Abi was quite self-conscious as she signed Robin out. She bantered with the matron and tried to answer the questions she posed in a casual way. But Abi felt challenged, almost as if the matron suspected something. But how could she? Abi even noticed her hand trembling as she held the pen to sign the book. Finally they waved good bye and were in Abi's car heading to her and Xavier's home, which was only about a 5 minutes drive. As they drove, she felt Robin place their hand on her leg. She didn't move to remove it, but instead opened her legs just slightly. But then after trying to make small talk sharing with Robin that she had made lasagna  Robin had reacted in a manner most unexpected. He got suddenly emotional and spoke of someone named Mike. In all the time she had know Robin Abi had never talked with him about his parents or home situation. "How odd," she thought. "And how selfish of her." She looked over at Robin and noticed them brushing what looked like a tear from their eye. Her heart went out to them and it triggered the mother / teacher in her. She wanted to just stop the car, take them in her arms and ask them to tell her the whole story. But, by then she was turning into the driveway of her house and she knew that Xavier would be waiting. It would have to wait. But she made a mental note to return to this topic at a time more appropriate, and to try to be less focused on herself and a little more sensitive to Robin, her student/lover who had in many ways captured her heart. "I love you," they said after she had finished sharing a few words of affection. This admission had surprised Abigail. "I... I love you too, Robin." She kissed them again. And with that they were out of the car.<br/><br/>As they started towards the house Xavier came through the front doors onto the porch to greet them. They both seemed to immediately shrug off the unexpected emotional moment they had just shared. Though Abi held back a little and let Robin walk up the steps first. "You two look terrific," he said as he took them both into a hug. It was a kind gesture, even a loving one. But Abi was suddenly feeling herself to be pretty inadequate a person, much less a lover for both of them. Perhaps, she should just let Robin and Xavier be together and she would slip away. "What nonsense. Grow up Abigail!" She told herself, "And stop making everything about you!"<br/><br/>She let out a deep sigh, but then offered her lips to her husband for a deep kiss. "Thanks sweetie. You look very sexy yourself darling!" Then Xavier kissed their guest with no less passion than he had kissed her. She watched. What did she feel? Jealousy! Nope! She didn't feel anything. It felt normal. Shouldn't she feel something, even if it is arousal? But she didn't - not yet anyway. Maybe it was nerves. They all walked with their arms around each other into the house.  "So..." Abi said as she broke away from them and walked ahead of them a bit. "I would like to suggest that we start with our meal. It is all done. I mean, I have to get it out of the oven and let the lasagna cool and throw together a little salad. But it can be ready in about 15 minutes. I am thinking we could eat and talk. Maybe we should share our expectations, our reservations, our fears, our hopes and our boundaries. Just so everyone is on the same page. Also, do we need a safe word? A word that is a little removed from the experience which indicates that someone wants to pause or stop." She looked at both of them, but could not read either of them. She figured that what she said might bother Xavier. After all, her experience of him had been that he wasn't much of a talker. But this was new ground and she was certain he understood and respected they needed to move with some care and intentionality, so perhaps he was cool. If so, she would feel some relief and just a little more confident in their all going forward with this.<br/><br/>"Well, what do you think? Oh, and I was thinking that after having supper this afternoon, along with dessert - I made apple pie - if we get hungry later we could just call out for pizza." She smiled, but she was nervous. In a way this was the moment of truth for her. Were they going to go about this with respect and a willingness to communicate with each other or did they just want to plunge in - "damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!"