The rest of the day had been uneventful after they checked out of the hotel. The next morning found them sitting in their gourmet kitchen finishing brunch.
"What time is Edna coming today?" Blair asked.
Jo looked up from her crossword puzzle. "She said she'd be here at five. I figured we can throw somethin' on the barbecue."
"How about we start going through that stuff in the basement? We have time."
The tomboy got up from the table. "Okay fine. I don't wanna hear ya start bitchin' about it again." She stood grinning and waiting for her wife's reaction. Blair didn't say anything but instead gave Jo a playful slap on the behind.
"Hey," Jo exclaimed. "Don't be touchin' the goods."
Blair laughed. "My wife, my goods."
As far as basements go, theirs was pretty average. It was slightly damp and dusty with old furniture, childhood toys and the typical family heirlooms. Right away Jo had to rescue her partner from a 'crawly thing' as Blair called it, which made Jo laugh and Blair pout. In the finished part Jo had set up a little nook for herself with a refrigerator, a foosball table, and a giant flat screen television, a must to properly view all the Yankees games. Blair had her own nook where she kept her easel, pastels, and other art supplies.
"I'm glad we finally got down here to straighten up this stuff," Blair announced.
"Yippee," responded Jo with her trademark sarcasm.
There were more boxes down there than either one of them had remembered. Jo did all the lifting and Blair did all the directing. In addition to the lifting, Jo also did all of the cussing.
"It's kind of warm down here," Blair said as she gingerly blotted slight perspiration off her brow.
"Yeah, just a little," a sweaty Jo grumbled from behind a stack of boxes, grunting and cussing under her breath as she lifted them.
"Owww! Shit!" The tomboy winced and clutched her behind. "What the hell is this pitchfork doin' here?"
"Oh...umm...I guess I laid it down and forgot to move it," Blair answered sheepishly. "Sorry about that."
"Warner, I oughtta-"
"You ought to what, Grease Monkey?" Blair smirked with her hands on her hips.
"I oughtta-mmmph-"
Jo couldn't finish her sentence since her partner put her arms around her neck and engaged her in a passionate lip lock with the brunette breaking the kiss to get a breath. "Wow. What was that for?"
"You're sexy when you're all sweaty and annoyed," Blair purred. "Is your ass okay?" She reached around and caressed Jo's behind. "Oh," she grinned at the feeling of the toned muscles under her hand. "It's more than okay."
Jo laughed. "Blair you're crazy."
"Still," Blair continued seductively, "I should check for bruising."
The blonde began easing down Jo's tattered jeans .
"Blair, what are you doin'? We're in the basement."
"Yes dear, we are. That's exactly why I want you to grab that blanket over there so we can spread it over this dusty floor. I'm not ruining this outfit."
"But Edna will be here soon," Jo protested.
"I'll have no more arguments from you," Blair asserted.
Jo realized early on if Blair wanted something she got it, no matter what it was. She lay on the blanket and Blair followed to resume pulling down her jeans. They kissed with hunger and the heiress pushed down her wife's red boy shorts, then began moving south.
"Baby I'm all sweaty," Jo argued.
"I love the way you sweat," Blair murmured as her eager tongue met her partner's quivering nether lips.
"Ohhhh god," the tomboy gulped. The feeling of Blair's mouth on her womanhood chased away thoughts of everything else. Gone were the boxes, the dust, and the magazines. All that was left was Blair and the way she was making her feel.
Blair took her time to relish the taste of her wife, slightly salty but sweet in a way that was uniquely Jo. Her musky scent was getting more intense and was strong in the blonde's nostrils. Jo clutched at the old blanket on which she lay and it was getting harder for her to stay still.
"Oh baby...you always know just...just what I need," Jo gasped and began moving her hips to match the steady rhythm of Blair's expert tongue.
Blair used her thumbs to part her wife's slick nether lips and concentrate her efforts on the hard knob that pulsed between them. The brunette began thrashing her head from side to side and whimpering. The hot mouth that sucked her throbbing nub felt like an incendiary device and Jo was about to yield to its power and explode.
"Blair...oh god...Blair!" The tomboy roared in ecstasy. Her climax robbed her of her will and consumed her body until she was still once again.
They looked into one another's eyes until Jo got her breath back.
"Remind me what we were arguin' about."
Blair kissed her softly. "I have no idea."
The abrupt chime of the doorbell startled them. "Edna!" They spoke in unison.
The content look in Blair's eyes changed to a look of panic as she looked at her watch. "It's four o'clock. You said she'd be here at five."
At this exact moment Jo wasn't even ready to form a coherent thought. "That's what I thought she said."
They both jumped up and Jo struggled to pull up her pants as Blair sprang up the basement steps. As she ran to answer the door she heard her other half utilizing various profanities.
"Sonofabitch. Damn zipper! What the hell?"
Blair swung the front door open with just enough force to slightly startle the visitor on the doorstep.
"Edna. Hi! Come in."
"Blair, how are you?"
The older woman opened her arms for a hug but wound up feeling puzzled instead.
"Can you excuse me for a minute? I have to wash my face...I mean my hands...uh...I'll be right back." The younger woman took off down the hallway.
While Edna stood in the foyer in her jacket looking confused, Jo came bounding up the stairs still trying to zip her pants. She entered the foyer to see her old friend waiting there.
"Hey Mrs. G.- I mean Edna. Great to see ya."
The spry octogenarian noticed Jo seemed frazzled and her hair was tousled.
"Did I come at a bad time? It was four o'clock, wasn't it?"
The tomboy quickly thought back to their conversation. Shit. She said to herself. It was four o'clock.
"Oh yeah, yeah. Four o'clock." She chuckled nervously and called down the hallway. "Blair?"
Blair was coming up the hall.
"I'm sorry. Will you excuse me for a minute?"
As they passed each other in the hall, Jo whispered to her wife. "My freakin' zipper broke. I'll be back."
The ex-debutante greeted her friend again, this time with a warm embrace.
"Edna, I'm so glad you're here. Come in and sit down."
As Edna followed her former charge into the living room she thought to herself. They're still fucking like bunnies. Good for them.
Upon entering the living room, Edna gave an audible gasp as she found it breathtaking. Despite being more formal than their den, it was still warm and inviting. It was a large room, and the maroon walls served as a great contrast to the white leather furniture. The marble fireplace and its mantel were also white, and a patterned area rug on the dark hardwood floor brought everything together. Above the fireplace was a painting Blair had done of the New York City skyline, prior to the heartbreak of the twin towers. Blair considered it one of her weaker works but they kept it there as a remembrance.
"Blair, what a lovely room," Edna remarked. "This is the first I've seen it since you redecorated."
"Thanks. We're really pleased with how it came out. I came up with the color scheme and Jo painted. I wanted to hire painters but as usual she insisted on doing it, convinced someone else would mess it up. You know Jo."
"Oh yes," the older woman confirmed. "Our Jo was always very resourceful and very determined."
Blair laughed. "You mean stubborn."
Jo came in with wine and a tray of assorted cheeses. "Hey, Warner," Jo smiled. "What are you sayin' about me in here?"
"Nothing I don't tell you at least once a week, sweetheart."
"Oh, that I have a hot ass?" Jo grinned.
Edna shook her head and just smiled.
Blair blushed just a little. "Honey, what am I going to do with you?"
Jo started to answer and Blair raised her hand. "No. Don't answer that."
They each took a seat and Jo poured the wine, handing their longtime mentor a glass. "It's great to see ya Edna. What brings ya to this side of the tracks?"
"I came in last night to visit my nephew and I couldn't leave without seeing my girls."
"Are you staying?" Blair asked. "We'd love for you to spend the night."
"Are you sure you want this old lady around? I don't want to get in your way."
"That's crazy, Edna. We love you. You're family," Jo answered.
"Of course I'll stay."
Edna smiled at the sight of the couple holding hands while they sat on the sofa and thought back to when they were teenagers and all the arguments she had to referee. She then thought how wonderful it was that they'd built a life together.
"Edna, you look deep in thought and you're smiling. Care to share?" Jo asked.
"I was just thinking how sweet you are together and how when you first met you could've choked each other to death."
Blair turned to Jo and grinned. "I could've choked you more."
"Oh I don't know about that, Princess. All it would've taken is one phone call, two cement blocks and a chain."
The older woman's eyes widened in horror. "Jo!"
Blair lightly punched Jo in the arm. "Just like old times, right Edna?"
"Then again," Edna added, "you two were always so passionate when you incessantly argued I sometimes wondered if there was something deeper under the surface that neither of you were even aware of at the time. At any rate, I always knew you cared for each other deeply and I'm glad you realized how much."
"Well Edna, I'd have to love Blair to put up with her hair spray fumes permeating my lungs every mornin'."
Blair sighed. "Jo, do you have to start in with the hair spray again? I switched from an aerosol to a pump just for you."
Jo loved to egg Blair on. "I still have to breathe it in sweetheart," she smirked.
"And how many times have I asked you not to leave your boots right in the doorway when you take them off? I'm constantly tripping over them," the blonde countered.
"If you weren't so obsessed with the new beige carpeting, I wouldn't have to take 'em off at all," the brunette answered, her voice raised slightly.
Edna's voice was shrill as she threw her hands in the air. "Girls, girls, GIRLS!"
"It's okay Edna," Blair assured her. "This is like foreplay for us."
Jo gave her partner a look of mischief. "We can finish this later Warner. I've got plans for you."
Edna's face turned red and she put her hands over her ears. "Ladies, that's a little too much information for me at this stage of my life."
Jo couldn't resist pushing it a little further and turned to Blair. "Do we have any earplugs? Our guest might need 'em later."
"Jo!" Blair put her hand in front of her face and shook her head. It was now her turn to blush.
"What?" Jo asked innocently. "I was just thinkin' about our neighbor that hammers early in the mornin'. He can get pretty noisy with that thing. Does he have a wood shop in there or what? I swear I heard him with a hand saw yesterday."
Blair figured it was time to change the subject. "So Mrs. Garrett...I mean Edna, did you see the garden out front?"
"Yes I did. I actually admired it for a few minutes before I rang your bell. The mix of annuals and perennials is perfect. You have a great landscaper."
Blair looked at her partner and smiled. "Jo's the landscaper."
Edna had a look of surprise about her. "You Jo? I'm impressed. It really looks great. I remember the day we met when you parked your motorcycle in my flower bed because you thought they were weeds." She looked at the two women before her with great love as she thought of them as her own daughters. They both turned out so well and she was filled with pride knowing she had maybe just a little bit to do with it.
The tomboy displayed a shy grin. "Thanks. I don't run them over with my Harley anymore. I grow them instead."
"She likes when I send her roses too," Blair added, watching her wife sink down into the couch slightly with continued embarrassment.
"Why Jo, you've mellowed," Edna clucked.
"No I haven't," the tomboy grumbled.
Blair had a satisfied smile on her face. "Yes you have Grease Monkey. You just don't like anyone to know."
Jo groaned and rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay. Maybe a little. But don't let it get around. I have an image to uphold," she winked.
Later on, Edna had retired for the evening after a great time of wine, laughter and reminiscing. Jo sat up in bed waiting for Blair to finish showering. She looked around the room and smiled since she never in a million years thought she'd ever have a bedroom that looked like a Laura Ashley showroom. Blair had picked everything out, and with her everything had to be just so. The floral drapery and comforter matched the mauve carpeting perfectly. There were tea lights flickering around the room in a shade of mauve as well. They burned with the sweet scent of freesia.
Jo heard the water turn off and a few minutes later Blair came into the room still drying off her hair. She was wearing a camisole with tap shorts in periwinkle silk trimmed in lace.
The brunette's eyes lit up. "Hey, nice outfit. It's very sexy."
"Thanks babe." Blair was visibly pleased with herself. She'd taken a lot of time picking out the set and was glad Jo liked it. She slipped into bed beside her life partner. "Hey, I missed out on my turn in our little basement tryst earlier."
"Yeah, I know. If Edna hadn't stopped to admire our garden, she woulda caught me mid-orgasm," Jo quipped.
"Soooo, are we going to remedy that?" Blair's glossy chestnut eyes danced the way they always did when she wanted to make love.
"What the heck possessed ya to put Edna right in the next room?"
"I thought it would be a good idea in case she needed us. Some brilliant idea I had." Blair sighed as she was frustrated. And horny. "I can't believe this. I'm an adult, I'm in my own house and I feel like I'm seventeen again."
"Me too. And we weren't even sleepin' together at that age...not that I hadn't thought about it," Jo grinned.
Blair began giggling. "Oh honey, you don't know the half of it."
Jo felt a giggle coming on as well. "Don't start in Blair. If Edna thinks we're havin' a pajama party in here she'll want to join us."
"Ooooh kinky," Blair cracked, burying her face in a pillow to stifle her laughter.
Jo bust out laughing and buried her face in Blair's shoulder, coughing and clutching her stomach. They both had tears running down their cheeks when they finally collected themselves.
"Wow. I think we needed that laugh," Blair said as she wiped the tears from her face. "It was a great day but kind of a tense one too."
Jo nodded in agreement and thought how lovely Blair was whenever she laughed or cracked a joke. Blair's blonde locks were still slightly wet from the shower and Jo detected the light scent of shampoo. Her partner's clean wet hair had always been a turn on for Jo, and her eyes darkened with desire.
"I was thinking," Blair lightly brushed a finger across Jo's chin and lips, "more along the lines of an intimate party for two."
"Oh really? Sounds interesting." Jo moved forward and licked her lips to moisten them. "Am I invited?"
Blair uttered a mischievous little laugh. "For you, it's a standing invitation."
"I accept," Jo said. She pressed her mouth to Blair's in a tender kiss.
"Very nice so far." The heiress smiled with a slight touch of evil. "What else did you bring to the party?"
The tomboy grasped the back of Blair's neck to bring her in closer. This kiss was more aggressive as her tongue pressed between Blair's lips waiting for entrance. The blonde's mouth opened to invite it inside and she moaned as it triggered the unspent passion from earlier.
They lay facing one another and Jo brought her leg up over Blair's to bring their bodies closer together. Blair's hand slid underneath her partner's old hockey jersey, teasingly running her fingernails up and down the warm, soft skin of her back. It was the touch Jo had been waiting for all day and she sighed in pleasure. Her eyes fluttered shut as Blair nibbled on her chin and peppered her neck with kisses. Jo growled in frustration.
"Baby, I'm sorry but we need to stop," Jo panted. "I can't do this with Edna in the next room."
Blair pouted. "Jo, you really have me hot."
"Wait a second Princess. Lay back."
The blonde lay cradled in a pile of fluffy pillows which, of course, coordinated beautifully with the room. She had fire in her eyes when she looked up at her partner and saw the same fire reflected back at her.
Jo slowly moved her hand down Blair's belly, feeling it twitch in response. Fingers crossed over her skin and reached under her shorts. The coarse hair was damp and Jo curled it around her fingers. A slight touch of Blair's nether lips caused the blonde to gasp. The brunette tenderly stroked them coaxing a soft moan from her wife's throat. Blair opened her legs wider to allow Jo better access to her yearning womanhood. Jo added more pressure to her strokes making Blair moan louder.
"Shhhh. She'll hear you," Jo said in a hushed tone.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Blair's nether region became more swollen at her partner's gentle touch and her breathing became deeper with each stroke. As Jo's hand went exploring for more her fingers passed over Blair's aroused nub and her wife moaned loudly.
"Shhhh..."
Blair threw her hand across her own face trying to keep quiet while Jo started giggling and continued caressing her. She turned her full attention to Blair's clit and her partner groaned out loud.
"Oh Joey," she breathed. "Feels so good when you do that..."
"Shhhh..." Jo clenched her teeth in an attempt not to laugh.
"Don't shush me. You're making it... imposs...oh god... Jo...right there..." Blair bit into the collar of her camisole to keep from crying out as her body stiffened, ready for its release.
The tomboy rubbed Blair's clit in a steady circular motion which sent her over. "Oh baby...Jo...Joey!"
Jo moved her shoulder over Blair's face to muffle the sound as best she could as her partner's body seized over and over.
Blair relaxed and Jo held her while she came back down to Earth.
"Shit." The heiress looked at her collar and scowled. "I bit a hole in my silk top."
The couple bust out in laughter.
"Gives ya a reason to go shopping," Jo offered.
Blair chortled. "Like I need a reason."
They heard the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. The sound continued up the hall then stopped outside their bedroom door. There was a light knock.
"Ya need somethin' Edna?" Jo asked.
"No ladies. Just wanted to say goodnight."
Jo responded with a brief "G'night."
"Goodnight Mrs. Garrett," Blair answered.
They heard her door shut and the couple looked at one another.
"Damn," Jo grumbled. "We just went through all that and she was downstairs the whole time." She paused a second. "Hey, you called her Mrs. Garrett."
"I'm seventeen all over again," Blair sighed in quiet resolve.
The trio sat at the kitchen table the next day finishing their morning coffee in between giggles. Jo and Blair didn't see their old friend as much as they would've liked but whenever they got together it was as if no time had passed.
"What are your plans Edna? Are you heading out today or would you like to stay a few days? You're welcome to stay," Blair offered.
"Yeah Edna. We love havin' ya," Jo agreed.
"Thanks girls but this will have to be a short visit. Things to do you know," Edna bubbled. "I'll head out on the train early this afternoon." She got up from the table and exited the kitchen.
A thud and a crash came from the next room.
"Owww!" Edna screeched.
The two younger women jumped up from the kitchen table and raced into the main hallway to find their mentor sitting on the floor clutching her ankle. "Oh shit," the older woman winced.
Blair was in a panic. "Oh my god Edna, are you okay?"
Jo rushed to her side, kneeling on the floor. "What happened?"
"I don't know. My ankle just gave out on me."
The couple looked at each other in amazement as they'd just realized in all the years they'd known Edna this was the first time she ever used profanity in front of them.
"Let's see if you can stand," Jo said.
The couple helped her to her feet but Edna felt a jolt of pain in her left ankle when she put weight on it.
"Oh no. I've done it this time," she said with a look of disgust on her face.
After a trip to urgent care, Blair and Jo helped their friend up the steps to their townhome. Edna, fully equipped with crutches expelled a deep sigh.
"Ladies, I'm so sorry about this. I feel just terrible."
"No sweat," Jo answered. "There's nothin' to apologize about."
"You'll stay here to recover for as long as you need," Blair added. "Remember the doctor said you'll be fine but you have to rest for a few days. With your age, it could've been a lot worse."
"But I feel so guilty," Edna whined.
"Not another word Edna," Jo said firmly. "Let's get ya settled."
"Oh no, I forgot about Mason."
The couple looked at each other and then to their lifelong friend.
"Who's Mason?" Blair asked.
"Mason is my cat," Edna beamed. "He's a retired show cat and I took him in not long ago when my neighbor went into assisted living and couldn't care for him anymore. He's been great company since I live alone. He can't be by himself any longer. I've already been gone two days."
"But I thought you were allergic to cats," Jo said, reflecting on conversations past.
"Yes, I am but I take allergy shots and his dander barely bothers me now," Edna answered happily.
"Okay. Mason can stay with us too," Jo said with Blair nodding in agreement.
Edna was delighted and looked relieved. "Oh you girls are so good to me! I'll make a list of his things you need to bring back with you when you pick him up, and all his likes and dislikes."
"Great," Jo responded and rolled her eyes when Edna wasn't looking.
Later on, Edna settled into her room for a nap when Jo prepared to pick up Edna's prized cat.
"Babe, I know you can't stand cats. You're being really good about this," Blair stated.
"No I can't. But what am I supposta do, let the poor animal starve to death? Someone has to care for the mangy thing."
"I love you Jo. And I see right through you." Blair kissed her softly.
"Yeah...well...I gotta get goin'," Jo responded shyly. "See ya later with the critter."
When she arrived at Edna's place, Mason just sat and stared at Jo while she gathered all his paraphernalia. She got him into his carrier with no effort and he continued to stare at her with azure eyes the whole drive home.
The aging feline was happy to see his companion and they napped together all afternoon. Jo and Blair passed by Edna's room and peeked through the slightly open door to see their friend asleep with her beloved Mason by her side.
"It's funny, isn't it Jo? All those years she looked after us and now we're looking after her," Blair observed.
"Yeah and I feel kinda bad. She never gets to see her kids and it's like all she has left is her cat. And she's taking allergy injections just so she can keep him."
"She doesn't just have her cat Jo. She has us," Blair smiled.
"You're right, Princess. Edna has us."