girl scout camp, and got scared that everyone would think we were queer if I kissed you, my very best friend? And I said I'd have to take you behind the door to kiss you? Want one behind the door before you go?" It had amused them then, and here tonight the memory was fun again. Emma squeezed her behind the door and planted a slightly wet kiss on her lips. Again that tingling in her stomach. What the hell was that. A childhood crush revisited? Good god, not with another girl? Francesca was a little perplexed as she stepped onto the street and stood waiting for a cab. A frown crossed her forehead as she pondered the evening. It had been a sheer delight. What a treat to find that the years could melt away and reveal a soul mate. It seemed impossible, but there was nothing about the evening that wasn't... well,... terrific. 'Impossible.' she muttered aloud. But what about the tingling sensation she kept getting from the closeness, and especially the touching...? The cabby opened the door and asked "where to, Miss?" she started to get in, then stopped. "Sorry, I changed my mind." She slammed the door. She had spotted one of those white horse drawn hansom cabs. "I need a new adventure, is this where you start? She asked the driver. "You bet! Hop in! What's your pleasure?" He dropped the lap robe across her lap and tipped his hat before swinging back up to his seat. Francesca leaned back into the seat, inhaled the crisp fall air deeply and thought over the events of the evening; re-living the stories from her teen years. She put her feet up on the other seat and leaned back, hands in her lap under the robe. The glow of the streetlights cast their shadows as she passed. She found herself unbuttoning one button of the tailored dress, rubbing slowly across her stomach and then fondling the tuft of curls marking her prominent mound of Venus. (She giggled at the old-fashioned romance novel term). Slowly, she pulled her slip up until the warmth of her mound was under her fingertips. The silkiness of her panties enhanced the sensual feeling. Her finger slipped under the elastic and lace and found it's way to the center crease of her body. As she parted herself and slipped the finger along the very wet valley, she muttered. "I thought so. You tramp! All lady on the outside, but a tramp underneath it all." "Beg pardon?" the driver turned. "Oh, nothing, drive on! Just muttering to myself." She thought, 'if you only knew.' She gazed at the stars and continued her stoking and found her clitoris, now rigid and longing for attention. She was very moist,... she loved the feel of the creamy thick juices lubricating her way. With the other hand she pulled the blanket up and cupped her generous breast, remembering how her nipple had tingled when they had bumped accidentally. 'It was accidentally, after all, that was the right word, wasn't it?' They hit a bump, her legs tensed, and then she felt it beginning. Her fondling finger, rubbing from side to side, rapidly now, was bringing a rising warmth, a rattling, raging shudder from the root of her clitoris, up over her mound, into her stomach and now exploding somewhere behind her breasts. Francesca clamped her legs together and hung on as the big shudder of orgasm cascaded around her body. She tensed her shoulders, seeming to squeeze her large breasts together for their combined pleasure. "Ohhhh!" she heard herself gasp, her eyes closed in pleasure. "We're here miss. How did we do?" "I beg your pardon?" she started, looking at him quizzically. "How did we do?... I mean, at starting your new adventure?" "Oh,..." she laughed, "Well, we'll see. We'll see. Very promising so far, though. Very promising!!" She turned to go, then came back. "Excuse me? Could I shake your hand for luck?" He extended his hand; she found his pointer finger long and thick. She smiled at him. "Have a good one!" Continued in Chapter 2... Journey Resumed Ch. 2 Chapter Two: Shopping Together Francesca continued to be amazed at how their lives had flowed back together after all these years. She and Emma seemed to have picked up as if there had been no interruption at all between their teenage friendship and the women they had become. For the most part, their likes and dislikes were similar, and where they differed, the differences were easily passed over, rather as a charming anomaly than a difference. "What is this thing?" she asked herself. After all, she was a fairly private person in many ways, and she was rather choosy about her friends. She liked interesting people, with a broad range of interests, a good sense of humor, along with recognition of the ironies of life. Surely it was unlikely for this friendship to have endured and to be satisfying to both of them. "What is it, that makes it so very different" she muttered to herself. Still here she was, excited as if a new adventure had begun. The new adventure she had wished for. "Is it true what they say," she mused, "that you shouldn't wish for things, you might get your wish!" Thinking it through, she decided that whatever it was, she truly wanted it. What was a little troubling, was the strange reactions she was having. Emma actually elicited a feeling in her that was very much like sexual excitement. She had masturbated shamelessly as she drove away from Em's apartment in a hansom cab the first time they got together. That was something new for her conservative nature! Some adventure, she thought. "I haven't even ridden in a hansom cab before!" A big self-satisfied smile broke over her face at the thought of her outrageous behavior. "You look happy today. What has happened in your life, may I ask?" Emma had come up to her as she waited under the clock. "Ohhhhh, you sneaked up on me, you brat!" She pulled Emma to her in their familiar hug; Now all grown up and sophisticated with a cheek kiss in the European style, three times, alternating cheeks. She was aware that her wrists just barely touched Em's breasts as she held her arms. Pulling Emma close, she was even more aware of their breasts touching as they had a thousand times before. Funny how she was noticing all these inadvertent touches now. "Day dreaming, then? You sure have a mystical grin on you pretty face! Come on, out with it!" Emma wasn't giving up on it, her own smile was bright, spread wide across her face, clearly springing from a feeling of heartfelt pleasure. She waited expectantly. "Oh, OK, if you must know, I was thinking about you, actually! About how happy I am that we have picked up just where we left off after all these years. I was just thinking that in spite of the years, we seem to go on as if we had never been separated. At least, that's how it seems to me! I hope that doesn't embarrass you, Em." "Embarrass, me? No! I'm thrilled. I've been thinking exactly the same thing on the way down here. It is really amazing, don't you think? To tell the truth, I think I always had a big crush on you -- at least as much as a girl can have on another girl - it is soooo great to still have it! Now, I have to say it: 'Hope that doesn't embarrass you!??' Not that it will do you any bloody good if it does embarrass you - can't help it, can I?" She spoke in that non-stop, run on sentence manner you can only do with a close friend who knows the shorthand that each uses. Em squeezed her hand and pulled her along. "Come on, let's get going, we've got shopping to do, money to spend, things to see, people to do!" They held hands happily for a few feet down the white granite hall of Water Tower Mall. Francesca felt a twinge of loss when they dropped their hands away from each other. "Mister Charlie says I need new panties!! So he's going to get them, ..and the bill" she laughed. "The man is incorrigible, I think he still would like to 'play doctor' if I weren't such a prude." She nudged Francesca with a big laugh. "He goes crazy if I let him see my panties, don't you know! Remember when we used to drive my brother up the wall by flashing him? You were the worst one, I just played along to be nice to you!" "Liar!!! OH, you are so full of it, ……yoouuuuuuu! You were the ring leader, I never had the nerve for all that stuff you lead me into!!" Francesca laughed at the memory. They headed for Starbucks for a coffee and a sandwich, girding their loins for the arduous task of shopping a major mall. "How about dinner with us tonight? Charlie suggested it and he says he'll cook. I have to watch you and Charlie, he likes you already!" "Good, I think he is an absolute dear! Do you really think he likes me?" "Likes you? He's never offered to cook for anyone except me before! And he only does it for me in exchange for a wild night of sex, sex, sex." Emma laughed. "Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, I better keep an eye on you two!" "Gawd, Em, he's such a hunk, where did you find him? I think you're right" "Oh, we just met at the office. I hated him at first. The arrogant bastard knows how gorgeous he is. Uh……. Wait a minute, back up, what was that 'I think you're right?' comment." Francesca smiled her most arch, enigmatic smile. "I think you are right to watch us carefully. I'm practically a virgin, as you know, but he might even charm me out of my panties, if he worked at it! He's a good cook, too, you say?" Emma reached across the table in mock shock, pushed her finger in the valley between Francesca's breasts, hooked her finger in her bra and tugged. "Watch it, sweetie!" she laughed. "Hmmmm, it's a two edged sword, but I'm glad that my best two friends like each other. Hmmmmmm, interesting. Hmmmmmmm, possibilities there for me!" "Quit humming, you sound like a vacuum cleaner run amuck!" Francesca retorted. She was finding Em sexy and her frequent sexy allusions strangely exciting. Francesca thought back to her recent secret, innermost thoughts. Just little fragments of thoughts, really. Day dreams that of a bi-sexual nature. Could it be that she really meant it? Was something inside asking for something more? Was it, in fact Em? She shivered slightly at the thought. The first time she had ever had the fantasy connected with a specific person. She shook it out of her mind. They were off to the beautiful shops, sprinkling them with their laughter and their personal jokes. They seemed to be having so much more fun than the other shoppers were! In fact, she forgot it completely for about an hour. Forgot it, in fact until they entered Victoria's Secret, their arms already loaded with packages from Nieman Marcus, Marshall Field's, Bonwit Teller, and other lesser boutiques. "Me need panties, me need panties, me the panty monster!" muttered Emma, and led the way down the aisle. "Shut up, you nut" they'll think I'm as crazy as you are! Have a heart for your poor modest friend." Francesca didn't mind really, but they were in some jeopardy of becoming a spectacle. "But first, look at that cute blouse! I have to have it. It'll drive Charlie mad. I'll be lucky if he doesn't tear it off on the first outing. No pun intended!" Emma was off to a changing room and Francesca followed along, window-shopping the lacy wares along the way. She was holding up a very pretty teddy, wondering if she really needed it, when she heard Emma's voice. "Frannie, could you be a dear and bring me one of those Wonder-bras. 34B should be OK, see if they have one in fuchsia." Francesca found the rack and brought two colors since the closest to fuchsia wasn't really very pretty. She brought along the teddy and another bra she had been looking at. She knocked and Emma opened the door wide. She was standing in her pantyhose and heels. Her nipples attracted Francesca's eyes. They were a rich dark brown against her suntanned skin, and stood out proud and erect. Perky would have been most descriptive. Her nipples were rigid and mounted on the dark brown circles of her aureoles in a strikingly attractive and sensual way. Something about them was peculiarly attractive, perhaps that they looked perfect and rich looking - Francesca was reminded of the way the leather seats of a Mercedes always look so completely perfect and totally inviting. It was that sort of feeling that came over her, staring at her friends pretty breasts. Francesca heard her own voice deep inside saying, "What are you doing admiring another woman, for god's sake! That's not like you." She couldn't recall ever being so affected by the sight of another woman. It was a bit strange. She noticed how lovely the rest of Em's body was too. She was just beautiful. The pantyhose pressed her hip hugger style panties flat against her tummy, clung to the pronounced curve of her mound. They were lacy and nearly see through, emphasizing the sweet triangle of curls at the apex of her body. The center seam of the dark nutty brown pantyhose pressed precisely into the crease at the center of her body. Emma didn't say anything, just stood letting Francesca look at her. She enjoyed being admired by this dear friend. She wondered why it felt so good to be so naked here with Francesca. It just did, she admitted, she felt warm and secure and loved. "Oh, here you are, Em, these are the closest colors, not very bright, though." She watched as Emma fastened the bra around her waist, and then pulled it up into place. Her nipples were slowly swallowed up by the delicate bra, which then pushed Emma's nice sized breasts - not big, but very nice and wonderfully shapely - pushed them up into a cleavage that Sophia Loren would have been proud of in her youth. "Wow, look at you! Charlie is going to love it!" Francesca smiled her approval. "Em, you really have beautiful breasts! Where did you get those out of the ittie-bitties you used to have?" she laughed. She slipped the see-through blouse over the voluptuous looking bra. "What do you think, Frannie, does he deserve this?" "Hmmm, maybe the other color would be even better?" Francesca was sure that she was not just suggesting it just for another glimpse of her friend's lovely succulent-looking nipples. "Maybe so, let's see." She slipped out of the bra and handed it to Francesca, taking her time to fasten the other one and then slowly slipping it into place. Her nipples were strangely aroused, she thought. She looked down at the diamond-hard nubs so prominently projecting from the round perfection of her breasts. The lifting pads felt good to her and she like the way it made her breasts look a little bigger, but more importantly, simply prettier to look at, round and full. She decided on this one and they went out to pick matching panties for Charlie's pleasure. Francesca was talked into brightening up her lingerie drawer, too. "Come on Frannie, let's see what the Wonder-bra does for you. You have so much more to work with!" Emma had teased. She found a 36C on the rack and waved it in the air in Francesca's direction, leading the way to the changing booth. The positions had changed now with Emma watching with interest, as Francesca hooked the bra then moved it up over her opulent breasts. "Oh, wow, you look wonderful!" Emma said. "Here let me." She reached for the top of the bra and tugged it into place. Her nails just touched the first of the double curve that formed Francesca's nipples. Francesca felt the tingle of excitement at her touch, and wasn't sure what to make of it. She liked it. They were soon off, their burden increased still more with the frilly little bits of nothing they had found for each other. At the curb, they caught one of Chicago's finest yellow cabs, with its typically untidy interior. It was in distinct contrast to the posh shops and silky undies they had been buying. They came into the small entry of Em's apartment to find the odors of cooking rich in the air. Charlie emerged, smiling, to meet them. "Charlie, my love, WE GOT PANTIES!" Em shouted, swinging the shopping bags and making a pirouette in front of him. Her arms flew around him. "Wanna see?" "YES! Yesyesyesyes! How are you, Francesca? Exhausted, following her around, I'll bet!" He kissed her warmly, once on each cheek, but then stopped and kissed her lightly on the lips. Francesca smiled at his attentions. "God, Charlie, if you did windows, I'd ask you to marry me." "Jesus, do you know how high these windows are?" he jibed back. "Haven't you got anything else that needs done besides windows?" She felt his body nudge hers suggestively. 'God, he is a hunk,' she thought to herself. Charlie sat at the head of the table. He also acted as wine waiter and headwaiter to all their wants. Dinner was delicious. A beautiful Caesar salad, nice vegetables, and then filet of beef sliced thin, sautéed and smothered in a brandy-laced brown sauce full of mushrooms and onions and a hint of garlic. The wine was red, a Cote d' Beaune, which Charlie said was his favorite. Both girls had kicked off their shoes under the table and were feeling the comfort that comes only from being treated to wine and a wonderful dinner. They bumped in the process, and Emma said, "Want to play footsie, Francesca? She entwined her nyloned toes with Francesca's and made obvious moves to squeeze her feet together around Francesca's. "Here, now, girls, here, now!" Charlie's wide Texas brogue was more evident now that the wine had taken its effect. "Shouldn't I be involved in this - with at least one of you?" They turned their attentions to him and he soon had the feet of both his dinner partners in his lap. Taking their sleek ankles in his hand, he chortled, "A guy could starve at this table, you know. What kind of man would reach for his fork with legs like this in his hands?" Francesca admitted to herself that she really enjoyed a soft game of footsie, made especially enjoyable with these two friends. She fondled Charlie's thigh with one foot and aggressively let her other foot touch the inside of Emma's nylon encased thigh, her heel resting on the chair seat between her legs. "What's for dessert, Charlie? We have a surprise for you if it,s a good one." "It's the best! I made for you -- Cherries Jubilee! Tell me what that's worth!" "I love it! Go fix it and Francesca and I will be right back." Francesca had no idea what was ahead. She didn't remember any presents they had bought for Charlie. "Come on Frannie, let's give Charlie a double thrill!" she said drunkenly, leading her to the bedroom, and picking up their parcels on the way. When Charlie came back carrying the flaming desserts, he nearly dropped the tray with shock. His two guests were sitting there, smiling up at him. Their matching fuchsia-colored bras pushed their charms into wonderful, glorious mountains, shadowed by the flickering candles. "Oh, lordy, I've done died and gone to heaven. Lord, I don't know what I've done to deserve this, but I hope heaven is just like this!" He served their desserts as they giggled under his amorous gaze. The sight of their breasts mesmerized Charlie. He couldn't take his eyes off Francesca, and then had the same trouble when he switched his happy gaze to Emma. He fondled her as he leaned over Emma's shoulder for an open-mouthed kiss. He was more careful with Francesca, stopping short of lifting her heavy breasts, and settling for a kiss while staring transfixed at them pushed so deliciously near. Francesca found herself sitting erect and preening; her breasts, she knew, looked terrific and it was thrilling to be so exposed amongst friends. While public nudity had not been one of her things before, she felt wildly happy at this moment. The evening ended as it began, with goodnight kisses on each cheek and then one slightly "tonguey" one from Charlie as he handed her into a cab. "Goodnight, sweetheart," he said in Texas Longhorn drawl, "Y'all come back real soon." The cab moved off and Francesca thought, "White hansom cab, where the hell are you when I need you?" To Be Continued... Journey Resumed Ch. 3 Chapter 3: Just Us "Emma, this was a delicious dinner, thanks so much." Francesca drained the last of her wine, just as a loud, ...very loud, clap of thunder rattled the windows of Emma's fifteenth floor apartment. The wind howled around them, as they sat securely in the warm glow of the fireplace open to both sides between the dining room and living room. 'Yeeeek! Oh, God, I hate thunder. It still scares the hell out of me, even at my age, Frannie. Remember how you always made me sing loud to drown out the fear when you slept over? Those were the days!" Her cheerful, infectious laugh ended abruptly with the next brilliant flash followed by the hollow boom of the nearby lightning strike. "Ohmigod, did that hit this building???" "Emma, for heavens sake, calm down, it's nothing. Look, isn't it beautiful, the sheets of rain blown by the wind, the great white and blue flashes of lightning on the other buildings? This is a perfect prairie storm, big and bold, reaching to the sky! Enjoy it! We're safe inside, a warm fire, a glass of wine, errr, at least, I had a glass of wine, ..and my best friend! What more is there in life?" Francesca soothed her. "What makes you so sure the wind won't break the windows? Look at them shiver and shake!" Emma was not comforted at all. She laughed bravely, "what if it blows the building down, for god's sake? Then what will you say? " She smiled at her own words now, but once again her laugh was cut short by a huge thunderclap and sky-splitting bolt of lightning cutting its jagged way from the clouds to the cityscape below. "Frannie, will you stay over tonight? Charlie is out of town; I'd really like the company! It's a terrible storm out there. Come on, be a friend. We can have a pajama party just like when we were kids! OK?" Francesca couldn't really think why not; she didn't have to go to work, and it would be fun to have the whole night to talk and laugh. She agreed, talking right through the biggest thunderclap yet and she saw Emma start and nearly jump out of her chair. "Oh, great, come on, let's have coffee in the other room, you can watch the damned storm from there and I'll just sit and shudder and hide my head under my arm! What about some brandy, as well?" "Ummmm, sounds good, but I'm getting a little tipsy, I'm liable to fall asleep on you." she laughed and following Em to the other room. Em turned out the lights and lighted a candle for large glass coffee table, low and sleek between two bright yellow sofas. They looked inviting, deep and comfortable. The room was cast in a warm glow by the shimmering light of the fireplace and the candle. The brandy was warm and silky. Emma closed most of the drapes, and then made sure she was facing away from the windows and the storm. They sat talking, solving the problems of the world, exposing still more of their own lives, fears and laughs, in the detail that only close friends can. "You know, Frannie, Charlie and I really enjoyed having you to dinner last week, it was so much fun. We talked about it a lot. He likes you as much as I do, I think. 'Cept of course, with me it's love, ....... More than 'like.' She gave that luscious smile, turned on the couch and planted a big rather wet kiss on Francesca's surprised lips. "Like I always say: I love you, buddy!" Emma sat back with her knees up, arms folded over them and peered at Francesca. She was really very pretty and looked cute, now perched on the arm of the couch. Francesca recalled that was Emma's favorite spot, skirt slipped up into her lap. The crotch of her white panties gleamed in the bright light of the fire. Francesca noticed that she had grown up though, now wearing nearly transparent sheer nylon undies. "Oh, Em, I really feel the same way. It is so good being together with the two of you. I ask you, how often in life do you meet the husband of a good friend and find you like both of them? Most of the time it just doesn't work that way and you end up wondering what they see each other. With you, I feel completely open and free. It's wonderful! That's all there is, after all. In the end, we just want to be close, to find those who just love you for you. Those who let you be yourself and love you as you are." "Wow, Francesca, that is such a pretty thought. True, too, I think. I think you just got philosophical on me, eh?" Francesca laughed. "I guess so, Em, but I've thought a lot about it, lately. Something you said just reminded me of it. The only thing any of us want is intimacy. That feeling you find with maybe half a dozen people in a lifetime. We keep those moments inside and polish them and when we take them out, they make the sun shine all over again. It's magic! Know what I mean?" Emma looked into her eyes, long and hard, as if thinking deeply about the question. "Yes, I do." She smiled archly. "Let's have another brandy." She bounced down to get the bottle, then stopped beside her friend, knelt in front of her and leaned forward to kiss her again. Francesca felt Emma's hands touch the sides of her breast, ever so lightly, as their lips met, tasted, parted, then returned for another peck. "Yes, I do." She repeated, more softly this time, as in a whisper. "Another would be good." Francesca whispered, a little hoarsely. Her mind turned this over once or twice, and quietly and calmly suckled on the nugget of sweetness in the shared moment of tenderness. They drank more quietly now, lost in thought, almost, and Francesca turned to slip her toes under Emma's thigh in that familiar way from years ago. They drank the warming brandy in the flickering firelight as the storm entertained others with fireworks outside. "Bedtime?" Emma smiled, the fire glinting in her eyes and a smile turning the sides of her mouth upward. Francesca's mind swirled a little bit, pondering the distinct excitement she had felt at the touch of another woman. She cocked her head to one side, half closed her eyes as she did when thinking hard. Then looked at herself in the mirror and nodded a little gesture of calm acceptance. It was Ok. Nothing could be wrong with this. There was a knock. "Francesca?" Emma had partially undressed and stood in the doorway. "Francesca, would you mind sleeping in our room? I'll not get to sleep with this storm! Besides, we talked about a pajama party." Her matching panties and bra were both sheer with little lace figures here and there. Francesca noticed the dark coins of her nipples through the nylon and also her natural brown curls forming a little triangle under the sheer fabric of her panties. "Sure, can I borrow something to sleep in?" She followed into the large master bedroom. She noticed again the lovely natural curve of Emma's bottom once again. "Funny that I find her body so beautiful." she thought. "I'll get you one of Charlie's pajama tops, I don't think mine will fit that pair of bazooms of yours!" Emma laughed loudly. "I haven't been able to take a shower alone on a stormy night since I made the mistake of watching psycho!" Emma admitted. "Will you keep a watch out for Anthony Perkins?" She craned her arms back to loosen her bra and the cups came away from her pointed breasts reluctantly, leaving two lovely dark nipples jutting out from the mounds of her breasts. She quickly slipped the panties down her legs, stood on one leg to lift the garment with her toe and dropped it into the hamper. "I'll keep him out, sweetie, I'll keep him out!" Francesca laughed as she unsnapped her own bra and slipped it down her arms. She noted ruefully that her nipples were rigid with excitement. They were quite rosy now as they became when she was sexually excited. Her breasts tingled, in that nice feeling she got when they were at last freed from the restriction of the bra cups. She longed to lift them with the little pleasureful massage she allowed herself each day at that moment. It felt so good; free at last, to have the tingle sort of rubbed out of them by lifting and separating them for a few moments. She thought that looked a little narcissistic in front of Emma and let the moment pass. Emma slipped into the shower and the door was soon clouded with steam. "Hey Frannie, remember this?" Francesca turned to see two definite round circles and lower a round imprint of her tummy and then lower the outline of triangle of her mound pressed against the steamy door. Their laughter echoed around the tiled walls of the large bathroom as the memories sprang back. Impulsively, Francesca opened the door. "Want me to wash your back?" "Oh, yes! Haven't had a back-washer in years!" She turned her back for the favor and passed the washcloth and soap. Francesca soaped up and began covering Emma's lovely back with copious suds. She made great swirls and then an exclamation point with the point being just above the crease of her bum. "There you are Madame, that would cost you a big tip at the club! Come on, my turn!" Emma returned the favor with gusto, adding a large loofah to the mix, giving Francesca the added pleasure of the scratchy massage of the sea sponge. It gave her a delicious tingling sensation all over her back. "Oh, god, that's great, more, more!" "Oh, that looks good, Frannie, do me with the loofah, will you?" Francesca scrubbed methodically over Emma's back, and then on a whim, moved the loofah between her outspread legs, eliciting a surprised little squeak, a sharp intake of breath came from Emma. Then, "no, that's nice, go ahead, mmmmmmmn, nice. Thanks." Francesca dropped the loofah and moved her hands over Emma's body, loving the soapy feel. She knelt and washed her legs. Careful not to go to high, then throwing caution to the winds, she felt her hands, with a mind of their own slip upward until they touched the flat formed by the lips of Emma's pussy. Emma stood very still, then purred softly. "MMMmmmmmmmm." "Turn around, Em." Francesca washed again the columns of her legs, patted over her prominent mound, swirled circles around the globe of her belly and slowly moved toward the lovely twin peaks of her breasts. She smiled at the lovely white soap swirls she made as her hands explored Emma's breasts, She felt the curving underside of them, lush with their own weight and slipping so comfortably into her hands. Their eyes met. Emma's hands found Francesca's generous breasts. She silently scooped some of the soap from her own breasts and spread it over her friend's wonderful velvety, firm breasts. She felt the large ruby nipples tickle her palms. Her hands slipped over the lower curves and lifted the lovely weight of them. She bent and kissed Francesca's right nipple. Had she guessed that that was the more sensitive of the two or had Francesca told her? She couldn't recall. Slowly, she knelt in front of Francesca, her lips trailing along the smoothness of the gentle, strong, statuesque curves of her body. She kissed the copse of auburn hair protecting the elegantly sculpted mound of Venus pointing in a blunt triangle downward between her legs. Francesca gulped slightly, suddenly a little tense; she felt the tongue of her friend toy with the top of the crease of her body, then part her lips with its darting, tasting, kissing, little motion. Her legs parted slightly, seemingly of their own mind. Emma's tongue found the erect, eager hardness of Francesca's clitoris, rigid and bright pink with excitement. Now it was Francesca's sharp intake of breath that echoed from the tile walls! She exhaled in a moan of pleasure, quiet, slow. "Ohhh, mmmmmmnh." She lifted Emma to her feet with the trailing edge of the moan. Their bodies met, slipping against each other; their kiss was long and intense, their tongues finding each other and playing together. Their breasts slipped over each other as they moved their bodies from side to side to enhance the teasing sensual pleasure. At last, Francesca stepped slowly back, their lips still clinging, until at last a little spark passed between them as they parted. She took down the showerhead and sprayed it over Emma's breasts. The suds coursed down the curves of her body, formed a watery icicle from the apex of her body and splashed onto the tile. They shared their quiet smiles as the steam cleared and came together in another passionate kiss. They took turns toweling each other and looking at each other in the mirror. Watching their womanly opulent curves and shadows as their muscles moved to the task of toweling. Emma had lighted a candle, making the bedroom erotic and golden in its flickering light. The storm was quieting down now, the thunderclaps further out on the lake, lightning flashes more subdued, broader in their light. They slipped between the sheets together, meeting near the center, the pajama top and sleek nightie left forgotten on top of the bed. The wind still howled outside, urging them to each other's warmth. They shared each other's breath, quietly, waiting for the warmth to engulf them. Slowly they explored each other's bodies. Words didn't seem necessary. Francesca tenderly cupped Emma's breasts, kissing the nipples, slipping down between them, her tongue darting into the valley between their loveliness. Emma's hand found the soft tangle of hair on Francesca's mound, touched the wetness signaling the sensual pleasure mounting in her. Francesca felt Emma's middle finger slip smoothly between the creamy lips of her pussy, finding her clitoris immediately. She felt the tenderness with which Emma fondled it, knew it was now fully erect, loving this lovely attention, peeking out from between the lips that enfolded it. Emma urged her legs apart and Francesca felt her small hand cover and cup her mound. Contentment. Emma's leg slipped between her own and raised to press against her pussy. Dimmly aware of the distant storm, Francesca moved her hips in a slow circular motion, feeling the warmth of Emma's thigh. Emma thought she was near an orgasm. A tiny shudder coursed through her. Francesca's gentle fondling of her breasts had her very close already. How unlike the rush of a man, she thought. There was a knowing, thoughtful, giving aspect to the way her hands surrounded, lifted, cupped her breasts. The way her lips found Emma's nipples and gave them something instead of taking. She liked the way Charlie played with her breasts, that was fun, ........... but this was different; this was having your breasts fondled!!!! "Wonderful!" she breathed through half parted lips. Francesca felt Emma pull slowly from her grasp. She let her fingers trail down Emma's breasts until they just clung to her nipples, then slipped away. She watched as Emma knelt on the bed, turning, moving down her body, kissing gently as she went. Soft moist lips trailed over her breast, then the underside, deep under its heaviness, a light tongue slipped in her navel, kisses were planted lightly on the curly red patch of her mound. She held her breath. The touch of the tongue parting her lips in the shower came to mind. It had been the first. Now she waited. Held her breath. Emma, felt the lush curls tickle her nose, felt their softness at her lips. She moved her head from side to side, enjoying the scent of her friend's body. Her forehead touched Francesca's thighs. Her lips pressed a soft, firm kiss against the beginning of the crease running between her legs, felt Francesca part her legs for her to enter. Emma put her hands under Francesca's thighs, straddling her body now. She kissed once more: deeper along the tender, now very wet furrow. She moved her head from side to side. Her tongue searched the creamy wetness of her friend for the first time. Francesca was very, very moist, Emma pressed her mouth against the folds of her pussy, seeking entry, then drinking deeply of the lovely sweet juices. She pressed her tongue to the very rim of Francesca's love tunnel, tasting the sweet and sour flavor of her. Slowly, she explored the entire length of her sensual slit, pleasuring and taking pleasure. She heard her friend's moan of pleasure, felt Francesca's hands on her bottom, roaming, tickling, touching lightly, then pulling her close. Francesca stared transfixed at the slim line of Emma's pussy. There was a tuft of hair on her mound, but the lips were smooth, clean shaven, open to her kiss, waiting for her kiss. "What would this be like?" she thought. "It is so pretty." "What would it taste like?" She had sampled the taste of her own juices out of curiosity. Not an unpleasant taste, sometimes bitter, with some sweetness, too. Now she found herself wanting to taste her friend, wanting to explore this secret place of her friend. Slowly she pulled Emma closer, felt her lower herself gently onto Francesca's breasts, giving her self openly to her. Francesca kissed the mound before her, gently letting her tongue slip tentatively out to touch the smoothness of Emma's pussy lips. The effect was electric, Emma exclaimed. "Oh! ........ ooooo yes, Frannie," Francesca felt Emma sucking her clitoris into her mouth; felt the heat of her tongue, its roughness toying with the rigid nub between her legs, felt Emma taste her, taste all along her openness, her wet, wet, warmth. She found Emma's little clitoris now rigid with pleasure. Her teeth found it, held it safely, nibbled gently, to be circled with her tongue. She felt Emma squirm against her mouth, felt a great shudder tense Emma's legs around her head. She felt Emma insinuate her clit and vagina against her face, giving all her wetness to Francesca. Then a more violent shudder, followed by a relaxed, softness resting on top of her as Emma's orgasm peaked and slowly subsided. Emma's tongue was so tender now, slipping there between Francesca's legs, licking, bathing her, loving her, suckling her clit, nibbling gently. It was so different from having a man there, tasting her. So tender and gentle was the touch of Emma's tongue. It answered the question that had been in Francesca's mind for several months. She had dared to fantasize about this moment, but had not actually made love with another woman. It had been so comfortable with Emma. She was shocked at how easy it had been. Who had seduced whom, she wondered. Francesca felt her own orgasm begin shaking her body, felt its strength starting there at her clitoris. Her arms thrashed involuntarily, as the feeling captured her whole body, running up through her stomach, tingling in a wild finale at her nipples. She could feel the hair on her head seem to stand on end. Feeling crisp, needing to be scratched by hands running through her hair. It was exquisite. Her lips were wet with Emma's taste. She licked her lips slowly, savoring it inquisitively. Outside the storm subsided to a drizzle, its haze haloing the streetlights in the distance. They slept cuddled together, just like the old days of their childhood. End of Chapter Three