“Should I start packing my things?" I asked hesitantly.

Danielle sniffled and perked her head up, clearly confused.

“Packing?”

Best to just say it plainly. "I've been imposing on you guys for too long already. I should move out and give you back your privacy."

Danielle gave me a funny look and shook her head.

“We've been through this before, David. You can't afford to be paying rent for two apartments."

“I'LL manage."

She touched her palm to my cheek with a condescending but loving gaze.

"No, no." She smiled again and then hugged me.

“Besides, there's something we need to ask you.”

“Okay, shoot."

“Not like this. Come in. Sit down."

Cherys was on the sofa. Sometime between when I'd left and now, both girls changed into their pajamas and yet also put on a smattering of makeup. They both Looked casual and stunning at the same time.

“Hey gorgeous..." I said in greeting, taking an extra moment to appreciate Cherys’ unique beauty.

“Hi David," she replied in a clear voice and looked straight at me with an intensity I hadn't been expecting.

So strong was the pull of her gaze that I got a little nervous and stopped a few feet away from the wing chair I'd been heading for.

Danielle put her hand to the small of my back and said encouragingly,

“Sit down."

I forced myself to relax, succeeding only somewhat. These were two of the people I loved and trusted most in the universe, and yet the unknown was still keeping me a bit on edge. I sat in the wing chair and watched as Danielle went over to sit beside Cherys. The two of them held hands fiercely, fingers intertwined in support the way only two people completely in love could quite manage.

For a second, they Looked like a nervous lesbian couple about to come out to their parents. But the lesbian ship had sailed long ago and their own nervousness didn't make me feel any more at ease.

Danielle was the chosen spokeswoman.

“David, we first want to say that there's absolutely no pressure on you.”

I felt the weight of a thousand tons of pressure descending onto my shoulders as she said that.

Danielle didn't seem to notice.

“You're under no obligations, but we wanted to ask you for a very personal favor." She glanced at Cherys, who just smiled at me reassuringly and squeezed Danielle's hand tighter.