“Addison… My… Oh… I can’t…”
“I have you,” Addison promised again. Emma’s body quivered against her as Addison tenderly withdrew from Emma. She guided Emma back upward, and Emma immediately turned to fall into her arms. “I have you,” Addison repeated.
“You will always have me,” Emma replied. She kissed Addison passionately. “I love you,” she muttered.
Addison held Emma close for a few heartbeats until Emma moved to relieve Addison of the weight around her waist. Emma opened the shower door and tossed it aside. She moved directly to her knees before Addison.
“Em?”
Emma kissed Addison’s stomach and looked up at her. “Hold on,” she instructed her wife.
Addison braced herself for Emma’s sensual assault. Emma’s fingers were dancing over her thighs. Emma looked up and lifted a brow at her wife. Addison held her breath in anticipation of what was next. She closed her eyes the moment Emma’s tongue swirled around her center. It was tantalizing. Emma was not wasting any time. She had no intention of teasing Addison. She tasted Addison and sighed with pleasure.
“Em…”
Emma drank Addison in. She let her hands cup Addison’s ass, pulling her impossibly closer and bathing her in warm kisses before finally sucking gently on Addison’s clit. Addison instantly fell off the cliff she had been dangling over. Emma’s attention was relentless. She continued probing Addison with her tongue, a taste then a kiss.
“Emma,” Addison could no longer hold herself upright. She sank to her knees and came face to face with Emma’s smiling gaze. Addison shook her head in disbelief.
“What?” Emma asked.
“You.”
“Me?”
“You make me want things with you.”
Emma smiled and stroked Addison’s cheek. “You can have anything you want with me, love.”
“I know,” Addison said.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No,” Addison replied. “I just don’t think I will ever believe it.”
“What’s that?”
“How much I love you,” Addison said. “I never want you to doubt that.”
Emma kissed Addison’s lips sweetly. “Addy, I have never doubted that for one-second—never. I certainly will never doubt that when we make love.”
“I know, but…”
Emma placed two fingers to Addison’s lips. “Stop. Someday you will believe me. Every time you touch me, you are making love to me. I know that. Just like I am always making love to you, even when I want you to…”
Addison chuckled uncomfortably and reached over Emma to turn off the shower. She helped Emma to her feet and grabbed a towel to wrap around Emma’s shoulders.
“You know,” Emma said as she watched Addison wrap a towel around herself. “You are completely adorable.”
“You sound like you are talking about King.”
Emma laughed. “Not cute like our dog,” she said. “Adorable because you have the sweetest soul of any person I know. It’s okay if you want to fuck every now and again,” Emma teased. Addison blushed furiously. Emma giggled and kissed Addison lovingly. “Seven years, love. I think it’s okay if we do that occasionally.”
Addison shook her head. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“The fucking or the teasing?”
Addison swatted Emma’s arm.
Emma pulled Addison to her. “Yes,” she said.
“Only two more days,” Addison said.
“Well, you know, the bathroom does have a lock,” Emma commented.
“Too bad the kitchen doesn’t,” Addison deadpanned. Emma laughed. “You know, we could christen the office tomorrow.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “We christened that office the first week you were here.”
“Well, maybe it needs a renewal.”
“I’m all for paying homage to your office, love.”
“Yeah?”
“Sure. What do you have some kinky fax machine fantasy you haven’t told me about too?”
Addison smirked. “What if I do?”
“Fax me, baby,” Emma flirted.
“You’re nuts, Em.”
Emma softened her tone. “Maybe I just love you.”
Addison nodded. “I love you too.”
“Good, then take me to bed.”
“Another proposition I can’t resist,” Addison said.
CHAPTER SIX
FRIDAY
“Hi, Mom,” Emma answered the phone.
“How are you, Emmie?”
“Good.”
“You sound relaxed.”
“I am,” Emma replied.
“Everything went well this week?”
“With the show, you mean?”
“Oh,” Sherry Bronson giggled.
“What?” Emma asked.
“Took full advantage of your childless week, huh?”
“Mom…”
“Oh, please. I remember those weeks well.”
“I don’t want to know,” Emma chuckled.
“I did manage to have three of you,” Sherry said.
“I know.”
“And, I did get you all the old-fashioned…”
“Okay, Mom,” Emma laughed.
“Where are you?” Sherry asked.
“In Addison’s office,” Emma grinned.
“At the studio?”
“No, at home.” Although, that could be interesting. “I was at the studio this morning and late last night with Addy. I have to run in later this afternoon for something. I’m reviewing scripts today. Figured I could do that here and get ready for you all to come home tomorrow. That is if Vicki hasn’t decided to let you keep her.”
Sherry chuckled. “Tempting for us both, but I think she misses her moms.”
“Really?” Emma was genuinely surprised.
“She was looking at your wedding pictures this morning when she got up.”
“Really?”
“She was. She was telling Hannah all about it as if she had a front row seat,” Sherry laughed. “She’s quite the storyteller.”
“Yes, I know. She’s a lot like her mama.”
“That she is,” Sherry agreed. “She’s ready to go home. How about you? Are you ready for the terrible twosome to return?”
Emma smiled. She looked at a picture on the corner of Addison’s desk of their family. “More than you know.”
“Well, I will have her call you when she gets back from your brother’s house.”
“Have her call Addy.”
“Emmie?”
“I caught Addy in her room early this morning,” Emma said. “She said she was checking on King,” Emma laughed. “That dog has barely left Vicki’s room since she left. I think he’s sad. I think Addy’s had her fill of me,” Emma snickered.
“I doubt that,” Sherry teased.
“You know what I mean,” Emma said.
“I do. Are you sure Addy will be able to…”
“She’ll halt whatever she’s doing if she sees your number. You know that. I’ll call before bed.”
“All right. Are you sure that you two are okay with your father and I staying all of next week?”
Emma sighed. “Yes. It will actually be a big help.”
“You mean with Tam’s wedding?”
“That, but there is something else that came up,” Emma said.
“Care to share?”
“I will, but not until I have it all settled,” Emma promised.
“Emmie, are you pregnant again?”
“What? No,” Emma put the thought to rest.
“You act like that’s a strange question.”
“It’s not that. So much has been going on with this new show and the kids, Addy and I haven’t talked about that at all.”
“Now, I am intrigued.”
“Trust me; it isn’t that interesting. Nowhere as interesting as a baby,” Emma said wistfully.
“If you say so.”
“I’ll talk
to you tonight,” Emma said.
“Happy reading,” Sherry said.
“And, happy laundry,” Emma laughed.
“Wait ‘til you see what I am bringing back.”
“Goodbye, Mom,” Emma chuckled. She wouldn’t. Would she?
***
“I know it would be great,” Addison agreed. “I’m not asking Emma to go in front of the camera. No, John. No. I said no. Yes, she is. I agree. No, that is where I stand. I appreciate that,” Addison said. “I’ll see you next week,” Addison closed the conversation. “Asshole.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Jeff observed.
“Just Dickerson, drop the erson.”
Jeff laughed. “He can be a royal pain in the ass.”
“Or a dick,” Addison said flatly.
“Or that. So, how do you think this week has gone?” he asked.
“For a first week? Stellar.”
“Good group.”
Addison nodded. “Well, let’s face it, right now most of our team is family. That ain’t gonna last into season two.”
“Think we’ll get a season two?”
“If I didn’t, there wouldn’t be a season one.”
“Touché,” Jeff responded. “Addison,” Jeff began cautiously.
“Yeah?”
“Have you thought about asking her?”
“Not you too!” Addison barked. “Jeff, come on, you know that Emma wants nothing to do with stepping in front of the camera.”
“I meant writing.”
“I’m sorry. I guess Dick—erson put me on edge.”
Jeff smiled. “Still hounding you to get Emma to do a guest spot, huh?”
“Yeah. You should never have let him see that script.”
“Yeah. You should never have let him see that script.”
Jeff shrugged. “It gave the best sense of the season, Addison.”
Addison groaned. She couldn’t deny Jeff’s point. She had written an episode for the middle of the season that featured Emma’s character prominently, depicting Genevieve in her new life abroad with her infant daughter. It would allow the audience a better understanding of why Genevieve had opted to leave Jack after the birth of her child. Off Screen had ended on the supposition that Genevieve and Jack had made it through the rainstorms of their life together and were raising Genevieve’s six-year-old daughter, Sarah together. On Screen would cover Jack’s life in the interim—a life without Genevieve.
Addison had penned an episode that would explain the separation. She had written it for herself to put the pieces together of the characters’ lives and decide the trajectory for the show’s storyline. Addison had never even shared the script with Emma. She knew where Emma stood regarding filming. She had no intention of wading into the ocean knowing that Tsunami Emma would greet her. Jeff had taken the script to some of their investors. That had planted a seed—the idea that Emma might sign on for a few guest appearances—that seed had quickly become a pesky weed. It seemed no matter how many times Addison attempted to pull it up by its roots; the weed just grew back to get in her way again. Jeff had come up with the idea that they invite Emma to write for the show—not merely review the scripts, but potentially write a few episodes. He thought that the writing credit and the press it would garner might quiet the barking voices in the background. Addison had yet to broach the idea with Emma. Emma seemed happy contributing as a producer. Addison wasn’t sure how her wife would respond to the idea of writing for the show as well. She thought Emma might balk at that idea, imagining that Emma would argue she was no writer. Addison had every confidence in Emma’s ability to do it. She had been waiting for the right time to delve into the discussion. Their week had been enjoyable. Addison had no desire to rock that boat.
“Just ask her,” Jeff interrupted the silence that had enveloped them.
“I will.”
“Hey, I’ve seen the changes she’s made, Addison. Emma can do it.”
Addison smiled proudly. Emma could do anything that Emma put her mind to. “You don’t need to convince me,” she reminded him.
“I don’t see why she would object.”
Addison scratched her brow. “It’s not a matter of objection,” she started to explain. “I just know that she has a lot of insecurities in that department.”
“Why?”
Addison shrugged. “How would you feel if Emma wanted you to star in a new show?”
“Not the same. I can’t act.”
Addison chuckled. “Uh-huh.”
“I see where this is going. Addison, Emma can write—quite well.”
“Again, I don’t need convincing; she might.”
“So? Convince her.”
“We are talking about Em here.”
Jeff smirked. Emma was as affable as a person could be. She was also assertive when necessary, and she was not afraid to advocate for her beliefs. Emma had never expressed an interest to him in expanding her creative endeavors. Producing came naturally for her. She understood how to organize. She was good with people. People responded to her. She knew the ins and outs of both launching and producing a successful project. All of it made her a natural choice for a producer’s role, not just a credit. But, he was also sure that Emma missed the creative spark she enjoyed as an actor on set. He had overheard Emma confessing to Sandra that she wished she could find a private artistic outlet. She’d joked that she found finger painting with Vicki surprisingly cathartic.
“She might surprise you. Offer to have her write an episode with you. You outline it. Let her fill it in.”
Addison considered the idea. “I promise; I will talk to her.”
“Just don’t wait as long as Tamara and Christie have for this wedding.”
Addison laughed. “You should talk.”
“Me?”
“Yeah—you. When are you going to man up and marry Sandra?”
Jeff’s smile faded, and he gave a downtrodden shake of his head.
“Jeff?”
“I’m not sure that she wants that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Addison, she knows that Dan was going to propose.”
“That was two years ago,” Addison said.
“That’s not very long.”
“Jeff, Sandra loves you. Brody thinks you’re his daddy.”
“But, I’m not his daddy.”
Addison sighed. “Why is that?”
“I’m not.”
Addison nodded. “So, am I not Vicki and Hannah’s mom?”
“It’s not the same.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No. You and Em made a choice to have your kids together.”
“I don’t see the difference.”
“I can’t take his place,” Jeff said.
“Why do you have to take Dan’s place? Why can’t you just take Jeff’s place?”
“You sound like Sandra.”
Addison shook her head. “You need to step out of your head,” she told her friend.
“What is that supposed to mean? Jesus! Dan was my friend, Addison.”
“Dan is gone,” Addison replied flatly. She sighed when Jeff frowned in anger. “He is,” Addison said. “We all loved him, and we all miss him. He’s not coming back. He can’t love Sandra the way he wanted to, and he can’t raise Brody. What do you think he would say?”
“I have no idea. He’d probably be pissed that I’ve taken over his life.”
Addison leaned forward on her desk. “Bullshit.”
“Excuse me?”
“I call bullshit.”
“Addison…”
“Don’t Addison me. If you don’t believe me, talk to Em. God knows he loved her like a little sister. You think that Dan would be angry at you for loving them?”
“It’s a betrayal,” Dan mumbled.
“No. It’s life. Sometimes it sucks,” Addison said. “And, at times the shittiest things that happen end up taking us someplace that we never imagined. You didn’t steal Sandra from
him. The universe did. The same universe made Sandra fall in love with you.”
“What if I’m just the…”
“Rebound?” Addison guessed. Jeff sighed. “I don’t think so. Do you believe that?”
“No,” he admitted. “But sometimes I worry about it.” He looked at Addison. “I don’t want to lose them.”
Addison smiled at her friend and softened her tone. “Jeff,” She addressed him thoughtfully. “I know a little bit about loss.”
“Addison, I…”
Addison held up her hand. “Listen to me. Loss does funny things to people. Sometimes they almost disappear. Sandra couldn’t do that. At least, she didn’t do that.”
“That’s because of Brody.”
“Partly,” Addison agreed. “Having a child doesn’t always give someone the strength to overcome their pain,” she said. “Sometimes it does the opposite.”
Jeff nodded. He didn’t know all the details of Addison’s past. He did know that she had lost her mother and that the loss had served to create a deep rift between Addison and her father for many years. He’d seen evidence of the pain that divide caused his friend. He’d also heard Emma reference it on occasion. Addison seldom talked about it. It was evident in her eyes—a ghost that occasionally appeared in her irises, misty with a sense of lingering sadness.
“I know that’s true,” he confessed. “But…”
“I asked you to listen,” Addison chuckled. “So, just listen to me for a minute. I listened to you when we started this whole adventure. You and Emma knew a lot more about starting a television show. I trusted you because you had the experience. Just hear me out,” she said. He nodded. “Thank you,” Addison smiled. “I understand how you feel. I do. You can’t replace Dan. No one can do that, not for Sandra or Brody. You are looking at this like you don’t have a right to be happy. What about them?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you think that Sandra and Brody deserve to be loved and be happy?”
“Of course, I do, but…”
“There’s no but, Jeff. They love you—both of them. Brody thinks you are his daddy. And, you are. You’re not just a stand-in for them. You are you. Dan was Dan. You need to let this go, or you are going to end up hurting more than yourself. Trust me on that.”
“Maybe.”
“No. No maybe. You will. You know, when Emma told me she was pregnant the first time I was so excited.”
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