Something told Simone's confused senses as half an eye peeped open that it was late in the morning but she couldn't honestly focus her eyes upon the digital shaped clock which she could normally pick out. Instead, she could sense both the feel and faint perfume of the presence of the most precious creature lying in front of her. Her own free arm curled round to encompassed Annabelle whose fingers gently held her own even in her sleep. Her mass of brown hair streamed down onto the pillow so that meant that definitely everything in her world was complete. She sighed contentedly to herself and felt delicious. She could hear Annabelle's soft faint even breath of contentment while her lips rested against that smooth shapely shoulder. She couldn't resist bestowing a 'first thing in the morning' softest possible kiss.
While Simone lay there, her eyelids drooped down, letting sunbeams create crazy dance patterns in front of her. Part of her felt incredibly languid and wanted to let the chill out feeling of the morning last forever but another side of her toyed with the idea that there might be more to life just happily doing nothing. Her only concern was that Annabelle was still asleep and for some while her sense of consideration was in a tug of war with burgeoning impulses coming to life.
Finally, she could resist that nagging temptation no longer as a teasing image in her mind gave her no release. She gently disengaged her fingers from Annabelle's and she curled her hand round so that her fingers could delicately feel their way up the younger woman's flat stomach and finally her breasts. With a sigh of satisfaction, her nimble fingertips found her lover's nipples and started to tease and caress them. At that moment, the younger woman's formless free-floating dreams started to shift tone and colour and definite sensations of pleasure started to seep through her unconscious until her eyelids opened and she knew that her body was starting to move to the delightful rhythms that her lover was inducing in her. She turned her face around only for Simone to start the pattern of kisses that would grow longer and deeper.
"You really can't get enough of me,"Annabelle laughed gently when her mouth was free.
"Don't I just?"came that endearingly soft tone of voice that promised so much.
"It's funny. Every time we wake up, I feel you cuddling me from behind. Don't get me wrong. It makes me feel so good,"Simone said, finishing her words with a lazy, self-satisfied laugh as they lay together, the duvet half hanging off the bed and their bodies delightfully intermingled..
"Guess we both move around in the night when we're asleep," Annabelle started to say evasively till she felt those blue eyes with that tranquil, all knowing gaze fall on her, prompting her to break off with an impatient gesture.
"You know I don't ever want to wake up being alone. Those weeks after you were arrested were living hell. I guess my unconscious gets me to hold onto you."
"And now?"
"My unconscious doesn't tell me too much of what's going on in my mind," joked the younger woman."All the same I trust it. I was always one for following the inner voice rather than meekly accepting what authority people told me."
Simone nodded her head eagerly, her face breaking out into a big smile. She'd been such an authority however much she had operated sincerely and humanely. Now she was free from that position and had come round full circle to when she'd been a rebellious teenager herself.
"You don't mind someone else taking the photograph?" queried Annabelle, a frown of doubt on her mind as they talked over breakfast.."You take really good photographs. I used to talk to you about changing your career and I really meant it. I guess we've got sidetracked with music and stuff."
It wasn't just what the younger woman was saying but the way she said them that told Simone that there was a considerable amount of self-doubt and uncertainty being expressed in her sweet and appealing fashion. She softly kissed the dark-haired woman and embraced her.
"Darling, I really love playing music with you. You've taught me something really precious I want to follow...wherever it takes us."
An indefinable expression spread over Annabelle's features and into her eyes, something far-seeing as she started to ponder this striking suggestion. They'd focussed so tightly in getting both of them to work as an acoustic duo and the way Simone had come on by leaps and strides in so short a period of time had made her overlook the horizons that started to open up. Aside from her long ago musical efforts when she was a teenager, she must have had some dormant gift within her that only required tapping into. Her mind started to dream of if only it were possible.
"I know I take good photographs and painting them but I'd have to go to college or something to take it further...I don't know...I need professional qualifications for anyone to look at my work," Simone said as her voice tailed off, her thoughts becoming confused.
"Was that why you didn't buy my ideas of you having a career change?" pursued Annabelle. This question had been at the back of her mind ever since they'd talked about this when she'd stayed over during her spring break all those months ago when they were gradually evolving into the two women who stood in today's shoes. Simone smiled and nodded. It was obvious that this very perceptive woman of hers wasn't going to give up on the idea. Neither did she as she knew that it was a matter of circumstances being right.
"How did you ever get those photos I took of you over the spring break?" Simone said in a distracted fashion as the thought suddenly bubbled to the surface, unbidden. Annabelle
had shown them to her very early after she'd moved in but somehow or other they'd been so busy exploring each other's worlds that they'd been overlooked.
Annabelle placed her fingers against her lips as she thought for a while. She'd rapidly packed all her belongings to establish this beach house as part of her home and she'd got half an idea she'd tidied the photo away and shoved a pile of papers into a spare drawer.
"I went into your bedroom at St Theresa's after you got busted and saw them out on your sideboard. I know where I put them."
With great rapidity, she went to the drawer under the bookcase and shuffled through the papers. She knew she hadn't put them in the normal places in the joyous moment that she put away all her belongings to share Simone's space who was lovingly letting her inside that precious area of herself. There in front of her eyes were pictures of her with a glorious wide smile on her face and twinkling eyes. They roused feelings of almost unbearable intensity within her as, for a second, she'd been afraid she'd lost them. She didn't know whether to smile or cry as she stared deep within this image of herself.
"Hey, I know how you feel. I feel the same way myself. We'll see if we can get them framed," came that incredibly soothing voice with the gentle tough of her hand caressing her shoulders. That did make her cry and Simone folded the woman into herself to let her cry safely.
Once again, they were out on the road, driving to the photographic studio that Simone's researches on her laptop had tracked down. The fair haired woman grinned sideways at her partner as she relaxed into her seat and her driving, looking the personification of confidence.
"Hey, what's on the radio?" Annabelle asked, offering her a sunny smile to match their moods. Obligingly, Simone clicked the button and, by chance, the right kind of honey coated music played that west coast feel. They had got to the point where they could enjoy a companionable silence, letting random music flow over them while the wing whipped at the locks of their hair. They loved the feel of speeding down the coast road and plunging through the tree sheltered country road heading for town.
Sure enough, they walked up to the discreet sign "Lawson and Winters Photographers," advertising the studio right by a real estate business in an old fashioned block of houses and they liked the look and feel of it. It wasn't flash and garish but gave the impression that only craftsmen worked here. As they opened the door, a flight of weathered looking wooden steps, worn slightly by the tramp of many feet up and down the staircase. A dim light from a top floor window suggested mystical shape and form to the world they were entering and it shut out the sounds of the busy vibrant sounds of the street they'd just left behind them.
"Say, how did you figure out to pick this studio? It feels kind of old fashioned," Annabelle said in a hushed voice. These surroundings toned down her natural exuberance but the vibrations weren't unfriendly as much as different.
"There aren't many places I could find on the net so I took a chance. It'd be nice if it's gay friendly but we're customers anyway."
As Simone took the younger woman by the hand and led them upstairs, she was starting to have doubts as to how they would be treated but went along with her lover's lead. She already started to picture some middle-aged reclusive guy who was at home in this atmosphere which felt removed from daily life. It didn't feel very rock and roll to her. They pushed through the door whose paintwork looked as if it had seen many winters over the years and an old-fashioned bell tinkled as they pushed open the door. To their surprise, a young fresh faced blonde woman with sleekly brushed long hair greeted them with a dazzling smile. The contrast between their expectations and reality forcibly struck both women and both were momentarily tongue-tied. Fortunately, this stranger came to their rescue.
"We do a range of portraiture from traditional family photographs, babies and children or if you want stylish photographs for a specialised market, we're the place for you. We're really proud of our versatility. My name's Alison Winters. "
The last word vibrated inside both women's consciousness like an expertly struck tuning fork as she extended her hand from the other side of the counter and shook Simone's hand.. It was exactly what they wanted to hear and they hoped for the best that the photographer guy would be equally responsive to their needs. The sharp-eared younger woman registered the obvious conclusion that this woman was no gofer. They looked at each other before Annabelle took the lead.
"You guys sound exactly what we need. Versatile sounds right to us. We want a set of photographs taken of both of us," she said, not daring to think of the possible consequences which loomed large in her consciousness and Simone's nervousness was written all over her face.
"Let's get down to specifics as I don't want to make any false assumptions,"Alison said in her brisk tones which were reassuringly businesslike."Just who is going to be in the picture?"
"Just us,"Simone said shortly. The other woman briefly let slip the smile she'd been feeling as soon as these two women crossed her threshold and instantly pegged them. They looked really good together without really trying.
"We need to know what sort of portraiture you want? Do you want a mixture of individual shots and a group shot to finish? Do you want a conventional room interior look or something a bit different, less formal?"
The series of questions took both women back. Simone's own handiwork in that area was to point and click on inspiration so that she wasn't prepared for this. She assumed that the photographer would just let it happen but she'd clearly guessed wrong.
"Have you got a brochure of your work?" Annabelle asked in her most outwardly self-possessed fashion though she was highly aware of how perilously she was winging it."Perhaps your partner might help out?"
"I take the photographs and handle customer service. I'll try and get Vanessa out of her dark room for her input," Alison said, smiling slightly as she laughed."A lifetime of standing over proofs and fixing flaws doesn't make her sociable but she'll come for the right cause."
The mental picture of an untidy middle aged man with peering eyes and the look of a dedicated scientist was blown away, firstly by Alison's words and secondly, by the tall, lean woman with dark hair, tied back and handsome features who strode forward out of the side-room to offer a firm handshake to both women. Instantly, both women knew what they wanted as Vanessa brought out a brochure and the picture set against a romantic, rustic background leapt out at them in high definition while other photographs faded away into the background as they flipped over the plastic, loose fit pages with photographs neatly contained by a thin film of protective polythene. They allowed themselves to slip a free hand into the other as they surveyed all the possibilities. They came to the family oriented photographs and they flipped over the pages at a faster rate.
"We definitely like this landscape view. It's giving us ideas on how we want to look like," Annabelle said, a satisfied smile starting to spread across her face. She knew that these two women felt interest in their project beyond professional courtesies.
"We thought so. It's very popular with the ladies who come here. Your white dresses will be ideal," Alison said in an insouciant way of talking that inched their boldness right over the parapet. Instantly, a collective breath of relief was exhaled. They all knew where they stood with each other.
" By the way, I'm Annabelle and my lover here is Simone," the dark-haired woman said, finally clinching their collective understanding of each other.
A little while later, they were ensconced in the setting that was artfully laid out and Vanessa reached for the Victorian vase to add the finishing touch while Alison checked the settings on the camera. The backdrop was an artfully printed image of woodland greenery against which thee two women's white dresses made a striking contrast. Both women's senses were pictorially attuned to its symbolism and liked the feel of how these two women instinctively worked around each other.
"Are we wearing the right clothes?"Simone asked nervously before going into frank confession mode."We just threw on our favourite outfits. They felt right."
"Stay as you are," Alison said in really positive tones." Simone, I really like that lacy white dress and Annabelle, that V neck with the tracery on the V will suit me perfectly. This will really make you look like the all time Sapphic couple when I've made one or two adjustments. You agree, dearest?"
"Just give me the negatives and I'll make it right. Don't rush me though as I'm not a goddamn slot machine," Vanessa said with mock sternness. The others knew that it was only her way of promising that she'd really try hard and make it work for them.
"Right, can you get settled down," directed Vanessa firmly, showing that where her own discipline was concerned, she was going to exercise due control.."You're going to place yourselves in my hands, sororially speaking so I'll boss you both around to make any little moves I think fit."
Both women instantly felt good as they knew that there was no obstacle to them being delicately wrapped around each other even while they both faced the camera. That tactile feel made it easier to make minor adjustments to their posture, to the way they slightly leaned heads towards each other and the position of their arms. Vanessa grabbed a hairbrush and, under her partner's direction, ran it through their hair one more time. Finally, they attained a posture which satisfied Alison's strict demands on them and on herself and they held it rigid while she sought to conjure up the expressions out of nowhere. She dispensed with the time honoured 'say cheese' and finally blasted off with her flash, a series of photographs from her camera on its fixed location. Beneath Alison's professional manner, feelings of delight in her purpose welled up inside of her and she knew she wasn't wasn't done yet. These two adorable women deserved better than this , she vowed and she grabbed her portable camera and moved forward to click off two more pictures.
"You can take it easy now," Alison said in warm comfortable tones."Beneath this disciplinarian exterior, I believe in a little spontaneity from time to time," she joked.
"As my partner has now finished the roll she was on, both physical and psychic," interjected Vanessa in dry tones, making Simone and Annabelle grin appreciatively at their easy cross talk."She'll even let me touch her camera which is big-time concession so I can run off prints for you to give you an idea of what you're getting with the polished product . As for her body, that goes with our territory."
As they waited for Vanessa to work her photographic magic, the three women indulged in light badinage which wove them into the beginnings of a new friendship.
"We're kind of new to the lesbian scene. We're like newly-weds," Simone said a little breathlessly which prompted an unashamedly loving gaze from her partner who clutched onto her hand."We want to extend our circle of friends which is like zero."
"A friendly bank clerk called Sadie who gave us an invitation to go to a place called Chico's this Friday. Here's the card she gave us," Annabelle said eagerly, fishing around for the zip- up compartment inside her holdall."There's this English couple who we've read about her who we really want to meet. We won't get another chance."
"We'll be there. We're regulars," Alison said, a warm feeling of pleasure stealing over her as this told her that their friendship would continue."It'll be a great night."
Finally, Vanessa emerged from her inner sanctum and placed the still damp proofs onto the back of the counter. Both women oohed and aahed with touching pleasure at the wondrous image of their love. They looked as if they'd been transplanted into a classical framework and their love had existed since time immemorial which was precisely the effect Alison had aimed at.
"I'm throwing them in for free," she said carelessly,following Vanessa's nod. Both women knew that this strong-minded woman didn't lightly give her handiwork away lightly even if this was basic stuff to her."You'll love the studio shots, I guarantee it."
Both women stumbled to express their undying appreciation with words that felt like cliché, an embarrassing situation for two budding songwriters and literary experts. Simone struggled with an extra burden for an additional request. She knew that if she panicked and lost her nerve, she'd never hold up her head again.
"Oh before I forget. I've got some photos I took of Annabelle once. I'm sure they won't be up to your standard. I don't suppose you can frame them if I pay extra," Simone said in a flustered fashion, reaching inside her partner's holdall.
"I've got some spare frames in the back of the studio. If you want to wait, I've got just enough time to frame all the pictures here before my next customer," Alison said.
She examined them with immediate interest. They were taken on the slant and were blasted off on the beach somewhere with no obvious preparation but they grabbed her interest in its raw, simple technique. This woman's knack in capturing her lover's artless smile had something.
Miles away, in San Francisco, Helen and Nikki's feet were pacing the streets of a city that was legendary to them both. The area they'd found themselves in was as gay friendly as they'd dreamed of. Helen smiled as Nikki's glittering eyes spotted specialist bookshops that eclipsed the islands of enlightenment she'd found in London and pretended to tolerantly endure her partner's enthusiasm. She laughed at herself when she realised that, after all, she'd encouraged Nikki to take up her English degree through the Open University that operated at Larkhall Prison. She knew that Nikki could be lured to clothes stores and that she needed to renew her makeup. This would set them up just nicely for the social event this Friday which piqued both women's curiosity and interest.
Meanwhile, the sun shone down on their freedom and the countless exotic sights of the new world of theirs. .