by Jenny Frame
“Spirit years?” Becca questioned. “That’s a new one. So any ideas what we could get Trent? She’s been really generous to us since Gracie was born—helping you adopt Gracie quickly, managing all our paperwork, helping you with buying that site for the new garage…”
With business going well, Dale had started work on a new branch of McGuire’s Motors. Becca sometimes still pinched herself when she thought about how far they had come since she’d met Dale. Now she didn’t need to worry about leaking roofs, dishwashers breaking down, and central heating going haywire. Now Jake, Gracie, and Becca could plan for a bright future.
“Hmm, I suppose you are right,” Dale said. She had seen a different side to Trent since the day Becca had been rushed to hospital and Gracie was born. They had gone from enemies, to frenemies, and now friends. All because they had Becca’s interest in common, and because Becca insisted they be this one big unusual family along with Dale’s best friends, Sammy, Val, and their daughter Mia.
Dale knew Trent still had some feelings for Becca, but she had never once put a toe out of line in that regard, and Dale knew she wouldn’t. Trent had admitted that Dale was right for Becca and she was glad Becca found her.
“You know, when I first met Trent, I thought she was a pompous dick,” Dale said.
“And now?” Becca furrowed her eyebrows.
She smiled at Becca and said, “She’s still pompous and acts like she’s got a stick up her—” Dale caught herself and thought of Jake’s mantra passed to him by his mother—Use positivity with your words. Becca did not like bad language, so Dale mentally corrected herself before she said the wrong word and got told off. “Backside, stick up her backside, but she’s not a dick.”
“Well, that’s a ringing endorsement, if ever I heard one,” Becca said.
“You know what I mean, hen.”
“I do.” Becca smiled and turned her attention back to her laptop.
Dale took a swig of juice and noticed the two jars of jalapeños on the table, one red and one green. Becca had been ravenous for jalapeños when she was pregnant with Gracie but had calmed down since.
Dale pointed to the jars. “You’re not pregnant again, are you?”
Becca gave her an incredulous look. “Now that would be miraculous. I just felt like them on my sandwich today.”
Becca sighed loudly. “What can I get Trent? I mean, what do you get someone who has everything?”
Dale shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, I’m easy to buy for. A new Xbox or PlayStation game and I’m happy, but Trent would probably want something boring.”
Becca shook her head. “You’re one of the cleverest people I know and gave Jake your intelligence, but sometimes I think part of your brain stopped maturing at thirteen.”
Dale laughed. “I’m young at heart, and that’s why you love me, posh girl.”
She got a thrill when Becca gave her a sexy little smile in response and giggled like a schoolgirl.
“Maybe.” Becca then said, “It’s a big birthday, and she doesn’t have any family, so we need to mark it in some special way. When you were young, what did you want in your life by the time you were in your forties?”
Dale knew straight away. “Since I was really small, I only wanted four things when I was a grown-up, not to be rich or famous like other kids wanted. I wanted a cool car, a belter of a missus—”
Becca interrupted her. “A what of a missus?”
Dale chuckled. Even now they’d been married for a year and a half, she could still outfox Becca with some Scottish words.
“A belter of a missus. Belter means the best, the most beautiful, the classiest, the most amazing, that kind of thing.”
Becca grinned. “And do you have a belter of a missus?”
Dale took Becca’s hand and kissed it. “Oh, aye. A bloody belter, hen.”
“So we’ve got the cool car and the missus chalked off—what are the other two things you always wanted?”
“A house with a garden, and a dog,” Dale said.
“Well, you got the house and the garden, and we have a menagerie of animals out there, but why didn’t you say you’d like a dog?”
“I thought you’d think it was too much, like you would end up having to look after it.”
The truth was Dale was worried about putting too much pressure on Becca after Gracie was born. She very nearly died having their baby, and it had taken a lot out of her wife physically. Becca was everything to her, and she never wanted to put too much pressure on her so soon.
They had the goats and chickens, but Dale and Jake took care of them morning and evening. But a dog would need 24/7 care.
“You were trying to protect me again, weren’t you? I’m not going to break, you know,” Becca said sharply.
“Come here, babe.” Dale beckoned her over to sit on her lap.
Becca did and wrapped her hands around Dale’s neck. She scratched her fingernails down the nape of Dale’s neck, along Dale’s newly shorn hairline.
“I just thought it would be a bit much for you with Gracie and a new puppy running around.”
“I could manage. I think the children would like to grow up with a dog, and it can be quite a big empty house when you and Jake aren’t here,” Becca told Dale.
Dale started to get excited. “You mean we can actually get one? You think it would be okay?”
“Yes,” Becca said, “it would be nice to add to our little zoo of animals, and I want you to have all four things you wished for when you were little.”
“Brilliant! Jake’s going to love it. You see, babe? You are a belter.” Dale grinned.
Becca leaned in and kissed her teasingly. “And you and your hair are so sexy. We have a few hours before Jake gets home, and Gracie is fast asleep.”
Dale stood up with Becca in her arms. She didn’t need to be told twice. “Oh yeah, babe.”
She kissed Becca as she carried her to the kitchen door and nudged it open. She was so ready for Becca. All Becca had to do was look at her, and Dale wanted her, and that heavy beat started inside her.
When they got to the bottom of the stairs, Becca said, “Wait—we were talking about Trent’s birthday present. You distracted me with your boyish good looks.”
Dale did not want to talk about Trent or her present at this moment in time. “We’ll adopt her a donkey or something. We can talk about it later. Now I just want to kiss your beautiful body all over.”
“Get to it, then, toy boy,” Becca joked and smacked her on the behind.
Dale carried her upstairs and into their bedroom. They kissed feverishly as Dale lowered her to the floor. Becca hurriedly pulled off Dale’s T-shirt and pulled at her belt.
This was one of the reasons Dale loved Becca—how passionate she was. Dale never thought having sex with just one woman would be exciting, but with Becca it was more than exciting. She craved Becca, and luckily for her, Becca enjoyed the sexual aspect of their life just as much.
Becca pulled back from the kiss and said quickly, “I need to turn on the baby monitor. Get undressed.”
Dale didn’t need to be asked twice. She pulled at her jeans while moving to the bed and nearly tripped as she did.
“Shit, I nearly fell to my untimely death there.”
Becca laughed as she took off her clothes quickly. “A slight exaggeration, my darling.”
Dale’s eyes were drawn to Becca’s breasts as Becca took her bra off. She couldn’t wait to get her lips on them.
Becca slipped under the covers and Dale said, “Do you want me to…” She was referring to the strap-on they both loved, in the wardrobe.
“No time, just get in here. I’m wet and I need you,” Becca said with a saucy smile.
Dale grinned. “It must be the haircut that’s turning you on.”
She joined her wife under the covers and groaned when her body touched Becca’s. Becca opened her legs and Dale slipped in between. Becca pulled her down into a kiss and scratched her fingers down the back of her hai
rline.
I knew it was the haircut, Dale thought. She could feel Becca’s wetness against her own sex and Dale’s hips thrust against it quite naturally. “You are wet, babe.”
When Dale went to move her hand down to touch her, Becca wrapped her legs around Dale’s hips and said, “No, just like this, darling.”
Dale nodded and moved her hand to squeeze Becca’s breast. Sometimes Becca wanted them as close as they could be and moving together. Dale was happy to give Becca whatever she wanted and she loved the feel of her wife’s legs wrapped around her.
She thrust slowly at first, enjoying the sensation of being so close. She started to thrust faster when Becca scratched her nails up and down her back.
“I can feel you,” Becca moaned. “So close.”
Dale rested her forehead against Becca’s. Her sex was throbbing and all she could think about was coming.
“Yeah, babe. I’m gonna come quick.” She groaned.
Becca wrapped her hands around Dale’s neck. “Me too. Faster, darling.”
Dale ground her sex into Becca’s and steadily upped her pace and pushed her face into Becca’s neck. She was trying her best to make it last as long as Becca needed, but then she felt Becca’s legs tighten around her and her fingers grasped her hair.
“Now, darling, now.”
“Fuck, yes,” Dale shouted as she thrust wildly and let her orgasm take her over.
“I love you, I love you,” Becca said as she came.
Dale’s orgasm exploded over her sex and spread like wildfire all over her body. “Fuck.”
They held each other as their breathing calmed. Dale lifted her head and smiled down at Becca. “We’re good at that,” Dale said with a grin.
Becca laughed and pulled her into a deep, wet kiss. “You are so good at that.”
“I don’t like to brag,” Dale joked.
“Oh, you do.” Becca dug her nails into her buttocks and breathed, “Again.”
Dale grinned and began to grind her hips again.
“I love you.”
* * *
“This place is gorgeous, Dee.” Kira walked over to the balcony of the penthouse and looked out. Kira’s school was on their October break, giving her a chance to visit Wendy’s new digs.
“It’s not bad, is it?” Wendy checked on Alice and Noah as she passed the couch. They were engrossed in a Disney movie.
“Not bad, that’s an understatement,” Kira said.
Wendy pointed to the kitchen and said, “Let me get us coffee and then we can have a chat.”
Kira smiled. “Sounds good. Did I see an expensive looking espresso machine in there?”
“You did. Cappuccino with an extra shot?” Wendy said.
“You remembered!” Kira said.
“Of course, we drank enough of them at uni to fill the English Channel. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
Wendy quickly checked the casserole she had cooking in the oven. Tonight was the first time Trent was going to share dinner with her and the kids, and she was determined to make it go smoothly. She knew Trent was uptight and nervous about it—sharing a table with two kids wasn’t her usual type of dinner date. So she wanted to make it perfect.
The casserole still had time to go, so she shut the oven door and went to make the coffee. Wendy brought two mugs over to the dining table and handed one to Kira.
“Thanks. Mmm, this looks good.” Kira took a sip. “Delicious. So, beautiful house, nice kids, gorgeous but scary lawyer—you’ve got it all. What’s the scary lawyer like?”
Wendy gave a quick glance over to the children and made sure their attention was on the TV.
“Complicated. She doesn’t know how to relate to the children at the moment, but I’ve seen potential in her. I’m going to knit this little family together.”
Kira laughed softly. “Why do you always feel the need to mend every family you work for? You’re channelling Mary Poppins again.”
Wendy took a sip of coffee and sat it down. “You know why. I don’t want these families I care about to be like mine. I know how that ends.”
“Grabbing on to the first person who shows they care about you, even if they’d cheat on you and steal your money?” Kira said.
“Exactly. These children are going to be connected to Trent for a long time, and they’ve been through so much. They need someone to love them,” Wendy said.
“What if that someone doesn’t or can’t?” Kira asked.
Wendy said confidently, “She will. She just needs a bit of guidance before I go back to uni.”
“If anyone can, it would be you, Dee.” Kira closed her eyes and sniffed the air. “Is that amazing smell dinner?”
“Yes, it’s the first dinner Trent is going to share with us,” Wendy said.
“Well, good luck with that.” Kira raised the cup to her mouth and said, “How are you dealing with the lift?”
“Really well. It’s an ultra-modern thing with a video screen, so I don’t feel alone, and the kids help me with their singing.”
Kira chuckled the said, “Did you contact one of the psychologists for Alice?”
Wendy nodded. “Trent insisted on the expensive Harley Street doctor. She starts next week.”
Just then she heard Noah shout, “No, Ali,” and saw Alice running away to her room.
She got up immediately and hurried over to a crying Noah. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
He grasped on to her and said, “The mummy in the film died.”
Wendy put her head back and sighed. What an idiot she had been. She should have thought more deeply about what film to put on. She was going to have to vet every film and TV show from now on.
Kira was now by her side. “Kira? Could you look after Noah for me? I need to talk to Alice.”
“Of course. Hey, Noah? You want to show me your favourite toys?” Kira said.
Noah nodded and went to her. He was so much easier to placate as he didn’t comprehend fully that his dad was gone for good.
Seeing he was happy to go with Kira, Wendy hurried to Alice’s bedroom. Music was pounding loudly behind the door. Wendy opened the door and turned down the volume on the radio Alice had playing. Alice was sitting up against the wall with her arms hiding her head.
“Alice, I’m sorry. I should have checked out the film storyline before I put it on. Come here.”
“No. Go away!” Alice shouted. Then Alice started to flail her arms to stop Wendy holding her, but Wendy caught her arms and pulled her close. Alice stopped struggling, went limp, and convulsed in tears.
It broke her heart to see Alice so upset, and all she could do was try to comfort her. Comfort was all she had to offer, but it made her even more determined to help Trent relate to these kids.
“Alice, I’m here, I’m here.” Wendy rubbed her back.
Alice muffled a sentence into her chest.
Wendy pushed Alice forward slightly. “What did you say, Alice?”
“We won’t have you for long. We’ll be on our own soon again.”
Wendy took a tissue from her pocket and wiped Alice’s tears. “You won’t be—Trent is your family.”
“No, she won’t be with us,” Alice said through fresh tears.
Wendy took her hand. “Alice, I want you to listen to me. Adults aren’t perfect. They have issues and fears too. I think Trent would like to be able to talk and play with you, but she doesn’t know how.”
“How can you not know how?” Alice asked.
Wendy handed her a fresh tissue for her tears, then picked up Alice’s hair brush. “Let me tell you a story, and I’ll fix your hair.”
“Can I have little braids like yours?” Alice asked.
Wendy smiled. “Yes, no problem.”
She started to drag the brush slowly through Alice’s hair, and as she did, Wendy saw the little girl’s shoulders drop and relax. It was a trick she had picked up from her grandma. When she was upset, Grandma would brush and braid her hair in different styles, while they t
alked. It was the personal attention, the feeling of the brush on her scalp, almost like getting a head massage.
“What’s your story, Wendy?”
“When I was a little girl, I wasn’t close to my parents. They had busy jobs, and I came along late in their lives. Mum and Dad aren’t children people—”
“Like Trent?” Alice interjected.
Wendy thought about her mum and dad and the way Trent had called home to make sure Noah had his proper bedtime routine. Her parents wouldn’t have done that. Trent had more potential.
“Hmm, I don’t think so, but keep listening. I would come home from school and let myself in, because they were both at work. When they got home, we heated up microwave meals and ate in separate rooms. If all I had was them, then I wouldn’t know how normal families worked or how to show love. I don’t know all the details, but I think Trent had a difficult, lonely childhood, and that had an effect on her.”
“So how are you different, Wendy?” Alice asked.
Wendy put down the brush and started on the little braids. “I had one saving grace, in fact two, a grandma and grandpa who were the most loving people in the world. My grandma used to do my hair like this, and we watched old romantic films together. My grandpa was a fantastic musician and taught me the piano and the guitar.”
“My dad was a great musician,” Alice said.
Wendy gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I bet he was.”
She twisted the first braid and used an elastic hairband to hold it in place, then started on the second. “What I’m trying to say is that I might have had difficulty relating to children and being in a family if it wasn’t for my grandparents. I don’t think Trent had anyone like that growing up. I might be wrong, but that’s my hunch, so I want you to do me a favour.”
Wendy tied off the second braid and Alice turned to face her. “What favour?”
“Give Trent a chance to learn. Can you do that?” Wendy asked.
Alice looked down at the bed and stayed silent.
“Trent’s going to have dinner with us tonight and says she will do as often as she can, but it will be tricky for her at first. She won’t know what to say or do, so give her a chance. She’ll make mistakes, but I’m sure there’s a woman who feels very deeply underneath that gruff exterior.”