IV

"Some place where there isn't any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat, or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain..."

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?

Over The Rainbow, Judy Garland

Three Months Later

Blair Warner looked around the conference room at what was now the Headquarters of The Warner-Polniaczek Foundation, located in Long Island City, New York. It was the first official get-together of the team that had been chosen to help bring to fruition equal rights for LGBT's, as well as providing resources for teenagers who were considering running away from home, or who had run away, due to their sexual orientation, or for any other reason. While the work for same-sex marriage and medical rights would concentrate on the State of New York, the outreach program to teenagers and their families would be a national endeavor.

"Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen", Blair said proudly. Only senior officers were present at this meeting-there would be a press conference later to introduce her team to the media. "Today is the beginning of a journey for all of us that I hope leads this state, and eventually, this nation, to the goal of fully accepting the rights of all New Yorkers and Americans to have the freedom to marry, and the freedom to allow their medical information to be shared with any loved one they deem fit to share it with, as well as a resource and a haven for teenagers who have been suffering a difficult home life, be it because of their sexual orientation or for any other reason.

"Our mission is straight-forward: to help those that the law currently ignores because of their sexual orientation. We are here to work with other groups and organizations with the same goal, and to exchange information with them. None of this is going to happen overnight, we all know that, but we have time and the rightness of our cause on our side. It will happen, if we put everything that we are and have into this endeavor."

Jo wasn't officially part of the foundation, but as Blair's partner, she had a seat at the table. She marveled at how smooth and engaging Blair was when talking, and talking from her heart. It blew her away, and made her so proud of the woman she loved.

When Blair met with the media, Jo was in the back of the room, simply watching introduce her team. Blair was President. The CEO was a woman in her forties named Margaret Jones, who had been an up-and-comer in the world of finance, like Jo and Blair, in a long-term relationship with another woman. The Chief Operating Officer was a man in his fifties named Edward Shallack, who had been with Ford Motor Company for a number of years. The Chief Financial Officer would be a man who was just a little older than Blair and Jo named Vincent Worthy, a young phenom from Wall Street.

The real coup for Blair and Jo had been who was hired to be Chief Legal Counsel for the organization: former Supreme Court Justice Diane Ramsey, Tootie's mother.

Justice Ramsey had taken a lot of heat for relinquishing her seat on the U.S Supreme Court, which was a lifetime appointment. She was only in her fifties, but felt comfortable leaving because it didn't overtly affect the balance of power between conservative and liberal justices on the court to any degree.

Blair had talked to her friend's mother simply to get advice on who and what to look for, but the more they talked, the more Diane Ramsey was interested in what Blair and Jo was doing. When she announced that she was stepping down from the SCOTUS, she made it clear why.

"I saw first-hand the emotional, and even physical repercussions of someone I love dearly be denied medical information about a loved one, because they were in a same-sex relationship, and the consequences it can have on all involved. That, to me, must be changed, and I believe this is the best way for me to change it."

Judge Ramsey's selection immediately gave Warner-Polniaczek credibility, and Blair planned to use that to her benefit.

Boots St. Clair and Georgia Compton looked at the sign above their photography studio in Flushing. It had taken them a while to come up with a name for their enterprise, eventually settling on Georgie and Boots Photography. The name itself was sure to get some interest, which is what they intended.

They had been so busy getting ready for their Grand Opening that they had been too tired for much in the way of love-making, but the excitement of opening their business kept the adrenaline coursing through them. They had four appointments scheduled that first day: a family shoot; a session for a graduating high school senior; an elderly lady and her pet dog; and finally, a lesbian couple who had wanted to do a Boudoir shoot.

Eventually, they hoped to have up to ten clients a day, but four for the first day was a good beginning, all four shoots being fun and a learning experience for the duo. The family had been parents and three children who had fled the war in Iraq for the U.S, already on the road to becoming citizens. The high school senior was a handsome young man who playfully flirted with the two women, who thought it adorable; the woman with the dog had brought in a Golden Retriever, both Boots and Georgia wanting one by the end of the shoot.

They liked having a lesbian couple come in on the first day, simply to test their own professionalism around two other beautiful women who were in love. They found their training kick in, making the couple feel at ease, everyone enjoying the session. The woman had asked for a few topless photos, but Boots and Georgia were so intent on making the content what the clients wanted that they only paid passing attention to the women's beautiful figures.

Getting home that evening, they were happy, but very tired from being so tense when the day had begun. A few people had walked into the shop to check it out, one or two making appointments. They excitedly talked over dinner at a pizza shop that evening.

"I want a dog just like that, Boots", Georgia laughed. "She was so adorable!"

"She wouldn't make much of a guard dog", Boots said sardonically. "She loves everyone she sees." Both women laughed.

"And that young man, whoa", Georgia commented, eyes wide. "If I were straight, I might be interested in that kid. He's a good looking guy."

"Keep it in your pants, Compton", Boots laughed. "Although he is extremely handsome, and quite charming."

They would be open six days a week, the only day they would be closed would be Monday's. Already they were planning on hiring a Secretary if they kept booking at the level they were at. By the time they arrived home that evening, they were on the proverbial Cloud Nine.

Boots was in bed when Georgia joined her, the two as usual, sleeping naked. Georgia snuggled into her lady. "I know we haven't mentioned those two women, but damn, professionalism or not, those were two fine looking girls."

"Maybe we can set them up with that kid whose graduating that we had the shoot with today?" Georgia thought that was hysterical, laughing loudly.

"You're so funny, Boots", she said, calming down, embracing her lover. "I think those two woman would eat that kid alive."

"Exactly", Boots said, her eyes going wide, both of them laughing again. "I can tell you one thing", Boots continued, breaking their embrace, putting her hands on both of Georgia's large, opulent breasts. "They made me hornier than hell. I've wanted to palm your tits since we did that shoot."

Boots was aware that compared to Georgia, she had painfully small breasts, which sometimes made her feel inadequate. Georgia had never minded Boots slender frame. "That makes two of us, my love", Georgia purred, rolling Boots on her back, taking a hard nipple between her lips. One thing Boots had over Georgia was how large and thick her nipples were, Georgia not ever getting enough of tasting them.

Boots moaned her approbation as a tongue swiped the nub on her chest. "We have to work tomorrow, Georgie, remember." The protest was mild, and her heart really wasn't into it.

"And? So? Right now, I wanna make love to my woman."

Boots moaned again, as the nipple was sucked again. "Oh, twist my arm, girlie."

By now, Jo Polniaczek's own breasts were simply too tender to be fondled, much to the chagrin of both she and Blair. Jo's "baby bump" at six months was noticeable, but as she had predicted, she was much smaller than Blair had been at the same time during her pregnancy. Dr. Washington assured both women that no two pregnancies were alike, and the fact that Jo and Blair were built differently played a role in that. The doctor confirmed at each visit that the fetus was very healthy.

Yet despite being six months along, feeling grumpy often, feeling tired more than often, Jo threw herself into taking care of DC when Blair wasn't at home, busy with the Foundation. Jo felt nothing but pride in Blair's nascent foundation, knowing it was important to both of them.

She worried to herself about how David would take to a sibling. Most parents had that worry once in a while, but when David and the unborn child she was carrying were older, she and Blair wondered how they would handle explaining their family to their children, and the thought of one child thinking the mom that hadn't given birth to them loved the other child more, had given Jo nightmares. She dismissed them, pissed off that she would be thinking such things.

Jo decided to take David up to Peekskill one afternoon to have an early dinner with Bailey, and to visit Mrs. G at her store. Blair was doing a day trip between New York and Washington, meeting some more movers and shakers in the quest for equality. She would be home late that evening. Bailey was quite excited when Jo called her the night before and asking if she and DC could visit.

Jo arrived at Bailey's home on the campus, the usual, loud sounds of younger children already reaching Jo before she knocked on the door. Jo wasn't surprised when it was Bailey who opened the door.

"Jo! David!" Jo let go of David's hand, and he ran to his Aunt.

"Aunt Bailey!" David adored his Aunt Bailey, and the feeling was mutual. "Missed you!"

"I've missed you DC-and you too, Jo", Bailey said somewhat sheepishly.

"Oh, I get it", Jo dead-panned, "I'm chopped liver now, is that it?" She smiled as Bailey gave her a hug and a kiss. "That's more like it."

"We going to Mancuso's for dinner?"

That had become the usual watering hole when Jo and Blair visited Bailey and Mrs. G in Peekskill. "Jeez, you think you liked the place or somethin', kid", Jo said with a wink. "Of course we're going to Mancuso's."

"Mancuso's! Pizza!" David seemingly agreed with the choice. "We gonna see Aunt Edna?"

Jo leaned down to her son. "We're gonna visit her right before we get pizza, is that okay, bud?"

"Thanks, Mama Jo!" He gave her a hug, which still meant the world to her.

Arriving at Edna's Edibles a little later-Jo had made sure to also call Mrs. Garrett, and not simply surprise her as she often did-just before 6pm, Edna and her crew having lots of shoppers in this evening. Edna always had time for one of her Four Musketeers.

"Good to see you Jo", Edna said, as she finished up with a customer at the register.

"Take your time, Mrs. G", Jo waved at her. 'The customer comes first."

"I wanna go to Aunt Edna", David protested, trying to break free of his mother.

"You wait, young man", Jo said sternly. "Aunt Edna is working. She'll be over here in a few, okay?"

David just huffed, turning toward Bailey to pass the time. In a few minutes, Edna had broken away, giving Jo a loving hug. "You're looking good, Mama Jo", Edna said with a twinkle in her eyes. "Only three more months to go."

Jo rolled her eyes. "Only three more months, she says." Jo couldn't hold in the laughter. "I can't wait, Mrs. G."

"You taking Bailey to Mancuso's for dinner?"

Another eye roll. "I think we should buy stock in the place, we're there so much, I tell you." Both women laughed.

"Can I ask you a favor, Jo?"

"Mrs. G, you can ask me anything", Jo assured her.

"After dinner and after dropping Bailey off, can you and DC stop by for just a short time. I want to discuss something with you?"

"Anything wrong, Mrs. Garrett?"

"Wrong?" Edna shook her head. "No, nothing is wrong, and that's the truth, but I want to bounce a few things off of you."

"We should be back by closing time", Jo informed her. "Would that do?"

"Perfect", Edna said, giving Jo another hug, the other three leaving to let Mrs. Garrett get back to her business.

Jo, Bailey, and David had a blast at the pizzeria, which wasn't unusual. Since it was a school night for Bailey, Jo made sure to have her home at a decent hour, the young lady giving her sister and nephew big hugs and kisses before they departed.

David was getting pretty tired, but Jo had promised to stop by and see Mrs. Garrett before driving back home to Rockville Centre. Arriving just as the store was closing, Jo waited patiently for a few minutes while Edna gave her staff some closing instructions. She then signaled for Jo to follow her upstairs to her apartment.

After retrieving water for Jo and some juice for DC, Mrs. Garrett informed Jo as to why she had asked to see her.

"I've decided, Jo, that I'm going to retire in the next few months", Edna said evenly, with little emotion.

That was the last thing Jo had expected to hear. "But Mrs. G, you're not that old, and you still gotta lot of life left in you."

Edna chuckled. "I'm not young any longer either, Jo. I'm on the wrong side of sixty-five now, and yes, I have more life to live, which is why I'm retiring. I want to enjoy some life before I really do get old."

"Wow", Jo said with raised eyebrows. "I can't imagine you not workin'. What brought this on?"

"What brought this on is that a man who I have been friends with for years lost his wife about eighteen months ago, and we've started to date. They were good friends of mine from my days in college, and, well, now it seems it's our time to be together. He is retired, and while not wealthy, he is well off. We want to travel and just enjoy life for a while."

Jo grinned. "Now that's a good reason to hang 'em up, Mrs. G." Both of them laughed. "You gonna spill the beans about this guy?"

"Not much to spill. His name is Mark Browning. He was a school teacher all his life-a very good one. He and his late wife and I have stayed close over the years. It hit him hard when she passed away. I think we're good for each other."

"You better give me and Blair a proper introduction to Mr. Browning", Jo grinned, "so we can give him our stamp of approval."

Again Edna laughed, knowing Jo was teasing her. "I wouldn't dream otherwise, Jo. So you don't have any issues with me retiring?"

Jo rolled her eyes. "Mrs. G, this is your life, and you don't need my approval or Blair's, or anyone else's, but I appreciate you tellin' me and taking me into your confidence. You just better not up and vanish on us because you have a boyfriend now."

Edna blushed but laughed. "And miss out on being with David, and your soon-to-be new edition? Not on your life, Joanna Polniaczek."

Jo nodded happily. "That's good, because David adores you, and so will our new baby, I just know it. You're family, Mrs. G, you always will be."

"Wow", Blair said later that evening as she joined Jo in bed. Blair hadn't arrived back home til Midnight after a full day in Washington, doing work for the Foundation. "Mrs. Garrett is retiring." Blair was exhausted, not simply from the traveling and the work, but her left leg had been barking at her all day, and one of those damn headaches had crept up on her late in the afternoon.

"It kinda knocked me off my feet, too, Blair", Jo replied as Blair snuggled against Jo, who had been in bed since 11 pm. "But she's right, she deserves to enjoy some life. She's earned it."

"She earned it by looking after you, me, Natalie, and Tootie for all those years", Blair said with a giggle, draping her arm over Jo, careful not to clutch either of Jo's tender breasts through the night shirt.

"She should get the Congressional Medal of Honor for puttin' up with us, Princess", Jo added with a snicker. Jo could feel a large sigh from her lover, bringing a small smile to her face. "Long day, huh?"

"Long, but with the work we're starting to do, Joey, it'll be worth it", Blair promised. "It wouldn't be so bad if my leg wasn't in agony most of the time and when I get these headaches."

"How's the headache now?"

Blair shrugged. "I took some Excedrin Migraine for the headache, and a few Tylenol Extra Strength for the leg. Neither is as bad as they were flying back to JFK."

Jo sat up a little, kissing Blair on the forehead. "I hate that you are in so much pain, babe", she said with more than a little sadness in her voice. "It just kills me to see you hurtin'."

"Dr. Washington did say there's a chance that as some more years go by, the leg won't hurt as much, and the headaches might subside. I'll believe it when I see it." She sat up as well, looking at her partner. "As long as I have you with me, sweetheart", she said with tenderness, touching Jo's cheek, "I can get through it. I can get through anything."

"We think alike on that subject", Jo said with a sweet smile of her own, leaning in and kissing Blair's lips, holding their lips together for a few extra beats. "I'll help you through anything, Princess, you know that."

"I know you will, Jo, and I love you forever because of it." A large yawn escaped Blair just as she was about to kiss Jo again, making them laugh. "And on that note..."

"On that note", Jo finished, "it's time you get some sleep, hon. I'll get DC up in the morning. You don't have anything planned tomorrow, so you're sleeping in."

"Yes, Drill Sargent", Blair said with another yawn.

Jo knew Blair was asleep almost before the blonde's head was back on the pillow. She lovingly smiled down at her lady, kissing her on the forehead once more. "I love you, darlin'. Sleep well."