A Family Affair Ch. 01

Hello! So last time I was uploading stories, I started a series called 'Memoirs', which was the story of a brother and his four sisters. Now while it was enjoyed by a few people, as harem stories seem to be a popular sub-topic within this genre, more than one comment suggested there were some similarities with another popular harem story that's been uploaded to this site. I'd not read it before, but as I certainly don't want to have a too similar story as someone else...

I've gone back to the drawing board regarding a family harem story. I've gone bigger, not sure if that means better, but I thought of a couple of ideas to work with and I'll just let the story grow from there. I don't particularly plan my stories, I generally just start writing and let the story grow organically. One ambitious difference to the original 'Memoirs' is that it'll be multiple POVs. I'll try that to start, see if it works, otherwise I'll just stick to the MC POV.

I have kept a couple of things the same from 'Memoirs'. One is that the MC is a sexually inexperienced young man who has just finished high school. I toyed with the idea of changing that, perhaps having him return home a couple of years later, but it makes sense in my mind for him to be a young man, finding his way in the world in more ways than one. Mostly it's the fact I don't want an older brother 'preying' on his younger sisters. Purely a personal thing. The other is that, like most stories I've written for this site, despite it being a harem story, each chapter does have a romantic feel to it. Or that's what I hope anyway.

Hope you enjoy it. Like a lot of these stories, first chapter will be slow as it sets the scene, introducing most of the characters. Feedback / comments appreciated as always.

All characters involved in sexual scenarios are 18+.

*****

Walking out of the school gates for the last time was a relief. No more exams. No more studying. No more homework. No more boring lessons. No more being treated like a child despite the fact I was less than a week from becoming a man. The last exam was now complete. Many of my fellow students would now be heading off to continue learning at university. Others might be heading off to various colleges for training.

Not me. I planned on heading straight into the workforce... though only after the summer break, where I'd celebrate my birthday, Christmas then New Years Eve within a fortnight, before I started work in early January. I already had a job lined up at a nearby mechanics. I'd been told by more than one person that I was smart enough to go to university, but I wasn't cerebral, or I didn't think I was. I felt better when my hands were busy, and preferably dirty. I had an old car sat in the driveway of my grandparents' house, Pop and I tinkering with it nearly every weekend. We had recently finished overhauling the engine and we had managed to get it up and running, though it wasn't road legal yet. And I was constantly fixing things around the house... or houses, if you look at it.

It's a long story I'll explain later.

"Big plans for your birthday?" my best friend asked. His name was Patrick, but we all called him Paddy, despite the fact none of us were Irish, and far as I was aware, had Irish blood in our veins.

"No idea, to be honest. I would assume Mum and my sisters might have something planned. And if they are, then my aunties and cousins would likely be involved too."

"Going to remain living at home?" Chris asked, my other best friend. We'd been a trio since our early days of high school.

"Of course! Why would I want to move out?"

"I'm not sure how you've managed it, Mark," Patrick stated, "I mean, an enormous house full of women, and just you. All that oestrogen."

"Eh, could be a hell of a lot worse."

I could understand what Patrick was saying, though. From the outside, those not aware of the situation, being the lone male in a house full of women might seem intolerable. But there are reasons as to the current situation which I guess need explaining.

My name is Mark Williams and I am the youngest child of Matthew and Caroline Williams. I'm on the verge of adulthood, standing just shy of six foot, broad shoulders, thanks to years of rugby and a couple of years of gym work, brown hair with blues eyes, for which I've received a few compliments over the years. I've been told that my best feature is my smile. It's also added that, sometimes, I don't smile enough.

If I am the child of Matthew and Caroline Williams, why do I live in a house full of women? While I would like to say it was due to something like a divorce, and my father was still around, unfortunately, he isn't. And neither are my two uncles, which further explains my living situation.

My father had been an investment banker and made more than enough money to provide for his family. But while he provided for his family, he also treated himself to things, something my mother understood and accepted. When I was 12, he headed off to Europe with my uncles Brian and Michael for a skiing trip. They never came home.

Haven't really liked the snow since.

That left my mother, Caroline, to raise her three daughters and myself on her own. My oldest sister is Amy, who is currently 24. Then there are the twins, Katherine (Katie) and Deborah (Debs or Debbie), who are 22. But also living with us are the widows and children of Brian and Michael. There is Aunt Cassandra (Sandra), who is 42, with two daughters, Kelly, who is 23, and Simone, who is 20. Finally, there is Aunt Rebecca (Becca), who is the youngest sister of Caroline, at 40, and who has one child, Heidi, who is 18, being only a couple of months older than me.

So that's ten people living in one house, right? Not quite. My father and uncles had life insurance policies, and while there were plenty of children, my mother and aunts all worked full-time as well. We had lived in a comfortable house in the suburbs, but being left alone and rather grief-stricken by the loss, it was eventually agreed that Cassandra and Rebecca would move in next door. That wasn't it. Within weeks, the fence separating the properties was taken down and builders called in.

By the time I was thirteen, Mum and my aunts had made sure I had my own little place to myself. Comfortable bedroom. My own bathroom. And a little living space where my sisters or cousins would come to hang out with me, or help me with my studies. Losing a father figure, my mother's father, who I called Pop, took me under his wing as I was now 'man of the house'. I've received plenty of life lessons from the old man, and no end of training in the basics of 'how to be a man', whether it was something simple like tying a tie, to getting underneath a car to change the oil.

I'll admit, it made me feel good whenever I was asked to fix something around the house, and as long as it wasn't electrical, I was soon confident with a screwdriver, drill or hammer in my hand to get most things done. I also looked after outside without needing to be told, mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, cleaning the pool... We had a big pool. Summers were hot in Australia, and it was the second major purchase after the building work of my new room.

Patrick, Chris and I walked together until we arrived outside my house. I invited them in as always, but they wanted to get home. And, being honest, they were intimidated by all the women in the household. Didn't bother me as I was used to it, but my sisters would likely be home, the twins still studying, while Amy remained living at home and was almost a housewife, except without the husband. But while Mum and my aunties were at work, and everyone else was at work or studying, she was quite content to look after the house. Or mansion, as I now called it.

Heading inside, I wandered straight for my room to dump my bag and get changed, as I'd been sweating most of the day. Even in this day and age, most schools didn't come with air-con, relying on a few rickety old ceiling fans that just blew the hot air around. Swapping my clothes for my swimming shorts, I grabbed a towel and headed outside for the pool. I passed by Amy, busy in the kitchen, preparing that night's meal.

Amy was 24 years old, sandy blonde coloured hair, a pair of big brown eyes, soft features and body. Good natured, she was rarely not smiling, happy or at least content with life. She lived to give and wanted for nothing, or at least that's what I thought. Sometimes I'd sit at the kitchen table as she pottered about, humming to herself, which would help me concentrate. It was something I noticed Mum did from time to time too. She stood around only 5'4, and was actually the shortest of my sisters, which amused us considering I was the youngest and had towered over her since I had a real growth spurt around fourteen.

"Afternoon, Amy," I said.

She smiled as always. "Hello, Mark. Glad that's over and done with?"

"If I never have to do another exam, it'll be too soon. Still, I think I did okay."

"Hot day?"

"The exam hall was a sauna. Utterly ridiculous. Sweat was dripping off my forehead onto the paper." I shrugged. "Oh well, they're the people that have to decipher it."

"Reckon you aced any of them?"

"History, maybe. Or hopefully. Geography was okay. English... eh, too much Shakespeare. Maths was good. Aced Design & Tech, and I got great marks at college in mechanics."

"You start second week of January, right?"

Smiling, I nodded. "Yeah. Got to enjoy my last few weeks of freedom before I join the daily grind."

She gestured with her head. "Go have your swim and cool down. And enjoy the peace before everyone else comes in. The twins are outside sunbathing."

I almost snorted. "Should have known. Heidi home?"

"Not yet. Her exam would still be in progress, I think."

Because Heidi was closest in age to me, I felt closest to her as we went through the same life experiences at roughly the same time. When the three families had come together, we'd relied on each other to get through it. She wasn't the only one who needed their little brother or cousin to get through it though. Even Mum would sometimes just stop by as she needed a cuddle. But Heidi was the one who would sneak into my room to talk late at night during those early years, though it had stopped once puberty had well and truly hit.

Walking outside onto the porch, the twins were lying back on sunlounges not far from the pool. Deborah was in a bikini that left little to the imagination as usual. She was brunette with blue eyes, much like our mother, and one of those faces that would make men stop in the street. And, I'll admit, she had a great set of tits on her. I'd ogled her more than once when she was showing cleavage, which just led to more teasing. Katherine was also in a bikini but it at least covered most of her breasts and groin area. While twins, they were not quite identical. Face wise, they were quite similar, but body, Katherine didn't have her sisters' bust, but made up for it with a fantastic arse. She also had a great pair of legs, made even better by all the athletics she participated in. The joke often was that Deborah got the tits and Katherine got the arse. Personality wise, Deborah was certainly the more outgoing, Katherine was bubbly and friendly but nothing like her twin.

Walking past them, both lowered the book they were reading, though I couldn't see their eyes due to their sunglasses.

"Hey, Mark!" Deborah exclaimed.

"How long have you been out here, Debs?"

"Enough that I'm going to have a lovely tan going into summer. All the hot men will be checking me out soon enough."

I had more than one retort to that, which would likely lead to a long back and forth. So I swallowed that down and turned to her twin. "What about you, Katie?"

"I'm not as obsessed as my sister with bronzing myself to the hilt. I just want a nice bit of colour."

Dropping my towel on one of the free lounges, I dove in and spent a few minutes just cooling off, enjoying the cold water. It had been another blisteringly hot day, and there was news that the heat wave was going to continue the rest of the month. I figured I was going to be spending a lot of time in the pool, which didn't bother me. I was looking paler than the twins, though those two were always rather bronzed. All natural, of course. Even in winter, they'd be outside trying to keep their tans going.

Heidi was the next one to appear, wearing a rather revealing bikini as well. She grinned upon seeing me in the pool before she ran and jumped in to join me. Her best features were the vibrant red hair and green eyes. Definitely didn't get it from our side of the family. But with the faint freckling over her nose, and the constant pale skin, even I would admit she was gorgeous. She was also a short arse, barely topping 5'2. I ribbed her about that as she would rib me about being the baby of the family.

"Need some help at the deep end?" I asked. She just poked her tongue out at that. "Exam go okay?"

"Yeah, I think that's sealed the marks I need to go to university close by. Most of my friends are eager to leave home. I'm left wondering why though I recognise I have a good thing here."

"Of course you do! Why do you think we're still here?" Deborah asked.

"Because no-one else would tolerate your shit?" Heidi retorted.

"Oooh, she's got the claws out today," Katherine added, giggling away.

"It's okay, Katie. We know it's just because she's jealous," Deborah stated, grinning away, "What do you think, Mark?"

"I think I'm not stupid enough to get involved," I said, climbing out of the pool, grabbing my towel. "Just don't argue too much. Our mum nor hers needs the aggravation." Katie smiled at me before I added, "You want anything before I head to my room?"

"We're fine. Drinks will definitely be flowing later. Not you, though. Wait until you're old enough."

Nothing but a tease considering it was my birthday within a couple of days. And she knew I'd already had a few with the boys. Still, I chuckled to myself as I headed inside. Amy was still busy in the kitchen, though she stopped me long enough to give me a quick hug, before asking, "Will you be around much during the next few weeks?"

"Sure. No real plans. Might catch up with mates every so often, but I just want to chill out most of the time."

"And it's your birthday in a couple of days. Thought about what you want to do?"

"Honestly? I'll be legal to drink, so just a night out somewhere so I can enjoy a few drinks would be nice. It'll be nice to actually legally drink in a pub or club."

"Ah, had a few with the boys?" I just tapped the side of my nose, earning a giggle. She swatted my butt. "Right, scoot. I need to prepare dinner."

"Yes, Mum."

She knew I meant that with affection. Apart from Heidi, I was surprisingly closest with Amy, considering there was an age gap. Not large, but enough that we were at different stages in life. Once she'd left high school, she remained at home having agreed with our mother that she'd just like to take care of the house. I often wondered why she wasn't with someone and having a family of her own. She had plenty of mothering instincts but... as far as I was aware, she'd been single for a while.

"She'll be home soon. It's Friday, so she'll be gagging for some wine with her sisters."

"I'm just going to veg out in front the telly for a while."

"I'll holler when your presence is required."

I was half-asleep when my Mum arrived home later. She always came to say hello once she'd dumped her things. She appeared in the doorway wearing the jacket and skirt ensemble she normally wore to work, though had loosened her brunette hair so it fell down onto her shoulders. I sat up as she wandered in, sitting down at the end of the bed. "So that's it, all over now?"

"Yeah. Not changing my mind, Mum."

She patted my leg and smiled, mischief in her blue eyes. "I know, Mark. Got that job lined up already. Not planning on leaving too soon, I hope?"

"Why would I want to move out?"

"I don't know. I'm just thinking that, now that you're a man, with a soon to be steady job, you'd want to spread your wings and leave the madhouse."

"I love the madhouse, Mum. You think I want to go?"

"I don't know. I can't read your mind," she said, keeping humour in her tone, "But, like your sisters and cousins, we're in no rush to see you leave either." I sat up to sit next to her, smiling when she wrapped an arm around my waist and leaned into me. "My little boy is about to become a man," she said happily.

We ate together as we did nearly every night, Amy having cooked up the usual storm. Mum loved cooking as well, and on a weekend, Amy and Mum would spend a couple of hours baking and preparing a meal for Saturday or Sunday night. Get Auntie Sandra and Becca involved, and I never had to make my lunch for the week as they were quite happy making sure I had plenty of food for a long day at school. I was left wondering if they'd do the same once I started work.

Once dinner was finished, I found myself centre of attention. "So where do you want to go on Sunday night?" Mum asked.

Shrugging, I admitted I didn't really know. "I was figuring just somewhere for a cheap feed and that sells alcohol. I know I'm becoming an adult by law, and while it's a big deal, I don't want to go out and get smashed. Long as Paddy and Chris join us."

"Of course they're invited, it's your night," Mum said, "Why not the leagues club? They generally do a good steak dinner on a Sunday."

"Long as all of you are happy with that."

"I'll be happy getting out of the house a while," Amy said.

"Last one in the family to reach adulthood. No more children in the house," Mum said, a little wistfully.

Deborah snorted. "Please, he hasn't been considered a child since he towered over all of us by 15."

"That's sorted then. We'll head to the nearby leagues club. Food is usually pretty good there," Mum said.

Summers in Australia mean a few things. Beach and barbies. Surf and sand. My Saturdays were taken up by the national summer sport. Cricket. When I first started playing, only Mum would come watch me for a couple of hours before she'd disappear, then return to pick me up when the game is finished. Nowadays, if it's a warm summers day, Mum would bring a picnic and sit all day. She wouldn't watch much, as she found the sport boring, but she'd bring a book. If my aunties, sisters or cousins came along, they'd generally enjoy themselves, sometimes enjoying a bottle of wine while noshing on some snacks.

Our team was struggling for success, so the coach did me a favour, considering it was my 18th birthday the next day. He sent me out to open the innings. I'll admit, it's a little nerve wracking facing the first ball. You certainly don't want to get out. Very embarrassing. Thankfully, I managed to see off the first three deliveries before I cracked an excellent cover drive for four. Almost whooped with delight at such a stroke. Bowler scowled at me, though my batting partner was too busy giving me a pat on the back for the good shot for me to notice.

Sometimes take a while to get into the groove but while the occasional wicket fell, I slowly built up a tally of runs until I was nearing fifty. I'd never scored that many runs in an innings before, at least not at this level, now that I was playing for the senior team. Then a new bowler was introduced, and the first ball was all about that sweet chin music. It was so fast, I barely had time to move my head out of the way. All he did was glare at me for a few seconds before he walked off back to his mark. The man had pace, I'll give him that, and his leg cutter was delightful. Had me playing and almost edging more than once.

Fifth ball, I pulled his delivery to the boundary for four. As I jogged down the wicket, holding up my bat as I passed fifty, I simply threw him a grin. Oooh, he was not happy!