Once in a Lifetime
Page 19
The congratulatory part of the afternoon passes quickly. Jodie’s not like Muriel in the sense that she didn’t want to invite every distant acquaintance to our wedding.
“I don’t want a big fanfare. I just want to be married to you,” she said. “But it would be impolite to not at least invite our nearest and dearest.”
When Gerald, an excellent neighbor and a surprisingly good cook for someone who works all the time, suggested his beach house as a venue, I guess it resonated with both Jodie and me. As though the only way to come full circle was to hold the ceremony here.
“Are you sure?” Jodie asked, after we’d already agreed.
“I do have one concern,” I said. “You’ve taken your exes there. It might be awkward, what with the memory of them.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve forgotten all about them.” It was just a manner of speaking, of course, because Jodie stayed friendly with Suzy for Rosie’s sake. Apparently, Suzy was able to do that—I suppose I admire her a tiny bit for that. I’ve met her and I guess I can see what drew Jodie to her. But, to my utmost relief, she hasn’t become that close a friend that Jodie invited her to our wedding.
Champagne flows freely well into the night. Most of the guests have booked accommodation in the area. This includes Gerald, who gallantly claimed that his house was ours for as long as we needed it. I also presume he didn’t want to stay here on his ex-wife’s wedding night.
“How strange,” Jodie said, when we arrived here this morning, “that Gerald and I have grown closer since you arrived back into the picture. Who would have thought?”
“Life is strange,” I replied enigmatically. And it is.
Jodie’s just freed herself from a conversation with her parents. I always got along fine with Don and Eileen Whitehouse, but I guess—just like anyone would—they had their suspicions when I suddenly re-appeared in Jodie’s life. She leans with her hip against the sofa and I beckon her over.
She struts over and her gait is not entirely straight. It doesn’t matter. I want to tell her now.
“Let’s go out back for a minute,” I say.
She cocks her head as if to ask ‘Really? You want to fuck me now?’
“I need to ask you something important.”
“How sneaky to wait until after I’ve said ‘I do’.”
She puts her hand in mine and I guide us to the back patio. She leans into me immediately, her lips on my neck.
“I’m serious, Jodes.” I let my fingers run through her hair briefly anyway.
“Okay. I’m all ears.” She backs away from me a little, but I can still smell her perfume.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while…” I gaze into Jodie’s green eyes. “I was wondering if you would be willing to consider me adopting Rosie. So she can have two parents.”
Jodie’s eyes widen. “For real?”
I nod. “I would hardly joke about that.” I recall the time Troy called me Mom and my stunted reaction to that. It’s certainly not that I suddenly believe that motherhood is my true calling and any life without it is incomplete. “I love Rosie, and I think it would be advantageous to cover all legal bases.”
“I’m not saying no, Leigh, but you are springing this on me… and, truth be told, I’m rather tipsy.”
“I felt it was important to ask you today.”
“All legal bases, huh…”
Perhaps I could have phrased that better. “I don’t want you to be the only one she yells at when she reaches the rebellious stages of puberty.”
Jodie chuckles. “How about we continue this conversation tomorrow.”
“Agreed.” I tug her toward me again. “Mrs. Sterling.”
She looks up at me. I’m just joking. We’re both keeping our names just the way they are. “I honestly have no idea what ever possessed me to take Gerald’s name. Back then, it was just the obvious thing to do, I guess, but in hindsight it seems so ludicrous.”
I nod my agreement. “Now,” I whisper, “I believe I see a wall with your name on it.”
“Just kiss me,” she says, and I do.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Endless gratitude to my wife Caroline for supplying the idea for this novel, for always listening patiently to my crazy plans, and for being my partner in just about everything. To Maria for the unwavering enthusiasm when it comes to my stories and for the invaluable beta-reader essays. To Cheyenne Blue for being a stellar, honest editor and an equally excellent friend. To my readers, without whom all of this wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you.
About the author
Harper Bliss is the author of the novel At the Water’s Edge, the High Rise series, the French Kissing serial and several other lesbian erotica and romance titles. She is the co-founder of Ladylit Publishing, an independent press focusing on lesbian fiction. Harper lives on an outlying island in Hong Kong with her wife and, regrettably, zero pets.
Harper loves hearing from readers and if you’d like to drop her a note you can do so via harperbliss@gmail.com
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Other Harper Bliss books
For a complete list of all Harper Bliss titles, please visit harperbliss.com/books
Summer Love: Stories of Lesbian Holiday Romance
Sun-soaked beaches, glittering blue pool surfaces and oceans painted by an orange-hued sunset have one thing in common: they’re the perfect background for falling in love. Who hasn’t felt that first wave of butterflies rise deep in their belly while pool side? Or that first quickening of the pulse when lounging on a lush patch of grass during a music festival? Summer is the perfect time to indulge in that sudden rush of first love or, equally so, the warm grip of long-fostered feelings for another woman.
This collection of fourteen stories runs the gamut of lesbian holiday romance stories. An Australian cookery course, a Belfast coffee shop, and even a romance writers’ conference are some of the backdrops for the summer love that unfolds in this lesbian romance anthology. Tamsin Flowers’s Drive Me Crazy takes place during Glastonbury, while Katya Harris’s sensual tale of passion between long-time lovers is entirely set by the side of the pool. Newcomer Brooke Winters brings us an irresistible tale of a woman running into a Mistress she’s played with in Spain, while Lucy Felthouse’s heroine gets much more heat than she bargained for when she goes volcano-watching on Lanzarote.
With stories by highly rated authors, including Annabeth Leong, Allison Wonderland, Erzabet Bishop and Harper Bliss, this collection is the perfect sensual companion to any holiday.
Piano Lessons
Ruby is finding it hard to get over the break up with her girlfriend, but her piano teacher Jill is not having any of it. After Ruby's lack of focus makes for another dismal lesson, Jill invites her reluctant student into the home she shares with her partner Charlotte for an afternoon of extreme relaxation, and getting over her ex.
At the Water’s Edge
#1 bestseller in Lesbian Romance on Amazon
After a traumatic event that has left her in deep need of healing, Ella Goodman returns to her hometown in Oregon. While staying at her family’s cabin at the West Waters lake resort, she finds an unexpected friend in level-headed owner Kay Brody. But Ella’s sole objective is to restore the broken ties with her family, and she has no time for distractions like falling in love. The heali
ng process is confrontational and difficult though, and she is soon forced to realize that people like Kay only come along once in a lifetime.