002

We all laughed. I hadn't quite peed, but I'd felt like it. Master squeezed my leg. We were the first to arrive, though Janet and Chen, along with Reneé arrived shortly after, before we'd been guided to the private room. We all went back and took a seat. Lisa and I sat on either side of Master, Lucia was beside me, with Rhonda sitting next to her. Reneé and Janet were sitting on either side of Chen on the opposite side of the table.

When Sharon came in to take drink orders and saw who it was, she said, "We don't put the long tablecloths in here because the tables are pushed together."

I'm sure she thought there might be an orgy or something. She recognized the slave collars on the slaves for what they were. I reassured here there was no intent to have sex tonight, though one never knew what might happen. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Speaking softly, I said, "I want to thank you again for what you did for me. I'll never forget it." Sharon blushed.

"I wish you'd quit reminding me. It was a moment of weakness." I laughed.

Others started to drift in, Master's parents first, then Lisa's, then mine. Master and Lisa stood to greet everyone. He told me to remain seated. The only persons they had to introduce to the others were Sergeant Meadows and Janet. They all came to me and commented on my pregnancy.

Dan, Master's father, said, "Love the dress, slave." Sandy, his mother, lovingly hit his arm.

"Ignore him, sweetie. He can be crude sometimes." She kissed me on the cheek.

"Thank you, Master Dan. I'm glad you like it."

Sharon started taking drink orders. When she reached me, she said, "I don't need to worry about any shenanigans again, do I?"

I pointed to Rhonda. "She's a police sergeant. I don't know if she'll allow any shenanigans."

"Hopefully, she's not as bonkers as you are." It was prophetic, in a way.

I couldn't have any alcohol, but everyone else was having wine or high balls. Mistress Dark arrived with Rose and Slut, all dressed to the nines. It was amazing, but they knew everyone else here, either because we'd just been staying with them or the Memorial Day barbecue.

After the drinks arrived, the three waitresses waiting on us took our food orders. Detective Riley arrived around eight, after the food orders were taken, but his order for food and drink was quickly taken and he was introduced to everyone he didn't know. Mostly, just the parents at this point.

As we awaited our food, we finally had a chance to discuss what happened. I started as I was the first to know what happened. I went through my part of it. Our parents were the most upset, although I'd told them Jack was dead and we didn't need to worry about him anymore, they hadn't known how close it was. I let Lucia take over the story from the point we both went into the garage. Rhonda held onto Lucia's hand tightly as she talked about letting the others out of the garage and waiting calmly on the floor as she waited for him to show up. I believed Sergeant Meadows was quite smitten with Lucia. She was going to have her heart broken when Lucia went home.

Her story finished, every one of our parents got up and hugged Lucia, thanking her for her bravery. My father, Harry, thanked her for being a dead shot and killing the bastard; rotting in prison would have been too good for him as far as he was concerned. They both huddled over me for a time, thinking how close they'd come to losing both their daughter and grandchild. Everyone asked why Lucia was here to protect us. They hadn't met her at the hospital as she didn't come on Saturday when our parents came to visit after our rape. I think they were wondering if Master had added another woman to his harem.

By this time, our food was being delivered, but everyone couldn't move, nor barely breathe, as she told them what had happened to her so long ago, how she'd been left for dead after a gang rape, developed infections which damaged her reproductive system and come as our guest to undergo treatment at the Sturgis Clinic so she could have a child. This story was new to almost everyone, and they were shocked when they heard it.

"I think sometimes God has a purpose for the bad things which happen in this world," Lucia said. "After it happened, I came to this country, met my Mistress, received help from her medically and psychologically. I learned self defense so I would never feel as scared and helpless as I did then. I came to Fresno for treatment and was in a position to help protect my friends. If it hadn't happened the way it did, I wouldn't have been in a position to help and probably still living poor in my country, married to a man I didn't and could never love. While it was horrible, I thank Him every day for the blessings I've received since."

Everyone was silent. I myself, was lost in contemplation. Pondering everything which happened the last few months, from the time Master suggested to me I could become a his slave for three weeks. How I discovered how much I loved it. Invited my friend to join me, found a business for myself, made a number of new friends. Friends who dropped everything when they knew I was hurt, friends who'd protected me, given me shelter, and loved me. I'd found a deeper, more meaningful love for my husband and Master, and my friend. I've never been particularly religious, seldom attending church. I believed in a Deity, but wondered about a place for him in my life. But just as Lucia believed everything in her life had purpose beyond the obvious, I started wondering if my life was the same.

Sharon set my plate down. I looked up at her and thanked her.

"You've got a wonderful friend," Sharon said.

"I have a lot of wonderful friends, even you, who took pity on a pathetic slave girl one night."

Sharon blushed again, and I kissed her on the lips, then whispered, "I still owe you an orgasm, should you ever wish to claim it."

She got even redder, but patted my arm. "I'll think about it."

I laughed.

We partied until eleven. Even Jerry had a chance to join us. When it started to break up, I thanked everyone for joining us and for their love and friendship, hugging everyone.

When I reached Chen and Janet, I suggested to them they might want to come tomorrow evening and Master could demonstrate how to punish disobedient slaves.

"Yes, Domina. Could we Master?" Janet pleaded.

"I think it would be a very good idea. I find myself thinking you could do better than you do and perhaps punishment would reinforce your compliance."

"Thank you, Master."

"I still haven't been punished yet for cumming without permission. Other issues intervened. We can undergo our punishment together," I told Janet.

"Yes, Domina."

As I hugged Detective Riley, he apologized to me.

"Why?"

"Because we didn't catch Jack sooner, because we're the reason he found you in the first place."

"Nonsense. He was skilled at escape and evasion. It was part of his training. If he hadn't found us, we'd still be huddling at Mistress Dark's house, scared and afraid and imposing on her friendship. Who knows how long it might have gone on? We already were considering setting a trap for him because we wanted it to be over. It's over now. It's possible Lucia is right, and everything happens for a reason. Perhaps it had to end this way."

"I'm glad you think so, but I still feel responsible."

"Then you worry over nothing. I doubt anyone else here feels you were responsible. I don't. Worry about the next case, not the past."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."