Thanks for reading, bare with me here while I go through it. Again I don't own anything.
Chapter 4
As they made the drive from the airport to the beach house Annabelle watched as Catherine looked out the window. "you alright" she asked softly
"yup" Catherine said looking at Annabelle smiling. "the scenery sure is beautiful"
"it is" Simone said smiling "we're almost there"
"good I need a shower" Annabelle said she had slept most the flight and needed a shower to wake her up fully. As Annabelle stepped out of the shower she saw that everyone had made themselves comfortable on the deck that over looked the ocean. Seeing a bottle of wine on the table in front of them she went into the kitchen and grabbed a can of coke. She had decided a while ago to stop drinking, at least until she turned 21. She didn't want Simone to see the person she became when she was drunk, it wasn't pretty.
"hey there" Simone said with a smile as Annabelle stepped through the door.
"hi" she said sitting down next to her
"feel better?"
"mm" Annabelle replied
"this view is beautiful" Jackie said looking out over the water.
"yes, it is" Catherine said as Jackie looked at her
"you're looking at me silly"
"I know" Catherine said with a smile that melted Jackie's heart, thinking about the declaration they made the night before, all she could do is smile
"so, do we have to change the sheets in the guest room when we get back" Annabelle asked with a giggle. More often than not, Annabelle acted older than her age, but every so often the teenager in her came out.
"um" Jackie said looking up at Catherine who said, "I think you're good" with a smirk
"well why the hell not?"
"Annabelle" Simone scolded as they all giggled
"well" Annabelle said standing up "I'm going to take a walk"
"want some company" Jackie asked she had wanted to do that when they got there but decided to wait
"sure" Annabelle said with a smile as she leaned in and gave Simone a kiss "I'll be back, I love you"
"ok" Simone smiled "I love you too" as she watched the younger two walk down the stairs to the beach
"it sure is beautiful here, I can see why you haven't sold it" Catherine said excited her and Simone were finally alone she needed to tell her about the night before with Jackie.
As Annabelle and Jackie made their way up the beach Jackie stopped to look out over the water a smile crept across her face.
"so, do I really need to clean the sheets?" Annabelle giggled
Jackie laughed and turned to Annabelle "no you don't" her mind went back to Catherine's confession. "however, something did happen"
"oh, do tell"
"she, she told me she loves me" Jackie said the look on her face made Annabelle ask, "did you tell her?"
"of course!" Jackie said still smiling
"so why are you out here with me instead of being with her" Annabelle asked confused
"I wanted to tell you, besides I'm sure she's talking about it with Simone"
"ah yeah" Annabelle said smiling after a few moments of silence she said, "feels good doesn't it"
"you have no idea"
"oh, I'm sure I do." She pause "I remember the first-time Simone kissed me in the rain, that night. She didn't say it but I could tell in the way she grabbed my face, and when our lips first touched. It felt like I was being electrocuted"
"when did you know"
"know what"
"that you loved Simone?"
"the moment I saw her" Annabelle said as a smile washed across her face. "she walked up to me, I remember thinking 'damn she's hot' but as soon as she spoke and I looked in her eyes it was over. I made it my conquest from there"
"Catherine told me she wanted me from the moment she saw me in the dean's office"
"love at first sight" Annabelle said smiling
"those two are something else" Simone said watching the younger two walk off
"yeah" Catherine said watching Jackie.
"you don't have to be so obvious you know" Simone giggled
"I told her last night" Catherine blurted out, not taking her eyes off Jackie
"told her what" Simone said picking up her glass of wine and taking a drink
"I told Jackie that I love her"
"and yet we don't need to change the sheets"
"no" Catherine said letting out a laugh "she told me she loves me too"
"Catherine, I'm so happy for you" Simone said touching her leg
"I am too, but there's still the problem of me being her teacher"
"but you aren't, she's not in any of your classes, just make sure she doesn't take any and you'll be fine" Simone said trying hard to ease Catherine's insecurities
"but if they find out" Catherine said looking out over the water
"at least she's of age" Simone said thinking back to that dreaded day, her last day at the school.
"Simone" Catherine said Simone realize she probably had asked a question
"yes" she said shaking her head
"where were you just now?"
"back at the school as they were taking me away" Simone said sighing
"I'm sorry" Catherine said putting her hand on her leg
"I'm ok" Simone smiled "and as far as the school finding out, just play it by ear, whatever happens, happens"
"you're right" Catherine said smiling.
"just make sure Jackie knows she's worth it" Simone said "there will always be a chance that you could get caught, and lose everything you've worked hard for. Is Jackie worth taking that risk" Simone looked Catherine directly in the eyes as she asked that question
Catherine sat there contemplating her answer for a few moments before answering "yes, she is" with a smile
"good" Simone said smiling "make sure you tell her that"
"Annabelle said to me, last night that she was happy you and I reconnected, and honestly Simone, I am too, I don't know what I would do right now without you" she said smiling at her friend
"me too, this move was hard on me, leaving everything I've ever known, but having you, makes it easier" she smiled as they heard footsteps coming up the steps
"hey" Annabelle said, "what's for dinner I'm starving"
"I thought we'd go out tonight" Simone said looking at Catherine who was lost in Jackie
"I like that thought" Jackie said, "we can actually go out and be a real couple"
"ok" Catherine said standing up "I'm going to freshen up" heading into the house, not realizing Jackie was right behind her until she got into the room, Jackie slide her arms around her kissing her neck "mm"
"I love you" Jackie whispered
Turning around in her arms Catherine looked in her eyes and said, "I love you" then placed a kiss on her lips, pulling away as the need to breath swept over them both.
"I'm supposed to be freshening up so we can go to dinner" Catherine whispered
"I know" Jackie said with a smirk, "but you just looked so beautiful I couldn't keep my hands off you"
"thanks" Catherine said with a smile "now go so I can get changed"
"can't I watch?" Jackie said looking her up and down
"um" Catherine said kissing her again "I think Annabelle is rubbing off on you"
"maybe" Jackie giggled
"now go" Catherine said pushing her out of the room a few minutes later Catherine appeared
"it's about time" Annabelle said standing up heading towards the door.
Later that night they were sitting on the deck enjoying the nice weather for the end of November, Simone looked at Annabelle and asked, "what time do we have to be at your moms on Thursday?"
"um, I'm not sure I'll call her tomorrow" Annabelle said looking at her phone and seeing it was past 9. "it's too late now" Simone just smiled as Annabelle smiled back at her Simone knew that look and took it as her cue.
"I'm going to head to bed" she said standing up turning around to Annabelle "you coming?" reaching out her hand
"yes" Annabelle said taking it "good night"
"good night" Catherine said smiling as she looked at Jackie who nodded. "we're headed there too"
"did you have a nice walk" Simone asked once inside their room.
"I did" Annabelle said smiling sitting on the bed. "I miss it here"
"I do too" Simone said sitting down next to her "but I'm glad we made the move to Bloomington"
"I am too, who would have thought we'd be back here three months later with friends" Annabelle said looking at Simone
"friends going through the same situation we went through"
"not entirely the same" Annabelle said looking at Simone, she just looked so beautiful she reached up and put some hair behind her ear saying, "you're beautiful" Simone couldn't say anything she just smiled her shy smile as Annabelle leaned over and kissed her. Pushing her back on the bed, it had felt like forever since they made love in that bed. Annabelle climbed on top of Simone, grabbing her hands and pulling them above her head. Simone loved this, she loved the feeling of being powerless against Annabelle. As Simone let out a soft moan, Annabelle continued her actions, until she felt Simone's body go limp.
Laying there with her head laying on Annabelle chest she looked up "I love you kitten" Annabelle giggled and said quietly "kitten, you know I like it" kissing the top of her head "I love you too" as they snuggled in for the night wrapped in each other.
"I still can't believe we are in LA" Jackie said as she and Catherine were dressing for bed
"I know I can't believe it either"
"meeting Annabelle's mom should be fun" Jackie said looking at Catherine "I've always wanted to meet her"
"why" Catherine asked confused
"she's a senator" Jackie lost all train of thought seeing Catherine standing in front of her
"that's it?" Catherine asked
"I had more, but" Jackie said grabbing Catherine's shirt and pulling her on top of her as their lips met.
"Jackie" Catherine said softly
"yes, Catherine"
"I love you" now that she had said it, she felt she couldn't say it enough, just looking at Jackie, her heart swelled with love
"I love you too" as Catherine leaned in again their lips meeting, Jackie could feel the electricity of the kiss. As the kiss deepened Catherine crawled on top of her.
"I think they'll have to change the sheets on this bed" Catherine said as she began her adventure down Jackie's body.
The next morning, they awake to the smell of coffee, "mm" Jackie groaned it smelled heavenly
"what's the other smell" Catherine asked the coffee she recognized, but the second smell she couldn't put her finger on.
"oh, my god no way" Jackie said as the smell engrossed her nose
"what" Catherine asked confused
"it's cinnamon rolls, something you can only get here in LA" Jackie said wiggling out of Catherine's embrace and throwing her clothes on
"where are you going?"
"there" she said pointing to the door "they are to die for and now I need one"
"wow" Catherine said shaking her head climbing out of bed herself.
"good morning" Simone said with a smile as she blew on her coffee
"good morning" Catherine said groggy she couldn't believe Simone was still a morning person. "how can you be so chipper this early"
"early it's nearly 7" Simone smiled she leaned closer "I had a good night" she winked
Catherine smiled at her knowing exactly what she meant "me too"
"hey where's Jackie?" Simone asked
"bathroom"
"coffee"
"god yes" Catherine said smiling.
"where's Annabelle" Catherine asked as her and Simone sat down at the table
"she went for a run, apparently, she had an overabundance of energy this morning" Simone smiled. Catherine looked around the house and she spotted the wall where Simone had some pictures of Amanda, looking closely she saw a picture of the whole gang from college.
"I can't believe you still have that picture" Catherine said with a giggle as she remembered that day
"that was a special day, with special people how could I not still have it" Simone smiled she could tell Catherine wanted to know more about what happened with Amanda, but she still wasn't ready to talk about it. Relieved when Jackie walked in.
"good morning" Jackie smiled as she walked over to Catherine kissing her cheek Catherine smiled making her heart melt.
"good morning" Simone said with her smile "would you like some coffee?"
"I'd love some" Jackie said returning Simone's smile as she noticed Simone starting to stand "I can get it"
"ok" Simone said sitting back down.
"where's Annabelle?" Jackie asked when she returned to the table
"she went for a run" Catherine said
"if I would have known, I would have gone with her" Jackie said looking out the window she saw Annabelle walking back to the house.
"oh, good everyone is up" Annabelle said coming through the door with a smile
"how is everyone so chipper this early" Catherine asked looking around even Jackie seemed different
"it's the being back in LA" Annabelle said heading to the fridge for a bottle of water. Then walking to Simone placing a kiss on her cheek "I'm going to shower, does anyone need the bathroom"
At that exact moment, Catherine's bladder was about to explode "I do, sorry" she said standing up.
"it's ok, that's why I asked, if it were just Simone and I, I wouldn't have" Annabelle smiled sitting down on the chair next to Simone. As she watched Catherine disappear into the bathroom "I think I'm going to call Collins today"
"maybe we can all have dinner tonight" Simone said smiling she missed the awkward girl
"sounds amazing" Annabelle said smiling. As she looked over at Jackie, "I'm assuming you smelled the cinnamon rolls"
"yes, and I can't wait to devour one" Jackie said smiling Annabelle stood grabbing the pan and tossing it on the table
"have at it" she smiled as Catherine made her way back to the table. "I'll be back" she leaned in again kissing Simone. As Simone watched her walk away "she doesn't leave a room without kissing me"
"that's cute" Catherine said, she was finally starting to feel herself wake up.
"so, Jackie" Simone said looking at her "forgive me I realized I haven't asked you what you're majoring in"
Jackie giggled "it's ok, English, although I'm trying to double major in psychology"
"I myself am an English major I was the English teacher at Saint Theresa's" Simone said all proud
"thanks" Jackie said taking sip form her coffee
"isn't Annabelle majoring in psychology?" Catherine asked
"yes" Simone said "although I thought she'd go for music. That girl surprises me everyday"
Catherine smiled at Jackie and said, "that's funny"
"what?" Simone asked confused
"Annabelle is majoring in psychology and I am" she paused trying to find the right words but in her still not awaken state she just said, "I am a psychology teacher, and Jackie" she paused reaching for her hand "is majoring in English and you happen to be an English teacher"
"so, if I need help?" Jackie said looking at Simone and smiled
"I would love to help you" Simone said with a smile excited "I miss teaching"
"oh, I was meaning to tell you, I talked to one of my friends who's a teacher at the high school back in Bloomington, you should go talk to them, they are in need of a good English teacher" Catherine said with a smile
"there's an idea" Simone smiled
"what's an idea" Annabelle asked coming into the dining room
"the high school in Bloomington needs an English teacher" Catherine said
"baby, that'd be amazing, you think Immaculata would give you a good reference?" Annabelle saw Simone shiver at the mention of her aunt's name. "sorry"
"no, it's ok" Simone said looking down at the table
"what's up with that" Catherine asked
"Immaculata is the one who called the cops" Annabelle said
"I haven't talked to her since that day" Simone said softly, as she felt Annabelle's arm wrap around her and heard her whispered
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring it up"
"it's ok" Simone said looking up and staring right in Annabelle's eyes, they shared a smile.
"so, tell me more about this Collins you're so excited to see" Catherine said hoping it would lighten the mood
"she's' amazing" Annabelle said smiling as she went into more detail about Collins.
Later that afternoon as they sat on the deck enjoying each other's company they heard voices come up the stairs, as Annabelle jumped up out of her seat, almost knocking the glasses that were on the table over.
"Collins" she said crashing into her
"I brought a surprise" Collins said nodding behind her, Annabelle looked to see Kristen. As she let Collins go and embraced her other friend from school.
"hello Collins" Simone said with a smile "Kristen, how are you"
"hi Miss Bradley" Kristen said
"Kristen, I'm not your teacher anymore, call me Simone" Simone smiled at the girls who used to be her students
"ok" Kristen said smiling. As Simone rose from her seat to give Collins a hug.
"I'm sorry where are my manners, Catherine, Jackie, this is Collins and Kristen." Annabelle said, "Jackie and I met at the college and Simone and Catherine are old college friends" she looked on as they did the standard greetings. Annabelle smiled, at how easy the conversation seemed between their friends.
"Jackie, what's your last name" Kristen asked
Rolling her eyes knowing what was coming "Kirk, and before you ask yes that was me"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean" Kirsten started to say but was cut off by Jackie
"no, I'm sorry, when people realize who I am they start asking questions that I don't really want to answer" she said with a smile
"so, Catherine, is it?" Catherine nodded "what is it you do" Kristen asked
Catherine looked at Simone "Catherine is a psychology professor at the college"
"and you two are together?" Kristen asked referring to Catherine and Jackie
"um" Jackie said looking at Annabelle who nodded and smiled
"yes" Catherine said, "we are" as she reached for Jackie's hand
Collins smiled remembering how everything played out with Annabelle and Simone. "your secret is safe with us" she said looking at Kristen who smiled in agreement. They fell into easy conversation as the sun set. Kristen looked at the time and realized they had to go. After saying their goodbyes, hugs were passed out and the two left.
"I like them" Jackie said as they were sitting in the living room
"and don't worry they won't tell anyone" Annabelle smiled knowing they were both worried.
"I've actually come to terms with it" Catherine said, "thanks to Simone, I have realized" she paused looking at Jackie "you're worth anything that may happen" Jackie smiled seeing the truth in her eyes
The next day they went to Annabelle's mom's and had Thanksgiving dinner. Annabelle was surprised at how smoothly everything went and how nice her mother was to Catherine and Jackie.
"Annabelle, are you sure you don't want any wine?" Simone asked as they were sitting around the kitchen table back at the beach house
"maybe I will have a glass" she hadn't had any alcohol since the night Simone caught them drinking in the basement back at the school. Simone smiled as she poured her a glass.
"why don't you drink?" Jackie asked
"I used too, quite a bit, but I don't like how I am when I'm drunk so I just don't" Annabelle said smiling "I actually haven't had a drink since Simone caught Collins, Kirsten, Cat and I drinking in the basement at school"
"I remember that night" Simone said giggling
"I bet you do"
"did something happen?" Catherine asked
"no, we just got into it because my overbearing aunt wanted me to make Annabelle take off those beads and her nose ring" Simone took over
"nothing came close to happening until spring break when we came here for the first time" Annabelle said looking around, this place had always felt like home, from the first time she walked through the door.
"Jackie almost got caught having sex in the library" Catherine blurted out, trying hard not to laugh
"Catherine" Jackie said turning red
"what" Annabelle said giggling "this I need to hear about"
Looking at Jackie "I was in the library working on my article about the reversal of self-denial" Catherine paused she could see Jackie was getting embarrassed but she continued "she asked what it was about, I tried explaining, but I decided to demonstrate instead" Jackie was squirming in her chair
"what is the reversal of self-denial?" Annabelle asked intrigued
"shall I demonstrate" Catherine asked looking at Jackie who had a look of don't you dare on her face
"no" Jackie exclaimed
"well now you have to explain" Annabelle giggled
"alright" Catherine said, "Jackie is always really quiet when we have sex"
"Catherine" Jackie scolded
Catherine smiled and went on "so I figured if she's so damn quiet when she doesn't have to be, let's see if she can be quiet when she absently had to be"
"did it work" Annabelle asked
"someone dropped a book or something and I had to stop"
"so, you literally had sex in the library" Annabelle asked giggling
"I can't believe you just told that story" Jackie's face was red Catherine smiled at her grabbing her hand, pulling it up to her mouth, kissing it.
"relax Jack, you're amongst friends" Annabelle smiled "we don't have any cool stories like that" looking at Simone
"that's because I was too afraid to show my true self being in that school"
"our excitement ends there, well so far" Catherine said with a wink
"why not add sex on the beach to that list" Jackie said trying to be sarcastic but seeing the look on Catherine's face she gave up "I was joking"
"I'm not" Catherine said she loved seeing Jackie squirm and turn red
"we've done it" Annabelle said all proud as she looked at Simone who shook her head "what they are sharing their sex life why can't we?"
"because it's not proper" Simone said looking at the table
"Simone, baby" Annabelle took her hand "you're not in that school anymore, it's ok to talk about these things"
"she's right" Catherine said as she went into a psychological rant about it. Simone had lost her half way through but the look on Annabelle's face meant she totally understood. Simone had gotten up to get some more wine out of the kitchen, and Jackie excused herself to the bathroom.
"so, are you finding more out about me?" Annabelle asked a stunned Catherine
"yes, I am" Catherine smiled "there are still things that have me wondering"
"you could just ask" Annabelle smirked
"alright" Catherine said sitting back in her chair "tell me about your childhood, from the interaction I witness between you and your mother earlier today, I could tell there was some tension"
"well" Annabelle said taking a drink of her wine then sitting back in her chair "my mom and I were close when I was younger. It was a few years after my dad died, she threw herself into her work and to me it seemed like she didn't look back. I don't know maybe she blamed me. Or maybe I sub conscientiously blamed her." Annabelle paused.
Simone was on her way back into the dining room when she heard Annabelle talking. She stopped and stood on the other side of the wall listening. Annabelle hadn't talked much about her dad, and his death, she knew that it had changed her.
"how did he die" Catherine asked
"oddly a plane crash, he was in New York on a business trip, on his way back something went wrong with the plane, but they never figured out what it was. They chalked it up to pilot error" Annabelle said looking at Catherine she saw her facial expressions change.
Simone heard that, she had never revealed that to her before, but she knew how Catherine's parents died, and the coincidence of this was making her heart skip a beat. She decided to stop hiding and went around the corner as she saw Jackie make her way from the bathroom.
Catherine took a deep breath "Annabelle, when was that?"
"let's see" Annabelle said mentally debating "about 14 years ago I was still pretty young"
"a flight from New York to where?" Catherine asked trying to get more information
"he was headed to Indianapolis, I guess he had a meeting there then he was supposed to be home"
Catherine looked at Simone, then at Jackie, who had no idea what was going on, but Catherine had saw Simone behind the wall listening. Simone gave her a smile then nodded "Annabelle" Catherine took a deep breath "my parents were on that flight"
"no way?" Annabelle said trying to absorb everything, Catherine nodded as she took another deep breath. She went into more detail, well the details she knew "what are the odds"
"pretty slim to none considering we are from different states" Catherine forced a smile. Jackie still wasn't sure what was going on, but the look on Catherine's face told her that she needed her now more than ever, so she walked over to her and placed her arms around her as they hugged. Simone followed suit with Annabelle.
"alright, enough of this" Annabelle said pulling away from Simone "who wants to play monopoly?"
"how about scrabble?" Simone suggested
"I'm not playing scrabble with you" Annabelle said giggling "or you" pointing at Jackie
"what's wrong with us?" Jackie said still holding Catherine.
Looking at Catherine "do you really want to play scrabble with these two English nerds"
"ah no not really, I have played with Simone before and got my ass kicked, I say we play monopoly" Catherine said kissing Jackie on the cheek
"fine, I'll go get it" Simone said rolling her eyes as she headed towards the hall closet mumbling "I don't want to play scrabble against you" as the rest laughed.
