AN:

Disclaimer: If you see anything similar to the book or movie then, you know it's not mine.

Rating: T, still. M on the next. I had to put it on the next chapter since I would be writing that at home. I wrote this and the first two chapters here at work and I decided as I was starting the fourth one to just do it at home because I cannot concentrate on my writing when I have to get so paranoid looking this way and that, thinking that some of my co-workers would/might be able to read it. ^o^

III - Opening a Sealed Door

It started slowly and Carol had tried to suppress it because nothing that had happened was anything remotely funny. She glanced at Rindy pursing her lips to make sure the little girl was no longer crying, and she wasn't. Rindy was nestled comfortable in Therese's lap, leaning against her chest. Therese was pursing her lips too going red in the face as she too, Carol noticed was trying, with much difficulty to not smile. "What?" Carol asked with a chuckle and Therese glanced at her quickly almost smiling, "What?" Therese asked back, a challenge in her voice and like a lock opened, her smile spilled through followed by a small chuckle then she had burst out laughing taking Carol with her.

"I'm sorry." Therese blurted in between laughter shaking her head. Carol reigned in her own laughter wiping a tear from one eye glancing from Therese and on the road. "You were brilliant, Darling." She said with pride with her laughter finally subsiding as well as Therese's.

"What do you think'll—" Therese started still smiling,

"Don't." Carol cut in, "Let's get to town and have some breakfast. I badly need a cigarette." She said and saw Rindy, though still comfortably seated in Therese's lap was slightly frowning, looking at her and then back at Therese.

They rode into town and found a small diner with a decent coffee then Carol hunted a convenient store for her cigarette which she and Therese took in turns because Rindy was adamant to stay with them and would not agree to be left alone inside the diner even thought they could see her through the glass. She starts tearing and Therese, much to Carol's delight had bonded with her daughter quite instantaneously that she commented to Therese was a miracle since it took Rindy a good six months to finally learn to trust her nanny to comb her hair for her. Carol also used the bathroom to do her make-up and hair and commented to Therese how she could have stand to look at her. Therese had laughed at her and told her she looked beautiful regardless and that she was magnificent as ever.

Carol was smoking right outside the diner window where their table was. And when she glanced at them, Therese was pouring more maple syrup on Rindy's plate much to the little girl's glee. Therese glanced up at her and motioned for her to come in and eat. Carol smiled and held up her hand where she was holding her cigarette pointedly but Therese motioned for her to come inside and Carol chuckled mouthing okay in a bit of exaggeration. Therese was becoming more and more authoritative it seems and she becoming more and more compliant. This struck a delighted realization in her. Her Therese, all grown-up. She paused, took a last puff of smoke then put it out still staring at Therese through the glass who had returned to assisting Rindy and eating her own pancakes as well. Her Therese, hers once again. Will always be from now on.

It's not that she was not hungry. She was just trained since childhood how to be a lady of society. A lady for a man whomsoever chose to be her husband. A lady who must never eat too much and never enough as well, just so you can delude other people as much as yourself that you have eaten and answered the calling of hunger. You have to always be proper and never raise your voice. You have to always be composed in any situation. A lady who must never be rattled and never have any emotions at all.

A lady for a man. How she loathed it and yet could not escape. Never thought of any other world. Until Abby. Until Therese.

Rindy had agreed to take the back seat and they drove in silence. They have decided to go to Abby's house first then to Carol's apartment and Therese had looked at her pointedly when she agreed a bit half-heartedly with a hesitating smile but she dismissed the topic. She did not want to get into a conversation about her hesitation. It's not that she doesn't want Therese to come to the apartment, she would have loved her presence there, finally. But she thought of the closed door and she felt uncertain. She feared that the void of that room would spread throughout the whole place if Therese came over but not planned to stay. They had not talked about it and Carol was not sure that she could have that conversation where the sealed door is. So she suggested Abby's house first, saw the fleeting disappointment flashed through Therese's face but before she could ponder on it, it had already vanished.

When Abby opened the door, she quirked an eyebrow at the trio looking sheepishly at Carol then at Therese then back but before she could say anything, Rindy had bounded up to her.

They settled on the living room with Rindy, busying herself with some toys left at Abby's place from her numerous visits. Carol glanced over to Abby and Therese sitting on the sofa while she busied herself over the phone talking to Fred, her lawyer.

Fred was saying a lot of legal terms that Carol could barely understand but she did understand that she had grounds to fight for another custody battle but she was unsure. She still doesn't want to put Rindy through something that would traumatize her because she knows how ugly a custody battle can become. Then Fred reminded her the trauma Harge had put Rindy through as well and that almost, instantly changed her mind about it although she still did not agree to anything. She scheduled for an appointment by tomorrow, Monday. She was eager to end the phone call because she would prefer to talk about it in person and besides, she felt as though she had been away from Therese for too long even though she was just right across the room.

As soon as she hang-up, she momentarily checked on Rindy and joined Therese in one of the sofa and they drew closer together automatically. She lit a cigarette and Abby wasted no time to ask her questions after questions.

"What did Fred say?" Abby asked

"He said I could fight for custody." Carol answered

"Do it." Abby replied quickly "Harge was out of his mind when he tried to keep Rindy—" Carol gestured towards where Rindy is and Abby pointedly lowered her voice "—from you and now after what he did, I am totally convinced he is out of his mind. Did he say why he left her there?" Abby finished in a much lower voice.

Instead of answering, Carol stood up and called for Abby's maid and asked to take care of Rindy for a while so all three of them can talk freely, Rindy hesitated as she did back at the diner, "We'll just be here love. You can play in the garden so you can see us through the window." Carol said and after a few more convincing, Rindy relented taking most of her toys with her.

"We were not able to really talk" Carol said after a long moment of silence from the room. "He was very disagreeable and he was in a temper. Forcing Rindy to go with him." Abby made an angry nose but said nothing, "Therese stopped him." Carol said amusedly, Therese choked on her smoke. Abby looked at her with shocked amusement and Carol had to laugh. "You should have seen her, Abby. She was marvelous!" Carol gushed and Therese laughed as all three of them did.

"I just…just…" Therese stuttered

"You are full of surprises aren't you?" Abby stated and Carol nodded in agreement.

"Always. She's got a pocket full of it." Carol said proudly.

"Are you going to file for custody again?" Abby asked seriously now. Carol just shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think I want to talk about it right now. I'll talk about it tomorrow." She declared with a smile at the end.

They all started when Rindy had started crying loudly in the yard and all three stood up in surprise and was more astonished to see Harge kneeling in front of Rindy gripping the girl on the shoulders.

Carol was the first out the door, followed by Therese then Abby, "You have some fucking nerve!" Abby cried vehemently. Carol had half a mind to reprimand her friend for the use of language in Rindy's presence but it really seemed appropriate as well in the current situation, besides, she wanted to curse Harge to oblivion as well.

"I just want to talk to her." Harge explained getting to his feet, he seemed subdued but his tone was still clipped, with the same ugly look he seems to have mastered in practice when seeing Abby or Therese.

"Why is she crying?" Carol asked accusingly and as soon as Harge's hand lifted from Rindy's shoulder, the little girl ran to Carol.

"I was apologizing and…and I asked her if she wanted to come home with me and she had started crying already." Harge explained. In all the ten years they had been married, Carol had never seen him so unsure as he was now. Harge had always been so sure of himself. Perhaps facing three angry women weakened him.

"Can we talk?" Carol said suddenly surprising herself. Harge looked at her a moment and said nothing, he looked stunned as well.

"Let's not. Maybe tomorrow. And I allow you to have Rindy for today. I will pick her up from your apartment tomorrow." Harge said and Carol's face twitched in irritation. Abby hissed and murmured something rude which Carol could not understand.

"Harge, please—" Carol tried again but then a woman's voice called out to Harge and they all turned to look at a woman halfway out the car on the driveway. She has red hair and young, even younger than Therese. She was frowning "Are you going to get the kid or not? I want to get to the party, so can you hurry it up?" she said impatiently, sitting back in the car.

Carol was outraged realizing that this was the lady friend Rindy mentioned, she began to ask who the hell the girl was but Harge had already stepped away, like a dog called on by her owner.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said abruptly to Carol as he made his way back to the car.

Carol had wanted to say something, had decided on what to say but she forgot what it was quickly and ended up just watching Harge hurry back inside the car without even a second glance at her nor at Rindy. It was an outrage to say the least.

"Wow." Abby said amusement in her face then she meaningfully looked at Carol and Carol understood. Harge is having an affair with the redhead bimbo and the little gold-digger doesn't seem too fond of her daughter.

"He might let you win" Abby said smirking. She had meant that Harge might let her win the custody battle after all.

"I doubt it." Carol said and she really did.

"I don't." Abby replied

They all made their way back to the house with Carol holding Rindy on her left and Therese by the waist on her right, not entirely sure if it was Therese clinging to her or she to Therese.

They had spent almost the whole day at Abby's who had cancelled her appointment with which she did not elaborate on. Carol suspected it has something to do with a redhead but did not comment or pursue the subject any longer.

By the time they had driven out of Abby's lot, it was nearly dark. Rindy was sound asleep, tucked in a borrowed blanket on the backseat. Carol was nervous but she made sure it did not show. She kept thinking about the closed door and of Therese being in her apartment. They were silent on the drive and when Carol pulled up on the parking and shut the engine off, they both seemed to have frozen on their seats.

"What?" Therese asked breaking the silence, Carol jumped. She was very aware of Therese's presence but at the same time trying to empty her mind too. She glanced to Therese with half a smile on her lips and this time, she did not care if her nervousness and uncertainty shows at all.

"I'm…" Carol began but found that she cannot tell Therese how she was afraid because she herself was not sure what exactly she was afraid of. Instead of finishing her sentence, she just shrugged and opened her door and stepped out. Carefully, she got Rindy out the back seat, locked the car and went on her way glancing back at Therese who was following closely as she knew she would. She was certain now and it was really fascinating to think that only yesterday she was certain of the opposite thing when she had walked away from Therese at the party.

Silently, they got into the elevator, Therese glancing at the panel as carol pressed the number twelve button.

Carol felt like her ribs are all bruised from how hard her heart is thumping. When they got out the lift, Carol wordlessly walked out, very aware of Therese beside her. She fumbled slightly with the keys, more out of her anxiousness rather than of Rindy.

She opened the door and motioned for Therese to go in first.

Carol paused at the threshold for a moment, took a deep breath, snuggled in Rindy's hair, taking a deep breath, drawing strength from the sleeping unaware child in her arms and stepped inside, her feet heavy with each step.

Therese had glanced back at her and Carol kept her eyes cast down, she could not look into her eyes yet. Or rather she could not make herself see Therese in her apartment knowing nothing of what the other's intentions would be after this night.

Carol made a small comment of putting Rindy in bed and told Therese to make herself comfortable. Make herself one with the place, she wanted to say but everything she says right now felt automatic and she did not want to manually override anything just yet.

Carol took her time changing Rindy into her pajamas, with the little girl waking up and asking for Therese as Carol tucked her in bed. A pang struck through Carol with the child's innocent enquiry but she told Rindy that Therese was right outside. "Can she stay? I want to play with her tomorrow." She asked and Carol smiled, "She looks like a doll Mommy, do you think she was one?" Carol laughed heartily at that, agreeing. "Maybe she was. You'll have to ask her tomorrow." Rindy agreed and sleep pulled her. Carol kissed her on the head lingering for a moment longer. She stood and crossed to the wardrobe and pulled out a set of her pajamas and then another for Therese to change into, then took a deep breath bracing herself and went out to face her angel, who evidently has become her own personal demon as well.

They did not say anything and Carol still couldn't face Therese. There were two bathrooms in the apartment, a common one near the sealed room and one inside her own bedroom where Rindy was sound asleep. Carol pointed them out to Therese, "Both has a tub so," she added shrugging and letting the sentence hang. "I'll go wash up then." Therese said walking towards the common bathroom thanking her for the change of clothes "See you back here." Carol said following Therese with her eyes for a moment, who glanced back at her with a smile. When she neared the sealed room, Carol quickly, as though burned, jerked her eyes away and went in her room straight to the bathroom.

After several minutes, she found herself by the kitchen counter, her back to the hall wearing her nightgown and nothing else. She felt too hot and decided against the pajamas or a robe, abandoning it in the bathroom. She made some coffee which was really just a push of a button on the coffee maker. Carol's mind must have been too pre-occupied that she did not even heard Therese coming out the bathroom. She sat beside Carol by the counter and Carol smiled brightly seeing Therese with her hair down.

It was longer. Past her shoulders now and curling at the edges. Carol impulsively reached for it stroking it so gently like it was something that was a precious gem that needs careful handling. It was soft and smooth despite being tied in a bun for a whole day.

"It's longer." Therese said a bit uncertainly, as if seeking approval.

"I like it." Carol said smiling brightly, focusing on Therese's face who still looked anxious.

"I'll get a haircut soon—" Therese began

"No, don't. I like it better this way." Carol interrupted still stroking her hair looking at her intensely, spellbound. How she loved this girl so much. Therese looked away blushing, breaking the short spell, seeing the coffee Carol's cradling with her other hand resting on the counter longingly. "Coffee?" Carol asked not waiting for a reply, she stood and got Therese one, then opening the fridge to get the milk and set it before Therese. She had liked her coffee with milk—milk and not creamer. Carol remembered. She never forgot, she could not, even if she wanted to. All the things she had learned about Therese and all the things she still wanted to ask her about. She wanted to ask her again if she would stay but she was afraid to do so. She did anyway.

"Will you stay?" Carol asked as Therese sipped her coffee. She looked at Carol eyes big and bright, it was a loaded question and Carol knew Therese knew it too because she paused thinking about the question, pondering it and Carol could almost see her mind working, like cogwheels turning.

Will you stay the night?

Will you stay in the apartment?

Will you stay and live with me?

Will you stay with me forever?

Therese did not answer, she did not even attempt to say anything. She reached towards Carol, a hand on her neck. Gently, she pulled guiding Carol's lips to hers.

Carol tangled her long fingers in Therese's hair deepening the kiss, wanting more, unsatisfied, Carol slipped out of the stool and stood in front of Therese, swiveling her so her back was against the counter. Carol pushed her body closer to Therese holding tight, holding on for dear life because if she loosened her grip, if she so much as lifts a finger, she felt like she would fall.

Carol did not want to end the kiss but her lungs screamed for air and when they parted, it was such a mournful parting. They were both panting but grips tight with each other.

"Carol." Therese breathed. Saying Carol's name like a prayer, like a plea and Carol understood, so she nodded.

Therese slipped off the stool holding on to Carol for support. They inched away from each other and Therese groaned for the space between them. Carol smirked, locking eyes with Therese as she caught her lips in a chaste kiss. She turned and tugged Therese along.

Two doors lay before Carol. One leads to Rindy and the other into the unopened door. She hesitated a moment as Therese pressed her body against Carol's back. "Carol…" Therese said again in a whisper. Carol turned to Therese and pulled her up front the door that was to remain sealed forever.

"You have to open the door." Carol said reverently, Therese looked at her confusion on her face.

"You need to open the door Therese." Carol said again. Therese turned and held a hand against the doorknob and as she turned the knob, Carol tugged her lightly and Therese turned to her, a question on her face and to Carol's amusement, a bit of impatience.

"Will you stay?" Carol repeated. Worry etched her tone this time with a hint of fear.

If Therese meant to just stay the night, if Therese had only meant to stay just for this night, Carol knew she would have still taken it. If this is for this one night only, she would take it. Like a blowfish sushi, if prepared incorrectly, it would be poisonous but she did not care. She would gladly take it and even be thankful for it. But she needed to know at least. She needed to know her answer before she step inside that room. Thinking about it, it didn't seem important now since deciding she will still accept whatever it is that Therese would give her but she wanted to hear it from her, Carol needed to hear Therese say it.

"Therese—" Carol began then stopped. Therese quickly moved closer to Carol cupping her cheek, abandoning the door and eliminating whatever space between them existed before.

"I love you." Therese said and Carol stopped breathing.

"I love you. I have always loved you and I will always love you." Therese whispered her breathe fanning Carol's lips. Therese wiped a tear away from Carol's cheek that Carol was not even aware that was there.

Therese turned away from her hesitantly, turned the knob on the door and pushed it open. Carol did not even notice the door opening. She had always thought that a draft of wind would billow out when the door finally opens but there was none at all. Light spilled into the room coming from the brightly lit kitchen.

"Ask me again." Therese said looking back at Carol,

"Will you stay?" Carol asked this time she was no longer worried, she was smiling as she asked Therese.

"Forever." Therese replied.

Therese tugged her gently closer and Carol's feet automatically moved towards her and inside the room.

AN: Thanks for the review and yes, I would be finishing this story regardless if people hate it or never reviewed it all or never read it at all. Thank you for the encouragement though. It was highly appreciated.

As for why Therese was at the house...Err...If you are not satisfied with the answer she gave on the second chapter then I shall revisit that question in later chapters and hopefully I would come up with a more acceptable and more reasonable reason.

As for the ungodly hour...Therese just got out of the party like in the movies which really made me curious since if you see the ending of the movie, it had seemed like she had stayed (or even on the book, now that I'm remembering it) at the party for a lengthy amount of time before she had decided that Carol is the only woman she could and would ever love...so I figured that she would have arrived at that Oakroom/Elysée very late already. So in my story, if she was at the party thrown for her benefit then she would have gotten away from it at dawn. Also, I will revisit this scene in later chapters because I wanted to share the scene where Therese broke things off with Genevieve and hopefully adding in the more reasonable reason for Therese's presence at the house.

Anyhoo, thank you so absolutely much for taking the time to read even through the Author's notes. Big hugs to all.