Comforts of Home - Part One

On their first morning home after the pleasure cruise, Arieli and Anya awaken to a spectacular desert sunrise, with the scent of cactus flower still lingering in the air.

As Arieli rises to make the morning coffee, she and Anya hear the sound of a car approaching outside. Looking out the window, they see their friend Isabela pulling into the driveway. Isabela is a close friend who also runs her own pet-sitting business. Arieli and Anya hired her to take care of their two cats while they were away on the cruise, also letting Isabela stay at their house as much as she wanted for the duration.

Just as Isabela steps out of her car, Anya remembers that Isabela had left some extra clothes in the front bedroom that she'd forgotten to take home. Figuring that Isabela has returned to pick them up, Anya heads off to grab them for her.

Arieli greets Isabela at the door just as Anya returns with the forgotten clothes.

"Isabela!" Ari smiles warmly, hugging Isabela close. "You're here to pick up your stuff, aren't you?"

Isabela blushes. "Well, I did kind of start to feel pretty settled in here", she admits. "I forgot. I'm so sorry for the bother."

"You're never a bother! Why don't you come on in and join us for a cup of coffee?" Anya asks cheerfully.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Isabela agrees, joining Anya on the sofa as Arieli finishes up with making the coffee. She soon fills their mugs with a hot, rich brew, then settles in next to Isabela.

"Isabela, I just want to say; Anya and I think you've done an absolutely fantastic job of taking care of our cats and our home while we were away. We would never trust anyone else but you to look after the place. Thank you so very much."

"Thank you Isabela, from the bottom of our hearts", Anya smiles.

"Oh, thank you so much, both of you!", says Isabela, beaming. "I'm so happy I could help you out. You're my favorite clients ever."

"Isabela?", Arieli asks quietly, "have you ever thought about what it means to us that we can trust you so deeply?"

Isabela's eyes flashed with interest. "Well... I know that you two have a relationship that's... very unconventional, and I totally respect that. I think it's beautiful, actually."

Arieli and Anya smile warmly at Isabela's words.

"And," she continued, "I feel that since the three of us know that we have something else in common that I think is very special, I feel like that lets the three of us understand each other like no one else really can. Don't you think?"

"We couldn't agree with you more", said Arieli, sliding in closer. "We're so lucky to have you in our lives, Isabela. You truly understand us, and you always take such good care of us".

"And now, Isabela", Anya says as she sets her down her coffee, "We think it's time you let us take care of you."

Isabela's eyes widen as she realizes that what she's dreamed of for so long is actually about to happen...