Chapter 17

"I don't get it, you said you've never been with a woman before… except that one college party, but that was just a kiss, right?" Charlotte was thinking out loud as she lay next to her mother, "So, how did you get so good at this? I mean, you always know exactly how to… make me feel good."

Jessica chuckled, "I guess I just know how to read the signals… I know when your throat makes that noise, I should touch you here," she touched Charlotte but only gently this time, "and when you do that high pitched moan, here," she murmured, tracing her hands over Charlotte's body, "And then when you gasp…" she ran a hand up Charlotte's leg, "Well, we know what happens then."

Charlotte giggled, putting her hand over Jessica's and pulling it up to rest on her cheek, "Yeah," she said softly, "Nobody knows me like you do."

Jessica stroked her daughters' cheek gently, "Same with you, Charlie," she whispered, "You have my heart racing again."

Charlotte smiled, "Really?" she nibbled on her lip and then put her ear to her mom's chest, "Mm, I can hear it. That sounds nice."

Jessica fiddled with Charlotte's hair, "You're so beautiful," she murmured.

Charlotte pulled her ear from her mom's chest and looked at her, "So are you," she kissed her lips quickly, "I want to lay in your arms forever."

"I think that can be arranged," Jessica whispered, pulling Charlotte down beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "In fact, I promise it."

Charlotte smiled, "I love you, mommy."

"And I love you," Jessica murmured, as her eyes started to close.

Charlotte watched her, biting back a smile, "You're sleepy," she ran a finger down her mom's cheek, "Go to sleep, baby."

"Mm, I like that," Jessica murmured, eyes closed, "When you call me baby. It's nice."

"Shh," Charlotte hushed her, "Go to sleep," she repeated, pulling Jessica into her arms.

Charlotte's hand itched to reach for her mom's hand but Alison had Emily over so she resisted. She watched the way Alison looked at her friend.

"Do you think she'll ever tell her?" Charlotte whispered as she followed her mom into the kitchen.

Jessica smiled, "I don't know, honey. It's up to her… maybe she just needs time."

Charlotte nodded, "Maybe," she thought for a moment, "But Emily totally likes her and they'd be so cute together," she sighed.

Jessica laughed, "You're such a romantic sometimes," she bit her lip, "It's sweet."

"Yeah, well…" Charlotte shrugged, moving closer to Jessica, pinning her against the kitchen cupboard gently. She kissed her lips, running a hand up her side.

Jessica indulged for a moment before placing a hand over her daughters and pushing away, dodging out of the corner she'd backed into, "We have company, remember?" she murmured.

Charlotte groaned, "I know, I know."

"Patience, Charlie," Jessica whispered in her daughters' ear as she left the kitchen.

Charlotte sighed and lent her head back on the wall for a moment before following her mom.

"So, are you seeing anyone, Em?" Charlotte asked, sitting on Alison's bed.

Alison poked her, "You're so nosy."

Charlotte shrugged.

"It's okay," Emily smiled shyly, "I'm not seeing anyone right now."

Charlotte smiled, nodding, "Got your eye on anyone?"

Alison rolled her eyes.

"Um, I- I'm not sure," Emily mumbled, "What about you?" she asked without thinking. She'd just meant to deflect the attention off of herself but then she realised the position she was putting the older woman in.

Alison looked at Charlotte, wondering how she'd answer.

"Me? Well, not really. Sort of. I mean, things are… it's complicated,' she muttered.

Alison sympathised with her sister and made a split second decision, "Charlie… Em knows," she bit her lip, nervous of Charlotte's reaction, "About you and mom."

Charlotte's eyes widened, "You told her?" she whispered, "Ali! I…"

"It's okay!" Emily held up her hands, "I'm not going to tell anyone, I promise. I think it's just… Ali needed someone to talk to about everything that's been happening. But don't worry, I can keep a secret."

Charlotte shifted in her spot before nodding, "Okay. Thanks," she muttered.

"It's fine, really," Emily smiled, "I remember when I first dated Maya we kept it a secret for a while… it's really hard hiding it all the time… "

"It is," Charlotte agreed quietly, "But it's not exactly the same."

Emily thought for a moment, "I guess not… but from what Ali says, you guys are in love so… I guess I'm just saying I'm not judging you. It's still love, right?"

Charlotte smiled gratefully, "It is," she agreed, "Thanks, Em."

"Someone's happy," Jessica laughed as Charlotte bounced onto the bed and crawled over to her.

Charlotte curled into her side, "I'm just happy to be able to be affectionate with you again."

Jessica ran her hands through Charlotte's hair, "I know it's hard, honey but we can't just tell Ali she can't have her friends over."

"No, I know," Charlotte said, tracing patterns absently over her mom's stomach, "It's alright. I like having Emily over anyway!"

Jessica snorted, "I know you do."

Charlotte frowned, looking up at her mom, "What does that mean?"

"I saw you checking her out," Jessica said, but not cruelly.

Charlotte blushed, "I did not!"

Jessica rolled her eyes, "I'm not blind."

"I didn't mean to," Charlotte mumbled, "It's just she wears those short shorts…" she shrugged, "I'm sorry."

Jessica smiled, "It's fine, you're only human," she sighed, "Plus she's young and attractive, I understand."

This time Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Mom, seriously you're the only woman I ever want."

Jessica smiled but there was a sadness to it.

"Mom," Charlotte sat up now, "I mean it. I don't care how young or attractive any other woman is, you're all I want. You're all I need."

Jessica looked at the earnestness in her daughters eyes, "Even when I'm all old and grey?"

Charlotte nodded, "Even then! You're stuck with me, I'm afraid," she lay back down, touching her mom's hand.

"I'm sorry, I'm being silly," Jessica turned her face into Charlotte's hand, kissing her palm lightly.

Charlotte bit her lip, "I didn't realise you… I mean, I'm not blind, I'm not going to lie and say I've never looked but I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever – "

She was cut off by Jessica's lips and she kissed her back, "Oh, honey, I know you would never cheat on me," she stroked her daughters' cheek, "I just don't want to hold you back… I'm so – "

"Don't dare say old," Charlotte cut in, "It's so simple, mom. You're my everything. I mean, you'd never think about being with anyone else, right?"

"Never," Jessica murmured.

"It's no different just because I'm younger," Charlotte insisted, "I love you."

"I love you too," Jessica whispered, "So, so much."

Charlotte nibbled her lip, "Anyway, your legs are way, way sexier than Emily's," she ran her fingers up Jessica's leg.

Jessica chuckled, "You're too kind."

"Are you saying you never looked though?" Charlotte grinned, "Cause those short shorts…"

Jessica pushed at her daughter gently, "Oh, you. She's far too young for me. Even you're…" she shook her head.

"It's only eighteen years mom," Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Plus, I think you've proved you know, your stamina…" she giggled.

Jessica hit Charlotte's arm gently, "Well, I can't deny that," she giggled too.

Charlotte smiled, "I'm sorry though," she frowned, "I really didn't mean to make you feel insecure."

"I know, honey," Jessica nodded, "It's not your fault, baby. Sometimes my head just runs away with me, that's all."

"I know that feeling," Charlotte bit her lip, "Mine does that sometimes too. Usually when I'm alone."

Jessica drew Charlotte into her chest, "You're not alone anymore."

"I never was, mom," Charlotte whispered, "I always had you."

Jessica held her daughter tightly, "Always," she murmured quietly.