†
“How did you know where to find me?” Alex asked as she went further into Reese’s embrace. They were in bed after having picked Carly up from Kate’s house and putting her to bed.
“I got worried when you didn’t come back. I dropped Carly off at Kate’s and knew I would find you at the house,” Reese said as she kissed the top of Alex’s head.
“I love you, you know,” Alex whispered.
“I love you too, darling.”
“Are you okay?”
“I will be. I will be.” Alex held Reese tightly and felt the tightening of Reese’s arms around her. Yes, I will be all right. I will be all right.
†
“You have got to be kidding?” Alex asked looking at Kate.
“No.”
“They are coming for Thanksgiving?”
“Yep, that’s what she said.”
“Oh no, Kate, this is not good.” Alex started to pace in Kate’s kitchen.
Kate kept on making a pie.
“Why? Why are they coming?”
“Why does Mother do anything?”
Alex stopped and looked straight at her sister. “Why are you so okay with this?”
“Alex, I have learned to deal with Mother’s bigger-than-life decisions. You know as well as I do that it makes no difference what you and I say…she is coming.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Alex?” Kate stopped what she was doing and Alex looked at her. “Do you love Reese?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“It’s a sincere question. Do you love her?”
“This is ridiculous.” Alex’s arms went up in the air as she started walking out of the kitchen.
“Love is staying, Alex, not running away,” Kate said harshly.
Alex turned around and faced Kate. “What are you talking about?”
“Answer my question. Do you love Reese?”
“You know I do.”
“Say it.”
Alex just stood and stared at Kate.
“It’s scary, Alex. But remember how she makes you feel. If it’s real, the words are easy.” Alex looked down and when she looked up again, Kate could see the raw emotion in her eyes.
“I love her more than I can bear sometimes,” Alex said honestly. “I don’t want Mother to scare her off. I couldn’t bear losing her. I wouldn’t know how to live without her. I’m afraid, Kate.”
Kate walked over to Alex and took her in her arms. “You’ve been dealing with a lot lately. It’s called living again.”
Alex pulled away and Kate smiled.
“Alex?” Kate called out.
“Yes?” Alex waited with her back to her sister.
“Reese loves you more than you know. Nothing will make her leave. Only you can do that.”
“Thanks, Kate,” Alex sincerely said as she left.
Kate had a wide smile on her face. She felt good. Alex was going to be okay.
†
“The realtor called me today. She says there’s a house that is perfect for us. I stopped by to see Kate…my mother and father are coming for Thanksgiving. Oh, and the realtor says that it has a beautiful pool. Remember how funny it was when Carly started telling her...”
Reese interrupted.
“Wait, wait. Your parents are coming for Thanksgiving?” Reese asked, waiting for an answer.
“Couldn’t get it past you, huh?”
“Nope, spill the beans, counselor.”
Alex walked over to Reese with a very serious look on her face.
“I called my mother a few weeks ago and told her about us. My mother suggested I see a shrink. I should have told you. I’m sorry,” said Alex, not knowing what reaction she would get from Reese.
Reese walked toward the window and looked out without saying anything.
Alex waited where she stood.
“Yes, Alex, you should have told me. I told you about calling my father.”
“Reese, I’m sorry.”
“I know you are.” Reese turned around and faced her now. “You have to include me in your life. That means everything. Remember, Alex, it’s for better or for worse.”
Alex closed the distance between them. She stood close enough to Reese to touch her and yet she didn’t.
“I knew it would upset you. My mother is...well difficult,” Alex said dryly.
“Do you think it was easy to tell my father? I knew what he was going to say. It’s the same line all the time. Glad to know that you are okay but oh...you are still our gay daughter. It hurts, Alex. But I wanted them to know that you exist for me. I keep hoping that someday they will understand. But I shared it with you.” Reese was now very emotional. “When will you accept that you are not alone anymore? Your pain and your happiness are mine too?”
That’s all Alex needed to hear. She took Reese into her arms and held her tightly. “I’m sorry, love. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. I thank God you came into my life each and every day. Don’t give up on me, Reese. Don’t give up on me, please?”
“Alex, sometimes you are really stupid.” Reese said as she pulled away and looked into Alex’s eyes. “I love you. Get used to it. I am not going anywhere. Nothing, do you hear, nothing or no one is going to take me away from you.”
“Did you just call me stupid?” Alex asked, amused.
“Well...I’m sorry, darling. But sometimes you do drive me crazy!” Reese smiled.
“You called me stupid,” Alex said with a pout.
“Oh, don’t be like that my little stupid girl,” Reese said in baby talk.
“Now, I am really insulted!” Alex pouted, crossed her arms and turned her back to Reese.
Reese came up behind her and pressed herself into Alex’s back. “What can I do to make it up to you, love,” Reese whispered into Alex’s ear.
Alex’s arms came down to her sides and pulled Reese behind her even closer as she leaned back. “I can only think of one way.”
“Oh?”
Alex turned around and saw the same passion she felt in her in Reese’s eyes. Alex’s hand caressed the face she loved as her lips brushed across Reese’s jaw, her teeth nibbling lightly along Reese’s neck.
A moan escaped Reese’s mouth as her hands pulled Alex closer to her.
Alex’s hands found their way inside Reese’s blouse. Reese’s nipples were already hard with the anticipation of the touch. Reese pulled Alex closer to her and started kissing Alex’s neck lower and lower.
“Carly?” Alex asked in a groan.
“Girl Scouts.”
“I love Girl Scouts.”
“Alex, stop talking and make love to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter 13
“Come in, Elliot.” Alex waved Elliot into her office.
“I know that you’re busy, but I need to go over these files with you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Alex, Brian Stravinsky is suing LNSG for breach of contract.”
“You’re kidding. And they want us to handle it?”
“They want you to handle it,” Elliot said smugly.
“Elliot…this is big. I mean really big.”
“I know. If you pull this off, Alex, we’re talking senior partnership.”
“It couldn’t have happened to a better person,” she said jokingly.
Elliot laughed as well.
“Give those files to me. I’m dying to start my notes. Have we got all the paperwork from Stravinsky yet?”
“Slow down,” Elliot said, still laughing. “How about if we go and celebrate?”
“Sounds great, I can’t believe this. Wow. Oh, and I will want a golden parachute clause along with that partnership.”
“Absolutely,” Elliot said with a smile. “You’ve worked hard for this, Alex, congratulations.” Elliot got up and went to Alex. He pulled her up from her chair and took her in his arms, giving her a warm hug.
“Thank you, Elliot, thank you,” she said wit
h a smile as she pulled away.
Elliot leaned in and kissed her. When she pulled away, he held on still.
“Let me go,” she said seriously. Gone was the friendly banter between them.
“Give me a chance, Alex?” Elliot asked, still holding her tightly.
“Let me go now!”
Elliot released her.
“I am with someone, Elliot.”
“You are with a woman, Alex. It’s a phase. It’ll pass.”
“You are delusional,” she blurted out at him.
“Alex, you and I have things in common. I know I can make you happy. I have been waiting for you to come out of your self-imposed mourning for these past two years,” Elliot finished.
Alex stared at him as if she were seeing him for the first time. “I thought we were friends, Elliot. I’m sorry you thought anything else. I am involved…I told you that weeks ago. If you’ve chosen not to recognize that involvement, that’s your problem not mine,” Alex said, leaving no grounds for argument.
Elliot, however, would not give up that easily. “She can’t possibly satisfy you, Alex.”
“Why you pompous ass! I love her, I want her and she satisfies me in every way, Elliot.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to!” she yelled back.
“Alex, she’s beautiful but…”
“Elliot, this conversation is over, Now get out!” she said as she pointed to her door.
“Alex, we have known each other a long time…”
“Elliot, there is nothing left to say between us. What part of that don’t you understand?”
Elliot walked toward the door and before he reached it, he turned around to face Alex yet again. “She will never be able to share what we have between us.”
“I share everything with her already, Elliot. There is nothing I haven’t shared with her. She has my dreams, my hopes, my future, and my passion, Elliot. She has everything.”
Elliot stared at her in disbelief, then turned around and walked out of her office. Alex had accepted that her relationship with Reese would end some connections she had with friends, family, and the world she lived in. But, Reese was her life and she would gladly give it all up for the happiness that she now felt inside.
†
“Carly, will you get that for me, honey?” Alex called out.
“Okay, Alex. Hello?” Carly answered the telephone. “Who is this?” asked a censorious woman’s voice.
“This is Carly. Who are you?”
“I am Vanessa Masters. Who are you?”
“I am…I’m Alex’s daughter,” Carly said finally. Yes, that was what she was now that Alex and her mom had explained it all to her.
“Who?”
“You know, I’m Carly,” said the girl innocently.
“I know your name. What do you mean you are Alexandra’s daughter?”
“’Cause I am. She’s my mom now too.”
Alex walked into the room carrying a big box. “Who is it, honey?”
“Who should I say is calling?” Carly asked.
“Tell her it’s her mother.”
“Okay, wait okay?”
“Fine.”
Carly gave Alex the telephone. “She says she’s your mother.” Alex looked at Carly and immediately took the telephone from her.
“You okay, small fry?” Alex searched the child’s face.
“Yep, can I go outside Alex?”
“No, honey. I don’t want you outside near the pool by yourself. Wait for me and we’ll go to McDonald’s after we finish with this box okay?”
“Yeah…you have a deal, Alex,” Carly said excitedly.
“Okay, let me take this call and we’ll be on our way.”
“’Kay,” Carly said as she walked toward the kitchen.
“Hello, Mother,” Alex said into the telephone.
“Alexandra, what are you doing?”
Alex raised her eyes up toward the ceiling.
“What are you talking about, Mother?”
“Who was that child that called herself your daughter?”
Alex looked toward the kitchen then turned back with a smile on her face. “My daughter, Mother. She is Reese’s child.”
“Alexandra, your father and I would like to take the opportunity to speak with you during our visit on Thanksgiving.”
“I would like that. You can meet Reese and Carly. You’re going to like them, Mother and—”
“Alexandra, I don’t want to meet with anyone but you,” Vanessa said quickly. The silence grew between them.
Alex stood rooted to floor.
“That’s why I called. I wanted to ask you not to bring them to Kate’s for Thanksgiving. It’s only for family, Alexandra. We can talk afterward and resolve all this.”
Alex stood in shocked silence. Alex had the feeling that her mother thought she had scored and just shook her head in disbelief before answering. “Did you think this would work?”
“What?”
“How dare you say those things to me?”
“Alexandra…”
“This is something you either accept or you don’t. I have nothing to discuss with you. I am taking my family to Kate and Rob’s home because we have been invited. If you find that unacceptable, perhaps you should not come, Mother.”
“Alexandra, what has gotten into you?”
“I won’t have anyone, not even you, tell me who to love. You don’t have to like it and you don’t have to accept it. But know that this is my life and if you want to remain in my life then perhaps you should think about what you will be saying to me next.”
Vanessa was stunned. She suddenly realized that her daughter had tapped into something that she had never really seen. Alexandra stood alone and was strong enough to do so. Vanessa decided that retreat for now was better than an all-out war.
“Alexandra, you are too excited. Perhaps we should discuss this at a later time,” Vanessa said politely.
“You don’t get it do you? My life is not open for discussion. I choose, not you. Now, I have to go. My daughter is waiting for me to take her to McDonald’s. It’s too bad, Mother; if you had given them half a chance you would have loved them.” Alex hung up the telephone and never looked back.
†
“I spoke to the realtor today. All the bank paperwork is taken care of. We have an offer on your house and she thinks she has a couple who might be interested in this one. Alex?” Reese waited for Alex to respond. Alex, apparently oblivious to the conversation and lost in her thoughts, stood by the window. “Alex?”
“What? I’m sorry, love. What did you say?” Alex asked as she turned to face Reese.
“I was telling you that we can put an offer on that house we both liked.”
“That’s great,” Alex said as she walked over and took Reese in her arms.
“Hey? Are you okay?”
“It’s been a difficult last few days. But, yes, I’m fine,” Alex said with a smile.
“Alex, you would tell me if something happened right?”
Alex released Reese and took a few steps away.
Reese stood behind her, waiting. “Alex? Has something happened? Have you changed your mind about us?”
Alex turned around immediately. “No, no, nothing has changed between us. I love you, Reese.” She took Reese in her arms again to reassure her. “I had a very unpleasant conversation with Elliot yesterday and with my mother today.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Reese asked.
“I was going to.”
“Loving me is alienating you from your life, isn’t it?”
“Loving you has given me a life,” Alex said as she kissed Reese lightly.
“I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time, darling.”
“I love you, my funny face,” Alex said with a smile.
“Alex, I love you.” Reese looked into the eyes of the woman she loved.
Alex returned the look and the clouds that had filled her ey
es started to dissipate. “Never doubt my love for you, Reese. That is the one thing in this world that will never fail you. I will always be here. Always and forever. You’re stuck with me.”
“Always and forever is something I can handle.” Reese said as her mouth found Alex’s to seal the promise.
Alex quickly pulled away. “Hey! We have to get married!”
“What?” Reese was caught off guard.
“I know that it is only symbolic and all that, but I want to marry you,” Alex said with all the love she felt inside.
“I would like that too.”
“We should plan this out. We can maybe have a reception at the…”
“Alex?”
“Yes, love?”
“Kiss me. We can plan all you want in the morning,” Reese said. Alex smiled and kissed the woman in her arms.
Chapter 14
The ringing of the telephone on the nightstand woke Alex. As she tried to for reach it Reese, still asleep, protested her movement by tightening her arms around her. Alex smiled, reached over, and picked up the annoying telephone.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Alex.”
“God, what is it with you and waking me up? Don’t you have anything better to do every weekend? Go make love to your husband or something,” Alex said jokingly.
“Already took care of that,” Kate laughed.
“Okay, so you have one over on me.”
“I got a call from Mother last night. She will be blessing us with her presence. She called to confirm. I thought you should know. She will probably be calling you.”
“I already got the call yesterday.”
“Everything okay?” Kate asked, the concern showing in her voice.
“No, it’s not, Kate. We had a very definite disagreement. We both took a corner, if you know what I mean.”
“I’m sorry, Alex, I’ll talk to her.”
“No, you better not. Some things just have to work themselves out…or not. I remembered what you said, sis, and I fought for my happiness.”
The Very Thought of You Page 13