Full Circle (Urban Books)
Page 30
“Lena, I don’t want to try.” Denise’s words caused Lena’s legs to tremble. Denise stared into Lena’s eyes. In that moment nothing else mattered. “Lena, I don’t want to try. Fuck trying. There’s nothing to try to do.”
“Fine.” Lena turned, but Denise grabbed her arm.
“I don’t want to try, because I just want to do it. It’s always been you, Lena. We don’t need to try. It’s always been.”
Lena let out a sigh of relief. The tears poured forth as she threw her arms around the love of her life. Denise picked her up. They kissed the kiss they should have had years before. Every breath, every moment, every tear, and every heartache had led to this moment. Lena’s feet hit the sand, but it felt like clouds.
“Are we insane?” Lena smiled.
“No, we just are.” Denise leaned in, placing another kiss on her love’s lips. “I love you, Lena Jamerson.”
“I love you, Denise Chambers.”
Epilogue
CHOICES MADE TWO YEARS LATER
Bria’s nose pressed against the tinted window of the black limousine. It had been pressed against the window ever since they’d entered the long line of limousines.
“Bria, honey, sit back.”
“We’re almost there, Mommy!” Bria squealed.
“Back, child.” Lena pointed at the seat. Bria frowned but did what her mother said. Lena glanced over at Denise, who was in her own world. Lena put her hand on Denise’s thigh. “Are you okay?”
Denise’s head rose. She smiled. “Yeah, I’m just a bit nervous when I have to do these things.”
“You will be wonderful.” Lena kissed Denise gently on her lips, causing Bria to make a swooning noise.
Bria could hardly contain herself as they prepared to leave the limo. Lena reminded Bria how important it was that she be on her best behavior for Denise. Bria agreed as the door swung open and cameras began to flash. Denise stepped out to the screams of fans and the flashes of the photographers. She smiled and waved at the fans holding posters of her and the other actors. She had landed the role of Aqua in the summer’s biggest movie, based on a teen novel series that was an overnight sensation. Denise knew in that moment that her life would never be the same.
“Denise Chambers. Or shall I say Aqua?” said the reporter from E! as Denise walked to the network’s booth. “This must be a little crazy to you.”
Denise smiled. “It’s insane, but I love all the fans, and I loved the character Aqua.”
“How did you get into the books?”
“My girlfriend is actually a huge fan. When she found out I was up for the role, she wanted me to do it, but her daughter insisted that I do it.”
“And is this the little agent?” The reporter motioned for Bria and Lena to join them. Bria strutted to the booth. Denise reached for Lena’s hand.
“Yes, I’m going to run everything by her from now on,” Denise quipped.
Lena smiled, finding it hard to contain the true emotions she felt. It was the first time since they’d been together that Denise had publicly referred to her as her girlfriend. After the very public relationship with Farih, Denise didn’t want to subject their growing relationship to any media scrutiny. The gossip blogs blamed Lena for the breakup of the black Ellen and Portia. Even though Farih and Denise had remained good friends, the beginning wasn’t so easy, as Farih, being the fame seeker that she was, never confirmed or denied that Lena was the cause for the breakup. Farih wouldn’t admit it, but a piece of her loved seeing Lena’s photo on MediaTakeOut and Sandra Rose, next to descriptions of her as a home wrecker.
Brandon was another person who didn’t take the news of Lena and Denise’s relationship too great. It was one thing for Lena to be gay in private, but having a serious relationship with a woman while raising their child didn’t work for him. It took a sit-down between them to finally air out all the past issues he had with the woman who had essentially turned his ex-wife gay.
Denise, Lena, and Bria made their way into the busy theater after finally making it down the press hall. Denise greeted various members of the film’s cast and other celebrities, never letting go of Lena’s hand. Lena found it hilarious how Denise schmoozed with people, knowing the whole thing made Denise very uncomfortable. They both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw familiar faces.
“Hey, Aqua,” Cooley joked as she approached with Sahara. She held up a poster with Denise on it, covered in her blue makeup. “Can I get your autograph please?”
“Shut up.” Denise grabbed the poster and rolled it up.
“This is so exciting,” Carmen squeaked as she ran up and hugged Denise. “I’m so happy for you. Oh my God, Jada Pinkett is here!” Nic shook her head as Carmen snapped photos of celebrities, who had no idea they were being photographed by her excited wife.
Bria pulled Lena toward the candy bar that had been set up for the children attending the premiere. She watched as Bria filled her swag bag with the various sweets all covered in advertisements for the movie.
“Lena, how you enjoying it all?” Lena turned around to see Sahara walking up to her. Sahara ordered a glass of wine for herself and Cooley at the real bar next to the candy bar.
“It’s sort of surreal.”
“Surreal?”
“On the one hand, I’ve been to so many premieres in my lifetime that this doesn’t faze me at all. I feel like I’ve done it all. Then I see her.” She looked at Denise, who was talking it up with their friends. “And I remember that this is nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s so much more.” Lena smiled.
Lena and Sahara headed back, with Bria in tow, to join the women they loved. Lena placed her arm around Denise’s back.
Denise smiled. “What’s all this?”
“Did I ever tell you thank you?”
“For?” Denise asked.
“For catching me.” Lena smiled.
“Catching you?” Denise was confused.
“Yes. For catching me back at Freedom when I almost fell off of the chair. I just wanted to say thank you for catching me.”
Denise smiled. “Well, in that case, thank you too.”
Lena looked at her loving girlfriend.
“For catching me that day as well.” Denise kissed Lena on her forehead.
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Full Circle Copyright © 2013 Skyy
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