Chapter 9

After dropping off Henry to school, Kerry tried to fit in a run, somewhere along the way, running had become more of a want to do, than a need to do. She liked having the time to sort through her thoughts and not have to worry about anyone else's. That was a good thing. Because today she needed to only worry about herself, she knew she was on the precipice of a big personal decision. It had almost been a full month since Kim Legaspi had re-entered her life, well at least in a physical way. Mentally she had never left.

Kerry had wondered about the blond doctor often, especially after learning she had recently moved back to Chicago. Abby had heard the news from a mutual friend that Kim left the hospital she was working at in San Francisco and had joined a practice back her in the Chicago. She was hesitant to share said news with Kerry but figured it was better to be prepared of the possibility of running into her, rather than being taken by surprise.

Kerry had become pretty involved in many of the LGBT Medical professionals circles and it was just a matter of time that their paths would cross. Abby felt that Kerry digested the information extremely well, but always wondered if that was the cool demeanor of a seasoned pro who knew how to hide emotions, or if she was really over the heartbreak and had moved on. It would appear it was a little of both. Either way it proved to be the right choice because Kerry had in a way been gradually preparing herself for a possible run in with Kim. Hence the prepared speech she gave Kim all those weeks ago.

It made Kerry laugh thinking how far they had come after that rough re-entry. But now Kerry needed to sort out her feeling once and for all. She could already tell that Henry was becoming pretty attached to Kim and vice versa.

Kerry had decided that this afternoon's lunch would be a good chance to gauge Kim's level of involvement, sure, she had mentioned she still felt love for Kerry but to what degree?

Kim hadn't missed the irony that she was both physically and mentally twisted up as she pushed through her morning's yoga class. It felt good to stretch her limbs to the limit and exhale the spent breath, but she failed at letting go of her negative thoughts. She was fully aware that her love for Kerry was as strong as ever, and now she was finding herself becoming attached to Henry as well. When she shut her eyes she could visualize everything she ever wanted in reach, but was it what Kerry wanted too?

They had both hurt each other so much, and even though they managed to address those issues and ease the pain she wondered if it was enough.

She kept thinking about this new air of lightness for lack of a better word, between them, Kim wondered if that was because Kerry's heart just wasn't in it as much as their first go around.

"The Office is beautiful Kim" Kerry observed as she stood looking out over a lush green space through the floor to ceiling window. "Really, there's a great, mellow, energy here. Not like a dingy hospital." Kim smiled as she watched Kerry try and get in touch with her inner hippy. In truth, it was exactly the mood she and her partners were trying to capture. They wanted to create a peaceful place where patients felt comfortable and at ease. "I think Paula and Hank were hoping I would bring my new San Francisco sensibilities with me and sprinkle in just enough holistic mumbo jumbo to differentiate the practice" "Did it work?" asked Kerry, "Well, they both are driving new BMW's so I guess so" They both broke out in laughter. Kerry caught herself "You, know we do that a lot these days." Kim looked confused, "Do what?" she asked, "laugh, do you notice it?" 'only all the time', thought Kim "I guess we do, what do you think that means?" "Ever the psychiatrist" teased Kerry "Well, I don't think it's a bad thing, I just think...that, well, before, the relationship itself had some stumbling block, like my need to hide my burgeoning sexuality and your need to live an open life. The two things just couldn't co- exist together, so consequently, we always had a layer of tension hovering over us. Nothing fun about that right?" Kim, was listening intently, "you are right about that" chimed in Kim, "plus" Kerry continued, "I was a way uptight bitch that took everything so seriously" Kim's mouth dropped, "Holy Shit Kerry, I think you nailed it!" both broke out into loud, raucous laughter. Once they calmed down Kerry noticed a shift in the mood, lunch had gone well, but they were in a loud café and it really didn't seem like the place for a heavy conversation. Kim broke the silence first, "I really like this new Kerry" "Am I new?" asked Kerry, "You're new to me." said Kim, "Well that's good" "and whys that?" asked Kim, as she watch Kerry slowly approached, "You once told me that lesbians almost never stay with their first female lover, if that's the case then you aren't my first anymore, you're the old Kerry's first" Kerry closed the rest of the gap with a searing kiss. As Kerry pulled back she smiled at the dazed look on Kim's face. "If I'm a new Kerry, then this is a new relationship, right?"

Kim's half grin grew to a full blown smile. "And, is that what this is? A Relationship?" Kerry pulled back and looked thoughtfully into Kim's Blue eyes. "I hope so" she said, Kerry then took a quick glance at her watch and began to rush, "Shoot, I have to go, my shift starts in a little bit and I still need to grab Henry and drop him off at his grandparents for the night." Kim wasn't going to let Kerry just drop a bomb like that and then retreat, She pulled Kerry back into a tight embrace and whispered into the Redheads ear

"Ker? Will you come over after your shift?"

Kerry caught her breath at the sensation of Kim nibbling her earlobe

"It will be late, won't you be asleep by then?"

Kim slowly opened Kerry clinched hand and slipped a key into it...

"Yes, but you can Wake me"