"Forgive me, Father, but I fear I've fallen in love with someone forbidden," Lourdes admits to the priest on the other side of the latticed window. "A...another woman. I can't help it...I'm sorry."

"I encourage love for all. I can hear in your voice that you are deeply concerned about your feelings, and I understand that traditional church doctrine has held a negative view of these relationships. How long have you had these feelings?"

"Around three weeks, Father."

"I see. Well, your feelings themselves are not a sin. There is nothing to be absolved for in this situation unless you act upon them. You have just been tempted, and so far, managed to resist. For your penance, say one decade of the Rosary in honor of Our Blessed Lady's perpetual virginity and to ask for the grace of chastity. Now, an Act of Contrition."

Lourdes allows herself to relax instantly. She no longer cares because although her lustful thoughts are going against God, He accepts everyone, even sinners. Nobody is perfect. She stands up. "Okay, thank you." She does as he says and leaves.

"How did it go?" Celeste asks as Lourdes lets herself into the slightly older woman's car.

Lourdes smiles at her. "Great! We aren't doing anything wrong...as long as we don't involve ourselves in intercourse."

Celeste starts driving them to Lourdes' apartment. "Even if we do...you don't need a priest's opinion on our budding romance. Let 'em say it's a sin...those are just meaningless words from homophobic men who chose to be priests."

"I have to admit, I wasn't raised to be anything but straight, I'm strictly Catholic plus, so my feelings are shocking me right and left." Lourdes gulps. "All I know is that while I was in that dark place, being forced to officiate my niece's fake wedding to her horrible demon of an ex, I thought we would die, and I missed you terribly. I couldn't even remember the last thing we told each other before I was taken along with Blanca and Alison. I was just praying we'd all survive and I kept thanking God that mi Florecita was with me. Watching her get tortured, though...I have nightmares about it. I already lost my son, and I could never imagine losing her, too...or you."

"Oh, my darling," Celeste breathes out and runs her knuckles up and down Lourdes' cheek when they're stopped at a long red light in traffic. She toys with the five beaded multicolored necklaces Lourdes is wearing. Her heart skips a beat and then expands when Celeste touches her in such a gentle way and she senses a blush coming on. She's never actually been someone's darling before. "We aren't going anywhere. You'll never have to experience that again. You, Gloria, and the others are safe now. I promise," Celeste assures her.

Lourdes beams at her. "Thank you. Um...so, I just wasn't sure...may I ask if you are truly into me? Since things with that Mary Straley from your school didn't work out because you weren't interested in her after kissing her..."

"Oh...maybe that girl I wasn't into all those years ago, and it was a completely different time, so I didn't have the freedom to really explore my deepest desires that were considered taboo, but I'm definitely feeling you," Celeste tells her. "Lourdes, I swear, I've never seen a more beautiful woman than you."

"Really?" Lourdes glances down at her lap shyly while tucking a lock of dark brown curly hair behind her ear. She smoothes out her orange skirt as something flutters in her belly.

"Yes, my dear! I even dyed my hair blonde and put on extra makeup so I wouldn't appear to be too old. I'm sixty and you're forty-eight, so the age difference isn't that bad, is it?" The light has turned green, so Celeste steps on the gas pedal and continues to Lourdes'.

"No, most certainly not! You're absolutely lovely. There's nothing old about you, sweetheart." Lourdes squeezes Celeste's hand, which is resting on the seat divider and the two women exchange an adoring glance. "So...if you actually would like to do this, make our relationship public, I'd prefer to come out to my niece first so it's not so much of a shock to her if she ever walks in on us kissing or something. It happened to Alex with Diane and Charles before!"

Celeste nods. "Sure, that sounds like a splendid idea! Do you want me to drive you to Gloria's right now?"

"No, I'll tell her in the bodega's backroom tomorrow. We're almost to my place."

So, Celeste parks outside Lourdes' apartment and both ladies get out of the vehicle. They cup each other's faces and their mouths connect a few times. Lourdes feels so alive with this woman; she'd never had anyone this special in her life who she wanted to fully kiss on the lips. Lourdes moans as Celeste deepens their makeout session and they grab onto each other like it's their last day on Earth. This was all taboo and socially forbidden back in their day, sadly. So, they really would've had to hide their courtship. Lourdes can't imagine living that way and she's glad times have changed.


"So, what did you guys do in school today?" Fahri asks Gloria's sons and Farah later that evening. Michaela is sleeping over at Karima's house tonight, so she's not with him. However, he's brought his niece's daughter, and the boys, especially Julio, are quite happy about this.

"We colored fish and pirate ships that were drawn in black on white paper!" Benny answers. "We also had fun pushing baby carts around and building with Legos...and outside, we bounced balls and shot them into the new basketball hoop!"

"We wode on bikes and payed at da water table! I wuved da slide and pushin' da cart like I was goin' gwoc-ary shoppin' with Mommy and my big brother!" Julio chimes in.

"When we did table tops, we guh-lued Cheerios to starfish! I jumped up and down on da new piwwows!" Farah squeals.

"We got new puzzles to take apart and put together and explored our bin filled with sand and foam sea creatures! At Circle Time, we read the books The Very Silly Shark and Dumpling Soup. We sang the song 'I have a Tiny Turtle' and danced to 'Shake Your Sillies Out'!" Benny reports.

"Oh, nice, that sounds awesome! I'm glad you guys had a good day!"

"Can you help me with my homework?" Benny asks him.

"Sure!"

"Mister Fahri, watch me!" Julio shouts.

"Alright, show me what you got, sport!"

Julio tries to do a cartwheel. It doesn't really look like one, but he's trying his hardest. He's only three, after all.

Fahri claps and beams down at him. "Wow, that's impressive!"

Benny jumps up and down. "Mommy's really bad at math, will you do it with me?"

"Of course, buddy!" Fahri sends Gloria an apologetic glance. "I'm positive she's not worse than me!"

"Oh, no, I am. I totally suck," Gloria informs him, her voice a bit choked up. Tears fill her eyes because of Fahri interacting with her boys and she clutches her chest. It's confirmed that he's good for the kids to have around. She quickly wipes the wetness away before Fahri notices.

"Come on!" Benny grabs his hand and leads Fahri into his and Julio's room.

"Can I go with dem, Mama?" Julio wonders aloud.

"You can join them later, buddy! Your big brother is focused on his homework, okay? Mister Fahri's helping him."

"Oh! Umm..." Julio scrunches up his face. "Will you play with me and Farah?"

"Sure, I'd love to!" Gloria beams at the kids and turns to the little girl, who's sucking her thumb shyly and kicking her legs. She kneels to Alison's daughter's level and gently eases her hand away from her mouth. She wipes the toddler's drool off on her own jeans. "How you doin' today, Miss Farah?"

"Good! I'm glad my mommy came back."

"I am, too!" Farah is so cute in her light purple princess dress and matching hair bows atop her head. Julio is just as adorable in his camouflage overalls and a green T-shirt. He looks like a mini soldier, but Gloria prays he won't ever join the military when he's over eighteen. She can't imagine losing her baby, no matter how much money he'd make. "So...what do you wanna do?"

"Ride the horsey-horse and then fly away like Batman!" Julio cheers as he runs to his hobby horse and rocks back and forth on it while cheering wildly.

"I'm gonna be a queen and go to my castle!" Farah twirls around and giggles. Gloria prevents her from bumping into anything that could hurt her and gently shushes her youngest son, but he only screams louder.

"No, thank you! Inside voice, please, Julio!"

Benny stomps out of his room with his hands over his ears. "Stop it! I can't concentrate with that noise!" he yells. Julio blows him a raspberry. "Mommy, make him quit!"

"Julio..." Gloria starts warningly, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Lower the volume."

"No! I wanna have fun! The mean guy's not here, so he not gonna be mad!"

As soon as Fahri steps outside, the boys grow quiet. Benny stares up at him curiously and Julio gets off the hobby horse and stands up straight. "Lo siento," Gloria mumbles, rubbing her forehead as Fahri cautiously approaches her. Benny follows closely behind him, as does Julio. "I...I tried to calm Julio down, and you can't blame Benny, he's just upset that he was interrupted by his baby brother, but I know they were shrill and probably hurt your ears...they don't do it to be bad or nothin', they're just kids. Please, please don't be angry. Por favor," she begs, clasping her hands in front of her. Farah is humming to herself and pretending to wave around a magic wand. She must be extremely used to chaos in her preschool classroom.

"I know," Fahri tells Gloria after a beat of silence. He's completely calm and she's relieved, although she's not surprised. He's always showed patience with others, including tiny humans. "I don't mind, really! Children get loud and crazy. I have a little one myself, and Farah's even smaller. That's the life of being a parent or anyone else who's in charge of kids. It's not your fault, nor is it your sons'. It's okay to be silly and play, I promise." Smiling, he takes a step closer to her and she's proud of herself for not flinching. She grabs his hands and he holds them gently while tracing lines in her palms.

Gloria nods in understanding. "Alright." She turns to her boys. "Julio, your big brother is working on something very important, so will you keep the noise level down a notch?"

"Okaaaay...I'll be good, Mama," he says pleasantly.

She grins, kisses her fingers, and pats his cheek. "Thank you."

"I wasn't doing anything," Farah claims innocently. "I was being a bootiful queen!" She takes flower petals out of a potpurri dish and tosses them in the air while spinning before Gloria can stop her. They float down all around her and cause a huge mess, but Gloria hides her annoyance. Farah's just a child and it's actually pleasant to see kids simply being themselves. She can always help Gloria clean it up later. The nagging feeling that he will get angry about the shouting and things that get strewn all over the floor thanks to the children, lies deep within Gloria, but she constantly pushes it away. That monster isn't a problem anymore. She'd finished him off.

Fahri groans exaggeratedly as he scoops up Farah, who shrieks and giggles. He holds her high in the air and runs around with her. "Zoom, zoom! There goes the rocket ship!"

"I'm flying! Yaaaaay!" Farah cheers. Gloria and the boys chuckle as Fahri sets her down slowly while whistling. He mimics a booming explosion once Farah's feet touch the ground and she jumps up and down excitedly, her black curls bouncing. Fahri kneels down to her level to hug her. He gives her cheek a noisy kiss before standing up again.

"Whoo-hoo!" Gloria claps several times. She and Fahri exchange an adoring look.

"Hooray!" Benny pumps his fist in the air twice. "Okay, back at it, Mister Fahri!"

"All right! See you soon, Farah and Julio!" Grinning, he taps Farah's button nose and she bats his hand away from her nose and covers her face while giggling.

"Do it to me!" Julio angles his face heavenward.

Fahri touches Julio's nose softly. The smile isn't leaving his face and he looks very content playing with the kids. "Boop!" The little boy breaks off into giggles and pretends to take Fahri's nose as if it could come off his face.

"¡Tengo tu naríz!" Julio says cheerfully, repeating what Gloria always tells him and Benny when she plays this game with them.

Got your nose!

"I want a turn!" Benny says, tugging on Fahri's hand. "Mommy does that to me, too, it's silly!"

"Okay, squirt!" Fahri does as Benny has requested and fakes having Benny's nose by poking his thumb between his index and middle knuckles. "Oh no, got your nose!"

"Aaaaah!" Benny grabs his invisible missing nose and puts it back on his face. "You don't anymore! Ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaa!"

Once they leave, Farah hands Gloria a bright pink baby phone. "Mommy called, she wants to talk to you!"

"Oh, hey, Alison!" Gloria answers it. She pauses as if she's listening to Alison. "Yes, she's having a lot of fun with us! We love Farah. Okay, bye! You have a nice night, too!"

"Gloria, come find us!" She can hear Farah, but both the little girl and Julio are nowhere to be seen. She searches around, but she hears giggling coming from a large neon purple blanket on the couch. She goes to the source. "My, this blanket sure is lumpy!" She pretends to sit on it and try to smooth it out, but Julio and Farah scream and laugh out loud as they emerge from their hiding place, the blanket draped around them so only their heads peek out.

"You did it, Mama!" Julio congratulates her.

"Way to go!" Farah gives her a thumbs up.

She just smiles at them and they give her wide, toothy grins back. "Yes, I know you're cute!" she finally says. "Did anyone ever tell you how tiny you guys are, because whoa! That's hella adorable."

"Yeah!" they both respond happily and give her a hug on each side. She keeps her hands on their backs as she holds them close. She enjoys being a hit with the children.


Before work at the bodega on Saturday afternoon, Lourdes waves Gloria over. "¿Puedo hablar contigo un segundo?"

Can I talk to you for a second?

Gloria nods, strolling up to her aunt."¿Sí, qué pasó?"

Lourdes takes a deep breath and lets it all out. "Soy lesbiana o bisexual. Estoy enamorado de Celeste Chapman."

I'm either a lesbian or bisexual. I'm in love with Celeste Chapman.

Gloria's jaw drops and she blinks a few times; she hadn't been expecting that. "Oh, wow...I'm shocked! Aún así, estoy felíz de que estés felíz." She grins and quickly throws her arms around Lourdes in support. Lourdes returns the hug. "¿Por cuánto tiempo ha estado sucediendo esto?"

Still, I'm happy that you're happy. How long has this been going on?

"Desde un poco después de la fiesta de cumpleaños de Julio. Ella me dio dinero por mis velas arruinadas. También nos unimos por la pérdida de alguien que amamos...para mí, era tu padre, mi hermano y para ella, su nieta. ¿Estás segura de que estás de acuerdo con esto, Florecita?"

Since a bit after Julio's birthday party. She gave me money for my ruined candles. We also bonded over losing someone we loved...for me, it was your father, my brother, and for her, it's her granddaughter. Are you positive that you're okay with this?

Gloria nods eagerly. "¡Sí, por supuesto! Es solo que nunca me dijiste que querías una relación..."

Yes, for sure! It's just that you've never even told me you wanted a relationship..."

"No lo hice, hasta que la conocí. La conocí por primera vez cuando los dos salimos con Red y las mujeres mayores como Frieda, Red, Claudette, Norma, Anita, y las dos Erica, Jones y Taslitz. Celeste y yo hicimos clic al instante. Ella es una espíritu tan divertida y animada. Nuestros amigas estaban tratando de encontrar hombres para nosotras dos, ¡pero en realidad nos unimos al pensar que los hombres son los peores! Queríamos pasar el rato más y más hasta que decidimos no solo ser amigas, sino también amantes. Nos hemos besado un par de veces. Su hijo no es muy agradable...cree que la va a repudiar, pero tengo tu aprobación, ¿no?"

I didn't, until I met her. I first got acquainted with her when we were both out with Red and the older ladies like Frieda, Red, Claudette, Norma, Anita, and the two Ericas, Jones and Taslitz. Celeste and I clicked instantly. She's such a fun, lively spirit. Our friends were trying to find men for the two of us, but we actually bonded over how men are the worst! We wanted to hang out more and more until we decided to not only be friends, but lovers as well. We've kissed a couple of times. Her son isn't very pleasant...she thinks he's going to disown her, but I have your approval, right?"

"¡Claro que sí!"

Of course you do!

Lourdes beams with tears in her eyes. She puts her hands on either side of Gloria's face and pecks her forehead. "Oh, gracias, Florecita..."

"¡De nada, Tía Lourdes!" Gloria exclaims and they embrace each other.

"Estoy muy contenta de que Frankie y Rita me hayan dado dinero para volar a Nueva York y poder estar contigo," Lourdes murmurs.

I'm so glad Frankie and Rita gave me money to fly to New York so I could be with you.

Gloria smiles. "Yo tambíen, how they doin'?" They're more Lourdes' friends, but Gloria and her boys know them pretty well.

"¡Oh, bastante buena!" Lourdes responds, patting Gloria's cheek.

Oh, pretty good!

Gloria gives her two thumbs up. "Awesome!"


"Oh, hey, Leon," Daya greets him when he comes through the front door after dropping Aleida off at night school.

"Yo!" He gives her a smile and the peace sign. "How you doin'?"

"I'm great! Just grabbing a glass of water and brain food, but I gotta keep studying for finals. I put a movie on the laptop for Christina and Emiliano so they don't bug me while I'm concentrating." She starts to head to her room, but he puts his index finger up as a signal to wait. "'Sup?" She tosses her orange up in the air and catches it easily with the same hand.

Leon looks around cautiously before beginning. He lowers his voice. "Well, now that your mother's at the college, I'd like to discuss something important with you in private...nothing bad, though!" He waves her over as he places himself on the couch.

"Oh...okay!" Daya is curious about his news. She doesn't know what it could be. "Spill!"

"I know that I only met your ma three months ago, but it really seems that we've developed a deep connection...and I wanted to get your permission before asking her to take my hand in marriage." Daya raises an eyebrow and sits down beside him, resting her feet on the ottoman. She wouldn't mind this at all, but she doesn't want Aleida to be totally shocked and turn him down.

"Have you spoken to her about this before?"

"Yeah, we discuss it sometimes. I asked her if she'd like to be husband and wife one day, and she's all up for it! Christina even told Benny to ask me to marry your mom a while ago. I'd love for us all to be a family, even though it feels like that already."

Daya's heart lifts and she squeals inside as she smiles. "Aww, you for serious?"

"I sure am! I'm guessing you're happy with this, then?"

She giggles and nods. "Hell to the yeah! Your wish is granted. You don't gotta twist my arm!"

"Awesome, thank you!" He opens his arms. "You want a hug?"

"Mm-hm!" They hug each other and she squeezes him tighter. He really will be her stepdad. She's not going to tell the girls until he proposes to Aleida, though. It needs to be a surprise.


"Well, that was fun, reconnecting and all!" Diane comments. "I feel bad we kinda lost touch for a while there, but they moved around a lot. Lila always prayed that I was gonna be okay. When they recently returned after years of being in Germany and France, it was like they never left. She told me she saw that I had bright blue eyes like nobody else she'd ever known, but she was thinking, 'Oh, it can't be her...but maybe it is since she has the same last name!' She was right!"

"Aw, that's cool! I'm glad you met up with 'em again. Yeah, we should go on double dates in the city with Lila and James more often!" Charles says.

"Totally! They're so cute together, like us and Aleida and Leon." Diane plays with her hair a bit as Charles lets them both into their apartment. Alex isn't home; she's still out dancing with Michelle, Shani, Nicky, Flaca, Maritza, Poussey, and Franziska at a lesbian and bi girls teen club organized by Debbie and her girlfriend Nita. The bi women recently formed this and made all the meetings in an abandoned building that's been painted pink, blue, and purple with flowers and hearts all around it and lots of multicolored lava lamps and glow balls to decorate the space. The girls sometimes go there or to juice bars as a group to have privacy and feel safe from the prying eyes of possible homophobes and horrible remarks made by complete assholes. "I'm glad Alex is enjoying herself too! She and Michelle make an absolutely adorable pair."

"I agree! It's great that she and her girlfriend and their crew are having so much fun!"

Diane beams and they go into their bedroom. "Mm-hm, Alex says it's like being at a grown-up women's bar."

"That's so neat!" Charles grins. "Incredibly sweet of Debbie and Nita to make that a thing for them!"

"Oh yes, they're all just too precious!"

"They really are! By the way, did you know I used to work in a prison with Caputo as a guard? Under him, actually."

Diane shakes her head no as she and Charles go out and sit on the fire escape outside their place and hold hands. They're already dressed for the freezing weather and there's no deathly chill like there usually is. "I had no idea! I bet you were a great one!"

"Thanks, babe, but everything went to shit...not even Caputo wanted to work there anymore after we all walked out on him...like me, Bell, O'Neill, Donaldson, Kowalski, and Maxwell. I started it, because Caputo wasn't paying us enough and he said we were all replaceable and he loved being the warden since he got a pay raise. He was like the white Cesar Chavez. We got together and made a list of demands and Bell wanted the prison to pay her college loans. She has an Associates Degree in Justice Admin at DeVry University. I just told him 'fuck you' and decided that being an arresting officer and paroling juvenile delinquent girls was a better career. I brushed past Caputo on my way out and watched the rest of them leave after me. Donaldson took off his radio and placed it on the table he unloaded items from his belt, he followed me out, Maxwell and Kowalski joined us. O'Neill stared at Caputo bitterly and pushed himself up from the table and mimicked a war mustache while snorting. Caputo nodded, with everyone else gone, Bell rose from her chair, looked him up and down, and wished him luck on letting the new and untrained guards such as Coates the rapist and Sikowitz the negligent, be in charge. Then, she took off after the others, leaving the new Director of Human Activity with his head hung low. I'm glad he's not a son of a bitch anymore!"

"Yeah, me too, but he just recently changed his ways, like maybe last month. I was the first one to say something to Joe when he told Susan to clean out her locker at this school. I just asked if she could have some time to finish eating and say goodbye to everyone."

"Wow, that's amazing! Good thing she got to keep her job!"

Diane nods. "I know! So, in case you were wondering, I was in Julliard for dance, but I switched to Queens College to get my English major. It's one of the cheapest colleges in New York!"

"That's hella neat!" Charles comments. "Not like you needed anyone teachin' you to tango, do hip-hop, or the waltz, you're a natural!"

"Thank you, dear!" Diane soaks up the praise while smiling. "You're an excellent partner to do those with!"

"You're welcome! I appreciate the compliment! So, question out of the blue, but can I French-braid your lovely locks? I do it for my niece whenever she visits! Actually, she gets dreadlocks!"

"Oh, cute! Sure! Nobody's ever done my hair before, besides Frieda and Alex...the fiends who tortured me for eighteen years would always pull my hair when they were brushing it."

"That's terrible! I'll make sure I go very gentle, okay? I would, anyway."

"Alright, thanks!"

"No problem!"


When Gloria calls him later in the early evening, Fahri picks up right away. "Hey!"

"Fahri, can you come over, please? I'm scared to be home alone." The fear in her voice makes him wish he could get to her in a literal heartbeat.

"Sure! I'll be right there!"

"Okay, thanks. See ya!"

"Alright! Bye!" He hangs up, slides on his black jacket, slips his hands into red gloves, and puts on his brown shoes. He throws on a gray scarf and a black beanie. His foster daughter is playing in her bedroom, so he goes in there. "Michaela! Sweetie, uh...is it okay with you if I take you to Miss Gloria's house?"

The little girl nods and her pigtails bob up and down. She shows him a drawing of a rainbow she'd made. "Yeah! I was coloring, but can I do it there?"

"Sure! You're doing great, keep up the awesome work!"

Michaela grins. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome, kiddo! Get some warm clothes on, alright? It's freezing out there!"

"I will!" She's already in gray jeans and a long-sleeved pink shirt, but she adds black snow boots-which Fahri helps her tie-and a sunshine yellow and teal blue puffy jacket that she zips up herself. He sets a purple beanie on her head and winds a matching scarf around her neck while she puts on white mittens. "I'm all set!"

"Awesome!"

They practically jump into his car. "You're in a hurry!" she notices aloud.

"Yeah, sorry if I rushed you, but Miss Gloria has to see me, she has bad memories of the meanie-mo that took her from us a week ago. She doesn't like being alone very often."

"Ohh, it's okay." Michaela shrugs her little shoulders and studies her artwork. "Hmm. Oh no, I forgot my crayons!"

"Benny and Julio will share with you, don't worry, honey."

"Mm-hm! They're good at that."

Fahri grins. "Their mommy taught them well."

"Yep!" Michaela giggles. "You're getting married!" She kisses the air and hugs herself while she twists in her seat. "I saw you! You're all in love and you're gonna kiss! Ooo-ooh! Fahri and Miss Gloria sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" she sings mockingly.

His whole face gets hot just thinking about merely embracing Gloria, let alone dating her and locking lips with her on a regular basis. "Someday, squirt, we'll see!"

Michaela smiles, poking her tongue through the hole where her two front teeth once were. "All right!"

Once he pulls up to Gloria's curb, they both get out and he allows Michaela to run to the door and ring the bell. He's right behind her. Gloria opens it and lets them both in. She's a bit pale, but she seems to cheer up once she sees Fahri and Michaela. "Hi, Miss G!" his foster daughter greets Gloria excitedly and hugs her.

Gloria's mouth curves up into a smile and she rubs Michaela's back and tousles her hair. "Hello there, missy! The boys are in their room, if you wanna join 'em! They're playing Superhero, of course they're Spiderman and Batman."

"I'm gonna be Wonder Woman!" Michaela hollers as she scampers off to play with Benny and Julio. The adults laugh in harmony.

Gloria turns to Fahri. "Hey, muchas gracias for coming." She hugs him so her arms are looped around his neck and he holds her for a few seconds. One of his hands massages her scalp through her hair and the other rests on her lower back. "I don't have a lotof energy to make dinner, lo siento...me and the kids are starving, so I'm about to get takeout. Have you eaten?"

"De nada. No, and that's not a problem, I'm happy to cook for you, actually!"

"Really? Thank you!" Gloria says. Her eyes spark with joy.

"You're welcome!"


"I love your emerald green eyes," Michelle compliments Alex as the couples sway together to the slow, romantic song that's playing. They're all dressed up.

She beams. "Thank you...I get 'em from my great aunt Jolene!"

"Your hair is so lustrous, too, babe..." Michelle bites her lip and looks Alex up and down.

Alex giggles, feeling her cheeks warm up. "Someone's a horndog!"

"I can't help that you're too goddamn attractive!" Michelle says. She's extremely flushed. "How about shower sex?"

Alex makes a face. "Eh, it's more of an eighties movie thing...I'm not like your average teenager! You know what, though, sweetie...I'll do it just because I adore you so much! I never saw the beauty in love before you, cutie."

Michelle presses her hand to her heart and her smile grows wider. "Aww, you're amazing..."

Nicky pauses in swapping spit with Shani. "Holy shit, get a room!" Her smirk tells Alex that she's only kidding.

"Beat it, Nichols," Alex mutters teasingly, still staring into Michelle's eyes and holding her tight. "You don't see me whining about you and your girl!" She captures Michelle's bottom lip between her teeth and they both moan while making out passionately.

Flaca has her arms around Maritza's waist and the shorter girl's hands are on the tall one's shoulders. Maritza rests her cheek on Flaca's chest and leans up to kiss her jaw. Flaca bends down to peck Maritza's cheek, temple, and lips. Alex can actually see their tongues tangling. Nita is twirling Debbie around. Poussey and Franziska are in a corner, wrapped in each other's embrace. Shani whispers something to Nicky and her mouth latches onto the blonde's as she holds Nicky's face.

"Damn, you got a pink thong on?" Maritza asks her girlfriend as she stands on her tiptoes and kisses Flaca's shoulder. "Fuuuuck!"

Flaca winks at Maritza. "We should totally get down and dirty, but not here, mi amor...tonight, under the sheets."

"My nipples are totally hard," Maritza admits through a giggle. "Another reason why I enjoy having you with me, though is that you keep me safe from the nightmares."

"Of course, I'm always gonna protect you," Flaca murmurs, stroking Maritza's hair and running her knuckles up and down her cheek. "No matter what we go through in these next fifty or so years."

"Sí, yo también. Espera..." Maritza's eyes widen. "We gonna be together all that time, sapphically?"

"I sure hope so!"

"Good, 'cause I do, too!"

Shani caresses Nicky's golden locks and cups her chin while stroking her cheek. "I'm so happy you're okay, my love." They share a huge smile. "I am blessed with your existence."

"Me, too...I got no idea what I'd do without you!" Nicky reaches up and tucks a dark curl behind Shani's ear. "I'm really lucky to have ya."

"Oh, I am as well. When you were shot, it was the worst night of my life, right up there with me getting...you know."

Nicky nods and nestles impossibly closer to Shani. "Yeah, I do..."

Poussey chuckles at whatever Franziska's just told her. "You're hilarious, Franzi!"

"I like your laugh!" she praises Poussey. "That's why I tell you funny shit, so I can hear it!"

"Awww, you're really the best...thank you, mon chérie."

my dear

"You're welcome, meine geliebte," Franziska responds. "I want you so bad, baby..." Their mouths mold together and Alex turns away to give them privacy.
my love

"So much romance in this room, it makes my heart soar!" Debbie gushes.

"For sure!" Nita agrees. "Now, all that needs to happen is for marriage to be legalized!"


When Fahri's done washing dishes after making them a delicious dinner of cheese enchiladas with rice, sour cream, and hot sauce, Gloria falls asleep on the couch. He puts an emerald green blanket over her and sits across from her. He goes on his phone until she wakes up a half-hour later. "Did I seriously just take a nap?" She giggles at herself and it's such a sweet, soft sound. A flush creeps up her face. She grins with her teeth showing and chews on her thumbnail.

Fahri nods with a smile. "Yeah, you were exhausted."

She sighs loudly and purses her lips. "I guess so! Some nights are so bad with my frightening dreams and theirs...I hardly get a good eight hours of rest. At times, I just stare at the ceiling and wonder to myself how I ever let it get to that point. The abuse, I mean. A mandated reporter could've called CPS on me...I would've gotten in deep shit for not protecting my boys. If I ever lost them...I don't know what I'd do."

Fahri sits down next to her and she gets into an upright position. "They offer you assistance...a mother trying to flee domestic violence would never get her children taken away, not if she was willing to leave the garbage pile and get herself and her babies help. You needn't be concerned about that, though...you're extremely brave and you did the very best you could to keep your kids safe," he assures her.

"Damn...a man this fantastic can't be straight," she mumbles, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Actually, to be honest, I'm bi. I think a lot of guys are hot and some ladies are, too." Fahri prefers men, but since he's into Gloria, he'd choose her over anyone, if she liked him back. He just doesn't know how to make a move yet or if he should. He won't do or say anything to her about it until or if she does.

"Oh? Anyone I know?" Her tone is light and teasing and he gazes at her, completely smitten. Gloria bites her bottom lip. He blushes harder the longer he stares into her beautiful brown eyes. "Never mind, I...I shouldn't ask, that's personal. You don't need to tell me." She moves away from him and picks at a rip in her destroyed jeans. "Sorry."

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize. Uh..." He rubs the back of his neck. "So, would you make out with your best friend for a million bucks? Just wondering."

"Been there, done that. Aleida would for two billion dollars." A cute giggle slips out of Gloria's mouth. "Too bad we never got the money when Red dared her and I to kiss at the Sparrow Tavern before she got acquainted with Leon! We made out, it was kinda sexy...but we were just incredibly drunk. If we was sober, it'd probably be hella weird."

Fahri chuckles. "Damn, I never did something like that before, but if somebody offered me a large sum of money to exchange a heated smooch with my closest buddy, I'd be up for it. Of course, it wouldn't be too strange, especially if we were in love!"

"Yeah! That would be romantic, so it's a win-win!" Gloria points out.

"Exactly!"