Ok first thing's first: thank you for all of the wonderful reviews! I hate to be 'this' type of writer, but they really did make me excited enough to decide to write Part 2. Don't ever hesitate to PM me, because I'll usually ask people who would like sneak peaks if they'll tell me whether or not they like a section or so I'm not sure about putting in. Plus, I like talking to people who read and write stories on here.
Note: In the first Part, it says Arizona gives Callie a dandelion. That was definitely meant to say "Daffodil", seeing as how a dandelion is a weed. -_-
It gets far more sexual in this section so I've bumped the rating. If that's not your sort of thing, you shouldn't read any more of the story.
This is not the final installment at all, so don't worry when you get to the end and are frustrated.
Day 25)
Stepping onto the cobblestones of the rowdy downtown square, Callie looked around her with a gloved hand shielding her eyes. The sun was even more bright today than usual. Smiling to herself, she deemed the weather perfect for the current scenario.
Behind her, Mark Sloan elegantly ducked his head out of the cabby and slowly rose to full height. Pressing a light hand on Callie's back quickly erased the smile from her face, causing it to twitch into a blank expression.
"Ah, the market! Can't say I've ever been to one before, but there's no time like the present! If you're excited, I will be too." Callie graciously smiled and turned to the man behind her. He was really trying, and for that, Callie truly did like him. But even so, nothing would distract her from her own blonde beauty.
"You're very kind, and I appreciate how eager you are to explore my town, but..." she trailed off, eyes still roaming the decent sized crowd, "there's something I need to do on my own for a moment. It's um, womanly matters you see, and I wouldn't want you to..."
"Oh, no no no! It's quite alright!" Mark exclaimed, seeing Callie's apprehension to continue on. "Go on right ahead, I'll be fine. I'll just stay over here next to this fine vegetable stand." As he said this he rested his hand on the wooden cart holding a crate of potatoes. Leaning on all his weight, his eyes shot up as he heard the tell tale sound of wood snapping. Pummeling into the brown vegetables, he began to apologize profusely to the now outraged owner of the stand. As Callie giggled and turned her back she clearly heard Mark guaranteeing to pay for every pound that he'd dropped.
Slowly slipping her way through one of the many alleys, she attempted to locate her lover. But in truth, in this moment, she was hiding. Hiding because of her feelings. Hiding because of how hard her heart was beating. Hiding in both fear and joy.
"What if she's not beautiful to me?" she whispered to herself. "What if I truly can't find it in my heart to love a woman?"
As she continued on with her thoughts a young boy skidded to a halt right in front of her.
"Um, Miss? Excuse me, Miss?" Callie hadn't even noticed the lad. He was clearly from the poorer end of the town by the way his clothes had so many patches in them. All the colour was washed and beaten out of them years ago. He had dirt smudges on his face and body and an oversized hat on his head that was surely,at one time, his father's.
"Lady Calliope please stop your shuffling, I don't have much time, ma'am!" At the mention of her name Callie froze and turned to the boy. She smiled at him slowly as he returned the favor.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I have so much on my mind! Was there something you needed?" The boy nodded and held out a beautiful white orchid.
"This is from Miss Robbins, the town's florist. She said she'd give me an entire slice of fresh, warm bread if I delivered this to you, and another if I escorted you to where her shop stand is! So come with me, please!" Before Callie could think, the boy snatched at her hand and began dragging her down the other side of the alley. It was soon learned by Callie that these alleys were shortcuts through the town she hadn't even realized existed. Tucking the flower the young boy gave her into her makeshift pocket she begged Roberta ages ago to sew discreetly into a fold in her dress, she followed along just as quickly, holding her dress in her free hand so that the bottom wouldn't be ruined.
All at once, they entered a back street. It was even brighter here on this side. It had the Latina wondering if the world was always this bright on the outside. Is this what they were trying to hide from her, since the only thing surrounding the castle was gardens and makeshift woods?
A quick tug on her hand made her awaken from her trance. She looked over to the boy.
"There, ya see? Right there. That's Miss Robbins! Come on, let's go, I'm starved!" The boy ran off to the left at an intense speed.
But Callie couldn't move. Hell, she could barely breathe.
Calliope Torres, daughter of the ruler of the small kingdom, was stunned into silence and immobility by the most beautiful woman she could ever imagine existing. Her heart fluttered in her chest, her stomach dropped, her palms began to sweat, and she felt herself shaking with both nerves and excitement.
As she watched the boy tug on Arizona's arm and point in her direction, it was then she realized she had been holding her breath. The minute Arizona looked she was rendered into the same state as the princess. She couldn't think. Her tongue was dry. The only thing running through her mind was the petulant thought of, "Will she like me?"
But sure enough, slowly Callie began to smile. She smiled so wide that it made her cheeks hurt, and she let out the happiest laugh of her life. Arizona sighed in relief and smiled as well. The young boy looked between the two woman with questioning eyes.
"Aunt Arizona, why is the princess looking at you like that?" Arizona had tuned him out though and wouldn't move an inch. She thought she was in a dream; a complete alternate universe where things that were great really did come her way.
Not being able to stand it anymore, Callie's feet began working. As she walked gracefully towards Arizona, it was painfully obvious that the two were in their own world. Once reaching the stand, she took a deep breath.
"Hi!" Callie said with a little more enthusiasm than was appropriate for a greeting between two supposed 'strangers'. Arizona giggled at the way her lover blushed so pink.
"Hello, my lady." Arizona took that moment to curtsey slowly, making sure to show as much respect for the woman in front of her without completely giving herself away. Callie realized where they were and did the best she could to keep a straight face.
"Aunt Arizona, my bread...?" The boy asked, tugging slightly on her dress again. Snapping out of it, Arizona's eyes popped wide open.
"Oh, of course, Frederick! Of course..." As she bent down to grab something under her stand, Callie noticed how slender Arizona was and felt bad for it. Not only was she envious of the woman's slim waist, but she was also aware that it must mean she's never had enough to eat. While Callie, of course, had never had a shortage of anything. She instantly felt guilty.
"Here you are," Arizona said, smiling as she rose. "Now this is something you have to share with Daisy."
"No, Aunt Arizona I-"
"Shh, shh, yes yes yes yes! You go now, go back to your mother and share with your niece." Arizona's nephew slumped his form as he crossed the street. The two women watched on and giggled as they saw the boy dejectedly kick a rock in his path, only to manage to trip over it a second later. Once Frederick was out of sight, Callie turned slowly to address Arizona, but fell short of words.
She took in her lover from top to bottom. Her skin was fair, eyes a beautiful blue, and hair that honey blonde just like she had said...but Callie felt she hadn't done herself justice in the least. Arizona was donned with what looked to be a brown...was that, a pirate hat? As she took in the rest of the outfit, she realized it looked like a modern day twist to an old pirate get up. She wore a white loose fitting, thin materiel men's shirt with long sleeves and buttons up the front. A worn leather sleeveless jacket with large arm holes and a wide open front rested on top, but Callie still saw the corset that remained tied tightly underneath. She smiled at the realization that although it made her nervous that such a sight excited her, she was more happy about it than cautious.
Her pants were a loose and worn brown as well, having brown leather boots that went all the way up to her knee. They hugged her calves tightly and it made Callie swoon slightly. The woman's skin had been tanned a very light brown from her gardening as of late, and as Callie watched in reverie as she smiled at her, she shook her whole head in happy confusion.
"You have dimples!" She exclaimed as her hand shot up to cup her pretend pirate's cheek. It wasn't until her palm met Arizona's soft skin that she realized what she had done. Both women melted into the touch, never wanting to part. Arizona's eyes fluttered shut, her nose nuzzling into Callie's palm. Callie stood frozen to the spot, completely mesmerized at how soft another's skin could feel beneath her own.
A dropped pot down the cobblestone street shook them both out of their fantasy as their hazy eyes popped open. Callie removed her hand and stepped back slightly as Arizona went to grab at her hat and catch her breath. Resting her weight on the wooden stand next to her, Arizona laughed lightly from the anxiety, which turned into belly laughs. Callie watched on in confusion at first, but then seeing her lover so absolutely happy made her just the same, and she joined her laughter there after. As the two of them let their laughter die down, the mood turned serious again. Callie licked her lips thoughtfully as she looked Arizona up and down again. Anyone around would have realized exactly where Arizona's eyes had been the majority of the time. Callie looked into her eyes and gave a disbelieving laugh.
"Excuse me, Miss Robbins, pirate extraordinaire, but I do think my eyes are up here..."
Arizona blushed a bright pink at the act of being caught by both her outfit and where her eyes had truly been. Not knowing whether to cry or laugh from embarrassment, Arizona stumbled over covering herself and rubbing a forearm against her cheek as if to wipe away the blush she knew had risen. Callie found it all incredibly endearing. She soaked up Arizona's presence and immediately wished for more.
"Take me somewhere private..." Callie whispered to her. Arizona paused as she took in Callie's appearance. The most gorgeous emerald green dress was tightly pressed to her body, the bottom jutting out into a large circle around her waist like all of the proper women in the country had. Her near black hair was in a twisted up do as a few ringlets in the front spun down, flawlessly framing her face. The deep shade of red on her lips made Arizona want to taste them all the more, and the thickness of her eyelashes batting at her made her pulse race. Callie carried herself professionally and it showed in her proper, upright stance. Her hands were folded in front of her gracefully and, being brave, Arizona reached out to grab one between her own. Callie's eyes widening made her remember they were in public and immediately she pulled back. Backing up some more, much to their own disappointment, Arizona looked around surreptitiously before nodding at Callie, signaling her to follow her into the small shop behind her.
As soon as both women had made their way inside, Arizona flipped the sign in the window to read "Sorry, we're closed" and pulled the blinds shut on the glass of the door. The musk and dust particles mixed with the setting sun gave the room a surreal honey-like glow. Arizona couldn't help but notice how deliciously cinnamon Callie's skin colour looked in this lighting.
Callie was having her own personal freakout on the opposite side of Arizona. Wringing her hands and taking in her surroundings, she tried looking anywhere but at Arizona. Stepping around the room, she began taking everything in while Arizona's piercing gaze followed her everywhere.
"Is this...Is this your shop, Arizona?" She asked through the thick collection of dry mouth she was experiencing. Arizona lightly stepped around many boxes and shelves to a small makeshift sink where she pumped a glass of water for Callie. Callie pretended not to notice.
"No, it's not. I mean, it is. I mean..." she sighed as she came up to her and handed her the glass of water from behind, reaching around her front to gently place it in her hands.
"It was my father's." She whispered into the silent room. Callie allowed herself to drink all of the water in the glass, setting it on a random shelf to her left when she was done. Although her heart felt like it was about to beat its way out of her chest, she didn't dare move. Having Arizona so close was making her the happiest form of dizzy she had ever experienced.
Callie tilted her head slightly to the right, exposing her neck for Arizona who hungrily licked her lips at all of the tantalizing skin in front of her.
"This place is full of memories. I can practically hear them in the thickness of this wood that holds it all together." Arizona nodded, proud that Callie had picked up on such a thing. This place was her safe haven. No one but her had a key to the place, and since she refused to open the shop ever since her Dad had passed, no one had been in here other than her in years...until, of course, she let Callie in.
"I thought it deserved another chance at making some more..." Arizona breathed against Callie's neck. Callie shook with goosebumps and the greatest type of fear. The exciting kind that made you want to scream and laugh all at once. She stood still as she felt Arizona's breasts press against her back. Letting out a gasp at the feeling, Callie leaned back further into her blonde. Moments passed with the two of them standing that way, Arizona's hands hovering just over Callie's hips and her lips mere centimeters from Callie's neck. With every breath from Callie, Arizona watched the rise and fall of her full bosom and groaned inwardly at the idea of one day grasping them into her own palms. No longer able to keep quiet, Arizona spoke up.
"Calliope...might I touch you?" Callie shivered and gave out a strangled moan that sent Arizona's head spinning with want.
"Y...Yes...!" Callie finally responded.
Arizona tentatively lowered her her hands and gripped Callie's hips firmly, gently cementing her fingertips in place. As Callie panted with want, Arizona licked her lips in anticipation. This was a moment they had been dreaming of for a while now, and she was worried she would screw it up. Deciding to throw caution to the wind, she leaned forward and placed a delicate kiss to Callie's pulse point.
"Is this what heaven feels like?..." Callie accidentally muttered while Arizona placed tiny kisses upon her neck. She felt the blonde smile and just when she thought she couldn't take anymore, she felt the hands on her waist slide into a protective hold from behind and a warm, roaming tongue lap at the sensitive skin where here shoulder met her neck.
"I'm not sure my love, but this must be what it tastes like..." Arizona mumbled against her lover's soft skin. Callie twitched and moaned and cried softly at the amazing feeling of Arizona's mouth's attention to her neck. She noticed the more noise she made, the tighter Arizona's hold became. She also felt like every time the sound would emanate from her lips, Arizona would grow even more hungry, and she felt her backside being pressed firmly into Arizona's front. She could never get enough of this, but she was quite sure it was going to kill her if she didn't reciprocate soon.
Arizona licked and nipped a path up Callie's neck until she reached the shell of her ear. Quietly panting into it and making low moans every time Callie's rear wiggled backwards into her front, she felt the tears of happiness leak through her strong exterior.
"Your beauty makes me tremble, love. I don't know how I can ever touch you so intimately without crying." She sniffled into her lover's ear and nestled her head into the nook of her neck. Callie's arms slowly raised and locked behind Arizona's head, pulling her tight into her.
Slowly turning around in her lover's arms, she realized Arizona was trying to hide her tears from her. Lifting a finger to her blonde lover's chin, she raised her head slightly until Arizona's eyes shone back at her, confused. Callie had tears in her eyes as well.
"Never has a lover been so gentle and kind with me. Never have I felt this way. Never have I-"
She was cut off by Arizona's lips claiming her own in a passionate kiss. Callie's cry of surprise and lust was swallowed and mirrored back to her in her lover's throat. As Callie's hands raised and held Arizona's head in her hands as their mouths moved with purpose together, Arizona's hands found Callie's waist again and pulled her tight against her. A few moments later they were knocked out of their bliss by all of the clocks in the store chiming loudly.
"Ah!" Callie screamed and jumped, wrapping her arms around Arizona's neck and hiding her face into her lover's neck, trying to remember she was scared when she inhaled the scent of flowers. Arizona chuckled and held her love tighter to her, spreading her palms out and rubbing Callie's back soothingly.
"What the hell was that?" Callie whispered frantically. Arizona gave a deep laugh and pulled her back slightly to look into her eyes, her own glowing with mirth.
"That was the sound of 23 clocks telling us that it is 3pm." Callie's eyes widened as her stomach dropped.
"3pm? No! I had to be back in the courtyard at half past 2!"
Arizona watched her lover frantically pat her dress down, rub at her neck and lips, and try to fix her hair. She smiled at her foolishness but was sad that their time was already up. Catching on after she began to bolt for the door, Callie turned back around and saw how sad her lover smiled back at her. She slowly walked her way back to her and gave her the lightest kiss on her lips. Backing up, she sent a sweet smile to her lover.
"You are everything and more that I could ever dream of. I will find a way to love you freely if it's the last thing I do." Nodding, Arizona took Callie's hand and kissed the back of it delicately while smiling at her. Callie's face fell at the familiar memory of the man she was supposed to marry doing the exact same thing to her a day or so before. Gulping down her guilt, she stuttered, "Ok, ah, keep writing me. I have to go." She bumped a few things on her way out the door, leaving the chime all that Arizona had left of her. She smiled sadly at first but then fell to her knees, the hard truth of their situation settling in. Wrapping her arms around her knees and pulling them up to her chest, Arizona cried into her lap, wishing there was something she could think of to keep her lover all to herself.
Day 26)
My mind is still reeling with that kiss, Arizona...your touch stole my breath away...am I mistaken in the thought that it was all mutual?
No, angel, you are not mistaken. You are so astoundingly beautiful Calliope. I can't tell you how many times I had to lean forward to attempt to swallow the air that escaped my lungs.
I think the grass is greener today and the sky...the sky really is a mirror of your eyes. I look upon it with a brand new fondness.
Calliope your words are far too kind, I am nothing compared to you.
You must be joking! My darling, you are everything good and right in the world all rolled up into a beautiful woman. When your body pressed against mine I...I couldn't help but want more. I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if all of those layers of clothing hadn't been between us...I hope I'm not being too forward?
Calliope you shall put me in an early grave yet. How could your words not send straight to the depths of me? I'm frazzled and bothered, but in the best way imaginable. I wish there was something I could do, some way I could place my hands upon you. Gently and with permission, of course, my lady.
I would never deny you permission. You needn't ever asked. By the way, why were you dressed like a pirate yesterday? I found it strangely pleasing to the eye. Maybe it's the young girl in me fantasizing about someone strong and brave to protect me...who knows?
I enjoy dressing that way. When I was younger, my father always told me tales of the pirates he would encounter while he was sailing in the war. It took me a while to realize how much he truly embellished some of the stories, but I never cared. I grew to have a bit of a fascination with them. When he brought back the clothing styles that he explained to me that they wore, I used to try them on at night when everyone fell asleep. I love the way they fit. I like the freedom of pants and the looseness of the men's shirts. People stop and stare sometimes, but since everyone in town knows who I am, no one says anything or ever mistakes me for a true thief.
PS: I will always be your brave and strong protector.
When you spoke into my ear so intimately yesterday I thought that I was going to scream with adoration and lust...is this normal? The intensity I feel with you...is this ok?
PS: I love the way you dress! And that makes me happier than you know...
I've never felt this close to anyone before, princess. I have only heard of this sort of love in fairy tales.
But fairy tales are so innocent, love. The things I feel for you, well...they're not as respectable as I'd prefer them to be...
Calliope never hide your feelings from me. I need them to know that mine are validated.
That's just the thing Arizona. I...I don't understand how...two women would go about...things.
Calliope, you are absolutely precious to me, did you know that? You felt the intensity of our moments shared together for mere minutes with all of our clothing in tact and mere kissing, did you not? Imagine how you'll feel when there is nothing but skin between us...
Arizona I...I'm not sure I'll be able to take it. Is it possible to die from passion?
Of course not my angel! You are unbelievably adorable.
Because I don't understand the dynamics? You always pester me!
Because your ignorance and naivety is so endearing. I wish to show you everything. I'm frustrated by the fact I haven't stolen you as my own already, actually.
But I already am yours? Maybe I can't be with you physically the way we'd love to be, but I am yours completely, Arizona.
Calliope...I hold you in my heart, my love. I miss you so...Now that I've had you, I can't bare to be without you. I thought it was hard before but this...This is so much more difficult.
I know beautiful. I know...I'll think of something, alright? I'll think of a way to sneak you in or for me to go out. I'd risk anything to be with you.
Calliope remember, we need to be smart about this. We can't just...we can't just lose our minds. We have to think through this.
I will be! I'm not an inept child!
You make me laugh, my angel. I'll respond to you tomorrow.
Callie made her way slowly back to the castle, smiling and singing softly to herself. That is, until she caught something moving in her peripheral vision.
"Mark, what are you doing out here?" Callie stood stock still as she rushed out of the woody area behind her into the more open garden. Mark gave a sad smile her way, his hands in his pant pockets. She couldn't help but notice how pensive he appeared.
"Well, you always seem to retire here any chance you get, I assumed it must be a nice place for one's thoughts." Callie eyed him suspiciously as he smiled back at her. It was incredibly forced and did not meet his eyes. Walking up to him slowly, she squinted her eyes as if to catch his true feelings through their scrutiny. Getting up close to his face, he backed up slightly, looking worriedly into her eyes.
"You're sad." She stated simply. "Why?"
He raised his eyebrows at her still close proximity.
"And you're crazy. Any other observations you want to make?" Despite herself, she felt a smile crack across her features. As she laughed, he let a genuine smirk show. Settling down she tilted her head while smiling at him. Slightly twirling in place, she considered her next move. Licking her lips, she reached out for his wrist and pulled him along.
"Come," she stated, "I'll take you to my second favourite place in the backyard." As he was being dragged through the beautiful area, his head was constantly moving, trying to absorb as much of his surroundings without tripping.
"And your first favourite?" Coming to a sudden halt as he accidentally ran into the back of her, he backed up again, startled by this strange woman's actions. She raised a playful eyebrow at him.
"That, Lord Sloan, is a secret!"
Mark quickly learned that Callie was much more playful than she appeared around the authority surrounding her. She'd purposefully take the paths with more difficult terrain to turn around and watch him struggle. She also would make sure to hold back a tree branch just long enough to make it appear like an accident when it would snap back at his body, leaving him rubbing more than one stings.
"Why do I feel like you hate me?" He called out to her. She laughed loudly in front of him.
"On the contrary," she shouted behind her shoulder, "I rather enjoy your company!" Mark smiled sadly at this, which they both pretended not to notice. Finally, an opening in what appeared to be the middle of the grassy, wooded area came into their line of vision. There was a white rod iron table and chairs to match it. The grass grew tall around the area as if no one had been there in ages. Wild flowers were scattered everywhere. Mark imagined Callie had played here a lot as a child.
Motioning for Mark to take a seat, she took one across from him and settled herself in with a large sigh. She watched the man nervously twitch. Giving her trademark glare, her nose slightly in the air and eyes squinted, she studied him.
"You're hiding something..." She whispered. He slowly raised his eyes to meet hers without flinching. Callie's eyes grew with excitement as she realized she was on the right track. Leaning forward she raised an eyebrow, purposefully getting in his personal space. "Well, what is it, then?"
Mark sighed and rubbed his goatee, leaning back and attempting to get comfortable in front of this vixen. He took a moment to look her over.
A purple day dress fit her body snuggly. He took in her plump lips, her smooth skin, her playful brown eyes. Because he simply couldn't help himself, he definitely noticed her bosom spilling out of the top of the maroon trimming at her chest. Making sure he didn't linger too long, but knowing the pointed stare she was now giving him was a warning he coughed and ignored her, looking anywhere but at her body.
Callie rolled her eyes and huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest and blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face.
"I'm in love with another woman." He said out of nowhere to the tall trees surrounding them. Callie's eyes immediately locked onto his face. This was good news! This meant that she didn't have to worry about him falling for her. But...that didn't exactly change their situation, did it?
"It's alright. So am I." He chuckled at first, thinking she was just trying to make him feel better. But as he noticed the depressing fall of her face and the sadness in her eyes, he sat up straight.
"Wait, I'm sorry, I couldn't have possibly heard you right. I said that I'm in love with a woman and you said,"
"And I said so am I. You heard correct." The two of them sized each other up for a moment. Having an incredibly long staring match, Mark finally gave in first."
"So, this...woman...as in, a female. As in...someone who is not a man..."
"Yes, yes, a woman! She has boobs and everything, get on to your next point." Mark chuckled loudly at his supposedly future wife. This girl was really too much!
"So she...is it mutual?" He asked. Callie smiled fully and nodded, scratching at the back of her neck. Mark couldn't help but notice how happy and bashful she grew while talking about this woman.
"And your woman? Is it mutual with her?" He smiled wide at her question and nodded in return.
"Yes, it is. She's the, uh, baker's daughter back in my own land. Beautiful young girl. So incredibly smart..." Mark let himself trail off at her memory. Callie watched him and couldn't help but grin. Who ever thought that they'd both be in love with women and were set to be married?
"What's her name?"
Mark shook himself back to the present, smiling slowly at the chance to finally talk about the woman he missed so deeply.
"Alexandra. And yours? What's her name?"
"Arizona."
The two spent the rest of the evening going back and forth, sharing all sorts of stories about their lives, lovers, and lessons. As the sun set both couldn't help but think this was the beginning to a wonderful friendship.
Day 30)
Arizona, I miss you so much, my love. I crave your lips on my own all the time. Is there anything I can do to calm this madness? The longer I go without seeing you the heavier my heart feels.
I feel the same way, Calliope. I miss you terribly. I can't even begin to explain it. I'm so sorry angel but this is the only time I'll be able to stop by today, so I have to go. Just know that I am always thinking of you, and I can't wait until next we meet.
Day 33)
Have you ever wanted to run away? Go off on tons of adventures? Experience, touch, and taste things that you never had before?
I know something you could touch and taste that you never have before...
Calliope!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just couldn't resist.
...I'd love to, some day. If that's what you desire.
You know I desire you. All of you.
And I, you.
Day 35)
"I've come up with a way for you to see Arizona."
Callie's head popped up from the back bookshelves of the library.
"What? How?"
Mark smiled slowly at her and wiggled his eyebrows.
"I've got a plan..."
Day 36)
So, it was Mark's idea then?
Yes, it was! So he's going to say he's taking me to a small cottage his family owns after taking me on a midnight stroll. Everyone in the castle will be thrilled since they believe us to be getting along as a couple rather than as friends. He's sent for a carriage that's already going to pick up Lexie so as soon as the carriage arrives, he'll be reunited with her, and we're going to split up in the back alley where your nephew had stolen me. Aren't you excited! I can't wait to be with you, angel...Just think, we will have entire days all to ourselves!
And you're sure this 'Lexie' exists? He's not just trying to corner you alone by yourself?
What? Arizona, of course not! Never! The two of us are friends, I thought I told you that before?
I know Calliope but you have to understand. He's a strong, handsome prince and you're a beautiful young princess. And he is taking you out in the dark? I'm just worried...what if he tries to hurt you?
He won't try to hurt me. But what is hurting me is the fact that you don't seem to trust me...
Of course I trust you Calliope. It isn't that...
Is it not? Are you sure? Because you have acted as if he is the worst thing to happen to us when really he's been nothing but a wonderful friend to me.
I'm sorry Calliope...I guess I'm just envious of him. He gets to see you every day and...I don't. I'm a bitter woman, I suppose. Forgive me?
Of course I forgive you, I understand. I do.
I adore you, my Calliope.
Arizona, may I ask you something?...
Anything. You know that, Calliope.
My cousin told me once what making love was and I just don't understand how we're going to be able to do it. Please explain it to me. You say you've...you've lied with another woman so...explain it to me. Please.
Firstly, I don't want you thinking about me lying with another woman, just the way I don't want to picture you in that castle with Lord Marcus. So please don't think of it that way. Besides, I'd much rather show you...
I would never lie with him, nor any other man! How dare you speak to me that way!
Calliope calm down, my love. You have taken it out of context. I didn't accuse you of anything, I meant that I don't want you thinking of my previous encounters with other women because they are completely irrelevant. That's all.
Oh...I'm sorry I just...I think of you with another woman and I see red. I can't think straight and...it makes me want to claim you as my own. The fact that I'm not the last woman to...to touch you in your most intimate...well it just frustrates me!
I know my love. My angel...
So then tell me. Please. When I close my eyes at night I want to know what it is I should picture. I get to a certain point and then my mind goes blank. If I have to suffer by sleeping in a queen sized bed by myself while knowing you are somewhere else in your own bed, I want to at least be able to fantasize what might happen if ever we were to share one.
Calliope I...I'll blush so brightly the people of town walking by will think me to be a tomato.
Please, my love? Please...I need this.
Oh alright, but you owe me! Just give me some time to think of how to explain it...
Yes! Thank you! Ok I'll wait patiently.
Making love is something that people define between a man and a woman, but I promise you, I can make it just as wonderful for you. Don't think about the parts required, or the rules you've heard, or the worry of being wed or not. Being so deeply connected with someone, sharing this experience...you need only be in love. Too many men take what they think belongs to them and it leaves women feeling broken and bruised. I would never do that to you Calliope. I would only ever participate in love making if you promised me it was something that you wanted, and I would stop constantly to make sure you were ok with it.
We'd kiss and touch just like we would normally my love. It's strictly intimacy. It's hard for me to explain what it will be like because I don't know exactly what we'll be feeling, or what type of whim we'll want to follow. But I'll tell you the basics.
We'd strip one another naked, but slowly. It need not be rushed. Making love with you is something that I would prefer to go as slow as possible so that we might bask in its glow as long as we could. You'd touch me wherever you wanted and I would not complain, and I would hope the same rules would apply for me as well. But again, I would only do what you would feel comfortable doing. Might I add I'd rather take things step by step with you than do everything all at once? Anyway, so many kisses would be spread out everywhere. You wouldn't worry about trying to please me, Calliope, because everything you do pleases me. Knowing your body, I'd probably latch on to your breasts first. Work them slowly in my hands, knead them like a soft dough. Kiss them and suck your gorgeous, and hopefully erect, nipple into my mouth. When that happens, Calliope, I assure you you'll want so much more. It's an incredible feeling that I can't wait to share with you. I'd graze my teeth across it, and lick the area until I knew you were satisfied. After that I'd probably be pulled towards your hips. Your curves are so stunning Calliope. I have not quite been blessed with them the way you have, and my hands always find your hips because of their smooth roundness that I love so much. Which also reminds me of your back end that I seem to have fallen in love with a tad, don't you think? You do always make the most pleasant sounds when I'm squeezing that flesh in my hands.
Calliope there's a part to you that's so intimate that no one has ever touched and I don't know if I can talk about it so freely when it's something that I feel is so sacred to you since you are still a virgin. If you really want me to, I'll tell you what I believe I would do when given the opportunity to make love to it. But it's up to you.
There's a wetness between my legs...do you mean that place, Arizona? The place that's humming and aching for you right now? Please tell me. Please tell me what you'd do when I offered it to you. I'd raise my hips for you in a heartbeat. Just tell me what you would do...
My God Calliope...! If you insist, I'll tell you. But please know that it is with the utmost respect, and that I would never treat anyone with so much love the way I would treat you.
First I know I'd look at it in awe. I know I'd stare and stare for such a long time because honestly...what is more of an honor then being presented with your innocence? I...my goodness, Calliope, I can't...the thought alone brings me near tears with gratitude. I don't know if I can do this.
Ok angel. You don't need to. I am so flattered that you have done this much for me. I can't wait until the time arises when this will happen between the two of us...I promise, I would die before I let anyone else take my purity from me. I only want you to have me. Only you...please accept it when the time comes, won't you?
I might faint from gratuity, but if that is your wish princess, I shall grant it.
Night 36)
It wasn't fair.
Why couldn't she run out of the palace in her finest dress, her hair swirled and curled elegantly, her lipstick a honey smooth shade of maroon with the sole intention of finding Arizona, getting down on one knee, and giving her...giving her...
Was she honestly considering giving her that?
Callie wiped the tears from her eyes that were incredibly sore and swollen. Mark, as he preferred her to call him, was in the guest room on the other side of the castle. She was set to marry him. The worst part was that he was in the same predicament as she was. Well, maybe not the exact same, but close enough. It was incredibly unfair. They were meant to say I do within a few month's time. But it didn't matter. Her heart was with a different blonde entirely.
"Oh, Arizona..."
At the whisper of her name on her lips she began sobbing all over again. She wanted to know the reasoning behind all of this. Man was equivalent to power evidently, and woman to...what? Housework? That was never Callie's situation. To her, she always believed women to be the true royalty. She saw how smart her mother was and how, although incredibly cruel and conniving, her step mother was as well. A woman did not see a situation and immediately attempt to scream 'MINE!' like an idiot. No, a woman saw something she wanted, and she knew better than to take it by means of force. She'll make a silent promise, a deal with the devil, and manipulate everything and everyone around her to get what she wants. And she does! Every time. At least, the truly capable and smart ones do. She saw the way a man saw cleavage and a thin waist and declared it suddenly as his own. Like her previous suitors, for instance. But Arizona...she was intelligent. She got to know Calliope first. She worked her way into her heart before Callie even had the chance to catch her breath. Where a man would grab her wrist, Arizona laced their fingers. Where a man would bark an order, Arizona would let slip a bashful request. Where a man would hold too tightly in fear, Arizona would let go with hope.
'Yes,' Callie thought to herself, 'it's clear the superior sex now, isn't it?'
What would be so terrible about two woman running the land? Honestly, Callie could not figure it out. The men, of course, would laugh at her if she ever said this in the privacy of her own home. But...she was being honest. She couldn't see what anyone would be missing. The male perspective? Arizona has been raising her family practically by herself, something people consider a 'man's job'. She could protect Callie. She knew she could.
Besides, Arizona wasn't 'just a woman' to Callie. She transcended that. She was an incredible, mystifying, beautiful, and all around amazing human being that Callie felt lucky enough to meet, let alone love.
Callie lit a candle and placed it on her boudoir. She looked at her reflection, trying to see what Arizona saw.
"Oh, Calliope, have you seen yourself? Next time you are in front of a mirror, look at how fantastically beautiful you are. There's not a man or woman for centuries that has ever looked as perfect as you.
I think you have mistaken my face to be a mirror, my angel."
Callie lay still in her comfortable bed, so high off the ground as to make sure she didn't freeze. She wondered if Arizona's bed was as comfortable as hers. She wondered if Arizona would like it better to lay in Callie's bed rather than her own. She chuckled softly at the thought, realizing that of course Arizona would love anything that was hers. She loved absolutely everything that had to do with Callie.
Callie gripped the sheets in a teary sob as she remembered why her chest felt ready to drop to the floor. Why her heart felt totally empty and completely full all at once. Why she could hardly open her eyes after all of the tears. Her arms literally ached for what she knew to be Arizona's lithe body. She had such a strong longing for the smaller woman that she screamed into her pillow, sobbing and gagging as the tears kept falling. How could she continue this way? Every night this happened, but tonight it was worse then ever. She sat up slowly and very cautiously wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist as to not irritate them anymore. Seeing her throw pillows that went on top of her made bed in the morning, she shuffled out of bed to collect them. Coming back she eyed them carefully. The long one she put where she had been laying vertically, the two short and skinny pillows she put closer to the foot of the bed, and the round plushy pillow, which luckily had turned out to be gold, went at the head of the bed. Lifting the sheets back up, Callie slid into place next to her makeshift Arizona, and cuddled it tightly to her chest. Finally able to relax by tricking herself, she fell asleep with thoughts of her blonde angel in her mind.
Night 37, The Night)
"Marcus Sloan, stop trying to play with my petticoat!"
"Oh, hush, Torres! I'm so bored! At least let me have a little bit of fun, yeah?"
The rain poured in buckets all around the two of them as they sat together underneath the front awning of some store in front of the alleyway they were supposed to separate into. Callie pushed Mark's arm as she chortled loudly, snorting in the process. Mark bent over nearly face first into the cobblestone, doubled over with laughter.
"Is that how a real lady laughs, then?"
Arizona watched and listened through the heavy rain with a growing sense of dread settling in her stomach. Could she do this? Could she really act like this wasn't bothering her?
She now understood how Callie felt whenever she thought of her previous relations with women. Well, one woman. But still. Callie didn't actually have to see it. Not the way her princess and the man who was set to wed her were galavanting their 'friendship' right before her eyes. As soon as she decided she would retreat back into the night, Callie spotted her under the dim light of a street lamp. Squinting her eyes she raised a hand to rest above her brow as if it would help her make out the slim form of her lover.
"I think that's Arizona...but, why would she be hiding?"
"Well, if that is blondie," Mark commented, "then it looks like she wants to play a game of chase. You better go catch her. I'd prefer if you'd ask her to wait until Lex..."
But before Mark could finish his sentence, Callie was up and chasing after the shadow she presumed to be her lover. Mark nodded.
"Right, of course, don't mind me. I'll just wait here!"
Callie finally caught up to Arizona down the block. Reaching out and spinning her back to face her, she panted.
"Arizona! Arizona, why are you running?" Looking upon her blonde's face, she realized the rain had hit her face and was mingling with...were those tears?
"Arizona, what's wrong?" She reached her hand out to cup her lover's face. Arizona flinched away from it, causing Callie to miss and pull her hand back to her chest. Arizona noticed that Callie looked as if she had been slapped and tried to calm herself down, which only managed to produce more tears.
"I just...Calliope are you sure you don't want to be with him? Because the two of you seem so chummy and I can't look upon it without wanting to cry and run away."
Callie's face contorted into anger as the rain fell all around them.
"I told you, Arizona," she said entirely too calm, "there is nothing going on. If you can't trust me then I don't know what else to do." Expecting Arizona to walk away, she was surprised to see the blonde cradle her head in her hands as she began to sob uncontrollably. Shocked, Callie looked around to triple check that they were alone and pulled her lover into a fierce embrace, rubbing her back soothingly and giving her multiple kisses to the crown of her head.
"Arizona, what's wrong? What can I do to prove to you that I only want you?"
Arizona pulled her face back and looked longingly into Callie's eyes. She sniffled and raised a cautious hand to Callie's cheek, watching all of the emotions pass over her beautiful princess. Recognizing the intense emotion of love reflecting back at her, she took deep breaths in order to calm herself down.
"Arizona, I know what you want, but what do you need?" Callie's pleas tugged at Arizona's heart strings. She felt terrible for doubting Callie, but she knew why. She knew what it was she needed, but she didn't want it to come across as selfishly as it sounded in her mind. Giving in, she finally admitted everything to Callie.
"I need something from you, my love. Something to completely solidify the fact that you love me. Something you must never give any one else."
"Anything," Callie pleaded as she forcefully took Arizona's face in her palms and shook her, the rain pouring down so thick around them they had to squint to see one another.
"I need your body, Calliope." Arizona spat through the water, eyes fierce and heart beating wildly.
"I need your sweet warmth around me. I need you to give me the very thing you cannot ever give to anyone else. Give me you soul. And whatever you do, please, PLEASE, don't let him have what's mine."
Callie flew towards her, cutting her speech off entirely. Kissing her woman passionately in the rain had never been on the agenda, but she found in such a serious circumstance, she wouldn't have it any other way. Finally ripping herself away from her lover's lips, she settled her mouth against that of her lover's ear.
"I assure you, my angel, no one shall have the pleasure of owning my innocence but you. Never would I want it to be another." Arizona moaned and sagged her body against Callie, who caught it and lifted her back gracefully to continue her statements.
"There are no other hands but your own that is able to claim this skin. There are no other lips I want to delve into. Both of them..." Slipping her tongue out to delicately trace Arizona's ear sent the blonde into another spasm of weak knees. Callie chuckled lightly, catching her under the arm and pulling her back up to her once again.
"Lay me down somewhere safe, my darling. Make love to me the way only you ever will. Own my body. Brand me, please. I want everyone to see that I am yours!"
End of Part 2