This is an adult story that primarily features stories involving women. If it is illegal in the state, province, or country in which you live; or if you are under the age of 18, please leave the site and find something else to read.
There are implied consensual sexual relations between adult women. There are elements of strong language, violence, physical and/or mental, as well as some emotional hurt and discomfort in the story.
The events portrayed in this story are fictional and any resemblance to actual events and/or people is purely coincidental. This is the sixth part of the Define Destiny series. Although reading Define Destiny, Haunting Shadows, In Pursuit of Dreams, Actions and Consequences, and All Our Tomorrows, is not absolutely necessary, it would assist in understanding the circumstances surrounding this story. Dedication: ~ To all readers who will be continuing the journey with Catherine, Jace and their extended family and friends. I found the journey to revive these characters like welcoming old friends home. Thank you to everyone, who did take the time to e-mail me, especially those requesting more. I was and will be always very grateful. This story is for you!
Acknowledgement: ~ Thanks to Alice and Packer, I appreciate the generosity of their time in beta reading for me.
Author's Notes: ~ I have touched on some sensitive subjects for some people, nothing particularly in-depth, and the links detailed relate to website about the different subject matter, which if anyone is interested in understanding more about the subject matter please check out, or other similar sites.
All my stories are FICTION, and although I have tried to be reasonably accurate in the information, it is only intended to be used in the context of the fictitious world the characters inhabit.
Post natal depression - http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/pndep/
High blood pressure - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_preg.htm
Bullying - http://www.bullying.co.uk/
Rapping for what felt like the hundredth time on Luke's apartment door Lucy had to consider revising her plans! If he wasn't home, and there was no telling when he would be, she had to think again about where to spend the night and return in the morning. Hindsight now said she should have called, but her romantic heart had thought otherwise, the element of surprise a wrong call today it would appear. Glancing around the deserted corridor of the block, she shivered inwardly at the unwelcoming atmosphere. Graffiti adorned the walls almost every available free space covered.
Normally she didn't mind since some of it was quite artistic, this, however, wasn't. It went from crude words and expressions to even cruder drawings, grimacing as she wondered if the people who had actually adorned the walls with the filth lived on this floor too! Picking up her holdall she walked quickly to the elevator and pressed the down button, waiting for the light to indicate it was on the way back up to this level.
The door opened eventually and she breathed a sigh of relief, as there was no one inside. It was now nine in the evening and although it was a beautiful, spring evening temperature wise, she'd learnt a long time ago to beware of being alone in a strange place in the night. Closing her eyes she wished herself for a moment back in her small but safe, or as safe as anyone can be in a big city, apartment in New York. Her Dad was going to be mad when they finally met up again. He would hate the fact that she'd eloped, more so the fact she'd informed him by a stilted letter. Her dad was a great guy, but he would have made her wait to marry Luke, even put him through the twenty questions routine, which had gone out with the ark. Anyway, she was twenty-two, not two; surely she had the right to choose whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life with! The thud of the elevator reaching the sidewalk level along with the sudden lurch as it came to stop, had her holding onto more than her luggage as she felt her stomach react unpleasantly to the movement.
As the doors slid open she glanced around. There wasn't anyone in the small lobby exiting the building as fast as she could to find herself outside on the sidewalk, which wasn't empty but at the same time the people looked less than desirable. However, she had been taught not to judge a book by its cover, mind she wasn't her sister who didn't seem to care if she brought home a destitute person or a prince, people she always stated were worth knowing no matter their walks of life. She pulled up the collar of her jacket to ward off the breeze that had suddenly arrived on the scene. There was only one thing for it...she'd go home. She still had a key and the chances were her mom would have traveled back to New York and it was, after all, her parents wedding anniversary this weekend and they always spent it together.
She picked up the pace of her steps to eat up the distance between this small street and the main street, which was filled with more people and no chance of a taxicab.
~ ~ ~
Faith sat quietly as she watched her daughter fuss over her baby. Whatever else was going on with Grace and Georgina, the bond they shared was as strong as any mother and child's was. She'd arrived with the child shortly after nine allowing her daughter a little more free time before the demanding baby, and Georgina had proved she was certainly that, would take over her life again. There was no doubt that Grace loved her daughter, but it was also clear that she needed some help with her. Some babies were more troublesome in the early stages than others and she suspected this was a case in point here.
"I was wondering, Grace, if I could perhaps take Georgina out and about a couple of times a week, give you a break...I know that you didn't..."
Grace turned to her mother holding up her hand preventing her mother from continuing. Her eyes held warmth and an element of sadness instead of the usual coldness the offer usually afforded.
"Mom, it's okay. I'd love for you take Georgina...I realize that I was being, well, you know..." Unable to complete what she wanted to say...'stupid' had come to mind.
"Darling, I understand, I really do. I remember when you were born your father said I wouldn't let you out of my sight for a moment. His mother was quite distressed at the time, if I recall." Her slow smile made Grace feel better. Maybe everything was going to be okay after all, perhaps all that was needed was to talk about it and she'd certainly done that this past twenty-four hours.
"Did she behave?" She asked tracing a gentle finger down her child's face. Georgina squirmed in her hold and gazed up at her sleepily.
Faith turned towards the window unsure if admitting that Catherine had born the brunt of Georgina's activities during the evening and night would be of any benefit, but then turned back to the silently waiting woman. "Well she didn't sleep at first; however, I put that down to being in a strange place and without her parents for the first time."
Staring at her mother Grace heaved a sigh, "Whom did she keep up all night?"
"Why do you say that, Grace, everyone in the household slept," omitting the fact that some had more than others.
"Mother! Please, I know what Georgina's like at night, she keeps Colin and me up every night. Last night was the first time since she's been born that we had a decent night's sleep."
A wry expression came over Faith has she picked up her tea cup, "Catherine...Jace felt it would do her good."
"Do her good, Catherine will want to string me up? She hates the children being up late after a certain time, you know how regimented she is. God she's going to kill me, what did she say this morning?" Maybe her friend wouldn't go with her to see the doctor now; it had been a crazy idea to let Georgina stay the night at main house.
"I don't know, dear, she's still in bed. Don't get so worked up, Grace, Jace's idea was sound. They are due twins, remember."
Grace placed a sleeping Georgina in her crib. It was typical her baby decided to sleep during the day rather than at night. "I'll go over there later and see if she's still talking to me."
"Sit down, Grace, and relax, Catherine's your friend she understands." Pulling out the kitchen chair she sat down heavily upon it and contemplated her own tea. Yeah, she might be lucky!
~ ~ ~
Rio prowled the upstairs landing waiting for his tall mistress who always took him for a long walk at this time, where was she? Jace smiled at the dog. She could imagine what was going through his head, why hadn't he been taken out it was a routine rarely disturbed these days. Stroking the dog's ears, much as Catherine did to show him that he was still important in the family, she whispered that they'd be going soon. Judy was taking Elena into town to the toddler group she attended two mornings a week. At first, neither she nor Catherine had wanted to let her go. But, because she was becoming such an active child, Judy, who having previously been a schoolteacher, thought it was a good idea for her to meet other children of her age and interact with them, persuaded them.
Now, six months later, the suggestion by the housekeeper was considered an excellent call. Elena had settled down to a degree and it gave Jace some free time of her own to do what she wanted while Catherine worked in the study. At the moment she made sure she took advantage of every second. Once the twins were born it would be sometime before she expected to have the same degree of personal space. Not that she regretted a second of it, she didn't, she was one of those people who loved being pregnant and the marvelous feeling of creating life inside her brought her a sense of achievement nothing else in this world would. At times she had doubts that Catherine felt the same. There was a look from time to time and sadness inside the depths of her eyes that, although fleeting appeared and had done so many times but more so yesterday. Did Catherine have regrets about having more children? It was true that in their life together children had been a demand on their relationship but she fervently hoped not a burden.
Silently opening the door to their room, she snuck inside and made for the bedroom allowing the door to open a fraction to check that Catherine was still sleeping, it certainly sounded like it. Closing the door unable to go inside properly because she knew she wouldn't be able to resist if she did. Climbing into the bed alongside her partner was a foregone conclusion. Rio, as good a dog as he was, would send up the odd whimper and wake her lover up. Who knew...maybe when she got back Catherine would still be snuggled up in bed and she would join her? With a delicious grin of anticipation on her face she quickly left their room and called softly to Rio, a brisk walk would suffice this morning.
~ ~ ~
Luke Cruisal whistled a popular tune as he left his current conquest's apartment. Candy Jones had been a sweet intermission in his life, and she wanted no more out of the relationship than he did...to have someone good looking on their arm for the evening and uninhibited sex as the dessert. Both of them had plans that didn't include the other long term, and their liaisons were fun, exciting and throwaway. It was funny how a chance meeting at a gas station could open up all kinds of possibilities. He'd say one thing for America it certainly was the land of opportunity, as long as you knew which ones to take.
Climbing into his old truck, whose upholstery was worn and in need of attention, the springs protested as he dropped behind the wheel. Switching on the engine he reversed out of the discreet parking place he'd chosen behind the apartment building, discretion paramount according to Candy. Her current lover wasn't one you wanted on your case; he had powerful friends. Negotiating the tight curve into the main street, he licked his lips as he thought of the woman he'd left behind languid in bed, her lithe body spent with their activities. Although, he suspected, if she hadn't needed him to leave she would be ready to indulge in playful satisfying activities once more. Stopping at the light he looked about him and saw a stray blonde hair on his jacket, as he picked it off his shoulder he placed it to his nose. Though he couldn't quite smell her perfume on the stray hair, he envisaged he could; her scent covered him and he was loath to wash her presence away. Thankfully he wasn't married yet or he would have had some explaining to do.
A wicked thought came to him as he now considered the next few months, maybe even when he married Lucy, Candy might be his sugar on the side, he'd certainly give it a try. A challenge was always worth the effort, you never knew what you might gain from it. Hadn't he done that very thing with Lucy Bardley? She was okay, but not really his type, too studious for that, even with that rebellious streak. She wasn't a patch on her sister for looks either; kind of plain and he suspected she'd end up like her mother, dumpy and homely, definitely not his cup of tea. However, she was loaded, at least the family was, and he was going to get some of that action. If marrying someone he merely tolerated would ensure him a reasonable return, well, he'd call that effort worthwhile. He was sure after the honeymoon was over that a nice pay off to get rid of him would ease the family embarrassment, especially once he made a fool of his future wife. No one tolerated that, especially one branch of the family and he was going to love her being involved, cool! Catherine Warriorson might have treated him as no more than a speck on the landscape, but soon, very soon now, he was going to be that irritating tick in the eye that you'd do anything to get rid of. Wonder what she'd say if she knew what he was planning now...
~ ~ ~
Serena Dusterly sat in front of the TV with her tray table and the unappetizing microwave meal, only half finished, as she fished around to find the file on Lucy Bardley in her briefcase at the side of her chair. After Jason's visit she had been in two minds on accepting the case, if that's what you could call it. There wasn't any threat here, merely a daughter's rebellion, nothing new in that. It happened in thousands of households across America, strike that, the world. It's what kids do, rebel against the perceived authority that annoys them the most. In the case of the masses, it's usually the parents and everyone gets over it eventually. Others take it to the extreme and involve the authorities as in demonstrations, or worse case scenario, crime related. She'd seen it all with the cases she dealt with and this, to her, was a domestic issue, nothing more. Okay, the guy might be a sleaze ball after her money but there was no proof of that. He could be genuinely in love with her too and what a waste that would be on inter-relationships in the future; she'd seen families break apart for less. Of course there could be the hidden agenda though she hadn't seen anything to convince her of such at the moment. Because she owed this family in a big way she was prepared to do a little checking and she'd ensure it was so discreet, only her assistant Jenny would be privy to her dealings on the case here and in LA only people she trusted implicitly with her own life. The best thing would be to keep the family out of the equation...the thing was how to explain that to a distraught father. She'd find a way...she always found a way. In-built character trait she had that had held her in good stead for a long time, even when things had been tough.
Placing the folder on the coffee table it spilled open to reveal a picture of the parties involved in this event while picking up her fork to eat a little more of the now barely warm congealing food in the plastic container. The woman was of average appearance her dark hair looked about her best feature as it shone from the reflection of the sunlight when the picture had been taken. No one could say that about the young man though. He was the chocolate box handsome male that you fantasized about in your dreams, probably would have made a good male model for one of those rugged adventure advertising campaigns. Love moved in mysterious ways. Who knew, they might have been made for each other...then again. Tomorrow she'd fly to LA, she had found out one thing in the hours since she'd talked with Jason, Cruisal had arrived in LA a month ago, there had to be a trace of him, and she was the one to find out where.
~ ~ ~
Allison drove up the narrow drive and smiled, this was home!
Although it was now dark the porch light glowed a welcome she always appreciated especially after living in New York. She'd been born less than three miles away from the suburb the family home was now situated in. Santa Barbara held a magic all of its own and she hated to be away. A home bird some would call her having spent the best part of her life, except when she was away in Uni, here in this town. It was hardly surprising that it was difficult, no...impossible...for her to up-root and live permanently with Jason in New York, it wasn't her scene and never would be. At fifty-three the old routines of friends and places were etched so deep within her not even her love for Jason could persuade her otherwise.
Activating the automatic door of the garage she slowly placed the car inside and stepped out of the vehicle locking the doors and switching on the interior lights of the building before she closed up the outer door. It was strange, really, how things had changed in such a short space of time. Admittedly time did fly by these days, must be that element of getting older. She and Jason had always talked about traveling around the world when he retired and had a plan to save a nest egg for that very trip after they'd covered Lucy's college fees. Now he did that with the current work he was doing and she'd noticed the tendency for him to want to read a good book and stay home these days, even at weekends. That had been one of the easy things about leaving him alone in the city. She hadn't felt that he was interested and had hoped their separation would highlight that something wasn't right with their relationship. He had always been an astute man, especially with her and she had rarely, if ever, had to point out when a problem was looming in their marriage, not so now. Sometimes she felt like an old worn out comfortable pair of shoes that you wanted to keep around for the sake of it even though they no longer served the original purpose. Shaking her head she walked listlessly into the kitchen and activated the jug kettle, a nice mug of chocolate before she retired would help her relax, especially with so many melancholy thoughts drifting in her head.
Removing her sneakers and replacing them with her indoor shoes, opening the freezer as she contemplated what to have for dinner tomorrow. Cooking for one wasn't how she envisioned this stage in her life, but it was a fact at the moment. What she wouldn't give for Jason or one of the girls to call her and say they were coming home, some hope of that! Jace was too far into the pregnancy to travel the distance, they weren't taking any chances and she didn't blame them at all. The prospect of twins was a daunting prospect for them, she suspected, but one they were delighted to share. Her thoughts recalled the time she was pregnant with Jace, Jason had been so protective she felt like he was treating her with more care than he would a rare first edition. When their eldest daughter had been placed in his arms she thought he would burst with pride, he was delighted at the miracle that had been handed to him; for once he was lost for words. Lucy's pregnancy had been much the same though she had been allowed a little less cosseting, when she was born there'd been a complication in her breathing and he'd stayed by her incubator for the five days she was there. Fortunately for them, her sister had taken Jace in until the family came home from the hospital. From then on it had been one long series of good and bad times as in most families.
Instead of taking her chocolate to the sitting room, she went inside the small study and rummaged in the large cupboard where they stored photos and other family memorabilia and grinned in satisfaction as she dragged out a large green photo album. Taking it to the desk she sat down in the chair and flicked over the pages, yep as she thought this was the one.
Her smile brightening as she saw the pictures of the early ages of her daughters lives, from the first day they came home to this house to some of the events that had taken place over the last couple of years. At first, when Jace was born, they hadn't had much money and therefore the snaps were few and far between. But later, when Lucy was born, Jason had gone out specially to replace the camera and buy something to capture memories, he'd said, for when the children had flown the nest. She'd always imagined that she would share this particular task with him...
Her fingers traced the laughing face of a blonde, toothy, grinning happily seven-year-old Jace that was apparently racing around her father who held Lucy who must have been eighteen months old, or something like that, squirming around...they were all laughing. The next one was of her straightening Jace's hat, with Lucy tugging at her hand. She remembered that one, they had been going to her sister's wedding and Jace, as usual, hated the fuss of dressing up. Her eldest had never been the tidy one in the household. Lucy, on the other hand, was the exact opposite, a little like her...probably a lot like her. Where Jace had confided in her father, Lucy had always talked with her about her problems entrusting her with some of her secrets too, especially boyfriends. How different her two children had been back then even as teenagers...one outgoing, trusting and determined, the other studious, opinionated, and of her two children, Lucy was the one she felt might have her heart broken when she did finally fall in love if she chose the wrong one. She chuckled at the silly thoughts. They'd been very fortunate both of the girls were level headed, and she now doubted that Lucy would fall prey to that. She had taken her time but now she felt that her youngest had grown up enough to hopefully not get hurt that way. And if she did, well, she was here for her...here for them all.
As she closed the album, she contemplated looking at another when she heard a car stop suddenly outside the house. Who could that be at this time of night? She wondered.
Glancing out of the side curtain she couldn't make out anything other than it was a taxicab, maybe next door had a visitor. Turning back to the room she decided tomorrow she'd look over the other photos. It was good to remind herself of what she was missing it somehow made her feel closer to her family.
Leaving the study she was shocked to hear the scraping of a key in the lock and the door opening slowly, oh no not a burglar please!
Then relief flooded her face as she saw the dark head of hair and a bag being thrown into the hall.
"Lucy!" Allison screamed in delight as she rushed forward to enclose her youngest child in a warm loving hug.
"Hey, Mom, thought you might like a bit of company." Lucy hadn't expected her mother to be here, she really had thought that her parents' anniversary would have pre-occupied her. Oh well, now she'd find out if her dad had read her note, he was sure to have called and informed her.
"Company, darling, I love it, I was thinking about you only seconds ago, did you read my mind? How long are you staying? Are you on vacation? Is your dad coming home?"
"Mom, mom, please one at a time, any chance of a snack I'm starving?" Lucy smiled at the rush of words. Apparently her dad hadn't called; maybe he hadn't had time to read her letter, as he was always pre-occupied with business these days. She didn't wonder her Mom had decided to spend so much time back here. Things couldn't be any fun for her living in a penthouse with just a housekeeper for company most of the time. Her Mom was one of those old fashioned mothering types and the sophistication of being in the richer business circles wouldn't appeal, pity her dad didn't see that. Probably why she hadn't bothered to tell her dad face to face about her plans with Luke, he really wasn't that interested in them as a family anymore!
"Lucy, this is wonderful, of course, dear, of course. I have just the thing." Allison couldn't help the beaming smile that plastered her face. It was so good to have someone here. If she couldn't have Jason, Lucy was certainly the very best thing. However, both of them would be the icing on the cake. Jace she'd long given up of having home again, but Lucy was a lot like her in some ways...a home bird, it would seem, was one of them.
"I'll go wash up and put my things in my room, be with you in a few minutes," making for the stairs she stopped and turned back to her mother, walking over and giving her a hug. "I've missed you, Mom, it's good to be home."
Tears welled up in Allison's eyes as she looked down at the head of her baby, kissing the dark hair. "Go wash up, I have your favorite in the refrigerator."
"Thanks, Mom," Lucy sped up the stairs as Allison watched her speculative look on her face. There was something different about her Mom, what it was she couldn't figure out for the life of her but she would.
"Hey, boy, I'll see you soon, look after the house for me, okay?" Jace whispered to the dog as she stroked his ears then waddled off towards the stairs and the object of her devoted affection...a wonderful, sexy, tall woman asleep in their bed just waiting for her to join her.
Again, making as little noise as possible, she opened the door to their room and heard nothing...a good sign. Her fingers worked fast on the buttons of her shirt as she entered the inner room where, thankfully, Catherine still slept, she'd know that even breathing anywhere. Removing her shoes and kicking them aside, her nimble fingers unzipped her skirt then stepped out of the garment much more fluidly than she expected. Looking down at herself and the protruding stomach, not to mention the large filled out breasts, she had to admit it was a comical sight as her eyes strayed to the mirror on the dresser. She wondered what exactly Catherine thought when her body looked like this, frowning as she placed a hand on her tummy her underwear of jumbo proportions.
"I love you in anyway, any shape always...if you wondering." Catherine's voice invaded her senses like a drug, a marvelous love potion that only she had the power to administer.
"God, Catherine, you made me jump, I thought you were asleep." Jace spun around and wished she hadn't when, for a few seconds, she became disorientated and held out a hand to stop herself from falling.
"Hey, Jace, are you okay?" Catherine flew off the bed and was beside her love in a moment, placing her arms around the smaller woman, or as far around as she could reach these days.
"Fine, fine, darling, I shouldn't have been so eager to be in bed with you, just made me dizzy, that's all." Jace felt okay now, even better because she was held in the naked embrace of the woman she loved. Her scent, heady in the air, was intoxicating, and if anything, made her dizzy this would.
Bending to kiss the tempting lips below her, Catherine relished the task with both passion and gentleness. As much as she wanted to make love to Jace, she also knew that it had to be on Jace's terms, the hormonal balance of Jace's pregnancy didn't always play ball. "How about you rest up, I'll take a shower."
Jace pouted at the comment, "I thought maybe you and I might share a few quiet moments together." She might have said that but her body was raging at the moment and ‘quiet' wasn't what she had had in mind.
Flicking her eyebrow at the sultry tone, oh she'd heard that before and quiet wasn't usually on the menu, oh no. "Quiet moments, huh? I think I can accommodate that, I'm at your service, Ma'am." A slow sexy smile held Jace hypnotically as she was gently led to the bed and placed on its softness. Carefully sliding in beside her, Catherine moved to hold her lover as close as possible.
"You are my life, Catherine, I love you so very much." Jace whispered as she turned in the embrace and watched the flickering emotions on her love's face. Catherine was getting really good at opening up to her but on occasion she was certain some endearments left her speechless, much as she appeared now.
There were times when Catherine thought she couldn't love this woman any more than she already did. But right now, at this moment, holding her, Jace was to her and always would be incredibly sexy, pregnant or not, lovely as a perfect rose about to be picked for that very special occasion, always loving, tender and gentle. There was an inner sparkle about her that left everyone else in shadows and all she could do was be in awe. What words could ever do justice to how she felt about her; none at all except the tried and tested... "I love you, Jace, life has no meaning without you."
"I knew you could say it, love," as lips meshed with hers in a passion that Catherine knew could only be assuaged in one way...or maybe two or three...as they lost themselves in the wonderful throws of lovemaking.
Lisa stood in the playground next to the climbing frame, it was quite a cold chilly day as the breeze began to change direction and a southerly forecast earlier in the day emerged. Her eyes darted to and from the groups of friend's who congregated at break time. Each break time was the hardest part of being at school; she had no close friends and envied those that had. For some reason each time she'd tried to make friends it hadn't worked out and she didn't know why, except they usually teased her about her family and the fact that she was given time off for no reason. Her mom had said not to worry, they didn't understand and it would work out, but she hadn't told her mom the full story of how they joked about her and Catherine and called her names because she'd had to leave school early to see the doctors. What was so wrong with her family that others didn't want to be friends? Scuffing her toes on the concrete area she was standing at, she wished she didn't have to go to school. Why couldn't she stay home like Elena? Judy could teach her, she was a teacher once, and grown ups never forget things. If Elena were at school it wouldn't be so bad but her sister would be in this school when she was going to Jake's.
"Lisa, why aren't you playing with the others?" One of the part-time supervisors asked feeling sorry for the lonely child who was always alone.
"No reason." Lisa evaded the question, it wasn't anything to do with her anyway she was being nosey.
The homely woman smiled at the child, "want to help
me?" She said, holding out her hand to the child.
Lisa wondered what she meant then surveyed the area
and saw a few of the others watching her talking with one of the adults.
This was all she needed, for them to say she was not only a teacher's pet
but also the break supervisor's as well. "No thank you I'm okay, I'm going
to climb the frame now."
The supervisor nodded her head and was drawn away from saying more since she was now needed elsewhere having heard shouts and a child crying. Lisa watched her go and looked up at the metal frame that she actually hated, heights were a pet hate of hers. As she moved away she was taunted by one of the boys in her main class.
"Scaredy cat, Lisa, teacher's pet daren't climb the frame." Bobby Jenkins, his tow hair spiked up, shouted as loud as he could while a few of his buddies surrounded them, their jeering getting louder and louder.
"I am not scared of anything, so there!" Lisa stood her ground with her hands on hips staring directly at the hateful boy.
"You are too! If you aren't, go ahead and climb to the top, see if you dare." The boy glared at her, taunting her even more.
"Yeah, go on, Lisa, we don't believe you." A few of the others around entered into the foray.
"I can too but why should I! If Bobby's so clever he can climb it first." Lisa switched her stance from the first bully to a couple of his friends. This wasn't fair, what had she done now to have these boys make fun of her.
Everyone around them laughed as the boy in question gave Lisa a push away from the frame and started his assent. Within minutes he was at the top waving at her, chanting that it was her turn now.
Lisa gave the boy then the monster metal frame a long look, Catherine had told her never to do anything she wasn't happy about and she was definitely not happy about this. What else could she do though? If she didn't, they would pick on her even more and her life would be worse than it was now because of the bullies in the school. Placing her hands on her face she took in a deep breath and climbed onto the lower rung as kids chanted ‘scaredy cat, Lisa, scaredy cat, Lisa', which wasn't helping her concentration.
Closing her eyes as she pulled herself to the second rung of the frame, she heaved a sigh of relief as the bell for the end of the break brought a stop to the situation. What she hadn't bargained for was Bobby Jenkins and a couple of others closing in on her as she tried to move towards her classroom.
"When we finish tonight, you're gonna climb up there, like you promised, before you go home." Lisa turned a wide-eyed expression to his wicked one.
"You can't make me, I have to catch a bus." Lisa blustered knowing that they might make her and the bus was usually around ten minutes longer waiting for the stragglers.
"Want to bet." The boy muscled in on her and she had to bite her lip to prevent the sob she knew wasn't far away, no way did she want these boys to see her cry. Pushing them aside, she ran towards her classroom with the boys laughing at her as she sped away.
What was she going to do now, if only Jake were here he'd know?
"Exactly what time was it when you came in earlier, Jace?" Catherine felt wonderful. A little tender loving care never hurt anyone and she had been very well cared for in the last hour. For which she was eternally grateful for reciprocating in full or as far as they dare take the love making process at this late stage in the pregnancy.
Jace mumbled into the warm naked shoulder she rested her head upon. This was taking the height of erotic sensual pleasure to its limits, together in bed at a decadent hour of the day, what more could anyone want? Except maybe stay in bed together all day...not a chance of that. Catherine was already itching to get up and start her day, albeit a very late start.
"Say again, love, you were muffled and I think my shoulder was turning a deaf ear." Smiling as she kissed the top of the blonde head, they should do this more often.
Lifting her head to stare innocently up at the questioning blue eyes filled with languid warmth, hmmm Catherine enjoyed this perhaps she might consider making it a routine rather than her stuffy business dealings, she'd make it worthwhile.
"What are you smiling at? I've seen that wicked look in your beautiful green eyes before." Catherine stated with a teasing expression reflecting back.
"Now that would be telling and I might need it for leverage later." Jace grinned as she moved to position herself by the side of her lover, her belly preventing her from comfortably lying on top of Catherine. Knowing their twins, they would start another soccer practice and the sensation was getting more and more ferocious. Probably starting early to get into the International squad...now that would be interesting, which country would they play for if that happened?
"You're wrinkling your nose, Jace, that can mean only
one thing...you haven't an answer for something you're thinking about. May
I help in the process?" She asked while tracing a gentle finger down the
side of her face, to balance with a teasing touch on her delicious nose
as she bent to replace the finger with a kiss.
"How do you do that?"
With her eyebrow raised, Catherine feigned understanding, "What exactly would that be?"
She giggled at the expression knowing she was being ragged. At times like these she couldn't believe how wonderful life had been to her, "You know what I'm thinking."
Winking as she traced a finger down Jace's collarbone...sexy...her lover was one sexy woman. "I was wondering..." she felt such a fool. The twins weren't even born yet and she was already mapping their lives or a possible life.
"Go for it, babe, wondering what?"
"How someone as attractive and sensual like you could want a pregnant moody person like me."
Catherine's face held shock. She was dumbstruck, where had that come from? Then she stared at her love as she saw the huge grin plastered on her face and heard the chuckles, "Only kidding, darling. I was actually thinking that if the twins decided to play soccer outside the womb and went international, which country would they play for."
Stunned by the original comment, Catherine had to shake away the insidious doubt that always overcame her when she was brought squarely in front of a would be emotional war that Jace's words evoked from time to time. She knew that her partner's current hormonal state had a lot to do with the off comments she was occasionally subjected to, but did they have a deep down meaning...it was hard to call.
"What do you think or was it a stupid question?" Jace waited silently. She knew that her lapse of judgment with that earlier comment had put her lover off balance and she regretted every syllable, but it was said now and there was no going back, she really had only been joking.
She smiled as she slowly and thoroughly kissed Jace. There had to be no doubt in her mind that the love she felt for her was as strong today as it was the day they professed their love for each other. In fact it was stronger, so much so it stole her breath away. "Why England, of course."
"England? Why England, what about America or New Zealand or even Greece come to that matter?" Jace gave Catherine a mock look of disgust at her immediate assumption it would be England.
"Now come on, Jace, everyone knows that out of those countries England is the only one you'd choose. Look at Jake; all he dreams about is playing for Manchester United. If he could play for England he would, you ask him when he gets home." Catherine replied in a bantering tone, her other insecurities no longer important. Why everyone knew that England was far superior in soccer to the other countries, anyone would tell you that.
"You make me smile, Catherine, did you know that?" Jace was smiling. The happiness she felt at this moment reminded her of their honeymoon. They were lying as close as possible together, talking about trivial, yet important to them, things.
"Glad to hear that, you make me smile too, Jace." She placed a tender hand on her partner's bulging stomach as her eyes captured Jace's in a look that only prospective parents shared - a silent moment of awe at the magic of bringing a life, and in their case, two lives into the world. It wouldn't matter whom they played for really, as long as they were healthy and happy it's the only thing that really mattered.
"Did your experience with Georgina last night put you off in anyway, you know, having to go through the sleepless nights again?" Jace asked softly though she knew the answer. She'd experienced deep within the core of her being their own miracle between them as they stared at each other.
Catherine considered the question seriously. Sure she'd thought some uncharitable thoughts at the time and wondered if they had been right in their minds to consider adding another baby in the fold. Now all she could think of was the woman who was carrying her children and the amazing creation of life they had allowed into their lives once more. Who in their right mind would regret that! Not her that was certain, life was all about challenges and everything she'd experienced in life led her to this opportunity to do right by all the errors she'd made and bring a new life into the world. She would call that a marvelous exchange. And no matter how many lost hours of sleep she experienced, it wouldn't be a problem, not in the long run. "She's a handful and I won't lie to you and say I didn't think, ‘oh no we have to go through that in double mode'. At the same time, when I'm here with you I appreciate exactly what it means to have this chance to be all the things I never was the first time around, how could I ever not want our children to be born."
Jace's breath caught when she heard the sincere words. Catherine had more than shown her metal as a parent, and a good one at that, with their current children. Sometimes she wondered if she'd pushed Catherine into this pregnancy but the look of wonder, awe, and yes, unwavering certainty in her eyes at this moment shredded forever any doubt she had or might have had.
"I love you, Catherine, and whoever they decide to play for, it will be okay with me and you." Lips captured hers as they shared the moment of complete understanding in a wonderful tender passion, which colored their relationship to such a degree they both felt it was the backbone that kept them focused on exactly how marvelous falling in love with each other had been.
A slow sensuous smile caressed Jace as Catherine whispered, "Exactly what time was it when you came to bed?"
Jace laughed at the question, they were back at the beginning, "Around nine thirty, Rio's been out."
Catherine spluttered over her next words as she shot out of bed and made for the shower, "Jace, it must be eleven by now! I was due at a conference call at ten-thirty with Australian bankers to service some of my business debts!"
Unable to do more than grin wickedly, she replied in a low sexy voice that she knew would drive Catherine mad, "Shame you missed it. Although I'm sure you can say, sorry, you had a prior appointment being serviced on a personal level, which over ran."
The look she received as Catherine darted in the shower was priceless, not to mentioned the muttered oath. "Bloody hell, Jace, I daren't say that!"
Jace settled back in the bed with a wide grin on her face...wasn't love marvelous!