Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle

by Erik Schubach

  She then pulled me along to the car almost skipping, speaking back to me, “Now you can get into OUR house any time!”

  I said, “Our... our... I like how that tastes on the tongue.”

  Valla rolled her eyes. “You're a weird one Mia Jacobs.”

  I faked offense an voiced, “But I'm yours.” She grinned as she opened the car door for me. “Yes. Yes you are.”

  The ride back to the Davenport's home was full of suggestive talk and sexual innuendo. I guess Valla really did create a monster. That's not a bad thing is it? I smiled to myself. We arrived at their house and knocked on the door. Vicky came bounding to the door and swung it open for us.

  “Finally! I was going to send out a search party, or like you know, the US Marshals or something. Oh! I'd make an awesome Marshal! How friggin' amazing would that be? I...” she paused before we could tell her to slow down to human speeds then her eyes went wide and she almost screamed, “OMG! You totally did it! Was it as awesome as I imagined? Like did you break the bed or anything?”

  In unison Valla, Maira (who had just walked up), and I shouted, “Vicky!” I was trying to find a hole to hide in as Valla dragged me past her toward the couch. I caught her whisper at Vic as we passed, “We did, it was, and almost.” She was smirking as Vicky lit up like the Christmas tree. I'm sure I eeped, but all I could hear was the blood rushing through my ears. Maira was just shaking her head at everyone's antics.

  ***

  The next few days at the Davenport's were punctuated with steamy love making sessions every chance we could sneak away. I was beginning to see a direct correlation between my smile and my zipper. And even when others were around Valla kept me on the top end of the arousal scale by sneaking passing touches and stealing kisses. I think she was taking it as her sacred duty to see if she couldn't make that my natural state of being around her. Not that I was complaining... at all... in any way.

  New years eve came around and Vicky was standing in a corner holding her phone, looking sad and wasn't her usual ball of energy. I pulled her aside, “What's up blondie?”

  She looked at me with puppy-dog eyes, “Molly isn't coming back.”

  I was shocked, “What? Why?”

  Her eyes flared with anger for a moment then settled back into sadness. “Her parents believe I'm a bad influence on her and 'tricked' her into thinking she liked girls now. She doesn't want to 'disappoint' them any more, so she is moving back with them down there. She says I could be her 'secret' and we could do a long distance thing.” She looked at me half broken. “Is that what I am? A disappointment and a secret?”

  I pulled her into a hug and she buried her head in my shoulder and cried silently. I motioned Valla over with my eyes. She hurried over and led us, still hugging, into Vicky's room as I tried to calm her. “Shh... shhh Victoria. You are not now, nor could you ever be a disappointment! And nobody, I mean NOBODY has the right to hide you away and make you their dirty little secret! You are an amazing girl and if anyone puts anything above that they never deserved to have you! Got it?”

  She sniffled a little, then looked up into our three way hug. “I love you guys, you know that? I don't know why I deserve such amazing friends.”

  Valla shook her head at that and whispered, “We love you too Vicky. Cause YOU are amazing. Us three lez-migos gotta stick together!”

  This finally got a grin from her as she looked between us. “Oooo I'm the meat again!” We all shared a laugh and sat there for a minute for her to compose herself before making our way back out to the couch.

  Minutes later we and our extended family were chanting, “5-4-3-2-1 Happy New Year!” Hugs and kisses were passed around... then a sense of melancholy settled in on us over the fact that it was back to the dorms tomorrow. I was going to miss the feeling of family here.

  Chapter 14 – My Valentine

  The weeks flew by we were so busy with classwork, art and poem submissions and commissions, cleaning the house to prepare to inhabit, releasing my dorm room back into general population, and getting ready for our wedding. Valla was writing in her leather-bound books between everything else. Knowing time was not on our side we chose Valentine's Day as the date. It was after all a day for love. And gawd did I love Valla!

  We gave silent thanks that Washington state is one of the few in the nation (so far) that allows same sex marriages, since we didn't want to travel for the ceremony. We both asked Vicky to be our maid of honor to which we received a bubbly, “I will soooo make an awesome maid of honor!” to our giggles.

  The art community was starting to call my style of remote viewing art the 'Jacob's Effect', much to my embarrassment and Valla and Vicky's elation.

  Vicky was busy too. She was coming out of her post-Molly funk and was starting to dip her toes into the dating pool again. Though it was obvious she couldn't decide which sex she desired this month. She called it her “taste testing” phase. Oxford was courting her, and she had added yet another class to her schedule. But there was a dark cloud hanging over her, and I had an inkling as to what it might be.

  Conspiring with my partner in crime, life, and the heart, we cornered her one night. Valla offhandedly said, “Boy, I can't believe that we're going to be married in two days Mia.” I chimed in “Yeah. It's going to be like the end of an era. It'll be weird moving into our house and not having Vicky around anymore.” Vicky was getting fidgety and Valla continued, “Yeah, I bet it'll be weird and quiet around here at the Lair without us huh Vic?”

  Vicky looked like she was going to cry, and internally I knew Valla was fighting off a smile like I was when Vicky spoke. “Gawd guys. You're gonna make me cry! It is going to be so lonely here without you. And what if they stick me with like a loser roommate? I know I'll see you around campus and junk. We'll still go out and do stuff but it won't be the same.”

  My voice wavered slightly trying to fight a laugh. “Yeah, it's too bad you didn't want to come live with us in our guest room. It woulda' been hella fun, but... oh well.” Valla added, “Yeah, too bad.”

  You could see the gears turning in Vicky's head as she realized what we were doing. “OMG! Really guys? I would so make an awesome house mate! It will be friggin' amazing! I could like do the laundry and stuff, and I could...” Valla and I shouted in unison, “Vicky! Breathe!”

  She grabbed me and spun me around twice but just hugged Valla because she couldn't pick her up. I unwound myself twice in the other direction to Valla's lip biting delight, as they hugged. After sharing a laugh the blonde looked at us in mock anger. “You two know I love you, but I hate you for that! You're mean!” then stuck out her tongue to our chuckling.

  The next day was spent moving in, leaving just enough stuff at the Lair for our last day. Valla asked me where the rest of my stuff was stored after I had brought over my four boxes, a suitcase of clothing, and my easel. She said we could put it in the garage until we figured out where to put it all in the house.

  When I told her that was everything I owned in life, both her and Vicky got a little sad for a moment. When I asked about it they just said they forgot I was in the foster system most of my life. I was confused, what did that have to do with my stuff? Everyone knows you only keep as much as can fit in the trunk of a car.

  The next morning I woke up where I had dozed off, laying on the bed with my head in Valla's lap where she was sitting at the head of the bed on the pillows. Vicky was still on the ground at an awkward angle with her feet up on the bed, the textbook she was speed scanning into her memory last night covering her face as she snored. Sheesh, just how pathetic are we?

  The day took forever, I just thought I was counting wrong but the damn clocks kept agreeing with my count. Finally, after my last class we all rushed off to the VV Lair and grabbed our small bags containing the remainder of our stuff, and took one last nostalgic look around this now iconic place in our hearts. We left the keys on the desk and headed off to the Davenport's for what Maira was calling our bachelorette party. And our last sleepover
as single women. I like the sound of that!

  It was a night full of fun, laughing, crying, talking, and bonding. One of those times you lock away and always treasure.

  ***

  Morning came and we woke to a hyperactive blondie bouncing on our bed in the Davenport's guest room. “Wake up, wake up, wake up! It's wedding day!” God help me but I was as excited as her. Valla was groaning and pulling the covers over her head. I joined Vicky in her jumping, “Wake up, wake up, wake up! It's wedding day!”

  Valla dropped the covers from her face, which now had a silly grin plastered across it. “My God! There's two of them!” Then she yelled, “Maira help me!” A minute later Mrs. D walked in wiping her hands on a dish rag, watching us bouncing on the bed around Valla chanting. “Wake up, wake up!”

  She laughed, “Sorry Vee, I'm with the girls on this one.” She yanked the covers off of Valla. Raising her hands in defeat my girl flashed us all a huge smile, “It's wedding day!” I saw Mr. D walk past the door shaking his head in bemusement at us four squealing women.

  Being Friday, we took the day off from our classes for the wedding. We'd be spending our two day honeymoon in Leavenworth, a scenic Bavarian village two hours from Seattle nestled in the spectacular peaks of the Cascade mountains. I didn't care if we stayed in a burlap sack, I just wanted Valla!

  Maira gave us girls a motherly, prideful look. “You ladies need to be getting ready. You are due at the alter in three hours.” She grabbed our hands and gave a squeeze before she let them drop, and she walked out of the room.

  While Vicky helped us get dressed, Valla and I spent more time touching each other and making out than paying attention, so Vic called for reinforcements. We were pried apart from each other's lips by Maira and Vicky and forced to dress in separate rooms. My lips missed hers.

  “Are you nervous?” Mrs. D asked as she started fussing with my hair. I thought about it and smiled, “Actually, I have never felt so sure of anything in my entire life. I just know I can make her happy, and I know that she definitely makes me happy. I still can't believe that she chose... me.”

  Maira smiled warmly, then ducked into the adjoining bathroom for a second and came out with various devices and hair care products. She plugged in a curling iron and spoke softly, “I can't believe how good you two are for each other. It is hard to keep a smile off my face when I see you together. You are so genuine with each other. And I have never seen Vicky so happy as when she is around you two. I thank you for that.”

  The light went off on the iron and she started putting my long raven hair into tight ringlets. I was curious, I had never curled my hair before since I hid it under my hoodie, it would be interesting to see the outcome. I wish there was a mirror in here.

  After a while of curling and teasing, she draped my V necklace on me, which hung perfectly near the cleavage that the simple white dress exposed. Then she started applying makeup on me. “We're just going to do some light makeup, you are already a natural beauty. Let's see if we can't make your bride growl, shall we Mia?” She laughed at my profuse blushing as I said, “O-o-okay.”

  We had just finished when Vicky came walking in and glanced at me, “Holy shit!” her mouth was hanging open. Maira snapped, “Language Victoria!” But Vicky wasn't listening, she looked at me with hungry eyes, taking in the new look her mother gave me as I stood from the bed. “I-is it o-okay?”

  Vicky shook her head to snap herself out of it. “Damn girl. It's a good thing you are taken or I wouldn't be responsible for my actions here. You look simply beautiful Mia!” She snapped a picture with her phone, “I'll need that for when I'm alone later.” she waggled her eyebrows as her mother slapped her arm. I blushed profusely as she continued, “Anyway, your blushing bride is waiting. We should really get over to your house for the ceremony. Wouldn't want to be late for your own wedding!”

  She turned to leave but turned back to glace at me again. “Wow.” she whispered as she walked out of the room. Maira stopped at the door when she noticed I wasn't following. I looked at her nervously then I turned to the attached bathroom to look in the full length mirror on the door and gasped.

  The new looping curls in my hair formed a gently flowing mane around my shoulders that framed my face nicely. The tastefully applied makeup accentuated my eyes and lips enticingly. I looked both innocent and seductive at the same time. I had to look twice. Is this really me?

  I smiled at myself in the mirror, then over at Mrs. Davenport, and glided out of the restroom on the delicate white stiletto heels I chose so I that could be closer to Valla's lips at the ceremony. Maira led me down the hall and cleared her throat as we approached the great room. I feel pretty.

  Valla turned around and both of our breaths hitched. I know I forgot how to breath and my heart forgot how to beat. There, in a matching white dress, was a goddess, no other word would do. Her brown hair almost glowed with its chestnut highlights. Her makeup was perfect. I bit my lower lip in want at her shimmering lips. And the smoky shadow around her eyes made the oranges pop from her light brown pools. Her delicate M necklace drew my attention to her cleavage before my eyes snapped back to hers, getting lost in her sparkling gaze.

  She filled out the dress in all the right places and looked to be born of grace and elegance. The best part, for me at least, was the counterpoint... the signature so uniquely Valhalla that it actually worked with this angelic look. Adorning her feet were the combat boots I had grown to love.

  I'm pretty sure I was drooling when I finally gained enough cognitive facilities to speak. I somehow remembered that I might need to breath again and finally exhaled before taking another deep breath. Full sentences were still beyond my diminished brain capacity so I uttered the first syllable I could muster, “Hey.”

  She blinked a couple times, then bit her lower lip, melting me, and responded in a hoarse, deep voice. “Fucking amazing!” She smiled with a primal hunger and passion I hadn't seen from her before this. She glanced an apology to Maira who had just about admonished her on her language. Valla licked her lips, “Mia, you look beautiful... no that word isn't enough. Your hair... you... I.. you're... my God, I just fell in love with you all over again!”

  I was so embarrassed now, my blush burning my cheeks but at the same instant I was basking in her adoration and felt oddly proud I could exact this type of reaction from her. I noticed lots of flashes as the Davenports snapped away at us with their cameras and cell phones.

  We just stood there drinking in every inch of each other when Vicky stepped between us, clearing her throat, snapping us back to reality. “As much fun as it would be to watch you two have eye sex with each other all day, we have a wedding to get to.”

  Mr. D spoke up, “Vicky, remember... brain/mouth filter.” Then he turned to us, “Ladies, your chariot awaits.” We all filed out the door and into the cars, Valla and I went with Vicky in her Range Rover and the Davenports took their hybrid.

  Besides the radio booming Vicky's girl band pop music the ride was silent, with Valla's and my eyes locked in hunger, mentally undressing each other. I must have licked my lips every few seconds.

  Vic had to physically remove us one at a time from her car. “You two horndogs can have at each other soon, you gotta go say your I do's first!” She marched us up to the front door as the Davenports joined us and she typed in Valla's code. We never really bothered giving her a code of her own since she had barely glanced when Valla had opened the door once, now the code is burned into her eidetic memory banks.

  In just an hour we would be bound together in life as we are in love, I can't wait! We walked through the great room to look at the back yard. The white arbor on the dock decked out in white flowers and sat in front of the five white chairs. There would have been seven but the Cohan's called earlier to let us know they couldn't make it, there was trouble with a foster child. A red carpet runner stretched from the back door to the arbor.

  The doorbell rang and Vicky skipped over to get it. The minister walked into
the room with her a moment later. He nodded to us with a smile and was intercepted by Vic's parents and dragged outside toward the arbor. The Davanports were nothing if not efficient.

  The caterer arrived next with the reception meal for our small gathering, and Vicky had them set up in the great room. Last minute prep was keeping us on our toes, so I was only allowed fleeting glances at my girl. Leaving me biting my lower lip frequently, imagining her on our wedding bed without that dress.

  The guests had arrived, and by guests, I mean all two of them. Jenny was first to show, gushing over how Valla and I looked before being led out to the seats by Vic. The second guest, whom we expected because she had, to our shock, requested to be here was last to show up.

  Vicky led Missy Hannigan into the room. She stopped short when she saw us with a small smile fighting at the edge of her lips before she stiffened it back to her normal sneer as she greeted Valla. “Freak.” Valla cordially replied, “Skank.” Then Missy turned to me, “Spaz.” I gave her a tiny wave and smile, “Bitch.”

  When she asked to come we had inquired as to why, and her terse response led us to believe that she felt responsible for me in some way after the attack. She looked through the back window to see the setup by the dock and just started walking out, pausing at the glass panel door with her back to us and said softly away from us, “You two look nice.” before she wandered out to take a seat beside Jenny.

  Vicky mouthed to us “It's time.” a few minutes later. The butterflies kicked in with a vengeance. This is real. I'm going to be her's! Vicky offered her elbows and each of us accepted one as she led us down the aisle, the violin music playing from the speakers in the arbor.

  We reached the minister and Vicky slipped away to her seat beside Frank and Maira as Valla and I turned to each other, our eyes locked with an almost electric current. As one we each bit our lower lips as the music stopped.