Title: Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Author: Kimberly21570
Fandoms: Guiding Light / All My Children
Pairings: Olivia and Natalia / Lena and Bianca
Disclaimers and other Assorted Ramblings: The characters of Olivia, Emma, and Sam Spencer, Natalia and Rafe Rivera, Doris and Ashlee Wolfe, James Spaulding, and Harley, Daisy, and Frank Cooper are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, and Michael Cambias belong to ABC/Disney and Prospect Park. The original characters of Jennifer, Tracy, Jacob and Dylan Jackson-Morgan and their extended family, Detective Sargent Langston Malloy, and her parents, Carrigan (Carrie) McKenna Malloy and Lorcán Malloy, and her brother Quinn, Attorney Danika Kováč, and her parents Alaina (Laney) Brennan Kováč and Daněk Kováč, Judge Bennett Thomas, and Jake and Preston Morgan are the property of this author, and any resemblance to fictional characters, or real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, or any other entity. The dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
Many thanks to my friend and favorite FFW, WickedWanda926, and my friend newfan64 for the edit on this one. You've traveled many a long journey with me over the years, and your constant support and encouragement mean the world to me. Thank you.
Rating: This section of Chapter 14 is rated R for colorful language and sexual references.
In honor of my birthday, which is tomorrow, I present to you—at WickedWanda's annual demand, of course—the next section of Confessions…
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. I hope y'all continue to enjoy!
Kimberly
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May 2009
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
— James 1:2-8, the Bible, New International Version (NIV)
"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."
— Unknown
Chapter 14.27 – Trials and Tribulations:
Friday, June 19, 2009… the Farmhouse of Love—9:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time
A hush fell over the group as they all contemplated Dani's confession. Langston Malloy was Danika Kováč's wife? Tracy could have sworn she hadn't seen a ring on the woman's finger when they first met. But now, Dani's left ring finger displayed a beautiful princess-cut diamond with a matching gold and platinum wedding band. The set was stunning, even in its simplicity—a lovely complement to the innate beauty of the woman who wore it. Langston Malloy had good taste—in both women, and in jewelry.
"Well, you can't just stop there!" Ashlee blurted out, startling them all with her quick, loud burst of energy. "Tell us your story!"
"It's long and very complicated, Ashlee," Dani said with a touch of sorrow. "And there's a lot of it I couldn't really tell you without sacrificing the well-being of others."
"Ooh, a woman of mystery," Ashlee declared, sounding intrigued.
Doris was equally intrigued, but she kept that to herself. It wasn't lost on her that the woman bore the last name of a known Czechian crime boss. Lena had been intrigued upon hearing Dani's last name, as well. Her time spent in Prague while working with Michael Cambias had put her in contact with several members of that very family, and she wondered just exactly how this woman was connected to them.
"No," Dani quietly denied. "Just a woman who's looking to protect those she loves most in this world."
"Langston?" Ashlee ventured, a sense of hopefulness in her tone.
Dani offered a wan smile in response. "Among others," she granted without offering more.
"You're really not going to tell us, are you?" Ashlee pouted. She was a sucker for a good romance.
A soft laugh fell from Dani's lips at Ashlee's wide-eyed curiosity. Rare for a woman of Ashlee's age, Dani found it rather refreshing. "What I will tell you, is that Langston Malloy is the love of my life," she confessed, her tone still filled with affection and desire. "I've never wanted another woman. Not before her, and certainly not since."
"But you can't be together?" Ashlee persisted.
"No," Dani answered sadly. "Not anymore."
"Was that your choice… or hers?" Bianca asked gently; though, she already knew the answer. She could sense the depth of Dani's pain, could relate to it even, as she remembered how she felt standing in that airport all those years ago, begging Lena to stay, to just give them a chance. Yes, Dani's pain was palpable, and Bianca's heart ached for her.
"Hers," Dani answered. "And she's left me no choice but to honor it." She shrugged helplessly. "She disappeared without a trace three years ago. I had no idea where she even was until she walked into the interrogation room the other day."
"Oh, my God," Tracy murmured, her heart breaking for this woman who had helped her. "I can't even imagine what that must've been like for you." She must have been shocked! How on earth had she hidden her response?
"Needless to say, I was thrown," Dani admitted, as if reading Tracy's thoughts. What she didn't say was that seeing Langston had nearly rendered her useless. She couldn't breathe! She could barely even think, let alone be logical. All she'd wanted to do was grab Langston and hold her close. But she couldn't. All she could do was pretend her own wife was a complete stranger. It may have worked on the outside, but on the inside where her emotions churned, her pretense had been a complete failure.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Tracy said empathically.
Dani laughed to herself. "I'm not," she replied forthrightly. "I know where my wife is now. Even if she still wants nothing to do with me, at least I know she's safe and thriving."
"Sounds like you love and miss her very much," Bianca offered warmly.
Tears filled Dani's dark eyes, and she nodded. "You have no idea," she said quietly.
Listening intently to the conversation, even Rafe could feel the woman's pain. It made him realize, for the first time, that heartbreak was heartbreak, no matter the gender of the people who were once in love. He wondered then, if the same was true of the love they had once shared. It was such a foreign concept to him, this idea of two women being in love, that he didn't know how to explore it. But he decided to find a way—for his mother's sake.
"I know you can't tell us how things ended, but… could you tell us how it began?" Daisy asked. She was a sucker for a good love story too.
A hearty round of agreement swept through the group. They all wanted to know.
Charmed by the group, Dani chuckled at their persistence. Her thoughts turning toward Langston, she felt the warmth of Langston's arms around her as she remembered the early days of their romance. "We grew up together, best friends our whole lives," she said, a sense of awe and wonder in her tone. "And we were still teenagers when we realized we were in love," she shared.
"Did your parents know about you?" Ashlee asked curiously.
"God, no," Dani answered on a gasp. "My father didn't even find out until after we were married. Needless to say, he was furious."
"What about your mother?" Daisy asked. Having been given up for adoption by her birth mother, Harley Cooper, and struggling through the tragic loss of her adoptive mother when she was still a young teenager, she was always curious about other women's relationships with their mothers.
"She never had a chance to know that part of me," Dani answered, a touch of melancholy in her tone. "She died when I was eight years old."
"That must've been really difficult," Bianca said empathically. She knew what it was like to lose a parent at a young age, and she wouldn't wish that kind of loss on anyone. "I'm so sorry, Dani." Her sentiments were echoed by the group, as she gently squeezed Dani's hand.
"Thank you," Dani said quietly. "All of you. I truly appreciate it. But there's no need. I still miss her sometimes, but I always had Carrie—that's Langston's mom—growing up. She was my mother's best friend, and she's always been like a second mom to me." She didn't dare mention the fact that their fathers, who were now sworn enemies, had once been business partners, and friends who were closer than brothers.
That statement really piqued Doris's curiosity. If these women were who she was beginning to believe them to be, such relationships were baffling. Since when did the wives and daughters of rival crime families form such close bonds? There was a much bigger story here, and she was determined to figure it out.
"I'm glad she was there for you," Olivia commented. She couldn't help but feel just a slight twinge of jealousy. Oh, what she would've given for a mother figure after she'd lost her own mother.
"As am I, Olivia," Dani granted, feeling sentimental at the memories of those times with Carrie. "I don't know what I would've done without her." A soft sigh slipped from her lips. "But enough of that," she said with firm resolve, as she steered the conversation away from the sensitive topic, lest she reveal far too much. "You wanted to know about Lang and me."
"Where did you get married?" Jen asked out of curiosity. She and Tracy were still discussing their options.
"Boston," Dani shrugged. Where every American lesbian bride had married for several years running. "Not exactly original," she granted, "but Massachusetts was the only place it was legal back then."
"When was that?" Lena asked, joining the conversation.
"Spring of 2004," Dani answered. "The year it was legalized there. My father owned a home on Cape Cod. I know we shouldn't have, but we used that address to make it legal." She looked a bit sheepish in her confession.
Warm smiles covered both Bianca's and Lena's faces. Reaching over, Bianca took Lena's hand into her own. "We were married on the Vineyard that summer," she shared, feeling another surge of kinship with the other woman. Playfully, she raked her fingertips through Lena's hair with her free hand. "I don't think Lena realized our marriage would be legal when she proposed on New Year's Eve."
Bianca's tone was light and teasing as she spoke, but Lena's eyes were filled with sincerity as she pulled her wife close. "I would have moved anywhere in the world to make our marriage legal," she declared.
Wrapping her arms around Lena's waist, Bianca lightly kissed her cheek. "Is it any wonder I married this woman?"
Her comment drew laughter from the group.
"That was a beautiful summer," Dani commented wistfully.
"Yes, it was," Bianca swiftly agreed. Her eyes shone with love as she gazed at her beautiful wife.
"Tell us about your engagement?" Ashlee piped in, redirecting the story back to Dani. This woman intrigued her. She was dark and mysterious, but not in an ominous way. It was more like a story waiting to be told—and Ashlee fancied herself a storyteller.
Dark eyes twinkled in the firelight, a faint smile teasing at Dani's lips as she remembered that night. "We were skiing in the Swiss Alps," she said, her voice already sounding a million miles away. "Lang's father owns a chalet there, and we went for the Holidays…"
Wednesday, December 24, 2003… The Malloy Chalet, Swiss Alps—11:30 p.m. Central European Time
Silence settled across the mountaintops; that innate stillness that only the cold and snow can produce. Wisps of snow skittered across freshly fallen powder. And in the distance, the cracking of timber echoed into the night. Inside, a fire blazed in the stone hearth, hissing, crackling, warming them, as they lounged together on the sprawling leather sofa. After a fun-filled day of skiing, their heavily-insulated ski pants, micro-fleece garments, and down jackets, had been replaced by flannel pajama pants and well-worn collegiate sweatshirts, their feet still covered by thick woolen socks.
Working side-by-side as they always did, they had prepared a quick dinner of grilled chicken and vegetables, and then they set about trimming the tree Langston had had delivered before their arrival. And now, a newly-decorated Christmas tree twinkled in the corner of the room, its silver tinsel shimmering in the glow of the flickering white lights. Silently, they admired their work, as a light jazzy Christmas mix crooned in the background, effortlessly setting the mood.
A soft sigh of contentment slipped through Dani's slightly-parted lips, as she rested her head against Langston's right shoulder. Her right arm was tucked behind Langston's back, one leg draped over a muscled thigh, as they leaned against the arm of the overstuffed sofa. Reaching behind her, she settled her half-empty wine glass on the stone surface of the wrought-iron sofa table. And then she curled her left arm around Langston's midsection, snuggling closer.
Langston smiled, and brushed her lips against Dani's forehead. "Had enough?" she asked softly.
"Does one ever really have enough of such a fine wine?" Dani pondered playfully. "I think not. But I'd rather cuddle with you than a glass of wine," she grinned. "No matter how perfect the vintage."
"I like the sound of that," Langston agreed.
Slowly, leisurely, her fingers raked through Dani's long, dark tresses, as she sipped from the wine glass in her other hand. And then she set her own glass down on the matching coffee table beside her, and wrapped her other arm firmly around Dani. Together, they were the picture of domesticated bliss, as they gazed out across snow-covered mountains, illuminated by shimmering moonlight.
"Perfect ending to a perfect day," Dani quietly declared, as she slipped her hand beneath Langston's faded Princeton sweatshirt. Langston's skin was soft and warm against her fingertips, and she allowed them to explore the well-defined muscles at will.
"Agreed," Langston sighed contentedly.
The sunshine had been glorious all afternoon; warming the mountain air just enough to keep it comfortable without melting the twelve-plus inches of fresh powder that had fallen overnight. Their milk run—the first run early in the day—had been perfect, Langston having the pleasure of laying first tracks on the freshly fallen snow. And every run that followed was better than the one before, until finally, both exhausted and exhilarated, they returned to the chalet for what Langston hoped would be the most romantic evening they had ever shared.
Ordinarily, Christmas Eve was spent playing hostess alongside her mother, at her father's annual Holiday party. It was an extravagant affair, meant to showcase his power and reinforce his control over his territory. City, State, and Federal leaders were often seen circulating the crowd, each purposely blind to the presence of the others. Plausible deniability at its best. Dani was always present at those parties—Langston's leverage for playing hostess at a party she did not want to attend. But their interactions were constrained by the fact that no one other than her mother and Quinn had any idea they were involved. Any moments they shared had to be stolen, and Langston was always grateful for the end of the evening—and the excuse of alcohol as the reason why Dani needed to stay.
Tonight was light years away from those Christmas Eves, and Langston intended to make the most of their time together. Brushing her fingertips along Dani's cheek and down under her chin, she gently lifted Dani's face toward her own. Their gazes locked, deep, rich soil on midnight sky, and they smiled in unison, their eyes communicating what words never could.
And then Langston skimmed her mouth against Dani's, lightly at first, and then with slightly more urgency. But she didn't rush. Instead, she took her time, capturing Dani's lips, first the bottom, then the top, between her own, sucking gently, her tongue leisurely swiping along their soft, smooth edges.
The warmth of Dani's hand on her belly, the gentle play of fingertips on her tight abs, was driving Langston to distraction. But when Dani moaned into her mouth, her hand swiftly traveling to claim a bare breast, as Dani sought to deepen their kiss, Langston gasped, and gently pulled away.
An expression, part confusion, part hurt, rippled across Dani's face. "Don't you want to?" she asked, almost shyly—a rarity for her.
A soft smile flittered across Langston's lips. "You have no idea," she whispered, telling Dani just exactly how much she really did want her. "Just… not quite yet."
One perfectly sculpted eyebrow vaulted. "Why not?" Dani inquired, her tone a low husk. "Are we expecting company?"
"In your dreams, Love," Langston laughed, knowing exactly what Dani was hinting at. She knew Dani wasn't really interested in anything like that. And neither was Langston. "You know I don't share. Not when it comes to you."
Nuzzling into Langston's neck, Dani lightly nibbled an earlobe, her fingertips dancing across firm breasts. "Good thing," she murmured. "Because I'm equally territorial when it comes to you."
Langston groaned, as Dani's palm swept across a taut nipple. "Good to know," she exhaled, her arousal heightening. And then she trailed a slow path of kisses along Dani's neck, as her fingertips slipped beneath Dani's sweatshirt. Dani's skin was so warm against her palm, so enticing. "I've been thinking about making love with you all day," she whispered, her warm mouth lingering beneath Dani's ear.
"Oh, you have, have you?" Dani asked, her softly accented voice, turning sexier with flirtation.
Leaning back, Langston met Dani's desire-soaked gaze, offering that smile—the one that stopped Dani's heart every time. "Oh, yes. Yes, I have. And I fully intend to keep you occupied all night long," she said in promise, her deep blue eyes shimmering with an amalgam of adoration and arousal. "But I have a little something for you first," she confessed.
Curiosity and anticipation danced in coal black eyes. "What is it?"
Suddenly ridiculously nervous, Langston's heart hammered in her chest, her mouth turning dry as a desert gulch. "You'll see," she somehow managed, her wobbly smile a haphazard match to her unsteady voice.
Slipping her hand into the depths of the pocket on her pajama pants, she pretended to fish around for something while attempting to gather her courage. She had thought long and hard about when and how she wanted to ask. And some might have thought that lounging on the sofa in your pajamas was not only supremely unromantic, but also downright lazy. But Langston knew Dani better than anyone. Dani always looked confident and sexy all decked out in a power suit or designer dress with heels to match; and she loved an elegant evening out as much as any other woman of her social standing. But deep down inside, she was a woman who preferred comfort over high fashion, and Langston knew that she would favor a low-key moment over some extravagant spectacle out in public.
Leaning closer, Dani skimmed her mouth along Langston's angular jawline, and then curving down beneath, she delighted at the pulse that twitched and jumped beneath her lips. "I'm guessing it's smaller than a bread box, since you're digging around in your pocket," she murmured, grinning against Langston's skin.
It was a welcome distraction for Langston, as she worked to calm herself enough to speak. She chuckled, despite her resolve to remain serious. Finally, a sparkling diamond ring pinched between her thumb and forefinger, Langston pulled her hand from her pocket. "I guess you could say that," she granted, as the ring glistened in the firelight.
Dani's breath caught, and onyx eyes filled with tears the moment she saw the princess-cut diamond, set atop a gold and platinum band. It was stunning in its simplicity. Exactly what Dani might have chosen, if Langston had taken her shopping. "Oh, my God," she gasped. "Langston?"
The question in Dani's tone matched the one in her watery eyes, and Langston smiled into those gorgeous onyx depths. "I love you, Danika Kováč," she whispered. Her heart swelled with the fullness of it. "I've loved you for longer than I can even remember, and I can't imagine my life without you."
Tears streamed down Dani's face, glistening in the firelight. "I love you too," she murmured. "God, how I love you."
"I know," Langston acknowledged, her blue eyes watering with tears. She bit her bottom lip to stave off the emotions. "And that's why I want, more than anything, to be your wife."
"You do?" Dani laughed through her tears.
"Yes, I do," Langston answered fervently. Her sincere blue eyes penetrated Dani's gaze, allowing Dani to search the depths of Langston's soul. "Would you do me the honor?"
Dani swallowed hard around the lump of emotion that swelled in her throat. "I'm the one who feels honored," she declared, as she weaved her fingers into Langston's thick, dark mane. Pressing her hand against the nape of Langston's neck, she gently coaxed her forward, claiming those soft lips in a tender kiss.
After years of always being the one to lead in their relationship—their first kiss, their first time making love, the first to say "I love you," the one to initiate living together—it felt… validating… to finally have Langston take the initiative when it came to their future.
Langston returned the kiss, lingering on Dani's mouth, her tongue lightly tracing the edges of soft, supple lips. When Dani opened to her, she slipped her tongue inside, deepening their connection. And they lost themselves in one another, as they so often did in moments of great intimacy.
When a soft moan tumbled from Dani's lips, spilling into Langston's mouth, Langston lightly nibbled Dani's bottom lip, slowly ending their kiss. She smiled into dark eyes. "I take it that's a yes," she said, her tone filled with delight.
"That's very definitely a yes," Dani was quick to answer.
Langston's smile lit up the room. Taking Dani's left hand into her own, she felt her heart begin to race again. And both of their hands shook with nervous excitement, as she gingerly slipped the ring into place. "It looks beautiful on you," she breathed.
Gasping at the sight of that ring on her finger, Dani whispered, "It's perfect, Lang." She kissed Langston again. And then, her dark eyes twinkling, she lightly traced Langston's ring finger. "Now I just need to find the perfect ring for you."
"I don't need a ring," Langston said dismissively.
"Oh, yes, you do," Dani declared. "I'm territorial, remember? I want everyone in the world to know you're mine."
"I've always been yours, Dani," Langston whispered. "And I always will be."
Smiling, Dani's mouth met Langston's once again. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Malloy," she murmured into their kiss.
"It'll be the easiest thing you've ever done," Langston declared.
Words ceased to be necessary then, their communication turning to that instinctual give and take that required no sound, only touch and those subtle sounds of pleasure that offered affirmation and encouragement, as clothing fell away and bodies and breath effortlessly melded into one.
Friday, June 19, 2009… Preston and Jacqueline Morgan's Residence—10:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Pressing the button to flip off the television at the end of WSPR's ten o'clock newscast, Jacqueline Morgan released a long sigh of relief. By all accounts, the nightmare that had become her life since the onset of Preston's ill-advised entanglement with the Chicago underworld was about to come to an end. Right or wrong, during her excursion earlier in the day, she had done what needed to be done.
She was safe.
Her grandsons were safe.
That was all that mattered.
Comforted by that knowledge, she dropped the remote to her mattress, and turned on her side, pulling the thick cotton sheet around her body. And for the first time since her only child had been killed in that tragic accident, she drifted off into a sound sleep that lasted throughout the entire night.
Friday, June 19, 2009… Gwen Matthews' Residence—11:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
She shouldn't have been surprised, Gwen tried to tell herself, in those initial moments after Langston's departure. And yet, she was. She was shockingly surprised and, if she had been willing to admit it, deeply disappointed. What she was willing to admit was that she was wildly attracted to the sexy detective, and emotionally drawn to the enigmatic woman behind the shield. But more than that, she was deeply concerned for Langston, her friend. And that was where her focus remained, as she considered all that had happened throughout the course of their first—and most likely last—official date.
There was so much more to this situation than Langston let on, and while she understood that most of Langston's secrets were a result of her upbringing, Gwen was certain that her hasty departure had very little to do with family secrets, and everything to do with the attorney that Langston so obviously did not want to discuss.
"Who is she to you, Langston?" Gwen wondered aloud. And though she didn't know the answer, instinctively, she knew that finding it would mean an end to something that never truly had a chance to begin.
Friday, June 19, 2009… Highway 72 near East Lake Shore Drive—11:15 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Slamming the Harley into fifth, Langston released the clutch, and leaned her body forward, allowing the warm June air to rustle through her open jacket, as she navigated the curves along Highway 72, just west of Gwen's apartment. The wind felt glorious as it whipped through the thin material of her tight black t-shirt, and despite herself, she felt her nipples harden.
Her body was still buzzing with arousal from their encounter, and the powerful hum of the bike between her legs wasn't helping matters. Her body ached for release, and she was tempted to lean forward—a little pressure was all it would take—and her painfully erect clitoris would be liberated, rewarded with release. But more than being wildly aroused, she was cripplingly confused. She had wanted Gwen with a physical fervency she hadn't felt in years; and yet, her heart revolted at the mere thought of sharing such intimacy with someone other than Dani—the woman who betrayed her, shattering her heart into a million jagged pieces.
It simply made no logical sense. Then again she, of all people, understood that emotions had absolutely nothing to do with logic. She had learned that bit of truth years ago, as a teenager, when nothing about being with Dani made any sense to her, and yet nothing had ever felt so completely right. Her heart knew what it wanted. It always had. Even when she still couldn't wrap her head around it.
Forcing the thoughts aside, she focused on the drive. Better to not be distracted, especially at night. And ten minutes later, she was slowing her bike as she approached the West Lake Shore Drive exit. Downshifting to third, she released the clutch again. She swerved to the right, the bike leaning to its side as she followed the curve of the asphalt, and then easily maneuvered into the far left lane where she could turn onto the drive that would take her down toward the lighthouse. It was the place she was drawn to in those times when she needed to think. And tonight was most certainly one of those times.
She was already lost in thought again as she pulled into the deserted parking lot. Grateful for the solitude, she cut the engine, and pocketed the key. And then she dropped the kickstand, and settled it in the thick gravel, ensuring that the bike was well-balanced. Unlatching the strap beneath her chin with a slow sigh, she whipped off her helmet, shaking out her hair in one fluid motion. The breeze that floated in off of the water teased the dark tendrils that curled around her ears, and drawn to the sensation she finally dismounted the bike, balancing the graphite helmet on the seat.
Shoving her hands deep into the pockets of her tight, black jeans, she blew out a breath. The tension in her body was steadily intensifying, despite multiple trips to the gym; and now she was at a loss as to how to reverse the effects the past two days had had upon her. The only thing she knew to do was to walk it off.
Dense gray gravel crunched beneath the weight of her leather boots as she sauntered across the parking lot, making her way toward the stone walkway that led down toward the water's edge. Upon reaching her destination, she walked along the shoreline, collecting rocks as she attempted to collect her own thoughts. When that proved futile, she methodically tossed the smooth, flat rocks, skipping them across the surface, and watching the ripples glisten in the moonlight. It was something she and Dani had done on those endless summer nights, as they walked along the shores of Lake Michigan back in Chicago.
Dani.
There she was again, creeping her way back into Langston's consciousness, into her life. She couldn't let that happen. And yet, she felt completely helpless to stop it. It had always been that way with the two of them—the unrelenting pull she felt toward Dani, even when she was so pissed she couldn't think straight. Dani would flash that smile, or whisper to her with that husky accent, and Langston would melt. Only once had Langston been able to resist her—and that was when she'd walked away three years ago, in the wake of Dani's unthinkable betrayal.
Defeated, Langston released a heavy sigh, as she folded her long legs, dropping her body onto an old tree stump, embedded into the sand. The bark was jagged, brittle, and it cracked beneath her weight. But she paid it no attention, as she settled her elbows on her thighs, and buried her face in her hands. She was beyond cursing Dani for returning. Now she was cursing herself for not possessing the strength to keep her own emotions in check.
She knew by instinct that the only thing that saved her from going back to Dani was the fact that she had left Chicago. If she had stayed, even for a few days, she would've been sucked back into Dani's vortex, helpless to deny what she felt for her, despite what she had done to destroy their trust. And now, even three years later, Langston still felt vulnerable to that invisible force that always pulled her back into Dani's waiting arms.
Fuck! She hadn't even been able to make love with Gwen—a beautiful, desirable woman for whom she held genuine feelings! And why? Because she was still married to Dani, and still felt that now-agonizing pull. It didn't matter that they remained married in name only—that the only reason they hadn't divorced was the ridiculous law that required at least one of them to live in a state where same-sex divorce was as legal as same-sex marriage.
Fuck inequality.
The mental acknowledgment of her marriage brought memories then. Memories she wished she could forget, but knew she never would. And as those memories of years gone by flooded her, long pent-up emotions followed, and the tears began to fall, unbidden. Having no other choice, she drifted along the current with them, floating back to the night she asked for Dani's hand in marriage. It had been one of the most beautiful nights they'd ever shared.
Thursday, December 25, 2003… The Malloy Chalet, Swiss Alps—1:45 a.m. Central European Time
Naked and wrapped together in a thick quilt, Langston and Dani sat facing one another, legs intertwined, their bodies connected at every possible juncture. The fire blazed beside them, and the Christmas tree still twinkled in the corner of the room, their combined light mixing with the smooth jazz that still filled the air, creating a most romantic ambiance.
Dani's entire body still shook from the exquisite pleasure of Langston's hands and mouth upon her skin as they made love in celebration of their engagement. Having been lovers nearly half their lives, they'd had more sex than she dared fathom, made love more times than she could recall, but never had Dani felt closer to the woman she loved; and everything in her longed to feel even closer.
"Oh, God, Babe, you're shivering," Langston whispered against Dani's neck when she felt her fiancée's sweat-soaked body trembling in her arms, long after her most recent orgasm had subsided. Her voice was filled with concern, as she pulled Dani impossibly closer.
Dani offered a roguish grin in response. "Oh, I am anything but cold right now," she assured. "I just can't get close enough to you."
Delivered on a husky breath, Dani's declaration stirred the desire that already simmered deep within Langston's belly. "You wanna bank the fire, and take this celebration to bed?" she suggested.
Biting her lower lip, Dani shook her head. "Unh-uh," she murmured. "You look way too sexy in the firelight."
Langston felt her face flush, and Dani laughed softly in response.
Lightly, she traced a fingertip along Langston's cheek and over perfect, kiss-swollen lips, drawing a soft gasp from them. "Always so taken aback by my attraction to you," she whispered in amazement. "You're the most stunning woman I've ever known, Langston Malloy, and yet, you really have no idea," she said, her tone one of awe and wonder. "I hope you never lose that sense of humility. It's one of the things I love most about you."
Langston's face flushed even more, and Dani laughed again. "See? Right there," Dani said teasingly. "That's what I'm talking about."
"Stop," Langston said with an awkward laugh.
"No," Dani replied insistently, as she effortlessly pushed Langston onto her back, straddling her thighs in one smooth movement.
The light from the flames gently licked at the high, firm peaks of Dani's breasts, and instinctively, Langston wanted to taste them. Before she could partake, she found Dani leaning over her, those thick, dark locks falling like a curtain around them, shielding their faces. "I'll never stop finding you beautiful, Langston," Dani husked. Lightly, her mouth skated across Langston's neck, up to that sensitive place just beneath her ear. "Just like I'll never stop loving you."
"Promise?" Langston asked, her hoarse whisper revealing a touch of insecurity. She had to fight the rising surge of emotions as she watched them mirrored back to her in Dani's eyes.
"Promise," Dani whispered. And then she kissed Langston again. This time, a lingering kiss on the mouth, which soon turned into so much more. They never made it to the bed that night, instead falling asleep beside the fire, exhausted, thoroughly sated, and blissfully content in one another's arms.
Friday, June 19, 2009… the Farmhouse of Love—11:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time
"I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful proposal," Dani said softly, as she finished retelling the story of the night they were engaged. Or a more wondrous night of lovemaking, she thought wistfully. A faint smile touched her lips as she remembered the familiar caress of Langston's hands and mouth on her skin, exploring her body in places only Langston had ever been.
Flushing at the memory, she was glad for the glow of the firelight to mask the unbidden response. She turned her attention back to the group, saying, "Langston has a way of turning the most ordinary moments into something truly extraordinary."
"Well, I can't speak for anyone else," Ashlee said, in her usual boisterous tone after hearing Dani's story. "But I think you should fight for her! Love like that doesn't come around twice in a lifetime."
Smiling crookedly, Doris couldn't deny the truth in her daughter's statement. "It sure doesn't," she quietly agreed.
The tone of her voice, the expression on her face, drew Olivia's attention, and she reached over, gently squeezing her friend's arm. The unspoken exchange spoke volumes, and Natalia wondered at the content. But she didn't ask. They would share when the time was right.
Doris's reaction wasn't lost on Ashlee either, but she wisely chose not to address it in mixed company. She wasn't always the brightest when it came to propriety, but she had learned not to cause a scene in public when it came to her mother's personal life. She made a mental note to ask her about it later, and turned her attention back to Danika, who was asking, "You really think so?"
"Absolutely!" Olivia and Bianca exclaimed in unison. They laughed together as a round of equally enthusiastic noises of agreement resounded from the remainder of the group.
Dani smiled, her still-wounded heart feeling lighter as their encouragement seeped in through the cracks. It bolstered her courage, and nudged her toward resolve. "I think I just might take that advice, ladies. Thank you," she said sincerely. And she meant every word. Everything in her ached for Langston, for that husky morning voice still filled with sleep, and for her tender touch, her warm smile. She had other reasons, as well. Reasons that were far more important. But those reasons had to remain a mystery—at least for the time being.
She was distracted from her thoughts by the touch of Bianca's hand on her own.
"You just let me know if you need any help winning that woman of yours back," Bianca said boldly, a triumphant grin on her face as she glanced at her wife. "I have a little experience in that area."
Lena laughed softly, remembering Bianca's valiant pleas at the airport when Lena was trying to run back to Prague all those years ago. As much as she liked to believe she wouldn't have really gotten on that plane if not for Bianca following her to the airport to beg her to stay, in her heart she knew differently. Back then, she truly believed that she wasn't good enough for Bianca, that she didn't deserve that kind of pure, unconditional love. Now, she knew better.
And then she remembered their dear friends Constance and Katarina—those poor women never stood a chance against Bianca's resolve to reunite them after hearing their story from Constance. No, Langston Malloy didn't stand a chance either. Not if Bianca got involved. Again, Lena laughed to herself.
An amused smile spread across Dani's lips. "Thank you, Bianca," she said warmly. Something in the other woman's eyes told her she was sincere, and she appreciated the willingness of a near stranger to help her. "Just knowing where she is gives me hope again."
Bianca smiled. "Ah… the thing with feathers," she said wistfully. "I know it well."
"Indeed," Dani replied with a grin. "It perches in the soul."
They laughed together then, their kinship solidified thanks to Emily Dickinson.
And then the chatter continued, everyone joining in again, as it shifted toward another topic of mutual interest. Rafe took the shift in conversation as an opportunity, and much to Natalia's surprise and delight, he politely excused himself and his friends, asking permission to take the car into town—he wanted to escort Ashlee home, even though she had come with Daisy and James.
Willingly, Natalia granted permission. She walked him inside, and as they waited for James and Daisy to say goodnight to everyone, she kissed his cheek and wished him happy birthday one last time, before bidding him goodnight. She imagined it might be rather late when he returned, and that the entire house would be out for the night.
"Thanks, Ma," Rafe said with affection as he hugged his mother. "Thanks for everything. It was a great birthday."
"You're welcome, mijo," Natalia whispered. Gently, she patted his cheek. "Thank you for being respectful of our friends."
Rafe offered a tenuous smile. "You're welcome, Ma," he said, as he walked toward the front door. "Hey, you know what?" he added, turning toward her again in afterthought. "I learned somethin' tonight."
"And what's that?" Leaning against the doorframe between the kitchen and living room, arms crossed, Natalia regarded him with interest.
"I learned that gay people… they're just like regular folks," Rafe announced proudly.
Natalia had to bite back a sarcastic comment. Clasping her hands in front of her, she slowly moved toward her son. "So… does that mean you're ready to accept my relationship with Olivia?"
Averting his eyes from her insistent gaze, Rafe contemplated the question seriously. "I'm just not there yet, Ma," he answered honestly.
"Because?" Natalia persisted.
"Because I don't think you're gay," he answered forthrightly. "Those other ladies… your friends… they're gay. But you're just… not."
"So you think I'm… what? Confused?" Natalia presumed. She was curious, not angry.
Finally, Rafe met her gaze. "I don't know, Ma," he said, sounding almost lost.
"I'll be honest with you, Rafe. I don't know what I am either," Natalia admitted. "But I do know that I'm not confused, and I don't need a label to define me. I know exactly who I am. I'm the woman who loves Olivia Spencer, the person. It doesn't matter to me that she has breasts instead of a penis," she said forthrightly. In fact, if forced to admit it, she would have to say that given her personal experiences, she much preferred the breasts to a penis.
"Ma!" Rafe practically whined. Shit, this was awkward. He shifted nervously on his feet, wishing he'd never said a word!
"What?" Natalia challenged. "They're just body parts."
"Yeah, but you don't talk about body parts," Rafe reminded. He remembered the "birds and bees" conversation with her when he was ten years old. Awkward didn't even come close to covering it. He was certain she felt more uncomfortable than he did—and he'd never been so uncomfortable in his life!
"Well, I do now," Natalia informed. "So get used to it."
"Oh, man." Rafe sighed, and ran his fingers through his curly hair.
He looked so adorably uncomfortable that Natalia had to fight the urge to chuckle. Instead, she reached up, gently stroking his cheek. "We're all going to be okay, Rafe," she said reassuringly.
"Promise?" He sounded pathetic, yet hopeful.
Smiling, Natalia nodded. "I promise," she said. "Now go. Be careful, and have fun."
A furry eyebrow arched. "You aren't gonna tell me what time to be home?"
Shrugging, Natalia shook her head. "You're a grown man, Rafe. I trust you to use wisdom." If she wanted him to see that she was an adult, capable of knowing her own mind, perhaps she needed to extend the same courtesy to him, she decided.
Rafe grinned. She couldn't possibly know what that meant to him. "Thanks, Ma," he said, pressing a quick kiss against her cheek before running out the door to meet his friends who had gathered on the front porch to wait for him.
Turning back toward the kitchen, Natalia found Olivia leaning against the doorframe, watching her in interest. "What?" she said, a bit self-consciously.
An affectionate smile warmed Olivia's face. Pushing away from the door, she slowly made her way toward Natalia. "I was just thinking how incredible you are, that's all."
Natalia blushed.
"And how fantastically sexy…" Olivia purred, as she pulled Natalia into her arms.
The flush on Natalia's cheeks deepened, drawing an amused smile from Olivia.
"And how nice it is to have you all to myself," Olivia whispered, her mouth slowly gliding along the warmth of Natalia's skin. "I've been wanted to do this all evening."
A soft groan slipped from Natalia's lips. "Liv…" she protested weakly. "We have guests outside."
"They can take care of themselves for a few minutes," Olivia insisted. And then she covered Natalia's mouth with her own. Taking her time, she kissed Natalia thoroughly, lingering until their breaths came in sharp gasps, Natalia's breasts pressing against her own as their chests rose and fell.
"I can't wait to be alone with you tonight," Natalia murmured breathily.
Olivia smiled. "Ditto," she whispered. Brushing her mouth against Natalia's again.
"Oops," Tracy laughed, stopping in her tracks as she entered the living room. "Sorry... I was just coming in to roust the boys." The four older kids had fallen asleep watching one of Emma's movies in the den. With her usual stubborn nature, Lexie remained wide-eyed, and she had spent most of the evening cuddled in Olivia's lap. Only when she became fussy did she consent to being handed over to Lena. "It's about time we get them home."
Natalia offered a benevolent smile. "Why don't you just let them sleep?" she suggested.
"Yeah, Olivia agreed. "You and Jen go enjoy a night alone. Join us for breakfast in the morning, and pick them up then."
"I'm making pancakes and sausage," Natalia added enticingly.
Tracy looked surprised, though she didn't quite know why. "Are you sure?"
"Why not?" Natalia shrugged. "They're exhausted from playing outside all evening. No reason to disturb them. Unless, you just want them home. I could understand after being away from them…"
Tracy smiled. "It's not that," she quickly allayed. "We had a great afternoon together as a family. It's just that you already have a full house, and…"
"So what's a couple more?" Natalia reasoned. "You and Jen are welcome to stay as well, if you'd like. It's not like we don't have enough bedrooms around here."
"Thanks," Tracy said appreciatively. "I think we're good to drive home. But maybe we'll take you up on your other offer."
"What other offer?" Jen asked, as she and Dani joined the group. They had been having a nice chat about Jake and his antics back in law school. Apparently, Jen learned from their conversation, her late husband had always been somewhat of a roguish charmer—but more often than not, it had gotten him into trouble. "What'd I miss?" She wrapped her arms around her fiancée's waist from behind.
"To leave the boys here," Tracy answered. "For the night."
"Oh, we couldn't impose," Jen argued lightly.
"No imposition," Olivia assured. "They'll help keep the girls occupied in the morning while we fix breakfast."
Natalia arched a dubious eyebrow. "While who fixes breakfast?"
"Oh, you stop," Olivia laughed. "You act like I can't boil water."
"Can you?" Natalia teased.
Olivia made a face at her, and everyone laughed.
"No worries," Bianca interjected as she added to the growing crowd. "I'll help with breakfast."
Glancing at Jen and Tracy, Olivia said, her tone deadpan, "Looks like you're safe from my bumbling culinary skills."
"Bumbling culi…" She knew full-well that Olivia was a world-renowned chef, but the expression on the hotelier's face stopped Jen's comment in its tracks. "Right," she nodded. "Thanks for saving us, Bianca," she said, playing along.
"Anytime," Bianca grinned.
"Did someone move the party and forget to tell the Mayor?" Doris quipped, when she and Lena straggled into the living room behind everyone else.
"Sorry, Your Highness," Olivia mocked.
Doris laughed. "I'll pardon you, Commoner. But only this once," she granted.
They all laughed together. And then Lena excused herself to head upstairs with Lexie, who was finally showing signs of wearing out. "I need to get this one down before she gets her second wind, or I'll be up all night," she explained to the group.
"Say no more," Dani said, sounding almost as if she could relate.
Leaning toward Bianca, Lena brushed a kiss against her wife's temple.
Bianca responded by lightly squeezing Lena's bicep. "I'll be up in a bit."
Lena smiled in response, and then nodded at their friends. "Goodnight," she said. "I hope to see you all again before we return to Pine Valley."
Sounds of agreement were heard all around, and then Doris was saying, "As much as I hate to, I should get going. It's late, and I have a busy day tomorrow."
"Same here," Dani agreed.
Regarding the young attorney with interest, Doris asked, "Heading back to Chicago?"
Dani's smooth, olive complexion colored slightly. "No," she answered, her tone filled with determination. "I have a wife to get back."
Bianca wrapped a supportive arm around her. "Good for you," she said encouragingly.
A sharp laugh fell from Dani's lips. "Yeah, if I can figure out where to find her."
"Oh, you just give me a minute," Doris said, whipping out her phone. "I'll get her address from the precinct."
Surprised, onyx eyes blinked twice. "Really?" Dani questioned.
Doris nodded just before announcing herself to the dispatcher. "Of course," she said. "Being the Mayor is not without its perks."
"Thank you," Dani said appreciatively.
Once Doris had the detective's home address in hand, she gave it to Dani along with one of her own business cards. "Call me, if you need anything."
Dani thanked her again, and then bid her goodnight along with everyone else. Doris did the same, declining an invitation to breakfast, but promising a dinner with Olivia and Natalia very soon. She shared a secret smile with Olivia that didn't go unnoticed by Natalia.
Jen and Tracy were the last to say goodnight, thanking Olivia and Natalia for another lovely evening at the farmhouse. And then they were gone, with promises to return around nine in the morning to share breakfast with everyone.
Finally, the house was quiet. Bianca went to check on the kids, who were still sound asleep on pallets on the floor in the den, where they had passed out watching their movie. Meanwhile, Natalia put the final remnants of their leftovers in to the refrigerator, while Olivia did a final check of the locks on the doors. And when all of their tasks had been completed, the three of them climbed the stairs, said their goodnights on the landing, and made their way toward their respective bedrooms.
Friday, June 19, 2009… Highway 72 near East Lake Shore Drive—11:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Water gently lapped at the edge of the shore, and somewhere in the distance Langston could hear the familiar sounds of their mutual pleasure as they made love that night. Suddenly, she was aware of wetness in her palms. It took a moment for her to realize it was from tears that streaked, unbidden, down her cheeks, as her head lay buried in shaking hands.
The memory was so vivid, so real, Langston swore she could still feel Dani's body moving against her own; could still feel the warmth of her hands, her mouth, so skillful, so knowing. But it was nothing but a memory. It could never be real again. Under her breath, she cursed Dani once again, for opening deep-rooted wounds, stirring up emotions long-ago buried, and reigniting latent desires that she had fought so long, so hard, to douse.
But cursing her would do no good, and Langston knew it. Dani could only stir up that which Langston would allow.
Perhaps she should have been cursing herself after all.
Friday, June 19, 2009… Morgan Financial Corporate Offices—11:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Hours after the meeting that flattened his overinflated ego, his dinner consumed, and its bearer long since gone, a second crystal decanter had been emptied of its contents, and so had the box of pricy Cuban cigars. Preston Morgan stood there, stock-still, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows across the city, alone in his thoughts. Such a fool, that detective, he thought. To believe I need a weapon to exact revenge. Clearly, he doesn't know who he's dealing with.
He knew people. Bad people. And he had them at his beck and call. All he needed was a throw-away phone.
The clock on the wall ticked loudly, drawing his attention toward it. He glared at it with rancor—a reminder of his dwindling time in this building that once housed his legacy. Now that legacy belonged to someone else. Once again, his anger rising to a fever pitch, he vowed revenge.
And then he felt his chest begin to tighten beneath his starched white shirt.
Clutching at his torso with a sense of desperation, the expensive silk tie seemed to tighten around his thick neck, seizing him like a noose. He struggled for breath, his thoughts racing like the wind in a hurricane.
And then he was falling.
Grasping for purchase, he grabbed at the edge of a nearby chair, but it was helpless against the force of his descent. His considerable bulk hit the floor with a loud thud, and the glass flew from his hand, shattering against the nearby window.
The pain seared through his chest, a dagger piercing his flesh. He clawed at it until he had no strength left to fight.
Slowly, the final vestiges of life slipped from his shapeless body.
And there on the boardroom floor, like a pile of rubble in the wake of deadly storm, his lifeless frame lay.
It would be Monday morning before anyone even found him. And no one would ever know whether he succumbed to his weak heart due to the stress of losing his business…
Or died as a result of a mob hit, recrimination for his betrayal…
Or perhaps, something far more sinister…
Like a wife who had finally had enough.
FLcit845, you asked when we would get to Chapter 15… Here's your answer:
TBC in Chapter 15: Where Truth Lies…
Oh, and a little trivia question for you all: How long was Chapter 14 in its entirety?
The person who comes closest to the correct answer gets a sneak-peek at a section of Chapter 15.
xoxo
K