** We had today - Rachel Portman **
Music for this chapter
tad - means father in Welsh.
mam - means mom in Welsh.
Wales, Penmachno... 1993...
Running her bike through the streets as fast as she can, Merida hurries to get home. The teenager with wavy, messy orange hair and green eyes, rides down the village's main street, she needs to get home for the very important lunch that her mother had warned her millions of times that month.
— Watch the cars, Merida! You'll get hurt if you continue to ride that fast, girl! — Miss Gwendolin, the owner of the only bakery in the village, exclaims, waving her hands at the young redhead who waves shouting:
— It's okay, lady, I even know how to cycle without my hands, do you want to see? — the smiling Merida raises her hands, making the lady scream desperately.
— STOP DOING THIS, GIRL! YOU'LL GET HURT!
Merida laughs pedaling faster and with her hands on her hips, feeling the cold wind cut her face and shake her long red hair. As soon as she starts to climb the hills, the young girl puts her hands back on the handlebars and hurries even more to get to her home soon. She lives with her parents on a huge property a little away from the city (which has only three streets), with sheep, pigs, horses, ponies, dogs and cows.
As soon as one of the employees opens the gates, Merida nods and rides into the vast green fields and four Welsh sheepdogs run around her, who laughs.
— Hey, crazy people! What will we have for lunch?
Merida supports her bicycle on a large rock near the big castle and plays with the dogs while entering the huge kitchen. At that moment, the immense dogs stand outside, while three Pembroke corgis jump frantically after the young woman:
— What's up, guys? — Merida messes with the small dogs, steals an apple from the table and one of the cooks hits her with a wooden spoon: — What's up, Frain?
— Merida, you crazy, get out of here! Your mam Brienne is crazy after you, you better change your clothes and fix your hair, they are too messy! — the angry woman exclaims pointing to the door: — Go! And take these messers with you! And wash your hands, you filth!
— Okay! It's ok! — the redhead exclaims with the apple in her mouth and hands up as she runs to the stairs followed by the corgis.
— I can hardly believe this news, Babs! You, living next to us! Right here, next to us! — the Welsh hears her mother's voice sound very excited in the living room. — Merida will be here soon, I'm sure she should be here any minute.
Her eyes widening and smiling, Merida washes her hands in the toilet next door and, still eating the apple and followed by the corgis, hurries to the living room, where there are too many people there: Brienne, her mother, is sitting on one of the sofas accompanied by another woman who is also blonde, but with long hair. Her father, Arfon, a tall, muscular Welshman with red hair and beard, is standing next to another man, bald and with a serious face.
Sighing heavily, Merida says with her mouth full of food:
— What's up?
The young woman hurries to her father, kisses his hand and then, approaching her mother, repeats the gesture. Then she bowed to the unknown man and woman and smiled:
— Hello, welcome to our home!
Trying not to yell at her daughter for arriving late and disheveled, Brienne pretends a smile and, approaching Merida, takes the apple from her mouth, straightens the girl's long curly hair and murmurs:
— Where were you, Merida Harris? I swear by the old gods that I will KILL you! your hair is messy and your face is red! I bet you were on that horrible bike, right?
Smiling too, the young woman responds, trembling in her words:
— Mam... I'm here, aren't I? No more drama...
— So, you see, Daniel, that's how I used to say. — Arfon says excitedly as he pulls his daughter into a hug and begins to show Merida's arms to the man in front of him: — Milk from the Welsh mountains! She has been drinking it since she was a little girl and keeps it to this day, so she never got a disease, never had low grades and has more muscles than anyone at that age!
Showing her arms to this Daniel, Merida smiles shaking her head and Arfon murmurs in her ear:
— Where were you, girl? Your mam is mad at you!
— I was helping my teacher, Miss Jules, tad. — the young woman responds quietly and looks at the guy Daniel. — And who would you be?
— Oh, honey, this is Daniel and that is Barbara, they are very good friends of mine and your mam. From a very long time! — Arfon replies pointing to the blonde woman next to his wife: — Daniel, Barbara, this is Merida, our daughter!
— Wow, Arfon! How she grew up! — Barbara exclaims smiling at Merida, who approaches her and kisses her hand. — Oh! And she has her father's charm, I presume.
— Nice to meet you, Mrs. Barbara... — Merida says a bit confused and looks at her mother: — Barbara what?
— Robbins! We are Barbara and Daniel Robbins. And the pleasure is all ours! — Daniel responds approaching the young woman and shakes his hand: — Wow! I can't believe you're only 12, young lady.
Before the Welsh says anything, a young girl looking her age appears in the room, tidying up her skirt, and Merida stares at her: blonde, with her hair up to her chin, sweet blue eyes and a lovely face. She is wearing a navy blue skirt, white socks with black shoes, a pink T-shirt with some frills and an extremely sweet smile.
— And this is Arizona, Merida, the daughter of Barbara and Daniel! — Brienne rests an arm on the young blonde's shoulders, who also looks at Merida in a curious way: — Arizona, this is our daughter Merida. You are the same age and it will be with her that you will study, take a walk and whatever else you need. In addition to being neighbors, of course!
Smiling in a corner, Arizona approaches Merida and extends a hand:
— Hello, Merida, nice to meet you.
Returning the smile, Merida shakes Arizona's hand and replies:
— Nice to meet you, Arizona.
Six months later…
Red and blond hair flying... feet pedaling as fast as they can...
— COME ON, ARIZONA! Stop being fearful! — Merida screams running like crazy on the bike, followed by a tired and complaining nonstop Arizona.
— Aaahhhh, Meridaaaaa... can't we walk a little slower, please? — the blonde whimpers trying to keep her friend's pedaling pace. — And why do we need to get home soon?
Skidding to a stop in front of Arizona, Merida looks shocked and exclaims:
— Did you forget that today is the patron's day? We have the whole week without classes and we can do whatever we want for seven days! — the redhead says excitedly and supports her hands on the handlebars of the blonde's bicycle. — Isn't that awesome?
Thinking very carefully about what she had just heard, Arizona smiles and replies:
— Yes... it's awesome! We could go to Lake Wympleton, what do you think?
Eyes widening, Merida agrees with her head and resumes pedaling:
— WHO ARRIVE LAST WILL KISS WILLIAM AT THE END OF THE YEAR PARTY!
— AHHH, MERIDAAAAAAA ! — Arizona yells, struggling to pedal beside the redhead, who laughs non-stop. — I WILL DROP YOU IN THE LAKE!
— HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO WARN YOU TO STOP RUNNING LIKE THIS, CHILDREN? — Miss Gwendolin, owner of the local market, shouts waving her arms to the young girls who pass by excitedly. — I'LL STILL TALK TO YOUR PARENTS!
Two years later...
Lying in Arizona's bed, but each in one direction, the two young women laugh silly.
— I think I'm in love with Dana Scully! Don't you think she is beautiful? — Merida asks, poking the blonde's leg, who raises her shoulders. — You know who I'm talking about, don't you?
— But of course I know, Merida! — Arizona replies sitting on the bed. — I just don't think she is soooooo pretty... I think she is even boring!
Sitting down too, Merida crosses her legs and looks curiously at her friend:
— Bah! She is wonderful and has a nice body!
With a silly laugh, Arizona shakes her head and hugs her knees:
— Mery... can I ask you a question?
Turning her body over to lie down next to Arizona, Merida shrugs and responds, settling next to the blonde:
— But of course you can, Ary. You can ask me anything you want...
Throwing herself against the bed, Arizona sighs, leaning her head against the redhead's and looks up at the ceiling.
— You're a lesbian, aren't you?
— No! — Merida responds by turning her face to look at the blonde, who does the same, to the point of the two mixing their breaths.
— Really? Well, I'm sorry, but it's just... well... — Arizona tries to explain, but sees Merida laughing silly, then opens her mouth and starts patting her belly: — Damn you! You almost tricked me! Stop laughing! It wasn't funny, Merida! — the blonde gets angry and Merida starts to pet her, who starts to laugh wildly: — Stop it, please stop it! You know I pee with tickles, Merida, please!
As the Welsh doesn't stop, Arizona jumps onto Merida's lap and holds her arms over her head, leaving their faces very close and Merida murmurs:
— I am super lesbian, I was born a lesbian and I will be forever a lesbian!
— Oh yeah? And I'm a lot more lesbian than you are! I almost kissed a colleague on the mouth, you know? — Arizona exclaims, closing her eyes and Merida looks at her in shock. — Ah-ha! See? It's not just you who have little secrets!
— You... no... Ah! No! That is impossible! — Merida says dismayed as she tries to free herself from the American's hands. — Who was it?
Opening and closing her mouth several times, Arizona sighs heavily and lies down beside the redhead, hiding her face with her hands.
— Nobody! I just made this up.
— Aaahhh! I knew it was a lie! You are shy as hell and all sweet, full of unicorns on your head mixed with... well, Princess Xena! — Merida exclaims excitedly and turns on her side, coming face to face with Arizona.
At that moment, the green eyes look at the blue in a curious way, as if someone evaluates something.
— Mery? Are you all right? — Arizona questions, stroking the face of the Welsh. — Have you ever kissed someone?
— No... I never kissed... — Merida answers in a weak voice and brings her mouth closer to the blonde.
The two begin to breathe quickly and Arizona murmurs:
— We're going to kiss, aren't we?
— Oh... Ary... no need to describe... — Merida laughs and kisses lightly Arizona's mouth, which responds kindly. Then, the two pull their mouths apart and smile, staring at each other intensely: — Now we can say that we already gave the first kiss...
— Merida, your mother is calling at the fence, it seems that it is something about a tractor tire! — Barbara's voice exclaims from the hallway.
Then, jumping out of bed, Merida opens her eyes wide and says excitedly:
— Yaaaaay! FINALLY I WILL START WITH MY TRAINING TO HAVE WONDERFUL MUSCLES! See ya, ARY!
That said, the Welsh kisses Arizona and runs away excitedly, leaving the American sitting on the bed with a lost and... in love face. Arizona smiles, caressing her lips, and murmurs:
— I want more...
Two years later...
— Good night, Babs and Daniel! — Merida greets them entering the huge house, walks down the hall, goes up the stairs and hurries to Arizona's room: — Hey, Ary!
The American is sitting on the chair at the desk, studying something very important and barely notices the presence of the Welsh there. Then, standing behind Arizona, Merida murmurs in her ear:
— Shall we take a ride in my new car?
— Now I can't, Mery, I need to study, you know how much I want to be a pediatrician. — Arizona responds, turning her face and smiles at the redhead: — Hello!
The two kiss on the mouth, then Merida throws herself on the bed, grabbing a stuffed animal, and puts an arm behind her head:
— What a lame, Ary! The exams will only be next year, let's enjoy this year more, huh? Come on, please! You are very intelligent, I am sure you will pass any college you want.
— But John Hopkins is one of the hardest in America, Merida. — Arizona responds turning her body, still sitting on the chair, to look at the redhead, who looks shocked. — What is it?
— Wait a minute! — the Welsh widens her eyes and points to the blonde: — But it is in America... on the other side... on another continent...
— Yes! — Arizona walks to the bed and lies facing Merida, stroking her red hair: — And you will live with me, there are several photography courses and a wonderful arts college!
— But... what about our plan to go to Africa and work with something more humanitarian? When are we going to materialize? — Merida whines sighing heavily and Arizona kisses her mouth.
— Hey, hairy girl, look at me... — the blue and green eyes are staring intensely and the blonde smiles: — We will make it happen, I promise. Let's do something together that will help the world become a better place, believe me!
Merida lets out a sigh of relief and jumps out of bed, pulling the blonde by the hands:
— So let's go for a walk? I want to show you my new truck, Ary! Let's go! Let's go! I promise that tomorrow we will go to our favorite lake and I will help you study these medical things... deal?
The blonde watches the Welsh woman all excited and making fun of her eyebrows, so Arizona nods and smiles when she says:
— When did I ever say no to you?!
Merida blinks happily at Arizona and pulls by her hand:
— Come on! — the two run around the house, go through the living room and Daniel exclaims:
— Hey, where are you going?
— We're going for a ride with the truck I just got from my tad, sir, we'll be back later! — Merida responds by saluting the man who just laughs.
Four months later ...
The family of Merida and Arizona are together, spending the day in a large city near the village. They are having lunch at a restaurant that serves the best meat in the region.
— So, what are you going to eat? — Arizona questions Merida as they look at the menu. The two are sitting next to each other, very close together. — Well, I think I'll order a nice beef steak with lots of pickles.
— Argh! Awful, you carnivore! — Merida exclaims rolling her eyes and sighing heavily, finding nothing of her taste on the menu. — I don't understand how you manage to eat meat... besides not being tasty, it's super aggressive towards animals.
Grinning, Arizona pushes Merida with her shoulder slightly and exclaims:
— Aunt Brienne, Merida doesn't want to eat here. She is saying that it is super aggressive!
Looking shocked at the blonde, Merida murmurs:
— Why do you do this every time we go out with our parents?
— Because you deserve it, you only know how to eat like a rabbit and want to be the size of a bear! Your mom knows what is best for you, stop with this silly vegetarian fase! — the blonde mumbles smiling and Brienne looks at them curiously.
— Girls, have you already chosen what you are going to eat?
— I'm going with beef and pickles, but Merida said she doesn't want anything from here, because it's all super aggressive! — the blonde replies, taking a step on her foot and holds the cry of pain: — I will kill you, Merida.
— You deserved it! — the Welsh mumbles without looking at the blonde and looks at her mother: — I think I'll go for a salad with some cookies, mam.
Daniel, who has been talking to Arfon until then, looks at Merida curiously and asks, laughing:
— Why, Merida, why don't you eat meat like all of us? If you're looking to get muscular like your father, then you need to eat protein. Did you know?
— Ah, well, uncle, I know that. But there are other foods that also provide protein for our body. I really can't stand even looking at anything carnivorous. — Merida responds smilingly to the man, while exchanging pinches on her legs with Arizona under the table.
— I think that's fantastic, you know? — Barbara comments stroking Merida's hair and looks at Brienne: — I really don't eat much meat, you know that, so I wanted to have that willpower that Merida has. She will be spared so many diseases.
— Bah! This is silly, Merida is young and needs to eat more. — Arfon says winking at his daughter and points to Arizona: — That little one is good with a fork, loves to eat my roasted lambs, right?
Daniel smiles and looks at his daughter:
— Ah, yes! Arizona has always been a good girl and eats well, I'm relieved about that!
— Although she could stop eating too much sugar, dear, I think too much sweets are not good. — Barbara comments winking at Merida: — Don't you agree, Merida?
— Yes, aunt, I agree. She loves too much sugar... — Merida replies looking at Barbara.
— Yes! I love sweets and candies! — Arizona responds by licking her lips and murmuring in Merida's ear: — Vegetarian bear!
— Cannibal bird! — the Welsh girl replies, nibbling on the neck of the smiling blonde.
A year later...
Merida enters her house after a workout with the tractor tire and listens to her mother talking to Barbara in the living room:
— I don't believe that, Babs! And when was he called? How long will you stay there?
— I don't know, Bree, I really don't know. But Arizona is locked in her room and doesn't want to talk to us at all. — Barbara comments crying weakly and Merida supports her body against the wood, trying to understand what they were talking about.
— I'm sorry, Babs. I'm really sorry... — Brienne says stroking her friend's hair. — I don't know how to give this news to Merida... she will be outraged...
— Yes, Bree... I don't know how to tell you that next week we will be leaving for Baltimore, US. Arizona yelled at us, stamped her feet and locked herself in the room. She is devastated and saying that we destroyed her life.
At that moment, Merida approaches them and exclaims in shock:
— What the hell?! Are you going to live in the US? In Baltimore? What do you mean, Babs? How will Arizona and I see each other? How do we go to prom together? You can't do this to us!
— Daughter, please, stay calm! They didn't ask for this to happen, it was something from the American Army and Daniel needs to obey. — Brienne tries to calm her daughter, but Merida runs away: — Merida! Merida! Come back here!
— Leave her, Bree, let her and Arizona talk. — Barbara comments sighing heavily.
As soon as she enters the house, Merida goes up the stairs like a rocket and stops in front of Arizona's bedroom door, making several desperate knocks:
— ARY! ARY! OPEN THE DOOR PLEASE! ARY! IT'S ME, MERIDA, PLEASE!
The Welsh tries in every way not to cry and, as soon as Arizona opens the door, the two face each other for several seconds until they hug each other tightly. The blonde has a red face from crying.
— They will separate us, Merida... that's not fair! Is not fair!
Merida takes Arizona's face and kisses her mouth, then takes her hand and exclaims:
— Come! Let's get out of here! Please! Let's go to our lake!
A few minutes later, as soon as the Welsh parks the truck, the two young girls get out of the vehicle and Arizona goes on saying:
— I am devastated, Mery... I hate the army so much! But so much!
Kissing the blonde's hands, Merida smiles sadly when she says:
— Yeah... Me too...
The two of them sit by the lake, Merida opens her legs and pulls Arizona to fit there. The two caress their faces and give silly kisses on the mouth.
— Who are you going to the prom with? — Arizona asks, looking tearfully at a thoughtful Merida: — You're not thinking of replacing me, are you?
Letting out a silly giggle, Merida kisses the blonde's mouth again and replies:
— I'm not going... without you... I'm not even going to the dance, this crap has no meaning for me anymore... it was going to be a special night for us...
— Oh yeah? Why do you say that? — Arizona asks, smiling from the corner and caresses the Welsh's lips.
— Well... because I intended to surprise you... us, actually... — Merida replies sighing heavily and leaning her forehead against the American's. — Now it doesn't matter anymore...
— Don't talk like that... you can still make this surprise... just tell me what it is and we'll do it! — Arizona exclaims smiling and holds the redhead's face: — What do you think? Come on, tell me what it was!
Opening and closing her mouth, Merida assesses whether to speak and, before answering, gets to her feet, starting to remove her clothes, leaving Arizona laughing. As soon as she is completely naked, Merida extends her arm to Arizona, who approaches her, and says:
— Take off your clothes... — the blonde looks at her a bit curious and the Welsh laughs mockingly: — Bah! We shower together almost every day, Ary, this is nothing new for you! Come on, get naked...
As soon as the blonde tosses her clothes on the floor, Merida pulls her and the two jump into the lake, spreading water everywhere. They giggle silly as they splash water on each other. Arizona approaches the Welsh and grabs her neck, being carried by the ass.
At that moment, a silence falls over them and only their eyes talk intensely. They bring their mouths together and kiss with tongues for the first time, causing an explosion of feelings.
Merida takes Arizona off her lap, but hugs her waist allowing their naked bodies to stick together and a warmth takes over them.
— I wish my first time was with you... — Merida murmurs lightly kissing the American's ear, who feels a silly shiver. — Have you thought about the two of us... together for real? Have you ever thought of me... willingly?
At that moment, Arizona stares at Merida, unable to say anything, grabs her neck and, bringing her mouths closer, replies:
— All the time... — swallowing, the blonde licks her lips and brings her hand close to the Welsh's boobs. However, a heavy rain begins to fall and the two run out of the lake running like rockets: — OH, WHAT A BAG! DAMN EUROPEAN WEATHER!
Laughing like a fool, Merida takes their clothes and stuffs them into the truck anyway, pushes Arizona inside and closes the door behind her, getting almost on top of the American. The two look at each other laughing and the Welsh comments:
— Yeah... that's why I planned this in my room... — sighing heavily, Merida starts to dress and looks at Arizona in a funny way: — Put on your clothes, Ary . Otherwise, people may think you're looking for sex, girl!
— Aaahhh! You indecent! — Arizona exclaims patting Merida.
As soon as they both put on their clothes, they look at each other intensely and Arizona sweetly kisses Merida's mouth.
— We'll find a way to keep in touch, won't we? — Merida questions, stroking the young woman's blond hair. — Letter, smoke signal, I don't know! Anything… But we will, right?
Smiling completely in love with Merida and trying to keep that moment forever in her heart and mind, Arizona responds:
— Yes… We will be forever together… If one of us forgets our love, we'll do anything to remind each other how much love we have...