Title: Risen From The Ashes
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia Doris/Blake Francesca/Daisy
Rating: MA for strong language, adult situations, violence, blood, drug use.
Slightly AU most invents remain the same with a few concentrated changes to the Otalia storyline.
Summary: A mysterious stranger comes to town and changes the lives of Olivia and Natalia forever.
Natalia pursed her lips and shook her head as she leaned against the barn door. She could tell Olivia was trying very hard not to laugh at her side but was failing…the little snorts and sighs were a dead giveaway.
"How is it that they can act like this when just last night they were being little buttholes towards each other?" The little huff of annoyance that escaped Natalia after she asked her question left Olivia in near hysterics; doubled over and clutching at her knees for support. The kids in question turned and looked at the two before rolling their eyes and going back to their own little world.
Last night had been trying to say the least. After Francesca made her frantic exit to plan her date with Daisy, the girls finished explaining things to Ava, and Rafe had gotten off the phone with Ashley (she explained her painful experience of helping Daisy pick out what Francesca called a casual but nice outfit) and laughing at the panic their friend was experiencing across town, he and Ava went up to the attic to pick with their sister. Which of course resulted in a shouting match seeing as how Francesca was now nervous and agitated. The attic door had been left open much to Olivia and Natalia's disapproval. The shouting had kept Emma up, which resulted in a sleepy and grumpy little girl.
It took more time than either would have liked to shuffle a laughing Ava and Rafe back downstairs, and even longer to calm a fuming Francesca who was red with embarrassment. They left the attic with a promise that no bodily harm would come to the other two…given grudgingly by the mumbling girl.
By the time the two mothers got back downstairs to check in on Emma the little girl was enjoying herself a little too much for their liking. They stood riveted to their spots just outside the door and watched in fascination and horror as the little girl played. Huddled behind a gaggle of giant Angry Bird plushies the little girl was launching the smaller ones (complete with strange bird call sound effects from said little girl) at a few very large and crudely constructed buildings made of Lego blocks. On each building were a few green pig plushies from the same game waiting to be decimated. A large crash and an excited squeal rang through the house as Emma successfully demolished one of the buildings sending blocks and pigs flying in every direction.
Emma picked up a giant yellow plushie and began to yell. "Give us back our eggs or we're taking you down pigs!" She ran across the room and picked up a pig from a building that was still standing. "You'll never take us alive!" was followed by a few grunts and snorts. Emma ran back to the safety of her bird fort and announced "We weren't planning on it!" before sending another bird soaring through the air resulting in another very large and messy crash.
"Okay…no more IPad fun for you missy," Olivia drawled as she stepped into the room and pulled a protesting Emma up from the floor.
"But the birds have to save their babies before they get eaten…they're very angry you know."
"Sounded more like Pissed off Birds to me," Olivia mumbled under her breath.
"You're cleaning this mess up in the morning little girl," Natalia's tired voice interjected as an afterthought.
That's when the process of settling Emma back down began. By the time the two women fell into bed they were exhausted.
"Ahh the wonders of parenting," Olivia lamented as she wrapped an arm around her fiance's waist and watched their children tending to the two horses.
"So which do you think she'd like Monkey…cherry or green apple?"
Emma studied the two packages of bits in her sister's hands. "Green apple," she nodded resolutely and opened the package.
Francesca smiled to herself as she showed her sister the proper way to tie off the reigns and settle the bit in her horse's mouth.
"Ugh, what the hell!" Rafe's indignant and slightly disgusted voice rang out as he swiped furiously at his ear and glared at Kimu who was standing the picture of innocence in his stall. Ava laughed having witnessed the horse shove his tongue in her brother's ear. She pat Emma's horse Miley on the nose and left her sisters to grab up a towel and help her brother.
"Maybe you should stop antagonizing him," she advised with a chuckle.
"I was just standing here," he argued. "Kimu is just an asshole." The horse huffed and eyed Rafe.
Ava shook her head with another laugh and went back to Emma and Francesca. She switched off with Francesca and began to show a very excited Emma how to fasten and properly adjust her saddle. Francesca came back to Rafe's side and pulled an already saddled Kimu out of his stall. Rafe eyed him wearily.
"He's not going to throw me off or just like take off running is he?"
"He can sense your fear and will use it against you," Francesca warned. "Just trust what I say…we'll take it easy. He knows how to follow directions; it's your job to lead him."
Rafe scratched the side of his face and shook himself. "Okay…I can do this." Francesca shook her head with a grin and thrust a riding helmet into her big brother's chest.
He tilted his head and glared at her.
"Hey those or the rules bro. Ma said if you wanted to learn you had to wear the helmet. Emma's wearing hers."
"But I'm not a little kid," he mumbled and shoved the helmet onto his head.
Francesca grinned and snapped a picture on her phone. "Aww, don't you look cute…all safe and prepared." He slyly flipped her the finger in a way their parent's wouldn't see and stood next to Kimu. He eyed him and spoke.
"Okay dude, so I know we got off on the wrong foot or whatever, but just cut me a break okay?"
Kimu gave him a cursory glance and huffed before shaking his large head.
"Was that a yes," Rafe questioned his sister.
She grinned. "What do you think? It was just yesterday you were teasing him with an apple. You have to earn his trust."
He rolled his eyes.
"Okay so grab the reigns and make sure you hold on to them with your left hand." She watched as Rafe followed her directions. "Good now place your hand here on the saddle and grip it tightly. Place your left foot in the stirrup then pull yourself up while swinging your right leg over, and settle your foot in the stirrup on the other side."
After Rafe was safely settled atop Kimu he looked down at the ground. "I didn't realize he was this friggin tall."
"You afraid of heights bro?" Francesca teased.
"Nope…just the fall." She snorted and began to show him the basics of controlling Kimu while keeping him at a slow walk before they took the lesson outside of the barn.
Emma who had already had a few riding lessons but was now learning the basics of actually taking care of a horse of her own was already sitting proudly atop Miley waiting impatiently to leave the barn. "Stop being a baby Rafe."
Olivia and Natalia snorted as Rafe threw a playful glare in his baby-sister's direction.
"Rafe you owe the sear jar…twice," Natalia reminded. They stepped out of the barn and began to take a walk towards the pond hand in hand. Natalia settled her head on Olivia's shoulder as they walked in silence. Once they reached the pond they both sat in the slightly damp grass. Olivia settled behind Natalia as her lover sat happily between her thighs and leaned back on her for support. Olivia wrapped her arms around Natalia and rested her chin atop Natalia's head. The two sat in comfortable silence as the warm afternoon sun bathed them in light and heat.
"So I was thinking," Olivia whispered a glint in her eye.
"And that's never a good thing," Natalia chuckled. Olivia playfully pinched her side and continued.
"Remember what you said about digging out the pond?"
Natalia frowned and craned her neck to look back at Olivia. "I was just joking. I don't want some big gaudy boat on our property," she announced before turning back to the pond.
Olivia nodded her head in agreement. "Neither do I, but just think about it. We could dig it out…make it a little wider, and deeper in some places. Have it irrigated…the water would be so clear and clean. We could swim in it with the kids; get a few kayaks, and jet skis. With the proper maintenance we'd even be able to ice skate on it in the winter. When the horses are roaming out of the stable they'd have clean water to drink." She squeezed Natalia closer. "I'm sure the ducks would be happier," she lightly teased.
Natalia hummed thoughtfully to herself at the idea. She remembered the look of wonder on Rafe's face as they made the drive to Springfield from Chicago what felt eons ago. From the highway they could see a number of fresh water ponds sitting on acres of land. Many had docks jutting out, some people were fishing, in other's families were swimming. She remembered how she thought the water looked so beautiful; a perfect clear and healthy blue. She felt her heart swell with warmth and love knowing that Olivia wanted to do that for her family.
She could picture the memories that could be made on the pond. Emma wading happily and splashing; water wings securely fit to her arms keeping her safely afloat. She could imagine Olivia, Rafe, and Chessie shouting, and cheering as they raced on jet skis. She would argue with Rafe about wearing a life vest while playing on the death trap. She and Ava would lay out on the dock tanning and sipping lemonade. She would call everyone out of the water every now and then to make sure they applied the proper amount of sunscreen. They could host barbeques with all of their friends and their kids while everyone swam. Quiet summer afternoons sprawled out on the bottom of a kayak with her wife's arms wrapped around her as she read a book. Sitting out on the dock at night wrapped up in a blanket with her love watching the stars and moon reflect off of the still surface like glass as the echoing of crickets chirping sounded in the distance. She could see the ducks swimming happily across the pond as she looked out of their bedroom window in the creeping sunrise. All of them bundled up and feeling toasty despite the cold weather and lightly falling snow as they skated and fell on the ice followed by snowball fights.
This was why being with Olivia and for that matter the woman herself was so damn amazing. She had a way of giving Natalia hopes and dreams she never knew to have on her own. She had never imagined such extraordinary instances with Nicky or anyone. Olivia had a way of opening her eyes to all those possibilities she once thought impossible, improbably, and impractical. She gave her the eyes to see beyond that which was right in front of her face. Being with Olivia was just…more.
Olivia sat patiently waiting for all the thoughts she knew were bouncing around the brunettes head to settle. She could only imagine what Natalia was picturing in her mind's eye as she watched a smile grow across those oh so luscious lips.
Natalia could picture on one of those rare summer nights when all of the kids were out of the house and the two of them were being goofy and playful. Olivia would start some kind of tickle war and run for the hills. She'd leave the house laughing as Natalia took chase. Olivia would strip down to nothing but her own glorious skin under the moonlight and dive headfirst into the water. Natalia would stand at the edge of the dock a playful scowl on her face feeling a little self-conscience as Olivia goaded her into the water. She would call her a chicken and Natalia would rise to the occasion knowing that's exactly what her lover wanted. Following Olivia's lead the two would end up skinny dipping and laughing. Which of course would lead to something more.
Olivia grinned as she noticed the blush creep from under Natalia's tank top and spread across her face and ears. "I bet I know what you were just thinking about," she mused confidently as she nuzzled her nose close to Natalia's ear.
Natalia grinned sheepishly as she turned and gave Olivia a slow languid kiss. "I take it back. I like the way you think."
Olivia leaned away with a grin. "Yeah?"
"Yeah…let's do it."
Olivia laughed joyously and pulled Natalia closer to her. "The kids are going to flip."
Olivia hung up with Josh with a satisfied smirk as Natalia passed her a glass of ice water.
"He said he'd come out with a few guys and look over the pond. They'd make sure the zoning would clear then draw up a plan of attack."
"At this point I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't single-handedly keeping him in business."
Natalia smiled and wrapped Olivia up in a hug. Olivia pulled her with her as she leaned against the counter. Natalia laid her head against her fiance's chest and smiled as the two looked out the kitchen window. The kids were laughing. They could barely hear Ava encouraging Rafe's determined progress, and Chessie laughing while warning Emma to keep it at a slow trot.
"Thank you," Natalia mumbled.
"Well it's not done yet and I'm sure all the noise will have you annoyed before too long," Olivia joked.
Natalia looked at her with a look of contemplation doused in adoration. "I'm not talking about the pond," she clarified as she looked back out at the kids. "I'm talking about everything. Thank you for being here when I needed you the most. Thank you for giving me this family. Thank you for being you."
Olivia pulled Natalia closer to hide the tears that were pooling in her eyes before discreetly wiping them away. No one had ever thanked her for just being. She couldn't even begin to describe the feeling.
The sound of the gate's intercom chiming interrupted their peaceful moment. Olivia broke away and went to the display. Her eyebrows furrowed at the site of the large black delivery truck in their driveway awaiting entrance. She pressed the intercom button. "Can I help you?"
"Hello we have a delivery for Phoenix Sensei," the deep cool tones floated through the speaker.
Natalia perked up and walked over to Olivia. Olivia felt a thrill go through her system before she remembered herself.
"And you are?"
"One of the few dragons in the world left to protect that which has been hidden and long since forgotten."
Olivia nodded happy with the response. The order was very secretive and hush-hush. It was beyond impossible for someone to impersonate a dragon. They had too many signals and pass phrases to keep up with anyway.
Olivia opened the gate and the two women exited the house to call Francesca.
The family watched as the men bowed to Francesca before she did the same. It was a strange sight to see as the two men were wearing black suits and dragon masks. Francesca had warned Olivia and Natalia to direct Emma into the house for a moment.
"So everything is in order," she questioned; easily slipping into the roll of leader.
"Yes Sensei. We would appreciate your assistance in removing the package from the back," one man asked respectfully.
She nodded before the three of them disappeared around the back. A loud shuffling was heard as a very large crate was pushed out of the back of the truck and settled in the drive right next to the house out of view from the gate.
"So…what's in it," Ava asked.
Francesca just grinned and shook her head. The second masked man handed Francesca a crow bar. She walked over to the crate and pulled up the nails holding the top in place before tossing it aside to be picked up by one of her students who deposited the piece near the barn. The process was repeated until the crate's contents were revealed.
"That is sick!" Rafe exclaimed before high-fiving his sister.
"Francesca Geneva Phoenix!" Natalia shouted. "What did we say about major purchases? We agreed that if you wanted to get that ridiculous car you had to take it easy."
Francesca stood eyes wide at her Ma's rebuke. Her students chuckled to themselves as they moved everything around.
"Um…I don't even know what to say to that," Olivia said completely flabbergasted as she waved her arms about.
"Ma, Mom…I didn't buy this…recently," Francesca informed them sheepishly. "I've had it for a while, but I had to put it in storage when I hooked up with J and Sarah."
Natalia's anger quickly deflated to that of shock and awe.
Ava snorted. "What do you even need it for?"
"What you mean besides the obvious? I figured I could use it tonight…for the date." Francesca shyly stubbed the toe of her tennis shoe into the gravel. "I thought Daisy might like it; you know the surprise of it all."
"Either that or you'll scare the crap out of her," Olivia stated before her eyes went wide and she slapped a hand to her mouth.
Francesca looked up with fearful eyes. "You don't really think she'll be scared do you?"
Rafe shook his head and wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders. "Nah…you're girl is a daredevil…she'll love it."
Ava agreed with an appreciative whistle. "Well Sis I have to give you points for originality. You're well on your way to making every guy in town look like losers to their wives and girlfriends," Ava laughed and hugged her sister. "You little romantic you," she teased as she pinched Francesca's cheeks.
She huffed and playfully pushed her sister away. The three siblings turned their attention to their moms who were speaking carefully to the dragons in front of them. The men's backs were to the kids.
"We would like to thank you on behalf of the entire order," one man stated.
"You have done us a great service for loving our teacher so fiercely. Many of us have feared for her safety for so long, but as you know during her final test we are unable to assist her in the way that we would like," the other spoke up.
"It is our hope that one day she shall be given the opportunity to past that test and we will have you to thank for that."
"Kumamoto Sensei would like you to have these as a symbol of our gratitude for so bravely taking on a responsibility that many would run away from."
They spoke in tandem as they brought up the small shiny black boxes in their hands and kneeled on bended knee before a very shocked Olivia and Natalia. They bowed their heads eyes firmly planted on the ground as they lifted the boxes towards the two women beckoning them to accept them. They looked to Francesca confusion in their eyes. She stood there with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes frantically shaking her head in the positive. Olivia and Natalia accepted the boxes marveling at their weight and thanked the men.
The two men stood and dusted off their suit pants. Reaching up they both removed their masks revealing their handsome faces to the women standing in front of them. It was a sign of respect and acceptance for a Dragon to remove their mask in front of a "civilian." They smiled at the two women and bowed before replacing their masks.
Francesca's grin couldn't have been bigger.
Everyone sat in the living room looking at the matching boxes on the coffee table. Emma was in the kitchen happily eating her afternoon snack.
"Well hurry up and open them. We have to get to Emma's community garden project, and I have to get everything set up for tonight," Francesca's excitement on all three events weren't lost on any of them.
Natalia and Olivia slowly reached out and unlatched the intricate locks on the wooden boxes and flipped the tops open. They were greeted by midnight black silk. Each woman folded over the silk and gasped at what was unveiled.
Inside each box were a set of twin wakizashi swords. The hilts were hand carved with Japanese symbols. The blades were slightly curved and encased in scabbards that were shinning and polished to perfection. The blackness of them gleamed in the light coming in through the curtains. Each woman picked them up carefully and inspected them. They unsheathed them with a sharp "clink" and were awed at the site of the blades.
"Oh my God," rang out through the room.
"These are made of…" Olivia cut off unable to fathom what it was she was now holding. All of them had their turn with practicing with Francesca weapons but to have weapons of their own? Made from the same materials their daughter's blades were made of? This was too much.
Natalia couldn't even wrap her head around it. "What do these carvings say," she questioned softly.
Francesca furrowed her brow and walked over to them and inspected the hilts of each blade then smiled. Pointing out to the blade in Natalia's left hand and matched her Ma's tone. "Hageshī purotekutā." Pointing to the other blade she stated, "Chūjitsuna haha. Fierce Protector. Faithful Mother."
Both women's eyes snapped in her direction. "Yeah," she snorted lightly. "Soak that one in for a second."
Olivia grinned and spun the blade in her hand experimentally. She wasn't used to the weight, but after practicing with them for a little while they would do just fine.
"We're going to have to keep these locked up in the case with yours," Natalia stated.
"Sensei had them made with my designs in mind," Francesca took one of them and flipped it closed. "They work like switchblades. Use the scabbards when they're in the case…but I'd rather teach you how to conceal them."
Olivia settled on the steps of the gazebo and pulled off her gardening gloves as she surveyed the other families roaming around the garden then smiled at the sight of her own.
"Gotcha!" Natalia sneaking up on Olivia's side and shaking her shoulder a little.
"Gah! Jesus Natalia!" Olivia laughed as she clutched her chest. "Why would you do that?"
Natalia laughed and shook her head as she removed her own gloves. "I don't know." She wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes. "And you owe the swear jar."
Olivia glared at her. Then thought about how grateful she was for not being able to play the heart-transplant patient card.
They settled into a comfortable silence and watched as their kids finished planting the final flowers; smiling, laughing, and talking together.
"I can't wait to marry you Ms. Rivera."
"Me neither Ms. Spencer…me neither."
Francesca stood outside of the house Daisy lived in with her family and sighed as she nervously wrung her hands together. She licked her lips and smoothed the invisible wrinkles out of her clothes before ringing the doorbell.
She waited a few moments and looked back at the car she'd arrived in before turning her attention to the door as it was pulled open.
"Phoenix! Nice to see ya…come on in." Buzz's permanently jovial state eased some of Francesca's tension as she was ushered into the house.
"Thank you Mr. Cooper…It's nice to see you too."
Buzz arched an eyebrow at being called Mr. Cooper by the same girl that just yesterday was joking around with him over a cup of coffee in Company. He took in her appearance. Tight dark blue jeans, black calf-length boots, a thin green and grey hooded shirt worn under her black leather jacket, her long- long hair down and flowing in cascading curls, the apprehension in her eyes, and the formality of her tone. He grinned.
"So I'm guessing you two finally got your acts together huh?"
Francesca blushed under his knowing gaze. "Yes sir."
He laughed and clapped her on the back before walking through the kitchen towards the stairs. "Daisy your date is here," he yelled playfully.
Francesca felt herself flush again.
"Just a second!" Daisy's somewhat frantic voice traveled down the stairs followed by what sounded suspiciously like Ashley's laughter.
Buzz came back into the kitchen grinning like a fool. "Looks like you're not the only one nervous kid."
Francesca laughed. "No, I guess I'm not."
Marina chose that moment to come into the kitchen with a fussy Henry to retrieve a bottle. "Oh hey Phoenix…um…what are you doing here?" Yes Henry needed a bottle, but she also wanted to be nosey and see who her little cousin was going out with. She wasn't expecting to see Phoenix sitting at the kitchen table.
Francesca quickly weighed the pros and cons of the words that were about to come out of her mouth. "Well I figured I'd stop acting like a moron and finally take Daisy out."
Marina's eyes went wide. The new necklace Daisy had been wearing for a few days began making a lot of sense now. "Oh…" was the articulate reaction she came up with. Since when was Daisy gay? She eyed Francesca not really knowing what else to say. She had to admit she could see why both girls and boys would be attracted to the teenager now fidgeting at her kitchen table.
Francesca used Marina's silence to greet Henry. "Hey little man," she cooed as she tickled his feet. He kicked happily as his head rested on his mother's shoulder. Marina couldn't deny the fact that she liked the girl…despite who one of her mother's was, and Henry seemed to agree.
Before an awkward silence could descend upon them Ashley came down the stairs with a devilish smirk on her face. "Hey Phoenix," the two girls hugged. "Good luck," she whispered into Francesca's ear.
"Thanks Ash." The two broke apart and shared a smile.
Daisy walked down the stairs and soon everyone else in the room became furniture to Francesca. She couldn't help the way her eyes closed and her body took in a long breath of air through the nose and took in the other girls intoxicating scent before she came into view. She couldn't help the way her eyes snapped open and traveled the length of Daisy in appreciation. Tight jeans over high heeled boots, the sheer white crop top over a purple tank, the tight black jacket, and Daisy's decision to straighten her naturally curly hair were a much welcomed sight to Francesca who was now sporting a shit eating grin.
"Hey," the two spoke at once then laughed nervously. Francesca bit her lip as Daisy approached her ignoring the eyes watching them and pulled her into a hug. Francesca accepted it happily and tugged the other girl as close as possible as she burrowed her head in Daisy's hair.
"Hey beautiful…you smell amazing," Francesca mumbled.
Daisy chuckled. "You stole what I was going to say on purpose."
Francesca shrugged with a grin. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah."
The two turned to two amused and one shocked gaze of the others and waved.
"I'll have her home by eleven Mr. Cooper," Francesca assured.
Buzz grinned and waved her off, he knew she was a good kid. "Have a nice night girls."
"Bye guys," Ashley happily waved. Her cell was in her other hand no doubt waiting to call Rafe the moment the two stepped out the door.
The girls waved and walked out of the house.
"Dad is going to be so happy about that," Marina spoke sarcastically to the two left behind.
The two girls sat holding hands in the back of the town car as the driver took them to a location unknown to Daisy.
"So are you going to tell me where you're taking me?"
"You'll see," Francesca slyly replied.
Daisy pouted for a second before resting her head on her girlfriends shoulder. "Is it totally lame that I missed you today?"
Francesca smiled and wrapped her arms around Daisy. "Not at all…I missed you too." A kiss was deposited atop Daisy's head and the two continued the journey in a comfortable cocoon of silence.
Daisy lost track of time wrapped up in Francesca's warmth so when the car finally stopped she was a caught of guard. Francesca slowly pulled away from her and stepped out of the car as the door was opened. She reached back and guided Daisy out and thanked the driver before he got back in the driver's seat and drove away.
Daisy looked around at all the trees they were surrounded by and back to the dirt road the town car had disappeared from and then back at Francesca. "Umm…okay I'm surprised."
Francesca snorted and grabbed her girlfriend's hand leading her further into the trees. "Come on spaz."
The two emerged from the trees and stepped into a clearing surrounded by tiki torches. In the center sat a small table surrounded by a very comfortable looking assortment of pillows and blankets. Off to the side sat a food service cart Daisy was sure her girlfriend had pilfered from The Beacon. But what caused her breath to catch in her throat and her eyes to go wide was the view. To the right and slightly further away from the clearing was a cliff that dropped off into Lake Springfield. The sun was low enough to tell that it was not far from setting and dazzled with hues of orange, red, yellows, and purple as it cast its light off a few low hanging clouds. Looking out to her right Daisy could just barely make out the Light House.
"Wow!"
Francesca shyly looked at her with her hands in her pockets and her eyes slightly lowered in a look of such adorable bashfulness it was all Daisy could do to not launch herself on the younger girl. "So…do you like it?"
"Do I like it?" Daisy's voice was just slight of incredulous. Francesca looked up at her and nodded her head. Daisy let out a little laugh and shook her head. She stepped into Francesca's personal space and placed her hands on either side of the other girl's face. She looked up into shinning eyes greener than the forest scenery around them and pulled her down into a slow and gentle melding of lips and soft whimpers. She pulled away and studied Francesca's face. Eyes closed, nose scrunched up, and a slight smile caused Daisy to grin goofily. She waited for Francesca to open her eyes before answering the previous question. "No I don't like it. I love it Chess…you are so amazing."
After restarting her heart after hearing Daisy say that she didn't like it Francesca gave herself a little pat on the back. She pulled Daisy over to the intimate little setting and urged her to kneel down and settle herself amongst the softness of the blankets and pillows at the table that was just slightly above ground level before hurrying off. Daisy watched as Francesca loped off with the gracefulness of a gazelle to light the tiki torches to stave off the bugs that would surely begin to attack them otherwise.
When Francesca came back she helped Daisy remove her jacket before taking off her own and placing them behind herself amongst the mountain of pillows. "Even though we're really close to the water there's enough blankets here to keep us warm," she explained.
"So," Daisy smirked. "Now that you have me here what are you going to do with me," she questioned suggestively.
Francesca flushed scarlet and just barely restrained herself from squeaking out her answer. "Umm…dinner and a movie?"
Daisy silently berated herself for making the younger girl uncomfortable. She knew she had to tread lightly with things like that, but she had been swept away in the familiarity they'd been feeling around one another to keep that very important fact in mind. "Chess I am so sorry," Daisy reached over and grabbed her girlfriend's hand.
Francesca sighed. "It's okay Daze; we're supposed to be comfortable talking about anything with each other. Or at least I think that's how all of this works. I don't want you to be afraid to be yourself around me and constantly watching what you do and say. It's just…I'm still not used to this…" she gestured her free hand between them. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to or won't be. Just…keep being you okay? We'll be fine."
Daisy nodded happily as Francesca gave her hand a grateful squeeze.
Francesca slowly pulled her hand away. "So hungry?"
"Starving."
The two now sat laughing and talking as they ate.
"This is so good."
"You're not just saying that are you?"
Daisy laughed and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "No, why would I?"
Francesca shyly lowered her head. Daisy found herself yet again amazed with the many sides of the girl sitting in front of her. Once second she could be this brash, loud, foul mouthed, dangerous, hooligan, and the next she's the sweetest, shyest, most endearing person she'd ever met.
"Well I wasn't really sure what you'd like, but The Beacon chief and my mom helped…surprisingly enough. They supervised the whole process."
"Wait…you made this?"
"Yes," Francesca answered wide-eyed.
Daisy tucked her hair behind her ears and took a sip of her water. "I was not expecting that."
"Still haven't realized the sheer fucking magnitude of my over-powering awesomeness I see."
Daisy rolled her eyes with a smile. And she's back.
After the two finished eating Francesca quickly put away their plates onto the cart and uncovered the small table they were using. She folded it up and placed it under the cart before scooting over to Daisy and pulling her against her. Daisy looked up at her with a smile. Daisy watched a little amused at questioning eyes. She could tell Francesca was debating something with herself as her brow began to furrow and she bit her lip causing one of her dimples to become more pronounced. Those beautiful eyes cleared before Francesca grinned down at her and slowly swooped in for a kiss. Leaning against the pillows Francesca wrapped one arm around the older girl's waist and the other around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Daisy cupped her chin as she fell into the kiss and lips too soft to be legal. She had no idea why she had ever been afraid of this.
The two barely pulled away from each other and pressed their foreheads together; eyes still tightly closed and a little short of breath. Francesca opened her eyes first at the feeling of Daisy smoothing her hair out of her face and was soon met by the swirling happiness of hazel eyes staring back at her.
"That over-powering awesomeness of yours is going to get us in all kinds of trouble."
Francesca chuckled and turned them to look out over the cliff. The sun had begun setting. Again she pat herself on the back for her perfect timing. Daisy burrowed further into her arms as they watched the sunset.
"I love you too."
The stars were now shinning down on them and Daisy was silently wondering why the hell they were still out in the middle of the woods. The creepy factor would have been ratcheted up to about a million if she weren't sitting with her own personal body guard. The light from the tiki torches was now more pronounced as Francesca once again left her side. She walked off a little further towards the tree line and reached up for something seemingly invisible. Daisy realized she was reaching for a string once Francesca successfully pulled down a projector screen from a tree and made sure it wouldn't roll back up. She then reached behind a tree and pulled out a small generator.
She came back grinning before digging for the projector hidden behind the pillows she was sitting against during dinner. Daisy watched in awe as Francesca started up the whisper quiet generator and hooked up the projector to it. She placed a DVD in the slot underneath it and came back to Daisy's side.
"How about that movie?"
Daisy shook her head completely blown away as Francesca coaxed her into scooting over so that she was facing the projector screen full on. Digging behind the pillows again Francesca revealed an assortment of movie snacks and retrieved some more drinks from the food cart before pushing it off to the side and out of the way. She plopped down next to Daisy and sat the food to the side as she pulled off her boots and did the same for Daisy. The older girl grinned at her girl's slow careful movements before she moved their shoes out of the way and pulled a blanket up over them.
"Projector should be warmed up now," Francesca mumbled as she spread the snacks out across their laps and pulled Daisy closer. Francesca pulled the remote to the projector out of her pocket and pressed play.
The opening credits caught Daisy of guard as she jerked her head up to study Francesca's face. Francesca gave her girlfriend an assured shake of her head and pulled her back in to rest her head against her chest. They'd already had their moment regarding the movie that jump-started her mother's acting career. She wanted to have this moment with Daisy, and watched the movie alone a few times to ensure she wouldn't burst into tears tonight and scare the hell out of her girl.
Daisy leaned up and kissed Francesca on the underside of her jaw before scooting in closer and opening a pack of sour gummies.
Francesca was playfully scowling as she straightened up the area for her helpers to clean up once they left. Daisy was still laughing hysterically.
"I completely forgot that you were in that scene," she wiped at her eyes and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend from behind. "You were so cute with your missing front teeth."
Francesca shook her head. "I'm not the first kid to be subjected to cameos in their parent's movies," she grumbled.
Daisy cooed as she walked around to Francesca's front and wrapped her arms around the taller girl's neck. "You were adorable and you know it," she argued standing on her tippy-toes to deposit a peck on her girlfriend's lips.
Francesca grinned goofily before finishing packing up the things they would be taking with them. She zipped up her duffel bag and threw it over her shoulder as she clicked on a flashlight and took Daisy's hand. They took a leisurely stroll around the clearing as Francesca snubbed out the torches before guiding Daisy back to the path that led them there. For once Daisy opted to stay quiet – forestalling her questions in exchange for appreciating the warmth and softness snuggling her hand and the fireflies dancing before her eyes.
Once they came out on the other side Francesca guided them to a cropping of trees to reveal another clearing yet slightly smaller. Right there in the middle stood a small shiny black Gyroplane.
"I got it a while ago," Francesca answered Daisy's silent question. "It's a GBA Hawk 4. Their normally only sold under special contract for long range combat search and rescue, but I got around that. Once I learned how to fly I figured it would be smart to invest in one. I couldn't exactly hop on a commercial flight you know. I repainted it black because Canary yellow isn't exactly an inconspicuous color. It was useful to get around Europe with. I usually kept it at my regrouping point. If I needed to make a quick get away I always had a way out waiting outside the outskirts of whatever town I was in. It's been in storage in Arizona since I found your uncle."
Daisy turned to her with a gleam in her eye.
"So I take it you wouldn't mind going for a ride?"
Daisy's excited nodding of her head and squealing was all the answer she needed. "It's safe right?"
Francesca grinned at the opening her girlfriend had just given her. "Sure. Do you trust me?" She offered Daisy her hand.
"Yeah."
"Come on then," Francesca laughed and tugged the other girl towards the plane.
After Francesca had Daisy successfully strapped in and fitted with a headset she climbed in and began powering up. The soft hum of the engines and the beginning rotations of the blades coming to life sent a thrill through Daisy.
"Don't you have to like…get permission from Air Traffic control or something," Daisy questioned over her head piece.
Francesca snorted and shook her head. "Who needs permission when you can fly below the radar?" Francesca turned on a signal scrambler and began checking a few satellites before winking across the small cabin at the girl next to her.
Daisy couldn't explain the satisfying feeling of her stomach dropping as the Gyroplane lifted into the air. Francesca smiled to herself pleased with pleasing the other girl. As they rose above the treetops, Francesca expertly handling the machine Daisy looked up into the night sky so much closer than she normally saw it. Francesca slyly turned on the CD player she'd installed and waited for Daisy to recognize the opening melody of the song now bouncing around the cabin. Daisy gasped and darted her eyes towards Francesca a look of amusement dancing in her eyes.
"You wouldn't," Daisy accused in mock horror. Suddenly the gleam in Francesca eyes when the words "Sure. Do you trust me," escaped her lips…she had been reciting the line from the movie.
Francesca began singing along to the track right on cue. "I can show you the world. Shining, shimmering, splendid. Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"
Daisy couldn't help the joyous laughter that bubbled up from her throat as Francesca winked at her and continued to sing as she coaxed the plane into a higher altitude.
"I can open your eyes. Take you wonder by wonder. Over, sideways and under. On a magic carpet ride."
"You are such a dork," her girlfriend laughed remembering the many times they watched their favorite Disney movie together. This was the girl she had fallen in love with. A girl who didn't give a rat's ass about looking like a complete moron singing Disney songs to her on their first date just to make it special for her. She couldn't be happier.
Francesca nudged her girlfriend's shoulder and leveled her with a challenging look. Daisy bit her lip and smirked before she began to sing along to Jasmine's parts. "A whole new world. A dazzling place I never knew. But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you."
The two were laughing together now as Francesca cut in. "Now I'm in a whole new world with you."
"Unbelievable sights. Indescribable feeling. Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling, through an endless diamond sky." Daisy outstretched her hand to indicate the stores shinning before them through the glass of the plane's cockpit with a playful flourish. "A whole new world."
Francesca took the opportunity to send the Gyroplane plunging downward making sure to stay level as Daisy gasped. "Don't you dare close your eyes." She pulled the plane back up and glanced over at Daisy who was glaring at her after opening her eyes and sang the next lines with a bit of a grumble.
"A hundred thousand things to see."
Francesca grinned and continued singing as they rose higher than they were before. "Hold your breath – it gets better." Francesca offered Daisy a sheepish smirk for her stunt. And realized all was forgiven when Daisy continued singing the song with her as they continued the circuit above the lake and before heading back towards The Light House.
After safely landing at The Lighthouse and a few well aimed smacks to Francesca's bicep for the number of stunts she pulled while in air Daisy watched as the girl pulled the gyroplane into the newly placed shed and locked up behind her self.
The girls traveled into The Lighthouse and up the stairs to the observation deck. Francesca lit a fire – mindful of the time and the promise she made to Buzz and walked up behind Daisy who was staring out at the lake and wrapped her arms around her.
"I want to show you something."
Daisy nodded happily and allowed her self to be lead to the center of the room where the light was ensconced.
"So I haven't turned this light on yet. At first I wasn't sure what I was waiting for then I realized I wanted to do it with you." Francesca nervously ran a hand through her hair and stood up straighter. "I have lived so much of my life shrouded in this darkness that I never thought I could escape." She carefully tucked a few strands of hair behind Daisy's ear and kissed her forehead before continuing. "I've just been wondering around in this abyss. Then I found your uncle and Sarah…all of a sudden a few stars started to appear and I could at least see a few feet in front of my face. Then I came here…met my family," she smiled. "All of a sudden the sky above me exploded with stars and the moon and it wasn't so bad. I figured I could survive that way…I could feel safer and even a little happy with the amount of light I was now afforded. But then you came into my office and kissed me. Despite everything I tried to stay away from you – you still chased after me. Then something I never thought I'd see again appeared…the sun started peaking across the horizon, and the next thing I knew I was surrounded by light. I was warm…and I allowed myself to be loved." She wrapped Daisy up in a hug after seeing the tears streaking down the shorter girl's face. "Thank you so much for pulling me out of the everlasting night."
The two separated and chuckled as they wiped the other's tears away.
Daisy pulled Francesca down into a searing kiss that once released left the girl in an amusingly dazed state. Daisy smiled and shook her head at the sight of her girlfriend's glazed over eyes. "I love you so much."
Francesca took the girl hands and kissed her knuckles before they moved and turned the light on together. They stepped back and admired the light as it spun around its enclosure, arms wrapped tightly around each other.
"And now…I don't ever have to worry about getting lost again."
"So what exactly do I smell like to you? How does that work exactly," Daisy questioned as she snuggled further into the taller girl's warmth as they lay across the sofa.
Francesca absentmindedly played through Daisy's hair – stirring the air with the scent in question. "It's not so much the actually smell of a person as it is the traits that endear them to me. For instance Emma smells like cotton candy and bubblegum…the innocence of childish things. Freshly cut grass and that weird tingly smell from a warm summer day; the rays of the sun. You know that distinctly summery smell that you can't quite put your finger on. Ma smells like oak. Not just the tree but the strength and sturdiness of it…it's kind of hard to explain. A breeze in the spring time that brings with it that newness of the season, and the plants coming back to life. It's that indescribable freshness. Chocolate deep in richness and red pepper – clean yet stinging if inhaled too deeply. Mom smells of creosote – over powering and tangy yet still sweet enough to make you appreciate it. The ocean and warm wet sand. The anticipatory atmosphere crackling with static electricity that bares down on you right before a thunderstorm. And lemons…sour and zesty."
Daisy grinned as she toyed with Francesca's necklace loving the visuals she got from her girls poetic explanation. "And me?"
"Freshly fallen rain…the light misty kind that still manages to wash away the grime and cleanse the earth. The kind that makes you want to stay inside and warm up in front of the fire. Kiwi – sweet and tart. The warm steam that rises when you take a long rejuvenating shower and leaves the air heavy. It makes it hard to breathe but still opens up your pores and pulls out all the impurities. That worm indescribable smell that hits you square in the face when you walk through the door that tells you your home. You smell of nothing but good things."
Daisy sighed happily into Francesca's embrace.
"Soooo…" Daisy grinned at Francesca.
"What," the girl questioned as she traced Daisy's eyebrow with the pad of her finger.
"About this," she raised her necklace. "What's the big deal?"
Francesca laughed. "Ancient Japanese secret."
"Yeah right. Okay." Daisy teased sarcastically.
Francesca smirked. "No I'm serious. You see as the legend goes thousands of years ago there was this massive cave filled with a vast amount of gold deposits as far as the eye could see. The cave was guarded by a great dragon that was all black and as ancient as the world. People would come from all across the land to try and take the wealth of the cave, but the dragon was greedy and did not want to share. So whenever anyone approached the mouth of the cave the dragon would sit and wait until the person or people thought they were safe to enter. He would then unleash a great and terrible roar and blow fire that traveled throughout the entire cave and consume whoever dared to try and steal his wealth. This went on for a long time until one day there was a great rockslide that closed up the mouth of the cave. The dragon in his ignorance believed the sound to be that of a great army marching towards him. He thought they would try to kill him and take his gold."
Daisy sat wide-eyed and rooted to the spot as she listened with rapt attention to the story the Francesca was telling her.
"So he unleashed his terrible roar and breathed out a huge stream of fire…bigger than he ever had before. But the fire had no way to escape the cave; it was closed up from the rockslide. So the dragon burned up – engulfed by his own flame. What no one knew though was that the gold was magical – alive with intelligence and had always hated the dragon's ways. So as his ashes settled the gold absorbed his blackness; of heart, mind, and his blackness of soul. He was consumed by his own greed. As the gold once again hardened after being melted by the great fire it began to turn black and remained hidden in secret for centuries. One fateful day as a great general was marching his army across the mountain side, half of his infantry fell through a fissure in the rock. They had stumbled across the great dragon's cave."
"After rescuing his men they discovered this strange substance. It was shiny, hard, and heavy just like gold only it was as black as the night. The general was a great an honorable man who was trying to bring peace to his land so wrought with war and strife. So he went to the Yamabushi which translates to 'one who hides in the mountains.' They were known as peaceful yet great spiritual warriors endowed with supernatural powers. What people today refer to as warrior monks. He asked them to guard the cave and its hidden treasure. He knew that its discovery would lead to only more fighting and war between the lands."
"The Yamabushi accepted the task and built a great temple around the cave, hiding its existence inside of its depths. But many of the Yamabushi were becoming old and their numbers dwindled as their elders died. One day from their hidden perch just outside the temple they saw a young Shinobi clan pass by and knew them to be a mighty people. So they took a chance and gave the Shinobi their secret. The Shinobi accepted the post and learned even more from the Yamabushi until there was none left. Many would have thought that it was foolish for the monks to trust the ninja for they were not known for their honor. But the Shinobi had a great leader who taught them of the perils of greed."
"One day he heard a voice whisper to him from the deepest parts of the cave. So he followed it down into what once was the dragon's lair. The gold was speaking to him and praising him for his teachings. It told him that as a reward whenever a new master arose within the Ryo he or she would be allowed to forge their weapons and tools from their wealth. Just as long as the Shinobi did not allow greed to consume them as the dragon had of course. He accepted and the Shinobi have been there ever since – guarding the secret of the cave. They didn't want to take too much from the cave so whenever an old master died his weapons were melted down so that the gold could be reused by a new one. Each master was allowed to keep a small amount of gold…their own share for themselves to be buried with them when they died. Most masters choose to take an object of importance to them…something significant to their life's journey and dip it in the melted gold to carry with them. The temple has never fallen and has never been discovered because of the Shinobi."
Once Francesca finished her story she looked at Daisy with a grin. "So what do you think?"
"It's a cool story, but it's just some old legend right? I mean…you don't actually believe that do you? You're just joking?" Daisy's skepticism rang through her voice.
Francesca's grin grew wider as she reached over and clasped the tooth dangling from Daisy's necklace. "Possibly. But, then again it's hard not to believe when the proof is right in front of you."
Daisy froze for a moment before looking down at the necklace around her neck. "You're joking right?"
Francesca pursed her lips and shook her head. "No."
He's beautiful isn't he," Francesca sighed as she pat Kimu on the neck.
"Depends on the comparison I guess," Daisy gave the other girl a look filled with implication.
The blush Francesca always failed to hide colored her ears.
Daisy watched the girl fumble with the reigns as she took in the truth. She was in love with this girl standing in front of her. Wow!
"What's his name?"
"Kimu this is Daisy. Daisy meet Kimu." Francesca introduced them with a flourish as Daisy giggled and rubbed the horse between his eyes. He accepted the attention happily.
"That's Japanese right? What does it mean?" Daisy questioned as she squirmed away laughing from Kimu's affections as he nuzzled his wet nose at her ear.
"It means gold."
"But, he's all black."
Francesca grinned in amusement. "What's your point?"
"Oh my God! I can't keep this it's priceless!"
Francesca placed her hands on Daisy's cheeks to calm her and placed a gentle kiss to her lips.
"Which is exactly why I gave it to you."
The two girls pulled up at The House of Cooper at 10:55 on Francesca's motorcycle. She explained to her girlfriend that it was fine to ride seeing as how it was so late and she could get home easily without any police interference. They both removed their helmets and walked up to the front door hand in hand.
"So tonight was REALLY unexpected," Daisy mused as they stood outside the front door.
"Good unexpected or bad unexpected?"
"Amazingly good," the shorter girl assured.
Francesca smiled as the two leaned into each other and kissed before pulling away.
Francesca gave her girlfriend's hand a squeeze. "I'll see you tomorrow right?"
"Definitely."
"Good," she hummed before the two leaned in to kiss again as Francesca cupped her girl's cheek.
"I love you," Daisy whispered.
"I love you too," Francesca whispered back before watching Daisy slip quietly into the house.
She waited until she heard the click of the lock before turning back to her motorcycle. She spent the entire ride home with a mile-wide grin on her face.
A/N: I hope you guys are still enjoying this. Although a few comments went hurt. I would love to feel validated lol.
