by G S Binkley
“All my life.” Dr. Charles said smartly knowing she was the source of uneasiness between the two women.
“Anyway, I’m Derek’s mother. It’s nice to meet you.”
Refusing to extend her hand, the good doctor said. “Yes, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
Dani scrambled around her mother and Gage followed by a shorter version of his dad. “Oh, hi Dr. Charles. Are you here to get Derek a Christmas present? He really likes that truck.”
“Dani!” Lacy said more firmly than she intended.
When Derek peeked around Gage to see the doctor, he stood erect and began the word list citing it in perfect order. “Please, laces, limos, ready, wrap, roses, get, good, cage, shell, sugar…..” Adding one of his own he’d learned from Gage. “Shut-up…..”
Placing a quick hand over his mouth, Gage said. “Good boy. But, that’s enough.” Then shrugged to Lacy and the doctor. “See… perfect.”
“Yes… perfect.” Dr. Charles eyed the tall dark headed woman. “I should be going now. Merry Christmas.”
Wiggling her fingers in the air, Lacy wished the attractive doctor a fond and ‘glad you’re leaving’ farewell. “You too.”
Not waiting for Lacy to confront her, Gage suggested. “Why don’t we buy these things and then do some more shopping say…… for rings?”
That certainly got Lacy’s attention. “Good save.”
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“Mr. Levine, you have the most perfect daughter.” Cindy Traven, the dance instructor, said. “She certainly makes the perfect little star for our Christmas show tonight.”
Placing two hands on his daughter’s shoulders, David Levine agreed. “That she does.” Dani beamed upon hearing her father’s words. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to talk with my daughter a moment before she goes on.”
“Of course. We go on in ten minutes.” Mrs. Traven exited leaving father and daughter alone.
“Daddy, thank you for coming.” Dani gazed up at her tall father. “See, I wore the earrings you gave me for my birthday.”
“Uhh… yes. They really make you look beautiful… like a little angel.”
Dani rolled her sparkling blue eyes appreciatively as she soaked in her father’s compliment. “I love you, daddy.”
David stooped down. “I hope you do.”
Dani couldn’t miss the sad look on her father’s handsome face. “Of course, I love you. I love very much.” She hugged her father.
“We don’t get to see each other much anymore.” David shrugged as if it wasn’t his fault.
“Mom said you can see us anytime.” Dani assured him.
“That’s what she says.” David grumbled knowing full well his daughter would pick up on the insinuation.
“What do you mean?” In a small voice, Dani asked with confusion.
“Nothing really. Your mother wants full custody of you.” Her father shrugged. “You can choose though, Dani.”
Carefully, Dani restated her father’s suggestion. “Choose between you and mom.” Dani backed up a step away from her father. “Mom said I never have to choose…. that I can love you both. She said no one would ever make me do it.” She backed up even further sitting on a nearby chair, very glum now. “So I won’t.”
Hurriedly, David tried to make amends. “I didn’t mean you had to choose between loving me or your mother but you can decide if who you want to live with.” Dani pursed her lips giving her father a hard look. “It has to be…. weird…” David used one of his daughter’s favorite words to describe his wife’s present relationship. “With your mom being with another woman. Come on, Dani, it’s not right.”
The young girl’s head rose slowly carrying with it a very serious look. “Ri…dic…u…lous.”
“Now, listen here, Missy.” David spat scornfully.
“No, daddy. You should listen to me.” The brave nine-year old plotted her next words carefully. “I love you and mom and Derek and…. Gage. Love is love no matter how it shows up in your life. Mom loves her and Gage loves mom right back. Gage loves us, too.”
“Why would she love kids that are not her own?”
“Because she chooses to and…. because Derek and I are quite…. loveable.” Dani added with a smile. “In the beginning, I didn’t want to like her either but….”
“Oh, she can choose?”
“Who she loves…yes. But, she didn’t ask me to choose between loving you and mom or even between loving you and her.” Dani drove her point home hitting the bull’s eye.
“That’s not what I meant?” David retorted.
“Yes, you did, daddy.” Dani jumped off the chair, hugging her father again. “I still love you. Now……” The young star straightened her dress. “The show must go on.”
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After the successful dance show, Dani joined her anxious family waiting for the young star as she filtered through all the people in attendance that complimented her on her performance. Dani graciously thanked each and every one.
When Mrs. Traven approached Dani’s parents, she noticed a blonde holding Dani’s brother. “Mr. and Mrs. Levine….” Cindy Traven gushed trying to score points with the powerful Hollywood couple. “She was amazing… a real star. But, of course, no wonder look who her parents are.”
Proudly, David nodded then draped a long arm over Lacy’s shoulder pulling her closer. “We think so. You know, my wife’s pregnant again. And, this is our son, Derek.”
“Congratulations. How far along are you?”
Lacy jerked back away from David positioning herself next to her partner. “Five months and thank you.”
“Mom? How’d you like the show?” Dani sought approval from her mother.
Caressing her daughter’s cheek, Lacy smiled. “You were wonderful…. but, you already know that.” Lacy winked then tapped her daughter’s nose.
“Absolutely, Dani. I couldn’t have done it better.” Gage added.
“Jeez, like I didn’t know that.” Dani teased then unexpectedly hugged Gage.
“Oh, it’s so nice when the kids get along with their nanny.” Mrs. Traven stated innocently about the blonde standing next to Lacy.
“She’s not the nanny.” Lacy said. “She’s my…..”
“Friend.” David interjected quickly. Nudging Lacy, David glared at her.
You’re right, David. There’s no sense making a scene…. not here not right now. And you would, too. But, one day…. Turning to her lover. I hope you understand, sweetheart.
And Gage did, reading her partner’s mind perfectly. “Why don’t we go get something to eat?”
“Yes.” Derek cocked his arm in the air. “Ice cream.”
“Sounds good to me.” Dani agreed then marched off leading the way. Adorning fans are one thing, but ice cream…. that takes the cake.
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Two overexcited kids were swallowed up in all the shiny pretty papers as they ripped open gift after gift. Derek collected several trucks, cars, clothes and building blocks while Dani received CDs, clothes, earrings (the pierced kind), skates and an assortment of glitter glue, pens and markers.
“Thank you, mom…Gage.” Dani hugged her mom first then Gage.
Derek waited his turn patiently. “I love you, momma.” He kissed his mother’s cheek leaving a very wet spot then climbed over onto Gage’s lap. He shyly shifted his gray eyes back to his mother who nodded then said. “I love you, too…..Gage.”
At the sound of her name being spoken perfectly, a deep shutter vibrated through the blonde’s body welling up tears in her green eyes. Gage closed her eyes briefly soaking in the love Derek unconditionally gave her. “I love you, Derek, with all my heart.” The unshed tears in her eyes glittered red, blue and green reflecting the Christmas lights on the tree as she looked lovingly at her partner. Gage mouthed a silent ‘thank you’. She now knew the secret behind Lacy’s diligent work with her son regarding his speech lessons. And, they had paid off, worth more than all the gold a
nd diamonds in the world.
A wet kiss brought her attention back to the little boy on her lap. “Merry Christmas everyone.” Derek giggled. Looking around the room to his mother, sister, Mark and Chance, he continued. “And Happy New Year.” Suddenly, Derek jumped down off Gage’s lap when he saw his sister reaching for his new truck.
“What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?” Mark asked.
Gage spared a quick look at her lover. “Staying home with my family. You?”
“Oh, I thought I’d take Lacy’s advice and ask Julie out. Griffen’s having a big party.” A bit embarrassed, Mark continued anyway. “Things are going pretty good with us.”
“What did she get you for your birthday?” Gage asked.
“None of your business. I thought having my birthday on Christmas everyone would forget but…” Giving Lacy a knowing look. “That didn’t happen.”
“Oh, Mark, Julie already knew it. We did, however, come up with a few interesting things she could give you.” Lacy smirked.
Looking at his friend, Chance, happily playing with the kids on the floor. “Chance would be happy to watch the kids if you wanted to double date that night.”
Lacy ran a smooth hand along her lover’s arm. “Thanks but we have plans.”
Mark crunched his brows together in question.
“A tickle fight.” Gage revealed their plans. “And, since she’s going to have a baby, I’m sure I’ll get the brunt of it.”
Lacy kissed her lover. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Happy to see his friend happy, Mark said. “I think it’s bedtime….. for me.”
Waggling her eyebrows, Gage’s green eyes gleamed. “Good idea.”
After Mark and Chance left for the evening, Lacy herded her kids into their own perspective beds wishing them a goodnight. She unplugged the Christmas lights and strolled down the short hallway to her bedroom.
Gage was in bed already after having rearranged the pillows and covers exactly the way she liked them.
“Why do we even straighten the bed in the morning?” She stood in the doorway admiring her lover.
“Beats me. You just mess it up again every night.” Gage opened her arms. “Come here.”
Once Lacy molded herself around her lover, she kissed Gage soundly. “Thank you.”
“Mmmmmmm.” Gage returned the kiss. “I didn’t expect the leather bound editions of my books. Thank you.”
“I have one more thing for you.” Lacy reached over Gage, pulling out the top drawer of the nightstand. She retrieved a small burgundy box. Handing it to Gage, she said. “Here. I love you.”
Taking it, a playful smile rose on her face then Gage pulled a small box of her own from under the pillow giving it to Lacy. “And here’s something for you.”
Gage started to open the box when Lacy stopped her. “You remember our first night together… afterwards?”
“I do.”
“Yeah, keep those words in mind, will ya?” Lacy scooted closer, peering into adorning green eyes. “What I said to you?”
“You said not quite asking… you are going to marry me.” Gage gently brushed her lips to Lacy’s. “And I said?”
“Anytime, anywhere, anyway.” A hopeful look passed across the star’s face. “You still mean it, don’t you?”
“I do.” Gage reassured her lover. “Lacy, I love you. Forever. Always. I want to be with you… only you.”
“Open it then.” As Gage revealed what was in her box so did Lacy. A beautiful gold ring circled with diamonds that matched the sparkles in Lacy’s eyes. “Here. Put it on me.”
Gage carefully placed the ring on her lover’s finger. It was a beautiful ring, the blonde thought but it didn’t compare to the beautiful woman now wearing it. “You do me. Here.”
I’m going to do you all right. “Later.” Lacy took the ring she’d bought for the partner and placed it on Gage’s finger. It matched her ring perfectly, which surprised Lacy but not Gage. When they were shopping for rings, both shoppers hinted about which ones they liked but decided to make their individual selections on their own.
Lying back in each other’s arms, they admired the rings. “I am the luckiest person in the world, Lacy. Everything is perfect. You..me…the kids and this one.” Gage rubbed her partner’s swollen stomach. “Do you think it’d be okay if we…”
Lacy flashed her fire blue eyes smoldering now from anticipation. “Come here.” They shifted on their sides molding their heated bodies together. The dark haired woman’s ran her hand the length of her lover’s back sending shivers through Gage which only caused her to move even closer. “We can’t seem to get close enough. I want you inside me.” Lacy purred as limbs tangled in pursuit of that very wish.
Gage locked onto willing lips brushing her tongue against them asking and gaining entry. Tongues fought for domination in a battle of heated desire enflaming their already overexcited bodies. Sucking in a quick deep breath after she broke away from the kiss, Gage declared. “I love you.” Then drove in for another soul-searching exchange. Deep, probing, exploring and very stimulating as she felt a pool of moisture well between her legs. She jumped when Lacy’s hand found purchase there.
“Let me return the favor.” Gage slipped her hand between her lover’s legs finding a warm and wet nest for her to play. Carefully the blonde maneuvered her lover slightly back so she could slide her thigh between Lacy’s legs adding pressure to the already busy hand happily rooted there.
Moaning, Lacy exhaled a satisfied shutter. “Mmmmmm. I love that.” The younger woman temporarily left her playground to stroke Gage’s firm backside, which drew the expected grateful response.
“God, Lacy, you know that distracts me.” Gage smiled approvingly.
“That’s why I did it.” Again, she squeezed her partner’s very sensitive backside causing an even more appreciative groan from her lover.
Leaving a trail of hot kisses down Lacy’s neck, Gage paused long enough to suck lightly near the star’s collarbone several times. Being one of Lacy’s favorite tactics, Gage felt the deep moan escape her lover’s throat before she said. “Paybacks.”
Lacy husked. “I do love paybacks.” Returning her hand to her favorite playground, the star did her magic on her lover and only paused once when Gage suckled feverishly at her breast. “God, sweetheart, don’t stop.”
Neither woman did as they spent the rest of the night trying to outdo each other. When all was said and done, the lovers were left satiated completely both waking with a satisfied smile.
Chapter Nineteen – February
The tall dark-haired star walked back out on the patio to a waiting blonde near the Jacuzzi. “Has everyone left?”
Turning around Gage did a double take gazing at the sexily posed woman standing in the doorway wearing only a robe. I hope. “Mmmmm. Just the two of us.”
As Lacy walked forward she untied the cloth belt allowing the robe to split open slightly, she watched her lover strain to get a better view. “See something you like?”
“Mmmmm hmmmm. Hopefully more…soon.” Wigging her eyebrows seductively, Gage continued. “Why don’t you come here?”
Now standing in front of the blonde, Lacy removed the robe letting it drop to the ground to reveal her red bra and matching thong. “Not quite what you expected, was it?”
Wrapping her arms around her lover’s waist, Gage kissed the swollen stomach. “It’s everything I could have hoped for and more.” With her blonde head leaning against Lacy, Gage felt the baby kick. “Wow… he’s going at it today.” Looking up. “Are you tired?”
“Hmmm.” Lacy sat down in the lounge chair then leaned back. “This is nice.”
“Can I get you anything?” Lacy shook her head and reached for the bottle of cocoa butter. Taking it from her, Gage squished some in her hand. “Here, that’s my job.” Gently rubbing the lotion over her partner’s belly. “Mark called while you were changing. He wanted to know how the shoot went.”
Lacy
had just finished filming a public service announcement at Mark Calico’s request to aid underprivileged children of the world. “Everything going okay with the movie?”
“Hmmmm. The director’s giving a bit of a hard time I gathered.”
“Hugh Hayes. That doesn’t surprise me. He directed a few episodes of my show.”
“Mark wanted to thank you for doing this PSA today.” Gage ran her smooth hands over Lacy’s exposed stomach relishing in the pure bliss reflected on her lover’s face. “You’re beautiful.” Leaning in, Gage kissed her. “And, I love you.”
Lacy touched her partner’s cheek. “You sure you don’t want to go to New Orleans….sounds like Mark could use your help?”
Kissing her lover again, Gage replied. “No. I’m where I want to be. Besides, if he needs me I’ll be there.”
Admiring the ring on her finger as Gage continued with the welcomed sensual assault on her body, Lacy asked. “How long are we going to live here?”
The blonde jerked up quickly looking at Lacy. “You don’t like it here?”
“No, that’s not it. But, after the school year…. we haven’t really talked about it… yet. Or when we’re getting married.” Lacy turned her head away after that last sentence.
Smiling, Gage hooked a finger under her lover’s chin pulling it back around to her. “Now that you’re divorce is final we could do it anytime really. I was thinking after the baby was born… this summer. Mark said we could have it here.”
“Sweetheart, would you mind if we….” Lacy hesitated.
“Go on. What is it?” Allowing a small bit of fear to raise its ugly head.
“My dad…. always wanted one of us to be married in his garden behind the house. It would make him so happy. Besides, with Denny getting them a computer and throwing it in my face. He hasn’t even hooked it up yet. My brother would never be able to outdo this… and…..”
“That would be perfect.”
“When Jason and I married, I was pregnant. It was a rushed civil service. With David more like a production than a wedding.” Lacy spilled out not paying attention to her partner.