"It was a special dinner." Catherine gazed at Tia.
"Yes it was." Tia stared back at the very beautiful woman. Something was going on here. The air crackled with electricity.
"Well Maddy, go get the cards and meet us in the living room, while I take care of these dishes. Tia, more wine?"
"Sure. Here, let me help." They silently cleared the rest of the table and cleaned up the kitchen and then Catherine filled their wineglasses.
"I'll warn you, Maddy's very good at concentration."
"You mean I'm going to get my butt kicked by a three-year-old."
"Probably, it happens to me all the time." Catherine grinned, as they entered the living room. "Okay Maddy, deal the cards, honey."
Maddy lay on the floor and shuffled the cards before dealing them out slowly. "Tia, you first."
"How do I play?"
"You turn over two cards. If they match, like two fives or two queens you take the cards, otherwise you turn them over and remember where they are."
"Great, I can barely remember my own telephone number." Tia grumbled as she turned two cards over.
Four games later, Maddy had won two, and Tia and Catherine each had won one.
"Alright Maddy girl, go get your pajamas on, sweetie. I'll come in and kiss you goodnight, as soon as you're ready."
"Can Tia give me a kiss too?"
"Of course she can, sweetie."
"Okay Mom." Maddy rushed out of the room, heading for her bedroom.
"I can't believe how good she is."
"She is good. She has her days when she is a brat, but I wouldn't change a thing."
"You're so lucky."
"Have you ever wanted to have a child?"
"No, but I always thought I would be in a relationship where my partner might want to adopt."
"You still could."
"I have to be in a relationship first."
"Honey, you will, I have no doubt." Catherine hugged her tightly. Tia couldn't prevent her arms from snaking around Catherine's neck. Their hug lasted far longer then a normal friendly hug. Catherine's face was buried against Tia's neck. Tia flushed with heat as her fingers slipped into Catherine's hair.
"Mom, I'm in bed." Maddy called from her bedroom.
Catherine gently stepped away from Tia, her eyes large, showing her nervousness. Tia just stared at Catherine unsure as to how to respond. "We're on our way, honey."
Catherine clasped Tia's hand and pulled her down the hall into Maddy's room. Catherine bent over and kissed her tiny daughter, then hugged her tightly. "Okay Tia, your turn." Catherine got up and left the room.
Tia sat down on the edge of Maddy's bed. "Sleep tight, Maddy girl." She hugged her tightly and shared an enthusiastic little girl kiss.
"Goodnight." Tia left the room turning the light out but leaving the door partially open.
"Is she settled down?" Catherine asked as she sat on the couch looking up at Tia.
"Yes."
"So do you want to watch another movie?"
"Sure, but before we do can we talk?" Tia needed to settle things and quickly, before it got out of hand.
"Of course we can."
"I maybe totally off base, and if 1 am you have every reason to be upset with me. I think something is going on between us. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong." Catherine watched Tia carefully.
"I don't want to step over a line, but I am very attracted to you and I feel like you're aware of that."
Catherine stared at Tia. "Tia, sit down, please. I didn't know you were attracted to me until this moment. But you're right. I'm very much attracted to you, and I don't know what to do about it."
Tia's heart jerked in her chest. "You're attracted to me?"
"Yes."
"But, you're straight." Tia blurted out the words, staring at Catherine.
"I am, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to be with you."
Tia was struck speechless. She wasn't sure how to react. The feelings she had pushed into the back of her mind exploded. "What do you want to do about it?"
"I'm not sure, what do you suggest?" Catherine smiled at her. She looked incredibly sexy sitting with her hair up her soft, blue eyes locked on to Tia's.
Tia didn't hesitate as she grinned in return and bent toward Catherine until their faces were just inches apart. Whispering softly, she stopped just short of touching Catherine. "I suggest we kiss, and play the rest by ear."
Catherine closed the gap between them and their lips touched softly, sliding gently against each other. Tia's lips opened slightly as her tongue tentatively traced Catherine's lips. The quiet moan that slipped from Catherine made Tia smile. She increased the pressure of her kiss and Catherine's arms slid around her shoulders, pulling Tia tightly against her body. Catherine's kisses grew even more passionate as Tia slid her arms around Catherine's waist. Their bodies strained against each other, as their kisses became open-mouthed and full of heat. They necked for quite awhile before they took a few minutes to catch their breath, still holding each other tightly.
"I didn't know." Catherine sighed softly as she stared at Tia.
"Didn't know what?"
"That it could feel this way." Catherine smiled sweetly at her.
"It's never happened to me quite like this before."
"So where do we go from here?"
"Where do you want it to go?"
"I want to date you." Catherine responded with a grin.
"Catherine, dating me is very serious. You have a daughter. Have you thought of her?" Tia hated to say anything to upset Catherine but it needed to be said.
"Do you like Maddy?"
"I love Maddy."
"That's all I ask. Now, do you have a problem with dating me?" Catherine looked Tia right in the eye.
"No, as long as you understand that I could fall in love with you, and want to be with you for the rest of your life. You could be my passion. Are you prepared for that?"
"Tia, if we date it's because there's a strong possibility that we'll live happily ever after."
They shared another wonderful heart-stopping kiss and then hugged each other tightly. "I think I should go home and give you some time to think about this. If you still want to go out with me after you get away from me for a day, we can plan something next week."
"Tia, I am still going to want to date you, but I understand if you don't want to date a single mother."
"Catherine, I love that you're a mother." Tia reassured her with a hug.
"So if you still want to see me, when can we go on a date?" Catherine held Tia snuggly against her.
"What does your work schedule look like next week?"
"I'm working eleven to seven for two weeks."
"Who's going to watch Maddy?"
"I'll pay her babysitter to stay at night."
"Why don't I stay with her at night? We could see each other before you go to work, that is, if you feel comfortable leaving Maddy with me."
"Of course, I feel fine leaving Maddy with you, but are you sure you want to take care of her all night?"
"Yes, I can come to your place and stay the night, that way Maddy won't be disrupted."
"You know that means you will be sleeping in my room, in my bed." Catherine grinned at her.
"Need I remind you, I will be sleeping alone?"
"We'll work on that problem."
"Will you call me tomorrow evening?"
"I'd love to."
"Goodnight." They shared a deep, slow kiss and then Tia stood up.
"So, are we seeing each other?" Catherine stood up and took Tia's hand as they walked to the door.
"We are." Tia turned and wrapped her arms around Catherine. "I had fun tonight."
"So did I."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow." Tia and Catherine kissed softly, and then Tia left. She quickly headed upstairs to her own place. As she walked, she smiled to herself. Who would have known? The fear didn't creep in until Tia climbed into bed and then Tia just pushed it
away, she didn't want to think of the negative outcomes.
Chapter Eighteen
"You kissed her?" Anna's look of shock made Tia chuckle. They were preparing to work out in the gym.
"We kissed each other."
"Tia." Anna's look of sadness made Tia's heart sink.
"I know."
"She's straight, honey, and she has a child?"
"I know that, Anna."
"Tia, you're going to get hurt before this is over." Anna touched her best friend's hand.
"Anna, I love her, and I love her little girl. I have to try this."
Anna's eyes filled with tears as she hugged her tiny best friend. "I'll support you, whatever you do."
"Thanks, Anna, I know it's stupid, but I can't help it. This is the one, if it works out. I just know it."
"She's the one?" Anna's eyes softened as she looked at Tia.
"Yes. She's the one."
"Come on, girlfriend, let's go work out. If you are going to sweep this woman off her feet you'd better get into shape."
"You're telling me." Tia grinned as they headed for the workout room.
"Besides, it's been a while since you had your clothes off in front of a girlfriend. You'd better sweat to the oldies, buddy." Anna grinned at Tia. Tia was never out of shape but it didn't hurt to tease her.
"Like you've gotten lucky this past year." Tia retorted as they both climbed on to the exercise bikes.
"More like two years." Anna grimaced as she started to pedal.
"Honey, there's someone out there for you."
"How do you suggest I find her, an ad?"
"Not a bad idea."
"Don't even go there. Now shut up, and let's work out." Anna gave her a warning glare.
Tia wisely held her tongue and did as Anna asked, grinning the whole time. She would tease her later, that's what friends were for.
"How was your day?" Catherine asked. Tia had called her when she got home.
"Good, Anna and I did some shopping and worked out. Then, I got some work done, how about you?"
"I did laundry and some grocery shopping, and then Maddy and I went rollerblading."
"Sounds like fun."
"It was, but we both wished you were with us. I miss you, Tia."
"I miss you, too."
"When are you coming down?"
"Anytime you want me to."
"Now."
"I'll be right down." Tia's heart beat heavily in her chest as she grabbed her bag. She had packed her things earlier. She didn't need much, because she'd planned to bring Maddy up to her place in the morning while she got dressed. She'd picked up quite a few things for Maddy's breakfast. Sighing heavily, she headed down the hall to Maddy and Catherine's apartment.
"Tia." Maddy popped out of her open apartment at a full run.
"Hello, munchkin." Tia kneeled and gathered the excited little girl into her arms. Maddy enthusiastically hugged and kissed her. Tia closed her eyes for a moment, allowing her love for the little girl to wash over her. As she opened her eyes she saw Catherine standing beside her, smiling softly at the two of them.
"Hi."
"Hi yourself." Tia stood up as Maddy struggled with her bag. "Maddy, let me help you."
"Where's my hug?" Catherine whispered, staring at Tia.
"Right here." Tia's arms slid around Catherine and hugged her tightly, as Catherine's arms snaked around her neck.
They held each other tightly as Maddy dragged Tia's bag into the apartment. "We'd better go inside." Catherine chuckled, as she squeezed Tia tightly one last moment. It wasn't smart standing in the apartment hallway hugging, too many neighbors and too much gossip.
The three of them watched Maddy's favorite movie for the fourth lime, ate popcorn, and played until it was Maddy's bedtime.
"Okay little girl, it's time for you to crawl in bed." Catherine was holding her little daughter in her lap.
"Tia's staying here, right?"
"Yes, she is. So you need to be a good little girl for her, while I work. She's going to take you to school in the morning."
"I'll be good." Maddy promised as she snuggled against her mother.
"I know you will, sweetie." Catherine hugged her and kissed her. "I love you, little girl. Give Tia a kiss, and go crawl in bed. I'll be in shortly to tuck you in."
"Goodnight, Tia."
"Goodnight, doll." Tia kissed and hugged the little girl tightly.
Catherine followed Maddy into her bedroom. Tia could hear Maddy's giggles and Catherine's soft voice as the two visited. It made Tia smile as she listened to the two of them. She envied their relationship. They were so close and so affectionate.
"She should stay down all night. She sleeps pretty heavily so you shouldn't have any problems." Catherine sat down next to Tia on the couch.
"We'll be fine. You have nothing to worry about." Tia turned to face her, grasping her hand. "I'll watch her like she's my own."
"I know you will." Catherine tugged Tia gently, until she leaned against her. "I'm glad you're watching her."
"I thought I would take her upstairs for breakfast while I change for work."
"Are you sure you can do this? I can have her babysitter come get her ready in the morning."
"We'll be fine. How hard can it be?"
"Getting Maddy ready for school? You tell me tomorrow night." Catherine grinned at Tia. Maddy was difficult on a good day in the morning. "This will be a big test to see if you still want to see me after getting Maddy going in the morning."
"I'll still want to see you." Tia nuzzled Catherine's neck.
"Are you sure about that?" Catherine's lips slid along Tia's jaw.
"I'm sure." Tia's lips captured Catherine's, as they shared a deep kiss. The kiss grew in intensity as Catherine's mouth hungrily met Tia's. Their tongues tasted and slid against each other's as their bodies strained, while they devoured each other. Tia's body ached as she felt Catherine's body slide against her own. Catherine's hands slid across Tia's back, pulling her on top of her as she leaned back. Tia's lips covered Catherine's face and neck, as her hands stroked Catherine's back and arms.
Tia's lips slid against the soft fragrant skin at the top of Catherine's breasts and then stopped, breathing heavily. She buried her face in Catherine's neck as she fought for control, Catherine's lips traveling across Tia's cheek.
"I can't believe what you do to me." Tia whispered, holding tightly to Catherine.
"The same thing you do to me?" Catherine responded with a smile. "It's overwhelming and wonderful, all at the same time.
"Do you want to slow things down?" Tia looked at Catherine carefully. She did not want to scare her.
"No, but I know we should. I find this whole thing so overwhelming. I have never felt this way before. What are you feeling?"
"Scared, excited, overwhelmed, and very happy." Tia grinned down at Catherine. "I just want to make sure you're okay about all of this."
"Tia, I have thought of nothing but you since last night. I know I want to be with you, and I want to spend every minute with you. I've never been with a woman before, so I'm not sure how all this is going to work. But I know I want to be with you. You're going to have to help me out a little bit."
"Honey, I want to be with you, and we're doing fine. I just don't want to rush this. This is so special. I want it to last."
"So do I, Tia. I think this is it, the one perfect relationship I have been waiting for all my life."
"Catherine, I'm crazy about you." Tia pledged, as she kissed her with all the emotion that had welled up in her body.
"I'm crazy about you, I'm really crazy about you." Catherine returned Tia's kiss with one of her own, as they tumbled back into passion.
It was after ten o'clock before Catherine and Tia broke apart so Catherine could get up to prepare for work. "Honey, the sheets on the bed are clean, and so are the bathroom towels."
"Go get ready, I'll be fine." Tia gently pushed Catherine toward her bedroom.
A half-hour
later, Catherine was dressed for work and standing by the front door, her arms around Tia. They kissed several times before hugging tightly.
Love Times Four Page 17