Here's another one for you all.
Chapter 4
"damn I love this car" Catherine said as they drove down the Pacific Coast Highway on the way to meet Collins for lunch
"I know, me too" Annabelle said watching her drive, they had the top down, because Catherine said, 'if they are in LA and have a convertible they need to have the top down' although it was kind of chilly, Annabelle just cranked up the heat. Pulling into the parking lot, she saw Collins and Kristen getting out of Kristen's car. "there they are" Annabelle smiled, Catherine recognized them from the pictures Annabelle had showed her. She thought Collins was cute. Pulling into the spot next to them, Annabelle went through how to put the top back up, and they got out of the car. Catherine watched as Annabelle embraced both her friends in a hug, then turned putting her arm around Catherine's back. "this is Catherine"
"damn" Collins said looking Catherine up and down. She was way passed the shy girl from the school, once she didn't have to worry about Cat, being a bitch anymore and knew Annabelle had her back no matter what, she came out of her shell. Both Annabelle and Kristen were enjoying this new Collins. "Anna, she's way hotter than Simone"
"I know" Annabelle smiled "Catherine, this is obviously, Collins, and this is Kristen" Annabelle said smiling "two of the best friends I could ask for"
"it's good to finally meet you guys. Belle talks about you all the time"
"Belle huh?" Collins winked, she liked poking fun at Annabelle
"yeah, yeah, let's go eat"
"so Catherine, what do you do?" Kristen asked, "you seem to be a bit older than us"
'shit' Annabelle thought "you didn't tell her anything did you" she looked at Collins
"all she told me was you had a new girlfriend"
Shaking her head, she saw Collins giggle "bastard" she threw a straw wrapper at her "well go ahead and answer, the girl, she's waiting"
Catherine lowered her voice "I'm a Professor at the college"
"another teacher, nice" Kristen smirked "so you are way older than us"
"she's the same age as Miss Bradley" Collins said, thinking not using her first name would be better.
"ok" Kristen smiled. "well Catherine welcome to our little group"
"thank you" Catherine smiled as the group fell into small talk, poking fun at Annabelle whenever they could. Catherine learning a lot of things about Annabelle she didn't know. Since she didn't tell her until her birthday that she played the guitar and sang, she didn't know she wrote Simone a song and sang it in front of the whole school.
"sorry if that was boring for you" Annabelle said as they were on the way back to the house
"not at all, I rather enjoyed your friends, that and it gave me a chance to find out more about you"
"are you changing your mind now?"
"oh no" Catherine said looking at her "the complete opposite" Annabelle smiled pulling into the driveway, parking the car in the garage. Walking in the house through the kitchen door there was a note on the counter.
Anna,
I forgot to mention that your father and I have dinner plans with the Wilson's tonight, so you're on your own. Catherine please don't let her burn the house down, we'll be back late, don't wait up.
Mom.
"wow she really does like you" Annabelle said laughing.
"they left already?"
"the Wilson's live north of LA, and we're south, so it takes a while to get there, the car is here so I'm assuming they took a limo, dad hates driving through that traffic, which I can't blame him, I hate having to go into the city for anything" Catherine just nodded "so" she said jumping up on the counter "what do you want to do"
"I don't know, what is there to do?"
"well" Annabelle said looking around "we could have sex, or watch tv, relax in the hot tub, sex in the hot tub, um the list could go on" she smiled
"you have a hot tub?"
"of course, who lives in California and doesn't have a hot tub"
"I don't know I'm from Indiana remember" Catherine giggled
"hot tub it is" Annabelle said hopping down from the counter and leading Catherine out the patio door, to the courtyard, where there was a pool, and a gazebo that housed the hot tub.
"don't we need suits?"
"why" Annabelle asked slipping off her shoes then came her jeans "it's just gonna come off anyway" she winked as Catherine gave in. She was all for a little fun, and she'd never had the opportunity to have sex in a hot tub before, she didn't understand why she didn't have one, her house was plenty big enough for one. "I think I'm gonna get me one of these"
"and where you gonna put it?"
"um, on the back deck" Catherine said "I don't know why I don't already have one"
"it's a great way to relax" Annabelle said moving towards her, reaching up and cupping one of Catherine's breast. Smiling as she straddled her, "I bet it is" their lips met, in a passionate kiss. Annabelle pulled back, looking in Catherine's eyes "I love you" she whispered running her hand through her blonde hair. Her ring getting caught in a snarl, they both laughed. "I think we need some music" Annabelle said reaching around Catherine grabbing the remote for the stereo they had set up. "oh my god I love this song" as she began singing along.
"I'm hurting, baby, I'm broken down, I need your loving, loving, I need it now
When I'm without you, I'm something weak, You got me begging, begging I'm on my knees
I don't wanna be needing your love, I just wanna be deep in your love, And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby, 'Cause I really don't care where you are I just wanna be there where you are And I gotta get one little taste" looking at Catherine who was shaking her head and smiling "Your sugar, Yes, please, Won't you come and put it down on me? I'm right here, 'cause I need Little love, a little sympathy, Yeah, you show me good loving, Make it alright, Need a little sweetness in my life"
"someone's a little crazy"
"what can I say, I love that song, and well I love you, so I have to sing it for you"
"ok" Catherine smiled as she reached up, pulling Annabelle back in for a kiss "I have to admit when you sing to me it turns me on"
"oh really" Annabelle said going in to kiss Catherine's neck, she moved her head so she had better access. Nibbling on her ear, she whispered "I say we do something about that then" Catherine smiled, as Annabelle reached down, Catherine gasps at the first contact, after their confessions the night before it felt different "don't forget to breathe" Annabelle whispered as she began the movements with her hand, and kissing Catherine's neck. Water splashed over the side, as Catherine moved to meet Annabelle's thrusting. As she fell over the top of sweet bliss. Calling out Annabelle's name as she came, then fell on her shoulder. Kissing her neck, she whispered "I love you" Annabelle smiled and kissed the top of her head. Moving her head to look her in the eye Catherine said, "I love you too" leaning in for a kiss as she started to take Annabelle to the place where she had just been.
"so, what do you want to do for dinner?"
"I don't know but I'm starving"
"order in and watch a movie?"
"sounds good to me" Catherine smiled, that smile, her dimples showing, Annabelle had to bite down the urge to have her again, but after the hot tub she found herself wore out, and she knew Catherine was the same. "what?" Catherine asked seeing the look on her face
"nothing" Annabelle felt herself blush as Catherine shook her head. "sometimes you're so weird"
"I know, but last you told me you love me"
"I do" Catherine smiled "very much"
They spent the next couple days hanging around the house not doing much of anything. Catherine thought Christmas had went amazing, on Christmas eve they trimmed the tree, and sat around the fire singing Christmas carols. It had been a long time since she spent Christmas with anyone let alone a family. She looked around the room, at the people who were new to her life, but quickly became very important, all she could do is smile. "hey is everything alright?" Annabelle asked seeing the look on Catherine's face.
"yea" she cleared her throat "yes" she smiled "everything is amazing"
"good" Annabelle smiled
"I'm going to get some more wine, do you need anything?"
"nope I'm good" Annabelle said watching Catherine get up, she smacked her ass.
"hey"
"sorry I couldn't resist" Catherine just shook her head, sometimes she forgot Annabelle was still a teenager. Smiling to herself as she walked into the kitchen she saw Patty standing at the counter. Taking a deep breath, she hadn't been alone with either of Annabelle's parents yet, she wasn't sure what was going to be said.
"Catherine" Patty said jumping "you scared the shit out of me"
"sorry, I just wanted some more wine" she pointed to her empty glass
"here you go help yourself" Patty smiled pushing the bottle to her. As she busied herself pouring it. "you know" Patty started to say, 'here we go' Catherine thought "I like you, I like you more than I liked Simone, well they weren't technically together" she paused thinking for a moment "you're down to earth and polite, and you treat Annabelle with the same respect that you'd treat someone your own age, which I'm not going to ask what that is" she looked in Catherine's eyes, clearing her throat Catherine said "I'm 30"
"I said I wasn't going to ask" Patty chuckled "just don't hurt her like Simone did please"
"Mrs. Tillman"
"Patty"
"Patty, I honestly think if anyone is going to get hurt here it's going to be me. I love your daughter, I know we haven't been together that long, but the last thing in this world I want to do is hurt her, she has such a beautiful heart, who in their right mind would want to hurt that?" they both looked at each other and shook their heads "you know I went to college with her"
"that's what Anna was saying, what a small world"
"and to be honest, I never thought she'd turn out like she did, Simone was always the level headed one, she was the only one of us who was in a real relationship" that reminded her she wanted to ask Annabelle what happened to Amanda.
"well some people change" Patty smiled "I'm glad you came, Annabelle told me what happened with your parents and I want you to know you are welcomed here any time, rather you and Anna make it or not" she reached for her hand "I sure hope you do, you're good for her"
"thank you, she's good for me too" Catherine smiled
"you better get back out there before she comes in here thinking I killed you" Patty laughed
"I better, thank you again Mrs. Til, Patty I really appreciate it"
"anytime dear, just take good care of my baby"
"I will" Catherine smiled and headed back into the living room sitting next to Annabelle on the couch.
"I need you up before noon tomorrow, the rest of the family is coming at 1" Patty said coming into the room
"mom, when was the last time you've known me to sleep past noon?"
"today" her mother said sternly
"ok, but I'm on vacation from school I'm allowed to sleep" Annabelle said rolling her eyes 'besides we were up late'
"I'll make sure we are up and ready before noon" Catherine said
"thank you, I'm going to bed" she said looking at her husband
"I guess that's my cue, don't stay up too late" he said folding his paper and standing up "good night Annie"
"night dad, night mom" Annabelle said watching them leave the room "good they're gone" she stood up and went to the tree "we usually wait until Christmas morning to open presents, but I can't wait that long I want you to have this now"
"Belle, we should wait then"
"please, it's been killing me not to give it to you, besides it's almost midnight, technically Christmas"
Catherine sighed "alright" she took the gift from her, and opened it to find a silver necklace, with matching diamond earrings. "Belle"
"the main reason I wanted to give this to you tonight is so you can wear it tomorrow"
"it's beautiful"
"just like you" Annabelle leaned in for a kiss "I know that sounds cheesy but I mean it you're beautiful Catherine, and I can't wait to show you off to the rest of my family tomorrow"
"um, just how many people are going to be here tomorrow?" Catherine asked nervous
"um" Annabelle thought "my uncle John, and aunt Rose, Jason, he's my cousin, who's the same age as me, great aunt Edith, um, my grandparents from my dad's side, oh you'll love them, they are hilarious, my grandpa is going to love you" she smiled "don't be nervous it'll be ok, as you can tell my family is cool"
"I'll try not to be" Catherine said finishing her wine and setting her glass on the coffee table. "this really is beautiful, when did you find the time to go shopping?"
"I ordered it online and my dad picked it up" Catherine nodded smiling. "do you want me to put it on you?"
"no, let's wait until tomorrow, I don't want to put it on just to take it off to go to bed" Catherine smiled setting the box on the table alongside her wine glass. "do you want yours now? Although it's not as great"
"sure, why not" Annabelle smiled as she watched Catherine get up and head towards the tree. "I had to sneak this into my luggage without you seeing it, I have something more for you back at home" she handed Annabelle the small package and watched as she tore it open "Catherine I love it"
"I'm glad you do" Catherine felt relieved it was a picture of the two of them that they had taken sitting on the couch at Catherine's house "I'm sorry it's not much, like I said I have more at home, just couldn't fit it in my bags, that and I didn't want to break it"
"break it huh?" Annabelle asked curious as to what it could be
"yup" Catherine said reaching out for her hand "come on, let's go to bed" Annabelle smiled taking her hand, as they headed up the stairs to bed.
"come on sleepy head wake up" Catherine said trying to get Annabelle out of bed
"what time is it" she asked not even opening her eyes
"8, I told your mom I wouldn't let you sleep until noon"
"guh" she said pulling the pillow over her face
"come on, I'm hungry"
"go down and eat then, I'm sure mom and dad are up and she's got a big spread on the table"
"alone" Catherine asked nervously
"yes, you'll be fine"
"I'd prefer to have you with me"
Annabelle sighed "fine" she tossed the pillow off her "you're lucky I love you" Catherine smiled she always got her way. As she watched Annabelle throw her legs over the side of the bed and walk to the door "I have to pee, are you going to be ok until I'm done?"
"don't be an ass"
"well" Annabelle giggled and left the room. Catherine sat there her mind wondering. She really did love Annabelle and her family "I hope I don't do anything to fuck this up" she whispered to herself as she heard Annabelle at the door "are you coming?"
"yes"
The morning seemed to fly by, before they knew it, the rest of the family was showing up. They had opened presents after breakfast, to Catherine's surprise, Annabelle's mom and dad had gotten her a little stuffed bunny, and a gold keychain that said California on one side and her name on the other.
"aunt Rose, this is my girlfriend Catherine" Annabelle said introducing her favorite aunt to her favorite girl
"Catherine, it's so nice to meet you" she reached out her hand
"it's nice to meet you too"
"are you keeping this one in line?"
"I'm trying, but you know how she is" they both laughed
"yes I do"
"so Catherine, I just love your name" Edith said smiling
"thank you, it was my great grandma's name"
"I didn't know that" Annabelle said
"now you do"
"what is it that you do in Bloomington, Indiana?" John asked, Catherine quickly looked at Annabelle who whispered, "go ahead and tell them, it's cool"
"I, um, I'm a psychology Professor at the college"
"the one Annie goes to?" Edith asked
"yes, aunt Edith" Annabelle smiled
"hmm" John said "so that's how you met, Anna was in one of your classes?"
"no, well at least not yet, we just happened to bump into each other a few times, and well" Catherine shrugged
"well you two are cute together" Rose said raising her wine glass as a toast.
"thanks aunt Rose" Annabelle said as the conversation shifted to something else, Catherine felt herself finally breathe. "when dinners done we're going to go swimming"
"swimming, it's the end of December"
"the pool is heated" Annabelle smiled "are you done?" she nodded to Catherine's plate
"yes" Catherine sat back and let Annabelle take her plate. Luckily the conversation stayed away from Catherine for the rest of the afternoon.
For New Year's Eve, Annabelle's parents went to a party so they invited Collins and Kristen over to hang out.
"so, Catherine" Kristen asked looking at the sexy blonde "have you been with other students or is our lovely Annabelle the first?" Catherine was too shocked at the question she didn't know how to respond.
"you don't have to answer that" Collins said hitting Kristen
"no, no, it's fine" Catherine looked at Annabelle "she is the third student I've been with, and the last" she smiled
"awe, are we in love?" Kristen asked
"yes" Annabelle said turning to look at Kristen who smiled at her
"good although I never said anything, you were too good for Miss Bradley"
"apparently she thought she was too good for me" Annabelle said quietly as she felt Catherine put her hand on her leg. "but none of that matters now, she's out of my life, and I have an amazing woman, who means the world to me" as she leaned over placing a kiss on Catherine's cheek.
"what if someone at the college finds out about you two, what would happen" Collins asked she hated to bring it up, but wanted to know the answer.
"um" Annabelle said looking at Catherine
"well, I guess I'd probably lose my job, or be put on probation at the very least" Catherine said she hadn't really thought about it, at least lately, things were going too good with Annabelle to think about any of that.
"at least you don't have to worry about going to jail" Kristen said, Collins hit her again "what"
"stop with the rude comments" Collins whispered
"I'm just saying what's on my mind, god" Kristen said rubbing her shoulder where Collins hit it "that hurt"
"it's ok guys, ask what you want, I haven't really thought about what would happen, I guess I'll deal with it if, or when it happens" Catherine looked at Annabelle who looked like she was lost in her thoughts. "penny for your thoughts"
"huh, what?" Annabelle smiled "I'm good, who wants to go swimming?" she asked changing the subject.
"we didn't bring our suits" Collins said looking at Kristen
"well I have extra shorts, doesn't have to be fancy, I'm over sitting here talking" which she was, she knew if they sat there her mind would get the best of her, and ruin everything amazing that had happen the past couple weeks
Collins could tell something was up "if you want to go swimming, let's go swimming, where's the shorts" Annabelle got up and led Collins to her room "Anna, what's really going on?" Collins shut the door
"I just realize that Catherine could lose everything if someone found out"
Taking a deep breath, Collins grabbed her by the shoulders "you heard her, she hasn't even thought about it. I know what happened with Simone, it sucks, but I can tell Catherine is way more into you than Miss Bradley was. You aren't in high school anymore, this isn't some high school romance this is the real deal, embrace it, and deal with shit as it happens not before" Annabelle looked up in Collins' brown eyes, gone was the lost lonely girl she met not even a year ago, now the person who stood before her was confident and happy. "you're right" Annabelle said leaning in to give Collins a hug. "thanks for putting my head back on straight"
"honey, nothing about you will ever be straight" Collins giggled "now where are those shorts?" Annabelle reached into her dresser pulling out 2 pairs of basketball shorts and two shirts. Then nodded towards the door. Tossing a pair at Kristen, Annabelle nodded to Catherine for her to follow her to change.
"you sure everything is alright Belle?"
"yes" Annabelle said walking up behind her putting her arms around her "I know they don't mean too but sometimes they bring up the wrong shit"
"I understand" Catherine kissed her forehead. "come on, let's get changed its' not often I get to go swimming in an outdoor pool on New Year's Eve"
"stick with me and we can do this every year"
"something to consider" Catherine smiled as she slipped out of Annabelle's grip grabbing her suit to change. "turn around"
"why"
"every time you watch me change we end up in bed"
"hmm, good point, and we have company" Annabelle turned around grabbing her suit and changing with her back towards Catherine.
"have a safe flight let me know when you land, so I know you got there safe"
"yes dad" Annabelle said rolling her eyes, as she embraced her father in a hug, letting go he went to Catherine "it was so nice having you here" Catherine went to shake his hand but he pulled her into a hug "take good care of my baby" he whispered in her ear
"I will" she smiled, not sure how to react, but liking the feeling of being accepted by Annabelle's family
"ok dad, get off my girl, we're gonna miss our flight" he let go of Catherine smiling. Happy Annabelle had found someone. "bye dad, love you"
"love you too Annie" they heard as they disappeared inside the airport.
"thank you for coming home with me" Annabelle said as they sat near the gate waiting for their flight to be called.
"no problem, I rather enjoyed it"
"my family loved you"
"I can tell" Catherine smiled
"what's there not to love about you?"
"stop" Catherine said she could feel herself turn red
"no Cat, you're amazing, in every way. The way you were with Collins and Kristen, that melted my heart, I know they asked a lot of questions"
"they're just curious"
"yes, but you could have blown them off, and I know my mom captured you in the kitchen on Christmas eve"
"how do you know that?"
"I heard the conversation" Annabelle smiled "I think they love you just as much as I do" she lowered her voice "and don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you, at least I'm going to do my best not too" Catherine didn't know what to say, she was blown away by everything that happened within the last two weeks. Luckily, she didn't have to say anything as their flight was being called.
The song in this chapter is Sugar by Maroon 5