Page 109 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

“Does it ever get easier?” I ask quietly. “Knowing what they do? Where they go?”

Sophia’s expression softens. “Not easier, exactly. You learn to live with it. The first time Blake went on a mission after we got together, I barely slept,” she continues. “Kept imagining the worst.”

“Walt texts when he can,” Malia says. “Not details, just… confirmation he’s still breathing. It helps.”

“Ethan calls,” Rebel adds. “Even if it’s just for thirty seconds. Says hearing my voice keeps him centered. He calls Violet and Zephyr too,” she adds, glancing at her sister. “Makes sure they’re safe.”

Violet nods. “He’s been amazing with Zephyr. She adores her Uncle Ethan.”

“Rigel leaves notes,” Mia says with a small smile. “Hidden all over our place for me to find while he’s gone. Little reminders he’s coming back.”

I absorb their words, these women who have walked this path before me.

“How do you bear it? The waiting, the not knowing?”

“Together,” Malia says simply, reaching for my hand. “That’s why we’re here. Charlie’s Angels, remember? We hold each other up when they can’t be here to hold us.”

“It gets easier when you accept that they’re extraordinary men doing extraordinary things,” Mia says. “And that they chose us because we’re extraordinary too, in our own ways.”

“I’m just a physicist,” I murmur.

“Just a physicist,” Rebel scoffs.

I can’t help but laugh at her tone.

“You survived Malfor,” Sophia says softly. “That already makes you stronger than most people will ever need to be.”

“I suppose so,” I acknowledge, looking around at these remarkable women.

“To survival,” Malia says, raising her glass again. “And to the men crazy enough to love women who refuse to break.”

We all drink to that.

“Enough serious talk,” Rebel declares, grabbing the remote. “What are we watching? Something mindless with hot men?”

“Or,” Malia interjects with a mischievous glint in her eye, “what about P.O.R.N.? We could watch some threesomes and give Ally a leg up on her men. Give her some ideas of what to do.”

I choke on my wine and throw a handful of popcorn at her. “Malia!”

“What?” she asks innocently, scooting forward eagerly. “I really want to know how it all works. Like, where do they put it? One at a time, or…” Her eyes widen dramatically. “Two at the same time???”

The room erupts in laughter while my face burns hotter than the reactor I was working on for Malfor.

“You don’t have to answer that,” Sophia assures me, though her eyes are equally curious.

“Seriously though,” Rebel says, leaning forward, “is it one in front, one in back? Or do they take turns?”

“There’s oral, too,” Malia says mischievously. “A blowy for one?—”

“Oh my God,” I groan, burying my face in a throw pillow. “Malia, you are the worst.”

“Hey, we’ve all wondered,” Jenna admits. “I mean, Carter alone is… a lot to handle. I can’t imagine two.”

“I bet you get double the orgasms.” Malia’s impish smile returns. “I mean, these guys have stamina, but two stallions in bed? I bet you’re coming all the time.”

“I’m dead. I’m officially dead.” My cheeks feel positively radioactive.

“Walt took forever to make a move,” Malia sighs dramatically. “I thought I’d be a virgin forever, but he’s excellent at seeing to my needs.”

---