Chapter 76
Tuesday morning

Robert Nellis appeared at breakfast in a fine humor. Merry had proven to have an excellent memory and strong motivation to be compliant; he had awakened, per instruction, with his cock in the warm, wet embrace of Merry's mouth. She was improving as a cocksucker daily, but that was the least of it. In fact, she seemed to be incredibly happy! She was such a jewel, too - it was extremely difficult to find fault with her, because she was so eager to please! Robert knew that he would have to again apply the strap at some point, but for now the mental discipline appeared to be sufficient. Indeed, she seemed to be reveling in it! Robert had directed that Merry rotate so that he could return the oral attention for a few moments, then had her mount him, cowgirl-style. She rode him hard, his thumb working her clit while he teased her right nipple while she drove herself onto him, and when she came, she took him with her, the rhythmic clasp of her spasming vagina taking him over the edge.

When Robert arrived at breakfast, Merry was bustling around the kitchen in just her apron, supervising the delivery of breakfast foods, glowing and humming happily. When he was settled, she dropped into the ready position next to him, but he kissed her and muttered, "Run along and dress. You have to leave soon, too."

"Master is certain he needs nothing?"

"Master needs fifteen minutes more in the morning to enjoy his slave. Other than that... No. Go get dressed. I want to see you before I leave." Robert smiled and caressed Merry's cheek, before gesturing her to rise and giving her a quick pop on the bum. Merry sashayed off, her exaggerated stride displaying her wet inner thighs.

Dina smirked. "She becoming SUCH a slut! Listening to her squeal while you two were going at it was what got me out of bed this morning. I didn't need the sleep switch."

Robert quelled the automatic impulse to upbraid Dina for calling her mother a slut and replied mildly, "I beat the Hell out of her night before last - VERY publicly - and humiliated her, and directed that she humiliate herself, and surrounded her with outlandish rules and the visible trappings of her low estate - and she's been happy as a clam! I'm having a tough time understanding it!"

"It's simple, Pop. Mum equates love and a structured environment. Basically, she's done the modern equal opportunity thing, and it's not her bag. She wants things to be simple - her job description is to make you happy. If she fails, you beat her and she does better next time. She doesn't have to worry about her self-image, because she's a blank slate. You are her will, and you make her moral choices for her. She doesn't have to justify her actions to herself; if you say its okay, it is. Mum spent a long time living up to the ideal of the independent, controlling female, and she didn't like it. She played mind games with you, giggling with her friends over what a wimp you were, and she misunderstood your forbearance to be a lack of interest and weak will - and treated you with disrespect because of it. She subscribed to all of the stupid sexual rules that were the vogue when she grew up, and nobody argued about it, so it was right - but she WANTED to do all kinds of wanton stuff that she feared would get her branded a slut. Now she can BE a slut - in public! - and she doesn't have to worry about what other people think, as long as YOU are happy! The big thing YOU need to glean from this is that, as far as Mum's concerned, the more bossy you are, the more you love her. If she's lying on the floor and you're standing with a foot planted in the middle of her back, she knows where she is, and where you are, and that you're paying attention to her - and she's happy!"

Robert's eyebrows rose. "Excuse me." He turned his head, and shouted at the top of his voice, "MERRY! How long does a silly slave take to dress? Thank God I don't allow you underwear!"

"Coming, Master!" came a shriek from the top of the stairs, followed by the sound of someone rushing down them.

Dina grinned. "You're a quick study, Pop!" Rick sat there, grinning and shaking his head.

Merry came running in, still wrapped in a towel and dripping, carrying her clothing. "Master, I-"

"Silence!" Merry shut up. Robert looked her up and down. "Go back upstairs, dry off, and get dressed. You've got five -"

"Hair, Pop!" Dina interjected.

"-Uh, ten minutes. Git!" Robert popped Merry on the ass as she spun to leave, flashing Dina a quick look of gratitude. "I'm gonna be late!" he grumbled.

"So? They owe you one. If you're gonna knock off a quickie every morning, you'd better adjust for it!" Dina was enjoying herself.

"Well, the sex is SO good. Why is that?" Robert wondered.

"All part of the game, really," Dina replied, "Mum doesn't have to conform to some Victorian model for sexual response anymore. You told her you want her to let you know how she feels, so she can scream her joy at the top of her lungs without inhibition. You're dictating positions, so she's not making do with the first two inches of your dick. And you're doing stuff you both always wanted to do! In a very real way, you've freed Mum rather than enslaved her. Oh, there's something else that I bet you haven't thought about..."

"What's that?"

"When Mum surrendered her will to you, her morals went out the window, so she doesn't have to beat herself up about anything you tell her to do."

"You're repeating yourself."

"I'm just setting the stage. The second half is that as your slave, she's not allowed to judge YOUR morals; all she can do is accept and obey!"

"Huh?" Robert was shocked.

"Yep. It's carte blanche. If you brought home a dog and told her to fuck it, she'd have to. And if you seemed to expect it, she'd have to try to enjoy it!" Dina's smile almost split her face.

"Wow!" Rick breathed.

Dina glanced at him. "Applies to Mandi, too. I admire Mandi - I'm pretty sure it's not her upbringing. Mum is an emotional throwback to caveman days, and Gram told me that Grandpop was strict! Mandi does it because she loves you!"

"Jesus! What a little pervert you are!" Robert observed. "I can SEE the wheels turning in that dirty little mind! The dog thing..." He shuddered.

"Tell me you don't have a raging hard-on!" Dina laughed.

"There ARE limits!" Robert scolded.

"Yeah, well, hers are yours, now. And if you don't have any..." Dina's catlike smile reappeared.

"Well, I do!" Robert exhibited outrage, while trying to decide whether it was counterfeit or not.

"Well, don't lock 'em down... It might not be politic. You've got to keep Mum off-balance for the next several decades..."

Rick shook his head. "Uh, Pop - about Mandi..."

"Yes?" Robert responded, thinking, 'Here it comes...'

"Well, uh," Rick stammered, blushed. "We, uh, don't like sleeping apart AT ALL!"

"Hmph. Builds character. What's Mrs. Giannelli's take on this?" Robert wasn't giving any ground, yet.

"I dunno. We talked about it. Mandi was going to talk to her today." Rick's expression was somewhat hangdog.

Dina was amused. "Was this last night when you spent two hours trying to lick her clit over the phone?"

"Jesus, Dina!" Robert rolled his eyes.

"I'm on a roll, Pop!" Dina announced smugly.

"You kids aren't married. You're in pretty deep, now!"

"Pop, she's mine, marriage or not!" Rick replied hotly.

"Hmph." Robert began ticking off his fingers. "It helps if you have a legal basis for the relationship. To my knowledge, Mandi's mother hasn't ratified her condition as your slave. I want to hear that! You have no place to live and no job. What about college? I'm running out of fingers, here..."

"Aw, Pop! Okay - in order: It helps, but it isn't necessary. Helen knows, and hasn't complained."

"She might if she knew you were discussing living arrangements!" Robert interjected.

Rick glared, "And she might not! I'm living HERE - and believe me, Mandi takes up very little space. Her bedroom is Spartan! And she'd be a help to Mum, not to mention company... No, I don't have a job, and I - we - plan to go to college. So I'll have to get one, even though I'm looking good for a scholarship or two. Actually, marriage might interfere with scholarship selection!"

"Does this mean that you don't plan to marry?" Robert asked.

"It means nothing of the sort!" Rick replied hotly, "Timing is everything, though. Mandi and I have a committed relationship - Hell, I OWN her! That's a lot deeper than some marriages! We will need to time things to meet the economic realities..."

Robert smiled grimly. "The ownership thing commits HER a lot more than it commits YOU! I'm glad you're looking at timing; what happens if you discover that this isn't the right time to move in with your slave, or vice versa? Who's paying the bills? Me? Am I going to put a roof over Bobby McCormick's head, too?"

"Ewww! That was nasty! Rick, you'd better fold your tent until Helen talks to Pop. One thing at a time." Dina winked surreptitiously at Rick. Robert was displaying his standard initial reaction to something this controversial; it didn't necessarily mean that he would refuse when push came to shove - IF Rick had the good sense to back off and not make an issue of it.

Rick got the hint. "Okay. Let's dash. I want to see Mandi before school."

"Just a sec. I want Dina to pass on your mother's wardrobe." Robert insisted. "Merry!" he roared, "Are you ready YET!"

"No, Master! Sorry Master! My hair..." wafted down the hall.

"Get down here and show us your outfit! You can tune your hair during and after!" Robert grumbled. "I've got to go to work!"

Merry was thundering down the stairs before Robert had finished speaking. "Here, Master!"

"Don't kneel - it'll mess up your skirt!" Merry was relieved at this recognition of the problem. "Well?" Robert turned to Dina and waved toward Merry. Merry was wearing the new halter blouse, bolero jacket, and a pleated skirt that ended just above the knee but swung very nicely when she moved. Robert examined the halter top, which looked demure with the Bolero jacket disguising its nature. "Okay, doff the jacket." Merry did so. "Is the liner out?" Merry nodded. The halter came with an inner garment that provided some support after the fashion of a tube top - but not as wide. The effect was 'lift and crush', but it did obscure the nipples and stabilize things somewhat. With the liner out, however, a more traditional flow resulted, although the fabric was almost totally opaque. Robert directed, "Lift the top," then, as Merry executed his instructions, leaned in and licked both nipples, then blew on them, causing them to extend. "Okay, put it back down."

"Kewl! Nice touch, Pop!" Dina approved. The halter fabric clung over the distended nipples, making them obvious.

"That'll do," Robert approved. "Dina?"

"I agree, absolutely!"

"No panties, right?" Robert asked.

"Oh, no, Master!" Merry proved it by lifting the skirt.

"Okay," Robert approved. "The jacket and liner only come out if you have to go to court, understand?"

"Perfectly, Master." Merry smiled. She had enjoyed the attention the previous day.

"Hmmm," Robert swung his gaze from Merry to Dina and back, "If Bert gives evidence of enjoying the show and not being scandalized, you can give him a bit more, up to showing bare nipples. Use your judgment - don't shock him and get yourself fired. No more, and no touching without my permission. If he asks, put it to him that way. And no one else - with the possible exception of Alicia - same restrictions. Understood?"

Merry nodded, somewhat shell shocked. Robert was encouraging her to expose herself to Bert! After a moment, she ventured, timidly, "Master?"

Robert and Dina were both eying her closely as he responded, "Yes?"

"You're thinking about offering me to Bert? For sex?"

"I'm considering it. He's been very good to you. While your opinion is irrelevant, you may offer it." The close regard didn't waver.

Merry mastered her surprise. "I - I don't know what to think - I'm too surprised." After a moment's thought, she continued, "It might be a fine gift, if you could get him to accept it."

"Good!" Robert nodded. "We understand one another. I've decided nothing, though. See to it that you do not exceed your instructions. Now run along and fix your hair - I've got to go to work!" He leaned in and kissed her, doing a good job, and sent her on her way. Turning, he met the amused gazes of his children, shrugged and smiled. The trio stepped off in their differing directions.

That morning at school, the five couples chattered away, grouped both by sex and by couple and drifting between modes in freeform fashion. Rick pulled Mandi aside and asked, "Did you talk to your Mum?"

Mandi nodded. "She wasn't clear about the economics, or what it meant for college and careers. I presented it as a convenience; she and Bobby's dad are getting real close, whether she wants to believe it or not!"

Rick nodded. "That seems clear to everyone BUT your mother. There's a real chemistry there. You could end up Bobby's half-sister!"

Mandi laughed. "God forbid!"

Bobby, just close enough to have picked up the subject of the conversation, grinned and quipped, "So, what do I call you? Sis?" After enjoying the collective groan, Bobby's grin throttled back several notches, and he continued more seriously, "Dad's serious about Helen. Mark my words: They're gonna be under the same roof, and soon!"

Mandi shrugged, "Momma's skeptical..."

"But I'm not!" Denise interjected. "Momma's just running scared. But every time Big Al's in the same room with her, the fireworks go off. She's gonna protest all the way to the altar, but she's as good as roped and hogtied now!" Everybody laughed. After all, most of them had seen Big Al's inaugural effort. It was easy to see that Helen's days were numbered.

Rick murmured to Mandi, "Well, Pop kicked and screamed, too, but I think it was primarily reflex. He wants to hear it from your momma that she's okay with the way things are, for one thing - then I'll need to demonstrate that we've got some sense. After that..."

"You think he'll roll over?" Mandi worried.

"Yeah. YOU should know, however, that it won't necessarily be a picnic!" Rick pontificated, "For one thing, I'm not going to have you embarrassing Mum. You're going to have to put up with at least some of the crap she does..."

Mandi nibbled his ear and husked, "Yes, Master."

Rick lowered his voice. "You know, having you running around the house naked - well, I worry about how Mum will handle it if Pop..."

"Decides to sample the goods?" Mandi grinned, "He'll get nothing without your permission!"

"Yeah, well, I'm not sure I'd deny him. What's your take on the situation?"

"It's your call - but I don't consider it a fate worse than death, by any means! I've seen him in action..." Mandi giggled, then sobered. "You know, it might ease the way for your momma if she were distracted... How difficult would that be for you?"

"Not at all, I'm embarrassed to say. Every boy loves his mother..." Rick leered.

"Well, you can't scare me away by threatening to give me to you dad!"

"Hmph! We'll see about that! You're staying tonight, right?"

"Yes. Momma's going to spend the night with Big Al." Turning to Denise, she asked, "Are you entertaining Eddie at home tonight?"

"I don't know..." Denise turned to Eddie, who looked troubled.

Eddie grimaced. "I think we need to work on my folks, first. Tonight, if possible."

Denise picked up on his concern. "What's wrong, Love?"

Tim said gently, "Your rep proceeds you. Eddie and I had a run-in with Mom this morning, and her reaction to the revelation that Eddie was dating wasn't encouraging. The fact that it was YOU - well, it didn't improve things. Mom thinks Eddie's thinking with the wrong head..." He grinned wryly.

Eddie picked up the tale. "But she promised to keep an open mind! I think this is a case of the sooner, the better, though..."

Denise nodded, soberly. "Okay, let's get it over with, then. I'll try to behave like a lady..."

"Don't do anything phony, just show her how much you care," Tim admonished, "It'll be all right. I'll bring Dolores, too. Okay, Baby?"

"Sure, Sugar - wouldn't miss it!" Dolores replied. "Trish isn't a harpy - she's nice! And she knows love when she sees it. It'll be okay."

"Okay." Denise was still subdued. 'Well,' she thought, 'this is what I get! It's payback time!'

"Speaking of dinner," Terry queried Jackie, "Tonight's at my house, right?"

"Uh huh," Jackie nodded. "Mama's lightening up. Frankly, it has me worried. You've forced her to reevaluate men, and I'm not sure where that's headed!"

Terry nodded sagely, "Let's keep an eye on her. If she takes another hit before she has a good experience, she could go off the deep end!" He regarded his girlfriend for a moment, then: "You know why she acts so flaky, right?"

"Would it have anything to do with sex?" Jackie asked rhetorically.

Terry put on a poker face. "Gee, that hadn't occurred to me..." He grinned, then turned serious, "The first guy she crawls into the sack with is in for the shock of his life!"

Jackie sighed. "I'm not worried about that too much. But Momma's not strong, and she's had to act that way for a long time. She really craves protection. I'm afraid she's going to scare men off by going totally dependent on them..."

Terry grunted and nodded.

Bobby nudged Dina. "Can I come up to your place tonight? Dad probably wants Helen to himself..."

Dina elbowed him. "You just want to see Mum naked again!"

Bobby laughed, "Well, it DOES have a certain appeal..."

Tim blinked. "What was that?"

Dina grinned. "Well, it all started with me trying to cover for Rick's big date with Mandi. Somewhere, we got sidetracked when we discovered that Mum wasn't handling Pop's business properly, if you know what I mean." She tossed a knowing wink. "Anyway, things got out of hand..."

"I'll say!" Rick interjected.

"...and I ended up tying Mum to the bed and giving her to Pop to play with." This occasioned some significant looks among the audience. "Well, Mum discovered she liked it. - a lot! - and they got into this master/slave thing..."

"Can I?" Mandi asked. At Dina's nod, she continued the tale. "Basically, Dina's mom was all hung up - she had this idea that if she enjoyed it, people would think less of her. In fact, she had a whole identity thing lurking under the surface - she was trying to live the life she thought everybody else wanted her to have, and she wasn't enjoying it."

Dina took up the thread. "Mum discovered that if somebody else was doing things to her and she wasn't in control of the situation, it freed her up to enjoy herself. It led to some really strange shit..."

"Like Marilyn showing up in the den buck naked carrying a set of handcuffs - with me there!" Mandi threw in.

"Upshot was that she couldn't have fun and she couldn't treat Pop right if she ran the show, so she took up being a sex slave - permanently!"

Tim and Dolores were pop-eyed. "You mean like the whole BDSM thing?" Tim wondered.

"Yep!" Bobby replied. "I was there last Sunday morning when she knelt down and handed Dina's pop the whip!"

"So what's this about seeing her naked?" Terry asked.

"Pop's a tough master. Mum has to go naked at home, wearing only her slave collar - no matter who's there!" Dina grinned.

Jackie shook her head. "What's your mom think of that?"

Dina grinned. "As far as I can tell, she loves it! Pop's taken over her whole wardrobe, making her wear more revealing stuff at work and to go out..."

Mandi smiled. "She's having a ball - weird as it seems!"

Jackie cocked an eyebrow. "How come you know so much?"

Mandi blushed. "Well, I was there - and I'm a little bit into the slave thing, too, so I can understand it."

"Bell!" Rick announced, as the bell to start classes rang. "Time to get out of here!"