CHAPTER XXXVI
Wishes and Promises
"Are you about packed?" Elisabeth asked Rebecca as she bounded into the dinning room, "I am," She poured her a cup of hot tea, "Everything at LCL is done and arrangements made?" She concluded, "Elisabeth," She retorted they both giggled, "I thought I should text Grace, I haven't booked a flight just packed the things I really want to take," She mused, "I think it's a good idea to prepare Grace for the fact you are coming and hopefully for more that just a visit," She surmised. "I don't think it will be easy, winning Marlene back, I'm certain she feels I've abandoned her or any chance for a reconciliation," Elisabeth smiled, "Don't be so hard on yourself Rebecca, remember you can always come home," She took her hand and rubbed it, "Thank you and I will," She reassured her, "I dream of long walks with Marlene along the beach, eating lobster, shopping in New York," She confided, Elisabeth appeared happy but in her mind knew things wouldn't be easy, "So you haven't decided which day to leave?" Rebecca pursed her lips, "Tristan will be here tomorrow and I want to spend a little time with him," She voiced lowering her head, "He's been your greatest support," She smiled, "And he's supportive of this move and he realizes that I could never be happy with anyone but Marlene," Rebecca's tone was upbeat. Elisabeth sipped her tea, "Have you talked to Eric?" She asked in concern, "I didn't tell you he ask me to marry him after the unveiling," Elisabeth sighed setting her cup down, "I assume when you didn't accept you told him the truth?" She asked quietly.
"I care very much for Eric but I don't love him, marrying him just to satisfy his itch was never my intention, yes I told him the truth and he wasn't totally surprised but he thinks I'll be disappointed and hurt," She remarked. "I'm sorry for him he's been good to you and a nice young man," She spoke truthfully, "I think he has it in his mind that if Marlene doesn't take me back I'll come running back to him, ready to start a home and family," Elisabeth snickered, "I apologize," She further covered her mouth, "And I just can't see it," She finally spoke in a tease. Rebecca laughed, "You've been my best friend through all of this, even when my days were darkened by uncertainty you were there and I can't thank you enough Elisabeth, LCL is now in great shape our designers are competent and trustworthy, Andre has reassured me he won't allow anyone to drop the ball and I feel good, good about exploring a new world," She rehearsed, "Rebecca since you've taken LCL over its been moving in a positive direction and now that there's no anarchy things have worked out for the best and I'll be able to control and run a smooth operation," Rebecca bit into her omelet, "Hmmm," She sat her fork down, "After all I have to admire Tanya's decision to leave, focus on Hannes and Emma," Elisabeth chuckled, "Its made quite a difference in our lives," She spoke in a naughty tone they finished breakfast, "I've got a meeting with staff this morning and I'll be clarifying the final draft for the summer collections," She told Elisabeth as she walked out of the dinning room.
"Good morning," Marlene barked in a cool tone as she stood behind Tracey, "Hey, how are you?" She smiled, "I'm good, I was hoping we could have coffee," She looked at her watch before looking back at Tracey, "Sure, what time?" She asked, "An hour, cafeteria?" She pursed her lips, "I'll meet you there," Marlene left her to attend to her patients, Grace met her down the hall, "I see you were talking to Tracey," Marlene rolled her eyes, "Yes, I invited her for coffee on our break," She mumbled, "Oh, going to ask her out again?" She picked, "I thought we might take it slow this time, I like her and," Grace raised her hand, "And your lonely," She was honest in her tone of voice, "Grace, I'm not ready for anything serious, really, I haven't even been separated from Mark that long," She filled the air with concern in her voice, "Surely you're not using Mark as an excuse, that was over before it even started you said so yourself," She crossed her arms in a stare. "I've managed to wreck my life," She felt sorry for herself, "David is even a little worried about you, why don't you invite Tracey over this weekend, David and I are having a clam bake, the weekend is suppose to be beautiful some of the staff will be attending," She uttered, "That sounds like a good idea," She smiled feeling at ease, "I'll see you later and give you the details," She grinned. Grace walked back to her office when her text chimed she fetched it from the pocket of her lab coat and to her surprise it was a message from Rebecca, she quickly text her back they conversed her arrival would be a surprise to Marlene. "I'll book you a room at the Shoreview Inn, this will com shock to Marlene but I have to ask, are you sure Rebecca?" She sent the message her heart beating wildly, "I've never been more sure Grace," She resounded in her message, I" don't want her to know so yes this will be a surprise, I'll arrive in a couple of weeks," arrangements were made.
"I'm glad you could meet me for coffee," Marlene sat next to Tracey, "Me too, I thought a lot about our talk over the last few days and I think I was unfair and too quick to judge," Marlene felt elated as she listened to Tracey talk, "I'm glad, I didn't want to get off on the wrong foot but I enjoy your company and yes I have a past that's still hurting," She reminded her, "I shouldn't have judged the way you feel and I know right now you lone for companionship," She answered realistically. "That's all I'm asking for and who knows what mine or your future holds," She sweetly answered, "I'm glad we've gotten past this Marlene, I would like to see you more, that is if your willing," She finished her coffee, "Grace and David are having a clam bake out at their place and I was wondering if you would like to join me?" Tracey nodded her head, "Grace had mentioned something about it, I'd love to," She grinned, Marlene grasped her hand, "Thank you, I'll find out a time from Grace and let you know," She cheerfully left the table, Tracey watched her walk away she was beginning to have feelings for Marlene. "Did you and Tracey talk," Grace met Marlene outside the doors of the cafeteria, "I did and she'll be joining me at your clam bake, that is as soon as we have a time," She giggled and seemed happy to Grace, "What's wrong Grace?" Marlene quizzed, "Nothing, nothing, I'm perfectly fine," She remarked but felt uncomfortable regarding Rebecca. "So do you have a time?" She eagerly questioned, "Five and bring a bottle of wine," She attempted a smile.
Marlene walked up to the porch of Tracey's cottage and was about to knock when she opened the door, "Come in," She pulled her by the hand, "I know I'm a little early," She started to speak, Tracey placed her lips to Marlene's in a deep kiss, "Hmmm," Marlene groaned, "Like that?" She whispered, "I did," They kissed again, Marlene locked her arms around Tracey's waist, "We don't want to be late," She broke away from her, "I'll get my jacket, a walk along the beach later would be nice," She teased Marlene swiping her index finger across her cheek they left for Grace and David's. Marlene and Tracey walked up the sandy path to the back of the cottage sitting their belongings on the picnic table and meeting everyone down on the beach, "Marlene, Tracey," Grace met them, David had a large bonfire going, coworkers mingled on blankets draped across the sand, "Let me fix you some wine," Grace walked back up to the house and poured them a glass, Marlene met her on the path, "Thank you," She took the glasses from her, "Marlene," Grace spoke quietly, "I know you like Tracey but," She stopped talking, Marlene looked at her strangely, "Is something wrong?" She asked in a wince, "No, she's wonderful and beautiful, I just don't think you are really over Rebecca," She answered with a tremble in her voice, "Grace, Rebecca chose her fate, I didn't, I'm here she's there and she didn't want to follow me," She answered turning and walking back down to the beach leaving Grace to wonder what will happen when they meet again.
Marlene laid back on the blanket closing her eyes and listening to the interesting conversations the people were having the sounds of the waves along the shore tapped a rhythm to the popping and crackling of the fire, "Care for a walk?" Tracey pulled Marlene's hair away from her face she gazed into the stillness of her blue eyes, "Sure," Tracey helped her up, "It's chilly tonight," Marlene muttered, "I think I'd like to be sitting by a cozy fire indoors that is," Tracey giggled they walked hand and hand, "I'm stuffed from those clams," She added, Marlene grinned as they stopped to watch the waves lapping the shore, "Kiss me again," Marlene begged with a twitch in her lip Tracey obliged tongues locked together in a feverish kiss the touch of hands caressing the sides of each others faces caused a sexual stir in them both, "We should get back," Marlene slowly pulled away, "Yeah before people get suspicious," They both had a good laugh, "I really don't care what people think," Marlene began, "I never cared for labels much, you are who you are and being married and not sharing that honesty with that person," She hung her head and stopped speaking briefly, "I should have been honest with my husband about my past and the way I really felt," She gave Tracey a quick eye and then frowned, "I'm sorry, I didn't think, me dumping my past problems on you," She silenced her, "Its ok, how else will I get to know you if we don't share things we feel are important to us," She calmed the buzz in Marlene, "You're right Tracey, I feel it releases me when I can talk openly with someone," She murmured, "I too have a past, I've always been gay there was never a bend in my road, it was hard for me, my parents weren't very receptive, my three sisters tried to be supportive, they were older, me the baby, they had their personal lives, no matter how messed up they were," She chuckled sarcastically, "Did your parents ever come to grips?" Marlene probed, "Not really, I mean if I dated they were polite and friendly, thank god I was smart and skillful and worked my way through school and yes they are proud of me and love me but I just haven't brought the right girl home yet," She snickered they clutched hands together and walked back up to the bonfire.
Marlene pulled up to the front of Tracey's cottage, "Care for some cocoa?" Marlene stared, "Sure," She parked the car they went inside, "It was a nice evening," Tracey spoke pulling the mugs from the cabinet, "Grace and David certainly know how to show a good time," Marlene remarked resting herself in the warm cushions of the sofa. Tracey brought the mugs of cocoa and curled up next to her, "I enjoyed the walk, it was enlightening and any time you want to talk," She said, Marlene sat her mug down and placed her hand behind her neck, "I don't want to talk," She bent forward and kissed her again their lips parted they stared at one another their faces close together, Tracey's finger traced the bridge of Marlene's nose, "You are beautiful and kind," She expressed Marlene kissed her again. "I want you," She groaned, Tracey stood up and led Marlene to her bedroom, "Are you sure?" Marlene asked as Tracey unbuttoned her shirt, "I'm sure," She whispered in her ear they made love throughout the night. Marlene was aroused by the smell of coffee and fried eggs, Tracey opened the door with her foot and brought the tray of breakfast to the bed Marlene set up rustling her hair, "Coffee," She yawned, "You were sleeping so peacefully earlier, I hated to wake you," She replied, "What time is it," She looked around the room for a clock, "Ten thirty," Tracey answered sipping her coffee they shared the plate of eggs and toast," Marlene laid back closing her eyes and stretching, "I should dress, head back to the apartment for a shower," She winced, "Ok, can I see you later?" Tracey fished, "Sure, why don't we go for lobster tonight have a quiet dinner," She responded happily, "Alright, why don't I pick you up around six," Tracey offered they made plans Marlene kissed her gently and then dressed to head back home.
Rebecca straightened up the orangery placing things in boxes for storage there was a knock at the door, "Come in," She looked up, "Tristan," She embraced him, "Looks like your near ready to leave," She smiled, "Couple of weeks," She mentioned taping up the box she had just closed, "Does Marlene know?" He asked, "No. I want to surprise her, I've spoken to her friend Grace and she's aware," She answered they sat to the sofa, "What will you do if she rejects you?" He asked in a realistic tone, "Fight for her and this time I won't give up," She was adamant in her tone of voice, "I guess this means that if she's seeing someone," She quickly interjected, "I'm prepared if she is, I won't lie it will make things difficult but as I said before I will fight for her, I don't want to be apart any longer then I have to, I know she loves me Tristan, I just have to convince her that this time I'm for real, no games," She seemed positive to him, "And what about LCL?" She sighed, "My collection was a hit and Andre will help Elisabeth run things, I will work from home, that is if Marlene will have me, I'm sure I'll have to make sacrifices in order for us to be together," Tristan mildly grunted, "It's a big risk Rebecca and you know how you are about work, now that your back on your feet and things are going well, I'm not sure you can stay put," She grumbled, "I'm in love its that simple and its taken me all this time to realize that she's the one I would give up everything for no more uncertainties," She clarified, "Have you heard from Eric? He's been a big part of your life the last few months," He questioned his look stern, "Not since the break up," She shook her head, "I don't even want to call it a break up since it wasn't serious for me as it was for him but I hurt him badly and I should've stopped things before they got out of hand," She felt pity for him.
"Rebecca you're being a little hard on yourself, it just happened, I've known all along that it could never really be with him, Lizette comes to mind," He felt a sickness in his stomach as he spoke her name, "You could have easily taken her back, you did love her once and the break up with her wasn't that long ago, Eric was a beacon in the night you had companionship, things were good," Rebecca groaned loudly, "Lizette is out of the picture and was before I even had the accident, I knew I wanted to search for Marlene but the way things turned out, I had to reconnect to what I had lost and Marlene needed to set roots in her career, there was too much turmoil here she didn't want to fall in to the same rut Tristan and I didn't want it, not for things to go back to how they were, I want a fresh start with her and I'm willing to make it happen as I said before I just want a second chance and I have to be convincing and it will have to be on her terms," Tristan stood up from the sofa, "You know how Marlene is, tough and positive in what she wants, she won't be an easy catch, you'll have your work cut out for you," He grinned impishly, "Enough talk, help me with these boxes will you," Tristan helped her to tape up the boxes placing them in the emptied closet for storage.
"Busy day?" Grace sauntered up to Marlene, "I have two new cases I'm doing a work up on, why?" Grace stared mildly, "Just curious," Marlene smiled, "Its just I haven't seen you as much of late and I was wondering," Marlene cut her off, "I'm sorry the last week has been spent with Tracey," Grace perked up, "I guess she's decided your past wasn't worrisome after all?" She probed in a polite manner, "I guess, we are really attracted to one another and," Grace stopped her, "You've been sleeping with her," Marlene lowered her shoulders, "Yes Grace its what two people do when there's a fire between them, I'm enjoying our time together, she makes me laugh and feel comfortable," Grace swallowed hard, "Do you feel about her like the way you felt about Rebecca?" Marlene looked at her strangely, "Rebecca and I are over, I need this, I need to move on and I have, I don't want to think about Rebecca, I want to look forward to a new relationship and my career, its budding now and Tracey's a positive thinker, supportive I might add," Grace lowered her head, "Why did you bring Rebecca up?" She crossed her arms and insisted on an answer.