So, after careful consideration, I decided the limes could stay, and with it an increase in rating. This chapter contains possibly unacceptable levels of cheese. Those of you who are lactose or citrus intolerant are probably better off giving this one a miss.

BGM: Where Money Flows Like Water

October 23rd. Two years after the Skullgirl.

The band was in full swing as the two girls...well no, legally two women now, entered the bar/restaurant at the River King Casino. Filia motioned to the bouncer to take her and Carol to one of the private booths; as the last Medici she technically owned the place now, so queues were no object for her. After been shown to their seats, a waiter arrived with a bottle of champagne and two glasses as an aperitif. He filled up both and handed them out.

"So, happy 18th birthday Carol Fairweather."

"Cheers!" Filia smiled at the love of her life. Carol was so many things to her; best friend, mother, daughter, sister. They had been together for a year now. They hadn't consummated their relationship as of yet; Carol was still too nervous about Filia seeing her naked, with all the scars she still had major self-image issues. Still, Filia hoped tonight would pave the way for Carol to finally come out of her shell, and accept how beautiful she was in Filia's eyes. Her voice sounded normal again at the very least. Filia wore a black strapless minidress, while Carol dressed in the stunning red qipao Filia had given her as a birthday present. Samson would no doubt gave passed comment, had he been there; medical science had moved on thanks to Lab 7 finally making its research public, and Filia decided to have him removed six months ago when he ruined the mood one time too often. He had a new, more willing host now, and was doing well for himself by all accounts. They stayed in touch, even being quite protective of Carol. A bonus was that Filia now had her weight back under control, though she still maintained a gorgeous set of curves. On the other hand, she had dyed her hair dark, just because Carol preferred it that way. Carol herself had let her hair grow out a bit, now down to her shoulder blades.

The waiter returned with the menus. Filia decided on the beef carpaccio then beef wellington while Carol opted for the antipasti platter followed by lobster thermidor. Filia giggled at that, "Are you sure you can eat all that?" Carol didn't exactly have the biggest appetite in the world, and Filia did often end up finishing her meals, in spite of Samson no longer being there. She cuffed Filia around the head with her menu, laughing.

BGM: In A Moment's Time

"Why so down tonight? Just another day that didn't go your way, well..."

Carol's ears pricked when she heard the song. She loved this one. She extended her hand for Filia to join her in the dancefloor. What started as exuberant messing around calmed to an intimate little shuffle. Filia slyly copped a feel of Carol's rear end. Carol narrowed her eyes, smirking, before pulling Filia in for a kiss. That caught the attention of quite a few if the other patrons, through the whole gamut of looks and sounds; lecherous leering, wolf whistles, cheers, groans, disgust. They didn't care anymore. This was their night.

By the time they had returned to their table, the waiter was delivering their meals. Predictably, they teased each teased the other with their food, with a little bit of denial thrown in. Having sat across from each other at the start, they were now sat next to each other, sharing a chocolate fondant. Another bottle of champers later, and the 'heavy petting' had begun. Filia was caressing Carol's chest, while Carol was stroking Filia's thighs...wait, was she..?

Filia pulled away, smiled and shook her head. Well, that answers that. Filia's face gave something else away. She lowered her hand, and stopped at the bottom of Carol's belly. Like she was waiting for an invitation. Carol could tell what the unspoken question was. She gave a shy smile, and nodded. Filia's face lit up. "Wait till I get you home.." She whispered. Carol giggled, then winked. The alcohol had worked its magic. Neither of them were big drinkers, not even engaging in the underage shenanigans of your typical teenager, so both were quite tipsy by now.

BGM: Forgotten Moments

The taxi ride home was more an exercise in keeping raging hormones and alcohol dampened inhibitions under control. Thankfully, once the were through the door to Filia's flat, they could stop all pretence at control. Filia near manhandled Carol onto the bed, and began to undo her qipao. Carol looked uncertain again until a kiss softened her resistance. Having exposed Carol's bare chest, Filia could take a look at what Carol was so worried about. Sure, her skinned was still a little marred in places, but there was nothing wrong with it. She still looked amazing.

"Wow," Filia whispered as she traced lines down Carol's abdomen.

"I-I don't like it. I have small boobs and my ribs show and..."

"Stop it Carol." Filia looked upset, "Why can't you accept the you that I fell in love with? I think you're beautiful, so stop telling yourself otherwise. It makes me think you don't value what I think."

"Sorry, Filia." While she would never fully admit it to her face, Carol's constant putting herself down really upset Filia. Someone who would always find fault with herself, and in spite of plenty of evidence to disprove those opinion probably always would. "I guess I'm...just nervous." She managed a nervous laugh. Carol reached up and touched Filia's breasts. She giggled in response to the attention. Before long, her dress was on the floor alongside Carol's. It took a bit of coaxing before Filia could give Carol the 'special attention' she intended. She devoured Carol's lips, with tongues soon following. Carol rolled her over so she was on top and grinned. She marvelled at Filia's breasts, those mounds that you could ski down. Carol worked both breasts with her hands. Filia grabbed Carol's head and planted it in between them. Carol took the opportunity to suck and kiss those glorious breasts. One hand stopped its exploration of Filia's nipple and felt its way downstairs.

"O...oh god" Filia gasped as her back arched. She was definitely enjoying this. For first timers, things were going pretty well.

After several minutes of being tended to, Filia decided she had better return some of the affection. She wrapped her arms around Carol and manhandled herself on top of her.

"I have you now, my pretty." Filia began kneading Carol's breasts. Carol moaned through the kiss. Filia broke off and began to work her way down Carol's body, sucking and biting on her nipples, massaging her belly with her right hand and squeezing her butt with her left. She worked her way further down, stopping just before Carol's hips.

"Please, keep going..."

She could see now that Catol's body hair had fallen out over time. Carol looked...almost ashamed, but Filia just smiled and began to tease Carol with her tongue before her fingers joined in.

"Fili...fili-aah...Aaaaah!"

"He he, you're easy to please."

Of course, all good things must come to an end. Scissoring each other, with a final moan they both came together. Filia's head hit the bed in exhaustion. Carol lay quivering for a few seconds, before managing to drag her exhausted body into Filia's arms. Filia stroked Carol's hair and gave her a peck on the forehead.

"I love you, Carol Fairweather."

Carol kissed her, "I love you too, Filia Medici."

As they came down from the rush, both just lay and gazed at each other, seeing who'd fall asleep first. It turned out to be Filia, Carol succumbing to the hormonal flood seconds later. In spite of what they had been through to get here, in spite of what it had cost them, they could both agree it was worth it.

BGM: Return To Normalcy

Filia awoke to the sound of birdsong, and the sight of the mid morning sun peeking through the curtains. She looked down to Carol, who was still asleep. She thought about waking her, but she just looked so peaceful. A huge contrast from the girl in the hospital bed, face twisted in torment. Filia stroked her cheek.

Hehe, she looks so cute.

The stimulus caused Carol to stir. She took a deep breath and lazily opened her eyes.

"Good morning gorgeous." She smiled.

"And you." Filia leant in and kissed her. Carol's response was a little more enthusiastic than Filia anticipated, with Carol ending up lying on top if her.

"Thank you, Filia."

"Hmm?"

"For yesterday...all of it." Carol snuggled her head against Filia's shoulder. They just lay there, enjoying this moment.

A moment turned into minutes, before Carol grinned "Wanna go again?" Filia laughed; she didn't need another invitation.

A new day. And a new beginning. For both of them.