Claire Continued

[JDL23]

Chapter Four

Love is the whisper of affection into your ear, the sweet nothing murmured that sends a tingle down your spine and unseals your heart.

Sarah glanced into Brendan's eyes as he carried her through his apartment, just as he did every time she came by. There was something about the glow in his eyes that was familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place it. She contented herself with being carried to the bed, where he'd laid down a thin blanket and a wicker basket.

"I thought we might have a special meal tonight," said Brendan while he gently lowered Sarah onto the blanket. He pulled the cover off the basket, revealing a bottle of red wine, two glasses, and two sandwiches wrapped in wax paper. "An indoor picnic, as it were."

"Lovely," Sarah replied. Taking up one of the wineglasses, she scooted herself to a more supine position as Brendan filled her glass and then his. They toasted to each other and took a drink. Sarah grinned and leaned over to kiss Brendan on the cheek.

After they feasted on the eggplant sandwiches and finished most of the wine, it was close to eleven-thirty at night when Brendan asked about how long Sarah could stay.

"As long as you like," she answered, absently swirling the last drops of wine in her glass. "Aunt Claire's staying with a friend of hers for the next few weeks and Jess's fine with having the whole house to herself for a night."

"Then"—Brendan took the glass from her hand and set it on his side table—"you wouldn't mind doing some AB play?"

"Figured we'd get to that part," Sarah said with a grin. "All right. Which role do you want—Daddy or Baby?"

"Haven't done Baby in a long time. You up for being Mommy?"

"Sure. You clear off the bed and I'll get the diapers."

It took a few minutes to get everything set up. Brendan tucked away the remnants of their picnic in his kitchenette while Sarah put out a pair of clean diapers on the bed. She knew that what she and Brendan called "AB play" wasn't the same as what Adult Babies throughout the Internet called it. He wasn't a Daddy—nor she a Mommy—in the strictest sense of the term. It was more like they were both overgrown infants or toddlers, one of whom took care of the other. If anything, they were only playing a more romantic and mature version of "House"—just two kids having fun with serious roles.

When Brendan came back in, Sarah had already slipped off her panties and put on a diaper. Even though she was playing Mommy, she was still a kid at heart and she had as much right to enjoy the feel of a diaper as her boyfriend did.

She waved him over to the bed, where he eagerly slid off his pants and shoes. A flick of her wrist snapped the remaining diaper open, and Sarah expertly slid it under and over Brendan without any fuss. She took her time taping it up and adjusting it, letting her "baby boy" soak in every moment of maternal affection.

"My little lovebird," she whispered, bending over to nuzzle her nose against his. "Such an adorable little thing."

He smiled and drew her in for a kiss. She answered that kiss with a softer one on his bottom lip, and then another on his left cheek, and one more on his right.

After one or two more such kisses, Sarah wrestled Brendan into a half-seated pose across her lap, while she repositioned herself by the big pillows on his bed. He watched Sarah attentively as she pulled off her shirt and then the straps of her bra, exposing her breasts to him. With his head cupped in the crook of her arm, Brendan tentatively put his lips to her nipple and began to suckle.

"Mmm," Sarah murmured, stroking his hair. "That feels nice, Baby. Such a good little baby."

And then she stopped, although Brendan kept going. It suddenly struck Sarah that she was sounding a lot like Claire when she played Mommy, and it was in Claire's eyes that she’d seen that sparkle before—the same one she'd seen in Brendan's eyes earlier that evening. It was the sparkle of youth, or perhaps romance. But why, then, would her aunt show that flash of desire when she talked about her roommate from college?

This was a line of thought that Sarah was not at all comfortable with. She shook her head and glanced down at Brendan. He was still breastfeeding, lost in his own world of contentment. The sight was enough to pull Sarah out of her reverie and focus on her own desires. Whatever the deal was Claire would have to wait for another time.

And now that she thought about it, she was feeling warm in her diaper—not like the warmth of wetting it, but the warmth of something deeper, more sensual. Her free hand began to trace its way down Brendan’s chest and stomach, hesitating just above the waistband of his diaper.

"Go ahead," he whispered, pulling away from Sarah for a moment. His eyes were bright with passion. "I'll do the same for you."

Sarah smiled. "You'd better." She let her hand rub along the front of his diaper, adding friction to the stiffening bulge she felt there. Brendan moaned and pushed himself to her other breast, which elicited a startled gasp from Sarah.

He reached his climax within a minute and Sarah was happy to just hold Brendan while he panted and closed his eyes in bliss. Then he shifted in her arms and kissed her tenderly, and before she knew what was happening, his hand was tracing its way down to her diaper, giving it that determined rub that brought tears to her eyes and a cry from deep within her throat...

---

In the shadows of Andrea's bedroom, Claire looked at her roommate while she slept alongside her. They had agreed to share the bed since it was easily large enough for two people and Andrea felt bad about making her friend sleep on the couch. And besides, she seemed to need such an emotional commitment that Claire felt obligated to be with her while she slept, helping wipe away all the anxieties of her life.

Andy, Claire reflected, had always been cute in her sleep. Even in college, she had a tendency to curl up into a fetal position, tucking her arms around herself like a hug and making that high-pitched whinny when she snored. But after her years with Jessica, it seemed to Claire like her roommate was just the same as her niece had been during those first years living together—a lost little girl who needed a home and a mother.

I'm not her mother, Claire thought, but I can't help being motherly when I change her and do all those other things for her. Is that so wrong?

She found herself reaching for Andrea and pulling her close. The other woman didn't resist, being too far gone in her slumber to even notice. Claire slid one hand down to pat the thick nighttime diaper Andrea had on and rubbed her back with the other hand. The impulse in her was so strong that she found herself leaning in to kiss Andrea on the cheek—and then the neck, and the shoulders, and the forehead. But she was irresistible, just like darling little Jessica had been that first terrible night—

—The girl lay trembling, even as the covers were drawn over her and the quilt was tucked in.

"Shh," said Claire, enfolding her niece in a tight hug. "It's okay, sweetheart. You're with me. You're safe."

Safe. That word was key. The girl's tremors began to still, but her anxiety wasn't fully gone. And Claire knew part of that anxiety was the fear that this was only a dream and that her aunt wouldn't be there in the morning.

"You're safe," Claire repeated, giving her niece a few extra goodnight kisses. "I love you so very much, sweetheart. You're going to be fine—"

“You’re safe with me…

[sgt_mad_cow]

Great Chapter I wonder what Jessica is doing all by herself.

[JDL23]

Great Chapter I wonder what Jessica is doing all by herself.

Don't worry. We'll get to her soon enough, but the next chapter is going to be more of Claire and Andrea.

[alwaysking]

hey this is a great read. i like your style. for your poll my favorite characters were sarah and claire, but that wasnt a choice. keep it up

[JDL23]

hey this is a great read. i like your style. for your poll my favorite characters were sarah and claire, but that wasnt a choice. keep it up

I tried to add that option. I may have fixed it, but I might have also screwed up your results. Vote again to correct it if you think yours didn't come out!

And, uh, thanks for your feedback!

[the diaper mike]

go on please

[Summertime]

As always your writing is tender and heart warming. I have been away for a couple of days and missed my Tuesday fix but great to read on my return.

[JDL23]

As always your writing is tender and heart warming. I have been away for a couple of days and missed my Tuesday fix but great to read on my return.

Well, welcome back, and thanks.

[JDL23]

Just to let everyone know, I will be starting a new job on Monday (after months of unemployment). I'm announcing this because, while I still plan to keep up the pace of my writing and provide installments of the Claire Saga every Tuesday night, there is a possibility that I won't always have the energy or time to do so. If for some reason, my schedule gets inconsistent, I'll drop a bulletin to let you know.

As always, thanks for reading and responding. See you all next Tuesday!

[Summertime]

Just to let everyone know, I will be starting a new job on Monday (after months of unemployment). I'm announcing this because, while I still plan to keep up the pace of my writing and provide installments of the Claire Saga every Tuesday night, there is a possibility that I won't always have the energy or time to do so. If for some reason, my schedule gets inconsistent, I'll drop a bulletin to let you know.

As always, thanks for reading and responding. See you all next Tuesday!

Good luck with the new job

[alex 04]

Just to let everyone know, I will be starting a new job on Monday (after months of unemployment). I'm announcing this because, while I still plan to keep up the pace of my writing and provide installments of the Claire Saga every Tuesday night, there is a possibility that I won't always have the energy or time to do so. If for some reason, my schedule gets inconsistent, I'll drop a bulletin to let you know.

As always, thanks for reading and responding. See you all next Tuesday!

good luck in your new job

[JDL23]

Chapter Five

Love is the word that slips out in a perfect moment, like a raindrop splashing into a pond, almost unnoticeable when it sinks in, but leaving many ripples in its wake.

It was three days after that first evening with Andrea that Claire began to suspect something unusual was going on.

Her suspicions were slowly aroused at breakfast on the first day, when Andrea was a bit too eager to handle everything for Claire, from cleaning the dishes to laying out her clothes for work to changing her own diaper so that Claire "wouldn't have to bother." At first, it seemed like a simple gesture of kindness—the sort of thing an old roommate might do, especially Andrea had always been quick to help Claire out back in college, just as Claire had done the same for her.

Then, on the second day, Andrea had called her "darling" no less than six times.

And on the third day, she'd surprised Claire before bed, coming up from behind to plant a kiss on the side of her neck and whisper "Good night."

That next morning, Claire lay awake in bed, trying not to look at or make any contact with her former roommate. It was painful to be so distant, but she knew that she needed some kind of space between the two of them.

She had no way of knowing what was going through Andrea's mind. There'd be a glimpse of something during their meals or when Claire was changing her diaper. The woman's face would drift into a satisfied smile, and she would be positively radiant, like some kind of full-grown cherub. It was the smile of love. The smile of joy.

To Claire, it was both a delight and a terror.

Andrea had never, as far as she could remember, ever given that kind of a smile. This was a side to her—the wonderfully happy side—that she’d never seen before. Even being with Daniel, her long-time boyfriend and future husband, has never elicited such a rise out of her.

So later that day, as Claire came home from work, she dropped her bag and coat by the door and went over to find Andrea preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Her roommate spun around from the salad she was tossing and flashed a grin as Claire entered. "Hey, beautiful! How was work?"

"Not bad." Claire reached behind her shoulder to rub the back of her neck, then stopped as she realized how much of a nervous tic that was. "Do you have a moment? There's something I wanted to discuss with you."

"Of course." Andrea put down her salad tongs, wiped her hands on a kitchen rag, and went with Claire to sit at the dining room table. She folded her hands in front of her, giving Claire a pleasant, unassuming smile.

Taking a deep breath, Claire slowly looked up at her friend's face. "Andy, I feel bad about asking this, and I really, really don't mean to offend you, but..." She shook her head and said, "Are you coming on to me?"

Andrea blinked. "Pardon?"

"It's just that—" Claire slowly rubbed a hand down her face, trying to recollect her thoughts and get out the speech she’d rehearsed on the way home. "Ever since we started living together again, you've been different around me. I know a lot of time has passed since college and I know you've had a terrible injury and a terrible divorce, but I get this feeling from you." She gestured to Andrea's face. "Your eyes light up, your voice sounds intense, and you seem to want to hold onto me a little longer every time we hug or go to bed. I just need to know if my suspicions are just that—suspicions."

Claire let out an anxious breath and saw that Andrea was staring at her in shock. Then she noted the glistening tears gathering in her eyes.

"Oh, Andy," she whispered, reaching for her hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be like that—"

"It's not—" Andrea let out a shuddering breath that seemed to make her whole body tremble. She looked away, as tears streaked down her face. "I... I've been lonely, Claire. I've been on my own for a year and a half. No husband. No kids. Even my own mother had to stop coming because of her health..."

She couldn't continue and simply broke down in full-hearted sobbing. It was a well-honed maternal instinct that propelled Claire out of her seat and over to Andrea. She draped her arms around her friend's shoulders, letting her head rest on her bosom and the tears soak into her blouse.

"And then you came," Andrea whispered, her voice muffled by Claire's chest. "And when you did, I could just... forget about everything that had happened. It was like we'd never been apart for all those years. It was... magical being together. And even the way you changed me—

[Summertime]

As always a joy to read. Love the developing relationship between Claire and Andrea.

[the diaper mike]

go on plaese

[JDL23]

Chapter Six

Love is the invitation into one’s home, to come in from the cold and find warmth in the presence of others.

Jessica fidgeted with the shoulder straps on her backpack as she and Sarah walked up to the front door of the house where Sarah's parents lived. They'd made the drive up to spend a three-day weekend with them, and it was important since Jessica hadn’t been to Sarah’s house in what seemed like forever. She had some memories of it at one or two Christmases; all other family interactions usually took place at their Grandma Sharon's house, which was a halfway point for both sides of the family.

"You're sure we can't go to a drugstore out here?" asked Jessica after Sarah rang the doorbell.

"I'm sure you've got plenty of diapers to last the whole weekend," Sarah replied with a tender smile. "I mean, you've got so many in your backpack that it looks ready to burst."

"Yeah, but some days I need more diapers than usual."

"And if we run out, then we'll go buy more," Sarah concluded, still smiling. "You worry almost as much as Claire, Jess."

"It's what I get for living with her for so long," Jessica said. She gave her cousin a suspicious glare. "Just you watch. You'll turn out just the same by staying with us."

Just then, the door opened. Standing there was Sarah's mother, Laura. Much in the way that Jessica was said to be a younger version of her Aunt Claire, it could be said that Sarah was basically a younger version of her mother. Laura was a fairly tall woman with long auburn hair and a heartwarming smile. As soon as she saw the two girls on her doorstep, she let out a fierce giggle and swept them both into a hug.

"It's wonderful you could make it!" Laura exclaimed. She pulled back to give Sarah an appraising look. "You seem to have put on a little weight, dear. Is Claire just spoiling you rotten?"

"It's what she does best," Sarah replied. "And it's good to see you, too, Mom."

Laura turned to Jessica, which made her smile widen. "And how are you, dear? How's school going?"

"Just fine, Aunt Laura. Getting good grades. Sometimes staying out of trouble."

"Well, that's just grand." The older woman led the girls into the house, taking the suitcase Sarah was holding.

They moved into the den, where Sarah's father, Tom, was sitting on the couch. He had a thinning brown scalp and a healthy moustache, which fit Jessica's image of him as a rough-and-ready football coach. But Tom was no less of a wit than Laura and Sarah, though he was the most reserved of the trio. He greeted the girls with a broad smile and turned down the volume on the TV.

"The Packers lost, can you believe it?" he asked of no one in particular, then gave a rueful shake of his head. "Well, I guess with you kids around, the weekend won't be a total loss after all."

"Thanks for the warm welcome, Dad," said Sarah.

"Jessica, darling," Laura piped up, leaning in conspiratorially, "sorry to be a bit of a bother, but do you need a change?" She lifted up Sarah's suitcase. "I was just going to put this away in the room you girls will be sharing anyway."

"Oh! Um..." Jessica gave a slightly embarrassed smile. It was still a bit odd for her Aunt Laura to be changing her, as the only other relatives who did it had been Claire, Sarah, and Grandma Sharon. "Well, if you insist..."

"Sure! Right this way!"

Jessica followed her aunt down the hallway to Sarah's old bedroom. It looked about the same as the one Sarah had at Claire’s house, except it was a bit larger and had more posters on the walls. Jessica set her backpack down on the floor and took out a fresh diaper, her wipes, and a bottle of baby powder.

Laura took them from her and waved for Jessica to lie down. The girl obediently put herself on Sarah's bed, helping her aunt by pulling down her jeans and exposing her fairly damp Attends diaper.

"Sure haven't done this in a while," said Laura, smiling as she undid the tapes and slid off the old diaper.

"Well, I haven't been here in a long time," Jessica replied.

"True, but I meant that I haven't been in the habit of changing too many diapers like Claire has." Laura gave her niece a wistful smile. "My own baby girl has been out of diapers a lot longer than you, dear!"

Unfortunately, Jessica knew it was otherwise, but she also knew better than to say so. Sarah still hadn't found the courage to tell her parents about her own diaper-wearing, although she and Jessica agreed that it was more of a personal interest and she didn’t have to tell her parents everything about her life.

It took Laura a while to finish powdering off Jessica's bottom and taping on the clean diaper. The young woman relished it, though, especially in the tender way Laura adjusted the leg openings and patted her on the rear.

"Thanks, Aunt Laura." Jessica sat up and promptly hugged her aunt.

Laura seemed taken aback, but she relented and returned the hug. "You're very welcome, angel." She bent her head down to kiss Jessica on the cheek and then stroked her hair. "Just be sure to let me when you need a change and I'll be there. You don’t always need Sarah for that, right?"

"No, not always." Jessica smiled up at Laura. "That's why I have you, Mom."

Her aunt gave a soft exclamation of joy and wrapped Jessica into an even tighter hug, followed by a more determined kiss on both cheeks. "I love you, too, baby girl."

It felt wonderful to say something like that, and Jessica knew that her therapist, Dr. Faraday, would have approved of the big step she was taking. She was being honest about her emotions and her needs.

Now, she thought, we'll see if I can't help Sarah do the same...

---

Claire smiled down at Andrea as she reached to pat her on the front of her freshly-taped diaper. Andrea grinned and stuck her thumb in her face, just like Sarah would do sometimes. It only made Claire's smile widen and she couldn't resist bending down to give her friend another long kiss.

Andrea pulled away to give Claire an appraising look. "I think it's wonderful that we're being honest with each other, but I don't want to rush into things."

Claire nodded. "Of course not."

"At our age, we don't have to be foolish."

"What would be the point?"

"We can always take our time."

"We sure can."

They stared at each other for a moment longer, and then Claire threw herself at Andrea again. Their lips meet in a twisting, moaning kiss, and Andrea's hands worked furiously at getting Claire's pants off. Then both women were rolling about on the bed together, helping each other remove their shirts and bras in between kisses, and it wasn't long before they were fully exposed—Claire having stripped down to her panties, and Andrea wearing only her diaper.

It was Andrea who raised the stakes by kissing Claire down along her neck and shoulders, spreading her kisses and caresses along her breasts and her stomach, and then stopping just along her waistline. Claire was in complete ecstasy, to such a degree as she had never known before. But she wasn't prepared when Andrea slid down her panties and suddenly thrust her tongue into her.

A loud gasp escaped Claire's mouth and her eyes squeezed shut as wave after wave of pleasure went coursing through her body. Andrea probed deeper and deeper into her, rooting around for that spot where everything would—

It was over almost as quickly as it had begun. Claire arched her back high before she fell onto the bed sheets again, gasping for air as she slowly pulled herself together. Andrea came up to kiss Claire on both cheeks, and then on the lips.

"You were..." Claire was still panting and wiping the sweat off her face. "That was... that was..."

"Shh." Andrea put a finger to her friend's lips and nuzzled the side of her neck. "Don't spoil the moment. Just enjoy yourself."

Claire sighed and turned to kiss her again. "I haven't had pleasure like that since college... back when I was dating Jon."

"And I haven't been with anyone since Daniel," Andrea replied, giving Claire a kiss just below her earlobe. "My turn now."

"What should I do for you?"

"Whatever you want to do. Let it come naturally."

Slowly, Claire pulled Andrea into a hug and continued kissing her. With one of her hands rubbing Andrea's back, her other hand traced down her breasts and stomach before sinking past the waistband of her diaper.

Andrea moaned and pulled away from the kiss. As Claire began to rub her inside the diaper, Andrea bent her head down and put her lips to Claire’s breast. She continued to moan, but her lips began to suck at the nipple, and Claire found herself moaning along with her. She kissed the top of Andrea's head and began to rub harder, sliding her finger in and out, teasing her into the same climax she herself had enjoyed.

When it was over, Andrea was shivering against Claire, her lips absently sucking away at her breast. Claire marveled at the sensation. She had become so many things in this moment—lover, child, and mother. She could see that Andrea had been unfulfilled, not only in receiving pleasure, but in wanting to give it as well. And Claire had always told herself that her deepest pleasure was in the care and devotion she’d given to Jessica and Sarah, but Andrea had reawakened that primal desire in her—a longing for complete union with another person, wrapped together in unabashed love. In this way, being with her nieces was only a small comfort, and she could see how her affections for them was linked to the affection she now gave Andrea.

"Don't stop," Claire whispered as the other woman's lips began to pull back from her breast. She put her hand through Andrea’s hair. "Please, keep going."

Andrea smiled and shifted to the other breast. Claire sighed contentedly as they went on. She felt very maternal now, holding her love in her arms, nursing her and being completely there for her. And the fact that Andrea was wearing nothing but a diaper only strengthened that feeling.

But this is something I could never share with Sarah or Jess, thought Claire, but a teasing smile came to her lips. Or could I...?

Some time later, they got dressed and sat down for a dinner that had long grown cold after all their lovemaking. When they had finished eating, Andrea led Claire into the bathroom so they could take a shower and clean each other off. Then it was time for one more diaper change and then straight to bed, with Claire holding Andrea close to her, just as she had done on their first night together.

"Good night, darling," Andrea whispered.

Claire kissed her and stroked her hair. "Good night, love. Pleasant dreams."

[Summertime]

Great developing story line, thanks for the weekly fix of Claire et al.

[JDL23]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Here's one more thing to be thankful for!

---

Chapter Seven

Love is the honesty that comes gushing out of your mouth, shattering the silent illusions that had sealed you and your beloved together, now threatening to tear your romance asunder.

"Jess?"

With a soft groan, Jessica let her eyes drift back open. She turned around under the bed sheets to glance at her cousin in the soft darkness of her bedroom. "What?"

"Was there something you wanted to ask me earlier?" Sarah shifted onto her side to get a better look at Jessica. "When I was changing you, you seemed like you wanted to talk about something."

"Oh, right." Jessica scooted herself closer. "It's probably nothing. Aunt Claire told me before she left that... well, that she thought you might enjoy doing a few baby games while we're spending time together." She blushed. "I'm sorry. This feels like a bad time to bring it up—"

Sarah shook her head. "Not at all." She reached her hand to stroke the back of Jessica's neck. "I thought for a second you might be suggesting I come out to Mom and Dad about my fetish."

"Oh, of course not."

"That's good, because I won't." Sarah smiled fondly at her cousin and wrapped her into a hug. "You might be right about playing our little game, but I don't actually want to be the Baby next time." Her eyes twinkled in the shadows. "I want you to be my baby girl."

Jessica was speechless. She worked her lips, trying to respond, but couldn't. All she could feel was Sarah's arms around her, cuddling her silently, whispering sweet nothings into her ear. There was something about breastfeeding and the joy she'd felt in her diaper play with Brendan, and how much she wanted to be a Mommy to someone like Jessica. But it all might as well have been a burst of static as far as Jessica was concerned because she couldn't quite make sense of what Sarah was saying.

Being her baby? The thought echoed in Jessica's mind. It splashed like a pebble in a pond, conjuring up ripples, summoning all those unpleasant memories that she had been able to face—

—Memories like being forced to drink milk from a bottle, to be held in what only resembled a mother's embrace, when in fact there was no love in those arms, and told how much of a "baby" she’d always been—

"Jess?" Sarah asked softly.

A blink brought Jessica back to reality. It had been a while since the memories had gotten a chance to overwhelm her. She met her cousin's worried glance and decided that this wasn't the best time to discuss this sort of thing.

"Sarah, let's get one thing clear," Jessica said sharply. "I am no one's baby girl. Not yours, not Aunt Claire's, and definitely not my mother's. So I'll say 'Good night' and then go to sleep, all right?"

"All right, Jess." Sarah pulled herself away very slowly, looking very sad. She closed her eyes and turned away, facing the wall so that her back was to Jessica.

And that was when Jessica realized that she'd spoken a little too strongly. She had meant to be gentle in her dismissal, but there was still a bit of emotional heat coming off that bad memory. Her therapy with Dr. Faraday and Aunt Claire had helped her get some of her demons out, but even now, there was still one or two that refused to go away.

Jessica let her eyes fall shut and tried to sleep, but all she could hear was the sadness in Sarah's voice. She prayed that they could sort it all out in the morning.

---

"You were what?"

Andrea looked away from Claire’s shocked stare. "I admit it. I was attracted to you back in college." When she met her friend's gaze, she spread her hands defensively. "I was confused back then. I really wasn't sure if I liked guys or girls. Or both."

Claire folded her arms. "And so every time I went swimming or came out of the shower, you were checking me out?"

"Well,"—Andrea gave a coy smile—"not every time."

"Andy!" Claire scooted over from her side of the couch to grab her girlfriend and bring her close. She tried to look serious, but it wasn't working. "In retrospect about last night, I suppose I shouldn’t be upset. It's not like your feelings weren't justified."

"Then you're not mad?"

"Not really." Claire glanced away for a second. "Well, let me amend that. I have the right to be mad, but I'm not. Like you said, you were confused. But you could have told me then." She grinned. "We could have at least gotten one kiss and then been done with it."

Tears suddenly began to collect on the edge of Andrea's eyes. "But then I'd have still married Daniel and I wouldn't have you now to—" Her voice cracked, and before Claire could say anything, Andrea turned away in shame.

"Andy," said Claire. Her hand brushed alongside the other woman's face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You know I'll always care for you."

"Always?" Andrea turned back with a timid smile.

Claire nodded. "Yes, always. If it hadn't been for running into you at the mall and having coffee together, I don't think we'd have rediscovered our bond like this. And as much as I still think of you as my friend and roommate..." She bent down to kiss her softly on the lips. "Well, we both needed that special someone in our lives. Part of me is glad that I was yours, just as you were mine."

"I love you, Claire," said Andrea, pulling her in for another kiss.

They stayed on the couch like that for a while, as Claire reached down to pat the back of Andrea's skirt and trace her fingers along the waistband of her diaper. She gave her girlfriend a soft smile and then nuzzled her on the neck, hoping they might take a nap together, if only to wake up in each other's arms.

---

When Jessica woke up the next morning, she discovered that Sarah had already gotten out of bed—and had changed her cousin's diaper while she was still asleep, if the dryness of her diaper and lingering scent of baby powder was anything to go by. So it took Jessica a moment or two to recall what she'd said to Sarah the night before, and suddenly her confusion turned to guilt.

Moving very slowly, Jessica searched around for her pants and a new t-shirt. She didn't bother taking a shower or fixing up her hair, and went straight to the kitchen. Just as she expected, her aunt and uncle were still asleep, and Sarah sat alone at the table, still in her robe, silently sucking on a pacifier.

When her cousin didn't even look up from the kitchen table, Jessica knew that any of her words or excuses wouldn't fix things between them. But she did have one trick that had always worked on Claire for any unpleasant occasion.

She went right up to Sarah and took her by the arm. When her cousin looked up, still sucking on her pacifier, Jessica went under her arm and curled herself up on her lap, so that Sarah's arm fell over her like a hug. It only took a moment, but soon Sarah was giving Jessica a real hug and reaching around to gently brush a hand through her hair.

While this was going on, Jessica lifted her hand and delicately took the pacifier out of Sarah's mouth. Her cousin didn't resist but watched with anticipation as Jessica examined the pacifier in her hand.

She was ready for all the bad memories to come flooding through her mind—like having her voice locked away behind a pacifier by that madwoman of a mother, sucking on it day and night except for when she was sobbing—but there was none of that, much to her detached surprise. So Jessica plopped the pacifier right into her mouth and began to suck on it, feeling very cute and safe.

A pair of lips brushed against her forehead, and she heard Sarah whisper into her ear, "You are too adorable to let go. My lovely little sweetheart."

Jessica's only response to that was to continue sucking away and letting her eyes drift shut, while Sarah gently rocked her and hummed the faint notes of a lullaby.

[sgt_mad_cow]

Great Chapter and I am Thankful for the post keep up with the great writing.

[the diaper mike]

go on plaese

[Summertime]

Thank you for another great chapter. The way the story is developing this could be better than "Life with Claire".

[JDL23]

Thank you for another great chapter. The way the story is developing this could be better than "Life with Claire".

Well, I'm glad you think so. Honestly, I think it helps that I haven't already planned the end like I did with "Life with Claire." It seems to allow the story to breathe and grow a little. Anyway, hope to see y'all again next week!

[JDL23]

Chapter Eight

Love is the new horizon you and your beloved explore, facing new perils and unimagined joys, with the confidence that comes from holding hands.

A week after discovering and professing their love for each other, Claire and Andrea were sitting on the bed together, which seemed to be a frequent activity for them whenever Claire was home from work or Andrea was in between floral arrangement jobs. Claire was receiving a very sensual massage from her lover, lying facedown with her top off and her eyes blissfully shut.

"Lower, please." Claire stretched and sighed. "Mmm, that's it. There's a little knot in my lower back—that's the one..."

Andrea continued kneading her fingers into her back, but she bent down briefly to kiss Claire on that very spot. It sent a tingle through Claire, a jolt that liquefied her whole body into ecstasy before settling into a deep peace. She was of reminded of how Sarah would have a similar reaction whenever someone touched her on the back of the neck.

"So I was thinking, dear," said Andrea, as she got to work on Claire's hips, "that maybe we go do a little more... experimenting together."

"How much further we can go?" Claire wondered aloud. They'd already kissed and made love. It seemed like there wasn't a single square inch of their bodies that they hadn't explored in the past few days.

"Well, we've gone physically, emotionally, spiritually..." Andrea's tone turned suggestive as she trailed off. "But what about psychologically?"

Claire turned her head around. Andrea had stopped massaging her and was doing nothing more than staring back with a playful expression. This was more like the girl she'd known back in college—that rambunctious, redheaded rapscallion who adored late-night parties and couldn't stand having nothing to do on a Friday or Saturday night. But it took a while for Claire to adjust to the fact that neither of them were still living it up in college and had, for all intents and purposes, slowed down.

Still, love knew no boundaries as far as Claire was concerned, so she turned a big, bright smile onto her lover. "What did you have in mind?"

Andrea turned her over and leaned down to give Claire a soft kiss. Then she drew back and grinned. "I was just thinking that you've been so giving ever since you arrived. Yes, I've been making all our meals and doing my half of the laundry, but you seem to love doing everything else for me—the most important of those things being, obviously, changing my diaper."

She leaned close enough to Claire's face, as if she were ready for another kiss, but held back. "It occurs to me, though, that I haven't done much for you. I feel like I should be able to take charge once and a while, instead of letting you handle everything."

"Well," said Claire, feeling a mite uncomfortable discussing this without her shirt on, "I don't know that I really 'take charge' of anything."

"Yes, you do. Don't get me wrong. It isn't a bad thing." Andrea stroked the side of Claire's face with the blade of her hand. "But I think you should be passive for once in your life. It should be your turn for being taken care of."

"I'm touched, Andy." Claire took the hand stroking her face and kissed its palm. "Really, that's very sweet of you."

"So here’s the rule," Andrea declared with that let's-get-things-done tone she'd used to persuade Claire to go out on so many dull Friday nights. "From this moment on, you are to be completely docile around me. You can say whatever you like, but you have to do everything I tell you to do. And in return"—Andrea's smile threatened to split her cheeks apart—"you'll be showered with all the affection and attention I'd give to my own daughter. If I had one, anyway. Is that clear?"

"This isn't going to involve some kind of humiliation, is it?" Claire still had too many unpleasant memories of the similarly authoritarian approach taken by the sorority they'd pledged for in college—and that seemingly endless week when they wore rabbit ears and fluffy cotton tails to every single class.

Andrea chuckled and gave her another soft kiss. "No, nothing like that. At least, I don’t think it'll happen." She shifted on her legs to get a higher seated position on the bed. "One never knows..."

Claire figured that this would a highly unusual experience for her. And of course Andrea would have the final word on when this exercise ended—if indeed, it ever would. So like everything else in her life, all she could do was shrug and decide to make the most of it.

"All right, Andy," Claire said with a wistful smile. "I'm entirely in your hands."

"Good. Take off your pants."

Claire didn’t hesitate. She slid her jeans off and dropped them onto the floor, so that she was sitting on the bed in just her bra and panties. Andrea ran her eyes over her more-exposed body, giving a slow and appreciative nod.

"Very good, Claire," she said, lowering herself onto her back. "Next, I want you to take off all of my clothes."

Again, Claire didn't waste any time. She removed Andrea's socks and shoes, and then her jeans, as though she were prepping her roommate for yet another diaper change. Then she went to slip off Andrea's blouse, and after a quick questioning glance, removed her bra as well.

Now Andrea was lying in just her diaper—a slightly wet diaper, Claire noted. She was panting slightly, but offered a fiendish grin. "I hope you're ready for the next bit because it's a little complicated."

This feeling of uncertainty was quite refreshing, Claire had to admit. This was a far cry from the ordinary nights she'd spent with her nieces or even the parties she and Andrea used to attend. It was a deliberate loss of control, and she was starting to like it.

Andrea met her gaze and said, "Now, Claire, take me onto your lap, so that I'm facing down."

Reaching for her partner, Claire scooted onto the bed and pulled Andrea into a supine position across her lap, resting her hands atop her bare back.

The grin Andrea wore didn't lessen when she said, "Now spank me."

"What?"

"Do it!"

Instinctively, Claire gave her a soft pat on the back of her diaper—hard enough to register, but not nearly so hard to cause actual pain. She was too flabbergasted to even realize what she was doing.

Andrea shook her head. "Not like that. Be hard. Don't hold yourself back."

Claire bit her lower lip. "I don't believe in spanking anyone, Andy. Certainly not after what my niece went through."

"I know, Claire, but she was being spanked to punish." Andrea’s gaze narrowed. "I want you to spank me for the sake of pleasure."

"I still don't—"

"Claire, please."

Andrea's voice caught her off-guard. It was full of emotion—almost a hunger, like the voice of a starving person. She was watching Claire intently, ravenously, as if a swat of her hand could satisfy her completely. To give some encouragement, she began to wiggle her diapered rear up toward Claire's face, all but begging her to strike.

No, thought Claire. Not to strike, but to play.

That's what Andrea was doing here. She wasn't asking for punishment, but to be engaged in a way that went beyond the norm. So this wasn't really disrespecting Jessica and her past.

It was an invitation to cut loose.

So Claire let her eyes fall half-shut and began to swat Andrea on her bottom. She was rewarded with a series of laughs, squeals, and deep-throated moans from her lover. And with every swat, Claire felt her lips spreading toward an unabashed grin, and her eyes fell completely shut. The spanking developed its own rhythm—up and down, up and down, a soft moan from Claire matched by a deeper cry from Andrea, as though they were trading off on the same breath, inhaling and exhaling with each swat.

Slowly, Claire's blows began to subside, and she laid her hand against the fluff of Andrea's diapered bottom, which was now soaked with sweat. Andrea lay panting and smiling on Claire's lap, cuddling her quietly with relief, and it amazed Claire that she could do such a thing to her friend and not feel any shame.

She felt grateful for the opportunity and couldn't wait for her next task.

[Summertime]

Great development, I thought the introduction of spanking was a good idea, can't wait to see what Andy and Claire try next.

[JDL23]

Great development, I thought the introduction of spanking was a good idea, can't wait to see what Andy and Claire try next.

I was a little unsure if it seemed like a step in the right direction or if it detracted from the story. Glad to hear that it's appreciated, and I'll hope you'll all feel the same about the next few chapters! Stay tuned!

[Summertime]

I was a little unsure if it seemed like a step in the right direction or if it detracted from the story. Glad to hear that it's appreciated, and I'll hope you'll all feel the same about the next few chapters! Stay tuned!

I don't think that this development detracts from the story line, Andy and Claire's relationship seems to be one based on trust, love and fun, to me this looks at the fun aspect in a trusting and loving environment, as with any relationship.